Beauty collaborator Ingrie Williams knows a red lip is always the right answer. Known for her beauty expertise in digital and print media, she often calls on the uplifting power of a bold scarlet lip colour. Here, she test-drives Guerlain’s new line of intensely hued lipsticks (there are 15 in total!) and shares her take on the collection of to-die-for hues.

“I’m not ashamed to admit it: I love myself a little bit more when I’m wearing a bold lip colour. As a firm believer in the power of makeup to make me feel like the best version of myself, I know that a swipe of Guerlain Rouge G Luxurious Velvet lipstick in Flame Red will give me an extra charge of confidence and lift my whole mood. It’s a gorgeous spicy-red hue that’s part of a new collection of 15 beautiful shades, including warm nudes, the prettiest pinks and deep merlot tones. I love the sensation of applying it too. The highly pigmented formula is infused with some of my go-to hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and mango butter. And then there’s the finish: beautifully smooth, matte and so comfortable. It’s long-wearing (up to 16 hours), yet it’s utterly weightless and never drying.  

“And trust me when I tell you that I’ve never seen a lipstick case like this before! Nor have I ever had so much fun choosing one, because shopping the Rouge G collection includes a satisfying customizable twist. It’s designed as a mix-and-match experience, so first I chose my must-have refillable lip colour (yes, this was hard—they’re all dreamy!), and then I selected a case to house it. A lineup of six new cases joins the existing collection, each finely contoured and perfectly balanced in silver-toned metal. The latest additions have been dressed in classic textiles that epitomize a Parisian fall wardrobe: There’s a striking black-and-white houndstooth, a black quilted look, a deep red and more. Plus, each stylish fabric has a plush velvet finish. I couldn’t resist the Graphic Tartan version, but, honestly, they’re all swoon-worthy. Oh, and did I mention there’s a hidden pop-up mirror tucked into the lid!? So chic, so smart.

That’s also the most fitting way to describe an exciting recent announcement from Guerlain: The brand named the one and only Violette as its new director of makeup. ‘I’m so happy to be joining an iconic house with such a rich heritage and to be able to pass Guerlain’s makeup values on to a new generation and share it with those who, no matter their gender, celebrate beauty today and will celebrate it tomorrow,’ says Violette, adding that she’s been mesmerized by the pastel-coloured pearls of Météorites ever since she was a little girl. As a big fan of the mega-talented French makeup artist, digital beauty star and entrepreneur, I can’t wait to see how this next chapter will be infused with Violette’s innate sense of stylish ease, boundless creativity and sense of daring.

“In the meantime this object d’art—and everything it delivers—has quickly become my favourite beauty accessory for fall. Once I’ve applied my Rouge G Luxurious Velvet lipstick, I instantly feel like I’ve tapped into the effortless style and self-assured spirit of a French woman. Which is exactly the kind of vibe I plan to carry with me as I reconnect—face to face—with all my favourite people this season.”

To add some je ne sais quoi to your own fall beauty routine, visit sephora.ca to shop the Guerlain Rouge G Luxurious Velvet collection today.