Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color (La Ravissante) Review, Photos, Swatches
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a coral-orange with a soft shine. It’s not matte exactly–it’s more semi-matte–but the shine disappears within the first hour, and you get a much more matte look at that time. It looks a bit like a subtly frosted matte after the shine wears off. Bobbi Brown Sweet Nectar is a bit darker, Chanel Teheran is very similar but a touch pinker and frosted, and Milani Cora Bora Bora is fairly similar but also frosted.
The new Rouge Allure Velvet formula is supposed to yield rich color with a soft velvet matte finish that’s non-drying and glides on. La Ravissante is opaque, and the texture of these feels amazing when you first apply; it’s soft, comfortable, and glides across lips like skates on ice. It also wears for hours and hours–with this particular shade, the color was still quite intact after four hours and a lunch. It continued to linger on like a heavyweight champ for another four hours. The wear on these is between six and eight hours, and while they’re not transfer-proof (did not pass the kiss test at all), the majority of the color hangs around.
There are a lot of things to like about this lipstick, but there is one glaring characteristic that I really dislike–borderline loathe–this is so, so drying. I just feel like it’s sucking the very life out of my lips after an hour or two of wear. Testing this product was painful after six hours, because my lips felt dry, cracked, and beyond chapped. When I hit the eight hour mark when testing La Ravissante, I removed it ASAP and applied half a tube of balm on my lips (not really, but you get the picture!). I’ve been testing out various shades from the new range since my order arrived from Nordstrom about a week and a half ago, and all the shades I’ve tried have had the same drying characteristic.
They don’t claim that it’s hydrating, but they do claim it’s non-drying, and I was fussing with my lips after an hour. I went to lunch with a friend, and she noticed how uncomfortable I seemed to be with my lipstick and asked if I was testing something new (but of course!). Because it’s so drying, the lines on my lips become more and more noticeable with more product welling into them. It’s not just drying after you wear it for six or eight hours, but my lips felt dry and chapped after an hour. I’ve worn hundreds of lipsticks and glosses over the years, and very few products cling and dry out my lips like this. There are many matte formulas and shades I’ve worn over the years and few have been as drying as I found these.
I know a lot of readers seemed to express good experiences with these, too, which had me excited, but I would never reach for one of these lipsticks. I could only test one every couple of days because of the toll they took on my lips. If you don’t mind layering with lip balm, which often defeats the look of a matte finish, the long-wearing color may make it worth it. Claims (such as being non-drying) are encompassed by the overall product rating, but this product excelled in pigmentation and longevity, which cushioned the impact of how drying it was (how drying it was also impacted the texture score). I would not recommend this product, based on my experience, but the grade would lead one to believe a less harsh recommendation. If only they felt more like they do when they’re initially applied, because it’s soft, smooth, and comfortable.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $32
The Glossover
I would NOT recommend these based on my personal experience. I know a lot of readers seemed to express good experiences with these, too, which had me excited, but I would never reach for one of these lipsticks. I could only test one every couple of days because of the toll they took on my lips. If you don't mind layering with lip balm, which often defeats the look of a matte finish, the long-wearing color may make it worth it.
See more photos & swatches!
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color (after 4 hours)
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
Chanel La Ravissante (32) Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
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Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase it? How much is it?
Nordstrom, $32.
Is it limited edition?
No.
Any dupes?
Bobbi Brown Sweet Nectar is a bit darker, Chanel Teheran is very similar but a touch pinker and frosted, and Milani Cora Bora Bora is fairly similar but also frosted.
I haven't tried it yet but it's good to read your review. I cannot recommend illamasqua matte lipsticks. They dried out my lips soo bad
Hey did you have any affordable dupes for number 37 L'exuberante? The color is absolutely amazing, but if this product is as drying as you say I don't want to spend the money on it.
The only dupes I know of are listed in the post! :(
I just got this lipstick in La Fascinante last week and it is by far the best lipstick I have ever owned! I dont find it to be drying at all! For a matte lipstick, if feels very comfortable and I have not experience any cracking and the best part is that it lasts so long. I am wondering if the shade makes a difference? Either way, I think I have found my new HG lipstick!!
I find it NOT drying AT ALL!! I wore it new years from 6 pm till 11 am next morning after a harsh night... It was still on, and my lips were still so moisturizing, and I didn't layered it with lip balm. I reapplied and dabbed it a few times during the night, when I could remember of course. It is THE PERFECT MATTE LIPSTICK ever made.
I'm very skeptical about my lipstick, I have always been used the MAC ones, but none of them are hydrating at all, which is petty for a company. I had my eyes on Chanel's lipsticks for a long time, I was going to get the Rouge Coco, then this came to my view. I have always been eager to try a matte lipstick and in a very bright colour for so long, so I spoiled myself with 'L'EXUBERANTE (37)'. I tested on the counter and wore it for 4-5 hours, I was amazed by this lipstick, didn't dry my lip out at all, and kept it moisture the whole time.
Glad it worked for you, Monica!
Hi Christine! Regarding your comments about the Rouge Allure Velvets being too drying to wear all the time, to that I would have to say 'yes and no', that is if you asked us whether or not we found them far too drying! LOL :) What I mean is that I bought La Somptueuse and L'Exuberante, and the former wasn't drying and the latter was! I wore La Somptueuse today with a bit of MAC Mahogany lip pencil, but I put a tiny bit of balm on first, then I only ate a few hours later, and then soon ate greasy food after that (where most of it came off LOL), and I reapplied it (which I did twice today). I have seen after a few trials that La Somptueuse is like a kid who acts naughty at the start of the day with a babysitter but soon becomes more disciplined and calms down throughout the day! :) After I reapply La Somptueuse a second time, it doesn't chap at all nor does it budge again after that, and I won't use balm again for the rest of the day. Not unless I eat the greasiest thing ever! I have seen this after a few trials as I said. But L'Exuberante is the naughty child that never behaves and is too hyper! That one dries up a lot where you have to put balm three times a day but it is very long-wearing. But flakes of dry skin do appear on the lips if I go too balm-less while wearing L'Exuberante throught the day. What I'm saying sounds silly but strangely it's true.
I had problems with both of those shades :( They were all the same for me - extremely drying! I wish it wasn't so!
Oh man, that four hour shot makes me cringe. My lips are sensitive enough that even most hydrating formulas dry them out a bit; I imagine this would be absolute murder on me. It's a beautiful color, but for $32 a pop, I think I'll go after one of Chanel's more lip-friendly lines.
LOL! It makes me cringe thinking about it!
This colour looks perfect.
Hope you like it!
I swear that 98% of the lipcolors you post look great on you. How do you do that??
No secret :P
What a shame, I find it such a refreshing color! I'll check out the dupes :P
I hope you like one of the dupes!
My new favorite, MAC Ruby Woo was doing the drying thing; It didn't until the weather got cool and dryer. So I watched a MAC tutorial that actually only used three products for lipstick!! Shocking; it costs $345 in product to put on lipstick the MAC way. Lipstick, pencil, lip primer. Well I just turned 50 so I thought I can be suckered just once... Actually it works really well! It is like really thin lip balm but no taste and just right. Gotta do pencil in two layers as it slips a bit and takes thin layers. Then two layers of Ruby But- matte with out dryness and sucking in lemon juice style. And if you run it over the edges no feathering so far. Three long days wear, re apply a bit more and redid midday once. But not so bad, big comfy matte red lips. I've put the dis to MAC a lot lately but knew the basics were solid. This is a new staple if it keeps up. A wrinkle with no feather is one I can pretend isn't there.
How did it get to $345?!
color looks sweet...too bad it's drying
I know - so annoying!
The color looks gorgeous on you! I wish I could try it, but considering the fact that even Burt's Bees dries out my lips, I'll have to pass. If anyone with extremely sensitive/dry lips has any tips for me, please help!! Aquaphor is about the only lip balm I can use and not end up with dry or peeling lips. I have to exfoliate every morning just to keep them looking decent. Not fun!
Burt's Bees chapstick or whatever dries my lips out too!
This is a good color on you, Christine - it's very Mod, in a way, without washing you out :)
Thanks, Arlee!
I find this so surprising because I have this lipstick and I love it! It's the only matte lipstick I have ever tried that doesn't dry out my lips. I thought I would never be able to wear a matte lipstick until I found these. Sorry it didn't work for you, Christine. I guess you really have to try before you buy!
The 'try before you buy comment' is just a general tip for anyone buying lipsticks. What doesn't work for one may work for another, and vice versa :)
I wish! :(
Out of interest -- have you ever managed to find a transfer proof or mostly transfer proof lipstick?
Really long-wearing stuff like MAC Pro Longwear doesn't transfer - the color is literally stuck on your lips. The clear gloss will transfer, though.
Oh, Christine, that's such a shame! I've got fairly dry lips but I found these so comfortable to wear (I did the light toothbrush exfoliation thingy beforehand). Didn't fade or bleed or dry me out. I was looking forward to your thoughts on La Fascinante and L'Exuberante because I have both of them and tbh, was looking forward to seeing them praised. Yes, I am that sad! :embarrassed: You know what this means, though, don't you? You'll just have to get yourself more Rouge G's to make up!
LOL! ;)
I love that color, but I don't use matte lipsticks cause I hate feeling my lips dry! :S
Me too :(
My fave matte lipstick is by MAC, their mattenes. Wow. what a formula!!!! I think chanel lipsticks are very drying..overrated. just my opinion.
Mattenes are nice!
I totally agree with your comments about this lipstick, Christine. I was so disappointed with it for the reasons you explain. I am reluctant to buy any of the other colours but this was the colour I thought would be my 'it' lipstick for summer. Unfortunately, I have to layer another lipstick over it to be happy with it.
It's good to know I'm not the only one who found these very drying! Have you tried with balm? I don't like the way it looks so much (I don't see why I'd bother--I could wear another lipstick on its own!) myself, though.
Christine, I have tried a balm underneath but no better outcome. I am a lipstick lover and cannot go out without colour so this was so disappointing and the price is expensive in Australia. What I do to achieve a better effect is apply another lipstick over the top which helps. I do like to combine colours to achieve a unique look.
So sad to hear you didn't have better luck :(
beautiful nuance!
I was so impressed with the first swatch but the swatch taken after four hours looks painful.
It was :(
I would really like to try these for myself,but unfortunately here we can't take products back once they've been used and I would hate to be disappointed and be obliged to keep it...bammer...I'm wondering what to do...when I saw the promo pics I felt very excited but your review (and I trust your reviews!) made me think twice...if it were some cheap lipstick,I wouldn't mind spending say 5-10 euros on it...but 32 dollars=about 35-40 euros?! that's too big a risk...argh..I dunno...
Oh no! :( It sucks that there is no return policy!
what really scares me is that my lower lip is always rather dry,as opposed to my upper lip which is in top shape (no idea why this is!lol)and there's a chance that these lipsticks may turn my lower lip into a bleeding nightmare...ouch..!
I admire your honesty, Christine. My experience was exactly the same: like the colours and the opaqueness, hated the feel of it on my lips for any length of time. I do think it's an individual think, though; I also feel that the Rouge Coco Shines are very drying, if not to the extent that these mattes are, but most people seem to love the Rouge Coco Shines and considering them moisturizing.
I find Rouge Coco Shines not drying, not moisturizing - but they wear off in an hour or two, so maybe that's why I don't find they're as ravaging as these to lips! But I was disappointed in Rouge Coco Shines - for the price tag (and the quantity - like half the amount of a regular Chanel lipstick), wearing off in 1-2 hours and not actually being moisturizing? Pfft.
true
Had to put lip balm on just reading the comments. Too bad ... it's such a beautiful color.
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