Rouge Dior Deluxe Couture Collection

Where I got it

OK, I just want to put it out there, I am a huge sucker for Dior beauty limited edition or holiday collection sets. They always impress me with their packaging and how they are convertible or reuseable. Last year, I bought their holiday lipstick coffret which you can use as a clutch bag and also convert it into a crossbody bag. Absolutely loved it and also loved all the lipsticks inside. So I have been anticipating this year’s holiday collection and when I saw this in Victoria unboxing this in her October Vlog (@inthefrow). She opened the 4-lipstick box and the box matches her Lady D-lite bag with cannage embroidery! You can also remove the insert that holds the lipsticks and use this as a vanity or jewellery box for knick-knacks or jewellery pieces.

Now we have a dilemma. Auckland is currently in a lockdown (has been for nearly 2 months now, and not really sure when it’s going to end), and I am unable to purchase any Dior beauty online or phone order. The Dior beauty boutique is closed until level 2, and Farmers do not offer online shopping for Dior beauty so I have no other means to purchase Dior products right now. These holiday and limited edition products always sell-out as soon as they are launched so I don’t think I will be able to get it in New Zealand.

So I managed to get this couture collection set from a personal shopper I know via Instagram (Trish at @theluxaholicshopper). She is based in Las Vegas in US and she is a big Dior fan and customer (she also has a YouTube Channel). This set is USD$184 not including tax and she charged me USD$330 including her fees, tax and shipping to New Zealand. Which I thought wasn’t too bad for what she is charging and I would assume this so pretty much impossible to get in NZ anyway. The totally cost for me overall came down to, ah-hem, NZD$542. Yes, I know, it’s freaking expensive, but I really do want this and I am willing to spend my budget on this and reduce my spending somewhere else.

Anyway, the process with my personal shopper was easy and smooth. She is really professional and helpful, even got me some samples and free gifts with her loyalty status in Dior! I honestly think her fee is not that bad, I did ask other personal shoppers in UK and they quote me £50 for their fees, not yet included shipping which can easily be £30+. The sets are available in 2-lipstick (USD$82), 4-lipsticks (USD$184) and 35 lipsticks (USD$1610!).

I was notified that she has sent everything via express mail on 6/11, and it finally arrived on 23/11! I am SO EXCITED!

 

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This box here is not part of the Deluxe Couture Collection, but I just wanted to show you what my personal shopper has given me and some of the samples and freebies I got from this order. My PS ordered on the US Dior website and they do have gift with purchases like makeup pouches, fragrance samples, skincare samples, etc. I’m not sure which are freebies from Dior and which are extra things from my PS, but let’s have a look at the extras!

We have a pink makeup pouch and a woven one hidden at the back of everything. There are also skincare samples and plenty of perfume samples. I love the gold star Christmas tree ornament as well as the white star ornament which had the Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet perfume sample. She also sent me a holiday card and a card with a personal thank you note.

What I got

I purchased the 4- lipstick Rouge Dior Deluxe Couture Collection. Dior has composed for this exclusive edition a shade range of 3 lipsticks and 1 lip balm from the iconic Rouge Dior, all in a midnight blue velvet case inspired by Dior’s iconic couture cannage pattern. The case includes a mirror.

Set Includes:

• 1 Rouge Dior lipstick shade 999, velvet finish. The new velvet finish dresses the iconic shade of the House of Dior.
• 1 Rouge Dior lipstick shade 100, matte finish. The Nude Look hue, the contemporary greige, in a matte finish.
• 1 Rouge Dior lipstick shade 720, velvet finish. The Icône shade, an intense and couture rosewood, in the new velvet finish.
• 1 Rouge Dior lip balm shade 000 Diornatural, satin finish.

 

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How I find it

Let’s talk about the overall packaging of the box. Besides coming in along with other items from my personal shopper, the lipstick set came in a deep navy box (much like the box you get for their eyeshadow quads). Inside, the blue velvet case is so gorgeous and weighted as well. The quality of this case is much better than I expected it to be. The photos online really doesn’t do it much justice in regards to the velvet texture and how well built it is. It has a magnetic closure top to reveal a generous mirror on the lid and well-presented set of 4 lip products. All of the lip bullets in this set is the full-version instead of one full version and 3 refills. The cardboard insert is easily removed from the case to reveal a satin-smooth lining in the bottom, no remaining glue or tape. The case is designed to be reused as a trinket case/home décor.

Let’s go over the lipsticks inside the collection. There is a clear lip balm which was my very first one and it is simply a bougie lip balm in my opinion. It is hydrating and comforting to the lips and surprisingly not too fragranced! I actually prefer the Lip Glows from Dior with a hint of colour. Initially, 100 Nude Look was a little intimidating, because I seldom wear beige-coloured lipsticks as I don’t like that foundation-lip look as it would make me look sick and my lips have a natural purple undertone to it, so anything lighter on top would look really strange. However, the creaminess and coverage of this lipstick makes this beige shade really easy to wear. When I swipe it on, I was pleasantly surprised on how it looked like my natural lip colour as well. Next we have the 720 Icône shade which is described as an intense rosewood shade – a deep red that looks classic, yet not old fashioned. I think this is an amazing shade that is not too deep and not too bold. The velvet finish also feels creamy on the lips and not drying as well. Last shade is 999 which is the signature Dior red and they always put this in their lipstick sets, so I do have couple of this one already. It is true red with a blue-base that looks slightly orange compared to the other colours. It is a really bright and bold colour that is suitable to night-time wear IMO.

Overall

I am really satisfied with getting the case as I can confirm that I have yet to see it in New Zealand and the quality of the case is really good. The only thing I need to worry about now is how easily it catches dust and I need to find a nice place to display it. The lipsticks are also enjoyable as always. I love how it comes with the lip balm, but I understand that not everyone wanted an expensive lip balm, but it makes a good base for these lipsticks. I am especially pleased with 100 Nude Look as I am not very confident in purchasing nude lipsticks. I think this is very much a my-lips-but-better shade with a hint of peach to it. It looks almost lighter on my lips than on my arm, but I would say take what it looks like on my lips as I only applied 2 swipes there and applied maybe 4 swipes on the arm swatch.