This is one of my few red lipsticks and it's my favourite one. The colour is a true red on my pigmented pink lips, (though when I wipe it off it leaves an almost coral-y stain), and the formula stays put and does not bleed at all. It is quite moisturising for me, and I am the type that is addicted to lipbalm. I can't quite remember the price of this but it wasn't cheap, like all things Yves.
P. S. That's me with the pale skin, bangs, and grey sweater (pic lineup).

Opium Red is the perfect warm-leaning "true red" for those with warm yellow-neutral undertones (NC35) like myself. I don't like blue-based reds, as they have a tendency to turn a fuschia-pink on my lips -- I want a red lipstick to *stay* red. Warm reds brighten my complexion; this is the red for other MAC NCs out there who want to pull off that 1950s, statement red lip. Note: it is essential that one apply this over a red lip liner base, or blot several times, as I find Opium Red has a tendency to slip around and bleed at the lip edges. It's as if the colour sits on top of the lips, instead of adhering to them. I don't know another red like it though, so for me that's a small price to pay for the colour.

This is my HG red lipstick. At first when I put it on, I thought it was too orange for me, but once I got out of doors into natural light, it was a beautiful dramatic shade of red. It glides on like a dream and is so lightweight I forget I'm wearing it. I've found out though, like most dramatic lipsticks, I have to wear lipliner with it (I prefer the clear lipliner from Revlon) or else it bleeds.
My one complaint is that the lipstick tube is not as I expected. It is not heavy and seems somewhat cheaply made. Maybe it's just me?

Took my red lipsticks with me to the YSL counter to compare after reading the reviews, as I am looking for a daytime version of MAC's Viva Glam I. Sadly, Opium Red pulled very, very orange on me. It was a no go. Even the YSL Sales Rep was shaking her head no. However, I swatched the Rouge Pur Couture # 14, Rouge Feu, and it was what I was looking for, a neutral red that leaned only ever-so-slightly to the warm side so that a very fair, cool-complected gal like me could pull it off. Rouge Feu is that red. The case of the Opium Red was lovely, as was the formulation. But on my skin, it turned super orange.

This is my HG lippy! For a night out anyways, cant exactly wear it through the day in my line of work! The colour is a classic deep spicey red, which i prefer to the usual fire engline pillar box colours! Its not cheap, but it is worth every penny, as it always looks amazing! It is very moisturising and has a lovely creamy texture that lasts all day, although with most lippys you do need to top up! I will definately buy this again!

Sigh. I so hoped this was going to be my "it" red, but no. The formula is great but it's simply too bright for me to wear before sundown. I'm sure it will be very pretty for evening.

I only wear reds in evenings out or for some event, however I pull them off quite well, altough with my light colouring (blonde, pale in winter with very light blue geen eyes) a red lippie is very evident and screams out too loud for daywear.
I love YSL Rouge Pur; I have a bunch of them so there is no discussion about the quality: one of the best lippies around, same level of Dior, Kanebo, Chanel.
I was very intrigued by the high reviews I read, and, even if I did not need another red lippie - I have a couple of them and as I wear reds only on certain occasions, say not daily, well one tube can last me a lifetime!- I caved in and bought Opium Red.
First of all, the name is very true. In the tube it's the exact same of the redddish laque that covers a bottle (or a box) of Opium, if you know the fragrance you know what I mean.
On the lips: WOOOWW! This is a very very elegant and sexy red. It had brown tones in it, it tames down the red but at the same time it brightens up the colour. Shine and colour. Excellent lasting power.
Even if it is NOT a blue toned red, it did not make my teeth yellow (blue based reds make your teeth whiter therefore I am scared about brown based or oragnge based ones!); it glides on like a dream (the formua is packed with natural oils and other active principles too, so it's like a treatment).
Wear it, and you'll think you just had a face lift!
Gorgeous and addicitve.

If I could have sex with this lipstick, I would. Sigh.
I recently found myself watching a movie, in pajamas, with henna in my hair for about five hours...and I would not take off my lipstick. In fact, I reapplied just because. I considered sleeping in it.
1. It is a perfectly gorgeous shade of red. Neutral, but bright. I can't imagine it being unflattering on ANY skin tone.
2. The formula is the absolute best I have ever encountered on any lip product, ever. And trust me. I have tried...a lot. A lot.
a) it applies like magic. I don't need liner (though I sometimes do use it). It literally takes me 10 seconds to put it on, and I hardly ever need to fiddle with it to look right.
b) It wears for houuuuuuurs without being too matte or drying and when it fades, it does so evenly. It has a slight sheen that is very classy and sexy. I feel rich and beautiful when I wear it.
c) The color doesn't change one iota.
3. I don't know, I just love it. It's like alchemy or something. I put it on and I feel super gorgeous. It's perfect. Just try it.
Only minus is that it's pretty expensive, but I think it's worth it. I probably won't buy any more reds. I'd feel like I was cheating on a lover. And I'm a serious lipstick junkie, so that's saying a lot.

This lipstick is amongst the best that I have...and I have PLENTY! I usually prefer wearing nudes, pinks and berries, but after reading the reviews here, I decided to get YSL Rouge Pur in Opium Red. It's the most expensive lipstick in my arsenal... haha...

The other reds that I own are from Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder. I hardly wear the Bobbi Brown reds (which I have in a palette), because I find them rather drying and they seem to always have a tinge of brown in them. So far, I find the lip crayons and creamy lip colors from BB really good. The others are quite drying on my lips although they are pretty long-wearing. The Estee Lauder reds are alright, but the ones I own seem a little orangy or warp into a coral after a while.

I wore YSL Rouge Pur in Opium Red during my cousin's wedding recently. I love how it lit up my face instantly! It's just PURE RED, which looks like blood. I was rather skeptical about the lasting power it's claimed to have... However, my skepticisms were laid to rest after I wore it! I didn't even need to touch up my lipstick the entire day! It lasted through 2 meals and many drinks. When I got home at night, I was left with a nice red stain. I hate it when red lipsticks leave a horrifying ring around my lips when they fade. No such issues with YSL Rouge Pur. The lipstick faded nicely and evenly...after many hours of wear!

The lipstick is very comfortable. It's slightly creamy, maybe semi-matte... but not drying at all. When first applied, it has a nice sheen. Not over-the-top shine like lip gloss. Not totally matte either. It has that sheen that one can expect from a creamy lipstick. Most long lasting lipsticks are rather drying, but not this one. I applied it with a lip brush, with no lip balm underneath. I find that extra step totally unnecessary. I'd rather wear a lipstick that is moisturisng and save myself the hassle of applying lip balm underneath. I also find that most long-lasting lipsticks tend to fade faster if there's lipbalm underneath (I've tried it a few times, and I was unimpressed!)

Overall, I LOVE YSL Rouge Pur, and I intend to get more shades to add to my ever-growing arsenal of lipsticks!! Would I repurchase this lipstick again? Well, I think this one is going to last me a really long time considering that I wear different lipsticks everyday, so I don't think I will repurchase this shade again although I totally ADORE it! However, I would certainly get more colours from the Rouge Pur line because I love the formula! :-D

Let me preface this review by saying I rarely wear lipstick as I find it to be too drying for my lips. In addition, the glosses I wear tend to be on the neutral side and usually on the browner side of the palette (i.e. Chanel Glossimer in Giggle). Hoping to pull off a 1940s Silver Screen Goddess look for my upcoming wedding, I have started the search for The Perfect Red. Based on reviews, and in an effort to save money in the long run, I went straight to the top and purchased YSL Opium Red. In hindsight, I should've started my search at the brick and mortar stores instead of going online, however lack of free time and glowing reviews as "the truest red out there, a red any woman can wear, etc" in the end were just too seductive to resist. While unpacking my Sephora order, I was prepared to find an orange-y red in the tube, as previous reviews had warned me. I was pleasantly surprised to find a gorgeous red instead. Trembling with excitement ("this could indeed be my wedding day red!"), I applied the lipstick. I was VERY impressed with the formulation - creamy, non irritating or drying, highly pigmented. I couldn't help but notice how bright my face looked IMMEDIATELY upon applying this lipstick. Despite being VERY early in the morning, I suddenly looked awake and glamourous. UNFORTUNATELY, instead of warming up to a perfect red as promised, the longer I wore it, the more orange it looked. Within 10 minutes, it looked like I was wearing coral. It was still beautiful, but in no way red. I will definitely wear it again - as a flattering coral - but, alas, the search for the HG red continues........

best red. hands down. non drying, not blue-- doesn't turn my lips hot pink!!
smooth application. light weight. very very long lasting. i can eat, drink, and chit chat for hours with out a smudge wearing this lipstick. expensive at 30 usd a tube. i don't care. will buy again and again...

I was a little suspicious when I eyed this lippie in the tube. It looked kinda orange-y, but that vanished when I put it on. It is just a fabulous, really well-balanced red on my lips - neither fuschia nor pink nor orange - just really red. Bright, but not overwhelming. Does not give me clown lips, just looks pretty and glam. Also, I liked that this red was easy to apply, no prep work, no lip brush, I didn't even need liner, and it applied like a dream. I will def. be re-purchasing. It is worth the money to finally find my HG red!

Have been looking for the perfect red lipstick and this is it!, it's not too dark, not too light, perfect red, blood-like color. The only bad thing is the price, but it's worth it.

This is definitely one of my favorite lipsticks of all time. I'm a massive red lipstick person and apparently it suits me quite well, so i am always trying to find the best one. I've gone through many different shades and brands over the years and this one has topped them all. Not quite sure what the person below is talking about as this seems to last all day and stain the lips.

I LOVE this lipstick. When on holiday in Australia I looked in so many stores trying to find the perfect red lipstick. Most were either too orange or too maroon looking. I came back with nothing. After reading the reviews on this site I decided to go find it. The makeup lady applied it and I loved it straight away. It was the perfect shade and looked great with my brown hair and pale skin. I''ve had compliments on it. Some have called in 1950s red, someone else said 1940s red and someone else said 1920s. Either way, if you'd like the beautiful old fashioned red lips, try this one.
It is also lovely and soft, applies easily and smoothly and has a slight pretty sheen to it.
Downside was spending NZ$58 on a lipstick - being a student and only working part-time, this wasn't really in my budget, but when I get rich I'll definitely buy again.

I know. A thirty-five dollar lipstick, is a little strange for someone who often digs under couch cushions for coffee money. I really thought, upon inspecting this in person (after reading all these fabulous reviews) that it looked a little orangey red in the tube, but on...I'm cool toned, dark hair, fair skin, blue eyes-- many reds turn pink, but not this beauty. it is the old fashioned hollywood red lips. Are there others out there that achieve this effect? Well, I've been a Nars fan for quite a while, and they're often noted as having a stellar selection of reds, but you know i don't think I need any of them. this Opium is the only red I think i'll ever need. do you got that? Years of red shopping, over. That's got to be worth the 35, no? Texture velvety, lasts through a meal!!! and when it does fade, it doesn't evn fade, but leaves the notorious sucked cherry popsicle imp. The amount in the tube is a little small, and yeah there is the YSL rosy fragrance; don't love it but don't hate it. Oh, and i'm the lazy sort who doesn't even line her lips usually, and there was no feathering or bleeding.

Hands down my favorite lipstick ever!
I've been on the hunt for YEARS looking for my perfect red. This is definitely THE ONE.
I used to mix 3 or 4 reds to get a similar look, which was way to hard to maintain for a night out. With this I can slick in on straight from the tube and it looks perfect! I dont even need lipliner or a primer. It looks amazing right away, but also, as it wears, the finish is gorgeous. It almost creates a "second-skin" look over my lips.
I've worn this tons of times since purchasing it - I think I'm addicted. It looked great in winter when I was pale (MAC NC30) and it looks fab now with my summer tan (MAC C6). I've worn it when I've been all dolled up like a '40's style screen syren, and when I've just been cruising the mall in jeans and chucks - and it looks great no matter what!
I recently wore this lipstick out to dinner eating mexican food and drinking margaritas and it didnt wear off leaving me with that awful "ring-around-the mouth". It also doesnt stain my lips. It just wears and feels beautiful. It doesnt bleed or smudge and leave bits on my teeth. I really can't say enough about this lipstick.
The color is a true red. Meaning most people can (and should!!) wear this red. I really think every woman looking for "her" red lipstick should try this one - I think you'll fall in love just like I did! It's expensive but totally worth every single penny.

one word= OBSESSED!!!!! i would have never tried this if it weren't for the reviews but I wore this in vegas and felt like a newer seductive version of myself!

I am a die-hard red lipstick fanatic and have scores of them.
Since I'm an NW15 I've tended to the cooler reds, and away from orangey ones.
I never would have picked this shade if it weren't for the persuasive reviews. And in fact, upon first wearing it I was uncomfortable.
My best friend told me it totally brightened my face, though, and the associate agreed without recommending safer, bluer tones.
It's grown on me and I have opened my mind. It's pretty close in shade to Armani Shine #8, which I also bought for the same face-brightening reason, though this time the Armani associate spontaenously recommended that red above all others for me. Since she did that, I knew Opium Red was for real.
Perhaps this is blasphemous but I despise the fragrance. Keep thinking I'm wearing rancid perfume...
EDIT: I am wearing this almost every day now. I'm totally hooked. It stays on through food, drink, and ANY mood I'm in. If I have to buy a new one every month then so be it. This lipstick is phenomenal. I feel so good wearing it. I don't notice the fragrance anymore, either. Just pure, long-lasting, intense bliss. THIS is why I am obsessed with makeup.

I got this after searching MUA for something that might be the perfect red. And I am not dissappointed! I guess there is no such thing as a completely neutral red, but this is quite close, and the fact that its a little bit to the warmer side just makes it even more classic and sexy, I think. I have cool skin, but this looks great anway! And why not bring out that fair skin and blue eyes with some warm red lips? It also stays on really well, I had three drinks without checking the lipstick (craaaazy! :P), and thougth it would be gone, but when I came to the mirror I was surprised to see that it looked almost untouched :) I was wearing a lipliner underneath, but still. This is my perfect red!