Intro/part one {here} with the verdict (which will be copied into this post) and a full review of the formula!
L-R: 700 Enchantment, 701 Exuberance, 750 Sensation, 751 Provocative, 801 Sentimental, 851 Obsession, 950 Delirium
The creams
As I mentioned in part one of this review, I don’t understand Marcelle’s naming system. The two most recent cremes (Delightful and Curious, in the Trend collection) really are, well, creams – but these four aren’t! While less pearled than the pearls, they do still have shimmer through their formulas. They’re the four “natural” shades of the collection, though; perhaps that has something to do with it.
L-R: 700 Enchantment, 701 Exuberance, 750 Sensation, 751 Provocative
700 Enchantment: a neutral, medium-nude. Very, very finely milled shimmer, which (ironically) I’d say makes it a true pearl finish!
701 Exuberance: a darker mauve-brown with noticeable (larger) gold shimmer. This would make a gorgeous nude shade for darker skintones (think NC40+), I believe, or a nice dark neutral for lighter skintones.
750 Sensation: again, a cream finish spoiled by gold shimmer. However, because of the slightly darker nature of the shade, the gold is less obvious. Similar in depth to Exuberance, but Sensation is a sort of warm brown-berry, rather than a neutral brown.
751 Provocative: a warm brick-red with a moist (actual) cream finish and rather a lot of attitude!
L-R: 700 Enchantment, 701 Exuberance, 750 Sensation, 751 Provocative
The pearls
These three all do have a more pearled finish, and are the “brights” of the collection, to contrast the natural-toned creams. However, they’re still not “true” pearls by my definition – Sentimental is too frosty, for instance, and Delirium is too much of a cream.
L-R: 801 Sentimental, 851 Obsession, 950 Delirium
801 Sentimental: the most sheer of all seven shades pictured here, xx is a frosty light pink with a heavy dose of (noticeable) shimmer.
851 Obsession: a bold, dark fuchsia. This is the most cool-toned shade of the permanent line so far, and it’s really fun! This would be an amazing pop of colour on really porcelain skintones, or a great bright-lip-shade for medium/tanned ones.
950 Delirium: hello, orange! xx is a fab orange just touched with a bit of coral, and while I can’t imagine it looking “natural” on anyone, it is gorgeous…
L-R: 801 Sentimental, 851 Obsession, 950 Delerium
Other info
I have two more photos to share with you: Enchantment and its sparkly sparkliness (despite the fact that it’s a “cream,”) and another photo of all of the shades swatched together. Again, apologies for the use of flash!
A lip swatch of the “cream” finish Enchantment
Top: 700 Enchantment, 701 Exuberance, 750 Sensation, 751 Provocative
Bottom: 801 Sentimental, 851 Obsession, 950 Delirium
That’s it for me! Hope this helps you ladies puzzle out the Rouge Xpression line – it’s confusing, yes, but some of the shades are well worth the confusion ;)
P.S. Have you checked out Marcelle’s Rouge Xpression videos? They made a cute short film for each shade (well, two each, technically – one in English and one in French). Give ’em a look-see if you have the time!
