MAC x Charlotte Olympia Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “deep red.” It’s a muted, medium-dark red with subtle, cooler pink undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had a velvety, smooth, light-medium thick texture that applied well without dragging or skipping. It had opaque color coverage that sat well on the lips. The color wore well for six hours and left a stain behind. It was neither drying nor hydrating. ColourPop Silhouette (LE, $6.50) is warmer, less glossy (95% similar). Burberry Military Red (P, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). YSL Light Me Red (119) (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Makeup Geek Beauty Queen (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Dylan (P, $36.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Just Add Romance (P, $20.00) is cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay 714 (LE, $18.00) is more muted, warmer, less glossy (95% similar). MAC Von Teese (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Bite Beauty Gazpacho (DC, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty Hexagram (DC, $21.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty Tijuana (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Demand (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Doubt (DC, $18.00) is lighter, more pigmented, cooler (90% similar). Givenchy Rouge Stiletto (P, $37.00) is cooler (90% similar). Besame Besame Red 1920 (P, $22.00) is cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Gemini (Right) (LE, $26.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Camelia Rouge (357) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Decisive Poppy (P, $32.00) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Thumbelina (LE, $20.00) is more muted, less glossy (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Retro Red Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “deep brown-red.” It’s a muted, medium-dark red-burgundy with warmer undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had rich color payoff that applied well and didn’t skip or tug on the lips when applied from the tube. The texture is comfortable without having too much slip or being too clingy. On me, the color lasted for five and a half hours and stained. It was neither drying nor hydrating. ColourPop Poison (P, $7.00) is darker (90% similar). Hourglass At Night (P, $34.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C406 (DC, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar). Tarte XOXO (P, $20.00) is less glossy (95% similar). MAC Lee Hi (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Golshan (P, $25.00) is warmer, less glossy (95% similar). NARS Rouge Indiscret (LE, $28.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Just Push Play (P, $26.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam I (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Fearless Red (LE, $28.00) is lighter, more muted, better quality (90% similar). YSL Insurgent Red (202) (P, $39.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Liquid Courage (P, $10.00)(90% similar). Make Up For Ever M402 (DC, $22.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Velvet Cherry (08) (P, $55.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). NARS Codie (LE, $34.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (90% similar). Maybelline Divine Wine (P, $7.99) is darker (85% similar). KVD Beauty Project Chimps (LE, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). NARS Infatuated Red (P, $27.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Milani I Am Motivated (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Olivia (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “true red.” It’s a bright, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The texture had a little more slip compared to the other two shades, though it was still more of the velvety-smooth variety that MAC has been putting out for their matte finishes. It had mostly opaque coverage that applied smoothly and evenly. This shade lasted for five and a half hours, left behind a stain, and was non-drying. MAC Von Teese (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Burberry Military Red (P, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). Hourglass I Crave (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). Maybelline Dynamite Red (DC, $7.49) is darker (95% similar). MAC Just Add Romance (P, $20.00) is more muted (95% similar). MAC Dynasty Red (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). Sephora More is More (10) (P, $15.00) is cooler, glossier (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Nikita (Left) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Best Revenge (P, $55.00) is lighter (95% similar). Hourglass Secretly (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Estee Lauder Excite (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, cooler, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay F-Bomb (DC, $18.00) is glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Scarlet Rouge (P, $57.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Lancome Sunrise Ruby (133) (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Intrigue (P, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Thumbelina (LE, $20.00) is more muted (90% similar). Burberry Regiment Red (37) (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). MAC Kinky (LE, $19.00)(90% similar). Shiseido Firecracker (219) (P, $26.00) is glossier (90% similar). Pat McGrath McGrath Muse (DC, $40.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
The MAC x Charlotte Olympia collection arrives online on March 17th.
Leading Lady Red
LELimited Edition. $18.00.
Retro Rouge
LELimited Edition. $18.00.
Starlett Scarlet
LELimited Edition. $18.00.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Leading Lady Red Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick
MAC Starlett Scarlet Lipstick
MAC Retro Rouge Lipstick looks very similar to Nar’s VIP Red from last fall. I have all the dupes so this collection is an easy pass for me. I understand that red ties in with Charlotte Olympia’s design philosophy but this is just excessive and very repetitive on Mac’s part, IMHO. Not a fan of the lipstick packaging either. It looks a bit cheap to me, reminds me of those transparent Neutrogena lipsticks that have been discontinued for some time now. Saves me some money I guess.
They could have varied it up by the finish, I think – that might have at least separated them from the deluge of reds they’ve released in the last 12 months.
Absolutely agree with you!
The first and the third look quite similar!
They do!
No retro Hollywood collection is complete without red lippies, and these deliver! I love Retro Rouge (brown red) but I already have 3 of the dupes (CP Poison, MAC Hearts Aflame, Maybelline Divine Wine) so will pass but it’s beautiful. Curious about the clear plastic packaging – does it feel hefty? Does the plastic look high quality or is it cheap looking?
Not really cheap, not super high-end – pretty much right in the middle I’d say.
I am liking the look of Retro Rouge and I don’t have anything very similar! Do you know if the collection will be available at counters?
It’s just select locations, so probably not counters.
Your whole look here is fantastic! Retro Rouge looks particularly great on you!
Thank you, Julie!
You look great. I especially like the subtle eye look which is very polished. But for me nothing really new here that grabs. I think I have a MAC red lipstick hangover. they are starting to look the same…
They do a LOT of medium reds – a little bluer, a little warmer, almost always matte/semi-matte.
Leading Lady looks really rich and luscious, and I like that it stains the lips! Thing is, MAC lipsticks almost never stain mine. I wish they did, but nope, they don’t usually. UD sure does, though! So for my already red heavy lip stash, I would be more likely choose one of the UD x GS lipsticks for another red. Firebird seriously STAINS my lips, but never dries them out!
That’s so interesting, Nancy! I just had that experience with Too Faced’s Mattes – they were some of the least prone to staining, even the darker shades!
The last look is very classically beautiful!
I can see what you mean, Jenny 🙂
I think colourpop discontinued silhouette! :/
Thanks for the heads up!
Very pretty reds! I have dupes for all three, so I’ll be skipping.
I’m not surprised at all that you have dupes!
Beautiful reds, too bad I only wear the color once or twice a year otherwise I would buy one. You look great in them Christine.
Thank you, Deidre! 🙂
Love, love, love the packaging! And retro rouge look unique enough to consider beyond the packaging 🙂
The packaging is fun! I’m surprised they didn’t up-charge more for it.
Whaoooooow Retro red is the more beautiful on you! Iam not really love Mac lipsticks but i feel like the texture are great for this collection…I can buy a for example a Guerlain rouge g lipstick eyes closing and that make me feel the same for those babies…love from France 😉
sorry Christine for my english (its too late here lol bedtime) I will check out my comments before to post it…Shame on me!
<3
Thank you, Chacha! I know the pricing between MAC vs. Guerlain isn’t quite so drastic in France as it is here!
That Retro lipstick is just gorgeous – love it.
It is!
All nice but probably pretty dupeable.
My exact thoughts!
Total pass! The packaging just looks so cheap to me, and they are all dupable. I actually don’t like this whole collection because of cheap-looking packing. LOL
Money saved 🙂
I like Starlett Red the most! Happy to see it perform so well 🙂
It is nice when they do well!
I don’t need to run out and grab any of these (have plenty of reds, and personally not a fan of this packaging), BUT–it’s nice to see a special collection pop up with a string of “A”s. Good-looking colors, good performance–it’s apparent in the swatches. Frankly, we should be able to expect that from a company as big as MAC–especially with lipsticks–but the big names do so many releases, and so many are just…underwhelming.
This one certainly not revolutionary, but it’s pretty and at least it PERFORMS.
Great comment, Josephine 🙂 Better to have As than Fs, even if the Fs were unique. I do… wish they had at least changed up the finishes or did a stronger tonal difference between the three.
I thought the same. Finally some A’s for MAC. I have plenty of reds and don’t wear them often so no buy for me though.
Glad these perform well, even if they’re not really my shades!
True!
It took me a moment to decipher the difference among these three, though they are pretty!
lol!
MAC has always been good at reds…. And all these three reds look quite similar to some other reds of MAC. The packaging is tge only thing which looks different. I think this will be a pass for me.
I agree — MAC can make a great red, though they don’t seem to vary up their reds!
Aww… After seeing these, I wish I had bought Von Teese, which was just a touch cooler. I think none of these colors are doing it for me. Thanks for your fantastic eye for dupes, as always!
My pleasure, Kira 🙂
I have a spare & I’d love to be able to get it to you if I could.
I’m not impressed with these shades.
Scarlett Scarlet has got to be the lamest name I have heard in a while…. nice colors though.
Sorry to hear the name didn’t appeal to you!
Hello, I was just wondering what people’s thoughts are on lipstick sanitization at make-up counters? I bought a new MAC lipstick today (New York Apple) and saw the girl dip it in alcohol for a sec and then wipe it down. Is that sufficient to kill all bacteria and potential viruses?
Wait, she sold you one she dipped in alcohol? That I would not buy.
Oh I’m sorry, What I meant to say was that she dipped the one I tried on in alcohol not the one I actually bought. Sorry for the confusion! I’m just curious how safe it is to try on lipsticks in store. I usually only buy based on your recommendations Christine and had seen an old post where you recommended New York Apple so I thought I better go and see what it’s like and it is gorgeous! So thanks for the rec 🙂
That sounds like the procedure that I believe employees are trained on, so presumably corporate has gone through what needs to be done (and legal has said how to avoid a lawsuit!), but I am not a chemist/scientist so I am not sure what % is killed and how long it needs to be dipped in the alcohol.
Nooo she’s not supposed to do that. They do spray the try-out lipsticks and wipe them down in Nordstrom but they’re supposed to sell MAC to you untouched and in the box. She probably dumped other lipsticks in the same alcohol.
Hello thanks for your reply Cecelia, sorry about the confusion! She wiped down the one I tried on, not the lipstick I purchased (which was sealed in a box). I’m just wondering if all of you try on in store prior to buying or prefer to do that at home with a fresh tube? I live in Ireland so there’s no return policy for opened make-up unfortunately.
I have Maybelline Siren in Scarlet and Divine Wine. I don’t think there is enough of a difference for me to purchase these reds. Siren in Scarlet is 90% similar to the 2 reds and Divine Wine is 85% similar to the burgundy color. Both pull cooler and I’m pale but man… I like these so much. I don’t like the packaging, though.
I think those are close enough!
Thanks for bringing those 2 dupes to my attention. I’m pretty sure I have Divine Wine, untouched, sitting in my closet. I love reds & I own sooo, truthfully toooooooooo many. But I still am not feeling any one of these at all. They just aren’t anything special, IMHO, but this is someome who has been wearing red lipstick since the 5th grade, so I have quite a collection of red lipstick.
I’m with you, the packaging could be part of the reason I don’t care about the LSs.
Thank you Cecelia.
Very pretty but alas I need another red lipstick like I need a hole in my head! I only have a few but that’s more then enough. Wish they had added a nude shade.
I hear ya, Lisa 😉
So bored by the same darn Reds all the time, just repackaged. I’ve ignored this collection & I’m a red lippie collector/lover, I just don’t see one I have to have or else…