Despite its official moniker, “State of Gold,” Dior’s holiday 2015 collection could have been called “State of Gold and Gray,” because gray makes a memorable appearance. Dior played with the concept of mixed metals in this release, and even though gray is not a color that usually pops into my head when I think, “Yay! Holiday collections!” I think it really works here.
I’ve been wearing five of the 13 pieces in the release, which is available now at dior.com and coming to Dior stores and counters this November, and I’m impressed by the way Dior handles these mixed metals.
But first! — why gray and gold? Well, both are iconic, signature colors at the House of Dior, much like beige and black are over at Chanel.
But with this collection, Dior handles the two colors in what I think are unconventional ways, like what they’ve done here with the eyeshadow palette I’ve been wearing, Blazing Gold. There’s a cool gold in the center next to a gray shade, but the gray isn’t just one of those blasé run-of-the-mill grays. No, it’s a breathtaking shimmery taupe-ish gray with flecks of cool golden micro glitter.
Seriously, it’s so beautiful that I almost can’t take it! — and when you wet it and wear it as an eye liner? Great Caesar’s ghost, it sparkles like 100 Leonid meteor showers. Gimme dat sparkly gold and gray! 🙂
I love funky combos and interesting ideas like that, and Dior does it again with the Gris-Or Nail Lacquer, where they combined gold and gray in the nail polish. I never would have expected it to work — a mix of metallic gold and metallic platinum? — but I think it totally does.
I’ve worn two of the four lacquers in the collection — gold and platinum Gris-Or and creamy, classic red Passion — and I like them both.
And can we just talk about Dior’s nail polish brush for a second? Isn’t it the best thing ever?! Flat and wide, it covers my entire nail from base to tip in a single swipe, and that brush tip is a beast. I love the crescent moon shape; it perfectly fits along the base of my nails, creating crisp, clean lines every time. It never leaves a mess, either, by getting polish on my cuticles.
I also gotta give a big shout-out to the lipsticks in this release. Dior tried something new and different by giving their creamy Diorific lipsticks a velvety matte finish, and it that makes them look a lot like Chanel Rouge Allure Velvets (my faves), so you get a healthy dose of matte, but you can still see them reflecting a little light back at’cha (not too much, though).
I’m really loving the creamy formula right now because my lips have been a freakin’ mess. Because of this cold I’m fighting, they’ve been very dry and flaky. In the video at the top, I’m wearing the rosy pink shade, Fascinate, and gasp! — my lips actually look like those of a normal girl! You can’t really see the flakes at all, which is grrrreat!
As long as you’re just sipping a La Croix water, or something like that, these should last about three or four hours on your lips, and they have Dior’s classic rosy lipstick scent.
Take home message: the pairing of gold and gray is something I don’t see often (ever?) in a holiday collection, and it makes this one stand out. Yeah, the collection also has some more typical holiday pieces in golds and reds, but the gray adds something fresh.
The collection will be coming to Dior counters and stores in November, but if you can’t wait (Christmas in September!), you can find it now at dior.com.
Many more details and closeups in the video at the top. As always, thank you for watching.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Exciting news about Baby Girl! 🙂 Last night while I was reading to her in bed (which is something I try to do every night, so she can hear my voice before I go to sleep), she started kicking. ?
I had El Hub place his hand on my tummy, and the look on his face… I wish I’d had my good camera within reach because it was the same look El Hub gave me when we said our wedding vows…
Aww, so cheesy!
When he felt the kick he said, “Well, now we know she’s gonna be a soccer star! Just wait, we’ll watch her play in the Olympics someday.”
Hey, I’d have no problem with that, just as long as she lets me paint her nails with little soccer balls before her games. ⚽
I’m intrigued by the eyeshadow quint however their formulas have been crap recently… Is this one improved from recent releases?
Hi Raenne,
Yeah, I think this one’s better than some of the ones that’ve been coming out lately. It’s more medium pigment and blends beautifully. HTH, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Good to know – thanks!!
You’re welcome! Happy to help. 🙂
I wish Dior would innovate a little more for the holidays, it’s been what, 3-4 years in a row that their Holiday collection is called Gold something?
That being said, I love love the lipstick on you in the video, it looks like a perfect velvety finish. You also got me intrigued about the palettes – I love a good shimmer that’s forgiving on my dry lids!
Yeah, they’ve been lovin’ the gold lately! LOL
And the lipstick in this is so beautiful. I think you’ll like it a lot!
Oh I forgot to mention that I bought La Croix Cerise Limon sparkling water after you talked about it :p It’s really good, I wish I could find the natural flavor to add it to my homemade carbonated water.
OMG, I’m down to like two cans and my friend texted me the other day to tell me that there’s no more at Target! I’m freaking out!
Next time try the Peach Pear, it’s super good. 🙂
I actually got the last pack of Cerise Limon at my store. I think your blog post about it has created a shortage, lol!
Seriously I may cry if Target doesn’t get more soon. I know that Whole Paycheck carries them too but Target is way less $$$, ya know?
La Croix 4 Life, ya’ll!
Excuse me for butting in, but Karen the La Croix water is available on Amazon if you get desperate. 🙂
Hi Karen! Hope you feel better soon. I was so ready to give Dior ALL of my holiday 2015 money (minus the $80 I socked away for Guerlain Perles des neiges Meteorites). I’m always anxious to see what Dior has in store each season. But I can’t justify spending money on this collection. The colors are just not that exciting to me. I will take a look at the gray/gold nail polishes at the counter, but I expect to skip this collection entirely. Hope you enjoy the other lippies when you grab them.
Thanks Laurissa, I’m feeling a little better today. 🙂
While you’re at the counter give the lippies a swatch just for fun! You never know if you’ll fall in love.
Yes! Thanks for this, I’ve had my eye on this collection. I am loving all the pieces you have and the lipstick is beautiful. I was more interested in the polish, more for the packaging (sucker), but I don’t think the colors are that unique. Thanks for the review!
You’re welcome, Indya! Let me know if you have any other questions about the items here. 🙂
Very pretty collection. I’m glad to hear the eyeshadows are better than usual. I like the eyeshadows color combo. I’ve been reading that hyper-blended eye looks are supposed to be “in” for fall. I like more dramatic looks myself, and this is a bit expensive for me, so I’ll be passing.
The Fascinate lipstick is probably my favorite piece from this collection although the eyeshadows look very pretty too and you look beautiful too!
I am so glad you’re starting to feel better!And it must be so exciting to feel the baby kick, i cannot even imagine that feeling!
Wow! What a gorgeous collection.. I never would’ve expected gray and gold to look good together, but it looks amazing! And those lipsticks are to die for xx
mybeautydreamss.blogspot.com
Haha, yeah, forget pills and cough syrup to feel better, JUST PLAY WITH ALL TEH MAKE-UPS! 🙂 I looooove both lippies, both shades are so pretty. The nail polishes sound really easy to apply, cool.
Hey Karen,
Do you know when this amazing collection will come out in France? I looked at the Dior website (the French one), but nothing was indicated..
Hiii karen! good to hear that baby started kicking.. it’s the best thing about pregnancy atleast according to me.. 🙂 enjoy!
I don’t usually do grays too much myself but that shadow is gorgeous! I could live without palette though so I need to find a good dupe..
Meh. I really thought that once Peter Phillips took over at Dior that we’d see some exciting pieces, but no. Guerlain is getting most of my Holiday 2015 money and Chanel will get the rest.
Thanks for sharing these precious moments with us :D!!
I always thought Dior made the best eye shadows, so I am surprised to hear that the formula hasn’t been up to par. I am not a big fan of grey. They look too muddy on my deep-set brown eyes. I do love the rosy-toned lip color. I currently have my eyes on Bobbi brown’s Luxe Lip color in Neutral Rose, but $35 for a lipstick has an “ouch factor” Oh, heck my birthday is coming up in about two weeks. At 56, I am worth it.
Glad to hear that you felt baby girl kick. Wait until you start to see her move across your tummy. At one point, I had a vision of Alien. His legs just ran across my stomach. It was weird.
That eyeshadow is right up my alley! I think the colors are awesome for cool toned people too.
I’m craving La Croix too but my husband drank them all. He also drank all the diet Hansen’s root beer already! He’s been eyeing my Kevita too, I’m gonna have to put the smack down!
Awwww, such a sweet story about the baby!
I’m loving on that gray-silver-gold-duochrome nail color.
I must be suffering from makeup over load. While this collection is pretty, it just doesn’t thrill me to the core, so I’m going to save my money.
So excited that baby girl is announcing her presence to you with the kicks! Sounds like El Hub is excited and happy too. Hugs to you.
Aww, it always makes me happy to hear your baby updates. I’m glad all is well!
So exciting about baby kicking! I hope you feel better soon, I remember what utter hades it was to be sick when pregnant and not be able to take an-y-thing! I think I am going to have to pick up one of those lipsticks because the casing reminds me of Daleks (Diorleks!!) and I’m a big Whovian. Funny story, I went to Dillard’s tonight and they had the collection but they were already sold out of everything but Radieuse. The girl didn’t know what lipstick I was talking about until I said “the lipsticks that look like little Daleks!” and then she’s was like “oh yea! this way!” so I thought that was funny. Also Happy Halloween!