MAC Red Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit

MAC Red Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit

MAC Red Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit ($35.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains four, miniature sized lipsticks–all shades from the permanent range. If you love your bolder shades, it’s a nice set–it might say “Red” but it is actually a mix of orange, red, burgundy, and berry. I’d say it’s more like a “bold” set than a red set.

The lipsticks come in a small box with a plastic, pull-out drawer. Each lipstick is 0.06 oz., so it’s 60% of the amount you get in a full-sized lipstick, and I think the value is there–it’s not a value-packed set, but you get more than you’re paying for and get four shades for a little more than the price of two. If you fall in love with one shade, you can repurchase it later as well, which is always nice. I didn’t have any issues using the minis directly from the tube, as sometimes minis can break more easily. The shades were very consistent with the individual permanent versions I have, and as I just swatched MAC’s permanent line a few months ago, the lip swatches and full face photos are from then (the swatches are of the actual minis).

Value

Lipstick: $17.00 for 0.10 oz. or $170.00/oz.
Total Value: $40.80

Lady Danger is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was lightly creamy but did not feel slick or emollient, so there was little shine and a heavier feel overall. It applied fairly evenly, though I noticed a touch of color settling into lip lines. The color wore for six hours, left a stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Scarlet Ibis (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Dior Trafalgar (844) (P, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Lady Ruba (P, $26.00) is glossier (95% similar). Bite Beauty Cayenne (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Dangerous (P, $17.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Urban Decay Bang (P, $17.00) is glossier (95% similar). Dolce and Gabbana Devil (620) (P, $33.00) is glossier (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flame (06) (P, $50.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Lover's Lane (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). Estee Lauder Volatile (P, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar). Dolce and Gabbana Fire (610) (P, $33.00) is glossier (95% similar). Tarte Cray Cray (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Tomango (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Inglot #103 Lipstick Cream (P, $12.00) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus 2 (LE, $17.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Psycho (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar). Chanel Rouge Feu (57) (P, $36.00) is more muted (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Quite the Standout (P, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Colour Pop First Class (DC, $6.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Red is a bright, medium-dark pinky-red with cool, blue undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff–you could see my lip freckle peeking through–and an even translucency, so the natural lip color will come through slightly, but it is still a more dramatic color on the lips. The consistency was a little stiff initially but became softer with use. It wore well for six hours, left a strong stain behind, and was a touch drying. MAC Como La Flor (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (P, $35.00) is glossier (95% similar). Smashbox Unzipped (P, $21.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red (P, $32.00) is warmer, glossier (95% similar). Tarte Firework (P, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Chanel La Precieuse (317) (LE, $36.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Ronnie Red (LE, $17.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Maybelline Rich Ruby (P, $7.99) is warmer (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Neo-Noir (126) (DC, $30.00) is brighter, glossier (95% similar). Chanel Rouge Tentation (169) (P, $36.00) is more muted (95% similar). Colour Pop Jingle (LE, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Glam (DC, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). MAC Charlotte (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Stunner (LE, $17.00)(90% similar). MAC Damn Glamorous (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Kinky (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). Shiseido Ruby Copper (RD501) (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Ruby Rush (07) (P, $50.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Kat Von D Hellbent (P, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Diva is a medium-dark burgundy with warm, red-brown undertones and a satin finish. The pigmentation was nearly opaque, while the texture was lightly creamy with a light-medium weight to it–enough density that it covered well and felt smooth on the lips. It lasted for six hours, stained my lips noticeably, and was slightly drying after four hours of wear. Maybelline Smoking Red (P, $7.49) is cooler (95% similar). Illamasqua Growl (P, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Runner (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Maybelline Divine Wine (P, $7.99) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Manbun (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Studded Kiss (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS 413 BLKR (LE, $28.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Hearts Aflame (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Dreaming of You (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Velvet Cherry (08) (P, $50.00) is brighter (90% similar). NARS Amsterdam (P, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar). Colour Pop Poison (LE, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Mona (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Bette (P, $32.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Hex (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Bad Behavior (LE, $30.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Fixed on Drama (LE, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Deeply Adored (LE, $17.00) is brighter (90% similar). Maybelline Burgundy Blush (P, $7.99) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M500 (P, $22.00) is darker (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Rebel is a medium-dark berry with cooler, pink undertones and a natural finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered evenly, but the natural lip color will come through and have some impact on the overall tone of the lipstick. The texture was lightly creamy, thin but not uncomfortable, and lasted for six hours. It left behind a stain as well, and it felt a little hydrating. YSL Forbidden Burgundy (12) (DC, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Hel's Bells (P, $32.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Venom (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Berry Naughty (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Xavier (P, $35.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Venom (DC, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). Guerlain Flirt (LE, $35.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Gucci Beauty Bitter Grape (P, $39.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Estee Lauder Insolent Plum (P, $30.00) is glossier (95% similar). Urban Decay Afterdark (P, $17.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). MAC Quelle Surprise (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Primrose (LE, $17.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). Colour Pop Too Sexy (LE, $5.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Brocade (P, $35.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Guerlain Plum-brella (070) (P, $32.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Maybelline Berry Bossy (P, $7.49) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty #004 (LE, $36.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Sly Ingenue (430) (P, $32.00) is more muted (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Fatale (P, $50.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Acai (LE, $17.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.