MAC Relentlessly Red Review and Swatches: Retro Matte Collection
By Contributor: Sharmistha Chowdhury
The much awaited MAC Retro Matte Collection is here. I was so waiting for MAC Relentlessely Red which is now in the permanent range but often shades like this go Out of Stock. Retro Matte range has a shade called All Fired Up which is very similar to Relentlessely Red. I have both the shades are almost dupes of each other with All Fired Up having a slight more pink in it. Apart from these the other shades in this range are Dangerous, Flat Out Fabulous, Runway Hit and Steady Going. I remember the first time I saw the photos on the MAC website, I was jumping literally. My hubby knows that this kind of behavior means I want something really badly! One day I got a call from MAC manager to say that the Retro Matte Collection is launched here..for a second I could not believe what she just said and I was telling her “pardon plz” again and again..dumb! It was literally a riot at the MAC store, with only limited lipsticks and ‘N’ number of ladies fighting for them..yes! That was the scenario actually. The launch happened pretty early in Kolkata, actual date of launch in other cities is 24th October 2013, so ladies do rush, if possible pre book it!
I wanted 3 shades from the collection and all went OOS within 4 hours of the launch, but the MAC Manager is so good and actually know me very well that she kept aside one piece for me. It feel so awesome to grab the last piece in front of the girls who were literally fighting! Though
So here is my review:
MAC Relentlessely Red is described as Bright pink coral shade, to me the color is actually nowhere close to coral, the color is true pinkish red like the season’s first carrot..a carrot pink shade. The color is extremely flattering and will brighten your face instantly. The pigmentation is excellent; it gives opaque coverage in a single swipe. My mommie when saw this shade went gaga over it. She is no makeup person but likes lipsticks. So you see love for lipsticks is in my genes!
I would suggest you to pair the lipstick with dramatic winged eyeliner and Pink Coral blush. Let the lips do the talking because this is such a bright shade. I feel so happy every time is see it. The color would look rocking on fair to medium Indian skin tones. But on darker skin tones it would come out as a red shade.
The finish is Retro Matte, you must be aware of the fact that Retro Matte Finish is very drying, like the famous Ruby Woo lipstick. But I was totally surprised that this isn’t dry matte, I found the finish rather very comfortable. The texture of this lipstick is a little dry, requires firm pressure to apply on lips unlike Ruby woo which you to rub like rubber on your lips.
As it is a matte lipstick, I would still suggest exfoliating and moisturizing your lips well before as at the end of day I see slight flakiness on the lips, like dry bits on lips. My lips are extremely dry by nature.
The staying power is beyond your imagination, it lasted the entire day. I wore it at 8:30 in the morning and came back home at 9 pm. The color wears off after 6-7 hour but a lovely deep tint leaves behind and that remain intact until you remove it. It does stain the lips so I would recommend using baby oil to remove and yes it transfers too.
And here is how Relentlessly Red looks on my lips. The lip swatches are taken under different lights
The Good things about MAC Relentlessely Red:
- Extremely flattering pinkish red shade
- Comfortable matte finish
- Brighten up the face
- Will suit every Indian skin tone
- Pigmentation is outstanding and goes opaque in a single swipe
- Staying power is out of the world with it lasting all day
- Signature vanilla fragrance.
The Bad thing about MAC Relentlessly Red:
- Looks flaky on lips at the end of the day.
- Availability – thought it is now in the permanent range.
Price: Rs.990
VNA Rating: 4.5/5
Do I Recommend: Mac Relentlessly Red from the Retro Matte Collection was a love at first sight to me. This is an extremely beautiful pinkish red shade and I would ask you to grab it asap. This shade can make anyone look beautiful. I can see my mommie rocking this shade at 50’s so this is shade is everyone!
Other red lipstick reviews for you: best red lipsticks, Mac Lady Danger, Colorbar All Fired Up, Colorbar Hot Hot Hot, Russian Red, Mac Chili
