MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick, An Up The Amp Dupe? Photos, Swatches & Comparison

The 2nd release of RiRi Hearts MAC was a mess with the virtual wait and cancellation of "early orders". Despite the drama I was able to order RiRi Boy.

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick,

The second installment of the Rihanna Hearts MAC Collection was released on June 18th and boy oh boy was it the talk of the town and quite the mess. A link to the lipsticks was floating around the night before and lots of people placed orders. I placed my order a few minutes prior to the official launch at 12 pm and it was cancelled along with a ton of the other early orders (but not all as some slipped through the cracks) due to MAC saying it wasn’t fair. I will admit that I was upset that the orders were cancelled as MAC was at fault for having the lipsticks up on the site early and allowing orders to be placed. Anyway I had to place another order and wait in the “virtual waiting room” which took about a half hour. This wasn’t bad as some people were waiting 4+ hours. I ordered RiRi Boy, Heaux and another RiRi Woo. Let’s take a look at RiRi Boy…

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick,

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

The lipstick is packaged in MAC’s traditional black tube with Rihanna’s signature inscribed into the lipstick. There is no special packaging although it is rumored to be coming back in the Fall in special packaging.

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick Swatch

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick on lips

RiRi Boy is a lavender purple with neutral pink undertones. The Retro Matte formula is very dry so you will need to exfoliate your lips well and apply a balm first. If not your lips will crack and peel and it will apply splotchy. This one is even drier than RiRi Woo in my opinion.Once you have the application down pat it’s easy breezy from there though.

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick Dark Skin

It’s extremely pigmented and lasts for hours without fading. You don’t need to wear a lip liner but I’ve been using my E.L.F. Studio Lip Lock Pencil for added protection against bleeding and feathering. It is easy to remove when using a balm underneath but if not it can stain the lips. The buzz around town is that RiRi Boy is a dupe for the infamous MAC Up The Amp and that it is…

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick Up the Amp dupe

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick compared to Up the Amp

RiRi Boy and Up The Amp

RiRi Boy is an exact dupe for Up The Amp but has a Retro Matte formula instead of the Amplified Creme formula. With that being said, RiRi Boy does give a different look due to the difference in texture and it wears longer. Up The Amp is one of my favorites from MAC so I don’t mind having the shade in another formula but if you have Up The Amp and like to avoid dupes you can pass on this one.

RiRi Boy is a limited edition and is currently sold out. It is rumored to be returning this Fall with the next installment of the RiRi Hearts MAC Collection. It retails for $15 and the tube is eligible for Back 2 MAC.

Did you get MAC RiRi Boy? What are your thoughts?

The product(s) in this post was purchased with my own money.  See my Disclosure page for additional information.

23 Responses

  1. Great dupe! Seeing that’s is such a perfect dupe to Up the Amp don’t think I would purchase since the only difference is Riri engravement and textures.

  2. So pretty. Really pops on our/ well your skin tone. lol. It took me soo long the first day after getting kicked back n forth , I shrugged my shoulders. However, the next day ordered with no problems. I’m currently on back order through. In my frustration, I ordered a sound like noise too. Really nice.

  3. Super pretty! Love the way it looks on you. I too was upset that MAC cancled orders. I luckily made my order an hour after it went live and it went through after 5 tries. I got all three lippies and love them! I think Maybelline Vivids Brazen Berry is also a dupe for RiRi Boy. Even though it has a cream sheen (right?) still very close.

  4. This is a great color on you! But then again what doesn’t look delish with chocolate? Lol

  5. I love purple lipsticks and up the amp is one of my favs so I know I’ll love this one as well! Looks great on you, perfect shade for the summer!

  6. Gorgeous color on you!! Stephanie, you are absolutely correct! Brazen Berry def is a dupe for Mac RiRi boy! I was thinking the same thing when I sae this post but I still want to purchase the Mac RiRi boy because of its finish! Love this color!

  7. You are so pretty & you look fabulous in this picture. You sure as he** rocki the Boy! 🙂

    First time coming across your blog. Will be bookmarking it. Take care!

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