Somewhere in the middle of the year (2013, if you’re a visitor from the future – hey, it happens!) Lancome did a collaboration with Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz where selected mascaras and eyeshadow palettes were given the Alber Elbaz makeover with cartoon drawings and lots of hearts. There was also a cute cartoon runway show video. Missed it? Refresh your memory here.
Here then is one of the palettes from that collection, the Lancome Doll Eyes Eyeshadow Palette in D05 Gris Fume. Yes, I realise I may be late and that this limited edition packaging may be sold out by now but take heart, the palette itself is permanent!
But since we’re at it, here’s the limited edition packaging for the Lancome x Alber Elbaz collection. Wanna know a secret? I don’t like it. Sorry. I much prefer the plain black compact used in Lancome’s regular line. Sacrilege yes? Everyone loved it. Ahem. Well except me, lah :P
Oh but there’s something I do like about this palette, and that is that the base is magnetized. So, the cover closes with a magnet, and best of all, the applicators don’t fall out, because they are held on by magnets. Now, when will other brands cotton on that this is a GREAT IDEA? :P
See, here I am dangling it a few feet above the ground and everything stays put!
In a regular palette, I’d be scrabbling around, collecting the applicators off the floor by now. It would be nice if other brands took note of this innovative design. Despite how I personally feel about applicators, I think they are a necessary evil. They can usually be used in a pinch, and not everyone wants to splurge on a brush (although this isn’t a good idea if you don’t!)
Alrighty then, here’s a close up of the colours in the palette D05 aka Gris Fume. It is a very neutral palette, with a mix of light and dark shades and despite what I’ve read, I find the taupes and greys in this one have a warm cast, with a silvery sheen. What this means for the majority is that this is one of those “universally appealing” neutral palettes. It’d look good on most people.
I’ve swatched this in a zig-zag fashion, starting from the left, I meant to label the palette but forgot, so I’m sorry but you have to do a bit of work corresponding the swatches.
(1) Silvery warm taupe (2) Matte dark grey with a warm undertone (3) Silvery cool medium toned grey-taupe (4) Shimmery light beige (5) Glittery sheer pink highlight
That said however, I had a little bit of trouble working with this palette, because I found that whilst pigment was good, the contrast between the light and dark shades were a little too stark. So, I found that for small eyes (like mine) it can muddy if you aren’t too careful. So using all 5 shades on my eyes is a strict no-no. I could do with 2 max for shading my eyes, and maybe one light highlighter shade under the brow bone. The paper insert comes with some pictorial diagrams on how to use this, which is useful but not terribly practical unless you have round eyes with a lot of lid space.
So here’s how it looked on me, using just 3 shades – the dark black close to the lashline, the warm taupe blended over as a lid shade, and the shimmery pink as a highlight. I like grey shadow – it works on me but if you have a warmer skintone, don’t fret. The warm notes in this one means it may work for you too!
I think it’s pretty, and work friendly. However, don’t be over enthusiastic, and be content with just using one or maybe 2 colours on the eyes. In this case, less is certainly more :)
In a nutshell
The Lancome Doll Eyes Eyeshadow Palette in D05 Gris Fume is part of the permanent collection. The special cover you see in this picture is part of the limited edition Lancome x Alber Elbaz collection. I’d say that this palette is one that will appeal to many for the simple reason that it is quite user friendly. You can deepen the shades for evening or lighten them for use in the day. However, I also found that less is more with this one. The colours are pigmented and can muddy when blended together.
Pros: Pigmented colours, Easy to wear, Single shades apply prettily enough so you don’t really have to blend too many shades to get a polished, pulled together look
Cons: If you liked the packaging it is limited edition, Colours can muddy if you aren’t careful
Who will like this: Anyone who likes neutral palettes, Anyone who is looking for an easy to wear taupe eyeshadow
I have to say that I rather like Lancome eyeshadow palettes. Some are put off because the shades do tend to be a little light or a little too shimmery. If you come from the Japanese makeup school of thought as I do, then you’d enjoy using these. They are very close to Japanese style palettes, down to the gradational tones. However, if you come from the MAC, NARS or Make Up For Ever school of thought, then these won’t be your cuppa char :)
Did you pick up anything from the Lancome x Alber Elbaz collection? Have you tried these Doll Eye Eyeshadow Palettes?
I have to say, I think these may be a touch better in terms of quality and depth of colour than the Colour Design palettes so if you want something quick, easy and fuss free, and want Japanese looking eyeshadows but want more colour, then consider this range. It bridges that gap :)
Paris B
Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Eyeshadow Palette D05 Gris Fume is a permanent shade but the Alber Elbaz packaging is limited edition Price: RM195 Availability: Lancome counters Limited Edition: Packaging is, but not the palette D05 which is permanent
The pic of u wearing it is so CUN! I tend to stay away from greys cos I am afraid to look like I was punched. Perhaps it is time to try this out, looks wearable! Thanks paris!^^
LOL Cun! :D Thank you Lieyun :D I love wearing grey shadow but I have to admit it usually tends to be quite cool so doesn’t look too flattering on warmer skintones but this one is quite user friendly if you plan to check it out :)
this looks really good on you!
Thank you Shamim! :D
Hi Paris~ Gosh, loveee the whole look! Didn’t get the chance to try the collection and palettes but the eye colours are totally my cup of tea! :D Thanks for the review. Niceee. And Paris, your skin looks so smooth :P
Thank you Rin :D Partly lighting too, don’t forget hehe… This palette is permanent, if you don’t mind that the regular compact is plain black, but I think it looks classier that way ;)
I love using this palette for a smokey eye effect. I find the texture to be a little inconsistent, some gritty, some buttery smooth. That said, it’s still a good palette of harmonious colours.
Hmm I wonder if the quality is inconsistent across the board because I didn’t experience grittiness in mine. That would be a right bummer! I tried going for a smokey eye effect but found myself looking like someone punched me LOL! Not skilled enough, evidently! :D
The cartoon hearts looks like something my 4-yr old could do… HAHAHAHAHAH
Anyway, yes to the magnetised compact and brushes. How useful! Imagine you have to pick them up from toilet floors, if you are not careful… GAAAAAH!! I am getting a bit OCD now!!
Not a Lancome fan, so I shall pass. Besides… I have many neutral shades already… :P
LOL!! Your 4 year old is a potential artist right there! :D HAHA Toilet floors! I don’t even carry any palettes around, so whew! Not likely to happen :D
the shades are nice but not as unique as I would like it to be..though I totally adore the packaging!
I think for someone who already has lots then this isn’t special anymore, but for someone looking for a potential neutral palette, then this might work ;) That said, I think many of us fall in the former category hehe…
Love the way you did your eyeshadow with these grays! Ah, my last foray into grays was nothing short of a disaster! Little lid space = lots of muddy gray everywhere, coupled with no experience applying eyeshadow resulted in something that looked like soot exploded around my eyes!
Perhaps I should give gray another chance, it wasn’t it’s fault I totally looked like an aging panda!
Thank you Sam Bear and the key with grey shadow, that I’ve learned is to keep it simple. So, 1 shade on lid, and a highlight is important, so eyes don’t look flat. To open up the eyes further (grey can add too much depth) try using a light highlight shade on your lower lid. Give it another go! I’m sure the panda will stay away next time ;)
I really like the look you’ve created.
I have to say I’m not a big fan of this packaging either, it just doesn’t seem very Lancome to me!
I’ve bought my first Lancome eyeshadow palette at the airport when I was coming back from Cape Verde and I agree with everything you said about the quality.
They’re quite different from what I’m used to but not in a bad way!
Thank you S :) No, I wasn’t keen on the packaging. I like that Lancome is sleek and compact and this whole cartoon vibe did nothing for me! Ooh i like buying makeup on holiday. It always makes a great souvenir hehe
I don’t know what to make of the packaging. On the one hand I feel the packaging doesn’t match the eyeshadows and is therefore ugly, on the other hand I think the packaging is cute on its own. Hearts and all. Gahh, can’t decide!
I like the classy colours and the fact the applicators stick to the packaging! Very travel friendly, can probably put on make up in the plane without having to worry dropping anything. The grey looks very good on you!!
Hahaha what a conundrum Applegal! The only thing I can say for sure is that this isn’t Lancome! :P Good point about putting makeup on planes! Although if I were to put on my makeup on a plane, I’d go with something really easy like a cream eyeshadow or eyeshadow pen. Guarantee won’t drop hehe…
I’m not a big fan of this type of shades, but I love what you did with them. You look gorgeous!
Thank you Gio :) Grey shadow is really tricky, I find!
They remind me of Bobbi Brown’s new chocolate edition palette.
I like such colors.
xx
I just saw the Bobbi Brown chocolate palette yesterday and it’s a lot browner and warmer. Not colours I’d wear but definitely will look fab on many :)
I will pass this. I’m waiting up for the Jason Wu X Lancome collaboration to come in.
Ah that palette is the one I don’t like haha! But I’m not generally swayed by Lancome makeup in recent times. Used to love their lipsticks till they came up with Rouge in Love, and don’t like their young image either.
Paris, you make grey look wearable. will definitely check it out.
Thank you Joanne :) Experiment and I’m sure you’ll find a look to suit you too :)