Okay, so, like everyone else, I’ve been OBSESSED with MAC’s Whirl lipstick forever. But, let’s be real, sometimes my wallet needs a break. So, I decided to go on a mission to find a good dupe, and let me tell you, it was a JOURNEY.
The Hunt Begins
First, I hit up all the usual suspects – drugstores, you know. I grabbed a bunch of lipsticks that looked similar in the tube. Swatching them on my hand, some were way too brown, others too pink. It was frustrating!
The Testing Phase
I spent a whole afternoon trying on lipstick after lipstick. My lips were starting to feel raw! I took tons of pictures in different lighting – natural light, bathroom light, you name it. I compared them to photos of Whirl I had saved on my phone.
- Some were too glossy.
- Some were too matte.
- Some just didn’t have that perfect rosy-brown balance that Whirl has.
The Winner! (Maybe?)
After all that, I think I found a pretty close match! It’s not 100% perfect, but it’s darn close. It has a similar rosy-brown tone and the finish is pretty similar too – not too matte, not too shiny. It is a satiny finish.
I’m still not giving up on my beloved Whirl, but for days when I want to save a little cash, this dupe is definitely going to be my go-to. It’s all about having options, right?