MAC Lipsticks Explained

Walking into a MAC store can be daunting enough, then you are faced with a huge array of lipsticks, all with different finishes, undertones and shade names. It can all be a bit too much to take it, and a little overwhelming. I have already done a post explaining all of the Eyeshadow finishes and this post is slightly like a second part to that, so make sure you also check that out.
Matte: A solid opaque colour, with no sheen. This is the most drying of the formulas but also the most long wearing. Perfect for any situations when you don't want your lipstick to budge, or smudge but also don't want to be reapply regularly. This is my favourite finish for lipsticks, some which I own from MAC are Diva and Velvet Teddy.

Retro Matte: Very similar to matte but has a more powdery finish, and are a lot more drying. This isn't always a bad thing just means that you have to prep your lips properly before. They are so opaque and last for ages. MAC's Ruby Woo is a retro matte finish.

Satin: I would describe satin lipsticks as a semi matte lipstick, its not super creamy but doesn't go completely matte. Kinda hard to describe! It isn't as long wearing as matte but does last for a reasonable amount of time. A satin lipstick which I own is Cherish.

Amplified: This give an opaque coverage, and are usually very pigmented but with a light sheen finish. So its quite creamy but with all the pigmentation of a matte lipstick. If you want a bold lipstick but don't want a matte one then this is the finish to go for.

Amplified Creme: A creamier version of an amplified lipstick, it has a high gloss finish very similar to a cremesheen finish lipsitck. It is very highly pigmented but because of how creamy it is it may be prone to moving around a bit on the lips and maybe even bleeding. It will also need topping up more often, and won't stay as opaque for as long.

Cremesheen: Creamy lipstick, that are glossy when applied to the lips. They aren't s opaque as the matte lipsticks because of how creamy they are, because of this they don't last for as long on the lips but are not at all drying.

Frost: These are very shimmery, but it does depend from lipstick to lipstick. So for this finish I would really recommend you google a swatch or just try it out in store. Some of these are very wearable and some of these are so shimmery, they provide good coverage but don't last on the lips all that long so would need topping up.

Glaze: Not as pigmented as the other MAC lipsticks, it is very moisturising and natural looking. It has a glossy finish, and is a bit like lip gloss in a lipstick form if you get what I mean. They aren't very long wearing but because of how natural they are it won't be very noticeable and fade evenly.

Lustre: This lipstick gives a sheer amount of colour on the lips, with sheen. Very similar to a Glaze finish but with a bit more coverage. Again not the longest wearing lipstick, but when it fades it won't be as noticeable as say a matte lipstick because of how sheer it is and natural it looks on the lips.

You can shop the whole range of MAC Lipsticks on their website. If you know what kind of colour you want, you should go into a store or chat to an artist online and they can help direct you to what the right colour for you is.

What's your favourite lipstick finish? What's your favourite lipstick?

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