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An Ode to Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

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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 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

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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rashmi Avatar

OH MY MY !!!! Do i need to say how GORGEOUS you are looking ??
I have lovedddd this color on you forever and ever …
I so wish to be included in your special 5 😀 😀 …
nevertheless am going to buy this for sure , you know how mad I about your personal favorites … from ECHO to MARGIN to JACK Black to Sweetie to Nymphette I purchased everything without even swatching and trying ( recent one is Korres NATURAL ) and made the bill in your a/c …

i sware ….
Ohhh thats too much isnt it ??
But seriously honey you are looking amazingly beautiful in this 😀 😀
let me runnnnn and buy this 😀 😀

rashmi Avatar

hey sweetie … just placed the order this week from SEPHORA sale , it will take another one – two months to reach here but i have all the patience in the world as i know when its your favorite it has to be perfecttttt …. and can you believe along with that i will get my JW … am so excitedddd and i am sure i will not even touch it for few days , will just admire the beauty and the fact who is behind all the creativity 😀 😀
Luckily my friends were able to grab it at last moment 😀 😀

michelle Avatar

Been thinking about Dragon for quite some time now and finally bought it 2 weeks ago when I saw your tweet. I knew I would regret not getting it if it was no longer available. Red is not my go to color, but I love it! Also bought Empire (which is definitely my go to color) and have been wearing it everyday since. Too bad Empire is LE, but I was lucky enough to score a back up.

Shannon Avatar

I feel for you. When I read that you had planned on giving one of your five coveted backups to favorite people as Christmas presents, my only thoughts was “Christine, you are a bigger person than I am, no way would I surrender one of my holy grail items when there are no more!”

……Of course that is unless they are prying it from my cold dead hand!

snm Avatar

so that means that dragon will be sold with ridiculous prices on ebay.I don’t like liquid lipsticks and bright reds so Dragon has never caught my attention.I swatched it once and decided not to buy.But this swatch looks great,a lot greater than the way I remember it:)I may got it nowadays,especially considering that I won’t be able to do so when 100+ $ tags come out:)

kate Avatar

I was so disappointed when I heard about this! Dragon (which I bought after reading your raves about it) has become my HG red as well and I hate to lose it. I also really love Mandarin. I can’t imagine why Chanel would discontinue all but one shade (or if they did, I can’t imagine why Dragon wouldn’t be the shade they kept, since every associate tells me it’s the best-seller). I suppose there’s some marketing strategy at work… Now I have to check out Garconne (which I hope is permanent- have to check that).

Christine Avatar

I’m really not sure – one reader pointed out that Coromandel was originally discontinued, so maybe Chanel considers it done and gone, so really all are discontinued… I did try to ask the CS if they knew for sure Coromandel wasn’t discontinued now and they just said corporate came back with a final list.

Ani_BEE Avatar

as for what to do when your HG lip colour is discontinued. For me my HG shades tend to be LE to a disappointment. Being so fair I stick with corals and variate in corals are lacking in most permanent line. After 2 to 3 years I have dispose of my favorite shades as then tend to break down but at the time I’m usually hunting the new spring LE colours for something wearable.

snm Avatar

Christine,a question I forgot to ask: I guess you have been using your first tube for a long time right? Can you see if something wrong with the formula/texture after a long time? This is mainly the reason why I don’t prefer liquid lipsticks much because I literally hate when they go awfully thick in a short time.

Tiffany Avatar

Just a followup question, how often did you use this color in the 2 years you’ve had it?

I went ahead and bought it when Victoria told me about it becoming LE (then tried red lipstick on me, because I do have a bit of a confidence issue), and then… I bought another one 2 days after receiving the package. I just want to know how long it’ll last, since I’ve worn it for >50% of the few days I’ve had it….

Christine Avatar

I couldn’t quantify for it for you, just that it’s the product I’ve probably used more often than any other lip color I own. I wear it on special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, parties, etc.) and for business events (fashion week, speaking engagements, etc.). By no means do I wear it every day or every week even — it’s a very long-wearing shade, and since it can stain, it’s not something I wear normally, because to do lip swatches, you can’t have products that stain, and I test 10-15 lipstick shades in full-length tests per week (2-8 hours, depending on the lipstick, so sometimes I can do 2 or 3 in a day!). It’s 0.20 fl. oz. of product, which is the size of most full-sized glosses and 40-50% more product than you’d get in the average full-sized lipstick (0.10 to 0.12 oz.).

Krishna Avatar

Oh no!!! Last night I finally decided to go get one today. If I really like it, I’m going to have to get a backup or two! 🙁 I hope there are still a few left! My local Macy’s will have this right?

divinem (Melissa) Avatar

This has happened to me so many times over the years. I have finally learnt that something equally wonderful/fitting will come along, so I no longer stock up. It is annoying as all get out though. >8-|

Cassy Avatar

I’ve never tried this one myself (I don’t wear red enough to justify the price) but it’s always been one of my favorites on you. It just works so awesome with your skin tone and hair (and the shimmer, sooooo pretty!) I hope that you are able to find something as awesome in the new lineup.

Ursula Avatar

Christine that looks awesome on you, wow, just beautiful. For now I am skipping I think since I just got Garconne but I am tempted:))) The finish looks different and I do like gold shimmer.

I have a question to you; you said that you stocked up on it since it is being discountinued and got like 5 of them, also because I think I read here somewhere that some lipsticks can be lipsticks for life. Now onto the question don’t lipsticks have expiration dates or do they not expire after say five years or something? I mean it would be great if not because what can I do when some shades are limited edition but even if lipsticks lasted much longer than say creams and definitely mascaras I would still think they expire sometime, no? I remember that long time ago my grandma’s lipsticks smelled rancid when they were really old but of course back then they may have lasted shorter than the newer ones do. Any ideas on their shelf lives and after opening? I thought this would be a very useful thing to know because I am in love with Guerlain Le Brillant Bee and it was limited ed last year but I may still be able to find a couple somewhere I could stock up on but if it went bad on me then no use doing that. Thanks in advance.

Christine Avatar

Hey Ursula!

I believe the expiration on lipsticks is 2-3 years, and the clock usually starts ticking once you open it. If it’s unopened, I believe the life is 3-5 years. Some products are scented, so they may lose their scent over time, and what you’ll smell is the actual lipstick base (which is waxy), but if it smells rancid, then that’s different. Supposedly, if you store them in the refrigerator, they should last longer, too.

Amanda Avatar

Wait, that waxy smell is just the lipstick base?! That’s very good news to hear, because I have some of my mom’s crazy-bright lipsticks from the 80’s that I was ready to throw away because they’ve started to smell like crayons. Not bad, just waxy. Now that I know that’s not the smell of lipstick gone bad I can keep wearing them! Thanks, Christine!

Amanda Avatar

This is such sad news and I can completely relate! A few years back, Chanel discontinued the Summer Plum glossimer and broke my heart. It was the perfect neutral plum on me (I’m quite fair and most plums make me look like a walking corpse.) and I felt so put together and polished whenever I wore it. I purchased a bunch of backups like you did with Dragon, and I’m only now close to the end of my last tube. Unfortunately, I’ve been putting off the inevitable and will have to start looking for a replacement. I remember there’s a company that can custom-match a makeup product if you send them a sample. Does anybody know what I’m talking about?

erin Avatar

Dragon is my favorite lipstick. Not favorite red, favorite overall. I will buy a bunch of backups.BUT, look at the bright side, this is another excuse to shop for makeup. So yeah I’m game!!! And btw,Summer Plum is still available(hope you see this hon:). Its still rolling into counters and I haven’t seen it on a discontinued list yet

Kathrina Avatar

That’s sad! How can they possibly take away this gorgeous product? Well, I guess it’s been available for quite a while now and sooner or later everything gets discontinued or replaced by something else. I will definitely get a few back-ups.

K7P* Avatar

Since I saw this color on your website, I fell inlove with the color! It’s such a gorgeous red! Such an intimidating color for me, but I just ordered 2 of them! =) Figured it would be perfect for the Holidays and this will be my special occacion lip product. =)

Ana G. Avatar

Just purchased a few myself but I really hope they will replace this line with something better because, otherwise, it’s just stupid. Such a great product and they are going to discontinue it??

Rebecca Avatar

Christine, do you know if Chanel Rouge Allure in Audace is also being discontinued? It’s my HG red and I’m planning on buying some backups as well! How long is it safe to store unopened lipsticks? Thanks!!

Abby Avatar

How many uses do you think one tube has? I’m tempted to buy back-ups just for the sake of it, but considering I only use Dragon maybe once a year (it’s just THAT special), I’m wondering if I can just pull through.

Karyn Avatar

Ahh I’m so gutted about this. I’m desperately trying to not order a backup and just save mine for special occasions but it’s HARD.

RIP Dragon RAL. You will be missed.

Shubana Avatar

I see your loyalty- this color is BEAUTIFUL on you. I haven’t mustered up the courage to wear bold lips yet (I’ve JUST started with fleshy tones and pinks..) but I must say, you are giving me some inspiration 🙂

Janna Avatar

Christine, I think (but of course I could be wrong) the only reason Coromandel wasn’t listed was because it had already been discontinued. It’s still available at on nordstrom.com, but Chanel listed it a while back on their Deja Vu page where they list things that are discontinued but still in stock. I own seven of the RALs including the newest holiday one, but need to get Coromandel before it disappears – and a few of my own back ups of Dragon! It’s an amazing little tube of gorgeous:D Thank you for helping me find it!

prastita Avatar

agreed!! the case is just like my fondness with dior last holiday 5 golds eyeshadow palette. I missed it, and i figured something better will come up in the future from dior or any other brand. but i was WRONG!! so with a holy grail product such as chanel dragon, i think buying back-ups more than 2 are reasonable, well to me it is. do you know why they discontinued the product?

Neha Avatar

Oh no!! This looks so so fantastic on u Christine…I thought I could wait forever to purchase this..! But now I ll have to hurry up!
Do u think it would suit an NC 42 skin tone…if you say yes, I am buying it straightaway!

Neha Avatar

I got it asa u posted this, but I was such a fool not to try for one whole month..Yday, I tried it before I went out for shopping and its unbelievably gorgeous. First time in my life in 10 years, I got compliments for the lipstick shade from total strangers..and now, when I want to have back ups, its no more available 🙁
..I never imagined it will suit me so much(being warm toned)..Chanel, u should not have done this …my heart is shattered on my own foolishness..why did I wait for so long…sob sob..

Valeria Avatar

I understand completely what you mean. My favorite pink was discontinued a few years ago (it was made by a Brazilian brand named Natura) and I’ve never found a dupe for it 🙁 And I think if Guerlain ever discontinued Geisha (Rouge G) I’d have a heart attack!!!

Valeria Avatar

🙂 Have you ever tried Lancome’s Rouge Desir (#130)? It’s the only one that can match up to Dragon in complexity, in my opinion. Tho I think it was limited edition…

Z Avatar

Goddamnit, Christine, this is assballs. (and if that’s too much color you can deny my comment and I’ll understand and tone it down for a second try. 🙂

I still haven’t tried Dragon, don’t wear red very often, and absolutely have to have this before it’s dropped entirely. Does Chanel not read this blog?! Do they not know how many people you have converted?! Bastards.

Z Avatar

Yikes, looks like the surge to Nordstrom’s site means Dragon is on backorder and won’t be shipping until December 2nd. That means a trip to the snarky ladie’s counter is in order…*sigh*.

Dame Elizabeth Avatar

The reason why this surprised me is, it seems Chanel have taken no notice of influential bloggers and public opinion, or else they’d realise how much power a great review can have and the sales they’ve earned out of the love shown to it on this website.

Hannah Avatar

Christine,
You have made me fall in love with these RALs. After seeing a few pics of you wearing Dragon and then posting twits about it being discountinued, I decided to purchase Dragon. When it came in the mail I was surprised at how red it looked, but when applied it looked and felt great 🙂 It’s a true red. That prompted me to purchase other colors including a second Dragon. Although pricey, they are beautiful 😉

Nadia Avatar

This is a beautiful colour but for me, red lips are high maintenance enough without adding a liquid/gloss type formula to the mix. I couldn’t wear a colour like this in this formula with confidence and not constantly be thinking…has it migrated, is it on my teeth etc etc.

It’s a shame they are discontinuing the RALs though 🙁 I have Phoenix and Mandarin and I love them. I want to pick up Santal as well.

I took a look at Garconne and it is fairly similar to this one!

And to answer your question, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a discontinuation of a HG product. Mainly because I rarely have HGs, I always find newer things I love better 🙂

Ursula Avatar

Thanks Christine. I wish lipstick was like jewelry and never expired:))) At that price Rouge Gs should never expire, after all they are priced like and look like jewelry:))) Seriously though I guess I am starting to see your point about the compact; they are amazingly beautiful yes but perhaps they should either offer it without or refills. Sorry I am off subject here. Anyhow, now that I have read your advice about expiration at least I will not feel bad about using my expensive lipsticks.

Rachael Avatar

Last night I went to Chanel.com and I bought several back ups of Dragon and Empire, both holy grail shades for me. Guerlain Garconne is also my dupe for Dragon. I’m so glad you site turned me on to these products … my bank account would disagree. 😉

elfenben Avatar

And just because of this post, I’ve made my first Chanel purchase 🙂 Red is always high maintanance for me, but if I’m accepting those difficulties, I rather do it for a gorgeous one like Dragon. Thanks for introducing me to my new sweetheart 🙂

Audrey Avatar

When I saw this on Facebook I was like, “NOOOO!” Hahaha. I know there is a market out there for discontinuing and reintroducing products, but this still leaves me pretty bummed. I never picked up any of these, and I know I probably won’t get the chance to before they’re gone.

Courtney Avatar

Love Dragon! I am a pasty, pale girl and it just pops so much. This formula is the only one that has allowed me to rock the red lip the way one should. I am just so confused as to why you would discontinue something the you have just put out as part of your holiday collection. Why create Empire and re-promote Dragon only to get rid of the formula altogether?

Eva Avatar

Christine – That blush you have on PERFECTLY sets off Dragon. Kudos.

Everyone else – Do you have any tips for getting reds to stay put and not bleed? Especially a liquid lipstick like Dragon? For some reason, reds migrate all over the place on me! I have tried concealer under it, MAC’s lip primer, and filling in with liner first. Nothing works! If anyone out there has a product or technique for keeping reds in place, I would LOVE to hear it!

katherine Avatar

This is the epic red liquid lipstick. (it does look marvelous on you btw!). I bought this for my daughter as her first red lippie. The color, the fomulation, the packaging are all perfection.

jill Avatar

This looks so similar to a discontinued pigment I used to use in my own lip balms, it was called “Hot Mama” by my source and it had that same red on red shimmer. I always assumed it was DC’d by my source because the large cosmetic companies had started using it, but perhaps it really isn’t available to anyone. It was a gorgeous color, it made the best blends, and cost 3 or 4X what other red pigments cost, totally worth it though.

Miriam Avatar

This color looks beautiful on you. You don’t even need any eye makeup, the lip color in itself brings out your eye color. I wish I could find a lipstick that does that for my dark brown eyes.

Violet Avatar

I like how you shaped your cupid’s bow here, compared to the points you usually do. Gorgeous colour, too. I’d personally say that Guerlain’s Gigolo is closer than Garconne is, as Garconne leans *really* orange on most people, and is also lighter.

Quinctia Avatar

My shade in the cream foundation I use seems to essentially be discontinued (the company’s website still lists it, but no stores seem to stock it), so I turned to ebay and bought a couple of backups.

Since this first jar lasted me quite awhile and I tended to alternate with a tinted moisturizer in the summer, I’m hoping I’ll have found something better by the time I make it through them all!

Elisabeth Avatar

Hi Christine! I understand why you’re so sad. I feel for you.
Do you think one or both of Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon and in Ming will suit me? I’m neutral (slightly pinker) NC 15 skintone with blonde hair and light green eyes. Will the Dragon suit me? And does it make your teeth look yellow or anything? And what about Ming, the pink? I love cool baby pinks by the way! Much love xx

Altea Avatar

Damn!
I had looked for this the first time I read your review and I desperately wanted it, but the price (€ 29, that’s $ 39, come on!) was way too high and I just put it in my “impossible dreams” mind drawer.
Now I NEED to have it 🙁
I must think of a reason why I should be allowed to splurge. B-day was in september. Christmas is way too far, it could be sold out by the time. No other holidays in the meanwhile…and I already celebrated my victory over obesity (-50 punds and counting) buying myself an iPad.
Any suggestions?

Altea Avatar

No, we have nothing like that in Italy 🙁
Unless you have a b-day coming, there’s no occasion to receive a gift between Easter and Christmas. We do have holidays between the two of course, but none of them is usually celebrated with gifts. At least not in my family and none that I know of.
I think I’ll just buy it and live with the guilt 😛

Edani Avatar

This is SUCH a beautiful red! I’ve been debating between getting this or Hourglass Siren for a while now, but I guess the decision’s been made for me since this is going the way of the glittery dodo 🙁 I think Dragon may fare better for my skin-tone anyway (super pale, pink undertones).

Edani Avatar

True story, they are. I should clarify that it wasn’t a matter of wanting a red and feeling they were “dupes” or anything, but more an issue of budgeting and wanting a special red for the holiday season 🙂

Evy Avatar

OH MY GOD, THEY’RE DOING WHAT???! I fell in love with Dragon, bought it, swatched it – and then promptly lost it! They cost US$ 50 to buy in Sweden, though (insane, I know!)… I’m checking with my buddies in the UK, if they can act as my beauty dealers I can save on shipping 😛

I’m still in chock… O.O

Evy Avatar

Yeah, Sweden’s pretty expensive in general due to our high taxes, but cosmetics are particularly painful since I’m constantly confronted with the difference on blogs! I’m getting great at finding reliable etailers, though 😛 The RAL’s are ca $38 on the Harrods web page, but EU shipping is £20… We’ll see, if I haven’t heard from my UK buddies in a few days, I’m grabbing a few Dragons! I hear they, in particular, are selling out really fast all over the place!

Elizabeth Avatar

Hi Christine! I’ve been reading your blog for ages but never commented until today! One of my favorite types of posts you do is on lip products. I’m not that daring yet – I pretty much stick to neutrals, but I’m always AMAZED at how perfect your lips look with any product. I know this isn’t really your thing, but could you do a blog post, or just reply back with how you apply your lip products (lipstick alone, gloss alone, etc)? My lips never look that perfect. Thanks so much!!!

Christine Avatar

Lipstick is generally straight from the tube – the only time I use a lip brush is if it’s a REALLY special occasion and I’m actually running EARLY! and not behind, haha. Lipgloss I use from the tube or from a recyclable, disposable lipgloss wand (since I have a lot of gloss, this helps keep them fresh), but I don’t have any technique or anything. I’d just say that practice makes perfect!

Lucie Avatar

Christine, oh Christine! *wrings hands* Don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but as if the discontinuation of the rouge allure laques wasn’t enough, the whole rouge allure lipstick line is showing up in the Deja Vu section of chanel.com! What the hell is going on here?? This is terrible! Can you email corporate and confirm that ALL rouge allure products are being phased out? I just don’t understand it…*sobsob*

Lucie Avatar

AHHHHH now I see that the rouge cocos and glossimers are suddenly all listed as discontinued as well! What. the. frack. Please try to find out what is going on here Christine!

Shivani Avatar

I don’t get emotionally attached to products. I try not to use anything more than any number of times that I become dependent on it. If I really like something and I know I can’t buy it again, I just get my pleasure from looking it at it and knowing it is still there. Wow, I sound lame, but I can guarantee it would work. But it looks like you have backup and I am SURE Chanel is listening to you and maybe they will bring it back? More power to beauty blogging if that’s what happens and I really wish it does.
You look so pretty!

Amy Avatar

As someone who is normally fearful of reds (my go-to lippie is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Boy) even I thought about picking up Dragon at my counter but was advised against the glossiness as a first timer. Is there a true red that is either in lipstick form or a bit sheer that you would recommend to someone who wants to get their feet wet with reds?

Brenda Avatar

Christine I join you in your sadness! I found this color thanks to you. I’ve been wearing it for about a year now. I’m a burlesque dancer and it’s my go to red. It’s just so perfect and sexy. I went to my local Chanel counter in Belk this past weekend and bought the last one they had. The counter lady didn’t even know it was DC. I told her you received an email from Chanel and she still acted like she didn’t believe me. She must not know who you are hehe. I’ll probably be hunting for 1 more back up before they are all gone.

Christine Avatar

LOL! I didn’t believe it either – but after phone CS (who said it wasn’t on their list) went up the ladder to corporate and returned back with the bad news, it seemed pretty likely! I know that counters received their discontinued list around 10/24, so it might not have made that list, which is where she probably got her info!

Nicole Avatar

Its funny how once a product is going to be discontinued I feel the sudden push to finally cave and buy it. I’ve ALWAYS wanted this lipgloss since the day I first laid eyes on it on this very site. Now I have a great excuse to get it even though the price tag is hefty. Yesssss!

cydoniac Avatar

I have Dragon and I think it is one of the best reds out there,but I wear red so rarely that I don’t know if it’s worth buying back-ups…however, I do love the RALs and Imperial is my favourite and it makes me sad that Chanel wants to discontinue the entire collection apart from Coromandel…is there really any point in discontinuing all but one? either discontinue the entire collection or don’t do it at all….

Peyton Avatar

This is on