Color Series - Reds: A Pair of Ruby Red Lippers

Want a little red sparkle for the holidays?  Well, then have I got a pair for you!  Each one is on the opposite side of the retail spectrum, both offer radiance and shine: Guerlain's Rouge Automatique in Coque D'Or 120 and Revlon's ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor in Top Tomato.  Let's first take a look at Coque D'Or, shall we?

Coque D'Or 120 is described as a "red with gold shimmer" and it is from Guerlain's Rouge Automatique line of lipsticks where one-handed application can be achieved simply by sliding the button on the side of the tube up or down to reveal/close the lipstick.  And while I do not have this lovely version, I do have the sample size which is just as elegant looking.

Coque D'Or applies smoothly and feels soft and somewhat moisturizing on the lips.  The gold shimmer does not translate as glitter on the lips, but rather gives them a subtle radiance in addition to the shine it promotes.  It is, however, more on the sheer side as you will see in my swatch further down.  It reminds me of a heavily tinted balm that gives you the benefit of wearing red without the full drama it usually demands: you could easily wear it without a liner and the shade is not intimidating at all.  There is also a light fragrance to the lipstick that I found to be pleasant.  I could smell it during the initial application, but it dissipated after a short time.

Next up is Revlon's ColorStay Lipcolor in Top Tomato and it is a lovely, sparkly tomato red.  This is a liquid lipstick, therefore, it applies like a gloss, but is slightly thicker and dries down to a lacquer after application.

Top Tomato in direct sunlight

Top Tomato has beautiful red shimmers that, again, do not translate as glitter or anything coarse while wearing.  The shimmer is subtle on the lips, slightly more noticeable in the light, but not obnoxiously so.  The color is semi-opaque to opaque and buildable.

Top Tomato's doe foot applicator

In sunlight: Guerlain above, Revlon below

 

Guerlain above, Revlon below
 
 

And when Revlon says "Color STAY", they mean it!  Top Tomato did not budge at all on me.  In fact, it barely moved when I attempted to wash the swatches off with soap and water (see above).   Guerlain politely relented, but Top Tomato was down right ornery!  I had to wipe vigorously with a makeup remover cloth before it finally let my arm go!  LOL.

Revlon's Top Tomato can be found at most drugstores and retails for about $8; Guerlain's Coque D'Or can be found at Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms and Sephora - retail, $35.

**Next up: this Waitress is serving up cherry red for your cherry pickers...