I had a funny feeling the other day while I was sharing my love for the L’Oreal Color Riche Balms to the the world aka via Twitter. I have been meaning to do a post on the L’Oreal Rose Elixir shade but haven’t managed to take photos of the swatches yet- bad beauty blogger!. I have, however, recommended it to friends. Everyone who tries it loves it and is obviously thrilled with a gorgeous conditioning lip balm with a touch of colour for under $10. The Color Riche Balms smooth and moisturize the lips, have SPF15, and really add a subtle yet brightening pop of colour. Rose Elixir really adds a just bitten glow to the lips. I also love Pink Satin for more of a baby pink lip.

However. I had a creeping suspicion the other day as I was playing around with the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines at the Chanel counter that they reminded me of something. Yep – you got it. The L’Oreal Color Riche Balm. They have an almost identical luxe balm feel, impart a  Your Lips But Better tint that sticks around for a little while, and leave a wee stain effect behind. Seriously? A drugstore cheapie vs a $38 department store luxe product. I actually did a little running between the pharmacy and the Chanel counter to be sure I wasn’t cray. Ok well, that I wasn’t “completely” cray. I wish I had been able to photograph swatches but the comparisons were on the fly with only my iPhone and crappy mall lighting. Plus as usual I was running late. For something. Even thought this was a lippy emergency.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Boy = A cross between L’Oreal Color Riche Balm in Heavenly Berry and Rose Elixir. Depending on your natural lip tone, one reads a little bluer than the other so play with the testers to see which is best. Or, buy both. And a treat from Starbucks, you will still have money left over with what you would have paid for the Chanel.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel Ami = this lovely grape tone which is So Perfect for fall is basically the same L’Oreal Color Riche Balm in Plush Plum on me. Swatched on my arm, Bel Ami is a teensy touch redder, with Plush Plum being slightly more on the, well, plum end of the spectrum. But on my lips (fairly pigmented) it is hardly noticeable.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Chance = this pale and sheer baby pink that I have been tempted to buy is so close to L’Oreal Color Riche Balm in Pink Satin that I won’t bother now may buy it later when I’ve forgotten and get all impulse-y at the Chanel counter. Pink Satin has been a summer go-to staple for me this year. So beachy and casual. It’s a pale pink with a blue tone that is sheer enough that I don’t look washed out, and it goes beautifully to night with a smoky eye. I’d even say that Pink Satin is close to Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu, just slightly pinker vs nude.

Now, one would think that with such glaring similarities that I would be discouraged from buying any more high end lippies. But one would be wrong, because I LOVE THEM ALL!

Do you have any high-low dupes to share? I’d love the scoop!