Guerlain Spring 2011: Rue de Rivoli

Guerlain Rue de Rivoli Eyeshadow Palette ($84.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a palette that so perfectly embodies the feeling of spring from the textures to the colors themselves. The palette includes six eyeshadows (one which can double as an eyeliner): a soft, cool-toned, taupe brown with a matte finish; bright, frosted gold-tinged white; fuchsia pink with a pearly finish; soft, semi-sheer gray lilac; iridescent white pink and gold; and dark, grayish taupe with plum.

The gray lilac was the only shade that went on a bit sheer for me–it’s a little barely there and could use a boost in pigmentation (just because I couldn’t layer it on any more than what’s shown), but the other four shades had excellent pigmentation. The last shade, which is the grayish taupe with plum, is a difficult color to describe, because it is multi-faceted. It’s a charcoal gray, but then wait, there is some tuape, but is it taupe or is it mauve or maybe plum? This is the shade that can also be used as an eyeliner, too. These were silky smooth, applied beautifully and evenly, and there is a nice mix of matte, satin, and frost finishes.

I’m a fan of Guerlain overall, but when they released six of these palettes during fall, I was skeptical, and after trying two variations (Rue de Francs Bourgeois and 2 Place Vendome), I wasn’t sold. Price aside, the texture didn’t seem as fine or as soft as the brand’s other eyeshadows (singles, duos, and quads). Don’t get me wrong–they are nice eyeshadows, but I thought their other variations were better. I’m extremely pleased with this one; it really redeemed these palettes in my eyes!

The price tag is hefty, though the product is surely stunning from packaging to the composition of the colors–it’s all impeccably laid out. They even include a bristle-based dual-ended brush inside of it, which is an upgrade from the sponge-tipped applicators that dominate eyeshadow palettes (from low- to high-end). The filigree patterning on the cover of the palette is elegant and well-done, while the full-sized mirror is convenient but also covers the eyeshadows and keeps them protected. It’s a very sturdy palette, though the downside is the metal casing will show some fingerprints.

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• Product: 28/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 5/5

RECOMMENDATION: I think Guerlain fans will enjoy this, especially if they liked fall’s palettes (I think this is even better than the two I tried, so!). The palette leans on the cooler side, but these kind of shades work well on warmer skin, too.

AVAILABILITY: January 2011