Givenchy Le Rouge N205 Couture Edition 15 US (205 Fuchsia Irrésistible) Review & Swatches

I’ve been meaning to try Givenchy Le Rouge for a while so when they released this limited-edition piece, it seemed like a good opportunity to venture into the famous lipstick line! Part of it (or a lot of it) has to do with the couture packaging. Without it, I would have still been in my “lemming/not purchasing yet” phase! Just a word of warning, this post is going to be picture-heavy. I had a really hard time choosing what pictures to use so I took the easy way out by posting all of them! ^_^”

See what I mean about the pretty couture-inspired packaging? I am absolutely in love with it! The limited-edition Le Rouge N205 Couture Edition 15 US has a floral print design on the leather sleeve that is supposedly straight from the Givenchy runway couture collection. The brand’s logo is imprinted both on the top of the sleeve and on the side. The stud-lock accents also remain present at the bottom of the bullet as a signature Le Rouge design. As far as I know, the sleeve fits a regular Le Rouge lipstick, too, so you can replace your favorite Le Rouge lipstick’s sleeve with this one to give it an updated look anytime!

Onto the color,  N205 Couture Edition 15 US isn’t a new shade. It is the same color as the 205 Fuchsia Irrésistible in the Le Rouge permanent line. It is described as a vibrant fuchsia but I see a little bit of subtle red undertones as well. It has Le Rouge signature scent, something slightly floral slightly fruity, that is very faint and almost impossible to detect during application.

I find the texture creamy and soft but slightly on the thinner side so even though N205 is highly pigmented, it still takes at least 2 layers to completely cover my natural lip color (I have pretty pigmented lips to begin with). On paler lips, opaque coverage may be seen in one pass. It applies very smoothly on the lips without bleeding, feathering, highlighting dry flakes, or settling into lip lines (unless you over-apply it). I’d describe the finish as slightly creamy satin-matte as it leaves a very subtle luminous sheen on the lips that lasts for a while post-application. For a true matte finish, simply blot slightly with a tissue. I actually like the blotted version much better!

The formula is so velvety smooth that I can apply it straight from the tube without having to prime my lips with a lip balm first. It keeps my lips fairly soft and moisturized until the removal time. I did not experience any dryness with or without a lip balm underneath. It doesn’t quite feel weightless on me but it’s not too heavy/uncomfortable to wear, either.

N205 lasts for a good 3-4 hours on me before fading gradually and evenly into a soft stain that lasts for another hour or so. It isn’t crazy long-lasting but I don’t ever feel the need to re-apply later on in the day. The color does transfer quite a bit so beware of the lipstick getting on your teeth, clothes, or coffee mug!

I love how brightening N205 is on me. It is a classic fun and flirty fuchsia that I find flattering on many skin tones. Below is 3 layers applied on my lips. The color stays pretty true to the color seen in the tube even after layering!

If fuchsia is not your color, the limited-edition couture packaging also comes in a bright coral pink shade called 202 Rose Dressing (also permanent in the regular Le Rouge line) which my friend Sunny has done a review on it. It isn’t available in the US, though, so you might have to hunt it down if you really want it!

To me, Givenchy Le Rouge N205 Couture Edition 15 US is perfect on all fronts. Beautiful packaging, flattering color, and excellent formula. Not to mention that the floral sleeve is reusable on your other Le Rouge lipstick, too! It is a lipstick truly worth having in everyone’s makeup collection!

Purchase