If desired, a clear gloss goes on well over this lipstick, allowing you to easily upgrade the matte finish to a high shine. (BestReviews)

The best way to help define and draw attention to your lips is by wearing a great lipstick. However, finding the right product that makes your lips look their best without fading, drying out, flaking off or staining can be difficult.

MAC Cosmetics is known for creamy, rich formulas that offer a high color payoff. MAC Matte Lipstick promises to define and showcase lips while lasting 10 hours.

We were curious if MAC Matte Lipstick could really draw attention to the lips, making them full, rich and well defined. So, we decided to test this product to see if the advertising claims were true: Does this matte lipstick really help define and showcase your lips? Here is what we found.

We chose a tester who regularly uses a matte or velvet-style lipstick because they prefer the smooth finish and evenness of that type of lipstick. Our tester doesn’t like lipstick that feels dry or caked on; they prefer having lips that feel hydrated and moist. Additionally, our tester likes neutral colors that can be worn often.

For this article, our tester wore MAC’s Velvet Teddy matte lipstick for several days and took in-depth notes regarding the experience. These notes were used to compile this review.

MAC Matte Lipstick is a rich, creamy lipstick that offers a high color payoff with a no-shine finish. The black case with the silver tube has a stylish look, and the size of the lipstick is comparable to other standard lipsticks. The MAC lipstick colors include over 30 shades, such as Candy Yum-Yum, Lady Danger, Double Fudge, Velvet Teddy, Marrakesh, Diva, Smoked Purple and more.

The lipstick has a slanted surface with a pointed tip that allows for precision application onto your lips. Multiple coats and touch-ups can be applied.

Besides using the classic method of applying the lipstick directly to your lips, you can get a more dynamic result by first applying MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer to your lips. Additionally, applying an appropriate shade of lip liner can enhance the definition and highlight the natural shape of your lips. Adding a layer of MAC Lipglass Clear can give you a high-shine finish.

When we applied the MAC lipstick, it went on very smoothly and only required two coats for full coverage. The process was quick and easy, resulting in a matte, dark nude color.

Compared to competitors’ brands that we have tested, the MAC lipstick stayed on well throughout the day, with a touch-up needed every hour or two. Also, the MAC lipstick continues to hydrate your lips while you are wearing it, and it dries without flaking. This allowed for smooth and easy reapplication, letting us add more coats directly onto the existing lipstick.

The process of removing the MAC lipstick was not time-consuming—we simply used a makeup-removing wipe to take off the lipstick at the end of the day. However, because the MAC lipstick matte is highly pigmented, the lip color stays on well, which can make it more difficult to remove than other lipsticks.

MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer: available at Macy’s and Ulta

This color-free base is a primer that improves the appearance of other applied lip products. To use, apply a thin coat over the entire lip area to reduce lipstick feathering and add moisture to your lips. Then apply lip color and, if desired, lip liner.

MAC Amplified Lipstick: available at Macy’s

Amplified Lipstick is an ultra-creamy product that goes on smoothly and provides full coverage with bold color and a semi-lustrous finish.

MAC Lipglass: available at Macy’s and Ulta

This lip gloss comes in 25 different colors and provides a glass-like finish. It can be worn on its own or over lipstick/lip pencil. Lipglass contains jojoba oil that can help condition and soften your lips.

The cost of MAC Matte Lipstick is $19.

MAC Matte Lipstick is available at Macy's and Ulta.

The best aspect of the MAC Matte Lipstick is the ability to have a matte finish without the dryness that is typical of a matte finish—your lips still feel hydrated after the lipstick has dried. Also, since the MAC lipstick is highly pigmented, you will notice a significant color change within two coats. Once applied, this lipstick will stay on and hold its color longer than competing brands.

While this lipstick is not promoted as being a lip stain, it seems to have similar characteristics, which may make the color more durable than expected. Additionally, the difficult removal could be a downside for some users.

At $19, the MAC's Matte Lipstick offers a great value.​​ It's ideal for someone who wants a quick application of no-shine lipstick that will hold its color, helping define and showcase lips for an entire day.

Allen Foster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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