From the Chanel Holiday 2011 Collection: Rouge Allure Lipstick #207, Famous

Well, it's Wednesday, so it must be time for another lovely red lipstick review! This time, I'm singing the praises of the standout red from Chanel's Holiday Collection, the Collection Les Scintillances de Chanel. I was drawn to it immediately and couldn't resist the purchase. Let my weak will be your gain!

The entire Les Scintillances collection focuses on luminescent reds and golds balanced by beautiful beiges. It's a dream collection for me, given my predilection for red anything and my love of gold. When I saw Famous, I had virtually no choice but to take it home or die of regret. I'm pretty sure that's the truth...I really think I would have suffered greatly had I not procured this baby. 

Here's what I love about this lipstick: 

The color is a gorgeous raspberry red infused with subtle gold shimmer. As I do much better in blue-based reds and pinks, it's an ultimate red for me. It's also the Rouge Allure formula, which is long-lasting but incredibly moisturizing and comfortable. As much as I love my Rouge Coco's, I think Rouge Allure just edges the RC formula out for the ultimate lipstick. 

Now, before you run out to buy this lipstick, I want you to know that it's VERY similar to the Rouge Allure Rouge Byzantin from the recent Collection de Byzance. I rushed out to purchase that one, and I'm ever so glad I did. I even crowned it the best red lipstick ever. Although I still feel Rouge Byzantin is a slightly more perfect lipstick due to a minor formula difference, I think Famous is a perfect choice for those cool red lovers and those of you who missed out on the fleeting Collection de Byzance. 

Here are some shots to prove it: 

In the above photo, Rouge Byzantin is on the left and Famous is on the right. They are virtually identical. 

Below is a shot taken in brighter sunlight. In it, the Famous appears lighter and brighter, but only marginally: 

On the skin, the two can barely be distinguished from one another: 

In both swatch shots, Famous is on the top and Rouge Byzantin is on the bottom. In these photos, you can detect the real difference in these two shades---it's not the color so much as the formula. Although both lipsticks are Rouge Allures, the Famous is slightly sheerer than the Rouge Byzantin. In the above photos, I used a double coat of Rouge Byzantin and 3 coats of Famous, and the Famous is still slightly lighter and sheerer. However, the shade itself, in my opinion, is nearly identical. 

Of course, the real test is how it looks on the lips, and Famous performs amazingly well. It's a beautiful raspberry red with plenty of pink undertones, perfect for cooler, fair skin tones. 

Bottom Line: If you missed out on Rouge Byzantin a few months ago, you really, really need to try Famous. You'll be getting a nearly identical color in a slightly sheerer formula. Although it doesn't pack quite the pigment punch of Rouge Byzantin, Famous is opaque on the lips with two coats and lasts for hours without drying the lips. It's a fantastic red, slightly understated due to the raspberry undertones, and works well for day or night. Although I now have two lipsticks that are virtually the same, the slight differences in formula add versatility to my application options, and I certainly don't regret taking the plunge! And for those of you who did manage to get your hands on Rouge Byzantin, Famous is a great backup.