October 3, 2012

MAC Marilyn Monroe Lipstick Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

The MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection has launched online and will be available this Thursday on counter. The collection is an ode to one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars, Marilyn Monroe.

If MAC was going to be inspired by anyone I’d say Marilyn was a good pick to represent classic, silver screened beauty. The collection features an array of products inspired by the starlet and features her beautiful image on the packaging.

Marilyn Monroe was a very minimalist beauty queen in my eyes. Some liner, vibrant red lips, and milky skin was about the extent of her look so of course, MAC introduced four vibrant, limited edition shades of red lipstick to suit a ton of different skin tones.

I’m not a fond fan of red lipstick but I’ve come across a few that I hold on tight too. I typically look best (or I’m delusional that I look good) in warmer shades of red. I think it’s nice that the MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection has a variety of reds to choose from to suit cooler and warmer skin tones.

Let’s take a look at two of my favorite shades from the launch.

I have to say…there are SO many amazing images of Marilyn Monroe around including her classic white dress photo why did MAC go with such a uneventful image of her for the packaging? This is sorta a sexy candid of her in a black hat, short dress, and silk stockings. It’s nice enough but doesn’t evoke Marilyn’s true Hollywood glam to me. What do you think?

My two favorite shades from the launch are Deeply Adored and Charmed I’m Sure. Deeply Adored is a rich, warm brick red, this looked the best on me due to the warmth of the shade as I’m not left looking clown-y wearing it. Charmed, I’m Sure is a lighter warm red. Again, I felt comfortable in the color without feeling or looking too Bozo the Clown in it.

Deeply Adored and Charmed, I’m Sure

Deeply Adored

Charmed, I’m Sure

Both shades produce full coverage with full pigmentation on a swipe. They are mattes so I felt like a little tugging is involved to get them into place but they aren’t dry thankfully. I felt like the colors had a little bit of a hydrating factor which didn’t suck moisture from my lips. They have a fairly smooth finish for a matte and look very nice even on my drier lips. The colors are intense so they did migrate a little on me. A little lip liner will keep them from moving around your mouth.

I think the colors are well worth hauling if you like warmer colors. I did want a little something different in terms pf packaging for Marilyn Monroe. I just find these images a little called in and not terribly special.

Deeply Adored

Charmed, I’m Sure!

However, the colors, those do remind me of Marilyn’s Monroe’s fondness for red lipstick.

Do check them out!

You’re bound to find a red to love in this release.

Muse Approved.

Available this week on counter at MAC locations as well as your favorite stores like Macys, Nordstrom, etc…

What will you haul from the MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection?

What do you think of the packaging?

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Vic27

    OMG I love your lip swatches! I was excited for this collection to launch but got disappointed with the swatches I’ve been seeing online. But your lip swatches are just gorgeous! Did you put gloss on them, they look really shiny for mattes?

    • the Muse

      aw thanks vic! so happy to hear you say that. I’m very scared when I apply red lippie! so it’s a relief when someone says they like the swatch! I did…the finish does have a high sheen but I did a little clear gloss for pop! Looks better that way for me…!

  • Christy

    Gorgeous!!! I’ll definitely be checking those two shades out!! Any secrets to getting those luscious reds on perfectly? I always have problems with “bleed over” 🙁

  • Sweta

    Hi Muse

    These looks gorgeous on you:) But do you think either is close to Mac Russian Red? especially charmed, i m sure? I am thinking to diggin in these;)

  • the beauty alchemist

    I wondered about the images too . Wondering if there were licensing issues, but her image has been on everything . Maybe they wanted ones not used so much ? No idea . Deeply Adored is bold but looks nice on you.

    • the Muse

      i wonder too and I think that’s a safe assumption. these images are nice and something that isn’t readily “around” so to speak but I’d love some a little more classical that we associate with her ya know? also…packaging is just standard old mac, could we get a little glitz? it’s Marilyn come on! 😀 aw thanks ;-D just dm’ed you by the way!

  • Jess

    Oh my god, I love them both!!! You look gorgeous in both colors but wow on Deeply Adored!

    They’re sold out everywhere right now and I can’t get to my counter tomorrow to snag them. 🙁

    I may have to resort to ebay to get them but I HAVE to get both shades.

  • Jess

    If the prices get too high on ebay, can you recommend any super close dupes? Those both look like the perfect reds which I can never find.

  • Jennifer

    Wow they both look really great on you! and these are the exact two lipsticks I’m planning on hauling tomorrow!

  • valetinasugar

    Oh! Those are Lovely…is there anything else? Is it a collection. Those colors looks fab on you! I want to get Charmed

  • catazure

    I agree with the applause for you in ‘Deeply Adored’. That color was made for you – even without gloss it looks plush and perfect for your complexion. The ‘Charmed, I’m Sure’ makes me think of a springtime color, I don’t know why, so maybe I’d like it better on you with a cooler color pallet?
    I love seeing you try colors on because it really helps me make decisions:)

    • the Muse

      aw thanks catazure! 😀 I think Charmed I’m sure would work very nicely on cool skin! aw thank you, I’m actually always a bit on the shy side to post images of myself wearing stuff but I think it makes the site a little more personal plus I’m no model, it’s nice just to see some average everyday girl wearing this stuff, i think!? ;D

  • Kassia

    Deeply Adored definitely looks amazing on you! Can’t wait to get my hands on Charmed, I think it’s the right shade for me. Thanks for this! 🙂

    • the Muse

      thank you kassia! 😀 I hope you like it as much as I do!!!!!! my pleasure I didn’t do anything at all though except slap them on my wrist and lips he!

  • Tina

    Deeply Adored looks great on you! 🙂 I’m glad I got it, lol, along with Love Goddess. These have me even more impatient to get my Mac x Marilyn lipsticks!

    • the Muse

      aw thanks tina and telling from your little icon you’re a lover of red eh? ;-D yay you order online!? hope from nordies, FREE SHIPPING!

  • Barb

    I have to say I love the picture and packaging it’s an unusual picture of her… classy… sexy….

    the white dress pic we’ve seen a million times over .. don’t get me wrong I love everything Marilyn but I’m glad MAC stepped outside the box on this one

    The colours are really pretty and you can pull them both off. I was hoping one of the reds would be a sheer one.

    Can’t wait to snag something from this collection just for the sexy cases!!

    • the Muse

      hey barb true..I guess we have seen her in that white dress a lot! aw thanks! you’re too kinda..!!! def check them out, there seems to be a red for everyone in this release!

  • Kiss & Make-up

    These two or not really my kind of red, but there’s an orangey red one in this collection that I really like.

    • the Muse

      here is indeed an orange-y one ;-D that looks lovely too Kiss and Makeup!

  • Rosie in NYC(makeup freak

    Tres chic my dear girl I wish I can rock this look because I am now as I said before I dyed my natural dark brunette hair auburn and so that is a no for me sorry girls <3 🙂 How are ya Ms. Muse so long for now sister Rosie in NYC.BTW, Anybody tried the Lorac Sweet Tempations Lip Gloss set is kinda like Bejeweled I wanna try MWAH

    • the Muse

      try it rosie! I betcha you could work it if not this another from the range they have four colors so one is bound to appeal! I’m great ;-D you?! 😀 Yes! I have a review for it shortly ;-D great great gloss set!

  • Jojo

    Those look amazing! Did you put a gloss over them? Sometimes I feel like I’ve read the lipstick is a matte but then it looks super shiny…maybe I have a different idea of what matte is?

    • the Muse

      yes jojo I put clear gloss on top that’s why the matte finish isn’t showing through.

  • OrangeLipstickBlog

    I agree that the packaging is ~meh~ and I’m not crazy about the image choice. These could have been just so much more!

  • Michelle

    Wow Muse, such pretty colors on you! I do like red lips – but I need a much more orange red to make my lips look red – weird huh? Anyway, the packaging at first glance – it looks cheap. I really don’t like the image – Marilyn looks so very Fosse (insert jazz hands) in this picture.

    • the Muse

      michelle no worries they have an orange-y red for you ;-D do take a look on counter! lol! yeah I agree! Not her best image imho!

  • Icaria

    These colors are beautiful! The pictures are from The Black Sitting from 1956. Considered her best collaboration with Milton Green. I believe they set the perfect mood for collection, but hey that’s my opinion. Look them up, you’ll see, very sexy, timeless. 😀

    • the Muse

      i just googled thanks icaria ;-D you’re right they are very pretty…I still wanted something a little more for Marilyn though..maybe something a bit more elegant in terms of packaging not so much the images used…ya know? this just seems like mac’s standard packaging with a label slapped up 🙁

      • Icaria

        I do agree with you in the sens that they are not as mainstreem (? sorry I’m French). If only MAC had written a little background story about them on their website I guess it would have made more sens to the fans of both Marylin & the brand. Btw I forgot to mention, Charmed I’m sure looks lovely on you! I just might succomb to it. 😀

  • HapaGirl

    I must say, Deeply Adored looks like it’s “your shade!” The other one is gorgeous as well, but the darkness of deeply adored brings out your eyes and looks stunning!

  • Majick

    I tried to order this last night and it wasn’t available yet,. Today… LOL
    There are several that I want from this RED collection. Charmed is my first pic and I thought I’d go for the deeper one but it looks like the type that may go fuschia on my lips. Maybe invest in the orangy one.

    I DEEPLY ADORE DEEPLY ADORED on you. 🙂 (but they both look good)

    • the Muse

      what what what!? try nordies free shipping they def have! ;-D thank YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love all these warm reds for the holidays!

      • Majick

        I was trying to order at Macy’s since I need my clinique eye makeup remover and they have a GWP right now. Unfortunately they are still unavailable and I’ve read that they are all sold out. REALLY? eff them then. I’m sick of doing back flips for a freakin’ lipstick – keep it MAC if you can’t make enough.

        OOOHHHhhhh snarky MOnday morning… LOL No worries, another cup o’ joe and I should be ok. Gonna sport my Hourglass RAVEN instead – here that MAC! aahhh hahahahhaha

        I’m going to call the store later, maybe they have some at the counter.

  • Jill

    I’ve read some where that MAC bought exclusive rights to never before seen pics of Marilyn just for these products. I don’t know how true that is though. Muse, with all the products I’m sure you have to review, THANK YOU so much for putting this up last night. It helped me with my decision to purchase Deeply Adored instead of Charmed, I’m Sure. Other bloggers, guru’s that aren’t half as busy didn’t even put up vids or swatches of the products on the face yet. By the looks of my store this morning, a vid or post put up today will be too late for people to decide if they want to go buy the products. As other’s said, Deeply Adored looks amazing on you!! Thanks again!

    • the Muse

      no kid, sadly didn’t make the cut I guess Jill 🙁 aw I’m so so glad it was helpful! I’m actually a little late but the products just arrived a day ago so I was trying so hard to get everything live today! Glad you got both those shades, they are amazing ;D

  • Irene

    I’m interested in Charmed, I’m Sure, but the packaging is terribly disappointing. I find it really tacky, not glamorous in the least!

    • the Muse

      hey irene def uneventful not really tacky b/c it is mac’s standard black but…mm I wanted more!

  • Cindy

    Oh Muse, those look amazing and lovely on you!! You need to wear red more often!!

  • Ling

    Muse, your lip looks have all been PERFECTION lately–the condition of your lips look beyond fabulous, and the perfection of the application!!! You’re always had great lips, but they are blowing me away this fall–please divulge the secret(s)! <3

    • the Muse

      aw thanks ling you’re WAY too kind girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol I really don’t have any secrets, just slap it on and go hehe!

  • Barb

    hey… picked up the nude today and love love love it! (feel like buying more cause you know what it’s like when you find something you love then it’s discontinued)

    anyway check out the nude it’s FABULOUS!

    the boxes are even cute.. when you open it up there’s a sweet little red kiss on the inside cover!!

    • the Muse

      thanks barb! will do! I wasn’t sure if I could do the nude now you’ve created a lem!

  • Marilyn @ Lipgloss and Spandex

    Both of those lipsticks look fabulous on you! I agree that the pictures on the packaging are kind of underwhelming. With a woman as glamorous as Marilyn Monroe, they could have done so much more!

  • shaimaa

    Wow!

    Evey lipstick you wear look gorgeous , These two shade looking great on you

  • Abryda

    I expected more out of this line I wasn’t to impressed with anything so I passed on this collection, however I did like that packaging that was it. Hopefully the holiday collection intrests me more. MAC is really sometimes hit or miss and sometimes they are just right on with the whole collection you just never know.

  • Lisa

    The colors look ridiculously perfect on you!! I think the packaging is honestly tragic, to say the least. We’re talking MARILYN MONROE, the epitome of glamour and sex. This is what MAC came up with?? The lipsticks did her justice. The packaging is heartbreakingly uninventive and does her no justice at all. Sad times!

    • the Muse

      wow thanks Lisa you’re too kind! I agree! I wasn’t impressed with the packaging either le sigh!

  • kelly

    Hi- a little off topic 🙂 but after reading your stuff I just thought I’d say I really enjoy the standard of your writing! Articulate, personal and amusing. Keep up the good work.