I’ve been working in the cosmetic industry long enough to know colours attract people but… also creative packagings do! A 3D blusher, a printed eyeshadow palette, a star-shaped lipstick with a kawaii case too, everything works especially if in limited edition!
There’s makeup and makeup, makeup that’s functional and also pleasing to the eyes: beautiful makeup that’s a pity to use.
This makeup is tempting! It’s easy to follow this damn path and end up with many cute eyeshadows still intact in their original case and lipsticks never swatched and used in real life. The temptation is really hard and I won’t make this easy for you. Here are some examples…
Eyeshadows and multipurpose powders with marbled effect (mark., Clionadh Cosmetics) and intricate printed designs in waves and knitted frames (essence, Hourglass, although the list is longer); multichromatic nebulae in blushes, bronzers and highlighters that must be sadly mixed together to show their real power (Chanel, Clinique …)!
Face pearls are too ordinary! Forget your usual bronzing pearls because the new things are pearl stars for highlighters (essence), delicate rose petals and heart confetti for your blusher (Ladurée and Etude House). Peace to the sophisticated Météorites by Guerlain, they’re def too old!
Makeup pans and whole palettes become a miniature work of art with printed decorations and 3D cameos inside (Chantecaille, Clé de Peau). Lip colours turn into vanity prizes and childish toys with Paul&Joe’s cat lipsticks and Anna Sui star-shaped lippies, or exotic rarities like Kailijumei crystal lipsticks with golden leaves and flowers.
Skincare has the same fascination, and most of this ‘beautiful skincare’ came originally from Korea and the Asian markets. You can choose among a wide variety of face sheet mask
The price for these beautiful sins varies copiously, hence it’s relatively easy to spend just a few pounds, euros or dollars for a tiny treat or an extra sum for a collectable palette. Nothing stops you to actually use your ‘beautiful makeup’. I did but felt guilty so… I used with extreme caution and care a hot red prism-shaped lipstick by Avon, and I gently swiped through this PUPA hypnotic golden highlighter and a limited edition Avon U by Ungaro eyeshadow. I followed the circles and swirled my brush in the attempt to save the pattern! What a crazy git…
– Clockwise from the top: Cynthia Rowley for Avon, all-over face powder; U by Ungaro for Avon mono eyeshadow in Khaki; Pupa Milano Like a Doll Golden Infusion highlighter –
And even crazier with my ‘beautiful makeup’ in a limited edition. Touching an arty pan with a sole finger would condemn me to eternal flames, so I haven’t even tried to touch on this flowery all-over face powder designed by Cynthia Rowley for Avon. I just stared at it…
If this is your sin, ego te absolvo!
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
