Sephora Be the Boss, Survivor, Love Letter Rouge Lacquers Reviews & Swatches

Be the Boss (12)

Sephora Be the Boss (12) Rouge Lacquer ($13.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a bright, poppy red with warmer undertones and a glossy, cream finish with the barest hint of micro-shimmer (not enough that I’d call it shimmery!). The consistency was creamy, balm-like, and had moderate slip to the point where it felt like it melted as I glided across my lips. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied smoothly and didn’t sit in my lip lines. It wore well for five hours and was lightly hydrating over time. I didn’t experience feathering myself, but it had the type of texture where I could see it being a potential concern for those who may be more prone to feathering.

Top Dupes

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NARS Canoga (LE, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Giorgio Armani Notorious (408) (LE, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
MAC Habanero (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Free Spirit (P, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Flambé (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Guerlain #28 (P, $33.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Guerlain #45 (P, $33.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
YSL Le Orange (13) (PiP, $36.00) is more shimmery, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
Pat McGrath Obsessed (LE, $38.00) is warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Vermillionaire (P, $54.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).

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Formula Overview

$13.00/0.1 oz. - $130.00 Per Ounce

The lipstick is supposed to have a "silky smooth melting formula" that yields "intense long-lasting color and high-shine" with "instant hydration." Most shades were creamy without being so slippery that they felt that way or went on unevenly. They do melt quickly, though, so if they are left in a warmer area (with all my photography lights running) and applied, they feel substantially creamier than at room temperature (about 72 degrees).

The texture was smooth, creamy, and comfortable to apply and to wear with most of the shades applying well, though lighter and very deep shades tended to have application problems. The lighter shades tended to separate and sit in my lip lines, while deeper shades were less pigmented and more prone to patchiness (but didn't pull into my lip lines as noticeably as the lighter shades did). The majority of the shades had semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation with a few coming in at more medium to semi-opaque coverage.

As there are 30 shades in the range, wear time definitely varied from three to six hours, depending on depth and pigment level with deeper, redder shades lasting longer than pale beiges and peaches. The formula has been moderately hydrating without feathering on me so far, but I'm not particularly prone to that but would worry about it for those who find it a more frequent occurrence with some of the deeper shades in the lineup.

They had a scent that Sephora lists as having these notes: "vanilla, peony, and intrepid patchouli," and I'd describe the scent as a subtle, sweet, vanilla-floral hybrid mix (nothing specific to my nose) and on most shades, I didn't notice a taste but some shades gave me a bit of one (enough that I was like, "hmm").

Browse all of our Sephora Rouge Lacquer swatches.

Ingredients

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Synthetic Wax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, CI 15985 (Yellow 6 Lake), Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 15850 (Red 7), Parfum (Fragrance), Propylene Carbonate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, BHT, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Citric Acid.

Be the Boss (12)

Permanent

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

97%

Total

Survivor (10)

Sephora Survivor (10) Rouge Lacquer ($13.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a rich red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was nearly opaque in one pass, which adhered evenly and smoothly across my lips. The texture was lightweight, balm-like–emollient and glossy–but it didn’t feather beyond my natural lip line while worn. I really loved how much it smoothed out my lip texture and lip lines as well. It wore well for five hours, left a faint stain behind, and was hydrating while worn.

Top Dupes

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Cle de Peau Dragon Red (P, $65.00) is darker (95% similar).
YSL Le Rouge (1) (PiP, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Urban Decay Spiderweb (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
L'Oreal Enamel Red (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Givenchy Heroic Red (321) (LE, $36.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Gemini (Right) (LE, $26.00) is darker, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
NARS Members Only (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Revlon Certainly Red (P, $8.49) is cooler (90% similar).
Sephora Popsicle Lips (28) (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Burberry Military Red (P, $34.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$13.00/0.1 oz. - $130.00 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Sephora Rouge Lacquer swatches.

Ingredients

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polybutene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Synthetic Wax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, CI 15850 (Red 7), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, CI 15985 (Yellow 6 Lake), Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Stearalkonium Hectorite, Parfum (Fragrance), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), Propylene Carbonate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, CI 15850 (Red 6), BHT, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Beta-Sitosterol, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Squalene, Citric Acid.

Recommended

Survivor (10)

Permanent

Rec'd

9.5

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

97%

Total

Recommended

Love Letter (11)

Sephora Love Letter (11) Rouge Lacquer ($13.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a bright, pink-red with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy, cream finish. The consistency was smooth, creamy, and emollient enough that it felt as if it was melting against my lips as I applied the color. It had good pigmentation in a single layer, though I wouldn’t recommend building it up beyond that as it felt overly slippery built up. It stayed on nicely for four and a half hours, left a slight stain behind, and was lightly moisturizing over time.

Top Dupes

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Tom Ford Beauty Bella (LE, $36.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
YSL Rouge Tuxedo (45) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Trophy Wife (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
Cle de Peau Red Carpet (LE, $65.00) is darker (90% similar).
Make Up For Ever Iconic Red (400) (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Guerlain #21 (P, $33.00) is more shimmery, darker, less glossy (90% similar).
Urban Decay Wonderland (LE, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
Givenchy Rouge Interdit (13) (P, $34.00) is warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
MAC Life's Blood (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Urban Decay Wonderland (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

$13.00/0.1 oz. - $130.00 Per Ounce

Browse all of our Sephora Rouge Lacquer swatches.

Ingredients

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Synthetic Wax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, CI 15850 (Red 7), Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)), Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Parfum (Fragrance), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Propylene Carbonate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, BHT, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Citric Acid.