Guerlain's Christmas Collection this year is one of my favorite. I am especially loving Petrouchka Palette and the golden nail polish with foil finish. I was initially not interested in limited edition Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade but after feeling the hype about it and seeing it literally flying off the shelves, I started thinking about getting it. Then I have read a review on a "big blog" stating this is very close to Tom Ford Vampire Kiss, my favorite red at the moment, I decided to get one without swatching since there were no testers at the counter, just to find out that it has nothing to do with Vampire's Kiss. It is like not even close...
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| Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade and my Rouge G Collection |
Let me put the expectations and reality aside, Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade is a beauty. The usual silver/chrome parts of the lipstick is gone in golden and it is hosted in a lovely red limited edition casing. It almost looks like a jewelry other than a lipstick. Some may find the package a bit bulky but I love these. You can see that in the photo above *grins*. It is not only the case but also the formula of Rouge G which I love. It is very pigmented and cream, stays long and doesn't dry out my lips.
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| Swatch: Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade |
Rouge Parade is a warm red. I have to underline warm because there seems to be a misconception about it. I have pulled out some reds that you might be familiar to for a comparison so that you can see what I mean. Almost al the reds I own are cooler than Rouge Parade. Vampire Kiss which was listed as close is almost pink compared to it. Chanel Rouge Allure #101 Passion, #99 Pirate are both significantly cooler, more pink. MAC Damn Glamorous from recent matte collection is also warmer. Armani's classical red, #400, which is the most "natural" red I own is also a tad cooler. The only red which comes close to Rouge Parade is Chanel Rouge Allure #98 Coromandel. Coromandel is just so slightly warmer than Rouge Parade.
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| Comparison swatch: Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade |
On one hand I am happy that I don't own many colors which are close to Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade. On the other hand I have to pay good attention to wear warm makeup, like golds and beiges for this color to work on me. It is not a swipe and go you will look fabulous color for my skin tone, nevertheless is it pretty,
I thought I would never say it but it seems buying a product just by looking at the swatches and reading beauty blogs is not a good idea, if you can't return it. And I sincerely think that only when the products are swatched side by side, in the exact same lighting conditions, it makes sense to trust the comparison. It is a lot of work, but it is reliable!
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| FOTD with Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade |
Final thoughts: If you like warm reds and fabulous Guerlain Rouge G Formula, Guerlain Rouge G #820 Rouge Parade might be your signature red.
When was the last time you made a mistake in purchasing a product by judging the swatches in a blog?
