You know Christmas is upon us when you see gorgeous items like this pop up in promotional images and eventually, at counters.
Tell me your heart didn’t stop a beat, when you spotted that beautiful gold on black lid. In terms of packaging, my eye was set on the Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites the moment I knew of its existence. Hello! Black enamelled tin and gold lid inlay? Just take my money already, Guerlain! Take it all! 😛
Guerlain’s Christmas 2012 takes on the Orient with their Liu collection. Liu is one of the fragrances in the Guerlain line up, and is an Asian heroine in Puccini’s opera, Turandot. What you can expect is lots of reds and golds which is very Oriental (read: Chinese. Chinese love red and gold because its auspicious and prosperous. I love red and gold LOL! 😛 ), and at the same time, very fitting of Christmas as they are very festive colours.
I only have the Perles du Dragon to show you for now, but I also have my eye on the Liu Calligraphy Eye and Lip palette and when I get my grubby paws on that one, I’ll tell you about it 😉 So onward and unleash the Dragons!
Do you remember the Pucci Meteorites from the Summer 2012 collection? Remember the box and how they even printed the inside of the box with the signature Pucci print? Well, none of that here. What you get instead is a very striking red interior.
Open the box, and nestled within is the mysterious signature black tin. Unlike the Pucci Meteorites too, the Perles du Dragon goes back to the regular Meteorites tin cover, with the camellia flower design on the top.
This is the regular Meteorites tin painted black and gold so nothing unusual there. The inside is a black sponge, which is similar to that found in the Perles de Nuit Meteorites from Christmas 2011. I wasn’t terribly keen on it then and I still am not terribly keen on it, because the pearly powder shows up against the black and not very prettily either.
However, I have noticed in a new purchase of Teint Beige, that the permanent tins now also sport a sponge insert. The Teint Rose one I bought when the new tins were lauched sports a puff, like the ones found in the cardboard cases. I’m sort of sad to see the puff go – sure sign of cost cutting 😛
Griping aside, here’s what you get when you open the tin and reveal the Dragon pearls, as I’ve taken to calling them.
The pearls this time, are a pale lot with 5 colours, and I was initially a little afraid of seeing the pink, rose and purple powder balls in there. My concern was whether they might apply too pink on skin. Would this be relegated to that of a shimmery blush?
Here are the powder balls I found in this tin – Rose, Pink, Purple, White and Gold. The resulting effect from having all the colours meshed together, gives you the whitish powder you see on the sides of the tin in the picture before this one, and the sponge puff in this picture. I won’t even bother swatching this for you, lovelies. I tried, and it barely shows up and honestly, its one of those things you have to see and try for yourself.
Apparently, there are 6 shades in there, but I only see 5 in mine so I either mistook the beige and gold, or I’m cross-eyed 😛 Eitherway, it doesn’t matter because when you mix the colours together, what you are supposed to get is a transparent powder that illuminates, brightens and evens out skin. Use it as a finishing powder, after you have completed your base.
I personally found that the Perles du Dragon applies on my skin a bit cool, and a bit whitish. Its hard to explain, but although it evens out my skin and gives me this surreal glow and air-brushed look (even under harsh fluorescent lighting, mind you!) I find it cools down the tone of my skin somewhat. It does make my skin look brighter though. Perhaps what I need is a bit more gold to warm up the tone. And this is where I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Perles de Nuit from last year took the cake. The candlelit glow from within generated by that tub of Meteorites is second to none I have ever tried.
Oh, and if you are afraid of shimmer, do be warned that the Perles du Dragon does appear a bit more shimmery. It might be because its the Christmas edition so they tend to be more festive. Perles de Nuit was similarly more shimmery, but the Pucci one wasn’t.
Can I use the pink balls as a blush? Well, I suppose if you isolated the pink and purple balls you could but I otherwise wouldn’t bother. Just use it as you would your regular Meteorites i.e. swirl your brush in it and apply on skin, then step back and admire yourself in the mirror 😉
In a nutshell
The Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Dragon is the limited edition Meteorites for Christmas 2012. Part of the Liu collection, it carries the Liu black enamelled packaging contrasted with gold in the signature camellia on the lid. The packaging is very beautiful and it is tempting to buy it just for that! The powder however is nothing like what you see in the promotional images which shows a very warm set of pearls. Instead, what you get is a collection of pink, rose, beige, purple, gold and white that blends together to give skin a brightening glow. However, I personally find that although it does brighten skin, it also looks a bit whitish. Its great when I use it over a foundation that is a bit warm, but when I go over a pink or more neutral toned foundation I can risk looking a bit “white”. So for this, I must say that the Perles du Dragon, whilst gorgeous, may not be for everyone.
Pros: Beautiful packaging, Infuses skin with a brightening glow
Cons: Depending on your skintone, it may apply a little whiter than you like
Who will like this: Collectors of Meteorites (like me!), Anyone who appreciates a brightening glowy powder that is a little more shimmery than the ones in the permanent range
I have here some comparisons between the Perles du Dragon and Perles de Nuit and the permanent Teint Rose.
As you can probably see, Perles de Nuit is much warmer in tone than Perles du Dragon. On skin, the difference is noticeable to me, mainly because I am quite used to seeing these. Teint Rose is there for comparison sake, because it is permanent and it isn’t as shimmery as the other two.
As I’ve pointed out, I find Perles du Dragon a bit cool and a bit white on skin. If you have very warm skintones, I personally do not think this will be Meteorites you are looking for. You may not like the cast and for very warm skintones, try looking into Teint Beige or Teint Dore (both permanent).
If you are new to trying Meteorites, I would suggest you proceed with caution with Perles du Dragon because it is shimmery (its not bling bling glitter, but it is noticeable and if you rub your hand against your face, you will see pearly shimmer come off) and you may not like the whitish cast you can get if you accidentally use too much. I would then direct you to Teint Rose, because for me, it suits most and you can use it everyday without ever looking like you’re ready to party.
You gotta admit though, that black and gold tin is bloody hard to resist! 😛
The other item I’m eyeing in the Liu collection is this palette – the Liu Calligraphy Eye and Lip palette.
I usually am not a fan of palettes that have powder and cream products next to each other but the colours in this one look pretty amazing, and wearable. Guerlain should take a leaf out of Dior’s book and make a cover for their lip colours though. That would most assuredly seal the deal for me! You can view the swatches of this on Messy Wands.
Do you have your heart set on the Perles du Dragon? Or are you eyeing anything else from the Guerlain Liu collection?
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia. Chinese dragons have a pearl which contains the Dragon’s wisdom and knowledge and power. If you have ever seen a Dragon Dance, you will see how the “Dragon” will chase after the “pearl” that is just led tantalizingly out of reach. I don’t know if the Liu Collection is being released in conjunction with the Dragon year of the Chinese Zodiac, but if it is, I like the nod given to it, and I predict it will sell out worldwide, because the Chinese market is HUGE and Chinese love Dragons LOL! 😛
Paris B
Guerlain Liu Collection Availability: 1 November 2012 onwards Price: Perles du Dragon – RM181; Liu Calligraphy Eye and Lip palette – RM239; Meteorites Wulong Exceptional Pressed powder – RM489; Les Ombres Turandot Ecrin 4 colour eyeshadow – RM193; Shine Automatique lipstick in #700 Altoum and #760 Lou Ling – RM118; Nail lacquers in Lou Ling and Altoum – RM77; LIU Perfumed Shimmer Powder for Face Body and Hair – RM260
xiao says
I irrationally want this. PARIZZZZZZ whaiiiiii
Paris B says
But… you have Perles de Nuit? You probably don’t need this. Don’t be swayed by packaging!!!
Teri says
I should’ve not read this! Guerlain stuff makes me sooo greedy! Their Holiday collection is one of my favourites atm and I’m mostly excited for the palettes. I never tried me some ballz yet, but this is pretty!! I like the lilac colour in there, I loooove the packaging, it’s to die for!
Paris B says
Hey Teri, I have to agree with you. The moment I saw the early promo shots for the Liu collection pop up online, I knew I’d be getting some of the items from it. It most certainly does look the best so far, with gorgeous packaging AND gorgeous contents! Can’t wait to see what you pick up 😀
Catherine says
I NEED THESE IN MY LIFE and this palette too btw 😀
Im glad they are not good as blush (lol) and I guessed that they cool down skintone- yay. I love Pucci perles d’azur and I will happily get these as soon as they arrive!!
Paris B says
That was my reaction the day I saw the collection online LOL! I was afraid it would be too pink to use all over, but am glad it isn’t. It is a good counterfoil to the Pucci ones and I hope you get hold of them soon! I should have gone to the Guerlain mothership when I was in Paris >.<
LeGeeque says
This is too pretty! Teint Rose is something I use everyday and I’ve seen a significant dip in it 🙂
Paris B says
I was using it everyday too till the others came along 😉 Not seeing any dips happening now 😛
Hanny Daforcena says
Erm… am I the only one who overreacted when PB said “These are not the Meteorites you’re looking for?” Anyone, anyone? *Ahem… Star Wars reference*
Anyhoo, I’ve seen Julieg713 on Youtube use this as a setting powder before. HMMMM. Welp… another Guerlain object to think about over the summer break! ^.^
Paris B says
Hahaha I love me Star Wars but I must admit I’m lost – which SW reference would that be? I use all Guerlain powders as a setting powder – the effect is sublime! Definitely something to aspire to 🙂
Hanny Daforcena says
Psst: PB, “These are not the Droids you’re looking for” – Obi-Wan in a New Hope ^.^
Paris B says
Hmm…doesn’t ring a bell LOL I had to google up New Hope only to find its the original Star Wars 😛 I was never into the prequel 🙂
xin says
can i have the black tin, baby please?
it’s really too bad that this leaves some cast 🙁 I will need to replenish my magic balls soon, because, er hem, believe it or not, i only have 1/4 jar left from the teint rose. don’t ask me where they went but i definitely need a restock!
Paris B says
Erm.. no baby! How did you go through Teint Rose so fast?!
Lily says
OK, now I’m on a limbo. I wanted the palette and this, but after reading your review, I have mixed feelings! I do love the packaging (sucker for that!) but against my warmer skin tone, I might not be getting much use out of this. Like Xiao, I irrationally want this, it’s LE! But….. any thoughts, Ms PB?
I still want the lip and eye palette very badly though. So don’t forget me! LOL!
Paris B says
Well, I don’t think its necessarily is cool in the sense like how cool/pink foundation reacts with warm skintones to make it look ashy. It just seems to cool down the tones of the skin a little but it does make it look brighter, if that makes any sense. If you do plan to get it, don’t use too much – it may not look like much but layering it on can make it look quite obvious. I just use a light hand with this partly due to the sparklies 🙂
Sukie says
As always, packaging is gorgeous! Am too wary of having both cream and powder products in the same palette but the colours are more than enough to tempt me into getting them! May just stick to getting the Meteorites as that’s what I usually collect! 😉
Paris B says
Yep, I usually don’t do cream + powder palettes anymore, but this, this is just too good to resist LOL!
Tracy says
Gahhhh, the ballz are so PRETTY again! Sigh, do I need these? No. But maybe? Yes? Arrrgggh Guerlain!
Paris B says
Hahaha Tracy you always make me giggle 😉 I’d say yes, but with your red hair, maybe no 😛
Efrain says
Paris you’re really tempting me, I think they could be my Christmas present so I’m saving 😉
Paris B says
Doing what I do best, Efrain! 😉 It is a bit sparkly but if you don’t mind it, its both pretty to look at and to use 😉
Efrain says
Well I was talking about the normal Meteorites, in fact I didn’t like this ones. >.<
Paris B says
Oops! Sorry for the mistake!
Claire says
I am waiting for my Guerlain Holiday products to arrive but I still haven’t decided on the meteorites. White and cool sound like I would love them! I am afraid they may be too shimmery though. I am very attracted to the purplish and pearl colour there, they look amazing in the pan (when the first pictures came out I was drooling over the meteorites, so pretty!).
Paris B says
I drooled over the Meteorites too when I saw the pictures but the stock photos make them look warmer than they really are, which can be a rude shock. I don’t know if you remember the Meteorites from last Christmas, but the level of shimmer is the same. Almost undetectable on the face, but if you rest your hand on your face, you may see some sparklies on your hand.
Claire says
oh man, that doesn’t sound good 🙁 I wasn’t a fan of the christmas ballz last year. Thank you, I definetly don’t want glitter on my face and hand. The colours there are so pretty though (I know, I know, barely noticeable but still pretty to look at, lol).
Paris B says
Haha Yeah, if you don’t want anything like last year’s balls then maybe this year’s won’t be for you either… except for the packaging 😉
Tine says
Oh hooonnneeeyyy. Sigh. So so SO pretty ….. sigh ….
Paris B says
Ahem! So the Pucci Perles d’Azur will not be lonely eh? 😉
shusheshe says
So pretty, but oh so expensive…. T_T
Paris B says
That’s luxury for you! 😉
peach_ says
&$%(!@#)* you say this is even more pink and cool-toned?! *cry*
I find last year’s Pearls de Nuit too pink/cool, so I don’t know what I’ll do with Dragon balls. I suppose they don’t impart heavy color anyway, and I don’t use it all over the face, plus I mostly want it for the packaging… 😛 *ramble*
I like the tins, but I dream of them one day having black (or red…or any color!) wood lacquer packaging.
Paris B says
Oh no! You found Perles de Nuit too cool? I thought that was very lovely and warm 🙁 The colour isn’t very strong, and if you concentrate it only on the cheekbones and for highlight, I think it’d be ok 🙂 Lacquered wood packaging? I’d snap that up in a heartbeat even if its just green ballz LOL!
beetrice says
The Dragon pearls do look mighty pretty…but I shall resist!! *quickly scrolls to end of post* Ah crap, ended up at the Eye and Lip Palette….there goes the resistance! sigh…
Paris B says
HAHAHAH! gonna get you one way or another 😉
gin says
i recently got a tient beige and although i knew that tient rose would be more suitable for me…i love it to every single bits!!!!
i almost got the pucci one but in the end i didnt… =(
kinda regret…..
oya, one thing to ask,why is this so expensive?
>>[Meteorites Wulong Exceptional Pressed powder – RM489]
489?!?!?!?!
also, is this pressed powder a pressed type of meteorites? sorry but i really have no idea what is its purpose…
Paris B says
I have Teint Beige and its less brightening than Teint Rose is, but it still gives a very nice even glow to the skin – glad you love it too! 🙂 The Exceptional Pressed Powder is the Meteorites in pressed form. I’m told there’s more product involved and the process of making it is done by hand (I’m not sure about the truth of it) so even the regular pressed powder Meteorites (the honeycomb pattern) is about the same price. Its meant for travel and carrying around so it used to be called Voyage. The case is gorgeous, and the contents are refillable (refills are cheaper) but its still much too pricey for even me 🙂 The pressed powder (with the camellia pattern) is more affordable but the effect is different, less pearly and glowy.
jk says
The Guerlain Perles du Dragon Meteorites, I can give it a miss. Especially since you mentioned that it may not be quite right for those with warm skin tones. Anyway, I have just started not too long ago and am very happy with my Tinte Beige. Still going strong daily.
But the Liu Calligraphy Eye and Lip palette – O-M-G!! It is gor-rr-geous.
(But – (Heavy *Thud!* sound) That’s me falling off my chair at its price though.
Please forgive the slight digression with a question – Meteorites is used as a finishing powder, yes. But the before make up part – between loose powder and pressed powder – what should one consider before deciding which to go for?
Paris B says
Sadly, yes the Liu Eye and Lip Calligraphy palette floored me with its price too 🙁 I asked the question about loose vs pressed powder once and the answer I was given was thus: They are the same thing except in different forms. Loose powder isn’t easily portable, but pressed powder is. So they serve the same function, just come in a different form to suit different people’s needs. I don’t tote my powders around so I stick to loose powder 🙂
Sze Ling says
Noo….why is it so “cool”? I was so ready to throw my money at Guerlain and grab one for myself. But after seeing how cool the colors are, I think I’m going to skip this one. Personally, I like warmer face products. Oddly enough, I don’t like brown/bronze eye shadows that are too warm. For those, I like them cooler. LOL. Weirdo! 😛
Have you seen the Shine Automatique lipstick in Lou Ling? OMG! I want it so badly. But can’t justify the purchase, cause I don’t have any occasion to wear it. Le sigh… 🙁
Paris B says
Haha you would have loved the Pucci one then 😉 I haven’t seen Lou Ling yet, waiting for the collection to be out at the counter. I don’t plan to get it though – looks a bit too similar to other reds I already own. There is always an occasion to wear a red. Use it as a stain, or just as a very light wash of colour on lips 😉
plue says
hm, i’ll pass this off and save the moolah for Chanel’s JC Star Dust.
this pearls does seem to be good for my warmer, more yellow toned foundations/ bb creams, but i don’t like it being shimmery. teint rose and pucci ones will be good enough for me… for now 😛
Paris B says
You’re the 2nd person to mention Stardust to me. I must say I totally overlooked Chanel’s Christmas collection. Chanel just isn’t doing it for me lately, not even their blushes that I used to love 🙁
plue says
i’m not sure if I really going to buy Stardust, but the name’s so magical and on pictures it looks really pretty, that it’s tempting 😛
i’ll have to take a look first before I decide though! may I be strong and walk out empty handed!
Paris B says
A friend who has it told me its a very very light shimmery pink that she uses for highlight. I guess I can safely pass then hehe…
Ling says
Paris – you are NOT good for my credit card!!! I actually eyed this up when I first saw it on Temptalia…but now I really want it…!!!!! Just because it’s so pretty! Also, the hand shot makes the tin look like a camera lens…or am I going cross-eyed too? 😛
Paris B says
HAHAHA I went back to look and you’re right. It did look like a lens in the palm of my hand 😀 I hear its really pricey in Australia though!