MAC Ruby Woo: Review, Swatches, FOTD

I really like these retro looking pictures with rounded corners to an extent that I use them all the time, almost everywhere and I have to stop myself from doing this a lot of times! But I took the liberty to do it here as much as I wanted to. (It's another thing that most of those pictures aren't being used now! Sigh!) Oh and I digress. I did it becauseee (well ya, other than the fact that I'm crazy) the product in question here is a 'Retro Matte' lipstick from MAC called Ruby Woo.

Ruby Woo is a cult favourite and for good reason. Honestly, when I decided I wanted a red, I always knew I wanted Lady Danger. I thought Ruby Woo too be too deep (Probably because I'd seen it only on white skin before) and not as bright as, say even Russian Red (which is also one of the best selling MAC Red lipsticks) I mean look at the MAC website! Ruby Woo looks like a dull cousin to Russian Red. But judging from the swatches online, I wasn't ever drawn to it. Lady Danger gave me sleepless nights! (No, I don't have it yet.) But ohh how wrong was I! For reference, see the last picture on Temptalia here.

TOP: 1 Swipe. BOTTOM: 3 Swipes

Colour: MAC Describes Ruby Woo as a very matte, vivid blue-red. I'm unsure. In some pictures online, you can tell the blue undertone, but in mine, you just cant! It isn't blue based on me. It is definitely yellow based on my skin tone (NC 40 MAC). It's a true red and such a pretty one at that, full of retro charm. This is one of easiest reds to carry off.
I was very skeptical about reds otherwise. Ruby Woo changed that and my life! lol I remember getting it as soon as I tried it on (It was the eve of 'karva chauth' last year [which btw was Oct 15 2011] I swear it wasn't planned at all. I'm not that cheezy!) My stunning, red lip loving friend Sonia would be mighty pleased with herself for getting me to try red!

Texture: Ruby Woo is a Retro Matte lipstick. This, I think means (when compared to Matte lipsticks from MAC) the formula is drier. The tester (kept open) is really dry and needs really prepped lips to work on. Chapped lips cant carry these. You'd need to apply lipbalm, let it work, wipe it off THEN use this lipstick.My lipstick is easily an year old and is getting dry now though that dint alter the pigmentation at all. However, this ensures that Ruby Woo is the longest wearing lipstick in my stash. This baby wont budge! No sir ma'am, it wont!

That's my friend Mitali** and me wearing Ruby Woo. (She's wearing Ruby woo sheered out.)

Finish:The texture not being the easiest pays off here! The finish is like velvet though slightly powdery. I mean, it looks like velvet. I am really not good at this (I figured now. Too late man!) Okay let's just say that it is elegant and sophisticated and very very classy. Zero sheen but a velvet quality that adds dimension to your lips (Not too bad now. eh?!)

Price: Rs 990

Highly recommend it! Go for it!

I couldn't help retro-ing myself!

** Mitali, this is your face's debut on Makeup Monologues! Smile and wave!