A Walk Through Guerlain’s Fall 2010 6 Color Palettes

Guerlain just released gorgeous, large heavy 6-color palettes ($85 each).  Sized 3″ by almost 3 1/2″, these palettes are some of the most beautiful products that I have seen.  I took some pictures, posted here, as a leisurely walk through these very intricate and detailed beauties.

These come in a velveteen slipcover:

The top has an elaborate latticework of metal mesh.  There is no mechanical latch–rather, the door closes quite crisply and securely using a magnet closure:

The latticework is highlighted with a little bee, which played a part in the very beginning of Guerlain’s history:

In 1853, Guerlain developed a fragrance for Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III.  The bottle was covered in bees, which were the symbols of the French Empire, each one lacquered in gold.  Today, Guerlain makes a series of perfumes with the glass embossed in a bee pattern:

Inside, the powder palette is covered with a dark metal door, leaving the brush exposed:

When one flips up the mirror (using the offset to the left), the powder palette and inner mirror is inside:

Each of the palettes is named after a Guerlain boutique in Paris.  This one, 29 Rue de Sevres, corresponds to this boutique in a beautiful Parisian neighborhood near the Saint Germain:

Here is the same 29 Rue de Sevres in full sun:

Here is 2 Place Vendome:

Here is the boutique at 2 Place Vendome in Paris:

And here is 2 Place Vendome in full sun:

I have not had time to fully test the quality and colors of these eyeshadows yet, but thought that you might enjoy my first views.  If you like to see swatches, KarlaSugar’s excellent blog has the entire series.