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Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

From Guerlain’s fall collection, we have an “intense, daringly bold, real red” called Garconne (25) ($47.00 for 0.12 oz.). It was chosen for its timelessness as a color. It’s a rich, luxurious shade of red–there is depth to it, so it’s not too bright but it’s not brown-toned red. There is a subtle cool undertone running through this blue-based red, but it isn’t too strong. Blue-based lipsticks make teeth appear whiter, while orange-based lipsticks cause teeth to look yellower.

NARS Muscate is similar but has a matte finish. Guerlain Gwen is browner and a touch darker–less vibrancy. NYX Hero is not quite as dark. Guerlain Gala is brighter, while Guerlain Greta seems less intense. (I wish I had more hours in the day, because I really want to re-do all of my Rouge G lip swatches.) The reality is… it is actually quite close to Chanel Dragon–I would say that is the closest shade to Garconne.  Dragon might be a smidgen darker.

Rouge Gs are one of my favorite lipstick formulas, because they’re long-wearing (anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the shade–something like Garconne tends to wear around eight or longer, because it’s so richly pigmented), moisturizing, and always enhance the way your lips look. The formula is creamy enough to glide on but not so creamy it bleeds and slides around. They are scented with Guerlain’s signature violet fragrance, but I don’t find it overpowering in the Rouge Gs.

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick
Guerlain Garconne Rouge G Lipstick

73 Comments

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Somhrita Avatar

Oh I see you reviewed rouge d’enfer from that range! my bad. I guess if blue reds are best for both then it’s safest to stick to these shades! I have always wanted red lipstick 🙂

AS Avatar

Pretty color! I actually prefer your old lip swatches – it seems that you have two different temperature light sources showing up now, such that you get a pure white and a golden reflection on shiny lip finishes. The golden reflection sometimes looks like gold shimmer, so I am not always sure if it is in the formula or if it is just the light. (It usually shows up on the lower lip, on the left side of the picture, just above the white reflection and near your lip freckle). Do you have an incandescent ambient light in the background? That could be doing it!

Cesa Avatar

I was so happy to read that the closest dupe is Dragon, since it’s my favorite lip product…until I saw price tag!

Ugh! I’ve been trying to find a lipstick tube dupe for Dragon, since it’s pretty pricey to wear a regular basis.

baby in a corner Avatar

wowza! this collection isn’t coming to europe until the end of august but I’m glad cause I get to save! You introduced me to rouge gs and now i’m addicted!

DawnaldC Avatar

“HOLY S#*@!!” was my reaction when I saw this on your lips. It is amazing. This will definitely be added to my already-too-large collection of Rouge Gs. Thanks for posting!!

Kathrina Avatar

What a beautiful shade of red! I have a strong feeling that this might end up as my 7th shade from the Rouge G line. I generally find that Rouge G’s are worth every single cent of their high price because quality-wise they are just in a very different league than the lipsticks of other brands.

Cait Avatar

I have Russian Red because I like the matte on a bold lipstick but wow, I totally want this now because it is super glossy and looks like it is rather moisturizing!!! Normally I wont think about buying a 47$ lipstick but having birthday funds…. I just might now!!! Gosh <3

Rosie Avatar

WOW! This red is GORGEOUS and Christine it looks mighty lovely on you 😉 I’m in search of a awesome red, debating on this one, the red one from Mac me over, and Dragon from Chanel. I know you love Dragon from Chanel, is it still your favorite red?

Ursula Avatar

I have commented on Rouge G before that it is my absolute fave. I have Bee (a limited edition purple), Gaby (a bronze for everyday use) and today I got Garconne. Red lipsticks are my favorite colors along with violet-purples. I have porcelain skin, dark hair and eyes and wide lips. Dark lipcolor looks good only on people with large lips because they tend to make lips look smaller. I adore this shade, it is the most beautiful shade of red I have ever seen. The finish, the texture, everything is perfect about it and unlike so many reds this is not old lady red if this makes sense. The shade is actually a true, pure red. Awesome worn with black clothes, true red nailcolor and a black eyeliner with nude eyeshadow and perfectly made up porcelain skin. I could also imagine it with a red sweater. Make clothing and other makeup items as simple as they can be and wear red nailcolor in a matching shade, no jewelry or perhaps one piece at the most and minimalist at that.

Ursula Avatar

Just a question Christine if you do not mind; may I ask why you rated the packaging 4/5? I mean I guess I think I have never ever seen lipstick more beautifully packaged than Rouge G, I find it amazingly gorgeous, the only packaging I like even better is their Special Edition because it has a bee on the mirror and the G on the compact is gold so it is even more striking but otherwise packaging is something I would rate A+++ in case of this lipstick but then I am slightly prejudiced due to being totally smitten by Rouge G.

Christine Avatar

Hi Ursula,

It’s very, very heavy – it’s really not that travel-friendly (and actually, I’ve been stopped multiple times because of them at the airport – they look like bullets, apparently!), the packaging holds fingerprints, and they are a pain in the behind to store. You can’t store them vertically, because they don’t stand up that way, and you can’t read labels that way. Finally, the print on the back of the tube is tiny and difficult to read because of the subtle difference in text color vs. product packaging color. I don’t rate based on how pretty packaging is – I focus on functionality, portability, etc. I look at is it useful, can you travel with it, will it hold up over time, does it get dirty, can you drop it, and so forth.

Ursula Avatar

Got it, I kinda figured that would be the case though I thought it would be so practical since I do not have to carry a separate mirror, which would be much larger. I guess I am a packaging fanatic and so smitten by its beauty but you are right in that I would not need to have all of my Rouge Gs in the compact case, I could just have a couple for fun but true that it would be a money saver if they were not packaged in the compact. I think they probably know that many like me are suckers for that gorgeous case. I was told by their makeup artists that the case is virtually unbreakable and unsratchable and so far that has been the case with mine and it is true that I hate it when I have these beautiful high shine compacts that get scratched up but so far with these that has not been the case. But because I was so worried the lady at the counter gave me a cosmetic bag for them and a free powder brush, which was really nice:))) I may be slightly prejudiced because I am addicted to Rouge Gs.

kelly Avatar

Are you sure that this is a blue based red?Cause to me it shows more of a tomato yellow based red in the pics.I prefer this on you better than chanel dragon.I also love blue based red lipstick.

kelly Avatar

I got this yesterday,after a lot of search,i didn’t know it was seasonal.I got it at sales for 32 euro=42 dollars.Wore it today and got tones of comliments.Thangs Christine cause withtout your great site i wouldn’t knew about it.

Danii Avatar

Can someone PLEASE explain the packagaing? It’s seriously driven me nuts trying to figure it out. I like it but how in the world does the cap and mirror fit?

Ann Avatar

Definitely my new go to red! Wore it last night for a night on the town and received MANY compliments. I am a NC35 and it worked well with my color. The most vibrant, rich, red I’ve come across since Chanel Dragon, LUVS IT!!

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