Nov 2, 2014

FOTD - Ruby Woo

As promised, here is a very simple look with MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick.
Please see my overview on the MAC Keepsakes Red Lip Bag for swatches and comparison.


MAC Ruby Woo FOTD
Ruby Woo FOTD


MAC Ruby Woo is probably the only opaque red that I can decently pull off.
In my opinion, what makes this blue-toned red so unique is the ultra matte finish, not the color itself. There are many similar ones out there, but other finishes (satiny, creamy, glossy,..) combined with this already intense color does not really work on my complexion. 

Which is why I cannot pull off Ruby Woo Lipglass by itself although it is an amazing color for sure.
MAC Ruby Woo Lipglass swatch
Ruby Woo Lipglass

This is pretty much with one coat and I actually sheered it out quite a bit, so you see it is a great choice if shiny opaque gloss is your thing.
Formula wise, it is a vast improvement from the last MAC Lipglass I had. I have no complaint. It is much like the reformulated NARS Lip Gloss.


When blotted lightly, it leaves a really natural and flattering stain behind, which also lasts for a while.

And this actually makes a great base for MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick!
I suppose you could put on the Lipglass on top of the Lipstick to boost up the color and add moisture,   but that is just too much for me and rather pointless since I like the matte finish.


It is recommended to prep your lips with lip balm before applying Ruby Woo Lipstick
However, those emollient slippery types don't work with the matte formula. Waxy ones like Burt's Bees Lip Balm are your best bet. I've tried this and it works well for the initial application, but I still find it doesn't help by much regarding the drying effect. This waxy lip balm/Ruby Woo lipstick combo still leaves my lips parched by midday.


MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick swatch
Ruby Woo Lipstick


So far, the best way for me to wear Ruby Woo Lipstick without sacrificing the beautiful matte finish is,

1. put on a very little amount of emollient balm (like Smith's Rosebud Salve) on the lips and smooth it out carefully.
2. Let it sit so it can be absorbed.
3. Blot lightly
4. Apply Ruby Woo Lipglass and blot it off
5. Apply Ruby Woo Lipstick straight from the bullet
6. Clean up the uneven lines using Ruby Woo Lip Pencil

This may sound too complicated, but I promise you it isn't so bad. Most importantly, it is totally worth the time and the effort. You can skip the step 4 and 6 if you don't have the Lipglass or the Pencil. The result is similar.

I was out all day wearing Ruby Woo and I was really surprised to see how well it stayed on my lips. It was windy but I didn't have to suffer the pain of hair sticking on the lips. My lips felt comfortable, too.
Although it is very resistant to drinking, you will see some patchy spots after eating greasy stuff especially in the middle. Reapplying Ruby Woo Lipstick won't work in this case (it simply wouldn't adhere to the wet bald spot). The Lipglass comes to your rescue, though! Smooth on a little bit of Ruby Woo Lipglass in the middle and you're good to go again.


MAC Ruby Woo FOTD
A drop of Shiseido Sheer And Perfect Foundation mixed with two pumps of Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer 07 was used for a sheer yet luminous base.
Powder and blush were skipped.
For eyes, I just defined them using Viseé Smoky Rich Eyes GY-7 (told you its "nothingness" is useful sometimes).
This is a minimalistic look that also goes well with eyeglasses.



Hope this post is helpful for those who find Ruby Woo Lipstick impossible to wear due to the drying formula. 
With a bit of additional effort, Ruby Woo actually could be low maintenance compared to some of the red lip colors out there. Having the set with the same shade of Lipglass and Lip Pencil definitely makes it easier, too.


Do you own a Ruby Woo Lipstick?
What is your trick to use this lipstick with rather fussy formula?







Join the conversation!

  1. Love the simple and clean French girl chic weekend look. :)

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    1. Thank you, Liz. :)
      Apparently a clean weekend look requires way more work but love that looked "French" ;)

      Delete
  2. Hey Lena, the combo is gorgeous on you! I'm so sorry to hear none of the three products works well enough on its own though. I am too lazy to do this much layering. If I bust a lip brush or lip liner out, it's already me having a lot of patience!

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    1. Thanks, Sunny!
      It is quite all right. I knew what I was getting into. I'm just glad Ruby Woo is working out better for me this time. :)

      Delete
  3. So vampy! Also loving your luminous complexion, I've been obsessed with luminous primers ever since Autumn started kicking in!

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    1. Thank you. :)
      The GA Fluid Sheer works more as a primer than a luminizer. I mix it with everything and it is always better. :)

      Delete
  4. These are great tips, Lena! I love the color on you - so fresh and classically chic! I agree that it sounds like a lot of work, but in practice it isn't really that much, especially if you really want to wear a red lip, lol! I am lazy, so I like swipe & go lipsticks and glosses, but this is a super convenient set for that perfect killer red lip.

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    1. Thanks, Larie. :)
      Yeah, I believe even regular red lipsticks need that much. I didn't have to go through filling in with lipliner or anything crazy. I'm happy that it isn't all that drying, either.

      Delete
  5. Oh, I thought the color looked gorgeous in the tube, but it looks even more stunning on you. What a vibrant color!

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie. :)
      Red lippies do photograph well and I really like this red color.

      Delete
  6. This lip color looks beautiful with your skin tone. I tend to layer my lip products a lot, so the layering doesn't bother me :)
    Xx
    Jenny

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    1. Thank you, Jenny. :)
      Once done, it is pretty much low maintenance. It is doable. :)

      Delete
  7. The lipgloss looks lovely but WOW the lipstick just bang on your complexion! I've heard and seen nothing but great reviews of their reds and I'm probably gonna cave in one of these days!

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    1. LOL. Thanks, Sharlynn. ;D
      It is a great retro red and the finish makes it even special.

      Delete
  8. WOW! SO pretty! I wish I could wear Ruby Woo as well as you do!

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    1. I don't know if I can wear it "well". I'm just glad I can pull it off. Thanks, Tracy. :)

      Delete
  9. I absolutely love this look! I don't own any matte Mac lipsticks though, they are just too dry. I am a swipe-from-the-tube lip product girl.

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    1. Thank you, Bella! :)
      I usually steer clear away from opaque bright colors but Ruby Woo is different somehow. I have tons of sheer glossy ones for everyday, and it is a nice break. :)

      Delete
  10. I love this look on you Lena! Too bad the lipstick is too drying. I am a girl who prefers comfort to colour, and I always think there's something similar out there. That's the reason I don't own any MAC lipsticks. Most of them leave my lips dry and flaky, and I just don't bother anymore :-P

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks, Lily!
      It is drying but it is not as drying as some of the glossy-at-first-then-peels-your-lips kind, if that make any sense to you. ;)
      I'm still curious about MAC's sheer ones but I have to agree that most of them are drying on me. ;-/

      Delete
  11. Gosh, Ruby Woo is stunning on you! And how pretty is the lipglass? Leaves such a flattering stain behind :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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    1. Thank you, Jen!
      The lipglass would look perfect on you. :)

      Delete
  12. Thanks for the tips & tricks, Lena! It sounds easy enough for me. I have Riri Woo and it looks like it's a notch darker than Ruby Woo. I think the formula is different, too, as Riri Woo is a retro matte.

    Love your finished look! So chic! :D

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    1. My pleasure, Jaa! :)
      I heard Riri Woo is very very similar and the formula is better although they both are retro mattes. I'll have to look for your review on it (and drool a bit) ;p

      Delete
  13. The blotted lipglass is my favourite look, though I really like the punch of red the lipstick gives.

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    1. Yes, I kind of have to blot it off otherwise it is too much. It looks great that way although some might say it is a waste. ;p

      Delete
  14. You look amazing with this red! Very classic look. I like the boldness of the lipstick, but the blotted lipglass is also very nice. :)

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    1. Thanks, Cathy!
      Ruby Woo is quite cool-toned and easier for me to pull than other reds. It is a bit of princess, though. ;p

      Delete
  15. Simply Love the Color ^_^ I am so into this kind of color nowadays

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    1. Thank you! We all need a good red lipstick. :)

      Delete
  16. I looks absolutely stunning on you!
    http://steph-g.blogspot.com/

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  17. Replies
    1. Thank you, Michelle. :)
      It is so difficult to find a right shade of red lipstick. This one isn't easy but worth the effort. :)

      Delete
  18. Oh! Lena, this is so pretty! Both as a blotted lipgloss (I do love a blotted gloss) and as a matte lipstick. ♥

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    1. Thanks, Rae! :)
      Someone said blotting lipgloss seems wasteful, but I don't see why not since it gives a totally different effect.

      Delete
  19. This looks really nice on you Lena! I have to admit to still thinking that Ruby Woo would still be a bit too high maintenance for me. I'm dead scared it'll look super drying on me too!

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    1. Thank you! :)
      It IS drying, but strangely it doesn't peel off my lips like it did before. Some of those glossy sheer lipsticks often do this to me, so I have no complaint whatsoever this time. I wouldn't recommend Ruby Woo for your everyday red lippy but for a few times a month for the oomph effect? Yes. ;D

      Delete
  20. OMG! Blotting out a lipgloss for a matte lip like this is a GENIUS idea!! I am always wary of rocking something like this, but you nailed it!

    Stephanie | theFantasia.com

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    1. I guess we don't need to find a matching lipgloss for every lipstick (which is just silly), but in this case I already have it. I'm glad it works out nicely! :)

      Delete
  21. What a gorgeous red! Ruby Woo is such a classic MAC colour - though I'm still tossing up between it and Russian Red if I were to cave and buy one MAC red lipstick. The suggested application certainly seems like it would result in a very long-wearing, vibrantly red lip! :)

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    1. Russian Red is amazing, too! And it is certainly more comfortable to wear. For me the matte finish is a kind of way to get away with such a vibrant red, and I like cooler-toned red. :)

      Delete
  22. I love the stain that the Ruby Woo lipglass leaves behind <3 the lipstick looks amazing on you too!

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    1. Hi Rhea :)
      I was happily surprised with the lipglass stain as well, and been wearing it in the fashion very often!

      Delete
  23. I love it your tips because the result is beautiful, I love it more the result that the matte lipstick!
    xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Raimar!
      I'm glad to hear you find the tips helpful. :)

      Delete

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