MAC Relentlessly Red Retro Matte Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches

I love bright lipstick. There, I've said it. (Or rather, typed it). Wearing bright lipstick makes me feel powerful, sophisticated and glamourous. It's very "look at me" and adds a sense of drama to my everyday. 

I recently had some back-to-MAC returns and picked up Relentlessly Red from the Retro Matte collection. The Retro Matte collection is based on the legendary matte red lipstick Ruby Woo and MAC's excellent matte lipstick formula. 

I very much go on instinct when selecting shades of make-up for myself. I try to not duplicate colours I already have at home if possible, but if I like a colour and find it in a different texture than I already have, I will buy it. 

Relentlessly Red is close but isn't a dupe for any lipsticks I already own. And I don't have this shade in this formula. It called out to me from the display and I knew I didn't have to even try it on. I knew it'd work. 

Relentlessly Red is interesting in that its name makes you think it's an all-out red, a redder red than ever existed, but it's not. It's described as a "bright pinkish coral matte", so it's not really red at all, it's a coral-pink. 

Relentlessly Red Lipstick swatched on NW15 skintone.

On my skintone it reads quite pink, but I imagine on warmer skintones it may read more red. The Love Goddess lipstick from MAC is quite similar in colour to Relentlessly Red, but it's a satin so it's got some shine and is less opaque. 

Since Relentlessly Red is a matte, it's got a drier texture and starts to feel dry after a few hours. While MAC's matte lipsticks are meant to be long-wearing, I will usually remove it when my lips begin to feel dry so I can apply lip balm and then reapply the lipstick. But when I have not taken a break, Relentlessly Red has lasted for eight hours on my lips. It leaves a stain behind as well. 

Wearing any lipstick that has a drier texture, I have to make sure my lips are well-exfoliated and moisturized first. Relentlessly Red needs a bit of pressure to apply, but it goes on very smoothly and normally takes a single application to be opaque. 

Relentlessly Red is a gorgeous, gorgeous colour that can be worn year-round. I like to wear it for day with little other makeup - a but of upper lashline definition, full brows and a hint of natural blush. 

Relentlessly Red is a part of MAC's permanent collection and is available in stores, at counters and online. 

Do you love a bright, bold lip? 

C.