There are few products in the beauty world more iconic than a MAC Cosmetics lipstick. Not only are they some of the world’s most recognisable lipsticks, but their reputation is so grand, it’s almost mythical. And rightly so! When you buy a MAC lipstick, you know you’re in for a treat. After all, it was MAC’s lipsticks that made the brand famous.
Many of us know MAC lipsticks as our first foray into ‘grown-up’ beauty, but that doesn’t mean they’re not the holy grail for professional makeup artists. Why? Because MAC have perfected their formula, coverage, and shade range to the point that beauty novices and pros alike will always find what they’re looking for.
To help you find your first MAC lipstick or your next carry-everywhere-essential, we’ve rounded up the best MAC Cosmetics lipsticks, and yes, we’ve done all the important research for you.
Matte Lipstick Velvet Teddy
Shade: A deep toned beige
Finish: Matte
MAC’s Velvet Teddy Matte Lipstick defines iconic. This is the hero lipstick shade you have to haul at least once. The rich, creamy formula and high colour payoff has also given this shade a leg-up to help it reach the iconic heights it has. Expect nothing but intense colour with a full matte finish and up to 10 hours of flawless wear.
Powder Kiss Lipstick Devoted To Chili
Shade: A warm brick red
Finish: Matte
A really good red lipstick is a staple of any beauty bag, and the Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted To Chilli is just the match. But this isn’t your average matte formula. The lightweight lipstick features moisture coated powder pigments that deliver a soft-focus blur with zero shine but plenty of hydration.
Retro Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo
Shade: A vivid blue red
Finish: Matte
Ding, ding, ding! We have another icon. The Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo is so famous, beauty lovers can spot the shade on the lips before anyone has had the chance to utter the words: ‘I love your lipstick.’ It’s that famous. And with intense colour payoff, a completely matte finish, and up to eight hours of wear, it’s not hard to see why.
VIVA GLAM Lipstick Viva Glam II
Shade: A subdued pinkish-beige mauve
Finish: Creamy
The VIVA GLAM Lipstick in Viva Glam II is the lipstick you need when you’re looking to impress but not over-dress. The creamy formula and muted shade make this shade a go-to for creating a clean look, but still having that MAC lipstick feeling.
Matte Lipstick Mehr
Shade: A mid-toned mauve pink
Finish: Matte
Another hero shade from MAC is the ever so delicate, ever so graceful MAC Matte Lipstick in Mehr. It won’t be surprising to beauty obsessives that the Matte Lipstick range has not one, but two icons on this list, but the formula really is God-tier. Especially if you’re all about a perfect matte finish and intense colour.
Cremesheen Lipstick Crosswires
Shade: A clean pinky orange
Finish: Semi-glossy
Ok, we’ve given the matte lipsticks a lot of attention so far, but that doesn’t mean MAC doesn’t know how to do glossy. Enter: Creamesheen Lipstick in Crosswires. This creamy, balmy formula gives medium, buildable coverage, a comfortable feel, and a semi-glossy finish that is slick enough to keep your lips rubbing together. And one last thing, this colour is calling out to be signature shade. Make it yours.
Amplified Lipstick Feeling Myself
Shade: A mid-tone caramel nude with gold undertones
Finish: Semi-lustrous
If you’re all about the nudes, you should have the Amplified Lipstick in Feeling Myself on your radar. Not only is this the crème de la crème of nudes (hello, gold undertones!) but the Amplified formula makes this a standout from the matte nude crowd kinda lipstick. The ultra-creamy formula leaves bold colour, full coverage, a semi-lustrous finish, and a very happy customer.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick Pigment Of Your Imagination
Shade: A reflective pink
Finish: Glossy
If you like your lipstick to look good and do good, you need Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba, raspberry seed, coconut and organic extra-virgin olive oils, this lightweight formula is all about keeping the lips hydrated and conditioned, making this the perfect daytime lipstick. We’re obsessed with Pigment of Your Imagination for the ultra-chic, glossy colour.
Satin Lipstick Film Noir
Shade: An intense brown
Finish: Satin
Looking for something a bit darker and more mysterious? MAC’s Satin Lipstick in Film Noir is just the ticket. The perfect vamp shade on all skin colours, Film Noir is the shade you turn to when you need all out drama and glam. And the creamy Satin Lipstick formula is your bestie for a cushiony feel, medium-to-full buildable coverage, and a satin finish.
Frost Lipstick Costa Chic
Shade: A frosty light coral
Finish: Pearl
Lipstick lovers know that you need at least one of every finish in your collection to really be obsessed, so if you have a vacancy in the pearl finish department, we couldn’t recommend the Frost Lipstick in Costa Chic enough. With smooth, buildable, and medium coverage, and a semi-lustrous finish, this is the pearl lipsticks to settle down with.
