“Lipstick can’t solve problems, but it’s a pretty good start!”
Hi friends & happy Tuesday!
Now that the grief of my first ever lippie purge has dissipated (boy was that a doozy), I’m ready to get back on the horse and talk about … lipstick. I suppose if I were to try + find one good thing to come from the declutter, it would be that it allowed me to be reintroduced to my collection. I actually have a ton of really incredible products that I had clearly forgotten about (now I just have to start using them!).
Now, picture this…
You’re on the game show FAMILY FEUD. You’re up at the buzzer, sweat dripping down your brow, one arm behind your back. Steve Harvey (he’s the host now right?!) asks you + your opponent to “Name the top lipstick brands”. Your mind immediately goes to the super sleek, black bullet style lipsticks of …. “MAC Cosmetics” you yell!
Survey says…that’s the number one answer!
MAC has been around…forever. Like actually, I’m pretty sure that’s what Eve was rubbing on her lips in the Garden of Eden, no?! Okay, maybe not. But as a pre-teen (so like 20 years ago), I can remember saving my pennies for my very own MAC lipstick. Fast forward to 2020 + out of the 287 products that I’m left with post-declutter, there’s one brand that takes up the most amount of real estate…and that’s MAC cosmetics.
If you don’t know anything about the brand (I mean, where the heck have you been?!), but allow me to share a bit about the cult classic that is MAC Cosmetics.
According to their site…
M·A·C is the world’s leading professional makeup authority because of our unrivalled expertise in makeup ARTISTRY.
M·A·C celebrates diversity and INDIVIDUALITY – we are for All Ages, All Races, All Genders.
M·A·C is a proud COMMUNITY of professional makeup artists working together to bring our vision to life.
M·A·C is at the forefront of fashion TRENDSETTING, collaborating with leading talents from fashion, art and popular culture. Our Artists create trends backstage at fashion weeks around the world.
M·A·C believes in SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, with initiatives such as VIVA GLAM and the M·A·C AIDS Fund at the heart and soul of our unique culture
Make-Up Art Cosmetics (MAC) started life in Toronto, Canada. Makeup artist and photographer Frank Toskan and salon owner Frank Angelo became frustrated by the lack of makeup that photographed well, so they decided to create their own. At first, they made the cosmetics in their kitchen and sold them straight from the salon to fellow makeup artists, as well as models and photographers. Soon, stylists and fashion editors got in on the action. As the magazine credits racked up and word-of-mouth popularity grew, the duo launched M·A·C in March 1984 from a counter in a Toronto department store.
While I love so much about what MAC stands for, there is a dark cloud that looms over this brand…and that is that they’re NOT cruelty free. As I move to a predominately clean beauty stash, one thing that I’m now very mindful of is whether or not a brand tests on animals. Because if they do, you best believe it has no place in my makeup stash. It’s 2020 friends, no one should be testing on animals! This is what the brand has to say on the topic…
WORKING TOWARD A CRUELTY-FREE WORLD
M·A·C does not test on animals. We do not own any animal testing facilities and we never ask others to test on animals for us. While some governments conduct animal testing to prove safety before they will allow us to sell our products, M·A·C has never tested on animals and we continue to be a leader in the movement to end animal testing globally. To this end, we are proud to partner with IIVS (INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES) to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide.
Which countries require animal testing?
China tests on animals as part of its safety assessment of cosmetic products. We love our fans and we never want to exclude them anywhere.
So while the company chooses not to test on animals, in order to sell their products in China, it’s required…UGH. I hate it.
No matter how many times I tell the world about my disdain for animal testing, any time I post about MAC on my Instagram, the haters flood in (which I’m not actually mad about). But here’s my question for y’all. With so many MAC lipsticks already in my collection, what am I supposed to do with them? Do I use the ones that I have + vow never to repurchase OR do I just throw them out? I’ll leave that for you to ponder, but definitely let me now your thoughts!
All that being said, I do have quite the collection of MAC lipsticks + they’re just too pretty not to share.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever come across a brand that offers SO many different shades + formulas. I couldn’t even venture to guess how many shades they have in their collection, but I do know that they have over a dozen different formulas. From matte to satin, frost to cremesheen, they have a formula for every lipstick wearer. Some of the formulas that I find the most comfortable are:
Lustre: These lipsticks are a lightweight formula with an easy glide, sheer-to-medium buildable coverage and a lustrous finish.
Powder Kiss: A creamy lipstick formula with a soft cushiony feel, medium-to-full buildable coverage and a satin finish.
Matte: A creamy rich lipstick formula with high color payoff in a no-shine matte finish.
Satin: A creamy lipstick formula with a soft cushiony feel, medium-to-full buildable coverage and a satin finish.
Love Me Lipstick: A weightless argan oil-infused lipstick that delivers an instant hit of powerful color and all-day moisture in a luxurious satin-soft finish.
Amplified: An Ultra-creamy lipstick formula with a smooth glide, bold color payoff, full coverage and a semi-lustrous finish.
MAC lipsticks have the most subtle vanilla-y scent + cost up to $25 CAD/lipstick which I think is a total steal given their incredible quality. I also love how versatile these lipsticks are. For a subtle wash of color, these lipsticks can easily be patted on the lips and blended out. For a bolder lip, one swipe across the lips is usually enough for a pigmented look.
Honestly, if these lipsticks were cruelty free, I would 100% say that these would be the only lipsticks you ever needed in your collection. Until that time, I’m going to dive into my collection and try + find cruelty free dupes that I can enjoy!
Now let’s get in to the fun part, the swatches! So, if you wanna take a look at some of my favorite MAC lipsticks (which all just happen to be a different shade of nude), then just keep on reading!
1) Let’s Mesa Around (limited edition from the Electric Wonder collection)
FORMULA: Lustre
SHADE DESCRIPTION: Because this was a limited edition lipstick, MAC has removed it from their website. So I took to the world wide web to get the official shade description. Sadly, I found quite a few very different descriptions for this shade, like:
– a moderately, warm-toned, light pink with a natural finish
– a soft, rosy pink with subtle, warm undertones + a natural sheen with a barely-there, fine
pearl
– light bubble gum blue pink
Regardless of how the makeup experts are describing this shade, I am obsessed. As you can see from the arm swatch above (swatch #1), it’s a very light, almost opalescent shade. I especially love how sheer & balmy it looks and feels. This is the ultimate no makeup, makeup lipstick!
2) Faux
FORMULA: Satin
SHADE DESCRIPTION: Muted, mauve pink
When I think “Faux”, I immediately think fall time. Like pumpkin patches, pumpkin spice lattes + this MAC shade. It’s the most perfect, warm, nude that pulls any makeup look together! I think that on top of everything else I’m looking forward to doing post-quarantine, wearing this lipstick is at the top of the list! This is the perfect shade to dab on for the office and then pack on for a night out on the town.
3) Blankety
FORMULA: Amplified
SHADE DESCRIPTION: Soft pink beige
This is definitely the nude of all nudes in my MAC collection! If you’re familiar with the cult favorite “Creme D’nude”, I find “Blankety” to be a much more wearable version of that. For anyone who’s unsure if this shade will give them the dreaded concealer lips (aka lips that are way too pale and washed out), perhaps layer it on top of a darker lip liner to help build up the color!
4) Très Blasé
FORMULA: Love Me Lipstick
SHADE DESCRIPTION: Light, peachy beige
This formula is hands down, my absolute favorite from MAC! Actually scrap that, this is my absolute favorite lipstick formula…EVER. It’s the most comfortable lipstick to ever grace these less than plumped lips (thanks COVID ugh). It’s glossy and moisturizing + feels like a balm + lipstick all in one. The shade is definitely the perfect everyday nude and I find it to be an almost muted down version of “Faux”.
5) Sultriness
FORMULA: Powder Kiss
SHADE DESCRIPTION: Baby blue pink
When I heard that MAC was coming out with this line of Powder Kiss lipsticks, I was definitely intrigued. As someone who’s very weary about anything powder (because to me that screams I’M GONNA DRY OUT YOUR LIPS!), I was pleasantly surprised that it was still quite moisturizing + didn’t leave my lips looking wrinkly like similar powder products do.
The shade “Sultriness” is soft & feminine and instantly freshens up any makeup look!
6) Pink Plaid
FORMULA: Matte
SHADE DESCRIPTION: A slightly cool-toned, light-medium pink
I literally JUST found out that Pink Plaid has been discontinued…and I am “shook” (that’s right, I said it!). As someone who stays the heck away from anything with the word “matte” in the name, these MAC lipsticks are not matte at all. It really just means that they have less of a glossy sheen to them.
The shade “Pink Plaid” is perfect for spring + gives the most perfect, wearable wash of pink to the lips.
7) Hey, Frenchie!
FORMULA: Love Me Lipstick
SHADE DESCRIPTION: Deep, mauve-y nude
Okay, I know what you’re thinking + I totally get it! The shade “Hey, Frenchie!” definitely doesn’t look like a shade I’d normally wear. I bought it while I was still on a high from purchasing “Très Blasé”. This plumy shade is definitely one I would dab onto the lips for a subtle wash of color + once we’re back into Fall (although hopefully that isn’t any time soon), I’ll definitely layer this on for the ultimate Fall time, vampy lip look!
Here are all the shades swatched with their corresponding names. As you can see, they’re 7 different shades of…nude!
And there you have it friends! Some of my favorite (nude) MAC lipsticks.
I’ll be honest, these lipsticks excite me!
The shade range is incredible + if they were a cruelty free brand, I would be SO onboard to have a predominantly MAC filled makeup stash. However until that day comes, I’ll make my way through the stunners that I already own & sadly won’t be repurchasing.
What shade of lipstick do you gravitate towards? Any other nude lovers out there?
Thanks so much for stopping by & until next time!
xo