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MAC Toxic Tale & 5 Alarm Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, & Swatches

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bright coral [with a Satin finish].” It’s a vibrant, medium coral-pink with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had rich, opaque color coverage that glided on smoothly and delivered even color that wore well for five hours. It was neither drying nor hydrating over time. This shade is a repromote. NARS Kelly (P, $32.00) is pinker. NARS Grace (P, $32.00) is pinker. Guerlain Geneva (48) (P, $51.00) is similar. MAC Toying Around (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Dior Sunset (660) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery. Estee Lauder Defiant Coral (P, $30.00) is glossier, slightly pinker. Bite Beauty Crush (P, $28.00) is lighter. MAC Lady at Play (P, $22.00) is slightly pinker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “soft orange-red [with a Lustre finish].” It’s a muted, medium-dark red with warm, orange undertones and very fine gold shimmer with a luminous sheen. It had semi-sheer color coverage, consistent with the Lustre finish, which lasted for three hours. On me, it was somewhat drying over time, which tends to be my experience with this finish, unfortunately. MAC Excite (LE, $16.00) is more orange. MAC Fashion Trip (LE, $22.00) is brighter. MAC Cherry Glaze (LE, $20.00) is redder. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick
MAC Toxic Tale Lipstick

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick
MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick
MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick
MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick
MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick
MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick

MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick
MAC 5 Alarm Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Powder
  • Tarte Celebrate Blush
On eyes:
  • MAC Give Me Fire
  • Strike While Haute
  • Red Alert Eyeshadows

82 Comments

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Michelle Avatar

I picked up Toxic Tale from MAC’s Venomous Villains collection four years ago after reading your review on it.

It’s an absolutely beautiful color. I might pick it up again. The color is very flattering!

ms Avatar

how does toxic tale compare to costa chic? i don’t have that and i keep thinkingof buyying that.
so this is more orange pulling coral? thanks!

Line H Avatar

I had Toxic Tale from Venomous Villains, I loved it but I was too scared to wear bright lipsticks on a daily basis. So I sold it, just last year. And have regretted it ever since! I have to have this again!

Whitney Avatar

As lovely as these are, I’m actually glad I’m tapped out and can’t get them. 5 Alarm’s adorable but I actually have something awfully similar to it that I don’t need it. As to Toxic Tale…well, honestly…I’m terrified of that one. That one looks like it’d look like a hot mess on my reddish-caramel complexion. That’s the same reason I had for not getting Toying Around. I wish I’d have some courage in my veins and just try it out for the same of seeing if I’m wrong or right but too chicken and too broke to give it another thought. 😛

Amalia Avatar

About Toxic Tale, How does it compare to Tom Ford True Coral Lip Color? I have try to compare in real life, bout Mac counter don’t have sample anymore and your pictures back in 2010 has different quality. Tomorrow I will check MUFE Intense #37 ( it is a satin ) and Guerlain Rouge G Geneva #48 ( I think is more sheer). Thank you for your time.

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