I know that for some folks, especially ones who aren’t as fanatical about interested in makeup as you and I, it’s surprising to find wearable lip colors in MAC’s permanent line.
At lunch with my BFF Cindy a couple months ago, when I pulled out nude pink Modesty Cremesheen Lipstick ($14.50) to touch up after the meal, Cindy was shocked when I told her the lippie was from MAC.
Cindy, a makeup minimalist (to the extreme!), had an impression of MAC that many people share. She doesn’t wear makeup very often (the last time I saw her wearing eyeliner was at my wedding six years ago), but she has cruised by MAC counters many times before, and seeing the glammed-up artists there, always just assumed MAC only carried crazy colors.
No matter how many times I’ve tried to set her straight, gah! I swear, if I had a nickle for every time I’ve told that girl that MAC isn’t only about brights… But she doesn’t listen, probably because we’ve known each other for more than 20 years (she’s like the sister I never had), so she tunes me out when I go into makeup mode…or talk about Tabs. 🙂
She did show an interest in MAC Modesty, though, which is great! — because I think it’s one of those eminently agreeable lip colors that every gal should try.
It’s a neutral nude pink, neither too cool nor warm, so it gets along with just about everyone.
Semi-formal Modesty, with its creamy finish, stands out to me among a sea of less serious pink lipsticks at MAC. It reminds me of a less shiny, less purple version of Syrup, another heroic mauve at MAC.
And no matter what other makeup I might be wearing with it at any given time, Modesty fits.
In these pics, I’m wearing it with a basic everyday look; I think it’s a great color for all the responsible stuff — work, errands and the like.
I also like the way it works with dramatic eye makeup, too, and wear it all the time with black, gray, brown or taupe smokey eyes, as well as brighter greens and blues. It’s a way to incorporate a little lip color into your look, one step above the “concealer lips” route of a flesh-colored nude lipstick.
If you like keeping your makeup bag light and streamlined and want to carry a single color able to go with everything, check out MAC Modesty, an all-purpose nude pink with a penchant for cooperation.
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: Modesty Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Double Dare Cremesheen Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sandy B Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Club Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Uniform Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Red Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tempting Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Phloof Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Crème in Your Coffee Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Paramount Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mocha Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Oh Baby Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Mulch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Cremestick Liners
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sable Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Ochre Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ricepaper Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Cremesheen Glass Is a Veritable Deelight
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lipglass in Spite
- 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: Bamboo Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Speak Louder Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sweet Satisfaction Pro Longwear Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lady Danger Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ruby Woo Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retrospeck Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Twig Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Party Line Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Melon Pigment
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sumptuous Olive Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Chic Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fast Response Eye Cream
- 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
Yup, it’s definitely a fave of mine as well…along with VG V, which is a sparkled version of Modesty, IMO. Great reminder of a great everyday lippie 😀
VGV is one of my all-time MAC faves! 🙂
this looks like a very nice lipstick but it doesnt stand out with MAC (no wonder an unsung hero) till you shout it out. Thanks for doing that as I have found some amazing ‘Unsung heroes’ after this post!
Hi Neeraj,
I hope you check this color out soon!
I love your top…well the part I can see(:
Thanks, Jasmine! It’s a romper. I’ll have to do an outfit of the day with it soon.
Happy Tuesdsay!
I could never find a nude pink lipstick that doesn’t make me look dead! I have to try this out when I go to MAC next time!
On another note, I bought Deelight after your recommendation… and I love it! Thanks! 🙂
Hi Angel,
SO GLAD to hear you love Deelight! Seriously…there was one month where I wore that color EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Modesty is one of my favorites and you don’t hear about it much, glad it is getting some love here!
Hi Laura,
Yes, it definitely needs more love! MAC has some great everyday colors, don’t you think?
My favorite neutral Mac lipstick is Hot Gossip. A nice, conservative pink.
That’s a pretty color, Jenna! Do you wear it by itself, or layer it with any other products?
Hi, Karen. This is a great look for you! Your hair and top look fab, too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Cindy! I was having a good hair day. 🙂
How’s your Tuesday going? Good, I hope!
I love this color. Nudes are so hard for me to commit to but this one is great. I think I am drawn to it because isn’t too beige/brown/yellow. Cremesheen is my favorite finish.
Hi Emily,
I love the Cremesheens too. They feel great on the lips, last a long time and they’ve got that nice amount of shine!
What other MAC lippies do you love, btw?
I love Modesty. The second lipstick I bought at Mac (my first begin Lady Bug, something completely different). However now I’m so pale and my hair’s so coppery I’ve changed my go-to neutral lipstick to See Sheer, something with just a little touch more colour.
Hi Karen B,
I can remember when you bought Lady Bug! 🙂 I will have to look into See Sheer…sounds really pretty.
Ohh I think I need Modesty especially because you said:
“And no matter what other makeup I might be wearing with it at any given time, Modesty fits.”
I love having lipsticks that go with anything so I can chuck them into my handbag and blindly use any to refresh my lipstick post-lunch at work.
Thank you Karen, am definitely going to swatch this soon 🙂
Hi Fieran,
You’re welcome! This is one of those coveted purse colors, for sure! 🙂
Oh wow, I have to check this out! I haven’t found a nude that doesn’t make me look dead. My best luck so far is layering Dior Incognito over Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle, but I’d like ONE lipstick to do all that thank you very much 🙂
Thanks for sharing Karen! You always dig out great stuff that is ignored because of MAC’s a million limited edition collections!
Hi Sunny,
I know what you mean. Nude lipsticks aren’t the easiest to get right. You’d think that “nude” wouldn’t be hard, but it can be difficult!
Oh — an idea. If you have a very hard time finding a shade that fits, you could always line and fill in your lips with flattering nude lip pencil and layer a clear balm or gloss on top. A few to try: MAC Subculture, MAC Pink Treat and MAC Dervish.
Thanks for the recommendations Karen! I was a bit upset because Incognito is a very pretty shade on most people I’ve seen it with, but on me it just washes me out! I’ll check these lip liners out. I actually don’t own any yet (shhh and yes I call myself a beauty blogger), but this sounds like a good idea!
I’m not even going to try this one – I have too many light pink lipsticks that make me look dead – I have very pigmented lips, and colors that lighten them that much are not flattering!
I say I have pigmented lips…but I also look kind of “dead” without any lipstick! What’s a girl to do?
And I just wanted to say that I had Syrup years ago and loved it…I went back and purchased another and a backup recently because it’s a fabulous basic for me!
Hi Bisbee,
Syrup rocks. I have lost track of how many tubes I’ve gone through. Do you ever pair it w/Dervish? That combo is very pretty.
Nude is such a flexible shade that you can wear with anything. Gorgeous.
It is! Have you worn Modesty before?
Thats such a pretty lip color. I *think* I own it and now I need to find it! 🙂
I know you’ve been stuck on bright lippies for a while…you gotta take out your Modesty and give it some love, LOL!
I will !I also need to take out Brave, Angel and Syrup! 🙂
That is a really nice color on you.
Ooo Very pretty. I’m always accidentally over-doing my eyes so I need another mlbb shade.
Modesty is my go-to neutral lip color. I’ve worn it for years and love that it can be worn by itself or with so many of the MAC lipglasses like VG V and VI. Thanks for featuring it, Karen!
I also wear Syrup with Dervish. Great pair!
I love Hug Me as my everyday lipstick for work.
Hi, Karen!
Although I’ve never tried Modesty, one of those “wear it with anything” pink nudes I have and consistently reach for is Blankety (amplified creme sheen finish). Have you tried and, if so, are they similar?
You carry nudes really well. I find it difficult to pull off nudes, I prefer ones with a bit more color but this does look great on you!
Karen you always look so bright, cheery and awake! What undereye concealer do you use? Not that you’re not naturally beautiful or anything LOL 🙂
I wish I had read this post before I went to the MAC counter for my B2M’s. (I usually wait for the weekend to catch up on your posts.) This lipstick looks so pretty and it’s a creamsheen?? It will definitely be on my list for my next purchase. I love amplified & creamsheen finishes cause my natural lip takes a lustre finish to a different color and sometimes that’s not what I want. This weekend I picked up Pink Nouveau & Blankety (already my second tube). I think Modesty will work well with NC20 skin, I’ll just have to wait and see! =)