I am rarely enticed by celebrity endorsements or collaborations particularly in makeups. If I like a certain product, I will buy it regardless of the face the company promotes.
So lets’s backtrack a bit why I willingly succumbed to Lorde. The first time I saw this girl performed, I was struck by her gothic style, eccentric moves onstage, and her dark plum lips which brought me back to my heyday, the 90s! I’m talking about grunge, alternative rock, and my fascination with Fairuza Balk’s witch dark lips from the movie The Craft. No idea who Lorde is? I thought it’ll be nice to play her music while you read my review….
Isn’t she over-the-top amazing? Much to everyone’s surprise (myself included), she unintentionally pranked us with her real age. Who could’ve guessed that New Zealand’s latest singing sensation is only 17 years young? Anyways, enough of Lorde-pimping, I know you’re more interested with the review and swatch so let’s not dillydally anymore.
Capitalizing on Lorde’s fame, MAC’s latest celebrity collaboration features a limited edition collection composed of Pure Heroine Amplified Creme Lipstick and Penultimate Eyeliner.
Pure Heroine is dark plum and definitely not for the faint’o heart. It’s bold, creamy, totally a statement! Of course you can still sheer it out and make it more wearable by blending with your finger. But why alter the amplified look when we’re here to shock the universe, people! It’s opaque in one pass but as you can see from the photos below, it’s glossy and tends to settle on lip lines. I was looking at Lorde’s photos pre-MAC collab and I swear this isn’t her signature lip shade. I was expecting black plum, yanno the vampire kind. But don’t get me wrong, I like it now and I will like it better when Fall comes. Wear time is five hours, give or take. And depending on what you eat, it does leave a decent stain post-meal.
Do I own something similar? I don’t think so but for comparison, here are side-by-side swatches of Lorde Pure Heroine and other plum-ish shades from my stash.
In case you’re interested, I have reviewed YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Forbidden Burgundy here, Marc Jacobs Truth or Dare Lust for Lacquer here, and posted a gothic makeup look using Rimmel by Kate 04 here. MAC aficionados know that there’s a Heroine in the permanent line which to me pulls more purple based from online swatches.
“And we’ll never be royals, it don’t run in our blood”…. finally here’s moi belting Royals in my head, that last song syndrome is killing me, ugh!
Do you like Lorde? the performer and lipstick?
You can buy the collection online (unaffiliated link)
She is uniquely beautiful and at least her style isn't being copied on to 100 other 'it' girls right now.
yes i like her for that!
That is gorgeous. I like her music, and I love that when an airbrushed pix of her went out on social media, she followed it up with a pix of what she really looks like, acne and all. She could teach a few folks about how to embrace your flaws and love your true self!
True, she's a good role model! I just wish her fame won't affect her sanity like Miley C!
Darn you. I just went and ordered this. It's so pretty, and I love dark plum/berry lippies.
LOL. Village of the damned beauties! Looking forward to seeing you wearing it!
I love this color!
Me too 🙂
OMG, it looks fabulous on you! I've been seeing ads for the new Lorde line everywhere. I wish I could wear this
You can sheer it out if you find it too dark
Love this color on you. I am digging the dark berry shade and of course a HUGE Lorde fan as well. Everyone wants to look like a Royal. lol… Great shade and great post! That Marc Jacobs looks like a super close shade of it for sure.
Thanks Jamie. Great to know you like our lil Lorde 🙂
That's a beautiful color! I gotta say though, considering it's an amplified cream I was expecting it not to settle in lip lines
yes, that's the only drawback, at least on my lips
I love this shade! I keep putting it in my cart, taking it out, putting it back in. It's just SO pretty!
just get it 🙂
I am totally digging this shade on you! <3
yay, thanks!
This is a great shade! It looks amazing on you.
thank you!
That is such a deep color! Looks good on you 🙂
Thanks a lot
Love this shade, it looks awesome on you!!
Thanks much!
This looks so good on you! I feel like I couldn't pull it off BUT I want it because then I can say I have pure heroine in my makeup bag and freak people out LMAO
Just get it Brooke, just because…. LOL
I under estimated this lipstick! Looks really pretty and I want it 🙂
I feel you. It looks different on other people, I've seen some photos leaning more on red berry
What an interesting color! It's definitely going to get you noticed 🙂
yep, a showstopper of sorts 🙂
Suuuuch a great color. But I think it's funny that her makeup artist came out and said that she actually uses some other Mac color on Lorde!
I want to know the exact lip shade she used in her Royale video
Wow this color is so striking! You are totally rocking it. I think I need to stick with a few shades lighter on myself though. But during the winter, maybe! I'm sure I'll find an excuse to buy it down the line lol
Thanks Justina. Yes, this shade is spot-on for fall and winter.
Whooo whee! That is one hot color! I love Lorde, too – she's an awesome little throwback!
Ahe's a good example to teenagers, hopefully she won't end up like Miley C!
That's a great color on you!
Very pretty! I also did not know she was that young!
I like Lorde a lot. Her voice is funky and her music is on point. This might be a tad too much for me and my fair skin.
Very vampy color but I could never pull it off!
I bought 2 of these so I don't run out! Looks amazing on you!
I think this color just makes your eyes POP! You looks gorgeous…
It's very similar to the up the amp 🙂