Hermes Rose Inoui & Orange Boite Rouge Matte Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Rose Inoui (27)
Hermes Rose Inoui (27) Rouge Matte Lipstick ($72.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter pop of pink-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a satin finish. The texture felt lightweight, thin, and velvety, so it didn’t feel wet or overly emollient when applied, but it was a little clingy. The product separated along my lip lines and settled there, which worsened over time. When I tried to press my lips together to smooth the color out, it resulted in general patchiness across my lips entirely (which was kind of present along my upper lip).
There was something about the formula and texture that didn’t seem to sit smoothly on my lips, even though I exfoliated prior to applying the color. It had opaque coverage in a single layer, which stayed on well for four and a half hours and felt non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Can You Tell (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, glossier (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Express Stop (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Rosy Seduction (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Amour (LE, $38.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Rain (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass I Dream (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel La Favorite (43) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Bachelorette (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Musings (534) (P, $32.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- NARS Rouge Palatin (LE, $27.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$72.00/0.12 oz. - $600.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "comfortable" and "hydrating" with a "velvety, powdery finish" that has "intense, long-lasting color." The shades I've tested have had good color coverage in a single layer, though more semi-opaque and buildable than fully opaque coverage in a single layer. They have a smooth, velvety consistency that's very lightweight and thin, but most shades were unforgiving; they emphasized lip texture, settled into lines, separated along lip lines, and caught on imperfections.
The texture felt nice and comfortable going on, but it seemed a little clingy over time, and I did not find the formula hydrating while worn. They seemed to be mostly non-drying but one shade seemed drying to me. The wear was four to six hours with the deepest shade I tried, Rose Velours, left behind a stain over time (but was the one that felt a little drying). There was a sweet, rosy scent (seemed more like a fresh rose) but had a bit of a soapy taste while worn.
Each case is refillable with the twist-up lipstick component being removable with a gentle pull. I'm not certain if all of the components are plastic-free or just the holder (the part that you can refill), because when I took out the removable portion, the mechanism that twisted the lipstick up and down seemed like plastic (it didn't warm up as noticeably compared to the rest of the packaging when I left it in the sun for 15 minutes), while the cylindrical tube seemed more like metal than plastic.
Browse all of our Hermes Rouge Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Rose Inoui (27)
LELimited Edition. $72.00.
Orange Boite (33)
Hermes Orange Boite (33) Rouge Matte Lipstick ($67.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium orange with strong, warm yellow undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque coverage in a single layer, which applied fairly evenly, but the consistency was thin and a bit clingy, which made it appear more uneven than I think it was.
The formula was unforgiving of lip texture, lip lines, and any imperfections on my lips–keep in mind that I exfoliate my lips prior to swatching as part of my routine!–and settled noticeably into my lip lines. The settling/separation along my lip lines worsened over time; the color lasted for four hours and felt non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Check, Please (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- NYX Free Spirit (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Forbidden Sunrise (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Saw-C (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty A-Go-Go (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, brighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Daring (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Smashbox Polka Dot Man (LE, $24.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$67.00/0.12 oz. - $558.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "comfortable" and "hydrating" with a "velvety, powdery finish" that has "intense, long-lasting color." The shades I've tested have had good color coverage in a single layer, though more semi-opaque and buildable than fully opaque coverage in a single layer. They have a smooth, velvety consistency that's very lightweight and thin, but most shades were unforgiving; they emphasized lip texture, settled into lines, separated along lip lines, and caught on imperfections.
The texture felt nice and comfortable going on, but it seemed a little clingy over time, and I did not find the formula hydrating while worn. They seemed to be mostly non-drying but one shade seemed drying to me. The wear was four to six hours with the deepest shade I tried, Rose Velours, left behind a stain over time (but was the one that felt a little drying). There was a sweet, rosy scent (seemed more like a fresh rose) but had a bit of a soapy taste while worn.
Each case is refillable with the twist-up lipstick component being removable with a gentle pull. I'm not certain if all of the components are plastic-free or just the holder (the part that you can refill), because when I took out the removable portion, the mechanism that twisted the lipstick up and down seemed like plastic (it didn't warm up as noticeably compared to the rest of the packaging when I left it in the sun for 15 minutes), while the cylindrical tube seemed more like metal than plastic.
Browse all of our Hermes Rouge Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
At $67/each, they shouldn’t perform this badly. I could pick up a Guerlain Rouge G (plus two Rouge G cases) for that price!
I was really surprised — the first two I applied, I re-applied each because I couldn’t believe they wouldn’t be flattering on, lol!
These are definitely NOT worth the steep $67-72! Just the sound of how they sat on your lips alone tells me that these are just not that good. Hard pass on both.
Egads!
I’m waiting for the satin colors to come out. Perhaps the performance might be better. Honestly I haven’t had luck with any matte lipstick or formula yet from Colourpop to Chanel. I think it’s time for this matte trend to move on.
I was bummed they didn’t launch refills today – I’ve only seen the full shabang. I would have bought a couple of satins at refill pricing, but at $67 and the performance thus far, it’s not something I can justify.
I share your feelings about matte lipsticks. I was hoping their time was passing but, alas, no.
Nope- still not feeling the love from this brand.
The unforgiving texture is likely due to the fact that Polymethylsilsesquioxane (affectionately referred to as PMS in my lab) is the second ingredient. It’s an excellent filler powder with pore & wrinkle masking properties, but when it’s used in too high of amounts it can cause texture issues. The same properties that make it excellent in face products make it less than optimal as a bulking powder for lip products; it causes product to gather in lines and the powder particles end up “fighting” each other on lips. That’s just from my hands-on experience. I used it in a matte lipstick formula back in September of last year and had the same issues you’re seeing from the Hermès lippies. At $67-$72 for so-so performance I’ll save my money for their fragrances instead. Hermès never disappoints me in that arena.
PMS is also one of the main ingredients in Tarte’s coveted Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. It’s the big-hitter of the formula and contributes most of the product’s most famed benefits. The “Amazonian Clay” in the name, kaolinite, is actually the last ingredient and contributes the least to the overall formula. Kaolinite is a very common, inexpensive, and beneficial mineral sourced from all over the world (not just The Amazon), whereas PMS is a fairly expensive man-made powder. Just a little fun fact!
I love when you chime in on the background on an ingredient 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to explain, Andrew!!
Wow! Thanks for the detailed information on the formula!
Thank you for the review Christine, I now know I wouldn’t be missing out on anything special.
These have been mentioned on a few perfume forums because they have a sandalwood fragrance created for them by a well-known perfumer.
Honestly looking at the swatches and reading your review Christine not worth the excitement.
Sandalwood, interesting… I get sooo much rose with the matte bullet. Poppy Lip Shine seems like more of a mix of notes but still a bit rosy to me. I’m not the greatest nose at all, but I feel like I could tell woody vs. rose, lol!
I have no problem with people spending money on these if that’s what they want to do, but I’m puzzled by the fragrance. Who would want their lips smelling (and tasting) like sandalwood and rose? Yikes.
I don’t feel like we’ve really seen brands remove fragrance from lip products much (if at all), so I’d guess that most actually want a scent of some sort! A lot of designer brands (Chanel, Dior, Gucci, etc.) seem to use a more floral scent (vs. vanilla or food-esque), too, and presumably, they understand their customer base enough that the fragrance is more a pro than a con.
I find I generally prefer subtly scented or unscented products since I might not like that scent or I might want to smell the perfume I’m wearing that day. A lot of lip product scents don’t linger that heavily on (to my nose), but I definitely don’t like when there’s a taste that comes with it.
That’s a good point, Christine.
Personally, I prefer unscented lip products. Chanel lipsticks don’t bother me, but YSL have always had a plasticky-peachy-perfume smell that I can’t get behind. Vanilla is fine, more expected as a food scent than something exclusively perfume-y. Scent is so subjective, and some brands use more overpowering amounts than others.
There’s no excuse for underperforming products in this over-the-top price range.
Yikes, pricey and not very appealing or attractive. Many, many years ago, I wore Hermes Caleche. It was my first “signature fragrance” and I wore it all through university. I wonder if it’s even still being made.
That first look with the pink lipstick and the great eye makeup looks simply spectacular on you. The second one is nice too but in the first look the eye shadows and the lipstick have managed to conjure up some really good synergy.
I hope you continue to enjoy running this blog. I am always in awe that you manage to stay focused and organized with the huge number of collections appearing each year.
Thank you so much, Aniko! ?
These shades are beautiful
Beautiful orange! So hard to wear, and I only found Fenty’s to look right and I still didn’t purchase it. But NEVER due to the price!