Guerlain #01, #04, #05 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Colors Reviews & Swatches
#01
Guerlain #01 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft, muted rose with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good color coverage that adhered evenly across my lips, though there was very slight streaking along the edges of my lips, which wasn’t noticeable from a normal viewing distance. The texture was felt lightweight, thin but not clingy initially, and glided across my lips comfortably. It felt drier, clingier, and a bit drying after two hours of wear, though it only lasted for three hours on me and settled noticeably into my lip lines.
Top Dupes
- MAC Kinda Sexy (P, $19.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Super Cindy (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia #1 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Parker (P, $6.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Runway Hit (P, $19.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Decibel (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop With the Band (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Electric Feel (LE, $7.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Instigator (LE, $6.50) is darker (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Rising Star (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$33.00/0.12 oz. - $275.00 Per Ounce
The Matte formula is supposed to have a "semi-matte" finish that has "the perfect balance between hydration and vibrant color" and contains "hylauronic acid and blurring powders" to help "smooth and volumize the look of lips." The coverage was semi-opaque to opaque, somewhat buildable, but there was enough slip that it was better to keep it two layers or else I experienced the color clumping up on itself and becoming more uneven in overall application. The texture was velvety and thin, I get that "blurring powder" feel that some of the recent matte formulas have had in them--a little "dry" and more prone to clinging on my lips. They wore between three and six hours but fade evenly and more red-based shades left faint stains behind. I didn't find any of them hydrating, and some of them felt drying to me. They had the typical violet scent but no taste.
For me, Rouge G was all about making my lips look better: smoother, plumper, and delivered good wear with a hydrating formula, but the Mattes left me wanting, as they weren't hydrating, didn't smooth out my lip lines for the most part, and felt a bit tight to wear after a few hours. One of the tell-tale signs of a drying formula is during the swatch-a-thon; given that there were only 11 shades to swatch, it should have been easy, but my lips felt a little raw afterward, which is typical of swatching more drying formulas for me.
Browse all of our Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color swatches.
Ingredients
#04
Guerlain #04 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark coppery brown with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without emphasizing my lip texture. It was one of the more flattering shades to wear within the range, which is a sad state of affairs given it’s part of the Rouge G family. The lipstick felt lightweight, thin but not clingy, and was comfortable to apply and to wear, though I wouldn’t describe it as hydrating during the four hours it stayed on for.
Top Dupes
- Besame Chocolate Kiss 1970 (PiP, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Birkin Brown (P, $37.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Shiseido Amber Afternoon (BR322) (DC, $28.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Royally Riotous (LE, $19.50) is glossier (90% similar).
- MAC MamaStarrr (LE, $19.50) is more muted (90% similar).
- NARS Slow Ride (P, $26.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- NARS Walkyrie (P, $27.00) is more muted, cooler (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Aesthetic (LE, $18.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia #3 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar).
- MAC Strip Me Down (LE, $19.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$33.00/0.12 oz. - $275.00 Per Ounce
The Matte formula is supposed to have a "semi-matte" finish that has "the perfect balance between hydration and vibrant color" and contains "hylauronic acid and blurring powders" to help "smooth and volumize the look of lips." The coverage was semi-opaque to opaque, somewhat buildable, but there was enough slip that it was better to keep it two layers or else I experienced the color clumping up on itself and becoming more uneven in overall application. The texture was velvety and thin, I get that "blurring powder" feel that some of the recent matte formulas have had in them--a little "dry" and more prone to clinging on my lips. They wore between three and six hours but fade evenly and more red-based shades left faint stains behind. I didn't find any of them hydrating, and some of them felt drying to me. They had the typical violet scent but no taste.
For me, Rouge G was all about making my lips look better: smoother, plumper, and delivered good wear with a hydrating formula, but the Mattes left me wanting, as they weren't hydrating, didn't smooth out my lip lines for the most part, and felt a bit tight to wear after a few hours. One of the tell-tale signs of a drying formula is during the swatch-a-thon; given that there were only 11 shades to swatch, it should have been easy, but my lips felt a little raw afterward, which is typical of swatching more drying formulas for me.
Browse all of our Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color swatches.
Ingredients
#05
Guerlain #05 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had nearly opaque color payoff, but it applied poorly with product gathering in my lip lines, light streaking along the edges, and the product itself clumping together and looking grainy on my lips. The texture was lightly creamy, lightweight, and thin without feeling clingy. It wore well for three hours and was neither drying nor hydrating over time.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Speed Up (LE, $7.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (95% similar).
- Anastasia Petal (P, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Milani Lust (LE, $8.99) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Dusk (P, $54.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Name Drop (P, $7.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Faux (P, $19.50) is darker, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Jaclyn Cosmetics Perfectionist (DC, $18.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Nude Reality (P, $37.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Laissez-Faire (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- Tarte Flashy (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$33.00/0.12 oz. - $275.00 Per Ounce
The Matte formula is supposed to have a "semi-matte" finish that has "the perfect balance between hydration and vibrant color" and contains "hylauronic acid and blurring powders" to help "smooth and volumize the look of lips." The coverage was semi-opaque to opaque, somewhat buildable, but there was enough slip that it was better to keep it two layers or else I experienced the color clumping up on itself and becoming more uneven in overall application. The texture was velvety and thin, I get that "blurring powder" feel that some of the recent matte formulas have had in them--a little "dry" and more prone to clinging on my lips. They wore between three and six hours but fade evenly and more red-based shades left faint stains behind. I didn't find any of them hydrating, and some of them felt drying to me. They had the typical violet scent but no taste.
For me, Rouge G was all about making my lips look better: smoother, plumper, and delivered good wear with a hydrating formula, but the Mattes left me wanting, as they weren't hydrating, didn't smooth out my lip lines for the most part, and felt a bit tight to wear after a few hours. One of the tell-tale signs of a drying formula is during the swatch-a-thon; given that there were only 11 shades to swatch, it should have been easy, but my lips felt a little raw afterward, which is typical of swatching more drying formulas for me.
Browse all of our Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color swatches.
Ingredients
Thank goodness for dupes! Of which I have at least one per each of the above reviewed. I am so disappointed by this range of Guerlain Rouge G’s. This is actually depressing to see the quality get flushed down the toilet on these. Like; WTH happened? I mean, really? 🤦
I don’t understand why Guerlain had to come with a matte version of their Rouge G that seems to be a miss so far, when they have the KissKiss Matte Lipstick range that is excellent (they are more semi-matte imo). I had high hopes for Rouge G, but now I will go and grab a couple more shades of their KissKiss mattes and a backup for my M375-Flaming Rose, as they seem to disappear. Such a shame…
Such a wide range of ratings – that’s a bit unusual for Guerlain’s lipsticks. #4 is a beautiful shade and a much better rating than the others.
I know these are mattes, but should rose and pink be that hard to make decent? I don’t think so.