In Materialists, Dakota Johnson’s effortlessly chic matchmaker Lucy may be pairing clients with millionaires, but her makeup bag holds a surprisingly budget-friendly secret. The internet is buzzing over one standout beauty detail: her soft, sculpted lip—achieved with a $20 lip liner that fans are now racing to buy.
The lipstick scene that started it all
In A24’s stylish romantic comedy Materialists, Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a razor-sharp NYC matchmaker with a wardrobe of clean tailoring and effortless beauty to match. Between orchestrating whirlwind romances and navigating her own entanglements—including steamy moments with Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans—Lucy’s look remains fresh, refined, and subtly powerful.
In one early scene, Lucy glances into a mirror and swipes on a lip liner with almost cinematic nonchalance. But beauty sleuths on Instagram, notably @dakotajohnsonscloset, were quick to pause, zoom, and identify the product in her hand: MAC Cosmetics’ iconic Lip Pencil in the shade Oak.
Described by MAC as a “soft beige brown,” Oak gives lips just enough definition without overpowering the rest of the face—ideal for Lucy’s understated cool-girl aesthetic. It’s a warm, neutral shade that whispers sophistication, not drama.
A product with cult status—and red carpet credentials
For those in the know, MAC’s lip liners are no secret. The formula is beloved by professional makeup artists and beauty lovers alike for its smooth glide, wearable pigment, and just-right level of precision. The shade Oak, in particular, is having a resurgence, thanks to its ability to sculpt the lips subtly while blending effortlessly with natural tones or nude glosses.
Though Lucy’s full makeup look hasn’t been officially confirmed by her longtime MUA Georgie Eisdell, the vibe is unmistakably in line with Dakota Johnson’s real-life beauty philosophy: minimalist, breathable, and subtly sexy. On the red carpet, Johnson often leans into clean complexions, softly defined eyes, and nude-toned lips—a look that pairs beautifully with Oak’s muted sophistication.And if a lip liner can survive both a boardroom showdown and a passionate on-screen kiss (or two), you know it’s worth adding to your own makeup arsenal.
From fiction to frenzy: the lip liner fans are racing to buy
MAC’s Oak lip liner has quickly become Materialists’ breakout beauty star. After the film’s release, beauty forums and TikTok feeds lit up with users praising Lucy’s lip look—and sharing their own before-and-after shots using the product. One fan called it “the only liner that doesn’t overpower my face,” while another declared, “It’s giving subtle seduction.”
The appeal isn’t just in its price point, though that certainly helps (especially with MAC’s current 20% off promotion). It’s the way Oak perfectly channels the film’s aesthetic—one that mixes sharp intellect with soft power, confidence with approachability.
In a sea of glossy celebrity-endorsed beauty launches, it’s refreshing to see a product go viral because it simply works. It’s not packaged in hype, but in a genuine on-screen moment—proof that beauty still has the power to feel real and aspirational at the same time.
How to recreate the look at home
If you’re inspired to channel a bit of Lucy’s vibe, start with MAC Oak as your base. Apply it gently around the natural shape of your lips, slightly overdrawing if you want a fuller effect. You can leave it as-is for a soft matte look, or pair it with a sheer gloss (something like Fenty Beauty’s Glass Slipper or Glossier’s Lip Gloss) for a clean finish.
For a true Lucy moment, skip the heavy contour and instead focus on glowing skin, brushed brows, and neutral eyeshadow. Let the lips do the quiet talking. And don’t forget the attitude—part confident, part elusive, and always two steps ahead.
Whether you’re in it for the celebrity lip color or the Materialists aesthetic, MAC’s Oak lip liner is a small beauty investment with serious payoff. It’s proof that great makeup doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. And if it’s good enough for Dakota Johnson (and Pedro Pascal’s lips), it’s good enough for us.
