Although I've been doing my makeup for years, there are a few things I feel like I've never been able to master. The first is definitely winged eyeliner [1] — I have downturned eyes, so applying liner on my upper lash line feels nearly impossible — and the second is red lipstick. Although I love the look of bold lip colours [2] on other people, I've always shied away from them because I didn't love the look on me. So, I was hesitant to try the new red lipstick shades from Guerlain [3] until I saw how beautiful each of the shades were. Now that I've given them a chance, I'm so happy I did.

Guerlain worked with makeup artist and the brand's creative director Violette Serrat [4] to pull three red colours from the archive (Rouge Du Tigre, Rouge Impérial, and Roi Des Rouges) and revive them in two finishes: satin and velvet. The shades are all bright, bold, and strikingly beautiful. They arrived at my house just before New Year's eve, which presented the perfect opportunity to test them out. Although my boyfriend and I decided to stay in for the evening, we still opted to get dressed up and drink Champagne while watching the fireworks going off outside our window.

First of all, let me say this: applying red lipstick is hard. I typically stick to colours that are close to my natural lip colour, so I never realised that getting your lipstick to look perfect was such a process. However, once I was finally able to get my lipstick in place (sometimes it helps to line the shape of your lips [5] first), Guerlain's formula stayed put without the need for tons of touch-ups throughout the day. The formula was creamy and went on smooth, and I had absolutely no issues with smearing or streaks.

The red-lipped look was different from anything I've done before, and not to sound self-obsessed, but I honestly couldn't stop staring at myself in the mirror. I sorely underestimated how much a red lip can instantly change your mood from boring to sexy. I'm not sure if this experience makes me an everyday red lipstick convert just yet, but I'll definitely be reaching for these on special occasions. Keep scrolling to get a better look at the shades and shop them for yourself.

Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick in Rouge Du Tigre

My favourite shade of the bunch has to be the Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick in Rouge Du Tigre [6] (£27). The brand describes it as a "flaming brick" red, and I have to agree. It's an instant classic. My only complaint is that there isn't a nail polish shade to match.

Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick in Rouge Impérial

Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick in Rouge Impérial [7] (£27) is the perfect deep berry shade. It made me feel one part sexy and one part seductress as soon as I put it on. I love that the shade is a little more muted when paired with my complexion, and I think it would make the perfect lip colour for a romantic date night.

Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick in Roi Des Rouges

The brightest shade of the bunch has to be Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick in Roi Des Rouges [8] (£27). It's a cool-toned, bold red that commands attention. This shade looked a little pinker on my complexion, but overall it's a fun colour that I'll definitely reach for if I'm looking to make a statement.

Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Red Lipstick Swatches

From left to right: Guerlain Rouge G Legendary Reds Collection in Rouge Du Tigre, Rouge Impérial, and Roi Des Rouges.

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