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Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme Review, Photos, Swatches

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, plummy red with warm undertones and a satin finish. Tom Ford Beauty Richard (LE, $32.00) is lighter, pinker. Tom Ford Beauty Negligee (LE, $50.00) is lighter, pinker. Guerlain Forever Brown (305) (P, $37.00) is more shimmery. Guerlain Air Kiss (304) (P, $37.00) is more shimmery. Estee Lauder Decadent (150) (P, $30.00) is glossier, darker. Bobbi Brown Plum Shimmer (3) (P, $26.00) is cooler-toned, more shimmery. Maybelline Untainted Spice (950) (P, $7.49) is is darker, browner. Chanel Farouche (122) (P, $34.00) is darker. Buxom Runaway (P, $21.00) is glossier. Burberry Redwood (304) (P, $30.00) is more matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

The formula behind this shade is supposed to be moisturizing with a “matte satin finish” that’s supposed to glide on with the “lasting power of a lip stain.” It had mostly opaque color coverage with a light-to-medium-weight consistency that applied fairly easily, though it could have been slightly creamier for more comfortable application. The color distributed evenly, and it looked smooth and even on. It wasn’t hydrating at all while I wore it, and it felt slightly drying towards the last hour of wear. On me, it lasted for five and a half hours.

Pure Marsala

LELimited Edition. $18.00.
A-
A-
8.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
90%
Total

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme
Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Matte Lip Creme

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Powder
  • Sephora + Pantone Universe Marsala Cheek Trio
On eyes:
  • Sephora + Pantone Universe Shifting Sand
  • Butterrum
  • Chutney
  • Marsala Satin
  • Macaroon
  • Autumn Blonde; Estee Lauder Rose Gold Eyeliner
On lips:
  • Sephora + Pantone Universe Pure Marsala Lip Creme

107 Comments

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Andrea Avatar

I own all the dupes, except the BB one… Also, I have any other possible similar shade not mentioned here, yet I want this badly. Am I loosing my mind?

fuji Avatar

Love it! Finally the color of the year becomes wearable, though a little bit less stunning, for visual workers. lol. But the whole collection is already on my list, I just want a bit more proof to back me up so I don’t feel bad about spending so much on Sephora’s limited edition. No offense to Sephora, but a big portion of the previous Color of the Year products ended up in the clearance bins at half of the original price, only three or four months after the release date. Some products from the emerald collection is still on sale (that’s so 2012! lol) I want to be supportive to the creativity, but not at the risk of costing a fairly big fortune.

Christine Avatar

I think emerald was not a color as many felt comfortable wearing, you know? Marsala seems like it might easier to wear for some (though I think it can run warm and leave some people out as a result). But it is interesting – makes you wonder is it because people don’t want to wear Color of the Year or is it too pricey? Or do people say, “I’ll wait ’til that’s on sale!”

fuji Avatar

Indeed! I’m actually happy that it is finally the time I can get my hands on the Pantone collection, since I haven’t bought anything of emerald or orchid. I did, however, own a tangerine blush back in 2011. Now the Marsala Collection is just spot-on, fits perfectly in my current style.

Dusty Avatar

I surprised myself that I was surprised at the $$! LOL That price point just seems a little high to me… I guess I think of in-house brands as a little bit more budget than that.

Gaiya Avatar

I don’t think you mentioned the other products you’re wearing aside from the lipstick, but I hope you’re wearing things from this collection… cause you look beautiful in them. 🙂 I’m very excited for this collection and I hope all the products perform well. I’m interested in the lipstick, cheek palette and eye palette possibly. Thank you always for your reviews!

Lotus Avatar

I thought there was a BAUME version as well but I don’t see it online yet, and the blush trio sold out before I could grab it! But.. If I use a bit of a beigy lippie, my lips are Marsala, so I’m not swearing this lippie although I’m probably going to buy it anyway.. 😀

Christine Avatar

I don’t know if it was ever put in stock yet – I don’t think it was last night, but the palette was OOS last night but is now available. A lot of times Sephora will put up the product page but it’ll be “out of stock” initially. I don’t know why they don’t use coming soon (because they do use that sometimes).

kellly Avatar

I asked when I was at Sephora recently and they said it would be out in their store on December 26. I have to work that day but you can bet I’m going to be there on Saturday morning!!!

Robin Avatar

Hi,
I ordered this last night. I’m trying to find a dupe for MAC’s O lipstick. I love the shade, but I found out the hard way that I’m allergic to their products. 🙁 Can’t wait for the lipstick to arrive!

Sarah Avatar

Ahh wow!! I have been lemming for a pink-brown nude! This may fit the bill. I bought Revlon Spicy Cinnamon, but it translated quite dark on my lips even though it swatched pink-brown on my hand! if i can’t find a good drugstore dupe then i definitely have to take a look at this! i do have to say this is way later than what i was expecting. it’s not as rich and warm as i thought it would be.

MelanieT Avatar

Lovely! It reminds me a bit of my favorite lippie from the 90’s, Revlon Toast of New York. I just bought a new tube of it for old times sake and I still love it!

GK Avatar

I’m so glad I read your reviews! I signed up to be notified by Sephora as soon as Pantone Marsala was available. Only thru reading the others thoughts did I see it’s being ordered already! So much for Vib Rouge customer service. Kind of makes me not want to buy it! I usually wear Marsala type colors in the fall/winter, this does look different. Like you said, there will be a lot coming out, so it’s going to be easy to find in every price range. Thank you for keeping us informed!

Hima Avatar

Maybe it’s just me, or the fact that I’m a graphic designer, but this doesn’t really look like marsala. It seems way too light in comparison and not that beautiful burgundy wine red color.

Christine Avatar

It didn’t seem to be a burgundy really? When I saw Pantone’s swatches and all the inspiration photos on Pantone’s website, it is more of a plum than a burgundy, I guess, to my eye. But obviously I’m not a graphic designer or anything, so that stuff isn’t my expertise.

Edited to add: perhaps when I think of burgundy, I associate it with more depth/richness, and marsala looked (to me) as having a dustier/faded quality to it.

Brittany Avatar

Maybe I was wrong, but I was under the impression Marsala was a deep dusty rose sort of shade, not this burnt plummy terracotta? It’s nice, though unfortunately not what I am looking for!

Aimee Avatar

I’m actually excited for this, it can be so hard to find flattering neutral shades for more tan complexions! Plus all the dupes you listed are much pricier. Is it in stores now?

artemis Avatar

I love this shade 😀 I have a discontinued Avon lipstick in a similar shade that’s almost gone and i’ve been trying to find an affordable and good quality dupe(and available here) but no luck for the moment…

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