Dior Bird of Paradise Summer Look 2013

Dior Bird of Paradise Banner

It’s safe to say that the summer beauty calendar doesn’t truly kick start until Dior have showcased their latest lust-worthy offering. This year’s limited edition range is the Bird of Paradise Summer Collection, and I think you’ll agree it’s something pretty special.

The inspiration for the collection is the mythical Bird of Paradise – or, more specifically, its shimmering, multi-coloured wings. You can definitely spot this theme running all the way through, not just in the colours, but in the textures of each of the new and limited edition products. They’re silky soft and plush, with radiant finishes that shift and change like feathers.

For the skin, it’s all about a bare and tanned look, with golden hues that are designed to glimmer in the sunlight.  For eyes and nails the look is distinctly bold, iridescent and multi-layered, with colours ranging from azure blue to indigo. Lips feature a pop of alluring coral, pink and peach to accent the tropical blue.

Here is my (long!) edit of the Dior Bird of Paradise Summer Make-Up Collection 2013… get ready for a visual feast!

 

 

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo – Iridescent Blush and Bronzing Powder

Presented in the same cannage packaging as the other Diorskin Nude powders, this heavyweight metallic compact epitomises the luxury of Dior make-up for me. Like most other Dior special editions, it comes wrapped in a little velvet protective sheath – even the matching kabuki brush has its own monogrammed sleeve! Open up the compact and you’ll find the above, an absolutely beautiful half blush, half bronzer combination that is probably the only cheek product you’ll need all summer long.

It’s available in 2 shades, 001 Pink Glow (above) and 002 Coral Glow. Each harmony is made up of 2 shades of bronze and 2 harmonious shades of pink, which you can use separately or swirl together to customise your own glow.

 

Diorskin Nude Paradise Duo in 002 Pink Glow Swatch copy001 Pink Glow is for fairer complexions, featuring lighter bronzing shades and a distinctly rosy pair of pink shades. The lighter shade of bronze is subtly shimmering, while the darker shade is fairly matte. Both shades of pink have a veil of microshimmer running through them, creating a  ‘shift’ effect that catches sunlight beautifully.

 

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo 002 Coral Glow002 Coral Glow is a more vibrant offering. The combination of golden bronze and hot coral will look incredible with tanned skin!

 

Diorskin Nude Paradise Duo in 002 Coral Glow Swatch copyEach of the shades in this compact has a golden shift that catches the sunlight so well. When I wear it, I don’t even need to use a highlighter – the blush does all of the illuminating work for you. If you’d like a touch more luminescence, take the lightest golden shade and lightly brush it over cheekbones.

 

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Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme

Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme in 001 and 002 copyEarlier this year Dior launched the Diorskin Nude BB Creme, a blend of skincare, SPF protection and make-up handily packaged in one product. This summer they launch the Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme, which has all of the same benefits of the original, but with added natural tan accelerators and illuminating sun-kissed glow pigments.

 

Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme in 001 and 002 SwatchAvailable in 2 shades, the BB Cream creates an instant sunny glow reminiscent of using a bronzing powder while minimising the look of imperfections. The “Tan Beautifier” molecule prepares, enhances and prolongs your tan from the first rays of the sun, while an SPF of 15 gives skin added protection.

 

Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme in 001 and 002 Swatch 2 copyWhen blended, the colours are subtle and radiant. 001 is for fairer tones, and adds a golden accent to the skin. 002 is for medium tones, and offers a more overt ‘tanned’ look.

 

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Dior Vernis Duo – Bird of Paradise Summer Nail lacquer Duo for Tips & Toes

Dior Vernis Duo 001 Samba BottlesFor nails, Dior introduce a novel yet very practical idea: the Dior Vernis Duo for Tips and Toes. Each set contains 2 contrasting 7.5ml Dior Vernis shades, created to purposefully contrast your nail look like a mixed colour bikini set.

 

Dior Vernis Duo 001 Samba Swatch copy001 Samba ties alludes to the bird of paradise in a blend of shimmering peacock feathers and aquatic tones. 794, the shade on the left, is a breathtaking teal/aqua/green fusion that shimmers and shifts in the sunlight, while 402 on the right is a lovely, creamy turquoise-green.

 

Dior Vernis Duo 002 Bahia Bottles002 Bahia evokes the heat and colour of an exotic holiday.  When paired with a deep azure blue, the hibiscus pink pops beautifully. Both shades are creamy with no shimmer, and are opaque in just two coats.

 

Dior Vernis Duo 002 Bahlia Swatch copyVibrant and fun, each of the bold colours look gorgeous whether on tips or toes. That deep blue will carry you through to the grungier, 90s feel of A/W13 very nicely, too.

 

Dior Vernis Duo Size ComparisonThis is how the 7.5ml bottles stack up to the regular 10ml ones. They’re noticeably smaller, but I wouldn’t class them as miniature. They’re the perfect size for taking away with you on holiday, which is what I suspect Dior were thinking, too.

 

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Dior Jelly Pen – Colour & Shine Jelly Balm

Dior Jelly Lip PensCited as “a concentration of pure colour in an innovative lip pen”, this chunky, glossy lip balm is such an easy way to add a bit of colour to your look this summer. It has a weightless feeling thanks to a balance of skincare ingredients and pigments, and provides long-lasting colour.

 

Dior Jelly Lip Pens SwatchedThe four shades cover the key lip colour spectrum: 476 Ilabela, a cool pink; 516 Copacabana, a neutral bronze; 535 Carioca, a gorgeous coral orange;  and 656 Gaia, a rosy pink red. Each one is shot through with delicate iridescent shimmer for a glossy, wet-look effect, and feels completely comfortable to wear.

 

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Dior Addict Lipstick Bird of Paradise Edition

Dior Addict Lipsticks Summer 2013If there was ever a picture that got me excited for summer make-up, it’s that picture above. I’m a sucker for a shot of coral or warm pink!  Produced especially for this collection, the four shades promote a juicy, fruity lip glow.

 

Dior Addict Lipsticks Summer 2013 Swatches431 On The Beach is an explosive coral peach shade; 471 Flamingo is a cool bonbon pink; 751 Exotique is a cool day glow pink  pink; and 771 Passionnee is a warm summer fuchsia. Of the four, On The Beach and Flamingo are limited edition, so if you love them, act swiftly!

 

Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette Bird of Paradise Edition

Dior 5 Couleurs Palette in 374 Blue Lagoon CloseI love the Dior 5 Couleurs Palettes – no other brand gives you quite the same amount of texture and colour choice in one place. For the Birds of Paradise collection, Dior introduces two brand new, limited edition colourways of the iconic eyeshadow palette: 374 Blue Lagoon and 434 Peacock.

 

Dior 5 Couleurs Palette in 374 Blue LagoonExtending the Bird of Paradise theme with a twist of aquatic loveliness,  Blue Lagoon is an ode to the ocean. The palette includes a vibrant cornflower satin, an aqua satin, teal with a golden shift, light green aquamarine and a deep azure blue. If you’re an eyeshadow maven, I can only imagine the sorts of mermaid-esque looks you could create with this! Equally, I can see myself wearing those blues as eyeliners.

 

Dior 5 Couleurs Palette in 434 Peacock Close copyThe second palette carries on the avian theme with a twist of nature-inspired greenery. From earthy, mossy greens to sparkling aquamarine, it’s a beautiful and varied harmony of colour.

 

Dior 5 Couleurs Palette in 434 Peacock SwatchesThe colours include a shimmering moss green, a luminescent lemon yellow, a dirty metallic teal, a zingy pale lime and a shimmering aquamarine green in the centre.

 

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Dior Mono Eyeshadow Bird of Paradise Edition

Dior Mono Eyeshadow in 273 Parati and 351 FeatherEarlier this year saw the launch of the new Dior Mono Eyeshadows, a highly pigmented range of single eye colours to mix, match and layer to your heart’s desire. For the summer, Dior introduce 2 limited edition shades: 273 Parati and 351 Feather.

 

Dior Mono Eyeshadow in 273 Parati and 351 Feather Swatches273 Parati is one of those pure, pigmented ultra colours that will drive eyeshadow lovers wild. The indigo blue colour is begging to be worn as an eyeliner, whether tightlined above the eye or worn as a shock of colour on the lower lid. The second colour is 321 Feather which is, for me, the eyeshadow equivalent of the gorgeous, shimmering blue/green from the Dior Vernis 001 Samba nail duo. This one is slightly more golden, offering a textured, feather-like shift.

 

 

Dior 1 Couleur Eye Gloss

Dior 1 Couleur Eye Gloss in 530 Gold Sand and 740 ZenithI’m not a big eyeshadow wearer, but I do like a little ‘something’ in the summer, especially as I keep everything else looking quite simple. Creamy colours  my favourite, especially if they have a bit of grown-up shimmer, and these 1 Couleur Eye Glosses have that in spades.

 

1 Couleur Eye Gloss in 530 Gold Sand and 740 Zenith Swatches530 Gold Sand is a cool, molten gold hue that shimmers and sparkles with golden and multicoloured microshimmer. 740 Zenith is a vibrant bronze that brightens the eyes with golden microshimmer. I suspect that (when used sparingly) both of these shades would also make excellent highlighters.

 

Dior 1 Couleur Eye Gloss in 530 Gold Sand and 740 Zenith Swatches BlendedPackaged like a mini gloss, these cream formulas are applied with a doe-foot wand and are very easy to wear. The iridescent haze of colour can be built up easily, and is a dream to blend. Apply as a solid block of colour straight from the wand for a metallic finish, or blend out for a sheer and glittering effect.

 

 

Diorshow Liner Waterproof Bird of Paradise Edition 

Diorshow Liner Waterproof in 348 Aqua GreenEach summer collection from Dior tends to showcase a brand new shade of the Diorshow Waterproof Liner, and for this collection, the liner takes on a gorgeous aqua green guise.

 

Diorshow Liner Waterproof in 348 Aqua Green SwatchLong-lasting, shimmery and pigmented, it’s a great way to introduce colour when you’re at the beach, in the pool or just out and about in the hotter weather. Its waterproof capabilities mean that it won’t slip and slide at the first sign of perspiration or heat. Plus, I just love that vibrant blue/green shade!

 

What are your favourites from the collection?

 

 

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  • Sassy Satin

    Beautiful colours! Thanks for swatching them, Emma, helps with my decision-making 😉 Will definitely get the blusher/bronzer duo! Still thinking about the Samba nailpolish duo.

    Are the lipsticks sheer, particularly On The Beach? My lips are heavily pigmented which is why I ask 🙂

    Also, didn’t know how to contact you, but have a little scan of this article again, there are itty-bitty things that need editing… My guess is you were so excited to post it 🙂

  • I need more of the lip products for sure. I think the Jelly Lip Pens are amazing!

    • escentual

      They’re gorgeous aren’t they?

      My favourites are the lipsticks, they’re so cheerful!

  • escentual

    Aha, I’ve caught the pesky typos – thank you!

    I’d say the lipsticks were medium coverage – they’re fairly pigmented, but their balmy texture gives them a bit more ‘slip’ so they’re not as easy to layer up as a more matte colour. That being said, they have an impressive amount of pigmentation for a balmy colour, so I don’t think you’d be disappointed on that front!

    Of all of them, I think On The Beach is the least pigmented unfortunately. I wouldn’t suggest a blind buy – see if you can pop down to a counter and test it out 🙂

  • Thank you so much for such a comprehensive guide to the new collection. I’m loving the greens and while I’m usually a big nude lip wearer, Flamingo is really standing out to me in your swatches. it just looks so summery and fresh. I’m super pale, so not big on bronzer, but I’ve gotten really into highlighting & contouring and am thinking the bronzer/blush duo could possibly work well for that too. So many decisions to make of so many wonderful things!

    • escentual

      Thank you 🙂

      The lipsticks are really special – they’re such vibrant colours but they’re not hard to wear because they’re quite balm-like.

      I would recommend you try the 001 shade of the blush and bronze duo – not only will the pink be really flattering for your pale tone, but the bronzing shades are fairer than the ones in 002! The bronzer doesn’t lean too red either, it’s really flattering.