While I love Olivia Rodrigo’s music—my inner Tumblr teen can’t resist a Riot Grrrl homage—what really makes the pop star, well, a star, in my eyes is her style. When it comes to ’90s classics with a Gen Z spin, she’s the queen, always striking the perfect balance between edgy and cute. While wearing vintage gowns has become a go-to for starlets, she constantly has some of the best pulls on the red carpet, from Y2K Betsy Johnson to Galliano-era Dior.

Her ’90s-tinged, girly-grunge vibe carries over to her signature beauty look, as well. While she may add some glitter for the stage, her makeup routine usually consists of glowy skin, full brows, a flick of winged liner, and a perfect matte lip—an Old Hollywood red or soft nude depending on the day. While I’ve long wondered about her lipstick of choice, all has finally been revealed—she was recently announced as Lancôme’s latest face, just in time for the brand’s new L’ Absolu Rouge Drama Matte lipstick launch.

Now that the secret’s out, I couldn’t wait to put the lipstick to the test for a whole day. Ahead, everything you need to know about the L’ Absolu Rouge Drama Matte, plus my honest thoughts.

The Lipstick

In January, Lancôme updated its beloved L’ Absolu Rouge lipsticks with a new-and-improved formula and bold new shades. As the name suggests, it’s a matte formula made to pack on the pigment for a dramatic look that stays put for up to eight hours. L’ Absolu Rouge Drama Matte is a cream-to-powder formula, made with light-diffusing powdery pigments to glide on and then set to a soft matte finish. In addition to the brand’s signature Grand Rose Extracts and hyaluronic acid, the new-and-improved version features the addition of ceramides for comfort and hydration. Per the brand, after two weeks of daily use, lips feel smoother, softer and more hydrated.

The lipsticks come in a range of 19 shades—10 new, nine existing—from light beige to deep purple. In the campaign, Rodrigo wears the bright, cool pink 399 Haute en Pink, and the deep purple 430 Plum Addiction. She’s also spotted in 158 Red Is Drama for her signature red lip.

Olivia x Lancôme

The pop star was announced as the brand’s latest Beauty Ambassador in November 2024. As one of Gen Z’s premiere beauty muses, the partnership makes perfect sense. “Embracing your individuality is so important in beauty since there are many unrealistic expectations placed on young women today,” said Rodrigo of her new role. “Lancôme is an iconic and timeless brand that promotes beauty from within and I am honored to be part of their family.”

My Review

10:30 AM

I arrive at the office and swipe on the lipstick. My lips have been soooo dry, so I’ve been prepping with a thick lip balm while I commute to the office. I kinda dread wiping it off to put the lipstick on, but I’m pleasantly surprised. Despite the matte finish, it has a creamy texture that feels comfortable and pretty weightless on my poor lips. I went with the shade Nude Shot, a pretty, warm nude that slots right into my minimal makeup look for the day but still has a bit of punch. I’m a little worried about how my lips will fair with the matte formula, but feeling cautiously optimistic as I get my day going. I also love the packaging on this priduct—it’s heavy and luxe and closes with the most satisfying “click.”

12:30 PM

I just treated myself to an office coffee. There is lipstick on the cup, but not a crazy amount—it faded evenly and I don’t feel like I need to immediately touch up. I’m still really liking the color, and it makes me feel put-together despite my crusty winter skin and lackluster outfit. My lips are starting to feel a little dry, but considering the sub-20 degree weather, the lipstick is very comfortable for the finish.

3:30 PM

I have been in meetings for three hours straight. The lipstick is long gone due to yapping. I help myself to some lip balm, and let it sink in before applying a fresh coat of lipstick. The powdery, violet scent and pop of color instantly perk me up from my afternoon slump, and help me get excited about my dinner plans later.

6:30 PM

I have five minutes to refresh my makeup before dinner, and choose to focus on my lips. To switch it up a little bit, I add a cool-toned lip liner for more of a ’90s vibe (Olivia would be proud, no?), and collected several compliments. It stayed put perfectly through the drinks portion of the night, and then faded away evenly and elegantly as I enjoyed the rest of my meal. All in all, I really enjoyed this formula. It really packs a punch, but it’s so easy to apply and extremely comfortable to wear. I’ve been off of matte lipsticks in favor of sheer tints and glosses, but this is inspiring me to dip back into a more full-on look. I can see why Olivia is a fan—it’s perfect for a red carpet, concert, or drinks with the girls.