4/20/2012

Les Merveilleuses de Laduree Beaute

Bonjour mon cherie,

Les Merveilleuses Laduree debuted on January 29th, 2012, a collaboration between patisserie Laduree and the Japanese cosmetic company Albion. Currently, this highly luxurious cosmetic brand is sold exclusively in Japan.

Now, I don't normally put too much stock in regards to exterior packaging, but the texture and quality of these boxes is luxe. The print is so delicate and feminine, it's almost a shame to throw it away.

From left to right: Pressed Cheek Color 19 and 05.

The Pressed Cheek Color blushes retail for 3,990 yen ($48.96) and the compact (sold seperately...BOO!! HISS!!) is 1,575 ($19.33). These blushes go on quite sheer, but they can be built up for a more intense color. They apply smoothly and feel velvety on the skin. The Pressed Cheek Color blushes do have a baby powder/rose scent to them...I've never really gotten the concept behind scented face/cheek products. I was very disappointed with the Blush compacts. The compact comes with a brush that rests under the pan. As with most accompanying brushes, it's pretty much useless. Also, to my dissatisfaction, neither the blush pan nor the compact are magnetized...huge fail in my book. For the price of these products, Les Merveilleuses Laduree should have done a better job at securing the customers lavish investment.

Cream Cheek Base in 03

Next, we have the Cream Cheek Base, retailing for 4,410 yen ($54.08). By now, you should all know that I'm OBSESSED with blush, so I had to try this lovely out. The way your suppose to apply these cream blushes is by tapping the product directly onto the cheeks and then blending out with either a brush or your fingers. I really like these cream blushes. They are extremely pigmented, blend well and long wearing.

Rouge Lipstick in 05.

Finally, the Rouge Lipstick, retails for 4,410 ($54.00). Surprisingly, the rouge lipstick turned out to be my favorite product in the Les Merveilleuses de Laduree collection (the pressed cheek blush coming in second). This lipstick is creamy, moisturizing, and has a nice semi-glossy finish. It wore very well, lasting through several drinks and a sushi lunch :) I truly enjoyed wearing this rouge lipstick. My only issue with this product lies with the mechanics of the packaging. The tube has a clicky rotating buttom that distributes the product, but once the rouge is out, you cannot retract the remaining lipstick back into the tube. So, if your not careful, you run the risk of making an exquisite mess of your lovely rouge lipstick.

From left to right (indoors): Rouge Lipstick 05, Cream Cheek Base 03,Pressed Cheek Color 19, 05.

Rouge Lipstick 05: A warm browned peach.

Cream Cheek Base 03: A red-orange coral.

Pressed Cheek Color 19: A cantaloupe orange.

Pressed Cheek Color 05: Due to overcast skies, 05 looks like a blue based bright pink in the swatch, but it's actually a watermelon pink.

With flash.

Just got home from a day of running around.

Trying to get Aki in the shot, but he was feeling camera shy and said NO!

Products used:
Face:
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (Medium 2).
Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Pressed Cheek color in 19.
Eyes:
Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW20.
Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Spiced Peach G05:
The upper left shade all over the lid.
The upper right shade on the brow bone.
The lower right shade in the crease.
The lower left shade, used to line the upper and lower lashline.
Mac Eyeshadow in Gleam, placed on the ball of the eye.
Mac Eyeshadow in Paradisco, outer corner.
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Pressed Cheek color in 19, outer crease.
Calvin Klein Electric Edge Liquid Eyeliner in Electric Brown, used to line the upper lashline.
Lips
Mac Cremestick Liner in Caramellow.
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Rouge in 05.

Aki working in the back ground :)

I'm crushing his head!

Overall, Les Merveilleuses Laduree is an extravagant brand that's not for the faint of heart or pocketbook. There is one item in this collection that's not featured in this post, the Face Color Rose Laduree, the lines signature piece. Basically, it's rose petal shaped papers coated with blush pigment. I played with this rose petal blush at the counter, and found that it hardly gave off any pigmentation once applied on the cheeks. I really had to swirl the brush in the pot and apply several time to finally get a flushed cheek. The Face Color Rose Laduree retails for 7,350 yen ($90.11) and the Face Power Pot 3,150 yen ($38.62), totaling 10,470 yen ($128.71). An obscene amount to pay for a product that seems more gimmick than innovative. I'm still debating on whether I should buy one just to review. Although the products are lovely and performs well (at least the one's I tried), I'm not sure if their superior enough to warrant their retail price. Les Merveilleuses is a lavish indulgence for anyone who loves makeup. If you asked me "are the any products in this line that I would consider a must-have", I'd say "no", would I repurchase from this collection...yes, I have a membership card :P