Inspired by the iconic black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy that Audrey Hepburn wore for the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the brand’s head of makeup, Nicolas Degennes, created Midnight Skies — a collection that draws on the mystery of a vast star-lit sky coupled with lush jewel-like tones. Or at least, that’s how I see it.
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Midnight Skies Eye Palette, limited edition (CAN $72.00) | Housed in genuine leather embossed with a raised design (seriously: how absolutely GORGEOUS is this cover?), the four shimmery shades of this palette have mother-of-pearl particles in the formula to help provide a multidimensional shimmer, while the buttery smooth texture ensures an effortless application. Of course, as we’re dealing with shimmer here, it’s always best to go in with a patting motion of your brush first in order to keep any fall-down to a minimum, before doing any blending. Three of the shades are black-based and have a complimentary hue: gunmetal, olive, and coppery brown, while the red shade truly stands alone due to it’s inclusion of ‘evolving’ pigments which help the colour shift from orange→pink→red. For the swatch below, I opted to show all four intensely applied, but you can also wear each as a diffused wash of colour, layered, or even with a dampened brush for maximum impact (just stick to one corner of your selected shade to avoid compromising it). The gleam you get is absolutely beautiful with all colours staying true until removed — when worn over primer, that is.
Noir Interdit 2 Dark Red, limited edition (CAN $38.00) | This revolutionary mascara has a unique wand that can bend up to 90 degrees, enabling the brush to get as close to all lashes as possible — without risking smears along the skin (we’ve all done the mascara-along-the-nose thing, am I right?). The formula contains Black Rose Oil and fortifying vitamins which add nourishing properties and help keep lashes from feeling stiff and/or crunchy, with the deep burgundy hue of this version stemming from the inclusion of red mother-of-pearl. The brush is also quite effective at not only ‘grabbing’ each lash to deposit product, but provides fullness and length as well. Staying power is equally impressive, without showing smears, smudges or flaking, and all easily comes off by using a dual-phased remover. Oh, and as an added perk, it also smells absolutely divine.
Liner Vinyl 7 Red Night, limited edition (CAN $39.00) | This liquid liner has an extremely fine brush with enough rigidity to the bristles for precision work, yet still flexible enough that it glides easily along the skin. The texture is creamy and provides full coverage with each swipe and also buildable if need be, without fear of it moving anything layered underneath. Infused with red mother-of-pearl for a sophisticated metallic effect to the finish, staying power is excellent without showing any signs of cracking or flaking during wear time. By the way, both the mascara and liner look absolutely spectacular for those with green eyes (like moi!).
Rouge Interdit 26 Midnight Red, limited edition (CAN $41.00) | Givenchy’s Rouge Interdit lipsticks can best be described as a treat for the lips — I’m serious. With a formula containing Black Rose Extract and other nourishing oils to help provide a comfortable wear, the bullet of this version comes double embossed, bearing the brand’s logo on one side and a bevy of stars on the other. The shade is a stunning red with an orange undertone to lend it warmth (although those with cooler complexions can easily wear this as well — fear not), with a slight shimmer in the mix to lend it a soft metallic gleam. The texture is unbelievably buttery smooth, gliding effortlessly along the lips providing full coverage from the very first swipe, and will not migrate into any surrounding lip lines. As this has an emollient nature, reapplication will be needed at some point (i.e.: after eating/drinking), but that just gives you a reason to whip this beauty out in public. Note that a light stain will be left behind, once the majority of colour has faded — add a swipe of lip balm and BAM! You’ve just created another look.
Le Vernis 11 Cosmic Night, limited edition (CAN $29.00) | A deep jewel-like burgundy hue with pearl black shimmer for added depth. The formula is STELLAR and can certainly pass as a 1-coater, although I prefer 2 layers for the best coverage. Self-levelling and coming to a naturally über-glossy finish, the final effect upon the nails is like banked embers, giving a lit-from-within type of glow. It should be stated that Givenchy lacquers not only have one of the best formulas out there, but one of the best brushes as well, with bristles that are gently rounded to easily follow the natural shape of your nails, with a perfect mix of flexibility and rigidity to make application goof-proof. Major bonus points also scored for the fact that this shade is non-staining upon removal.
The swatches below are with 2 coats of polish, no top coat.
∗Available only at Holt Renfrew/Ogilvy
My friends, we have a winner. I am quite blown away by this collection — both in terms of performance, as well colour. Perfectly themed for Fall, I can also see everything here starring front & centre for the upcoming holiday season, although there shouldn’t be any limits since beauty really doesn’t have any rules. Bear in mind that everything here is limited edition, so if something’s grabbed your fancy, I’d jump on it ASAP because something tells me these pieces are going to fly …
∗There is one more piece to this collection, Encre À Cils (not shown) a red mother-of-pearl mascara topper, available exclusively at Sephora
Available at Sephora, Holt Renfrew/Ogilvy
Kindly provided by Givenchy for my unbiased consideration
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