Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade, Un Soir À L’Opéra, Christmas 2014 Collection

Part of Guerlain’s Un Soir À l’Opéra Christmas 2014 Collection (see previous reviews here & here), Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade will coat your lips in an ultra-glamourous rich ruby brilliance. Drawing on the deep red of velvet theatre curtains as inspiration, this is a shade that is steeped in glamour, elegance, and sophistication – with a healthy dose of sexy thrown in for good measure.

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade (ingredients list)

Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade, Limited Edition (CAN $33.00) | A deep crimson hue with blue undertones in the base. Thanks to the clear acrylic octagon-shaped tube, you not only see the shade you’re getting, but can monitor usage levels. The slightly up-tilted sponge applicator holds a small reservoir in its base, retrieving the right amount of gloss from the tube with every application. Lightly scented with a vanilla “floriental” (top notes: lemon, orange and bergamot accord, heart notes: rose and iris, dry-down: vanilla and tonk a bean), it approaches the senses delicately – I only notice it upon opening the tube and again upon initial application. Intensely colour saturated and highly pigmented, #920 Rouge Parade feels incredibly lightweight upon application; in fact, if not for the colour, I don’t feel like I’m putting anything on. The gloss factor is outstanding, although it does tone down through any eating or drinking. Longevity is excellent as well; I am able to get minimum 8 hours wear and minimal migrating into any fine lip lines (rather surprising for such a vivid hue).

The mega-watt shine of #920 Rouge Parade, is immediately apparent upon application, and within minutes, this silky product seems to melt right in; as my lips are rather deeply lined, the effect is as though the gloss fills in said lines and makes my lips seem that much fuller as a result. Throughout the wearing, I experience no stickiness or oily film, and definitely none of that pulling-away-from-the-inner-lips syndrome (hate that – where you have this blank space on the inner portion of the lips that no amount of gloss seems to want to cover). I absolutely LOVE how hydrating this gloss is and even long after all traces of colour are gone, I’m left with a lightly stained “bitten-lips” look, and a bonus super moisturized feeling as well.

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade

Nothing says holiday makeup like the ubiquitous red lip and what makes #920 Rouge Parade stand out, is the fact that you get: intense colour, a brilliant shine, and a smaller commitment than applying lipstick might involve, although the highly pigmented nature of this shade means you can’t just whip it out and apply mirror-free either. Absolutely stunning on its own or even layered over a similar hue for more depth, this is most definitely priced on the steep side for a gloss (although not as high as some other luxury brands), but it’s #920 Rouge Parade‘s impressive qualities – in terms of colour, application, and hydrating properties – that make it worth a look, especially for fans of that perfectly sultry red lip.

Available at all Guerlain counters as of November 1, visit www.guerlain.com for more information on the entire product range