Laura Mercier Violette, Plum Fatale, Plum Noire Rouge Essentiel Lipsticks Review & Swatches
Violette
Laura Mercier Violette Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep plum with subtle, cool undertones and a satin sheen. It had rich color coverage in a single layer, which adhered evenly and smoothly to my lips with even application that never tugged on my lips.
The texture felt smooth, lightweight, and velvety with a thinness that wasn’t clingy. It stayed on nicely for six hours, left a stain behind, and felt lightly moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Antidote (LE, $38.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Panda (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Passion (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Saboteur (Left) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Tarte Friyay (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- MAC Dancing Flowers (LE, $19.00).
Formula Overview
$32.00/0.12 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high-impact color" with "weightless decadence" that "moisturizes and smooths." The pigmentation was nearly opaque to opaque in a single layer, which applied smoothly and without tugging. The texture was lightly creamy but more velvety overall, so it glided easily over my lips but didn't feel overly slippery.
The issue I had was that the formula didn't seem particularly forgiving of natural lip texture or imperfections, so despite exfoliating prior to application, there were areas highlighted that I didn't expect to see since the formula was supposed to be smoothing. It also settled a bit into deeper lip lines, which was more noticeable (in person, not just in the close-up photos) with lighter shades than brighter or deeper tones. They lasted between four and six hours on me and felt lightly hydrating.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Cetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Talc, Dicalcium Phosphate, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Methicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Propylene Carbonate, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Zinc Oxide (Ci 77947).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Violette
PPermanent. $32.00.
Plum Fatale
Laura Mercier Plum Fatale Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, cool undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that did not build up, which may have been due to it having more slip and feeling (and looking) glossier as a result.
The product didn’t adhere as well to the inner area of my lips and was more prone to settling into my deeper lip lines as well. The color lasted decently for five hours, left a stain behind, and felt lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Smashbox It's a Mood (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- YSL After-Prune (97) (LE, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Jasper (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Revlon Va Va Violet (P, $8.49) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Midnight Corolle (077) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Full Blooded (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Mercy (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Near Dark (P, $57.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Evil Queen (LE, $10.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- NYX Siren (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$32.00/0.12 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high-impact color" with "weightless decadence" that "moisturizes and smooths." The pigmentation was nearly opaque to opaque in a single layer, which applied smoothly and without tugging. The texture was lightly creamy but more velvety overall, so it glided easily over my lips but didn't feel overly slippery.
The issue I had was that the formula didn't seem particularly forgiving of natural lip texture or imperfections, so despite exfoliating prior to application, there were areas highlighted that I didn't expect to see since the formula was supposed to be smoothing. It also settled a bit into deeper lip lines, which was more noticeable (in person, not just in the close-up photos) with lighter shades than brighter or deeper tones. They lasted between four and six hours on me and felt lightly hydrating.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Cetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Talc, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, SimmondsiaChinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Mica, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Zinc Oxide (Ci 77947).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Plum Fatale
PPermanent. $32.00.
Plum Noire
Laura Mercier Plum Noire Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, reddened purple with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff paired with a moderately emollient consistency that had more glide and more creaminess compared to most shades in the range.
Unfortunately, that showed in the application as the color did not apply as evenly as it needed to, did not adhere well to the inner area of my lips, and had visible streakiness and settling into my lip lines. It lasted for five hours, left a stain behind, and felt lightly moisturizing, at least.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Maybelline Charged (P, $12.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Burnt Violet (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Saboteur (Right) (LE, ) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Sephora Power Suit (01) (P, $13.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Revlon Royal Amethyst (P, $10.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Siouxsie (LE, $34.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Cherry (LE, $18.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- ColourPop Tutu (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- YSL Prune Power (89) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (80% similar).
- Estee Lauder Nude Fatale (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$32.00/0.12 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high-impact color" with "weightless decadence" that "moisturizes and smooths." The pigmentation was nearly opaque to opaque in a single layer, which applied smoothly and without tugging. The texture was lightly creamy but more velvety overall, so it glided easily over my lips but didn't feel overly slippery.
The issue I had was that the formula didn't seem particularly forgiving of natural lip texture or imperfections, so despite exfoliating prior to application, there were areas highlighted that I didn't expect to see since the formula was supposed to be smoothing. It also settled a bit into deeper lip lines, which was more noticeable (in person, not just in the close-up photos) with lighter shades than brighter or deeper tones. They lasted between four and six hours on me and felt lightly hydrating.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Cetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CaprylylMethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Mica, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
We’re sweltering here in Southern Ontario (not quite as bad as other areas in the country) but it looks like the cosmetic companies are already gearing up for fall, judging by these luscious autumnal shades.
After 3-4 days of >100, it’s ~55. New England. Early fall w/pork chops, scalloped potato, stuffing, and beets. I love fall lipcolors. Violette is excellent and unusual.
Violette is gorgeous. I love cooler tones and feel like I look best in pink leaning shades. I think this would be the perfect dark berry for me. I’m definitely someone who prefers colder weather so this has me excited for Fall/Winter !
How can a brand deliver one lipstick that is an A+ and then the others that are B’s? You would think that they would use the same formula surely?
All three shades are beautiful renditions of the plum family, but obviously Violette stands out.
Mmm-hmm, oh yeah, I’m going to need Violette on mah lips STAT! 💜
Perhaps not as good in the quality department, but I absolutely LOVE Plum Fatale! My darker lips may hide its fatal flaw in coverage?