MAC Claretcast, Eros, Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipsticks

MAC Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pinky berry with subtle, cool undertones paired with a satin finish. It had full color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly, with just a bit of tugging initially but became easier to glide on as it melted against the lips. The texture was light-to-medium in weight, lightly tacky but comfortable to wear over a six and a half hour period. The formula was a smidgen drying after four hours of wear. MAC Marsala (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty Aubergine (P, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Melted Berry (P, $21.00) is glossier (95% similar). Estee Lauder Unattainable (P, $30.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Confident (P, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar). YSL Forbidden Burgundy (12) (DC, $34.00) is glossier (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Seduce Me (128) (DC, $30.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Chanel Roman (208) (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). NARS Vera (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Commotion (LE, $20.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Sheer Shame (DC, $22.00) is lighter, less pigmented (85% similar). Colour Pop Lyin' King (P, $6.00) is warmer, less glossy (85% similar). Bite Beauty Beetroot (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (85% similar). Revlon Plum Velour (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Givenchy Framboise Velours (315) (LE, $36.00) is lighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Headliner (608) (P, $28.00) is lighter (85% similar). Bite Beauty Winterberry (LE, $24.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). Bite Beauty Crimson (LE, $28.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. The texture was denser and pulled more than other shades, and while I could feel it melting, it did not melt as much and was always a big draggy going on. It had good pigmentation, but it was harder to get smooth, even application; I expect this one to be more unforgiving on those with drier or flakier lips as well. The color lasted a solid six hours, left behind a pinkish stain, and was non-drying. Bobbi Brown Raspberry Pink (P, $35.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar). Bite Beauty Bellini (LE, $24.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cooper (LE, $35.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar). Givenchy Fuchsia Irresistible (205) (P, $36.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Estee Lauder Dominant (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Voila! (120) (DC, $30.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Red Balloon (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Sangria (P, $26.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Hot Rose (P, $35.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Velvet Underground (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Roll the Dice (118) (DC, $30.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Pink Lady (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Illamasqua Glissade (P, $26.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Giorgio Armani #505 (LE, $32.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium red with neutral-to-cool undertones that has a lightly glossy, cream finish. It is the combination of brightness and undertone that seems to appear a bit warmer on me, though to my eye, it is neutral-to-cool. It had nearly opaque pigmentation, and the color went on evenly and smoothly while the consistency seemed to fill in lip lines and made my lips appear fuller and smoother. This shade wore well for six and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Givenchy Heroic Red (321) (LE, $36.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (P, $35.00) is warmer (90% similar). Edward Bess Eternal Passion (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Cardinal (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay F-Bomb (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Spiderweb (LE, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Mochi (P, $24.00) is more muted, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Retro Red (P, $35.00) is warmer (90% similar). Buxom Provocateur (P, $21.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Holly (LE, $24.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Brave Red (LE, $30.00) is lighter, more muted, warmer (90% similar). Guerlain Gala (P, $55.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Mulling Spices (LE, $21.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Pomegranate (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay No-Tell Motel (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Cherry Glaze (LE, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). Anna Sui Minnie Mouse (01) (LE) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Bite Beauty Fraise (P, $24.00) is lighter (85% similar). Maybelline Infra-red (LE, $7.49) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). NARS Future Red (LE, $26.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. 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.