Friday 15 May 2009

L'Oreal Paris Colour Appeal Trio Pro

RRP: £6.84
# of shades available: 7 (Beige Taupe/Blue Eyes/Doutzen Kroes; Sapphire Crystal/Blue Eyes/Milla Jovovich; Toffee Crystal/Hazel Eyes/Penelope Cruz; Honey Brown/Hazel Eyes/Penelope Cruz; Plum Crystal/Dark Eyes/Eva Longoria; Golden Green/Green Eyes/Aishwarya Rai; Platinum Rose/Grey Eyes/Laetitia Casta)

--What does the promo say?--
"The Color Appeal Star Secrets eye shadow collection has been specially designed to offer women everywhere made-to-measure shades that enhance the colour of their eyes.

Created in collaboration with 10 L'Oréal Paris ambassadors, these signature eye shadow collections are designed to bring out the stars in women everywhere. The ambassadors can be used as a guide to help you choose the best Star Secrets trio to enhance your colouring."

--Packaging--
Black and shiny with cute sparkling stars spangling the lid in gold, along with a transparent window so that you can see the shadows neatly imprinted with 1, 2 and 3, and a gold scrawl of a signature from the celebrity whose colours you have chosen (I went for Laetitia Casta - grey eyes, or platinum rose). Inside are two adorably sculpted sponge applicators that are occasionally a bit fiddly but generally well-shaped for the purpose of application. The only annoying thing is the lack of mirror inside (and in my view there is room for one). Pretty and functional.

--Application--
James Kaliardos, L'Oreal's in-house makeup artist, advises the following:
"Application guide:
1. Start with the darkest shade, colour 1,along the upper and lower lash line (colour 1)
2. Next apply colour 2 across the eye lid, blending it into the outer corner of the eye socket
3. Finally apply colour 3, the lightest shade, under the brow bone and in the inner corner of the eyes as a highlighter. For an even more intense look, start by outlining your eyes with a Contour Khôl eye pencil."
While I'm sure this looks nice, I'm pretty sure the colour holds better if this process is done in reverse (which shouldn't change the look of it and if anything should make it look even more naturally blended).

--Texture/consistency--
Perhaps a little flaky when you drag the brush over, but generally fine - no powder falling into your eyes, the eyeshadow adheres to the eyelids well, and it's easy to remove when you want to do so.

--Appearance--
Mine worked really well not just for my eye colour but also for my general skin tone and hair colour. The shadow provides subtle and yet slightly special colour, with the three given shades working together very harmoniously. The slight shimmer present in the colour means that it isn't too showy for everyday use, but can take you through to evening easily, and would work well for women of all ages.

--Longevity--
One palette certainly lasts ages, and in terms of daily use, it lasts really quite well on the eyelids, with only the barest minimum of creases. Not bad for less than £7.

--Value for money--
As already mentioned, L'Oreal has fulfilled their brief completely on this one, providing wearable colours for all ages and complexions at a reasonable price. Team with one of their Made for Me Naturals lipsticks (equally easy to choose the right one with the personalisation strategy they have going) and you'll be completely set.

perfect partner
Contour Resist Eyeliner, £4.39
Made for Me Naturals Lipstick, £7.82

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