Press Samples from Izzy's Perfume & Beauty Shoppe (Unaffiliated links)
Every once in a blue moon there are products that are
so perfect that one is left to wonder whether their utter perfection can ever be equaled. Certainly this category of extraordinary products is familiar territory for Guerlain, but these two products are so amazing that I may just covet them more than anything else that I have. As you are well aware, I seldom spend much time talking about packaging because I am, as a rule, far more interested in the contents. However, in the case of Guerlain's Precious Eyeshadows in Place Vendôme No. 2 and the Emilio Pucci Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush- the packaging is innovative, high quality, substantial, and so stunning that I simply cannot avoid commenting on them.
Place Vendôme No. 2 is housed in a substantial metal compact with a stunning see-through filigree lid that looks more like a piece of luxury jewelry than the crowning jewel to a eyeshadow compact. Trust me, when I finish the contents of this compact (which I will because the contents are as amazing as the housing) I will keep it and try to repurpose it (it would be a crime to throw away this work of art).
The Emilio Pucci Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush, a truly
divine product that you can only still find at Izzy's, is an ingenious wooden compact that feels ultra luxurious in the hand. The lid is held in place by 3 magnets that hold it securely together with a simple twist of the wrist.
These two beauties are stunning individually, and together are a perfect pairing for any season.
Precious Eyeshadows in Place Vendôme No. 2 is from the Champs-Élysées Collection for Fall 2010, and it is truly one of the most gorgeous eyeshadow palettes that I have seen-- let alone had in my collection! It is important to note that there is no detectable scent whatsoever- so to those of you who avoid Guerlain because of their signature scent-- there is no need to fear this palette!
A trend-setter one day and a sleek sophisticate the next, a woman's style changes with her mood. Transform your look with one palette, six colors. The possibilities are endless. This new Guerlain eyeshadow palette caters to your every whim, offering a range of iridescent, matte and satin shadows. Each palette bears the name of a Guerlain boutique in Paris. Choose your address! Featuring six sultry shades, this versatile eye shadow palette transforms your look with endless possibilities from nude to couture to smoky. Packaged in a luxurious, silver-tone compact you'll want to put on display, the universally flattering colors include light beige, ivory, soft charcoal, patina, royal blue, and midnight blue.
Bottom right and clockwise: light beige, ivory, soft charcoal, patina, royal blue, and midnight blue (at the far right).
Each of the shades is beautifully pigmented, silky smooth, and ultra finely milled. The colors are rich, deep and complex-- not to mention beautifully coordinated and versatile.
The midnight blue shade at the far right is nearly black, but it contains subtle midnight blue pearl for added complexity. Additionally, the pearl makes the whites of the eyes appear whiter and more clear.
This is, without question, a lust-worthy A+ eyeshadow palette. It is also all you need for a multitude of looks- and the built-in liner is much appreciated by this liner-loving girl!
Then there is the highly coveted and long ago discontinued Limited Edition Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Powder Bronzer & Blush, from the Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Collection for Summer 2012-- that is unmitigated perfection. This half-bronzer half-blush compact is as gorgeous on the skin as it is in the compact! The beautiful Emilio Pucci pouch that protects the compact is a lovely touch-- and it is so fantastic that you will definitely find yourself using it.
As the star of the collection, this exquisite powder and blush combine two success stories: Guerlain's legendary Terracotta powder and Emilio Pucci's iconic prints. The world of beauty and fashion unite in a single case to beautifully enhance the complexion. Half bronzer and half blush, this hybrid powder has a lightweight formula and offers a universal harmony of four shades. The outer case pays tribute to the paneling of a Riva yacht with an ebony-colored varnished wood. Presented in an accessory pouch printed with the Pucci motif, this is the ultimate summer accessory.
The bottom shade in the compact is a very pale pink/white that is very light and sheer on the skin, but does deposit some shimmer. Swatched on my skin it is actually fairly imperceptible. The next shade is a blue-based medium pink, and it is stunning! The next shade is a lovely orange. Finally, the upper half of the compact is a gorgeous bronzer, and one that I have found not to oxidize on my skin.
The strips of color on the blush side of the compact are a bit too thin to to use individually, but when swirled together it is easy to control how pink or how orange your blush will be depending upon where your brush lingers. Mixing the blush shades can range from a pink shade to an orange shade, but the prettiest is a pinky-coral with a lovely sheen.
The bronzer, on the other hand, is big enough to use by itself. That said, swirling all four shades together definitely creates inspiring and easy-to-wear shades.
It should come as no surprise that the texture of this Emilio Pucci bronzer/blush combination is soft and silky smooth. It very finely milled and as such it blends like a dream. It is stunning and long-wearing, but the powder is heavily fragranced with a pleasant floral scent, and while I love the scent it will definitely be a deal-breaker for those sensitive to fragrant makeup.
As you can see, or rather can't see, the pink-white shade that I swatched at the bottom of my arm does not show up on my skin. The following three shades (pink, orange and the bronzer) all offer buildable color. Above the bronzer shade, I swatches all three of the blush shades, and then at the top of my arm you can see all four shades swirled together.
Emilio Pucci Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush is unadulterated perfection.
Bronzer Ingredients:
Eyeshadow Ingredients:
Overall assessment: I am madly in love with both the Precious Eyeshadows in Place Vendôme No. 2 and the Emilio Pucci Terra Azzura Bronzing Powder & Blush individually, but think that they are heavenly when used together. However, if you are forced to choose between them- I would say grab the Emilio Pucci bronzer/blush- not because I prefer it to the eyeshadow compact, but because once it sells out it will be nearly impossible to find.
Guerlain Precious Eyeshadows in 2 Place Vendôme Size: .25 oz /7.3 g. Regularly $88.00, but Izzy's Perfume & Beauty Shoppe is offering
10% off exclusively for Lola's readers using Code: GU10. This promotion will run for two weeks and expires on October 28th 12AM PST.
Press Samples. All views expressed are categorically my own.
