The other day someone on Facebook asked what I thought was an incredibly philosophical question. “When will liquid lipstick go out of style?”
As of right now, from where I’m standing in my black stretchy pants, I would have to say that the answer to that query is “never.” They’ve come and gone out of style over the years, but they’ve been running the school this time FOREVER. They’ve been in longer than the longest wear times. It’s been, what, two or three years now? At least.
And now, with MAC’s new line of Metallic Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour Metallics, an opalescent twist on their O.G. 2015 Retro Mattes, there’s even less reason to expect them to go out of style anytime soon.
These 15 LE shades (yes, they’re limited edition) are matte-ish. They slightly vary in terms of subtle shimmer, but it is always subtle. Some are almost completely flat (In Retrograde), and others, like hot pink Buzzed Out, have a pearly finish so “barely there” that you can’t really see it unless you’re all the way up in someone’s grill.
9 things to know about the MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour Metallics
- They’re $21 each, LE and available now on counters and online.
- There are 15 shades with varying levels of metallic pearl.
- The formula feels more like a mousse than a viscous, runny liquid.
- They have that classic MAC vanilla scent and flavor.
- Less is best with these. The more I layer, the thicker, heavier and drier they look.
- The formula is slightly drying and seeks out lip flakes, so prep with lip balm first because you want to apply these to a smooth canvas.
- They last me about 5-6 hours, so the wear time is pretty good.
- You can probably skip liner with most of the shades (the lighter ones), because the pointed doe foot makes it easy to draw smooth lines, but I would use matching liners for the darker colors, because freehand outlining those with the doe foot is hard.
- My favorite favorites are Pearl Punk, In Retrograde and Buzzed Out.
Here are lip swatches of my overall faves (Note: one of them is not the corpse-y gray). BIG surprise! — I’m all about the wearable nudes and the brights. These are the ones I can see myself wearing, but lemme know if there’s another color you’d like me to try on.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ooh! Coral plated!
Hi Amy,
OK, got it. I’ll be sure to pluck my ‘stache tonight so I can swatch it tomorrow, LOL!
Hi Amy,
I just added a swatch of Coral Plated to the post. It’s at the end. 🙂
Buzzed Out and Metallic Rose are doing it for me! I never thought i’d be a metallic girl, but I spent the whole fall in Pale Rose from the traditional metallic collection, so why not try the liquid metallics?
Hi Breyerchic04,
I remember that one; it was surprisingly wearable! The pearl is so much better than it was back in the ’90s, and I think you’ll like these liquid metallics. 🙂
Not the corpse-y grey? What a shocker!
I kinda wish those grays would go away, LOL! I have enough grays on my head, I don’t need the color on my lips.
I’d love to see Love Weapon!
Got it!
Hi Joyce,
I just added the swatch of Love Weapon to the post. It’s at the bottom! HTH.
You’re so efficient Karen! Thanks for the swatch. That saves me a trip to the store to swatch myself, which can be challenging with my 4 year old twins. Think that ones going in my cart and gemz and roses for sure! 🙂
Oh, Karn Metro chrome!!! I hope I get a chance to get it!!! It looks beautiful swatched!!! Gemz and Roses are really pretty too. I don’t typically like the Mac liquid lips, I had bought four some time back, and sent them back – here’s to hoping that they’re improved on the formula.
What I would give to be you and get all the latest Mac additions!!! You lucky girl!!!
Scratch Tabs behind the ears for me!’
Gracie says Meow!!!
Gina and Gracie
I’m definitely going to need to pick up Love Weapon! That looks like the perfect shade for fall/the holidays. Are these super drying? I remember hearing people say the regular Retro Mattes were drying, which was a bummer because I liked a bunch of the colors!
Wow- these are pigmented! I love all the colors on your second arm swatch! Gorgeous! Like you I think Pearl Punk is the prettiest color!