Guerlain Liu Holiday 2012 Color Collection

Guerlain's beautiful Holiday 2012 Color Collection celebrates Guerlain’s classic 1929 fragrance: Liu. Inspired by the heroine of Puccini’s great opera, "Turandot," Jacques Guerlain composed Liu to embody the power of devotion. In the story, Liu is a young slave who chooses to commit suicide rather than reveal the name of her master, the man with whom she is in love. Guerlain Creative Director Olivier Echaudemaison captures Liu’s passion with a limited-edition makeup collection, paying tribute to the Asian heroine’s enchanting femininity and sense of detail. Golden hues, deep red lips, and tapered eyes capture the opulence of the Orient, allowing every woman to become a heroine this holiday season.

Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder Face, Body & Hair ($88.00) is the star of this collection. It reveals a light-as-air loose powder that enhances the face, body, and hair with an iridescent golden veil. A mere press of the bulb releases the powder, leaving Liu’s mesmerizing aromas in its wake: a composition of aldehydes, sensual roses, vanilla, iris, and woody notes. Many will recognize Liu’s original bottle, with its elegant black glass case and golden letters reminiscent of a Chinese tea caddy. A black woven bulb has been added, transforming this legendary fragrance into a desirable and feminine makeup accessory. I am so there!

The Liu Eye & Lip Calligraphy Palette ($79.00) is shown at the top of this feature. This collector’s palette draws inspiration from the art of calligraphy and Asian beauty rituals. With two dramatic shades for the lips, combined with three iridescent eye shadows, the ingeniously designed palette provides our makeup essentials in one place. A matte black powder liner is also included and can be used wet or dry to create an unforgettable gaze. The extra-flat, black Chinese lacquer-style case features a large panoramic mirror and two brushes that deliver high-precision application - just like calligraphy instruments. The first has a double-foam tip for the eyes, one rounded for eyeshadow and the other pointed for liner. The second is a lip brush with silky bristles.

Météorites Perles du Dragon ($58.00) is named for this Year of the Dragon and pays tribute to this mythical animal - a symbol of the emperor of China, whose primary source of power lay in a pearl that was synonymous with happiness, wisdom, and abundance. The harmony of six shades of pearls in an intense, iridescent monochrome palette is perfectly tailored to the holiday season. Like nighttime jewels, it cloaks the face in incredible radiance: pale pink and beige even out the complexion, white and gold illuminate, while plum and rosewood brighten areas of shadow and erase fatigue as the night goes on. Its famous metal case, also embossed in black, is stamped with a golden rosette on its lid and bears the Guerlain signature. I think it looks gorgeous.

Two holiday shades of Shine Automatique Lipstick ($35.00) were named for the protagonists in Puccini’s great opera: Altoum, the emperor of China and Lou-Ling, the Peking princess who is Turandot’s ancestor. Altoum (#700) is a gold adorned with beautiful tone-on-tone sparkle that is worn on bare lips to illuminate them with a sophisticated nude veil, as a top coat over another shade to add a precious glow, or dabbed on the center of the mouth for daring plump lips. Lou-Ling (#760) is an enchanting plum set off with a golden sparkle for a dramatic effect.

Météorites Wulong ($170.00) is a pressed powder. The name of this powder means “Black Dragon.” It combines six shades to ensure a pure, flawless, and luminous complexion, regardless of skin tone. Matte shades are paired with two white and gold illuminating shades that add subtle radiance. The delicate black metal powder compact is sculpted with a gold mother-of-pearl rosette and tucked inside a black "suedette" pouch bordered with red stitching.

Two limited-edition shades of Nail Polish ($23) display ultimate sophistication on your fingertips and toes with two limited-edition nail polishes in stunning jewel tones. Altoum (#03)is a gleaming gold for a precious glow. Lou-Ling (#04) is a stunning plum for a spellbinding look.

Guerlain’s Holiday Color collection will be available beginning in October 2012 at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Bloomingdales, and Bergdorf Goodman. I think I must have most of it. You?

Photos courtesy of Guerlain