Let’s ogle some high-end releases, and find stuff that’ll spark joy in the Holiday 2020 makeup releases guide!
Chanel – Les Chaines D’Or
Only mentioned because of their woc-friendly blush (there’s a dupe)
Chanel, of course, doesn’t reinvent the wheel with its golden-red Holiday colour scheme, and I really don’t dig the chain pattern on the powder products. The eyeshadows are incredibly boring (and I like my shadows a tad pigmented, thank you very much), and the Rouge Allure lipstick shades are permanent. But: the rosy-bronze blush will be a great fit for people with medium to dark skinned (look at Arahi on YouTube, it’s glorious). And that’s something they haven’t done in a while, so well done.
If you’re eyeing the blush’s $70 tag desperately, here’s a little secret: the Cuivre Rose eyeshadow from the same collection is very, very similar with some added pink shimmer and is $38 (see Angela van Rose on YouTube). You’re welcome. (Out at their own site.)
Dior – Golden Nights
Only mentioned because it looks fun
… fun in that ‘stumbling back home at 4am after a crazy Holiday party’ way. Peter Philip’s eye makeup skills seem to be detoriating (same Peter, same), because blending apparently isn’t a thing for him anymore (look at the pic from the headline), but I dig the rock chick glam look that is saying ‘So what?! I applied my makeup in the back of a car with my fingers, what are you looking at?’. That’s exactly the laissez-faire that’ll get us through the winter (go easy on the parties, though). That Black Night palette looks niiiiiiiiiice (here it’s in action). (Wear it at home any time you like.) There’s still plenty of that horrible bulbous Diorific packaging, and on top of that, the cheek products look rather generic (here’s a nice comparison between Chanel’s and Dior’s Holiday offerings). (Out at their own site.)
Guerlain – Golden Bee
Only mentioned because they’re back
HIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Guerlain! Hi!!!!!!! Happy to see you again after apparently Covid-19 threw a wrench into your Fall collection. The thing is, guys, the Holiday collection is just – not that good? Generic Meteorites (they only added golden balls), generic looking bronzing powder, bedazzled golden and red lippies, and all in the most generic (well, for Guerlain) gold packaging ever. Also, an eyeshadow palette. Play to your strengths, guys, and sorry, eyeshadow palettes ain’t that. (Will launch in November.)
Estée Lauder
Last time mentioned on the blog for the time being
Let’s talk politics (no, I’m not that keen on it, either). As a multi-billion dollar corporation, listed on the stock exchange, Estée Lauder (the company, not the brand) is headed by a 16 person strong board. They’re directors of different departments, some randos, and some Lauder family members. The board steers the direction the company’s supposed to take. They’re the people deciding how sustainability and diversity issues play into the future of the company. So, they’re a big deal.
One of the board members, Ronald Lauder, has given money to Trump and his campaign over the years, and just recently donated 1 Mio. $ to the 2020 campaign. Astrid and I talked about that, and we agreed that in 2020 and everything that happened this year (and honestly, the years before) everyone donating and voting for Trump is racist or doesn’t mind racist politics. We don’t want to support that, and that’s why we won’t cover EL brands any more on the blog for the time being.
Marc Jacobs – Very Merry Cherry
Mentioned because… cherries?!
Hey, let’s take all the fun we can get, and laugh about MJ deciding to go back in time to kindergarten when everything was simpler and the cherry design on your pencil case sparked joy. The pink-toned eyeshadow palette is on trend (and rather wearable – see those looks on medium and medium-dark skin), and the mini sets are both very cutely packaged and a great intro into an often overlooked brand (their eyeliners are truly excellent, for example, and I’m super tempted by the Oui Mon Cherry Set that includes a mini of their Tantastic Bronzer and Dew Drops highlighter). (Out now at their own site.)
Pat McGrath Labs – Celestial Divinity
Because… Pat?!
Humongous, and rather geared towards gifting and people wanting to dip their toes into the wide waters of the world of Pat. The launch is staggered with the 18-pan eyshadow palette released already. If you missed out on last year’s Star Wars palettes, snatch this one up: it’s 12 repromotes from that collection and six new shades, and, to my eyes, incohesive as eff (swatches here, looks here). I like a cohesive colour story in my palettes, what can I say (and don’t even like PMG formulas that much). It’s incredibly good value for PMG, though.
The lipsticks come in new packaging and are a wild mix of repromotes, LE and permanent shades. Then there’s a new highlighter. Release dates differ from US to Europe to everywhere else, and it’s so convoluted that I get a headache from looking at it (thank God there’s Temptalia’s cheat sheet). Pat? Things can get too complicated to care. (Palette out now.)
Hourglass – Sculpture
Because I can’t help it.
Look, there’re so many issues with Hourglass’ two palettes of face products that they shouldn’t even feature in here. Diversity is an on-going problem, and their pricing policy is outrageous. And still: if you’re able to find a face product that fits your skin, it’ll be glorious, and the effect par to none. The Ambient Lighting Edit Sculpture palette comes with three permanent shades and one new blush, one new bronzer and a new Strobe Powder (more on The Beautylookbook).
The Ambient Lighting Edit Mini Palette in Sculpture Unlocked sports four shades from previous limited editions (review and pics on medium skin). Each shade in both palettes is 1,4g which make both palettes more expensive per gram than the permanent fullsize products. They’re of course lovely to try different shades, or mix shades. Beware though that pans are small and may be a challenge for your usual face brushes. (Out now in the US and UK)
Holiday 2020 makeup releases guide: Outstanding products
Chanel’s Illuminating Blush is wonderful for people with a darker skintone. Dior’s eyeshadow palette is perfect for a smokey eye (a classic!), while Marc Jacob’s packaging screams fun (and is a great way to try their products). If you’re yearning to try Pat McGrath’s eyeshadow formula, get the new Celestial Divinity Palette: it has an excellent price point. But really: splurge for what gives you joy. Or skip everything and do what brings you joy. It’s the season, isn’t it?!
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