As MAC Cosmetics fans will know, their lip pencil in 'Currant' was discontinued back in 2019. I was devastated when I found out because Currant helps me make the BEST lip combos. As someone who exclusively uses MAC lip pencils, I didn't even know where to start looking for a replacement.
I have been swatching internet suggestions for months so that when my back-up (I always have back-ups!) ran out, I would already have a replacement ready to go. I didn't find anything that I felt was a close dupe until now!
Barry M Wine Lip Liner
The Barry M Lip Liner in the shade 'Wine' is almost identical in colour to currant and only costs £2.99/$6! Texture wise, wine has a creamier formula than currant and the pencil crumbled quite a bit. Although I will always stan MAC lip pencils, I can't deny that the performance of the Barry M lip liner was stellar.
Other Options
'Vino' by MAC is a close dupe but, as "an intense violet-purple", it lacks the distinctive deep berry tone I love in currant (95% match).
I haven't had the chance to swatch it but, according to Temptalia (such an awesome blog!), NYX Cosmetic's lip liner in 'Deep Purple' is a 90% match. NYX is also a drugstore dupe that is much more widely available than Barry M.
If you know of any other dupes please comment them below; MAC will not be bringing 'Currant' back so, the more dupes, the better.