Lots of you are probably eagerly awaiting the No7 Spring collection that is due to hit the shelves this week, but before you rush out with your £5 off vouchers (yep, the ones currently given out expire after the collection comes out!) check this post for a closer inspection..
I’m not gonna focus too heavily on the aesthetics of the range, although I will say when I went to the event for it a few months back, Paul & Joe similarities were the first things that came to mind. Not that that’s a bad thing, it does look pretty with the blue paint splatter design and that’s the main thing, definitely prefer it to regular No7 packaging.
And the blue paint splatter design is an intended obvious hint as to what we have to look forward to in the collection; inspiration is taken heavily from notoriously blue eyeshadowed 60’s starlet Bridgette Bardot, and alongside the mostly blue hued eye palette we have (very excitingly!) THREE gel eyeliners in the collection – two of which are yes, you guessed it, blues!
So let’s start off with the piece de resistance in my eyes, the gel eyeliners. I’ve only got two of the three here, the black and the blue. The third is a gorgeous turquoise but unfortunately I haven’t been able to try that yet.
I found that the formulation of both differed from one to the other, I’m not sure why but the black was definitely superior in quality in my opinion. It was easier to work with, the consistency wasn’t as creamy as the blue and the colour looked smoother, resulting in more control over the line. Surprisingly, the brushes they come with are actually alright! I obviously do not choose to use them over my other eyeliner brushes but for on the go they are definitely workable, especially if using the black shade.
Whilst I am really excited that the high street are finally catching up with the gel eyeliner concept, these ones are priced at £10.50. I think this is quite pricy considering you can get the excellent Fluidline from MAC for only a couple of quid more. This gel eyeliner isn’t as good as the MAC one, the MAC one applies more easily and swiftly, but if you purchased it with a £5 off voucher than I do recommend it as a very good, cheaper alternative. Especially the black one, truly outstanding quality for what would effectively only cost £5.50 with the £5 off voucher. It’s a shame I didn’t have the turquoise as I would be interested to see how that formula differed from these two, and if it was even possibly better! Having said that, once applied, both blue and black wear brilliantly with no smudging or running and superb lasting power! I actually really love the black one, it’s such a great product for the high street, just wish it was priced at £7-£8 so I could 100% recommend it.
The eyeshadow palette has been created with a ‘cassata’ effect, meaning extra shades are included within the blocks of colour to give a prettier, more flattering look when applied.
I think it’s important to mention that these shades aren’t intended as heavily pigmented colours, they are meant as simply soft washes of colour over the eyelid. I’ve tried all of the colours, and find over an eyeshadow base or shadow stick, the pigment shows up gorgeously. However, I created a quick look to display this collection sans eyeshadow base and actually feel, using the right brushes you can definitely build the colour up more intensely just on its own if you wanted a more statement 60’s look. I tried to follow the theme of the collection’s look, so quite 60’s/70’s inspired!
I’m strictly wearing the No7 Spring palette here, with their gel liners. I used all the shades in the palette, except the coral for this look. No other products at all were used on the eyes.
Because the colours are meant as simple washes over the lid, I did struggle trying to get good definition in the crease line (I used the green shade for that), but I actually prefer the softer, gentler definition that I did manage to create. Worth mentioning that the shadows are beautifully blendable and not chalky in the slightest, so they work really well blended and used all together. Over an eyeshadow base this look would look brilliant and last all night, as it is it’s lasted pretty well and I haven’t noticed any creasing as yet. If you like this look, in addition to applying the shadows, I’d advise to use the blue or black gel liner to line the top of your eyes, and the turquoise to line the bottom – I seriously think that would be amazing! Obviously I haven’t used the turquoise but if I had it I would definitely wear it this way!
Some crappy swatches – these don’t apply well with fingers! From left to right – coral, beige, blue, green. As you can see, the beige is actually quite metallic and cooler toned than you’d imagine.
This isn’t at all the sort of look I would wear everyday, but as it goes I had to rush out to the bank as my stupid card verification thing messed up trying to purchase stuff online and I had this make-up on, I was a bit worried that everyone would stare as it’s quite heavy, especially for daytime, but actually no one batted an eyelid so I guess it’s not as statement as I seem to think it is!
My least favourite product from the collection is the lipsticks. There are two shades, Brigette and Grace. They both look gorgeous in the bullet but once applied Brigette is definitely an acquired taste. My first thoughts were Jersey Shore. ‘Nough said.
Brigette is a really creamy milky pink, and quite unflattering. When I was testing these products out initially, I couldn’t make Brigette work for me at all, where as Grace just looked like my natural lip colour. But once I applied it with the rest of the collection, well, I could start to see Brigette actually beginning to look okay, once patted down and muted a bit.. I personally probably still wouldn’t wear it out though!
Brigette (on lips)
Grace (on lips)
The clear favourite for me is obviously Grace, and even though it is very peachy in comparison to Brigette, once on it actually transforms quite pale and pinky! Just not as chalky looking as Brigette, thankfully. Definitely more universally wearable of the two.
Unfortunately, while Grace is a pretty shade the wear of both lippies is appalling, the colour wore off far too easily. In their defence they did feel lovely and moisturising, exactly as a lip balm would, but the colour wore off pretty much straight away. No fading to a slight stain, literal disappearance, even without eating and drinking, which is very disappointing.
I can’t quite make my mind up about the nail varnishes, I love the colours, one coral, one a pale lilac pink, but, well, they apply quite streaky and you need to apply at least three coats to get an even coverage. They’re not the same formula as regular No7 varnishes, definitely thicker in consistency, but I guess once you do manage to apply them nicely the result does last better than the regular ones. Just sometimes a bit tricky applying them nicely!
Also coming out, but not in the limited edition Spring range (just coming out as regular stock), are two new foundations. Well, one foundation and one tinted moisturiser. There’s also a mascara and two hand creams. I’m hopefully getting sent the foundations and the other turquoise gel eyeliner, so I shall do another post of the No7 new releases for Spring as soon as they arrive! I currently have the mascara (and it’s being worn in the pics above) but I want to use it bit more before committing to a decision on here. It’s coming though.. first impressions are pretty good.
So which bits are you most interested in?? The No7 Spring 2011 limited edition collection comes out on the 26th January for 8 weeks, till the 22nd March.
Lx
