Guerlain Gabrielle 60…Twice Bought, Still Not My Favorite

The Guerlain Rouge G case is elegantly beautiful (and quite heavy!).
Upon its release a few years ago, I purchased the Guerlain Rouge G lip color in Gabrielle (#60), a pretty peachy/pink shade with a bit of shimmer.  Being the pale lip color lover that I am, this color called to me, especially since it was nestled in a sea of much darker shades (in my opinion, Guerlain’s lip color offerings tend to definitely run on the darker side).  
Retailing for $48, I rationalized this expenditure based on its preternaturally beautiful case…shiny pale gold weighty metal with a revolutionary pop out mirror.  These features begged the question, how could one not love this lipstick?

Guerlain Rouge G in Gabrielle (60) is a lovely peachy/pink with micro-shimmer.

Unfortunately, the formula of this investment piece left little to be desired.  Upon wear, my lips began to dry out and even peel…oh the horror!  So pretty, yet so very unwearable.  Eventually, I returned this lipstick, disappointed by the fact that something with so much promise was just not for me.  

Guerlain Rouge G in Gabrielle (60) is sheerer than one might imagine, imparting a pink sheen that is neither remarkable nor long lasting.
Fast forward to nearly three years later.  While browsing at Sephora one weekend, my eyes were drawn to this shade yet again…this time, I hoped, it will be different!  Perhaps I was not alone in my parched lips and perhaps Guerlain decided to reformulate, thereby making this the product I had always hoped it would be.  I talked myself into trying it again.  The. Very. Same. Shade.  A bit daft, I know, but things can change, right?!
Unfortunately, I learned my lesson yet again.  The formula has not changed, and the color is even sheerer than I remembered it being in the past.  While it is not the worst product on the market, its quality hardly merits the $48 price tag it possesses.  The color is pretty, if not a bit unremarkable and, while it looks fetching upon first application, the shade turns transparent and my lips begin to feel dry.
Back to Sephora this must go…
At the start, Guerlain Rouge G in Gabrielle 60 looks lovely…time, however, brings upon a fading, drying situation that is not becoming for a lipstick of this caliber.

           
Bottom Line:  I want to love Guerlain Rouge G…the case, the image, the shades…there is a wealth of promise.  However, the formula is lacking on so many levels.  In turn, I suggest learning from my folly by avoiding the siren call of Gabrielle (60)!            

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Comments (7)

  • Michelle Reply

    I noticed sometimes that it's a problem only with certain shades (perhaps because certain dyes are used?). I had this same problem with NARS. Almost all the ones I've bought have been not only sheer and lovely, but moisturizing. However, one shade made my lips feel super dry and peel. It may have even been a minor allergic reaction to the dyes in that specific shade. Perhaps one day you could get a sample of another shade to try?

    October 4, 2012 at 2:22 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      You may be right, Michelle. I have had terrible luck with the Chanel Rouge Coco formula until I recently bought Chintz on a whim an it isn't drying at all! I hope that I will find a Guerlain Rouge G shade that I like as much as Gabrielle that perhaps isn't as sheer or drying. Someday!! ; )

      Take care and thanks for your comment,

      –The Beauty Professor

      October 4, 2012 at 10:14 pm
  • Style de Nude Reply

    That colour is soo pretty, such a shame! But I think Michelle may have a point because Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy made my lips peel and dry, but later I tried a different shade in Emperiente and that one is fine. I say go to Tom Ford!

    October 4, 2012 at 1:45 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      I agree, Nisha…I love the color. Thanks for sharing your Chanel story…I am sure that sometimes the dyes etc. are more to blame for reactions than the actual formula itself. I am definitely a Tom Fors fan…I love Pink Dusk and his lipgloss in Naked and I just received Nude Vanille yesterday which is simply amazing!! Lovely shades and extreme moisture…what else could a girl hope for ; )

      What is your favorite TF shade?

      Xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      October 4, 2012 at 10:19 pm
  • The Beauty Professor Reply

    **Edit**
    "Tom Ford" not "Tom Fors"

    Silly iPhone!!

    –BP

    October 4, 2012 at 10:22 pm
  • Anonymous Reply

    That's 'funny' this formula Rouge G is so good and moisturising on my lips… But the Tom Ford lipsticks (especially the Spanish pink and Blush nude) sucks the life out of my lips within seconds, and can't use them. The red colours like the True Coral is not as dry on my lips, but it's only semi okay. I really wonder which ingredient(s) is the problem?

    April 26, 2014 at 9:51 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Interesting! Those disparities in performance demonstrate that different formulas react with different people in different ways, indeed ; )

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      April 30, 2014 at 3:30 am

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