Colder weather may still be several weeks away (I still have time to psych myself up), but Guerlain has me dreaming of a Winter wonderland with their upcoming Ors et Merveilles Collection for Christmas 2015 (launching November 1st). Kicking things off, is the Ors et Merveille Eyes and Blush Palette (CAN $95.00/limited edition), a two-tiered palette comprised of 5 eyeshadow hues (upper level) and 4 blush shades (lower compartment) in one slim-profile compact. Heads up: start saving, because I’m warning you right now that you will want Every.Single.Piece of this magical collection.
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette (just look at the snowflake detail printed on the inner packaging – love!)
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette
Palette Ors et Merveilles – Eyes | Considering all that it holds, the Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette is a relatively slim (and totally portable) rectangular compact in a luxurious brushed gold finish that has a nice heft to it, and which bears a large mirror on the inner lid — all housed in a protective velour sleeve with 3 included applicators: 1 dual-ended eyeshadow brush and 1 small blush brush. While I never bother with these types of applicators, I do appreciate how convenient they can be if you’re on the go and don’t want to carry a slew of brushes along plus I’m happy to see that they fit into the outside pocket of the protective sleeve, and do not take up valuable real estate within the compact, thus giving more room for the actual product.
Lightly scented with Guerlain’s signature violet fragrance, all five shades display a beautiful level of pigmentation, a buttery texture (with the exception of the gold hue that is thinner in feel and has ultra fine glitter, but without any of the fallout usually associated with this type of finish), excellent blendability with no powder stirred up by running brushes across the pans, and will be wearable by a wide range of complexions. The size of the hues also works in their favour, being large enough to pick up each individually with your brush, but without worrying about contaminating the shade beside it – props to Guerlain for including barriers between the colours. Staying power (when worn over primer) is amazing and will last without fading until removed.
Shade Breakdown (from the top):
- milk chocolate with rose undertones, satin shimmer
- plummy brown with slight pink reflects, satin shimmer
- champagne, creamy iridescence
- pale yellow gold with ultra fine golden glitter (also makes a lovely highlighter)
- nude pink, matte
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette (detail)
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette
Guerlain | Palette Ors et Merveilles Eyeshadow swatches
Guerlain | Palette Ors et Merveilles Eyeshadow swatches (alternate light)
Palette Ors et Merveiles – Blushes | Flipping the top deck of the compartment up reveals the four stunning blush shades below (clockwise from the top left):
- pale pink, no shimmer (the coolest leaning of the four)
- red based pink, no shimmer but with a slight sheen
- coral pink with a golden reflective sheen
- deep rose, satin sheen
Created to be worn alone or mixed and matched for a custom cheek colour, there is an interesting mix of both cool and warm tones – as well as finishes – with these blush hues. The downside to the 2 smaller sized shades (on the left), is that it makes it a little tricky for a conventional blush brush to access them without also picking up product from an adjoining colour, but it can still be done with a smaller fluffy-headed brush. The two larger pans are spectacular colours with off-the-chart pigmentation; the top right shade needs a light hand to start with, but can be built up if desired for more impact (imagine the way cheeks look after you come in from a brisk walk in the chill Winter air, and you get a better idea of this colour), while the bottom right shade reminds me a lot of NARS’ Orgasm, but with less bling factor, making it even more wearable (and needs to be released as a solo hue).
The texture is once again bang 0n, with a smooth and totally blendable application without any powdery kickback seen upon swirling my brushes through any of them. All four shades bear a stronger version of the Guerlain violet fragrance than their eyeshadow counterparts, and even though the scent dissipates quickly, it’s still worth noting for those with sensitivities. Staying power is excellent, with the exception of the palest hue that does not show up as much against my skin tone, but should work beautifully on those with fairer complexions.
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette (detail)
Guerlain | Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette
Guerlain | Palette Ors et Merveilles Blush swatches (clockwise from top left in the pan)
Guerlain | Palette Ors et Merveilles Blush swatches (same order, alternate lighting)
In a word? The Ors et Merveilles Eyes and Blush Palette is SPECTACULAR, and I’m not usually one for all-in-one type beauty products such as this … but there is just so much to appreciate here. Overall warm-leaning (for both the eyeshadows and blushes), the shades are wearable and not holiday-crazy glitterbombs, while the compact itself is small enough to tote around and help get you ready in a flash for that unexpected after-work party. Price-wise, it may seem initially a little steep, but factor in that you’re getting five good sized eye colours plus four blushes (2 good sized, 2 smaller but still workable) with ALL amazing performers, and then it doesn’t seem so outrageous. All I can say, is that Guerlain devotees – and those new to the brand as well – will be swooning (yes, like Victorian maidens) when they are finally able to get their hands on this collection come November.
The Guerlain Ors et Merveilles Christmas 2015 Collection lands November 1st at all Guerlain boutiques and select counters across Canada. Find more information on the brand via www.guerlain.com
Press sample kindly provided by Guerlain for my unbiased consideration
