Guerlain Shalimar Christmas: The Swatches

Have we got an early Christmas present for you! The breaktaking new Guerlain Shalimar Christmas Look has just launched exclusively at Escentual, and it’s every bit as breathtaking as you’d expect.

Inspired by the legend of Guerlain’s iconic fragrance, Shalimar, this sumptuous limited edition collection sublimates the complexion with jewel-like tones. From molten metal eyes and glowing skin, through to lips that sing with rich pigment, it’s a completely mesmerising look for the Christmas season.

The idea for the Shalimar Christmas collection was borne from a collaboration between two Guerlain icons: its creative director, Olivier Echaudemaison, and its muse, Natalia Vodianova. Taking cues from the legendary love story of Shah Janan and Princess Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal is named, Olivier and Natalia designed the collection as an homage to the texture and colour of Imperial India.

We’ve swatched each item to give you a feel for the sheer decadence of the collection. Wishlists at the ready, it’s time to explore Shalimar’s riches…

Souffle d’Or de Shalimar

Perfumed Iridescent Body and Hair Powder

It’s so fitting that the star of the Shalimar Christmas look is a fusion of fragrance and makeup. Souffle d’Or de Shalimar is a powder-shimmer-fragrance hybrid that settles on the skin and hair in a cloud of subtle glimmer. The packaging pays homage to the iconic curves of Shalimar, dipped in midnight blue lacquer and finished with a glamorous puff atomiser. It’s absolutely decadent.

Souffle d’Or de Shalimar isn’t fragranced with the spicy, Oriental melody of the original Shalimar, but rather the sparkling floralcy of Shalimar Souffle de Parfum.Souffle de Parfum’s notes of mandarin, orange blossom, sambac jasmine are fresh and chic, while the richness of the vanilla gives a nod to the original.

Guerlain Meteorites de Legende

Light-Revealing Pearls of Powder

This year, Guerlain’s iconic Meteorites pearls become even more jewel-like. Meteorites de Legende takes its inspiration from the colours of mosaics in Indian palaces, with freshening pink pearls, correcting blue pearls, and plenty of warming golden pearls. Each colour is also infused with golden shimmer, which creates a gilded effect on the skin.

This isn’t one for dusting over the face as a finishing powder as it really is quite glimmery (unless you’re a lover of shimmer, of course!). Instead, Meteorites de Legende looks its best when it’s applied at the high points of the face and on the décolleté, so that full dramatic potential is reached whenever it catches the light. The ultimate finishing touch is its tin, which is styled on an Indian jewellery box. Collectors, steady yourselves!

Guerlain Terracotta Terra India

Shimmering Bronzing Powder

This genius ‘winter bronzer’ isn’t the same as the one that you use during the summer. Guerlain Terracotta Terra India is fairer and infused with subtle shimmer, which gives a soft and diffused effect. It offers warmth when the sun is nowhere to be found, and it helps to give structure to facial contours in a delicate way.

Terra India is only available in one shade, but it’s a fairly universal bronzing hue for light to medium tones. Darker tones may find it more useful as a subtle rose gold highlighter. Build it up to shape the face, or buff it out for a warming gleam.

Guerlain Rouge G

in 821 Rouge Saphir

The star lipstick, Rouge G in 821 Rouge Saphir, is as opulent as you’d expect from a collection that takes its inspiration from one of the most sensual fragrances of all time. Guerlain’s iconic Rouge G is given a makeover with a twinkling sapphire blue clasp, which keeps the lipstick’s integrated mirror closed. The lipstick itself is a fresh ruby red with pink tones, a shade that Natalia Vodianova says reminds her of the Bindi.

If you’re looking for a gorgeous Christmas red, look no further. This velvety hue will add instant glamour, even if the rest of your look is pared-back.

Guerlain Ecrin Shalimar Eyeshadow

in Gold and Sapphire

The jewelled theme continues with this limited edition eyeshadow duo. Open up the Ecrin Shalimar compact and you’ll find two gloriously rich shades in the emblematic colours of the Shalimar collection, gold and sapphire. Each one is so wonderfully shimmery!

Apply dry to create a glimmering look reminiscent of the night sky, or wet your brush for a more metallic take on a statement eye.

Guerlain L’Or Eyeliner

Nothing says Christmas more than a touch of gold. The Guerlain L’Or Eyeliner is just the ticket if you need a fix of molten metal, gilding eyes in a flash with its fine applicator and rich pigment. There’s instant gratification for liner fans here – the eyeliner creates a solid line of metallic gold thanks to its dense infusion of gold shimmer.

For a more subtle look (or to enhance the look of Ecrin Shalimar, as showcased by Ceryn here), apply the liner and then buff it with a brush. It’s brilliantly versatile!

Guerlain Precious Light Illuminator

in Pearly Pink

And finally, a little more gilded brilliance. The Precious Light Illuminator in Pearly Pink is an unusual shade of rosy peach with a gold/pink iridescent shift, which looks like rose gold on the skin. It’s a fresh take on a highlighter for winter, perking up the complexion with its freshness, whilst elevating your everyday look with its warming gold tones.

Apply to the top of the cheekbones, the cupid’s bow and the bridge of the nose for a gleaming finish to your look. It’ll warm your complexion right up!

Discover More

See the Guerlain Shalimar Christmas Look in action in our Get The Look post

Discover the legend of the Shalimar Eau de Parfum with our fragrance expert