MAC E for Effortless & La Femme Love Me Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches

E for Effortless

MAC E for Effortless Love Me Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a rich, deep red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a creamy, luminous finish. It seemed to have a subtle, low-level pearl strewn throughout but not enough to make it appear shimmery to my eye. The texture was lightweight, lightly creamy without being tacky, heavy, or slippery, so it applied comfortably but didn’t slide around over time (I didn’t experience feathering). I was impressed by how smooth it appeared on my lips and how forgiving it was of any minor imperfections in lip texture. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which went on evenly. The color stayed on well for five and a half hours, left a faint stain behind, and was lightly hydrating over time.

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (P, $37.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Major Red (P, $38.00) is cooler, less glossy (95% similar).
Cle de Peau Dragon Red (P, $65.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Stellar Beauty Super Sonic 04 (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Sephora Popsicle Lips (28) (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Hourglass Icon (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Tarte Juicy (LE, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Dior Ultra Dior (999) (P, $37.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
Sephora Wicked Smart (02) (P, $13.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Estee Lauder Boldface (P, $32.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$19.00/0.1 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have a "lighter-than-air texture" with "all-day moisturization" paired with "intense color and soft shine." They had semi-opaque to fully opaque color coverage in a single layer, and most of the shades applied evenly and smoothly to my lips without emphasizing lip texture or sinking noticeably into my lip lines.

The texture was very lightweight, lightly creamy without too much slip, yet there was a distinctive shine to the finish. The luminosity wore down within an hour or so of wear. The formula seemed like a cross between Amplified and Cremesheens, yet there was no tackiness, and the Love Me formula was much lighter and thinner (without being clingy). The wear has ranged from three to six hours and has been lightly to moderately hydrating. They had a sweet, vanilla scent (typical of the brand) but no discernible taste.

Browse all of our MAC Love Me Lipstick swatches.

Recommended

E for Effortless

Permanent

Rec'd

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

97%

Total

Recommended

La Femme

MAC La Femme Love Me Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a luminous finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied fairly evenly across my lips and never tugged during application. I did have trouble with the product adhering evenly to the inner area of my lips, and there seemed to be slight darkening in some of my lip lines on the outer areas of my lower lip (but not in my deeper, vertical lip lines, which was odd!). The consistency was lightly creamy without being too slippery or emollient, so it glided on well but had good adherence. It wore well for five hours and was lightly moisturizing while worn.

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Bobbi Brown Crimson (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Guerlain #23 (P, $33.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Shiseido Vortex (216) (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
Hourglass When I'm Alone (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Colour Pop Tiana (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
Bobbi Brown Red Berry (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Pat McGrath Anarkissed (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
MAC Dark Side (P, $19.50) is cooler (85% similar).
NARS Bette (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
NARS Charlotte (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).