Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick 34 La Raffinee review, swatches, comparison

The Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks first came out in 2011 but I had been perfectly content with Chanel Rouge Double Intensite and wore - and owned - no other lipsticks until Chanel discontinued my shade in 2013. Ever since, I have been searching for a replacement dusty rose lipstick that lasts forever. Naturally, I stopped at the Chanel counter itself, where I proceeded to lecture a hapless SA on why my shade should never have been stopped.... Anyway, she had her revenge when she swore that the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in shade 34 - La Raffinee - was a perfect dusty rose and that it would last forever. Within minutes, she had effected the sale.

Here is my review and swatches of the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in shade 34 - La Raffinee.

Packaging of Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks

These come in the Chanel black external box.

Inside, a beautiful glossy black metal tube with a gold top displaying the Chanel logo. Bit of a fingerprint-magnet, though.

The lid covers the whole length of the tube. You click on the gold portion and the lipstick pops out. I was sold then and there.

Formula, pigmentation and staying power of Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colours

The ingredients contain shea butter and jojoba, and no parabens.

The finish isn't as matte as one would expect - there is a bit of shine - and it feels powdery-satin creamy on the lips. Chanel claims the formula is non-drying and I don't find anything to the contrary. However, this tends to accentuate flakes or dryness on the lips, so I hit a lip scrub first. Pigmentation is very good and I get full coverage.
Staying power? Nowhere near Rouge Double Intensite, which is immovable. This transfers a little and doesn't stay on as much as Lancome Rouge In Love, though it stays on far better than Guerlain Rouge G or the Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks, leaving behind some stain after snacks and drinks - I get around four to five hours' wear from this lipstick.
Price
These are $35, but, in the Persian Gulf, they are cheaper at 136 Riyals than the Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks by almost 20 Riyals, despite the $22 price tag for Urban Decay in the US. Weird.

Swatches of Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in La Raffinee

La Raffinee - the sophisticated or refined - is a beautiful dusty pinky-mauve. Here it is in natural light.

And this is how it looks on my lips. I must say I feel very professional when I wear it! Though not as much as Rouge Double Intensite, of course.

Since we are saving up on Rose Garnet (note to self:  use only on extra-special occasions), I have a rather old, candid photo for you below, so you can see my Holy Grail Lip Colour in natural light. Rose Garnet is a less mauve and more rosy than La Raffinee and just a shade paler, though I can see where the SA was coming from, as both are variants of dusty pink.

Bottom Line
The Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in La Raffinee, though very similar, does not last as long as Rouge Double Intensite in Rose Garnet, but I love this lipstick for itself - a very pretty dusty rose lip colour with a beautiful, creamy texture, and don't regret buying it one bit!