Guerlain Holiday 2013 Collection - Crazy Paris

One of the most anticipated collections for this holiday is the Crazy Paris collection from Guerlain, this company's holiday collections are always a hit and this one promises to be one of the best.  I love anything inspired by Paris and I am very excited to see what Parisian-inspired products are featured in this little collection.  This collection celebrates the grand re-opening of the Guerlain flagship boutique on the famed Champs-Elysees in Paris.  A visit to the Parisian boutique would be a dream of mine but I think it might be more reasonable to hope that I can visit the counter at the Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City.

There is a beautiful eye shadow palette contained in this collection and I am pretty sure that this will be my favorite piece of the collection, Guerlain's eye shadow palettes are beautiful and all the shades have great pigmentation and texture.  I have also heard rave reviews of their bronzers and lip products and I am quite excited to pick up some pretty new products to wear for the holidays.

The Crazy in Paris collection!

Crazy Paris Eye Palette - This eye shadow palette embodies the nighttime glamour that has come to be associated with Paris.  The grey and black matte powder liners – to be used wet or dry – are perfect for defining the eyes, while the four alluring shadows in beige, copper, white and festive hot pink can be used alone or blended together to create gorgeous, sexy eyes. The Eye Palette is enclosed in a sleek black lacquered case and opens to reveal a large panoramic mirror illuminated with the letters ―P.A.R.I.S.‖ in an electric pink.

Crazy Champs Elysees Meteorites Pearls - Born of expert craftsmanship, this cult constellation of multi-coloured powder pearls with an unforgettable violet fragrance created in 1987 is now available in an unprecedented harmony dedicated to Blanc de Perle. Today, the Météorites hold the secret to Stardust technology - a light-creating polymer, which transforms light invisible to the naked eye into a pure and endless glow on the skin. A subtle blend of matte, rosy and radiant blue-toned white pearls, combined with corrective coloured pearls – yellow to counter redness, pink for freshness and mauve to catch the light – they light up the face in an illuminating and corrective halo to give endless radiance.

Crazy 68 Meteorites Illuminating Compact - As a perfect example of its beauty expertise, Guerlain has transformed its legendary Météorites pearls into a stunning compact. The pearls are finely pressed to form a beautiful mosaic of light-enhancing and corrective shades. Together, they create a subtle and natural effect by giving every skin tone just the right amount of light and correction. The Météorites signature palette of corrective matte shades - refreshing pink and light-catching mauve - gently balance the complexion, while the dazzling pearls temper the shades’ intensity and blend harmoniously for perfectly tailored luminosity. The complexion glows with purest light. The skin looks soft, smooth, delicate and beautifully natural.

Crazy 68 Terracotta Bronzer - The Terracotta powder by Guerlain is the authority in bronzing powders. It naturally reproduces varying shades of the sun, offering women an instant natural glow, at any time of year, in one quick, easy motion. Its formula, enriched with moisturising active ingredients, does not dry out the skin. It ensures long-lasting comfort.  This special holiday shade warms the skin with a delicate wearable peach-hued harmony infused with invigorating bursts of pink. These 5 shades invigorate skin to provide a subtle, natural-looking and healthy complexion that counteracts dull winter skin.

Crazy 68 Rouge G De Guerlain - Lipstick is reinvented in an exceptional jewel with Rouge G, a subtle balance of intense colour and the comforting pleasure of a creamy lip balm. Behind this magical creation is an astounding formula: the unique combination of ruby powder for spectacular radiance, hyaluronic acid spheres for perfectly smoothed lips and wild mango butter for lasting hydration.  Lips are intensely coloured, perfectly smoothed, moisturised and plumped up. For excessively perfect lips!
- Provocative (863) - deep vibrant pink

La Laque Couleur - Guerlain creates fragranced color and imagines an absolutely essential and utterly irresistible La Laque Couleur in deliciously shiny texture to dress up your style with color!  A real La Laque Couleur miniature perfume bottle with its lid in the shape of the famous upside-down heart. Its flat brush allows optimal, easy and precise color application.
- Sulfurous (861) - pure black with flecks of violet
- Ultraviolet Top Coat - glossy clear finish that turns fluorescent under UV light

I am in love with the eye palette from this collection, I would love to have this product just for the special "Paris" packaging but I also love the shades that are contained in it.  I would use this palette right now and then all the way into spring.  This piece will be going right to the top of my next Most Wanted list.  My second favorite piece of this collection is the Crazy 68 Rouge G De Guerlain, this deep pink hue has the potential to battle many of the red lipsticks as my hue of choice for the next few months.

I have not yet tried the Meteorites or the famed Terracotta bronzer, these are both cult products and I will need to try and review them at some time soon.  I am not sure if I will be buying the shades featured in this collection or if I will wait a bit and visit the counter at Sephora.  I would like to finish my collection shopping with both of the nail polishes from this limited edition shade offering. 

This might be one of my favorite collections of this holiday season and one that I hope to pick a few products up from before it is sold out...

photo courtesy of Guerlain

Guerlain Fall 2013 Collection - Violette de Madame Collection

Yesterday we looked at the new Dior collection and today we are moving right onto the newest from Guerlain, we have very few collections left and are going to cover them pretty quickly as we all know that the holiday collections will start coming out in the beginning of October.  Not that I even want to be thinking about the holidays right now...but we know how fast they tend to come up on us.  This will was already my first week of the semester and schoolwork will be piling up soon.  Therefore we are taking today to think about beauty and not the crazy semester that I have coming up...

The Guerlain collections are usually quite small but the products in them are beautiful and worth fighting the crowds for.  I love the pictures of Natalia Vodianova that are used with this collection and Guerlain has one of the best collection pictures of the season, I would love to be able to recreate her look for myself.

I found a great collection description on the Temptalia beauty blog, Guerlain did not have much of one and I am glad that I could use another blog to find one.  "Guerlain introduces its exclusive Fall 2013 Voilette de Madame collection, composed to make every woman irresistible, expressing her seduction and personality with style and femininity. Madame’s ultimate accessory, the veil, is the inspiration for this season’s collection. Like Madame herself, the veil gives only small glimpses into a woman’s mysterious world. And as Madame unveils herself, her secrets come to light."  This is lip product heavy collection and is the perfect complement to the Dior collection that we looked at yesterday.

The newest collection from Guerlain!

Ecrin 2 Couleurs Colour Fusion Eye Shadow - Guerlain has invented “ready-to-colour”, the perfect accessory for making the eyes a real fashion statement. This new fine and slender case slips easily into a handbag for use at any time. It opens vertically to reveal an elegant mirror… Inside: two eyeshadows, two textures, two colour accessories applied using its double-ended applicator to create amazing effects.
- Two Rock (01) dazzling green/black
- Two Stylish (02) deep blue/metallic grey
- Two Extravagant (03) chocolate brown/zesty green
- Two Gossip (04) plum/baroque gold
- Two Candy (05) soft white/sparkling pink
- Two Parisian (06) intense black/powder pink
- Two Lovely (07) soft grey/aquamarine
- Two Spicy (08) ebony brown/spicy coral

Gel Eye Pencil - Guerlain’s retractable gel eye pencil transforms your eyes in an instant. Its combination of smooth waxes, luminous polymers and intense pigmentation allows you to create the perfect eye contour for a refined look. Plus, it’s long-lasting, nontransferable and water-resistant so it stays all day without smudging.
- Black Jack (01) - black
- Jackie Brown - (02) brown
- Deep Purple - (03) purple
- Katy Navy - (04) navy
- Amber Silver - (05) silver

Rouge G de Guerlain Lipcolor - A jewel lipstick compact with a white-gold shimmer designed by Lorenz Bäumer, the young and talented jeweler in Place Vendôme. A horizontal design with feminine curves that houses a secret: a mirror automatically appears when the compact is opened. The lipstick has a purely elegant, contemporary design and closes magnetically. This exceptional object boasts a comprehensive, premium formula containing a star ingredient: ruby powder, which acts as an optical whitener to bring out the color and shine of the shades. The blend of natural active ingredients (Tiger Grass, wild mango butter, Gugul resin used in Ayurvedic medicine) completes the formula to plump up, smooth and bring moisture and softness to your lips.
- Madame Batifole (860) - vibrant fuchsia
- Madame Flirte (861) - fruity red
- Madame Reve (862) - voluptuous pink

Maxi Shine Gloss d' Enfer Lip Gloss - Maxi Shine Gloss d'Enfer guarantees lips a shimmering, radiant and plumping finish. Maxi Shine's oil composition creates a moisturizing barrier to ensure an intense softness. Additionally, each shade presents varying degrees of coverage and pigment intensity. The perfect partner for a desirable, appealing smile, Maxi Shine offers tailor-made effects for beautifully enhanced lips.
- Madame Batifole (860) - electric sparkling fuchsia
- Madame Flirte (861) - gourmand sparkling red
- Madame Fascine (863) - sparkling deep purple

Le Vernis Nail Lacquer - Guerlain's newest nail lacquers are indispensable allies for accomplished femininity. The ultra-vibrant shades incorporate adhesive resins to offer a perfectly even sheen that lasts for days. Using each shade's extra-flat and widened brush, the easy-to-use formula imparts a shiny, daring and immaculate finish.
- Madame Batifole (860) - deep and intense fuchsia

I love this collection and wish that I could find these products closer to my home.  Driving to King of Prussia isn't something that I can do on a normal basis and my Sephora tends to carry only a few of the best selling products from this line.  I guess I will have to make due with what I can find at Sephora and order from Nordstrom...at least they both have a generous return policy in case I don't love what I order.

I am looking at the lip products in this collection and my shopping from Guerlain will balance out my shopping from the Dior collection that we looked at yesterday.  I love the shades of the Rouge G and need to try this product out soon, this is one that is carried at Sephora so I will have an easy time getting my hands on this product.  I want the red and the pink shades from this product and I want to try the red shade of the lip gloss (another product that I believe is carried at my local Sephora).  I like many of the eye shadow duos but I don't think that any of the shades are unique enough to warrant me purchasing them when I own a bunch of eye shadow palettes already.  The last piece that I love is the new deep fuchsia shade of nail polish, I don't believe that I own any shade like this and it will be perfect for the fall season!

photo courtesy of Guerlain

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire

We are in that lull period between the end of the summer collections and the beginning of the fall collections, this is the time of the year that I spend most of my time trying new fragrances and skincare items out.  I have all the makeup and nail polish that I could possibly need until after Labor Day and now I will begin to save up my beauty product money for new items for fall.  The fragrances that I will be trying out this time of the year often become ones that I will want to set aside for the fall, I am working my way through my huge fragrance sample collection and looking for fragrances that I will want for the fall and winter.  For beauty product shopping purposes only...I am basically done and over with summer.

Yesterday, I reviewed a new Chloe fragrance and found a fragrance that I could wear all year long.  I have a very hard time finding fragrances that I find work well in all seasons and this one is a new gem.  I have more than one huge samples of that scent so I will revisit once I have actually managed to use both of them up.  But I have a feeling that this one is a winner for me and now we will see if I have another winner today.  Today we are looking at a fragrance from the legendary House of Guerlain and one that will be set aside for the fall and winter months (if it is a winner). 

When buying French perfumes, I tend to head right to the House of Chanel and have not given many of the fragrances from Guerlain the proper test drives.  When I started thinking about why, I stumbled one root cause...many of the famous fragrances from Guerlain are harder to find in my area and would require online ordering without smelling or picking up a new fragrance when I head up to New York City.  I read such lovely reviews about them and The Perfume Guide loves many of their fragrances but they are on harder side to find for me.

Today's fragrance is La Petite Robe Noire, a fragrance that I read about in Vogue or Allure several years ago and never realized that it was only released in Europe.  I remember freaking out that it had a rose note in it and looking high and low for it every time that I went to Sephora.  I eventually forgot about it until I saw it last fall at Sephora (as a "new" release) and I was able to find a sample of it with one of my orders.  I think my expectations may have been too high after how long I waited for this fragrance...

"An absolutely essential and utterly irresistible perfumed creation. The legendary heart-shaped bottle has been boldly reinterpreted with a modern touch. Its crystalline transparency, fading from black to powdery pink, reveals the silhouette of the little, black dress.  Its simple signature enhances and romances several exceptional materials in a bold overdose—black cherry blinks the first wink. It is illustrated by a clever blend that extends exquisite almond and delicious berries. The second wink takes place as rose enters the stage. Finally, the shadowy temptations of licorice and smoky black tea are ever-so-revealing and lead to irresistible seduction. For the ultimate temptation, the entire creation is wrapped in Guerlinade—fresh, enigmatic, and exhilarating, mischievous and captivating.", states the Sephora website.

I like this fragrance very much but it is not the unique creation that it was hyped up to be.  If you like Chanel No.5 or any type of fragrance like this, you will like this scent.  There is a Rose heart note and Tea notes make it muskier as it settles on my skin.  Maybe my skin is unique but I get none of the Cherry top note and the fragrance goes right into the musky floral territory on me.  The Almond scent is also very faint on me and is barely perceptible unless you are smelling it and trying to find it.  The lack of those two notes isn't a issue for me but it makes the fragrance much less unique than if those were in the mix on my skin.  The fragrance lasts all day on my skin and I will enjoy wearing it in the cooler weather months, I will be putting the rest of this sample aside until October and then finish it up.

This fragrance would work well for getting dressed up and going out or for a professional environment, I would wear this fragrance in any circumstance that I would wear Chanel No. 5 or Coco Mademoiselle.  I have a feeling that I will buy this fragrance in the full sized bottle once the cold weather is upon us but I can't say that it is unique enough for me run out and buy right away.  There are very few rose fragrances that I wouldn't buy and I know that I will get use from this fragrance several times a week once the fall starts.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Guerlain Summer 2013 Collection - Terracotta

Over the past few days, we have been talking about a few new favorite products of mine and now I feel the need to go back to summer collections.  I see that the Guerlain summer collection is now up on the Nordstrom website and I am all about finding a new bronzer or two.  I shudder to think what might happen if my current MAC bronzer runs out and I have to find a new one on a deadline...  I would have to visit Sephora and dig through their bronzer display and need to try each one out on different areas of my hands and body, not a task that I would look forward to.  So this collection is doubly important to me, I know that this company has some of the best bronzers on the beauty product market.

I am really getting ready for summer, I am excited to start buying self tanner again and am checking out bright new nail polish shades that will perfectly offset a tan.  For me, that means bright pinks and aquas (especially for pedicures) and some fun sundresses to match.  I am so excited to started wearing my favorite vintage Lilly Pulitzer sundress and giving myself a matching manicure and pedicure.  With a great bronzer to even out my skintone!

The new collection from Guerlain is called Terracotta and it is all about bronzers and the assorted items that are made to complement bronzed skin.  I am most interested in finding a new bronzer formula but I am open to everything else that is available with this collection!

Here is the newest bronzing collection from Guerlain!

Terracotta Four Seasons Bronzer - As the seasons change from winter through summer, women find that the tone of their complexion and their bronzing needs change as well. From the ultimate authority in bronzing comes Terracotta Four Seasons: a variation in four steps to sculpt your tan all year long. The perfect gradation of caramelized tones, Terracotta Four Seasons features four wonderfully matte shades to blend together to match every desire, skin tone or season for an authentic tan and an incredibly natural result. With endless possibilities for combining and layering, this new powder is essential to sculpt the complexion and reproduce your dream tan to perfection. Its secret to unprecedented luminosity lies in the formula enriched with pure gold that plays within the four tones for a tan that maintains radiance, no matter what the season.
- 00 Nude - pale gold tan
- 02 Natural Blondes - pale gold tan
- 03 Natural Brunettes - light to medium bronze
- 04 Medium Blondes - medium bronze
- 05 Medium Brunettes - medium to deep bronze
- 08 Ebony - deep bronze tan

Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow Foundation - Why choose between correction and a healthy glow? Terracotta Skin, the first Guerlain hybrid foundation, perfects the skin with the sheer coverage of a powder. The Terracotta Skin texture is extremely creamy, thanks to a blend of powders and volatile oils combined with an elastomer gel. In just a few seconds, its magical texture melts into the skin to reveal a fabulous complexion radiating health and well-being, as if you've just been on holiday - the unique sensation of bare skin with a matte and velvety finish.
- 01 Blondes - light to medium tan
- 02 Brunettes - medium tan

Terracotta Sun Scrub Tan Enchancing Scrub - Triple-action exfoliation evens tone, softens skin and illuminates. An oily gel formula moisturizes dry skin and leaves a subtle scent of a tropical escape.

Terracotta Makeup Palette for Face and Eyes - The perfect solution to a radiant tan all year round. Set includes two bronzing powders, four eyeshadows and two applicators.
- Eye Shadows - deep charcoal/deep bronze/medium bronze/light bronze
- Bronzing Powders - medium tan and light tan

I love the Four Seasons Bronzer and I hope that this product will be at my favorite local Sephora store, I want to try the shades out before I order it.  The Blondes and Brunettes shades are quite different, the Brunettes are the deeper of the shades however I feel like I need the Blondes since my skin has such pale undertones (even though I have deep brown hair).  Does anyone reading this have any experience with these bronzers and choosing the correct shade?

If I only get the Four Seasons Bronzer from this collection, I will be very happy however I am also very excited about the product that I have pictured with this collection, the Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow Foundation.  I would love to have a foundation that compliments my fake tan and gets my skin evened out in one easy step and then I have only to top it off with a bit of bronzer.  This product also is offered in the Blondes and Brunettes shades and again I am confused as to what I should order.  I think that I will need to email Guerlain and ask a few questions if I cannot find these products at Sephora.  The last item that I would like is the palette, I would use all the of the shades in it even though it is not very unique.  Each shade will flatter a tan in the summer months and then I would continue to use it in the fall months. 

I really like the bronze shades in this collection and I will be doing more research to see what shades I should be ordering...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain Spring 2013 Collection - Cils d'Enfer

The spring collections are beginning to come to an end and I am already well into my spring makeup and perfume shopping.  I only have a handful of spring collections to look at yet and I expect to be finished right before the end of the month and then getting ready to move onto the summer collections right after that.  Today we are going to look at the spring collection from Guerlain, a line that I often drool over but don't have the best access to.  I will say that the Sephora in the closest mall has begun to expand their Guerlain line and now I can actually try more of the products before I buy them so I am looking very closely at this spring collection since I can now really use some of these products.  The last thing that I need to fall in love with another makeup line but I have heard that so many of these products are top quality and I think that this would be a good line for me to fall in love with...

Any Guerlain collection is highly anticipated by all the beauty bloggers and the whole beauty industry and I know that this one is no exception.  Whether or not new products are introduced or only new shades in current products, this company has such an avid and loyal fan base that the new collection will sell out instantly and raves will be earned for each item.  I personally tend to be most excited about their lip and fragrance products but I am certain that every product that they offer is top quality. 

The Nordstrom website has the entire collection featured and all information will be pulled from here.  "Experience an array of fresh pinks and staggering curl with Guerlain's Spring 2013 Collection starring the versatile Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara and legendary Météorites Perles du Perles in a limited edition size."  A new mascara formula is always a reason to celebrate!

Here is the spring collection from Guerlain!

Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - The essence of color: one palette, four shades. Create, have fun and dare to wear color as an accessory. These palettes were specifically designed to be used together and can be mixed, matched and blended with no fear of mistakes. Application is extremely simple, intuitive, fun—and risk-free! Choose your range: each palette offers iridescent, matte, satin and metallic shadows.
- 501 Attrape Coeur - mauve/white/violet/deep purple shimmer
- 502 Coup de Foudre - green/silver/bronze-khaki/coral

Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara - Introducing Cils d'Enfer - Maxi Lash, the mascara that creates just the right volume in the blink of an eye for a look that instantly captivates.  Featuring an innovative formula for maximum volume curl and hold, experience astonishing volume and staggering curl thanks to a high-performance polymer trio.  First: Wraps the lashes in extremely adherent oils to thicken.  Second: Made with supple waxes, it acts as a conditioner, softening the lashes so you can sculpt them into just the right shape and style.  Third: Acts as a finishing touch to set the amazing curve.
- 01 Noir - deep black
- 02 Violet - bright purple

Rouge Automatique Lip Color - Rouge Automatique hydrating long-lasting lip color: automatically fashionable. Coveted as an It Bag, precious as a gem, glamorous as stilettos! Open and close with just one hand. Its innovative formula combines long-lasting hold with comfort and radiance. Rouge Automatique offers a burst of color, available in a bouquet of 25 shades.
- 600 Ballade - nude cream
- 601 Romance - pale nude cream

Shine Automatique Lip Color - Shine Automatique hydrating lipstick is for the fun and flirty girl who wants to add a little sparkle to her life. Guerlain introduces Shine Automatique, a moisturizing and long-lasting lipstick that combines bold color with pearly particles to give your lips discreet yet exceptional shine. Lips are left soft, smooth and luminous. Now available in a bouquet of 12 shades.
- 761 Flirt - medium berry shimmer
- 762 Rendez-Vous - deep cool berry shimmer

Kiss Kiss Lip Gloss - Lips get drenched in sheer, pearly or sparkly color with the new Kiss Kiss Gloss! Its revolutionary nonsticky formula keeps lips moisturized while water-resistant and magnifying esters ensure long-lasting effects with a boost of volume. Its flat, smooth brush provides accurate application. Available in three different formulas: Petal Effect gives sheer coverage, Pearl Effect gets a boost of pearly essence, and Gloss Effect provides a subtle sparkling finish.
- 870 Cherry Pink - pale pink shimmer
- 849 Fizzy Mango - bright coral shimmer

Meteorites Perles du Paradis Illuminating Sparkling Powder - Guerlain's legendary magic pearls illuminate your skin with a beautiful radiance. Pearls from paradise features six skin-toned and pastel shades in an oversized, limited-edition case. The traditional correcting colors, blue and green, have been replaced by pink, to brighten dull areas, and silver, to reflect ambient light for a one-of-a-kind glow.  The complexion is instantly rejuvenated and lightened with a subtle shimmer for a revitalized look, perfect for every skin tone. The magic of Meteorites Perles du Paradis is enhanced by a beautiful pink powder puff to provide flawless application.

So what do I love the most from this collection?  I want the Kiss Kiss Gloss in the pale pink shade (Cherry Pink), I have been buying a lot of lip glosses and lipsticks this spring and I want to add this one to my collection.  All I have bought so far has been pink so I certainly don't need this product but I really like the shade and want to try this formula from Guerlain and see how it fits in with my current gloss collection. 

The other item that I really want from this collection is the Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette in the purple hues.  I have already ordered a new lilac colored eye shadow from Sephora but I love all four of these shades and I will be using them all spring, this palette is already sold out on the Nordstrom website so I will be tracking it down in another way but I really must have this palette.  These are the only color two items that I really want from this collection.  I am want to try the mascara and I am sure that this will be available at Sephora so I will pick it up the next time that I visit the store.  I am certainly open to trying many other items from the collection but I want to try some of the testers first to make my decision.  I am one of the few people who has never worked with the Meteorites Perles and I know that they sell them at my Sephora store so I will be able to try them out.  I will try them and report back next time that I go to Sephora!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain Holiday 2012 Collection - LIU Holiday Collection

We have now crossed over into the month of November and I am goaling myself to be finished up with all of the holiday collections by the middle of December.  This will allow all of you the time to shop and purchase the items that you love the most (either for yourself or others) well before the crush of the last minute Christmas shopping stress.  So we have a month and a half for the rest of the holiday color, gift, and body product collections that have been released this year.  The Guerlain fall collection was a bit on the disappointing side however the holiday collection looks wonderful and I can't waiy any longer to start diving into the limited edition products and shades that are being released for this holiday season.  Guerlain can do a holiday collection like no one else, they are the masters at lovely shades that are perfect for any occasion and housing their makeup in packaging that just makes me feel like getting dressed up.

This collection is called the LIU collection and is inspired by the glamour of the Orient, one of my dreams has also been to ride on the Orient Express (reading Agatha Christie has been giving me dreams and ideas for many years now!) however since that wouldn't be happening any time soon, I will just have to go makeup shopping instead. 

I found this collection and all the information on the Nordstrom website, I just love how this company organizes their website and makes it so easy to find any collection that I need to.  "Inspired by Puccini's Turandot, Guerlain's LIU Collection epitomizes the seductive mystery of secret love. Golden mists, tapered cat eyes and sensuous red lips beautifully enhanced by the opulence of the Orient turn every woman into a heroine."  Puccini's Turandot is an Italian opera in which a suitor has to solve three riddles in order to marry his beloved princess.  It takes place in the Middle East so it is pretty easy to see the shades that inspired Guerlain.

Here is the collection!

Liu Holiday Collection Perfumed Shimmer Powder Face and Body - A light-as-air loose powder that enhances the face, body and hair with an iridescent, golden veil. A mere press of the bulb releases the powder, leaving Liu's mesmerizing aromas in its wake: a composition of aldehydes, sensual roses, vanilla, iris and woody notes. Many will recognize Liu's original bottle with its elegant black glass case and golden letters reminiscent of a Chinese tea caddy. A black woven bulb has been added to transform the legendary fragrance into a desirable and feminine makeup accessory.

Du Dragon Meteorites Perles Illuminating Powder - Météorites Perles du Dragon is named for the Year of the Dragon, and pays tribute to the mythical animal, a symbol of the emperor of China, whose primary source of power lay in a pearl, synonymous with happiness, wisdom and abundance. The harmony of six shades of pearls in an intense, iridescent monochrome palette is perfectly tailored to the holiday season. Like nighttime jewels, it cloaks the face in incredible radiance: pale pink and beige even out the complexion, white and gold illuminate, while plum and rosewood brighten areas of shadow and erase fatigue as the night goes on. The famous metal case, also embossed in black, is stamped with a golden rosette and bears the Guerlain signature.

Meteorites Wulong Exceptional Refillable Pressed Powder - Black Dragon combines six shades to ensure a pure, flawless and luminous complexion regardless of skin tone. Matte shades are paired with two white and gold illuminating shades that add subtle radiance. The delicate black-metal powder compact is sculpted with a gold mother-of-pearl rosette and tucked inside a black suedette pouch bordered with red stitching.

LIU Holiday Collection Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - A precious quartet showcases a subtle monochrome palette for vibrant and refined eye makeup. The interplay of textures and colors allows you to effortlessly take your look from morning to night. Two matte and two iridescent textures are combined to perfection. Refined down to the slightest detail, the elegant golden case travels in a black suedette pouch with red topstitching.
- medium gold shimmer/medium rose satin/deep plum satin/deep plum bronze satin

LIU Holiday Collection Rouge Automatique Lip Color - Discover Guerlain's limited edition shade of Rouge Automatique lipstick. 
- Altoum: A gold adorned with beautiful tone-on-tone sparkle that is worn on bare lips to illuminate them with a sophisticated nude veil, as a top coat over another shade to add a precious glow or dabbed on the center of the mouth for daring plump lips.
- Lou Ling: An enchanting plum set off with a golden sparkle for a dramatic effect.

LIU Holiday Collection Nail Lacquer - Display ultimate sophistication on your fingertips and toes with two limited-edition nail polishes in stunning jewel tones.
- Altoum: a gleaming gold for a precious glow
- Lou-Ling: a stunning plum for a spellbinding look

I am so excited for some of the products and shades that have been released for this limited edition holiday collection!  I have never used the Meteorites highlighting product and I don't know that I plan to yet, I have never really used a highlighter before and while many ladies do love this product, I have heard that this is one of the harder highlighters to use and I doubt that I would get it right the first time.  I may change my mind on this product however I would not be until after I visited a counter (not the mini counter at Sephora, I mean one of the full counters at Saks or Nordstrom) and someone worked with me to make sure that I can use this product correctly.

My favorite piece of the color collection is the Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette, I love that it contains a rose and a gold hue so that I can create more a pigmented and dressed up rose gold eye look.  If I can only buy one item from this collection, this would be my top pick.  The next product that I would really love to own is the Nail Lacquer in both of the Altoum and the Lou-Ling shades, I don't own either a deep plum or a gold metallic foil yet so these shades would fill holes in my nail polish collection and I will both of them throughout the holidays and then again next fall.  The last piece that I must own from the color collection is the Lip Color in Lou Ling, however I would like to see more photos of this in order for me to determine if this gold-flecked plum might be a bit too warm for my skintone (I am not comfortable enough with the photo on this website to just order it right now). 

I love the packaging on the Perfumed Shimmer Body Powder and I almost want this product only to set out on my dresser.  My dream apartment in the city will be shades of reds and black and this bottle would actually be a great decoration for my living room, I love that I could use the powder and then use the beautiful bottle in a display.

This collection and the Chanel holiday collections are my two favorite so far, I don't know that I will find any others as lovely as these two and we looked at one of the best today!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain Fall 2012 Collection

We are now heading toward the very end of the fall collections and I am going through my list and seeing what lines I haven't looked at yet.  One of the collections that I haven't viewed is the newest from Guerlain, I have a mixed outlook on this line of products.  Everything that I see from this line I tend to fall in love with but I can only get my hands on a few of the products at my nearest Sephora store.  I am impressed that Sephora has added more products from this brand to their counter however I still wish that I could have the same selection that is found at the counter at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman.  One day when I move into the city...

The Guerlain fall collection only consists of two new products (at least from what I can find) and they are featured on the company's website.  I doubt that I will be able to find either of these products at my Sephora counter for at a few seasons so I can't work up a ton of excitement for this collection.  The Guerlain website didn't give a name to this fall collection so I don't know what trend it is focused on or what themes ties these products together.  I get as bit disappointed when I don't see a theme for a collection because I find it harder to use some of the products and shades together to create a "look" for the season...

This collection contains the much hyped Blush Duo, a product that has appeared in almost every single beauty magazine this fall and is the one product that I am really excited from this collection.  I am hoping that this product is worth me ordering it from the Saks website and that it will not disappoint me.  I have never heard a bad review of a Guerlain cheek product and therefore I am want to do some shopping from this line of products!

Here are the two new products that Guerlain brought out for the fall season!

Rouge G L'Extrait - This exceptional liquid, creamy, consistent, ultra-pigmented, and velvety lip color delivers an incredibly sophisticated makeup result.  Wear it not to tease but to awaken desire!  The colour becomes matt in a moment and reveals its superb qualities.  Non-sticky, non-drying, non-feathering, this luxurious texture is a waking dream that lasts for hours for all women who love colour.  A formula with rejuvenating and smoothing benefits that are tangible on application and over time, day after day.  The Rouge G case has been interpretated in a sleeker version to hold this liqud texture.  Pull and click...and watch the familiar double mirror gracefully open.  Then, simply turn the cap to take up the colour and apply it elegantly and easily with its flocked tip.
- Avarice M06 - medium nude matte
- Colere M25 - bright blue red matte
- Luxure M27 - deep brick red matte
- Envie M11 - medium warm coral matte
- Paresse M65 - medium dusty cool rose matte
- Gourmandise M71 - bright cool berry matte
- Orgueil M69 - deep cool plum matte

Rose aux Joues - A luxurious case in the House style.  A colour duo with a main shade to make cheekbones blush.  And its smaller conterpart for a savvy mix or a striking juxtaposition.  The dense, tapered brush glides easily and precisely over the skin on application.
- Peach Boy 1 - medium coral/pale peach
- Red Hot 6 - deep rose/medium rose
- Golden High 5 - medium bronze/pale bronze
- Chic Pink 2 - medium pink/pale pink
- Over Rose 3 - medium rose/medium pink
- Pink Punk 4 - medium rose/medium plum

This collection may be very small but contains some fantastic products, I want several shades from both of these products.  I am seeing a huge trend with several lines releasing liquid lipsticks for the fall season, I hope that these formulas can create the high pigmented, long-wearing look that a traditional matte lipstick can provide.  The Colere M25 shade is my favorites, this bright blue red is right up my alley and looks to be the shade that the model of the collection is wearing.  This would be my first choice from the lipstick formula.  If I love this formula, then I will continue to collect more shades.  My next purchase would be the Luxure M27, the deep brick red, the Paresse M65, a lovely rose, and the Gourmandise M71, the bright berry.  I am in the market for a very dark berry shade but I don't believe that I will find it in this formula.

The new blush formula is also of interest to me, I always want new blushes and this formula looks lovely.  I haven't bought a new blush in the past few weeks so I can indulge in these.  My first choice is Over Rose 3 and I also like Red Hot 6, these are both great choices for rose shades and both of them will complement my pale, cool skin.  I can't wait to head up to the city and check out this formula, hopefully my vacation day snexgt month will allow for some great shopping!

photo courtesy of Guerlain

French Week Day 7 - Guerlain Champs Elysees

It is now the last day of this year's French Week and I hope that you have found at least one or two new products and fragrances that you want to try.  Today we are going to look at a fragrance from the House of Guerlain, one of the most iconic French beauty and fragrance houses.  The House of Guerlain introduced the first iconic perfume, Jicky, back in the end of the 19 Century and has come out with a series of best selling, cult fragrances for over 100 years.  The fragrance that I am the most enthralled with from this line is the iconic L'Heure Bleu, created in the beginning of the last century for the French actress Yvonne Printemps.  However, this line has created so many wonderful fragrances that I find it impossible to pick only one of two fragrance to wear.

The Champs Elysee is the major boulevard in Paris, the one that has many of the most famed monuments and shop on.  This is the major area of the city that tourists want to see that most and I consider it one of the most beautiful parts of the City of Lights.  This area is one of the highest rent areas of the city and contains some of the most famous spots in the city.  When walking down this avenue, you will start at the Place de la Concord and continue on past the Arc de Triomphe and then the Grand Palais.  On this street, you will pass the flagship Louis Vuitton and the Guerlain store itself.  Every year on Bastile Day, the city hosts one of the largest militay parades on this avenue. 

This fragrance is getting harder to find in the United States, I pulled all of my information on it from the Guerlain website.  I believe that I have found it only in New York City so far.  Many of the Guerlain fragrances can be found on the Sephora website but only a select few are in the stores.

The Sephora website provides a description of the brand's history.  "Guerlain was founded in 1828, when Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain opened his first boutique in Paris.  Trained as a doctor and chemist, he enjoyed immediate success thanks to his revolutionary work, which lead to many innovative 'firsts'.  Guerlain was the first to create scientifically based skincare and to sell kohl eyeliner and mascara.  Then in 1840, he introduced the very first lipsticks.  Even years later, The house of Guerlain continued this tradition of 'firsts' by introducing Terracotta, the benchmark for all bronzers, and Meteorites, the first product to incorporate colored pearl to create luminosity and even out skin tone.  Add to its oeuvre more than 700 fragrances (several of which are considered to be among the masterpieces of perfumery), the Guerlain name has become internationally recognized as a symbol of artistry, superlative quality, impeccable style, and ultimate grace."

From the Guerlain website itself, "The symbol of prestige and the influence of a city in perpetual motion, Paris' famed avenue is where the world meets - the Champs Elysees is the center of this perfume, and the center of everything.  A thrilling breath of life and the promise of infinite love.  For a chic and avant-garde Parisienne, Champs Elysees is a fragrance of intense seduction.  Life takes on an exciting, improvisational air and becomes a game for this joyful floral fragrance that celebrates the rose and mimosa.  An homage to the female form, the Champs Elysees bottle takes the shape of a strong silhouette.  Crowned with a broad cap, its polished glass extends and embellishes its evocative curves.  Its beautiful and complete fullness is solidly anchored on the triangle of life: It can be evocative of the perspective of the world's most beautiful avenue that stretches from I.M. Pei's pyramid to the Arc de Triomphe."

Instead of simply providing the notes of the fragrance, the Guerlain website provides a full description from the perfumers.  "Fruity floral.  Transparent, luminous, sparkling.  The perfume bursts forth with a crystalline laugh: The transparency of rose with frosted petals softens the rise of tender, crushed mimosa leaves.  In parallel, the light, acidic tempo of cassis berries harmonizes with the subtly of almond tree flowers.  The supremely refined and delicately sensitive heart palpitates with the silky shudder of mimosa flowers.  The minuscule sums catch fire and lend the skin unexpected sensuality, a buoyant dancing light that illuminates Buddleia, that enchanted tree known as the butterfly bush, which each spring welcomes clouds of butterflies that flock toward its spellbinding, lilac-accented scent.  This long caress becomes pure voluptuousness when the dry-down blends carnal accents of hibiscus seed with the softness of almond tree wood."

This fragrance is one of the softer Guerlains, it is one of the easier ones to wear and I have read that it is often a young lady's first fragrance from this company and then they graduate to the stronger fragrances.  The heart of rose in this fragrance makes it one of the ones that I must travel to New York City to purchase.

Anothe French Week has come to a close and I hope that you all have enjoyed learning a bit more about some of the best French beauty lines and that you are deciding to try something new from several of them!

photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Guerlain Summer 2012 Collection - Terra Azzurra

One the most acclaimed summer collections is the newest offering from Guerlain.  I have been seeing hints of this collection on other beauty blogs and in magazines since the beginning of May and I have been consistently checking the Guerlain website to see if the new line is up yet.  I have finally found the line up on their website and I am so excited over the new bronzing products in it.  This collection represents the collaboration of Guerlain and Pucci to create a line of top quality summer shades and amazing packaging.

I love this collection on first sight however I am very unhappy that it only contains two new products and then a brush for expert application.  I would love a whole line of new products from this company with the Pucci packaging.  With my weakness for pretty packaging, I would have done a lot of damage to my credit card ordering tons of products from this line!  I wouls especially love a lip gloss in the Pucci packaging...

This little collection is named Terra Azzurra and I stated above, it only contains one bronzer and one highlighter.  I feel that the size of this colleciton is a huge let down, it could have been unforgettable if it was only a few products larger.  As it stands, I couldn't really go out of my way and search for these products to only purchase one bronzer, I could justify chasing down an entire product line if I could get enough makeup to support an entire summer look. 
Here is the collaboration between Guerlain and Pucci!

Meteorites Perles d'Azur - In a nod to the Pucci shades, the Perles d'Azur are being enriched with a corrective blue pearl and beautifully adapt to the demands of the sun.  The idea?  Three targeted and instant benefits to create a summer glow, thanks to the combination of six colours that even out and correct every skin tone, with a de rigueur ultra-luminous and delicately translucent result.  Already tanned skin is subtly set off with a fine complexion-enhancing and imperceptible veil.  Their incredibly stylish round case is adorned with the Pucci print in contrasting colours with a graphic motif.
Terra Azzurra - The star of the collection, this exquisitely beautiful object combines two success stories: Guerlain's legendary Terracotta powder and Emilio Pucci's iconic prints.  Halfway between a bronzer and blusher, this hybrid powder with a gentle, lightweight formula offers a universal harmony of four shades to meet every desire, from the softest to the most intense.  For the ultimate in sophistication, its smooth and oval case in ebony-coloured varnished wood is presented in an accessory pouch printed with the Pucci motif.

Pinceau - An elegant firm and generous Kabuki-style powder brush designed to subtly crush the Meteorites Perles d'Azur pigments or pick up just the right amount of Terra Azzurra powder.  Its broad metallic ring encircling its natural midnight blue bristles adds a chic detail.  It is stored in its on-trend Pucci print pouch that is perfectly in line with summer's glamorous tone.

I know that the Meteorites highlighter is one of the biggest cult products that is available on the beauty market today however I have never tried them out before.  I would be more likely to try them at my Sephora store and then decide if I liked them enough to order these in the Pucci case.  In regards to the Terra Azzurra, I was really hoping that this was more of a plain bronzer, I didn't really want a product that has a blush in it.

I can't decided if I like the products in this collection only because of the packaging, none of them are really what I am shopping for at the moment and I would need to try them at a counter before I order them from the website.  I am seriously tempted by the bronzer brush (of all items!), I love the blue hue of the bristles and the Pucci container that it comes in...

photo courtesy of Guerlain

Guerlain Spring 2012 Collection - The Pinks and The Blacks

It is hard to believe that we have been working through spring collections for almost two months now and that we have about one more month until the weather improves enough to actually wear all the new shades.  I have seen some great pinks this season and I have been turned into a pink fanatic, I think that I have bought more pink shades this season than I ever have before.  The new collection from Guerlain is another one that contains pinks, I first saw hints of this collection at the beginning of the winter and I have been excited to see for quite a long time now.  There are only a few pieces available on the Guerlain website so I went over to the Nordstrom website to get the full range of products and details.

This collection is called The Pinks and The Blacks, it is a series of pale pinks spiked with touches of deep cool tones.  This collection contains one of the famous Guerlain powder products, the pressed version of the famed Meteorites highlighter.  Meteorites is one of the best selling and top rated highlighting products on the market and has one of the biggest followings among beauty bloggers and the Makeup Alley Makeup Board.  Personally, I am more excited for the eye compacts in this collection than any highlighter that this company could release but I may not be in the majority here.

The newest collection from Guerlain...

Meteorites Illuminating and Mattifying Pressed Powder - Guerlain, the pioneer and leader of powders, develops a pressed powder in perfect osmosis with the skin.  This fine, ultra-light, and imperceptible correcting powder delivers radiance in its purest form thanks to light itself.  The secret of this powder case: a constellation of minuscule multicolored radiant pearly particles with yellow, orange, green, red, violet or white reflections to recreate ideal radiance.  Nestled in an elegant powder case, this compact slips into the palm of your hand, the latest 'it' bag or your makeup pouch.  It goes everywhere you do to show off a radiant complexion in all circumstances.  In a round pebble - decorated with this legendary pink rosette and adorned with an integrated mirror as well as a lovely and incomparably soft puff - new Meteorites will be instantly embraced to become the ally of a perfect complexion.
- 01 Teint Rose - cool pink shimmer

Noir G Mascara - New Noir G is the first mascara to combine the extravagant luxury of a jewel case with a mirror and an extraordinary formula that adds volume, lengthens, and curls.  Ultra-black pigments create perfectly defined eyes without any risk of smearing, smudging, or clumping.  A fortifying agent helps to regenerate lashes by stimulating keratin for fortification and lash growth.  Like a magic wand, the ground-breaking Noir G goes one step further with a refillable applicator, making it convenient and easy to switch to a new wand as soon as you need it.  Pull on the case and with a click, the hidden mirror is revealed.  Add a quick twist and the brush appears, ready to create exceptional, stunning lashes.
- Black - black

Ecrin 6 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - A trend-setter one day and a sleek sophisticate the next, a woman's style changes with her mood.  Transform your look with one palette, six colors - the possibilites are endless.  This new Guerlain eye shadow palette caters to your every whim, offering a range of iridescent, matte, and satin shadows.  Each palette bears the name of a Guerlain boutique in Paris.  Choose your address!
- 66 Boulevard de Montparnasse - pale pink gold /dirty lavender/warm medium lavender/bright cool blue pink/deep warm red purple/dark cool plum

Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - The essence of color: one palette, four shades.  Create, have fun, and dare to wear color as an accessory.  These palettes were specifically designed to be used together and can be mixed, matched, and blended with no fear of mistakes.  Application is extremely simple, intuitive, fun - risk-free!  Choose your range: each palette offers iridescent, matte, satin, and metallic shadows.
- 11 Les Roses - light pearl pink/medium matte bright pink/medium berry satin/deep plum matte
- 12 Les Aquas - light pearl teal/medium blue shimmer/shimmering silver/deep navy matte

Kiss Kiss Gloss - Lips get drenched in sheer, pearly, or sparkly color with the new Kiss Kiss Gloss!  Its revolutionary, nonsticky formula keeps lips moisturized while water-resistant and magnifying esters ensure long-lasting effects with a boost of volume.  Its flat, smooth brush provides accurate application.  Available in three different formulas: Petal Effect gives sheer coverage, Pearl Effect gets a boost of pearly essence, and Gloss Effect provides a subtle, sparkling finish.
- 870 Cherry Pink - pastel pink
- 872 Flush Pink - bright pink
- 871 Frosted Pink - clear shimmer with soft pink hints
- 869 Rose In Bloom - medium cool pink

Rouge G de Guerlain Lipcolor - At the first click, the case reveals a stunning mirror, a promise of your own personal luxury, and then an exceptional lipstick nestled within the case.  An exceptional accessory, Rouge G de Guerlain surpasses mere beauty with a breathtaking formula.  A precious ruby powder interacts with daylight to reveal spectacular radiance unachieved to date.  At the first contact, lips are immediately defined, smoothed, plumped, and hydrated.  As an ode to the color pink, four new glamorous shades have been created this spring!  Your lips will be left radiant and as soft as a flower petal.  The "Pink Collection" Rouge G comes in 4 Limited Edition shades.
- 75 Rose Barbare - deep pink red rose
- 73 Rose Ensoleille - medium warm coral pink
- 72 Rose Innocent - light cool blue pink
- 74 Rose Piquant - medium neutral rose

I love this collection!  My favorite piece is the Ecrin 6 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette, this is one of the best ranges of pink and purple shades that I have seen this season and this might be the only eye palette that you would need to buy to create all the pink makeup looks you want this season.  I hate how hard this product is to find but I must try to get to a counter in New York City and buy this palette.  I don't need the other two palettes; the pink one is unnecessary if I purchase the Ecrin 6 Couleurs and the other palette contains blue shades that I would never use.  To round out the eye makeup products, I must try the new mascara formula.
I love almost all of the lip products, I would purchase the lipsticks first.  My favorite shade is the 75 Rose Barbare, this deep red rose will be perfect for spring and then again in the fall.  My second favorite shade is the 72 Rose Innocent, this light pink will be perfect for the spring.  My favorite of the lip glosses is 870 Cherry Pink even though I don't need another pink lip gloss in the least bit.  872 Flush Pink is my second favorite shade of gloss, I have been loving bright pink glosses so far this season and this one looks to be a great addition to my collection.

This collection might be one of my top five favorites of the spring season...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain Holiday 2011 Collection

The Guerlain holiday 2011 collection is completely to die for, I have been seeing hints of it in all the fashion and beauty magazines over the past few weeks and it has been getting some major blog raves from many of the top bloggers.  This collection proves that it is quality that counts, it only contains four products however these are among the best of the whole season.  This concept is so much better than some companies who make huge collections but over half of the products and shades are ones that we have already seen this season or are completely unworkable in many situtations.  This collection contains many shades of blues for eyes, which isn't my favorite look but I am very excited for the rest of the pieces in this collection.

The Guerlain holiday collection...

Vol de Nuit Limited Edition - A perfumed shimmer powder for face, body, and hair.  Pressing on the bulb releases a silky, airy powder.  Inspired by the fragrance Vol de Nuit, makeup and fragrance merge in an ultimate beauty step.  A powder with chypre, vanilla notes true to those of the fragrance Vol de Nuit, whole dominant green and woody energy is softened with vanilla and iris.

Meteorities Perles de Nuit Limited Edition - The uber-cult pearls highlight for Christmas.  For unforgettable celebrations, these uber-cult pearls are being reinvented in a holiday season limited edition with new pink, white, gold, orange, and silver shades.  Five perfectly smooth beads to correct, illuminate, and even out the skin and give radiance with unprecedented sparkle.

Parure de Nuit Limited Edition - A pressed, 2-in-1 powder for face and blush.  A powder with pale pink, white, deep pink, and blue green harmonies.  Four shades decorated with an iridescent and translucent shower of stars, to form a universal harmony that gives the face a fascinating aura.  Nestled in a black velvet suede-finish pouch lined in blue-green satin, the black lacquer case conceals an extremely soft brush made of blue-green goat hair.

Ecrin 4 Couleurs Limited Edition - The colors of the night.  A new harmony offering couleurs for night owls, from twilight to the deepest night.  Iridescent - minute green, blue, and gray pearlescent particles play under the light and released luminous colour with an extremely metallic finish.  Matte - a black shadow with an extra-matte, ultra-gentle, and incredibly comfortable finish for a precise, intense liner effect.  For blazing, smoky, strong, and spellbinding eyes.
The most amazing piece of this collection is the Vol de Nuit shimmer powder, I am very interested in this woody fragrance and this bottle will look beautful displayed in my bedroom.  I wish the shades in the Ecrin 4 Couleurs would be better suited to me, the palette is beautiful however I don't do blue eye makeup shades and therefore there is no point in me purchasing this product.  I am very intrigued by the blush and face powder in this collection, I wonder how the blue-green acents in the powder actually appear on the skin.

It kills me to not have any type of Guerlain counter anywhere near me...

photo courtesy of Guerlain

Guerlain Fall 2011 Collection - Mirror Mirror

There are very few companies that can hold a candle to Guerlain in the lipstick market.  As we all learned this summer, Guerlain actually created lipstick as we know it today back in the 1800s.  all those years of practice have lead to a series of stellar lip products and we are seeing one of the best in the fall collection.  Along with top quality lipsticks, Guerlain also has a series of wonderful eye makeup products.  For fall, Guerlain is giving us a small collection that consists only of lip and eye makeup products.  A bit sad, since their blushes and face products also have obtained cult status however no one can ever go wrong with any type of Guerlain product.

This collection is named Mirror Mirror and I have found a description of it on the Nordstrom website.  "It's easy to become a legend with a luminous complexion, intense eyes, and unforgettable lips.  Discover the fall collection and become a classic beauty.  This fall, invent your own fashion!"  Since I can't find anything about this collection on the Guerlain website, I have turned to the Nordstrom website to find all the colors and descriptions that I need (I also checked out the Temptalia Beauty Blog to ensure that my shade information is correct so I musst give her credit too).  I can't understand why this isn't on their website, this is a lovely collection and no other company can describe products in the same romantic style that Guerlain does.  Oh well...

Let's check this little collection out...

Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - The essence of color: one palette, four shades.  Create, have fun and dare to wear color as an accessory.  These palettes were specifically designed to be used together and can be mixed, matched, and blended with no fear of mistakes.  Application is extremely simple, intuitive, fun - and risk-free!  Choose your range: each palette offers iridescent, matte, satin, and metallic shadows.
- Les Violets 01 - shades of lilacs and plum
- Les Bleus 02 - shades of bright and deep blues
- Les Verts 03 - shades of olives and browns
- Les Bois de Rose 04 - shades of warm roses and browns
- Les Gris 05 - shades of grays and charcoals
- Les Fumes 06 - shades of cool medium and deep browns 
- Les Cuirs 07 - shades of golds and bronzes
- Les Perles 08 - shades of whites, pinks, and pale grays
- Les Noirs 09 - shades of blacks and cool pink

Rouge G by Guerlain Lipcolor - A jewel lipstick compact with a white gold shimmer designed by Lorenz Baumer, a young and talented jeweler in the Palace Vendome.  A horizontal design with feminine curves that houses a secret: a mirror automatically appears when the compact is opened.  The lipstick has a purely elegant, contemporary design and closes magnetically.  This exceptional object boasts a comprehensive, premium formula containing a star ingredient: ruby powder, which acts as an optical whitener to bring out the color and shine of the shades.  The blend of natural active ingredients (Tiger Grass, wild mango butter, Gugul resin used in Ayurvedic medicine) completes the formula to plump up, smooth, and bring moisture and softeness to your lips.
- Garconne 25 - bright true blue red
- Gigolo 70 - deep rich cool berry
- Girly 71 - warm brick red

Eye Pencil - Glide-on eye color that stays put!  Formulated with unusually high pigment content and a creamy gel, these cushiony, silky eye pencils take on unrivaled intensity and depth, and can withstand wind and tide - including extremely hot, humid climates!
- Kohl Me Navy (20) - deep blackened navy cream
- Kohl Me Ebony (30) - deep dark black cream
- Kohl Me Jungle (40) - deep blackened forest green cream

Liquid Eye Liner - Guerlain Liquid Eye Liner has been designed like a calligraphy tool for precision and simplicity of use, with an ultrafine brush, long handle, and impeccable line.  From the thinnest to the heaviest contour, it provides flawless application.
- Brun Cendre (05) - deep black brown

I love these lipsticks and the eye shadow palettes!  My favorite piece of the collection is the cool red shade of the Rouge G de Guerlain, the packaging enough on this product is more than enough to make me fall madly in love with it but the lovely shades and amazing formula take this lipstick well over the top.  I have always been a sucker for elegant packaging and this lipstick is among the best that I have ever seen, I now want it in every single shade that I like and can see this becoming quite dangerous to my Visa. 

The other aspect of this collection that I am most excited about are the eye shadow palettes.  If I had to choose, my favorite shade is the Les Noirs 09, I love the variety of the blacks and the pale pink highlighter to create a slightly different version of a smoky eye.  My second favorite of the shades is the palette of purples, Les Violets 01.  This is another palette that I would use at night and I can use it to create the plum smoky eye that I have been interested in trying since I saw something like it last spring in an issue of Allure.  Les Verts 03 and Les Cuirs 07 contain warmer shadow shades and would work well for a daytime eye. 

The fall collection from Guerlain is lovely and very wearable for almost anyone.  I am hearing hints about the holiday collection and I am adding a side trip to the Guerlain counter at Saks next time that I get into New York City.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

French Week 2011 Day 5 - Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick

It was recently pointed out in an issue of In Style magazine that French women are known for wearing very little makeup but always having perfect skin and a great lipstick.  We already covered the Clarins primer that I believe is part of this equation and now we are going to look at the lipstick part of the look.  In Style also pointed out that most French women tend to prefer red lipstick so we will on the look-out for a great red shade in this post.  For the lipstick part of this theme week, I pondered several different companies but decided that Guerlain has always been considered a consistent winner in the lip product category with the additional bonus of a very strong French heritage. 

The Sephora website provided the needed information on the company history and impact on the beauty industry.  "In the world of fragrance and beauty, The House of Guerlain has one great reputation - one of unparalleled devotion to luxury, sophistication, and elegance complemented by unprecedented excellence that has been handed down from generation to generation."

"Guerlain was founded in 1828, when Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain opened his first boutique in Paris.  Trained as a doctor and chemist, he enjoyed immediate success thanks to his revolutionary work, which led to many innovative 'firsts'.  Guerlain was the first to create scientifically based skincare and to sell kohl eyeliner and mascara.  Then in 1840, he introduced the very first lipsticks.  Even years later, The House of Guerlain continued this tradition of 'firsts' by introducing Terracotta, the benchmark for all bronzers, and Meteorites, the first product to incorporate colored pearl to create luminosity and even out skin tone.  Add to its oeuvre more than 700 fragrances (several of which are considered to be among the masterpieces of perfumery), and the Guerlain name has become internationally recognized as a symbol of artistry, superlative quality, impeccable style, and ultimate grace."

The description from Sephora convinces me that this is the perfect brand when looking at French women and their love of lipstick.  I had no idea that Guerlain was so revolutionary in the beauty industry, especially around the inventions in the color products.  This is the first company that introduced lipsticks and now creates many of the most famous lipsticks in the world. 

Guerlain has several lipstick formulas available right now.  Today, we will look at the KissKiss formula, one of their traditional best-sellers.  "Lipstick is like a girl's best friend, her accomplice in seduction.  Both luxurious and beautifying, it's also an essential everyday accessory.  An ultra modern, jewel-like talisman that provides radiant color for lips.  With a name so evocative of all that is fun-loving, sexy, and provactive, KissKiss Lipstick is the perfect choice for every look imaginable.  Housed in a polished gold lightweight metal case, it's the ultimate in modern luxury."

This lipstick is available in six beautiful shades, from the most daring red to a muted neutral beige.  I would go right for the famous reds in this collection but all of the shades look amazing.

- Exces de Rouge 523 - intense berry red
- Cuivre Fusion 529 - golden berry red
- Forever Beige 558 - dark warm beige
- Rose Strass 567 - rose pearl
- Rose Malicieux 568 - shimmering plum
- Rose Miami 579 - vibrant pink rose

Exces de Rouge would be my first choice from this lipstick line and since it is vibrant red, I am betting it is the best-selling shade in the product line.  I find it fitting that the most beautiful lipsticks come from the company that first created the concept of lipsticks.  And how chic are the containers that house this jewel of a lipstick?!  I would love to pull this one out for touch-ups!

Perhaps my look this fall can be learned from the French; red lipstick and little to no face makeup piled on to cover a few flaws...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Guerlain Summer 2011 Collection - Terra Inca

Every year, Guerlain releases a different version of their famed Terracotta collection for the summer.  Terracotta is a line of top-rated bronzing products and among the most famous in the whole Guerlain collection.  Which is saying a lot, since this company produces a lot of beauty winners in almost every single category.  This year, the traditional bronze products are complemented with pops of colors for the eyes and neutrals for the lips.  Terra Inca is the name of this year's collection and I am betting that it is based on shades that are associated with the Inca tribe.

This collection spans another group of bronzers to choose from this summer.  The offerings from this company are considered the Rolls Royce of bronzers so I am betting that if you can't find anything else that works for you, that you will find a shade or product in this collection that will give you a great sun-kissed look for the summer.  Nordstrom states the following about the overall collection, "Guerlain celebrates the arrival of summer with a color-drenched, incredibly chic Terracotta collection!  With colors ranging from ocean blue, flamboyant orange, and ardent browns, Terra Inca invites you to experience a stunning Technicolor voyage."  I'm not that I can embrace the techicolor eye shadow shades but I am noting that the model for the collection wears the bright eye shadows even though she has blue eyes exactly like mine.  Maybe I can make this one work with a bit of practice...

The new version of the famed Terracotta collection...

Terra Inca Eye Shadow Palette - The catwalks have set the tone: summer will be flashy!  Guerlain reinterprets the trend by creating interlacing, intense colors sprinkled with golden arabesques.  A vibrant orange, an intense blue, a deep brown, and a lighter brown, speckled with with a pale golden tone, can be used together or separately to match your every desire and mood.
- bright orange/bright light blue/deep shimmering brown/light shimmering brown/pale shimmering gold

Terra Inca Sublime Radiant Powder for Face & Body - A skin accessory between design and desire, this powder is composed of two subtle pearl shades: a highlighting golden beige and a pink bronze.  Together, these shades will embellish your complexion while warming the skin with an iridescent glow.  The case mimics the extra-large wooden bangles worn by fashionistas, making Terracotta Powder the 'it accessory' of summer 2011!

Terra Inca Kohl Kajal - The cult favorite Kohl Kajal returns to light up the eyes with its ultra-pigmented formula.  Its creamy texture glides on perfectly, making it ideal for women who love a deep and hypnotic look.  Applied at the inner corners, the gaze is instantly accentuated.  It is a summer essential!
- Black Frida - deep rich black

Terra Inca Ombre Fusion Cream Eye Shadow - Ombre Fusion Cream Eye Shadow is a unique creation that offers the softness of a powder, the richness of a cream, and the lightness of water all in one.  These eye shadows reveal a spectacular metallic effect by adorning the eyelids with fabulous shimmering reflections.  the effect is striking and will last from dawn to dusk.  Designed to resist heat and dips in the ocean, the Ombre Fusion eye shadows are the first Guerlain cream eye shadow specially created for the summer!
- Bahia 01 - shimmering cream beige
- Havna 02 - shimmering deep bronze
- Maya 03 - shimmering clay

Terra Inca Moisturizing Gloss - Neon fuchsia, sunny coral, flamboyant red: These concentrates of color envelop the lips in delicious sheerness with insolent shine and give an instant radiance boost to the face!  Their secret?  A luminous and translucent formula, free of sparkles but packed with pigments.  The non-sticky gloss can be applied at any time of the day for an ultra-sensual effect.
- Mambo 08 - bright coral orange
- Salsa 07 - bright fuchsia
- Tango 09 -  bright warm red

Terracotta Bronzing Powder - Whether dark or fair, blonde or brunette, Terracotta powder perfectly creates a natural-looking tan, whatever your complexion.  Its unique texture has always been Guerlain's best kept secret.  It leaves no lines or marks, only a natural, radiant, luminous tan as never seen before.  Its formula, enriched with moisturizing ingredients, does not dry out the skin and ensures long-lasting comfort.  An unequaled range of bronzers to enhance all complexions.
- for blondes - three pink-toned shades: 00/02/04
- for brunettes - four golden-toned shades: 01/03/05/07
- for ethnic skin - one copper-toned shade: 08

I am most interested in buying both of the types of bronzing powder that were featured in this collection.  For the original formula, I am betting that I might need one of the ones that are recommended for blondes since they are pink-toned and should be a bit better for my skin that the more golden shades.  I would like to try the other bronzer too since it has been receiving top marks with many of the other beauty bloggers. 

I am intrigued about the eye shadow palette but I will need to see it before I decide that these are looks that I can pull off.  I will need to plan a trip to Saks or Nordstrom soon so I can make my decision (if it is even in stock at either place anymore), I'm not sure about either the blue or the orange shades in it.  I would like to buy all three shades of the cream eye shadow in the hopes that they really are weather and wear proof, since I can't get cream eye shadow formulas to stick around in the summer time.  I will be skipping out on all of the lip glosses, if I want a high pigment product than I will just look for one of the lipsticks from this company

The bronzing products seem to be the biggest hit from this collection with the cream eye shadow coming in close behind.  I am still thinking that many of these shades might be too warm for me but I can still try them at the counters...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain 2011 Spring Collection - Sur Noire

I am very disappointed with the Guerlain spring 2011 collection, it consists of only two products. To top it off, none of the products are from the eye shadow collection, a star product in their makeup collection. I am sure that these two products are very high quality and worth their starring roles in the collection but I can't help but wish for more products in this collection. Two new products seems like a bit of a robbery for their fans who eagerly await their newest collections each season. The blush in this collection has appeared in many fashion magazines so far so I am sure that this product is very high quality and will be a top seller for the company.

Guerlain's newest collection...

Blush G Serie Noire - A mix of four complementary translucent and natural shades. Each with a subtle pink for natural blush undertone. Created to highlight the complexion. First, a black suedette pouch lined in fushcia satin. Inside is a case that jealously guards its secret. Shiny, smooth, and lacquered black, the case nestles in the palm of the hand. One click. The cover opens and the most ravishing of coloured stripes sppear in full light, stamped with a G in elegant calligraphy. When Rouge G becomes a powder, Guerlain invents the most luxurious of blushes. Energized orange, intense fuchisa, delicate pink, and pearly pink: four shades that make your cheeks flush pink. These healthy glow boosters harmonize perfectly to revive the complexion and give it energy and vitality. Apply with its black and fuchsia blush applicator, adorned with the Guerlain signature.

Rouge G Serie Noire - All the voluptuousness of Rouge G now declined in a temptress, black lacquered collection. This collector's edition hides its colours in a precious case, dressed in black lacquer and the seal of Guerlain. What's inside? The formula of the famous Rouge G in a light and creamy version. The rich and voluptuous texture adorns the smile in an ultra-sophisticated coloured caress. Lips are deliciously shiny, subtly tinted in springtime colours.

- Rose Desir 71 - medium red rose

My favorite piece of the collection is actually the piece that I have heard the least about, I love the new lipstick shade and would purchase it before the blush compact. I like the blush compact and find the combination of shades very interesting. My major problem with shopping for this company's products are the availabilty of product. My local Sephora only carries the basics of the Terracotta collection so I either need to go to King of Prussia or New York City to buy any more than that. My favorite counters in the Saks in New York so next time that I am heading up that way, I will try to hit up Saks and try the blush compact out.

photo courtesy of Guerlain

Guerlain My Insolence

When I first heard the name of this fragrance, I was thinking of a fragrance that would be dark and mysterious. The picture that I got in my head was of a French bad girl, a very fashionable lady that doesn't care about anyone else or what society thinks of her. However, when I first saw the bottle, my inital thoughts were shaken because the bottle is light pink, not a deep plum or black like I had originally pictured it. And that was the first of several surprises about this fragrance.

Guerlain states, "The radiance of a surprising, free, daring femininity. Everything about her is free, the world is her oyster! She moves forward, her fragrance trail in her wake. This extreme freedom, indifference to commentary, spontaneity, and even her excesses make her magnificent. She is who she is; she is irresistably set against prejudice and convention and is unafraid to be unreasonable. Her motto: 'Whoever loves me will follow!'"

"From innocence to insolence. My Insolence is a delicious encounter that reveals your emotions and intimate sentiments. Thanks to this voyage of self-discovery, you can finally unveil a new facet of your femininity. Created by the sculptor Serge Mansau, the bottle seems carved in light. If it weren't for the Guerlain stamp on the cap and pearly white frosted lettering, nothing would come between the glass of the bottle and the radiance it captures, which reveal the tender rose of the fragrance. Body, neck, cap: these 3 half-spheres form a triple revolution around themselves".

Guerlain also provides a detailed fragrance description on their website. "Gourmand, Floral, Sparkling. Spontaneous, gourmand, fresh, My Insolence Eau de Toilette takes you on a journey to adorable softness. This gourmand floral expresses the delicious encounter of a ripe, round raspberry and an almond tree flower that has fallen under the charm of a sensually feminine jasmine accompanied by the mysterious patchouli leaf".

I pulled a few more details about this fragrance from the Sephora website becausde what I smelled when I used the fragrance didn't really match up with the description from the company. Sephora's description, "Exuberant notes of violet are accompanied by jubilant red berries like raspberry. A hint of orange blossom and rose impart a striking intensity, while sensual iris and tonka bean resins finish the scent, making My Insolence the ultimate luxury fragrance". The notes are: Spiral Accord, Iris (Orris), Orange Blossom, Rose, Violet, Sandalwood, White Muck, Tonka Bean, Raspberry.

I found this fragrance to be light and powdery instead of the deep complex fragrance that I was expecting. The fragrance would be pretty in the springtime but I feel that the description just doesn't match the fragrance. I really smelled the violet and orange blossom in this fragrance instead of the rose or base notes.

Personally, I feel that this fragrance would have been better marketed with a different name, I understand the essence of the free spirit that Guerlain is going for and I think it matches the fragrance but the name just brings up a totally different image than the fragrance gives off. I am glad that I received a small sample bottle of this product from Sephora or Macy*s before I went out and bought this fragrance.

I like this fragrance but I'm not in love with it. It is pretty but the image that I got of it when I first heard the name just doesn't match with the fragrance and somehow the mismatch just spoils everything for me. I will be sticking with my other rose fragrances for now...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Guerlain Fall 2010 Collection - 68 Champs - Elysees

This collection from Guerlain is 100% pure French beauty, I love it! The collection is named 68 Champs - Elysees and after hearing the name, I just visions of fantastic French women in my head. The Nordstrom website states, "68 Champs - Elysees, a collection that pays tribute to the French glamour and joie de vivre that is the root of the Guerlain spirit. The new Fall Color Collection, boasting rich eye shadows and new lip colors for the must-have look of the season". I love it!

Here is the new collection...

Eye Shadow Palette - A trend-setter one day and a sleek sophisticate the next, a woman's style changes with her mood. Transform your look with one palette, six colors - the possibilities are endless. This new Guerlain eye shadow palette caters to your every whim, offering a range of iridescent, matte, and satin shadows. Each palette bears the name of a Guerlain boutigue in Paris. Choose your address!

- 2 Place Vendome - white satin/gray-taupe satin/golden taupe shimmer/almost-black charcoal/sapphire satin

- 29 Rue de Sevres - shimmery barely-white pink/warm gray satin/deep brown taupe/blue-gray satin/shimmery sky blue

- 68 Champs Elysees - shimmery white/matte gray taupe/cool dark brown satin/blue-gray satin/shimmery royal purple

- 10 Rue de Francs Bourgeois - matte yellow beige/warm sand/red-brown/dark warm brown/shimmery orange gold

- 93 Rue de Passy - matte dusty pink/dusty violet/dusty gray purple/dusty mauve/shimmery pale pink

Kiss Kiss Gloss Serum - Guerlain's new Kiss Kiss Gloss Serum brillantly combines the art of lip care with the magic of colors. This extreme-shine formula, combined with anti-aging active ingredients, helps lips look and stay more beautiful by smoothing wrinkles and fine lines. Instantly and day after day, lips are beautiful, smoothed, plumped, and rejuventated.

- Myrrhe - sheer peach pink

- Cuir - brown-orange red

- Grenat - mauve rose

- Ambre - peach pink that is more on the pink side

- Baie de Rose - bright pink

- Violine - plum

- Tonka - warm peach rose

- Vermillion - sour cherry

Le Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick - Guerlain called on one of the most talented jewelers from the Palace Vendome in Paris, Lorenz Baumer, to create an object of mystery and seduction: Rouge G de Guerlain. At first click, the case reveals a stunning mirror, a promise of your own personal luxury, and then an exceptional lipstick nestled within the case. Rouge G de Guerlain surpasses mere beauty with a breathtaking formula. A precious ruby powder interacts with daylight to reveal spectacular radiance unachieved to date. At the first contact, lips are immediately defined, smoothed, plumped, and hydrated.

- 13 Giny - medium warm mauve

- 14 Gillian - warm mauve pink

- 68 Gigi - medium fushcia

- 69 Gwen - deep wine

Blush 4 Eclats - Blush 4 Eclats is the ultimate in sculpting blushers. Its cleverly beveled brush is designed to achieve the perfect color effect. By brushing over the palette from left to right, the brush picks up the lighter shades and applies them to the top of the cheekbones. The darker shades naturally cover the lower cheeks to add depth and structure to the contours of the face.

- 07 Caresse de l'Aube - peachy pink

'Kiss Kiss' Gloss - Lips get drenched in sheer, pearly, or sparkly color with the new Kiss Kiss gloss! Its revolutionary nonsticky formula keeps lips moisturized while water-resistant and magnifying esters ensure long-lasting effects with a boost of volume. Its flat, smooth brush provides accurate application. Available in three different formulas: Petal Effect gives sheer coverage, Pearl Effect gets a boost of pearly essence, and Gloss Effect provides a subtle sparkling finish.

- 847 Peche Charnel - peach

- 848 Brown Sugar - pink brown

- 823 Poppy Star - bright cherry red

Those eye shadow palettes! I am simply in love with them and they are my favorite product of this collection (as they always tend to be). 2 Place Vendome is my favorite of the line but I still would love to own them all. 93 Rue de Passy is my second favorite of the group. I am going to pass up on the blush until I can get to Saks and have the makeup artists show me how to use the colorings in the pan. Lip wise, I want shades from all three formulas. From the new Gloss Serum, I love Grenat, Ambre, and Violine. From the Rouge G de Guerlain, I want Gillian and Gwen. The last item that I want to get is the Brown Sugar shade from 'Kiss Kiss' Gloss.

I am simply in love with this collection, this is one the best that I have seen this fall. I am feeling so Parisian right now...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom