MAC Stallion, Blue Beat, Galaxy Grey Liptensity Lipsticks

MAC Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Stallion Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, inky black with neutral undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It was very pigmented with a lightly glossy, smooth consistency. I did have some issues with the color adhering to the center of my lip, so there’s a bit of translucency there. The texture was lightweight and comfortable to wear without the color sliding around over time. On me, the color wore well for seven hours and was non-drying. NYX Chambord (P, $6.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C604 (P, $22.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Urban Decay Perversion (P, $17.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Blacquer (000) (LE, $30.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Tarte Naughty (P, $20.00) is less glossy (95% similar). MAC In the Spirit (P, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Blue Beat Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep navy blue with strong, cool undertones paired with a lightly glossy finish that had some visible pearl. It was almost so cool-toned that it looked almost purplish. The consistency of this shade had a bit more slip than other shades, which led to slightly uneven application. For this type of shade, it still went on rather well, but there was still room for improvement. It had good pigmentation, though not quite opaque, in one stroke and was fairly comfortable to wear over time. It wore well for seven and a half hours and left a strong, purplish stain behind (more pink than blue). It was neither drying nor hydrating while worn. Maybelline Midnight Blue (P, $7.49) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Heroine (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Maybelline Sapphire Siren (P, $7.49) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Galaxy Grey Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium grayish lavender with a cream finish. It was richly pigmented with a lightweight, lightly gel-like texture that applied evenly and smoothly on the lips. The consistency melted on the lips after 45 seconds and seemed to make my lips appear smoother and more voluminous. This shade wore well for six and a half hours on me and was slightly hydrating. Make Up For Ever C502 (P, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Taro (LE, $26.00) is darker (80% similar). MAC Plum Princess (LE, $17.00) is warmer (80% similar). Colour Pop Marshmallow (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). MAC Fresh Amour (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

MAC 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.