Laura Mercier Rose Ultimate & Rose Vif Rouge Essentiel Lipsticks Review & Swatches
Rose Ultimate
Laura Mercier Rose Ultimate Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff, which didn’t build up much beyond that.
The consistency felt smooth, more velvety and thin, so lightweight but not clingy, that applied the color fairly evenly. This shade stayed on well for four and a half hours and felt lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Love at First Bite (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Saucy Little Darling (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Shiseido Pink Flash (214) (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain #77 (P, $33.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C306 (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Speak Louder (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Fougueuse (138) (P, $38.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC You're So Vain (P, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Burberry Camellia (229) (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hello Fruity (LE, $9.00) is less shimmery, darker, less pigmented (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$32.00/0.12 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high-impact color" with "weightless decadence" that "moisturizes and smooths." The pigmentation was nearly opaque to opaque in a single layer, which applied smoothly and without tugging. The texture was lightly creamy but more velvety overall, so it glided easily over my lips but didn't feel overly slippery.
The issue I had was that the formula didn't seem particularly forgiving of natural lip texture or imperfections, so despite exfoliating prior to application, there were areas highlighted that I didn't expect to see since the formula was supposed to be smoothing. It also settled a bit into deeper lip lines, which was more noticeable (in person, not just in the close-up photos) with lighter shades than brighter or deeper tones. They lasted between four and six hours on me and felt lightly hydrating.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Cetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, PadinaPavonica Thallus Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Methicone, Talc, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake(Ci 19140), Zinc Oxide (Ci 77947).
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.
Rose Ultimate
PPermanent. $32.00.
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Rose Vif
Laura Mercier Rose Vif Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, raspberry pink with subtle, cool undertones and a satin sheen. It had rich color coverage in a single stroke, which delivered an even application of color that smoothed out my lip lines.
The texture was lightweight, lightly creamy but with less traditional slip or wetness, so it didn’t slide around while worn despite having some shine. It wore nicely for six hours, left a stain behind, and felt lightly moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Framboise Moi (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- NYX Bloody Mary (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Skyscraper Rose (LE, $32.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Feisty (P, $15.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Berry Pink (721) (P, $34.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- Guerlain Deep Pink (525) (P, $34.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Clinique Raspberry Pop (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Dragon Girl (P, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Ascend (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC So Good For You (LE, $21.00) is warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$32.00/0.12 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high-impact color" with "weightless decadence" that "moisturizes and smooths." The pigmentation was nearly opaque to opaque in a single layer, which applied smoothly and without tugging. The texture was lightly creamy but more velvety overall, so it glided easily over my lips but didn't feel overly slippery.
The issue I had was that the formula didn't seem particularly forgiving of natural lip texture or imperfections, so despite exfoliating prior to application, there were areas highlighted that I didn't expect to see since the formula was supposed to be smoothing. It also settled a bit into deeper lip lines, which was more noticeable (in person, not just in the close-up photos) with lighter shades than brighter or deeper tones. They lasted between four and six hours on me and felt lightly hydrating.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Cetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Dicalcium Phosphate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Talc, Caprylyl Methicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Zinc Oxide (Ci 77947).
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.
Rose Vif looks utterly amazing! Just realized that I do have MAC Framboise Moi, though. Which is still an excellent quality lipstick as well, so I may pass this lovely one up.
Rose VIF is beautiful!
Oh wow …I love Rose VIF ..it has got such a great vintage vibe and the finish is swoon worthy.
Laura Mercier certainly isn’t the first brand (or even top 10) I think of when thinking about lipstick, but these two might change my mind. If it weren’t for the fact that I have way too much lipstick right now, I’d be tempted to get both. Rose Vif is gorgeous and the kind of color I live for, but Rose Ultimate has a certain appeal and fills a gap in my lipstick collection – it’s vibrant but not shocking. I’m sure both will eventually be mine, but I’m going to be good for now and enjoy my BECCA lipsticks I recently picked up on clearance.
Rose VIF will be mine, maybe not this month or the next but this year. It is a beauty!
I have Skyscraper Rose, but it doesn’t work well on my lips so even if it is a dupe, and a gorgeous lipstick I don’t use it a lot.