I am NC 30-35, yellow olive toned, with deeply pigmented lips that have a cool undertone. I assumed when searching for a red that my match would be blue toned. When I swatched this Monte Carlo and Amsterdam, the latter, an orange based tone worked best against my skin. However I use both because when applied lightly to dry but previously moisturized and exfoliated lips, (I scrap off the doe applicator or use a brush, Amsterdam looks like a natural daytime red. Monte Carlo somehow looks dressier and more evening. This formulation doesn't dry my lips and wears evenly. I can extend wearing time if I use a primer or bit of foundation and if I blot then lightly dust powder through the tissue. I have also lined with a natural lip liner, but I don't really have problems with lipstick migrating or bleeding. It doesnt feel like I'm wearing much product. I don't usually wear any red, so this is all a new concept for me. My favorite way to wear it (for occasions) is to first apply 1 thin layer of Amsterdam. Blot. Then one thin layer of montecarlo. I got this idea because when swatched on my skin, Monte Carlo skewed blue, pink red (aka leaning towards fushia which I didn't want) Obviously I don't do this for every day. Personally I think the doe foot applicator dispenses too much product, kind of like mascara applicators. I wore two thin layers of this product recently to an event. The lips lasted from 4pm -1130 pm in roughly the same condition through late afternoon activities, cocktails, dinner and and after dinner. By the end of the evening the color had worn evenly into a stain. No reapplication. No special care was taken, although I don't rub my lips on a napkin. There was also no transfer of lip color onto my drinking glass. Note: NYX soft lip creams in different shades perform differently. I purchased two of the Berlin shade. Both were thin, moussey textured and dry. Very different from Monte Carlo or Amsterdam.
