Dior · Rouge Dior | ommorphia beauty bar

For Fall 2016, Dior has just launched a new Rouge Dior range of lipsticks (CAN $43.00/each), available in 4 colour families (reds, corals, pinks & natural nudes) in both satin and matte finishes, along with 4 extreme matte shades in hues that may be far from traditional, but perfectly relevant for today’s woman.

The casing has also been given a tweaking, with striking metallic touches on the outside and the brand’s iconic 999 Red hue colouring the interior of each cap. But it’s the formula that takes centre stage: enriched with hydrating Mango Butter for moisture, hyaluronic acid spheres for their filling properties, [something called] ‘aroelat samphira‘ that provides a revitalizing action, and Decox, an ingredient that creates a volumizing effect. What that really means, is that each shade is not only highly pigmented but also incredibly comfortable to wear, without ever drying out your lips — and that includes the mattes.

The following swatches have been broken down into several colour groups and/or finishes for convenience, and I’ve also thrown in my version of Dior’s ‘Arty Looks‘ to show the versatility of some of the more eccentric shades (hello grey? navy?)

Dior · Rouge Dior

An ultra matte formula that’s as far from the moisture-draining genre as one can possibly get, these go on highly colour saturated from the very first swipe and while they never dry down to a truly matte state, they nevertheless come to more of a velvety finish. Extremely comfortable, there’s no bleeding or migration into fine lines throughout the wearing, with the more bolder shades leaving behind a light stain once the majority of colour has faded.

Of the two Extreme Matte shades shown, 602 Visionary Matte – a lush & dark navy, is surprisingly the more wearable of the two, providing even coverage and that perfect editorial look. The paleness of 207 Montaigne Matte makes for a chalky application when applied solo (and the reason why I haven’t shown it swatched alone), making it a much better option for layering: you can use this shade to transform/lighten other colours, or to create different lip effects (see the Arty Look swatches below)

964 Ambitious Matte – burgundy wine
787 Exuberant Matte – hot intense pink
772 Classic Matte – neutral rosewood
602 Visionary Matte – deep navy
207 Montaigne Matte – pale concrete

Dior · Rouge Dior (the mattes)

Dior · Rouge Dior 207 Montaigne Matte

Dior · Rouge Dior swatches (the mattes, in sunlight & natural light)

Dior · Rouge Dior swatches (The Mattes)

Regardless of colour, the satin finishes all have several commonalities: a buttery smooth feel upon application, a light sheen at the finish, and a continuous hydrated feel throughout the wearing. I haven’t had a chance to test any of the paler nudes for longevity, but even the lightest shade here went well beyond the 5 hour mark without any significant fading.

060 Premiere – baby pink
028 Actrice – soft coral
047 Miss – pale fuchsia pink (metallic accents)
854 Concorde – lush carmine red

Dior · Rouge Dior

Dior · Rouge Dior swatches (in sunlight & natural light)

Dior · Rouge Dior swatches

If you’re on the fence about what to do with the more unusual extreme matte shades, here is a sampling of 4 looks that can be created — but truly, the only limitations are your imagination and/or colour preferences. All I know is that I never thought of lipstick as being such ‘fun‘ before attempting these looks.

005 Lilac Lip Glow applied all over with 207 Montaigne along the lip line and corners only (centre of lips left free)
047 Miss applied all over with 602 Visionary at the upper lip line then delicately blended along the the outer edges & corners using a finger
Tranformation: 047 Miss applied as a base with a light swipe of 602 Visionary layered on top, then the two blended together to create a unique murky mauve shade
854 Concorde applied all over with 207 Montaigne dotted at the centre of the lips and lightly blended out for a ‘blossoming‘ effect

I’ve said this before but it bears repeating: this is fast turning out to be the ‘Year of the Lip’ and these latest Rouge Dior releases are not only fully on point with that statement, but all definitely worthy of including in one’s lipstick wardrobe (yes, that’s totally a thing.) For those who tend to avoid matte lip products due to the usual havoc they can wreak, then you need to give the Dior version a try – I guarantee a conversion of ideology. And if wild shades aren’t your cup of tea, I hope that seeing their versatility in action (the Arty Looks, above) may help you rethink that as well. As to the satin finish, the shades I’ve tested may not all be in my colour comfort-zone (I’m not a pink person) but the sensorial feel of each is so amazing that I’m willing to make an exception. Final word: this is one range you owe it to yourself to check out.

Available at all The Bay, Sephora and Dior counters nationwide