Kissed by the same shining light that blessed that pair of Manolo Blahnik patent-leather Mary Jane heels you’ve been coveting since forever, MAC Clear Lipglass ($14.50) makes other clear glosses question their line of work. 🙂
With wear time I can only characterize as supernatural, MAC Clear Lipglass outlasts them all. I applied it once before a marathon shopping day at a four-level mall (I was looking for a new bikini… Lipgloss always seems to ease the pain of seeing myself jiggling from all angles in the fitting room), and six hours later it was still going strong. When it comes to longevity, this is one lipgloss that does not mess around.
It even feels serious on my lips (even through MAC’s trademark light vanilla taste and scent), like it came to throw down. The thick, sticky texture gives it great wear time, but it’s a turnoff for some (I kinda love it though).
MAC Clear Lipglass is my favorite clear gloss, and just like a pair of black patent-leather pumps, it works in so many ways…
- For a simple, subtle sheen — The way I usually wear it. All it takes is just a tiny drop on the lips distributed with a lip brush (or just by rubbing/moving your lips around).
- For lips that go va-va-va-voom! — When I’m in the mood for big, juicy lips with mirror-like shine, I’ll swipe a lip brush across the slanted tip of the tube, and apply a layer either directly to bare lips, or atop a lipstick or lip pencil.
- All mixed up — MAC also suggests mixing Clear Lipglass with pigments and applying anywhere except for the eye area. NOTE: If you plan to apply a mixture containing pigments to your lips, double check with your nearby MAC store first to confirm that the pigments you plan to use are safe for use on the lips, because not all of them are.
Applying a layer of MAC Clear Lipglass on top of a nude liner like MAC Subculture is probably my favorite way to wear it. Creates a lovely nude lip look that goes with just about everything.
MAC Clear Lipglass atop MAC Subculture lip liner
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Humid Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Naked Lunch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Russian Red Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Syrup Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Blushbaby Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Strobe Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blot Powder/Pressed
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Subculture Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Woodwinked Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Powersurge Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: All That Glitters Eyeshadow Is Not Just Another Gold
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners
- MAC Unsung Hero: Groundwork Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Hero: Nymphette Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V
- MAC Unsung Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lychee Luxe Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Hero: Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Patina Eyeshadow
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tamara says
Definitely an unsung hero! Love the pairing with Subculture. :]
Karen says
Do you have Pink Treat? It also looks great with that as well.
Jessi says
This is a little off-topic, but Karen you look amazing! Just a little story- I was reading this entry right now and I hear my boyfriend ask me, “Why are all the blogs you read written by college girls?” I was confused and asked him what he meant. He gestured at your picture and said, “I don’t understand how all these young girls have the time or the money to buy all this makeup and write about it.” So I asked him how old he thought you were and he said, “21 or 22”. I’m not sure old you are, but I know you’ve already graduated college! I told him this and he doesn’t believe me! I want you to write back just so I can prove him wrong, haha. Anyway, sorry for the off-topic-ness, but I just thought it was a funny story!
Karen says
Aw, Jessi. Thanks for this. My birthday is next month and I’m a little grumpy about it (I’m turning 36… OY!), so this totally made my day!
Kajal Couture says
This is one of my staples! Glad to see it on your unsung heroes list!
Karen says
What do you like to wear it with?
Vijaya says
I prefer Bare Escentuals’s gloss. =]
Karen says
OK!
Sarahc says
I love these Unsung Heroes posts. Karen you’re giving me too many things to buy!
Karen says
Glad you like it, Sarah!
Nina says
ohh now im curious. 🙂 ill check this baby out when i go to the counter soon!
Karen says
I hope you like it. It’s definitely sticky, but it lasts a really long time. 🙂
Makeup Morsels says
I think I often underestimate the power of clear lipgloss, just because it doesn’t look all that exciting sitting in my gloss drawer. But they can actually look quite nice, especially layered over something else! Maybe I should play around with my less colorful glosses this weekend…hmmm
Karen says
Yay! Time for play!
Katherine says
You have once again convinced me to splurge on a great oldie but goodie product. Thanks! 🙂
Karen says
Great, Katherine! 🙂 What are some of your MAC must-haves?
Aileen says
It’s one of my absolute favorites! Love it love it and yes it does last and looks so lovely ……
Karen says
What do you like to wear it with, Aileen?
Alka says
This was one of my very first MAC purchases ever. But the stickiness factor is a bit too much for me so it doesn’t get much love. However, love, love, love Subculture with a clear gloss on it…I am going to be near a MAC store today, may have to pick it up. 🙂
Karen says
Every gal remembers their first MAC purchase (mine was Paramount lipstick in the ’90s!).
Did you end up picking up a tube?
Beatrice says
I feel like people forget about clear lip glosses and automatically think they’re boring but in reality they are so useful! Say you want a glossy look but don’t want to change the color of your lipstick? BAM clear gloss! All clear glosses are unsung heros definately 🙂
Karen says
This one’s great because it lasts a long time! Give it a try. 🙂
Marie says
This is a terrific series of posts and I gotta agree totally — the glossy-yet-understated look is a perfect pairing for certain styles, especially if you want a very “minimal fuss” appearance, but with a little kick to it. Great ideas from the commenters too.
Karen says
Glad you like these posts, Marie.
SIOBHAN says
HI KAREN 🙂
I REMEMBER PURCHASING THIS LIPGLASS YEARS AGO AND FOUND IT REALLY GLOOPY OR SOMETHING. IT SEEMED TO MIGRATE OFF MY LIPS. IT WAS SO BAD THAT I ENDED UP TOSSING IT! THIS WAS PROBABLY 10 YEARS AGO AND WHILE I’VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE COUNTLESS OTHER MAC PRODUCTS I’VE TRIED I’M WORRIED ABOUT TRYNG THIS AGAIN. DO YOU KNOW IF THE FORMULA HAS BEEN CHANGED?