My brother bought the subculture lip pencil for me in the US, as MAC is much more expensive in Germany.
Unfortunately, I had only seen swatches on the website and asked him (what a hard task for a man!) to choose the hue which he thought more suitable, i.e. "pinkish brown",
among subculture, dervish, whirl and soar.
He came back with subculture (defined on the website as 'underground pink'). If it had been exactly as it looks on the swatch (slightly mauvish), it would have been perfect for me (fair-medium skin tone, I think warm undertone, green eyes, blond). But swatches, sadly, never reproduce the original color and the mauvish hue is totally absent in the formulation of subculture.
I presume it was the most "pinkish brown" among the four mentioned above, in any case.
The texture is very good, not too hard nor too soft and it defines my lips perfectly, doesn't smudge. But it's a bit too neutral for my taste and it has a slight yellow undertone, which, I think, is very unflattering for sallow complexion.
If you love the nude look, subculture is perfect.
I don't like it very much as it makes me look a bit "washed down".

I have terrible lips, they are skinny, undefined, they pretty much suck. I have a huge bin if lip glosses, lipsticks etc. lord knows how much $ I've spent. Enter in MAC subculture lip liner. Now all of those glosses/lipsticks are being used, this liner defines my lips just enough to hold color, bright color and natural color, just with a gloss? looks great. Very Happy! Love it!!!

I am the same colouring as the reviewer below as I am around NC43 and would agree with her comments. however the consistency of this l/l isnt as soft or smooth as spice or whirl and so you have to work quite ard to transfer the colour to the lips which as the colour is a bit too pale for my lips is a good thing. I think some of the MAC lipliners textures/consistenies differ. The one and Dervish seem to have the same as both have a sort of micro shimmer running through and both are absolutely rubbish in actually trying to get any colour onto the lips as the formula is really hard. I have better liners from high street / drugstore brands.
I use this as a matt base something for lipsticks to grab ontoand will try and use it up this way but will not repurchase.
Better for someone will pale lips as the colour is a pale nude pink - good if your are trying to rock the 60's vibe.

I don't mean to bring the rating of this down, but its definitely not for darker women or pigmented lips...it looked too ashy on me (NC 43/ BB Honey) and I couldn't use any lipstick to make this work! Just not my colour...

I purchased this after a MAC makeup artist recommend it to me.
I am a fan of MAC liners but found this colour too beige/yellow for my skin tone.
I have naturally pink lips and my skin is fair to medium in a neutral tone. Subculture did not have the pinky neutral look that I was after.
I found another MAC pecil in Dervish which is a flattering and versatile pinky beige.
I've tried to use Subculture as I don't like to waste makeup but I keep going back to Dervish.

A really good neutral lipliner! Spice was way too dark for my NC15 skin tone, so I'm very happy to have found this liner. I found it applied smooth, and wasn't drying, like most reviewers said. However, this definitely doesn't have lasting power. Overall I'm happy to have found this product!

Subculture has gained HG status in my collection. It is MLBB for me (my lips but better). It's the most natural lip liner for me, neither too dark, nor too light. I can pair it with any lipstick cos it doesn't show as if I lined my lips but i just defines and intensifies the contures of my lips. Texture is a little dry and it's not very long lasting, but for that color, I am not complaining.

This is my favourite lip liner. Exactly MLBB colour, not orange at all even though I'm fairly cool toned. Goes well with every light color, nude, pink, peach, beige etc. Creamy and long lasting.
Similar to L'oreal contour parfait 655 rose beige though.

Love this. Perfect nude liner for my lip color. Just enough color to define your lips. great for everyday.

This is a nice neutral colored l/l. I would describe this color as similar in tone to spice, but lighter. This liner is a little hard/dry; I wish it was a little softer. The color is nice, however it's too orangey for me. I am an NC15, and it washes me out because it's so warm toned. I bought this liner because it's one of the lighter shades from MAC, but I wish it was more pink and less orange. I didn't realize how orangey it was in the store :-/

I bought this to go with mac Blankety lipstick. It seems to compliment it nicely. It's creamy and easy to control when applying. I agree with other reviewers who said it feels dry on (hence the reduced rating), but I suppose that's what they invented lipgloss for, right? It stays on well and would probably suit other nude lipsticks. That said, for the price, I'm sure you could find cheaper alternatives that would work just as well. I was just impatient to find something for my lipstick and didn't bother searching. Mac C-thru lipglass completed the look nicely. For reference, I'm pale with bit of pink in my cheeks, dark hair and green eyes.
Note: I always rate mac products as very expensive because in Australia (due to luxury import taxes) they are very overpriced. That said, I'd sooner pay for quality than skimp and look clownish.

I am NW 15 and if you are really cool toned with lots of pink pigment in your lips, I would suggest you run as far as you can from this liner!! Every MA wants to put this on me and I'm always tempted. But it comes out brick orange- so not flattering. Ive tried it with so many things and I'm always disappointed. Never again!! If this didn't force me to give at least one lippie it wouldn't get any!! But seriously, this will look good on someone maybe, but never on me or anyone that looks like me, lol.

Tried this a while back,not impressed at all.I use a light neutral toned lipliner to fill most of my lips in,because my lips are light and I feel it holds my lip products for hours if I do that...anyway,this lasted me maybe 2 weeks of daily use,boo! I have no clue when it gets close to running out.The self sharpening aspect is great however it is not cost effective for as little product you get for the $$.Will not buy again,I like regular pencil type liners over this.

I never really used lipliner but my SA convinced me to try this with my Blankety lipstick and I'm really glad I got it!! Blankety is a little too light for me so Subculture really gives it a nice pop. It's not too warm or cool, just a nice nude color that works with almost every lip color there is. Looking forward to pairing this with other lipsticks and glosses

I like to wear this lipliner with nude pink and peachy lipsticks. It looks great on and makes my lips pop.

I thought this was fine the very first time I used it, then I kept finding faults with it and realised that this is one of those products that is just overly hyped up. The colour is alright, plenty of dupes to be found out there, and if at least if it managed to last for 30 mins before disappearing I wouldn't even mention the word dupe. Benefit's cupid's bow is great, and is very similar in colour to this and really lasts.. Disappointing mac product.

This is my only lip liner, but I do love it. It's like a peachier, slightly more nude version of my own lips. I bought it paired with Viva Glam Gaga II so that I could warm it up a bit (although I can wear the VGGII on its own if I want a very nice "mod" look). However, I can and do wear Subculture under Love Nectar in particular, and sometimes by itself with a clear gloss or lip balm because it makes for an extremely flattering, but subtle nude.

I totally agree with the reviewer below. This shade happens to be the exact color of my lips. And I have definately noticed this being harder to apply. I have plum and whirl lipliners and they are both really creamy and smooth. Subculture for some reason is just drier, and while I do like it when I'm going for a nude look, it's a pain to apply. I thought I had gotten a bad batch maybe. I wouldn't buy again only because I know there are similar colors out there that might be creamier.

I love this color for natural looks and I love how defined my lips look with it. The problem I have with this particular color is that it seems harder than other colors and tugs at my lips. I don't have this problem with Dervish or Spice. The color is perfect and I said I would repurchase but it's only until I find a similar color that is creamier.

I was introduced to this color by a MA who suggested I pair it with Viva Glam Cyndi to tone down the color for work. However since its a neutral shade I find I can use it for other lipstick/gloss colors as well. I love when I can find items which are versatile, Subculture can definitely be considered one of those items.