My MAC Lipstick Collection (+ Swatches)

MAC lipsticks hold a special place in my heart as they were the first 'proper' lipsticks I ever invested in. Although they're slowly creeping up in price, they still sit nicely in-between drugstore and high-end. People do have a tendency to think they're the be-all and end-all of lipsticks, and whilst I have been exploring other brands more in the past year the huge selection of shades and finishes as well as the overall quality keep me coming back.


I did ask and the vast majority of you seem to prefer these kinds of posts to be done by finish so I've done that. However I've also included some comparison swatches of similar shades that are maybe different finishes so you can see them side-by-side and decide which you prefer!

All of these standard MAC Lipsticks cost £15.50 and can be bought here. Without further ado, let's get stuck in! 

Lustre

This is one of my favourite finishes as it adds a hint of colour but is still overall a sheer lip. They're not very long-lasting however they're really effortless to re-apply.

Jubilee

This is one of my all-time most-worn lipsticks as it's just that perfect 'my lips but better' brown-nude sheer. I often wear this to work or if I just don't know what to go for as it works with everything. I'm running a little low on it and will definitely be re-purchasing when it runs out.

Syrup

This is one I wanted for ages, then when I finally picked it up I barely wore it! It's a sort of pink-mauve sheer lip. It's one I really do need to get more use out of as it's a really pretty everyday shade that in't too much of anything.

Passion Charge

I actually got this in a Limited Edition set so apologies! It's an orange-toned coral that's really pretty for Summer. I kind of forgot I had this one but I will definitely be wearing it as much as possible whilst it's still in season.

Plumful

I really didn't like this shade when I first got it for whatever reason! However I've really rediscovered this bright sheer plum shade recently and it's love. It's great if going for a full-on bright is a little out of your comfort zone but you still want something Summery. It's also the most pigmented Lustre shade in my stash.

Cremesheen

This finish pretty much does what it says on the tin! It's creamy and pigmented whilst having a slight sheen to it.

Creme in Your Coffee

This is another sheeny nude lip but more on the dark caramel side. It's not my favourite shade in the world but it's nice enough for an everyday look.

Fanfare

This is a really lovely nude-pink. I really struggle to find nude pinks that aren't really light and peachy but Fanfare really fits the bill for me. It's my perfect natural pink lip and I've worn it quite a lot during Spring and Summer. Definitely an underrated shade.

Party Line

I'm looking forward to wearing this during the Autumn Months as it's a lovely wearable berry shade. It's perfect if you don't want to go full-on vampy as the colour isn't too deep and dramatic and there's a nice sheen. The only downside is that it does tend to transfer as it's a creamy formula in a deep shade.

Amplified

As the name suggests, this is a vibrant, pigmented formula with a little bit of a glossy sheen. Most of the shades in this formula are also bright.

Viva Glam Miley

This is seriously the least 'me' colour in the world but something drew me to the neon pink. It's got a nice sheen to it and is more wearable than you think. I don't get loads and loads of use out of it however I wore it on holiday and it looks great with a stripy top and black skinny jeans to add a pop of colour. Also, after VAT, every penny of the price goes to HIV/AIDS research so you're basically donating to charity and getting a free lipstick for your time. It's almost morally wrong not to really...

Dubonnet

This is such a stunning colour, I really wish I had more opportunities to wear it. Again it's a super-pigmented shade with a bit of a sheen. This is a deep, vampy red without any sort of purple tone to it. It definitely packs a punch. The dark shade and glossy finish does mean things can get messy but it's so gorgeous I really don't mind!

Satin

This is one of my favourite finishes as you get all the benefits of a matte but the formula is just that bit creamier and less drying.

Faux*

This is a really nice pink nude with a hint of mauve. It's definitely one of the lighter nudes I own but I really like wearing it with a slightly darker lip pencil underneath.

Twig

This was my second-ever MAC lipstick and is still one of my absolute favourites. It's a gorgeous dusky pink-mauve colour that's perfect for everyday wear or for if you're trying to play up your eyes or you're wearing an eye-catching blusher. 

Paramount

I'm not sure what made me pick this up last year but maybe I'll get some use out of it come Autumn/Winter. It's essentially a rich chocolate-brown shade. It's definitely an evening colour for me but I'm just not sure if it suits me.

Matte

Fairly self-explanatory but I really like MAC's matte formula. Some are drier than others but overall they're very easy to work with and long-lasting.

Velvet Teddy

I caved into the hype! This is you're classic brown-toned nude matte lip. I actually don't think this is my favourite nude on me personally but I just had to see what all the fuss was about! It can verge on concealer lips on me but I tend to pair it with a lip pencil and with Whirl underneath, it's killer.

Mehr

This is a fairly new purchase but I already can't stop wearing it! It's a deep pink shade with a very slightly plummy tone. It's a perfect everyday colour, especially with Soar lip pencil. The formula is just so creamy as well, it really doesn't feel like a matte.

Taupe

Another absolute favourite! I feel as though for my skin tone, this is what Velvet Teddy is to a lot of people. It's a warm caramel-brown nude lip that's pretty much my perfect matte 'my lips but better' shade for me. I love how creamy the formula is and cannot wait to get wearing this constantly again for Autumn. I really recommend this for medium-deep skin tones.

Chili

My first ever MAC lipstick! I rarely do reds but when I do it's Chili; it's red with a hint of terracotta and I love it paired with the slightly more muted Chicory lip pencil. It is a little dry in comparison to my other mattes but it's still easier to work with than most. Fun Fact: this isn't my original Chili, I lost it on a night out and was so gutted my boyfriend got me a new one so I'd shut up about it!

Diva

A classic MAC shade! It's a deep, vampy purple which is pretty much my thing on Winter evenings. As with Chili it can be a little dry but it's so long-lasting and dramatic, this doesn't bother me too much.

Similar Shade Comparisons

As promised, I've also done some swatches to compare shades I think are pretty similar and you probably don't need both of!

Jubilee is a Lustre, so obviously less pigmented and has sheen, however it's in that brown-nude colour family so I thought that if you like Velvet Teddy and Taupe you might like this as an easy-to-wear option. Velvet Teddy is a brown-toned nude matte that isn't too cool or too warm toned. Taupe (really misleading name!) is darker as well as warmer in tone. Personally I prefer Taupe on my skin tone to Velvet Teddy.

I justify owning all three of these as the mauve lip is my go-to look on a day-to-day basis! Faux* is a dusky-pink nude with a Satin finish that's a perfect option for lighter skin tones. Twig is also a Satin finish but is deeper with a more dusky pink undertone. This is an all-time favourite of mine as I think it suits me best. Mehr is a Matte finish and it's a pretty new addition but I already love it! It's definitely more rosy-toned than mauve (like Twig) and the finish is a little less sheeny.

I thought I'd show you how Velvet Teddy looks against Faux. They are actually pretty similar, though of course Velvet Teddy has a brown tone whereas Faux is more pink. Faux is a Satin so has more of a sheen too. I think if you like one then you'll probably like the other!

Finally I thought I'd compare my more vampy shades. Party Line is a Cremesheen, and has that red/berry tone but is a little more sheer. Perfect if you're a nude lip lover and don't want to try anything too dramatically outside your comfort zone. Dubonnet is more of a red colour and is considerably more pigmented and glossy, being an Amplified shade. Diva is similar in colour to Party Line but has a super-pigmented, slightly deeper tone and a Matte finish.

I hope you enjoyed having a nosey at the MAC lipsticks in my stash! I also have a few of the lip pencils so if you'd like to see a post on my favourites and the lipsticks I pair with them, do let me know!

Which are your favourite MAC lipsticks and which are on your wish list?

 

Don't forget to follow me on:

Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram

*PR SAMPLE/GIFT