Beauty Review: Guerlain's Exotic Paradise Palette

Last week I bought Guerlain’s Exotic Paradise eye shadow palette from spring 2009 collection. I have been trying it out this week and I am so happy to say I like it!

Colors:
I bought this palette for the unusual selection of colors. I got so tired of browns or grays or pinks and wanted something different! The colors are great, they look good on my skin and go well with my green eye color. When I swatched these shadows at the counter I was worried that it's impossible to build up their intensity. But now I’m actually glad they are not very buildable. The intensity is just right and I feel that otherwise colors could look over the top and even vulgar. However I still would like it to have a bit more pigment!

Stay-on Power:
Maybe I haven't tested the stay-on power to the full yet. I wore these eye shadows only twice when I went out and when I come home I most often immediately take off my makeup. But I can say that colors stay nice and fresh for at least 3-4 hours!

Texture:
It's silky and has some shimmer but not too much. It applies smoothly and blends into skin very nicely.

Experience:
This palette comes with a little booklet that provides recommendations and tips on how to achieve three looks. Oliver Echaudemaison recommends to choose 2 complimentary colors for a subtle look: Highlighter + Velvet or Deign + Contour. To achieve a bolder look, choose the 2 contrasting tones arranged vertically: Highlighter + Design, Velvet + Contour. And for a sophisticated look Oliver Echaudemaison recommends to use all 4 colors.


Following some diagrams from this booklet I have done two simple looks based on these recommendations but with some slight adjustments.
Look 1: Highlighter + Velvet
In addition i applied just a touch of Contour along the upper outer corner of the eye and traced Highlighter along the lower lashline.

taken with a flash
Look 2: Highlighter + Design
I adjusted this look by tracing Contour along the lower lash ine.




Bottom Line:
Overall, I like this palette but I would still want to have more control over pigment intensity of the shadow so am not sure my next eye shadow will be from Guerlain.

Related Posts:
Beauty Buy: Exotic Paradise Eye Shadow Palette from Guerlains' Spring Collection
Beauty Buzz: Guerlain Makeup Collection 2009
Makeup Trends for Eyes - Spring/Summer 2009

Beauty and Makeup: ArtDeco Eyeshadow Eye Designer # 50

I think I found the best (for now) eyeshadow tone to create Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” look! It is Long-Lasting Eyeshadow powder by ArtDeco # 50 in the Eye Designer line (photo above: on the left #50 on the right #49). To use this shadow you have to buy a special applicator as well– see the photo.
ArtDeco, founded in 1985, is a Germany company that manufactures skin care and makeup products.
ArtDeco is available in more than 50 countries in Europe as well as in Brazil, South and Middle America and some other lands.
www.artdeco.de



Color:
#50 - I love the color! Hard to describe it though – it is something like dark earth color with green/brown tones. It also has tiny gold sparkles. Ladies who have green eyes (and Leona does) will be amazed by how this shadow brings out the green color of your eyes without actually looking green…

Applicator:
Love the applicator. On one end it is rounded - which is good for blending (or blending in another color), on the other end is pointed for more accurate targeted application. You can use the pointed end to apply shadow close to eyelashes and in the inner corner. Found this applicator very convenient for doing both a dramatic eye and a more reserved eye makeup.

Texture:
Smooth and silky. Easy to apply and correct mistakes. However you won’t get VERY intensive color. For a more dramatic look I use eyeliner pencil under the shadow and a liquid eyeliner over it. I also noticed that if you apply a lot of ArtDeco shadow to achieve maximum intensity, it becomes hard to blend in another shade. The shadow kind of gets wiped away by the next tone I am trying to blend in. And you do need to blend in case you want to create a smoky eye. (Sorry, but the color looks a bit different in the photo)

Lasting Time and Smudginess:
It does last. I should say it will easily last the whole night out or a day in the office but with some touch ups, the color will fade a bit but eyes will still look made up. It stays in place but it leaves an imprint on the upper lead.

Bottom Line:
I really like the color, how it makes my eyes stand out and how it brings out the green of my eyes. Even though this eye shadow has some room for improvement (e.g.: I wish it had better blending properties), I already bought another refill #50 and another applicator with a golden shadow.

Price:
Applicator approximately 20$
Refill approximately 10$

PS: ArtDeco has a perfect Eyeliner Soft Kajal Liner 86 to match Eye Designer Eyeshadow # 50. It is very soft and easy to apply - like it a lot!