From my earlier review of NARS Audacious Lipstick in Vera:

I was on a plummy/berry lipstick kick over the last year, and simultaneously bought NARS Vera and Givenchy Le Rouge in Framboise Velours. They turned out to be nearly the same lipstick color. I have to do a little more research, next time!

I slightly prefer the Audacious Lipstick over this Le Rouge, partly because Vera suits me a bit better due to its warmer tone, but also because I feel the Audacious formula is slightly superior.

Givenchy’s description of Le Rouge:

More than a lipstick. Encased in an elegant silver and leather tube, Le Rouge is a rich with luxe pigments that coat the lips with radiant, lasting color with a single stroke. The lightweight, ultra-smooth, non-sticky texture glides on to softly shape and contour the lips, beautifully.

The Le Rouge tube is pretty luxurious at first glance! I love the styling with the leather and the small pyramid studs. When you do get to feel the leather, however, it has a soft sponginess and feels quite thin. I think I’ll probably scratch or rip it by accident. Now, I don’t expect leather casing on a lipstick to feel like a Givenchy handbag, but I would have hoped for a sturdier-feeling leather. I suppose that might have felt more plasticky, though, so perhaps going softer was the better option.

Framboise Velours (315) is a vibrant, midtoned rosy raspberry-pink cream. The finish has a gorgeous lustrous sheen to it that NARS Vera doesn’t quite have. It is cooler-toned than Vera.

The formula, like that of NARS Audacious, is highly pigmented and weightless. One stroke gives full and even opacity. However, the texture has a greater slip to it, which some will find questionable. I don’t mind it, but this quality does mean that I prefer NARS Audacious.

The staying power was quite good, about 6 hours for me. The lipstick does have a floral scent to it, but it isn’t overpowering (like in a Lancôme lipstick).

Overall, I like this lipstick very much, but as the formula isn’t quite as good as NARS’ and its price is slightly higher, I don’t see myself getting any more of these unless a fantastic color is released (or, perhaps a fantastic case!).

Givenchy Le Rouge Lip Color is US$36 / CA$40 (it was CA$38 when I purchased it last year; the US price has remained the same) and 0.12 oz / 3.4 g. It is made in France.

Givenchy, the fashion house, was founded in Paris, France in 1952. The fragrance (and later, beauty) division of Givenchy, Parfums Givenchy, was founded in 1957. Givenchy has been owned by Paris, France-based luxury brands conglomerate LVMH since 1988.