Let me first apologize for being a sucker for the shiny and limited edition things. I haven't updated in a while, but let's not forget I am still on my spending ban. A spending ban that went out the window as soon as I saw how gorgeous the packaging for the Riri ❤ MAC Fall collection was going to be. I like to think of myself as a collector of MAC's amazing LE packaged lipsticks. I'm still kicking myself for not getting anything from the Archie's Girl collection (*cough* Ronnie Red *cough*) So I knew I couldn't pass this one up! I almost broke down with guilt from buying it when I shouldn't have (no joke) but ah, just take a gander at that rose gold fella! It's also a red lipstick. I can NEVER have enough red lips. I'm digressing so hard ...
If you couldn't already tell, the shade I bought from this collection was RiRi Woo which is like the fraternal twin of MAC's already permanent shade Ruby Woo. RiRi Woo is just a stunning and classic, blue based bright red. It's the kind of red that makes your teeth look white (even if you haven't brushed them that day, not that I condone not brushing your teeth, haha) The finish is MAC's new Retro Matte which, if I'm honest, I'm not so sure what makes it different from a regular matte. But yes, it's a super matte. It's not a hydrating lipstick by ANY means. Seriously, prep your lips like you've never prepped your lips before. If you don't it'll tug, cling to every bit you have lying on your lips, and just not work with you at all. I recommend a good scrubbing with a lip scrub and then a nice layer of lip balm. NOT EOS. When I used an EOS lip balm the lipstick just slipped off my lips. Something like a C.O. Bigelow's lip salve, the Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm for Lips, or any kind of lip butter will be your best bet. Give it time to sink in to your lips (about 15 minutes) and then apply this beaut. Then, and only then, does it work like you want it to! There's great pigmentation, it's opaque in a swipe, and it'll last for most of the day! It seems like a lot of work, but you'll do what you need to get a gorgeous color to work on your lips. Especially when it means you get to whip out this beautiful rose gold packaged bullet!
The packaging is my favorite part of the whole lipstick. It's what made me want to buy it in the first place and also what made it so hard to resist just leaving it in the store! The outside is a metallic rose-gold with Rhianna's 'RiRi' signature on the cap and the awesome Riri ❤ MAC graphic on the bottom. The inside is a soft pink and even the inside of the cap is lined with the same color. I LOVE that sort of attention to color schemes. I'm such a nerd, you can say it, but AH it gets me going through the day, haha. The only issue is that it picks up finger prints like nobody's business!
So now, is it worth the $16.50 price tag? For me, yes. I love MAC's LE packaging- this one is no exception. Red lipsticks are honestly my favorite so I know (with a little patience) I'll get a whole lot of use with this product! If limited edition (albeit GORGEOUS) packaging or red lipsticks aren't something that reels you in then I think you can live without this. I'm a mermaid who always just needs to find things to complete her collection ;)
Are you as big of a sucker as I am for MAC's LE packaging? Esp. on their lipsticks? Have you picked up anything from RiRi ❤ MAC?
