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The 25 Best MAC Lipsticks for Women of Color

by afrobella

 

Because of my history as one of the chosen ones for the 2011 Bloggers Obsession collection, I’m asked about MAC Cosmetics often. Mainly it’s two questions. This post will aim to answer both of them, with a little help from an expert!

 

MAC lipsticks for women of color

 

Question #1 – will they EVER bring back All Of My Purple Life?

Answer: I believe it’s still available in Canada, but as far as I know at present MAC has no plans to bring back AMPL. I wish I had better news for you and hopefully someday there will be a full Afrobella collection of cosmetics somewhere, somehow (hey, dream big)!

Question #2 – What’s the best permanent collection alternative to AMPL? OR What are the best lipsticks for dark skin? OR What are the best MAC lipsticks for my skin tone?

Answer: Good question! There are MAC lipsticks I find myself always going back to, and lipsticks I always find that makeup artists use on me. Still, I can’t claim to be a total MAC expert in the way that my blogging buddies Temptalia or Karen MBB are. I had to reach out to one of my favorite makeup artists, who I KNEW would be able to give me the answers I was looking for. And that person is Nicole Evans, an incredible makeup artist based in Los Angeles.

Every time I’m in L.A and need my face beat to perfection, she is the person I call. Nicole has done my makeup for high profile events like the Beautylish Beauty Social, the BET Awards, the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, my EDEN BodyWorks photo shoot, and the Oscars! I absolutely love working with her because her spirit is so soothing and calming, and you can truly see the pride in her work while she’s doing your makeup. Basking in Nicole’s presence makes me feel good and she ALWAYS makes me look beautiful.

Afrobella Nicole Evans Krystle Rowry Luvvie

 

From left to right that’s Krystle Rowry, me, Nicole and Luvvie right before the Academy Awards 2012!

Nicole has been working with MAC in Los Angeles for quite some time now, so I know she knows their makeup line inside and out. She works frequently with women of color and is a brown beauty herself – check out her Tumblr for dope makeup inspiration! I had to ask her for her top MAC lipstick color recommendations, and she broke it all the way down into color categories!

Here are the picks for the 25 BEST MAC lipsticks for dark skin and women of color.

Reds:

MAC red lipsticks

Ruby Woo

Lady Danger

Viva Glam

Hot Tahiti

Plums/Purples:

MAC purples

Rebel

Cyber

Dark Side

Odyssey

Model Behaviour

Smoked Purple

Violetta

Oranges:

MACorangelipsticks

So Chaud

Morange

Chili

Sweet Venom

Pretty Boy

Pinks:

MacPinkLipsticks

Impassioned

Girl About Town

Lovelorn

Corals:

MAC coral lipsticks

Full Speed

See Sheer

On Hold

Vegas Volt

Nudes/Neutrals:

MAC nudes

To The Future

Peachstock

Jubilee

Freckletone

Touch

 

And those are Nicole’s picks as a professional makeup artist. Click here to hire her for your makeup needs, and click here to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

So what do you think? Do you see any MAC lipstick shades you’re dying to try? Or do you think we should’ve added **insert MAC lipstick color here** to the list? Tell me!

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Filed Under: Beauty, Featured, Makeup, Reviews Tagged With: Beauty, Black Beauty, brown skin, cosmetics, dark skin, Featured, full-image, Lips, lipstick, lipstick for medium skin, MAC, MAC lipstick colors, makeup, medium skin

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. BauceMag

    at

    This list is oh-so fabulous! MAC is absolutely one of the best brands for women of color. We picked it too in our 4 best shades >> http://baucemag.com/?p=10919

  2. nikki

    at

    sadly, none of those work for me..

  3. Fullsizebarbie

    at

    LOOOOOOOVE this post!

  4. bella

    at

    none? We’re 0 for 25? Wow! What colors DO you like? Or is it just that you prefer another brand?

  5. bella

    at

    YAY! Happy to hear that!

  6. bella

    at

    Love it!

  7. Leslie

    at

    Love this post!!! I’ll use this a guide when searching for a spring shade. My go to Mac lipstick is “O”. It looks “HAWT” on a variety of skin tones.

  8. Jo

    at

    What about Media and Honey Love? Those are 2 of my favorites

  9. Jasmyn

    at

    Wow I’m definitely eyeing that rebel! I’ve been loving the dark plums and I’m a new 21 so I’m trying to explore some higher quality lip sticks. Thanks for this post I will definitely be referencing this when it’s time to go makeup shopping!

  10. Melyssa

    at

    Love the list. Ruby woo and violetta are my favourite on it. I think it is missing more pinks especially brighter ones like candy yum yum. They do look gorgeous on some darker tones!

  11. Alice

    at

    Girl About Town is the best thing to have ever happened to this girl! I love it and I get so many compliments on it!

  12. Yolanda

    at

    Love the selection for nudes!!!

    Thanks,
    Bella

  13. Lisa

    at

    Thank you very much. I have wondered where to begin and this is a great starting point.

  14. Wanda

    at

    I love Cyber. I’ve even used it as a liner with AMPL. I can’t wait to try some of the other colors. Thanks for the list.

  15. Dima

    at

    I love Jubilee, I love Neutrals 😀
    they are my favorite, perfect for all times!

  16. Shepherd

    at

    Soooo Pretty

  17. Mochacurls

    at

    I wish they would bring All of my purple life back! I love purple glosses!

  18. Tiffany

    at

    The colors are great but have they improved the scent? The last time I tried MAC lipstick a few years ago it had terrible waxy/oily smell. And no, it wasn’t old. It was a brand new tube in a MAC store. Hope it’s different now! 🙂

  19. Mlle Parker

    at

    Wow..great post..thank you..I was thinking to buy a new lipstick…

  20. MsXpat

    at

    Another great post that is a big help to me. Ive been seeking my perfect nude lippy. At the moment I’ve got the Taupe which I am happy with but I like the ones you have in this post too :0)

  21. Sabrina

    at

    Thank you for the great list! Plumful is one of the my go-to colors for the fall/winter, and I picked up Lickable last year for the spring/summer. It is one of my favorite pink/fuchsia lipsticks. I bought one of the new MAC mineralize lipsticks in All Out Gorgeous, a nice red that I think is work-appropriate, and I can’t wait to try it out.

  22. indieblack

    at

    This is so useful! Thanks, Afrobella! It’s really difficult to find a lipstick, ugh! I hate going to the cosmetic counter, and then walking away empty handed.

  23. Teevey

    at

    Thanks for posting this. I hate experimenting with lipstick at makeup counters. I am paranoid about germs! Also, I have a hard time finding colors for my medium brown complexion since majority of makeup lines cater to lighter complexions. What colors do you recommend for spring?

  24. Grace

    at

    Love the pinks.

  25. Ann

    at

    Thanks for the list. This is a great collection.

  26. Melitina

    at

    Awesome!!!!! I own MAC Girl about town and Brave, both of which I love. I also own MAC Viva Glam VI, but find it almost doesn’t show on my lips (fail, but at least the funds went to charity). Next on my radar is Lustering, but I MUST get my hands on a coral and/or orange lipstick, so this post is great to begin narrowing down the list! Thanks!!!

  27. pets

    at

    Love the colours and you 4 ladies look fangtastic(inside family joke)! Afrobella knows her stuff!

  28. nash cruz

    at

    I love the see sheer shade. Very natural, not too strong. I got mine from tameraonline.com.

  29. lacquerholic

    at

    Candy yum Yum is a no no for black women IMO. I bought it and I look like an extra in a Nicki Minaj video. No bueno. Girl About Town is Fabulous, though and love me some Ruby woo and Rebel. I guess no one does brown lips anymore? Film Noir and Photo were my top two back in the day. Also in the nude category Fresh Brew should be there too!

  30. Emma

    at

    What about Lady at Play? I LOVE that color!

  31. Marissa

    at

    Thank you so much for this post.

  32. S.K.Falls

    at

    Love this list–thank you so much! I’m an NC 17 and it’s hard to find recommendations.

  33. Ruth

    at

    Lol! Thanks so much. was almost getting it.

  34. MsAfriKanaChic

    at

    I have been wanting a coral and orange lipstick for the longest! I was eyeing Morange but wasn’t sure it would work for me. Thank you for this list, now I feel more comfortable trying it for myself!! This is a great list!

  35. beans628

    at

    The list is missing Odyssey — LOVE! My all time favorite MAC lipstick is Rocker. They brought it back and I missed out but it’s a great red for women of color. I’m going to try Rebel. I love the purples!

  36. ati amali

    at

    is cherish lipstick good for dark skin tones too?

  37. Dark-Skinned Divas

    at

    Hi! I am a (very) new Blogger/Make-up Tutorial haver/vlogger (haha) and I love this topic. I own Ruby Woo, Lady Danger (which I am terrified of) Girl About Town, Touched, and Photo (which I think is a great nude for the darker hued woman). I will definitely check out MAC’s plum collection, I am a MAC girl all the way! Please check out my Tutorial! Thank you!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMGFGGiA7_A

  38. SilkOne

    at

    I stockpiled AMPL and a couple of other lip colors from the blogger collection! I have a couple of unopened tubes — wonder how long they’ll keep?

  39. Lauren

    at

    Anyone if MAC lipstick in smoked purple is still available and anywhere I can buy it in the UK? I’ve looked on the UK website and it’s not there. Is such a nice colour and want it in by kit:(:(

  40. Stacey

    at

    Check eBay. There’s a couple on there and the seller is not from Canada. I saw it on Amazon just today 12/30/13. Good luck!!

  41. Melinda

    at

    I’ve never tried MAC products, but I will admit to wanting the following…

    lipsticks…Girl About Town
    Show Orchid (a gorgeous hot pink)
    Hot Tahiti
    On Hold

    lip glass…Pink Poodle

    blush…Dollymix
    Pink Swoon

    I don’t particularly like most of the colors featured in this post, simply because they wouldn’t work on me. But I’m sure they would look nice on somebody else. 😉

  42. Takiyah

    at

    This is an amazing website!! Love it!!!

  43. Mary

    at

    MAC lipstick Photo is actually a good mix in the coral/nude family. I have been using it for years and love it!

  44. Crystal

    at

    Thank you for this post. I am in the process of stepping up my makeup game. I am doing tons of research. I can do the basics of foundation, concealer, eyeliner and lipstick/lip gloss. I need to increase my skills and my product inventory. I have added your blog to my Feedly.

    Also, I clicked the link for Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog. Since I am a visual learner, I have found that her YouTube videos are fantastic. I have subscribed to them too. Thanks a million. Be blessed.

  45. afrosaxon

    at

    Underworld used to be my go-to MAC color for YEARS…until it was discontinued and I had to go to Film Noir. Can’t find that much either. They’ve also discontinued my beloved Trance-plant Lipglass. *sobs*

  46. Bukky

    at

    awwwww i love it!!! ive been looking for pinks 😀

  47. Nikki

    at

    I’m late with this post but I love the color selections!

  48. Lia

    at

    Heroine is another really great purple that I’ve fallen in love with!

  49. Dee Dee Russell

    at

    Thank you for this post. I respect Afro Bella a lot. Sorry to have missed out supporting her lipstick, that is one MAC item I would happily buy. Also I have those MAC colors in various dupes. I’m a dupe fiend. As a former makeup artist, etc. etc. at this stage in my life I do not see the need buy an expensive lipstick I just do color matches using drugstore cosmetics/Sephora brand. I would love to see a blog about dupes. Its a recession not everybody needs nor wants an expensive lipstick. Even if I was a zillionaire I would still use dupes.

  50. Renee

    at

    “Velvet Teddy” is also an awesome peachy nude for lighter to medium brown skin towns.

  51. Renee

    at

    sorry, i meant skin tones*

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    I saw a link for the all of my purple life somewhere but I can’t find it! Darn it!

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  66. Amber

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    I too am a lover of all things Mac lipsticks…and there were quite a few of favs missing from the list. Some of their best for brown girls: Velvet Teddy (neutral), Up the Amp (Purple/Pinkish), Sin (deep burgandy), Vegas Volt (Coral)

  67. See

    at

    I think Diva goes pretty nicely with some darker tones, its a lovely red 🙂

  68. Courtney

    at

    For a darker color, DIVA matte looks GREAT on women of color as well

  69. Kennda Kali

    at

    Flat Out Fabulous is an awesome pink
    Dive and SIn are great deep reds for our tone
    “O” is an awesome copper/ nude tone for our skin as well.

  70. Kennda Kali

    at

    *Diva

  71. NativeNuYorker

    at

    I am anxiously awaiting a Summer 2015 update on the Best Mac Lip color for our gorgeous complexions. How much longer?

  72. cyndy

    at

    I love mac lipsticks. I am a 56 year old beautiful black women. My question is i love the deep plums and bergundy colored lipsticks. Are thr colors to dark for some one my age. I have a medium brown complexion.

  73. Ruth

    at

    Cyndy, try Diva, Dark Side, Media, Sin, Rebel. Awesome colors for woc.

  74. Mouri

    at

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  76. Elle

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    This site was incredibly helpful. I am a light/medium tone women of color. Love MAC lipsticks. My go to Pinks are Hug Me, Verve, Retro, Fast Play, & Half & Half. My go to Browns are Touch, Photo, & Fresh Brew. Sorta scared of Reds… have Taupe & Paramount…. Any suggestions for Reds & Neutrals?

  77. Jaime

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  78. Viv

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    Great list.you have all my favourites apart from paramount. It’s a really lovely shade.

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