Makeup of the Month: April | Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colours

Hi, everyone! Holy crap, it's the weekend! If there was ever a weekend I needed, it's this one. It's been a super stressful kind of week, but luckily with a couple extra exciting tidbits thrown in. First, my little niece just celebrated her 1-month birthday. I'm totally smitten with this baby! Second, I have booked a trip to NYC with my parents for June! They have never been to the Big Apple, so I decided that I could not imagine a better graduation present than getting to be their tour guide for a few days. New York is my absolute favourite place to visit, so I couldn't be more thrilled!

|So before I slip into a stress and excitement-based coma, I have some fabulous goodies to share with you. Yes, I did make a pretty sizeable Sephora Haul in April, but one of the stipulations in my Makeup Resolution was that Sephora sales are independent entities, separate from my goal of one beauty purchase per month. Acceptable exception? Pitiful excuse? You can decide, but either way, let's revel in some Chanel today! 

When Chanel released their re-formulated Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colours, this lipstick fiend was obviously curious. Chanel has never steered me wrong in terms of lip colour. Even more, this new range not only offers an impressive selection of shades, but also roots each lipstick in a personal inspiration of Ms. Coco Chanel herself. If there's anything I like more than an interesting back-story, it's a lipstick with an interesting back-story!

The new Rouge Coco Lip Colours promise vibrant, luminous colour with jojoba oil and plant butters for deep hydration. 

They come in sleek black boxes with gold accents with classic black and gold squared-off tubes to match. Simple and chic- everything you would expect from Chanel!

Narrowing down my picks was a tough one, but I aimed to snag shades that are generally lacking in my collection (i.e., no more hot pinks!). After trying on several colours, I brought home Catherine and Emilienne. Along with my purchase, the sales associate at The Bay was generous enough to give me a deluxe sample-size tube of Arthur as well. They make for quite the pretty trio! 

Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colours in (L) Catherine and (R) Emilienne

Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colour Mini in Arthur

Here are swatches of all three shades on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone). As you can see, that have a softly luminous finish (not too matte, not too glossy) and a medium level of intensity (not ultra sheer, but not completely opaque either). 

Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colours in (L-R) Catherine, Emilienne, and Arthur

First off, I selected Catherine because the peachy section of my lip stash was quite small and I had been looking for a '60s-inspired lip colour that was also entirely wearable. In my opinion, Catherine is a perfect pink-tinged peach that channels a retro vibe without looking too outdated or chalky. The luminous finish makes it quite flattering! I love to pair it with blacked winged liner to channel my inner mod vixen. While I initially guessed that this shade was inspired by '60s icon Catherine Deneuve, it turns out it was actually created to honour Catherine de Medicis, Queen of France, who was a fierce patron of the arts and also a women who donned the interlocking double Cs. How interesting! 

Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Catherine

Next up, I selected Emilienne partially because it was my result from this quiz (gotta love letting your life decisions be guided by an online personality quiz) and partly because I fell instantly smitten at first swipe. Emilienne is a cool-toned ruby-tinged raspberry that straddles the lines between my-lips-but better, vibrant, and vampy. It's unique, yet wearable, vivid, yet sophisticated. It's also inspired by French courtesan and dancer Emlienne d'Alencon who was a free spirit and one of the first women to wear Coco's designs. So happy that my delving into this range also led me to learn about some of these fabulous women! 

Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Emilienne

Finally, we have Arthur. This was the shade from the range that actually tempted me the most, but I had resisted because we all know I have one too many reds in my stash. But when I was given a mini tube of it, I couldn't have been more excited! Arthur is truly my kind of red. Cheery, gently orange-toned, and slightly retro. I absolutely love it! To further deepen my fascination, this shade was inspired by Coco Chanel's first love and eventual fashion muse Arthur "Boy" Capel. I feel like I'm swiping on a bit of history everytime I wear it! 

Overall, I am truly captivated by these lipsticks. The formula is a pleasure to wear- the texture is comfortable, quite long-wearing for a hydrating formula, and the luminous finish is ultra flattering. Plus, the shades are totally spot-on! Yes, these are pricey at $42 CAD, but perhaps a small price to pay for a piece of Ms. Chanel's personal loves and inspirations? ;) And clever marketing aside, these really are top-notch lipsticks!

Which of these shades is your favourite? Have you tried the new Rouge Coco Lip Colours? Are you also a sucker for shades named after real people?

Have a fantastic weekend! xo