MAC: Iris Apfel Collection in Flamingo & Pink Pigeon: Review & Swatches

This is a somewhat belated post considering that this collection has been sold out for some time now.  However, I figured I would do some swatches and reviews regardless.  Hopefully, if you are interested in these colours, I can provide some possible dupes and/or look-a-likes for these shades.  So without further ado, here are some swatches about the much loved, bird-inspired collection from Iris Apfel in collaboration with MAC. Please note: that this post will be fairly picture heavy for only showing 2 lipsticks.

As promised, these colours are bright and highly sought after.  My only regret is not finding Party Parrot (however, I hear Impassioned is a great dupe for it).  I managed to pick up Flamingo and Pink Pigeon.  Both of these colours are bright and pigmented, despite Flamingo having a luster finish.

MAC Pink Pigeon (matte)

MAC Flaming (luster) - not true to colour - much more red here

I would describe Flamingo to be a bright, milky, pink based coral.  It is a fairly neutral coral - leaning more to the warm end of the spectrum.   It's luster finish makes it easy to wear, however, if your lips have any dry patches, this colour does emphasize them.  A good dupe for this colour would be MAC Tour de Fabulous - which is a slightly pinker lipglass form of this lipstick (Will keep looking for more dupes.)  Personally, I like to wear this lipstick with a peachy or pink gloss overtop to warm it up slightly as pale colours are not the best on my lips. The swatch on my lips below is with no gloss overtop, but I did put a clear lip balm underneath to disguse any dry patches on my lips.

natural light - slightly less pink in real life

Pink Pigeon is described as 'the brightest, cleanest pink'.  I would describe it as a bright, blue-based magenta pink.  It is definitely a crisp, bright and eye-catching shade.  It is not to be worn by the faint of hear.  It's matte finish is attractive though I like wearing it with a clear gloss overtop.  I am told a good dupe was Style Packed Lipglass from the Tour de Fabulous collection was an excellent dupe for this colour.  However, MAC's Candy Yum-Yum, Show Orchid and Hollywood Nights are very similar though slightly different. As well as NARS Schiap. Overall, if you wanted this colour, don't fret as there are a few dupes though they are night quite as crisp.

natural light - brighter in real life

If you did manage to get to a free standing MAC counter and swatch these, the swatches look as they do on your lips.  I have swatched them side by side below to show you their true colours.  The photo is fairly accurate (depending on your monitor settings) to the true colours.

From Top to Bottom: Pink Pigeon & Flamingo - shaded, one swipe of colour

These shades are both very pigmented.  As you can see from the one swipe of colour in the swatches above.  They are buildable in intensity, however, the more you layer on, the more they emphasize dry patches.  Your lips need to be exfoliated and moisturized before wearing these shades.  They last around 3 - 4 hours on my lips if I am not eating or drinking anything.  Which is fairly decent considering I seem to usually 'eat my lip colours'.  Pink Pigeon has much better staying power than Flamingo as it slightly stains my lips after wear.  Flamingo is definitely a more wearable colour, however, Pink Pigeon is on-trend with the hot pink lips I have been seeing everywhere.

From L to R: Pink Pigeon & Flamingo (natural light)

Did you get your hands on any of the Iris Apfel Collection? If not, are you going to check out Shop MAC, Cook MAC?

xo, Chanel