An Ode to Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

What would you do if one of your holy grail beauty products was discontinued? (And I’m sure that many of you have had it happen, so what did you actually do?)

About two weeks ago, I tweeted that Chanel Customer Service confirmed, via email, that all but Coromandel were going to be discontinued in 2011. I called their customer service line to get confirmation through that route, just in case, and they had the reverse information–Coromandel was being discontinued but nothing else–but they said they would escalate my question up to corporate. Last Wednesday, I had to tweet confirmation by Chanel corporate that all shades (except Coromandel) were being discontinued in 2011.

Long-time readers know that Chanel Dragon (75) Rouge Allure Laque ($32.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is one of few holy grail products for me, and it really is; it’s the red I reach for on every special occasion. It’s my power red. There is no other lip color that garners as many compliments as this shade. So I did what any beauty addict would do: immediately bought back-ups upon back-ups. I haven’t finished my original tube of Dragon, though I suspect I am nearly the end, and had already repurchased a second tube for future use. I bought five more, though I plan to distribute a few of those to my favorite people this Christmas.  It’s still available (at least online) at Nordstrom and Saks.

Realistically, there are numerous other reds I love and enjoy, and while it may not be that on oh-my-goodness-this-is-perfect level, they’re close enough, and I’ll make it through. With luck, Chanel is replacing the RAL line-up with something bigger and better. With even better luck, I’ll discover a dupe or an even more fantastic red over time. Guerlain Garconne is the closest I’ve found so far.

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Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Holiday 2011: Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a pop of bright, summery watermelon pink with yellow undertones and gold shimmer. I don’t think of this shade at all when I think about holiday; it reads summery to me, though I wouldn’t let that stop me from wearing it in December. It’s mostly opaque, though there is a slight translucence that allows some of the natural lip color peek through. Initially, I was worried it might compare to Chanel Phoenix, but it’s not even in the same realm; Phoenix is a vibrant, deep pink with a hint of coral. MAC Speed Dial is lighter and a little cool-toned. Guerlain Gemma is fairly similar but a touch lighter and has more of a golden sheen than shimmer.

The Rouge Allure Laque formula is best described as liquid lipstick, because it feels more like a liquid lipstick than it does a gloss; it’s thin but pigmented. It glides on with enough slip that it doesn’t feather or bleed. I wore this by itself, and it wore for five hours before starting to fade.

The Glossover

	Empire A
	This shade could be a touch more pigmented, but otherwise, I have no complaints--it applies smoothly, evenly, and wears for hours. The yellow undertones in this pink will make it easy for warmer complexions to wear.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4.5/5
	Where to Buy
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Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Stunt Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel SoHo Story: Stunt

First, I must warn you: I LOVE ROUGE ALLURE LAQUES. I received a few to review when they first came onto the market, and I literally ran out the next day and bought four more. (I’ve reviewed all shades to date here.) I get four to six hours of wear with the formula, which I find rich in color, lightweight, and comfortable to wear; they’re moisturizing enough to keep my lips in good shape whenever I wear ‘em.

Chanel Stunt Rouge Allure Laque ($32.00 for .20 oz.) is a pink-kissed plum with a very creamy look, slight glossiness, and rich, opaque color. LOVE! This is a flattering shade on both cooler and warmer skin tone. It is also such a needed shade to the Rouge Allure Laque range, which makes it a real shame that it’s a limited edition color. Stunt is such a wearable shade of pink/plum that’s not too light or dark, nor is it bright pink like Phoenix.  So happy I bought it–now, if only Chanel would add about eight more shades to the range and make those all permanent…

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• Product: 29/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 5/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: If you like opaque lip color that feels lightweight and never sticky, you might like Rouge Allure Laques.

AVAILABILITY: Chanel

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Chanel Stunt Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Stunt Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Imperial (73) Rouge Allure Lacque

The Sultry Season: Chanel Imperial (73) Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Imperial (73) Rouge Allure Laque ($32.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a rich shade of rusted red with just a touch of berry.  Rusted berry sounds weird, but perhaps that’s a more apt description than rusted red!  It has subtle pink and gold micro-shimmer.  It’s completely opaque, and it makes lips look lush — it has the color payoff of a lipstick with the shine of a gloss.  Rouge Allure Laques are one of my favorite products, and I’m reminded of that every time I put one on.   I get around four to five hours of wear with shade in particular–plus a residual stain.

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

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Chanel Phoenix Rouge Allure Lacque

The Summer Season: Chanel Phoenix Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Phoenix (#78) Rouge Allure Laque
($32.00) is a brightened, dark pink with a glossy sheen and very subtle pink shimmer. I love Rouge Allure Laques (I don’t think I’ve kept that a secret!), and Phoenix is gorgeous. It’s this beautiful strawberry-esque pink that’s bold and bright without being electric. I love the full-color coverage, too–totally and utterly opaque on my lips (see, covers my freckle!). Love, love the feel of it as well. It applies evenly and smoothly with ease in what is, essentially, a liquid lipstick formula.  On my lips, I get about three to four hours on average, with the gloss fading around hour two or three and the color lingering for a solid four to five hours. (The deeper Rouge Allure Laques have more lingering colors than the lighter shades, like Ming and Santal.) I hope Chanel is listening, ’cause I want MORE Rouge Allure Laques this year! Another eight? Yes, please!

Is this the right bright pink lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…