TBT: MAC Twig

~ stashy

In today’s Throwback Thursday post, I’m showing my MAC Twig lipstick:
MAC_twig4
The colour in itself isn’t really a throwback, although I’m willing to bet money that the shade has been around since the inception of MAC.  But what’s TBT about this lipstick is the bullet.  It’s silver.  And no, it’s not a limited edition.

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All of MAC’s lipsticks used to be in these brushed silver tubes.  I can’t recall the exact year I bought this, but I’m pretty sure this lipstick is close to 10 years old.  The lipstick tubes really did look like silver bullets back then.  These days, aside from limited edition collections, MAC lipsticks are housed in the same shape but in black tubes (the regular line, not the Mineralize Rich ones):
MAC_twig3
The silver tubes didn’t have a MAC logo on the outside.  But even before that, the tubes were actually not the rounded bullets we come to associate with MAC, they just had flat tops:

Source – original MAC lipstick tube on the left.

I don’t wear my tube of Twig on my lips anymore, but when I put it to my nose, the scent is the same as when I first bought it.  It swatches just fine on my skin as well:
MAC_twig5
It has been suggested that perhaps the older formulas with all of the preservatives and “bad” ingredients probably helped to keep the lipstick from turning (compared to how quickly newer formulas turn – I had a MAC Peachstock from Liberty of London collection turn bad within 3 years).
MAC_twig8
Here’s a comparison of MAC Twig (described by MAC as “Soft muted brownish-pink, in a Satin formula) against other similar shades from my stash, L to R:
• Shiseido Perfect Rouge Pink Mesa PK303
• Lise Watier Rouge Fondant Supreme Sandra
• MAC Cosmo (Amplified Creme)
• MAC Twig
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss in 08
• Illamasqua Glamore Nude Lipstick in Minx
• Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Musk
MAC_twig6
I bought MAC Cosmo as a replacement for Twig and I much prefer it over Twig – it’s warmer and less brown – more wearable for everyday.  The closest match of the bunch is actually the Shiseido (it’s a hair more cool-toned), which is great because I LOVE the Shiseido formula.
MAC_twig7
I threw in the Bite Beauty in Musk into the mix even though it’s not really a close match (it’s too warm)… mainly because I only recently finally opened that Luminous Crème duo that I bought last Christmas ::facepalm::  The other end contains Retsina, which is a pale nude shade.  I’m again reminded of how much stuff I have! 😉

Do you remember when MAC lipsticks were in the silver bullet tubes?  MAC lipsticks are now CAD $20 each but I think I paid $14 for Twig.  Does anyone remember how much MAC lipsticks were 10 years ago?

72 thoughts on “TBT: MAC Twig”

  1. Oh the memories! When I worked in PR (back when we were roomies, to give you the year), we did some PR for MAC and the lipstick tubes were black and bullet shaped by that point… so maybe there was a period in between when they went to silver, before reverting back to the current tubes? I still have tube of Viva Glam from that era; it’s a pretty deep plummy colour.

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    1. How I envied your PR gig! 🙂 I wasn’t as much into makeup then but I liked to look. Hmm yeah maybe MAC went back and forth on the colour at that time? They were still up and coming back then. Can you believe that I still have not bought any of MAC’s Viva Glam lipsticks? I really should.

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  2. Not only do I have the silver tube (MAC Retro), last year I had the even older black cylindrical tubes with MAC lettering in silver around them! I B2Med them without taking a photo, sadly. Dubonnet and Paramount. All the 90s brownies!

    I really like the look of Cosmo, but yeah, I can’t justify collecting as many lipsicks anymore since the new ones really turn so fast. 😦

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                  1. Well, I got sick with a stomach bug last week (we all did over here, barfing galore!) and it seemed I got it worst. Peanut was barely ill..li’l weirdo. Anyway, I’m better now, but up until yesterday I had straggling digestive issues, whih kept me up at night. October sucks!

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                    1. OH DEAR. There was something going around the office too. I’d suddenly feel nauseated for NO reason. But it didn’t get any worse beyond that. I took a bunch of Vitamin C so I hope it helps in SOME way. Glad you’re feeling a bit better. It’s kind of a blessing lil Peanut didn’t get it too bad – it’s always difficult to explain to kiddos why they’re not feeling well.

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  4. So you’re telling me that you kept a lipstick for 10 years !!!😱 After 2 (maybe 3) it’s garbage for me. Angel & Twig are my all time favorite Mac lipsticks 😀 I must have bought 5 Twig lipsticks but no silver packaging and I’m pretty sure that I bought my first one more than 10 years ago and it was black ??!!!!

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    1. Yes, I have kept this lipstick for 10 years! 😀 I’m not ashamed! But yeah, I really should be more disciplined to throw them out more regularly. I’m not sure about the tube colours – maybe they had black first then silver for a short time, then went back to black? I’m scratching my head. This definitely was not limited edition though!

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  5. Oh my! This brings back memories! I can’t believe I forgot about Twig! I remember wearing it almost everyday for my freshman year in high school! I can’t believe you’ve had for that long and it still swatches that well.

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  6. Omg I didn’t know MAC had different packaging before, it’s so hard to imagine MAC being anything apart from its signature tube but then I was quite a baby back then not knowing the ABCs of makeup. Lol. Great post Hun, really enjoyed reading it and I love how twig looks *makes note on wishlist* 😊

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    1. Twig is a great shade and VERY in right now. I remember buying that like it was yesterday haha. We didn’t have any Sephora at that time so MAC was really the only store that was 100% cosmetics.

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    1. Oh I was wearing Lip Smackers at the same time (I LOVED the Dr Pepper Lip Smacker!) This was my first fancy lipstick. I saved up money and went into the MAC store with the goal to buy just the ONE item. 😛

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  9. The shade looks so pretty and pigmented. I wasn’t into Mac until recently. I would love to pick a silver bullet lippies if I can find one for Halloween. With it I’ll be saved from “werewolf”. ahwooooooo!!! lol! Oh my gosh … did I just howled hahaha! I’ll keep it as a keepsake though! xo

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  10. Twig is the first MAC lipstick I ever purchased. For me it’s a great everyday shade, but I tend to gravitate toward pink-browns like that. Another dupe for Twig is B52 by NYX, though it has a more glossy finish compared to Twig. The color though it dead on.

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  11. Wow they came in silver packaging? I’ve never seen anything other than the typical black tubes! But I didn’t really wear much lipstick in my teen years, more college and on.

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    1. Oh my goodness! That’s highway robbery! But yes, Twig is a great everyday shade. I’ve heard there are drugstore dupes… but I’m betting that drugstore prices are also outrageous there!

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  14. The best TBT ever: such fun to see how much and how little has changed 😉 I am loving cosmo, might just have to get my greedy little fingers on that one.
    So not aware MAC is short for Make-up Art Cosmetics 😉
    xx Anne

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    1. Yes, I highly recommend Cosmo for you! With your complexion I think you’ll find it very wearable for everyday. 🙂
      And yes, MAC = Make-up Art Cosmetics, which is funny because the website is maccosmetics.com which means it’s Make-up Art Cosmetics Cosmetics? 😕

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        1. I know someone who works at product development at one of the manufacturers that makes powder pigments – they make stuff for all the major brands. It’s less glamourous than you’d think! 😛 And you know what’s the worst part? The person I know doesn’t even wear makeup and isn’t into makeup all that much!!! 😮

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