Archived Post

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “deep red-black.” It’s a darkened berry-red with semi-opaque color coverage. There seemed to be a very faint shimmer in it, too.  It’s definitely a lot lighter than what it looks like in the tube. MAC Approaching Storm is browner, less berry. MAC Hang Up is similar, just glossier. MAC What Joy is redder. MAC Endless Drama is darker. Guerlain Gigolo is redder. MAC Musky Amethyst is more subdued. NYX Violet Ray is redder.

The formula is described as “non-drying” and “matte” with “intensely rich colour.” It’s been awhile since I’ve worn a shade from this range, because after trying a few, these just didn’t work on my lips, as they were incredibly drying and caused my lips to bleed after continuous usage. I wore L’Impatiente last week, and it wore well for about five and a half hours, and then tolerably for another three hours. After eight hours, a lot of the color had flaked away and it was a bit uneven looking overall. I still found this rather drying, though it did not seem quite as drying as some of the original shades I have tried in the past.

I know some readers really love this formula, so it may still be worth trying for yourself to see how your lips react. This shade isn’t as pigmented as the other shades in the range. It wears for several hours, and it glided on without pulling or tugging before it settles into a semi-matte finish.

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

Chanel L'Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
Chanel L’Impatiente Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

37 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Irina Avatar

I hoped it would be closer to Black Orcind by Tom Ford – desperately in need for a dupe of that shade as they don’t sell Tom Ford here!

Marine Avatar

Try Dior’s hypnotic red! It’s really similar to black orchid! I’ve got both of them and when I swatch them I can’t even differenciate them ^^’ … (But I still prefer black orchid because it’s more comfortable to wear, at least for me. But sure it’s hard to find it… Where I live you can’t find Tom Ford products either :(…)

Kate Avatar

I might be alone in this, but I was actually hoping that this would be the super-dark, near-matte shade that it looked like in the tube. I’m less enthused for it now, which is perhaps good, since your review made me want the shadow quad.

xamyx Avatar

You are definitely not alone! When I saw the product photo, I got really excited, but alas, the swatches told a different story. I find so many shades like this look amazing in the tube, but they end up applying so differently. I’m desperately hoping NARS would re-release Times Square…

Michelle Avatar

This reminds me of Revlon’s Red Velvet lip butter. I love dark berry-reds as it’s my version of vampy (can’t pull off near-black colors).

VickyM Avatar

Christine you are lovely for swatching a product that actually dries out and injures your lips. Strangely, this formula doesn´t hurt my lips at all, it´s actually even a little moisturizing, and on my pale lips everything pretty much looks the same as in the tube lol, be it from Mac, Dior, Guerlain or Chanel :p

Jennifer Avatar

I tried my first Rouge Allure Velvet with La Provocante (The dark plum vampy color) .

When I first put it on, it feels light and nice. Although I have to exfoliate or hydrate my lips with a lip balm for a bit , wipe that off and then apply the lipstick… So I don’t get a lot of the color deposited into the dry skin or cracks of my lips.

It still does not apply evenly.

I am disappointed to see this color as well having the same problems. I was kinda interested in it.

Not anymore.

As far as dark colors (because I haven’t tried the lighter ones in this formula) is concerned this lipstick is a terrible matte lipstick. It highlights all your lips imperfections and does not apply evenly at all.

I will stick with Rouge Allure’s and Rouge Coco .

If you want a more “Matte” Chanel lipstick I recommend Rouge Coco’s over Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks.

blueraccoon Avatar

I own two of these and I don’t use them very much–they were both special edition colors and I’m not sure I like the colors very much, to be honest. But I love, love, love the packaging. I’m more tempted now than I was before I saw the swatches, but I still think it’s too vampy for me to pull off with confidence. (For reference, I own La Distinguee, the online exclusive – it’s pretty much my actual lip color – and L’Infidele, from FNO.)

Jodie Avatar

How would you say this compares to black orchid by Tom ford, as already have it(mega spluge) and unsure weather I need two pricey lipsticks if one does the job of both. By the way thanks for all you do, it’s a pleasure reading your blog and keep up the wonderful work. 🙂

Larissa Oliveira Avatar

Avon has launched in Brazil a line of matte lipsticks, matte wine, is very similar to that of the same Chanel! Is an awesome replacement! Lipstick that will take a long time to get here, meanwhile, will using the same Avon!

Maribeth Avatar

I am in total agreement with you, Christine, about this formula being very drying on your lips. I can’t wear it for that reason. Although I love the colors I’ll skip this product. Thanks for the honest review!

Amelie Avatar

You are right, this lipstick is very dry, I have tried other rouge allure velvet and had been just great.

About the colour not been dark enough, you need to keep in mind not just the tube and description when buying something, but also the type of target the brand goes for. 
Chanel has always been for classy middle age ladies who were a little conservative, they have tried to get younger costumers not too long ago but still, if you want a super vampy dark lipstick Chanel is not the brand to find it, not because it’s bad, because that is not the brand’s target and that applies to all brands.

Linda Avatar

I just ordered this from Chanel.com — have never tried this formula, so am going to give it a chance, since I am IN LOVE with this color. Will follow up with what I think after I receive and try.

SunshineAZ Avatar

I picked it up and I have to say I it’s not as drying on me as it seems to be for you. It’s a beautiful color and I’m so glad I got it!

Serena Avatar

I just got this one as well. I personally LOVE it. I use a dark chanel lip liner underneath and it’s much, much darker on me than it is on you (like the color of it in the tube).

Caroline Avatar

I just bought this over the weekend, and on me it appears a lot darker, like it does in the tube. However, I like this shade – it’s not too draining or ‘vampy’ and it makes a change from all the usual autumnal colours out there. One Word Of Caution: Make sure your lips are smooth and exfoliated before applying, as it does show up any dry bits BIG TIME, making them look darker and streakier.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!