(UPDATED 2021)

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If you love MAC lipsticks but think they’re overpriced I have the perfect (cute) solution for you (and me): MAC mini lipsticks! MAC mini lipsticks come in at just over half the size of full MAC lipsticks- 1.8g compared to 3g. MAC mini lipsticks come in the best selling and most popular shades (reds through nudes). If you’re unsure if you want to pay the full price of a MAC lipstick, minis are the perfect size to test if you like the shade and formula.

 

I’m slowly working my way through all the MAC Mini shades. MAC seem to be regularly expanding the shade selection. Not only can you buy mini lipsticks, MAC have added some of their most popular products to their mini collection including the iconic MAC Strobe Cream- you can see more of MAC mini range here.

Let’s start with MAC’s bestselling lipsticks!

 

MAC’s Bestselling Lipsticks

 

MAC Mini Velvet Teddy (Matte)

 

MAC Velvet Teddy is one of MAC’s all time best selling lipsticks and it’s easy to see why. This neutral beige (or nude) matte lipstick is easy to wear. Velvet Teddy fits in perfectly with the continuing 90s trend (which I’m still not ready for, I was a teenager then).

MAC Velvet Teddy is the kind of shade you would pair with a strong eye makeup look or an amazing cat’s eye. It’s perfect for an everyday shade too. Plus it feels really comfortable on the lips. I don’t find it as long wearing as say MAC Ruby Woo, another iconic shade from MAC. But Velvet Teddy is no where near as drying as Ruby Woo is.

I’m unsure if I would buy Velvet Teddy full size as there’s plenty if dupes out there that are significantly cheaper and just as good (like Wet N Wild Bare It All). (Reader- I did buy the full size MAC Velvet Teddy)

 

 

MAC Mini Whirl Lipstick (matte)

 

I also purchased another one of MAC’s bestselling lipstick MAC Whirl (matte). MAC describe this matte lipstick as a dirty rose. This would be a great ‘nude’ shade for darker skin tones. On my pale skin it pulls too dark and just makes me look like death.

I find Whirl to be a bit longer wearing than Velvet Teddy though, which is a bonus. If you have medium/dark skin tones I think this warm toned brown-pink would look amazing on you, especially if you love a 90s lip.

 

MAC Mini Twig Lipstick (satin)

 

 

 

MAC Twig is one of my favourite MAC lipsticks. It reminds me of a shade of lipstick I wore in the 90s, I think it was from Rimmel.

Unlike the other two lipsticks mentioned here Twig is a satin finish. Twig still has good staying power though. It feels very comfortable on the lips, moisturising even.

Twig is a mid-toned pink with brown undertones (you could call it a mauve), another perfect 90s shade. It looks great on pale skin tones and darker skin tone alike, a truly universal lip shade.

The fact that Twig is long wearing, comfortable and easy to wear is one of the reasons I return to this MAC lipstick over and over again. Buy MAC Twig mini here.

One of my favourite dupes for MAC Twig is Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry. Sultry is slightly deeper than Twig but it’s such a beautiful rich mauve. You should definitely have Sultry in your lipstick collection!

You can find a good selection of MAC Twig dupes in this post.

 

MAC Lady Danger Mini

 

I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve tried MAC’s iconic Lady Danger, it’s an amazing matte orange-red! The formula is much less matte and drying than one of my all time favourite lipsticks Ruby Woo.

While Ruby Woo is a cool toned, blue leaning red, Lady Danger is a warm toned orange red. The undertone really brightens my pale complexion. I have neutral undertones which leans a little bit cool so I was surprised at just how well Lady Danger works. (You can see me wearing Lady Danger in this pin).

This is a bold lip, but can be blotted down to give a more muted look. Lady Danger has fast become one of my favourite lipsticks!

 

MAC Lady Danger Dupes

 

• Bite Beauty- Clementine.
• Wet n Wild- Purty Persimmon.
• NYX- Indie Flick.
• Revlon- Striking.

 

Other Best-selling MAC Matte Lipsticks:

 

• Honey Love
• Marrakesh
• Chili
• Russian Red
• Ruby Woo.

 

The best-selling lip colours from different MAC lipstick ranges of 2021 are:

 

• Devoted to Chili (Powderkiss lipstick & liquid)
• Cremecup (Cremesheen)
• Syrup (lustre)
• Feels So Grand ( retro matte liquid)
• Peackstock (satin)
• Spice (lipglass)

 

MAC Nude Lipstick Dupes/Alternatives

 

If you are pale like me and looking for an amazing beige/nude shade to wear I highly recommend trying out Zara’s lipstick in UM03. The formula is incredible! Creamy, comfortable and long wearing. The pigmentation is pretty damn good too. Zara lipsticks have been some of the nicest lipsticks I’ve tried. I’m seriously impressed with them! Zara red lipsticks are pretty amazing too btw!

 

GOSH Lipsticks

 

GOSH also do some incredible beige/nudes for pale skin (and darker skin too). Plus GOSH are vegan and cruelty-free and cost a fraction of the price. The formula is amazing too and they are long wearing. Have a look at GOSH lipstick here. They come in a good selection of shades that should suit a range of skin tones. I think GOSH lipsticks are seriously underrated. The quality is fantastic for a ‘drugstore’ brand. The closest dupe to Velvet Teddy is Antique. I’m also a BIG fan of Cinnamon and also Nougat. If you love beige-y nudes I am positive you will love these lipsticks from GOSH!

 

 

 

Is MAC Mini Lipstick Worth It?

 

Yes, they absolutely are! Full size MAC lipsticks can be pricey. We can’t always get to the shops so having MAC lipsticks in mini sizes means we can try the shades out before opting for the bigger size.

You still get a decent amount of lipstick in the little bullets. I very rarely finish a full lipstick as I like to wear and try out different makes and shades all the time. So these smaller sizes are great, and slightly less wasteful.

One of the recent exceptions is Zara Beauty lipstick in UMo3. I adore this lipstick shade and have it in constant rotation.

Mini MAC lipsticks have actually made me fall back in love with MAC lipsticks again. £10 is a much more reasonable price to pay and they feel like a nice little treat.

 

 

You can now by MAC mini lipsticks at Boots! Shop here. (affiliate link)

 

 

Do you have a favourite MAC lipstick shade?

 

 

 

Tags: beauty, budget lipstick, dupes, lipstick, MAC lipstick, mac lipstick dupes, mac mini lipsticks, makeup, matte lipstick, mini lipsticks