Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque, my review

Last year, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet won all the votes. This year, the brand has high hopes for its Rouge Edition Aqua Laque. Is it a winning bet?

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t really planned to do a proper review about these Rouge Edition Aqua Laque. I understood that there were lip lacquers, and I had already tried the concept last year and I wasn’t a big fan… It’s clearly not a texture I like on my lips.

But after seeing them everywhere, I ended up buying the shade Appêchissant (Anne, it’s totally because of you ;) ), and Bourjois also gave me 2 shades to review for the blog: Viens Si Tu Roses and Fuchsia Perché.
So well, I think it finally deserves a little review! wink

Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque, presentation:

What the brand is saying about them:

Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque, my thoughts:

–Innovation and texture: the innovation here is of course in the high concentration of water in the formula, which is almost imperceptible once applied on the lips. It’s clearly a lip lacquer, with a mirror effect on the lips but without any stickiness as you might find in some classical lip gloss formulas. The pigments will also stay on the lips as a stain once the shine fades. So it’s clearly a hybrid formula.
It also reminds me of a lip oil (like the YSL I talked about some time ago) especially because of the result, but the feeling on the lips is much lighter and “watery”. You can really feel the water in the formula when you apply it. It’s a very fresh feeling by the way, which is quite nice.

–Application: the application is done with the sponge applicator, very precise.
However, I find that the formula is not always ultra even… The pigments seem to be floating arounf in the formula and I had to reapply the product several times on the lips to evenly distribute the color. In addition, the product is quite slippery on the lips, especially if you’ve applied a lip balm before (not really a good idea here). So because I applied so many layers, I actually managed to put some on my teeth each time, lovely… -_-

–Pigmentation and coverage: not bad… as long as you apply a certain amount of product! And this is not really the idea here, it’s suppose to be a natural and sheer effect. So, I would describe the pigmentation as average, nothing more.

–Color: the range includes 8 colors and quite honestly, even if they’re all very pretty, I find them very similar to each other. Too close. Some are almost the same (see my pictures below with Viens Si Tu Roses and Fuchsia Perché, they’re almost identical on me). The color range is mostly around pink and red shades. No crazy colors, the natural is strongly represented in this range. (and it’s a bit of a shame IMO)
So I own Appêchissant, a very soft and flattering peachy nude (my favorite), Viens Si Tu Roses, a pinky red with a slightly cool undertone and finally Fuchsia Perché,  a redy pink whit a hint of coral, so a little more warm tone

– Finish and feeling on the lips: the finish of the Aqua Lacque is extremely shiny, mirror-like effect. The formula is really super nice to wear, it’s very light. I wouldn’t say that they’re moisturizing, but they don’t dry the lips out at all. A good point: they have a little “plumping” effect on the lips. If the lips have a lot of dry patches, they won’t highlight it and will likely give the illusion of full, moisturized lips.

–Lasting Power: the big, fat issue with these Aqua Laque. Once applied, their pretty shiny mirror-like effect will literally evaporate in less than half an hour. (Bourjois has taken the concept of the “light as water” lipstick too far for once lol)
So yes, it leaves beautifully tinted lips but hey, I don’t know, it’s called Aqua Lacque, not Aqua Stain!!! I confess that for me, it’s very frustrating and it’s kind of a deal breaker. Specifically, it doesn’t bother me too much to have to reapply my lipstick one or two times during the day but honestly, if I have to do it every half hour, no way!
And really, it’s frustrating because I love the shiny effect and the color (especially Appêchissant)… It’s a pity not to be able to enjoy it more!

–Odeur: a light fruity scent, very pleasant. Anyway, much nicer than the Rouge Edition Velvet which really smelt too much like paint… uneasy

–Packaging: the packaging is the same as the Rouge Edition Velvet, a colorful plastic vial, but this time, the cap has a metallic chrome effect. It’s very nice, and I even felt it looked quite high-end.
The names are absolutely adorable if you’re able to understand French because sadly, it’s totally untranslatable! wink

–Prix: I find them too expensive for their lasting power, clearly. I don’t mind paying $15 for a good lipstick but really, it’s a little bit too expensive for 30 minutes of nice lips, IMO…

Finally, here are the swatches:

And on me:

• 01 Appêchissant:

• 04 Viens Si Tu Roses:

• 07 Fuchsia Perché:

I promise you that this is not the same lipstick in the last two pictures! ;P

So, in summary:

[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]

A big disappointment for me. I love the colors and finish but the fact that I can only enjoy it for a few minutes, it’s too frustrating!

The Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque are available in some drugstores and online, at Boots for example for $15.

And you, tempted by the Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque? Better find your stopwatches, then! wink

*: the Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque in the shade Viens Si tu Roses and Fuchsia Perché were offered to me by the brand to do a review on the blog.

Photos credits: bonnie-garner.com

Cet article est aussi disponible en français: Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque, mon avis