MAC Retro Matte Collection


I do apologise if the title is somewhat (okay rather) misleading as I haven't bought all eight shades from the newly launched MAC Retro Matte collection but I did pick up two of the limited edition shades. From what I have gathered four of the shades along with MAC Ruby Woo (review link) are permanent and the other three are limited edition. Again to the best of my knowledge the L.E shades are :Steady Going, Runway Hit and Fixed on Drama - although the majority of the collection has sold out I have it in good faith it will be replenished asap.

MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection


Let's skip glossing over the packaging which is of standard MAC styling and focus on the new shades each of which has been "inspired by Ruby Woo's overwhelming popularity and one-of-a-kind texture". If you have yet to try such shade or formula let me elaborate - yes this is easily the most matte lip formula that not only MAC provide but also that I have ever encountered. As it is truly matte I have found that it can tug and pull a little on the lips and has a slightly waxy texture that can cling to dry patches. However what the waxy texture does allow the lipstick to fully cling to the lips and wear true for close to four hours, there's not many lipstick formula's you can say that about. Yes it is a little drying but the wear time and beauty of the shades both old and new more than compensate for that - no bleeding, feathering just bold matte lips, what is not to love?

MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection
MAC Retro Matte Collection

 Above shades are shown in alphabetical order: Runway Hit and then Steady Going


I went for the two lightest shaded (creature of habit) Runway Hit which is listed as a "light nude matte" and Steady Going which has been described as a "light pink". In my opinion Runway Hit is not at all nude but rather a dusky pink and somewhat akin to the likes of MAC Angel - a very me and pretty shade but not your typical nude in the slightest. My other choice which was bought on a whim is Steady Going which is a light blue based pink and perhaps a little too stark for my skin tone - it a smidgen similar to the likes of MAC St Germain (which seems to have been discontinued?) and Pink Friday but matte. If none of the lipstick shades in this collection appeal to you it may be worth your while investigating the newly launched lip pencils - the shade Shock Value looks like the perfect liner to pair with Candy Yum Yum.

All the shades (apart from Ruby Woo) have sold out via MAC but some will be back soon and sooner or later the collective will creep on to both Selfridges and Debenhams as well as counters.

P.S I want to spruce up my lip swatching style, any ideas would be more than welcomed.