MAC Retro Matte: Pro Longwear Lip Pencils

Tomorrow, MAC will release a new collection in-stores called Retro Matte. Inspired by the stunning popularity of their famous Ruby Woo lipstick, "MAC has revamped the lipstick legend with invigorating, bold shades... in Ruby Woo's signature finish to create a look that's feminine yet fierce." Retro Matte is comprised of 16 products —11 of which are new and permanent, and five of which are permanent. Retro Matte will see the release of eight complementary shades of Pro Longwear Lip Pencil, of which four are new and permanent, one is new and limited edition, and three are permanent (which were previously reviewed here). MAC describes Pro Longwear Lip Pencil as "a new generation of long-wearing lip pencil technology. Glides on fluidly and adheres instantly. Defines the lips with an instant release of rich, saturated colour. Prolongs the hours between re-application. Transfer proof." Each Pro Longwear Lip Pencil comes in regular black packaging, contains 1.2 grams of product, and retails for $23. 
Fashion Boost, Shock Value, Dynamo, Trust in Red, and High Energy
Fashion Boost, Shock Value, Dynamo, Trust in Red, and High Energy

Fashion Boost is a medium-dark vibrant magenta-purple. This is a new and limited edition shade. The texture is soft and creamy, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is darker and more purple than Magenta Lip Pencil.

Shock Value is a medium vibrant cool-toned neon bubblegum pink. This is a new and permanent shade. The texture is soft and creamy, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. There is nothing very similar to this within MAC's permanent lip pencil range; it is much cooler and brighter than In Anticipation, and lighter and much cooler than More to Love.

Dynamo is a medium vibrant reddened coral-pink. This is a new and permanent shade. The texture is soft and creamy, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. There is nothing very similar to this within MAC's permanent lip pencil range; it is more pink than Redd Lip Pencil.

Trust in Red is a medium-dark vibrant cool-toned cherry red. This is a new and permanent shade. The texture is soft and creamy, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is lighter than Cherry Lip Pencil, and cooler than Kiss Me Quick. 

High Energy is a medium-dark vibrant orange-red. This is a new and permanent shade. The texture is soft and creamy, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is more orange than Redd Lip Pencil, and much more red than What A Blast!.

I've always been a fan of the Pro Longwear Lip Pencil formula — they feel creamy and smooth going on, glide on effortlessly with full colour pay-off, dries down to a matte finish, and once they set, they do not budge. They wear for at least six hours; the brighter shades like these ones wear at least eight without fading. These five new shades are a great addition to the MAC lip pencil range (with the exception of Fashion Boost, which is limited edition) as the bright lip trend is going strong, and these fill in the gaps that were missing before. A coral lip pencil that doesn't lean too orange? A hot pink lip pencil to wear with eye-searing shades like Candy Yum-Yum? A magenta lip pencil that doesn't lean too pink? Yes, please!