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.

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Empire Rouge Allure Laque