On Friday, I went to the Burlington Arcade to have a bespoke lipstick made. I was keen to have Gucci Rene Pink recreated in a crème finish instead of a balm at their Colour ID Lab so I took it along just in case that could happen. As it turned out, I wasn’t disappointed although you have the option to be advised and guided or bring along a long since discontinued favourite.
The process isn’t dissimilar to watching chocolate being tempered – I mean, the pigments looked good enough to eat – but its reliant on excellent colour theory knowledge. I’m still somewhat stunned that Ana, the expert colour mixer, could replicate the pink/orange/red of Rene Pink so quickly and easily. In fact, everyone at the store is an experienced make-up artist so you can get as much (or as little) advice as you like.
I looked at the colour on my lips both inside and outside (if I have one piece of feedback, it’s that the store needs a daylight replicating mirror because gosh, I looked every kind of exhausted in the one they have) to make sure it was exactly right. We reckoned that it was a 99% perfect colour match – Ana made one formula that ran slightly pinker and I was sooooo tempted to opt for that as my lipstick, but, I stuck with the brief after dithering for a while.
Similar to this
So, the process is that Ana takes portions from the pots of pigment that you can see in front of you using a pointy spatula while you sit watching at the lipstick bar. It gets smoothed together, you try it on, amendments are made if needed – a little more red or a little more yellow, depending – and then more magic happens. The colour mix is melted to a liquid consistency and then placed in a mold and put into the ‘machine of dreams’ which freezes it hard in the shape of a lipstick bullet. That takes around half an hour (you can nip out and get a coffee and a macaron at Laduree just along the arcade) and then your lipstick is ready.
I was a little early so Sasha demonstrated some colour theory before Anna arrived and made a gorgeous pink shade – so gorgeous I asked to keep it so it all went into a little pot for me to use with a brush. She also tooled out the remnants of my Gucci lipsticks and now I have at least half a Rene Pink balm in another pot because there is so much waste once you reach the ‘end’. Notes are taken with your exact pigments so that if I ever want another, all I need to do is give them a ring or email and they’ll have the recipe to hand to make the next one. You can, of course, name your special shade – I was so cross about how much waste there was with my other lipsticks I called it Revenge – then we added Boiling – so that’s what it started as … Boiling Revenge … and it made us laugh a lot – however, I’m going to change it to The Best Red Ever if you order. You can order it by phone 07894413895 or email (HERE). Better yet, get your very own colour and name it what you like. The finish is nicely sheeny and well pigmented so if you like things more balmy you an add a layer of (any) balm underneath (or on top) to get that same feel but if you prefer matte, there is a matte formula available for the bespoke service.
The experience was so much fun – I was nervous about it because I’m only really just getting back to doing things like this – as well as being fascinating watching the shade come to life before my eyes. It’s a great thing to do either on your own or with a girlfriend and an absolute treat for a bride to be. Prices start at £75 and you’ll be there for around an hour. If you want to see more of the process than my pictures show, the Code 8 Website HERE has all you need to know. To replace my lipstick using the colour formula is £45 and it will be hand mixed for you.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
24 comments
I would love to have the Mary Quant colour that no longer exists but I have a picture of, I wonder if they can do it and send it in the post? Think it was called ‘Grape shine’ The colour you had made is really nice, it is like the Holy Grail trying to find a discontinued lipstick! I have been on that quest for decades!
I honestly think you’d need to be in the store to get it exactly as you want it – if you look at all the dots of colour on Anna’s glove that shows you how many times we nearly got there.. they’re all so close but when it was ‘the one’ I knew it!
Thanks Jane. Maybe treat myself to a trip!
It really is a treat 🙂
That sounds such a fun thing to do. Jane, you look fabulous in your chosen shade – so radiant and happy. I’d love to do it.
It’s definitely a fun experience – birthday treat to self maybe? Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Such a great colour on you!
thanks :-)))
You look so lovely, Jane!
thank you so much :-))
I’m so glad you’ve reviewed this. Been tempted to try it for a while. Was thinking of doing the online service as time in London has been valuable on recent trips. I have an old Bourjois I want to replicate. Am I right in thinking there are 2 finish options? Sheen and matt?
Yours looks so lovely I think I’m going to have to do it now.
Yes, that’s right – I think if you have a specific shade you need to go in and have the whole thing done … if you look on Anna’s glove you’ll see all the ‘nearly’ rights as well as the right one and there is so little in it! Although, if you have the actual lipstick to send perhaps that’s ok – but ask them .. they’ll know :-))
That colour looks great on you. This takes me back to the days of that cosmetics company, Prescriptives (think that’s the right name Emma), x
That is the right name! Thanks Emma 🙂
This sounds fantastic Jane, wish I lived nearer the store. You look gorgeous in your very own lippy xx
Thank you Lynn!
My favorite lipstick of all time in color and feel was Chanel hydrabase “Rich Coral”. Never found one to match it’s quality wear and moisturizing properties. My lips felt so good during wear and when removing it.
Woukd love to.find it again. Thanks.
It sounds wonderful!
Obsessed with this colour on you. What a fab service, I hope it does really well!
Thanks DRG!
Definitely in the treat category for me but already tempted to add it to a birthday wish list!
Yes! It’s a lovely birthday (or happy day) treat x
What a great service, wish they had it in New York! Your shade looks so lovely on you.
thank you!