The Rosy-Brown Lipstick Shade Every Woman Needs in Her Makeup Bag

Finding the perfect everyday lipstick sounds easy—how hard could it possibly be?—but in reality, cooking a seven-course meal from scratch might require less trial and error. So when you find a lipstick that works, it deserves a loyal following.

Case in point: MAC Whirl, a popular and versatile rosy-brown shade with a matte finish. Only a few years old, it’s quickly become a cult classic—and for good reason, since it looks gorgeous on so many skin tones. Keep reading to see 12 women share their honest opinions on this ultra-flattering shade.

MAC Lipstick in Whirl, $17, maccosmetics.com

The color: A matte dirty rose.

The backstory: Globally, MAC sells one lipstick every second, and of the hundreds of shades available, Whirl is one of the most popular. After launching in 2015, it became the second-best-selling shade—with Ruby Woo at the number-one spot.

Why pros love it: “Whirl is a tone of pink that would naturally occur in a fair to medium-dark skin tone,” says MAC senior artist Regan Rabanal. “It’s almost like a pink latte. The lipstick works for everyone because of its depth and likeness to hues that naturally occur in the skin. When used on deeper skin tones, it turns to a lighter neutral, pink shade. “

Fun fact: The lip pencil version of Whirl is a Jenner family favorite. In 2016, Kylie revealed that it’s one of her go-to lip liner shades; earlier this year, Caitlyn Jenner included it in her second MAC collection.

What our testers thought:

Suki: “A great everyday color—it lasts a really long time, and it matches my skin tone really well.”

Harmony: “This almost shows up as a nude tone against my skin, so I really appreciate the subtlety of the color. It also has a wonderful, smooth texture—not chalky or chunky!—that glides on easily. It also smells great. All around, it’s a great nude shade with just a hint of color to make it extra-special.”

Sophia: “I love this color on my pale skin. It’s an easy-to-wear neutral that can be worn every day without feeling too dressed-up. Sometimes shades like this can look a bit too ’90s and gray, but this one has a nice warm undertone that softens the color. It can be lightly dabbed on for a hint of color or fully applied for a stronger look.”

Tristan: “Sometimes red is too much for me—I like more subtle, natural colors like this one. The color is a beautiful bump up from my natural lip color.”

Shirley: “With my light/medium skin with golden undertones and brown eyes, this lipstick comes off as a deep muted mauve. I love this hue because it’s neutral with a twist. It’s not an overwhelming color, but it still has a vampy vibe that makes it fun to wear. It makes me feel cool, sultry, and sophisticated—without trying too hard! Anyone looking for a versatile nude shade should try it out.”

Diane: “This lipstick is such a surprise for me because I thought I would find it boring—most nudes are to me. This one brings an interesting twist on a nude: I feel like the hue gives my skin more color and doesn’t wash out my pale skin. Interestingly enough, the slight blue undertone also brings out my blue eyes. Now I wear this color all the time.”

Jessica: “As someone with a warm olive skin tone, I tend to gravitate to rosy-hued neutrals when I’m not rocking a bluish red. I was pleasantly surprised that Whirl didn’t look as brown as I thought it might once I had it on. I often go for a shiny finish as mattes tend to feel drying on my lips, but this matte finish felt soft and creamy—which was awesome since I love the matte look.”

Renee: “I like how the dusty rose color complements my pale skin tone and brings out the flush in my cheeks. It’s great to wear on the weekend for lazy museum browsing or shopping—when I want to be seen but in a low-key way. It makes me feel like me, just stronger and better.”

Ariella (left) and Laura (right)

Ariella: “I thought it may be too dark for my skin, but it’s surprisingly flattering! It’s not your typical color, but it still makes your lips stand out in a natural way. I don’t wear lipstick often, but I love how comfortable I feel in this one.”

Laura: “I love MAC lipsticks. This one doesn’t dry out my lips like other ones can, and the shade is just dark enough to add a little something without being overwhelming.”

Ashley (left) and Ada (right)

Ashley: “This has a very creamy texture.”

Ada: “This is the perfect lipstick for me. I’m not a fan of balmy lipsticks, and often mattes feel too try on my lips, so this semi-matte is a winner. This color pops more than the shades I typically wear, but it’s definitely become my new favorite! Plus, since this lipstick is really long-lasting, it can survive my morning coffee and evening cocktail—this is a proven theory.”

Wait, there’s more! For more Glamour Beauty Awards winners—including the best drugstore and designer makeup products—check out our awards page.

Makeup: Joseph Carrillo at Kate Ryan
Hair: Matthew Monzon at Jed Root