I’m not going to say I live a good life, at least not the way the Greeks would have it (oh what? You think just because I write about shoes for a living I can’t go all pre-Socratic on you? I have depth y’all. Don’t call it a comeback, Anaximander’s been here for years.) Anyway, I haven’t lived absolutely the most respectable life but for some reason the powers that be have seen fit to give me a gift from Heaven.
…and by Heaven I mean Paris.
Some years back they cancelled my beloved Chanel “Passion” which was my perfect red lip color. It was deep and true and I loved it with a love that was more than a love. Sure it would pop up on eBay from time to time, but I never felt quite right about buying non-hermetically sealed make-up because you can never be completely sure that the seller didn’t try it and thereby turn my beloved glossimer into Coldsore Central. I am willing to suffer a lot for beauty, but I draw the line somewhere distinctly before The Face Herp.
Anyhoodle, I’ve been on the hunt for a red to replace my long lost Passion and although I’ve run into plenty that are “a’ight” and even a few that were “good” I’ve never really found another that twirled my tassels in quite the same way.
Until now.
Meet Ruby Lite, a bright, deep, true red with a hint of glimmer (no giant sparklies though. We are not in junior high any more.) I don’t know how Chanel gets that much depth of color into their products, but they do and it makes other lesser brands pale in comparison.
She’s been around for a while as part of Chanel’s Double Intensity line of long wearing lip color (an example is posted for your viewing pleasure, but I don’t believe that it’s Ruby Lite in the tube.) The application is your basic one-two punch of color and polish although with my go-to neutral, Rose Garnet (also from that line) I often skip the gloss and just use my trusty Burts Bees over it.
If you’re hunting for a real knock-out red (and every girl should have one) take Ruby out for a spin and be sure to report back!
You mean you aren’t going to run around town and buy up every tube of this stuff just in case they discontinue it? I have a friend who did that with a lipstick and hoarded them for years in a plastic shoe box in her fridge.
Comment by Toby Wollin — April 17, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Ugh, as much of a fan as I am of Chanel makeup (and I am a fan, a HUGE fan), I really hate the Double Intensity. The Aqualumiere — no better lip product as far as I’m concerned. I’ve bought myself, my mother, my sister, and my stepmother that lipstick in Yucatan. But the Double Intensity cakes on my lips like no tomorrow.
Comment by Nemtynakht — April 17, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
I agree with you completely, Nemtynakht! I tried Double Intensity just once, and it did not work for me — though I do not doubt that it works well for Plumcake. I have pretty much switched to wearing only Chanel makeup, as it really is superior to any other line I’ve tried. As for lip color, I wear Rouge Allure Silhouette when I want a neutral and Rouge Allure Sexy when I want a strong red lip. They are perfection!
Comment by Chiken — April 17, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
I have the Rouge Double Intensite in Ruby Lite too and it’s lovely! Another great red is Rouge Allure Lover (#09)!
Plumcake, njoy your new knock-out red and have a great day!
Comment by dcsurfergirl — April 17, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
I have the Rouge Double Intensite in Ruby Lite too and it’s lovely! Another great red is Rouge Allure Lover (#09)!
Plumcake, enjoy your new knock-out red and have a great day!
Comment by dcsurfergirl — April 17, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
Reds are always tough – I finally realized that I need a red with a blue-ish undertone, instead of a red with an orange-y undertone. I used to think I just didn’t look good in red lipstick (which was a total shame) but it was just the wrong TYPE of red!
Comment by Leah — April 18, 2008 @ 10:59 am