Diorblush Trianon Edition

At the end of January I went to a Dior event at Debenhams for the launch of Dior's Trianon Spring 2014 Collection. It was a great opportunity to have a good close look at all of the gorgeous little pieces of art that Dior is tempting us with this Spring and to also try the products on properly by creating a look there and then with expert advise. The collection mixes pastels of different colors and intensity for a very pale, delicate and tender look. Since I've really embraced the pastel makeup look this Spring and plan to use light crisp blue, powder pink and subtle silver grey, I left the event with quite a few of the new releases, and I'll review them all in more detail starting with the Diorblush Trianon Edition (£30.50) today.

Let's start with the packaging which we all know isn't everything, but I for one must admit that using a product that is both pretty to look at and to use, adds extra enjoyment and every time I take out a beautiful little compact, it's an added every day second of glamor that really cheers me up. The blush comes in quite a large compact, although half that space is taken up by a good quality angled blusher brush and there's a great big mirror in the lid as well. Every new product released by Dior has a specific design element to it, and the bow and pearled ribbon embossing used throughout the Trianon collection refers to a type of headdress which was very popular in the 17th century. It's such a beautiful pattern and you do almost feel guilty for ruining it by using the product. As with all Dior palettes you also get a cute little velvet pouch that you can keep the blusher in to protect the classic and stylish blue Dior packaging.

Since I've decided to go for some very delicate pastel shades in my eye makeup I wanted to contrast that with a blusher with more vibrancy to avoid looking completely washed out, and I chose the shade 946 Pink Réverie. In the pan this is a fairly strong but muted rose pink with definite blue undertones that almost makes it look very faintly lilac and when I tried the blusher at the event I was a bit apprehensive about how the color would turn out since the pigmentation seemed very intense, and I was convinced that this shade wouldn't work for me. Having tried it at home now for a few weeks I am very surprised to find that it's actually quite difficult for me to get a decent rosy cheek from it. The blusher is very finely milled so it's very sheer and light on the skin, both which are great qualities in terms of sitting nicely on the skin and it doesn't cause any creasing, however it also has an impact on how easy or as in this case - difficult the color is to build up. As you can see below in the photo, the color payoff is barely noticeable and I applied the blusher three very generous times - so it's not just a bad photo.

I don't mind splurging on a product if it's going to deliver and make me look and feel fabulous every day, however there are some very good blushers on the high street at very reasonable prices and in comparison with those and considering that this is a very expensive Dior product I definitely had expected more. I can't ignore the issue with pigmentation and as much as I really REALLY want to love this blusher, unfortunately it's a disappointment, it's just not working for me and I say that without blushing in the least. I honestly don't know if the issue is that the pigmentation isn't strong enough, or that the shade simply doesn't come into its own on my skintone - perhaps I should have trusted my instinct and gone for 763 Coraile Bagatelle instead, but I certainly hope that pigmentation concerns don't rear their annoying heads with the Trianon eyeshadow palette as well... you'll find out in a few weeks time in my second review of the Trianon collection.