If you've been with me on my journey though Claudio Riaz color, you'll know that I find the online photos at Barneys New York and the Claudio Riaz site to be less than satisfactory. That's too bad because it may discourage potential customers. I had seen
Lip & Cheek in #6 ($38), so it made it easy for me to purchase it when Barneys had their recent beauty event. I had seen the shade below and know I'd like it. It's nothing like the rusty color shown in Barney's photo at the top of this feature.
Mine arrived (not promptly), and I was startled at the placement within the cheesy cardboard container. Look at the gap between the product and its container. Bizarre! While the color product may be sized to fit into the empty palettes offered, the packaging should be designed to fit.
Additionally, I took my photo above before I used #6. It was poured or set with the swirls through it - not unusual for a cream product.
It's a good thing the color is beautiful. I took some swatch photos recently in full sun. I applied the cream cheek and lip color heavily with a cream concealer applicator, brushing it on without blending it at all.
This watermelon rose is a fabulous shade for every skin tone. It's bright on the lips and cheerful on the cheeks. If you see coral in my swatch photos, I can assure you there's no coral. It's a cool to mid-range shade.
I love the cream formula. It applies easily with just about any applicator - even my fingers - blends well on my cheeks, and stays put. The formula contains essential oils, grape seed oil for anti-aging, and candelilla and carnauba waxes for an emulsifying, glossy effect.
I caved and purchased one of the palettes. I know I said I wouldn't, but I had little Claudio Riaz boxes everywhere. I'd prefer a better system. At $38, it's not inexpensive. Wouldn't you expect a compact?
You can find Claudio Riaz color at Barneys New York and
Claudio Riaz online.
Top photo courtesy of Barneys; other photos by Best Things in Beauty
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19 comments:
Wow! That is a beautiful color. But that packaging is really not worthy of the product or the pricepoint!
Bellyhead,
For $38, you get a cream color and a compact from Edward Bess. :)
I was SO turned off when I saw the crummy packaging and that weird space between the pan and packaging, but then I scrolled down and saw your swatches and was BLOWN AWAY! The color is beyond gorgeous--so glossy and bright and lovely! It's always a shame when a product is great and works well but the packaging sucks! Still, I really do want to try something from this brand now. Probably this Lip & Cheek but perhaps in a different color (it's pretty but I have some redness in my cheeks so shades like this emphasize it)
I wish you could see the colors in person, Becca. They are really fabulous, despite the cheap packaging.
It looks so pretty but it seems like such a nuisance to have to go buy a palette on top of it. Of course a mostly empty palette just screams fill me fill me! :)
I completely agree, the products are exquisite but the packaging is appalling. It makes me feel slightly resentful that he clearly intends for the products to be transferred to a palette which means the prices that he charges are for refills!
Bron
I purchase Claudio Riaz on a regular basis from Barney's. I notice that some of the items don't seem fresh when I receive them. It's almost as if the items were sitting in an old warehouse. Since I'm purchasing brushes, they can be cleaned, but for the price I pay, I think they could do better with presentation.
I find this grunge packaging insulting. The company is saying that women should buy makeup only for the product and the container is superficial and irrelevant. This implies that those who want a decent, let alone an attractive container, are interested in the superficial, and thus irrelevant.
Given that carboard box will accelerate the drying of the blush if you do not immediately buy the container, the cost is ridiculous.
I would encourage everyone who bought a blush to return it and say why.
I know there is a company for every buyer: however, the insults to one's sensabilities as well as the one's dollar are too blatent to ignore. It is almost as if this is a joke played on the consumer.
If one wants to create a color palette, try mark cosmetics and support young women's empowerment. Thirty eight dollars is too much money for a bit of color and the insult.
Cg, please let us know as soon as possible when the anticipated LMDB holiday eye kit (or whatever form it may take) will be available, and where. Thanks.
Hi Bron,
It's kind of weird, huh?
Hi Evelyn,
I resent the price of the palettes on top of the high color price. I think the palette has six slots, and I have more than six shades. Now I need another palette?
Hi Anonymous,
Not fresh? Not good! I'll agree that I've received a ratty cardboard box or two. I really think Riaz needs to step up his game and change the packaging. He could be so popular!
Hi Vanessa,
I do buy the products because I like them. I felt forced to buy a palette.
Another high-end company puts out quads that come in a non-compact container. They are in plastic I can see through. Somehow, I don't find that offensive.
Hey Nemo,
Getting that info is like pulling teeth.
Claudio Riaz is laughing his head off all the way to the bank. It's absurd to write about this product, CG.
I for one will never purchase anything by this guy "artiste" or whatever he calls himself.
We're in a horrible recession and people are hurting. That product is a piece of garbage, you know it, and you could've donated the $38 to your local charitable group and they would've melted with joy.
I find such wastefulness appalling.
Dear Anonymous,
I found your comment insulting, given the amount of money I donate to charity, not to speak of the non-profit charity for which I serve as president. That is time-intensive.
Claudio Riaz makes beautiful makeup in cheap packaging. The product itself is not garbage. Sorry you feel that way. I have a right to wear it and share it. You have a right to skip by it. Let's not overly dramatize your disagreement with that fundamental principle.
I don't think it's my job to give all my spending money to "people who are hurting." I do a lot. How about you?
Bravo CG!
Bron
Hi Charlestongirl,
You are one of the most generous of people out there--generous with your time, expertise, and money as all your regular readers know. It's obvious to one and all that you blog for the joy of it and for the love of beautiful things. Sometimes those things will have flaws. That's just the way it goes. It's certainly no reason for anyone to try to shame or bully you.
As for the product itself, I think that color is scrumptious! As for the lamentable cardboard box, that's a whole other story. Clé de Peau, La Prairie, Chantecaille, etc. have refills that come in serviceable packages that won't damage the product or lead to its early demise. Riaz could, too, if he so desired.
After reading reviews that you and Gaia had posted earlier this year, I made my way to Barney's to take a look. Riaz has some gorgeous products to be sure and the textures are wonderful. If I had been looking at them at a trade show for professional MA's, I wouldn't have been in the least bit concerned about the flimsy packaging. Most MA's de-pot with wild abandon and customizing palettes is the order of the day. When Riaz is selling his line at Barney's; however, he's selling to "civilians" who may not like "pro" sized palettes or who may not want to invest in one just to purchase a single color item. Hopefully, he'll up his game because he has an excellent eye for color.
Thank you, Eileen.
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