Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, cool-toned, medium-dark berry with a luminous sheen. MAC Primrose (LE, $16.00) is sheerer, glossier. Inglot #293 Lipstick Cream (P, $12.00) is darker. YSL Exquisite Plum (22) (P, $34.00) is brighter. Givenchy Violine Precieux (312) (LE, $36.00) is lighter, warmer. Illamasqua Shard (P, $24.00) is more matte. NARS Afghan Red (P, $26.00) is similar. MAC Red Dwarf (LE, $18.00) is a touch lighter. Guerlain Bee (LE, $51.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

This shade was originally part of a 1,000 point set from Sephora, but it is now available individually for VIB Rouges as a limited edition, only-only shade. I hope that they’ll eventually release it to everyone, but I don’t have any inside information regarding this shade. The texture was lightly creamy but had less slip than other Lovemarc Lip Gels–it didn’t tug, but it hugged the lips more, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing with a deeper shade like Cabaret. Howeever, it had less of that “gel” feel and felt more like a traditional lipstick. It had rich, opaque color coverage that went on evenly and made lips look smoother and slightly fuller. It wore well for almost six hours on me and left a lingering stain behind. The formula was lightly hydrating on me but less so than other shades in the range.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Cabaret (146) Lovemarc Lip Gel