Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel ($30.00 for 0.13 oz.) is described as a “matte hot fuchsia.” It’s a brightened, fuchsia pink with a satin finish. Chanel La Diva (44) (P, $34.00) is slightly brighter. Ardency Inn Twist (P, $25.00) is darker, brighter. MAC Dear Diary (LE, $18.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Embrace Me (LE, $16.00) is darker. MAC Daddy’s Little Girl (LE, $16.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I bought this shade despite my lackluster experience with three of the other shades in the range. The problem isn’t applying it, not the color itself, or even the pigmentation; it’s the wear, and the way it wears away and leaves a ring of color along the outer edge of lips while settling into lip lines. I don’t have to do anything but sit at my desk, typing away, and it gravitates into every crevice on my lips. The texture is velvety and glides on without tugging or dragging, and it doesn’t feel like a matte lipstick at all. It’s a formula that will be less forgiving on drier lips, as it catches and emphasizes those types of imperfections. The finish is more semi-matte (Marc Jacobs Beauty says it is “demi-matte”), as there is still a sheen to the color for at least an hour into wear. It had mostly opaque color coverage, which was probably its best attribute. It wears five hours on me, but it wears quite unevenly over time. It was vanilla-scented but had no discernible taste.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel

Marc Jacobs Beauty Gossip (140) Lovemarc Matte Lip Gel