A few weeks ago I walked into an air-conditioned Williams-Sonoma store that had Christmas decorations up and a fancy holiday window display (complete with garland-covered pine tree flocked with fake snow).
In early September.
I’m just sayin’.
Funny thing is, when it comes to fashion and makeup, I actually like super early seasonal releases; they appeal to my inner princess — you know, the one who makes grabby hands at pretty products and says, “Gimme, gimme, gimme!” with big anime eyes. 🙂
One of the earliest holiday collections to stake a claim this fall has been Guerlain’s six-piece Belle de Nuit (beautiful night), with colors inspired by the evening sky. It’s available online now through AHAlife.com, a membership site that showcases a wide range of products from food to fashion and beauty (you have to register for an account to place a purchase), and if you’d rather wait, the collection dances onto counters this November.
From left to right: Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush ($67), Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Nuit d’Amour ($35) and Les Ombres de Nuit 4-Colour Palette ($59)
Guerlain is always expensive, but if you’re willing to part with your pennies, there are some lovely pieces to be found in Belle de Nuit like…
The $59 Les Ombres de Nuit 4-Colour Palette
Fifty-nine dollars!? Goodnight! But this stellar quad just might be worth it. The penultimate performance, pretty packaging, potent pigmentation and complete and utter lack of fallout add up to a lot. On top of everything else, the powders are easy to blend. Spendy, yes, but if you find yourself reaching for grays and blues often, this palette doesn’t disappoint. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
The $35 Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Nuit d’Amour
How cool is that getup she’s wearing? The package is a single piece, so no worrying about losing a cap. Sliding the switch on the side reveals a dark, seductive burgundy bullet that’s more wearable than it looks (see below). Smoove and highly moisturizing, Nuit d’Amour is another gorgeous, albeit pricey, piece from Guerlain. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
The $67 Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush
Breath in, breath out this light pink iridescent powder that Guerlain scented with violets, YUM! I think it works well as either a highlighter or blush by imparting sheer color and a gentle sheen to skin. Like a really, REALLY expensive MAC Beauty Powder with fancy packaging. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Les Ombres de Nuit 4-Colour Palette
Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Nuit d’Amour
Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush
Swatches of the Les Ombres de Nuit 4-Colour Palette
Swatches of Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush on the left and Rouge Automatique Lipstick in Nuit d’Amour
Initially I thought the three pieces might be a bit much when worn together (too dramatic?), but I still gave it a try.
And I think they’re also capable of creating a more conservative, toned-down look for work…
With reservations for the high prices of these pieces, I still like this release and look forward to wearing it to a fancy schmancy holiday party. Granted, those are about 10 weeks away, but still. It never hurts to be prepared! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day!
Don’t think the eye palette is for me…but I am totally loving the lipstick and its packaging
Isn’t that case super cool? I love that I can’t lose the cap. 🙂
Looking gorgeous with these! A little too much for me to spend right now. But on you – beautiful!
Thanks, lady! How have you been?
I still love the “pastel peacock” blush in the pan, but $67 is a little too rich for my blood. 🙂 That said, all 3 pieces look great on you. I especially love the lipstick (and it’s snazzy case)!
Did you break down and see Drive or Straw Dogs yet? I haven’t, but Drive is getting great reviews on RT.
I , loved, loved LOVED Drive. El Hub and I have plans to re-watch it! It was that good! When your hubby comes home you guys should have a movie date. It’s a boy-friendly flick. 🙂
I still haven’t seen Straw Dogs yet, but it’s on the list.
Awesome! I will definitely check it out then. Great idea on the date! He’s been home for a couple of days but is leaving again tonight for a quick trip. Maybe I’ll hit him up for Saturday night. 🙂
The palette is gorgeous! And that lipstick looks great on you!
Thanks, Gio. 🙂
that eyeshadow palette is so pretty! i want it!
It’s a really great palette, Nina! Maybe make it a Christmas gift to yourself?
i can probably put it in my wishlist …. however im around 50% decided that my christmas gift to myself will be an e-reader. i just need a little bit more convincing!
Oh god, they look so gorgeous! Especially the design on that palette 🙂
Yes, I love the peacock feathers!
The lipstick looks just my style!
It would look pretty on you!
Yeah I can’t believe christmas decorations are up at the stores already! But with christmas it means the holiday collections are out, yeay 🙂
That eyeshadow palette is just divine, favourite of the lot for sure.
It seems like the holiday stuff is coming out earlier and earlier. Remember when you didn’t see it in stores until December?
Again, this collection looks amazing on you!!! I love your makeup here!
I remember, back in the day, I think like early middle school, I had a lipstick that was purple brguny with a white star downthr middle and was packaged like that, I think I got it from delia’s, and one day the slidey-bit broke and it partly decapitated my lipstick 🙁
Thanks, Adrienne!
You’re so lucky that you got to wear makeup in middle school. I wasn’t officially allowed to wear it until high schol!
I have pretty chill parents when it comes to that stuff 🙂
It’s funny to think back on it now, because I had the weirdest stuff, but I was totally a trend setter, everyone was stealing my random gimmicky makeup in like 6th grade. I remember “mood lipstick”, colored stick-on Bindi’s, this stuff that was like glitter glue for your face, that bright colored mascara for your hair (gosh that stuff was crunchy and gross!!), chunky disco ball glitter nail polish with glow in the dark stars, oh man…..
Hey girl!
Make-up companies are really doing different things one different markets, kinda annoying. Here in the Netherlands, it’s part of the regular new collection, already in stores… So what would be the holiday one then?? Weird..
I also learned recently, that the new Vanite eye-shadow palette from Chanel is part of the regular collection here, but its BAKED… what many people really don’t like. Not as pigmented and smooth as the US version…
Why all the drama, dear make-up companies? : )
The eyeshadow palette is very pretty!
Isn’t it though? Do you wear colors like these, Vonvon?
The lipstick is surprisingly more wearable than it looks in the tube. I thought we’d be seeing a color Marilyn Manson would wear. 🙂
I’m absolutely loving that lipstick. I already have two of the Rouge Automatiques and I love them to death, so I think I’m good for now! Sooooo expensive 🙁
“penultimate performance”, surely that’s not a good thing 😀
The powder blush is sooo pretty…I would just stare and stare at it and never use it 😀
I think “Belle de nuit ” actually refers to “Beauty of the night’, as we call someone who is beautiful “La belle”. Love your blog, love your photos and graphic designs!
Karen,
Did u find the Guerlain quads pigmented? I bought 4 of them and having a hard time justifying because, although they are buttery smooth, last through 16 hour days (working and have a 2 year old) and ZERO fallout, it doesn’t show up as well as I’d like on my NC42 skin. I have Les Cuirs, Les Gris, Les Bois de Rose and Les Fumes. Thoughts?