Earlier this month, I posted a preview of Lancôme’s fall 2009 Declaring Indigo collection, with information on the idea behind the creation. Today I am reviewing some of the eye makeup items in this collection. (The second part of this review will be posted next week.)
The three feature colors in the Declaring Indigo collection are blue, red, and gold, and one of the key items is Palette Liberté in 01 Bleu Royauté, which includes a mix of royal blues and gold-toned neutrals.
Color-wise, the two royal blues are almost the same. Also, they both have a satiny matte finish with a faint iridescence. The main difference is that the bottom-right blue contains gold flecks. The bottom-left is a yellow-toned gold (light-reflective shade), while the top-right is a cool medium molten gold (shadowing shade). Both have a softly metallic finish. All the colors in this palette are well-pigmented and have a good staying power.
The two blues can go on sheer or very intense depending on how much is layered. I personally think that, for such strong colors, they look better when they are layered to reach full intensity.
One thing worth noting is that the blues have less movement than the golds. (This seems to be a typical difference between matte and shimmery/metallic shades.) Careful blending is essential. Or you can go for a dramatic block-color look with minimal blending.
For those who would like more subtle and wearable colors, 02 Or Liberté would be a good choice. It features a complete palette of colors, with a highlighter, lighter/darker shades and a lining shade.
The two shades on the right are essentially the same as the two golds in Bleu Royauté. The bottom-left is a light beige-gold with a similar softly metallic finish, and the top-left is a soft black with gold flecks.
To my surprise, my favorite shade in this palette is the black. While it remains a black when worn (which doesn’t look greyish or brownish), it is a soft black that doesn’t look harsh on the eyes. With its subtly shimmery finish (which resembles the natural gloss of the lashes), the color very naturally enhances the base of my lashes without making my eyes look too made-up (which is something I tend to worry about when I use black as an eyelining shade).
Overall, I think this yellow-toned gold palette would suit those with a cool-toned complexion better. For those with a warmer complexion, try pairing this palette with warmer beige-golds.
(The two palettes are housed in gold caseswith Lancôme’s rose motifs.)
The Ink Artliner in 01 Black Carbon Ink is a cream eyeliner that is applied with the brush designed by Aaron De Mey (available separately). Black Carbon Ink is a very rich black with a matte finish. The waterproof cream goes on smoothly and has a very good staying power. When I test it on the back of my hand, the cream seems to have ample playing time before it sets. When I test it on my eyes, it seems to dry up much more quickly since there is (dry) eyeshadow powder underneath.
The brush is flat with a round tip, which is an optimal shape for an easy and precise application. I also like the fact that the hair is short enough so it is easy to control the brush.
The Virtuôse in 015 Royal Gold Top Coat is, as the name suggests, mainly an eyelash top coat. It has a light-gel texture and is infused with gold flecks. The blue in this mascara is more muted than the blues in the eye palettes. This particular shade is more about adding shimmer to the lashes than about adding color, length or volume. The effect is nicely subtle. (This is a non-waterproof product.)
If you would like to see swatches of the Bleu Royauté palette, please check out this post on My Women Stuff.
The second part of the Lancôme fall 2009 collection review will focus on the three Color Fever Matte lipsticks, the two Color Fever Glosses and the Rose Liberté highlighter. I will also share my thoughts on the whole collection as well as my personal picks.
Updated on July 1st 2009:
You can read the second part of the review here.
Related posts:
Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Spot the Difference – Lancôme Spring 2008 Collection L.U.C.I.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi PJ Thanks for the link! I saw it not very long after you posted it – You're right about the blues – they do look very similar except for the gold flecks. I was quite puzzled why they'd put 2 blues and 2 similar looking golds in one palette!
Hi Paris,
You are very welcome! :)
I think the Bleu Royauté palette would be more versatile if the two blues were of slightly different tones. But I think this particular shade of blue is certainly the key shade of the whole collection and that the palette is the statement piece of the season for Lancôme. Perhaps this is why two versions/finishes of this color are available in the palette.
Thank you for posting your comment again! :)
I am very excited about this collection, and I can't remember the last time I said that about Lancome. The whole look is very rich and vivid. I can't wait to hear what you think of the lipsticks – I think I might need the orange red.
Grace
x
Hi Grace,
This collection certainly has a clear concept behind it and a strong identity. Blue eyeshadows and red lipsticks are a striking pairing as well. I will post my thoughts on the lip items in a couple of days. Hope you will enjoy the post!
Thank you for stopping by again! :)
I so want the Bleu Royauté palette.
Today I was at my local "parfumerie" here in Brussels and they had these new Ombre Absolue quads just in. I hadn't heard from those before, but looked them up and they are also available on the French Lancôme website. The SA told me they were replacing the Color Focus palettes (which were in the sales bin).
Funny that Lancôme chose to introduce the Indigo look still with the Color Focus quads instead of those new Ombre Absolue quads.
Hi CedriCeCCentriC,
I just had a look at the French Lancôme website and saw the Ombre Absolue quads, which we don't have in the UK at the moment. (I don't think they have been launched in Asia either.) They seem to be a natural progression from the Ombre Absolue singles and duos. Some of the color combinations look quite promising to me…
Perhaps the Color Focus palettes will still be around for a little while. But who knows…maybe I will see them in the sale section in this year's winter sale…:)
Thank you for posting your comment again! :)