Chances are if you’ve been wearing makeup for a while, you might have owned (or currently own) a MAC lipstick or two (or more). Wearing one is kind of like a rite of passage, they’re that iconic. They come in so many shades—from nudes and pinks to vibrant reds and neon hues—and different finishes, too, like matte, satin, and high shine, Seriously, there’s a MAC lipstick for everyone, guaranteed.
We all have our own favorites, too—whether you’ve been a Ruby Woo stan for years or swear by Velvet Teddy. A lot of people seem to have very strong opinions about their tried-and-true lipsticks. So, in the spirit of that, I asked my colleagues for their MAC lipstick recs. See what they had to say below, plus to make it easier for you to discover and shop, I’ve broken it down by the best lipsticks for each skin tone (although feel free to wear any of these, really).
A golden brown, this is a nice neutral or nude hue that looks and feels very rich.
This liquid lipstick leaves a velvety, matte and pigment-rich finish. This deep red is super flattering and leans into the berry shade family.
The bright fuchsia shade is eye-catching and works really well on all skin tones. And if you’re worried it looks a little too bright in the tube, when applied it’s more subdued, but still vibrant.
“This shade is so mysterious and elegant,” says associate editor Shawna Hudson. “I love how rich the color is. It looks very purple before you put it on, but on the lips? *Chef’s kiss.* It always complements darker skin tones oh-so-well.”
Described as a brown berry shade, this lipstick is dark and deep, but works well for everyday wear.
For a shiny and sheer finish, try this pinkish nude. This particular formula is lightweight and contains raspberry seed oil and extra-virgin olive oil.
This deep red has a lot of history—it was created in 1994 and every cent from the selling price of the lipstick goes towards helping women, men, and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Try something with a little bit of metallic. This cool pink has a hint of gold shimmer.
Twig is a total classic shade—it’s a muted and soft brownish pink that makes for the perfect everyday color for any skin tone.
The name of this lipstick is called Succumb to Plum, and honestly, the pretty shade will make you a believer. It’s a deep, cool purple that’s there for you when you really want to make a statement.
A golden brown taupe, Bronx is a great option for olive skin tones.
With a hint of orange, this complements olive skin tones perfectly. It’s a vibrant red that really turns up the heat.
A Little Tamed is a mid-toned pink with yellow undertones. The finish is matte, but not drying and leaves a softer, blurred color.
This orange-brown also looks super flattering on olive skin tones. The creamy formula is matte and highly pigmented.
A classic deep berry, this long-wearing lip color delivers a blurred, matte finish—almost like a lip tint but more saturated.
“It’s a really great pink-leaning nude for when you want to look done-up but not like you’re trying too hard,” associate editor Katie Berohn says.
You can’t go wrong with Ruby Woo—it’s a universal red that’s a MAC classic. “This is probably one of the only red lip colors that I’m truly obsessed with,” beauty director of branded content Caitie Schlisserman says. “It’s just the perfect shade that definitely makes me feel confident and powerful whenever I do whip it out.”
“The shade Snob brings me way back to my high school days,” Schlisserman says. “It was my lifeline. I’d rarely leave the house without it on. It’s the perfect light pink with cool undertones and truly lasts all day.”
You might be a little intimidated by the deep purple color in this lipstick tube, but trust me—it looks good. The mauve berry is universally flattering—the liquid lip color has a whipped texture and leaves a moisture-matte finish.
I love this bright coral red and think it looks good on pretty much anyone. I especially love wearing it on summer nights as a bold statement lip.
