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Sneak Peek: MAC The Matte Lip Collection Photos & Swatches

MAC The Matte Lip Collection

Launching online on May 28th, MAC The Matte Lip Collection ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) features 22 shades of Retro Matte and Matte finish lipsticks. Over half are shades that have been previously released or are found in the permanent range, with the new shades including Tropic Tonic (which I don’t have), D for Danger, Men Love Mystery, Matte Royal, Antique Velvet, Stone, Whirl, Persistence, and Naturally Transformed. I’m still awaiting the full press release and will post full launch information and descriptions as soon as I receive. Here’s a sneak peek of 21 of the 22 shades…

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick
MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick
MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick
MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick

MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick
MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick

MAC Pink Pigeon Lipstick
MAC Pink Pigeon Lipstick

MAC Pink Pigeon Lipstick
MAC Pink Pigeon Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick
MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick
MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Please Me Lipstick
MAC Please Me Lipstick

MAC Please Me Lipstick
MAC Please Me Lipstick

MAC Heroine Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick

MAC Heroine Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick

MAC Men Love Mystery Lipstick
MAC Men Love Mystery Lipstick

MAC Men Love Mystery Lipstick
MAC Men Love Mystery Lipstick

MAC Matte Royal Lipstick
MAC Matte Royal Lipstick

MAC Matte Royal Lipstick
MAC Matte Royal Lipstick

MAC Instigator Lipstick
MAC Instigator Lipstick

MAC Instigator Lipstick
MAC Instigator Lipstick

MAC Antique Velvet Lipstick
MAC Antique Velvet Lipstick

MAC Antique Velvet Lipstick
MAC Antique Velvet Lipstick

MAC Stone Lipstick
MAC Stone Lipstick

MAC Stone Lipstick
MAC Stone Lipstick

MAC Whirl Lipstick
MAC Whirl Lipstick

MAC Whirl Lipstick
MAC Whirl Lipstick

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick
MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick
MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

MAC Persistence Lipstick
MAC Persistence Lipstick

MAC Persistence Lipstick
MAC Persistence Lipstick

MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick
MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick

MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick
MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick

MAC Naturally Transformed Lipstick
MAC Naturally Transformed Lipstick

MAC Naturally Transformed Lipstick
MAC Naturally Transformed Lipstick

139 Comments

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Maxime Avatar

Are these going to replace the current matte collection? Because Relentlesly Red and Lady Danger aren’t in the new one, does it mean they will be discontinued?

Christine Avatar

Hi Maxime,

As I mentioned in the post, I’m still awaiting the official launch information — all I have right now is the online date!

P.S. — Lady Danger has been around for years (maybe a decade or longer), so I highly doubt that’s going away!

Courtney K Avatar

To quote George Takei, “Oh my!”

It’s been a while since I’ve been excited about a new MAC release, but some of these really speak to me. Now I want to wear Heroine when I go out tonight.

gabis Avatar

I’m confused about this collection. It’s basically a repromotion of successful shades. Some, like you said, are already part of the permanent range. So what’s really the point, lol? They could’ve at least changed the packaging for the sake of bringing something new to the table. When I read the topic of the post I though it was about the retro matte liquid lipstick that MAC is supposed to release this year. Hope you get the official launch info soon!

Christine Avatar

Not everybody was fortunate enough to get shades that were previously released 🙂 Some people may really like a shade and would love a backup. I love when brands listen to customers and bring back favorites, since it spreads the love around! Plus, there are nine new shades for those who already have the rest!

gabis Avatar

I hear ya. I’m actually one those who didn’t get all the shades when they were originally released so don’t get me wrong I’m glad they are bringing them back :). But do you know if all this collection will be permanent from now on?

Nancy T Avatar

It’ll be Runway Hit or Whirl for me to try for a neutral/nude-y matte lip. Wishing I were a bit younger, because I would then get Matte Royal and Instigator!

Nancy T Avatar

If Instigator is similar to MAC Media in depth, then that one would work, I think? Media needs like 5 passes over my lips to look right, ugh!

Ginny Avatar

Look at Matte Royal!! Some other good additions, like Men Love Mystery, Instigator, Antique Velvet, and Whirl (although Whirl looks more brown than the lip pencil).

It hadn’t crossed my mind but as the first commenter said I really hope this doesn’t mean any of the current mattes are being cut. I kind of doubt since a lot of the mattes are best sellers but it does seem odd that there are so many permanent shades thrown in here.

Stephanie Spann Avatar

Now see, I already saw like 5 colors I want and thinking about what liner to put with it.
Stone looks like a brown girl friendly nude. Jesus please be a fence around my bank account!
I love a matte lip.

Olivia Avatar

Yay! So excited about ALL of these colors and I just LOVE matte lipsticks! I especially love D for Danger and Dangerous. I live on the edge 😉

Nicole Avatar

Oh Yay! I have no idea what the diference is between the retro matte and the regular matte formula although I think I have both of some. Now I must go through my stash and figure out what I have already! I generally do not favor matte lipstick . But, overall, I don’t find Mac’s to be too matte and I like the price. Some of these swathces look nice. I’m pretty stoked on this. Any idea whether or not these are going to be permanent?

Christine Avatar

Retro Matte is even more matte than regular Matte, but primarily, Retro Matte is a lot drier, stiffer, and thinner – Mattes (especially the more recent iterations of the Matte finish by MAC) have a creamier, more glide-on texture that is thicker than Retro Mattes.

Katherine T. Avatar

I have Heroine and it’s one of my favorite lippies ever ! Not too excited about the rest –about 9 of the shades are too light for me (will give me concealer lips or wash me out), a few are too bright for my taste, and the rest I have dupes for already.

Kristy Avatar

I’m definitely getting Stone, Whirl, Persiatence, Antique Velvet, Matte Royal, Instigator, Runway Hit, Steady Going and Men Love Mystery LOL and maybeee D for Danger! Quick question though, would you say D is for Danger is a pinky red? When I saw a description for it it said it was a brick red but it looks a smidge pink?

Blue Avatar

Waaah, I’m very excited about these! Velvet Teddy was my favorite non-red liptick all through high school and it would be fun to try it agian. Stone, Antique Velvet, Matte Royal, Flat Out Fabulous, and D for Danger look great too. Basically interested in this whole collection. 😉

Samantha Avatar

I love these colors and I’m so grateful that you swatched them & shared your photos! Thank you. Made it easier to decide which ones I want. I do have a question- is there a current MAC dupe for “D for Danger”? What shade is it closest to in color? 🙂

Lotus Avatar

Ooo.. Ahh… D for Danger can be a MLBB! And I’m totally into Studded Kiss! I’m eagerly awaiting reviews with giddiness! 😀 Muah!

Lotus Avatar

Aww! Thank you so much, Christine! 🙂 Finally a replacement for one DCd ages ago! This reminds me of Guerlain Pour Troubler which I can’t spell. Been thinking about this MAC and Burrberry Oxblood lip must together. So excited! Internet broken?

Lotus Avatar

I’ve read you’re still awaiting full details yet are you at all informed as to whether these will be permanent? I’ll be mad if it’s another scandalous LE episode. Thank you! Kisses!

Kate Avatar

I can’t help being drawn to Matte Royal, but it looks almost a little patchy in that photo. Maybe I’m imagining things. Some of the other shades look nice, with so many mattes about, it’s harder to find ones that work really well with my colouring, but are still original compared to what I have.

Erica Avatar

Surprisingly I have 6 of these already! Studded Kiss, Velvet Teddy and Heroine are faves. Since I have a few and they’re permanent, I can sit this one out until the next Nordstrom special (lol). I’m looking forward to swatching Antique Velvet and Stone. Thanks Christine!

Diana Avatar

I haven’t been excited for a MAC release in a loooong time…too long if you ask me. I think I’ll definitely be picking up Stone, Persistence, Matte Royal and Instigator and might get Whirl too. I can’t really rock Stone and Whirl on their own but I love to layer them and I’d love an actual lipstick instead of going through lipliners so quickly.

Ellen Avatar

Finally, some wearable warm shades! Whirl and Perisitence need to be tried right away. Naturally Transformed could be caramel, could be yellow, have to see. Stone is interesting, warm or cool? I have 3 tubes of Siss from when it was re-released last year because I thought it was going to be a perfect caramel, its very yellow, and its best use is to warm up shades that I already own but are too bright or too cool. I have contrived some beautiful browns by mixing it with oranges that were too bright. But three tubes, what was I thinking??? Lesson learned, even if things are LE, there will always be new things that are LE, don’t stock up too much!!! My only regret is Bobbi Brown’s Bahama Brown blush from the Desert Twighlight Blush/bronzer duo. Looks silvery grey in the pan, but goes on the perfect warm, mauve. My favorite blush that is on pan and I have been unabel to find a dupe in all these years!! I have bought all her new bronzers and tried mixing them. Got so excited when I saw new bronzer duos in her summer collection, but alas, no Bahama Brown. So yes, it is very nice when companies listen to customers and bring back beloved colors. I’m stilll waiting for Bobbi Brown to do that. The purchase of of that company by Estee Lauder was the end of it for those of us who loved the neutral, brown toned colors she espoused in her pre-big business years. MAC succumbed to big business years ago, but they release new collections every two weeks, so your chances of being reunited with an old friend are better!! Your readers remembered an old MAC eyeshadow/blush called Spice that i adored and recommended Kevin Aucoin’s Natura as a substitute. Anyone have any suggestions for Bahama brown. Great speed at getting these swatches up Christine, keep up the good work. Maybe try to get us some swathces of BB’s new bronzer duos, I”ve noticed she is not one of your favorite lines to review.

Ellen Avatar

I guess that means the Bobbi Brown is not a line that is very popular with your reaadership. I understand. I’m not sure why, but I do understand. Thank you, you have inttroduced me to some great MAC products, the best: the Mineralize Moisture Foundation SPF15, and now I want to try thte new Por Longwear Fouindation too, I hear its waterproof and can be used as a concealer as well! BB’s foundations were too yellow, so alls well that ends well!

Christine Avatar

When brands miss a lot, which Bobbi Brown has done for the last few years, I find that people lose interest – more people used to be interested in Bobbi Brown, but nobody really wants to read the same review over and over again, on a slightly differently tweaked neutral palette. Bobbi Brown is also a brand that gets very repetitive, and as there are more options for neutrals than ever before, that interest in neutral is now divided across a lot of brands (and many that are more affordable). They have some great products, but there are fewer great, new products getting released.

Have you looked at her new duo cheek products? Telluride almost looks like it could be similar to the bronzer you’re looking for. I have no idea what they really look like, but I was perusing the website just now and saw the promo images.

nicole o. Avatar

aaahhhh !

mac is KILLING me with this collection .

i’m loving matte royal , antique velvet , whirl & stone .

melt discontinued DGAF (which is my fave from them) , so seeing another blue lippie makes me so happy !

Katy Avatar

OMG! I want whirl and pink pigeon since I missed out on that out when it first came out! Your swatches are the best =) my predilected beauty page!

Rachel Avatar

Oooooo This is exciting!
I can’t wait for these to come out, I’m such a fan of matte lips 🙂
I’ll definitely be picking up a ruby woo and steady going!

Faren Avatar

Ugh! I wish Fixed on Drama lipstick was in this collection. Its the only retro matte lipstick previously released that I NEED lol

Nathalia Faula Avatar

I am a bit confused, since there are so many already existing shades from the permanent collection, plus stone and whirl that exist in pencil form. the shades that already exist, for example velvet teddy, kinda sexy, heroine, please me, pink pigeon, flat out fabulous, all fired up, ruby woo, are they any different in this new collection??

340Necey Avatar

Is D for Dangerous a renamed version of haux? I have seen others also make similar comments on ig. It would be great if you could swatch haux so we can compare it to D for Dangerous and studded kiss. Overall im excited to get some of these beauties.

Libby Benson Avatar

i was totally hooked on a frosted lipstick “Coconutty” which has been discontinued. Do you know of another colour in the Mac range which is similar?

Libby Benson Avatar

My nephews are in New York at the moment and the prices of MAC makeup is so much more reasonable than in Australia, so they would be shopping for me! I usually have to buy online as I am nowhere near a store, so making colour choices are difficult. Your advice would be appreciated!

Casey Avatar

Heard any more news about the liquid lipstick versions of these? I keep on seeing articles about them and havent seen anything related to them in the mac collection release calendar.

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