(Clockwise from top) Barbecue – Royal Ball – Rebel – Up The Amp – Ablaze – Stone – Brave
When I first started this blog six years ago, I didn’t own any high end makeup. After seeing so many other bloggers talking about them, my dream was to one day own my own MAC lipsticks – they looked amazing! I was in my second year at university and I relied on Natural Collection from Boots and the bargains that I could get from Avon.
One day in 2012 I decided to take the plunge and spend £13.50 (yes, they were cheaper then!) on MAC’s Chatterbox. Since then I’ve amassed quite a large collection of MAC lipsticks. I was going to just do a top five, but I found it really hard to narrow it down so I’ve ended up with seven favourites.
My favourite MAC lipsticks
Brights – Matte
Barbecue (Matte finish)
Barbecue is actually standing in for Lady Danger which I lost a couple of years ago. A bright orange based red with a matte finish that lasts all day. I love how this lipstick looks with just a simple eye look, a bit of eyeliner and fluttery lashes. This is part of the Toledo collection which came out back in 2015. This is one that I tend to wear more in the summer but I really should start to wear it more often as it’s such a gorgeous colour.
Ablaze (Matte finish)
In the summer, I love nothing more than a bright lipstick. When looking for a summer lipstick, I prefer one that will last. It has to be one that will stick around and won’t melt off in high temperatures. This is why Ablaze is one of my favourites and it gets worn so often. MAC’s matte formulas are known to be long lasting and Ablaze which is a bright coral red is no exception. I can put it on in the morning and only have to worry about topping it up if I have something to eat. This was a part of the Fashion Sets collection in 2013 but I bought it off a friend.
Brights – Satin and Amplified
Rebel (Satin finish)
This is one of the most hyped MAC lipsticks of all time. Although it looks like a really dark purple in the bullet, once applied to the lips Rebel gives off a more of a pink berry colour. It’s the sort of shade that will suit all skin tones; I’m super pale and I think it looks great on me but it also looks amazing on darker skin tones. I’ve found that Rebel fades really well and leaves a nice stain behind so you don’t have to worry about topping up constantly throughout the day.
Up The Amp (Amplified finish)
This was only my fourth MAC lipstick and was bought on a bit of a whim before a shift at work a few years ago. Up The Amp is described as a ‘lavender creme’ and is a light, warm purple colour. It’s completely wearable for everyday and looks fantastic on all skin tones. This is the shade that got me hooked on purple lipstick!
Nudes – Matte
Stone (Matte finish)
Stone is one of MAC’s newest matte lipsticks and was originally just a shade of lipliner. It’s a muted grey/taupe/brown which isn’t the kind of shade that I would usually go for, but I just love the colour on me, I think it’s the perfect ’90s brown’ shade and I’ve been wearing it a lot this winter.
Nudes – Satin and Lustre
Brave (Satin finish)
Brave is described as a ‘pink beige’ and for me, it’s the perfect ‘my lips but better’ colour. Being a satin finish, it’s really creamy and feels great on the lips. It is one of those lipsticks that you can apply without a mirror when you’re in a hurry. It tends to last a good couple of hours on my lips as long as I’m not eating or drinking and feels moisturising.
Royal Ball (Lustre finish)
This was a part of the Cinderella collection which was released in 2015. I gave in to the hype and pre-ordered this colour from Selfridges without properly thinking about it. Royal Ball is a very pale warm pink with a slightly frosty finish. I can’t wear this alone as it completely washes me out. However, if I pair it with a nude lipliner, it looks great.
Tags : high end, lipstick, MAC, MAC lipstick, makeup
I love mac everything, not a huge lipstick wearer but after seeing these I think I need to try
I love the purple one. I love purple eye shadow, so that would go perfect when I feel like being bright and colourful.
I love Barbecue and take this on me whenever I go on holiday. I have far too many MAC lipsticks! Jo x
I like that i started out with cheaper drugstore makeup – i do admit that my makeup is slowly being taken over by urban decay, bobbi brown, tarte and benefit, but i do feel it teaches you the value of money younger. I’m yet to try a mac lipstick though! I am very nervous when trying lipsticks as i feel i look like a kid has done it – in fact they may do a better job lol i really should as so many friends rave about them x
I love Up The Amp too, it is such an amazing color x
I must admit I don’t own any Mac lipsticks but I’m loving the look of some of these shades.
I haven’t reached for my MAC lipsticks in so long, but this post has made me want to go back to them!
I haven’t had the pleasure of owning any Mac lipsticks .. but I’m thinking I should change all of that. I think I’d like to try Up the Amp!
I recently bought MY FIRST MAC lipstick and lost it on a night out. I am scarred for life and yet these make me want to go back and tray again to be a grown up! Lovely shades!
Looks like a good mixed collection. I have rebel and really like it but of course my most used is velvet teddy x
My sister bought her first MAC lipstick a few weeks back and I thought she was crazy. Maybe it’s because I’m not a big make up fan but it’s a crazy price to pay. Nice colours though.
Absolutely love Mac lippies the colour pay off is so good. I’m more of a nude shade lover just because I’m so so pale. Love your selection. Great investment 🙂 x
Barbecue is probably my favorite one on here- I love rich mattes!
I also really like Brave, it is my ‘safe colour’ that I always end up going back too x
You can’t beat MAC lipsticks! I love Brave too, so pretty.
Fab post- I find MAC has so many shades I never know where to start when I get to the counter!
I love a MAC lipstick. In fact, I love everything MAC but lipstick is a new addition to my MAC collection. I have a few: a bright pink, a peachy colour and a taupe one. Love them, and the lip primer is amazing too
I have never bought a mac product before. Ever. But I do like those shades you have.
I have never bought a mac product before. Ever. But I do like those shades you have.
Up The Amp sound so like a lovely wearable shade for a purple x my mummy needs to wear different shades more often x
I love MAC lipsticks! I don’t have any of these though but love the look of Royal Ball, I’m all about nudes! 🙂
I love MAC lipsticks. Loving the shades here a lot.
i love brave so much, i bought backups haha i need to dig out rebel again
I’ve got to admit I don’t own one beauty product from MAC at all!! I’ve heard such great things about their lipsticks though so I’m intrigued!
I have Rebel and Brave. I love them both. Brave is such a great every day colour. I only have a few lipsticks from Mac but these are two x
*swoon* I love all Mac lipsticks! My favourite is Marque – it’s just a little bit pink but looks nude and healthy 🙂
I don’t own any MAC lipsticks either but my ultra cool teen daughter does! I could add Stone to my Mothers Day wishlist and hope I get lucky!
I’ve accumulated a large collection of MAC lipsticks over the years, my favourites are Pink Pigeon, Impassioned and Hue xx
I love Mac’s matte lipsticks and the texture that they leave! You’ve got a great selection, I’d never know which one to pick!