Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette ($63.00 for 0.25 oz.) is described as an “iridescent ivory, satiny nude, matte violet-plum, [and] aquatic green.” Guerlain has certainly put out some interesting color combinations out over the years. There’s often something just a little unusual about the palette colors, and yet, they work seamlessly together. They come together beautifully without a lot of effort on the user’s part. In general, pigmentation could have been more intense from the get-go, but all of the shades were buildable as I applied them to the lid to opaque color. All four shades wore well without creasing or fading for eight hours on me (no primer), though the plum shade faded slightly faster than the others. The textures of the four hues were also incredibly soft, finely-milled, and easy to blend. I wish it was slightly more pigmented across the board, but I really liked how it applied, so it left me rather torn.
Les Tendres #1 is described as an “iridescent ivory.” It is a soft, cool-toned beige with a frosted, metallic finish. It had fairly good color payoff, but it wasn’t fully opaque. Too Faced Jingle All the Way Eyeshadow #2 (LE) is warmer. MAC Smoked Cocoa #1 (LE, $15.00) is similar. LORAC Nude (P) is warmer. Urban Decay Missionary (LE, $18.00) is darker. MAC Snow Season (LE, $21.00) is darker, pinker. Giorgio Armani Terra Sienna #1 (P) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches.
Les Tendres #2 is described as an “aquatic green.” It’s a pale, cool-toned mint green with a frosted, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage. It was buildable to opaque color coverage with two layers. MAC Lime Ice (LE, $21.00) is more glittery, warmer. Lancome Fashion Forward (P, $19.00) is a touch darker. Dior Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #2 (LE) is bluer. Chanel Promesse #4 (LE) is greener, warmer. bareMinerals Sensational (LE) is similar. See comparison swatches.
Les Tendres #3 is described as a “matte violet-plum.” It’s a medium-dark, neutral-to-warm plum purple with a matte finish. It was semi-sheer to semi-opaque, but it did build when I applied it into the crease to test out wear. All of the eyeshadows seemed to apply better in practice than when they were just swatched (which is why it’s important to actually try it on–sometimes it is the opposite!), and this shade wasn’t any different. The texture was soft, though a smidgen powdery, but very easy to blend out on the lid. Kat Von D Fur Elise (P) is darker. theBalm Moderato (P, $16.00) is warmer, darker. MAC Palace Pedigreed (LE, $15.00) is similar. Guerlain Boulevard du Montparnasse #5 (LE) is a touch lighter, a little pinker. See comparison swatches.
Les Tendres #4 is described as a “satiny nude.” It was a cool-toned, mauve-tinged taupe with a satin finish. It had fairly good color payoff, and the texture was incredibly easy to work with. Guerlain Two VIP #2 (LE) is more matte, darker. Laura Mercier Twilight (LE, $26.00) is a cream product, grayer. theBalm B3 (LE, $16.00) is more matte. bareMinerals Exhale (P) is warmer. bareMinerals Rowdy (P) is darker. See comparison swatches.
Les Tendres (503)
LELimited Edition. $63.00.
Les Tendres #1
LELimited Edition.
Les Tendres #2
LELimited Edition.
Les Tendres #3
LELimited Edition.
Les Tendres #4
LELimited Edition.
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #1 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #1 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #2 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #2 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #3 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #3 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #4 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres #4 Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
Guerlain Les Tendres (503) Eyeshadow Palette
It looks pretty! I like that light blue shade.
Really dislike the colors!
Bummer!
I have a Guerlain quad in Les Fumes and I absolutely love it but this might just be a whole lot too red toned for me. Is this LE or Permanent, Christine, and will you be reviewing any more of their quads?
It is LE! I don’t have any other quads that I haven’t reviewed as far as I can remember!
Looks like enough pigment to my taste. Maybe it’s an “European thing” – I don’t really miss solid colour on my lids, nor do I see anybody at work, among girlfriends or just out and about wearing more than a wash of colour, with skin showing through. Very nice combination.
If you like sheerer color, then it’ll work for you. For those that want more opaque color, it’s not quite there – whether that sheerness is OK just depends on what you prefer. 🙂 I don’t see anyone wearing blue eyeshadow, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t those that do! Similarly, I almost never see someone in person that wears anything beyond mascara–and that’s a maybe! Clearly, though, makeup exists and exists in great quantities so there are those who are buying and wearing it somewhere 😉
Me! I wear fully pigmented e/s only! I wish the mint color here was less sheer and more minty!
The “European thing” is the argument Chanel uses for selling the baked eyeshadow quads (which is sheer compared to the pressed version) in Europe. I think it’s all personal preference. Some like very subtle makeup, some wear only neutrals and some take it all out with brighter colors.
I usually don’t mind a product being a bit sheer if it’s a neutral shade. On the other hand, if it’s an actual color (like green or blue), i think it looks extremely awkward on the lid when you can see the color of the skin showing through, it always turn into this weird muddy color.
I almost added this to my Nordstrom order last night. I can’t decide whether I want it or not, and this post definitely didn’t make it any easier. I really like the shades, but the fact that they are so sheer and that you only gave the palette a B+ makes me hesitate. It’s one of those situations that I worry that I’ll regret not getting it while it’s still available.
I don’t know if I’m just a sucker for an unusual color combination or if I just like the way it all looks together… I really like it, but the pigmentation wasn’t as intense as it should have been. You might excuse the first shade as intentionally sheerer, but the plum? no excuse could be made there!
I’m so torn on this palette. The colors may not be for me, especially the green but I’m so drawn toward it! Thanks for yet another great review.
BTW I just found your review of Hakuhodo brushes. I want like ten of them! I think when it’s time to replace my current ones I will try one or two.
Happy New Year!
Definitely worth trying a few 🙂 Depending on what your normal threshold for pain as far as brushes go (I’m used to MAC prices), they’re worth checking out.
I’ve been waiting for this review! What do you think about the colors, especially the plums, on fair skin?
I think it would work – particularly when paired with the other tones in the palette!
I couldn’t figure out which one was supposed to be green until I saw the swatches. Good thing I can’t afford it. =P
LOL!
I think I’m definitely getting this one. I love the unusual color combination and don’t mind that they’re not super opaque… plus I’ve been kicking myself for almost a year for not picking up Turandot and Coup de Foudre when I had the chance. I can’t let another LE quad pass me by!
LOL! You know, if you regret not buying those, I would get this one. 🙂
Just grabbed the last one they had at Bergdorf… it was my lucky day! The lady at the counter showed me a couple different ways to use the mint shade – my favorite was layered over a black base.
So glad you scored it, Lauren! Enjoy 🙂
The colour combination is really pretty! I guess the pigmentation (if the consistency is still good) might make it more accessible if people find the colours a bit startling?
That’s a great point, Sylirael!
I’m really digging the purple and taupe shade – it looks amazing!! The aquatic green shade is a little bit of a turnoff though! It’s a bummer that the pigmentation is not so great!
Haha! So funny – it’s the green that gets me! I love mint green!
I really like how fresh and lovely these colors look on you! I’ll swatch these in person when I have the chance. I like that Guerlain came up with this color combination, it is not like anything else I own, so it could be a nice addition to my stash :)!
Thanks a lot, Leticia! 🙂
I saw this when I was in Vegas a few weeks ago. It’s so lovely to look at, I almost bought it without seeing your review! 😉 Anyway, I’ll be owning this now…to beautiful to pass up, and I don’t mind the soft wash of color.
Enjoy your palette when you get it, Kellilee!
This is lovely, I swatched it in the store yesterday night and I felt like it was pigmented enough, although not fully pigmented. I’d rather have a soft, fall out-free semi-opaque shadow that I can build on the lid than an intensely pigmented, hard to blend shadow that will cause fall-out all day long.
That being said, I also have my eyes on Dior’s spring eyeshadow quint, and for sad budget reasons, I won’t be able to get both. I’m still hesitating and I’ll wait for swatches and pictures of the Dior one before I make a decision!
Ahh, but I’m greedy and want the best of everything 😉
#3 is gorgeous!
I love the look you created with this quad. Thanks for taking the time to review!
No problem!
I don’t know why, but I am not a fan of Guerlain Quads/eye shadows. I’ve swatch them many times but never felt inclined to pick one up. I’ve bought a lot of Guerlain items like the Rouge Gs, Automatiques, Perles, etc. but never eye shadows.
Christine, how do you think Guerlain eyeshadows compares to other high-end brands like Dior, Chanel, Burberry, Bobbi Brown, etc.?
Of those, I only consistently like Burberry’s eyeshadows. I find Dior, Chanel, Bobbi Brown to be hit or miss! Bobbi Brown has been really disappointing in terms of eyeshadows – stiff, dry, powdery, and sheer. Chanel’s are softer and more powdery. Dior seems to change their formula every other quint, LOL! Sometimes they’re really pigmented, sometimes they’re really sheer and powdery.
I loved the look of it but told myself for $63 that I needed you to give it at least an A. So this is a skip for me.
Lovely pastel shades with some more depth to them, but I think I’ll hold off until I’ve had a proper look at the Dior collection in 2 weeks time :o). Xx
A couple of the shades in here are really nice! Overall, I think the palette is just okay – the light blue is a shade I would skip.
I think I’m going to have to pick this one up. Unlike some….I don’t necessarily equate heavy pigmentation with quality. I’m older and softer consistency and less intense color are so much easier to work with and get a consistent pretty result. Shadows like this always look classier and more polished on me. I’m a huge fan of Chanel, Guerlain and Dior for this reason. My only concern is that the plum color will be a bit too red.
I love the colour combination but I think it’s dupeable especially when the shades are sheerer (easier to dupe)…too bad! I would have bought it if the shadows were more opaque.