(Continued from Sunday and Monday)
Finally, here are the top 3!
3rd: Paul & Joe
(pictured: hummingbird collection)
Pressed powder set with brush, body glitter powder, lip glosses…the list of Paul & Joe’s Christmas collection goes on. But the most fantastic items have to be the hummingbird lipsticks, eyeshadows, and pouch. The exquisite print is colorful, vibrant, and elegant. It is like a uplifting piece of artwork. Absolutely gorgeous. (I was always on the fence with the paper-wrapped seasonal collections and have never bought any item. They were always nearly there but not quite. The hummingbird collection is so much more striking than all the previous ones.)
It is interesting that the hummingbird lipsticks and eyeshadows are only sold in New York, Paris, and London — not in Tokyo. (Finally there is something NOT available in Japan…)
I bought the eyeshadow in 200 Cherubin Rose, which can double as a blusher if you don’t mind the pearly iredescence. I loved the collection so much that I went back to get the lipstick in 200 Ange Rose, a very wearble muted pink. The pouch, of the same print, is just so pretty as well. But I am happy with what I have got.
2nd: YSL
I finally bought the Gold Celebration palette (pictured above), after missing out on all the previous three. Called “Star Glow”, it is their fourth one and is probably the prettiest in my opinion. The only drawback is that fingerprints are easily left everywhere on the bright gold packaging.
But YSL wouldn’t make it to the second place without the rest of the colleciton. The colors of the eyeshadows (which have a great creamy texture), blushers, and the lipsticks all compliment one another. I think the bracelet is an improvement from last year’s slightly brassy design (which would probably work better as a bag charm). But the design of the front panel is a bit too complicated for me, and the velvety strap will quickly gather a lot of dust. Nonetheless it is a bold and catchy design that I generally like.
1st: Dior
Overall, Dior has done so well this year. The revamp of the makeup line is immensely successful. The seasonal limited editions link makeup and fashion together effortlessly, and what a way to end Dior’s 2006 with a stunning Christmas collection. Both eyeshadow palettes feature soft pastely colors which are easy to use along with what you already have. The texture of the powder is silky smooth as always. The collection also features lipsticks, lipglosses, nail colors, a highlighter, and a limited eidtion fragrance Midnight Charm. A true all-rounder, and that’s why it tops my list.
I really like the Dior Pretty Charms. They have done the ring and the bracelet. As I was guessing, sooner or later they would bring out a bag charm, and they did. A heart-shape lip-color palette surrounded by beads of four different shapes. It can be a very cute stocking filler.
So there you go, this year’s top ten. (I will keep compiling my top 10 of each coming season.)
Later on, I will talk more about the Christmas items I bought this year.
