Lipsticks for Roses

Elisa on matching lips to rose perfumes.

Recently, my friend (and author of the perfume memoir Coming to My Senses) Alyssa Harad joked on Twitter, “I have accidentally matched my shirt to my lipstick and it’s bothering me so much I have to change.” A matchy-matchy outfit and lipstick combination may qualify as faux pas, but what about matching your lipstick to your scent? Since roses almost always smell like a shade of red or pink to me, I get a synesthetic pleasure out of wearing a color that “rhymes” with what I smell.

Here are some favorite match-ups from my rose and lip product collections.

Dark Roses & Matte Reds

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L – R: Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Rich Ruby, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam, Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Real Red, Clinique Long Last Soft Matte in Matte Crimson

Dark roses are probably my favorite category of perfume, and they seem to call for drama. I don’t have the talent, patience, or eye shape for winged liquid liner, so when I want dramatic impact, I do a rich matte red lip. The Maybelline matte above (which I’ve heard is a pretty good dupe for MAC Ruby Woo) goes on super-smooth, and is a perfect match for the gorgeous, complex aged patchouli in Tom Ford Noir de Noir; it smells like red roses and bittersweet chocolate. The brighter, warmer lip pencil from Sephora is great with a classic rose chypre like Ungaro Diva or L’Arte di Gucci (try Lumiere Noir pour Femme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian if you can’t find the latter).

Sheer Roses & Sheer Reds

sheer-reds_1

L – R: Sephora Rouge Shine in No. 31, No7 Poppy King Lipstick in Number One (History), L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse in Cardinal Plume, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple, Tarte LipSurgence in Fever, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry

Sheer red is my go-to “Who, me? Try hard?” lipstick color; I tend to throw these in my bag and apply whenever I want a little more color on my face. (They usually work as blush, too.) The No7 Poppy King (which you can order from Target for the bargain price of $10) is a gorgeous blue-based red that you can layer on for more opacity; it’s a great match for a rose that is both dark and sheer, like Stella or Grès Cabaret (which I think of as the simplified, downmarket version of Amouage Lyric). Marni is another sheer, woody rose, but feels lighter in hue, with its lemony cardamom note. I’d match it with the warm, cheery Revlon Candy Apple.

Citrusy Roses & Orangey Reds

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L – R: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti, Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in Electric Orange, NP Set Lipstick in Noosa, Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Striking, Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Shanghai Sizzle

My lips are naturally quite pink, so reds can read pink on me; orange lipsticks cancel out some of that blueness and give me more “pop.” I love an orange-red mouth contrasted against a blue top, whether it’s royal blue silk or a sky blue Oxford, and I love the harmony of orange-red with a citrusy rose fragrance. To my mind, Etat Libre d’Orange Rossy de Palma has a piercing, lemon-like brightness and is the exact orangey red color of geranium blossoms. (Take a look at Shanghai Sizzle on the far right – the Revlon Moisture Stains are a little fussy to apply, but the color payoff is amazing.) Tauer Perfumes Incense Rose has an intense note of mandarin over a pink desert rose; I like to match the effect by layering a bright orange lipstick like NP Set Noosa over a pink stain. Try the Revlon lip crayon in Honey (not pictured), a cool mauve; layered together they look juicy and summery and remind me of rainbow sherbet.

Pink Roses & Rosy Pinks

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L – R: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick, Sonia Kashuk Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Sheer Fuchsia, Estée Lauder Pure Color Crème Lipstick in Rose Petal, The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in 335 (Hot Date), Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rosé, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle, NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien

Some roses smell distinctly pink to me, rather than red. Take Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose, which smells exactly like a fresh bouquet of pale pink roses; it makes me want to reach for a ladylike rose-colored lipstick, like the appropriately named Rose Petal from Estée Lauder. Annick Goutal Rose Splendide is a delightfully zingy, fresh rose – spring in a bottle. I pair it with the Sonia Kashuk fuchsia, which is a bright, almost hot pink on the lips but sheer and with a little sparkle. The rose in Bond No. 9 Broadway Nite is full-on neon pink; backed by aldehydes, violet, and vanilla, it practically pulses and glows. It definitely calls for Revlon’s Lovesick balm stain, a deep hot pink that has a lush creamy finish and lasts forever. On the other end of the spectrum, you have the soft, brown-tinged pinks that I wear as nudes. Either Pink Truffle lip butter or the NARS lip pencil on the far right are a nice complement to a dusky, soft-focus rose like Estée Lauder Tuscany per Donna.

Fruity Roses & Plummy Reds

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L – R: L’Oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Endless Red, Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon, Mirabella Velvet Lip Pencil in Crushed Velvet, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Berry, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Red Velvet, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Finally, we have the fruity, jammy roses that cry out for plummy, wine-red lips. Of all the above shades, these are the hardest for me to wear; with my already pink lips and pale skin, they can appear almost jarringly dark, so I have to be in the mood to commit. Black Honey is famous for looking good on everybody because the pigments are so sheer; it’s a nice match for the plummy, peachy, coconutty rose of Liaisons Dangereuses. La Fille de Berlin is denser and more saturated; it makes me think of blackberry jam. For similarly jammy lips, Revlon Red Velvet looks glamorously shiny with a red gloss layered over the top. And when I’m feeling brave, the winey-pink Mirabella pencil is super pigmented (and, I imagine, would look extra nice on a brunette).

Do you ever match your perfume to your lipstick?

Swatch photographs are taken in natural light by Elisa

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84 Comments

  • Karen: Such a fun article, Elisa! And lipsticks have been on my mind lately after purchasing a fun violet/red from Anthropolgie called Violette (perhaps to wear with Lipstick Rose?) and a beautiful new Chanel from their Rouge Coco Shine line, #112, Téméraire – although I can’t think of a “good” perfume match, since I’ve been loving my new bottle of Coromandel, I will match it up with that!

    And I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that simply because it’s Sophia Loren, I reallyreallyreally want the new Dolce Gabanna lipstick named/created for her. Now which perfume would she wear??

    And thanks for including a whole range of affordable lipsticks. Lots of beautiful selections at very doable prices. September 21, 2015 at 8:38am Reply

    • Elisa: Thank you Karen! I just saw that gorgeous Sophia Loren ad this weekend! I don’t blame you for wanting it.

      And yes, lots of drugstore picks because I’m addicted to lipstick and never finish them; it’s easier to justify buying more when they’re under $10 🙂 September 21, 2015 at 8:56am Reply

      • Karen: It’s funny because any younger celebrity endorsement or “Face for” a product tends to make me not want to buy it because most celebrities nowadays seem so lacking in personal style. But I may find myself in line for that Sophia Loren lipstick! September 21, 2015 at 9:57am Reply

        • ElizabethC: Oh my! I almost ran directly to Nordstroms to see if they have it. I am still trying to find my perfect red lipstick, my skin tends make them all skew pink. September 21, 2015 at 5:10pm Reply

          • Karen: I finally found it at a Saks in NYC. Two reds from Chanel that might work for you are Pirate #99 a very red-red, and Lover – a darker red. I think part of the trick is just wearing a bright red lipstick for a while to get used to it. It’s always fun seeing others wear a bold red lipstick, just sometimes hard to do yourself! September 22, 2015 at 5:13am Reply

          • Elisa: That happens to me too — orangey reds look closer to true red on my lips. September 22, 2015 at 9:22am Reply

            • Karen: My lipstick just arrived and its soooooo prettygorgeouswonderful! Smooth and creamy, hint of that rose-violet lipstick fragrance, not strong at all but really nice. It’s described as a sheer cherry red, but that doesn’t seem accurate at least on me – not sheer, not cherry red, but a dark pink red. Since this is Sophia Loren 1, I wonder if there will be more? September 26, 2015 at 12:56pm Reply

  • SophieC: Such an interesting article – thank you. I immediately thought of La Fille de Berlin for the jammy plummy reds – which I tend to gravitate towards, especially as autumn approaches. I could also see those and the deep matt reds working with Fleur de Chine or Shanghai Lily in vibe. September 21, 2015 at 9:20am Reply

    • Elisa: Yes, I like the idea of a dark lip with a dramatic floriental! September 21, 2015 at 9:35am Reply

    • Sandra: I still have not tried any TF fragrances.
      Maybe I am behind with the times. Maybe these 2 you mentioned I will give a try one day.
      But only if I am wearing the appropriate lip color.. 😉 September 21, 2015 at 10:54am Reply

      • Elisa: There are a lot of really good ones! Some misses too, but in general I’m pro Tom Ford. September 21, 2015 at 10:56am Reply

        • SophieC: It’s interesting I’ve only just really tried his fragrances and as you say, there are definitely some hits there! Sadly rather expensive but no surprises there. September 21, 2015 at 12:45pm Reply

          • Elisa: Some of the non-high-end ones are great too though! And much less expensive. September 21, 2015 at 1:47pm Reply

          • Alicia: I agree, Elisa and Sophie. I have tried several TF, and like very much Sahara Noir and Black Orchid. I also liked Neroli Portofino, but it smelled so much like 4711 (which all summers I keep in my fridge), and lasted not much longer, that the only substantial difference was the price, thus I stay with 4711. Velvet Orchid I simply disliked. I have two samples, Jasmine Rouge and Jonquille de Nuit, which I haven’t tried yet. Now I remember that I also smelled Noir Cafe Rose, which I liked, but not enough to pay its price. At some of his prices I rather invest them in my favorites from Chanel Les Exclusifs, and save some money. September 22, 2015 at 12:00am Reply

            • Karen: Fleur de Chine with one of the sheer rose/red lipsticks perhaps? September 22, 2015 at 5:16am Reply

            • Elisa: I hated Velvet Orchid! The new Noirs are pretty good though. September 22, 2015 at 9:22am Reply

  • Rosie Jeffery: Thanks for this lovely article Elisa, just the ticket to cheer up a drizzly monday morning!
    I was inspired to match a lipstick to Balenciaga Paris, which was a blind buy 10ml mini from ebay, a very pretty rose pink from lancome which also has that clasic lipsticky smell- perfect!
    Karen, i also have Temeraire, & also meloncholie, a beautiful nude, i so love the finish of Rouge coco shines! September 21, 2015 at 9:26am Reply

    • Elisa: Paris with a rosy pink sounds lovely!

      As it happens I’m wearing red lips with geranium today; well-timed for this article! September 21, 2015 at 9:36am Reply

    • Karen: I’m a *bit* addicted to Chanel’s lipsticks (but I suppose one could do worse than having perfume and lipstick addiction issues!). I love the texture and finish of their lipsticks – especially the mattes, which are not at all drying, and although I buy other brands, I just keep returning to them. September 21, 2015 at 9:54am Reply

      • Sandra: Ditto.
        I just picked up a Rouge Coco the other day. As if I need anymore September 21, 2015 at 10:55am Reply

        • SophieC: This makes me feel more normal – I have enough lipstick but find it hard to resist trying them – they are such a quick way to cheer up and change a look. September 21, 2015 at 12:46pm Reply

        • Karen: Oh, you can always use just one more! September 22, 2015 at 5:17am Reply

      • Patricia: I’ve never had a Chanel lipstick, but your description of the mattes make me want to treat myself to one. Are they very scented? September 21, 2015 at 1:21pm Reply

        • Karen: No, the mattes are not scented – or if so, it is very faint. Ok, just did a smell-test of the ones I have:
          Rouge Coco has the strongest rose fragrance of the formulas that I have (but it is not all that strong at least to me), Rouge Hydrabase has a bit of the violet scent, Rouge Allure a slight scent, and the Rouge Allure Velvets even less.

          However, mine are of varying ages so this very, very basic testing may not hold true if formulas have been changed, etc.

          There are a couple of brands that I can’t wear because they have a weird smell or something that makes my lips react. MAC changed their formula at some point because I can’t wear their lipsticks at all, same for Avon. September 21, 2015 at 2:56pm Reply

          • Elisa: Oddly enough my lips react badly to lip balms much more often than lipsticks. I have to stick to a few very basic lip balms or I get rashes around my lips, but lipSTICK usually doesn’t irritate me. September 21, 2015 at 3:02pm Reply

            • Sandra: AH! Interesting! I am the same way. For me I get small pimple like bumps around my lips.
              I also have sensitive skin-so no surprise here.
              Also-I feel like some balmy lip balms make my lips dry out more then lipstick does. Which never made sense to me. September 21, 2015 at 3:07pm Reply

              • Elisa: For me I get all red and itchy and flaky around the perimeter of my lips. It’s NOT CUTE! Now I stick to Aquaphor, 8-Hour Cream, or Weleda Everon balm. The Fresh lip balms work for me too, even though some of them have sunscreen which usually doesn’t agree with my lips. September 21, 2015 at 3:09pm Reply

          • Patricia: Thanks! I can wear some MACs, but not Amplifieds or Lustres (lanolin is the offending ingredient for me). September 21, 2015 at 5:37pm Reply

  • Lucretia Trollope: Delightful article!
    Although there can be myriads of combinations, my favorite “Goth” combo is Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle with Serge Lutens Couvre Feu which is a deep burgundy. It is Twilight. It is 50 Shades. More so than Anne Rice. Or Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger. Pure Evil! September 21, 2015 at 9:50am Reply

    • Elisa: You’re inspiring me here!!! I don’t have any goth lip shades but you’re making me want one. I do actually have a Tarte cheek stain that was part of a limited edition Twilight collection — it’s red with gold sparkle. I love it. September 21, 2015 at 9:58am Reply

      • Victoria: Revlon has a gorgeous vampy lipstick, Va Va Violet. It can be mixed with a red shade (this way, it even works for daytime for me). September 21, 2015 at 10:08am Reply

        • Elisa: Ooh, thank you for the tip! September 21, 2015 at 10:20am Reply

        • Lucretia Trollope: Thanks Victoria! I am always looking for affordable lipsticks. September 21, 2015 at 11:43am Reply

          • Victoria: My mom picked up it for me, and while at first, I was worried that the color is too dark, it turned out to be surprisingly versatile. It wears really well as a stain, for instance. With sheer red lip balm on top, it looks like a ripe berry. September 21, 2015 at 11:53am Reply

      • Lucretia Trollope: May I recommend a blush to further embellish my little Goth fantasy?
        Surratt Artistique blush in Rougeur. Apposite name. September 21, 2015 at 11:41am Reply

  • Caroline: Great color choices, though I must admit I’ve not considered selecting lipstick to go with my frag of the day. I have that Becca Watermelon. Own 2 lipsticks named after perfumes, Samsara and Liu. I do have some Liu, will have to see how they work together. Have actually never tried Samsara! What lipstick would you choose to complement Joy’s rosey, jasminey vase-water opulence? September 21, 2015 at 10:10am Reply

    • Elisa: Good question! I find Joy to be quite animalic under the fruity rose; I’d maybe do one of those cool ombre lips and that are darker around the rim and brighter in the middle! September 21, 2015 at 10:21am Reply

  • Sandra: Rose perfumes can be so lovely. I do love lipstick! Lipstick could be my other obsession-being pregnant and having a infant at home I only have time for lipstick and maybe some blush.
    My favorite red/pink sheer is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 91 Boheme with a red liner. I think by Killian Liaisons Dangereuses would be a good match. I was just wearing that shade the other day with this perfume. Works perfectly.
    Tom Ford So Vain-La fille de Berlin.
    Rouge Coco in Cecil ( a soft nude pink)-Rituals Yogi flow line-indian Rose and sweet almond oil
    Baby Rose by Guerlain- Good Girl gone Bad September 21, 2015 at 10:19am Reply

    • Elisa: Thanks for your pairings Sandra! I image-searched the Chanel — looks right up my alley. September 21, 2015 at 10:22am Reply

      • Sandra: Great! I am sure it will look beautiful on you September 21, 2015 at 10:50am Reply

  • Patricia: I love this article, Elisa! I’ve been on the hunt for a red lipstick that is long lasting but doesn’t “wear me” for my daughter’s wedding next month. I’m fair, and bright reds are often too harsh for my coloring. But Clinique’s Matte Crimson looks like a pinky-red. What do you think?

    I chose my perfume months ago: Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere, perfect for a MOB I think! September 21, 2015 at 11:11am Reply

    • Elisa: Thank you Pat! Great pick for the perfume! I always feel like matte reds “wear me” a little bit, they just announce themselves so much more than a satin finish. My top rec for you would be the Poppy King for No 7 — it’s sheer enough that it’s really easy to wear, but still a beautiful deep red that’s fall appropriate. Enjoy the wedding! September 21, 2015 at 11:25am Reply

      • Patricia: And I think I already own that one! Thanks, Elisa. 🙂 September 21, 2015 at 11:49am Reply

        • Patricia: I do have the Poppy King red and am now testing it for longevity 🙂 . September 21, 2015 at 5:39pm Reply

          • Elisa: I can get it to last a pretty long time if I layer and blot! September 21, 2015 at 9:24pm Reply

    • Sandra: Congrats! Have fun at your daughters wedding! September 21, 2015 at 11:27am Reply

      • Patricia: Thanks so much! I’m very excited. September 21, 2015 at 11:56am Reply

        • Caroline: Is your daughter opting for a wedding scent? September 21, 2015 at 1:48pm Reply

          • Patricia: Ah yes, to be disclosed in a future BdJ article! 😉 September 21, 2015 at 2:01pm Reply

            • Austenfan: That is splendid news, I’m very curious to read what she ended up choosing. September 22, 2015 at 3:07am Reply

    • Karen: Chanel’s Romanesque #50 in the Rouge Allure Velvet line is a beautiful pinky red, it is a matte, but a very creamy one.

      Congrats on the upcoming wedding! I have such great memories of my son’s wedding from last May. September 21, 2015 at 1:34pm Reply

      • Patricia: Thanks, Karen! I will check it out during my next excursion to the mall. September 21, 2015 at 2:10pm Reply

  • Phyllis Iervello: What a fun post! I always wear Chanel Misia lipstick when I wear the Misia fragrance…no matter what I am wearing. September 21, 2015 at 11:21am Reply

    • Elisa: If I had both I don’t think I’d be able to resist that either! September 21, 2015 at 11:26am Reply

  • Rosie Jeffery: Ooh even more lovely shades to check out!
    I’ve just looked up the Revlon colour burst lip butters, & they’re on a 2 for £10 offer at Boots!
    (UK). I don’t know how i’ve missed these, now which 2 to chose..
    I’ve just blind bought a partial bottle of Balenciaga’s La Dix on ebay, Va va violet sounds like the perfect lipstick match! September 21, 2015 at 11:29am Reply

    • Elisa: I really love the lip butters! I have about 6 and could easily buy more. September 21, 2015 at 11:35am Reply

  • Julie: Love this article and it gave lots of ideas for new fall shades. The Candy Apple from Revlon caught my eye…..makes me want to sink my teeth into a candy apple while looking at fall foliage.
    Have not seen the Sophia Loren ad yet, but I bet she’d like The One by Dolce & Gabanna, simply because she is “the one” and there will never be another like her. September 21, 2015 at 11:45am Reply

    • Elisa: Candy Apple is great. I even sent one to Victoria because it’s hard to find Revlon where she is.

      I definitely want to put her in something Italian! September 21, 2015 at 11:47am Reply

      • Victoria: I’m wearing it right now! You’ve picked such perfect shades for me, and this one is my current obsession. It looks like nothing I currently have. September 21, 2015 at 11:55am Reply

        • Elisa: I’m so glad! I’m wearing another one of the ones I sent you today — the crayon stain in Romantic! I’d neglected it for a while and forgot how much I like it. September 21, 2015 at 12:06pm Reply

      • Karen: We can all watch “Be Italian” by Fergie from 9 1/2. It’s such a fun, naughty musical number! And I confess, I just ordered the Sophia Loren lipstick – had to call a Dolce Gabbana store in NYC to find it. One part of me is hiding my head in shame and the other part of me is sooooo excited!

        SA said they were almost sold out already – it was literally just released, and I’m so happy that anyone over the age of 30 (++) can make a lipstick sell out immediately. September 21, 2015 at 1:30pm Reply

        • Elisa: Wow, I’m glad you got one then! September 21, 2015 at 1:48pm Reply

          • Karen: I requested that they send it via carrier pigeon so it would arrive ASAP, but guess it will come through the usual method! September 21, 2015 at 2:58pm Reply

        • Sandra: Don’t ever hide your head in shame or else we can’t see your lips in this beautiful red color! Enjoy your purchase! Let us know what you think September 21, 2015 at 3:12pm Reply

          • Karen: Thanks Sandra! Will do – I’ve never blind-bought a lipstick before, especially based only on it being created for a specific person (as opposed to a blind buy from reviews). September 22, 2015 at 5:22am Reply

  • Aurora: I love the subject of your article, Elisa. And after all often perfume houses also sell lipsticks, Guerlain for eg so it really makes sense. You make me discover some shades that I might usually shy away from, but being fair like you I might follow your example and get more adventurous. I’ve just spritzed some Caron Rose extrait to get in the mood, now I will reach for some lipstick. September 21, 2015 at 3:46pm Reply

    • Elisa: Hi Aurora! I get more adventurous with lipstick all the time. Lately I am especially craving ’90s-esque brown shades — like caramel colors and brownish reds. (I just bought a MAC lip pencil in “Brick”) September 21, 2015 at 3:50pm Reply

      • Karen: Too funny – I just put on Chanel’s La Sensuelle (ooh la la!) a dark brick red with brownish undertones and some Sycomore (sample, never thought I’d like a straight vetiver, but do) – thought the dark shade would be perfect with the woody vetiver. It’s good to be somewhat glamorous while getting rid of clothes, isn’t it?

        This is a lot of fun and a totally new way of thinking of perfumes and lipsticks! Thanks again! September 21, 2015 at 4:11pm Reply

        • Elisa: Thanks for playing with me! September 21, 2015 at 4:57pm Reply

      • Victoria: I remember plunking down half of my allowance for a rusty brown shade from Lancester back in the 90s. I also have been craving these kind of colors. By the way, in Devdas, a Bollywood movie from the early 2000, Aishwarya Rai wears a beautiful brownish-beige lipstick with lots of shimmer. It’s so gorgeous and not at all dated. September 22, 2015 at 4:16am Reply

  • Tourmaline: Hi Elisa,
    Thanks for this lovely article, which was a joy to read on this bright spring morning here in Brisbane.

    I have to say that I disagree with the idea that many people have that it is a faux pas to match lipstick with clothing colour. This is simply an opinion or trend. I find that to be as silly as suggesting (as some people do) that it is a faux pas to wear a printed skirt with a matching blouse, which in turn is as ludicrous as suggesting that one cannot wear a printed dress.

    For my part, I always wear a lipstick that either matches any pink or red clothing colour exactly, or tones with it. If a clothing colour doesn’t suit me, then I don’t wear it, so there is no problem with the lipstick colour not suiting.

    I find non-toning lipstick colours jarring, especially when someone is wearing blue-toned pink or red clothing with a coral coloured lipstick. It always gives me the impression that either the person doesn’t understand colour or simply doesn’t have a toning lipstick.

    I love your idea of matching lipstick colours to perfumes. As I always match my perfume to my clothing colour, and wear a lipstick to match my clothing, then I guess you could say that I do the same thing! I was delighted to hear that there is a lipstick colour by NP Set called Noosa, which is the name of the beach on the Sunshine Coast here in Queensland, Australia, where my family went for a holiday each year when I was a child. The bright orange suits the atmosphere of Noosa perfectly. Do you think that it was named after this area, or is there another place overseas called Noosa?

    With Crabtree and Evelyn’s Rosewater I use L’Oreal Colour Riche in Crazy Fuchsia, a light purply-pink. With my inexpensive Yardley Rose I wear just about any pink at all, whatever matches my clothes, or whatever takes my fancy that day if I’m wearing black or some other neutral colour. With Tea Rose I wear Revlon Living Lipstick in the discontinued “Timeless Pink”, a slightly brighter pink than the L’Oreal one.

    With YSL’s Paris I used to wear Revlon’s discontinued Moondrops Lipstick in Passionata Pink. It was the same colour as the pink on the perfume bottle. Now I wear Revlon Living Lipstick in Love That Pink or Maybelline Mat 1 (Pink). With Lipstick Rose I wear Cover Girl Spellbound, Maybelline Colorsensational 5th Avenue Fuchsia or Bourjois Sweet Kiss 57 (Fuchsia Class).

    With the tiny bit of rose that peeks out from the greenery of Knowing, I wear Revlon’s deep, discontinued Raspberry Bite. With Brosseau’s Ombre Rose I wear Revlon’s discontinued Living Lipstick in Constant Rose.

    Clearly I still use many discontinued lipsticks. I confess that I have as many spare lipsticks stored in my fridge as I do perfumes! They still smell fresh and wear beautifully, rather like many of my vintage perfumes. September 21, 2015 at 8:36pm Reply

    • Elisa: Napoleon Perdis is Australian so yes, I’m sure it is that Noosa. I didn’t know what Noosa meant so thank you for educating me!

      I love that you have go-to perfume and lipstick pairings too. I’ve got 5th Avenue Fuchsia as well, and haven’t worn it in a while — I need to break it out this fall and I think I’ll follow your lead and wear it with a rose-violet like Broadway Nite. September 21, 2015 at 9:24pm Reply

      • Tourmaline: Hi Elisa,

        Thanks for confirming that the lipstick was named after MY Noosa! September 22, 2015 at 5:56am Reply

  • mj: Excellent article! Thinking of it, I never marry my scent to my lipstick shade, or at least never give a thought about it. However, this morning while I was putting some Chanel Synopsis on my lips (it’s a browinsh caramel colour with a hint of mauve and silver) I thought it was well with Eau de Shalimar, with its frosting-like notes. September 22, 2015 at 2:09am Reply

    • Elisa: Thank you! The lipstick sounds beautiful. I love caramel shades lately, and complex shade demands a complex scent. September 22, 2015 at 9:24am Reply

  • Elaine: I love this article beyond reason. Roses and lipstick. Divine! September 22, 2015 at 9:36am Reply

    • Elisa: Thank you Elaine! 🙂 September 22, 2015 at 9:37am Reply

      • Elisa: And what beautiful art on your website! September 22, 2015 at 9:38am Reply

  • Lavanya: I’ve been meaning to post a comment on this post for ages but keep losing my half-written comments (accidentally closing the browser etc).

    This is a post after my own heart- love it! Enjoyed especially this line : “wearing a color that “rhymes” with what I smell.” I love such synesthetic pairings even though I don’t think I’ve ever tried pairing fragrance with shades of lipstick. So I’ll try now with a few of my faves.

    1) Ilia Lip conditioner in Lust for Life (a wine-y red – one of my absolute faves) – this is a L’arte Gucci kind of lipstick but that would be too ‘matchy’ so I would try matching this with By Kilian Liaisons Dangereuses (which doesn’t smell at all dangerous to my nose)

    2) Besame Dusty Rose : This is a vintage-y rose that is discontinued, I think, so L’Arte di Gucci would make a fitting companion for it.

    3) Silk Naturals Rapturous is an every day rose-y (ok it is darker than an everyday pink but I have pigmented lips so I can’t wear very light shades- I always struggle with finding MLLB shades) that is quite lovely and versatile- I love layering it with 1) to tone it down. This would go with – Chanel Coromandel, maybe? Or Ormonde Jayne Taif.

    4) RMS Rapture or Ilia Femme Fatale – red with hints of brown : I can’t think of a match for this.
    I’m tempted to complement this with CDG Champaca edp to offset the redness :). But a Montale Oud might be a nice match for the redness. Not sure.

    And just like my vintage Shalimar – I have managed to lose my tiny purse containing all the above (and a couple more). I had pared down my collection to a few that I loved and wore often. And I lost them!!! argghh September 25, 2015 at 8:33pm Reply

    • Lavanya: i meant layering 3) with 1) to tone down 1)..And coromandel and tail were chosen to reflect its (semi-casual) elegance 🙂 September 25, 2015 at 8:35pm Reply

    • Elisa: Thank you so much Lavanya — and argh, I hate that you lost your pared down favorites! I once had a purse fall out of my car and five or six lipsticks went down a gutter. it was tragic!! September 29, 2015 at 9:41am Reply

  • nicole: One of my all time favorite reds was Goldie lip gloss from Bath & Body Works in Pomme-the most glorious red. My current favorite is COver Girl Burn. September 27, 2015 at 2:07am Reply

    • Elisa: Burn looks like exactly the kind of color I have been craving lately! September 29, 2015 at 9:42am Reply

  • Mia Dixon: Citrusy Roses is so cool for all the time, really enjoyed your article! September 30, 2015 at 2:22am Reply

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