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MAC x Brooke Shields Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC x Brooke Shields Lipsticks
MAC x Brooke Shields Lipsticks

MAC Excite Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is described as a “bright orange-red [with a Cremesheen finish].” It’s a brightened, medium orange-red with warm undertones and a very subtle gold shimmer. It had a lightly luminous finish with mostly opaque color coverage. This shade wore well for four and a half hours, left a very slight stain behind, and was a little bit hydrating (which is an upgrade, as this finish is usually drying on me). Bobbi Brown Lady Ruba (P, $26.00) is more matte, more opaque. NARS Marlene (P, $32.00) is darker, more opaque. MAC True Red (LE, $16.00) is similar. Lipstick Queen Jungle Queen (P, $22.00) is less red. Estee Lauder Impassioned (P, $30.00) is less glossy, more opaque. Givenchy Carmin Escarpin (306) (P, $36.00) is darker. Maybelline Vibrant Mandarin (P, $7.49) is darker. MAC Sail La Vie (LE, $16.00) is more matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Gospel Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is described as a “sheer rich burgundy [with a Lustre finish].” It’s a medium-dark, plummy red with a soft shine and subtle warm undertones. It is semi-opaque (which may be a pleasant mistake for some), rather than the sheer as described. It was lightly creamy and glided on easily, and it had a very flattering finish applied. The lipstick wore well for four hours and was neither hydrating nor drying over time. NARS Vera (P, $32.00) is cooler-toned, darker. Givenchy Framboise Velours (315) (LE, $36.00) is brighter, pinker. Marc Jacobs Beauty Headliner (608) (P, $28.00) is cooler-toned, pinker. Bite Beauty Crimson (LE, $28.00) is brighter. YSL Exquisite Plum (22) (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler-toned. YSL Forbidden Burgundy (12) (P, $34.00) is cooler-toned, darker. Givenchy Violine Precieux (312) (LE, $36.00) is more muted, more matte. MAC Candy Apple (LE, $17.00) is redder. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Excite Lipstick
MAC Excite Lipstick

MAC Gospel Lipstick
MAC Gospel Lipstick

MAC Gospel Lipstick
MAC Gospel Lipstick

MAC Gospel Lipstick
MAC Gospel Lipstick

MAC Gospel Lipstick
MAC Gospel Lipstick

MAC Gospel Lipstick
MAC Gospel Lipstick

MAC Gospel Lipstick
MAC Gospel Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder
  • MAC Scone Bronzing Powder
  • Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Glow
On eyes:
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty Sunset Highliner Gel Crayon

42 Comments

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Veronica Avatar

I jumped on the palette on Thursday, and I got Ecxite as well… Looks like it is everything I have been wanting a red lipstick to be!

I didn’t upgrade the shipping, and now I’m kicking myself for it, as I can’t wait to get it!

Quinctia Avatar

Gospel looks a lot different than I expected, based on the bullet! Not talking about the sheerness, either, the tone of it seems warmer, brighter than I’d expect.

Jo Avatar

I wouldn’t normally go for an orange red but I think I could pull Excite off because the finish looks really light and natural. Not keen on the packaging though so might have a look at the dupes!

Rachel R. Avatar

Both are very pretty. Excite is way too orange for me, though. Gospel I like very much, I thought it would be darker and more vampy. It a really nice plummy red, though. Color me surprised. I think it would be flattering on a lot of people.

Jackie Avatar

These are both…beautiful, surprisingly. I like the sheerness but vibrancy of both shades. I may have to go check these out, although I’m not thrilled about the price.

Lotus Avatar

Again I’m surprised. I loathe the gray/puke/prison orange packaging. It reminds me of race cars which aren’t a good thing, memory-wise. But as I said, I’m surprised these lipsticks did so well, and I must add that both look incredible on you, Christine! What is that eyeliner????!!!! With the darker lip and that liner, you “pop,” it’s growing on me! Wait.. Is it Gucci? I’m rolling my eyes but if so, I’ll still be happy! Is anyone else wondering why the Halloween/Brook Sheilds thing is happening? She already worked with mac as did Raquel Whelch.. Sp? (It’s not spelled right)

Basically, my decade of hidden goodies has me covered for this “comeback” of colors that never went away.. Only how we used them. 🙂 oh, packaging is downhill while prices are up.. There’s a difference!

Remember when MAC lipstick was like a $10-ish dollar option? They’re heading into territory not meant for them and I also feel that, along with that, they should go back to redefining MAC as MAC we know.. They stood alone. Once. So did UD.. Something’s up. Any thoughts?

Sylirael Avatar

Oof, Gospel is *really* pretty. I mean, the finish of both is nice, but Gospel somehow manages to strike that nice balance between sheerness/juiciness and pigmentation, and being ‘bright’ but also not super ‘in your face’ (even if that wasn’t what they intended, LOL!)

I’m struggling a little with the packaging though. When the lids are on the lipsticks, they look cool, but somehow when the lid is off, just the grey plastic tube base with the silver barrel makes them look a little cheap, which is annoying, given how awesome the lipsticks (and Brooke) are!

Sophie Bird Avatar

Thanks Christine for your indepth review (as always!) Does the Gospel lipstick have the same ingredients as Excite? I’m allergic to lanolin but it looks good.

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