When it comes to pretty powders and blushes, Guerlain hits it out of the ballpark every single time. Their limited edition blushes are always breathtaking pieces of art and when you have steeled yourself enough to use these pieces of art, they translate beautifully on skin. Little wonder then, that this luxury brand gets so much love from so many.
The Fall 2013 offering is a limited edition 4 colour blush in Madame Rougit. When I laid eyes on it in the press release, I knew I had to have it. Nevermind that I’m on a beauty diet or that I’m curbing impulse purchases. I’m a blush fiend and I HAD.TO.HAVE.THIS!
If you too are a blush fiend, then I suppose it would be pointless reading a review because you know you will get it or may already have. By hook or by crook, this little beauty will be your preciousssss…. But if you want to know a little more to make up your mind (don’t take too long, these things fly off the shelves like bread fresh from the oven) then I offer you 10 very good reasons why you need the Madame Rougit blush in your life… and 10 reasons why you don’t. I’m fair, I am 🙂
1. You want it because it’s so pretty to look at but…
Ah this one is a beauty. The surface of the powder is embossed with the Guerlain logo sitting on top of a honeycomb design and sprinkled with sparkly polkadots.
But… the polkadots are mere overspray. Once you take a brush to it for the first time, the sparkly white colour is brushed away and you are left with not so pretty polkadots.
2. It comes with an adorable coral-pink brush but…
Like its predecessors, the Blush G Serie Noire and Blush G Sakura blushes, Madame Rougit comes with a coral-pink brush that is quite adorable to look at. It resides under the blush, if you just lift off the top layer.
However, like its predecessors, the brush doesn’t do a very good job at applying product. It is a little scratchy, and it can apply far too much product than needed which might result in the dreaded clown cheeks. Also, the shape results in there being stiff lines of colour, which you need to blend out properly as this blush is pigmented.
3. It matches the rest of the Guerlain Blush G collection but…
Ah if you already own the Blush G blushes – Serie Noire and Sakura, it would be a pity to not round up your collection with Madame Rougit!
But it doesn’t share the same design! Where’s the G? Hmm… Then again, they don’t call this one a Blush G either so maybe they just share similar packaging. And speaking of packaging, Madame Rougit comes in a velveteen pouch but I found it a little inferior in quality compared to its siblings.
Texture-wise, it was thin, compared to the thicker, padded feel of the one for Blush G Serie Noire and Blush G Sakura. Also, it didn’t have the satin lining found in the earlier incarnations.
4. There are 4 colours in the blush but…
As you can see from an overhead picture, Madame Rougit has 4 stripes of colour in the pan – a pale pink in the top right corner, a soft coral pink forming the largest band of colour, a long narrow band of light pink and a triangle of cool toned fuchsia in the lower left corner.
But… you can and should be using all the colours blended together, because the individual colours are almost impossible to pick up. When blended, I get a very lovely warm coral-pink that is deceptively bright. You can tone it up or down, depending on which side you swipe your brush on, but the predominant colour is a lovely bright coral pink.
5. It is matte with a lovely sheen but…
When you mix up the colours and apply to your skin, I find that the powder applies matte. Well, not a dull matte, but a matte finish with just a wee bit of shimmer to keep things interesting. It isn’t as shimmery as Blush G Serie Noire is, and definitely not as shimmery as Sakura.
Blush swatches Left – Right: Guerlain Madame Rougit Blush, Guerlain Blush G Serie Noire, Guerlain Blush G Sakura (Asia exclusive)
But… nothing really LOL! I couldn’t find a downside to it being a little matte because it means you don’t get your pores accentuated, nor do you get too much of a sheen and it is a texture more suited for work or a more sedate environment. There is no “but” to this one 😀 I find that Madame Rougit and Serie Noire are very close in colour with the difference that one is matte and the other has golden shimmer so if you found Serie Noire too shimmery, then Madame Rougit will hit your sweet spot.
6. It is seriously pigmented but…
I came across some reviews that said the colour was hard to pick up and it was unpigmented. Erm… I don’t know if we have the same blush, but this one’s seriously pigmented! You have to be very careful when using this one because you can (and I did) over do it.
But… be careful with using this so you don’t end up with clown cheeks. I recommend using a soft brush and a light hand. If you use a stippling brush for your pigmented blushes, now is the time to. I use my Lunasol Cheek Brush N and I only dab it on the surface to pick up colour. If you look at picture 2 above, you can see how 1 swipe of the brush across the surface of the blush results in THAT much colour being deposited on the brush. Tap off the excess. You do not need so much. In fact, you only need a wee dusting of colour on your brush and to apply a thin layer to your skin, then decide if you need more.
7. The longlasting blush colour will develop over time but…
I found that over the course of a day, the blush colour develops and changes a little. Initially, it will deepen and take on a redder, coral tone. Then, as the day wears on it turns a little more pink on my skin. Also, it lasts and lasts and lasts! I never wear a primer or makeup base but I do have combination-dry skin and this one just keeps going like the Energizer bunny.
Also wearing: Guerlain Lingerie de Peau liquid foundation 01 Beige Pale, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Urban Decay 15th Anniversary palette on eyes, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Honey
But… if you don’t want this chameleon effect happening, use a very light hand and a thin layer of colour. After the first hour, I noticed the colour deepening on my skin, so a thin layer is best on light/fair skins. On deeper skins, you can get away wearing a little more colour
8. Madame Rougit suits all skintones but….
Truly, this is one very versatile blush that I’m comfortable saying will suit practically all skintones. There are enough cool tones in there to pull down the warm pinks as well as enough warm to warm up the cool fuchsia tone. You just have to swipe your brush where you want it to pick up the colour you want. The colours magically blend together to give you just the right shade. If you want more pick, pick up more of the colour on the lower left. If you want more warmth, concentrate on the upper right.
But… this baby is pricey and will not suit every wallet. Weighing in at RM188, it is quite a dent to the wallet but only to be expected, coming out of the House of Guerlain.
9. The blush texture is soft and easy to pick up but…
As I said, just tapping my brush on the surface of this blush picks up enough colour to apply to my cheeks for a very gentle, very pretty fresh flush. I don’t know why people are saying it’s hard or that their fingers aren’t picking up colour. You don’t wear blush on your fingers do you? You wear it on your cheeks, and so long as a brush can pick up colour, and it can, I don’t see any problem with this. Tracy agrees with me on this and we’re blush fiends so you should trust us LOL! 😉
But… see point 6 and 7 above. Easy to overdo.
10. You want this. No buts.
Do you really need 10 reasons for you to get this? Seriously? 😀 No you don’t. If you are anything like me, and need another blush like you need a hole in your head, then perhaps you might reconsider. I mean, you could possibly dig through your stash and find a similar shade. There are only so many colours available for blush you know. Not until green blush becomes fashionable, that is. Maybe for faking that sickie so you don’t have to go to work or school…
But until then, blush colours are quite standard. Pink, Peach, Coral, Red are traditional shades and anyone with a varied enough blush collection will have a selection of blushes in their arsenal that come close to looking like Madame Rougit.
But… it won’t be the Guerlain Madame Rougit blush will it? 😉
Is the Guerlain Madame Rougit blush setting your heart a-flutter?
Ah well, I can resist a pretty eyeshadow palette, or even a lipstick. But a well made, pretty blush especially one from Guerlain? Never 😀
Paris B
Guerlain Madame Rougit 4 Colors Blush Price: RM188 Availability: Guerlain counters Limited Edition: Yes, Voilette de Madame collection Fall 2013
Aaaah, I’m writing the review right now and yes, I really agree. It’s a great blush and it was so much more pigmented than I expected. I actually overdid it a lot on the first try, oops ^^. I can’t help it but I really love the prettiness of Madame Rougit. Also I missed out on both Sakura blushes so this makes it up a bit ^^.
I’m the same as you Teri 🙂 Definitely overdid it the first couple of times till I got the hang of it. I think it looks lovely on anyone, and it did look lovely on you too!
Noooo! You’re evil. MUST. RESIST.
Hahaha… Resistance is futile 😛
I think I am gonna pass this because of the price. But Guerlain always make a lovely design and packaging. BTW I love your lipstick. mind if you share what brand is it?
Thanks Lynda, the lipstick is listed above – the very affordable Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Honey 😀
LOL LOL you are awesome! 🙂 Thanks for the mention and it looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL on you! There was no buts about me getting this one haha!
Thank you Tracy and of course I had to mention you – we both agree this blush is a must have, blush fiends or no! 😉
Paris you grow more beautiful as Time marches on … If I had your sculpted cheeks, I, too would have a weakness for pretty blushes! Fortunately for me, it’s not the case but I loved your post here. Many thanks (personally I am a Lipstick-red- whore). xo Beth in Pgh. ????
You are absolutely lovely Elizabeth, thank you!! I don’t have sculpted cheeks, but I do have an abundance of cheekbones haha! Boon and bane eh? 😉 If you like lipstick, you might want to take a look at the Guerlain Rouge G on offer! There’s a red and an absolutely beautiful fuchsia in there!
I am embarrassed to say that I have been using this blush for a couple of weeks now and haven’t discovered the BRUSH underneath. Smacking myself now.
Imagine if I hadn’t read this post? The poor pretty pink brush would live underneath my pan for years to come without ever seeing the light of day!
Hahahhaa omg Val you cracked me up! 😀 Happy to have helped you discover the secret brush! 😀
I want this but dont think would be using this because this is so pretty!!!
Taking a brush to it was heartbreaking, but knowing it looked so beautiful on skin lifted my spirits back up – makeup looks best when worn 😉
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!
Do I get it or not? Ohhhh toughie toughie.
Hahaha You know the answer to that, Tine! Then again, there’s a lot of better things to save up for so maybe give it a pass and wait for the next release 😉
Its sooo pretty BUT I have very similar one from givenchy so maybe I will resist! 😀
Ooh which Givenchy one will that be Catherine? Givenchy is really quiet here so I’m never sure what has been released. Their blushes are very lovely too!
Wow, the whole finish makes you look so gorgeous. The blush is indeed beautiful but will pass on this because of the price. Thanks for the review 🙂
Thank you Victoria 🙂 You’re right about the pricetag. It’s very hefty 🙁 For a similar shade, you can look at Bobbi Brown Pink Coral – not the same but a beautiful colour as well 😉
Its stunning blush..beautiful! Its a luxury and I dont think I am ready to spend that much on a blush right now
you are looking gorgeous!
aww.. i love the sheer pink on your cheek! the packaging is lux (guerlain as always), the polka dots is super cute!! too bad it only last till you start using it. RM188 is quite pain..
Yep! If you buy it just to admire then it would be quite painful to the heart (and wallet) to have the shimmer polkadots disappear. But I’m actually glad they do else it would be too shimmery! LOL!
The surface of that blush is so pretty that I’d be scared to use it! It does look quite lovely on you though.
HAHAHA! Love the way you wrote this. I am definitely attracted to this blush, but Guerlain is just too far away (maybe a blessing in disguise for my wallet). I really don’t need another blush, and my no buy / low buy practice this year has paid off. It’s getting easier to say no 🙂
Very very pretty!! A blush that deepens as the day goes on. . . It is a strong colour on your cheeks!
Haha yes Applegal. I applied a bit more for these pictures because it doesn’t show up well in photos. Then, it decided to show up too well! Sigh… In real life, I don’t wear it this bright 😉
be still my heart… why did I even read this??? no buy no buy no buy….
Haha I’m an evil one, I am 😉 But if you’re on a no-buy, then stick to your resolve. I’m sure there’ll be others 😉
gosh, this is so pretty!!! what am i missing here man T_T
Haha you need it in your life! 😛
i have this! and this is very very pigmented! i did a quick review on Instagram ahahaha
i had clown cheeks the entire Saturday when I first wore it, because at first it was a pretty peach pink but after an hour or so it does turns a really bright pink, and yes, it last and last and last! even without a base.
i learn that i need to touch the blush very very lightly, like as though I am not picking up any colour, but when applied on the cheeks, voila, the colour magically appears. A soft and fluffy brush is definitely needed for this task.
I like this one better than Sakura, because that’s a little too shimmery for my liking, but talking about foolproof and never worry about clown cheeks, Sakura’s to go, but may risk looking like a disco ball. The G Serie Noire looks more like a balance between both. Ahahaha.
Yay! I saw it and I’m glad you noticed how it changes colour and stays on too! I think this has definitely been one of the best Guerlain blushes I’ve ever used simply because it stays on so well and is so pigmented. Lots of value for money because you end up using so little 😀 I find Sakura nice, but as I noted before, it was far too light. A nice highlighting shade but hard to use alone unless you have a lot of patience.
It’s so pretty! I love Guerlain blushes and I always exclusively buy and use the LE’s. I have both the Serie Noire and Sakura, w/c I’m not making a dent on even if I use them consistently. That’s also the reason why I love Guerlain because the amount of product is generous it will last for years. I will be picking this up when this hits the counters.
I’m the same! I’ve been using the Sakura and Serie Noire so much but you can’t even tell 😀 You’ll love Madame Rougit I’m sure! 😀
Ahhh… so pretty. I thought I manage to resist this.
MUST get it while it last. 🙂
LOL I guess you didn’t Shleesy 😀 I hope you’ll like it too once you get it. It’s such a gorgeous colour on skin
Thank God no Guerlain counter near PJ, I can save some money.
Small mercies eh? 😉