Discover top-rated alternatives to the iconic MAC Cosmetics Spice Lip Liner. I tried several lip pencils and found four MAC Spice Lip Liner dupes that match its classic appeal.
These budget-friendly lip liners have a similar shade, wear, and finish. All of these lip liner dupes are richly pigmented and stay put throughout the day.
Before we get into the dupes, let’s take a look at what makes MAC Spice lip liner so unique.
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Why MAC’s Spice Lip Pencil is a Best Seller
MAC Lip Pencil, shown above in the shade Spice, is a popular lip liner shade formulated to line, fill, or shape your lips with rich color and long-lasting wear.
The creamy texture easily glides across your lips and doesn’t drag or apply unevenly. This MAC lip pencil has a creamy texture and applies effortlessly.
The shade Spice is described as a pink cinnamon stick shade and is perfect for creating a natural-looking definition. The universal shade is ideal for creating a well-defined pout and offers a precise application.
This MAC lip liner doesn’t feather and wears comfortably all day. Pair it with your favorite MAC lipstick or any other lip color to create a bold and beautiful lip look.
You can also wear this MAC product on its own and fill in your lips with this deep neutral shade for a pretty matte lip.
The main drawback? The price. So let’s take a look at some more affordable alternatives.
My Top Picks:
- Best Overal: Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner in Nude 20
- Most Affordable: NYX Retractable Lip Liner in Nude
MAC Spice Lip Liner Dupes
Here are a few drugstore dupes for MAC Spice Lip Liner that are much more affordable yet are high-performance and provide the same deep cinnamon hue:
1. Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner “Nude 20”
- Natural matte finish
- Rich pigmentation for intense color
- Creamy formula for comfortable wear
- Closest match to MAC Spice
Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner, shown above in the shade Nude 20, defines your lips with a natural matte finish that won’t smudge or feather throughout the day.
This richly pigmented lip liner glides on easily and creates a precise shape with an intense color payoff. The creamy formula ensures maximum comfort for your lips. It’s easy to apply, as the color pigments can easily blend.
The shade Nude 20 is a stunning neutral color that looks similar to MAC Spice and has the same orange/rosy/brown tones that the other dupes don’t have.
While I have yet to find the perfect dupe with an exact replication of the shade, I think Maybelline Nude is the best MAC Spice dupe I tried.
It looks beautiful with a satin, creamy or matte lipstick or on its own or paired with a lip gloss or lip balm.
2. NYX Retractable Lip Liner “Nude”
- Creamy, pigmented formula
- Slightly pink-toned neutral
- Retractable pencil for convenience
- Excellent color payoff, ideal for lining or wearing alone
- Long-lasting, affordable alternative
NYX Retractable Lip Liner, shown above in the shade Nude, has a creamy pigmented formula, just like MAC. While the shade has a little bit more of a pink tone than MAC, the neutral shade is a great MAC dupe.
This is the only dupe that comes in a retractable mechanical pencil format, so you don’t have to worry about sharpening it. It has an excellent color payoff and looks beautiful when used as a lip liner or worn alone. (I like wearing it with lip gloss!)
Although this lip liner tugs on the lips slightly more than MAC, it is long-lasting. The super low price makes this NYX lip liner a great alternative to MAC Spice Lip Liner.
Cruelty-free.
3. Milani Color Statement Lipliner “Spice”
- Richly pigmented nude brown
- Slightly browner than MAC Spice
- Smooth, creamy application
- Versatile for both defining and filling in lips
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Milani Color Statement Lipliner, shown above in the shade Spice, is a richly pigmented, flattering nude brown lip liner that works well as a MAC Spice Lip Liner dupe.
The shade has a little more brown than MAC but is a universal neutral shade and very similar to MAC Spice. The creamy formula glides on smoothly, just like silk. And the creamy formula won’t dry out your lips.
Whether you just want to define your lips or completely fill them in, this lipliner will last all day and won’t smudge or feather. It’s very versatile, too, as it pairs well with nude or neutral lipstick or even a bolder lip color.
4. ColourPop Lippie Pencil “BFF2”
- Cinnamon shade
- Brown tones, similar to MAC Spice
- Creamy formula for even pigment application
- Long-lasting color that doesn’t feather
- Cruelty-free
ColourPop Lippie Pencil, shown above in the shade BFF2, is described as cinnamon in hue, which I think perfectly describes the shade.
It has more brown tones than MAC Spice, yet is still a beautiful neutral shade that looks similar to MAC Spice on the lips.
The lip liner deposits even pigment that is very rich and won’t feather and stays in place for hours. The creamy formula glides easily over the lips and delivers high-impact color with a deep cinnamon shade.
MAC Spice Lip Liner Dupe Swatches
MAC Spice Lip Liner is a popular product for a reason: its deep neutral hue looks great on many skin tones, and the creamy formula glides on easily, providing high-impact color.
While there are many MAC dupes available, I think that Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Liner in Nude 20 is the best dupe I tested for those looking for a close match to the MAC Spice shade.
Milani and ColourPop are slightly browner, and NYX has a slightly muted shade.
Want more lip liner and lipstick dupes? Check out these posts:
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!