When I first laid eyes on Dior’s ‘Exquis’ from the new Holiday 2011 Collection (reviewed here), I was convinced that it was exceptionally close to their Holiday 2010 release, ‘Bronze Libertine’ (previously reviewed here), yet I couldn’t resist its siren call! I then believed that perhaps I had a few more to compare this unique shade to, so into my collection I rummaged, and here are the results. All swatches are with Deborah Lippmann’s 2-Second Nail Primer as well as Rehydrating Base Coat, two coats of each lacquer, and Dior’s Glossy Top Coat (previously reviewed here). The swatch order is as follows:
- Thumb – Dior ‘Czarina Gold’
- Index – Estée Lauder ‘Metallic Sage’
- Middle – Dior ‘Exquis’
- Ring – Dior ‘Bronze Libertine’
- Pinkie – Dior ‘Gold Nugget’
When seen in sunlight, the first thing you notice is that they all share a similar ultra fine golden shimmer, which serves to bind them to a common theme, looking very much like a Fall tapestry of colours.
In this more subdued daylight photo (above), it is now their differences that become the focus, showcasing each shade’s unique base tone.
Indirect light appears to cast a greyish pallor over each shade, giving them all a much cooler, urban vibe.
This view taken in deep shade, now seems to meld each lacquer into one common hue, making it almost impossible to tell them apart.
Seen in truer shaded light, they each not only bear a deeper tone, but you can also tell how distinct they are one from the other.
A backlit view, while adding a darker cloak over each varnish, does not hide the fact that each is rather unique.
A final view taken with flash, much like full sunlight, serves to bring home how NOT alike they are and truly emphasizes each shade’s unique base hue.
As stated in my opening paragraph, I was sure that ‘Exquis’ was basically this year’s take on ‘Bronze Libertine’ (or ‘Bronze Libertine Lite’!), and yet the above bottle photos both dispel, and corroborate that belief. Admittedly, there are similarities: apart from the similar golden/bronze-y shimmer they both contain, the formula on each was exactly the same – easy flowing, highly pigmented and quite glossy. Where they differ, is in the finishing details; whereas ‘Bronze Libertine’ results in a darker, more brass-like final look, ‘Exquis’ has subtle influences of milky grey as well as dusty olive green to add to its rather more complex appearance. The verdict: cousins, perhaps but not identical.
The second varnish that the Dior reminded me of, was Estée Lauder’s ‘Metallic Sage’ released this past Fall (review forthcoming), primarily for the muted olive hints I saw in ‘Exquis’. Interestingly enough, when ‘Metallic Sage’ is placed next to ‘Exquis’, it does seem to bring out a greener side to that shade, and yet while the shimmer in both is almost identical, the similarities end there. The main difference between these two, is that the Lauder is definitely a deeper, more muted olive green base with golden shimmer, as opposed to the Dior’s dark gold base with the same golden shimmer and only hints of olive, as well as the significantly thicker formula of ‘Metallic Sage’. The following swatch order is as follows:
- Index – Estée Lauder ‘Metallic Sage’
- Middle – Dior ‘Exquis’
- Ring – Dior ‘Bronze Libertine’
A view in sunlight not only highlights the shimmer in each shade, but ties them all together with ‘Exquis’ being the glue between the other two; notice how ‘Metallic Sage’ pulls out a greener cast while ‘Bronze Libertine’ does a similar job in extracting a brassier tone…each at the same time!
In this second closer sunlight view, deliberately blurred to display the myriad other colours that make up each shade’s shimmer, they now each appear to be bound by more commonalities than differences, yet each still remains quite unique.
I love how indirect light tones down the shimmer and adds a more sophisticated cooler mantle over each…perfect Fall hues!
In this shaded/backlit view, their shared bronze ancestry comes to the fore and serves to bind them all into one colour, yet ‘Exquis’ still remains a touch apart.
When seen in deeper shaded lighting, you would be hard-pressed to tell them apart, if not for the more pronounced greenish tinge of ‘Metallic Sage’.
A final view taken with flash is the best barometer of their differences, spotlighting the olive base of ‘Mettalic Sage’, the greyer undertone of ‘Exquis’, and finally the browner leanings of ‘Bronze Libertine’.
A final quick break-down of the shades compared to ‘Exquis’:
- ‘Metallic Sage’ – the thickest formula with a more obvious green base
- ‘Bronze Libertine’ – the closest formula but with brown undertones
- ‘Czarina Gold’ – formula very similar to ‘Exquis’ but so much darker, as to not be a true contender
- ‘Gold Nugget’ – the thinnest formula, and much too gold to be similar
Final thoughts: While all the lacquers shown here may have bits and pieces that remind one of ‘Exquis’, the bottom line is that NONE of them are duplicates. That there may be other brands out there with a similar tone, I couldn’t say, however in my opinion, I personally have never seen a shade as unique as ‘Exquis’ and even if it weren’t for that fact, the formula alone would be enough to cherish this lacquer. This lacquer truly lives up to its name: exquisite!
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