Guerlain #219 & #518 Rouge G Matte Lip Colors Reviews & Swatches
#219
Guerlain #219 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a satin finish. The consistency felt smooth and velvety–it glided easily across my lips but didn’t feel traditionally creamy or “wet” as it applied. It was lightweight and didn’t catch on imperfections, though it wasn’t as smoothing of my lip lines as the original Rouge G formula is.
It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which delivered an even layer of coverage that stayed in place well without feathering or bleeding over time. The color lasted well for six hours and felt a touch moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Clinique Roses are Red (P, $19.50) is less shimmery, cooler, glossier (95% similar).
- Chanel Invincible (73) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Goddess (202) (PiP, $30.00) is less shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Rouge Cosmique (148) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Rouge Extreme (152) (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Sonja (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Wolf's Red (122) (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Caprice (132) (P, $32.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Negroni (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Shiseido Poppy (RD312) (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery, brighter (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
Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-10 Nonaisostearate, Jojoba Esters, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Isostearyl Hydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Silica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum (Fragrance), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Bht, Propyl Gallate, Trihydroxystearin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, [+/- Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 12085 (Red 36), Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 6 Lake, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30 Lake), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 45380 (Red 21, Red 21 Lake), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
#219
PPermanent. $33.00.
#518
Guerlain #518 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark raspberry pink with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage in a single stroke, which adhered evenly and applied smoothly across my lips without tugging.
The texture was lightweight, velvety, and glided on without feeling traditionally creamy or wet–more like “powdery” matte in that sense. It wore well for five and a half hours, left a faint stain behind, and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Dame un Beso (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Revlon Bread Winner (P, $12.39) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Dragon Girl (P, $27.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Cactus Flower (P, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Fuchsia Allusion (99) (P, $38.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- NYX Bloody Mary (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC So Good For You (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Cheerleader (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Feisty (P, $15.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Dance With Me (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (80% 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
Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-10 Nonaisostearate, Jojoba Esters, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Isostearyl Hydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Silica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum (Fragrance), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Bht, Propyl Gallate, Trihydroxystearin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, [+/- Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 12085 (Red 36), Ci 15850 (Red 6, Red 6 Lake, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 15985 (Yellow 6 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Ci 45410 (Red 27, Red 28 Lake), Ci 73360 (Red 30 Lake), Ci 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), Ci 45380 (Red 21, Red 21 Lake), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
If I didn’t already have a mother lode of red lipsticks I would be so getting #219! That is exactly my kind of red!
#519 is far more unique in shade, on the other hand. But I’m not sure how it would jibe with my olive undertones. I’ll just have to wait until I get a chance to try it out and see.
#518 is a stunner. How many raspberry pink lipsticks does one woman need, that is the question? I think I have room in my collection for at least one or two more, LOL!
#219 is a gorgeous red shade, just perfect.
#518 might possibly be a replacement shade for one of my favorite lipsticks that was discontinued—Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lipstick in Boudoir. I’d have to compare them in person for both shade and texture. But I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
I am just tired. I just wish brands would call their satin lipstick satin lipstick instead of matte.