Guerlain Gaela Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick ($45.00 for 0.12 oz.) is the ultimate in lip luxury. This lipstick’s compact was designed by Lorenz Bäumer, a famous jeweler from the Place Vendôme in Paris, which is one reason this lipstick compact comes with a high price tag.

Gaela is a pretty-in-pink shade. It’s a medium pink with a slight sheen but not a whole lot of shimmer. I’d classify it as a neutral-warm pink, and it’s bright enough to add a pop of color to lips, but it’s not so bright that it stands out from miles away. It applies opaquely with one layer, and even from the tube, it goes on fairly evenly.

Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipsticks are creamy, long-wearing, often opaque to semi-opaque in color pay off, and they feel hydrating once slicked onto lips. The wear-time depends on the intensity of the shades (e.g. darker shades like reds and burgundies will last longer and easily get through a meal with minimal fading, but lighter shades disappear a bit faster), but I get no less than six hours of wear with these babies. I can even get through drinking/eating, too. I do find that there is some noticeable fading after eating a meal, but it’s not a deal-breaker. These just feel very lightweight and yet give you amazing color with a few swipes. They last long enough to get me through the day without worrying about fading lip color, and they leave my lips feeling hydrated.

The packaging is sleek, luxe, and more than most look for in lipstick packaging. It’s a heavy, metal-based compact (the heaviest lipstick I’ve personally owned) with a flip-top mirror on the outside casing, which can be handy for re-application. Now, I’m not willing to fork over extra money for a mirror (hey, I can buy a $2 mirror and keep that in my purse instead!), and even though I love innovative packaging, I’m not sold on paying for it, you know? The packaging does keep fingerprints like other Guerlain packaging, but I will say that fingerprints are a lot less noticeable (hardly noticeable, in fact) compared to their other packaging. It’s most noticeable when I take flash photography of the product (ha!), but not when you’re just looking (admiring?) it. Bottom line: packaging is gorgeous and every bit luxe, but I’d rather pay $35 and skip some of the bells and whistles of the case.

For those who love to splurge on luxury beauty items, Guerlain Le Rouge G de Guerlain didn’t disappoint me. In fact, I really love the lipstick formula itself, and I’d love to see it offered sans the heavy-duty luxe packaging if only so I could feel better about purchasing these!

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’re feeling like a splurge, Guerlain’s Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipsticks aren’t a bad place to start. The formula is outstanding, but the price tag is tough to swallow–pretty much the only reason this product isn’t rated an A.

Availability: Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, Sephora

See photos and swatches…

Packaging

Guerlain Gaela Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick

Gabrielle (left), Gaela (right)