There are three shades of MAC x Helmut Newton Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) that will be available online on October 27th. While I have found MAC’s liquid lipstick to be inconsistent, I actually felt like the three shades in the collection were improved with respect to the formulation itself compared to the permanent range of Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours. The formula seemed more pigmented, smoother, and the dry down was more forgiving as my lips “cracked” less. It wasn’t any less drying than the past, but at least it looked more even and nice on the lips. All three shades wore really, really long–they were still going after eight hours of wear–but were moderately drying.

High Heels is a medium red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was good–not quite opaque but very close to it–and delivered smooth, even coverage in a single layer. It was still going strong after eight hours of wear, but it was drying on me. ColourPop Fighter (LE, $7.00) is glossier (95% similar). KVD Beauty Hexagram (DC, $21.00) is brighter (95% similar). ColourPop Red Pocket (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). MAC Just Add Romance (P, $20.00) is glossier (95% similar). Estee Lauder Decisive Poppy (P, $32.00) is glossier (95% similar). ColourPop Trust Me (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). Revlon Lip Boom (P, $12.39) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Weekender (LE, $6.00) is brighter, cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay 714 (DC, $18.00) is glossier (95% similar). KVD Beauty Santa Sangre (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). ColourPop Silhouette (LE, $6.50) is brighter (95% similar). Sephora Always Red (PiP, $14.00) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Feels So Grand (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Self Esteem (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Rebel Heart (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar). Lancome Rouge Vintage (178) (LE, $32.00) is brighter, glossier (90% similar). L'Oreal Le Rouge Avant-Garde (P, $13.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Primary #3 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Lucky Red (403) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Bae (P, $20.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Chateau M is a medium-dark red with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and smoothly without emphasizing lip lines or streaking. The consistency was thin, spreadable, and easy to work with on the lips. It lasted for over eight hours and was drying over time. Urban Decay Crimson (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Makeup Geek Flamenco (LE, $12.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Melonade (LE, $6.50) is warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty Cayenne (P, $28.00) is warmer (95% similar). Make Up For Ever Red Ink (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). MAC PhillipeBlond (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Smashbox Unzipped (P, $21.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar). ColourPop Besame (LE, $6.50) is lighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Hexagram (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Take a Bao (LE, $9.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (95% similar). MAC PattyPout (LE, $21.00) is darker (95% similar). Anastasia Primary #3 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Carina's Love (P, $37.00) is brighter (95% similar). NARS Power Trip (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Strong Chi (LE, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M401 (DC, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar). Guerlain Cherry Red (219) (P, $36.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). NARS Starwoman (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Big Bang (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Creeper (DC, $6.50) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Self Portrait is a deep burgundy with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a fairly even application, though of the three, this one had room for improvement. The consistency was thin, a little more watery compared to the other two shades, but it spread across the lips and self-leveled as it dried down. Like the other shades, the liquid lipstick wore for over eight hours but was drying. ColourPop Moondancer (LE, $6.50) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Mamacita (DC, $6.50) is warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Griselda (P, $18.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). NARS Rock with You (P, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Sashay (P, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty #048 (P, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty Motorhead (P, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande (LE, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar). KVD Beauty Homegirl (P, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar). Sephora Auburn Prestige (98) (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Sephora Purple Red (99) (P, $14.00) is cooler (90% similar). Burberry Black Cherry (439) (P, $35.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Underdawg (LE, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Drop Dead Red (P, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC High Drama (P, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Fallen Angel (LE, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Powerhouse (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). ColourPop Ursula (LE, $7.00) is lighter (85% similar). Dose of Colors Saváge (LE, $18.00) is darker (90% similar). Lisa Eldridge Velvet Midnight (LE, $36.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

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MAC x Helmut Newton Retro Matte Lipcolour

MAC x Helmut Newton Retro Matte Lipcolour

MAC High Heels Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC High Heels Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC High Heels Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC High Heels Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC High Heels Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC High Heels Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Chateau M Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Chateau M Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Chateau M Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Chateau M Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Chateau M Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Chateau M Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Self Portrait Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Self Portrait Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Self Portrait Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Self Portrait Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Self Portrait Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Self Portrait Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour