As I started writing this article, I kept thinking to myself, “Oh god, this is a bad idea. People are seriously going to question your makeup judgement after they read this.” I’m still thinking that now, even as this post goes up.
Then I sat for a minute and had a crazy thought: maybe I’m not the only one who feels this way. There has to be at least one other person out there who feels like this, right? Anyway, this column is a place where all makeup opinions, popular or unpopular, have a right to be heard. I decided to say “screw it” and just go for it.
I don’t like MAC lipsticks. There, I said it.
Makeup lovers everywhere seem to praise MAC as a brand, and this especially applies to their lipsticks. You can barely go anywhere on the web without hearing the words “Ruby Woo” or seeing one pop up in a beauty vlogger’s monthly favorites. These lippies definitely have a devout cult following.
Even though this is such a popular product, I just can’t get as hyped about it as everyone else. I’m not head-over-heels for MAC lipsticks for three reasons.
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Reasons I Don’t Like MAC Lipsticks:
- First, these lipsticks really dry out my lips. After wearing these for 15 minutes, my lips feel like they’ve had all their moisture sucked out. No other lipstick does this to my lips, and I don’t have dry lips at all. It’s a bit annoying to see that happen after using such a highly-praised product. I’m not a big fan of the “crusty lips” look.
- Second, the pigment wears off unevenly. Once the lipstick dries my lips out, the pigment begins to ball up and bunch together in the grooves of my lips. It’s totally weird. When you take this into account with the price, this kind of wear feels sub-par.
- Third, they transfer super easily. When I’m eating, the wear time on these bad boys cuts down to barely a half hour. You definitely need to reapply after eating a meal. They just don’t feel like they stay too well on my lips in general. I haven’t tried a matte lipstick from MAC, so to be fair, maybe that lasts better on the lips. Even if the matte formula is amazing, one winning formula out of 6+ still isn’t a shining record.
My Alternative? Colourpop!
Okay, so I don’t like MAC. What do I use instead? Colourpop Lippie Stix are my preferred alternative to MAC lipsticks. These have such similar formulas that I could barely tell the difference. If I were blindfolded, I would have serious trouble telling these apart.
MAC and Colourpop lipsticks have the same texture on the lips, wear the same way, and have a very similar vanilla smell. Colourpop and MAC lipsticks have the same issues, but I can forgive those shortcomings with Colourpop. I expect this kind of wear from a lipstick at a Colourpop pricepoint ($5) rather than one at a MAC pricepoint ($17).
When I look at the formula quality, pigmentation, and wear time of both lipsticks, the cost of a Colourpop lipstick is honestly easier for me to justify than the cost of a MAC lipstick.
Final Thoughts
Despite what this post might lead you to believe, I don’t despise MAC lipsticks. I actually own a few, and sometimes feel motivated to wear one for a full day. When push comes to shove however, I want to spend my money on a lipstick that performs at a level worthy of its price, and I don’t feel like MAC lipsticks make the cut.
There’s my final opinion! Take it as you will.
Alright, I’m ready to have you tell me I’m crazy (or maybe that you agree?). Leave a comment with your thoughts below! I’d love to hear what you think about this topic!
All of us bloggers spend a lot of time writing about things we love, so let’s talk about stuff that doesn’t really work for us as well! Besides, most college girls cannot realistically afford higher-end brands for all of their beauty products.
I completely agree. I though my it was just me, but these lipsticks definitely dry out my lips. And all I use are the matte lipsticks. And it does clump up super uneven. So I guess it’s just the Mac formula. Now that I rethink it, maybe I should start trying new lipsticks… I was just in love with brand.
Great post!
I own a handful of MACs, and the only one I haven’t had problems #1 and 2 with is Viva Glam Miley. I agree with you about Colourpop.
And seconding the recommendation for the Maybelline Mattes! They are comparably very, very comfortable.
I get you, not all this “cult or popular products” are going to work for everyone elseI for example I live for Maybelline lipsticks but despide its fundation and bb cream line
I love MAC lipsticks but I can totally understand why, with these issues, you wouldn’t enjoy them. I have really dry lips and I find that the Satin and Creamsheen finishes that MAC has do wonders for my lips. They just work for me but I ALSO love the Colourpop Liquid Lipsticks so I’m glad you found a great alternative! Another relatively cheap lipstick that I love is the Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick line in the drugstore. I find those are also a really fantastic and cheap alternative. Anyway, great post and I hope that maybe MAC can change up their formula or come up with a new one that justifies the price range for you! 🙂