YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain ($34.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a deep, burgundy-berry with a glossy finish. MAC Lust for Life is lighter, pinker. Chanel Crushed Cherry is brighter, redder. MAC Rebel is more berry-hued. MAC Lasting Achievement is more muted, less red. See comparison swatches.

For the life of me, I could not get this to apply evenly; it just seemed to stick, settle, and gather in various places all over my lips. It’s not unusual that a deeper, vampier shade does some of that, but I was quite surprised the extent to which this did all those things. The color coverage is semi-opaque with a noticeable change and tint to the color, but the product has some translucency that enables the natural lip color to come through–just slightly. Obviously, given how wretched this looks on my lips, despite its long-wear of six and a half hours, it’s hard to recommend it. The glossiness lasts four to five hours, and then the color lingers and lingers well to six hours. There’s a residual stain that continues for another two hours or so. YSL’s Glossy Stains have a sweet, fruity scent but no discernible taste. I wouldn’t describe it as hydrating, but it’s not drying over the six hours it wears for.

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain

YSL Violet Edition (01) Glossy Stain