Dior Bird of Paradise Summer Look 2013
It’s safe to say that the summer beauty calendar doesn’t truly kick start until Dior have showcased their latest lust-worthy offering. This year’s limited edition range is the Bird of Paradise Summer Collection, and I think you’ll agree it’s something pretty special.
The inspiration for the collection is the mythical Bird of Paradise – or, more specifically, its shimmering, multi-coloured wings. You can definitely spot this theme running all the way through, not just in the colours, but in the textures of each of the new and limited edition products. They’re silky soft and plush, with radiant finishes that shift and change like feathers.
For the skin, it’s all about a bare and tanned look, with golden hues that are designed to glimmer in the sunlight. For eyes and nails the look is distinctly bold, iridescent and multi-layered, with colours ranging from azure blue to indigo. Lips feature a pop of alluring coral, pink and peach to accent the tropical blue.
Here is my (long!) edit of the Dior Bird of Paradise Summer Make-Up Collection 2013… get ready for a visual feast!
Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo – Iridescent Blush and Bronzing Powder
Presented in the same cannage packaging as the other Diorskin Nude powders, this heavyweight metallic compact epitomises the luxury of Dior make-up for me. Like most other Dior special editions, it comes wrapped in a little velvet protective sheath – even the matching kabuki brush has its own monogrammed sleeve! Open up the compact and you’ll find the above, an absolutely beautiful half blush, half bronzer combination that is probably the only cheek product you’ll need all summer long.
It’s available in 2 shades, 001 Pink Glow (above) and 002 Coral Glow. Each harmony is made up of 2 shades of bronze and 2 harmonious shades of pink, which you can use separately or swirl together to customise your own glow.
001 Pink Glow is for fairer complexions, featuring lighter bronzing shades and a distinctly rosy pair of pink shades. The lighter shade of bronze is subtly shimmering, while the darker shade is fairly matte. Both shades of pink have a veil of microshimmer running through them, creating a ‘shift’ effect that catches sunlight beautifully.
002 Coral Glow is a more vibrant offering. The combination of golden bronze and hot coral will look incredible with tanned skin!
Each of the shades in this compact has a golden shift that catches the sunlight so well. When I wear it, I don’t even need to use a highlighter – the blush does all of the illuminating work for you. If you’d like a touch more luminescence, take the lightest golden shade and lightly brush it over cheekbones.
Earlier this year Dior launched the Diorskin Nude BB Creme, a blend of skincare, SPF protection and make-up handily packaged in one product. This summer they launch the Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme, which has all of the same benefits of the original, but with added natural tan accelerators and illuminating sun-kissed glow pigments.
Available in 2 shades, the BB Cream creates an instant sunny glow reminiscent of using a bronzing powder while minimising the look of imperfections. The “Tan Beautifier” molecule prepares, enhances and prolongs your tan from the first rays of the sun, while an SPF of 15 gives skin added protection.
When blended, the colours are subtle and radiant. 001 is for fairer tones, and adds a golden accent to the skin. 002 is for medium tones, and offers a more overt ‘tanned’ look.
Dior Vernis Duo – Bird of Paradise Summer Nail lacquer Duo for Tips & Toes
For nails, Dior introduce a novel yet very practical idea: the Dior Vernis Duo for Tips and Toes. Each set contains 2 contrasting 7.5ml Dior Vernis shades, created to purposefully contrast your nail look like a mixed colour bikini set.
001 Samba ties alludes to the bird of paradise in a blend of shimmering peacock feathers and aquatic tones. 794, the shade on the left, is a breathtaking teal/aqua/green fusion that shimmers and shifts in the sunlight, while 402 on the right is a lovely, creamy turquoise-green.
002 Bahia evokes the heat and colour of an exotic holiday. When paired with a deep azure blue, the hibiscus pink pops beautifully. Both shades are creamy with no shimmer, and are opaque in just two coats.
Vibrant and fun, each of the bold colours look gorgeous whether on tips or toes. That deep blue will carry you through to the grungier, 90s feel of A/W13 very nicely, too.
This is how the 7.5ml bottles stack up to the regular 10ml ones. They’re noticeably smaller, but I wouldn’t class them as miniature. They’re the perfect size for taking away with you on holiday, which is what I suspect Dior were thinking, too.
Dior Jelly Pen – Colour & Shine Jelly Balm
Cited as “a concentration of pure colour in an innovative lip pen”, this chunky, glossy lip balm is such an easy way to add a bit of colour to your look this summer. It has a weightless feeling thanks to a balance of skincare ingredients and pigments, and provides long-lasting colour.
The four shades cover the key lip colour spectrum: 476 Ilabela, a cool pink; 516 Copacabana, a neutral bronze; 535 Carioca, a gorgeous coral orange; and 656 Gaia, a rosy pink red. Each one is shot through with delicate iridescent shimmer for a glossy, wet-look effect, and feels completely comfortable to wear.
Dior Addict Lipstick Bird of Paradise Edition
If there was ever a picture that got me excited for summer make-up, it’s that picture above. I’m a sucker for a shot of coral or warm pink! Produced especially for this collection, the four shades promote a juicy, fruity lip glow.
431 On The Beach is an explosive coral peach shade; 471 Flamingo is a cool bonbon pink; 751 Exotique is a cool day glow pink pink; and 771 Passionnee is a warm summer fuchsia. Of the four, On The Beach and Flamingo are limited edition, so if you love them, act swiftly!
Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette Bird of Paradise Edition
I love the Dior 5 Couleurs Palettes – no other brand gives you quite the same amount of texture and colour choice in one place. For the Birds of Paradise collection, Dior introduces two brand new, limited edition colourways of the iconic eyeshadow palette: 374 Blue Lagoon and 434 Peacock.
Extending the Bird of Paradise theme with a twist of aquatic loveliness, Blue Lagoon is an ode to the ocean. The palette includes a vibrant cornflower satin, an aqua satin, teal with a golden shift, light green aquamarine and a deep azure blue. If you’re an eyeshadow maven, I can only imagine the sorts of mermaid-esque looks you could create with this! Equally, I can see myself wearing those blues as eyeliners.
The second palette carries on the avian theme with a twist of nature-inspired greenery. From earthy, mossy greens to sparkling aquamarine, it’s a beautiful and varied harmony of colour.
The colours include a shimmering moss green, a luminescent lemon yellow, a dirty metallic teal, a zingy pale lime and a shimmering aquamarine green in the centre.
Dior Mono Eyeshadow Bird of Paradise Edition
Earlier this year saw the launch of the new Dior Mono Eyeshadows, a highly pigmented range of single eye colours to mix, match and layer to your heart’s desire. For the summer, Dior introduce 2 limited edition shades: 273 Parati and 351 Feather.
273 Parati is one of those pure, pigmented ultra colours that will drive eyeshadow lovers wild. The indigo blue colour is begging to be worn as an eyeliner, whether tightlined above the eye or worn as a shock of colour on the lower lid. The second colour is 321 Feather which is, for me, the eyeshadow equivalent of the gorgeous, shimmering blue/green from the Dior Vernis 001 Samba nail duo. This one is slightly more golden, offering a textured, feather-like shift.
I’m not a big eyeshadow wearer, but I do like a little ‘something’ in the summer, especially as I keep everything else looking quite simple. Creamy colours my favourite, especially if they have a bit of grown-up shimmer, and these 1 Couleur Eye Glosses have that in spades.
530 Gold Sand is a cool, molten gold hue that shimmers and sparkles with golden and multicoloured microshimmer. 740 Zenith is a vibrant bronze that brightens the eyes with golden microshimmer. I suspect that (when used sparingly) both of these shades would also make excellent highlighters.
Packaged like a mini gloss, these cream formulas are applied with a doe-foot wand and are very easy to wear. The iridescent haze of colour can be built up easily, and is a dream to blend. Apply as a solid block of colour straight from the wand for a metallic finish, or blend out for a sheer and glittering effect.
Diorshow Liner Waterproof Bird of Paradise Edition
Each summer collection from Dior tends to showcase a brand new shade of the Diorshow Waterproof Liner, and for this collection, the liner takes on a gorgeous aqua green guise.
Long-lasting, shimmery and pigmented, it’s a great way to introduce colour when you’re at the beach, in the pool or just out and about in the hotter weather. Its waterproof capabilities mean that it won’t slip and slide at the first sign of perspiration or heat. Plus, I just love that vibrant blue/green shade!
What are your favourites from the collection?