In the beauty world, a red lipstick holds the same pedestal that the little black dress does in the fashion world. It never goes out of style and you can’t have enough of it. When it comes to red lipsticks though, one size does not fit all. What looks great on me might not work for your skin tone. The exception to this rule, however, is the M.A.C Ruby Woo Lipstick. It is touted to be the red lipstick to own. It’s the lipstick that brought M.A.C into the spotlight. If you’ve asked around you’ve most likely heard rave reviews and endless praises about it. Every makeup artist, beauty blogger and makeup aficionado swears by it. What is it about this lipstick that’s got the world spinning right round? The blue-based red Lipper, indeed, looks absolutely stunning on every skin tone. And we’ve got proof. We tried M.A.C’s iconic red lipstick on 16 different skin tones and we can definitely say that this lipstick is worth all the hype.
We put one of the best red lipsticks in India to test and decided to give you a real feel of what it looks like on different people. I got 16 women to put on M.A.C’s iconic Ruby Woo lipstick and take pictures for you. Here’s what this cult-favorite lipstick looks like on 16 different people and 16 different complexions…
Extraordinary Facts About M.A.C’s Ruby Woo
Substitutes For M.A.C Ruby Woo – India
Women Reviews About This Lipstick
Why Should I Pick a Red Lipstick?
A good red lipstick takes you through multiple occasions in your life. Put it on on a day when you feel a tad low and it’ll instantly lift you up. Slip into a sexy black dress, pair it with a bold red lipstick and all eyes will most definitely be on you. Wear it on your wedding day or for an Instagram selfie. If I’m being completely honest, a red lipstick needs no reason, no introduction and no season. It’s one of those colours that instantly makes you feel more confident and sexy. Give it a go and you’ll know what I mean!
What’s so great about M.A.C’s Ruby Woo?
Can one lipstick really look great on every possible skin tone? The M.A.C Ruby Woo lipstick is an ultra-matte opaque red lipstick. It has a strong blue undertone to it. This means that it’s a neutral colour which suits all skin tones. Because of the blue base, it’s also going to make your teeth look brighter. A true cherry red lipstick, the Ruby Woo comes under M.A.C’s ultra-matte lipstick umbrella. It’s highly pigmented and it’s not going to bleed or feather on your lips. If you’re a fan of M.A.C lipsticks you’d know their basic formulas are called Satin, Cremesheen, Cream, Matte, Retro Matte. The Retro Matte range is the matte-st of them all and the most long-lasting. You can apply that lipstick in the morning and be rest assured, it’s going to last you through the day. Add the benefits of that long-wearing formula to a completely opaque bright red lipstick and you’ve definitely got yourself a winner!
Is It Really Worth the Hype?
Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a person who enjoys a bold red lipstick that will stay put, come rain or shine, you will definitely like the Ruby Woo. There are however a few pros and cons to consider while picking it up.
Pros:
- The perfect red
- Ultra Matte
- Long-lasting
- The intense colour pay off
- Easy to apply
- Works on all skin tones
Cons:
- Can be a little drying
- Might accentuate chapped lips
- Tugs on your lips
- Expensive
There are definitely more pros than cons on our list! A quick tip if you plan to wear this red lipstick, I’d recommend you exfoliate your lips with your toothbrush or lip scrub before applying. This will ensure that your lips are soft, supple and don’t have any dead flaky skin on them. The lipstick really accentuates flaky, chapped lips. Another way to make applying this lipstick a little easier is to apply a drop of facial oil to your lips 10 minutes before applying your lipstick. This preps your lips by softening and moisturising them. And this way, your lips will remain soft all day long!
To Buy Or Not To Buy?
Now that we’ve established that this is a red lipstick that we and most of the world adores, the question is should you buy it. Is it worth the splurge? The price of the Ruby Woo lipstick in India is currently Rs. 1,500. You can buy the full-sized lipstick here! The good news is that the lipstick is also available in a smaller, cuter mini size! Relatively cheaper as compared to the full sized lipstick, it’s still an investment. The M.A.C Ruby Woo mini lipstick is priced at Rs 900. Buy the mini ruby woo lipstick here! The price of the lipstick, full-sized or mini might be a deal-breaker for some people but luckily, I’ve come fully equipped with cheaper alternatives to M.A.C’s Ruby Woo Lipstick.
Drugstore Dupes for M.A.C Ruby Woo Available in India
Who doesn’t love a good bargain? I’ve found you some of the best, brightest and cheapest alternatives to the Ruby Woo. You’re welcome and happy shopping!
- Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color – Stoplight Red (Rs 295) is a great budget buy and perhaps among the top 3 dupes you can find for the Ruby Woo. It’s not as matte as the Ruby Woo, but it’s most certainly extremely long-lasting. If you want your lips to look super matte, dab some tissue paper and loose powder over your lips and you’ll be good to go.
- NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick – Perfect Red (Rs 776) is right up there too in terms of dupes. It’s a matte, pigment-rich formula that’s going to make your lips pop. Since this one costs around 770 and the Ruby Woo Mini costs about 900, you might want to buy the OG Ruby Woo instead.
- Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick – 68 Matte Iconic (Rs 770) is pretty iconic as the name suggests. The formula is matte and very long lasting and surprisingly comfortable on the lips. A few swipes of this lipstick and you’ll be in love with the formula. Good luck not buying a few more shades!
- Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick – All Fired Up (Rs 325) is another brilliant dupe for the M.A.C lipstick. Don’t be fooled by the ordinary appearance. The lipstick may not look beautiful, but I assure you it’s just as good as the Ruby Woo.
- L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipsticks – Pure Rouge (Rs 750) is part of L’Oreal’s Star Collection if you can find it on sale grab away because the formula and lasting power is just as good as M.A.C’s lipstick!
- NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream – Monte Carlo (Rs 600) is a liquid lipstick that is quite similar to M.A.C’s bright poppy red. The soft matte lip cream feels like velvet on the lips. It’s not going to last you all day though so you might want to keep that in mind.
16 Women Review the M.A.C Ruby Woo Lipstick.
Here are the women who loved, hated or didn’t care much for the lipstick!
Nidhi Kavle
“This was my first ever red lipstick, I wore it non-stop for a few months when I first bought it. It had become my ‘signature look’. I either wore no lipstick or I wore Ruby Woo. It was a stark contrast. I had forgotten about this lipstick for a few years and I just recently got my hands on it again. It reminded me of just how much I love this lipstick and how great it looks on my skin. If only I remembered this before buying the other 3843023 red lipsticks that I own today!”
Sharon Alphonso
“I absolutely love how this lipstick brightens up my tired skin. On days I haven’t had enough sleep, I put this on and it not only makes me feel better but I also look fresh and vibrant!”
Aishwarya Dravid
“I love it cause it just does not budge. If I ever want to put on a lipstick that I know will stay there all day, this is the one I pick. I only wish it was a little more hydrating in terms of the formula.”
Saachi Bamba
“It’s the only red that suits my skin tone. It instantly brightens up my face! It’s my go-to lipstick whenever I want to go kajal free.”
Kannagi Desai
“I love the shade because it works on all skin tones. I love the formula because it is pigmented and doesn’t dry out my lips.”
Shreya Bhuran
“I feel confident and very, very sexy whenever I put on this lipstick. I love all bold lipsticks, light or dark, but the Ruby Woo red remains a favourite. It brightens up my skin and makes my lips look pretty irresistible and it’s perfect for date nights!”
Dipali Naphade, Senior Marathi Writer
“This lipstick gave me a whole new look – I’ve never worn anything quite like it. I didn’t even do my regular makeup, but it still looked awesome! I would say it’s the perfect colour to be paired with party wear!”
Urjita Wani
“Since I have a dusky skin tone, there are certain hues that suit me. Apart from defining my lips, M.A.C’s lipstick gave my face the finish it needed, without using any foundation. It also made my lips look fuller. I’m definitely going to buy it soon!”
Kavya Anand
“I’m the last person to wear red lipstick so when I was asked to put on the brightest red lipstick I’ve ever seen, you would understand my apprehension to oblige. I put it on anyway and I was pretty surprised. I usually hate the way red lipstick looks on my skin, but there was something about the Ruby Woo that just stood out. It made my skin look better and my blemishes somehow seemed less noticeable.”
Divya Sharma
I choose Ruby Woo for most of my night outs because it makes me feel powerful. And I love the matte finish which lasts for hours. Even if I don’t carry my lipstick with me to a party or an event, I know it’s going to stay put.
Simar Rana
“I’m not a red lipstick person. I find most red lipsticks too bright for my fair skin. M.A.C’s Ruby Woo, however, I think is just perfect! It looks just right and actually compliments me since it has just a hint of pink.”
Gopika
“Smooth application and no smudging is what makes it one of my faves. I think I’ve just found my perfect shade of red. It is not too loud or too dark – it’s just perfect! It’s also amazing how a swipe of this shade adds a touch of glam even when the rest of your face is bare.’
Sanya Jain
“I prefer Ruby Woo to other blue-toned red lipsticks. I love this shade on my complexion! It’s such a nice, glamorous red. When I compare it to the other red lipstick I often wear – Colourpop’s Creeper – I’d have to say I prefer Ruby Woo to other blue-toned red lipsticks. Not only does it look better it also feels better on my lips since it doesn’t settle into the fine lines. It’s definitely a little drying and drags when you apply, but I can live with that.”
Sonali Pawar
“I prefer a dark red or maroon shade. I have a wheatish complexion and I’m always in search of red lipsticks that suit me. Currently, I’m using Pure Red by Meilin. M.A.C’s Ruby Woo looks a bit orangish on me which I am not really fond of. Moreover, this shade will look good on me only if I wear neutral coloured outfits like black or white. It looks slightly better as I’m wearing white here, but with black outfits, I prefer a dark red or maroon shade. A single coat of Ruby Woo is a bit light for my complexion. It’s a nice shade but unfortunately, it’s too bright for me.”
Apoorva Gupta
“Ruby Woo is no doubt one of the most versatile reds, but I think it is too bright for me. I am not a lipstick person, so I can’t really say. But overall, for people who love highly pigmented lipsticks, this is definitely worth a try.”
Shivani Shrivastava
“I have a wheatish skin tone and mostly I wear nude lipsticks. Also, my dark lips make it impossible for me to wear any other bright lip shade. For a skin tone like mine, I prefer M.A.C’s All Fired Up, since I like maroons over reds – it works wonderfully for me whenever I want that bold look.”