One day last year during a trip to the Philippines my parents trekked deep into the heart of the jungle on a tour to see a massive python (their idea of a good time), but when they finally located the legendary beast, it turned out to be so desensitized to tourists that it practically posed for the cameras.
When they returned home to California and showed me the pictures, I still couldn’t bear to look at them without shivering. You see, I’m one of those girls averse to creepy crawly things…even tame ones that work in the tourism industry. 🙂
Needless to say, I was on the proverbial python fence about the theme of Bobbi Brown’s newest makeup collection, Peony & Python. A collaboration with clothing line Tibi, the spring collection slithers onto counters next month (but it’s already available online).
Snakes and flowers? — the pairing seemed a little out there to me, so I did some digging. Turns out that New York-based Tibi often incorporates contrasting elements into their clothing designs — masculine and feminine, bold and muted, youthful and sophisticated/mature.
After spending some time with Peony & Python, I think I see what Bobbi and Tibi were shooting for because the products are both sweet and sinister, ranging from sheer to opaque in pigmentation, with delicate colors dancing alongside harder-edged shades.
The seven-piece limited edition collection’s color palette blooms with purple, gray, plum, pink, taupe and mauve. It includes a printed makeup case (see the snake skin pattern?), an eyeshadow palette, a lip gloss, two mascaras, one lipstick and a kit for face, eyes and cheeks (exclusive to Neiman Marcus).
A few more notes on the collection…
- Peony & Python Palette ($50) — While I like the print and the look of the case, the zipper’s difficult to open and close. The darker shadows — Plum Orchid (a matte plum) and Eclipse (a matte black) — apply opaque, while the rest of the shadows are sheer. I happen to like that about them because I think it makes them easy to blend in a hurry. But to achieve a bolder eye look, it also means having to spend the time to layer. A cute and useful palette, but it’s quite spendy, too. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
- Peony & Python Collection Exclusively at Neiman Marcus ($95) — This six-piece sub-set includes the Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush, Mini Face Blender Brush brushes, Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer, Black Mauve Shimmer Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, Pink Lilac Brightening Lip Gloss and a matching zip-up carrying pouch. The standouts to me are the Bronzer (such a delicate pink flush!) and Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (an unusual purplish black). The price gives me tummy trouble, but die-hard Bobbi and/or Tibi fans might still want to splurge. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
- Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss ($22) — This unscented, unflavored purplish pink gloss delicately shines on the lips. I can see myself wearing this thick and sticky lippie with purple and taupe eye looks all the time, but I sure wish Bobs had thrown in a little more product for the price. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
- Lilac Rich Lip Color SPF 12 ($22) — A full-coverage creamy purple lipstick that feels deliciously light on my lips. Like the Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss, it’s also unscented and unflavored. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
- Lash Glamour Extreme Lenthening Mascara in Plum ($24) — You know me and my obsession with drag queen lashes. 🙂 This mascara lengthens and thickens well, but it still has some room to grow (turn up that drama, Bobs! WAY up). I do like the plummy color, though, and that it actually shows up on my lashes. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Peony & Python Palette packaging
Peony & Python Palette eyeshadow names
Peony & Python Palette eyeshadows
Peony & Python Collection Neiman Marcus Exclusive (not pictured: the Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush)
Peony & Python Collection Neiman Marcus Exclusive clockwise from the lower left: Pink Lilac Brightening Lip Gloss, Mini Face Blender Blush, Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer and Black Mauve Shimmer Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (not pictured: the Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush)
Peony & Python products from left: Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Plum, Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss and Lilac Rich Lip Color SPF 12
Peony & Python Palette swatches from left: Eye Shadow in Opal, Metallic Eye Shadow in Lavender, Eye Shadow in Cool Ivory, Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Cobra, Eye Shadow in Plum Orchid and Eye Shadow in Eclipse
Peony & Python Collection Neiman Marcus Exclusive swatches from left: Pink Lilac Brightening Lip Gloss, Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer and Black Mauve Shimmer Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Peony & Python swatches from left: Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss, Lilac Rich Lip Color SPF 12 and Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Plum
Peony & Python Palette eyeshadows, Black Mauve Shimmer Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner and Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Plum
Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer on cheeks and Pink Lilac Brightening Lip Gloss on lips
Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer on cheeks and Pink Lilac Brightening Lip Gloss on lips
Now the real question is, does this collaboration make you feel like doing the Snake?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How’s it going today? I hope you had a good lunch. I’m headed to San Francisco this afternoon to break bread with reader/guest writer Audrey. The forecast calls for soup and salad. 🙂
I love the Tibi designed cosmetic bags the snake skin and peonies are very pretty together, along with the combination of colours she used. The coral pink blush is just stunningly gorgeous. Not a lot of people know this of me but I love snakes and I always wanted a pet snake. The are just so smooth and textured. I think they are just sinister and graceful.
I really like the Tibi design of the palette, and also the interesting combination of shades. I can see what you mean by contrasts.
Also, I admire how you always look flawless on each and every portrait you post during the day. You simply never have a bad day!
I have to admit, this really tempts me. Purple is my absolute favorite color! Never mind that I already got the Laura Mercier Silk Road palette!
I’m loving that Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzer! Looks so pretty on you!
Love these shades together and the bags too. Your hair looks super cute in these pics!
I’m a huuuuuuge fan of the Black Mauve Shimmer Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. It’s so much more festive than flat black.
Love the bags, but wish they came together, and just charged more, or something. Anyway, the shades if the shadows are simple, yet not boring. I really think the gray color is very nice.
Great post. The colors look so pretty on you!
-Leslie
http://www.strategicskin.com/ blog/
Wow, I’m loving that set. It looks so amazing for spring–your pic with the brush, blush, lipgloss and eyeliner is perfection! I think that would probably sell it to me better than the Bobbi Brown ad. 🙂
I love the design on the cases! The colors are so nice and soft, I am definitely falling in love with them. My old neighbor used to love snakes! So, kinda reminded me of her and reminded me i need to call her sometime soon. :]
These look awesome and you look so cute and feminine!
Hi Karen!
I love the purple eye look! Total newb question here, what brush do you for lining the lower lash? I can never get this to work; ends up looking wonky on me. Any hints you got would be hella helpful!
-IK
ps Pass on my Purrs to Tabs. He’s one cute kitty.
OMG…… I really want the bronzer – on its own!!
It’s really pretty and so easy to wear! It looks super bright in the pan but goes on with just a hint of flush.
Gggh. I have a massive snake phobia, and even the snake skin design on the pouch makes me shiver. Might skip the whole set, I wouldn’t be able to touch the packaging anyway!
GURL. Any sort of creepy crawly thing without legs gives me a stomach ache! BLECH!
YES! It’s the no legs thing that’s part of the creepiness! (and birds are vaguely creepy too, with their no arms weird thing going on..)
totally loving the design on the palette! its gorgeouss! although it kinda sucks how the zipper’s not the greatest.. they should totally make a makeup bag with that pattern! 😀
Hi Agnes,
They did! You can purchase it separately. 🙂
Really?! Where can I find it?
The palette is very pretty but I already own other versions of all the colors, so I’ll pass.
Are you a Bobbi Brown fan, Lulle?
i knew it — the packaging gods are out to get me with the python thing going on with this collection! 😀
LOL! I guess their plans to tempt you are working? 😉
fo’sho, girlfriend! 😉
No way! Purple and gray for spring?? 🙂 I actually think the packaging is cute but definitely pricey, especially that NM exclusive. Ouch! Of course, I was immediately drawn to Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Cobra. So predictable! Btw, how cute were you, doing the snake? Loved it! One of my friends does a mean sprinkler and I’ve actually been known to hop and clap, squealing “Do it again! Do it again!”. It always makes me laugh. I’m a bit dance-move challenged, myself. 🙂
LOL… seriously, I think it’s official that purple and gray are this seasons it colors. 😀
I’m also a big fan of the sprinkler, btw. Do you know the shopping cart? That’s a good one too.
I do! If you have a chance, check this list out. It made my morning. Not that I necessarily agree but, gosh, it did make me laugh! 🙂
http://www.askmen.com/top_10/dating_150/194_dating_list.html
I want to pick this up just for the chic packaging! The price is making me think twice, though… maybe 3 times. And Karen, I’m loving your new hair! Gorgeous!
Same old, same old. Pretty but looks like a hundred other BB colors.
The colors look really great on you 🙂 Peony’s are my all time favorite flowers and I lost a bit of fear for snakes having to live with 5 ‘let’s-go-tease-the-only-girl brothers, one of whom owned a snake… (I got smart to stop being afraid of spiders too, just to stop them from hiding them in my bed, LOL) Strangely enough I expected snakes to feel cold and slimy, but it actually felt very dry and warm. Strange, because it is basically just a muscle… So after creeping you out, back to BB. I think the sets are lovely, I have one BB palette and I just love, love, love it. Unfortunately I promised my mummy not to go to jail as a bank robber so it remains way, way, way (and them some) out of my price range 🙂
Do you think the eyeshadow palette is worth it if you don’t have any of these colors? I love the colors because I usually brown/beige/bronze neutrals but want to try different colors. These, you said, apply sheerly so it makes me interested because they sound easy to work with! Ideas? 🙂
I love the packaging more than I love the product. LOL I’m going to resist this one though.
Question for you…..Im torn between this and the Laura Mercier Silk Road palette…..which would you pick if you could only have one?
I got the NM set & love it! Maybe I’m not used to BB blushes (this is my first), but the size surprised me & I love the nifty compact & clicker to open it! Anyway, I know you love your Kate Spade phone holder and I just bought a similar patterned makeup bag from gilt.com! SO cute!