Ever since I saw a glimpse of the brand: Les Merveilleuses De Ladurée over a year ago, I fell in love with it and dreamt of getting a hold of it somehow! Apart from being an avid macaron muncher, you'll see why in this photo book. ;) I managed to get a hold of it in March when I was doing a little blogger research about the Japanese brand 'Three' and came across an online store (Ichinbankao) that also stocked the brand I've been longing for all this time. The brand is rather expensive, so I invested in one gorgeous makeup piece. *sigh* I'm a happy camper indeed. Here's a little intro to the brand, a review and a photo book of their beautiful, beautiful Face Color Rose Set in #02 that I purchased. ^_^ (According to the catalog card provided to me, there are 4 shades available in this product. However, online, there appears to be only 3, which I suspect are the most popular ones - you'll have to check where you purchase!).
*Note, this is a "photo book" so it's intentionally photo heavy*
About the Brand
Les Merveilleuses De Ladurée is a makeup line developed as a result of a collaboration between Ladurée - famed for its macarons, and Japanese makeup company Albion - creators of makeup for lines such as Jill Stuart, Anna Sui and one of my personal favourites, Paul and Joe. As far as I can tell, the brand is still only available in Japan, but I have read about the possibility of them expanding to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, I don't know if this is true and if it is, when that might be. :-(
Inspiration Behind the Brand
The brand is "inspired by the Merveilleuses of 18th Century France, who were known for their extravagant, decadent behaviour and fashion styles inspired by the ancient Greek and Romans. Ladurée developed a makeup line that combined beauty with quality. The line places a great emphasis on blushes with three different formulas, as during the age of the Merveilleuses, blushing the cheeks was the main means of playing up one's feminine allure. The look of Les Merveilleuses is one of the refined elegance, with the rouged cheeks balanced with lighter shades for the eyes and lips."
Photo Book
Face Color Rose Set in 02
This set includes the Face Color Special Pot (like an egg-shaped container) along with the blush powder refill - packaged in separate pretty boxes. The cheek blush product itself is the powder coated on flower-petal shaped sheets!
The blush rose petals are packaged in the elegant, satin pouch on the left.
The pot is a semi-translucent acrylic decorated with a beautiful cameo at the front and vintage gold finishing touches.
The blush rose petals are initially housed in a clear plastic box with a thick sponge at the base to protect the petals from damage during transit. However, they're beautiful enough to remain and be used in this refill container - particularly, if you purchase multiple different shades of the blush (and only have one special face powder pot containing your most favoured colour).
Once you open the packaging, you will be hit by the beautiful scent of roses! So, so lovely!!! ^_^ (Everything beautiful makes me repeat words like this /:-) ).
Above: The product description label at the bottom of the plastic blush rose petal container.
Et voila! What a novel and exquisite work of art this is for makeup! *_* Don't you think? Looks so beautiful on the dressing table. :D
I feel it apt to use the best tool I have for this rather posh blush - my favourite Suqqu Cheek Brush (yes, also Japanese and also happens to be the most expensive brush line I own!) It picks up enough powder, yet soft enough to not damage the delicate petals as I tap and occasionally, gently swirl it around in the pot if need be.
Application? Lovely and effortlessly blends (well, I have the Suqqu brush to blame partly for that, too).
Colour? Natural, flush of rose pink colour that's universally flattering. Very feminine and pretty indeed. I don't have exactly the same blush that matches it. Chanel's Tweed Fuchsia for instance, is deeper in colour, leans more pink and blue-toned than Ladurée's which leans more red (see comparison swatches below). Also, I find Ladurée's #02 Rose is easier to blend and it has a glowing or brightening effect to the cheeks and not just a punch of colour that Chanel's Tweed Fuchsia has more of that need you need to work harder into the skin to make it look more natural.
Pigment? Plenty enough. I find that I only need to tap a few times into a single side of one petal to get enough product for one cheek. So, a little definitely goes a long way. I'm sure I won't be needing a refill for a years and years!
Longevity? On my currently normal to dry skin, I find it lasts all day with very little fading. :)
Comparison Swatches (Blended)
Note, as I swatched the Chanel Tweed Fuchsia with my clean finger tip, I was able to easily get a lot more product, so it appears more intense in comparison to the Ladurée Face Color, which was swatched by gently rubbing one of the petals directly on my arm, then blending it. For reference, I have medium, olive skin tone (~NC30).
Longevity? On my currently normal to dry skin, I find it lasts all day with very little fading. :)
Comparison Swatches (Blended)
Note, as I swatched the Chanel Tweed Fuchsia with my clean finger tip, I was able to easily get a lot more product, so it appears more intense in comparison to the Ladurée Face Color, which was swatched by gently rubbing one of the petals directly on my arm, then blending it. For reference, I have medium, olive skin tone (~NC30).
Samples
Everything including the samples were packaged so beautifully. Even the little plastic bag that the samples came in was delicate and had a soft texture! So pretty and girly! ^_^
Everything including the samples were packaged so beautifully. Even the little plastic bag that the samples came in was delicate and had a soft texture! So pretty and girly! ^_^
I have yet to try these, but I received (left to right in photo below):
- A powder foundation with SPF15 PA++ in #20 (from the catalog card provided, it says it comes in 4 shades: 10, 20, 30 and 40),
- Tinted Smoothing Base (one colour only),
- Fluid Foundation SPF 15 PA+ in #20 (it comes in 3 shades: 10, 20 and 30), and
- UV Protection Make Up Base with SPF50+ PA+++ (love the high SPF on this!)
Very excited to try these soon. ^_^
Overall...The Ladurée Face Color Rose Set is certainly the most expensive makeup product I have ever purchased, but for someone who has an extreme passion and obsession with fine cosmetics, of course, I'm still happy to own one! The presentation and packaging are one-of-a-kind after all and definitely what would make them sought-after the most. I do love the fact that you can buy refills and buy each colour separately if you wish. Though pricey, I only need one beautiful 'egg' pot to use and forever admire on my dressing table. Nonetheless, I will most likely succumb to other products from the brand in future. *blush*
It's a wonderful experience every time I use this - makes one feel very special indeed. ^_^
It's a wonderful experience every time I use this - makes one feel very special indeed. ^_^
This is a luxury brand so their products are pricey, but unless you can access the products directly in Japan yourself, you can expect the pay the marked up price (about ¥1,000 more) internationally online like I did, which is unfortunate! :-( However, I'd say that if you purchase it in Japan, the prices are comparable to those in Australia for luxury makeup. So, customers in the U.S. for instance, would find them exorbitantly more expensive than what they're used to paying even for a high-end brand.
Hope you enjoyed this!
Thanks for stopping by! ^_^ xo
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