I am a huge huge fan of Guerlain lipsticks, but they are pricey, I will be the first to admit. Rouge G retails at RM158 which is OUCH! to the wallet. So a few months ago, when I was told that Guerlain was coming up with a lipstick that would retail at below RM120, I was quite intrigued. RM120 is still a heck lot of money, but its cheaper than a regular Guerlain lippie.
Turned out, its the Guerlain Rouge Automatique that you might have seen around. The Guerlain lipstick that comes in a cap-less packaging. The lipstick that allows you to apply lipstick one handed because all you do to apply lipstick, is the slide down the “switch” and the lipstick slides up the top.
See what I mean? Slide it down, the lipstick slides up. All cool and gimmicky… and unfortunately for me, not very Guerlain. [Update of some historical info: Guerlain is the first brand to come with a one hand lipstick. Guerlain Rouge Automatique was originally launched in 1936 using the same name and almost similar packaging.] So perhaps I’m wrong about it not being very Guerlain, but what I really meant was that it wasn’t very Guerlain to me – as I’d come to associate Guerlain with much more luxurious packaging 🙂
Still, let me tell you a bit about the colour and texture of the lipstick (which is DIVINE!) and then whine a bit about packaging 😛
This colour is No. 164 Chamade a rose pink that is very pretty to look at, very pretty on the lips and a colour I will dare say, suit most ladies.
Guerlain Rouge Automatique No. 164 Chamade
Don’t you think so too? Its so pretty I’ll have a few more photos for you.
The lipstick isnt very long and when fully extended shows a base engraved with the Guerlain logo. It is little touches like this that truly separates luxury from the ordinary.
Here is a swatch of Chamade on the back of my hand. This is just one swipe and you can tell that it is at once pigmented yet sheer, glossy yet not overdone.
Guerlain Rouge Automatique No. 164 Chamade swatch
The tone when swatched is a little redder than I expected, but it is a beautiful colour. Very elegant yet very everyday. A lovely lip shade that at once adds elegance and brightens up the complexion. It is quite neutral, but does tend a tiny bit towards a warm tone which I find very flattering especially when wearing green smokey eyeshadow.
Also featuring: Bobbi Brown Pink Coral shimmer blush and Napoleon Perdis NP Set Dublin Eye Palette (smokey green)
Now, a word about the packaging. I’m sorry Guerlain, but I’m not a fan. There, I said it.
Here is another angle of the sliding mechanism. The cap/cover, as you can see, slides down the side and the whole mechanism is very smooth. It isn’t jerky or hard to use or anything. However, it also does not have the heft that I’ve come to associate with Guerlain lipsticks. I have been using Guerlain lipsticks from Divinora days to Kiss Kiss and then to Rouge G. The cases got more and more substantial and heavier. Not many people liked that, but I did.
This one feels like a toy in my hands. Secondly, the sides of the case (see picture No. 2 above) is a bit thick so applying the lipstick can be a bit of a bother. I don’t like extending my lipstick very long for fear of breakage, but with this, I have to have at least 3/4 of it out, so I can apply it comfortably, without bumping my lower lip against the side of the case when I’m using this on my upper lip. I have this perpetual fear that it’ll snap off halfway some day.
Texture wise, this is so creamy and moisturizing! It is like Chanel Rouge Coco Shine and Dior Addict mated – we get the pigment of Dior Addict and the smooth shine and texture of Rouge Coco Shine. The colour is long lasting (at least 4 hours on me through regular coffee and drinks) and is not drying and is quite quite perfect. I’m not crazy about the packaging, but I guess I have no choice but to suck it up, because I’m crazy about the texture!
Pros: Lovely smooth texture with good pigment, Long lasting colour, Smooth shine, Sheer colour yet strong pigment
Cons: Pricey, Packaging is too bulky and gimmicky
Oh and yes, there is a light scent as is present is almost all of Guerlain products, but I will forgive them that because I swear, I will be getting another and I have seen some beautiful reds in this formula so I’m likely to gravitate towards that shade 🙂
Now have you tried this? 🙂 Or perhaps the price tag is still too much of a bummer? I’d call this “My First Guerlain Lipstick” because its a little more affordable than the other ranges in the brand yet offers beautiful quality that will suck you right into the whole Guerlain brand. Dangerous business eh? 😛
Paris B
Guerlain Rouge Automatique lipsticks retail at RM114 at all Guerlain counters.
What is the 30 Days of Lip Swatches project? I will be showcasing and reviewing 30 lipsticks or lip glosses in the coming days. Lip products was chosen by popular vote from the readers. You may find all 30 days of lip swatches or follow it by clicking on the Lips category.
Previously : Day 12 of 30 : Clarins Joli Rouge No. 729 Red Terra
Ah pretty! But as of now, I’ll need to stop any form of spending, heheheheh. Seems like all the makeup companies are churning out their own new lipsticks this year though… I wonder why.
Yeah there was probably a discount on new lip formulas or something 😛 I bet next year it’ll all be new foundations LOL! 😀
Ah! I’m in love with the color… but not the price… any dupes? 😛
Hmm… I’ll have to go and check if there are dupes that I know of that I might have. Will take me a while 🙂
The colour looks lovely on you and I have to agree about the design and the packaging, don’t like. I personally can’t wait to try the new YSL lipsticks but they are not out yet at my local YSL counter, what a shame.
Thank you Marina! We don’t have YSL here so the new lippie is passing me by. But it looks to be very sheer though
You know my opinion about this 😀 But I really love the texture though! It looks smaller than Rouge G, how many gram is there?
Maybe should buy a few and melt them all in a paletter 😀 Guerlain should give me a discount of buying the lippie, not the packaging!
I have to check the gram but yes I think its smaller than the Rouge G. I don’t like the design but I can’t imagine melting these down either! 😯
U are right about green looking great with this lippie. You look great with the green top and the lippie match. I love this color! The chanel lippies I’ve been giving it a total miss Coz the colors don’t appeal somehow to me despite trying them out at least three times at the counters. Will check out guerlain instead. Your lipsticks postings have gave me my own lemmings for lippies now.
Thank you Lisa 😀 Do look at the Guerlain lippies. I love Guerlain lipsticks in general and these are no exception.
sorry for my stupidity but could you please help me with the pronunciation of ‘ guerlain’? i’m kinda afraid to approach their counter when i couldnt say their name right..
Not stupid at all! 😀 I call it ‘Gur-lahn” which sounds sorta there 😛 if I catch hold of their french makeup artist I’ll get the right pronounciation for you 😉
Hi ladies –
I speak French, and it’s pronounced “gair-lahn”. As in “gair” rhymes with hair, “lahn” rhymes with barn except without a pronounced R sound 🙂 Hope that makes sense. Otherwise, this is pretty accurate: http://translate.google.com/#en|fr|guerlain
I agree with you about the packaging, it’s too bulky and gimmicky. But I love the shade, it’s so pretty and classy.
The colour is most certainly beautiful and I’m told by reliable sources that the other shades are just as beautiful! 🙂 how interesting that we wouldn’t like a Guerlain Original design eh? 😉
Hey Paris, I totally agree with you on the lovely texture of this lipstick and how you dislike the design of this. I have 3 of these babies. I can’t wait for them to be launch in Singapore so I ordered 2 from Nordstrom.com and they cost USD35 each without shipping, then finally it was launched in Singapore and it cost SGD43.70 at the Airport Duty Free. I should have waited for their launch locally… 🙁
Goodness! With shipping it would have cost so much more! Still I’m sure you’re loving them anyway despite the packaging 🙂
I think Guerlain is pronounced as “goer-laun”.
I have to admit, I have been sucked into the whole guerlain brand and its all cos of you Paris! My interest was piqued when you started raving on Guerlain’s Meteorites and I couldn’t resist those rainbow coloured balls in a beautiful tin. Ever since, I have bought their compact powder, single eye shadows, loose powder, makeup remover..
i think the formula and texture is great for the automatique lippy but won’t be getting it because i have already bought Chanel Rouge Coco Shine.. but with regards to the packaging, at least the slide out mechanism will ensure that you won’t accidentally mash the top of the lippy but I do see your fear about it accidentally breaking off! 😉
Erm… Oops for being an enabler! 😛 but I’m sure you’re loving it right?! 🙂 As for not smushing the top, yes that won’t happen but for me I almost smushed the whole lipstick because I slid it the wrong way and it went straight into my hand! Not nice 😛
Such a pretty colour, but the packaging appears a bit cumbersome and tacky 🙁
The packaging isn’t cumbersome but it’s just a bit too gimmicky especially the weight which is very insubstantial.
This is crazy sexy looking-haha! But the price, ai yai yai!
Yeah. Even at entry level prices it still hurts the pocket
Hi Paris,
I love your reviews so far on the lipsticks. Between this, Chanel and Dior, which one would you pick as an all rounder? Each one have their own pros and cons. Price wise, they are almost similar.
For me, I usually choose more neutral pinks or roses. Not too adventurous with my lip colours. I dont like sticky formula that usually comes with using lip glosses. So, this range is really striking to me when you compare the three brands.
And, how does all these new lipsticks compare to Dior Serum De Rouge? TIA.
Thanks Louise. I actually have a post coming up comparing the 3 and I’ll try to slip in the Serum de Rouge too. They are all quite different, depending on what you are looking for. I’d say for strong pigment and lightness of feel, go for Guerlain Rouge Automatique. For a sheer wash of colour, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine. For colour and shine, Dior Addict. Dior Addict and Guerlain Rouge Automatique last longest. Serum de Rouge is in a slightly different category to me. Its pigmented and moisturizing which is nice for dry lips but it is more emollient than either of the 3.
Thanks Paris. I might go for the Guerlain as almost of my lipsticks are sheer. Looking forward to the upcoming post. =)