Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream ($28.00 for 0.26 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep red.” It’s a medium-dark, blue-based red with a satiny sheen. Too Faced Melted Ruby (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter. Estee Lauder Vengeful Red (P, $30.00) is lighter, not as blue-based. NYX Chic Red (P, $4.00) is darker, more matte. NARS Dragon Girl (P, $25.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Runaway Red (LE, $16.00) is slightly darker. MAC Charmed, I’m Sure (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Absolute Power (LE, $16.00) is also similar. Giorgio Armani #406 (P, $32.00) is pinker. Dior Marilyn (LE, $36.00) is brighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

This is the last shade of the six I’ve tried from the formula (see previous reviews here), and the formula is very consistent. It’s long-wearing and intensely pigmented as marketed, though it doesn’t have the matte finish, as there’s a noticeable sheen that is present for the first two to three hours of wear. Rioja lasts six and a half hours on me before it is visibly faded, though it is still surprisingly intact. The formula is comfortable to wear, and it was neither drying nor hydrating while worn. It has a slightly herbal scent but no discernible taste. I’d also like to reiterate that one of the six tubes I had leaked and had faulty packaging (see that review here.

Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream

Bite Beauty Rioja Cashmere Lip Cream