Those who are familiar with me and my blog know that I shy away from neutral or nude lipstick. Quite often, I’d sport a bright lip colour. It’s become my signature look and really, I sport that because it’s so easy and allows me to get away without doing my eyes. Also, it’s bold and I like being a little in-your-face especially when dealing with certain people.
That said, a neutral or nude lipstick has its place in every girl’s lipstick wardrobe and I’ve FINALLY found mine!
This is the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in Amoureux. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink range is Chanel’s nod to the matte liquid lipstick trend. That trend isn’t going to die out soon is it? I’m longing for a return to glossy or at least plumped shiny lips, because I don’t generally wear matte lipstick.
I’d shied away from matte liquid lipstick in general, because it just isn’t it for me. You either love it or hate it, and I hate it. So, am I hypocritical for quietly using the Rouge Allure ink in Amoureux for the better part of the past 5 months? Perhaps. LOL! 🙂
While most matte liquid lipstick tend to be quite strongly pigmented, matte and drying, the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink isn’t. I find the texture lightweight, although when I first slick it on, it feels a little strange and thin.
I find that the application can go on lips a little patchy if you’re not careful. I’m uncertain if it’s due to the thin, yet pigmented, formula, or if it’s the applicator. Either way, I’ve learned that the best way to apply the Rouge Allure Ink is to go with thin layers and then build it up. This way, you can actually wear it as boldly or as light as you like. You’d also need to ensure your lips aren’t flaky or it won’t look nice.
There are 7 shades available, with Amoureux being the sole neutral shade. I was quite put off the first time I picked it up. I personally go for the brighter shades like Choquant and Libere that you see in the background of the picture above. Bright, bold lip colours.
But the moment I applied it on my lips, I knew I’d found the one neutral lipstick that I could comfortably and willingly wear, and wear often. Amoureux is a beige nude that really, isn’t a very exciting colour. But it had enough depth of colour to not wash out your complexion, and have enough pink in there, to flatter most skin tones.
When I wear Amoureux, I’ve had people ask me what lipstick I’m wearing, because it’s flattering (it’s a very easy colour for most people to wear – I rarely have people ask me about my reds because they’re afraid 😛 ) and if you happen to bump into me, and I’m wearing a neutral or nude lipstick, the odds are that it’s Amoureux. I don’t have many (or any) other beige-nudes 😛
Texture-wise, I find it a little drying initially, when I first apply it, but it settles and doesn’t feel uncomfortable. My lips do not feel like all the moisture is being sucked out of it, leaving them puckered and lined like dried out caterpillars on your face. I’m sorry, that’s not flattering at all 😛 I wouldn’t call it moisturising however. It isn’t, but it’s not uncomfortable.
It also isn’t a flat matte colour, having a little shine to the formula that I feel makes it look far more flattering than a flat matte ever could. Pigmentation is pretty good, especially in the brighter shades, where you can achieve a very flattering lip colour by layering thin layers of colour.
Here are some swatches to show you the colours.
Amoureux is the most neutral shade, with the other 6 shades coming in different shades of red, redder and reddest. So, if you have a penchant for neutral or light colours, then the Rouge Allure Ink range won’t suit your tastes. If you love bold colours, please do check them out because the reds are stunning!
Choquant is a rather deep cool-toned berry shade but shades like these flatter me so naturally, I like it. Libere on the other hand, is a bright vermillion that dries on me a chilli red. It’s bright and bold and not for the faint hearted. Longevity is fair. I can quite easily wear these for hours, through drinks and if I’m careful, food. For me, they don’t wear off very unevenly and to be honest, I don’t feel them on my lips once they’re dried.
I can’t say these are a must-have but if you too struggle, like me, to find a good neutral lipstick that doesn’t cause people to look at you in concern and ask of you’re feeling ill, do check out Amoureux. It’s rounded out my bright lipstick wardrobe perfectly, and it’s been a staple in my everyday lipstick pouch for the last 5 months 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
Chanel Rouge Allure Ink is a range of matte liquid lipstick. The formula is rather thin and lightweight but easily to build up. The range is quite small with primarily bright, bold colours except for Amoureux, a beige-nude that has just enough pink in there to flatter instead of dull the skin tone. The colours don’t apply too flat or too matte and I don’t find them particularly drying although they can feel that way. I also find that it doesn’t accentuate lip lines nor dry out the lips over the day. I personally enjoyed using these, especially Amoureux, which is a staple in my daily lipstick pouch.
PROS: Lightweight texture, Not too matte nor drying, Does not cause lips to dry out and pucker, Does not settle into lip lines, Good pigmentation, Longlasting for me, Bold colours are bright and flattering as is the sole neutral
CONS: Pricey, Primarily has bright and bold shades that may not appeal to everyone, Application can be patchy but it’s easy to layer
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants to try the matte lipstick lipstick trend but struggles to find one that isn’t too matte or too drying, Anyone who is looking for a good neutral or nude lipstick that does not wash them out
PRICE: RM115 | US$37
WHERE TO BUY: Chanel counters and beauty boutiques or online, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus
Here’s how it looks on me. Amoureux does appear a little more pink on my skin than it looks in the tube, but it’s close enough to my natural lip colour to look “neutral”. This is one of my usual daily looks these days. A very simple clean base, brows, blush, eyeliner (you can’t see it, damned hooded lids!) and a swipe of my favourite lipstick. Often, I go with a bold colour. But Amoureux works for me even in a simple, plain look 🙂
Have you tried the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink lipstick? What’s your favourite nude or neutral lipstick?
I hope Chanel doesn’t discontinue these, because I’d then have to go hunting for another nude lipstick again! I find it such a challenge to wear nude or neutral lipstick – what’s your favourite?
Paris B
Love the shade on you. My fav nude lipstick now is Marc Jacob Le Marc in slow burn and huda bombshell, both less drying than others. I’m a matte lipstick junkie 🙂
Thanks Peggy. I happened to have the opportunity to see the Huda Beauty lipstick thingies recently. The colours do look quite safe and wearable and I’ve heard good things about them.
I’m now into natural pinks and nudes. Been on a lookout since forever and Chanel’s amoureux has been out of stock forever. Sigh.
Oh darn, are they sold out of Amoureux?! I think it’s because it’s the most wearable colour in the Allure Ink range. The other 6 shades are so bright and bold, I just know local women will run away from wearing them! But You’d totally rock those reds you know… just saying 😉
it was all sold out even at the airports. so frustrating. I think the colour may be available now but i am not in the position to buy more lipsticks as i’ve kinda compensated that void with other lippies which is not really Amoureux. i’m so impatient yet i know that is the colour i so wanna buy lol. i know i can get various nudes from bobbi brown but i think the lipstick is so boring in terms of packaging hehe.
Haha well Bobbi Brown is Bobbi Brown right? Quite plain. Unless you go for the Luxe one in gold 😉 Nevermind, Amoureux is a permanent colour. One day you can get it 😉
Ah this looks lovely on you, Paris. I haven’t tried any of these yet since there isn’t a Chanel counter here for me to go live in. LOL! I have a few favourite nudes, some being Urban Decay Ex Girlfriend, Clinique Curviest Caramel and NARS Rosecliff 🙂 They are some neutrals / nudes that don’t wash me out even with minimal makeup.
Thanks Lily – I try not to go near the Chanel counter lest temptation strikes LOL! On the bright side, that’s what shopping trips to KL are for! 😉 I got Clinique’s Curviest Caramel, because I remembered you liked it, but for some reason it doesn’t work so well on me. I think it’s just the tone. I can wear it, just not too often. Will take a look at the Nars one too.
Alas my one true love of matte was Rosewood by The Bodyshop 20 years ago…. I’m still missing it !
Mmm that sounds familiar, I might have used it back in the day! I remember using a lipstick from The Body Shop, running through a few as I went, but it was a rosy toned red. Oh yes, I might not have had much makeup on back then, but it was always about red lipstick for me LOL!
I just chanced upon your blog when looking on a mask review & I’ve been reading it for the past few hours!
I love your blog posts & have subscribed & am looking forward to more! Well, I’m still a student and I cannot afford lipsticks way too pricey.
Been a huge fan of the matte trend for a while (guess i’m the complete opposite – I run away when I see anything glossy or shiny HAHA) / Colorpop Matte Velvet Finish colours & Nyx Matte Lip Cream have been my go-to lipsticks!
Nyx-wise – I recently tried out the nude-beige color (Stockholm, they have a huge range) and also, Copenhagen is my absolute go to when I’m feeling very goth!
Hi Faith, I hope your visit has been a productive one! hehe… Thank you so much for reading and leaving a comment. You are actually quite lucky these days. There are many affordable makeup options compared to when I was a student and had to contend with what I could find at the pharmacies! I’ve heard a lot about the NYX lipsticks. I’d used the bullet ones years ago, but not recently. Maybe I should take a look coz I hear they are quite impressive!
I wouldn’t try the ones in the typical lipstick form but the lip creams, I must say, are amazing! You can find many Colorpop matte ones too if you’d like to try them!