An Ode to Mac's Lustre Lipsticks (Syrup, Plumful and Lovelorn)

Now, I appreciate not everyone will know about Mac's Lustre lipsticks so we're going to cover that base first. Mac has a whole host of different lipstick formulas, each of which have a different finish when applied to the lips. I would argue that Lustres are the second 'lightest' feeling (Glazes would come first). They aren't heavy or opaque, instead they give a slick of shiny, glossy colour that works alongside the colour of your lips - you'll be able to see that they aren't totally opaque in my swatches below.

Left to Right: Plumful, Lovelorn & Syrup (swatches are two swipes of each lipstick)

Lustre lipsticks are wonderful summer lipsticks because you won't feel them on your lips. They have the lightness of a lip gloss or balm whilst still giving you noticeable and relatively long lasting colour. On me they last from between an one hour and three depending on if I'm drinking or rubbing my lips together lots (I can't be the only person who does that).

I also love that because they aren't completely opaque they look a little bit different on everyone who wears them. I've done a Mac Lipstick Collection post where I've posted lip swatches of my entire collection so you can see what each of these look like on my lips if you click here. If you were to compare these colours to other lip swatches they wouldn't be the same. This makes it a little bit more risky buying them without trying them on first but it also makes them a little bit more personal. 

I wear my Mac's Lustres when I don't want to have to worry about exfoliating my lips or using lip liner. For this reason they're perfect for lipstick newbies or those of you who want a lip gloss/lipstick hybrid because lustres are still really lovely and glossy. If you're going - on a date, to the cinema (where you'll probably eat and drink and can't touch up in the dark), to school or lectures or seminars or if you just love fuss free make-up then Lustre lipsticks are the ones for you. 

When I first got into Mac lipsticks I thought Cremesheens were the be-all-and-end-all and although I still love them (they're delightfully creamy, as the name suggests) but their place in my heart has been usurped by the Lustre formula. I have yet to come across any great drugstore dupes of how the formula feels on the lips but a similar looking effect can be attained from 17's Mirror Shine Lipsticks which at £4.19 are a lot more affordable but sadly not perfect dupes (they're just a little bit glossier than Lustre lipsticks).

Thus this week's lipstick post is concluded, but I don't think my love affair with Lustres will ever end! Have you tried any of Mac's Lustre Lipsticks? Do you have a favourite finish of Mac Lipstick?