Best MAC Lipsticks 2019 | Top 10 by Skin Tone

Today, I’m asking for your recommendations for Best MAC Lipsticks (specific shades, please!) — and if you’ve previously shared your favorites, don’t forget that you can always make more recommendations as new products release or you’ve discovered a new favorite.

You can view all recommendations here, where you can also refine recommendations by things like price, skin type, skin tone, etc. and share your own recommendations. If you think you might be making recommendations often, consider registering and filling out your profile as the form will pre-fill with your profile information for you each time! Thank you for taking the time to add your recommendations to our database! 🙂

Best MAC Lipsticks for Fairest to Light Skin Tones

The list below shows the top 10 most recommended MAC Lipsticks that are permanent as recommended by those with these skin tones: fairest, fair, fair-light, and light! The list will automatically update as more recommendations are made!(If a shade has been discontinued, please let me know!)

Best MAC Lipsticks for Light-Medium to Medium-Tan Skin Tones

The list below shows the top 10 most recommended MAC Lipsticks that are permanent as recommended by those with these skin tones: light-medium, medium, medium deep, and medium-tan! The list will automatically update as more recommendations are made!(If a shade has been discontinued, please let me know!)

Best MAC Lipsticks for Tan to Deepest Dark

The list below shows the top 10 most recommended MAC Lipsticks that are permanent as recommended by those with these skin tones: tan, dark tan, deep, deep dark, and deepest dark! The list will automatically update as more recommendations are made!(If a shade has been discontinued, please let me know!)

20 Comments

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Jade Avatar

My recent loves have been Creme in Your Coffee (winter) and in summer Mocha – I suit different shades throughout the year due to how much my skintone warms up in summer. Diva was an unexpected recent find! My mum bought it for me because they were out of Viva Glam I (next on my list) and it’s sooo lovely.

Seraphine Avatar

I love Creme in Your Coffee! I also love Half & Half, which is somewhat along the lines of Velvet Teddy, but more comfortable to wear. (I always think of Creme in Your Coffee and Half & Half together, probably because of the names.)

kjh Avatar

Some days (Year’s)you overlook a classic. I was deep sixing the stash, and found a sample card with Velvet Teddy. Noooow I see what the fuss is about! Total duh moment.

janine Avatar

There’s a lot I love about Mac lipsticks mainly all the different shades but overall the formula isn’t good on me. It doesn’t look smooth or creamy unless I combine it with a gloss.

I decided to quit buying them although I got Mary Bligh’s one.

Sad day I know.

Amy Avatar

I’m about NW20 (between NW18 and NW22 depending on time of year, a bit more neutral) with brown hair and light blue eyes. There are too many I love, lol, it’s a dangerous thing.
But my MLBB/ nudes are Modesty, Viva Glam VI, and Mehr (Faux, Brave, Twig all good, but too similar to justify them), and edging out of that a bit, Creme in Your Coffee and Whirl if I’m wearing warm tones. (emphatically not Velvet Teddy. I’ve had two Mac people tell me I wasn’t allowed to buy it, it drains the life from my face). I gasped when I saw Captive on me for the first time, it’s stunning. Soar is also at the spiciest edge of my neutral.
My top statement Mac lipstick is Lady Danger. It’s astonishing against my skin and eyes.

Liz Avatar

My fave lipsticks, so glad there is this post. To me, still Holy Grail for overall quality and price. I’m Fair to Light and ride or die every nude, so my top 10 would include Cherish, Jubilee, Blankety, (and I think Hover liner works with those 3) and Flat Out Fabulous as well. Maybe Angel and Kinda Sexy, too. Too many to choose from!

moonchime Avatar

I love Pink Nouveau. It’s a satin formula which is not too drying and lasts a while on my lips. I’ve repurchased this one over and over now for almost ten years. It’s definitely my favorite MAC shade. For reference, I’m NW25.

SaffyTaffy Avatar

This is fascinating to me because it confirms that I have a very, very weird complexion. I am fair (inching towards light in summer) and Velvet Teddy, Twig, Mehr, and Kinda Sexy all look awful on me. I don’t know if it’s because my lips are naturally quite pigmented (but whose aren’t?) or if it’s because my hair is dark, or what. And meanwhile colors like Flat Out Fabulous (for dark skin) sit just right on me.

Monica Avatar

MAC makes some of my favorites! I’m NC40 and love Ruby Woo, Lady Danger, See Sheer, Moxie, Framboise Moi, Brick-o-la, Chili…so many!

MACLover Avatar

I believe that Persistence has been/is discontinued. An alternative is Taupe lipstick that is also a matte finish. According to many MAC MUA’s, it was part of the “40% Good-Byes” and has been discontinued.

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