MAC Hellebore, Ambrosial, Marsala Liptensity Lipsticks

MAC Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Hellebore Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark purple with warm, pink undertones and a creamy, lightly glossy finish. It had good pigmentation but was not “one-stroke” coverage. After about half of a pass on the lips, the consistency started to melt and felt more gel-like as I applied it, but it tugged a bit initially. The color applied fairly evenly, but the application would benefit from a lip liner underneath for better, more even coverage overall. This shade lasted nicely for six and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Colour Pop Leather (P, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Speedball (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Strong Woman (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Punk Couture (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Jawbreaker (P, $17.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Own the Look (LE, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Pandemonium (P, $17.00) is cooler (85% similar). Maybelline Violet Vixen (P, $7.49) is cooler (85% similar). Smashbox Violet Riot (P, $21.00) is cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Ambrosial Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bold, medium-dark fuchsia magenta with pink undertones and a natural sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and smoothly. The consistency was lightly tacky but wasn’t uncomfortable to wear. It wore well for six and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Make Up For Ever C207 (P, $22.00) is darker, more muted, less glossy (95% similar). Maybelline Hot Plum (P, $7.49) is less glossy (95% similar). MAC Daddy's Little Girl (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Silvia (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Frenemy (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Pablo (P, $35.00) is lighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty #010 (LE, $36.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC Night Blooming (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Invite Intrigue (LE, $17.00) is more muted, less glossy (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Jack (LE, $35.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Vogue en Violet (P, $23.00) is darker (85% similar). Maybelline Orchid Ecstasy (730) (P, $7.49) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Anarchy (DC, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Estee Lauder Thrill Seeker (420) (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Bite Beauty Dragonfruit (P, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Buxom Swinger (P, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Crush (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Bite Beauty Confection (LE, $24.00) is lighter, less glossy (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Marsala Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish berry with subtle, cool undertones and satiny sheen. It was richly pigmented with full color coverage and a smooth, light-medium thick texture that sat exceptionally well on the lips. The more gel-like consistency made my lips look smoother and fuller. The color wore well for nearly eight hours before it would be time for a touch-up, while the formula was just a smidgen drying after six hours of wear. Bobbi Brown Brocade (P, $35.00) is cooler (95% similar). YSL Forbidden Burgundy (12) (DC, $34.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar). Bite Beauty Sugared Maple (LE, $24.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). MAC Claretcast (LE, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). MAC Cordovan (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Jam (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Vera (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Inglot #293 Lipstick Cream (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Plaid (P, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Mulberry (P, $24.00) is more muted (90% similar). Too Faced Melted Berry (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Beetroot (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Confident (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC Heaux (Amplified) (LE, $17.00) is warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Boy Gorgeous (222) (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Chanel Roman (208) (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Seduce Me (128) (DC, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Headliner (608) (P, $28.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Givenchy Framboise Velours (315) (LE, $36.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

MAC Hellebore Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to have “intense amounts of pigment” with a gel-like texture that melts on lips that leaves behind a satin finish and wears for “eight hours.” It’s supposed to be “comfortable” to wear, but there are no claims about hydration–and overall, they were non-drying. The majority of the range varied from semi-opaque to fully opaque in one stroke, while the texture had some body and thickness to it but was not heavy. The consistency feels firmer in the tube, but it became softer and more pliable as it warmed up against the lips. This was also true about how the color settled and looked on the lips–it tended to fill up lip lines without emphasizing them as much after thirty seconds of wear. The formula didn”t have a lot of slip, and it was actually lightly tacky, which helped it stay in place better. The wear ranged from four to eight hours with lighter shades typically wearing shorter than deeper and more intense shades. The finish was anywhere from satin to natural with noticeable sheen, sometimes glossiness, but it often wore to a satin to semi-matte finish after a few hours. The formula has MAC’s typical vanilla scent but had no discernible taste.