Pastels for spring, you say? Not exactly revolutionary. But there is definitely something about the dawning of a new season and the thought of sunnier days that makes us grabble for the baby pink lipstick and Easter appropriate nail polish shades. Lancome are one of those brands that I often admire from a distance, but their products are not often ground-breaking enough to warrant excitement that spills onto this virtual page; although they have some great staples, often their seasonal collections pass me by without a second glance. However, this spring they've created something that appeals to my inner pastel lover while still ensuring a collection that's grown-up enough to justify the price tag. Not only have they given their much loved lipstick, lipgloss and nail polish formulas a little seasonal update, but created a universal multi-use cheek and eye palette that 'pushes the all-in-one concept into a totally new dimension.' According to Lancome's Make-up Creative Director, Lisa Eldridge, "creativity becomes limitless" via the nine colour cubes that offer infinite combinations.
Lancome describe the collection as "the heroine of this Parisian tale re-connecting with her childlike side to imagine looks with new-found sensuality; both elegant and delicate, playing with innovative textures and zesty colour, but always with an ultra-contemporary twist." Pastels can easily become too girly, too immature and too trend led, but these allow us to dabble while ensuring an elegant, mature and subtle result. Although the shades of the new Lip Lover lipgloss and Rouge In Love lipstick provide a beautiful finish and wearable tone for the lips, the pastel yellow nail polish is definitely a highlight of the collection for me - it's just the perfect colour to step into spring, providing a hint of pastel without going for the usual baby pink. (Pink nails actually make me cringe; they're really not my thing and never have been. Perhaps because they remind me of the 80's and the cycling shorts we wore alongside them. Gross.)
However, the nine piece 'My Parisian Pastels' tin is absolutely charming and a somewhat revolutionary approach to makeup, from a usually conservative brand. Although you may recognise the cube concept from The Body Shop eyeshadows of times gone by (rumour has it that Lisa Eldridge was always a fan,) these little multi-coloured cubes can be used in a multitude of ways: alone for a localised touch of colour, mixed together for a healthy-glow halo or in duos or trios for graduated pastel effects. The nine shades are divided into three corrective shades, three blush tones and three illuminating pastels, together encouraging experimentation while offering a real helping hand when your complexion needs a boost. They've definitely not been created with pigmentation in mind, as the result is incredibly sheer and shiny, but they do work well over eyeshadows and blushes to boost colour and provide a healthy glow.
I have to admit when I first took this out of the box that I thought they were all eyeshadows and quickly recoiled in disgust at the thought of a yellow smokey eye, but these are actually intended to be used all over the face. The only issue? As soon as you take them out of the tin or move them about, it's hard to figure out which block is intended for which purpose! The individual cubes are a little fiddly, so it's definitely easier to remove the lids while you're at home and pop them back on again for when you want to take an individual shade with you, but I do really like the portability factor. Although the price of this tin is (brace yourself) £50.00, you do actually get a lot of product for your money - not only do you get nine different shades (working out about £5.50 each,) but the cubes are blooming massive (about four times the size of what you'd normally expect in a palette.)
If you want a little top-up of your blush, highlighter or eyeshadow throughout the day, then these are really handy. If you want to help overcome redness or dark circles around the eyes, then these shades instantly brighten and conceal without overloading the skin with concealer. If you just want an excuse to buy more pastel things, then this is it. This collection won't be for everybody, but it's nice to see Lancome attempting to come out of their comfort zone while remaining incredibly feminine. Unfortunately I don't think this will be in stores so you can't test out the shades and play around yourself, but if you're already convinced that you simply *must have* this little tin then it's available online right now. Just please don't create a pink and yellow smokey eye - it's 2016 for gawds sake.
The 'From Lancome With Love' collection is available now exclusively online, priced from £13.50.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Lancome describe the collection as "the heroine of this Parisian tale re-connecting with her childlike side to imagine looks with new-found sensuality; both elegant and delicate, playing with innovative textures and zesty colour, but always with an ultra-contemporary twist." Pastels can easily become too girly, too immature and too trend led, but these allow us to dabble while ensuring an elegant, mature and subtle result. Although the shades of the new Lip Lover lipgloss and Rouge In Love lipstick provide a beautiful finish and wearable tone for the lips, the pastel yellow nail polish is definitely a highlight of the collection for me - it's just the perfect colour to step into spring, providing a hint of pastel without going for the usual baby pink. (Pink nails actually make me cringe; they're really not my thing and never have been. Perhaps because they remind me of the 80's and the cycling shorts we wore alongside them. Gross.)
However, the nine piece 'My Parisian Pastels' tin is absolutely charming and a somewhat revolutionary approach to makeup, from a usually conservative brand. Although you may recognise the cube concept from The Body Shop eyeshadows of times gone by (rumour has it that Lisa Eldridge was always a fan,) these little multi-coloured cubes can be used in a multitude of ways: alone for a localised touch of colour, mixed together for a healthy-glow halo or in duos or trios for graduated pastel effects. The nine shades are divided into three corrective shades, three blush tones and three illuminating pastels, together encouraging experimentation while offering a real helping hand when your complexion needs a boost. They've definitely not been created with pigmentation in mind, as the result is incredibly sheer and shiny, but they do work well over eyeshadows and blushes to boost colour and provide a healthy glow.
I have to admit when I first took this out of the box that I thought they were all eyeshadows and quickly recoiled in disgust at the thought of a yellow smokey eye, but these are actually intended to be used all over the face. The only issue? As soon as you take them out of the tin or move them about, it's hard to figure out which block is intended for which purpose! The individual cubes are a little fiddly, so it's definitely easier to remove the lids while you're at home and pop them back on again for when you want to take an individual shade with you, but I do really like the portability factor. Although the price of this tin is (brace yourself) £50.00, you do actually get a lot of product for your money - not only do you get nine different shades (working out about £5.50 each,) but the cubes are blooming massive (about four times the size of what you'd normally expect in a palette.)
If you want a little top-up of your blush, highlighter or eyeshadow throughout the day, then these are really handy. If you want to help overcome redness or dark circles around the eyes, then these shades instantly brighten and conceal without overloading the skin with concealer. If you just want an excuse to buy more pastel things, then this is it. This collection won't be for everybody, but it's nice to see Lancome attempting to come out of their comfort zone while remaining incredibly feminine. Unfortunately I don't think this will be in stores so you can't test out the shades and play around yourself, but if you're already convinced that you simply *must have* this little tin then it's available online right now. Just please don't create a pink and yellow smokey eye - it's 2016 for gawds sake.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The 'From Lancome With Love' collection is available now exclusively online, priced from £13.50.
Features PR samples unless otherwise stated. To read my full disclaimer, click here.
Clik here to view.