YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain ($36.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia magenta–there are hints of purple to it but once applied to lips and it settles in, it looks more fuchsia and less purple. Burberry Pink Sweet Pea (LE, $27.00) is shimmery. NARS Mexican Rose (P, $24.00) is less magenta. MAC Full Speed Ahead (P, $19.50) is lighter. MAC Girl About Town (LE, $15.00) is pinker, shimmery. See comparison swatches.

Violine Surrealiste was mostly opaque on lips, and it was mostly even, but there were some areas that weren’t as well-covered as others.  From a normal viewing distance, it wasn’t noticeable, but in the close-ups, you can see it more pronounced.  It wore for a staggering seven and a half hours.  The consistency feels water-like when it is initially applied, but give it a minute or two, and then it becomes more gel-like, lightly tacky, and has a smoother shine.  It stains very quickly, and if you swatch it on the skin, it stains almost instantaneously–and it’s not washing off easily (if I swatch Glossy Stains, I can’t swatch anything else for at least 24 hours!).  It has a floral-grape kind of scent, one I really dislike personally, but once it sets in place, I don’t notice it.

YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain

YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain

YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain

YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain

YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain

YSL Violine Surrealiste (26) Glossy Stain (Charlotte Tilbury First
Love blush on cheeks, Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette on eyes)