L’Oreal Paris Collection Privée

Hello everybody! I hope everyone had a great weekend! It’s snowing here… 70+ degrees one day and snowing the next. Just one of the many reasons why I can’t wait to leave this place! I’ve pretty much been lounging around and putting off packing which I totally need to get on ASAP, as we’re moving in about two weeks. I’m tellin’ ya, as many times as I’ve moved, you’d think it would get easier but that just isn’t the case. If anything, I’m getting lazier! Oooh, I just cannot wait until it’s all over!

Today I have some swatches of this spring’s new L’Oreal Paris Collection Privée. This collection was created by L’Oreal with the goal of having a match for women of every skin tone. Inspired by seven beautiful actresses/entertainers, the women who make up the faces of this line are J-Lo, Julianne Moore, Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, Doutzen Kroes, Liya Kebede and Cheryl Cole (which I believe is only available in the UK if I’m not mistaken). I think there may be a few other shades, but these are the only ones I’ve actually seen or heard of. Each line is geared towards women whose skin complexion resembles their own – Julianne’s would be most fitting for those with light complexions, Freida’s is most fitting for those with darker tones, but of course we aren’t confined to those shades only. As you can see, I’ve chosen a couple that were out of my “range”. I purchased Freida, Julianne & Doutzen’s polishes and Freida and Liya’s lippies. The lipsticks actually look somewhat high-end and if you’re familiar with NARS products, they’re that same rubbery sort of packaging.

From L to R: Freida’s polish, Freida’s lipstick, Julianne’s polish, Liya’s lipstick, Doutzen’s polish

Left – no flash, Right – with flash

I also unintentionally discovered a dupe! The reason I bought Julianne was because I didn’t think I had any polishes that resembled that color. As soon as I started applying it, something clicked in my head. I went and grabbed a Laura Mercier polish (in the color Nude Silk) I bought a while ago and sure enough, it looked like an exact match! It took three coats to get Laura’s to full opacity, Julianne’s was only two. It’s soo hard to tell, but Julianne’s is just a smidgen more pink toned than Nude Silk, but on camera, it’s nearly undetectable. So if anyone owns & loves Nude Silk and is looking for a similar color, Julianne is it!

L’Oreal Collection Privée Lipstick – Freida’s Nude

L’Oreal Collection Privee Lipstick – Liya’s Nude

The lipsticks are really moisturizing and glossy-like (like a Laura Mercier Stick Gloss, but with a bit more color). You do have to layer them a bit to get the full color out of ’em, but I don’t mind because what I’m more concerned about is the formula & texture. They’re very smooth and easy to apply!

I have to say, the celeb endorsements got me. I don’t think I would’ve purchased any of these if it weren’t for them, but I’m happy I did! The lipsticks and polishes retail for around $6 each, depending on where you get them. If you hit up Walgreens when they have a L’Oreal sale, they’re usually BOGO 50% off, plus I always ask the beauty advisor if they have coupons behind the makeup counter to make it even more worth while! More often than not, they’re happy to look for me! What do you think of this collection? Are there any of them that you’d like to try?