About a month or so ago, I was craving a very red lipstick. A fiery, bright engine-truck red that would add oomph to anything I wear. I also wanted it in a matte finish, which, I believe is best for keeping bright lipstick colours wearable for any time of day.

I reached out to the counters of two of my favorite lipstick brands; Mac and Makeup Forever. “Give me your reddest lipstick in matte please!” And I ended up with Mac’s Ruby Woo from their Retro Matte collection, and Makeup Forever’s M8 Matte Bright Red from their Rouge Artist Intense collection.

I know this is not exactly a comparison of apples to apples, but these are the two shades that were recommended to me for fitting into my ‘very red and matte’ criteria. 

Packaging

Both lipsticks come in a very formal, professional-looking black case. I like the gunmetal detailing of the Makeup Forever case, and the signature bullet shape of the Mac’s.

Pigmentation

Both lipsticks are beautifully pigmented. The swatches below are just one coat of each! You really do get a good deal of colour with just one swipe.

Red Rating

Mac’s Ruby Woo is definitely a bolder, brighter shade of the two. It really is a ‘retro red’, and is something I would envision very confident lipstick wearers like Betty Boo to be wearing.

Makeup Forever’s M8 Matte Bright Red on the other hand, is a deeper, browner shade and would be a better option for wearers who feel too intimidated by the fiery hues of red. It is still a red, but just not as ‘in your face’ bright.

Mac’s bright orange-toned Ruby Woo or Makeup Forever’s M8’s rich blue-based? Both are red, yet so differently so. I love them both!

Matte Effect

Mac’s Ruby Woo stays true to the matte promise. This lipstick is really, really matte.

Makeup Forever’s M8 Matte Bright Red has a slight sheen to it. It is not altogether glossy, but not entirely matte either.

Lip Hydration

Of the two, Makeup Forever keeps the lips feeling better hydrated.

Mac’s Ruby Woo can feel quite drying on the lips, and I need to use Mac’s Prep+Prime lip primer before I use it.

Staying Power

Both lipsticks survive into the 6 hour mark, and this includes surviving lunch.

Tezzy in Mac Ruby Woo

Tezzy in Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense M8 Matte Bright Red

Which Red?

I love the peppy, bold brightness of the Mac Ruby Woo. I also love the very grown-up ladylike hue of the Makeup Forever M8 Matte Bright Red.

I love how matte the Mac lipstick is, yet the slight sheen of the Makeup Forever variation is kinder on my dry lips.

Mac’s Ruby Woo is playful, and might be a bit too bright for newbies to the fiery shade of red lipsticks. Makeup Forever is a more conservative shade. I wear both throughout the day.

You see me in both lippies above. Which shade do you reckon I rock best?

A bright, red lipstick really is a makeup ammunition every girl should own. Find one that suits you best (or be like me, and have two red lippies you can’t live without 🙂 ).