Filed In: Guerlain
Guerlain | Smile Blush Duo & Enjoy Long-Lasting Eyeshadow, Spring Glow 2016
The Spring Glow 2016 Collection from Guerlain has arrived at counters, bringing with it uplifting messages and touches of joy. Upon opening the limited edition Rose aux Joues Blush Duo, it’ll be hard to not ‘Smile‘, while the Long-Lasting Eyeshadow with its sunny disposition reminds you to kick back and just ‘Enjoy‘. Olivier Echaudemaison, Creative Director for Guerlain Beauty, believes that makeup has the power to induce happiness and with the release of this collection, I’d say he’s definitely got that right.
N°17 Smile Blush Duo, Limited Edition (CAN $73.00) | Two complimentary shades of blush with an included [dual-coloured] brush, housed in a red metallic compact that comes safely nestled in a velour sleeve. The darker red-toned hue has the word ‘smile’ embossed on the surface, that also acts as a reminder of how to apply the blush (literally, just smile and swoosh along the apples of the cheeks), while the lighter side is a soft pink hue with the Guerlain logo embossed on its surface. Both lean more to the warm than cool side and when combined, create a beautiful shade of coral-rose (which reminds me of NARS’ iconic Orgasm blush, but not as peach-tinted or shimmery).
Each portion is large enough that you can grab either shade with your brush easily enough, although the real magic happens when you combine them together. The texture of the powder is finely-milled (no surprise there; this is Guerlain after all) and bears the brand’s signature violet-freesia fragrance, and while noticeable, seems to dissipate relatively quickly after application. The shimmer in this blush is of the fine variety and melds beautifully along the skin, serving to add a gorgeous overall luminosity. Staying power is impressive, lasting without fading or creasing and seeming to become even more beautiful as it fuses with your skin’s warmth and natural oils.
TIP: swirl the two shades together to create a beautiful fusion of colour along the cheeks then go in with the lighter hue and apply to the tops of cheekbones for a subtle highlighting touch.
Guerlain | N°17 Smile Blush Duo swatches
Guerlain | N°17 Smile Blush Duo swatches (alternate light)
N°13 Enjoy Long-Lasting Eyeshadow, Limited Edition (CAN $39.00) | A buttercup yellow eyeshadow shade that is meant to provide a brightening effect to eyes, housed in a coppery/champagne metallic compact. The finely milled texture helps it glide smoothly along lids, while its subtle intensity means it can be worn alone as a wash of colour (which is the easiest way to wear this shade, topped with mascara for that perfect ‘wide-awake’ look), or applied as a base to help provide depth of tone to other shades worn on top.
Upon first viewing this shade, I confess to being a little thrown by the colour; with the golden undertones in my skin, I was sure it would come across as too sallow for me to successfully pull off, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The soft yellow tone of Enjoy coupled with its slight transparency, is excellent for injecting some [much-needed] sunshine to your look.
Guerlain | N°13 Enjoy Long-Lasting Eyeshadow swatch
Guerlain | N°13 Enjoy Long-Lasting Eyeshadow swatch (alternate light)
Knowing that spring is around the corner makes me want to break out of my ‘nude comfort zone’ and indulge in colour … but in well-curated small doses, of course. Both Smile and Enjoy, while each unique in its own right, also prove that even a venerable luxury beauty brand such as Guerlain is not above taking itself too seriously, but is instead embracing the pure joy of playing with makeup. For blush aficionados, I’d have to say that Smile is a must-have and well worth the steep price tag; one way to look at it, is that you’re basically getting two shades in one compact. Sounds so reasonable when put that way, no?
The Guerlain Spring Glow Collection is available now through The Bay, The Guerlain Boutique & Institute and select counters across Canada
Press samples kindly provided by the Guerlain team for my unbiased consideration
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Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour
Several weeks ago I was invited to attend a very special event: an advance look at the latest Spring launches from one of my favourite brands, Guerlain. Having heard the rumours for months about a new makeup range, I absolutely could not wait to set eyes on the new La Petite Robe Noire nail lacquers and lipsticks (review forthcoming on the latter), and trust me when I say that this collection is everything I hoped for … and more.
After the incredible success of Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire fragrance launch, several more iterations of this unique scent were to follow with the next logical step being to create a colour cosmetics range that embodies the many facets of the Guerlain ‘La Petite Robe Noire‘ woman. First out of the gate, are the Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour (CAN $27.00), and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with these stunning heart-adorned little beauties.
Guerlain nail polish ranks as one of my absolute favourite formulations and in my opinion, also has one of the best brushes out there (the other being Dior, hands down) and so when I learned that this new collection would be replacing the existing range, my heart literally stopped for a second; thankfully, the powers that be at Guerlain definitely understand not to mess with a good thing, unless it’s to make it better. Which they most definitely managed to do.
The new range comes in black boxes with silver as opposed to gold lettering, and while the price has remained the same, the quantity has dropped somewhat (from 10 ml to 8.8 ml), not significant but still worth mentioning. The shape of the bottle has gone from rectangular to more square, and comes dressed with a removable upside-down heart cap echoing that of its namesake fragrance bottle. The wand is commensurate to the bottle size (and therefore shorter than before) although the brush remains similar in dimension to its predecessor but without the bevelled and chiseled shape of before, being somewhat more splayed out instead – but application is effortless just the same. The biggest change, however, is that this formula is now scented; when the solvents evaporate after application the ‘sweet gourmand fragrance with accents of red berries and petals‘ is in line with La Petite Robe Noire’s original accord, and can linger for about 24 hours but can be refreshed anew with a layer of top coat. The specific resin in the formula provides a suppleness and elasticity to the film, delivering a gloriously shiny and long-lasting, chip-free finish.
La Petite Robe Noire, illustration by Florence Deygas for Guerlain
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour (brush comparisons)
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour (heart caps)
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #001 My First Nail Polish
#001 My First Nail Polish | A ballerina pink sheer base filled with pink and iridescent micro-glitter in a formula that is the thickest of the four shown with an absolutely perfect density and flow. Self levelling, naturally glossy & never opaque, this shade gives a dainty sheer wash of colour to nails, but in a totally sophisticated way. Can also be layered over any other shade for a touch of subtle sparkle.
Swatch above: 2 coats (no top coat)
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #001 My First Nail Polish swatch (3 coats + top coat)
#002 Pink Tie | A colour drenched hot cerise pink crème hue in a formula that is somewhat thinner than My First Nail Polish, but which defines perfection: falling in a self-levelling way, can almost be a one-coater, and comes to a super glossy finish. The vivid colour straddles neon territory in its intensity, but manages to stay adultly wearable just the same. Bonus: non-staining upon removal
Swatch above: 2 coats, plus top coat
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #002 Pink Tie & #001 My First Nail Polish swatch
#003 Red Heels | A saturated red hue with an excellent combination of both cool and warm tones (and thus wearable by basically all skin tones across the board), in yet another STELLAR formula: buttery smooth application, über-glossy finish, and so pigment rich that you can basically get away with one coat for full opacity. Bonus: non-staining upon removal (for a red? consider me IMPRESSED).
Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #003 Red Heels swatch
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #007 Black Perfecto
#007 Black Perfecto | Definitely the most complex and unique of the group, this shade is going to disappear off the shelves, believe me. A charcoal semi-sheer base filled with ultra fine burgundy shimmer in a perfectly balanced formula. Self-levelling like the rest and with a brilliant shine at the finish, perfect opacity is reached by the second coat. Appearing near-black in low light (or rather, more like a blackened cherry hue), this shade really comes into its own once sunlight hits it and picks up all the shimmery bits. Drop. Dead. GORGEOUS.
Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #007 Black Perfecto swatch (detail)
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire | #007 Black Perfecto swatch (alternate light)
Guerlain is a brand that takes pride in every single aspect of their products and formulations, and it shows. With the release of the La Petite Robe Noire collection of nail colour, they have set the bar incredibly high for other brands to follow, and after having played with these shades for several weeks now, I can sum it up in one word: WOW. The shorter wand of the brush takes a bit of getting used to and even with the bristles differently shaped than before, application is still ridiculously effortless. With eight available shades (there are 2 that are exclusives to Asia and/or International), I sincerely hope that more are already in the planning. Verdict: you will so need to dress up your nails with La Petite Robe Noire.
Not shown in the post, is the new base and top coats (which are now verging on Holy Grail status for me).
Available April 1st at Guerlain counters and select boutiques across Canada. Find more information via guerlain.com
Press samples kindly provided by the Guerlain team for my unbiased consideration
Guerlain | 903 Nuit Merveilleuse, Neige et Merveille Holiday Collection
As my first post of 2016, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate beauty item to set the tone with, than 903 Nuit Merveuilleuse (French for ‘marvellous night’) from Guerlain’s Neige et Merveille Collection for Christmas 2015. Apart from the fact that Guerlain polishes have quickly become some of my favourites (if you’ve yet to try their brush, then prepare for shock + awe), there’s that something undefinable that gives this shade such a hypnotic appeal. Then there’s the meaning behind purple:
‘Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. The colour purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic‘
What better way to start off the new year, than with a colour that embodies so much?
903 Nuit Merveilleuse, Limited Edition (CAN $29.00) | A vivid electric purple hue filled with magenta and purple fine glitter flecks as well as matching finely ground shimmer. The formula is somewhat thickish and jelly-like in consistency but still easy to work with, helping it stay exactly where placed without pooling at the cuticles or nail sides. Semi sheer at the first coat, you can achieve a pretty good opacity by loading up your brush – although I personally recommend 2 thinner coats instead for the smoothest look. Self-levelling at application, the finish is quite glossy even without the addition of top coat. BONUS: non-staining upon removal.
Coats applied: 2, plus base (Nailift) & top coat
Nailift La Base Base Coat (CAN $31.00) | Used in these swatches here, this base coat is meant to not only create the smoothest surface for nail polish adherence, but may also help strengthen and fortify your nails with continued use. Some of the ingredients include:
–Argan Oil: Smooths nails
–Vitamin E: Strengthens nails
–DMU: Targets the keratin of the nail to support stronger nails
–DSB: Derived of silica; provides hydration
Released this past Fall (2015), Nailift La Base has quickly risen to the top of my list where base coats/nail care is concerned; for starters we have Guerlain’s trademark bevelled brush that fans out so perfectly across the nail for basically 1-stroke coverage. The density and flow of this formula also borders on perfection, being neither too thin (runny) or thick, enabling it to provide the smoothest surface along the nail, while the glossy finish means you can even wear Nailift on its own for a clean & simple nail look. The biggest downside: the dreaded limited edition status.
Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 903 Nuit Merveilleuse, Neige & Merveilles Collection
Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 903 Nuit Merveilleuse, Neige & Merveilles Collection
Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 903 Nuit Merveilleuse swatch
Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 903 Nuit Merveilleuse swatch
Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 903 Nuit Merveilleuse swatch
Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 903 Nuit Merveilleuse swatch
To quote Buddy from Elf, this shade is so “purpley” and even if the amazing formula weren’t enough, that magnetic colour alone is beyond irresistible. Guerlain’s entire Neige et Merveilles Collection for Christmas 2015 was one of the most stellar releases of the season and while it may be hard to pick out one star piece out of all that awesomeness, 903 Nuit Merveilleuse might just take the title, in my opinion. I understand that this limited edition beauty sold out fairly quickly when it launched, but with a little perseverance you may still be able to track a bottle down at some counters – just be warned that the Spring collection has already started making an appearance.
On another note, I’m all for starting a petition to have Guerlain make Nailift permanent; it doesn’t make sense to me that something THIS amazing is limited edition, especially since it is a core and absolutely necessary step for a mani/pedi. Who’s with me on this?
The Guerlain Neige & Merveilles Collection is available through The Bay and thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, and Nordstrom stores across Canada. Find more information via www.guerlain.com
Press simply kindly provided by Guerlain for my unbiased consideration
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Guerlain | Terracotta Bronzing Powder, Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection
For many, going away to a sunny locale for the holidays is the norm, but in my case I’ll live vicariously through others’ vay-cay photos and fake my own getaway with the help of a little bronzer – but not just any bronzer. I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating: no one, and I mean NO ONE makes bronzing powders quite as sublimely as Guerlain. Originally launched in 1984, the brand has taken this ubiquitous face powder to new heights by creating a product that is as beautiful to wear, as it is to behold, and for the Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection, Guerlain’s signature Terracotta bronzing powder gets all dolled up for the festivities by way of a snow globe-esque outer sleeve. Definitely fit for the ice princess that lurks inside us all.
Also reviewed from this collection:
*Note that this powder has been previously review here
Guerlain | Terracotta 03 Natural Brunettes, Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection
Guerlain | Terracotta 03 Natural Brunettes, Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection
Guerlain | Terracotta 03 Natural Brunettes Holiday 2015 (sleeve detail)
Terracotta Bronzing Powder 03 Natural Brunettes (CAN $64.00) | Housed in a removable silicone sleeve that looks all the world like it’s been embedded with iridescent snowflakes (I mean, how can anyone possibly resist?), this finely-milled powder is made with moisturizing ingredients to provide hydrating as well as long-lasting colour, and is a cult favourite for good reason: the glow it gives to skin is the closest to sun kissed you’ll get. And if that weren’t enough, each Terracotta powder also bears a unique fragrance:
‘The top notes reveal a joyful and cheerful accord of bergamot and mandarin. The heart takes over with the sunny, feminine notes of gardenia, jasmine and ylang-ylang, which play off the lightness of honeysuckle. In the dry-down, vanilla, blended with woody notes, gives this legendary scent all of its character and mystery‘
Smells like Summer to me, is all I can say. As with many other bronzing powders, this product will ‘develop’ on the skin; what that basically means, is that you need to start with a light hand in application, wait a couple of minutes to see how the powder reacts with the warmth and natural oils of your skin, then go in with more – if necessary. Using a brush that’s neither too fluffy/floppy nor too dense, the most common application method is to trace a ‘3’ along the planes of the face (forehead to temples to curvature of the cheek), but again – that’s a recommendation, and not set in stone. Feel free to experiment with placement according to your taste, but bear in mind that keeping the colour towards the outer edges of the face is usually the most complimentary, while depositing too much colour in the centre of the face can sometimes make features look smaller. Regarding blendability, that’s a no brainer: an absolutely seamless application is effortlessly achieved with all Guerlain Terracotta bronzers. Every single time. And the bonus? The colour just gets better the longer you wear it.
Guerlain | Terracotta 03 Natural Brunettes, Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 (macro)
Guerlain | Terracotta 03 Natural Brunettes, Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 swatches
INGREDIENTS: Talc, Nylon-12, Lauroyl Lysine, Magnesium Myristate, Octyldodecylstearoyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Boronitride, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoeate, Zinc Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Serine, Parfum (Fragrance), Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Benzil Salicylate, Linalool,Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Benzyl Alcohol, [+/- mica, CI 77891 (Titanium dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (iron oxides), CI 77163 (Bismuthoxychloride) 0 5565M
Guerlain | Neige & Merveilles limited edition face powders
The only difference between this particular version and the one in Guerlain’s core lineup, is the white iridescent sleeve (and a $4 price hike). For those who’ve yet to explore the magic of Terracotta bronzing powders, I can’t think of a prettier way to indulge, although even those familiar with these bronzers might want to pick one up for that sleeve alone #beautyaddictionissues PS: If (like me) you’re still looking for that perfect last-minute Christmas gift, then you should definitely look into this little lovely for that beauty-aficionado on your list (and get one for yourself, while you’re at it).
The Guerlain Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection is available through The Bay & thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom and select Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores across Canada. Find more information via www.guerlain.com
Product sample kindly provided by Guerlain for my unbiased consideration
Post may contain affiliate links
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté, Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection
There have been many exquisite beauty releases this year from all the luxury brands, but none have captured the ethereal loveliness of Winter and the Christmas spirit, quite as perfectly as Guerlain’s Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection. One of the star pieces (I should add that every single item of the collection merits a star), is the Limited Edition Météorites Voyage Enchanté (French for ‘Enchanted Voyage’) Illuminating Matte Powder (CAN $214.00), complete with its many-petalled white enamel pattern on the outer case.
For those new to the brand or perhaps just unfamiliar with the Météorites range of products, these are face powders that come in a variety of skin-correcting colours, either in a loose pearl or pressed format. On select collections, Guerlain also creates limited edition – and highly collectible – version of the pressed powder formula (as well as limited edition versions of the pearl format on occasion), with this year’s iteration not only reflecting the theme of the collection on the outside, but inside as well.
Housed in a hefty silver compact case that snaps securely closed with a magnetic clasp and whose very weight just oozes luxury, it sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, with the powder bearing a Swiss Dot motif across its pristine surface. I detect a soft fragrance of violets – the brand’s signature scent – that seems to dissipate quickly after application, but still worth noting for those with sensitivities.
Known for their exceptionally finely milled powders, the Voyage Enchanté version is meant to be applied over foundation to ‘set’ your makeup, while instantly giving the illusion of blurring any small imperfections, or for those blessed with poreless skin, this powder can be worn alone for an even more flawless looking complexion. It might sound contradictory, but the ‘Illuminating Matte’ name of this powder is quite accurate in describing the finish; something about the texture helps your skin not only look smooth and even-toned (in that subtle way that will have people mention how “good your skin looks”), but may even help keep oiliness at bay, or it’s closer to the truth to say that I notice that my combination/oily skin needs less touchups during the day when I wear this powder, with my skin’s natural oils actually fusing with the product to make it look just as good at the end of the day, as when first applied. Don’t let the white colour scare you off either; it sheers out so well that even darker complexions will be able to pull it off, especially when properly buffed into the skin.
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Note that for the purposes of this review, the swatches shown below are with Voyage Enchanté applied quite heavily in order to get it to show up in my photos – once applied, the product becomes literally invisible along the skin.
Also reviewed from this collection:
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder (detail)
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder
Guerlain | Météorites Voyage Enchanté Illuminating Matte Powder swatch
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I’d probably have better luck capturing a live unicorn than trying to accurately pin down and describe what this product does, but suffice it to say that NO ONE makes face powders more beautifully than Guerlain. For those who avidly collect these compacts (and trust me, there are many people who eagerly await every release), the steep price tag is no deterrent and while undoubtedly on the higher end of the scale, the plus side is that this powder lasts ages – even when used daily. Limited Edition for the holidays, I definitely recommend that next time you find yourself at a Guerlain counter, test drive a bit of Voyage Enchanté along your skin. Just be warned about its addictive allure …
The Guerlain Neige & Merveilles Holiday 2015 Collection is available now through The Bay, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and select Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores across Canada. Find more information via www.guerlain.com
Press sample kindly provided for my unbiased consideration
