Monday, October 27, 2014

Guerlain KissKiss Lipsticks in Baby Rose, Sexy Coral and Rouge Kiss Review, Swatches and Photos



I have some samples of three of the newly revamped Guerlain's KissKiss Lipstick collection - Baby Rose, Rouge Kiss and Sexy Coral - to show you today. The KissKiss Lipstick collection has 25 shades in total. From what I can tell, the revamp is specifically to the packaging (by jewellery designer HervĂ© Van der Straeten), which since I only have samples, I don't have to show you here. But you can see it online here

Guerlain's KissKiss lipsticks have been around for 20 years, and evidently this latest revamp has increased the formula of the pigmentation. I have admittedly never tried Guerlain KissKiss lipstick before, nor any Guerlain Beauty products. The KissKiss lipsticks retail for about $41 CDN and to me, $40 seems pretty high for a lipstick. But perhaps these samples might change my mind? The NARS Audacious lipsticks ($37 CDN) have swayed me...

From the Guerlain website:

KissKiss surprises us once again by slipping into a precious and graceful little black dress. Its understated case shows off infinitely elegant curves. A tube transformed into a work of art, a sculptural jewel developed like three sleek cubes. Simply chic!

In perfect harmony with feminine curves, lips immediately regain their fullness and softness thanks to a formula enriched with plumping hyaluronic acid spheres. In parallel, Commiphora oil helps smooth the lip surface. 

The elegance of a timeless essential.

You can find KissKiss Lipsticks at The Bay stores and thebay.com, as well as at Sephora, in store and online

The sample I received is pretty substantial, a large black cardboard "brochure"with a very glamourous photo of model Natalia Vodianova wearing a beautiful red lipstick (Rouge Kiss, I believe). 


The back of the brochure lists the lipsticks inside and their ingredients.


Check out the inside! I've never seen a sample look quite like this. This is indeed, a luxury brand sample. Look, it even comes with a tiny lip brush for application. 





OK, enough about the packaging, let's look at these lipsticks. Spoiler: they're pretty gorgeous.


Swatched on NW15 skintone.
L-R: Baby Rose, Sexy Coral and Rouge Kiss
All of these lipsticks have a similar, glossy sheen to them and good pigmentation. They're fragranced with a violet aroma, which is one of those scents I don't usually love. But really, it's not that noticeable unless you're waving the lipstick under your nose trying to smell it. You really can't notice it after wearing it for a few minutes. 

First up is Baby Rose: a cool mid-tone rose shade with gold glitter.

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Baby Rose
This looks like a very wearable shade, the type of rose pink that many, many skintones could wear. It also swatches a lot glossier than I expected. Actually all three of these did. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Baby Rose
See how glossy? Almost gloss-like in glossiness. But it's not sticky like a gloss. Not at all. The texture is smooth and light. The pigment is strong and the glitter is visible but not all that dramatic, the sheen and glossiness of the formula incorporates it well.

Swatched on NW15 skintone.
Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Baby Rose
Here it is on. I used the tiny lip brush provided to apply all of these lipsticks. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Baby Rose
Lovely colour, right? And it's not glittery at all. But. BUT. When I rub my lips together I can feel the glitter. My lips feel a bit gritty. It's not such a nice feeling. But it's a beautiful looking and feeling lipstick to wear otherwise. It feels moisturizing, applies smoothly and forgivingly and softens any lines and dryness on your lips. Barring the gritty feeling, it's a lovely lipstick and a lovely shade. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Baby Rose
Here's my favourite of the three shades: Sexy Coral, a juicy soft orange-pink shade. Anyone who loves coral lip colours will want to check this one out. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Sexy Coral
This looks almost neon in the sample, and on my finger below, but it swatches and applies less so. It's got a smooth, glossy texture and no shimmer at all. 
Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Sexy Coral 
Sexy Coral is such a beautiful, fun shade. It makes me think of the flesh of a grapefruit. It makes me think of spring and summer, but trust me, I'll be wearing this one year round. It's just too pretty not to. 
Swatched on NW15 skintone.
Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Sexy Coral 
It's bold without being overpowering and it's very, very flattering. The glossiness of it draws light to it making lips look luscious. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Sexy Coral 
The texture of Sexy Coral is very much like the texture of Baby Rose, but without the grittiness. It doesn't feel heavy and it applies very smoothly and evenly. It didn't feel dry or enhance any of the lines or dryness of my lips. I didn't want to take it off. I think I might have to buy a full tube of it!


Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Sexy Coral 
Finally, here is Rouge Kiss, the shade that Natalia Vodianova is wearing in the ads for the collection. It's a pretty universally flattering neutral red, neither warm or cool-toned and it's got plenty of gloss like Baby Rose and Sexy Coral. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Rouge Kiss
It's red. Very red. Proceed with caution. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Rouge Kiss
Rouge Kiss is glossy, just like Baby Rose and Sexy Coral, so it's going to be easier to wear for most of you than a drier-textured red lipstick. The gloss of it will also bring down some of the drama of the shade. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Rouge Kiss
Like Baby Rose and Sexy Coral, Rouge Kiss has a very smooth, glossy texture and it's opaque and pigmented but with a touch of translucency at the same time. There is definitely no shortage of colour either. It reminds me of cranberry juice. 

So do I look like Natalia Vodianova? Yeah, I didn't think so. 


But this is one gorgeous red lippy. 

Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Rouge Kiss
Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Rouge Kiss
So there you have it, three of the newly revamped Guerlain KissKiss Lipsticks. Overall, I was impressed by them. These are very easy to wear lipsticks (Baby Rose only if you're OK with some grittiness) since they're so glossy and lightweight. From the looks of the rest of the shades, there are colours that should suit everyone from nudes to naturals to brights to reds, all with a glossy finish, but some that are more sheer, and some more opaque, some with shimmer/glitter, some without. 

Baby Rose
Grade: B

Sexy Coral
Grade: A

Rouge Kiss
Grade: A

C.

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