NARS | VIP Red, Chelsea Girls & Baby Doll, Fall 2015

August 7, 2015

For the Fall 2015 Color Collection (Tribulation blush reviewed here), NARS introduces three new lip products: VIP Red lipstick (CAN $34.00, limited edition) described as a ‘Dark Brique’, along with Chelsea Girls & Baby Doll Lip Glosses (CAN $32.00 each), described as ‘Pink Beige’ and ‘Shimmering Candy Pink’, respectively. For those who have been fans of this brand for years now, you might find that the names of the lip glosses sounds familiar; originally released in jar format (now discontinued) the brand has revived and reformulated these two best-selling shades, and I for one couldn’t be happier as I loved the originals – but let’s just say that the jar style of gloss does not always stand the test of time.

NARS | Chelsea Girls, Baby Doll, VIP Red

VIP Red (limited edition) | a warm toned deep brick red hue in an opaque formula with a shiny, but not glossy, finish. Velvety smooth in application, this colour screams “Fall” to me and strikes just the right balance between vampy dark & sophisticated bright, making it easily wearable for a wide variety of skin tones.

As this shade is highly pigmented, it can still be made office-friendly by being applied as more of a stain; simply swipe on a layer, blot, then add a balm on top for a touch of extra moisture (this is my daytime method of wearing such colour-saturated lipsticks), or amp up the intensity with another [unblotted] swipe for an after-hours look. As is usually the case with such intense lipstick shades, a matching liner will help define the edges and keep the colour within bounds, although I’m really into the more relaxed ‘slept-in’ look of makeup that’s trending right now (plus it makes application so much more fuss-free). Wear time is excellent – easily 9 hours of wear, and even after eating and drinking you’ll find you still have plenty of solid colour, with minimal migrating/bleeding into any surrounding lip lines, most likely because this formula is so dense; dark/vibrant lipsticks that are in a more emollient format don’t fare so well on my lips.

NARS | VIP Red

NARS | VIP Red swatch

Chelsea Girls | a nude rose hue with beige undertones that leans more warm than cool, in a shimmer-free formula. Housed in a clear rectangular tube so you can easily see which shade you’re reaching for (as well as monitor product usage), there is no discernible scent (at least, for my nose) and the applicator is of the sponge doe-foot variety. The formula has en interesting texture, with enough weight to help it spread easily along the lips but not so watery that it gets pulled into the skin, non-sticky and coming to a glossy finish.

I’m a total sucker for anything neutral and nude/beige shades are my comfort zone, and finding one that doesn’t clash with my skin tone (light-medium with yellow undertones) can be an effort, but this shade works – providing enough colour to not make my lips disappear, but still staying well within the neutral range. As my lips are quite lined (ugh), lighter colours have a tendency to overly-emphasize said lines and while initial application of Chelsea Girls falls into that category, within about 10 minutes of wearing the product seemed to almost fill out and fuse better with my lips, a definite point in its favour. Wear time was surprisingly good for a colour so light, lasting easily 3.5 hours before fading into oblivion (wearing away much faster with eating & drinking, naturally), and leaves my lips feeling well hydrated long after all traces are gone.

NARS | Chelsea Girls

NARS | Chelsea Girls swatch

Baby Doll | a soft rose/candy pink that leans more cool than warm, bearing tons of ultra-fine silvery shimmer and in the same format as Chelsea Girls. The formula feels slighter thinner in consistency but can be built up slightly for more opacity, while the shimmer has absolutely no gritty feel to it at all.

Even though Baby Doll is tailor-made for those with fair complexions, I am surprisingly able to wear this shade and it manages to not clash with my skin tone – possibly because it’s not an all-out cool colour. And while I personally have a hard time wearing pink anything, I like the fact that I can wear this shade without looking juvenile. Plus the name pushes all the right buttons for me (seriously).

NARS | Baby Doll

NARS | Baby Doll swatch

Two of the first NARS products I ever purchased, were Chelsea Girls and Baby Doll lip glosses, in their original jar formats and while I loved the colours (and the cute chubby little pots), there were serious drawbacks as well; for starters, you needed a lip brush to apply them and the formula itself was sticky & goopy from the get-go. Then there’s the fact that they seemed to go rancid quite quickly, upping the ick factor. So, I had them condemned in my pile of beauty products to throw out, but for some reason I never got around to actually getting rid of them – and now I’m glad I didn’t, as I’m able to properly compare the two versions (something to be said for being a beauty-product hoarder!)

As seen in the swatches below, there are differences in both colour and consistency:

Chelsea Girls (original) – more beige leaning, more opaque hue
Baby Doll (original) – deeper rose, thicker formula

NARS | Chelsea Girls comparisons (new vs original)

NARS | Baby Doll comparisons (new vs original)

Launching just three lip products in the Fall 2015 Color Collection is an interesting move and possibly means that NARS is that confident with their shade offerings; personally I find it makes my selection relatively easy, and while I have no problem with having options, too much of a good thing can also be a little overwhelming at times (or not, lol). Of the three items shown here, my picks are VIP Red for being such a strong and perfect Fall red (with a killer application to sweeten the deal), and Chelsea Girls, well, because I love neutral glosses and this is a great counterpart to smokey eye makeup.

The NARS Fall 2015 Color Collection is supposed to be available now through all NARS retailers across Canada (Sephora, The Bay, Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew and Murale). Find more information via www.narscosmetics.com

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

NARS | Tribulation Blush Fall 2015

Upon first setting eyes on this lovely, I naturally assumed it was a highlighter; imagine my surprise to learn it’s actually a blush. François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of his eponymous range of products, is usually skewed somewhere left of centre and no one can deny his vision isn’t original … but, this? A blush? Released as part of the Fall 2015 Color Collection and one of two limited edition items of the group, meet Tribulation Blush. And for reasons I’ll get into further on, I’m really digging it.

Let’s break this down, shall we?

NARS | Tribulation Blush Fall 2015

Tribulation Blush, limited edition (CAN $37.00) | A champagne/oyster hued blush shade that can lean both warm and cool so that it should suit a broad range of skin tones. The powder is buttery soft, even suede-like to the touch, while the shimmery bits are ground so ultra-fine as to fuse into a gorgeous glow upon the skin, as opposed to standing out in glittery chunks. With the surface texture being so dense you’d think it would be hard to pick up enough product per use, but in this case it works in Tribulation‘s favour as my brush raises hardly any powdery residue when swirled through.

Now, calling this a blush is quite the stretch; even with the light peachy/pink hint seen at certain angles; only Snow White with her alabaster skin could probably get away with using Tribulation in that capacity — certainly my light-medium skin tone with its yellowish undertones so totally does not apply.

But used as a highlighter? JACKPOT. With so many highlighting products in my arsenal, I still don’t have any powdered versions that can compare to the effect Tribulation has upon my skin, and that’s an ‘honest-to-God-beachy-kind-of-glow’ (and not of the oil-slick variety, either). Easily blended into the skin, I was initially worried that the shimmer would emphasize my pores, but somehow, magically, it doesn’t. As to staying power, over bare skin I can get a good 6 hours before fading (less, if I touch my face overly much) while applied over foundation, that number easily stretches to 9+ hours.

NARS | Tribulation Blush Fall 2015

NARS | Tribulation Blush Fall 2015 (detail)

NARS | Tribulation Blush Fall 2015

NARS | Tribulation Blush swatches (in sunlight)

NARS | Tribulation Blush swatches (alternate light)

You’ve got to give props to Monsieur Nars; once more, his vision has proven “on fleek” with the release of Tribulation Blush, especially in light of the whole strobing trend happening at the moment. And while I never in a million years expected to fall for this product (my thinking: “I need another highlighter, like I need a hole in the head … never mind that it’s supposed to be a blush”), I am seriously loving its combination fairy/candlelit effect upon my skin. The bad part? Yes, it’s the dreaded limited edition thing. Here’s hoping more people chime in to make this a part of the permanent range. Nars Cosmetics, listen up – you’ve got a winner here.

Available now at all NARS retailers (Sephora, sephora.com, The Bay, thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom and Murale) as well as www.narscosmetics.com

Press sample kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

Elizabeth Arden | Golden Opulence Collection Fall 2015

August 4, 2015

Here’s an interesting contradiction; I adore Summer (the season), but Fall’s beauty collections have my number: the lush colours, the depth & richness of tone, the moodiness of it all … you can’t get that any with any other season (Winter = holiday inspired, Spring = pastels & new growth, Summer = lighthearted, bold). Drawing inspiration from the trends seen on the fashion runways which showed an array of majestic, baroque, and intricate over-the-top detailing, Elizabeth Arden has released the Golden Opulence Collection for Fall 2015, four limited edition pieces (the lip gloss not shown), that’s absolutely brimming with gilded extravagance. Think of this collection as fashion statements reinterpreted perfectly in the form of wearable beauty.

And if the shades of this little capsule collection don’t get you, the detailing surely will. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Golden Opulence 01 Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad (CAN $48.00) | Housed in a square black compact, the raised scroll-work detail on the lid is nothing short of stunning – not to mention so totally display-worthy. The four inner shades are comprised of 3 shimmers and 1 matte:

Top Left: warm pale gold, shimmer
Top Right: soft mink brown, matte (with the barest satiny sheen for dimension & depth)
Bottom Right: blackened teal with slight blue reflects, shimmer
Bottom Left: seashell/oyster pink, shimmer

With a full-sized mirror on the inner lid for convenient on-the-go touchups, the quad also includes a dual-ended sponge tip applicator and a plastic film with application instruction, but to be honest, I find the last two items a little redundant as I never bother with such things – but I do understand how it can be helpful for some. Created to be worn a number of ways – from subtle all the way to evening glam – these shades all blend beautifully, with no fallout upon application and hardly any powdery kickback when swirling my brushes through them. Some of the key ingredients include:

Advanced Pigment Technology – coats each blend of pigment particle with a blend of silky silicone for a luxurious & smooth application with exceptional colour saturation
Retinyl Linoleate – a Vitamin A derivative that helps support the skin’s own natural collagen production, helping to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles
Vitamins C and E – environmental protectants, these vitamins help to reduce the destructive power of environmental stressors and protect the skin from visible signs of aging

These are four powder hues in a formula that feels so creamy to the touch, which helps them apply in a soft and totally velvety kind of way. The saturation of colour is excellent on all, although the pale gold shade is definitely not as intense – turning it into a perfect accent colour (inner eye corner, brow bone). As the swatches show, the impact of each shade is substantial when applied with a damp brush (which also serves to bring out the gleam of the shimmery hues), but you can easily build the intensity even when they’re applied dry. Blendability is superb and the four hues compliment each other so incredibly well, while lasting power is excellent, in particular with the 2 darker shades that stay put until removed, with almost zero fading or creasing (especially when applied over primed lids).

Elizabeth Arden | Golden Opulence 01 Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad

Elizabeth Arden | Golden Opulence 01 Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad (detail)

Elizabeth Arden | Golden Opulence 01 Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad

Elizabeth Arden | Golden Opulence 01 Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad swatches (dry)

Elizabeth Arden | Golden Opulence 01 Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Quad swatches (damp)

Gold Illumination 01 Beautiful Color Highlighter (CAN $53.00) | Housed in a gold rectangular compact (bearing a full-sized mirror on the inner lid) that is silkscreened with the same scrollwork motif as the Golden Opulence Eye Shadow Quad, with the raised component coming in the form of the brand’s iconic Red Door emblem in the centre. There are three warm leaning shades to this highlighter, with the scrollwork pattern of this collection repeated on the surface of the powder (although it wears down with use). There’s a small demi-lune brush that comes with the highlighter (not shown here), and while it might be useful if you’re on the go or don’t already own an appropriate brush for application (WHAT?!), I would have preferred it was left out altogether. The three hues of the highlighter include:

Left: warm light gold
Centre: champagne
Right: coppery bronze

Some of the key ingredients:

Vitamins and Antioxidants: environmental protectant-rich conditioners help to protect and soothe the skin
Mica Mineral: a pearlized mineral that illuminates and brightens
Illuminating, microlight minerals: optical diffusers that work to scatter light and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles

Of the three shades in this highlighter, the two deeper tones appear to have the smoothest texture, while the centre stripe is a touch more powdery, although they all still apply quite easily. What I love about this highlighter, is that the shimmer bits are so finely ground that it doesn’t translate as ‘blingy’ on the skin but more as a really beautiful luminosity (think JLo kind of glow), while the two shades on either end are wide enough that they can be easily picked up with a narrowish brush and used individually, if desired. When swirled all together, the three hues merge & blend beautifully and depending on how much of one colour or the other you pick up with your brush, it will affect the final overall tone.

My press info says that this product can also double as a bronzer, but to be fair I find that the shades are a bit too light to work effectively in that capacity — unless you’re very fair skinned, in which case, this would be ideal. As a highlighting product, this compact is sublime; something in the formulation makes this highlighter almost ‘evolve’ on the skin and once it fuses with your own natural oils and body heat, somehow provides a ‘skin-natural’ type of radiance, if you know what I mean.

Elizabeth Arden | Gold Illumination 01 Beautiful Color Highlighter

Elizabeth Arden | Gold Illumination 01 Beautiful Color Highlighter (detail)

Elizabeth Arden | Gold Illumination 01 Beautiful Color Highlighter

Elizabeth Arden | Gold Illumination 01 Beautiful Color Highlighter swatches

Jet Black 01 Beautiful Color High Intensity Liquid Eye Liner (CAN $28.00) | An ultra black liquid eye liner in pen felt-tip form. Unlike pencil eyeliners that can sometimes be too rigid (which can hurt like hell along the eye’s delicate skin) or liquid liners whose brush can be so floppy making application hit or miss, the tip of this liner has just the perfect amount of ‘give’ to help with a precise application. The formula is long lasting (seriously, majorly long-lasting with zero crackling, peeling or flaking — until removed) and water-resistant, while the black shade is one of the most intense I’ve seen, as well as drying with a gorgeous shine to provide even more depth of tone. The beauty of an eyeliner in this format, is that it’s almost stupid-proof; if you can use a pen to write, you can use this eye liner to create an effortless flick on your lids. Use the tip to create a hair thin fine line or for more detailed work, or use the pen applied along its side to create a thicker, bolder line.

I pulled out a few other similar type eyeliners lurking in my beauty arsenal and here’s how they compared to the Elizabeth Arden:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Vinyl Pen Eyeliner: (reviewed here) a black shade that’s a few degrees lighter, excellent application but not as saturated
Charlotte Tilbury Fine Line Shödo Pen: similar shine but not as intensely pigmented (the tip size appears identical to the Arden)
Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss: dense black, not as glossy at the finish, longest wear

Elizabeth Arden | Jet Black 01 Beautiful Color High Intensity Liquid Eye Liner

Elizabeth Arden | Jet Black 01 Beautiful Color High Intensity Liquid Eye Liner swatch

Elizabeth Arden | Jet Black 01 Beautiful Color High Intensity Liquid Eye Liner with comparison swatches

Created by Rebecca Restreppo, Global Makeup Artist for Elizabeth Arden and one of the most amazing women I’ve had the good fortune to meet in person (someone I’m so proud to call a friend), this collection is absolutely lovely. I’m a total sucker for details – in particular anything of the ornate variety – so the scrollwork found here is totally calling my name, but that aside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts: and this collection has that nailed. Personally, I’m also happy to see that this Golden Opulence Collection is such a well-curated group of only 4 pieces (some other Fall beauty releases can be a tad overwhelming in their sheer number of pieces, although the beauty addict in me isn’t complaining) that can be used so effectively to create a variety of looks, and you certainly can’t beat this price point. By the way, I’d get my hands on a backup of that eye liner, if I were you. My only gripe: that these pieces are all limited edition. Sigh.

I’ve always maintained that Elizabeth Arden cosmetics fly under most people’s radar, especially when you factor in that this brand comes up against some of the big boys in the industry – but what you should know, is that the quality of these products is something that will convince you to take a second look. And a third … and …

The limited edition Elizabeth Arden Golden Opulence Fall 2015 Collection is available now through The Bay and thebay.com, Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix and London Drugs (Canada)

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

Charlotte Tilbury | Goddess Skin Clay Mask

August 3, 2015

I’ve always wanted to have ‘goddess skin’ (who wouldn’t?), and after hearing all the hype surrounding Charlotte Tilbury’s Goddess Skin Clay Mask, (CAN $80.00) coupled with my intense ~~addiction~~ fascination with skin care, I was thrilled to receive a tube to try for myself, but I confess to being somewhat wary that it could actually deliver on all the almost superhuman-like claims. Well, let me settle that right here and now: it does.

If you have ever suffered from combination or oily skin, then like me you’ve probably used your fair share of clay mask products over the years – with little to show for it, other than skin that feels drier than the Sahara desert once the mask was removed. Forget all that nonsense, because this Goddess Skin Clay Mask not only aims to purify and help shrink the look of pores, but leaves a hydrated feeling behind as well. Sounds contradictory and too good to be true? Yeah, that’s what I thought as well … until I put it to the test (PS: now I want a full-body version of this mask).

Housed in a classically simple, yet elegant pale rose tube bearing Charlotte Tilbury’s signature rose-gold accents (via the cap and lettering), this mask was inspired by an ancient Mediterranean recipe that combines Spanish clay and Sweet Almond Oil (being raised on Ibiza, Charlotte fondly remembers “rubbing the clay all over our bodies and then rubbing Sweet Almond Oil on top – it’s an old Ibizan beauty remedy”). Also included in the formula is rosehip seed oil to help further nourish the skin, as well as her patented BioNymph Peptide Complex (also found in her Magic Cream and Wonderglow products) to help boost collagen in the skin (I’m not so sure about this since I’m not a chemist, but I’d swear my skin looks a little ‘plumper’ since I’ve been using this mask on the regular). There is fragrance as well in the formula; a heady, intoxicating scent of frangipani (and a far cry from the noxious odours found in typical clay masks of the past), which instantly transports you to some exotic island locale at first sniff, but still worth noting for those with sensitivities.

I initially experienced some confusion regarding the application method; the packaging directions say to apply a ‘thin’ layer and then leave it on for 10 minutes – which I did the first time I tried this mask, and while the results were good, I wasn’t blown away. Then I did a little research, and found a whole other set of instructions given by Charlotte herself on her Youtube channel; she advocates a ‘thick’ layer which is actually ‘massaged’ into the skin, then left on for at least 20 minutes – to be subsequently removed with a hot facecloth, followed by a second pass with a cool washcloth to further tighten the look of pores. This second method yields SPECTACULAR results: my skin looks even, fresh, totally radiant, and literally baby-soft to the touch. Sort of like … goddess skin.

Some serious goddess skin: The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli (created c. 1482-1485)

Charlotte Tilbury | Goddess Skin Clay Mask

Charlotte Tilbury | Goddess Skin Clay Mask swatch (so NOT my best look!)

Charlotte Tilbury | Goddess Skin Clay Mask (detail)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua/Eau), Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Seed oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum (fragrance), Hexy Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

I absolutely refuse to ever be without my Goddess Skin Clay Mask again and even though the CAN $80.00 price tag makes me wince, especially when I factor in the amount needed per application coupled with desired frequency (I’d use it daily, if I could), the way my skin both looks and feels ever since I’ve incorporated this little treasure into my skincare/beauty routine as well as how amazing my makeup now looks upon such a smooth canvas, is worth every.single.penny. Bottom line: I cannot recommend this mask strongly enough.

Available in Canada exclusively through Holt Renfrew at the Toronto Bloor St. and Vancouver locations only (for now), or through www.charlottetilbury.com

Press sample kindly provided for my unbiased consideration/post may contain affiliate links

Dior | Dior Addict Fluid Shadow

July 27, 2015

I may be a Summer baby, but Autumnal beauty collections have my number, more so than any other releases which come out during the year; the Dior Cosmopolite Fall 2015 Collection is just one such launch. Filled with the season’s richness of colour, there are several new innovations in this collection, starting with the Dior Addict Fluid Shadows (CAD $36.00) that are topping the list.

Exactly as the name implies, these are a liquid eyeshadow in a hybrid formula that combines intense pigment with a mirror-like enamel finish. Housed in a rectangular clear tube and banded in black with the Dior logo on the toggle cap, the applicator at the end of the wand is a small brush versus a doe-foot sponge. A word of caution here: upon unscrewing the cap, I suggest removing the wand gently, or else you may find yourself splattering the product if you tug too hard, as the inner sphincter in the cap appears to be very tight (I’m guessing it’s to maintain the integrity of the product, along with ensuring the contents don’t spill out easily if the tube is placed on its side – which it may do, as make no mistake about it: these ARE fluid).

The brush has a good flexibility & splay to the bristles, ensuring a decent amount of product can be applied per use, although that also will depend on how much you scoop out as well. There is an initial cooling sensation upon the skin first felt at application, although that quickly dissipates and once applied, the Fluid Shadows take approximately 1 minute to fully set. Once set, however, they are iron-clad and will not budge until removed.

Now for the tricky part; my first testing of these Fluid Shadows involved applying them directly to my eyelids and then using my middle finger to blend them out. This turned out to be a total disaster, as the product appeared to cling more to my finger, resulting in a patchy application, at best. I was crushed, because I so desperately wanted these to work — I mean, just look at them! After trying several methods, I finally hit the jackpot: I begin by applying primer (I used Dior’s Backstage Eye Prime which works perfectly in tandem with the Fluid Shadow formula) and then use the brush applicator to deposit the shadow on my lid, followed up by patting the product into my skin with the help of a flat synthetic-haired brush (NOTE: upon initial deposit of product, I suggest waiting a few seconds before opening your eye, to avoid the shadow from accidentally sticking to other parts of the lid). This method not only provides the most even application, but enables me to blend out any edges and/or seamlessly merge two differing shades together. Using a light up & down patting motion will maintain the integrity of the mirror-like finish of each Fluid Shadow — a more side-side sweeping motion combined with a touch more pressure during patting, will diffuse the product out. As to staying power, applied over primer yields the best results on my oily lids (those with drier lids can probably skip primer altogether), and each shadow stays put until removed – with no flaking, creasing or fading in sight. In fact, the colour looks as fresh at the end of 12 hours, as when first applied.

Dior | Dior Addict Fluid Shadow

Dior | Dior Addict Fluid Shadow swatches

275 Cosmic | Amethyst coloured and cooler leaning, but still able to easily suit warmer complexions. Of the five, 275 Cosmic gave me the most issues when I tried applying/blending it using my finger, but redeemed itself by being one of the easiest to apply with the brush. The most spectacular shade to emphasize green eyes, and an absolutely perfect Fall colour.

Dior | Dior Addict 275 Cosmic Fluid Shadow swatches

545 Phénix | Champagne gold that has enough silver in it to make it work equally well on both cool and warm skin tones. The most intense brilliance and mirror-like shine of the five, hands down. When 545 Phénix is blended out, you can not only see the complex shimmer involved in this shade, but it also works beautifully (when worn as a base) to amplify a less intense gold eyeshadow applied on top (an option to consider if you don’t want to wear this shade full-on).

Dior | Dior Addict 545 Phénix Fluid Shadow swatches

655 Univers | A greyed out taupe shade, as well as the most universally wearable of the 5 shown. When applied straight from the tube, its silvery tone is quite evident, but blended out reveals a more varied and complex shimmer. My favourite way to wear 655 Univers, is as an eyeliner on the lower lash line (and NOT sheered out) with tons of mascara on both upper and lower lashes – to create a simple, yet dramatic eye look.

I pulled out a few similar liquid/crème taupe shades for comparison thinking that one might be a duplicate for 655 Univers, but as the swatches clearly show, they’re all unique from one another. When applied straight from the tube, the YSL #3 Taupe Drop appears very similar to the Dior, but blended out proves differently. To note: of the four shades shown in the comparison, only the Dior has issues when applied with a finger — but also seems to be the one with the most intense mirror shine factor.

Dior | Dior Addict 655 Univers Fluid Shadow swatches

Dior Addict 655 Univers Fluid Shadow & comparison swatches (applied heavy)

Dior Addict 655 Univers Fluid Shadow & comparison swatches (blended out)

825 Aurora | Antiqued pink with subtle rose-gold undertones, and the best stand-alone shadow of the five. This shade works beautifully to provide a brightening effect when applied as a wash all over the lid, but can be amped up by adding a winged line on the upper lid with the the same shade full-on. Tone on tone taken to a new & modern level with 825 Aurora, and that’s a fact.

Dior | Dior Addict 825 Aurora Fluid Shadow swatches

875 Destinée | THIS SHADE. A mix of cranberry, ruby, and deepest claret, what my product photo fails to capture is the sly bronzy oxidized glint seen in the tube (and while I’m sure it gives depth to the colour, it doesn’t actually translate in application). The second of the five to give me trouble when using my finger to apply, but the brush-method compensated a million-fold for that drawback, resulting in a lush & intense look. I can’t say which I prefer; applying 875 Destinée full-on for its in-your-face impact and that unique dark/brilliant combo effect, or smudged out to create THE perfect Fall eye. Good thing I can do both, if desired.

Dior | Dior Addict 875 Destinée Fluid Shadow swatches

What makes these Dior Fluid Shadows so unique, in my opinion, is how perfectly that reflective and almost patent-like finish is captured in an eyeshadow product – an effect and formulation that was previously limited to nail polish and perhaps a handful of lip gloss shades. The ability to wear these Fluid Shadows in a variety of ways also makes them stand out; by applying them in a direct/blended out combination, it’s like getting 2 products in one, with their mega lasting ability (on primed lids, if they’re oily like mine) only sweetening the deal. If you’re looking for something different to add to your beauty wardrobe, I’d recommend starting here – good luck choosing just one shade, however.

Available August 1st exclusively through Sephora and sephora.com, September at all other Dior counters nationwide.