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MAC Cosmetics · Shade guide

MAC Chili: brick red

MAC’s wearable warm red — earthy brick and autumn spice, bolder than a nude but easier than a primary cherry.

warm undertoneMattebrick red

Approximate swatch · hex #A5392D

About MAC Chili

MAC Chili is the everyday red for people who find classic blue-reds too harsh. It is a warm, earthy brick-red — think cinnamon and terracotta heat rather than Ruby Woo’s cool blue base.

One swipe delivers opaque colour with MAC’s matte staying power, but the warmth makes it feel more “autumn lip” than “statement cherry.” It is especially loved on olive and medium-warm skin.

If Ruby Woo makes your teeth look whiter but your skin look cooler, Chili is often the warmer counterpoint in the same MAC red wardrobe.

Try MAC Chili on your selfie

See how this shade looks on your undertone before you buy. Free AI try-on — no sign-up.

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Chili on different skin tones

Fair skin

Warm brick-red with strong presence — flattering on fair-warm; can feel heavy on fair-cool.

Medium skin

Ideal depth — wearable red that still reads clearly as lipstick.

Deep skin

Rich warm red that shows without neon; excellent autumn/evening option.

Chili undertone explained

Chili is warm. Orange-brown-red pigments dominate, so it flashes gold and terracotta in daylight — the opposite of Ruby Woo’s blue-red flash. Warm and olive undertones usually win; cool pink undertones may prefer Ruby Woo or Russian Red.

Who does Chili suit best?

Fair skin

Fair-warm skin can wear Chili as a bold everyday red. Fair-cool skin often prefers Ruby Woo’s blue base for a cleaner contrast.

  • Best for: fair-warm
  • Effect: spicy brick-red
  • Line lips lightly to keep shape crisp

Medium skin

Medium and medium-olive skin is Chili’s comfort zone — impactful without looking costume-y.

  • Best for: medium-warm and olive
  • Effect: wearable statement red
  • Works day-to-night with minimal makeup

Olive skin

Warm olive and golden olive often prefer Chili over cool MAC reds because the brick base does not fight green undertones.

  • Best for: warm/golden olive
  • Effect: harmonious warm red
  • Compare with Ruby Woo if you want cooler contrast

Deep skin

Deep warm skin carries Chili as a rich brick that still reads red. Very deep cool skin may also explore deeper MAC reds for more drama.

  • Best for: deep warm undertones
  • Effect: saturated warm red
  • Optional deeper liner for sharpness

Compare Chili

Related MAC shades & guides

Frequently asked questions about MAC Chili

What undertone is MAC Chili?

Chili is warm — an earthy brick-red with terracotta and cinnamon notes, not a cool blue-red like Ruby Woo.

Is Chili warmer than Ruby Woo?

Yes. Ruby Woo is cool/blue-based; Chili is warm/orange-brown-based. Choose Chili for warmth, Ruby Woo for classic cool red contrast.

Is Chili good for olive skin?

Often excellent. Warm and golden olive skin usually prefer Chili’s brick base over cooler MAC reds that can look harsh.

Is Chili good for everyday wear?

Yes for warm-leaning skin — it is marketed as a wearable red: bolder than a nude, softer than a primary cherry.

What finish is Chili?

Classic MAC Matte — opaque colour, low shine, and long wear typical of the Matte bullet range.

Can I try Chili before buying?

Yes. Preview Chili on your selfie with GlowLip’s free AI try-on, and compare it with Ruby Woo in the same session.

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