So bright! So expensive! Just a few exclamations over the Guerlain Rue de Rivoli Ecrin 6 colour eyeshadow palette. You’d be right to, except because its Guerlain, the price point is pretty much expected (its luxury after all) and in keeping with its name, Rue de Rivoli is one of the more upmarket streets in Paris where one of the Guerlain stores is located.
The Rue de Rivoli eyeshadow palette is limited edition for Spring 2011 and follows in the style of the Ecrin 6 colour eyeshadow palette released last year.
What you get in a largish, heavy metal case is 6 eyeshadows – 2 matte, 4 shimmer and the texture is lovely. Smooth, finely milled and very chic. The matte shades blend very well and the shimmer shades are not crazy shimmery. Its all very elegant… until you come to that pop of bright fuchsia pink in the center. It boggled my mind how it could be used but to my surprise, or perhaps relief, it swatches a bit sheerer than it actually looks. I’ve got the swatches below together with a couple of pictures of how I wore this palette.
The shadows all swatch a little on the sheer side. Very buildable though and the colours do not scream at you with great intensity. But these are eyeshadow textures that suit my style so I’m happy. If you prefer something that screams “STRONG COLOUR” you might find these boring.
Each swatch was made with just 1 swipe of colour. Its pigmented but sheer, if there’s such a thing. As I have mentioned, the pink swatches a little sheer, which suits me fine. I think I’d have trouble wearing anything that bright on my lids! More trouble than I already had anyway 🙂
What I found is that the Rue de Rivoli palette actually has an underlying purplish tone. Its evident when you swipe it on your skin, but less so in the pan. In the pan, it looks neutral but on the skin, its got hints of purplish tones that can be very pretty.
Rue de Rivoli Look #1
Here’s the first look I did with the Rue de Rivoli palette. What I did was to blend in the bright fuchsia pink with the darkest shade in the pan and it turned out a Violet shade that quite surprised me.
- Darkest Colour #4 to line and taken up to the crease
- Fuchsia #6 blended in with the first shade
- Matte #3 on inner lid
- Shimmer white #1 to blend away harsh edges
Rue de Rivoli Look #2
The second time, I decided to be bolder and really use the fuchsia by itself without blending it with the darker shade. I kept it to the outer corner of the eye only for this one and only a light touch.
- Darkest colour #4 to line
- Fuchsia #6 in outer corner
- Matte #3 on inner lid
I thought this look was a goner, but it turned out looking quite fresh and spring-y. I’m slowly getting over my fear of wearing pink shadow! 😀 Wearing the Blush G in both pictures.
I did use this palette without the fuchsia at all and its very pretty in a chic neutral sort of way. The fuchsia just adds a pop of unexpected colour that is very refreshing and is a great way of changing a more neutral day look to a more fun night one. You could even try the pink as a blush, with a light hand, that makes this an all in one sort of palette.
Now for the billion dollar… or rather RM266 question. Do you need this?
My answer is no, if you do not plan on using every single colour in the palette. The neutral shades are beautiful but so is the fuchsia and it deserves some love. But if you are adventurous and want an eyeshadow palette that is at one, fun yet chic depending on your mood, get this palette. I think you’d love it!
Pros: Shadow texture is smooth, fine and very highly blendable, Pigmentation is fair and can be layered for intensity, Palette is beautifully constructed and luxurious to look at and hold
Cons: Expensive, Limited Edition, the Fuchsia shade can be hard to use
I had to show you the picture of the palette because I really like how it looks.
The case is metal and the whole palette is quite heavy. The cover has an intricate cut out that is quite a work of art, and the inner cover which swings open to the side holds a large mirror. An eyeshadow brush is included.
My suggestion is to check it out in person if you can, before you decide to purchase it. The texture might just blow you away 🙂
Is this a palette you might use? How daring are you to use bright fuchsia on your eyes? I was afraid once, but I think now I’m quite daring so I’d sport it, and to my surprise, it works! 😀
Paris B
Guerlain Rue de Rivoli Ecrin 6 eyeshadow palette retails at RM266 at Guerlain counters and is limited edition for Spring 2011. Guerlain counters can be found at Parkson KLCC, Parkson Pavilion, Sogo, Isetan The Gardens and Tangs Pavilion.
Hanny says
Hmmm, now that I’ve seen the swatches… I think I’ll pass, ahahahahaha ^.^ Too many sheer “highlight” colors… Like 1, 3, and 6…. Looks gorgeous on you though!
ParisB says
Yep. If you prefer something strong, without having to layer it on too much, then the Guerlain palettes aren’t quite the thing. I love the texture and the sheerness 🙂
Grace Sue says
Same things as other brands as well such as lancome. Bought their eyeshadow quad, my review post might be like this.
ParisB says
Hmm… not sure what you mean but I hope you’re enjoying your palette anyway 🙂
Charlene says
Looks good on u.. from serious corporate to casual and chic!
ParisB says
Thank you Charlene. This one’s quite a challenge but it does look good for a casual and chic outing
Jess says
The packaging is so pretty and fuchsia does look good on u .. but with the price and the practicability, i think i give this a pass
ParisB says
It certainly isn’t one for everyone!
AnT says
Wow! Looks good on you Paris! 😀
ParisB says
Haha, thanks AnT! Try it some day? 😉
AnT says
LOL Yes, will definitely try it~ soon~, want to look as good as you 😀
ParisB says
No, no! You gotta do it better than I did! 😉
AnT says
LOL Yes, yes! 😀
Nikki says
Bright fuchsia on the eye area is indeed ONE HUGE scary thought but with the smart way you applied it, it works on you! Gorgeous PB!
ParisB says
Thanks Nikki! Fuchsia or pink on the eyes is something I avoid religiously. I mean who wants to look like they’ve been crying their eyes out all the time right? But its surprising how fresh it can be – now you try it! 😀
Natalie says
I don’t think it is THAT expensive palette, when you add up 6 shades in there 😀 I picked this up for $51 from ebay! I also like using this palette with a tone on tone method:
1 – highlight/brownbone
6 – all over wash
3 – crease
2 – v
4 – lashline
6 – lashiline on top of 4
It is so pretty when you layer a shade over another shade. You look so elegant and classy PB!
ParisB says
Like you, considering there are 6 quite versatile shades in there, and the quality, I’m comfortable with the pricing too. Its pricey, yes but then its a pricey brand 🙂 I’ll give your method a go too. Always fun to experiment 😀
Natalie says
Yay!! Isn’t the packaging just amazing? Not that I would carry it in my handbag, but if I did.. This palette might work as a weapon! 😀
I am forever wiping my fingerprints 😀
ParisB says
YES! I just keep it on my dressing table and because I do, I use it more often than I imagine 😀 But you’re right. I might carry it around so I can brain someone who tries to steal my bag 😛
Monstro says
Absolutely gorgeous madam! Well done, love how luxe the case looks too 🙂
ParisB says
Thank you dearie! And yes its a whole luxury package!
Lisa says
It looks so good on you! It’s out of my budget but I will try to dupe your look with my existing palattes. 🙂
ParisB says
Thank you Lisa, I’m sure you have similar shades 😀 I might see what dupes I can find too if I have the time 😀
Grace says
Now that I’ve seen the swatches, I kinda want it now. I thought it’d be too pigmented but it’s kinda on the sheer-ish side, which I love. Now I’m torn between the blush and this palette. Are the other palettes limited edition too or just this one? I hope daddy’s gonna be generous with the angpau this year. Hehe.
ParisB says
Yes, its sheerish but with good pigment if that makes sense 😀 This is the only Limited Edition palette I believe. The rest of the Ecrin 6 colour palettes are permanent. I’d suggest you try it out at the counter and see if the palette or blush is for you 😉
pinkcloud says
Oh Nooo! I seldom want an eyeshadow palette so badly especially when it is so expensive! But this is really lovely! Only if I am not a poor student 🙁
ParisB says
You could probably find dupes for the colours, if not for the texture. I wish I could help but I’m so busy I haven’t had time to root in my stash to see if there are similar shades available anywhere.
Mari Ohira says
The palette looks gorgeous! But so does everything by Guerlain! It looks very chic and professional on you, but I’d rather go for bolder shades – I’m into shimmery bright colours now.^^ I do agree that fuchsia is a hard shade to work with – I’ve got one by Nyx that I seldom use. It is very wearable when mixed with copper/bronze eyeshadows, though.
ParisB says
Yes Guerlain has this way of making elegant and beautiful pieces. They are fast becoming a fave brand which is very damaging on the wallet 😛 Fuchsia with copper/bronze? I will have to try that! Copper does give me that tired pink eye syndrom though.
gio says
When I saw the swatches, I thought the colors were very boring but they look great on you, very chic and elegant. I think I’ll pass though. I prefer more pigmented shades, especially for that price.
ParisB says
Yep this one’s for those who like colour but a sheer texture. When playing with bright colours I prefer not to go too bold because its so easy to make mistakes 😛