L’Oréal | Collection Exclusive La Vie en Rose by Colour Riche

When one of the latest press releases from L’Oréal arrived, I didn’t know whether to be more excited for the products or the gorgeous packaging details (turns out it was both). Introducing the Collection Exclusive La Vie En Rose by Colour Riche from L’Oréal, a grouping that includes 6 lipstick hues (Eva’s Pink not shown) and 6 matching nail polish shades (coming in a future post), all inspired by as well as created with some of the gorgeous – as well as highly eloquent – spokeswomen for the brand.

Housed in black cases that have a rubberized feel to them, interspersed with gold detailing and each namesake’s signature printed along the front, the range itself may be small but the colour pink is well represented from pale to darkest, warm & cool. All have a vanilla/candy-like scent that’s quite pleasant but which doesn’t linger too long, with a creamy texture upon application. The only shade of the group that didn’t quite work out for me when applied straight from the bullet, was Julianne’s Pink, but one way around that is by layering it over a matching liner first to provide more substance and opacity.

L’Oréal Paris | Collection Exclusive the Pinks

… major floral inspo

L’Oréal Paris | Collection Exclusive the Pinks

L’Oréal Paris | Collection Exclusive the Pinks, swatches

Julianne, limited edition (CAN $11.00) | Baby pink with a light shimmer, the sheerest of the bunch as well as being the patchiest in application, with the most settling seen into my lip lines (of which I have tons, apparently). Definitely more suited for fairer complexions than mine, although I can see this colour working as an edgy shade against really dark skin tones.

L’Oréal Paris | Julianne Collection Exclusive

Jennifer, limited edition (CAN $11.00) | Surprisingly, this lush raspberry hue turned out to be my absolute favourite of them all (and definitely applies brighter than what’s seen on the bullet). Excellent coverage even with the very first swipe, it also leaves a light stain behind for that “bitten lips” effect.

L’Oréal Paris | Jennifer Collection Exclusive

Doutzen, limited edition (CAN $11.00) | Super hot/neon pink (even brighter in person than the swatch shows), with just a hint of an uneven texture at first, but which quickly smooths over and fills in with a second pass. Probably the most fun shade of the bunch and one that will look quite striking against a light tan, I suspect.

L’Oréal Paris | Doutzen Collection Exclusive

Liya, limited edition (CAN $11.00) | My second fave of the group, this is a lush rose shade with excellent opacity, even coverage & great staying power as well – not to mention being an extremely wearable deep pink that won’t come across as juvenile.

L’Oréal Paris | Liya Collection Exclusive

Blake, limited edition (CAN $11.00) | A coral based pink, application is in fact much better than what may appear in the swatch photo and probably the easiest pink to wear if you have a warm toned complexion (like I do). The watermelon-leaning hue seen in the tube lends a unique twist to this soft pink … another love!

L’Oréal Paris | Blake Collection Exclusive

L’Oréal Paris | Collection Exclusive the Pinks

Judging by how quickly the original Nudes followed by the Reds sold out when they launched, I’m fairly certain this La Vie En Rose collection will be equally as popular. Mass market brands have come a long way with respect to quality, and the juggernaut that is L’Oréal definitely has extensive resources at its commend to put in some major R&D into its products. That being said, I’m actually quite impressed overall with these lipsticks, barring the lightest shade that came up short against the performance of the rest, but then again, it’s not a colour I’d normally reach for so…∗shrugs∗. And who would have thought that my neutral-loving self would fall so hard for a bright shade like J-Lo’s Pink? Gotta love a beauty surprise that works out so well.

Available early August