I must admit, I giggled a little when I read the inspiration behind the new L’Occitane Pivoine Flora collection. They call it “a graceful peony which dances like a ballerina in the Mediterranean breeze.” 🙂 Okay, I’m a card-carrying queen of cheese, and I live for Hallmark movies, but that might even be too much queso for me.
Well, that’s what I thought…until I set my eyes on the limited edition release. The delicate pastels, watercolor imagery and nubby texture on the compacts all paint a picture in my mind that lines up fairly well with the one L’Occitane describes. It’s a dainty (albeit cheesy) world filled with floating flowers and other things that are soft, sweet and feminine — very Paul & Joe meets old-school Stila — and it’s a gaw-geous visual feast for any packaging lover’s eyes.
A few pieces from the L’Occitane Pivoine Flora collection
The 16-piece L’Occitane Pivoine Flora makeup collection includes…
- Duo Eyeshadow ($16; available in 2 combinations)
- Petals Eye Quartet ($26)
- Healthy Glow Face Powder ($28)
- Lipstick ($15; available in four shades)
- Lip Shine ($14; available in 4 shades)
- Incredible Lip Shine ($12)
- Facecolor Cream Duo ($16; available in 3 shades)
I spent some one-on-one time getting to know the Petals Eye Quartet ($26) last weekend. With its delicate, cool-toned mauves, purples and pinks, its a girly girl’s palette through and through.
Um, how sweet are those ballerinas on the front? Now look closely at the dresses; each one corresponds to a shadow inside.
This was my first liaison with L’Occitane makeup, but from what I’ve seen here, the eyeshadows bear a strong resemblance to Stila’s. I consider that a pretty good thing. They have a similarly soft, powdery texture and sheer-to-medium pigmentation. All four of the shades blend well, but I do notice some minor fallout beneath my eyes. Applied atop a layer of trusty NARS Pro-Prime, they last about six hours without any creasing, and with minimal fading, on me (I have combination skin).
Oh, if you’re a practical gal (or a full-on clean freak), the palette appears to be packaged into something made of cardboard. It looks great, but I wonder how it’ll hold up to regular use. I can see it picking up any leftover foundation, powder and makeup on my hands, and I have a feeling it could be a real PIA to keep clean.
I like these colors well enough, but I can’t say I’m in love. I have a feeling they’ll bloom better on lighter lasses (especially ones who shine in cool-toned pinks and purples) than on gals with tans like me.
PRICE: $26 (or $6.50 a pan)
AVAILABILITY: Available now at L’Occitane stores, counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How was the rest of your Monday? Did you happen to get the positive energy I beamed to you through the monitor in the Monday Poll (I forgot to add delivery confirmation).
Now I plan to relax for few minutes on the couch with a small tub of frozen yogurt, a fat tabby and the remote. Doesn’t that sound nice? 🙂
dani@callitbeauty says
May 23rd, 2011 at 9:06 pmnot a fan of the cardboard, but i love the design of the packaging. also, those are such pretty, wearable colours! i especially like the last two shades.
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Collection Spotlight- J Mendel – Spring 2011
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:21 amMy faves are the mauve and the dark purple!
Nina says
May 23rd, 2011 at 9:27 pmFull-on clean freak here, so yeah it’s not for me =)
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:21 amLOL, I’m only a part-time clean freak. 😉
nidhi says
May 23rd, 2011 at 10:11 pmwoo hoo quite pigmented
nidhi recently posted … Every day look with Boozy shop warm Palette
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:20 amYep.
Kaelin Chan says
May 23rd, 2011 at 10:34 pmThe colors look better in the palette than swatched. Don’t know why though, they seem pigmented and pretty smooth. Just something off to me I guess.
Kaelin Chan recently posted … Click Clack- Living
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:20 amThey’re a little powdery on the skin, but still very nice shadows.
Nicole says
May 23rd, 2011 at 10:48 pmI was expecting a higher price point for a luxury brand like L’Occitane. I am pleasantly surprised at how reasonable these products are!
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:20 amYeah, me too. $6.50 per pan isn’t bad at all!
gio says
May 23rd, 2011 at 11:18 pmThe colors are so pretty and wearable and the packaging gorgeous!
gio recently posted … Product Review- Eyeko Liptastik Glossy Lip Pen in Hot Lips- Lip Lover and Loudmouth
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:19 amGlad you like it!
Jen W says
May 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 pmI love the deep aubergine colour, but a bit meh about the rest of the palette.
Also, the cardboard packaging will not survive a day in my bag.
Jen W recently posted … May FOTD Challenge- Cleopatra
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:19 amYeah, if you’re carrying it around with you it’s definitely going to get messed up. I love how it looks in theory, but not so much in practice.
Soo says
May 24th, 2011 at 12:39 amI actually really like all the colors in this palette! they all look pretty along with the packaging. not sure how I feel about the packaging being cardboard though. I am gentle to my beauty products so it shouldn’t be too big of a deal if I end up getting this. 😛
Soo recently posted … Traveling Sephora Box Update
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:18 amThe packaging is very fitting for the release, but really hard to clean. I already got a few smudges on the palette… boo!
lo says
May 24th, 2011 at 5:04 amPretty! I really like that burgundy color, but already have UD last call, so I guess I can skip it 🙂
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:18 amHi Lo,
UD Last Call is a very pretty shade. What do you usually like to pair it with?
lo says
May 24th, 2011 at 12:51 pmI usually wear it with Sin or anything sort of shimmery-taupey neutral. Otherwise it makes me look like an allergy-zombie! But I love it just the same, because it’s pretty much perfection for my green eyes.
Nina says
May 24th, 2011 at 5:42 amthe colors are soooo pretty! 🙂 and the imprint – just plain adorable!
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:17 amThey sure did a good job with the packaging. 🙂
I hope you can make it to the doctor today… feel better soon!
Nina says
May 24th, 2011 at 10:48 ami hope so too but its not lookin’ good at the moment. :/
Kim says
May 24th, 2011 at 7:14 amThe packaging really is pretty. It kind of reminds me of… ballerinas… dancing n a Mediterranean breeze… 😉 On a serious note, I do like the colors. I’m a pink kinda gal. I’d be bothered by the cardboard, though.
Did you watch Thrones episode 7 on HBO Go, Sunday night? Our cable company doesn’t offer it so I was out of luck.
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:16 amLOL! 🙂
Nope, I didn’t watch episode 7. I can’t believe the season is almost over. *tears* I guess I’m going to have to read the books now… all I have to say is we should just give the keys to the kingdom to Arya and call it a day.
Kim says
May 24th, 2011 at 12:41 pmI hear you. I just got some good news, though. I thought the first season was only going to be 8 episodes (must have misread or misremembered that). Apparently, it will be 10. Yay! True Blood should help take our minds off our disappointment about the season ending. The previews are already making me feel better. 🙂
Lisa S. says
May 24th, 2011 at 7:22 amThese colors are perfect for me! The cardboard doesn’t bother me ’cause I don’t take my shadows with me and I can live with the blush getting dinged a bit.
Also, lately, no matter what shadow colors I use I start with a layer of Too Faced Shadow Insurance and then a coat of Mac paint pot in Painterly This combo gives me a nice matte canvas and makes my shadow practically bullet proof for at least 10 hours.
The price on these is pretty awesome too!
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:15 amSounds like a good primer combo. I remember using Shadow Insurance and Painterly a few year ago and liking both, but I’ve never thought to try combining them.
Lorraine ER says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:19 amI love that deep purple color- is it just an illusion or is there some blue glitter in it? It looks like it in that swatch pic but it could be just me 😉
Lorraine ER recently posted … Still In Trasition
Jessi says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:21 amI love the colors in this palette. and I think they would suit me as I am pale and cool-toned. I loved cool pinks! Thanks for bringing this to our attention Karen!
Jessi recently posted … Kiss My Sass Cosmetics Swatches and Review
Vijaya says
May 24th, 2011 at 8:41 amThis looks so beautiful! I’m putting it on the wishlist!
Vijaya recently posted … Evil Shades Cosmetics Review- Overview Details and Things
productdoctor says
May 24th, 2011 at 12:20 pmI didn’t know L’occitane even did makeup!
productdoctor recently posted … Go for the Glow! NARS Laguna Body Illuminator
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
May 24th, 2011 at 2:16 pmLOVE the sweet packaging but I think these are a little on the cool side for me, wish they would have considered us warmies too!
Karen says
May 24th, 2011 at 6:29 pmMe too. This is definitely a release for the pale, cool-toned gals!
Arummmanis says
May 25th, 2011 at 6:09 pmLooove the colors…looks forward to see them on your lids, Karen!
Arummmanis recently posted … Biore Cleansing Oil Sheet
Vesna says
May 27th, 2011 at 10:56 amThe only shade I don’t like is the 3rd one, but the other 3 are gorgeous! Will have to visit L’Occitane to see this collection in person 🙂