Sometimes, you want something so badly and then when you get it, you’re all, “Meh, is that it? Is this what I waited for?”
Without preamble, this is how I feel about the Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Paradis. You know I love my Meteorites powders. I wax lyrical about them all the time, and I usually love them one way or another, even the rather warm Pucci Perles d’Azur Meteorites, or the slightly sparkly Perles de Nuit Meteorites. In fact, I wish they’d make the Perles de Nuit permanent because that gives you the most perfect candlelit glow I have ever come across. You don’t know what that word means till you actually see it, and Perles de Nuit reflects it perfectly.
Perles du Paradis however… lets just say I’m not enamoured. I know, its almost sacriligous coming from me but here you go!
The Perles du Paradis Meteorites were released in Guerlain’s Spring 2013 collection. This one brought a lot of excitement because you get extra large pearls or “big balls”, as they say. Hurhur 😛 The extra large pearls are housed in a similarly extra large tub and comes with an adorable pink powder puff. First off, let me say the relapse to the cardboard packaging sucks, Guerlain! I am disappointed in you!
The puff is seriously soft and luxurious but I don’t see the point of it. It can’t pick up the colour or shimmer and it doesn’t quite “puff” on the skin. I tried but it was far too much work. You have to first remove the puff, shake up the box, dab the puff over the loose shimmer and powder that gets shaken up, then see if that’s enough for you.
The puff is also rather large, so its far too much for the face but very nice to use on the decolletage area. Personally, I find it a nice idea, but practically I don’t go out enough in the evenings to warrant dabbing the Perles du Paradis on my decolletage. If you are the sort who do, and you have the luxury of time and a nice dressing area to sit and puff yourself all over with this, then yes, it gives a nice glow to the skin with some shimmer that doesn’t scream “I’m so shiny, I look oily!”
The tone of the Perles du Paradis is an overwhelming pink. There are some pearls in there that actually look red, but you’d be hardpressed to use them as blush because the colour doesn’t quite come off strongly enough. There was a time when Guerlain did a set of Meteorites that were so pink they could only be used as a blush. I missed that one but I forsee that at some point in the future, they’ll bring it back. These things happen 🙂
So what you get is pretty much a pink based powder that to me is a bit too shimmery thanks to the inclusion of some rather large sparkly silver balls in there. I got about 5 in mine. Some people reported getting 4 and some 3 but its there and it sparkles.
You can see that the deep red pearls aren’t truly red. They are a deep pink but when the deep shade flakes off, the under tone is a pale pink. The other shades are a white, lavender, light pink, gold, silver and that deep pink.
Due to the overwhelming pink tones of the powder, I will caution a light hand when you use these. If you are too enthusiastic, you may risk making your skin look too pink to be natural. In many ways, I don’t feel like these worked as well giving off that famous ethereal glow I’ve come to associate with using the Meteorites. They were too pink and too sparkly. If I stand out in the sun, I actually notice sparkles and that doesn’t sit well with me.
For evenings and under yellow or dim lighting, it does impart a nice glow, but in the day under harsh sunlight or even fluorescent office lighting, you just look like you’re trying too hard.
In a nutshell therefore, I’d say skip this one unless you are a hardcore collector (moi *hangs head in shame*). Your wallet will thank you. Instead, look at the permanent collection. I think the limited edition ones complement the existing range, but if you are a novice and new to the Meteorites, please look instead at either Teint Rose or Teint Beige. They give you better value for money 🙂
In a nutshell
Didn’t I just nutshell this above? LOL Ok, here it is again. The Meteorites Perles du Paradis is a limited edition Meteorites powder released with the Spring 2013 collection. The perles are extra sized and so is the packaging and they are meant to be used on face and body. The inclusion of the fluffy pink puff is adorable but not practical to me. I personally find this one too pink and too sparkly. I wouldn’t recommend this one for a first tub of Meteorites. If you are a hardcore fan and collector then you won’t take my advice anyway. But if you are looking for your first tub of Meteorites, do look into the permanent range. They will be the best introduction you have to these magical glow powders 🙂
Pros: Gives off a nice glow to the skin when used in dim light or for the evenings, Large size makes it easy to pick up product, Pink powder brightens skin somewhat but ensure a light hand
Cons: Pricey, Too pink and too sparkly for day use, Puff isn’t much use except to look pretty
Who will like this: Anyone who is a Meteorites collector (powders, not the ones that fall out of the sky)
Did you pick up the Perles du Paradis and do you love it? Have you been suckered into the Meteorites hype yet? 😛
Despite it being limited edition, I think there is still stock available locally if you really want it. I don’t regret getting it because I’m a collector and I use this and I’ve gotten the hang of it. Slating this as a bum product really kills me but in all honesty, this is how I feel. It isn’t special and I’m disappointed. So, if you are torn about this and prefer performance over pretty packaging, go to the permanent collection. Teint Rose has a brightening effect (although some say its too white for them) and Teint Beige is a nice compromise for warmer skintones which I think suits the majority of people. Plus point, you don’t have to contend with sparkles and they give that “Hello, you look glowy today!” look to the skin that is quite incomparable 🙂
Paris B
Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Paradis Price: RM203 Availability: Guerlain counters Limited Edition: Yes, Spring 2013
Despite the apparent humor in this post, am sad for you, PB. It really is a bummer when things that usually work out don’t >.<"
These look so pretty too!
Haha don’t be sad, Hanny. I’m helping people save money! 😛 I can get this to work so its not wasted but I would never recommend it for a first purchase. Way too glittery!
I can’t wear this with any blush that’s shimmery or glittery, and definitely not with the Sakura blush (shimmer overload!) So it’s reserved for days when I use matte blushes, and I tend to use them a lot these days.
the pink in this Meteorite release does quite well when I wear foundation/ bb shades that are more on the yellow side and it gives a nice balance. I don’t look too sallow and I still get a good glow and look natural. I avoid the silver balls as much as I can though.
The puff is nice, but I don’t like it. Not even when I dust it around the decolletage, way too much shimmer/ glitter bits! Prefer using a big brush to brush on. I think my Meteorites has only 2 or 3 silver balls, so it may not be as sparkly as yours.
I still think my favourite balls is still Teint Rose, complement almost any bb/ foundation shades! the rest I need to tinker around a little to get the best out of it 😛
Hmm that’s interesting about it working well with yellower foundations, Plue. Maybe its because my foundations tend to be pink based or neutral,,that I notice this pink tones too much. It’s a nice product, just not 5star eh?
It wasn’t overly glittery for me but yeah, it’s not as good as I expected. Not a fan of the packaging at all. It’s pretty, but I expected something more luxurious especially since I had to pay extra for this. The Teint Rose is still the best one for me 🙂
teint Beige is quite decent too – works well for me as setting powder without too much brightening. There I go, enabling again… Hehe…
It’s a pity that such a star piece of the collection turned out to be the only black sheep that I know of! Perles du Dragon from last year’s holiday collection is my go-to setting powder. I came to the conclusion that there’s no use “swatching” the pretty balls at all. The only way to find out how you really feel about it is to have it applied! I haven’t started collecting them all and I doubt I will (I don’t think I’m much of a collector of anything… maybe except for cats haha), but there is a VERY good reason why there is a cult!
Haha yes, it was quite a dud for me, Sunny. But I know it gets a lot of love! I treat this one as a powder. It’s ridiculous to swatch powder so it would be just as ridiculous to swatch this lol! I think the Meteorites are a great product but as you said, the regulator user could do with just one 🙂
i was shocked with the cardboard packaging? Moreover it is suppose to be limited edition? Well, i guess maybe they were too hurry in realizing another new products that they miss out a lot of things.
Yeah, Guerlain Meteorites used to come in cardboard packaging so it wasn’t too much of a departure but still disappointing ever since they switched to the metal tins. Hopefully they wise up!
Too pink and too sparkly- two things I dont want my meteorites to be, so I feel Im not getting them. although I love this cute puff 😀 And whats up with the cardboard packaging? Ridiculous.
Guerlain really regressed with this one! I hear there’s another (yes I know, another!) meteorites coming out this year. Hopefully it’ll be better in terms of performance 🙂
I almost missed the line where you mentioned the cardboard packaging. Had to do a second take and read that line again. Cardboard packaging?! Really? Guerlain?! I thought we’re over that already? Tsk tsk tsk…
Anywho…back to the product. Too glittery. Such a shame. Could have been such a darling, especially with that puff.
After getting distracted by other new fancy products, I’ve recently gone back to use my meteorites and fallen back in love with it. Pure love. Now I’m tempted to get the compact one so that I could travel with it. Don’t feel so secure traveling with the full sized one. 😛
Right?? Cardboard packaging and not even pretty ones with golden inlay. Ish! Oh don’t tell me about the compact meteorites! I’ve been wanting to get one for the longest time but at that price tag, my wallet goes into cardiac arrest every time I even approach the counter! Lol bunt I’m told its even nicer than the balls. Less shimmery and better effect. Drat! How’s life in the states, BTW? Must be fun!
That’s exactly what I heard about the compact version too. Gah!! And Guerlain is not any cheaper here either.
Life here is good. Not bad. 🙂
You know, based on my last calculation, Guerlain products are a bit cheaper here! I know, ironic!
I’ve never purchased any of these balls before… =P I would love to though.. they are gorgeous and beautiful to look at. I’m sad you didn’t like it as much as you would but perhaps your expectations were too high? 🙂 I wouldnt blame you, it is Guerlain afterall! Their products aren’t exactly for people on a budget! :p Maybe it’ll grow on you! (i hope!)
Haha you can definitely say my expectations were high because they looked so promising in pictures and everything 🙂 I don’t mind using it but wouldn’t recommend it per se. After all as you say, these are cheap so you really want something you can get a lot of use out of 🙂
LOL @”not the ones that fall out of the sky”! Good one PB!
Haha! Someone spotted it! 😉
The pink and black packaging looks very nice! Too bad it’s a boo-boo 😛
Yeah, maybe they should have made it more pink so we could use it as a blush!
Give me some silver pearls! haha. Mine not enough 😛
On the bright side, at least you won’t sparkle in the sun 😉
i was very close to buying this when i attended the guerlain tea party here in sg. the SA was swatching it on my cheeks. i was thinking… ” hmm its too sheer to be a blusher, too pink to use it all over my face and i would rather use the wulong meteorites (which i just purchased) as a finishing powder instead”. i end up giving it a missed and got the blanc de perle skincare range instead. didnt regret it as a free full size cleanser of the blanc range + 6pcs skincare set + 3pcs door gift was thrown in for free! Ha!ha! do give the roll-on mask a try.. its very.. erm.. unique and it does brighten the complexion after each use. @rachelxooo
Hi Rachel, you got the Wulong Meteorites!! I was really eyeing that one which looks absolutely beautiful but I couldn’t justify the price. Perhaps you can help me LOL! 😉 I haven’t tried anything from the Blanc de Perle range but the SA showed me the roll on mask thing which was very intriguing. Now that you say that it actually works, maybe I should give it a try 😉
These looked very pretty in the box, too bad they perform so poorly. And the packaging is so disappointing too. I expect something better than a cardboard box from a luxurious brand like Guerlain.
I know, Guerlain was a bit of a disappointment this time around. I hope they make it up the next round 😉
Haha. I guess Guerlain tried to save cost by using a cardboard box? Nevertheless, thanks for the amazing review and for saving my money cause I have been eyeing this for quite a while now. I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way you wanted it to. That feeling must really suck 🙁 don’t worry, the next collection hopefully (fingers crossed) will be way better. 🙂
THANKS PARIS 😀
You’re welcome Neesha 🙂 It is a nice powder, but not spectacular. Am really hoping the next one will be good 😀
Heh, I was smiling at the thought of meteorite collecting. Do people actually do this? I think can go to Russia to find the latest one! 😀
Haha I’m very sure there is some geek out there who does it!
I was quite taken in by the Guerlain Meteorites when you blogged about it years ago and wanted to get it when I passed by the duty free zone. However, the Meteorites were sold out and I got a bottled version instead, which can be used as a make-up base. Love it!
Thanks so much for sharing about the this, Paris. Your frank review saves ladies like me from making one of the biggest shopping mistakes of their lives. Keep up the good work 😀
Hi Kit, oh you got the Meteorites primer! It is quite nice isn’t it? I have a bottle somewhere but don’t use is often because I tend not to use base/primer very much. But now that you’ve reminded me, I should go dig it out 🙂 Glad this review was helpful, even if its just to say the product was a bit of a dud 😉
Aw, disappointing. I love Meteorites but can’t justify this one as being useful enough to add to my collection. I’ll wait for the next one!
Definitely wait, Sam. Hopefully the next one will be more interesting 😀
Got this as a gift and I thought oh how pretty. Quite excited to try it but just didn’t work for me. It looked ok when I just put it on but 15 minutes after it just looks really bad, like dirty and then my skin started to itch. In the gift were some little Guerlain samples and they all make me itch. Not sure if anyone else has this problem.
I don’t generally have a problem with Guerlain skincare or makeup but another reader has experienced problems with the Guerlain Blanc de Pearle skincare range which broke her out quite badly. So, not quite itching, but it may not suit everyone. Sorry to hear the Meteorites didn’t work for you. Perhaps there’s an ingredient in there that doesn’t agree with your skin.