Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo Review, Photos, Swatches
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo ($44.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new and limited eyeshadow duo for spring. Guerlain’s duos feature one shade that is a “luminous veil with a glittering or metallic finish” and a “pure matte.” One is a sheer, sparkling shade, the other is a more intense, matte shade. According to the brand, they can be worn together, layered, or one at a time–you know, however you want. The texture of the purple shade (which is the “luminous veil” color) was oddly gritty–there were flecks and specks of purple that wouldn’t blend out, and yet, they weren’t glitters, but they felt like gritty or dry powdery bits. It was a strange experience, but it occurred when swatching and later on when I applied it to the lid. To make it a bittersweet duo, the matte shade was insanely soft, blendable, and pigmented.
Two VIP #1 is described as a “dazzling violet.” It’s a cool-toned, medium violet purple with lilac and violet sparkle and shimmer. It has an almost wet-look when applied, as it glimmers. The texture was somewhat stiff, and when I was working with it on the lid, it wasn’t very blendable. I had trouble getting it to layer over the matte shade as well. Beyond that, there was a noticeable grittiness to it that wasn’t just sparkle but almost like clumps of powder (but more like speck-size, not giant, clumps), but it was like the texture was balling up and flaking away in part. The color payoff was definitely sheer and was in keeping with the “luminous veil” concept. Though hard to work with in general, there was only minor fall out (and less fall out than anticipated with a shade as sparkly as this one) after eight hours. theBalm A2 (LE, $16.00) is less sparkly. Urban Decay Betrayal (LE, $18.00) is lighter. Illamasqua Trance (LE) is less sparkly, cream. Urban Decay Omen (P, $18.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Butterfly Party (LE, $32.50) is warmer, darker. See comparison swatches.
Two VIP #2 is described as an “elegant taupe.” It’s a cool-toned, medium-dark taupe with a heavy gray influence and a matte finish. It was incredibly, richly pigmented, and the texture was divine; so soft, smooth, buttery, and blendable. This shade wore well for a full eight hours. bareMinerals Head Over Heels (LE) is warmer. MAC Smoked Cocoa #2 (LE, $15.00) is lighter. MAC Tailor Grey (P, $18.50) is warmer, cream product. Maybelline Tough as Taupe (P, $6.99) is darker, cream product. See comparison swatches.
Two VIP (09)
$44.00.
Two VIP #1
LELimited Edition.
Two VIP #2
LELimited Edition.
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
Guerlain Two VIP (09) Eyeshadow Duo
I love the intensity of this violet shade – it’s FABulous and will definitely pick this one up! Xx
Enjoy!
Pretty eyeshadow.
I bought VIP and love it for the lighter, springtime smoky eye it creates. I haven’t had any problems with the violet shade, but perhaps that’s because I use it as a tinted finishing veil rather than using it to provide a strong color on it’s own. I pat it on to add dimension and sparkle without making a strong color statement. When I want a stronger purple presence, I incorporate the deep purple from last spring’s quad in Attrape-Cœur. I will readily admit, though, that Guerlain’s glitter shade is not nearly as smooth and fluid as is the glitter shade in She Wolf. That’s in a class by itself 🙂
By the way, the look you created with VIP is gorgeous with your features and coloring. I hope you can get the violet to work better for you as this look is beautiful on you.
Hi Eileen!
I was actually trying to just use it as a veil/sheer wash (as intended), but it was still very, very difficult to apply and use! It just didn’t want to… move? Like it stuck and was difficult to blend with the taupe shade. Did you have any graininess with the texture? That was such an odd thing to experience (especially with Guerlain, a brand that usually nails texture!). I’m happy you’re enjoying yours! I could see it working very well with Attrape-Coeur! I was super tempted to put some other purple-y shade in-between the violet and taupe shade from this palette but managed to resist!
Thank you!
*shakes fist at sky* curses! I was getting ready to love that violet shade so much! I still think it looks pretty, despite its sheerness and grittiness, even! I just think that for Guerlain, you could expect a bit more…
I agree – it shouldn’t be gritty, at the very least!
It’s a shame the purple performs so poorly, that taupe looks lovely!
I know! So bummed.
The violet shade has that issue I dislike – where the glitter seems so separate from the base (both shadows in Nars Marie Gallante are like this and I’ve plenty of others like this as well) but I really love to bits the taupey brown shade. I may just have to cave on this (or maybe not….or maybe yes…)
I know, that taupe shade… it’s just… fantastic.
Hi Christine, I believe you’ve just inspired my eye look for tomorrow!
Except I will recreate your look with Tough as Taupe and Omen. I love love love the look you created!!
Breathtaking!!!!
Man I wish I could buy the taupe shade by itself. It’s gorgeous!
I’m with you, Lauren! I wish!
If you dont mind cheaper brands, NYX butt naked has that exact taupe dupe.
Love the look you created using this palette! Too bad the violet didn’t perform well. I might have caved and brought this one otherwise. I got the sparkly turquoise and gray duo last year and have enjoyed wearing it over the hoildays.
Thanks, Denise!
Hmm, if you like the sparkly texture of the turquoise shade, you may still like this, though there was a little graininess to this that I didn’t experience with the other duos I’ve tried (I think I’ve only tried two).
Both of those colors are beautiful and the purple is divine. But wow, I can actually see the chunky grittiness in the swatch. It’s not apparent in your eye look but no shadow should be that hard to work with. Come on Guerlain, you know better than that! Especially with such dupable colors.
Yeah, the graininess tends to fall out during application, so you can wipe it away prior to applying base makeup and then be on your way, but it doesn’t stay on the lid (since it won’t adhere).
Always, it seems like Guerlain shadows are packaged so prettily, but the shades themselves have one reason or another not to tempt me.
Oh man, that taupe. DAT TAUPE. Why does the purple shade have to be a C-? I’d be all over this duo otherwise, even for $44. 😐
I knowwwww. I swatched the taupe, and I was like, “Oooh, what… ohhhh…. why…”
I absolutely love shade #2!
One look at the taupe screams Tough as Taupe! I am surprised you shown the same dupe! The purple is pretty but easily found in many good palettes.
I dont know how to use only 2 colors for my eyes, so used to min 3 colors.
Two is a challenge, lol! Especially if they aren’t really similar? Like if it was a beige and taupe, then it would be easier.
Thank you!
Where can I find this to purchase? Was it a Nordstrom exclusive? I can’t seem to locate it anywhere:(
Nordstrom has it up now!
Thank you very much!