Hello everyone!

In this subsequent installment of the MACnificent Me collection, MAC continues to allure with four new and a highly anticipated repromote lipstick (in Fashion Revival, which I already own) shades alongside 4 Eye Shadows (in Cheer Me On, Well Behaved, Everyone’s Darling & Cork), Opulash Optimum Black Mascara, Penultimate Eye Liner, 2 Lip Pencils (in Cherry & Currant) and 3 Powder Blush (in Devil, Burnt Pepper & A Little Lusty).

But as mentioned previously, I was only keen on getting the lipsticks and so far my experience with my purchase has been largely upsetting. Would the lipsticks be able to make up for the unsatisfactory standards of the Mattenes? Let’s find out!

For the first time in what seems to be forever (*cues Frozen song*), we finally have a MAC line without a single Lustre packed with solid colours. However, when I first saw the swatches on my hand, a sense of familiarity struck me because the colours looked like what I already have in my stash! But then again, this always happens whenever I test out new shades because of my massive collection of lipsticks so I wouldn’t know if it’s really the case until I compare them with other similar shades 😆

#1 Self Aware

The English idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” fits aptly with my critique of this lipstick. Self Aware has such enticing and irresistible food-esque description and a lovely colour on the bullet along with a promising finish but the moment it was applied on the lips, all my idealistic impression of it fell apart instantly. The swatch looked really gorgeous so I really didn’t expect it to pale my lips and wash me out. Nevertheless, it does blend well with my natural lip colour and provide a mostly opaque coverage in a single swipe. I certainly would love to see this shade in a darker hue. This one is probably more suited (prominent) for very fair skin tone.

There’s no denying that Self Aware has a rather unique shade because no other MAC lipsticks I own come that close 🙂

#2 Deep Love

New matte lipstick shades are such a rare sight on MAC website these days that I totally combusted with joy when I saw the list of products for this collection! Deep Love is highly pigmented with full coverage that does not settle into the fine line and cracks of the lips nor bleed out. The subtle sheen provides a flattering glow to the lips to make it look fuller and hydrated. However, it tugs a bit on the lips and may feel slightly drying over time.

Deep Love looks like a typical dark maroon until you compare it against other shades. It is actually more like rust brown! Doesn’t look like it on the lips, does it?

#3 Diva Antics

No thanks to the misleading product shot of this lipstick on MAC website, I bought this with the impression that it was going to be a deep plum-purple shade. Obviously, it didn’t turn out to be the case. Nevertheless it is still a pretty red lipstick with some pink undertones. Putting the colour aside, it has a lovely creamy and somewhat glossy finish that glides smoothly on the lips like butter even though it has a tendency to bleed. It delivers a comfortably opaque coverage with a hint of shine for the holidays, making it the perfect lipstick for your upcoming Christmas or New Year’s party. I highly recommend this shade for Asian skin tones! 🙂

Having said that, you don’t need this lipstick if you already have D For Danger (from The Matte Lip 2015 collection) because not only is it similar to Diva Antics in terms of the colour, they have very comparable texture too!

#4 My Inner Femme

Like Diva Antics, My Inner Femme promises a medium to full coverage that magically catches light to create a gorgeous illusion of fuller and smoochable lips. Every application coats the lips with a luminous layer of moisturizing and rich orange-red shade that sets you apart from your peers who dare not venture out of their comfort zone with unconventional lip colours. Wear this shade to complete your glamourous fall look or to match the auspicious colours of Chinese New Year although it’s a tad too early for that. Still, it’s always good to plan ahead, right? 😉

Dramatical is a sheerer while Lady Danger is brighter, warmer and more pigmented. I don’t think there’s a close MAC dupe for My Inner Femme so this scores bonus points for being one-of-a-kind.

Finally, to sum things up, high price does not necessarily reflect the quality as you can tell from this whole MACnificent Me collection. Despite the lower selling price, this range of lipsticks surpassed expectations with their excellent colour payoff and luxurious finish so I was surprised to see that none of them is sold out yet. In fact, I would rather pay the US$20 – the price of each Mattene – for any one lipstick here instead. I mean, just sayin’. I am certainly not giving MAC the green light to jack up their prices further. At least not for the next 1 year or so. I’m broke as hell lol.

What about you? Let me know your thoughts about this collection in the comments below!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more beauty reviews coming your way! 🙂

The MAC MACnificent Me lipsticks are now available on MACCosmetics.com and at local stores.