I have 50 shades of red. MAC is one I don't have so I can't comment.

My faves are a Nutrametics red, Anna Sui red (can't get this anymore), Rouge by YSL and a red by Rimmel.

The cheaper brands (Rimmel and Nutrametics) have a higher pigment content, so the colours have more pop factor, but the more expensive brands like YSL (and I can only assume MAC) have more moisturising properties but the colours don't stay as well. The colour you are after is a blue red, as oppose to orange red or pink red. Make sure you don't go with the latter two. You can get laquers that go over the top, but my personal favourite trick is to use a a lip tint (you can get them in red now and they are easy to apply as they are like a texta) and then use a red lipstick of your choice to go overtop. I find this is the best way to keep cover without needing excessive applications. And having experienced dance concerts and make up for little ones, the less you have to do the easier on them and you it is I still cringe at the little girls all begging not to have mascara. We did a run through where we would put on the makeup as a test run, see how easy it was to apply, how it lasted etc. Don't leave it till the last minute or you'll be tearing your hear out and there will be tears, and not just hers.

I hope it all goes well. It seems like so long ago that my big girl was in dance concerts! SOOO cute