I haven’t reviewed a new red lipstick since 2010. Back then, I wrote that I couldn’t get too excited about any new reds because:
“I’m still devoted to MAC’s Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust. I rarely want to wear another red because I love Lasting Lust’s color and the endurance so much. For me, the product works just like MAC’s website promises: it is smudge-, run-, transfer- and feather-proof. I’ve fallen asleep with it on and woken up the next day with the color untouched. It only comes off with an oily makeup remover and, occasionally, oily salad dressing.”
That’s all still true. In fact, just last week I again fell asleep with my Lasting Lust lip color on (go ahead, judge me) and again woke up with perfect red lips and a pristine pillow. But MAC doesn’t have any other shades — red or otherwise — in that formula that work on me, so I’m always looking for other options. I tried to be thrifty by sampling various drugstore and online-only products, but I wound up feeling I was wasting money because I didn’t like any of them. Then I read some good reviews about Chanel’s Rouge Double Intensité Ultra Wear Lip Color ($34). Like MAC’s Pro Longwear Lipcolor, Chanel’s product comes in a tube with liquid lipstick on one end of the tube and a clear gloss on the other end, so that looked promising. I ordered it in Ruby Lite.
At first, I wasn’t sure I liked it because it does feel drier than Lasting Lust. I had to use more gloss and re-apply the gloss more frequently than I do with the MAC product. But I love the blue-red color.
And there was no feathering or transferring whatsoever. I’m obsessed with those issues. You know how peeps say women of a certain age shouldn’t wear red lipstick because it runs into the fine lines around the mouth? That’s not a problem with a product like this. And I didn’t get any messy lipstick kiss marks on water glasses (or MrB’s collar). Like Lasting Lust, the pigment only came off when I used an oily makeup remover. After I wore the Chanel for a few days, including at the inauguration dinner I went to on Monday, I became accustomed to the feel of it. I even ordered another Rouge Double Intensité in red-plum Almandine.
If you’re looking for a less expensive but similarly long-lasting product — besides MAC’s — I tested Kat Von D’s Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick, which is available at Sephora for $19. Outlaw is a gorgeous brick red that doesn’t budge. The only problem I had with it was that there’s no attached clear gloss, and you definitely need something moisturizing with these liquid lipsticks. I can’t be bothered buying and keeping track of separate glosses, but if you’ve already got some of those, give Kat a try!
$34! We pay more for MAC in Australia. I dread to think what the Chanel will cost here. It’s a great colour on you. I have the Lasting Lust and I find it way too dry and that it bunches up on my lips when I reapply the gloss. Sigh my lips are fucked!
Damn! Australia is expensive!
Thanks for the recommendations, Wendy! I’ve been wanting to wear more red lipstick, but the regular kind is just messy and the cheap paint-on ones totally dry my lips out (big lips, it’s a challenge).
Looking gorgeous!
I don’t do messy 🙂
bought this for my sister and she luffed it!!! she said it ws hard to remove. Maybe I’ll get some for me too x PS what’s on your nails? Details? xx
Here are the nails! http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2013/01/sainte-chapelle-inspired-nail-art-by-tracylee-percival/
That’s a really pretty color on you. I think it’s more subtle than your usual MAC color, but maybe that’s the soft, pearly light.
It’s really satisfying to have more than one option, isn’t it? Having a favorite is great, but we always want an alternative.
I’m really digging this color.
Fabulous color! I’m not sure I’ve ever tried on a lipstick that had that kind of staying power. I imagine its worth it.
Once I tried Lasting Lust, I was spoiled for regular lipstick. I never wanted to do touch-ups again!
Hi beautiful! you look amazing! its’ been awhile since we’ve visited your blog and we’re thrilled to see you are still active in the blog world after all these year .hope you remember Maury and I from heightsoffashion. We just relaunched our blog and would love to have you come back and visit.. We’ll be checking on you for sure!
xoxo!
Gisela & Maury
Of course I remember you! I’ll come visit.
Have you ever tried lip stains? They sound kind of similar to this. I have a Revlon one that looks like a felt-tipped marker, and I will never go back to another lip color. It doesn’t wipe off on things and it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing anything on my lips. It comes with a lip balm attached, but it doesn’t retract so mine broke off right away. I just put my regular lip balm on top.
I always have such bad luck with drugstore brands because I can’t test them. The color/texture is always wrong. What I need to do is figure out which of my friends uses something that I might be interested in and try hers out!
feathering red lipstick is the worst!
I might have to go check this out
Brett
As God is my witness, I will never feather again.
Interesting… whenever I’ve used this type, the gloss part tends to make the whole thing feather as well as come off quickly. If I use it without, its terribly drying on my already dry lips. I guess I’ll just have to stick with what works for me. I have finally found the secret to getting rid of the dryness — Fresh Lip Scrub and their lip balms work fantastic for me, so perhaps I should try something new? LOVE this shade of red on you, blue-reds are definitely my fav! XXX
It’s so interesting how people respond differently to the same products! Body chemistry, I guess! I had a Fresh lip thing for a while, I think someone gave it to me. I liked it but when I ran out, I went back to good old Vaseline.
Have you ever checked out Illamasqua? I suspect it’s totally your cup of tea. Their Soho store is super cool http://www.illamasqua.com (where else would you see male customers casually walking in in full face?). I got my flatmate to wear her first red lipstick and bought my own (Atomic) on Friday. Love it!
Tried them once– I was looking for a purple lipstick and it didn’t work out 🙁
With Mary Kay lip primer, it makes any feathering issues disappear with any lipstick! Seriously. Mom and I are devoted to it. My drier lipsticks go on much more smoothly. You can get it on my website: http://www.marykay.com/terricribb
I usually don’t let people advertise their products on my site so I just want to point out to other readers that THIS IS MY SISTER AND SHE GETS TO POST ANYTHING SHE LIKES IN THE COMMENTS! This doesn’t set any precedents for the rest of y’all. (And I do think Terri and Mom have excellent taste in lip products.)
To be precise the actual name is TimeWise Age-Fighting Lip Primer.
I love this color on you. I am adding this to my list.
Thanks for the review! I always spend way too much at the Chanel counter when I’m at the airport and now I know what to buy. I like their nail polish but rouge coco was strangely drying my lips. I’ll definitely check this out’