Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Cavaliere

This summer is the season of shine in lipstick. While the winter showed us a reintroduction of the power of lipstick, as the weather warms up we are being introduced to a new and sophisticated hybrid lip product...the shine lipstick. A cross between a traditional opaque lipstick and a gloss, these shines offer more color than a gloss while maintaining the shine so many covet. For someone with pale lips like mine, they're a godsend, as they offer enough pigmentation to show up against my skin while still giving me the sheer, glassy finish of a gloss. It's the best of both worlds!

Chanel Rouge Coco in Cavaliere

Chanel's Rouge Coco line literally changed the game for me when it launched last year. First of all, it made traditional lipstick acceptable again, which was nice for me since I'd never stopped wearing it in the first place.  In addition, the wonderful array of shades, the lightweight texture and the long wear made it a joy to own. I immediately stocked up on several colors and have since added many more to my collection. 

With Rouge Coco Shine, I think I'll be dealing with another game-changer. Marketed as a shine lipstick, it comes in a narrower case than Rouge Coco, yet still has plenty of product. The texture is smooth, creamy and lightweight. The coverage is sheer with one coat, but can be built up easily. Wear time, of course, is not comparable to a regular lipstick, but outlasts glosses on me. I have had no issues with feathering or migrating, and it never gets on my teeth. 

Most importantly, I love the look this lipstick gives. It's soft and sweet rather than harsh or assertive. No matter how many coats I apply, my lips shine through, giving a pop of color that looks totally natural. Even the brighter colors like Monte Carlo (pinkish red), Liberte (vibrant orange coral), and Aventure (pink coral) give a natural but polished finish. 

I chose Cavaliere because I was looking for a "my-lips-but-better" color that would actually make my lips show up without looking made up, perfect for the days when my makeup is more understated. As hard as I've tried, I've had a difficult time finding a traditional lipstick that gives me that look without still looking too "made up". Here's a swatch of Cavaliere: 

As you can see, the color is a cool brownish mauve...truly a "lip" color. You can also see the sheerness of the formula in this shot. I love that I can build this lipstick to give more coverage, although even with 2 coats, my natural lips shine through. 

As you can see above, the effect is totally natural yet polished. My lips, which are normally so pale that they literally fade into my face, are simply enhanced rather than being completely remade by the lipstick. The shine lasts throughout the wear of the lipstick...on me, about 2 hours before I feel the need to reapply. This isn't a moisturizing lipstick, but it also isn't drying the way that many sheer lipsticks tend to be. 

I'm very happy with the new Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks, and plan to add to my collection as soon as possible. 

Grade: A