For Spring 2012, Guerlain tells the story of the season by pairing bursts of pink side by side with the intensity of black. Sophisticated and elegant, this color collection defines femininity, while also revealing our inner seductress. Even though winter has just begun, spring has sprung at Neiman Marcus. I was there. I saw this burst of spring, and while it's relatively warm outside, the weather is predicted to be seasonably cold next week.Packaged within the legendary rosette of the Météorites Perles, there's a stunning pink flower. Named after one of the exclusive fragrances from the House of Guerlain, Météorites Cruel Gardenia Illuminating Iridescent Powder ($67) will light up our skin with a subtly iridescent veil. Guerlain suggests we create a radiant complexion by applying Cruel Gardenia all over the face or in a specific area, such as the cheekbones, to add structure and definition to the face.
I struggled to get photos of Cruel Gardenia for you. By the time I got home from the mall, the clouds had overtaken the sun. These are not the best photos I'll ever take, but they will have to do. The beautiful floral design above looks a bit lifeless. Trust me, it's not! I took the pictures of the product in its container, with its twist-off top, with an overcast sky.
The packaging is deeper than the normal compact for a blush, highlighter, or eye shadow palette, and I'm hoping it's filled with this gorgeous highlighting cream-powder. I love it!
I think I caught the last rays of the sun today for my swatch photos. I applied Cruel Gardenia with a sponge-tipped applicator.The color is entirely different from Laura Mercier's Face Illuminator. Given the similarity of the floral designs of the two, there was a lot of speculation about the colors. This one is pink - pure, silvery pink. I could not be more excited about the color and the texture. Cruel Gardenia appears to be a cream-powder hybrid. It applies like a cream, but appears to be a powder. The magic of makeup!
What do you think? I think Météorites Cruel Gardenia is a must-have for Spring 2012. That means it's going to sell out quickly, so don't waste any time before you visit it at your local Guerlain counter. I bought mine at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria.Photo at top courtesy of Guerlain; other photos by Best Things in Beauty
AHHH I NEED this! lol I will def. have to go check this out : )
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I didn't ge the LM one because this one loos SO much better for me!! It doesn't seem to have as much sparkle and is more of a shine. I can hardly wait to pick this one up! I'm so excited now!
ReplyDeleteHi Kkellinicole86! We all need this. I am considering hoarding it. Really!
ReplyDeleteTracy, I love the Laura Mercier one. I love one this more - and that's hard to believe. It's so perfect for gals who look pretty in pink!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you LOVE it!
Why does guerlain have to make such beautiful products? This looks gorgeous! I am sad my Neimans did not get it in yet. I cant wait to get my hands on it. I need to stop buying all these pretty highliters, but cant resist!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! these people make sure that we don't make any savings resolutions....
ReplyDelete:)
I've never seen a Météorite edition that I didn't love and I have the collection to prove it! :-) Guerlain really understands their target demographic and knows how to create a refined and elegant shimmer. This ne plus ultra of finishing powders works soft focus magic like no other. No cold frost, no girlish sparkles, no disco glitter, no fairy dust--just pure luminescence. And, depending on how you apply Météorites, it looks just as beautiful during the day as it does at night. I can hardly wait for Guerlain Spring to arrive at the local counter.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
I must say that with your beautiful blond coloring, Cruel Gardenia is sure to be a knock out on you. Like you, I passed on the LM. It was just too intense for me. Cruel Gardenia; however, looks perfect for us fair gals.
Anonymous, I'm sure your NM will have it in a few days. Just make sure to get on a list. This gorgeous illuminator is going to sell out.
ReplyDeleteResham, thanks for the good laugh. They certainly do dampen a desire to save money. :)
ReplyDeleteEileen, what's really cool about this product is its radical departure from what we normally think about as our Météorites. While trading on a popular name, Guerlain has hit the ball out of the park.
ReplyDeleteHow is the cream to powder texture? Can you apply it with a brush? It looks beautiful, must get this!!
ReplyDeleteYou can, Toughdoc! One of my favorite brushes for applying creamy powders is the Armani brush, but you can use any one you like! Applied with a brush, it leaves a divine radiance.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered this today! So happy to hear you like it as you are one of my most trusted beauty sources! I hope you have a lovely new year :)
ReplyDeleteGabby, you will not regret that order. I just ordered my second. I couldn't even make it to the next day without starting to hoard Cruel Gardenia.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a luminous new year!
What a gorgeous powder! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAre you ladies ordering this from Nordstroms?
ReplyDeleteThis is amazingly beautiful! Thank you for revealing it to me, I'll see it probably in February here...But I simply must buy this stunning GM illuminating powder:I've fallen for it, it's gorgeous on your photos:-)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Walls!
ReplyDeleteClarisse, it seems so odd that a French company rolls out its intros here before France. Let me know if you need for me to buy one here!
ReplyDeleteAlready sold out at Nordstrom online. Where else can I get one.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Tplindley!
ReplyDeleteCall Kathy Shoreman at Neiman Marcus at 703-761-1600, ext. 3282. They are open today, but Kathy won't be there until tomorrow.
Oh thanks. Must have!!
ReplyDeleteTplindley, another thing you should do, if you have a Guerlain counter near you, is call today to reserve one. However, if you want to be dead sure, call NM today, ask whoever answers to put one in Kathy's hold for you for tomorrow. You can use Charlestongirl's name if you need to.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! I saw a photo of this one before seeing the LM, and it took my breath away. :) Glad to see you own it!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Charlestongirl. Thanks!! Just called and got one put in her hold. Now have to decide before tomorrow if I NEED more than one :). Thanks again for the help
ReplyDeleteBought mine yesterday. The makeup artist used it all over my face (this surprised me) and I tried the new 6 color eyeshadow palette for spring, I also left with a new spring lipstick and gloss. Love, Love, Love their spring collection. Bought all of Guerlain and Chanel's Spring Collection! Such a piggy! The illuminating powder has just enough beige in it to make it extremely wearable year round. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I got the glosses and hope to feature tomorrow (if there is sun), but my NM didn't have the Rouge G's yet. Still waiting for the rest of the collection.
ReplyDeleteHow did Cruel Gardenia look when applied all over?
Spoke with Ms. Shoreman today. She was wonderful. Thanks again for your help
ReplyDeleteThis looks so pretty ! All the spring collections look really nice ! Burberry, Dior, Chanle and Guerlain. I also have a huge craving fro By Terry The Lipstick in Hiwada 10 !!! Gosh I wish all these were within my reach !!! Such beauties really !!! Can't wait for something akin to Sephore/Nordstorm/SAKS to open here !!!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that I the allover application looked so good, the only area I didn't like the extra "illumination" was on the face area immediately next to my nose where my pores are a little larger. I think a lighter touch in that area would have been fine, though. saw your swatches today of the glosses, very nice. I bought the Rose de Santal liner with the new Rose Piquant (#74) and topped it with the #871 gloss for a modern pink neutral look.
ReplyDeleteI received my Cruel Gardenia yesterday from Bloomie's, and it's so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIs it bad to want to sleep with a makeup product? I would have slept with it last night but the husband kicked it out ;-) So I wore it to bed and broke all the rules about removing all makeup beforehand...it's not really makeup, I consider it an investment in happiness!!!
hello!!! I am new to your blog. I live in Mexico and we just got the Cruel Gardenia Illiminating powder. I tried it on and left without buying it. I decided to do some research about it. Do you think It will look great on a dark skin color? I am pretty new to makeup so your advice will be appreciated!!! THANKS!!!
ReplyDeleteperhaps I should post this on your friday forum, but i will try here first. i want this! of course, it is completely sold out - everywhere as far as i can tell. i wonder if any of the guerlain meteorites are similar? (i don't have a counter close by to check it out in person). i love that it looks creamy, not sparkly, a bit pinkish.... any advice on what may be able to fill its shoes???? it's a lot to ask but i thought i'd ask anyway - just in case ;-)
ReplyDeleteKatie, I would not compare Cruel Gardenia to any of the Météorites I own. Sorry! I know that's disappointing news.
ReplyDeleteMost of the Illuminators that compare favorably to this one sold out instantly. The closest in texture would be the EL Illuminating Powder Gelée series. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one.
Hi Dafne,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed response! If you tried it, but left, how did you feel about its appearance on you? I think you'd be the best judge of how it will work for you.
Charlestongirl, thank you for taking the time to respond. I am telling myself not to be too terribly disappointed as there are bound to be others (fingers crossed). I am slow to purchase hilighters but I will get a jump on it next time! :)
ReplyDeleteCharlestongirl, I have been reading up on the RBR Love Lights Highlighting Powder and I was wondering if you would share on how its finish compares with Cruel Gardenia.
ReplyDeleteI prefer highlighters that illuminate the skin. That imbue the skin with that je ne sais quoi glow/sheen, and never with a glittery finish.
Which would you recommend -- the RBR or the Guerlain?
Thank you for your time. :)
Boo Boo, Cruel Gardenia is no longer available - anywhere - so go after the RBR. RBR has never let me down!
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