I don’t think there’s anything in the world that conjures up the images of Hollywood in its heyday more than strong red lipstick and a neutral, defined eye. There was a reason why this was so. Old movies and photographs were taken in black and white, and colour photography wasn’t as high definition then as it is now, so and strong, bold colours show off contrasts better. Then again, maybe people valued elegance and glamour more back in the day.
There was a charm about old Hollywood that I think has been much eroded in modern times. Movie stars seemed more like stars – glittery, golden, glamorous, elegant, untouchable. I think this is what Bobbi Brown envisaged in the Old Hollywood collection released for Christmas 2013.
These are some of the items in the collection and I think you can already see how it all ties in with the festive season. The touches of elegant red on lips, the golden glitter infusing the eyes, nails and lips and an easy elegance in the sleek lines of the packaging.
Performance of products aside, this is quite a visual feast for the eyes and fitting to its theme. You may already have seen this around or even picked up an item or two from the collection so let me know what you think of it while I run it down quickly for you. Get a coffee, we have lots to get through 🙂
The Old Hollywood Eye Palette (RM290) is quite easily the star of the collection, with it’s eye catching grid of 9 neutral toned eye colours in a slim, handy palette. This is one of those palettes that will catch the eye of those who love wearing neutral eyeshadow. Up to 5 years ago, I’d have given this a cursory glance and headed for a palette with brighter, more tropical colours. But in this past 5 years, I’ve grown fond of neutral tones so this did catch my eye.
I actually think this to be quite a balanced neutral palette in that the tones are quite equally cool and warm. So, someone with a cooler skintone like me will be able to wear these colours without them looking muddy on the eye area, as will someone with warmer skintone. It won’t look ashy.
However, I will have to tell you also that not everyone will like this palette. The reason is because for the most part, people will find the colour pay off to be a little poor in most of the colours. It’s not unwearable, but it will take a little more work to pull off and with the many options out there *coughNaked2cough* this does fall a little short.
I’m quite used to working with sheerer colours for eyeshadow as that’s what I do gravitate towards, so I didn’t think too much of it. For the matte colours, you will need to layer for them to show up well. For the shimmer colours, barring one or two, most of them are mostly for highlighting. Use a good eye brush (not the one included please) and you’ll appreciate it better. But use fingers and you’ll just wrinkle your nose.
These swatches of the Old Hollywood Eye Palette should give you an idea of the colours and texture. I’ve swatched them from left to right, top row to bottom and I’ll label and describe them below.
Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Eye Palette swatches
- Ivory – a matte ivory shade for base or highlight. Swatches sheer.
- Golden Pink – a metallic eyeshadow that is pigmented, but to me is more of a golden bronze than a golden pink. I don’t see any pink tones. This makes a nice accent colour and if you blend it out, takes on a foiled appearance that’s quite pretty.
- Gold – a sparkle shadow that applies as a sheer sparkly gold, best used as a highlight or to add glam factor
- Opal – Another spakle shadow that is also sheer and applies with a silvery tone. Also best used as a highlight or to add glam
- Fog – A matte grey that feels hard to the touch and swatches sheer with fingers. I built up the colour by layering, so you can see what it looks like. Best applied with a dense eyeshadow brush in a patting motion and can be used to add definition and shadow.
- Beige – A matte camel tan eyeshadow that has significant warm tones. Also swatches sheerly and buildable but not flattering on a cooler skintone like mine. This is the colour I use the least of.
- Chocolate Bronze – A sparkle shadow that looks quite strong in pan but applies sheer as per Gold and Opal. Best used to accent and add sparkle over a base but not best worn on its own unless you layer it.
- Candlelight Gold – A very pretty cool toned light gold that is pigmented and makes a very pretty lid colour.
- Eclipse – a matte charcoal black that has a hard dry texture and takes some layering for it to show up
All in all, I can’t say this palette is a must have, because I do think many people will be disappointed with the dry and sheer texture especially of the matte shadows. You can work with them of course, but you will need a good dense brush and patience. Also, it will depend on the sort of eye makeup that you do. I usually only do makeup for work and this does fit my lifestyle because it isn’t too intense and I can wear a colour like Candlelight Gold but lower the intensity by using a matte shade to blend it out, and a dark shade to add some shadow. Nothing too intense. But if you love your shadows strong, bold and pigmented, don’t get this one. You’ll be disappointed.
You know me and red lips and what’s an image of Old Hollywood without the signature red lips worn by screen sirens of old right? This is the Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Old Hollywood (RM98), a bright warmed red in limited edition gold casing.
You know what’s interesting? I just realised I’ve never tried Bobbi Brown lipsticks! This would be my first. The colour in tube bright and I can imagine, intimidating to many. I personally find it a bit warm for my tastes, but it does harken back to red lipsticks I’ve been used to seeing from the past. That sort of bright chilli red that really gives that POW! glam look.
Left: Bobbi Brown Lip Color Old Hollywood Right: High Shimmer Lip Gloss Candlelight
I think that swatch says it all right? 😀 It’s bright, it’s bold and it’s Old Hollywood. Contrary to the eye palette, the lipstick applies creamy and pigmented and one layer is all you need for a lovely glamorous red lip. But if you want it to last longer, layer on another layer for even more intensity. I didn’t find it drying and longevity was fair enough. It didn’t travel either because the formula isn’t that creamy. Just creamy enough so it doesn’t tug on your lips.
The colour isn’t matte but there is no shimmer so if you want to give it a more modern twist, then dab on some of the High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Candlelight (RM88). It adds golden shine to the lips and makes it look very festive and plush. There are 4 colours in the range – Candlelight (light pale gold), Rose (shimmer pink), Siren Red (red) and Old Hollywood (yellow gold) so if a layering gloss isn’t something you’re looking for then look to Rose or Siren Red instead.
If glitter and shine on your face isn’t your thing then how about a touch of glitter for your nails instead? The Bobbi Brown Glitter Nail Polish in Chrome (RM65) is a bottle of multicoloured glitter that adds that touch of bling to your nails.
I’m not into nail polish and if you’re not good at it, like me, always go for a shimmer/glitter polish. Mistakes don’t show up and the bling on your nails will blind anyone into thinking you have perfectly polished nails 😉
Pictured swatched just in one layer. Already you can see how festive your nails look! If you want more bling factor, apply 2 layers. Of all the items in the Old Hollywood range, I think this has the most fun factor and the most festive. Plus, in terms of nail polish, it’s also reasonably priced. Did I mention fun? 😀
I do have one more item from the Old Hollywood collection that I want to show you but not today. It’s a personal favourite and I’ll dedicate it its own post 😀
In a nutshell
If you ignore the overly photoshopped Katie Holmes that fronts the Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood collection, I think there are items to like in here. But as with all makeup, it will always depend on your style and preferences. The Old Hollywood Eye Palette is nice to me, and I can make it work but I think that for the majority who want something easier to work with, it isn’t ideal. The texture is a little hard and dry. It’s nice when you mix and match the textures but it’s one to check out in person. The Old Hollywood Lip Color will appeal to those who are bold enough to pull off a bright red lip and the texture is quite nice and creamy. It isn’t so creamy that it bleeds or feathers which is always a boon. I felt it was comfortable to wear even if the colour isn’t as flattering on me as I hoped it would. The High Shimmer Lip Gloss isn’t something I personally like because I’m not into layering gloss over lipstick but it does make a colour like Old Hollywood look more modern and also helps tone down the colour, even if it adds high shine.
Pros: The eyeshadow palette is a nice portable neutral palette with a mix of matte and shimmer shades, The lipstick is creamy and pigmented, The nail polish is fun and easy to apply
Cons: Many will find the eyeshadow palette sheer and pricey, The Old Hollywood lipstick will not sit well on those who have very cool tones in their skin
Who will like this: Anyone who might be looking for a bright slightly warmed red lipstick, Anyone who loves sparkly glitter nail polish, Anyone already familiar with Bobbi Brown eyeshadow textures and who prefers a sheerer texture in eyeshadow
Here’s how I wore the items I’ve featured to give you an idea of how they look. The first picture is of the lip colour without lip gloss. In the second, I dabbed on some of the Candlelight lip gloss to add shine.
On eyes I had the Old Hollywood Eye Palette with Fog and Eclipse to shade from the lashline and in the outer corner, Candlelight Gold as an all over lid shade and Ivory to blend and tie all the colours together. Add liner to define eyes and voila! 🙂 On cheeks, I had the Nude Glow shimmerbrick with a touch of Apricot blush, and pressed Meteorites all over.
Did you take a look at the Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood collection? Does anything leap out at you (even if you aren’t looking to buy?)
For me, the first thing to leap out at me was the eye palette, strangely enough. You’d have thought it would be the lipstick! I found the lipstick a bit old fashioned but damn! It channels Old Hollywood, alright! 😀
Paris B
Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood is a Limited Edition collection for Christmas 2013. Prices of featured items are as set out above and they are available at all Bobbi Brown stores and counters.
I love that red lipstick! It looks gorgeous on you! It’s so wonderfully ‘in your face’! <3
Thank you! <3 It is a gorgeous red I have to admit. Very classic and will look good on most - dare try it ? 😉
Paris you look very glamourous using all the products, Old Hollywood lipstick really suits your colouring. Goregous!
Aww thank you Jacqueline! I have to admit the colour of the lipstick surprised me a little for being so bright but it’s flattering and I think neutral enough for most skintones. Takes some daring to wear it though 😉
My favourite shade in the palette has to be Candlelight Gold. That’s the only metallic shade in the palette – wish there were more. Love the look you did, together with the accessories. Very posh 🙂
Thanks, and that is my fave shade too, Lily! It’s so wearable and pretty and has the best texture too! Nice to see what you do with the palette. I found it hard to work with initially but I actually grew to like it. Then again, I always work with sheer shadows so this wasn’t too steep a learning curve 🙂
Glamourous Paris! You look absolutely glamourous! The eye palette looks attractive (to me, hehe). I prefer neutral eyeshadow colours. I should be quick if I really want to get it 😛 And that lipstick! Gosh. Maybe, maybe this lipstick shall be my first bold red lipstick? Hmmm? 🙂
Aww thank you Rin! The eyeshadow palette is nice, but the texture may not agree with everyone so it’s best to check out in person. I hope you find “the bold red lipstick” soon! Let me know what it is eh? 😀
Ah, old Hollywood glamour conjures up images of Grace Kelly (KELLY BAG!!!) and Audrey Hepburn. I long for those and if I can’t, I do think Bobbi Brown did a pretty decent job in attempting to recreate it. The lipstick is the one thing that screams out to me but I’m trying to be good. It looks fantastic on you 🙂
Kelly Bag!! 😀 Yeah despite their screwed up lives, I think the movie stars of old really depicted the glamour of Hollywood. Not the Twerking madness we get these days 😛 The colour of the lipstick is nice I agree but be good. There’ll be another I’m sure 😉
Very Old Hollywood and glamorous! You look gorgeous in these shades Paris! That eye palette caught my eyes too and yeah, it’s disappointing. It’s too bad because it looks so lovely!
Thanks Tracy! The eye palette certainly isn’t for everyone. A bit too dry in parts, which is a bit of a pity considering the competition out there these days.
Oh my would you take a look at that lipstick? GORGEOUS!
I have the other items in the Hollywood Glam collection – the Longwearing Cream Shadow Stick, the red lipgloss and red nail polish. I haven’t tried the lipgloss and nail polish yet but I’m so glad I got the shadow stick after reading your review on them. Mine’s the black one and I don’t know if you’re not supposed to blend the colour out or that I should because I did and it didn’t stay long on my lids. Don’t know if that’s supposed to happen. Did you blend yours out or just colour them on?
Ooh you got the ones I didn’t have – can’t wait to see what you do with them, Tine 😀 I read that the Holiday Shadow Stick is really nice but I haven’t had the chance to test them. Haven’t been brave enough to go out to the malls just yet haha! The shadow sticks can work blended out or not depending on how you want to wear them. I usually just colour on a thick line, then use my finger and blend out the edges so most of the colour remains close to the lashline. Don’t blend out everything!
thanks for the swatches and review for the eye palette as I was thinking of getting this one since I do not own any Naked. The Old Hollywood lipstick, however, I had to SKIP. i tried it and found it drying on my lips. It is a beautiful shade though!
Sorry you found it drying, I didn’t but then we all have different sensitivities – thanks for mentioning it though. It’ll help someone else! 🙂 As for the eye palette, I think it’s nice but for the price, maybe wait a bit and see if another neutral palette out there catches your eye better. I don’t deny it’s a very nice neutral palette but the dryness of some of the shades can bug a little. I also think Naked palettes are over rated so I wouldn’t tell you to get those either LOL! 😛
That lipstick looks gorgeous on you! Love it!
Thank you Gio! 😀
You look stunning, Paris! I have more than enough red lipsticks, but I love all the gold glittery things in this post!
Thank you Larie, I could so see you in this red too! 😀 There’s just something about Christmas that brings out the bling in everything doesn’t it?
We don’t get Bobbi Brown in Italy and looking at all these beautiful products made me almost cry 😀 You look absolutely amazing with this makeup, I think it really suits you.
No Bobbi Brown in Italy, S? That’s the first time I’ve known of this! 🙁 I do hope the brand enters Italy soon – it’s such a pity the beautiful Italians are missing out on a major brand!
I have stopped buying Bobbi Brown palettes for the exact reason you describe. the color pay off is poor and for the price (or a bit more) you can buy lovely pallets from other lines. In fact, I have come to dismiss Bobbi Brown pretty readily these days. When they were first available they positioned themselves between Clinique and Lauder–slightly more sophisticated and aiming for the young professional woman. They were the first to really promote the use of makeup brushes for the consumer, not just make up artists. That and the color philosophy were pretty radical advances. Now I find most of their products rather meh for the price. Some of their lip colors are lovely, but the formula makes them slide right off.
It is in this situation that variety is a good thing because there’ll be something out there to suit everyone’s tastes 🙂 I had a couple of old BB palettes and they always had that slightly dry texture, except for the shimmer colours which were lovely. But I’ve always like BB’s blushes and I do think they do good ones. Eye colours tend to be a bit boring unfortunately because once you have a neutral palette, you pretty much are set for life LOL I actually think that BB painted themselves into a corner with their colour philosophy because it doesn’t allow them much scope for development so a lot of what comes out of the brand is a bit of the same old, same old. The only thing I can say is different is the audience, because there’ll always be someone new to the makeup scene who wants something safe which they can deliver. For seasoned makeup fans and users, perhaps we have outgrown them, maybe? 🙂
Love the lips – before and after lip gloss. And the nail polish!! I am really feeling the festivity kicking in. 😀
Bling bling and red red everywhere and before we know it, CNY is here! LOL Plans afoot to head your way post CNY – I keep going when sales aren’t on. Tsk! 😛
Wait a minute. Am I hearing it right? You coming here?? Really? Yay!!!! 😀 You have leisure time this round?
Erm sales are always around in Thailand, no? Like every month there’s a themed sales so I cannot be bothered to get excited anymore. :p
Haha yeah, plans are a foot in the 1st quarter. I’ll try to have a longer visit this time because it might just be the only break I’ll get for a while 😛 Will be sure to let you know! And Thailand’s learning from us here and having year round sales eh? Times must be hard 😛
oooooh 1st quarter! You sound so businessy! :p I don’t want to do a business lunch with you, kay? haahhaahahaha
Yes there is watch sales, beauty sales, ladies garments sales, gents garments sales, back to school sales etc etc. Since Thais celebrate everything, there are also CNY sales, christmas sales, halloween sales… so on and so forth. That’s in department stores though. For clothes, I usually watch out for the summer sales and winter sales. 🙂
Hahhaa no no it’s a pure relaxation trip. I’ll need it by then, hopefully! I used to go in time for the Summer and Winter sales – really good deals to snap up! But summer is so hot, twice was enough for me. Can’t handle walking around in that heat! Winter is a much nicer time to go. Just as hot, but not as humid. I missed out this year which is why it’s going to have to be next year. That said, it’s not as if I have anything to buy anyway 😛 Probably just go and eat till I pop! 😀
yes summer is horrible. Now it’s around 26 degrees in the morning. In the afternoon you get full sun, but cool breeze. Very nice. This is the ONLY time i can wear my scarves. Yes me a scarf lady. :p
Speaking of your trip, please let me know when you have more concrete itinerary hammered out. I think a tea/coffee in Oriental Hotel by the chao praya river is lovely. 🙂
The red color spells glamour! You look gorgeous as usual 🙂 I hope I am brave enough to try this kind of red. The palette? Oh boy.. so tempting!
Thank you so much, and if you aren’t brave enough to go this red (It’s super bright!) then do a brick red. I find that to be the safest way to break into red lipstick territory 😉