Guerlain #44 and #61 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Colors Reviews & Swatches
#44
Guerlain #44 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that didn’t build up beyond that as it was a bit too emollient to do so (it just seemed to move the product around). The texture was lightweight, thin without being clingy, and prone to emphasizing lip texture/imperfections. The lipstick applied fairly evenly, but it sank into my lip lines and highlighted my lip texture, so it wasn’t the most flattering finish (and it was supposed to be more smoothing). It wore well for four and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Mai Tai (P, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Peachy Party (LE, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Guerlain Orange Fizz (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, glossier (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura (P, $37.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cristiano (P, $36.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C403 (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Wild Ginger (P, $55.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Rouge Feu (57) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cruella (LE, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop K Bop (P, $10.00) is darker (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
#44
PPermanent. $33.00.
#61
Guerlain #61 Rouge G de Guerlain Matte Lip Color ($33.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright pop of medium-dark pink with cool undertones and a satin sheen. It had good color coverage that adhered somewhat evenly, but it had a tendency to pull away from itself and looked a bit clumpy in places. There was also some product that slipped into my lip lines, though it wasn’t noticeable from a normal viewing distance. The texture was thin, lightweight, and emollient enough to apply without dragging, but it seemed to feel “tight” while worn. It stayed on well for four and a half hours and was lightly drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Privacy Please (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Hourglass I Always (P, $34.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop All Tea (P, $10.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Too Faced It's Happening (P, $21.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Good Kisser (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Electric Poppy (P, $37.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M203 (DC, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Just My Type (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Pink Lady (DC, $24.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Billion Dollar Smile (P, $26.00) is darker (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
It would seem that there is something a bit *off* with the formula used on these. For one thing, I don’t think they even look all that matte! And then there’s the fact that quite a few of the shades have that clumpy and lip line sinking thing going on, which tells me that these are mostly too emollient for a matte lipstick formula, too. That said , I really DO love #61 a lot! It feels like fresh spring flowers! ?
I will say that this type of matte formula doesn’t seem to go on well on my lips in general – Guerlain’s formula isn’t the only one that has struggled on my lips! (MAC & Bobbi Brown come to mind!)
Pretty shades, but the ratings aren’t quite good enough to splurge the dolllars on for me.