Review: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in 62 Monte Carlo

Greetings ladies, sorry for the hiatus on my part! I recently went on a little jaunt to Europe and spent a significant amount of time trawling the aisles of both airport duty-free and Sephora outlets, and guess what got the better of me and my wallet?

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Yes, that’s right – I purchased my first ever Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 62 Monte Carlo. And she is pretty much close to perfect.

Want to find out why? It’s all after the jump!

As you ladies know, there has been significant hype about the Rouge Coco Shine range. Shiny lip colours seem to be back in style, with not only Chanel, but also Dior and Shu Uemura releasing shiny lipstick ranges simultaneously. I can’t say I spent too much time looking at the Dior range, but I was definitely more drawn to Chanel’s range of colours – with such a vast array of berry, pink, neutral and red shades (a whopping 25 in total!), how not to be?

I’ve been looking for a red lippie for months now, to no avail. I was this close to throwing in the towel and giving up completely, then Monte Carlo caught my eye. Take a look at her:

Rouge Coco Shine in 62 Monte Carlo – Author’s Own Image

Described as a “hydrating clear lipshine” by the Chanel website, this lipstick is glossy, understated and just gorgeous. It’s even more lovely because it’s encased in Chanel’s iconic lipstick packaging – black and gold, double C icon on top, satisfying click when opened and closed, discreetly elegant. Rouge Coco Shine also smells oh-so-faintly of roses, which is yet another defining Chanel lipstick characteristic.

When applied, the colour glides on like a dream and true to claim, it feels ultra-light on the lips (this is apparently thanks to a special hydrating ingredient called Hydratendre Complex). The colour itself is beautifully sheer and shimmery, without being overwhelming. Monte Carlo shows up best on my lips after two applications layered over a little lipbalm (for smoothness and to prevent cracking or dryness), resulting in a delicate red with a cool pink undertone reminiscent of strawberries. However, if you’re into warmer-toned reds, be sure to check out Rouge Coco Shine in Rebelle, which is more orange-undertoned.

Personally, one thing I absolutely adore about Rouge Coco Shine in Monte Carlo is that while it is a red, it’s not garish or outlandish. While I love my lip colours, I tend to shy away from reds that are too in-your-face. However, Monte Carlo is different. Because it’s sheer, it can be layered on to achieve the intensity of redness that you desire – perfect for a red lip noobie like myself!

If I did have one teeny-tiny gripe about Rouge Coco Shine though, it would be that despite the glorious texture, amazing colour payoff, and various shades to choose from, the colour’s staying power remains a little bit subpar. I’d read that this is the case with the other Rouge Coco collections too (Rouge Coco, Rouge Coco Paris, etc., although I have yet to test this theory) – it’s a bit frustrating that Chanel hasn’t taken extra steps to remedy this, but I have a feeling that they’ve reeled enough oohing and aahing women in with the Rouge Cocos that it barely matters!

Pour conclure, even if you might not be into lipsticks, Chanel’s Rouge Coco Shine range just might make you change your mind. Go check it out at your closest Chanel counter and don’t hesitate to swatch away – out of 25 glorious shades, there will most definitely be one that captures your fancy.

Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks retail for SGD 44 in Merlion Land, MYR 90 in Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku, and USD 32 in the Land of the Free. This is a slightly hefty price tag for a lipstick, let’s not kid ourselves – but I have no regrets purchasing my beautiful Monte Carlo.

For more Rouge Coco Shine reviews, check out Syen’s take on Rouge Coco Shine in Boy,  Lyn’s take on Liberté, and Joey’s sum-up of the Rouge Coco Shine range.