“Noir” is always associated with the dark and broody. Cue Film Noir.
I earlier showed you photos of the Guerlain Blush G Serie Noir which is Guerlain’s limited edition blush for Spring 2011. Not a very Spring sort of look is it? I’d go so far as to say that it wouldn’t look amiss in a Summer makeup collection. But its certainly far from being dark and broody. I think its called Serie Noir because of the black lacquered case that looks serious and noir on the outside but when you open it, it surprises you with such a bright pop of colour in the pan.
But it sure looks very pretty. I like blushes that are pretty yet practical. There is nothing intricate about it except the signature G. Nothing to cherish so much that you wouldn’t use it, the way Guerlain Cherry Blossom blush was last year. This is a straight forward blush with 4 colours that you can mix or use separately as you wish.
My initial thought going in was “Oh this is going to be easy. Just swipe across the colours and blend. Easy Peasy!” Turns out I was wrong. The “problem” is that the Blush G is very pigmented. Its not obvious when I swipe it on the back of my hand (which you’ll see below). In fact, that’s when I thought it would be a piece of cake.
But when a brush touches it, it seems to suck up all the pigment and if you aren’t careful, deposit them all on your cheeks. I spent the first 2 days getting to grips with this blush and re-doing my makeup because I just ended up with too much on my cheeks. The swatches don’t show it that way though. These were swatched with fingers and you can see they are sheer but buildable.
For some reason, with a brush, it takes on an intensity I cannot duplicate with merely using my fingers. Its a good and a bad thing. If you have medium-dark skintone, you would likely not have a problem. If you have very light skintone, you just have to be extra careful.
The trick therefore, is to lightly TAP your brush on the surface of the blush, blending the colours as you go. Tap on the back of your hand until you see only a faint hint of colour on your brush. Only then do you apply to your skin.
And when you do this, this blush comes into its own. It delivers a beautiful pink blush with hints of peach that is very alluring. Somehow, on my skin it did not look as fuchsia or orange as it did on the model on the Guerlain ad or Temptalia (she looks lovely in that shade, I don’t – I’d look like the setting sun). On my skin, its a warm pink peach that I very much prefer. I was dreadfully afraid it’d go on orange or bright pink.
I have a cool-neutral fair skintone and hence my tip to be careful when applying this blush because it is easy to overdo. I think it will work on most skintones, because its got warm and cool tones in the palette. The Orange and Peach-pink are both warm tones while the Fuchsia and Pink are cool. You can mix more or less of each shade to get your perfect mix.
I like wearing this blush with a neutral eye. The best I’ve found is to pair it with grey eyeshadow and a pink/rose lipstick. For some reason, it really goes well. The blush brightens up your face, while the grey eyeshadow cools things down and adds depth.
Oh I should mention there is a brush included with neon pink bristles. Cute, but not something I’d use. The sleek case is beautiful and screams luxury as does the neon pink satin lined black velvet case the blush comes in.
Pros: Fine, smooth texture, Pigmented colours, Interesting mixture of colours, Well packaged
Cons: Easy to overdo, Pricey, Limited Edition
Do you need this blush? Of course not.
But I own tons of blushes and I don’t have one that deposits this sort of intricate mix of colours on my cheeks 🙂 I sometimes wear just the bottom 2 shades for a pretty pink-peach look and when I’m feeling brave, I do the top 2 shades for a bolder warmer look. If I use a smaller blush brush, I can use each colour individually too.
So, get it if you have a bit of money to splurge and you want something quite unique that you can tailor to suit your skintone depending on your look of the day; or get it if you want 4 blushes, or 7 in one handy palette, depending on how you use it. Because this is limited edition for Spring 2011 🙂
Paris B
The Guerlain Blush G Serie Noir comes in 1 shade and retails for RM202 at Guerlain counters. It will go on sale from January 20, 2011. Guerlain counters can be found at Parkson KLCC, Parkson Pavilion, Sogo, Isetan The Gardens and Tangs Pavilion.
EEEEK! Pretty!!!
But frankly, it looked scary on Temptalia, not kidding. ^.^ But not on you though~
I believe she used it heavy-handed, just to show 🙂
Like Natalie, I believe Temptalia was showing how it’d look on the skin if used with a heavy hand. I think on someone with darker skin that would be beautiful! Just that on lighter skin, use a light hand 🙂
Hmmm.. Korean site also advises you to use the bottom two shades, if you have a light skintone. I am torn now.. I was sure to ask my dad to get this from his overseas trip (plus ecrin eyeshadow and meteorite compact), but after reading your review, I don’t know lol
They do advise that too? I do find that if you use a touch of the top 2 shades mixed in with the bottom 2, its quite stunning. Adds this beautiful pop of colour to the skin. I sometimes use the bottom half and then lightly layer a sheer layer of the top half and its beautiful. I think you’d like it as you will the eye palette! I’ve been messing with that one. The pink stumps me but yesterday I wore it and my colleague said it looked nice. PINK! I was stunned LOL
Yes, Guerlain Korea advises the bottom 2 shades for the light skintone and top 2 shades for the medium/dark skintone 🙂 I also read the user reviews and they all praised how this blush make them look ‘glowy’ and ‘fresh’? Haha.. You got the pink Ecrin palette too? Yaaay 😀 I am in love with the Ecrin palettes, I won’t rest, until I have them all! Anyhoo, I was scared of that fuchsia shade too, but Amy from Cafe makeup says it can go on quite sheerly?
I got some tips from Cafe Makeup too! Wonderful site 😀 It can go on sheer or if you mix it with the other shades, it takes on a purplish tone. I prefer it pink strangely enough 😀
Yes, I am going through a Chanel phase at the moment and Amy (cafe makeup) has lots of Chanel related posts 😀 I can’t wait till your Pink Ecrin review! 😉 PB, can I ask if Lingerie de Peau has better coverage/finish than Dior nude? I know you loved Dior Nude, so I wondered if you loved LdP more. My local counter doesn’t have this foundation yet, and I am a bit scared to order it without trying it first lol.
I find Dior Nude a little thicker than Lingerie de Peau. Lingerie de Peau is very sheer and feels almost watery but it offers some coverage. Dior Nude I feel offers more coverage. In terms of colour, Dior Nude is a tad pinker on my skin than LdP so my skin looks a bit brighter. LdP makes my skin look very natural. My skin but better. Best try it first and see if you like it before shelling out 😉
Thanks Paris! Grr Dior Nude is thicker? Wish I could try it first, but my counter doesn’t have it 🙁 It is killing me, because I already have Nars Sheer Glow, which I love.. But I would love to try LdP! Love your brows by the way!!
I on the other hand am hearing so many good things about Nars Sheer Glow that I’m dying to try that too! haha Thanks for the brow compliment! 🙂
If I had a chance to grab a sample, I will send it to you! I saw my friend received a sample sachet, not the sample jar 🙂
That’s sweet of you thank you! 😀 I’ll try to get it tested soon too. A little bird tells me I might have the chance to soon 😉
Reading your blog creates wants that never before existed. WANT!!!! 😛 Also, love the dress/top you have there. 🙂
Thanks! Its from Australia 😀 Last trip I was there yonks ago – Le Secret? Something like that. Bought from Paddys Market Sydney 😀
I want this so bad it’s not even funny. When I first saw you blog about this, it went directly into my shopping list. I’m so glad it’s available from Jan 20. Ngam ngam hou can buy when I’m back. DUTY FREE! 😀
It should go on sale just in time for you 😀 Hopefully available at Duty free 😀 I think it’ll look amazing on your skintone actually.
Just wondering, did you purchase the Eyeshadow palette as well? If so, how much is the palette? TIA
Its the same as all the Ecrin palettes – RM266 🙂
Aiyyo so pricey lor..I like peach-pink & pink tho 🙂
Yup Guerlain = luxury = not cheap. But its beautiful on the skin 🙂
i havent used blush for ages, and anyway i only have 1 blush – coralista. but i havent used any for ages as my skin has been having a fiesta in pimples.
anyway am i warm or cool toned? i have no idea. i only know i look pale.
General rule: If you can handle cool pinks, you are cool toned. If you look better in peach shades, you are warm. Generally speaking 🙂 Coralista is quite neutral. I really like it and it looks good on warm tones too 🙂
great. then i think i’m neutral toned as well, since i can handle both pink and peach. argh.
I think you should be – we are about the same sort of colouring… last I recall 🙂
love the packaging 😛 and and the first pic of urs, so artistic!
Packaging is gorgeous – goes without saying 😉 And thanks. I managed to turn a blurry shot to my favour LOL!
You must have mastered the art of application as your photo looks fab! The color is perfect on your fair skin tone! 🙂
Thanks Nikki! It took me a week before I dared take any blog worthy photos LOL I think it’ll look fab on you too – in fact in any skin colour 😀
I absolutely adore the way the blush turns out on you – actually come to think of it, blushes always turn out so pretty on you! How I wish I can apply blush like you; the colour never turns up like how yours do i.e. the lovely rosy cheeks!
Thank you Jo! You can apply blush this way too – just use a fluffy brush and do what I do with every blush. Tap/swipe on the blush, tap on my hand until you see a sheer colour on the brush and then apply to your face. I start from my highest cheekbones and work towards the apple of the cheeks. Build up as you go so you don’t end up with splotches of colour and it looks more natural too 😀
Thanks for the tip! So sweet of you.. 🙂 At the risk of sounding amateurish, I’m gonna ask further questions to get the blush right:
1) Do I tap on the blush and then tap it on my hand to see how the colour turns out before applying to my cheek?
2) How do I apply blush on the cheek? Do I start from the highest cheekbone I.e. near my ears by brushing downwards towards the apple of the cheeks?
Thanks ahead! 🙂
This is a great topic. I’ll probably write about it some day 🙂 but just quickly
1. If its a very pigmented blush I do the tapping method to get as little colour on my brush and ultimately my skin. Its so I don’t overdo it. With light blushes I just swipe and apply.
2. I start near the ears because its easier to cover up mistakes haha I do also add a pop of colour on the apples of the cheeks
Thanks lots babe! 🙂
So expensive for a blush – but then again I’m not a very blush person. For a blush lover like you, I guess it’s worth the price. It is surely beautiful and probably will last forever since it is so pigmented.
Ooh, now I want a new blush! 🙂
Yep anything by Guerlain tends to attract that sort of price tag hehe… In the US its going for US$84 which is even more expensive! Do you have a blush you’re eyeing? 😉
Yeah, but a much cheaper one: Coralista by Benefit. But considering the big expenses I’ll have this year, I’ll probably settle for one by Milani or Rimmel: cheap but still gorgeous! 🙂
Oh yes Milani and Rimmel do do very nice blushes too and great for a quick inexpensive blush fix 😉
The blush looks gorgeous on you! But the pigmentation scares me as I have very pale skin. I still want it though lol.
Thank you Gio and I think it’ll look beautiful on your skin too! You just have to use a very light hand 😉
It looks so nice! Simple yet chic 🙂
Yup provided you use a very light hand 🙂
How do you rate this compared with Benefit Sugarbomb? For packaging cuteness, I prefer Sugarbomb, and both blushers have 4 shades of colour.. 🙂
Its totally different from Sugarbomb as this is super pigmented while Sugarbomb isn’t 🙂 also the shade on the skin is quite different too. This one has a brighter hue while Sugarbomb has a sheerer look to it and the tones are different too. Summary, 2 very different blushes 😉
Love this. Recently am into red blushes. Eg Nars exhibit a, Topshop Neon Rose. It’s so spring like and gives an instant wake up look if applied light handed. I think I might just need your recommendation too. ? Btw, have you checked out Chanel spring blush “Espiègle”? It’s so lovely too. I’m enjoying this one right now.
I just checked out Espiegle! It looks very peach though. I’m not sure if I can carry it off. I never dared to try Exhibit A. That one is scary! I did try Taos but because its so pigmented its so hard to wear that I eventually gave it away to a friend.
I was worried about Espiegle too initially and have not been buying chanel blushes in the past five years i think. I had bought several in the past and they were either too frosty looking or too warm on my skin. But after picking up some of the spring lip items which are also lovely, i can’t resist trying out the limited edition (really??) blush at the Chanel counter. After trying it, i changed my mind and decided to give it a go. It’s lovely even for my cool tone NC20 skin. Not warm in the least and can be build up easily for a natural flush. You really must try exhibit a. I was converted after looking at this review by Planet Martha:
http://planetmartha.blogspot.com/2010/06/exhibit-fotd.html
Light handed is the key. I just dab my brush once lightly on the powder and shake off some excess and then apply. It’s gives such a fresh look, i use it now on tired mornings to fake an awake look.
hehe…maybe you might be a convert too.
Thanks for the info 🙂 I’m over Nars blushes because of the melting rubber cases, but I must agree that Exhibit A is quite lovely when use sparingly. I tested it once in HK and was tempted but decided not to give in 😉 I’m sure it looks amazing on you! 😀
I really want this but at RM202 for a blush, it is very expensive. But it’s so pretty and I only own 1 blush. I’m so embarrassed to say that! Lol. Is this shade similar to Benefit’s Coralista? I tried that at the counter before and it made me look dirty and very orange!
Yup. Its pricey as is everything Guerlain, unfortunately. You don’t have to be embarrassed to own 1 blush. I should be embarrassed for owning so many! 😛
Blush G is more pink than Coralista. If you don’t pick up too much of the top orange shade its not very orange at all. Sorry Coralista didn’t work for you. I love it 🙂
On a different note. Has anyone tried the Mickey Contractor limited edition line from MAC? Bollywood inspired.
I haven’t because MAC doesn’t interest me as much as other brands 🙂