October 23, 2017

MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick ($17.50) is one of several new, limited edition Snow Ball Lipstick shades that launched with the MAC Holiday 2017 Collection. Shimmer & Spice is marketed as a frost finish lipstick that’s a dusty Rose with shimmer. Yeah, sure, the frost factor scared me as I don’t do frost anything but I decided to haul this after reading it was a dusky rose with shimmer. Pictures of a pretty nude rose with a hint of golden shimmer frolicked through my mind! I felt at the very least a little clear gloss would go a long way at making this a wearable shade if the frost went terribly wrong.

Here’s how things went down with MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick.

One of the things that must be addressed before we get into this review is the gorgeous packaging on the MAC Snow Ball Holiday Collection this year. This lipstick comes housed in a gorgeous gold, crackled barrel. The ice crackling surrounding the barrel combined with the light beige gold makes for an outstandingly beautiful way to present this lipstick. This is a smooth finish as well which gives the entire barrel a polished look.

The lipstick shade is way off from being a dusky rose. No way, nothing about is rose. At a glance it has an almost brown plummy douchrome look with plenty of fine silver shimmer. There’s absolutely no frost here, it’s pure metallic shimmer on my lips and the shade is a very plummy brown. It’s pretty but it’s also really Mr Roboto in finish. It’s one of those shades that makes me looked like I stepped out of an episode of Lost in Space. Just not my thing! It’s a very strong metallic finish with a liquid metal look that’s very shimmery. Don’t panic though! A little clear gloss goes a long way at giving it a more “cleaner” less harsh finish.

The formula is slick and it glides on very easily but the finish isn’t quite as smooth as I had hoped and looks a little patchy if I don’t go over it a few times. It also leaves behind a good deal of shimmer and glitter as the color wears away which can be a pain as you’ll have a ring of glitter around your mouth if you aren’t careful about touch ups throughout the day! Wear time was around four hours for me and color faded by hour four. As with all MAC Lipsticks this has a vanilla fragrance and flavor that doesn’t linger.

MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick Worn Alone

MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick with Clear Gloss

MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick is an interesting and unique shade that might be worth exploring if you like dramatic metallic shades. Just don’t go into a purchase believing this is a dusky rose as that description is way off!

MAC Shimmer & Spice Lipstick is launching now at counters or online at maccosmetics.com, macys.com, nordstrom.com, and ulta.com.

Own it?

Share your thoughts!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • Melissa

    This shade sold you very quickly.I can’t find it anywhere in store or online

  • Lucia Vallejo

    Shimmer & Spice looks beautiful on you, both ways, very chic and mod!

  • Kimmwc03

    Oh, darn. This is the one shade I ordered because I really wanted a dusky rose color. I have it at home but haven’t had time to wear it yet. I guess I’ll have to pair with something else.

    • Isabella Muse

      I wanted dusky rose too, something nudish and shaded like my lips. This is way more brown and plummier than I expected!

  • blee

    Wow, I love it! You look beautiful in it. I see a rose shimmer to it on you and the plummy color too. 😀

  • Christina

    Yah, now you see why my husband laughed when he saw me in it at the store. I don’t wear frost or metallic lip colours; plus, the it looked really brown on me. It looked pretty when I swatched it over the red lipstick, though.

    It’s pretty with a gloss on, so not all is lost!

    • Isabella Muse

      LOL! I just can’t pull it off, I look like a robot with it on! I’m going to try it on top of red lipstick! A little clear gloss does make it a lot more wearable for me!

  • kel h

    i think it looks really great on you, especially with what you are wearing!

  • Bethanne

    I agree with your review. It is definitely a tricky color, especially if you apply the product heavily. I carefully dotted the color on my lips with a very light hand. Then I applied some glass and I love the color and the sheen with the gloss. By itself, or with a “heavy”� application, the color is just too dark for me. Even so, I love this color because it is so versatile and different. As other people have suggested, this shade of lipstick sold out in the first hour or so that it was available. I was lucky enough to grab this color before it sold out. Also agree with Muse that the packaging is everything. Gold and shimmery and definitely a holiday vibe.

    • Isabella Muse

      Likewise! I experienced the same thing Bethanne! Clear gloss goes a long way at making it more wearable for me.