The day I broke the news that Burberry Beauty was going to be launched worldwide, I did not realize that for once, Malaysia is going to be right on the ball! Usually, we lag somewhere behind the rest of the world in bringing in new brands or new collections. This time, other than Hong Kong, I’m told that Malaysia is only the other country in Asia for now (as at March 2011) carrying the Burberry Beauty brand. Awesome? Quite! 😀 In fact the counter has been opened since end January 2011 and I’d been hankering to visit… but KLCC is just too out of the way for me (not to mention the extremely expensive parking! My most recent escapade cost me RM18 in parking charges! *pukes* Not going back in a hurry)
Of course, more counters will be opened in other Asian countries soon (starting with Singapore in May 2011 I believe). Its too delicious a brand not to launch 🙂
The sole counter in Malaysia for now is at Isetan KLCC. You won’t miss it. Its just behind the entrance, opposite the Longchamp boutique and has quite a large floorspace. I had the opportunity to get a taster of the brand recently so here are some thoughts I have on the brand and its products.
What first struck me was not the packaging. Oh I know how everyone raves about the beautiful packaging, and yes we’ll come to that. But what really struck me was how neutral everything looked. Sleek but neutral. Colors are safe and earth toned which means you don’t come to Burberry Beauty for bright eye popping colors. Well, not until Burberry checks and fashion come in bright shades. I’m told that the colours of the makeup line reflect that of the fashion brand so if you want to know the direction the makeup will head towards, watch the fashion brand. Let’s take a gander at some of the colours in the collection.
For a start, the colours available now reflect the iconic Burberry trench coat and its signature checks. I have a soft spot for Burberry checks. When I first came across the Burberry brand, it was quite a fuddy duddy British brand known mainly for their trench coats. I own one (because it was a very cheap 2nd hand purchase and I had no idea what it was then and the trench kept me warm) but its now about 1.5 sizes too large for me and I recently broke the buckle which I just know will cost me the earth to replace. Sigh… That was before the affluent in Asia discovered Burberry and started sporting the Burberry checks on their cashmere scarfs, jackets, bags, headbands and everywhere else, in many ways, spoiling the brand for me.
Recently however, Burberry has taken on a younger, fresher feel what with the signing on of Emma Watson for their fashion arm, fresh from her Hermoine Granger days and the makeup reflects that somewhat. (Interestingly, Emma Watson has now been signed on by Lancome for cosmetics. Hmm… ) Sheer Foundation in liquid form is light on the skin and sheer but buildable. Compact powder foundation is fine to the touch and sits lightly on the skin, combining to give you a “my skin but better” look that is very modern and in with the times.
The liquid foundation felt light going on my skin but about 2 hours later, I felt a little oily. It did not slip off my skin though it felt that way. It felt a little heavy. By the time I got home about 5 hours later, it was still there although it had faded in parts. I don’t think I’d recommend the liquid foundation for those with oily skin although those with normal-dry skin might like it. I’m a little torn about whether I want to try it. I might… or I might not. Its hard 😛 I’ll decide the next time I’m in Isetan KLCC.
The Sheer Eye Shadow eye colours are muted. There are 20 core colours available. All are wearable for most and they are soft to the touch and to apply. Like I’ve noted above, if you’re into bright eye popping colours, or shimmer and glitter, you’d say “Booooring!!” But if you want something work friendly, something that you can grow up with, give them a look. They are quite nice. Everyone I know raves over Midnight Plum (the plum shade in lower right corner) but for some reason the eye colours just went “whoosh!” over my head. Wasn’t paying close attention because….
… for me, my focus was on the blush and lip colours – 2 of my favourite items so… surprise! surprise! 😛
I have no idea why I failed to take pictures of the blushes, but there you go! They slipped through the cracks 😛 What you see above are the 3 extensions to the core 5 blushes or Light Glow Natural Blush, introduced for Spring/Summer – Misty Blush, Tangerine Blush and Earthy Blush. The blushes are nice. I can’t quite enthuse over them at this point in time, because the colours all look very safe. They are fine milled and apply very well on the skin. They do take a few layers for the colour to show up, but what it in fact does is give a “glow from within” which I quite liked. Its like a “blush but better”. It doesn’t scream colour, neither does it just sit on your skin. So I might go back and take a second look at some of the other colours.
The Lip Cover lipsticks are quite something. They are creamy and pigmented but feel so light on your lips, its like you’re wearing nothing. I found a pink-nude used on me which had me stumped for a bit, until I realized just how pretty the color was. The colour is Delicate Rose from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection and its something different for me. No shimmers or glitter here. There are bright reds in the lip colours, but its all feels refined.
You will note that everything that can be embossed with the Burberry checks have been embossed – powders, eyeshadows, lipsticks – and those that can’t, carry the embossing on the sleek fingerprint magnet metal casing. In fact, much of the Burberry counter is encased in the same dark shiny metal-esque material which had one of the SAs frantically polishing the surfaces at every opportunity while I was there. It was like the poor man was employed just to ensure that all surfaces were shining and print-free. Poor guy.
I liked the fresh neutral look given to me by the makeup artist, but I especially LOVED how she did my lips. To achieve the pink-nude lip she used 3 items (ouch!) – a nude lip liner, Delicate Rose lipstick and a Lip Glow (gloss) in No. 5… or was it No. 7? I forget but it was a light pink. It looked so awesome I almost did not want to eat or drink anything so I wouldn’t lose it 😛
I was asked at the tea thereafter, what I thought about the brand and I could not quite put in words how I felt. But now I think I can answer that question.
The Burberry Beauty line feels very chic, elegant and … adult. Its not playful, nor fun. I wouldn’t use it frivolously or in a hurry. Despite how neutral everything looks, it holds far more attraction for me than their bags, which is saying something 😛 Its adult. And not in a naughty way either 😛
What I find a little harder to like are the prices, which are more in the bracket of Chanel and Dior and Guerlain, which means many of you might wrinkle your noses at this point. Interestingly based on the current exchange rate, some of the items are a little cheaper here compared to the USA. Some others are a little higher, but the price difference isn’t very great either way.
I’ll have some reviews of a Lip Cover lipstick (Delicate Rose No. 22) and Light Glow Natural blush (Misty Blush No. 08) coming up soon-ish. How opportune that they are both items I like, and of which I am rather picky about so we’ll have to see how they fare. This is especially true of the blush which at RM140 is the same price as that of a Chanel Joues Contraste and I adore my Chanel Joues Contraste blushes. They are pricey but they deserve their pricetag. So Burberry does have a bit of living up to do!
Have you gone to take a look at the Burberry Beauty makeup line? Do share your thoughts if you have. If you haven’t, which item in the line might you be interested to check out? 🙂
Paris B
Burberry Beauty is available in Malaysia at Isetan KLCC only at time of writing. Prices are: Sheer Foundation- liquid (RM165/30ml), Sheer Foundation – compact (RM180), Light Glow blush (RM140), Lip Cover lipstick (RM96), Lip Glow gloss (RM89), Sheer Eye Shadow (RM105), Warm Glow Bronzer (RM158), Lip Definer lip pencil (RM75), Effortless Mascara Volumizing mascara (RM108), Eye Definer eye pencil (RM78), Beauty Kabuki Brush face brush (RM215). All Spring/Summer colours are permanent extensions to the line.
Like I said, i could’ve kicked myself for not sharing my Burberry blush with you when we last met in KL. I picked up Peony (blush) when I was in HK and was very happy with it. It’s actually a staple in my handbag and I carry it with me everywhere I go for touchups if I need to. Not sure if you remembered my tweet, the dust bag holding the blush has worn off edges-probably from me toting it around but I’ve never had this happening with my Chanel or Dior dust bags :'(
Don’t kick yourself la… its already here so I can play with it to my heart’s content 😉 Peony does sound (and look) pretty. Misty looks a little light so I’m a bit ho-hum for now. I remembered your tweet and its a shame the dustbag is wearing out so quickly 🙁 I don’t carry around my makeup, so perhaps there might be less wear. Although if there is wear in my drawer, I’d be very very surprised!
hey hongkie star! signature pls? 😛
Hello watch model! 😀
now i want to see the comparison of chanel blush and burberry’s blush! 😀
can’t wait! sorry if this pressured you 😛
haha… no worries. I will run a comparison/thoughts when I feature the blush. Will try to get it out as soon as I can! 😀
I bought their compact foundation but don’t really like it. But i love their lipstick & lip gloss!
Why don’t you like it Reena? I only tried the liquid foundation which despite the raves I did not quite like either.
Sad to say, we lag this time..well most of the time! we don’t have these down here yet! would love to own even a single item of this checkered luxury makeup 😀
Well Singapore should have it soon, or you can always holler and I’d get it over to ya! 😉
wah!! I’ve been attracted to the embossed checks on the products but yeah at this rate, I can only afford a lipstick!! The red one is to die for!! ^.^
The red is nice! There are 2, one warmer one cooler but I can’t recall their names >.<
The packaging.. oh so lovely.. *melts*
Yup 😀 They are quite heavy too so that’s quite nice – gives a luxurious feel 🙂
i saw the burberry cosme line last xmas at HongKong
one word~ HEAVY!!!! hehehe
you looked so good in the photos above! playful
however its to my interest to pick a lipstick from burberry this time round
delicate rose…hmm nicee on you!
i’m getting my 1st chanel blusher soon!
getting JC Espiegle from spring 2011 collection ..its out of stock in KL and Singapore 🙁 getting HK blogger gal to help me with the purchase *wheee
Thanks Stellarvixen 🙂 Delicate Rose is pretty and neutral. A very slight pinky nude 😀 I checked out Espiegle but passed. I wanted Rose Tourbillon though but it looked too similar to Pink Explosion for me to justify buying it! Argh! 😛 Also, I would have if it wasn’t out of stock at Changi last weekend haha… 😀
I went a to a few counters in singapore before landing my hands on Rose Tourbilon. It’s very pretty in the palatte and when swatched. But it’s disappointing coz’ it’s actually quite ‘normal’ when applied on the face. It’s not warm nor cool. Not as special as i would have expected it to be. No regrets getting it though coz’ it’s still very much wearable. I’m usually all for pink or red in spring but i prefer Espiegle than this this spring. I’m now so geared to hit our counter in May when Burberry debuts here. Blushers, lipstick, glosses… And i do like the way you describes this line… “adult”…haha.
Teehee… I have a feeling you might like the Burberry line 🙂 As for Rose Tourbillon I was thisclose to getting it at Changi over the weekend but they were out of stock. I was quite relieved seeing as to how it was so close to Pink Explosion which I own 🙂 I did get that eye palette that I thought I wouldn’t get though. Err… oops 😛
I swatched the eye palatte while on my tourbilon search. It’s pretty too but compared to last fall’s Enigma, it seems not on par in terms of texture and sparkly shine. Maybe i didn’t pay close attention enough since i was so adamant on finding Tourbilon then. Haha. I’m looking forward to your review on the palatte! You might change me mind again.
Oh Paris! Your kissable lips again! Makes me want to buy the Delicate Rose lippie now 😀 So pretty!! 😀
Teehee… thanks *mwaks* The effect is really achievable only with the addition of the gloss and lip liner though. I don’t get as lovely a look with just the lipstick 🙁
*muacks* 😀
Well, I have seen your lips without the gloss. You are still as lovely with just the lipstick you know, you~ So cheer up! 🙂
How come you didn’t try the Tea Rose? It’s very wearable for any occasion 😛
Aww… thank you *perks up at compliment* hehe… I saw Tea Rose but the SA decided to let me try a different sort of colour from what I’m used to. I told her I always go for roses and reds so she opted for a nude in a new colour. Not bad if I say so myself 🙂
oh the lips~ sooo cantik!!!
Teehee… mine or the SA’s handiwork? 😉
Damn, the packaging IS gorgeous! I would totally get the lippies when I can. And you’re rocking that lippie color for sure.
Thanks Cas! The lipsticks do feel amazing and the colours are all quite safe 🙂
My eyes were only for the blushes too ….nice
Haha… you and me eh? 😉
You look alluring in the second pic, almost like you came out of a fashion magazine cover!
Ooh thank you! *preen* 😉
Damn! I really like the look the SA did for your lips! Looks so soft and kissable! 😀
So you perfectly understand how I was loathe to actually eat/drink after that right? It’s going to be sooo hard to recreate this 😛
Uuuuu..I definitely want the lipstick. Looove that nude pink look. Burberry gives free makeovers?
I’m not sure if they give free makeovers but you can always ask and if the SA are available, they’ll probably oblige 🙂
OOOHHH..The other day, the S.A was awfully nice in explaining things and offered me a free makeover!!! so was super excited, and asked him to give me a bold look.He did, with a lippie called midnight plum(no 15) it was a purplish magenta colour, or a better word would be PLUM…. LOL… and he dabbed a lip gloss over it, (no 2). The effect? Awesome personified. It was very striking and very dramatic, and I had loved it!! but the thing I really wanted to say is about its staying power. It lasted 5 hours on me…. which is saying alot, since I had later gone to an education fair and proceeded to yak ALOT. AND I had eaten and drank more times than I could remember. The staying power is awesome for this lipstick I tell you! Of course the colour was a tad bit muted at the end of the day, but it was still rather bright… hahaha, so if you do wanna buy something from this line, the lipstick is a good buy. And this was a huge surprise for me as I only use Guerlain and Chanel as my lippies.. 🙂
The lip look you described sounds amazing! Mine did last too but not as long as all that. Perhaps it being a lighter shade, it was less apparent later after the gloss had worn off 🙂
Burberry makeup right up my alley! 🙂 You’re looking beautiful with the lip colour, by the way. I wouldn’t have wanted to drink/eat if I were you too 🙂 I want the lip products you had on. So pretty!
Thank you Grace 🙂 And yes the lip look was pretty amazing 😀
arrgghh you are so evil! now my hands gatal to get the lipstick!
Eh check out the colours first and see if you like them. They are very ‘safe’ though. 🙂