Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches
Monday, July 4th, 2011
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick ($35.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, coral-red (that leans more pink than red) with subtle gold micro-shimmer and a slight shine to the finish. It has a little more than semi-opaque color coverage, as you can see just a hint of my lip freckle peeking through. When I wore this alone, I had just under five hours of good, even wear, before it began to fade–better than average.
The formula is creamy without being thick or heavy, and it is actually a moisturizing formula. It’s soft and feels like silk when applied. I find these comparable to the Rouge G lipstick, though not as thick or as opaque, but still similar enough. They’re $11 cheaper than the Rouge Gs, but the colors still have the same depth and nuanced shade range that makes Guerlain lipstick always standout to me. To see more photos of the packaging, check out this post. I did find that the slider on this particular tube was stiffer than others, which reduced the functionality/utility.
I found Chanel Flamboyante to be a little brighter and redder but still similar. It seems more like a slightly darker and more opaque MAC Viva Glam Cyndi.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $35
The Glossover
It's a wearable coral that leans a little pink as well as red but doesn't come off as orange or ultra bright. It should work well as a spring/summer color!
See more photos & swatches!
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick
Guerlain Bal de Mai (160) Rouge Automatique Lipstick
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Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase it? How much is it?
Nordstrom, $35.
Is it limited edition?
No.
Any dupes?
Wow Christine! I bought two of these Rouge Automatique colours, and wanted to check out what you said about the specific colours I got. I got #160, and my version is extremely less pink/vibrant that what your swatches look like. Its really nice, and you can definitely see the gold flecks! but its almost a neutral mauvy-red. Way less pink! This makes me a little disappointed, as I like your colour more! Maybe the difference between Canada and US versions?
I just picked up one of the rouge automatiques a couple of weeks ago--got the signature color (#165, Champs Elysees) and really loving it! It is light in texture, beautifully juice and sparkling in color (without being shimmery), and boy it lasts! I may have to succumb to another or two. The only downside is the flipping though; I came close to breaking the lipstick because I flipped it upside down (i.e. the lip would've opened up to my hand :( )
I keep doing that! Getting it and trying to open it and realizing it was upside down. It opened into my hand a few times already. This packaging is super annoying! I also have Bal De Mai and it doesn't look the same on me as it does in these pictures. The swatch on this post really looks red on my monitor but I feel that the description, a coral-pink with a hint of red, is correct. Lipsticks look different on different people so there's absolutely nothing wrong with this post or these pictures. Your natural lip color, how heavily you apply and even the condition of your lips on the day you apply it will make it look different. I even feel that it looks different, depending on what clothes I'm wearing. This is a good color though. I only bought one and this was it.
This is a beautiful coral...I have a few of these lipsticks, including Nahema (I hope I spelled that correctly), also a coral. I think I prefer Bal de Mai. It's darker and richer looking.
If you type in the code ROUGE (or maybe it was ROUGE*) during checkout with a Sephora order they will give you free mini sample of this lipstick. ^_^
How can you give this packaging 3.5 but you gave Shalimar 5/5 for packaging? They have the exact same packaging?
Hi Sophie, If you read the post, I addressed this - I stated that the packaging on this one had a stiff slider mechanism, which makes it difficult to open.
What an amazing colour! My resolve to not but any of these for a while is starting to fade...
Ooh, I really like this color! I got a sample from Sephora of this formula in Coque D'or, but I haven't really found a way to wear it out yet. I'm really not a big reds person, and it's quite a bit redder than this.
Okay, I've done my research and now I have a question :-). Someday (hopefully soon!) I plan on investing in a Guerlain lipstick because I've heard such wonderful things about the formula. However, last night I browsed sooo many of their colors (your reviews were invaluable, thank you!) until they all blended together, and really, none of them called "Get me! I'm the one!" So, do you have a recommendation based on all the Guerlain lipstick colors you've tried, of which is the most unique to Guerlain (i.e. hard to dupe) and/or some of your favorites? If I'm only going to get one Guerlain lipstick (for now, haha), what are some you would suggest? I'm open to anything except bright oranges, I need a color that can look halfway nice on pale cool skin :-).
I find Gemma to be different, because of the way it has a golden sheen :)
THIS IS SO PRETTY.
I like the colour, but I really don't think the packaging of Automatique lipsticks is good quality at all. It feels very cheap to me.
It looks gorgeous on you! I'm really interested in the Rouge Automatique's and I was wondering if you're going to review Après L'Ondee too? That's the shade that caught my eye :)
I don't know if I have that, sorry! :(
Will you be reviewing the 163?
I don't know if I have it, sorry!
Kinda reminds me of Mellow Flame from MAC's Smoke Signals collection released a bazillion years ago. The world would be a nicer place if more pinky-corals like this were available.
I really like that color.. might have to check out Viva Glam Cyndi. Happy 4th of July, by the way!
I have no idea how it shows up this bright red on you when it's a much more muted colour on me, not really red at all.
It's only a little red on me - not a true red by any means! More like a coral-pink with a hint of red.
It looks properly red on my monitor. :)
I checked swatches across 4 different monitors (desktop, boyfriend's two monitors, and my laptop) and it's by no means a red - looks very coral and pink :(
I dug mine out this morning to try it on and it's not at all like your pictures in real life, it's more of a muted rosy pink than coral imo. How weird.
What a beautiful color! Too bad it's out of my price range. :$
Why did packaging only get a 3.5/5 when you gave Guerlain Shalimar (166) 5/5? Don't both lipsticks have the same packaging??
Hi Cindy, If you read the review, I noted that I found the slider on this to be stiff, which makes it harder to open and thus a lot less functional. I have a few more reviews planned, and the packaging is inconsistent - some work fine, some are stiff, which will result in having to go back and bring down the packaging for all if it's not just one or two duds.
So when we buy it,it would be safer to check the package. Thank u for the small details u pointed out! :)
Yep! :) I haven't had any I couldn't get open or anything, but now that I have had a couple that are stiffer to slide, I am keeping an eye out.
I definitely saw the same problem -- I bought one from Sephora and the slider was so wonky it snapped my tube of lipstick in half :[ thank god for Sephora's excellent return policy!
Ohhh no! My fears with the stiffer slider is that 1) more prone to breaking (since you have to use more fuss), that it won't open), or that you'll try to open and it'll slip from your hands!
That is so, so pretty. I have a feeling that would look great on me. Perhaps once I go back-to-school shopping in August, I'll have to see if this is available in Canada.
If you live near Toronto they carry the line at The Bay's downtown 'flagship' stores. I'm also think that Holt Renfrew also carries this line, although I've never checked.
It's such a beautiful shade. Will wait for it be launched in India.
love this color
It looks so wow!!
I love it! I will definitely have to get one.
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