So, I totally had a Joey Lawrence-style “WHOA!” moment at the MAC store last weekend. I was there picking up my umpteenth tube of today’s Unsung Hero, MAC Lipglass in Spite ($14.50), when I realized, holy crap! — I’ve been wearing this Lipglass longer than some of the girls shopping in this store have been alive!
Seriously, I’ve been wearing Spite for roughly 12 years. Assuming an average of two tubes per year — yes, I like it that much — that’s 24 tubes.
TWENTY-FOUR TUBES!
I started wearing Spite shortly after I took a job as a legal assistant at a law firm in 1999. I was in my early 20s, but I probably looked a little younger than that at the time. People would stop me in the halls, assuming I was one of the high school interns, and ask things like, “Oh, are you someone’s daughter?”
“Um…yes?” I’d say, a little confused. “How about you?”
Or, “Is this your summer job?”
“Well…sort of, but I would really like to keep it through winter.”
Pretty soon I was trying to look older, which for me meant putting my hair up in a bun, wearing my glasses instead of contacts and slicking my lips with MAC Spite.
While I love nude-ish pink and peach glosses with a flirty, casual, playful vibe, I prefer something like Spite’s plummy brown when I want to convey more of a sense of restraint, maturity and confident control (but don’t want to look stuffy or boring at the same time).
Spite can look a little intimidating in its tube, but that’s just because it prefers to mellow out on lips. Applied, it’s a medium-coverage, somewhat muted shade, and because it’s not as richly pigmented as, say, MAC Lipglass in Russian Red, it’s also easy to apply without a lip brush or liner — convenient when you’re commuting to work and need a last-minute touch-up on the train.
Wearability is another one of Spite’s claims to fame, as it neither leans too cool nor too warm. It’s one of those colors that looks great on a wide range of skin tones, and I’ve seen it looking lovely on lighter lasses and darker divas alike.
Spite is just one of those great everyday glosses that can be applied without having to think too hard, and I wear it often with go-to MAC neutrals like Sable, Ricepaper, Teddy and Blushbaby when I want a polished, pretty look. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Impassioned Lipstick (and Watermelon)
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Lip Pencil Is In Synch
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soba Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bombshell Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sunbasque Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Clear Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Humid Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Naked Lunch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Russian Red Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Syrup Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Blushbaby Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Strobe Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blot Powder/Pressed
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Subculture Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Woodwinked Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Powersurge Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: All That Glitters Eyeshadow Is Not Just Another Gold
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners
- MAC Unsung Hero: Groundwork Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Hero: Nymphette Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V
- MAC Unsung Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lychee Luxe Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Hero: Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Patina Eyeshadow
OMG, I *need* this. Thanks so much for this post Karen; this shade is just my style!
You’re welcome! I hope the shade works for you.
I’ll have to add this one to my list to check out also! My list is pretty much a copy/paste of your MAC Unsung Heroes post list, haha. I used to not be a huge fan of lipglasses, but Evolution Revolution converted me!
Hi Jessi,
So happy to hear EvRev opened up a new world for you! 🙂 If you need more recs just let me know.
i don’t think i’ve ever seen that one!!! wow, it’s realllly pretty, i can see why it’s a 12 year standby lol
I hope you try it soon, Vonnie! It’s a keeper.
One of my very first Lipglass purchases, along with Explicit and Oh Baby!
Ever girl remembers her very first Lipglass.
Ya know, I don’t have Explicit or Oh Baby. Do I need ’em?
I definitely recommend checking out Oh Baby. It’s not very pigmented, but it gives your lips a warm sparkly glow without being too bronzy. Explicit is like the cooler, taupe-ier version of that.
Every single time I wear Oh Baby, someone will stop me in my tracks and ask what lipgloss I’m wearing. I’m sure I’ve sold more than a few tubes for MAC! Where’s my cut? LOL!
I’m going through a sheer gloss moment so it sounds perfect! Added to the list. 🙂
12 years? Dang! That’s a long time to love a product…I think I’m far too fickle 😀
I know! I usually jump from color to color, but there are a few that I have worn and loved for years. 🙂
This is a very pretty colour and I love the ear rings 🙂 🙂
Thanks! They were a gift from my mum. 🙂
I love how versatile this is! It can jazz up a neutral look or tone down a dramatic look. I love products like this. 🙂
Totally! 🙂
So professional and chic! With all the makeup I own, I’m not sure why I don’t have many MAC lipglasses; I think I need to fix that!
PS – I’m really enjoying your Unsung Heroes segments! 😀
I think you do. There are so many great colors! If you need more recs give me a shout… I’m always happy to help.
ohhhh … something to add to my ever-growing list! Spite is pretty!
LOL… my list is like a mile long (welcome to my world).
It’s just after dinner here on the west coast. I sliced up a watermelon for dessert… wish you were here so I could share it with ya! 🙂
oh thank you! i had watermelon last night too — so its as if we had it together! 🙂
Was yours any good? Mine was pretty tasty, but it could’ve been firmer. I’ve become quite the watermelon connoisseur in the last few weeks (LOL!) and am finding texture is a huge part of the experience!
What a gorgeous, sophisticated shade! What do you think a good lipstick shade equivalent would be for Spite? :O Hopefully *keeping fingers crossed* I’ll be able to land some pharmacy school interviews in the upcoming winter so I’ve been thinking about some professional, neutral, polished make-up looks. I know I might be jumping the gun thinking about interview looks already, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared, right? X)
Hi Christina,
Hmm… maybe try Del Rio or Creme in Your Coffee (although this one is a touch more pink). I’m thinking of whipping up a MAC Lipsticks for Work post, so stay tuned.
LOL…Del Rio was my first “work” lipstick! 😀
Every girl remembers her first! Mine was Paramount. Wore it for years!
Hahaha Karen’s been wearing this Lipglass longer than I’ve been alive! Dang!
HOLY FRICKIN’ CRAP!
Seriously… whoa.
I bought Spite before and I didn’t really like it…I wish it had sparkles! It didn’t do anything for my roughly darker NW/NC skintone. But it looks great on you, girl! And I love your dedication to it…2 tubes per year for 12 years! <3
You could always add a lip-safe shimmer on top. 🙂
Karen, this is the first time I haven’t been completely in LOVE with an item in your Unsung Heroes series.
I have never once used Spite in a makeover, however I know if is an extremely popular shade, because I get asked to grab one out of the drawer all the time.
It is such a weird blah taupe-y muted brown color in the tube. It’s always been one of those wtf? colors, I could never figure out what to do with. I had never imagined it would look as pretty as it does on you!!
I strongly dislike the Lipglass’ ultra sticky formula so I won’t be using this on myself but when Im working this coming weekend I will try to sneak it in a look. Thanks so much for opening even a veteran MAC lovers eyes to great MAC products. Well done!
Hi Brian,
You’re very welcome! Oh, and if you don’t like the stickiness you could always use Cremesheen Glass in Deelight. It has a similar vibe, but it’s not nearly as sticky.
BTW, been meaning to ask — what are your MAC faves?
Haha, I did the Joey Lawrence “woah” last night when I was watching Melissa & Joey with my fiance! I miss Blossom 🙁
I’m not sure I finish two of ANY lip glosses in one year, let alone run through two tubes of the same one. Very impressive!
Haha, I saw a commercial for that show and thought about Tivo-ing it. Is it any good?
Remember Blossom’s BFF, Six? I always liked her name.
I love Spite. Definitley on of my nude pink favs!!
Yes! What eye/cheek makeup do you like to wear with it?
I had avoided Lipglasses since everyone talked about the stickiness. Then EvRev came out and I just had to try it. And it wasn’t crazy sticky like I thought. So I went browsing at MAC for others and fell in love with Spite. This might be my perfect lipgloss.
Hey Steph,
Thanks again for trying EvRev. 🙂 I hope great things happen to you when you have it on.
Anywho, glad to hear that you’re exploring more colors. Spite is definitely a good one to fall in love with! If you need any other recs let me know…
Silly question — always need more gloss! I’m looking for a plummy-pink. I have pigmented lips that make a lot of pale pinks look brown. A slightly plummy pink tends to do the trick. I’d love a gloss version of Plumful.
Check out Viva Glam VI or Cultured. Also Deelight Cremesheen Glass. It has the same feel as Spite, but it’s a little less brown. 🙂
Will do. Thanks!
I picked up a cremesheen glass in a similar color for the same reasons! I picked Deelight, which is along the same plummy pink lines as Spite – but I love the cremesheen formulation and that it doesn’t leave that white ring inside my lips after a while. I got it to look more polished but not too flashy when I start clinics for med school 🙂
Hi Anna,
I looooove that shade! It’s always bouncing around in one of my purses.
This looks so sophisticated on you. Love how it’s muted, but still very pretty.
Do you think you might try it, Mary?
I never considered this, but now I will check it out! It looks like it was made for your lips….looks great on you!
It would look great on you! I can’t wait for you to try it.
I love that you posted about a mature everyday work look. I can completely relate to this because I’m starting my first “real” job after college in the next week or two. I’d love to see you do a post about mac neutral lipsticks for those who can’t deal with our hair getting caught in the lipglass! My job require a lot of running around so lip gloss doesn’t really work with me. I already have MAC’s Kinda Sexy which works but I usually need to put a gloss over it since its pretty matte. I had my face done for a friend’s wedding and that was the lipstick suggested so I bought it. Any suggestions?! =)
Hi Jackie,
Congrats on your new job. What will you be doing?
As for good work lipsticks from MAC, if you like a little bit of shine you can always do something like Creme in Your Coffee (a creamy pinkish brown), Viva Glam V (a neutral pink with pearl) or Hug Me (a shimmery pink).
I asked the gals on twitter and a few other shades that came up: Paramount, Chatterbox, See Sheer, Shy Girl, Syrup, Cosmo, Freckletone and Mellow Mood.
Hmm… now that I think about it, this would actually be a really great post. Let me do some digging around in my stash and see what I can do. 😀
Its my first major sales job, so while it needs to look professional it also needs to help me stand out. Honestly, I always go to the MAC counters and ask for a certain color that I’m looking for and what their recs are, but it seems like they really dont try to oversell you. WHY do they do that when you want it the most! lol
Ah!!! This is my absolute favorite lipgloss!! I picked it up recently, too, and I fell in love! Been wearing it every day. I like to wear it with peachy pink cheeks.
Hi Zara,
Spite has cast its magical spell on you! Next thing you know, 12 years will pass and you’ll be like, WHOA!!!
What colors have you been wearing it with?
Why do I keep reading this as “Sprite”? *shakes head*
LOL! If only it had a refreshing lemon-lime flavor!
Looks like I need to get my hands on this!
I’m 26, but look like I’m in my teens if I’m not wearing makeup. While I’m at work, I try and work my makeup and wardrobe so that i look my age or older.
Oh yeah, I’m with you on that! I’m 25 and look like a child without makeup on. So yes, I definitely also need a “work” type lipglass. This one looks like a great one!
Ahh… I miss having this problem.
Really pretty! It looks a lot like Urban Decay’s “Wallflower” lipgloss.
It kinda does!
My goodness, Woman! If Sprite looked like that on me, I’d be wearing it for 12 years too! It’s been added to my list. 🙂
YES. I hope I get an email from you in 12 years saying that you still love the color!
Me too! And if you do, I promise I’ll correctly spell it “Spite”. HAHA!
LOL! I sometimes write it as “Sprite,” not gonna lie!
BEA-utiful!!!!!!! Looks great with the minimal everyday makeup!
Yes it does! I love it with a super clean cat eye, especially.
I LOVE Spite. This was the second color lipglass that I purchased from MAC and for a while the only color that I purchased because I wasn’t a “color” person. I haven’t been wearing it for 12 years but you can give me about 10 or so. This is my go to color when I just want to make things pop with little to no color. It goes well with my complexion and acts as a wonderful neutral for me. Glad to know that someone else loves this color as much as I do 🙂
I totally know what you mean. It’s the perfect gloss when you want a little something, but not too much.
Have you ever tried MAC’s Cremesheen Glass in Deelight? It has a similar vibe, but I think it’s a touch more pink.
You always look fantastic, but i really love that lip color on you!
Hi Kimberly,
I hope you give it a try! I love, LOVE Spite. 🙂
Sing it sistah!! I’ve been wearing this for years as well. It’s amazing how it works on so many skin tones. I’m pale with dark hair and it suits me so well. It turns into the perfect pinky nude on me with my NYX Mauve lipliner. LOVE!!!
Just had to purchase this lipglass today!! As I tested it, I knew I couldnt leave it at the counter.
Even the makeup artist said she was getting a tube!
Thanks!!
u look so great with this spite on!!love it on u.
The shade looks lovely!!!
Here here!! I’ve been wearing Spite just as long (along with Lust). It’s always been a no-brainer go to for me. Extremely easy to wear against my caramel colored skin and definitely adds polish even if you’re rocking a bare face. Love this!
This was my first ever MAC lipgloss! I think I was about 20 years old… The sales assistant recommended it to me, and I remember being a little disappointed about the name being not cutesy enough. LOL! It’s such a great color and I didn’t appreciate it enough back then. I guess you know what my next purchase is going to be. 🙂 I LOVE it on you though!!! Beautiful!