MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl vs NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner in Cannes
lip-liner
Original
MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl
$22
Cult-favorite dusty mauve-brown lip liner that defines and shapes lips with a creamy, long-wearing formula.
Dupe
NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner in Cannes
$5
Save $17 (Save 77%)
"The gold standard dupe for MAC Whirl. The shade is so close that even side-by-side it's hard to distinguish. At $5, this is a no-brainer replacement."
My verdict
NYX Cannes is one of the best lip liner dupes in existence. The shade match to MAC Whirl is within 5% — a dusty mauve-brown that's nearly indistinguishable on the lips. The formula is slightly softer, which makes application easier but means you'll sharpen more often. Wear time is comparable: 3–5 hours for NYX vs 4–6 for MAC. At $5 vs $22, the savings are significant enough to buy four NYX liners for the price of one MAC. For everyday use, there's genuinely no reason to pay the premium unless you prefer MAC's slightly firmer tip for extra-precise lining.