MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

Reviews
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Christine |

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “full power coral [with a matte finish].” It’s a bright, medium coral with subtle pink tones and a satin finish. NARS Juliette (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Colour Pop Come Up (P, $7.00) is darker (95% similar). Smashbox Pinch Me (P, $21.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). MAC Rich & Restless (P, $21.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar). Colour Pop Jacquard (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Colour Pop Sike (LE, $6.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). NARS Lodhi (P, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Crossfade (P, $24.00) is more muted (85% similar). Makeup Geek Smarty Pants (P, $12.00) is darker, cooler, less glossy (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Dashing (P, $55.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Hot Emily (P, $37.00) is darker (85% similar). Too Faced Melted Coral (P, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). Too Faced The New Black (P, $22.00) is more muted, warmer, less glossy (85% similar). Too Faced Feelin' Myself (P, $21.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Colour Pop Chella (LE, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar). Bite Beauty Blood Orange (DC, $24.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). Makeup Geek Jitterbug (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar). MAC Mull It Over (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Kat Von D Julia (LE, $20.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (80% similar). NARS Melody N (LE, $27.00) is more muted, less glossy (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

This is such a welcome addition to MAC’s permanent range; a vibrant coral that isn’t too orange too pink. I don’t think it is truly matte, which is the only downside I experienced with the formula. It will wear down to a more matte-like finish after a couple of hours, but it has a more satin-like appearance and consistency. It had rich, opaque color coverage that went on evenly and smoothly, while the consistency was lightly creamy and velvety and never tugged on the lips. This shade lasted for five hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.

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MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick
MAC Tropic Tonic Lipstick

The Overview
Lipstick
MAC
$20.00/0.1 oz.

88%

Average

View Swatches
Top Rated
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Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • Viseart Paris Nude palette
About Reviewer
Review FAQ
Reviewer

Christine Mielke is the editor-in-chief and has been reviewing products for over 14 years.

She has normal-to-dry skin with occasional dryness on cheeks and nose. She has a light plus skintone with subtle, warmer yellow undertones (view her foundation matches here).

Learn more about her review process here.

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37 Comments

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Andrew

Wait, whoa whoa whoa; when did the permanent range go up to $17?! Didn’t they just raise them to $16 in the last year? The color looks beautiful on you, btw!

Aj
Tan, Yellow, moderately yellow undertones. Normal skin. »

Oh it’s so pretty! And it looks great on you! Now I have to go swatch it and decide if it’ll work for me, thankfully it’s permanent.

Erin
Lightest, Neutral undertones. Combination skin. »

I love the color on you but both NARS shades jumped to mind when I first saw this one. I can’t wear it but it’s nice 🙁

Nancy T

Thank goodness, MAC finally did it! This one reminds me of my tube of their LE Make Me Gorgeous that I love, except less glossy, and more importantly NOT a LE!
This shade looks great on you! And I believe it will flatter quite a few skintones out here as well.

Nicole
Light Medium, Yellow undertones. Normal-to-Dry skin. »

I got this over the summer. I wore it to death. I’m glad to see you give it good marks . OMG..Paris Nudes in the eye look is beautiful here!

Olivia
Medium, Olive undertones. Normal-to-Dry skin. »

Thanks for the review! It’s so pretty! I love colors like this. I tried to compare it to Vegas Volt from MAC but the image didn’t come up. How would you say it compares to Vegas Volt? I’m so bad at recognizing differences unless I see them right next to each other or on lol. Thanks so much 🙂

Monica

Hey I was wondering between the matte tropic tonic and the Vegas volt amplified. Which one would you say is a more orange tone? And which one did you prefer more and why? I’m Asian light skin tone and I can’t decide between the two…

Helene
Very Light, Neutral, slight yellow undertones. Combination skin. »

I wonder if I can wear this colour and not get scared every time I pass a mirror? I guess it’s swatch time soon.
Very pretty colour, I must say.

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