There is just something about red lipstick that makes me swoon. I love seeing it on other people, and I love wearing it. I also love buying it. I buy A LOT of red lipstick. I reckon I have enough red lipstick to feed a small country...wait, what? Well if, red lipstick were food or better yet, money, then I would be a billionaire. A RED LIPSTICK BILLIONAIRE! One of my favorite things about red lipstick, is looking at a brand new, virgin tube of lipstick. It's a fetish. I fully admit. I love gazing upon an unblemished lipstick bullet. The redder the better. So when I received an e-mail from my drug dealer, also known as Sephora, proclaiming the virtues of the new Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick ensconced in genuine leather, I was sold!
Of course, I live in an area with complete savages, and there is no Givenchy display near me except at Sephora. The barbarians that roam around the malls in my area have no appreciation for Givenchy or their stunning packaging. I must admit. It makes me sad that more people are not familiar with this brand. Sure they have some items that are less than ideal, but what brand doesn't? How do I know this brand is not well known? Because I heard three different people pronounce Givenchy as "give-in-Chee" when it should be pronounced "jhee-von-Shee" As heard in this video
And this is how NOT to pronounce Givenchy
This is also how NOT to pronounce Bvlgari
Just so we're clear. OK?
Moving on.
So as, to avoid the unwashed masses, and I was still recovering from The Flu, I went to sephora.com, found the Givenchy Le Rouge lipstick, selected #307 Grenat Initlé, described as a "deep red", clicked "add to basket" without a second thought, and went about my merry, flu recovering state. TWO (2) days later, my Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick arrives.
Moving on.
So as, to avoid the unwashed masses, and I was still recovering from The Flu, I went to sephora.com, found the Givenchy Le Rouge lipstick, selected #307 Grenat Initlé, described as a "deep red", clicked "add to basket" without a second thought, and went about my merry, flu recovering state. TWO (2) days later, my Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick arrives.
I open the black packaging to reveal the buttery feeling, leather embraced tube of lipstick. Two studs at the bottom of this hefty lipstick hold the cap in place (there is also a magnet embedded inside for security.) The Givenchy symbol and name are engraved on the tube and cap. Is this the first lipstick to come in a leather case? I certainly have never owned one before.
Once you swivel the lipstick up, you reveal the Givenchy symbol embossed into the lipstick bullet. I love this kind of detail in a lipstick. Heck, even L'oreal does it. It just adds that extra je ne sais quoi.
Anyway. The lipstick formula is described as semi-matte, but I think it looks more satin to me. Of course, the color contains no shimmery particles, but it's smooth like satin, but not too shiny either. In fact, applying this lipstick was utterly delightful! The lipstick has good slip but not too much that it slides right off your lips after applying. The feeling on the lips is slightly moisturizing. As a semi-matte formula, I never felt like my lips were drying out or needed extra moisturization while wearing the lipstick. The pigmentation was phenomenal. I mean, like "I can't believe I ate an entire Pop Tart, and I still have my lipstick on" amazing. This specific color, Grenat Initlé is highly pigmented and leaves a stain of the lips. It does not leave the dreaded "ring around the lips stain" after eating if you apply it, blot and then apply again.
The color. Well the color is just a lovely neutral red that leans ever so slightly blue...but hardly noticeable. While the color is described as a "deep red" I find this to be a medium red. However when one owns as many red lipsticks as I do, there are multiple color categories for red and this one falls in the neutral, medium red category. Oh and before I forget, this lipstick does have a very light fragrance, but I cannot detect it when I apply it nor does it have a flavor. That's always a plus. Givenchy describes the scent as "Mimosa and Blackcurrant". Whatever. I love Mimosa fragrance almost as much as I love drinking Mimosas. So I'm pleased with the fragrance, what little of it I can detect.
Do you NEED this? Maybe. I mean does anyone "need" a $36 USD lipstick. No. But if you are looking for an amazing formula, a luxurious case, beautiful color, then this is worth checking out. There are 12 colors in the Le Rouge Line. If you would like to see swatches of all the colors, check out the Mostly Sunny Blog. She has good pictures of all the colors! Currently you can purchase the Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick on line at sephora.com and at givenchybeauty.com (non affiliate link). If you register at givenchybeauty.com you can get free shipping too!
Is this the red lipstick of your dreams? What do you think of the leather case? How much is too much to spend on a lipstick? (Note: Your answer to this question may have an effect on our friendship. Just kidding!)
