Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Proper Plum

I am unfortunately prone to impulse buying and and frivolous purchases when it comes to makeup, but I treat each of my MAC lipstick acquisitions as thoroughly thought out and significant decisions. The fact there are just so many individual shades to choose from, some more popular and well-known than others, makes picking a lipstick a somewhat vexed exercise. I would be very hesitant to shell out $36 for a MAC lipstick here in Australia, but $15 in the US or £15 in the UK is more palatable. I'd already bought 4 lipsticks during my New York holiday last year (Shy Girl, Creme Cup, Viva Glam Nicki and Chatterbox) and had decided on two more for my trip to Europe this September: Patisserie (already reviewed here) and Plumful.





Every time I visited the MAC counter at Myer, Plumful would always call out to me before I could even pick up the lipstick and turn it upside down to confirm what shade it was. I'd already been heavily persuaded it was a must-have with Estée calling Plumful "probably [her] favourite MAC lipstick of all time", and this post by Cassie only added fuel to the fire. Even a somewhat negative review from Pam did little to dampen my resolve. It was only a matter of time before Plumful would be mine.



l-r: MAC Plumful, Australis Boogie Woogie, Revlon Soft Rose, Revlon Sugar Plum, Korres Wild Rose

Back in the day when Sarah Michelle Gellar modeled for Maybelline, I ventured into the world of lipstick for the first time, invariably finding myself drawn to some kind of unflattering, ageing (for a 13 year old), dark plummy rose colour. I can't help but feel that Plumful is like an updated, improved version of those lipsticks. The colour just seems very mature-looking and doesn't fit the mold of the pastels or brights I normally go for that I associate with being fresh, youthful and fun. I view lipstick as generally falling into two categories: "my lips but better" (some subdued peachy-pinky-nude shade), or an easy way to experiment with colour and sport something a little bold, unusual and attention-seeking. I don't tend to gravitate toward the more conventional, conservative shades that darken the lips beyond the MLBB spectrum, but not in a loud way.

Having said that, I was genuinely surprised at how many shades I have in my collection that are very similar to Plumful. Take Australis Colour Inject Mineral lipstick in Boogie Woogie — can we say dupe? The only difference to my eyes is the Australis is more opaque, not as glossy and sheer, slightly lighter and brighter with less purple. Otherwise they are the same. Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Soft Rose is more brick red than Plumful, also a tad more brown. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum is similar in texture, but not as magenta/fuchsia as Plumful. It's closer to Soft Rose in colour, more of a dull, slightly purplish, rosy red. Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose has that same bright fuchsia tone of Plumful but is sheerer, more glossy with a tinted lip balm consistency, otherwise very close in colour.

I feel Plumful is perhaps more flattering on pink-toned, paler complexions (it looks stunning on Emma for example) than warmer, more yellow skin tones. For those uncomfortable with statement-making brights or chalky pastels that can potentially wash the face out, this lipstick might be an ideal pick. The main thing I like about it is the Lustre finish, which I find hydrating and lightweight, non-staining, sheer but buildable to full colour without feeling drying, and softly glossy without being overly shiny and reflective. It gives the lips a kind of saturated, plump appearance, especially with multiple coats. Plumful was a little on the drier side initially than the also Lustre Patisserie, but became softer and more "melty" with continued use. It's what I'd wear to run errands on the weekend or for a job interview, but not to a party, concert or evening out.

42 comments:

  1. Gorgeous colour! I find it quite wearable too :)

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  2. It looks like the kind of shade you feel you should own, but not something you would gravitate towards for most of the year, especially on skin tones like ours. I considered buying Plumful for my mum, back when they had the Year of the Snake collection and the design was so beautifully molded. I've made up my mind to buy Shy Girl in duty-free on the way to China- I feel silly for putting it off for so long. I love the name so much. It's a terrible reason.

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    1. *completely legitimate reason

      Fixed that for you :p

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  3. It looks so pretty! The few times I've swatched it instore I've absolutely loved it! Definitely on my MAC lippie wishlist which is very unlikely to be fulfilled :( haha

    x Tashi
    http://shiwashiful.blogspot.com.au/

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  4. I love the look of Plumful so much- it looks like such a gorgeous colour that will be great in the cooler months! I'm hanging out to get a few lipsticks from Duty Free when I go to Singapore in January and this will definitely be amongst the ones I pick up (along with Rebel, Impassioned, and Capricious). Beautiful post xx

    acosmeticanthology.blogspot.com.au

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  5. I don't understand why Plumful tends to look 'redder' and 'pinker' on a lot of people.. it looks really pale and purplish on me T-T
    But I just personally don't like MAC lipsticks so I guess it is me to blame, not the lipsticks.LOL
    Thanks for relating my post to this review! ^^

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  6. Such a pretty shade. looks lovely on you.. looks like a wearable shade ..

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  7. Omg such a pretty shade!! I live your posts and your detailed stories!

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  8. Oooooooooh I've asked for Plumful for Christmas and this review has made me want it even more.. perfect for work/hanging about in the daytime! xxx

    StudentBeauty

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  9. This looks great! I'm obsessed with lipsticks that are a berry shade, but not too dark! I might have to pick this up!

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  10. This is one of those shades I absolutely adore on everyone other than myself! It looks really beautiful on you but it does nothing for me at all and that makes me super sad!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. Aw really? I thought it would look better on paler girls :) Hope you can find a way to make it work somehow!

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  11. I just recently picked up this shade and I haven't stopped wearing it! The perfect plummy shade :) x

    http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk
    http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. I loved your lengthy review so interesting to read. This colour looks perfect! I’ve yet to purchase a Mac lipstick but this may be the one for me! Xx

    Helen @
    http://helensfashionblog.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. This is one of my favourite MAC lipsticks.

    Katie | and-katie.com

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  14. Thank you for ruining my MAC wishlist :P I was already going to get Patisserie, but I guess that I'll have to get this bad boy as well. The colour is amazing. It reminds me of Outlaw (they would do a nice pair I believe)
    Take care, have a nice day!*

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  15. This is my all time favourite lipstick. A great formula, a nice wearable colour but still a pop of colour. Gorgeous !

    Madeline | Its a Mads Mads World

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  16. Noooooooo I'm so sad that you don't love Plumful as much as I (and many others) do :( From the picture of this swatched on your lips I think it looks lovely on you but, in the end, it's you who gets to decide whether you love it or not. At least you gave it a try? I guess? Ugh I'm terrible at trying to make people feel better haha I'm sorry :p

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  17. I would agree that the Korres lip balm is the closest to Plumful in color only differing in the intensity, yet I don't see any exact dupe, so this purchase should be well justified especially when it looks so pretty on you! :)

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    1. The Korres is definitely darker and more of a dark rose shade on the lips, perhaps a tinge more purple as well - but they swatch very similarly!

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  18. I had never even thought of this shade but now it reminds me of Revlons lip butter in Berry Smoothie and there is something about that shade that I love. x

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  19. Isn't it funny how lipstick shows up differently on various skin tones. I like it on you. I'm a MAC girl. They have so many collections and releases now I can hardly keep up. HAHAHA I did MAC Archie's Girls and Baking Beauties and then I stopped. HAHAHAHA Following you on Bloglovin.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  20. I think this looks lovely against your skin tone :) I picked this shade up most recently (a few months back) and I'm incredibly glad I did as I simply adore the shade, formula and finish of it.

    Amy x
    A Little Boat Sailing

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  21. That is a beautiful shade on you :)

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  22. I agree with you that it may look better on someone with more pink tones in their skin, but it still looks lovely on you. A great everyday shade. :)

    ~ Yun

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  23. I wish I had've bought Plumful rather than Craving, I much prefer the finish and brighten tone of Plumful.

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  24. Such a beautiful shade, it suits you well!

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  25. OMG, this shade is soooo beautiful! I love the plum pink tone in it soooo much!! it reminds me of a more pigmented Berry Smoothie lip butter! I think this and patisserie are two shades I must buy from mac!!! Thank you for sharing!

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  26. This is such a gorgeous shade :) I will have to check it out next time I am near a Mac! xx
    http://xtouchofbeautyx.blogspot.co.uk/

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  27. One of my absolute favourites, I agree it's probably more flattering cooler skins, probably why I love it so much!

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  28. This is so pretty! I love the colour, but I love that there are so many cheaper dupes ;)
    xx

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  29. I love that colour on you! Looks gorgeous! x
    www.daisydaisyxxo.blogspot.com

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  30. Ah that's such a pretty shade! I love the finish too, I love MAC lipsticks! xxx

    Gem // Miss Makeup Magpie

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  31. This is such a pretty shade. It's not one I'd heard much about. I love it when people blog about shades that arent that popular. There really are some gems!

    Leanne @ Leanne-Marie | Beauty, fashion & lifestyle. x x

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  32. oh yes, this is beenon my wish list for ever!!! looks great on you.
    Australis Boogie Woogie looks very pretty too… shame I don't know this brand and I don't believe it's available in uk :(

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    Replies
    1. It's an Australian brand (hence the name I suppose haha!) :) I went through a period when I was quite obsessed with their Colour Inject mineral lipsticks - I think I bought like 6-7 in a short period of time :\

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  33. This lipstick shade is gorgeous!

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  34. I have Plumful in my collection and love it for winter time x x

    zoetrope2468.com

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  35. I feel exactly the same way about two of my lippies: MAC Creme In Your Coffee and Fresh Sugar Plum Tint. Both deadening and aging shades that I should have gotten rid of long ago!

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  36. Thanks for the shout out! I adore this lipstick, so much so I recommended my mam to get it for my sister for Christmas and she loves it too!

    Emma x

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