Macs Ruby Woo vs Russian Red

Christmas just seems to bring out the need for a red lipstick, am I right or what?

Mac’s Ruby Woo and Russian Red are very well known red lipsticks in the makeup world.  I ended up buying both of them over the years and thought I would do a swatch and formula comparison for you.  They are definitely super close in color, but if you are a lover of red, you will notice some differences!

Swatches after two swipes

Ruby Woo is probably the more well known and talked about shade, mainly because it looks good on everyone, no matter their skin tone.  It is a retro matte shade and is a super dry formula.  So dry in fact, it feels like it is pulling on your lips when you apply it.  The color is a brighter red and pretty opaque.  If you are looking for a bright, attention getting red, this is the one for you.  The dry formula is not my favorite, but I know tons of people who love it.  Really a matter of personal preference on the formula aspect.  If you are looking for an easy way to make your makeup look festive in a minute, try Ruby Woo.

Russian Red is another popular, but probably less well known red from Mac.  It’s more of a true blue red and I love this color.  It’s definitely less intense than Ruby Woo and is a bit darker and also opaque.  The formula while still a matte, is much less dry than Ruby Woo’s formula.  For me, that’s a plus.  It looks a bit darker than it really is in the photo above, so use the swatch photo to judge the color comparison.

Which would I recommend?

When comparing Mac’s Ruby Woo vs Russian Red, for me, Russian Red is the winner. Both are classic shades, but I love a true blue red and Ruby Woo is a bit too bright for me for everyday.  I also like Russian Red’s formula better.  I do not care for a dry finish formula and that’s been my biggest complaint about Ruby Woo.

Have you tried both? Which one is your fave? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!