Most of my experience with Guerlain makeup has been with their lipsticks, which, while hella expensive, are some of my favorites among any brand I’ve ever tried. The Rouge G’s, in particular, are wonderful ways to splurge in the makeup department. Smooth, rich, long-lasting color, and that exquisite packaging with the hidden mirror in the cap?
TO. DIE.
I haven’t spent as much time playing with the other products in the line, but since I love the lipsticks so much, I couldn’t wait to see what the company’s new line of eyeshadows had to offer.
Each of the nine new Ecrin 4 Couleurs palettes ($59 each) comes with four shadows — one each in matte, satin, metallic and iridescent finishes — in varying levels of coverage. Like the lippies, the sleek gold compacts come dressed to thrill. Everything about the presentation here, from the etched Guerlain logo on the front, to the heft of the palette in the hand, feels like luxury.
Based on the two palettes I’ve tried, Les Bleus and Les Noirs, I find myself being drawn to the iridescent shades, with their opalescent particles that gently illuminate my skin when the light hits them just right. The effect reminds me of a powder-puff lens filter or the light from a soft-white bulb. Generally, all of the shadows in each of the palettes are solid, finely milled and have a downy soft texture that effortlessly blends.
Even so, the price ($59) is quite high, even when you consider that the colors work out to $14.75 per pan — just 25 cents more than the cost of a MAC eyeshadow single. It would also be easier to accept if it weren’t for one thing…
Les Bleus
Les Noirs
Swatches of Les Noirs (four shades on the left) and Les Bleus (four shades on the right)
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