MAC lipstick collection

My MAC lipstick collection is slowly, but steadily ever-growing and perhaps I now have just enough to make a blog post about it. I remember getting super excited/nervous when I approached the MAC counter in Myers, ready to purchase my first MAC lipstick, all I knew was the general shade of lipstick I wanted and the finish. But ever since then, I've been enamoured with MAC lipsticks (and MAC in general, I've never once had a bad experience), usually asking my dad to pick up a product or two for me while he's over in the States. I think acquiring your first MAC lipstick is kind of a moment in anyone that's interested in beauty's life and it's just so wonderful all the options that MAC offers, not only with the colour selection, but also the finish and just generally good quality.

Arranged by finish: matte, satin, amplified creme, lustre

left to right: ruby woo, russian red, cherish, brave, cyber, cosmo, morange, plumful

First four

Left to right: ruby woo, russian red, cherish, brave

Last four

Left to right: cyber, cosmo, morange, plumful

Ruby Woo (Matte : "Vivid brightly coral red")

I got this shade as a gift from my sister-in-law when she went to Malaysia last year. This one has a very strawberry feel to it and it looks wonderful on my NC25-30 skin. Super pigmented, though it a matte finish, so it can be a bit drying, but it lasts quite a long time, (might even stain some lips) and really pops. I reckon this is a very good winter shade.

Russian Red (Matte : "Intense bluish-red")

One of the first lipsticks I asked my dad to get me from the MAC counter in the US. I could not decide whether I wanted Ruby Woo (which, as mentioned above, I received it later on anyway, thanks, Ash!) or whether I would play it slightly safer with this one. Who knows why I thought this one was safer, but I loved (and still do love) this gorgeous red shade. This one looks brilliant with a coat of orange gloss on top, more cherry coloured than strawberry. 

Cherish (Satin : "Soft muted peachy-beige")

Ah, this is the very first MAC lipstick I ever attained. I really just went up to the counter and looked around at the lipsticks for a bit before a lovely sales assistant offered me a hand. I just told her I was looking for a neutral lipstick in a satin finish, and she immediately picked out two. The first one she tried on (I didn't grab the name of it) was a tad bit light, but she then tried out Cherish and I was in love. It was just what I was looking for. It's a satin finish so not quite as drying as the matte-finish lipsticks, but you'll still have to keep your lips damn moisturized before applying this one. Still one of my favourite lipsticks to wear, it bears the slightest pink/mauve tone to it. The sales assistant also applied this with an orange toned lipliner underneath to give it a more coral feel and that worked wonders too. 

Brave (Satin : "A muted pink-beige with a very subtle white pearl overtone")

I think this may very be my favourite lipstick. Well, at least for the time being (perhaps will make an appearance in my July favourites). I like wearing this lipstick for a nice, polished, everyday look. I don't know why, but this lipstick feels less drying than Cherish despite them having the same finish? I don't know, maybe I just like to apply this one a bit more often. This is a very neutral lipstick with a nice subtle pink (the "white pearl overtone" brightening it up a bit too), I'm considering purchasing a similar shade to Brave but in a lustre finish. 

Cyber (Satin : "Intense blackish-purple")

Now this one was a very coveted purchase. I dearly wanted a black lipstick, well, just cause. I was curious. But I thought black might be a tad too harsh especially with my slight tan. So I opted for the next darkest shade that MAC could offer me, and boy. Does this ever look clean. Because it is such a dark lipstick, it's better to apply this with a brush to get a super clean line and probably not for daytime wear, at least not to work. I also like to apply this after I put on a clear gloss to give my lips a bit of pout, darkness and dimension. 

Cosmo (Amplified Creme : "Pink Coco")

This is probably now my least worn MAC lipstick. There's something that just doesn't jive with my skin tone, maybe a bit too pink, maybe a bit too brown. It's pretty much the description of a "pink coco". I will say that I do love this finish though, super pigmented and moisturizing at the same time, my lips don't crack and you don't have to reapply this sucker a lot at all. 

Morange (Amplified Creme : "Loudmouth orange")

I, too, was caught up in the obsession with orange lips and desired this shade so badly. I couldn't wait when my daddy got back from the States so I could test this mother out. Unfortunately, with my pigmented lips, it turned a bit red on me, so it made an orange-red, rather than a true orange that I was hoping for. Still, this lipstick is an eyecatcher and great to wear out especially for weekends and at parties. 

Plumful (Lustre : "Blossoming rose-plum")

I think that lustres may be my favourite finish ever, even though I only have one! I couldn't resist jumping on the bandwagon and grabbing this shade after seeing this Essie Button video, she even says that everyone else was enticed by it and had to go out and buy it (glad I'm not the only one). I don't even know how to describe this lipstick. MAC has it pretty down with "blossoming rose-plum", but there is something special about this lipstick, and what with being a lustre finish, like Essie said, it's very easy to wear. Am so going to have a further look into lustre finishes. 

Left to right, no flash: ruby woo, russian red, cherish, brave, cyber, cosmo, morange, plumful

Same, but with flash

Left to right, with flash: ruby woo, russian red, cherish, brave

Left to right, with flash: cyber, cosmo, morange, plumful

Almost, but not quite filled up my lipstick organizer (by Model's Prefer), it won't be long until it is, though - I've already got in mind a number of lustre-finishes and amplified cremes. Might even branch out into glazes if a certain shade peaks my interest. Overall, MAC is a good step into easing your way into the higher-end cosmetics. Great quality, not too expensive and a very expansive range, any level of those interested in beauty can delve into MAC cosmetics. 

*Descriptions of lip colour taken from MAC website*