MAC Is Making Concealer Lips Cool Again
Our honest review of the brand’s relaunched Pro Lip Erase.
Skinny brows and smokey eyes are back, which means the comeback of concealer lips is long overdue. While the makeup trend is already prominent on fashion week runways and Gabbriette‘s personal beauty rotation, MAC Cosmetics is harping on our obsession with 2000s beauty by bringing back its coveted Pro Lip Erase. After being briefly discontinued, the makeup artist staple has officially returned — just in time for the Y2K renaissance.
Personally, I’ve always admired MAC’s editorial aesthetic and its commitment to delivering innovative products that are ideal for experimenting. Although I was born at the tail end of 1999, the brand’s impact on the beauty world is forever cemented into my brain — mostly because MAC products were always at the top of Christmas list. After years of haphazardly applying makeup in my Hello Kitty mirror and spending hours at the MAC counter, I knew I had to get my hands on the Pro Lip Erase when it was finally rereleased.
What To Know About MAC Cosmetics’ Pro Lip Erase
Best for: Concealer lips, base for lip colors
Price: $25 USD on the brand’s website
Rating: 9/10
Why The Hype?
Unlike actual concealer, the Pro Lip Erase is specifically formulated for lips. Meaning, it feels hydrating and lightweight while still delivering the pigment of a concealer. For its recent rerelease, MAC also expanded its shade range to include ten shades across all skin tones — while the original version only included fair and light shades. Beyond being the best product for concealer lips, the Pro Lip Erase is also popular among professional makeup artists for creating a seamless base for lip color.
How To Use
The Pro Lip Erase can be applied with a lip brush or by tapping it on with your fingers. Its formula is similar to a dewy foundation, meaning you can maximize coverage by packing on more product, or sheer it out as needed. However, unlike matte lip products, it has a balmy texture that feels flexible on the lips — which also means you need to set it in place.
Since it can be worn on its own or as a base for other lip products, the Pro Lip Erase is more versatile than you might think. MAC suggests pairing it with lip liner or gloss for a complete lip look. However, because it’s designed to go on like concealer, precise application can be tricky. For a true concealer lip, apply a nude liner to define your lips before applying. Like the rest of MAC’s products, you can play around with different lip liner and gloss combinations in order to achieve your desired outcome.
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An Honest Review
I have fond memories of the MAC products I owned in the late 2000s, and the Pro Lip Erase has always been one of my favorites because of how it fundamentally encourages play. With that being said, the shade extension was extremely necessary. I typically wear face products in the medium shade range and I couldn’t imagine continuing to wear the fair shades that don’t match my skin tone in the slightest. However, I also realized that although the new shades only come in neutral and cool tones, a lot of the shades in the medium and deep family pull red undertones, which is especially apparent when I wear the medium cool shade which I considered to be the closest match to my usual foundation shade.
Additionally, I recognize that there aren’t many other products on the market that deliver the same results — and especially not ones formulated for lips. Since the Pro Lip Erase feels incredibly moisturizing on the lips, it’s not incredibly long wearing. When used as a base, it grips on to product impeccably — but when worn on its own, it’ll require touch ups. As the weather grows colder, my lips are often in need of extra hydration and thankfully, the Pro Lip Erase never leaves my lips feeling stripped or dry. More importantly, it’s been an essential part of all my Y2K-inspired makeup looks and a straight-forward way to neutralize lip products in my collection.
The Final Verdict
If you’re big on editorial makeup looks that require high impact lip color or erasing your lips completely, the Pro Lip Erase is a must. In addition to achieving buttery soft concealer lips every time, it comes in handy for a plethora of different makeup looks. Because unlike other lip products, it can be worn a multitude of ways and isn’t confined to a single lip look.
If you’re looking for a true lip eraser, consider going in person to swatch a few different shades to find your perfect fit. Even if you’re not crazy about concealer lips, the Pro Lip Erase is one of MAC’s most famed products for a reason. Just like its original release, it’s only around for a limited time — so consider picking it up before you’re stuck with “gently used” versions on Ebay.
While you’re here, read about The Ordinary’s “Periodic Fable” campaign.
