Hermès Rose Lipstick vs. Rose Azalée: What's the difference?

The main difference between the Hermès Rose Lipstick and Rose Azalée lipsticks lies in their specific shades and undertones. Rose Lipstick is a classic, timeless, soft rose pink, designed for an elegant and understated look, while Rose Azalée is inspired by the azalea flower, offering a slightly deeper, more complex pink hue that provides a subtle yet noticeable pop of color.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right pink from Hermès for your makeup collection.

Hermès Rose Lipstick

Crafted for lovers of classic beauty, the Hermès Rose Lipstick delivers a soft, romantic pink shade that evokes the femininity of a fresh rose petal. It's designed to be a versatile, go-to color for everyday wear, providing a touch of polished elegance without being overpowering. The formula is typically creamy and hydrating, ensuring a comfortable feel and a sophisticated finish.

• What it is: A luxury lipstick in a classic, soft rose-pink shade for an elegant and understated look.
• Key features: Rich, hydrating formula often enriched with nourishing ingredients, smooth and comfortable application, and a consistent, luminous color payoff.
• Price: $70 - $85
• Materials/Construction: The lipstick is housed in a sleek, minimalist lacquered or metallic case, designed to be substantial and luxurious to the touch. The bullet is shaped for precise application.
• Sizing/Fit: Standard luxury lipstick size, typically around 3 grams (0.1 oz).
• Pros: A timeless and universally flattering shade, incredibly hydrating formula, feels lightweight and comfortable on the lips, luxurious and aesthetically pleasing packaging.
• Cons: Carries a high luxury price point, limited availability outside of Hermès boutiques and high-end retailers, may require reapplication after eating and drinking.

This shade is perfect for those seeking a sophisticated, everyday pink that enhances natural lip color with an air of classic French elegance.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/product/lipstick-collection

Hermès Rose Azalée Lipstick

Hermès Rose Azalée is a slightly more distinct shade of pink, inspired by the pinkish hue of an azalea flower. It offers more depth than a standard rose, providing a beautiful pop of color that remains sophisticated and highly wearable. This shade typically complements a wide range of skin tones, adding a bright yet refined touch suitable for both daytime and evening looks.

• What it is: A versatile and rich pink lipstick with a slightly deeper and more complex hue inspired by the azalea flower.
• Key features: High-performance creamy formula with rich pigmentation, delivers a semi-matte or satin finish, and provides long-lasting comfort and hydration.
• Price: $70 - $85
• Materials/Construction: Features the same high-quality ingredients and luxurious, refillable packaging as the rest of the Hermès lipstick line, emphasizing sustainable elegance.
• Sizing/Fit: Standard 3-gram (0.1 oz) lipstick size designed for precision and portability.
• Pros: A unique yet wearable pink that suits many skin tones, rich color payoff enhances the lips beautifully, the packaging is a refillable work of art, formula is exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear.
• Cons: Premium pricing makes it an investment piece, availability can be limited, color is more distinct than a neutral rose, which may not suit an ultra-minimalist preference.

Choose this lipstick if you want a versatile, sophisticated pink that offers a bit more character and vitality than a classic rose.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/product/lipstick-collection

Hermès Rose Lipstick vs. Rose Azalée Comparison

Shade & Finish

The most important difference between these two products is the shade itself. The Rose Lipstick is a true, classic pink - soft, delicate, and romantic. It’s the kind of shade that provides a subtle wash of color, perfect for a polished, "your lips but better" look. It’s feminine and understated, embodying classic elegance.

In contrast, Rose Azalée offers a pink with more depth and personality. While still elegant, it's a more visible color with a nuanced, flower-inspired hue. It provides a brighter, more noticeable pop without venturing into bold territory. Both shades are typically available in luminous satin or modern matte finishes, which feel hydrating and non-drying.

Formula & Feel

When it comes to the formula, there is very little difference. Both lipsticks are part of the core Hermès collection and share the same luxurious, high-performance base. They are formulated with high-quality, nourishing ingredients that make them feel incredibly comfortable, hydrating, and smooth upon application. You won’t have to choose based on feel, both shades deliver the same exceptional quality and comfort you'd expect from a luxury beauty product.

Packaging & Price

Both the Rose Lipstick and Rose Azalée retail for the same premium price, typically between $70 and $85. They are housed in the same iconic packaging, a sleek and weighty case designed by Pierre Hardy that feels more like a piece of art than a simple lipstick tube. The cases are also designed to be refillable, which adds a layer of sustainable value. The shopping decision between these two will not come down to cost or packaging but purely to your shade preference.

Who Each One Works Best For

Hermès Rose Lipstick is a fantastic choice for those with fair to light skin tones who want a delicate, true pink that doesn't wash them out. It’s also ideal for anyone seeking an understated, office-appropriate, or bridal lip color that is undeniably elegant and timeless.

Hermès Rose Azalée is often more versatile across a wider spectrum of skin tones due to its slight depth. On fair skin, it gives a lovely pop of color, while on medium to deeper skin tones, it appears as a chic, sophisticated pink that brightens the complexion. It’s perfect for someone who wants a signature pink that feels both modern and luxurious.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both shades offer the same exceptional Hermès quality, so your decision comes down to personal color preference and lifestyle.

Choose Rose Lipstick if:

• You want a classic, timeless soft pink for everyday wear.
• You prefer an understated, elegant, and romantic makeup look.
• You have a fair to light complexion and look for true-pink shades.
• You need a dependable, sophisticated color for professional settings or formal events.

Choose Rose Azalée if:

• You're looking for a pink with a bit more depth and character.
• You want a versatile shade that adds a subtle pop of color to your look.
• You have a medium or deeper skin tone and want a pink that will show up beautifully.
• You enjoy unique, sophisticated shades that feel luxurious and modern.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Hermès Rose Lipstick and Rose Azalée?

The main difference is the shade. Rose Lipstick is a soft, classic rose-pink designed for an understated, elegant look. Rose Azalée is a slightly deeper, more vibrant pink inspired by the azalea flower, offering a more noticeable pop of color.

Which shade is more versatile?

While both are wearable, Rose Azalée is often considered more versatile across a wider range of skin tones due to its added depth. It provides a beautiful pop of color on fair skin and shows up as a chic pink on medium to deep complexions.

Are both lipsticks hydrating?

Yes, all Hermès lipsticks are known for their creamy, hydrating formulas that feel comfortable and nourishing on the lips, whether you choose a satin or matte finish.

Is the packaging for these lipsticks refillable?

Yes, one of the key features of Hermès lipsticks is their beautiful and sustainable packaging. The cases are designed to be kept and replenished with lipstick refills, which are available for purchase separately.

Do Hermès lipsticks have a scent?

Yes, Hermès lipsticks have a subtle, bespoke scent created by Christine Nagel, the in-house perfumer for the brand. It's a soft, elegant fragrance that adds to the luxurious experience without being overwhelming.

Which size should I choose?

Both Rose Lipstick and Rose Azalée come in a standard 3-gram lipstick size. This is the only size available, designed to be portable yet substantial.

Is there a price difference between the two?

No, there is no price difference between shades within the same lipstick collection. Both are at a typical Hermès price around $70-$85.

How long does Hermès lipstick last?

The lipstick offers good durability, lasting for several hours of comfortable wear. However, like most traditional cream lipsticks, you will likely need to reapply it after a meal or drinking.