I wonder how many brides out there have made Vera Wang a part of their wedding experience. Hundreds of thousands? Maybe even millions?
Let’s see… There are her wedding dresses, perfumes, fine china, jewelry, apparel, accessories — wow, that’s a lot of Vera!
Just now, I remembered being a bridesmaid in Jen’s wedding and getting ready in the suite at the hotel on her wedding day. I remember a bottle of Vera Wang Perfume sitting on the bathroom sink that Jen’s mother-in-law had given her for her wedding day (how sweet!).
Oh, and then there’s Vera’s fine china! I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I have a not-so-secret obsession with fine china, thanks in part to Vera Wang’s Wedgwood Lace collection.
The first time I saw it was at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki, right before my wedding in 2006. I hosted tea there for all of the girls, and Vera Wang Wedgwood Lace was the china used in the tea service.
I’ve been lusting after it ever since…
Still haven’t gotten any because I’ve been wanting to finish the dining room first (at least get a table), but one day…
Mark my words — one day I will enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and serve myself a cup of tea on my very own set of Vera Wang Wedgwood Lace china!
With so many different projects and products, Vera could probably rest safely on her laurels. But she isn’t. As a matter of fact, she recently expanded her empire to include makeup, with Simply Vera Vera Cosmetics, introducing even more babes and brides to Vera’s simply modern, feminine aesthetic.
The line, available now exclusively at Kohl’s stores and kohls.com, includes 16 different makeup products encompassing 74 shades, with prices ranging from about $16-40.
Inspired by Vera’s personal philosophy on makeup, the neutral-heavy palette feels fresh and modern to me, yet timeless and conservative.
Here’s a closer look at some of the pieces from the new line. Let me know what you think. 🙂
Illuminating Powder Blush in 315, $19.50
Transforming Shadow Duos in 402 (left) and 404 (right), $19.50 each
Smoothing Lipcolors in 702 (left) and 709 (right), $18.50 each
Smooth Shine Lip Gloss in 806, $18.50
Swatches from the left: Transforming Shadow Duo in 402, Transforming Shadow Duo in 404, Illuminating Powder Blush in 315, Smoothing Lipcolors in 702, Smoothing Lipcolors in 709 and Smooth Shine Lip Gloss in 806
How about the packaging? Vera says she was aiming for sleek and modern, but I’m on the fence. I generally love minimalist packaging, but might be even too minimalist for me.
I do like the use of typography, however… I think that’s very cute. 🙂
As far as the pieces themselves, the eyeshadow duos seem particularly promising. Both 402 and 404 feel nice and buttery, and I was surprised by how much pigment they conveyed in the swatches.
I also swept a bit of the blush with the accompanying brush (looks like a throwaway accessory) to gauge the level of pigment.
It’s quite sheer…but could also be a godsend on days when I don’t have/want to spend a lot of time blending.
And for her lipsticks and glosses, Vera appears to have gone the unflavored route, also in line with the overall cautious theme of the collection. I do detect a light semblance of a scent, though, a light apple that I find very pleasant.
From what I’m seeing here, I think these pieces would be a good fit for gals who like neutral eyes with kick.
But what do you think? Do you dig the neutral palette? Or would you have preferred to see more brights?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
dani@callitbeauty says
June 9th, 2012 at 8:41 pmOoh, I’m liking what I see! Especially the Illuminating Powder Blush, the lippies, and the gloss! Also, the packaging is really cute.
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Getting My Bronze On With Physicians Formula!
Windie says
June 9th, 2012 at 9:03 pmAre the products made in the USA?
Meg says
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:25 pmI think they are made in Belgium.
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
June 9th, 2012 at 10:19 pmThese items look beautiful! I remember hearing about the line before it launched and I was very curious to see what she would come up with–and I’m liking what I’m seeing! I’m one of those girls that loves the play with makeup, but in my regular, everyday life I much prefer a minimal, neutral look (but in a fun way). That’s why Bobbi Brown is one of my favorite lines–she is the queen of wearable, pretty makeup! I definitely need to get my hands on some Vera Wang cosmetics–it looks like my kind of beauty
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: Burberry Lip Mist Natural Sheer Lipstick in No.213 Field Rose Review
Tor says
June 10th, 2012 at 2:38 amThey do look perfect for that traditional glowy wedding look. 🙂 I quite like the colours, I love fresh pink makeup. I like the packaging, especially the little blue boxes – kind of retro and modern at the same time.
JennySue Makeup says
June 10th, 2012 at 5:45 amI’m so glad to see this review as I’m a huge Kohls fan and have been wondering if Vera’s cosmetic line would be any good. I should never doubt Vera though, and this low maintenance line and neutral palette looks perfect for her fan base. Thanks Karen, I swear you read my mind everytime when I’m wondering about a new product!
grlnxdor says
June 10th, 2012 at 6:44 amLooks like a very promising line and I simply love Kohl’s! However, I really HATE the whole number thing. Why do companies do this????
Marian says
June 10th, 2012 at 6:45 amLooks pretty and very bride appropriate to me. I quite like it!
Swatch And Learn says
June 10th, 2012 at 7:47 amThe lipsticks look very easy to wear and pretty. I’ve never tried any makeup from Vera Wang before. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos.
Swatch And Learn recently posted … Smorgasbord Sundays: Helping the Homeless
corallista says
June 10th, 2012 at 7:50 amWhat a gorgeous selection of shades! The lipsticks and eye shadows look great, can’t wait to see these on you!
corallista recently posted … The Lipstick Challenge Day 20 : L’oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick Bold Bordeaux
Meghan says
June 10th, 2012 at 7:51 amThis range looks lovely and very bride appropriate, but the price point seems a bit steep for Kohl’s. (Although, I completely understand and acknowledge that the Vera Wang on the label accounts for a good portion of said price tag!) Admittedly, my experience with Kohl’s cosmetics hasn’t been all that positive; I tried a few pieces from their American Beauty and Flirt! lines a few years back and wasn’t terribly impressed. Given that, I feel like my beauty dollars might be better spent on other brands!
musical says
June 10th, 2012 at 9:45 amThe lip colors look lovely! You had me at typography :). The overall packaging of these lipsticks is a bit similar to Salma Hayek’s line-the bottom pearly looking part. Haven’t tried Salma’s line, but these look like really luscious, pretty colors. Are these exclusive to Kohl’s?
Liz says
June 10th, 2012 at 10:29 amOne tip that I read when I was researching wedding makeup to stay away from shimmer. Shimer and glitter don’t photograph very well, especially when flash is used. If these products are meant for brides, I’m surprised at the shimmer in the dark side of the eyeshadow. It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but I would assume the blush is also shimmery with the title “illuminating”.
Overall, as a collection, this seems okay. However, when I think of Kohl’s, I think affordability. The price on these seems kind of high. Pretty much in line with MAC, not super expensive, but much more than drugstore brands.
Olivia says
June 10th, 2012 at 10:41 amI love the colours of the lipsticks. Especially 709; What a beautiful warm pink!
But the packaging is not at all what I expected… they remind me of the boxes that you get toiletries in on planes and in hotels.. I think it’s the shade of blue.
Teresa says
June 10th, 2012 at 12:45 pmHi Karen, I was interested in this new line~until, that is, L’Oreal surprised us with their new summer Infallible shades! I posted about the two I scooped up but I’m still looking for the dark purple one. Once I get over that craze I’ll have to check out Vera Wang’s foray into make-up :))
laura says
June 10th, 2012 at 1:30 pmIts pretty, and the colors look nice, but… it is kinda expensive, if I’m going to pay that much for a lipstick I would go with MAC or something else that I know I will like!
Cristy says
June 10th, 2012 at 2:07 pmI would have to research if they are Cruelty Free… Or owned by a parent conpany that test on animals..
But overall it’s one more cute line out there 😉
artemis says
June 11th, 2012 at 3:27 ami like the eyeshadows’ colors 😀
Nina says
June 11th, 2012 at 7:21 amI actually saw these at Kohls over the weekend. I went w/ my MIL to shop for a bit during a lull in the graduation festivities and they are promising. My only beef is they seem a tad pricey for what they are.
Most of the products are sheer-ish which is not a bad thing at all!
Jeney says
June 11th, 2012 at 1:17 pmI actually bought both of those eyeshadow duos with some kohls cash about a month ago! I do think they are very nice.
Susan says
July 9th, 2015 at 7:41 amKohl’s in Brewster And Wappingers Falls New York, is not carrying any Simply Vera Cosmetics includin #706 Smoothing Lip Color. Know anybody else who may sell it. It’s my favorite lipstix