Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream ($28.00 for 0.26 fl. oz.) is described as a “reddish coral.” It’s a vibrant–nearly neon–coral-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. Dior Sunset (660) (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, less neon. Estee Lauder Defiant Coral (P, $30.00) is a smidgen lighter. Givenchy Rose Dentelle (203) (P, $36.00) is darker, more muted. Too Faced Coral Fire (P, $21.00) is more muted. Givenchy Rose Dressing (202) (P, $36.00) is pinker. MAC Watch Me Simmer (LE, $16.00) is pinker. Make Up For Ever #37 (P, $19.00) is slightly darker, pinker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

The formula is supposed to be a “cream-to-powder matte lip color that delivers an unprecedented 50 percent pigment dispersion.” There’s no question that Crush is intensely pigmented–full, opaque color coverage is easily delivered in a single layer. The consistency is creamy, not too thin or too thick, but it retains a slight slip, so it’s comfortable to wear. It was neither drying nor hydrating on me over the six hours it lasted, and it does leave behind a stain that lingers for another hour or two. I didn’t have any issues with the color feathering or bleeding outside my lip line. The formula has a slight herbal-ish scent that’s very subtle–I only really notice if I smell the actual applicator, but I don’t notice it when it is applied (and there’s no discernible taste). As I’ve mentioned before, the only potential issue is really that it’s not a matte finish from the get-go; it takes at least two hours for the satin finish to wear down to something more matte.

Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Crush Cashmere Lip Cream