Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a fiery orange-red with enough depth and richness from the red tinge to keep it from looking neon. Clarins Red Prodige is glossier and lighter. MAC Strut Your Stuff is brighter. Estee Lauder Extravagant Red is similar. Chanel Excessive is similar, slightly redder and brighter–almost a poppy red. Cle de Peau Red Abundance is very comparable. Guerlain Genna is rather similar.

The new Rouge Allure formula is supposed to have “concentrated, ultra thin pigments” for full color coverage with a satin finish and “lasting comfort.” The latter from “special hydrating agents” that “leave lips supple and protected.”  Coromandel is richly pigmented with full color coverage that is finished with a natural, satiny sheen.  It applies evenly without effort, and the color slides on easily, though the formula isn’t so creamy that it feels or looks heavy applied.  The color sits comfortably on the lips.

Truthfully, I didn’t notice any difference between the new formula and the original.  I feel like saying, “It seemed a little creamier…” is pulling at straws; the effect of knowing that they’re different but not feeling that difference.  It’s not a bad thing, as the original formula was quite good.  This particular shade wore for six hours and was lightly hydrating during that time period.

Chanel’s Rouge Allure packaging is head-to-toe luxury; it has a black lacquered metal exterior case that closes with a satisfying click. Inside, it’s a gold metal tube with Chanel imprinted on the side of the lipstick itself.

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick

Chanel Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick