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Givenchy Le Rouge Intense Color Sensuously Matte Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Le Rouge Intense Color Sensuously Matte Lipstick ($36.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to be “an intense semi-matte lipstick” with “long-lasting” wear. The formula is incredibly pigmented and creamy; it glides on effortlessly never pulling or tugging at the lip, and it really does deliver opaque color in a single pass. The finish isn’t fully matte, more of a satiny sheen–definitely less shine than the regular Le Rouge range.  The formula is not as hydrating as the regular range, as I found Rose d’Exception to be neither drying nor hydrating and Rouge d’Exception only slightly hydrating.  It is floral-scented (too strong for my preference; felt like I was eating perfume when I was applying, but I’m particularly sensitive to florals!) and is housed in a leather-wrapped case. The leather is very thin, and it doesn’t feel particularly luxe for me; I could have done just as well as a regular metal tube.

Rose d’Exception (206) is described as a “soft rosy pink.” It’s a muted, neutral-warm rosy pink with a satin sheen. It had rich, opaque color coverage, and it wore well for five and a half hours. It was neither hydrating nor drying, though the original Le Rouge range is more hydrating. Urban Decay Naked is similar. Urban Decay Native is lighter. Bobbi Brown Nude Rose is darker. MAC Mehr is more matte. Make Up For Ever #4 is darker. See comparison swatches

Rouge d’Exception (308) is described as a “warm berry red.” It’s a rusty orange with strong red undertones. There’s a little brown in there, too, which keeps it from being as vibrant as a true orange-red. The pigmentation is opaque in one stroke, and the consistency just glides on and melts on the lips like butter. It wore well for six and a half hours and left behind a lingering stain. It was slightly hydrating. MAC Dangerous is more matte, redder. Giorgio Armani #300 is brighter. MAC Tomango is more matte, more orange. Maybelline Orange Edge and Maybelline Vibrant Mandarin are both brighter. MAC Lady Danger is more matte, brighter. Buxom Rogue is more orange, brighter. OCC Psycho is more matte but is the closest. See comparison swatches.

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rose d'Exception (206) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rose d’Exception (206) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rouge d'Exception (308) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rouge d’Exception (308) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rouge d'Exception (308) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rouge d’Exception (308) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rouge d'Exception (308) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rouge d’Exception (308) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rouge d'Exception (308) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rouge d’Exception (308) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rouge d'Exception (308) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rouge d’Exception (308) Le Rouge

Givenchy Rouge d'Exception (308) Le Rouge
Givenchy Rouge d’Exception (308) Le Rouge

26 Comments

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Cyndi c Avatar

I have both of these! I hunted down 206 at sephora after I saw it in a magazine. It’s my HG nude. It shows more pink on you. I love everything about it, except the price. I then had to have the 308, but I’m not sure about it on me. The color is just a bit too orange I think. Not what I would call berry. Thans for the review

MichelleChefNYC Avatar

For a product titled “seriously matte” I am quite surprised at how satiny the formula looks on the lip… they are lovely, but definitely not matte looking…

Wwendalynne Avatar

These look wonderful on you, Christine! Love 206 as a great regular day wear lip and have to put this one on my wishlist. I’m trying to figure out if it is really close to TF Pink Dusk. I think it is more rose than TF Spanish Pink.

Veronica Avatar

Love the formula, but these are both definitely too warm for me. Pinks have to be very blue or beige-toned to keep from skewing orange on me, while reds are a little more forgiving – but the brown will make it look orange on me. Hopefully, they’ll release more in this range that will work better for us cool-toned folk. :3

Anne Avatar

Rose d’Exception (206) is a great nude for my pigmented lips, just slightly lighter than my natural lip tone so I don’t look washed out. It feels very soft, yet not as hydrating as other le rouge.
I passed on Rouge d’Exception (308) since it turned out too orange for me and made me look like a pumpkin 🙁
I think Givenchy is doing great things lately!

Sasha Avatar

I tried 206 and found it started to dry out my lips after about 2 hours. However, it had lasted through eating and drinking and I was able to apply some lip balm over it without affecting the color. I’m still a bit torn on it as it is a little drying and emphasizes some lip lines, but it’s a gorgeous color and the staying power is ridiculous.

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