We've already taken a look at the press shots for Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Soleil collection and it's been available at House of Fraser since the end of March. As it goes nationwide from May 2nd, it's high time for some swatches, eh?
Like other years, there's a nice summer-appropriate shadow palette, a face powder, fragrance and sundry other bits and bobs for eyes and lips. Lauder sent me on a few products to play with - including that gorgeous star-embossed Bronze Goddess Sea Star Bronzing Blush we all fell for in the original post. Yay, I thought, as I opened the casing. Nay, I lamented, as it fell out all over me, having shattered in the post.
Oh well - I can't show you swatches of that particular item but I did have a few others to get busy with so lets get crackin'.
This is the Bronze Goddess Island Oasis EyeShadow Palette and it's €39. Limited edition, I think it's a good price for six of the brand's shadows. Not wild on the outer casing, I'll admit, but what's inside is very wearable.
Yep, ok that blue is a bit scary. But though this is pitched as a summer launch, you'll be using this into the autumn because there are enough neutrals in there to make it work day-to-day. Textures are soft, finishes are satiny - some with a little glitter - payoff is medium and while these are a little powdery, they're much prettier in the flesh than the press shots would have you believe.
These work well in twos - that dark green and the silvery taupe on the end would look great together, as would the green and the gold, the blue and the silver, blue and gold ... you get the picture. I'm shying away from the warm copper and the burgundy because these sort of colours make me look tired, but if you've a warm skintone, they'll work a lot better. Basically, I think this selection is a lot more versatile than it first appears.
Advertised
And here are the swatches.
There are two limited edition ShadowStick Duos in Bronze Goddess this year too. Gold Bronze is above and there's also one in Pink Teal. They're €25, which is pricey until you realise they're massive - check the sizing in comparison to the Chanel stylo above. Big fat chunky things they are, so if you buy, make sure you have a parer big enough to cope.
Some camera phone swatches of the four colours
Each is double-ended and Gold Bronze is pretty descriptive. Pink Teal is a more dramatic buy with a bright teal (surprise!) shade on one end and a wearable pink on the other. The consistency of these pencils is creamy, they're easy to work with and they set hard and fast, making them a good pick for hot weather. You can use these as shadow or liner too.
And no Estee Lauder launch would be complete without some polish. This is another limited edition and it's Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Shimmering Bronze. €20's the damage and this isn't my Cupan Tae O'Toole at all but I've swatched it above for those of you who do like metallics with shimmer. That's two coats - I reckon three might be the best fit to get decent intensity from this.
Advertised
The last bit I have to show you is the Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Soleil Eau Fraiche perfume, €59 for 100ml. This is lhavley. Basically, it smells almost identical to Clinique Happy, a fragrance I happily really like so I'm delighted to douse myself in it. If you're more used to the suncream and coconuts-style of previous years' Bronze Goddess scents - which I haven't liked - then you might not be so keen. It's a departure, that's for sure - spritz it at counter to see if you like before you buy.
So, anything catching your fancy and getting added to the wishlist?
