The first time I saw the MAC Acting Natural Matte lipstick I burst out laughing. Like literally. I could not contain my laughter.
My first thought: ‘What the hell was MAC thinking?’
The brand is known for its groundbreaking shades, but this one looked just awful.

It was a slight tan and grayish hue that I just knew could not possibly look good on anyone. So, I kept it pushing.
But, for some reason, this lipstick kept calling out to me every time I passed a MAC store or a counter. Very surprising, considering that I’m such a red lipstick girlie.
After several weeks, I threw my hands in the air and said what the hell, I’ll try it.
The MAC saleswoman eagerly sterilised the lipstick and I applied it to my lips.
My first thought, “what in the Tyrone Biggums is this?”


How The Mac Acting Natural Matte Lipstick Looks On First Application
If any of you have ever watched Dave Chappelle’s Chappelle’s Show and seen his crackhead character, Tyrone Biggums, you’d know this is not a compliment.
The shade was absolutely horrible.
It made me look ghoulish.
But, then the MAC saleswoman suggested I pair it with a plum lip liner and everything changed.

About MAC Acting Natural Matte Lipstick
The MAC Acting Natural Matte lipstick has a lightweight, creamy texture with a soft-matte, natural finish. So, it feels great on the lips.
It also applies effortlessly, so no tugging or dragging like I used to feel with the brand’s original Ruby Woo formula. That was a nightmare.
Expect this lipstick to stay put for six to eight hours before reapplying.
What I Did To Give This Nude Lipstick Life
To bring out this nude lipstick’s beauty, I paired it with several lip liners: Plum, Root For Me and the holy grail of lip liners, Chestnut. Each of them looked fantastic.
In fact, the makeup artist at the MAC counter used both Plum and Root For Me at the same time.

We applied Acting Natural in the centre of my lips and let the lip liner do the heavy lifting. To finish off, we topped it with a clear gloss. It was gorgeous, and honestly, I could hardly believe it was the same lipstick I had balked at.
Pro Tip: Apply the lip liner after the lipstick so that it the liner is more defined. If you want a softer line, apply the lip liner before.
As a Black woman, I find nude lipsticks to be pretty hit or miss, so when I find one that is fantastic, I hold on to it for dear life.

Final Verdict For The Mac Acting Natural Matte Lipstick
The MAC Acting Natural Matte lipstick is a winner, but she had help. She needed her sidekick (her liner) to make her pop.
I loved the way it felt on my lips and I got so many compliments as I was walking around running errands.
One lady asked me what I was wearing, and when I pulled out the lipstick bullet to show her, she made a scowl on her face and said, “that’s what you’re wearing?” I had to tell her the full story.

It was hilarious.
Definitely try the MAC Acting Natural Matte lipstick. It’s perfect for everyday wear, as well as for glam events.
*Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. All of my thoughts are my own and I would never recommend a product or gift that I do not stand by 100%.*