Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait ($48.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is described as “deeper red for lust.” Luxure is an orange-toned red with a mostly matte finish. MAC Red Racer is brighter and has less orange, more yellow in its base. Guerlain Habit Rouge is a little lighter. Make Up For Ever #44 is very similar. MAC Ruffian Red is a little brighter, less darkened. Guerlain Geisha has a stronger orange base and orange-gold shimmer.

This is a new product for Guerlain, and it’s best described as a liquid lipstick. It has the consistency, feel, and wear of a liquid lipstick. Creamy without being too thick, but not at all thin, and extremely opaque. It dries down to that mostly matte finish–there’s a subtle, natural sheen as a result.  Even after wearing the formula several times, I’m undecided on whether I love it or not.  Luxure hung on for eight hours no problem, and of course, the color after eight hours wasn’t exactly the same as the initial application, but it was still at 90% or so, after eating and drinking. It’s even moisturizing.  Matte lip color that is long-wearing and hydrating? Hard to come by.

There’s a lot of transfer, which is the characteristic that put me on the fence. For a matte, long-wearing lip color, there was a surprising amount of transfer for hours after initial application.  It doesn’t seem to have an affect on the wear, though, and it never feathered or bled around the edges, which you might have expected with a product that never fully dries down.  Don’t kiss your honey with this on (not that most lip colors are kiss-proof).  It doesn’t say transfer-resistant or -proof in the press release, but I think the matte finish had me thinking it would have less transfer (because this felt like more than usual–more in keeping with a gloss!).

It’s more matte and creamier compared to Chanel’s Rouge Allure Laque formula. They’re not the same; it’s hard to describe the differences, but when you apply, they’re not the same. I’d describe Chanel’s formula as slicker, while Guerlain’s is creamier, maybe a touch thicker. Not as glossy as Korres’ Liquid Lipsticks, not as thick as NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Creams, thicker than Bare Minerals’ Pretty Amazing Lipcolors.

Ultra-pigmented, long-wearing, hydrating, doesn’t feather or bleed, and easy to remove.  It does everything it’s supposed to do and does it excellently.  I think the consistency could be marginally thinner, because it’s easy to over-apply the product.  You’re almost better off using a separate lip brush so you get just the amount you actually need.

The lip color is packaged in a silver metallic tube (shaped just like the Rouge G lipsticks, just longer, so it also has the flip mirror), and you pull the top outwards and then twist to open. It has a doe-foot applicator.  I did really like that Guerlain added a little plastic piece that’s the same color as the plastic insert to indicate the color of the gloss. It’s such a pain trying to read the small printed name on the back of the tubes.  I give kudos to Guerlain for using higher-end packaging to go with their higher-end prices, rather than plastic, which a lot of competing brands use.  Of course, metal packaging holds fingerprints, so it’s kind of a draw.

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait

Guerlain Luxure Rouge G L’Extrait