Hand on my heart, toes in the sand and face to the summer sun, Guerlain’s Summer 2015 Collection threw me for a loop.
Mind you…it was a colorful, lovely loop, but still — a loop, nevertheless.
I’m more accustomed to seeing them summon golden goddesses for summertime, with baked bronzes, toasty tans and luscious corals, all of which, you know, I absolutely LOVE, but they took a different path to the sun this time down a boulevard of bronzed skin (of course), with accents of blue, hot pink and yellowy gold.
It’s more color than I’m used to seeing from them this time of year, but I’m cool with that. I love wearing color, especially when it’s handled elegantly like this.
The collection includes two bronzers, two lipsticks, two waterproof cream eye shadows (a first for the brand!) and a nail polish. All of them are limited edition and coming to Guerlain counters and online this May.
This being Guerlain, and with us talking about summer, it only seems right to start with a Terracotta bronzer. This year, the two My Terracotta Bronzing Powders in the release ($55 each) are wearing special outfits! The pans come with a — I’m not sure how to describe it — scuba suit?
A very fancy scuba suit…
Basically, the cover slips on and off the compacts like a rubbery, silicone sleeve. The sleeve for 02 Natural Blondes is turquoise, while the sleeve for 03 Natural Brunettes is coral.
The first thing I did when I opened 02 Natural Blondes was sniff the pan. LOL! You have to do it, man. Like Guerlain’s other bronzers, these have their trademark tiare flower scent (which I love!).
Tiny flecks of shimmer wink at me when I see the pan sitting in the sun, but the shimmer doesn’t really register on my skin. I’m fine with that, though, since my pores and I usually prefer matte bronzers to shimmers.
Even though the bronzer shown here in this post is 02 Natural Blondes, you don’t have to be fair-haired to wear it. This deep, warm and toasty orange-bronze should suit a wide range of skin tones, depending on how it’s worked. It’s easy to blend and very pigmented, so the bronzed effect is noticeable immediately. You don’t have to use much at all, and if you do, things will go orangey.
As for eyes, the new Summer Waterproof Cream Eye Shadows ($32 each, available in two shades — a shimmery beige called White Sand and a shimmery turquoise called Blue Ocean) are a first for the brand. Cream shadows with a fluffy mousse-like texture, you apply them directly to bare lids with the included doe-foot applicator. Wear them alone or as bases for powder shadows.
Guerlain Summer 2015 Collection: Pictures
Guerlain refers to the new shadows as waterproof, but I think they’re closer to water-resistant. They’ll stay put if you’re lounging on the sand at the beach, but I wouldn’t go charging big waves.
I haven’t seen White Sand in person yet, but Blue Ocean? — so freaking beautiful. The coverage is just shy of medium, so I see my skin color peeking through when I wear it on my lids. It’s a delicate, elegant, completely non-scary way to wear turquoise. I also like how Guerlain handles the shimmer. It’s more of a sheen, so it does reflect a little light…but it doesn’t illuminate the whole neighborhood, if you know what I mean.
It also blends fine. I just gently swipe the edges with a ponytail brush.
I think it looks really pretty on the lids with a warm brown in the crease, by the way.
Instead of including a lip gloss this year, Guerlain added two moisturizing, lightweight Rouge Automatique Hydrating Lasting Lip Colors ($37 each). Both have a subtle rosy favor and scent.
I think the gold shade is pretty, but it’s also very sheer, and let’s face it — here, the pink shade is THE ONE.
Yes, it’s to die for. WARNING: You may pass out when you see it in person, so bring smelling salts.
Wearing blue-based pink 662 Fluo Stiletto feels like slipping into a pair hot high heels and being shocked at how comfortable they are. Some bright hot pink lipsticks can be tough to wear, but 662 is effortless. It glides and hugs. The formula’s so smooth and pigmented that — hot damn! — I swear, it makes my lips look plumper and almost qualifies as perfection.
Seriously, where are flakes? What happened to my fine lines? Oh, and as a bonus, as it fades, it transforms into a deep pink stain.
Guerlain Summer 2015 Collection: Swatches (for ref, I’m an NC 42 in MAC)
Le Vernis Nail Lacquer in 700 Blue Ocean ($26) wraps things up with a neat, little bow. This joyous mint waves “hello” from across the room with Chanel-esque secret shimmer.
I want to go on vacation just to have a special reason to wear it on my tips and toes. Two or three layers should do you.
All told, this is a different summer release for Guerlain, and I’m loving it. Definitely put the hot pink lipstick, the turquoise cream shadow and the mint polish at the top of your list of pieces to see up close and personal when the collection arrives this May.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Kwmechelle says
Wow! Just wow! The pink lippie may be the star of the show but you make yellow lipstick look oh so good! Beautiful, ethereal look, chick. Ummm hmmm, I see the beach vibe you’re talking about & I’m definitely a fan. Even looks like the bronzer in Natural Blonde may work for my complexion, though I’d love to see a swatch of the same bronzer in Natural Brunette. Funny thing- I’m wearing a gel polish very close to this one in the pic. It’s a dreary, rainy day here so the pop of color, along with my mint green skinnies I’m wearing, kinda brighten my day/mood. You look mah-ve-lous, dah-ling! Sips tip with pinky finger raised (Dowton Abbey style or RuPaul’s Drag Race style- whichever suits your fancy) =)
Karen says
I’m going to have to go with RuPaul’s Drag Race does Downton Abbey. Can you picture that in your head? I know you can. It would be AMAZING.
Um, and yay for mint skinnies! What is the name of your polish?
I didn’t think that I’d be able to wear something called Blondes either but this is waaaay pigmented. Don’t know if you’ve ever tried Guerlain bronzers but that’s one thing they always do really well!
Lulle says
As a cream shadow addict, I’m pretty excited about this launch! I can’t wait to see them in person and decide which shade I need (it should probably be the blue, because I already own multiple light beige cream shadows).
The look you did with the collection is absolutely stunning. You belong to a beach resort girl!
Karen says
GIRL, you share my addiction! Please let me know which cream shadows are your must-haves. I need to add more to my collection. 🙂
Lulle says
Best texture IMO is the Shiseido cream shadow. It applies and blends like a dream! I was also very impressed by the new Giorgio Armani cream shadows and I’m planning to buy one this week (Senso or Flannel? I can’t decide).
Kwmechelle says
One more thing- THOSE earrings! Pray do tell where you got them? And I’ve changed my mind- this collection has the beach vibe- on a big, huge, fancy yacht!
Karen says
YES! A huge fancy yacht! Do you mind if I invite Bey to hang out with us?! Maybe she’ll bring Blue Ivy along. LOL
OK, the earrings. They’re by Wings Hawaii.
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/i-like-the-wind-beneath-my-wings-hawaii-jewelry/
I got them ages ago, but you still might want to check if they’re around. 🙂
Kwmechelle says
Yes, please invite Bey & the crew. No party is ever complete without her invited. I heart those earrings. I’ll be in GA this weekend. Perhaps I’ll look into it. No clue the name of this polish. I went to some fancy nail place & the nail tech hooked me up. I’ve never owned a Guerlain product but this might change that. Who knows? It might even replace my beloved CG Queen collection bronzer. A girl can dream, can’t she?
Agata says
Wowza, how beautiful are you?? The combination of pink lips and turqoise eyes is stunning. And the nail polish is gorgeous too. You’re beach and summer ready! Take me with you!
Funny the bronzer is supposed to be for blondes but I think it would be way too dark for me.
Karen says
I wish we were at the beach today! Ideally a beach with cabanas and drinks with umbrellas.
Agata says
Yes, or at least poolside. My hotel in Vegas had cabanas and cabana boys 🙂 I would wear that nail polish on my fingers and toes!
Sunny says
OMG I just about passed out now! That lipstick! That NAIL POLISH! MUST HAVE MUST HAVE MUST HAVE! I love how the cream shadow looks on you, although admittedly I don’t wear blue often. I probably should tho. People seem to really like blue on me LOL
Karen says
You should wear more blue, Sunny! If you blend it with a brown like I did here it’s very wearable.
Hope you’re having a nice day! Hi to the kitties. 🙂
Arianne says
OMG I need that turquoise eyeshadow! I never wear makeup to the beach, but I would wear that to the beach!!! Love how you paired it with black rimmed eyes. So gorg!!
Charisma says
I can’t wait to get these! 03 Natural brunettes and fluo stiletto lipstick. Thanks for posting the swatches Karen! Guerlain bronzers are the best!
Vanessa says
Looks great on you 🙂
Ankita@corallista says
That cream eye shadow in Blue Ocean is lovely! I love all shades of blue and green in the summer!
Kiss & Make-up says
You look like a Hawaiian goddess here, Karen, these colors suit you! I’m not sure they’d work on me though.
LindaLibraLoca says
I am so tempted to get the turquoise shadow, just because I love the color so much, but it NEVER suits me. I have about three in barely wear and dislike every time I do, but still there is this voice in my head telling me: But you never tried a cream…
Caz says
Garish & loud colours…until I saw them on you.
Trude says
It’s like this collection was made for you – looks so good on your skin tone! I’m loving that fuchsia lip color like whoa.
Erin says
Fluo Stilleto is my kind of shade!
samantha says
Still wearing your earrings! definitely standing the test of time! Email me Karen! samantha@wingshawaii.com I’d love to get you a new piece for a post!
Brittany says
Can I please ask you what foundation and color you are wearing in this photo? Your skin looks amazing!