| I don't give MAC Lustres much love. That's possibly because it's such a crappily inconsistent category that forces the intrepid lipstick enthusiast to dodge an inordinate number of lip-murdering monsters and insipid why-bother fails. That said, they're not all shitty and boring. Over the years I've learned to resist the temptation of pretty products that dry the living shit out of one's lips, unless the shade is utterly, devastatingly indispensable. That really narrows it down, lol. |  |
 When I'm wanting something with a bit of transparency, I usually reach for a Cremesheen; you get another hour of wear and the formula tends to be less ratchet. But I really enjoy MAC See Sheer (below left) and the single solitary other lustre that I (still) own, Dreaming Dahlia (right). This last shot blew out so don't let the overexcited orange fool you. Above and below are much better for this shade even if they're not as different on the lip as they are in the tube. See Sheer earns my loyalty with its mellow dose of coolish, slightly pinkish coral, Dreaming Dahlia with its brighter, warmer, more orange version of the same.  | Some dramatic mattes are worth the candle and occasionally that distinction can apply to those daytime lolly-type shades that we typically dismiss as dupable lightweights.   They're both smoothies- no frost or bling to speak of. Despite being lighter in colour than my lips and around 50% opacity, both somehow manage to neither bleed, resemble a slick of elderly cooking grease (unlike other Lustres i.e. Lady Bug) or really settle much into lip creases. See Sheer in particular boasts useful build-ability, up to double the colour load of a quick once-around application. This delivers a really pretty vintage coral and about 70% gloss (rated against a shiny lipgloss-proper). |
Because it's brighter, Dreaming Dahlia is a little less obliging and can gather a wee bit in your lip flakes when you really smoosh it on; I find a brush can conquer this issue. Personally I prefer both these guys as a more patted-on, translucent look. They sort of 'settle' rather than drying down and give that lovely ye olde hand-tinted portrait look with a bonus no-maintenance fade that makes them safe for super-public situations and/or the gym etc. as well as making them a pretty foil for dramatic eyes. When dressed rather than painted is more in order. Can't believe I'm acknowledging the existence of the former condition; checks self for pulse.
Needless to say they both play well with a range of other shades, and I regularly dab them into some MAC Strange Journey or Nars Kelly to take the edge off those two beasts. Pale cool-leaning peeps should definitely look into See Sheer (try saying that three times quickly) while Dreaming Dahlia will sort you out if you're tanned or darker.
Needless to say they both play well with a range of other shades, and I regularly dab them into some MAC Strange Journey or Nars Kelly to take the edge off those two beasts. Pale cool-leaning peeps should definitely look into See Sheer (try saying that three times quickly) while Dreaming Dahlia will sort you out if you're tanned or darker.
L2R All MAC unless stated.
Chili, See Sheer, Bite Zinfandel, Nars Kelly, Hot Tahiti, Dreaming Dahlia
a range of natural outdoor lighting (excuse the whacky hand creases lol- I was leaning it against something)
Chili, See Sheer, Bite Zinfandel, Nars Kelly, Hot Tahiti, Dreaming Dahlia
a range of natural outdoor lighting (excuse the whacky hand creases lol- I was leaning it against something)
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