Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lipstick Collection

My Dress, My Style, My Lipstick! Guerlain has introduced its magnificent La Petite Robe Noire Nail and Lip Collection (I'll show off the nail products in a later feature). The collection is a fresh, unexpected, and slightly scented array of irresistible shades inspired by the alluring namesake fragrance, La Petite Robe Noire. The upside-down heart shows that it belongs to the House of Guerlain and reminds us of La Petite Robe Noire's original perfume bottle.

Two Guerlain signatures on the lipstick casing overlap to create the ultimate couture detail - one on the transparent case in shiny silver and the other engraved below in the body of the black mechanism. Each shade is beautifully showcased through the transparent glass, allowing for no mistake as to what shade is within. Love that!

Although I featured a new lipstick collection just Monday, I need to show you Guerlain's magnificent La Petite Robe Noire Lipstick Collection. It's fun, lively, and enticing.

Alone in front of her wardrobe, La Petite Robe Noire's namesake is deep in thought. She would need something to add the finishing touch to her inimitable style and twist all her wonderful dresses, that little added extra, that je ne sais quoi to bring out her femininity and reveal her true personality: mischievous, Parisian, spectacular, seductive, elusive, and yet with a distinctive presence. What she needs is, of course, color! Color just like her - scented color for an added dimension to her unique style.

I was absolutely delighted when I received six shades from this collection from Guerlain. The innovative company has created an absolutely essential and utterly irresistible La Petite Robe Noire Lipstick in a deliciously shiny texture to dress up your style with luscious color! The lipsticks are available in vibrant shades in an unexpected texture.

• The lightweight texture reveals the lips’ natural radiance, leaving them supple and comfortable.
• The coverage is buildable, thanks to its thin film: one layer to offer a glimpse of the sensual texture of the lips, two layers for a casual chic daytime look, and three layers for a more dense and sophisticated finish - a glamorous evening look.
• Inspired by La Petite Robe Noire, the formula is deliciously, but lightly, perfumed and delicately flavored for an unforgettable taste on your lips;
• These lipsticks have an ultra-shiny finish and pure and luminous colors thanks to a cocktail of pure and extra-luminous pigments that are coated with a specific resin that delivers a shiny lacquer effect.

There are 20 fantastic shades that Guerlain has grouped into three categories.

• Star Shades (four)
• Her Easy Chic Shades (eleven total, although some are available only in Asia and Russia)
• Her Trendy Pop Shades (10 shades, with the same constraint. Hmm, who do I know in Asia or Russia?)

My First Lipstick, #001, is a very light pink, the ideal lipstick for young girls and for all women who prefer a natural look. The soft pink is subtly set off with a veil of shimmer with an innovative texture. Also in this category, Black Perfecto, #007, shown below, is a surprising shade, a fake-black that can be applied alone or as a top coat for an elegant rock finish. Applied alone, the eosin that it contains reacts to the pH of the lips and reveals a tailor-made soft purple. It is perfect as a top coat that “smokes” any shade applied before it. That’s the secret of the rock style of La Petite Robe Noire, the most Parisian of all.

Guerlain sent me these two, plus Leather Blazer (#013) and Red Bow Tie (#022) from the Her Easy Chic group and two from Her Trendy Pop group: Poppy Cap, #020, and Red Teddy, #021.

Here are the six shades I love, lined up from left to right in numerical order. I took my photo in full, mid-day sunshine, which has been rare, and a wind that wouldn't give me a break. As soon as I could get the tubes to stop moving, I snapped photos.

The six shades, as presented above from left to right follow.
#001, My First Lipstick - very light pink with shine galore
#007, Black Perfecto - as described above (reminds me of the iconic Black Honey)
#013, Leather Blazer - a gorgeous brown with pink undertones
#020, Poppy Cap, a lovely coral
#021, Red Teddy - a rose pink shade
#022, Red Bow Tie - a very wearable red (many of you know I'm very conservative when it comes to reds)

I swatched them in the same order on my arm, starting with My First Lipstick at the top and ending at the bottom with Red Bow Tie. The Star Shades at the top of my arm are very light and shiny. The other shades have more pigmented color, although all are bright and shiny. I really love them - sheer and shine add up to a perfect lipstick in my eyes.

Although Guerlain is perfectly clear that these lipsticks are scented, I - the one who prefers her lipsticks unscented - can barely detect the scent. I don't smell it on my lips and barely taste it. The subtle taste dissipates quickly. To me, it does not taste like I'm wearing a scented lipstick after about 10 minutes. I have to admit I'm not a big fan of La Petite Robe Noire fragrance; it has patchouli in it (not my cup of tea). The lipstick fragrance is described as a fruity floral with accents of bergamot, rose, and raspberry, inspired by the delicious notes of La Petite Robe Noire. This is a scented lipstick I'll wear with great pleasure. Has Guerlain converted me?

There are a few shades I think I need to purchase. Mauve Gloves, Lilac Belt, and Plum-Brella look like must-haves. Oh my, what's a lipstick lover to do?

Check out all the gorgeous shades at Guerlain's Web site, where you will find large color representations. I'm going to have to find out their availability at our favorite in-store and online shopping sites. I do know the lipsticks will launch in the U.S. at Nordstrom next week.

Photos courtesy of Guerlain and by Best Things in Beauty