Guerlain Greta Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick
Guerlain Greta Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick ($45.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, intense shade of blue-based red. Where Geisha has an orange tone to it, Greta is its counterpart–blue-based. Even though I’m warm-toned, I always find myself drawn to blue-based reds. I just find they’re more flattering on me (maybe I’m wrong, but if you’re going to wear red, you have to feel confident, so I’m sticking with my blue-based reds!).
Greta is a gorgeous shade of solid, completely opaque slightly cool-toned red. It’s quite the stunning shade, and it’s perfect for the upcoming holiday season. It’s creamy, silky, and moisturizing on lips. It wears well for hours, and it comes off only minimally through eating/drinking, particularly because it is so rich in pigment. There’s a slight glossy sheen to it with microshimmer that gives it that subtle sparkle. One of my favorite shades of Rouge G so far!
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
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Guerlain Geisha Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick
Guerlain Geisha Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick ($45.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a beautiful shade of red with just a tinge of orange. It has a soft, glistening sheen with a very subtle mix of coppery shimmer that you can’t even feel–it’s that fine. It applies decently from the tube, but to get a really defined pout, a lip brush is a must. It feels like silk on the lips–very lightweight–but it gives you heavyweight color.
The color wears well, giving me hours of wear and lasting fairly well through drinking/eating. I’ve noticed that lighter shades of Rouge G don’t quite last thoroughly through drinking or eating, but more intense shades like Geisha do. There’s some fading, but it’s even and still wearable without needing to reapply. Geisha is surprisingly not too orange on me, as I tend to run away from anything too orange-red. It’s just a slight fiery red on me.
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
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MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Review
MAC Style Black included two pieces of limited edition skincare — the ever-raved about Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and previously-mentioned-but-finally-released Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask.
I’ve been a big supporter of MAC’s Volcanic Ash Exfoliator since it released. I loved it. I sparingly used it so it would last as long as I could manage. I managed to make two tubs last me a year or so (it was launched in 2008). I couldn’t even begin to tell you how excited I was for it to be re-released with Style Black!
The re-released Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is slightly different than the original in a few key ways, though the product still feels, smells, and does the same (for me!) as the original version did. This release of Volcanic Ash Exfoliator uses both sugar (sucrose, specifically) and silica for exfoliating, whereas the original release only used sugar. Before, when you scrubbed your face with the exfoliator, the sugar particles would eventually dissolve, but with the addition of silica, you’ll notice a slightly gritty texture the whole time.
From what I can tell, MAC was attempting to address some of the problems/concerns the product created when it was originally launched. The tub packaging was both unsanitary and was not shower-friendly (which is the most convenient place to use this, because it can be messy). The tub seemed to get a lot of water in it when I had it in my shower, which kind of resulted in the sugar dissolving faster than I’d like–and the heat of the shower also caused some of the sugar to dissolve, I’d imagine. Since silica doesn’t dissolve, it also makes it a more shower-friendly ingredient when it comes to exfoliation! The new tube packaging now makes it more hygienic and shower-friendly, as well.
Considering I ended up having half a tub of exfoliator without any exofliating properties because all the sugar dissolved, I’m happy it’s in a tube! I also think that while it feels thicker, it’s also hard to judge, because before you were scooping it out of a jar so the two processes are different enough. I also don’t have any of the old stuff left to compare. It does, though, feel a little thicker.
In the end, it applies and feels like the original. I’d say it’s a little grittier than it previously was, with the addition of silica, but it still doesn’t feel like a harsh, aggressive exfoliator. It’s fairly gentle, and it should be used once or twice during the week, depending on how your skin takes to exfoliants.
Product value on this could be better, because they took out about an ounce of product and tacked on an additional fifty cents. I can handle the slight price increase, but I’m less than impressed with the decrease in the product itself (particularly since it’s 3.4 oz.), since it represents about 20-25% decrease in how much you get for your money.
Bottom line: It’s a mild exfoliator that has an earthy, ashy smell that’s not unpleasant (at least not to me), nor is it like ohhh, yummy! , it’s just kind of the scent I’d expect from it. It leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and may even give you a lil’ bit of that glow. I still love it, but I’m not quite as in-love as I was originally (I think that’s more because of all the other exfoliators that I also love). I definitely still recommend trying it out–ask for a sample if you’re unsure–because it is a fantastic exfoliator!
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: If you liked the original, I think you’ll still like this slightly reformulated version! It’s a good, mild exfoliator!
Availability: MAC Cosmetics
Guerlain Gaela Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick ($45.00 for 0.12 oz.) is the ultimate in lip luxury. This lipstick’s compact was designed by Lorenz Bäumer, a famous jeweler from the Place Vendôme in Paris, which is one reason this lipstick compact comes with a high price tag.
Gaela is a pretty-in-pink shade. It’s a medium pink with a slight sheen but not a whole lot of shimmer. I’d classify it as a neutral-warm pink, and it’s bright enough to add a pop of color to lips, but it’s not so bright that it stands out from miles away. It applies opaquely with one layer, and even from the tube, it goes on fairly evenly.
Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipsticks are creamy, long-wearing, often opaque to semi-opaque in color pay off, and they feel hydrating once slicked onto lips. The wear-time depends on the intensity of the shades (e.g. darker shades like reds and burgundies will last longer and easily get through a meal with minimal fading, but lighter shades disappear a bit faster), but I get no less than six hours of wear with these babies. I can even get through drinking/eating, too. I do find that there is some noticeable fading after eating a meal, but it’s not a deal-breaker. These just feel very lightweight and yet give you amazing color with a few swipes. They last long enough to get me through the day without worrying about fading lip color, and they leave my lips feeling hydrated.
The packaging is sleek, luxe, and more than most look for in lipstick packaging. It’s a heavy, metal-based compact (the heaviest lipstick I’ve personally owned) with a flip-top mirror on the outside casing, which can be handy for re-application. Now, I’m not willing to fork over extra money for a mirror (hey, I can buy a $2 mirror and keep that in my purse instead!), and even though I love innovative packaging, I’m not sold on paying for it, you know? The packaging does keep fingerprints like other Guerlain packaging, but I will say that fingerprints are a lot less noticeable (hardly noticeable, in fact) compared to their other packaging. It’s most noticeable when I take flash photography of the product (ha!), but not when you’re just looking (admiring?) it. Bottom line: packaging is gorgeous and every bit luxe, but I’d rather pay $35 and skip some of the bells and whistles of the case.
For those who love to splurge on luxury beauty items, Guerlain Le Rouge G de Guerlain didn’t disappoint me. In fact, I really love the lipstick formula itself, and I’d love to see it offered sans the heavy-duty luxe packaging if only so I could feel better about purchasing these!
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: If you’re feeling like a splurge, Guerlain’s Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipsticks aren’t a bad place to start. The formula is outstanding, but the price tag is tough to swallow–pretty much the only reason this product isn’t rated an A.
Availability: Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, Sephora
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Chanel Rouge Allure: Hysteria, Maniac, Obscure
Chanel Noirs Obscurs Collection features three shades of Rouge Allure Lipsticks: Maniac (deep black red), Hysteria (eggplant black), and Obscure (brown black).
Rouge Allure Lipstick ($30.00)
- Hysteria is a deep, dark cool-toned blackened, red-toned purple. It goes on very opaque and layers well. Applied with a lip brush and/or over a dark lip liner, this color is very intense and completely solid. It has subtle violet-purple shimmer and a glossy finish.
- Maniac is a dark brown-based red–almost reminds me of a deep, dark blood red in a way. Like Hysteria, it applies better with a lip brush rather than straight outta the tube (which is often the course you’d take with such a dark and bold lip color like this anyway). This one has very subtle reddish shimmer that’s almost missed by the eye. It has the same glossy finish as Hysteria.
- Obscure is a dark, terracotta-warmed brown. It also has a glossy finish with just a slight bit of coppery orange shimmer. This one applied the best straight from the tube, but it, too, applies better when you use a lip brush.
I’m a big fan of Chanel lip products. Their eye products are often misses for me, but their lip products rarely disappoint. I’m so pleased to see truly opaque, richly pigmented colors release from this high-end brand. These aren’t imitations of bold, fall lip colors at all–they’re intense and well-pigmented. My advice is to line with a lip liner and potentially fill in all of your lips with it (you can try a flesh-toned, lip-toned, or similar-toned shade) and then apply using a lip brush for precision. Bold lips look best when they’re well-defined, so a lip brush for application is really necessary!
Rouge Allure lipsticks are creamy, silky, and are nearly always pigmented. They wear incredibly well throughout the day (several hours and still hang on a bit after eating/drinking) and fade in such a way that doesn’t leave any funny rings or the like around your mouth. They’re hydrating and just feel good on the lips.
What do you think? Are these colors drawing you in?
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: For luxe, long-lasting and intense bold lips, Chanel’s new, limited edition Rouge Allure shades are a top choice.
Availability: October/November 2009 at Chanel.
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Chanel Diabolic Le Vernis
Chanel Noirs Obscurs Collection features three shades of Le Vernis ($23.00 each): Diabolic (deep black), Vendetta (deep violet), and Forbidden (deep black burgundy brown).
Le Vernis ($23.00)
- Diabolic is a rich, wine-berry burgundy that looks darkest in natural light–like a deep, berry-brown. It has more of a cream finish as it doesn’t have any shimmer.
- Vendetta is a delicious shade of a deep violet-black with violet shimmer that’s most noticeable in bright light. This shade actually made an appearance a year or so ago, so check your stash if you’re an avid Chanel polish collector. I love this shade, though!
- Forbidden is a deep, dark reddish-tinged brown. It’s very dark, very sultry, and it’s such a sexy way to wear red without really wearing red. Surprisingly, I really loved this shade on my nails. It’s also a cream texture, like Diabolic (ignore any residual sparkles–I’m pretty sure that’s MAC’s Seriously Hip leftovers).
There’s no real need to discuss value here–it’s a double C nail lacquer, so pick your poison. I’ve always had good luck with Chanel polishes. For my nails, I tend to use Zoya’s Color Lock System for base, top, and fast drying coats, and my nails always last forever. I just get tip wear (which is normal), but I never get chips. Chanel’s formula is consistent, too, which I can appreciate. I just need two medium-thick coats to achieve solid, intense color. I think these colors are perfect for the fall/winter season, and I love how they coordinate so well with the rest of the Noirs Obscurs collection. If I had to rank ‘em, I’d recommend them in this order: Forbidden, Vendetta, and Diabolic.
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: Love vampy nails? Love Chanel? Then check these out!
Availability: October/November 2009 at Chanel.
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