La Prairie’s Plumage de Nuit Collection is a sophisticated fall launch that contains two eyeshadow quads, three lipsticks, two lipglosses, two blushes, and a face powder. This is my first experience with La Prairie, as their makeup line is not currently carried my Nordstrom.

The two products I tried were Les Doves Cellular Treatment Eye Colour Ensembles ($70.00) and Maribou Glace Cellular Lip Colour Effects ($40.00). La Prairie is a luxe brand, and with that, luxe prices–it is not designed to be affordable for everyone. Every product from skincare to lipstick to eyeshadow contains their “Swiss treatment benefits,” which have a lot to do with anti-aging and skin health.

Les Doves contains four subdued shades of eyeshadow: a soft, silky champagne-gold; lightly shimmered plummy mauve; a dark chocolate brown with subtle gold shimmer; and a muted grayed teal with silver sheen. Each shadow is very, very smooth–like velvet–and goes on just as the color you see in the pan. All four colors are wearable and seem fitting for the fall season. Even though the colors might not seem like a perfect fit at first, I can see at least four color combinations jump out at me. Though I rarely use an eyeshadow palette/quad exclusively, I like having that option, so I like one that makes “sense.” These eyeshadows have particularly good staying power and wear even without a base–they didn’t fade or crease on me when I gave them a test run over six hours.

Maribou Glace is a sheer, shimmering medium pink gloss. The shimmer is lightly multicolored, and the gloss goes on fairly sheer when applied to lips. It has a nice glossy appearance, though it doesn’t have ultra-shine either. The gloss itself is fairly thick and a just a smidgen tacky, which does improve the wear time (six hours without drinking/eating). The gloss itself is beautiful on if you love sheer and shimmering. It definitely gave my lips that dazzling, shimmering water effect!

La Prairie is available at shoplaprairie.com and Nordstrom.com.

See more photos and swatches…

La Prairie “Plumage de Nuit” Fall 2009 Colour Collection

La Prairie has long been synonymous with impeccable taste and skincare science beloved by the most discerning clients worldwide. Not only does the brand have an affinity for launching cult favorite anti-aging skincare products, but the signature attention to detail in form and function extends to colour as well.

For Fall 2009, La Prairie proudly introduces “Plumage de Nuit,” or Feathers of the Night, colour collection. A complete colour story – in rich shades of browns, purples and wine, interlaced with gold and copper – with products for the eyes, lips, cheeks and face, the collection evokes a feeling of renewed glamour and sophistication. The exquisite makeup, encased in La Prairie’s signature chic silver compacts, make for the ultimate purse accessory.

La Prairie Colour Ambassador Raychel Wade, renowned makeup artist and founder of Cheek to Chic cosmetic consultancy in New York City, says of the collection, “As a professional makeup artist, I seek out high-performing products in wearable shades that enhance my client’s natural beauty without complication. Women need to wear makeup – not have the makeup wear them. The “Plumage de Nuit” collection is so versatile, the various components can work for anyone – whether 25 or 65, a makeup novice or makeup pro. The colours are rich, and the textures are buildable, providing endless options for various looks.”

Cellular Treatment Eye Colour Ensembles (Limited Edition) ($70.00)

• Les Sandpipers Quad of warm golden colors
• Les Doves Quad of cool silver and platinum hues

Cellular Luxe Lip Colours ($55.00)

• Molten Copper
• Cardinal Rouge
• Velvet Plum

Cellular Lip Colour Effects ($40.00)

• Maribou Glace Pink
• Firefly Glace Peachy copper

Cellular Treatment Powder Blush Duo (Limited Edition) ($55.00)

• Rosy Lovebirds Rose/pink duo
• Peachy Lovebirds Peach/bronze duo

Cellular Treatment Illuminating Face Powder ($60.00)

• Soft Glow

Available: August 2009 at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.laprairie.com.

Get tips by Colour Ambassador Raychel Wade, plus see additional images…

A Professional’s Take on La Prairie’s Colour

Tips by Colour Ambassador Raychel Wade

1. An incandescent glow makes the face look younger, brighter and lighter. Apply Cellular Treatment Illuminating Face Powder across the apples of the cheek (in an area no bigger than the size of a quarter) and down the bridge of your nose, finishing right on the tip.

2. Apply eye makeup first, even before foundation. This way you can easily clean up any excess powder that falls during application without smudging foundation or concealer.

3. For an instantly fuller pout, try applying a touch of Cellular Treatment Illuminating Face Powder directly on the bow of your lips before lipstick and gloss.

4. Don’t be afraid to experiment with eye liner – mixing and layering two pencil colors together gives a fresh, rich look.

5. To really help your eyes pop and give your eye liner a fabulous lasting affect, first apply a pencil in a color of your choice and then reinforce the pigment by applying a thick layer of similarly colored eye shadow powder.

6. When it comes to eye shadow quads, don’t feel pressured to use all four colors in a quad at once. Sometimes eye makeup looks just as pretty with one simple hue!

7. La Prairie’s Cellular Lip Colour Effects in Firefly Glace is a must for your purse; applying a layer on top of even the deepest of lip colors is a surefire way to morph your lipstick into a polished look for night.

8. With a blush duo compact, apply the darker colour to larger area of cheek, and apply the highlighter colour on apples of cheek so when you smile, you radiate.