The colors in Givenchy’s Summer 2009 collection remind me of the colors in this summer’s Laura Mercier Bohemia and Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess collections, with tan cheeks, coral and bronze lips and cool blues and grays for eyes.
I get the feeling Givenchy set out to satisfy everyone with this release by including warm cheek and lip shades and cool metallic colors for eyes.
The collection is out in stores now, with prices ranging from $24 (the Pop Gloss Crystal lipglosses) to $50 (Prisme Again Eyes quad) each. To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some swatches, pictures and first impressions of six of the nine items.
Givenchy Summer 2009: Pictures
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Coral
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Coral lipgloss wand
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Rose
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Coral lipgloss wand
Prisme Again Eyes in Sun Reflection
Prisme Again Visage in Sun Mango
Prisme Again Visage in Sun Cinnamon
Mister Bright Sun Touch of Light Pen in Sunlight
Mister Bright Sun Touch of Light Pen in Sunlight brush tip
Swatches
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Coral
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Rose
Swatches from left to right: Mister Bright Sun in Sunlight, Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Rose, Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Coral
Prisme Again Eyes in Sun Reflection
Prisme Again in Sun Mango and Sun Cinnamon
All of the swatches
First Impressions
Pop Gloss Crystal in Sun Coral and Sun Rose ($24 each)
Like the Givenchy Pop glosses I’ve used in the past, these are also taste- and fragrance-free. As for texture, they feel thin on my lips and aren’t sticky at all. Yet despite how light they feel, the colors look surprisingly rich (high pigmentation). In short — they rock!
Sun Rose looks like the more dramatic shade of the two, and I bet it’d look great with bronze or brown smokey eyes.
Sun Coral (a warm, shimmery coral) may appeal to you (like it appeals to me) if you love warm, nude shades.
Of the six products I’ve tried, the lipglosses have been my favorites.
Prisme Again Visage Compact Powder Quartet in Sun Mango and Sun Cinnamon ($43 each)
These face powders are like warmer, more expensive versions of MAC’s Rose Romance Beauty Powders.
Like the Rose Romance Beauty Powders, they apply with a sheer finish that’s equal parts matte and shimmer, making them ideal for subtle (but not too subtle) glows for cheeks.
Sun Mango is the lighter of the two colors. It’s a sheer peach that I bet would look smokin’ hot on lighter skin tones. Sun Cinnamon, a sheer tan, would probably better suit girls of a little darker skin tones like mine.
I like them both, but I do wish they weren’t so expensive….
Prisme Again Eyes in Sun Reflection ($50)
This eyeshadow quad comes with a shimmery silver, shimmery greenish gray, shimmery light blue and a shimmery bronze. With the exception of the bronze, each of the colors applies more cool toned than warm, and I think the silver and the greenish gray shades look too alike for me.
Despite my couple issues with it, Sun Reflection should thrill hardcore Givenchy fans because of its shimmery, cool shadows.
A couple weeks ago, Laura Mercier released a summer quad with a similar blue-bronze vibe called Mediterranean Sea ($35) that I think flatters my skin tone a little better.
Mister Bright Touch of Light Pen in Sunlight ($32)
This shimmery golden bronze highlighting pen is for adding subtle glows to cheeks and eyes. Love the convenient brush tip and the teeny, tiny flecks of glitter. A big fat *yay*!
Wrap up
I love the lip and cheek colors and, as usual, Givenchy’s hot packaging. I think they’ve got packaging figured out.
What do you think of the collection? How do you think it compares to the other summer releases?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Summer is always a spare time for me and makeup! The tones tend to be very warm (appropriately enough) and I find it frustrating that every year seems to be the same color type! Bronze skin, coral lips, and bronze/gold eyes with a touch of blue or aqua! Of course that’s a major generalization, but all the collections I’ve seen this year seem to fall into the general mold. They’re pretty, but if I like it, I’ve already got something very close to it!
Ha, enough griping, I’ll just sit back now and wait for Fall collections! 😀
Hi Glosslizard,
It’s usually the opposite for me. Often the fall and winter tend to be too cool. Oh well, c’est la vie!
I think this collection is a bit boring (compare with Stila, Guerlain and Nars…)I like to wear something super bright during summer…
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Hi Citrine,
Yah, it’s not as flashy as others I’ve seen. Still, it has some pretty items…
Hi Karen. Other than the wrapping it’s nothing special to me. It’s awite….
I forgot to ask you what you thought about Wolverine? I don’t know if I should watch it or Star Trek this weekend or both lol! I’m such a scifi dork.
Hi Sarahc,
I really liked it! I think you should watch both. 🙂
Hey Karen,
I’m not really seeing anything in the collection that couldn’t be subbed with less expensive MAC products. The packaging is really cute though.
I have a question for you (and I’m not sure if I should email it instead), but I hope you can help me out! 🙂 I’ve finally used up enough MAC blot powders to qualify for my first Back to MAC and I’d like to pick up a tinted lipglass with maybe a golden-ish pink shade, possible some sparkle, too. Nothing too creamy or milky, since I already have darker lips and it would wash me out. I’m NC25 in the Studio Fix Powder and NW20 in the Studio Fix Fluid. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for me! 😀
Hi Elena,
The first thing that popped into my mind was Nymphette Lipglass. It’s one of my favorite MAC Lipglasses EVER!
It’s good that there’s something for everybody! ‘Sides, I love watching other people pull off looks that I can’t, it challenges my cosmetics complacency! 🙂
Hi Glosslizard,
Yah, I hear that. I love really bright eyeshadow looks. I would never rock it in real life, but the artistry angle appeals to me.
Oh, I wanna buy a compact just for that top alone. I’m dying!
But everything is looking a bit too frosty for the likes of me…
May have to get a Mister Bright though, the name is just too cute.
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Hi Stef,
They have the BEST packaging. It always looks so elegant.
The cheek stuff isn’t too frosty… you gotta be in the mood for sheer. 🙂
I am SO going to try the “Touch of Light Pen.” Absolutely love what I’m seeing.
Hi Marmar,
It really moved me! I like for highlighting the cheeks. 🙂
LOL, that product description sounds PERFECT.:D
I’m going to check it out when I go in, thanks Karen!
Hi Elena,
You’re welcome. Honestly, I’ve been through probably three tubes of it. It looks really pretty with smokey eyes and with natural looks. I hope you like it. 🙂
Coral rose looks gorgeous, but not at all coral or rose. And I agree with you, I think LM’s Mediterranean Sea is a much prettier quad.
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I want to see these shades on your gorgeous face Karen!!! Any chance you will post a few pics?
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I like the way “Mister Bright” looks but what’s with the silly name?
Wow, thanks for this one. The glosses are so pretty – can’t wait to try them myself!
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