Still Obsessed: Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick

I think I may have mentioned these once or twice, yes? I did a review of the formula forever ago (here) plus a couple of swatch updates here and there. I’m constantly being distracted by shiny new things, so anytime something holds my attention for more than a few months… well, I think that’s worth mentioning. There were a couple I didn’t keep because they didn’t look great on me (Rose Taffetas and Rouge d’Exception) but these still make up the bulk of my lipstick collection, and they’re hands-down my most worn. I also wanted to get all the swatches together under better lighting, in case anyone stumbles across this while compulsively googling reviews (please tell me I’m not the only one who does this?).

The photo above is kind of gratuitous – we really only care what they look like on the lips, yeah? – but I still can’t get over the packaging. Black leather and silver accessories are basically engrained in my personality at this point, and these just fit in.

So in left-to-right order, these are the colors that I just can’t seem to live without, plus some thoughts on each.

Beige Plume (#102)

This is a light pinky nude with just the very barest hint of brown to it. Out of all the ones I’ve tried, this one is the most tricky to wear because it’s lighter than my natural lip color. I have to keep an eye on it, because it can look a little odd as it starts to wear off.

Brun Createur (#103)

Ah, the one that started it all. I got Brun Createur when Sephora had a mini of it as a points perk, and it inspired enough love that I went out and bought another shade. I had to get the full size of Brun Createur too, because having one that was different from the others bothered me. This shade is a medium warmed-up rose that falls squarely into ‘my lips but better’ territory for me. It may be bolder against some skin tones, but I firmly believe that pretty much anyone can wear it.

Brun Vintage (#105 – UK Exclusive)

If Brun Createur is a warmed-up rose, then Brun Vintage is a cooled-down one. It has just a tiny bit of purple to it, and the medium depth makes it perfect for everyday wear.

Rose Dressing (#202)

This one was also available as a mini from Sephora, but by the time that rolled out I already had the full size. Ah well, more for other folks! This is medium warm pink that, again, will look good on a pretty wide range of skin tones. It’s a little brighter than the 100’s, but still appropriate if you want to (or have to for work) keep your makeup a little on the conservative side.

Rose Dentelle (#203)

If Brun Createur and Brun Vintage had a love-child, this would be it. It’s not as warm as Createur, but definitely not as purple-based as Vintage. The only way I can really think to describe it is true rose.

Rose Budoir (#204 – UK Exclusive)

In the Le Rouge family, I guess this might be the young, cool aunt? Like Brun Vintage it’s on the cool side, but it’s a little brighter.

Fuchsia Irresistible (#205)

This shade is absolutely the least like the others in the range. It’s a bright, true fuchsia that will get you noticed. I tend to reserve bolder colors for when I have time to do a half-decent job on the rest of my makeup, so this one has become a weekend color pretty much by default.

Magnolia Organza (#301)

This was my first full-sized Le Rouge, and the one I wear the most (if you couldn’t tell by the photo). It’s a bright reddened warm pink, which is exactly how I’d describe my ideal lipstick color if anyone asked me. If I were going to take over the world, this is the lipstick I’d be wearing to do it.

Corail Decollete (#303 – UK Exclusive)

I’ve actually only worn this one a few times. The UK shades were ferried over to me by my friend who runs Pigmented Lips, but bright corals like this weren’t exactly seasonally appropriate at the time. Now it is, though, so I fully intend to make up for neglecting it all winter.

Grenat Initie (#307)

To be honest, I don’t actually wear this shade a whole lot. Not because there’s anything wrong with it, but I just don’t wear red lipstick all that often. This one looks very dark in the tube, but don’t worry – no one will accuse you of trying to relive your emo phase. It’s a medium ruby red that pulls very slightly cool – the red lipstick for people who don’t wear red lipstick, if you will.

The formula of all the shades is very consistent – velvety, almost matte and not drying. After my bout with accutane my lips still have a tendency to flake a little if I just let them go, and I’ve discovered I need to exfoliate pretty well before using more opaque lip colors. These are no exception; if I don’t, it can gather a little bit on flaky areas. The wear time is fantastic on all the shades, easily making it past lunchtime without any feathering, bleeding or weird color rings. I’m eagerly looking forward to the Givenchy summer collection so I can see the new shades in real life.

What things do you love so much you had to go buy it in (almost) every color?