MAC • Sheer Plum • Lipstick

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kolwink on 9/27/2012 8:03:00 PM more reviews by kolwink

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Wow, I can pinpoint exactly when I bought this: right before high school prom. So ... April 2000. And it's still the only lipstick I own.


Since prom was coming up, I figure I should buy my first-ever cosmetics. I remember going to the MAC counter at the San Francisco Macy's, and a flamboyant man completely befuddled me (and was in turn befuddled). I don't think he'd ever met anyone so anti-makeup before.


Anyway, no matter what colors he painted my lips, I still thought I looked like a clown. I have full lips, and to this day I can't shake the thought that ALL lipstick makes me look ridiculous. I don't know what color looks good on me, frankly.


I remember that the MAC dude, finally desperate, steered me towards this "Sheer Plum" option. "Look, it's as if you're hardly wearing anything at all!" But ... you can totally tell that it's not my natural lip color. It's a little bit pinkishly plum, if I may coin words freely. And it is a little sticky. The husband has said that he is not a fan. So ... I would not repurchase. Instead, I will probably take another 5-10 years on an obsessive search for the perfect, natural, organic lip product that doesn't seem as if I'm wearing anything at all.


But, on the plus side, this lipstick always makes me think of cookies, candy, or just good old plain sugar, whenever I smell it. So that's nice.

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shybutterfly0910 on 4/27/2012 8:21:00 PM more reviews by shybutterfly0910

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

All medium-medium dark skin with yellow undertone should get this lippie. It shows up as a browny red on my skin tone. Love love love it! Its not as dark as its a lustre finish. Would definitely repurchase when I run out!

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aadean on 12/13/2011 3:01:00 PM more reviews by aadean

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely love this lipstick! Nothing like the picture, thank God. It's sheer plum with a hint of brown to warm it up ..so it's not too plummy:) Not too dark (harsh)...very soft look. Color can be deepened if you apply more coats. Perfect shade for fall/winter. Oh wait..did I mention how white my teeth look wearing this??? Love it!

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*TOP REVIEWER* desertwaya on 10/19/2011 6:40:00 PM more reviews by desertwaya

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This was the shade i picked when i B2Med. It wasn't the exact shade i was looking for but when i swatched it i loved it. This is a browned plum as indicated by MAC (natural red plum that is, not the purple plums). It is sheer but you can also layer it for opaque-ness. This looks pretty good with my nat strawberry blonde hair & when i dye it light auburn :D

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bettygrrl23 on 1/29/2011 6:36:00 AM more reviews by bettygrrl23

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I can't believe they even call it Sheer Plum! It's not sheer or anywhere near a plum shade. The color is more of a light brick brown red with a hint of orange. It's a pretty color, but nothing in terms of what it's described. Luckily the shade goes with my skin tone.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lygophilia on 12/3/2010 3:27:00 AM more reviews by lygophilia

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Sadly not a good shade for me as it's too brown and I swear I wore similar shades like this one back in the 90's. This lipstick makes me feel and look old. Not MAC's fault at all, but I just don't feel or think this shade suites me, my tastes, or my fair complexion. I gifted this to a friend and it looks fantastic on her and her medium/tan complexion. She loves the creamy formula, the colour, the versatility of this shade for her many make-up looks, and feels confident wearing this lipstick. Personally not on my repurchase list.

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lipstickfashionista on 10/31/2010 12:06:00 AM more reviews by lipstickfashionista

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

As everyone has said the name of this color is truly a misnomer--it is not sheer nor plum! I was hoping for a brownish plum color, but this turned out much more red than expected. I was more satisfied with my purchases of Polished Up and the Tartan Tale A Fabulous Fantasy lip kit, which had raisin lustres that were more what I had in mind. If you want a deep red color, great, but if not save the money.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kitty_82 on 6/19/2009 1:14:00 AM more reviews by Kitty_82

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is my every day lipstick. When I wear neutral eyes (most days) this is always a perfect match.

I can and do wear it without foundation, too-- it's forgiving and draws no attention to itself or other features, really.

The name is misleading. I don't find this sheer (though it doesn't last all that long) or plum (it's a medium berryish brown). It's so easy to wear and apply, though, that you can do it walking down the street with a coffee in your other hand.

I hope they never discontinue this. I need something stress-free that is always appropriate! I repurchase this every 5 months or so.

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Miki1985 on 12/20/2007 10:51:00 PM more reviews by Miki1985

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I quite like this. It looks like a straight dark brown in the tube, but is a beautiful berry-brown on the lips. It's somewhat dark, but I think the Lustre finish helps in that it's not too flat, matte, or opaque, which would make this color look dated. Leaves a pretty stain on the lips when it fades, applies smoothly, and smells like vanilla.

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specialkalle on 10/27/2006 4:20:00 PM more reviews by specialkalle

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

First of all, I really love this color, which is not plum at all really. More like a red wine shade. I like to use balm first and then a coat of the lipstick but it wears away rather quickly. I like the sheer look. I was upset about the lasting power so i tried using lip liner underneath, the lipstick, blot- more lipstick, and the color was a lot darker of course and i didn't like that much. The only thing good about this lipstick is the color- otherwise, it doesn't stay on for more than a few minutes and is kind of worthless.

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*TOP REVIEWER* izzybella on 5/21/2006 2:59:00 PM more reviews by izzybella

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

The Mac SA suggested this to me after both Sophisto and Sundressing were too bright berry on my pigmented lips. For whatever reason, Sheer Plum showed up just as the two others had - too bright. I guess I'll just have to keep on looking!

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*TOP REVIEWER* fivezero on 4/25/2006 11:09:00 PM more reviews by fivezero

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Love, love, love this lipstick - it's a no-brainer and goes with practically everything. I'm NC30/35 and it's one of my HG lipsticks. I don't get why it's called plum, however, because it is a warm red to me. I'm running kind of low, though, and haven't tried the recently reformulated version of Sheer Plum. Hope it's just as good, or better!

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*TOP REVIEWER* theminx on 12/31/2005 3:24:00 AM more reviews by theminx

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Dark   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

Misleading name - this is neither sheer nor plum! Having said that, this colour sure is hard to describe. Most of the time on my DDD skintone it's a natural-looking warm pinky-brown, but under some lighting it's more a reddish brown. Not impressed by the lack of staying power though. If you like Polished Up, Desire and Spice It Up you might like this.

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pc1546 on 1/6/2005 7:24:00 PM more reviews by pc1546

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love this brownish plum colour. And because the color is a deep tone, the coverage is not sheer as the name implies. I also like the moist texture and shine. The negatives are that the moisture and shine last about an hour (and that's without eating or drinking) and there is a slight vanilla scent that I don't care for. I would buy other colours.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dior_duchess on 12/27/2004 1:14:00 AM more reviews by dior_duchess

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I will agree with the statement that the name is highly misleading-- I detect no purple tones in this lipstick. Lately I let my hair go back to its natural color (medium brown), so I decided to dig through my brown lipsticks in hopes of finding something more suitable for my new mature look. I found this. It's a medium brown with some berry undertones. It goes on a bit sheer, making it not as intense as I thought, so I like it. It's not an everyday color, per say, but it's a pretty color with good staying power.

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*TOP REVIEWER* TeeCube on 12/12/2004 6:06:00 PM more reviews by TeeCube

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

The most gorgeous chocolate, rouge red berry shade of lipstick ever! It's sheer and it covers well at the same time. It's definitely one of my favorites.

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*TOP REVIEWER* pretty_please on 10/11/2004 4:48:00 PM more reviews by pretty_please

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

this gives a very similar look to Cliniques Black Honey Almost l
Lipstick...but it lasts longer than Black Honey.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jasmin3w4 on 7/31/2004 6:29:00 PM more reviews by jasmin3w4

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I really liked this color. It looks dark in the tube but goes on sheerer plum color that is not overpowering. Unfortunately, I left this in my car on a hot day and it melted. I have to use a lip brush to get the rest of it out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Star5181 on 5/28/2004 1:36:00 PM more reviews by Star5181

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

The name "Sheer Plum" is very misleading - I was hoping for a plum lipstick, but this was reddish-brown! Not at all what I was expecting, and it just doesn't work for my cool coloring. MCA does have great quality lipsticks but I wouldn't buy this one again.

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hsm19 on 5/6/2004 10:32:00 PM more reviews by hsm19

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great color, seemingly all-around! I have a very dark tan complexion, black hair, brown eyes and this is just the right amount of color for me for a very natural look. True, it is not really very plum, more of a rosy brown color. It's great for those days when you just need to brighten up your face with one product.

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