Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil ($18.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “vibrant cool red.” It’s a subtly cool-toned, medium cherry red with a glossy finish. NARS Rose Gitane (P, $26.00) is warmer. MAC Viva Glam Rihanna (LE, $15.00) is shimmery. Revlon Fatal Apple (P, $7.99) is similar. Chanel Exces (P, $32.00) is warmer. Chanel Emoi (P, $32.00) is more muted. See comparison swatches / view dupes. (For blush comparisons, look here.)

My experience with this shade mirrored what I experienced with Timeless Coral. The formula is supposed to be a hydrating tint that can be applied on lips and cheeks–“natural-looking, never-greasy color.” It performs best as a lipgloss, but it’s more of a gloss, less of a stain. This shade did leave a very, very slight stain behind, and it wore two and a half hours, which was longer. It is somewhat hydrating as a lip gloss, though there are gritty bits here and there in the product. As a blush, it feels oily and slick, and it never sets or remotely dries down, so it moves around and looks uneven as it wears away (or breaks down foundation if you wear it on top of foundation, and I only saw about three hours of decent wear that way) after five hours on bare skin. The texture is dewy and lightly tacky on the cheeks, but it doesn’t feel tacky on the lips. It has a sweet, almost citrus-y, scent and taste.

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Josie Maran Always Cherry Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil