Greetings, slightly out of breath, from the time portal, fellow rogues!
A little wyvern told me that there has been a recent important event unknown to yours truly! It seems that there is a special day set aside in honour of lipsticks…and I missed it! OK, not by much, but how can I stand for missing the occasion commemorating my favourite beauty product? With this in mind, I’m bringing you a very exciting lipstick related post – the review and swatches of my first foray into Guerlain!
As usual, these lipsticks were a product of my recent Dubai Lootstravaganza. As it happens, I believe they were the last things I actuallly picked up, after seeing the little set in the Dubai airport Duty Free and realising that a) it contained some truly magical shades and b) the price for the 3 was about the same as the price of ONE in Middle Earth.
The three Guerlain Rouge Automatiques packaged together in this set are Nahema, Roselip and Champs Élysées. Basically, they cover your non-red lipstick basics: a coral/peach, a fuchsia and an inoffensive, MLBB pink. I believe that the latter shade (Roselip) is actually an Asia exclusive or something of the kind – it’s on the Guerlain Hong King site, for example, but not the US one.
This is, as mentioned, my first experience with Guerlain makeup of any kind – of course, I started with lipsticks, and of course, I started in Duty Free. Their makeup is fabulously expensive here ($88 Rouge Gs anyone?) and their foundation products tend to run a little on the ‘why did you wash your face with Cheetos?’ side when applied to this vampire. Lipsticks, however are my weakness, and I’ve been wanting to try Guerlain’s offerings for a long time. When you head into a catacomb expecting a hard fight before you can claim your prestige, luxury lipstick artefacts, you tend to want to get something pretty spiffy out the end of the process. Fortunately, Guerlain did not disappoint!
First up, I think we have to say something about the packaging. The gold and embossing are great, and the package is sturdy though really quite lightweight (I think one of my Revlon lipsticks weighs more, to be honest), but the real star is the mechanism. With one smooth, pleasantly resistant slide of the little ‘G’ embossed button, the ‘Guerlain’ embossed hatch at the top glides open and the lipstick bullet emerges, deus ex machina style. Slide the button the other way, and the process reverses. This never gets old, seriously. The only downside is that the large square barrel around the slender bullet means that if you don’t push the lipstick out far enough, the edge of the barrel dings your bottom lip as you’re trying to do the top one. This isn’t a crisis, but this is not a lipstick I want to risk breaking the bullet of because I extended it out too far.
One other quick note about the package: the name of the shade is on the box, but is lacking on the actual barrel of the lipstick. You get a number instead, presumably because Guerlain considers numerical recall to be paramount. Now if only I could remember the number I have to think to get in telepathic contact with the Druid’s owl familiar…
So! Let’s start with some basics: these lipsticks don’t taste of anything (despite having lain in a catacomb for Gods know how long) and have that characteristic Guerlain scent, which I’m told is ‘violet’. It’s definite and floral during application, but doesn’t hang around under the nose too long. Application is irresisitibly smooth and the resulting pout lasts for about four hours (or a little longer if I’m not in feasting/quaffing mode). One really lovely thing I discovered was that these lipsticks were not only pleasantly moisturising while I wore them, but (particularly with Roselip) my lips actually felt distinctly softer and smoother after the lipstick was gone! Almost as thought I had used a nourishing balm. Colour me impressed, Guerlain!
Roselip is a soft, subtly warm toned but funtionally neutral pink that fits perfectly into my roster of ‘MLBB’ or ‘inoffensive pink’ lipsticks. It’s a medium-pigmented, buildable cream lipstick with a satin finish that’s very forgiving on dry lips. It’s the kind of thing you can throw on when you’re not wearing any other makeup. It’s the kind of thing you can throw on when you’re having a bad skin day but can’t be bothered putting on concealer or whatever. Roselip has your back. If it were an adventuring party member, it’d be giving you constant buffs and healing you without you even having to ask.
Champs Élysées is a fabulous fuchsia. Susie the Rockbard, a conoisseur of fabulous fuchsias approved mightily of this one. The colour is deep and rich as well as being bright, and it has probably the glossiest finish of the three. If you hold it up to the light you can see that it’s infused with the most micro of gold microshimmer, but this doesn’t translate to a visible effect on the lips. Stealth shimmer! Pigmentation is sheer but rapidly buildable, making this lipstick quite versatile as you can choose your intensity. Having said that, the pigment never looks heavy, even when built up.
Nahema is, in many ways, the punchiest of the three, especially on my skintone. It’s a coral with red leanings on me, filled with visible gold sparkle. This doesn’t mean things get glittery, it just means that your lips get a subtle, elegant sparkle to go with the pop of colour. Like Champs Élysées, you can choose your intensity with Nahema – this is great for me, as it stands out bolder than an overzealous Paladin on my vampire complexion! As usual, Sunny gets the blame/credit for waving this shade under my nose and tempting me, resulting in all three of these beauties! 😉
I absolutely love all three of these shades, and I’m so happy that these luxury lipsticks lived up to what you’d expect of an expensive line/brand. Roselip is in daily rotation, and Nahema has been brightening up some seriously icy, grim Winter quests recently. Champs Élysées is probably the least unique/daily essential shade of the three (based on my stash), but I mean, just look at it! An extra fabulous fuchsia never hurt any adventurer – some dungeons are so dank, you just need bold pink lipstick to make them bearable 😉
What do you think, fellow adventurers? Have you tried any magical lipstick artefacts from Guerlain? What’s your favourite fabulous fuchsia or everyday pink?
The practicalities: Guerlain Rouge Automatique lipsticks cost US$36 / NZ $65 for 0.12 oz / 3.4 g, are permanent, and may be acquired from Guerlain counters the world over, as well as Sephoras. This particular set is exclusive to Duty Free Guerlain counters. For more info, check out www.guerlain.com or www.sephora.com. (These links aren’t affiliate, just here for your convenience!)
Until next time, fellow adventurers, don’t forget to check for traps!
Syl
I am an adventuring rogue, not a mercenary for hire, and as such, all opinions expressed here are my own, based on a genuine fondness for/interest in this product. If you have any queries or suggestions, please do not hesitate to pin your parchment to the board (contact me) at thepaintedrogue [at] gmail [dot] com., or use the contact form provided! All images and text on this blog are the property of The Painted Rogue unless otherwise stated. If you nick off with any of it, be prepared to find that your morning hot beverage tastes a little…different than usual. Didn’t the rogue say something the other day about that new poison that makes your innear ear itch maddeningly for the rest of your life? I think she did…
That sliding mechanism is very cool. Sems to be something you can gaze at in marvel for hours on end ;). I also approve of catacomb goodness. Always cool if one finds some good loot, too, and not only the shambling dead.
LikeLike
Well, that’s why we brave the depths, right? Remember, always follow the rogue – the catacombs we go down usually end up in loot! We didn’t traing our treasure sense skill for nithing, you know. 😉
LikeLike
This set was tailor made for you Syl! Each shade is stunning on you! 🙂 I love Champ Elysees the most such a vibrant color!! 🙂
LikeLike
Ii’s such a gorgeous, classic fuchsia 🙂 I really like that you can control the intensity too, so it feels like a more ‘everyday’ shade as well. Of course, on my skintone, there’s only so pale you can make it, LOL.
LikeLike
Oh the yum! All of them are so pretty on you, and I like how the set has you covered (MLBB, warm-toned, cool-toned)! Champs-Elysees has been on my list forever. Got to pick that up at some point 🙂
LikeLike
I can definitely recommend it! I love how these all come with really great, clear colour, without feeling heavy or over-bold. 🙂 I’m definitley glad you pointed me in the direction of Nahema – now I see that there’s one called Bal de Mai (?) that has a description that sounds a bit like that ‘pinky peach with gold sparkles’ theme of mine…I may have to investigate… I think I may be hooked! 😛
LikeLike
Bal de Mai is pretty, too! OK stop adding shades to MY wish list now LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have Bal de Mai. That’s my favorite everyday Guerlain lipstick! I still get confused about the cool way to open it. Sometimes I slide the button and the lipstick comes out the bottom because it’s upside down. I have to get Champs-Elysses now!
LikeLike
Haha, I do exactly the same thing! ^_^ Hope you love Champs Elysees if you get it!
So glad to hear you’re loving Bal de Mai – say, how pink or orange toned is it? I keep looking for swatches, and it seems to swatch both ways, although that could be the lighting people were using…
LikeLike
Roselip is freakin’ PERFECT! ❤ And thanks for showing us the colors in different lighting again, it's amazing how much it affects the colors.
LikeLike
I know, right? I was going through the photos and saw that I had one of each for each shade, and since I could see a visible difference I thought I’d include them! I think the difference is most striking for me on Nahema, actually – it looks so much more pink in cool light! And yes, Roselip is crazy awesome. I actually thought of you when I was reviewing it! 😀
LikeLike
Oh you did? Hah 😀
LikeLike
This is lipstick a super sexy spy would use.
LikeLike
Hehe, yeah – it’s kind of like the perfect ‘stealth’ packaging! The mechanism is basically silent too (unless you hold it to your ear, LOL)
LikeLike
Hey Syl! I love the look of Roselip. I so wish it wasn’t an Asia exclusive! I have one Rouge Automatique in #120 Coque d’Or (a very easy to wear, sheer red — a perfect “starter” red), and the sliding mechanism is so fun, haha!
LikeLike
Ooh, I saw the picture (well, CGI image) of Coque d’Or while I was getting the URL – it looked super cool but super bold! It seems like this line actually really does a good job at ‘wearable brights’ 🙂
I agree that Roselip should be worldwide – i think it would sell really well in most places!
LikeLike
These look very interesting:) And I really like your photos!
LikeLike
Aww, thanks Helena! I have a lot of fun taking them 😉
LikeLike
So that cool elevator mechanism is the reason I haven’t touched Guerlain lipsticks yet…! And god forbid it gets dinged in any way. Nope, can’t do it, lovely as these shades look on you. 😉
LikeLike
Haha 😀 Fortunately, they’re fairly dupeable I think, especially Roselip and (especially especially) Champs Elysees. I was actually kind of suprised how lightweight the packaging for the RAs is – if it didn’t have that nifty little elevator thing, I would have been raising some serious eyebrow…
LikeLike
“why did you wash your face with Cheetos?” – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA You are a funny little girl, Syl!!!! I love your humor so much!!!!
Le sigh…. why did I not see this set when I went to Thailand?! Oh wait, I did not have time to go through duty free!!! I would totally buy the set just for Roselip alone. How can anything be that beautiful. Champs Élysées probably looks loveliest on you, though. Stealth shimmer you say? LOL!
LikeLike
The set is so awesome! Even if you just wanted Roselip, the other two shades would make fantastic gifts. Maybe someone in Thailand could sent you roselip? They should have it there (although the price might be unfriendly – I could send you one but they’re $65 here, LOL)
*opens bag of Cheetos – would be Twisties in this country*
*applies orange dust to face*
*blends*
…
*eats Cheeto*
LikeLike
Siiiiiiigh… those are all so pretty, Syl! I have to admit I love the look of Champs Elysees on you – that fuchsia might have been made for you 🙂
LikeLike
It’s super pretty! I really got lucky with the colours in this set for my skintone, actually 🙂 Are you much of a fuchsia person?
LikeLike
Hee hee hee, I love your photos 😀 And I totally feel you on the names vs numbers thing — it drives me NUTS when companies neglect to put names on their actual products!
(I do have a few products without names OR numbers, though — those ones are by far the worst.)
LikeLike
One thing that weirds me out is when they don’t put names on the testers. I mean, the whole point of giving something a cute/dramatic/sexy/whatever name is to entice people to buy it…so…?
Pretty neat catacomb, huh? 😀 The wizard made it!
LikeLike
I will take all 3! Can I tell you a secret? Beige Pale might work for you in their foundation color scheme. Harder to find then a level 20 flying carpet!
LikeLike
Oooh… now I want to go and see if I can find Beige Pale! I definitely want to swatch it (even though I’m guessing a bottle of Guerlain foundation is like $150 here or something, LOL!)
LikeLike
Sunny is really good at making me want ALL the Guerlain. I think they should put her on the payroll. 😀 This set looks so amazing. I’m always jealous of the fabulous sets and exclusives people manage to find in the duty-free shops. Clearly I need to travel more!
LikeLike
Hehe, they should! 😀
Duty free sets are just awesome. Even if you’re not in the market for a certain brand, it’s always so interesting to see what they put together to entice travelers! Going through Asia is especially cool, as they not only have all the brands like Shu Uemura, Missha, etc, you can also find all the neat Asia-exclusive shades/formulae/lines.
LikeLike
I vow to search every Duty Free I go to in the future to find Nahema and Champs Elysees. LOL 😀
Oh, and I also blame Sunny for most of my coral lipstick cravings. She picks some of the best!
LikeLike
I know, right? She’s terrible like that 😉 I love her!
I think you’d look fabulous in those shades! ^_^
LikeLike
Oh Syl, you too, you’re such an enabler. 😀
LikeLike
*enable, enable* 😀
LikeLike
Pingback: Sunday Link Love, Volume #196 | JumpSeek
Pingback: The Beauty Spotlight Team links you up with great posts
Pingback: Are You Ready for Fall Beauty? Or Still Enjoying Summer? | Phyrra Beauty for the Bold
Pingback: The Beauty Spotlight Team Round-Up for 17th August, 2014
Pingback: Tales of Adventure from the Beauty Spotlight Team! It’s Beholder Week, with Epic Eyshadows, Eyeliners, and Palettes! | The Painted Rogue
Omg they are all So pretty !!!
Great idea of différent lights lips swatch !!! Very helpfull to see the colors.
But difficult to choose. Wanna them all XD !
Xoxo
Michelle
LikeLike
I’m glad it was so helpful! When I saw the way the photos turned out, I felt like I had to show the difference. At least they look gorgeous either way, LOL! 😀
LikeLike
Pingback: The Beauty Spotlight Team Weekend Reads Prime Beauty Blog
Rouge Automatiques, my favorite formula! I was coming home from Paris to Canada and going through customs in Toronto. I was pulled aside for inspection and the guard pulled out an Automatique….. What is it?…. A lipstick…. ( inspector doubting)…. used the mechanism and pulled up the fab lipstick and was waved on, while my teenaged daughters giggled
LikeLike
LOL, awesome 😀
I would have had trouble keeping a straight face, to be honest, but the last time I tried to smile at an airport security person who was riffling through my bag he just gave me this really evil look. Next object he struck was sanitary items though, which made him awkward and me smile more. How can you go through people’s bags for a living and *still* get uncomfortable about totally fresh, unused and neatly packaged sanitary products?
LikeLike
Pingback: Interrogueation! Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award + A Fun Questionnaire for All! | The Painted Rogue
Pingback: The Rogue’s Ultimate Pocket Guide to Stealthy Pink Lipsticks – I Need YOU! | The Painted Rogue