This is the first glass case lipstick I’ve ever come across and super-impressive it is, too. CHANEL Rouge 31 is four years in the making not least because finding a master glassmaker to take on a diamond facet-like design for the lipstick wasn’t easy. The trail led to Japan which was where the glass was carved and completed.
I mean, this is a thing of beauty is it not? It’s a very CHANEL take on recyclability, using metal and glass in a way I have honestly never come across before, and not only that, it’s refillable. The refills come with a protective cap so that you can switch between colours without any damage to the existing one.
Everything just clicks together absolutely seamlessly.
The lipstick arrives in this case which is a faux leather type – it looks and feels special. There’s a coffret you can buy that contains the lipstick case, a pouch to keep it in and two colours of 31 Le Rouge.
The shade I have is Rouge Premier. There are 12 shades in 31 Le Rouge so far – all in a satin formula – but the ‘it’ shade is Rouge 2.55 inspired by the lining of the iconic 2.55 handbag.
I love Rouge Premier – it’s got just a touch of orange to it which is the best type of red for me. The pigment is strong – you really don’t need a lot of it at all. Ingredient wise, it’s nice with a few extras over and above your average lipstick such as gardenia infused oil to give it a light scent, Maracuja oil and camelia essence. Added to that, there’s cellulose powder and mother of pearl to enhance colour radiance. As you might imagine, this luxury is priced accordingly – it’s £140 (including a colour), with refills at £65 each. The coffret is £315. Better start being nice to Santa!