You know what? Eff it! Let’s play hooky this afternoon. Whatdya say?
COME ON! Let’s do it. 🙂 The sun’s out; we could drive into the city, go to the Japanese Tea Gardens, walk around, check out the cherry blossoms, have a cup of tea and watch the pink petals glide in the wind… Doesn’t that sound nice?
I would love that, actually, and by the way, I’ll be wearing the Guerlain Spring Glow 2016 collection, because this collection is all about that laid-back spring lifestyle.
No, not like you’re hiking up a mountain or, like, parasailing or doing X games. More like just enjoying a sunny day outside at the park, or kicking it in the city with your girlfriends.
In this collection, “luminosity” is the word du jour. It’s just a happy, uplifting collection with touches of pink, gold and khaki. I’m feelin’ it…except for the prices.
I mean, yeah, it’s Guerlain, so it’s about a million miles from “bargain” or “drugstore,” but $179 for a powder compact? That’s Rick-sanity, yo! (Side note: The Walking Dead returns February 14. Happy Valentine’s, yay!).
Guerlain Météorites Voyage Exceptional Compacted Pearls Of Powder ($179)
Yes, you read that right — this compact is really $179. At first I thought that was a typo because, honestly, why?
Like, OK…I get it. It looks and feels luxe. The packaging exudes elegance, and it has a gravitas and heft to it. It’s also refillable, and I like the combination of color-correcting, brightening colors — the pink, purple, green, beige and white — which are all billed as “universally flattering.”
I do see it — a bit of brightening, sort of that subtle Guerlain glow. The effect is defintely not super obvious, but that’s great here. I think it’s very pretty.
But $179 pretty?? I dunno… That’s a bit much. I think you can get a similar, and also lovely, effect with the $45 Hourglass Ambient Powders.
So, basically…this one’s a splurge.
Guerlain Météorites Primer($74)
Now, as for the Météorites Primer ($74), it reminds me of BECCA’s Backlight. They have a very similar texture — both on the thinner side — and feel more like moisturizers than like thick silicone primers (like the one by Smashbox).
They also blur my pores in much the same way. Like, I can tell there’s something going on there, but my face doesn’t look spackled beyond belief. Both also add a subtle luminosity, but I think Guerlain’s product does a better job of keeping my oily areas from turning into oil slicks.
I like this one a lot, but if you need real-deal pore-blurring power, you’ll probably have to layer another primer on top; this alone may not be enough for you.
If, however, you just kinda want a little extra blur and glow, it’s a lovely, albeit spendy, option.
Oh! — and it also helps my foundation apply more smoothly.
Rose Aux Joues Blush Duo Smile Blush ($62)
I also like the Smile Duo Blush (of course I do). The darker side is actually the blush, and the lighter side is a highlighter, but you can always mix the two, which is what I do… Hey, I just made a rhyme! 🙂
I really like this particular pink. It’s bright, flushed and looks healthy, you know? — so not like those dolls with the bright pink circles on their cheeks, even though I recognize that it looks like it might apply that way…but it doesn’t. It’s much more natural-looking than I expected, despite the fact that it contains a lot of pigment. I use a single layer, which I end up buffing down, and that’ll last me all day.
Ecrin 1 Coueleur Enjoy Long-Lasting Eyeshadow ($34)
And then there’s this eyeshadow single… You might really enjoy this one…
Haha! Get it? See where it says “Enjoy” on the pan? 🙂
You might like this one if you’re into yellow golds. Like the blush, it’s MUCH more pigmented than I expected, and it lasts a long time, too. I wore it the other day, and after eight hours (I used an eyeliner as a base), it had barely budged.
Le Crayon Yeux in Blackjack and Khaki Driver ($31 each)
The collection also features five water-resistant kohl liners that are soft and smudgy like most kohl liners, which are probably my favorite eye pencil formula because of how generally comfy and non-drying they are on my lash and water lines (unlike gels), but these are redonkulously pigmented and slippery (like a gel).
They’re interesting… I get about 10 minutes to work with them before they fully set.
They kind of remind me of silkier Chanel twist-up Stylo Yeux liners (my ride or dies!). They’ll last at least eight hours on my lash lines, but I find myself having to reapply them after about six hours on my water lines.
KissKiss Lipsticks ($37 each)
By the way, there are also a couple of $37 KissKiss Lipsticks in this launch, but I haven’t seen them up close and personal yet. There’s a light pink called Darling Baby (371) and a light fuchsia called All About Pink (372). In these pics, I’m wearing an oldie KissKiss shade called Pinky Groove 364.
So, in terms of ultra-extravagant makeup collections, what do you think? See anything here you really, really like?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Cherie says
February 8th, 2016 at 4:22 pmOh, boy. This is one collection I’ll admire from afar. I have two Kiss Kiss lipsticks (Beige Booster and Air Kiss) and I do like the formula, but I also feel like there are so many other formulas out there that perform just as well. I also like the Becca primer and I think Hourglass products do give you that nice glow so these aren’t to die for products. And $179 for a compact??? I could get some nice Chanel pieces for that much….but in this case, you’re paying for packaging and the name…pure eye candy.
tirurit says
February 8th, 2016 at 4:35 pmOuch, ouch and triple ouch.
I was drooling over the compact until I read what the price actually is. I feel the need to tell the non existing sales lady that I am “just looking” and to keep my grubby hands far far away from it!
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Joyce says
February 8th, 2016 at 4:45 pmThe Guerlain Météorites Voyage Exceptional Compacted Pearls Of Powder is more of a collector’s item, for those die-hard fans. I think I would have gotten it if the powder had some sort of embossment like the Dior Mitzah eye palette or Chanel’s Lucky Stripes. I always fall victim to pretty packaging. =( I can’t help myself!
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Erin says
February 8th, 2016 at 5:28 pmThe primer sounds nice and I don’t even like primers!
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Kwmechelle says
February 8th, 2016 at 5:35 pmNope, nothing to see here, which is a good thing. I can save my pennies for other makeup. Btw, I neglected to ask today in your poll today which clear eyebrow gel you use? I’ve been using one from NYX that isn’t bad but I’ve been thinking about trying one from ABH. Anything you recommend?
Karen says
February 9th, 2016 at 9:04 amHi, sweet friend!
Yes, definitely go for the clear brow gel by Anastasia. It’s the best one for real-deal hold, and it lasts FOREVER!
Karen recently posted … The Guerlain Spring Glow 2016 Collection: For Ladies (and Lords) Who Love Luminous Looks
Amy says
February 8th, 2016 at 6:23 pmI thought $179 was a typo at first too. Just…NO. That’s pretty, but criminal!
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Laarni says
February 8th, 2016 at 7:34 pm$179$ my jaw dropped. =O
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Natalie says
February 9th, 2016 at 2:02 amBtw Karen, what primer do you recommend for “real-deal pore-blurring power”?
Karen says
February 9th, 2016 at 9:03 amHi Natalie,
There’s a lot of great ones out there. I really like Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer and Make Up For Ever Smoothing Primer. Both are fabulous!
Karen recently posted … The Guerlain Spring Glow 2016 Collection: For Ladies (and Lords) Who Love Luminous Looks
LindaLibraLoca says
February 9th, 2016 at 3:44 amHm, I see a lot of nice things I could most likely live without when I look at the price tag.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer – Marks all over my face
Kiss & Make-up says
February 9th, 2016 at 4:55 amThat blush is so cute. And come on, I could TOTALLY go mountain climbing in that 😉
Fancie says
February 9th, 2016 at 6:46 amYou had me all googly eyed over this collection until I saw the price of that compact. I could see $79 but $179?! I know it’s Guerlain but someone was clearly high when they came up with the price lol. The compact looks pretty but I agree that it’s not $200 pretty. No thanks! The primer sounds pretty nice but I have the Becca one and I’m more on the dry side so I’ll stick with it instead. I’m with Cherie on this one. This is a beautiful collection that I’ll definitely be admiring from afar lol
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jessica says
February 9th, 2016 at 7:03 amyou look so radiant!
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Chris25 says
February 9th, 2016 at 7:47 amYou look lovely, that compact looks wonderful, but that price…yeah. Not quite as nice to look at. lol
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Jennifae says
February 9th, 2016 at 7:52 amI really want to try Guerlain, but I’m afraid my wallet isn’t ready for it yet. 😆
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Kim says
February 9th, 2016 at 9:27 amWow, I knew the compact would be spendy (and I love how heavy and high end their compacts feel) but even I was surprised by that price. That said, you look lovely and I think the primer packaging/formula looks super cool. 🙂
Tatiana says
February 9th, 2016 at 12:19 pmI think LMVH is milking Guerlain customers for all they’re worth. I like high end products as much as the next gal, but $179 for a powder compact??? You gotta be kidding me. I’m not that stupid. Give me Hourglass any day. I think it’s a rare product that Guerlain creates that something similar can’t be found in another line at a more affordable price point.
That said, you do look lovely and glowing, but maybe we can attribute some of that to your expectant state. (My skin and hair were utterly gorgeous while I was pregnant. Only time in my life, too.)
I hope your last couple of weeks seem to go by swiftly and comfortably. I remember my last month of pregnancy felt as long as the previous 8 months. Hugs to you and BG.
Michou says
February 9th, 2016 at 3:11 pmDarling, could you do me a huge favor and box up some of that sunshine and send it our way? It’s been so dreary, cold (seriously, it’s going to be 3 degrees this weekend) and I miss the sunshine and warmth so badly. ::sigh::
As for this collection… I think (like many spring collections), I’m going to pass this one by. Many spring colors don’t mesh with my skin tone and none of them wow me like I know summer colors will soon enough, hehe.
Hope your pregnancy is going SO well and that you, el Hub, and baby girl are healthy, happy and loved. 😀
India says
February 9th, 2016 at 8:19 pmAnd I thought 70 bucks for a highlighter was expensive whew! Did you ever end up checking out the Guerlain bronzer at costco? I ordered one for each of my friends!
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