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| Right: Ruby Woo Left: Russian Red |
Firstly I'll start with Ruby Woo. It has a retro matte finish, which makes it look very 50's. However, this means it can be very drying on the lips and although initially after application it doesn't look or feel dry, after a few hours it starts to crack on my lips, which isn't very appealing. But thats nothing a re-application or lip moisturiser can't solve! On the plus side, this formula means that it's very long lasting and I find I can get about 6 hours wear out of this without the colour fading. Another positive is that mattes don't transfer (retro mattes in particular) and so it doesn't go onto your bottle tops or food.
As for the colour of Ruby Woo, it is said to have a blue undertone and these blue undertones make your teeth appear whiter. However, it is very faint in Ruby Woo, unlike Russian Red. I wouldn't recommend buying Ruby Woo if you're looking for a blue under toned lipstick, as I could hardly tell myself. But, with saying that this is only my opinion and if you have cooler toned skin then the blue undertones are more likely to show through. Personally, I don't think Ruby Woo is as much of a true red than Russian Red, but thats down to my skin colour and tone. I think this lipstick would really suit cooler skin tones with more yellow in them than pink. It also looks gorgeous on tanned and dark skin especially with that yellow undertone as it brings out the complexion.
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| Without flash Right: Cherry lip liner Centre: Russian Red Left: Ruby Woo |
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| With flash Same as above |
Then there is Russian Red, which is a matte formula, so has that long lasting effect but also is easier at applying. I don't find that Russian Red makes my lips dry at all, even after a good days wear. Unfortunately it is more transferrable that Ruby Woo, but after a few hours of drying it doesn't seem to transfer.
The colour of Russian Red is more suited to a lot of skin tones and colours. It has a strong blue undertone so makes your teeth look very white! I believe this is the perfect true red as it has the right balance of colours and reminds me of a traditional, deep, intense red shade. Honestly, I think this colour suits every skin colour so you really cannot go wrong. The only preference I'd make with this lipstick is that its more suited to warmer undertones, but thats not to say it doesn't suit yellow/cooler skin tones. When I wear this lipstick I find that it makes me look paler than I am and with me being NC15 I'm fairly pale but I just have to embrace it. However, in comparison Ruby Woo makes me appear slightly more tanned, but the difference is only minute.
As for the scents of both of these lipsticks, Ruby Woo has a very faint sweet smell, whilst Russian Red has a scent that I can only really refer to as smelling like play dough. I'm aware scent isn't a priority but its always useful to know.
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| Top: Russian Red Bottom: Ruby Woo |
In conclusion, both lipsticks are great and I would recommend both! They're both mac and so far I've never had any problems with mac lipsticks, Ruby Woo was actually my first mac lipstick! If you aren't the risky type then Russian Red is your safest bet, but I cannot deny that Ruby Woo looks stunning on a lot of people! If you're looking for a more casual red then I would recommend Ruby Woo, and Russian Red for a more glamorous, formal red.
Another recommendation that I'll make is macs Cherry lip liner, which I wear with both of these, as it helps to fill in gaps in my lips and gives them a fuller look. Its also almost identical to Ruby Woo. For the purposes of the photo's, I haven't used the lip liner.
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| Mac Cherry lip liner |
All of this was just my opinion and some people may disagree, but nonetheless I hoped this help. I hope you find the right red lipstick for you!
Gina x
Lovely and helpful post! xxx
ReplyDeleteGlad to have helped!xxx
DeleteThanks so much very much needed this xxxx
DeleteVery nice post, thank you :) I absolutely share your opinion - I recommend both too! Here is my post, comparing the two M.A.C classics (it's in German, but a picture says a lot too!) : http://beeed.net/battle-of-the-best/
ReplyDeleteDita Von Teese's trademark color is Ruby Woo, though Russian Red is obviously a much more classic and traditional red-the kind that legendary sex symbols and pinups like Rita Haworth, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe wore. I definently prefer Russian Red.
ReplyDeleteNice review, but you have your skin tones all mixed up! ;) YELLOW is a WARM color , BLUE is a cool color, and so is PINK. People with a yellowish skin are WARM toned, not cool. Lipsticks with a blue base are cool, not warm. Warmer lipsticks usually suit women with warm skin tones best, while cool tones lipsticks usually suit those with cool toned skin.
ReplyDeleteYes, at the most basic level but the author is correct and more sophisticated in her analysis. Yellow and pink are both warm and cool - they are the UNDERTONES to the TONE. You can have a cool yellow and a warm pink and blue.
DeleteRuby Woo looks pinkish on you. The Russian Red looks like you say, a true red.
ReplyDeleteThis has been very helpful. Russian red will be better for me.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people keep calling cool reds a "true red". A true red color it´s a red than doesn´t lean towards any side of the color wheel (nor purple-blue, nor orange- yellow) yet most people classify Ruby Woo as a "true red". I don´t get it.
ReplyDelete