This is one of the best red shade lipstick like MAC.

It's a really neutral classic red lipstick. It's nothing wrong with it- lasting power is good and the creamy texture lovely. But it's too bold for my pale complexion- I like it more since it fades or if I use it as a stain. And I don't think it flatters my skin tone as much as cooler reds.

Greek ladies: a 2,5g sample of this is free with November's issue of Madame Figaro (choice of BE208-Baby or RD514-Dragon). For comparison, the full-size is 4g. Needless to say I grabbed both. No regrets!
It is a berry/burgundy/red colour which may seem too dark once applied but turns a lovely deep berry / red colour on me after about an hour of wear. It feels like cream when I apply it and also feels like cream while I wear it.
It reminds me very much of Dior's Rouge Dior 644 (you may see my relevant review), pretty much the same colour and sophisticated sheen, although Dragon is a little more matte. But unlike the Dior, this makes my teeth appear whiter. I never really believed this, but it happens! I wear it with a liner (Dior's 833), because it is quite intense and although creamy, it does not have the forgiving-creamy formula of my Dior, so Its line must be perfect. I find it very "serious" with a crisp line like that, so I use the lip pencil end of the lipliner to go feathery-soft around the lip and soften the line.
I do not experience the dryness I had with Shiseido's pencil-lipsticks (LC2 & LC10). I tried this with my lips sort of prepped with some balm I had put on them about 3 hours ago. I will still test it with "nude" lips, but I believe the result will be satisfying.
The only bad thing it has (hence 1 lippie down) is that it fades from the part of my lips closest to the inside of my mouth (the wet part) so I get this "naked" line that really shows. And if I accidentally lick my lips and remove the colour, then no pursing can get colour in the "licked off" area. It just won't stay. I have to re-apply or do some very funny moves with my lips to actually move some colour there.
I also like that there is no smell on this. I usually do not mind, but I feel better with a lipstick when it does not have a smell. I feel that it lets you judge it for its performance and not like its trying to hide something by being cute-smelling.
The packaging I cannot comment - I do not have the full-size lipstick. The sample comes in this unique-shaped black case that feels comfortable in the hand. For a sample, it clicks safely.
If I had not bought Dior's 644, I may have gone and bought this full-size on sales. As it is, I am more thrilled with the Dior. I strongly suggest you try this on and see for yourself, but remember to give it time for its colour to evolve. continued >>