MAC Heroine Lip Pencil Review

Hello gorgeous gals,

Today’s review is on a lip pencil – it’s my newest addiction. There was a time, a long time back, when I used to apply liners as a lipstick outline – since they do give a very polished look to the lipstick application. However, somewhere along the line, life got so busy that applying a liner became too tedious a process. However, lately, I picked up a handful of liners from MAC and I am totally loving them – on their own and as a base for lipstick. This review is on the lip liner in the shade “Heroine” from MAC. The lipstick of the same shade name “Heroine” was reviewed by Neha earlier.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

Product Details:
A pencil designed for shaping, lining or filling in the lip. Lip pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for lining the lips or filling them in. They are long-lasting and available in a wide selection of colors that work well with many different lipstick shades. The color of lip pencils is protected by vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, and they contain emollients that moisturize the lips. Lip pencils can be worn alone, with lipstick or lip glass.

Price:
$16.50 in US / INR 1650 for 1.45 gm.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

Packaging:
The lip pencil is a regular sharpen-able wooden pencil. It comes packaged in a black cardboard box. The good thing with the packaging is that the cap is snuggly secure and doesn’t come off easily. Also, the pencil bottom is colour coded corresponding to the product shade – so is easy to identify in the stash.  It does not come with a sharpener.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

My Experience with MAC Heroine Lip Pencil:

Color: The shade described by MAC as a “bright purple” is a gorgeous purple made wearable by hints of pink in it. The shade is bright, neonish and definitely a colour which would be a tad bit “out-of-comfort-zone” for people. Even though the Pantone shade of the year is Marsala, I see a lot many brands launching hues of purple in their kitty. This definitely seems to be a year of purple and you have to give it a shot.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

Coming back to the shade, I know it will not be everyone’s cup of tea, even though the shade is utterly gorgeous to me. I had a tough time locating this. When it was launched in India along with the “Pencilled In” collection, very few pieces were available and it got sold out fairly quickly. I tried to get my hands on it, even abroad, but couldn’t locate it. Finally, one day, my local MAC SA said she had a piece – in case I wanted it. I just stared at her stupidly for a minute before catching my breath and said “YES!” Apparently, a customer had asked them to keep it aside, but changed her mind! I was elated. HOWEVER, after all the running around that I did for this shade – it is now easily available (in bulk) in the MAC outlets!! Phew!!

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

Texture:  The texture for this one seemed like most lip pencils – a tad bit dry. The product doesn’t drag as much as a retro matte lipstick, but is still not very creamy. You do need prepped-up lips, else it will catch onto all the dry patches. It is easy to cover the full lips; however, I feel that the color is slightly muted compared to the lipstick.  It is definitely not a hydrating formula. If you are using it on its own – without any lipstick on top – it will get drier as the day goes on. However, it’s not as if it will suck all moisture and life out of your lips. It’s do-able. If you top it with a creamier lipstick, the texture becomes more tolerable. I do have dry lips, but I am still able to wear them on their own.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

Pigmentation: The pigmentation is good. It covers your lip pigmentation well. However, as I mentioned earlier, the colour is slightly muted compared to the lipstick by the same name. You will not feel it when you swatch it, but it’s evident once on.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

Staying Power:  The product lasted about 7.5-8 hours+ on me post after which it started fading. At the end, there is a little clinging to the dry patch on the lips. Would suggest exfoliating lips before using this product or better look. It leaves a stain, which stays for another couple of hours and had to be taken off completely with a makeup remover.

If topped with a lipstick, it pretty much stays put the entire day.

MAC Heroine Lip Pencil

To sum this up for you:

Pros of MAC Heroine Lip Pencil:

  • A beautiful bold colour.
  • Lightweight matte texture.
  • Precision application.
  • Good pigmentation – opaque in a single swipe.
  • The pencil applies easily – not too much tug or pull!
  • No feathering or bleeding.
  • Convenient packaging, easy to apply and easy to carry – doesn’t take much space in the bag.

Cons of MAC Heroine Lip Pencil:

  • Not a hydrating formula; however, considering they are supposed to provide an iron-clad base for lipstick – one kind of expects them to be drying.
  • Does settle into the fine lines of the lips.
  • Tends to cling to dry patches, would suggest exfoliating lips before applying.
  • Product wastage during sharpening.

IMBB Rating:

A definite 4.5/5 product.

Do I Recommend MAC Heroine Lip Pencil?

I definitely do. I might just pick up a backup – just in case. You know how difficult it can get sometimes to get the shade you want from MAC. The supplies invariably run low.  Now the big question – should one pick the lip liner or the lipstick? Do you need both?

First things first – The lip liner or the lipstick? If you like wearing eye-catching bold shades and feel you can pull it off with ease – I’d say, go for the lipstick.  And of course, you can wear it as a stain too. However, if it’s not your thing, then you are not likely to use up the lipstick. However, if you are new to purples and want to experiment with them and see if you gain confidence, I’d say go for the liner – one, it is a little muted shade. Also, the lip liner can be topped with a more comfortable pink lipstick – making the shade more comfortable for you to wear or ease into.

Do you need both? Well, if you are a nutcase like me who loves purple and has more than one purple lippy in her kitty, I’d say, get both. The lipstick is to die for. And the liner gives it more depth and longevity. Also, the liner could work as base for your other purple, fuchsia lipsticks!

Do let me know if you are wanting to experiment with purple or going to avoid it 🙂

MAC Lip Pencil Cherry
MAC Spice Lip Pencil
MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil
MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil Dynamo
Mac Prolongwear Lip Pencil – Staunchly Stylish
MAC Beet Lip Pencil
MAC Heroine Matte Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lip Glass

IMBB RECOMMENDS

17 thoughts on “MAC Heroine Lip Pencil Review

  1. I lov reading ur reviews Kulpreet… Jus last nite i read ur article on how to buy highend cosmetics…wich u wrote last year.. Lovd it….

    Talking abt d shade… It looks lovely on you… I want to buy d lippy in d same shade… I hope it looks good on my nc 40 skin tone….

    1. Thanks so much Amrutaa for such kind words! It makes me so happy to know that someone enjoys reading my review – vis-à-vis just looking at the swatches! 😉

      I think you would totally rock the shade! I personally feel that we Indian girls are lucky to have a medium skin tone – coz we can get away with most colours. The shades which could look neon on WOC and Caucasian skin tones – look totally appealing on us! Do get Heroine! When i bought it, for the whole week, i refused to wear any other colour!

  2. Purple is a bit gothic like shade for me but it looks fab on you! I’d always go for lip liners over lipstick as I have more control on it and play with it beautifully.

    1. I can understand the control lip liners give. And i used to be religious about using them when i was working – coz you didn’t always get an opportunity for touchup and lip liners ensured that lipstick lasted longer. But post the kids, i think i got a little lazy and long wearing lipsticks anyways helped. But I’m enjoying them again.

      I remember about a year ago, when i first saw Heroine and i was like – who wears that! And today, I’m totally loving it. Rather, i have been on the lookout for something MORE true purple!! 😉

    1. You should totally wear your purple lip gloss Priyanka! This year actually seems to be a year of purples coz every major brand has 1-2 purple shades in their new launch.

    1. Hey Anuradha!! Thanks so much! Its such a delight to hear you say that! I missed writing too!

      As to the colour – never say never! You might fall in love with it tomorrow! 😉

  3. Wow KK, I love your lip color choices. You carry such bold shades with so much ease. I have just stepped into this purple lips zone and have just lighter shades of purple but I find dark ones more flattering. This entire Heroine series is so gorgeous.

    1. Thanks so much Shikha! I am also enjoying my purple phase enjoyable and am always on the lookout for something even more purple. ANd will be shring couple more interesting purples shortly!

  4. Me too missed your reviews here… And so happy that you are back with another great review!
    It’s such a bold color and how beautifully you are carrying it ! Looks good on you KK! Waiting for more lippie reviews????

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