It goes without question that MAC has some serious talent in the lipstick department. When walking into my local MAC counter, I become immediately mesmerized by the lipstick display, complete with every shade you could possibly imagine. Even for a seasoned shopper such as myself, staring at this display can quickly become overwhelming and make you completely forget the reason you came to the store in the first place. Red lipstick isn't just red lipstick anymore. It's red with blue undertones, red with shimmer, brick red, vampy red, red with warm undertones.. you get the picture.

For me, I often turn to blogs and youtube videos to find the best of the best. This post will feature my most loved, used, and abused MAC lipsticks. But first, a little product info:

All MAC lipsticks have a light vanilla scent, which I happen to love. But, I know there are people out there who dread having any sort of scent on their face. If that's you, these might not be your favourite. However I will say that the scent is light enough that even those who dislike most scents, will most likely enjoy these. All MAC lipsticks are priced at $20 CDN, and come in a variety of shades and finishes. There are a total of seven different finishes, one of which you will see listed at the bottom of each tube:

Amplified: cream finish with high-pigment colour
Cremesheen: high-shine finish
Frost: shimmer finish
Lustre: semi-gloss finish
Matte: matte finish (obvi)
Retro Matte: VERY matte finish
Satin: semi-matte finish

My favourites are the Matte and Satin finishes! But now for the fun part, let's talk about my top 10 holy grail shades.

1. HONEYLOVE

Honeylove is part of MAC's permanent range. It is a light beige shade with rose undertones, and has a matte finish. As you can see from the picture, Honeylove is one of my all time favourites. I had always been on the hunt for the perfect nude lip, and when I found this, I was in heaven. It isn't too cool or too warm, making it easy to wear on virtually any skin tone. It also isn't too light. No girl likes to look like they are wearing foundation on their lips.. Eek! If you've ever seen me in pictures with a nude lip, it was probably this one.

2. VELVET TEDDY

If you are a fan of the dark nude "Kylie Jenner Lip", this is the perfect shade for you. I actually went to my MAC counter and asked for just that. A shade that was similar to what Kylie Jenner had been wearing, and I must say, she nailed it! Velvet Teddy is a deep beige shade with a matte finish that leans a little on the warmer side. If I am wanting a nude lip with a little bit of a darker edge, this is what I'll grab. I do think that Honeylove and Velvet Teddy have their similarities, so I swatched them below to tell the difference! You can see that Velvet Teddy is just a tad darker.

* If you are wanting extra definition and more of an edge, try Velvet Teddy with Whirl liner underneath - amazing.

3. VIVA GLAM V

Viva Glam lipsticks are part of a special permanent collection in MAC stores. Every cent from each lipstick sold is donated to the MAC AIDS fund; a charity dedicated in funding AIDS research. It feels good knowing that you are supporting a great cause with the purchase of these lipsticks. Viva Glam V is a sheer neutral pink shade with a lustre finish. This is a great lipstick to keep in your purse on the go, as it will match any makeup look. This shade brings out your natural lip colour while adding that extra something; the perfect "my lips, but better" lipstick. I like how it is sheer, and adds just a subtle hint of colour.

4. SPIRIT

Spirit is one of my favourite shades to wear at night when I'm not feeling anything bright. It is a darkened beige-brown with a satin finish. Instead of the classic dark red lip for Fall and Winter, I find myself gravitating to this more often than not. Because of its neutral undertone, it compliments all skin tones. It is comfortable, long wearing, and fades nicely without gathering in the corners. A brown lipstick may seem odd or scary to try, but I highly encourage it as you just might surprise yourself!

5. AMOROUS

Amorous is a cool-toned plum shade with a satin finish. I love this shade as it is dark without being harsh, making it appropriate for daytime wear. The texture of this satin finish lipstick is quite smooth upon application, but not so smooth that it migrates around my lips. Every time I wear this, someone is sure to ask what lipstick I'm wearing. When I say it's Amorous, people are usually surprised as it isn't a very popular shade! If you are looking for something that makes a strong impact without being too harsh, give Amorous a try.

6. LADY DANGER

If "regular red" isn't cutting it for you, this is your colour. Lady Danger is a very bright tangerine red with a matte finish. I first saw this shade worn on a girl last summer when I was in Montana for a vacation, and had to literally run down the street after she passed me to ask what was on her lips - it looked amazing on her. I must say, it looked rather intimidating and I had second thoughts about it as the associate showed it to me at my local MAC store. But after some convincing, I decided to buy it anyway. I didn't regret that decision for a second, as this quickly became one of my most worn lipsticks. Its texture is a little more dry than the other matte lipsticks I own, but with that comes great staying power. If you're looking for a fierce new colour that makes a statement, start the car. Lady Danger is waiting.

7. HEROINE

Heroine is not for the faint of heart. It is an electric cool-toned purple with a matte finish. It applies very smooth and is highly pigmented. I bought this one because I kept seeing it everywhere online, and eventually caved. When this shade fist came out, it was limited edition, an became part of MAC's permanent range in 2014. This is one of those lipsticks that automatically puts you in a good mood when applying it -- its just THAT fun. I love to wear this on days when I keep my makeup very neutral and light and want to put all the focus on my lips. Because of the fact that it is so cool-toned, it even makes your teeth appear whiter. BONUS!

8. GIRL ABOUT TOWN

This is my very first MAC lipstick I ever purchased, so naturally, it holds a special place in my heart. Girl About Town is a bright cool-toned fuchsia with an amplified finish. It is a true Barbie pink that is fun and eye-catching - perfect for a night out. It is comfortable to wear, applies easily, and lasts the distance. I always wonder how MAC comes up with names for their products, and "Girl About Town" certainly fuels that curiosity. I've seen this shade worn on all skin tones and hair colours, and I can honestly say it looks great on everyone.

9. REBEL

Rebel is another one of my earliest MAC purchases. The first thing that I'm going to point out about this product is, if you look at the lipstick in the tube and think it's too dark, don't fret. It goes on much lighter! I often use Beet liner under this to make it last even longer without smudging. Rebel is a deep berry shade with a satin finish, and is perfect for the girl who wants to try a dark lip but is maybe a little reluctant. It is a nice transition shade that can be sheered out for a lighter look, or built up for a bold berry lip.

10. TRIBALIST

Tribalist was released as a part of the Heirloom Mix collection last October. Even though it is a limited edition shade, it is still my go to when I want a dark vampy lip. It is a very dark red with an amplified finish that goes on very, very smooth. Out of all the amplified finishes that I own, this one is by far the smoothest and glossiest. If you are looking for something similar to this in MAC's permanent range, try Sin! I will be very sad when this tube comes to an end, as I won't be able to repurchase it due to it being limited edition. Here's to hoping MAC will repromote it in a future collection!

I hope this post was a fun read for all of you fellow MAC lovers, and I would love to know some of your favourites for me to try in the future!

Brittany x

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