Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is supposed to be a “buildable, lightweight lipstick” with an “ultra-luminous” finish. They are deliberately scented to smell like La Petite Robe Noire, which is a sweet, fruity and floral fragrance–the scent is noticeable both in the tube and applied, though I do not notice it after about about an hour or so of wear (if you are sensitive to scent, I would consider trying these in person or purchasing with the ability to return). There was a somewhat soapy, sweet taste (it contains Stevioside, used as a sweetener) at times, particularly if I ate/drank with the lipstick on.

The coverage varied from semi-sheer to semi-opaque with a more stained-like appearance, as it wasn’t too slippery and had a natural sheen. Some of the shades run together, but they tend to look more varied once they are on the lips (and depending on the coloring of your natural lips, this may or may not be as apparent, particularly with pinker or redder lips). The sheerer nature of these makes it harder to know how they will look on against a mere swatch on the skin, and even from the tube-to-swatch comparison, they can look different.

They have a balm-like feel on the lips, and they tend to feel softer and melted as I applied them, but they weren’t too emollient or too thin or too thick. The formula wore between two and six hours on me with some of the richer, deeper shades lasted the longest, and it was lightly hydrating. As they’re a buildable formula (Guerlain describes it as one, two, and three-layer coverage), all swatches I did were using two layers. A couple of side notes: 1) the label is on the cap only, so if you take off multiple caps, it is possible to inadvertently put the wrong cap on the wrong shade, and 2) they can be less-than-ideal for storing, if you typically have yours vertical, as the flat-side has the label on it.

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with subtle, cool undertones and a luminous sheen. It had semi-sheer color coverage after two layers, staying true to its buildable formula. The consistency was smooth, balm-like, and comfortable to apply and to wear. The color lasted for four hours and left a subtle stain behind while being lightly hydrating. Urban Decay Sheer Shame (DC, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Craving (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Yield to Love (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Rapture (DC, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Sly Ingenue (430) (P, $32.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Pat McGrath Ultra Vixen (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Captive (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). L'Oreal Glassy Garnet (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Urban Decay Ladyflower (DC, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar). Chanel Rayonnante (145) (P, $45.00) is lighter (85% similar). Guerlain Black Perfecto (007) (P, $32.00) is lighter, less pigmented (85% similar). Estee Lauder Reckless (P, $32.00) is brighter (85% similar). Chanel Destinee (DC, $34.00) is more muted (85% similar). MAC Capricious (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Guerlain Plum-brella (070) (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a lightly brightened, medium-dark magenta purple with warm undertones and a soft shine. It had buildable color payoff from sheer to semi-opaque, which is line with the brand’s claims. The texture had a balm-like feel to it, which made it comfortable to apply as it did not drag as well as to wear, as was lightly hydrating. It could have applied more evenly, though. The color lasted for four hours on me. Givenchy Ultravioline (24) (P, $34.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Romantically Inclined (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Feel My Pulse (LE, $19.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Christian Louboutin Beaute Ronron (P, $90.00) is more muted (85% similar). Buxom Swinger (DC, $21.00) is brighter, more pigmented (85% similar). Dior Dream (067) (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar). MAC Vogue en Violet (P, $23.00) is darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour ($32.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium-dark, berry purple with cooler undertones and barely-there shine. This shade had some of the least shine of the shades I tried, though it wasn’t matte. The color payoff was buildable from sheer to medium coverage. It had a smooth, thin but not too thin texture that was easy to apply. On me, this shade wore well for four and a half hours and left a stain behind. I found it somewhat moisturizing overall. Givenchy Purple Fiction (07) (P, $34.00) is brighter (90% similar). Guerlain Bee (DC, $58.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (90% similar). MAC Disobedient (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). L'Oreal Gleaming Plum (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (90% similar). Revlon Sleek Mulberry (013) (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker, glossier (90% similar). Chanel Erik (456) (P, $37.00) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Metallic Jelly (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar). Anastasia Plumeria (P, $18.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Revlon Violet Frenzy (P, $8.49) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Rebel (P, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Sheer Shame (DC, $18.00) is warmer (85% similar). Estee Lauder Lure Me On (P, $32.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). Gucci Beauty Tiger Lily (DC, $39.00) is more shimmery, brighter, glossier (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Fatale (P, $57.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Dior Bohemienne (881) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, glossier (85% similar). Urban Decay After Dark (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, less glossy (80% similar). YSL Plum Tunique (90) (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). NYX Aria (P, $6.00) is more pigmented, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Purple Noon (LE, $52.00) is brighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Boom (P, $22.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Mauve Gloves (068) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Lilac Belt (069) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour

Guerlain Plum-brella (070) La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour