Beauty Care: Laura Mercier Rouge Ultime & Rouge Profond Rouge Essentiel Lipsticks Review & Swatches

Rouge Ultime

Laura Mercier Rouge Ultime Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had rich color coverage in a single pass, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without emphasizing my lip texture or catching on imperfections.

The texture was lightweight, smooth, and velvety, which gave it a thinner consistency but not one that felt clingy. It wore well for six hours, left a stain behind, and felt lightly moisturizing over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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MAC A Rose in Harlem (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Vieve Muse (P, $26.50) is darker (95% similar).
MAC PhillipeBlond (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Forbidden Love (P, $38.00) is lighter (95% similar).
MAC Nyma Tang (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
MAC Russian Red (P, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Chanel Nightfall (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Urban Decay 714 (P, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
Dior Splendor (950) (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty LA Woman (P, $56.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$32.00/0.12 oz. - $266.67 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to have "high-impact color" with "weightless decadence" that "moisturizes and smooths." The pigmentation was nearly opaque to opaque in a single layer, which applied smoothly and without tugging. The texture was lightly creamy but more velvety overall, so it glided easily over my lips but didn't feel overly slippery.

The issue I had was that the formula didn't seem particularly forgiving of natural lip texture or imperfections, so despite exfoliating prior to application, there were areas highlighted that I didn't expect to see since the formula was supposed to be smoothing. It also settled a bit into deeper lip lines, which was more noticeable (in person, not just in the close-up photos) with lighter shades than brighter or deeper tones. They lasted between four and six hours on me and felt lightly hydrating.

Browse all of our Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick swatches.

Ingredients

Cetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Talc, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Padina Pavonica ThallusExtract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Red 6 (Ci15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Zinc Oxide (Ci 77947).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Rouge Ultime

PPermanent. $32.00.

9.5

Product

Pigmentation

9.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

98%

Total

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Rouge Profond

Laura Mercier Rouge Profond Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, deep red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a satin finish. It had a smooth, lightly creamy texture that felt more velvety than traditionally emollient–so less wet–that glided comfortably across my lips but never felt slippery during wear. The lipstick had opaque color coverage that stayed on well for five and a half hours and felt lightly hydrating over time.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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Estee Lauder LA Noir (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
Chanel Rouge Captivant (86) (P, $40.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Major Red (DC, $40.00) is darker (95% similar).
Urban Decay No Parking (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
ColourPop Mary (LE, $7.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
ColourPop Jack Skellington (LE, $7.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Giorgio Armani Four Hundred (400) (P, $38.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Smashbox Bawse (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Smashbox Harley Quinn (LE, $24.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Bite Beauty Supervixen (LE, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).