I first discovered MAC when I started using their lipliner in 'Spice' which has become something of a cult favourite with make up artists, often cited as a colour to suit everyone.

MAC products are more expensive than I would usually pay, but I have yet to find a lip liner I like as much so I have stuck with it. I then wanted a long lasting lipstick to match so I went to the MAC counter in Selfridges to see what I could find.

Chatting to the assistant, I explained I wanted a long lasting lipstick to match my Spice lip pencil and she recommended their Prolongwear lip colour (in a shade called Loyal if you were wondering)

It costs £16.00 which is kind of steep but I still bought it.

Packaged in a sleek matt black box, the lipstick itself is a double ended product which requires a two step application. The first part is the colour part which twists off and is applied by the wand.

The first thing I noticed was the consistency is very creamy which I was pleased about as it looked like it wouldn't dry out my lips.

I applied it to clean dry lips and waited for it to dry. MAC says the product provides 'sheer to medium coverage' and I was pleased to find that the colour lived up to the claim.
I have tried similar products by both Revlon and Max Factor in the past and the colour application is so dark and so heavy that I looked witchy!

After around 1 minute it was dry leaving a lovely even matt finish. So far so good.

The second part of the product is the clear gloss top coat which is supposed to provide 'mirror shine' and is applied by twisting off the other end, and using the brush. I noticed an absolutely gorgeous vanilla scent which tasted just as good as it smelt!

Unfortunately I'm not really a fan of glossy lips I think they can look a bit 'overdone' on me, so I don't make a habit of using it. Shame really as I am on my third one now and the gloss is always full when I have run out of the colour.

MAC claims that the product won't run, transfer, feather or smudge - a claim which is true in the most part. It doesn't smudge or feather and it definitely does stay put for longer than a regular lipstick. It also says that you can kiss, drink and eat - not so true! It doesn't come off on my cup if I'm drinking, but it definitely does shift when I am eating so you would need to reapply.

It doesn't really bother me though, as it's outweighed by the non drying effect - I am on my third one now and it has not dried out my lips at all despite daily use.

The main drawback with it is the design of the colour wand. I use this daily and it does last me about 6 months which isn't too bad, but the wand is just too short meaning that you end up leaving a lot of colour in the case that you just cant get to! I have tried bending the wand but ended up breaking it - its just a little frustrating and I feel that if the wand was longer you could reach far more of the product thereby making it last longer. Lose a star for that MAC I'm afraid.

That said, I'm still loyal to my loyal....the colour is a real favourite of mine and I would definitely consider trying others in the range (there are 9 in total).

Recommend as a long lasting but not budge proof lip colour that won't dry out your lips.