Chanel Controversy (72) Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss ($34.00 for 0.28 fl. oz.) is described as a lightly warm-toned, dark reddish plum with hints of brown and burgundy along with fine plum shimmer. NARS Rouge Tribal (P, $26.00) is very similar–a touch darker. MAC Lasting Achievement is cooler-toned, less red. (P, $19.50) MAC Feelin’ So Good (LE, $15.00) is browner. MAC Richly Revered (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, much sheerer. Bobbi Brown Midnight Violet (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker. See comparison swatches.

I noticed immediately how evenly the color applied; a lot of these deeper colors look splotchy on the lips, and this one looked fairly even. Unsurprisingly, the color did settle into lip lines, though it was not too noticeable from a normal viewing distance–this has been my experience with similar shades like NARS Rouge Tribal and MAC Lasting Achievement, where up-close, it is visible but in “real life,” it’s not as noticeable. This gloss is supposed to be long-wearing with bold color, a gel texture, and a hydrating formula. Controversy wore well for five hours, but I did notice some feathering occur after three hours of wear. It was nicely hydrating while worn with a smooth, gel-like consistency that wasn’t tacky. It had semi-opaque color payoff but was obviously not fully opaque.

Chanel Controversy (72) Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

Chanel Controversy (72) Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

Chanel Controversy (72) Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

Chanel Controversy (72) Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

Chanel Controversy (72) Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss