Two things I really appreciate about Houston: Tom Ford and Dolce and Gabbana counter access. Huh? Yes, I'm a beauty enthusiast. What can they be? While Tom Ford has quickly won my heart right from the get-go, I remain skeptical with Dolce and Gabbana. It's because of their eyeshadows. Although I wasn't particularly impressed with any of their eyeshadows in the store, my excitement after reading Temptalia's glowing
review of Laguna Duo won me over. I took it home with anyway and barely used it since then.
Dolce and Gabbana eyeshadow duo in Laguna ($36 now $42 for 0.17 oz) features two stunning a color, a blue with teal shimmer and a deep forest green with gold and green shimmer. I love both of the colors so very much. The powder is silky and smooth. It reminds me of a more refined version of Nars duos. It feels like loose powder is pressed in layers. The duo is housed in an chic and luxurious metal case with sponge-tipped applicators. My admiration for Laguna pretty much stops here though.
I have a the hardest time to make both of the shades stick on my primed lids. Both shades fade as soon as I finish my eye makeup. Even opaque base like Laura Mercier eye basics doesn't help. The sky blue teal is beautiful while the green looks muddy on my lids no matter how intensely or lightly I apply it. I also experience serious fall-outs. My eyes turns to raccoon sexy every time. Wonder why I don't gift it away yet? See how stunning and vibrant it is in the swatch. My heart melts. I couldn't depart with Laguna (yet).
Another look at this stunning duo. Oh my broken heart.
Dolce and Gabbana has just raised the price for their duo from $36 to $42 since last year. It's still in line with Nars duos ($34 for 0.14 oz) but what a big skip! If Laguna offers Nars' quality, I won't be bothered with the price. But I don't get much beside pretty golden case and eye-candy colors that only look good in the pan.
Bottom line. A total miss for me. While the color and mix finishes are absolutely gorgeous, everything else quality-wise fails short.
Oooh I'm kind of droooling over these colors. I need to start getting more comfortable with wearing actual color-color on my eyes. But I would definitely opt for similar shades in a different brand, since the quality of these just sounds really bad.
ReplyDeleteAren't the color just simply stunning? I have had these type of colors in my look book during my younger years. Ehem but my makeup skills were kind of rudimentary at that time. I looked funny with blue/teal eyes. I just wish they stayed put and transfered the gorgeousness from the pan onto my lids. You're right, you can find similar colors with much better quality in other brands too.
DeleteIt's so sad this didn't work for you. I thought it looked gorgeous on the pan, then the swatch looked different from what I expected. I have yet to try any D&G products, but I'm curious about their blushes especially Sole!
ReplyDeleteFrom time to time, I still take it out to admire the color then tuck it away. hehehe. I haven't tried the blushes yet. Need to go back to Saks. Oh I don't want to think about driving to Houston Galleria. Put Sole on my to-try list together with Tan and Provocative!
DeleteToo bad it wasn't a success :-( I love how that darkest shade looks though.
ReplyDeleteSad investment. I want to love it so bad!!!! I love the green too, only in the pan though.
DeleteIf something is that expensive, I feel it should work flawlessly! I can't believe they faded so quickly. What a bummer. The packaging is pretty chic, though.
ReplyDeleteI know right. You would expect a lot more from a brand like D&G :(
Deletewell, at least the case looks classy and elegant~ ^_~
ReplyDeleteand it's pretty much it. hahaha. I'm still trying to make Laguna work for me :D Let's hope I can have an updated review that says it stays put!
DeleteLove this !!
ReplyDeleteI love our d&g counter too hehe
So jealous it works for you!!! I will like Saks if their SAs are more welcoming. Neiman counters are better IMO.
DeleteAww I'm so so sorry this doesn't work for you! I love the color combo, and it looks SO good swatched. Couldn't have guessed it'd be so difficult to use :( Bummer!
ReplyDeleteOnly if Laguna sticked onto my eyelids :( The hard part is I haven't been able to get over it yet. LOL!!!
DeleteAww so sorry that this doesn't work for you! My experience with D&G eyeshadow so far has been pretty good but I must make sure my next purchase would satisfy my expectation too! Laguna has great color but it's a shame that it doesn't stay long on your lids.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review :)
Meryl @ memoiselle
Lucky you Meryl!!! From my testing in store, the quality of their eyeshadows are inconsistent. Maybe, one day I'll come across a great palette. What have you tried so far?
DeleteOooh ouch--too bad about this palette :/ I have been really curious to try some of these D&G duos too. Maybe I will pass after all and just jump straight to their blushes. The color combination of this duo is gorgeous too--such a shame when that happens :/
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about their blushes too!!!! I hope they can lure me out of TF blush craze hehe. This duo and my in-store testing will keep me away from DG eyeshadows for a while, which I suppose to be a good thing :D
DeleteThese colours both look DIVINE! I am so sad they suck :/ (But I do agree -- crappy eyeshadows put me off D&G for years, and I only rediscovered the brand through the awesome blushes.)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one. When a stunning palette fails me, I always have some self-doubt. LOL!!! What blushes would you recommend Kate?
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