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With nearly 200 years of beauty history behind them, the best Guerlain products are practically shorthand for very fancy French beauty. Founded in Paris in 1828, Guerlain began with perfume and eventually branched out into makeup and skin care, becoming one of the few beauty brands that have endured for generations while continuing to evolve with the times.
Case in point: Météorites, the pastel powder pearls that became a Guerlain signature in the ’80s and now come in a pressed powder format, and Rouge G, the refillable lipstick housed in a redesigned case that could easily pass for jewelry. Fragrance is still a huge part of Guerlain’s DNA, with historic scents like L’Heure Bleue finding new life through modern reinterpretations. Ahead, we’ve gathered the Guerlain icons—plus a few newer favorites—that prove nearly two centuries later, the brand still knows how to make beauty look, feel, and smell a little more special.
Our Top Guerlain Products
- Out of the Blue: L'Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum, $145
- Do a Double Take: Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum, $250
- Lasting Impression: L’art & La Matière Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21, $660
- Sealed With a KissKiss: Kiss Kiss Honey-Infused Refillable Lipstick, $40
Out of the Blue: L'Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum
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Guerlain
L'Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum
Guerlain
Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Guerlain L’Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum
Kassidy Silva
Why we love it: Guerlain isn’t simply pulling its 1912 classic out of the archives for the new L’Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum. This contemporary interpretation takes the original’s iris-and-vanilla pairing in a fresher, lighter direction, inspired by the fleeting “blue hour” when daylight fades but night hasn’t quite arrived. It starts off cool, clean, and airy, with hints of juicy pear and citrusy neroli, before becoming softer and more floral. At its heart is a custom-developed iris tincture—an aromatic extract made by soaking dried, powdered iris rhizomes, or the plant’s underground stems, in alcohol, almost like steeping tea. This gentler alternative to heat-based distillation gradually draws out the iris’s fresh, green, and subtly woody qualities, rather than emphasizing only the powderiness typically associated with the flower. As the fragrance settles on skin, vanilla, musk, and ambroxan add cozy warmth without making it overly sweet.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"This airy iris scent has become a staple in my fragrance rotation since I first tested it back in May. The majority of my collection is made up of gourmand fragrances, so I was taken by surprise in the lab when I got my first sniff of L'Heure Bleue and was immediately attached. Typically, I find iris fragrances to be too powdery for my tastes, but the ozonic accord brings a distinct lightness that really opens up the scent. Plus, when I get whiffs of the jasmine, vanilla, and pear, as I wear it throughout the day, I can't help but stop and sniff. During the day, I get an easy eight hours of wear time, but it lasts even longer when I spritz it on my clothes or pillows. I even gave my notebook a few spritzes four months ago, and the scent has barely faded from the pages!" —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Key notes: airy ozonic accord, pear, neroli, iris tincture, iris butter, jasmine, vanilla, ambroxan, musks
- Sizes: 1 fl. oz, 1.7 fl. oz., 3.4 fl. Oz.
Do a Double Take: Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum
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Guerlain
Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum
Guerlain
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Guerlain’s Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum tackles multiple concerns for aging skin (like wrinkles and laxity) with two separate formulas, which are housed in a dual-chamber bottle and dispensed together with each pump. The “renew” side uses glycolic and lactic acids, plus the gentler PHA gluconolactone, to gradually whisk away dulling dead skin, while white honey extract adds another boost of radiance. The “repair” side of the serum helps skin look firmer and more resilient with the brand’s proprietary Blackbee Repair Technology and mineral-rich honeys sourced from remote islands known for their protected ecosystems. Guerlain ferments those honeys with 10 microorganisms—a controlled process involving hundreds of tiny biological reactions—to create additional compounds that the brand says give skin a tighter, more lifted appearance.
Even with exfoliating acids in the mix, the formula doesn’t skimp on moisture: Glycerin and hyaluronic acid draw water into the skin, squalane and meadowfoam seed oil soften, and oat extract helps soothe. Together, the two formulas take a comprehensive approach to both early and more established signs of aging, targeting uneven texture, dullness, fine lines, and loss of firmness.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“This isn’t my first rodeo with dual- (or even triple-) chamber serums, yet every time I always find the concept so genius. Guerlain’s Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum is basically like getting two full serums in one, with the added bonus that it takes the guesswork out of figuring out which actives work well together. And while the video simply doesn’t capture the texture, trust me: It’s incredibly airy and lightweight. You can practically see it disappear into my skin the second I smooth it on, without leaving behind even a trace of stickiness. Still, my perpetually dry skin feels thoroughly pampered afterward. I’m also very sensitive-skin-prone, and nothing in the formula sets mine off, including the added fragrance, which I’m usually wary of (in this case, it smells subtly sweet and very chic). I’ll need more time to see what it can do for my skin’s resilience—mine has been feeling especially thin and vulnerable lately after a bout of inflammation from another product—but the luxe, weightless texture makes this the kind of serum I’ll have no trouble sticking with long enough to find out.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, gluconolactone, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, meadowfoam seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Lasting Impression: L’art & La Matière Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21
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Guerlain
L’art & La Matière Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21
Guerlain
Silva applying the Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21
Kassidy Silva
Why we love it: You might assume the “21” in Guerlain’s L’Art & La Matière Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21 refers to its concentration or launch year, but it’s actually the number of days for which the house cold-soaks vanilla pods in alcohol to create its signature tincture. That extra time draws out sides of vanilla you won’t find in your average gourmand perfume: It’s still creamy and sweet, but also spicy, woody, faintly smoky, and even a little leathery.
The fragrance is an extrait made with a potent 30% fragrance concentrate. (For comparison, an eau de parfum typically contains around 10% to 20%, so this higher concentration gives the scent a richer feel and lasts longer on skin.) The fragrance celebrates vanilla’s place in Guerlinade, the house’s olfactory signature: a recurring palette of bergamot, rose, jasmine, iris, vanilla, and tonka bean that gives many Guerlain scents their recognizable warmth and soft sweetness. Here, vanilla takes the lead, while warm spices keep it from feeling overly saccharine. Opoponax—a balsamic resin—adds ambery depth, and musk leaves it feeling soft and skin-like. If you love vanilla, this is the polished, grown-up version you’re looking for.
Tester feedback from Silva
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“Guerlain's Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21 is a vanilla fragrance like no other. The musky gourmand is a sexy, mysterious confection that turns heads no matter what room you're in. But the unique blend isn't even the most standout element; it's wear time. Fragrances typically don't last long on my skin; I usually get between 4 and 5 hours before needing to reapply, but I get at least 12 hours with this scent. I'll apply two spritzes to my wrist that I dab on my neck and a few to my clothes and hair, which last all day. I'll catch a whiff from my wrist every so often, and it adds a little bounce in my step. Not to mention, the bottle's intricate craftsmanship makes it a standout in any perfume cabinet. The woven golden rope on the bottle's neck and the brand's signature G and bees around the bottle are my favorites. Each bottle is fully customizable, moving it into heirloom status in my eyes. It's certainly a splurge, but if it's in your budget and you love compliments, this one is for you.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla planifolia tincture and absolute, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander, patchouli, opoponax, musk
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Sealed With a KissKiss: Kiss Kiss Honey-Infused Refillable Lipstick
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Guerlain
Kiss Kiss Honey-Infused Refillable Lipstick
Guerlain
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Kiss Kiss Honey-Infused Refillable Lipstick
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: Since launching in the ’90s, Guerlain’s KissKiss lipstick has had a few makeovers, but this year’s version may be its most practical yet: The gold case is slimmer and, for the first time, refillable. The formula got an update, too, pairing rich color and a softly blurred matte finish with minimal transfer—without leaving lips feeling dried out. That comfort comes courtesy of honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly, plus shea butter, ceramides, sunflower oil, and rosehip oil, which help lips stay smooth and soft. Alongside the honey scent, notes of orange blossom and vanilla leave behind a subtle fragrance with every swipe—a small touch that makes application feel that much more luxurious.
Pai before applying the Kiss Kiss Honey-Infused Refillable Lipstick
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Kiss Kiss Honey-Infused Refillable Lipstick
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from Pai
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"I'll start with the first impression: The packaging is sleek and chic, and slim enough that I can throw it into the tiniest bag if needed. But the lipstick itself is—not to be dramatic—a revelation. I usually reach for tinted lip balms for the sheer convenience (pun intended) but have found that a brighter, more pigmented color better brightens my face and makes me look pulled together. And dang, does this give me everything I want: It has a balmy feel that lasts for hours, and the color makes me look polished without feeling fussy. I haven't put it to the kiss-proof test just yet, but I don't even care: It's good enough to become a regular in my lip rotation." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, shea butter, ceramides, sunflower oil, rosehip oil
- Shades: 20
- Fragrance-free: no
Stand Corrected: Météorites Compact Mattifying & Setting Pressed Powder
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Guerlain
Météorites Compact Mattifying & Setting Pressed Powder
Guerlain
Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the Guerlain Météorites Compact Mattifying & Setting Pressed Powder
Katie Gunderman
Why we love it: Guerlain’s candy-colored Météorites spheres have been setting, correcting, and illuminating complexions since 1987; now, the iconic multicolored pearls come in a more travel-friendly compact. Each palette includes four color-correcting shades that blend together into a sheer, natural-looking veil, with a finish that skews more matte and blurring than the famously luminous pearls. Mica and boron nitride give it its silky, light-reflective slip, while oil-absorbing silica and cornstarch control shine without zapping all the dimension out of the skin. (Squalane, meanwhile, retains moisture, so it won’t cause dryness or tightness for anyone who wants to mattify.) The lightweight powder softens the look of pores, fine lines, and uneven texture while setting makeup with a transfer-resistant, second-skin finish. Swept over foundation, it can also refresh its color and extend its wear, essentially giving makeup a second wind without piling on another layer of base.
Gunderman before applying the Guerlain Météorites Compact Mattifying & Setting Pressed Powder
Katie Gunderman
Gunderman after applying the Guerlain Météorites Compact Mattifying & Setting Pressed Powder
Katie Gunderman
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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“I have been reaching for this powder every single day. It mattifies, it blurs, and it last all day. What else could I ask for! Oh, it also smells amazing and is a great size to pop on your purse if you like to touch up. It looks smooth on the skin and I love using it with a big fluffy brush for a veil of powder across my T-zone.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: mica, boron nitride, silica, cornstarch, squalane
- Shades: 4
- Fragrance-free: no
Smooth as Satin: Rouge G Satin Lipstick
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Guerlain
Rouge G Satin Lipstick
Guerlain
Lee applying the Guerlain Rouge G Satin Lipstick
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Leave it to Guerlain to design a lipstick case that doubles as something you’d happily flash like jewelry. Though the original Rouge G debuted in the 1950s, the lipstick took on the form we recognize today in 2009, when Guerlain enlisted a Place Vendôme fine jeweler to design its sculptural case, complete with a cleverly concealed double mirror. In recent years, the brand gave the icon another glow-up with redesigned gold cases that are refillable and lighter than their predecessors, plus 40 shades across satin and velvet-matte finishes. (One catch: The latest refills aren’t compatible with older cases.)
The 2025 Allure Best of Beauty-winning Rouge G is just as noteworthy inside, gliding on with rich color and a creamy feel, thanks to squalane, jojoba esters, sweet almond and sunflower oils, rice bran, and beeswax. Sodium hyaluronate helps lips hold on to moisture, while Guerlain’s exclusive Lily-Oleo Extract—a blend of lily flower extract and sweet almond oil—enhances the pigments for a vibrant finish. It’s lipstick, lip care, and objet d’art wrapped up in one very chic package.
Lee before applying the Guerlain Rouge G Satin Lipstick
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Guerlain Rouge G Satin Lipstick
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from Lee
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“My dry, sensitive lips have a bad habit of making lipsticks pill, so believe it or not this was my first time trying Guerlain’s iconic Rouge G Satin Lipstick—and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. It feels surprisingly balmy going on, with the kind of smooth, creamy glide I usually associate with a tinted balm. The difference is the color payoff: Where most balms leave behind a sheer wash, Rouge G has the opaque pigment of a true lipstick, so I get full-on color without any dry, heavy feeling. And yes, the mirrored case is as fancy as it looks, but it's also really practical for touch-ups on the go.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, jojoba esters, sweet almond oil, sunflower, rice bran, beeswax, sodium hyaluronate, lily flower extract, sweet almond oil
- Shades: 26
- Finish: satin
- Fragrance-free: no
Set the Mood: L’art & La Matière Customizable Scented Candle
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Guerlain
L’art & La Matière Customizable Scented Candle
Guerlain
Silva lighting the Guerlain L’art & La Matière Customizable Scented Candle
Kassidy Silva
Why we love it: Few things can change the mood of a room as quickly as lighting a candle: The soft glow makes everything feel cozier, while the fragrance can help you unwind, perk up, or mentally transport yourself somewhere else. Guerlain takes that small pleasure one step further with a candle you can design yourself. Start by choosing one of the six refillable, faceted glass jars—each finished with brushed-gold accents and Guerlain’s signature bee—then pair it with your preferred scented-wax insert. Options include Vanille Planifolia, a warm, ambery vanilla; the fresh, citrusy Bergamote Fantastico; and seven other floral, woody, or spicy fragrances. You can even have the jar engraved. You can even have the jar engraved, so no one can conveniently forget who this very fancy candle belongs to.
Tester feedback from Silva
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“There is no better compliment than guests walking through your front door and saying, ‘Your home smells incredible! What is that?’ For me, it's all thanks to Guerlain’s L'Art & La Matière Scented Candle. About an hour before company arrives, I light my midnight blue jar in the scent Rose Centifolia and it transforms my home into a rose garden. The candle has an impressive 45-hour burn time, and you only need to light it for about two hours to get the full impact. If florals aren’t your thing, the Figue Azur is a delightful sweet fig and woody mix, or the Vanille Planifolia is a go-to for gourmand lovers. There are nine interchangeable scents to customize for any jar; you can’t go wrong!” —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Number of scents: 9
Sweet Relief: KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm
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Guerlain
KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm
Guerlain
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Guerlain’s KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm is the result of the humble lip balm getting the full luxury treatment. It adds a sheer, glossy tint without needing a mirror to apply, while its buttery texture keeps dry lips comfortable. Guerlain doesn’t stop the bee theme at the packaging: The formula contains honey to soothe and nourish, beeswax for a smooth glide, and propolis, which teams up with hyaluronic acid to make lips look softer, smoother, and subtly plumper. Shea butter adds another layer of moisture, helping the balm deliver all-day hydration. There’s also eosin, a pH-responsive pigment that plays up your natural lip color for a personalized flush.
Han before applying the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“As much as I love (and will always love!) my color-packed lip stains, sometimes it's clear that my lips need a hydration-focused formula. (Hey, lip lines and flaking!) The KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balm helps my lips look as smooth, plump, and glossy as they possibly can be—without actually using a lip plumper or gloss (both of which I'm not a fan of and rarely use). While I wish the color range was more varied, I will settle for generous layers of Blossom Glow (a rosy peach), which add *just* enough pigment for my liking. Another bonus? The gorgeous gold packaging makes me want to keep the product always in sight so that I may actually remember to reapply throughout the day—and I do!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: honey, beeswax, propolis, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, eosin
- Shades: 8
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best Guerlain products, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.