The Luxury Lip Edit: Gucci’s Reds
Creating something brand new is a rare thing. It’s hard to explain but when we are confronted with something new, truly new, it makes us excited or uneasy, or a mixture of both, and we usually do not know why because we do not immediately grasp the incredible fact that what we are seeing is something wonderfully unique, something we have never confronted before and that every sense that we have is trying to make sense of it. Gucci took everyone by surprise when they launched their revamped makeup line in 2019. The surprise was in their campaign. I still remember sitting in an Uber on my way to work when, scrolling mindlessly through images on Instagram, I was forced to stop short. There it was, the teaser – in 80s’ style soft focus and bright colors, were these incredible images; toothpaste commercial-like closeups of lips wearing bright red lipstick – smiling wide to show a row of unabashedly uneven teeth, pressing on a tongue stuck cheekily between them, shot close up, in raw, real detail which should not feel unusual and yet somehow, it was suddenly disconcerting and exciting at he same time - so much so that it would give anyone pause – not least the rigid world of beauty standards. Just google the campaign. You have to see it to know what I mean.
As I said, creating something brand new is a rare thing. And somehow, here was Gucci, a mainstream, luxury brand, doing that. These images sported a perspective that was curiously unfamiliar and somehow provoked the more surprising realization that something as real and common as uneven teeth or a wet, saliva-covered tongue should feel so new– which it does when it confronts you in an image for a luxury beauty campaign. These images were an original experience and it made some of us excited, others uneasy – and we started to wonder why. To me, that’s actually what the campaign did – it didn’t just present beauty more authentically, adding to the definition and the conversation on beauty standards, it also made its observers reflect on why these images were so surprising in the first place.
You’d think this was a one-trick pony, but I have been following Gucci’s makeup launch campaigns doggedly since then and amazingly, image upon image, they keep raising the bar on what a beauty campaign can and should be. Featuring the very real and lurid glory of bright red lipstick stains left on the edges of white teacups and wine glasses, featuring older models with white hair and wrinkles sporting shiny red lips and powerhouse personalities having a grand old party on camera, featuring thick clumpy rock concert mascara that looks incredible (and incredibly fun), Gucci is burning through luxury beauty standards like an Olympic torch, and they aren’t stopping. Moreover, they aren’t stretching boundaries in tried and tested ways (which featuring older models may imply). Oh no – theirs is something entirely original. They are envisioning and creating beauty images that are disarmingly novel in both ideas and the realization of these ideas. If you don’t believe me, go check out their instagram feed - which is addictive and a photography masterclass in concept, color and composition.
As is probably clear by now, I am a raving (and raging) fan of what Gucci has done and at this point, I wouldn’t even care what the actual beauty product was let alone how it performed. The fact that they have been able to do something so brand new at all in the overly saturated beauty space is quite a feat. But even more incredibly (though maybe less importantly), as I’ve used (and used up) Gucci makeup, almost every product in their tightly edited lineup has crept up to a top spot in my makeup bag and that has been a surprising experience even for myself. Not only have they created a truly novel beauty campaign, but they’ve also managed to develop top-notch, hard-to-beat makeup products. So this blog post, on the red lipsticks in Gucci’s line, is really just an upfront love letter to Gucci Beauty. I am your biggest fan.
The Gucci Matte Reds
My favourite red lipsticks tend to be matte so this blog post will cover my favourite six matte red shades from Gucci’s behemoth range of lipsticks. However, almost all these shades are available in both matte and satin finishes. These tubes are slim, weighty, vintage-inspired gold tubes whose surfaces are delicately carved – vertical lines for mattes and a cathedral window inspired pattern for satins – undoubtedly some of the prettiest lippies I own. The formula of their matte range has fast become one of my absolute favourite matte formulas of all time. It feels soft and even a little powdery, and yet somehow still very creamy and spreadable. Extremely pigmented, their colors show up in all their true glory with a single swipe. The finish is matte but the feel is of a creamy lipstick – the closest in texture are the Lisa Eldridge velvets though the Gucci lippies are just a tad more matte than Lisa’s. In fact, these matte lipsticks perform so well and so consistently well, that they have become my go-to reds when I am in a hurry and don’t have time to think too much about the makeup that I am applying. Easy, instant, perfect red lips on the go that last and last. Brilliant.
Cool Reds – Goldie Red, Eade Scarlet, Jane Scarlet
The Cool Reds are very similar but with subtle differences in undertones. Pair them with sparkling champagne eyes or a copper eyeliner, and you’re ready for both the rust colored leaves of Fall and the chunky sweaters of Winter.
LtoR: Jane Scarlet, Goldie Red, Eade Scarlet
Eade Scarlet
A true, blue toned red. The perfect red for some.
Goldie Red
A true red which has both both cool and warm undertones. It leans decidedly cool in natural light, but has the hint of some orange-based warmth that pulls through under a lamp when compared to cooler reds. A real chameleon.
Jane Scarlet
A dark, more blood-toned red that leans firmly cool. It brings to mind jazz clubs and slippery sequined dresses – both of which should be mandatory when you’re wearing Jane Scarlet.
Top to Bottom: Under the sun, under a lamp, in daylight. LtoR: Goldie Red, Eade Scarlet, Jane Scarlet
Warm Reds – Agatha Orange, Odalie Red, Constance Vermillon
These warm reds have very strong individual personalities and while there are some similarities, the subtle differences in tone really change the experience of wearing each of them. While most people save their warm reds for Spring and Summer, I wear them all year around. With the right navy coat and a good leather boot, warm reds perform as spectacularly with my Winter and Fall wardrobe as they do with the bright colors of other seasons.
Odalie Red
A warm toned, hot red that is one of the brightest reds I own. When I am wearing this, I feel like I need no other makeup. Probably my second most-loved lipstick in the Gucci range (the first most-loved lipstick follows below).
Constance Vermillon
This one is probably my favourite red, not just amongst the Gucci lineup, but across all my red lipsticks from any brand. First, can we take a moment to appreciate the fun and ingenuity that went into naming this one. A true, somewhat warm-toned (almost neutral) red, Constance Vermillion reminds me of an old Dior red that was a limited release from at least 8 years ago and that remains one of the few lipsticks I almost used up completely. On me, it wears like a true, very bright red with just a hint of warmth that suddenly makes everything on my face come alive. This is my perfect red – I reach for it all the time and this is one of the few lipsticks in my collection for which I have a backup tucked away.
Agatha Orange
And last but not the least - A proper, hot, orange-red that is a tad more orange than red. The shade leans dark orange in natural light, and a lighter orange under a lamp. Don’t be scared of this one – it will make your whole face sing.
Top to Bottom: Under the sun, under a lamp, in daylight. LtoR: Constance Vermillon, Odalie Red, Agatha Orange
Top to Bottom: Under the sun, under a lamp, in daylight. LtoR: Goldie Red, Eade Scarlet, Jane Scarlet, Constance Vermillon, Odalie Red, Agatha Orange
And that’s it folks – hope you enjoyed this post, and very soon, I will be reviewing some of Gucci’s nude lipsticks some of which are truly unique. So keep reading!
