[unpaid/purchase/affiliate/ad] I know this lipstick has been here before but it was my friend during lock down and I finally have a new one – but what a faff! I remember my mum’s favourite lip colour being discontinued and she was distraught – now I know, after this saga, what it’s like to have that feeling!
I realised I was getting low on Rene Pink and couldn’t imagine not having it in my make-up bag (drawer!) so I ordered a new one from Net A Porter. The original was a press sample from Coty for a feature in How To Spend It and that was so fraught with difficulty that I didn’t want that experience again (not that I would ask for a second, but stock information would have been really useful) so placed my order.
After three weeks, nothing had arrived so I stopped wearing the original for fear of running out. Eventually, I got an email from Net A Porter saying that my package had been returned to them and I was being refunded. Hello? I’ve been here for 3 months! The house hasn’t been unattended in all of that time. I phoned them up – and gave up after 40 minutes of waiting, and emailed them instead. No reply. So, I tweeted them which got a response quickly and it transpires that in all that time, it had never been in stock in the first place.
They messaged me to say they were pleased the matter was resolved. I mean, I know things are difficult but on-line sales and services have to be seamless, especially from a luxury retailer, and especially now. So, while that’s in the past, it’s such a vast contrast to the perfect service received from Gucci on-line which is where I ended up getting it (it’s sold out at Harrods as well so I guess it isn’t just me that is obsessed with this shade). Rene arrived in a matter of days, in little silken Gucci labelled bag, with a comp slip thanking me for my purchase and my returns label and invoice all tidy in a separate envelope. I’ve always been slightly put off ordering directly from luxury retailers (for beauty, I don’t have do this often, obviously) which is probably imposter syndrome of a sort but I got an absolute thrill from the entire tone and delivery at Gucci.
Anyway, here it is in its full coral-pink-red glory in a picture taken by Lucy in the kitchen where I was at the end of my tether with too much hair! It’s in the balm texture (3) so you get a lovely sheen, a gloriously vibrant tint and the comfort is perfect. It’s £34 HERE, non affiliate HERE. I feel like I’ve found my colour for life – but hope I don’t have work so hard to buy it next time!
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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.
21 comments
that is awful customer service! I always ordered direct from Gucci free shipping and no problems.
Saying that I was really disappointed they totally discontinued the rest of the makeup range. They did lovely blushers and eyeshadows. I could never workout how their foudation shades worked though.
That’s a lovely fun pic Jane and Rene is just your shade! That’s interesting about the NaP experience and disappointing too. As you say at luxury brand / shop level customer service should be flawless and smooth as that’s part of what you’re buying into. I’ve ordered from Chanel, Guerlain and EL online and it’s always been wonderful, lovely packaging, no problem with returns plus nice little samples to try, although EL has cut back on those and their loyalty perks.
Have a good day xxx
Well, I definitely feel encouraged to do it more – I don’t know why but if I can find a thing on the John Lewis website, I do!
I don’t think I was aware of Gucci doing make up!
Your experience with NAP is in line with what I’ve heard from others lately…
Really? Glad it’s not just me but it makes me think maybe there are bigger problems afoot x
If that’s your colour for life you’d better snap up a few of them now. It’s so upsetting when something you love gets discontinued
I know!!
I’m wearing Mildred Rosewood from Gucci ever since I purchased it from a duty-free shop in JFK in March – seems prehistorical times! I do hope they will carry on with the line as it’s both a lovely case to leave on my desk during the day and on my lips the same.
Regarding Net-a-Porter, I’m going through the same pain now with Customer service not returning my email. I’m afraid they lost me on that one.
It’s worrying that it seems to have all fallen apart at the Net end – its not how it used to be. x
I know you suffer with dry lips. Does this balm keep them “mobile” (if you know what I mean!) and does the colour remain without constant reapplication? Looks great on you.
Hi Chris – you’ll definitely need to reapply – such is balm! Yes, it absolutely does keep them mobile (I know what you mean!) and I’m often quite sensitive to lipsticks and balms and if anything, my lips are better for constant application (although I dip in and out of all sorts of balms). If you want a lipstick that stays put for the whole day, this isn’t it but it’s hard for a balm base to stay so long because of the high oil content. x
Thank you. Am looking to buy direct from Gucci after reading about the problems with NAP. Didn’t realise how many lovely colours Gucci lipsticks have .. might be expensive
yes, it is a pricey choice!
Another disappointed erstwhile Net customer here. Have had appalling customer service from them recently. Don’t know what’s going on with them. Husband’s birthday sweater arrived 2 (yes TWO) weeks late even after endless calls and holding on for hours. If every high street brand deliver within a couple of days, I don’t know what they’re thinking. Long winded way of saying that Gucci delivered my lipstick promptly and in the same lovely bag so good for them.
I’m so happy with the Gucci service – sorry about your husband’s gift – that’s rubbish!
Go Gucci! Fabulous lipsticks as well. Surprised not more talked about. But maybe I live under a rock and everyone else knows about them..
you’re right – they don’t get enough attention – Coty doesn’t do anything with the brand (they own the fragrance/cosmetic arm).
Love the photo Jane, it’s a great one of you! Definitely worth getting a back up of something you absolutely love, shame the experience was more difficult than it needed to be. Is your hair still not cut yet? I haven’t braved it myself, my hubby says he’ll treat me to a session at Toni & Guy, can’t wait! x
Claire! My hair is cut! But it looks like a slightly shorter version of how it looked before so I didn’t make a fuss about it – after all the build up it really didn’t look much different – but the condition is much better! Enjoy – I felt really safe and well looked after.
I too fell in love with BAUME A LEVRES RENE PINK #3, originally bought at Bergdorf Goodman, NY. I absolutely adore the turquoise and gold retro lipstick case. From the same Gucci line can you please suggest the color closest to Rene Pink?
Many thanks from California…
Lois, there isn’t one – sorry to break it – I’ve even had lipsticks made bespoke and nobody can get an exact match. Maybe we should start a petition! I have no idea why they discontinued it and I’m still furious!