Serge Lutens lipsticks are legendary both for their intense colors and their outrageous prices. Not that I'd expect anything less from this creative genius with his amazing aesthetics, vision and penchant for luxury (those who saw the bathrooms of his Salons du Palais Royal in Paris know what I mean). But we're here to talk about his makeup, and my previous purchase of a lip color from his line was less than satisfactory. His Water Lip Color (a runny and weird lip stain) was a huge waste of money and time to make it work, so I must really trust dear Uncle Serge for giving him another chance.
The lipsticks are a completely different story. All ten shades are very pigmented, and most of them are variations on the very Parisian theme of sexy red (or purple). The one I chose, No. 2 Roman Rouge, is obviously a dark berry red (not as plummy as my beloved Tom Ford Bruised Plum, but they're pretty close). The pigment is intense and gives a very sexy look.
The Lutens lipstick glides on effortlessly but is obviously a lipstick and not a balm. It's all about the color here. It wears comfortably (the thin layer feels barely there), has a satin finish that can be blotted down to matte if that's your thing. Just like Tom Ford lipsticks, the staying power is phenomenal and it barely transfers to glasses and cups. While not pulling out moisture from the lips, it's not a hydrating formula, either, so you have to make extra sure your lips are perfectly exfoliated and plumped up with a moisturizing product.
My favorite look when wearing the lipstick is an all-black outfit, a perfect almost matte skin, thin black liner, 2-3 coats of black mascara, a wash of a neutral eye shadow (like Bobbi Brown Sable or Burberry Antique Rose) and a pale blush (NARS Douceur). Serge Lutens MKK or Fleurs d'Oranger are optional.
Serge Lutens lipsticks are refillable, a great thing considering the price (I wish Guerlain would adopt this idea for their Rouge G series). The SA at Barneys recommended that every buyer makes sure before leaving the store that he or she got the color they wanted (pay attention to the number on the tester and on the box), because what they do is grab the refill and pop it into the shell, and sometimes the wrong color gets inserted.
Bottom Line: If this is your style and you can afford it, then the lipstick is actually worth the money.
Serge Lutesn lipsticks ($75 including case, $55 for the refill) as well as the rest of his makeup line are available exclusively from Barneys in the US (including online) and at the Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido in Paris.
Photos of Roman Rouge lipstick are mine.
Art: Louise- Composition Lettriste Noir Rouge et Blanc by Serge Lutens, 1989
Does Lutens do any good neutral lipsticks, or is it pretty much all red, all the time? I've yet to try any of his cosmetics, and that goes for Tom Ford's lipsticks too (but I already know which shades I'm coveting). I can't/won't do red, but give me a bombshell buff nude or pink and we're good.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried Serge Lutens lipsticks a couple of years ago, I was ready to be impressed, but somehow wasn't. The color range maybe, and the texture was nice but not extraordinary. Tom Ford lipsticks... I hated the ad, find the brand/man tacky, but liked the packaging. When I tried a Tom Ford lipstick on, I bought it on the spot. And then another. And another. I hate there are so many nudes in his collection (he is clearly aiming at the huge American and Asian markets), and that there are few other colors...
ReplyDeleteBut I find them really superior textures. They make me look and feel beautiful, I can't ask for more. Well, apart for more colors. Will give Monsieur Lutens another chance.
To Carrie - there is a good beige, a pale sheer gold and a pale mauve shade, from memory. I bought the beige for a friend.
ReplyDeleteI am quite tempted by Votre Sienne every so often.
Is this similar to chanel coco rouge in byzantin? thanks! wish they sold serge lutens here!
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace. I would LOVE a gold too.
ReplyDeleteOk, at this momenT, I SO wish one could buy lipsticks in affordable decant sizes ha! I'd forego the pretty casing like I do Gorgeous bottles just to have some of this Color - WOWZA!
ReplyDeleteThis color is amazing-I love to wear blue-reds in winter. I have Votre Sienne and it's great, definitely in the warm camp so I don't wear it often enough. I do find it little on the drying side (for my lips anyway) so I have to moisturize up.
ReplyDeleteDid Serge do the makeup for Shiseido in the 80's/early 90's? Or just their ad campaigns?
BTW, I love the old Shiseido ads.
The colour looks amazing and I really enjoyed your description of how you wear it (very chic). I don't imagine I will ever own one but I certainly enjoy admiring!
ReplyDeleteJane x