If you know me, you know that I am totally obsessed with MAC lipsticks. The quality and range of colours cannot be beaten and the names are just so cute. I often got confused by the different formulas and finishes but MAC’s incredibly talented senior makeup artist Michelle-Lee Collins was super kind to compose a handy guide to share with you that indicates what you’re getting with each formula.
MAC LIPSTICK FORMULAS
(words by Michelle-Lee Collins)
MAC LIPSTICKS ARE INFUSED WITH CRYSTALLINE A VERSION OF VANILLA FOR A UNIQUE AROMA AND FLAVOUR
HIGH COVERAGE:
RETRO MATTE – HIGHLY PIGMENTED, MATTE FINISH WITH MINIMAL TO NO SHINE AND WAS INSPIRED BY THE ORIGINAL MAC MATTE LIPSTICK. (Low-No Shine)
Examples: Candy Yum Yum, Ruby Woo
MATTE – PROVIDES MAXIMUM COLOUR PAYOFF COMBINED WITH A NO SHINE TEXTURE. CONTAINS VITAMIN E AND CASTOR OIL TO SOFTEN AND SOOTH. (Low-No Shine)
Examples: Russian Red, Punk Couture, Lady Danger
MEDIUM/HIGH COVERAGE:
SATIN – OFFERS HIGH COLOUR PAYOFF COMBINED WITH MINIMAL SHINE
Examples: Rebel, Snob
PROLONGWEAR LIP CREAM – PROVIDES A FULL COVERAGE COLOUR AND A SUBTLE SHINE IN A LONG WEARING FORMULA. THIS FORMULA IS CREAMY AND FLEXIBLE AND MOVES WITH YOUR LIPS FOR EXTRA COMFORT. CONTAINS POMEGRANATE EXTRACT WHICH HELPS KEEP LIPS HYDRATED. THIS COLOUR DRIES DOWN TO A NATURAL LOOKING MOIST FINISH WITH SUPERIOR WEAR. THIS TEXTURE IS AVAILABLE IN PEARL AND CREAM. (Low Shine)
Examples: Chatterbox, Overtime
AMPLIFIED CRÈME – DELIVERS MAXIMUM COLOUR, MAXIMUM MOISTURE, MAXIMUM COVERAGE AND A CREAMY FINISH. THIS INNOVATIVE FORMULA FEATURES A SPECIAL COMBINATION OF CONDITIONING EXTRACTS TO HELP LIPS LOOK AND FEEL SOFTER, SMOOTHER AND MOISTURISED. THE COLOUR PAYOFF IS HIGH IMPACT AND SUPER RICH WITH A VIRTUALLY WEIGHTLESS CREAMY FEEL. (Medium Shine)
Examples: Girl About Town, St. Germain, Viva Glam Gaga II
CREMESHEEN – THIS FORMULA PROVIDES IMMEDIATE MOISTURE TO THE LIPS AND DELIVERS MEDIUM-FULL, BUILDABLE COVERAGE AND A HIGH SHINE FINISH. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS A FILM FORMER THAT HELPS COLOUR ADHERE TO THE LIPS WHILE PROVIDING INTENSE EMOLLIENCY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE HIGH SHINE FINISH. CREMESHEEN CONTAINS A MOISTURE COMPLEX TO ALLOW LIPS TO LOOK AND FEEL THEIR BEST. (Medium-High Shine)
Examples: Saigon Summer, Crème Cup, Shy Girl
MINERALIZE RICH – INSTANTLY NOURISHES WITH THE NEW MINERAL MOISTURE COMPLEX. THIS LUXURIOUSLY LIGHTWEIGHT FORMULA OFFERS MEDIUM BUILDABLE COVERAGE, WITH MEDIUM SHINE. LIPS ARE MOISTURISED INSTANTLY AND OVER TIME. LIP LINES ARE SMOOTHED FOLLOWING APPLICATION AND APPEAR SMOOTHER OVER TIME, DELIVERING COLOUR CLARITY AND REDUCING LIP FLAKING. (Medium-High Shine)
Examples: All Out Gorgeous, Posh Tone
MEDIUM COVERAGE:
FROST – THIS FORMULA CONTAINS PEARLISED PIGMENTS THAT ADD SHINE AND DIMENSION TO THE LIPS. (Low Shine)
Examples: Viva Glam Rihanna, Crème De La Femme
MEDIUM/LOW COVERAGE:
LUSTRE – PROVIDES LIGHTWEIGHT, SHEER TO MEDIUM COLOUR PAYOFF AND A SEMI GLOSS FINISH. CONTAINS CASTOR SEED OIL TO HELP SOFTEN AND SMOOTH. (Medium-High Shine)
Examples: Viva Glam Gaga I, Lovelorn
SHEEN SUPREME – THIS IS A RICH CREAMY LIPSTICK THAT PROVIDES MEDIUM-BUIDABLE COVERAGE WITH THE SHINE FINISH OF A GLOSS. THIS MOISTURE RICH FORMULA GLIDES SMOOTHLY ONTO LIPS IN EITHER A PEARL OR CREAM FINISH. THIS LIPSTICK IS GEL BASED, ALLOWING THE COLOUR TO MELT INTO THE LIPS; GIVING THE PRODUCT A LIGHTWEIGHT TEXTURE AND CUSHIONY FEEL. CONTAINS SHEA BUTTER TO PROVIDE INSTANT AND LASTING MOISTURE TO THE LIPS. (High Shine)
Examples: Good To Be Bad, Impressive
LOW/SHEER COVERAGE:
GLAZE – THIS FORMULA PROVIDES MINIMAL COLOUR PAYOFF COMBINED WITH A FROSTED TEXTURE. THIS IS GREAT FORMULA FOR A SLIGHT LIFT IN YOUR LIP COLOUR. (Medium-High Shine)
Examples: Hue, Lollipop Loving, Pervette
Wow you have an amazing collection. Maybe you could do a MAC lipstick collection post. I would love to see which ones you have. Great post:)