Dior Gris-Gris 034 Quint & Gris Montaigne 707 Nail Lacquer for Spring 2011
January 2, 2011
I spotted Dior’s Spring 2011 collection at Nordstrom but the tester unit seemed to be missing a few things from the previews we’ve been seeing (see magazine scan here). I wasn’t sure if they simply filled in the slots with pre-existing items temporarily or if the US really wasn’t getting all the items we’ve been seeing. The usual Dior rep was off at the time I was there, so I couldn’t verify with her. Some of the items may be Sephora exclusives. I ended up with Gris-Gris 034 Couture Colour Eyeshadow Palette and Gris Montaigne 707 Nail Lacquer – which also happens to be one of the shades from the Gris City nail polish trio.
Gris-Gris 034 is a palette of cool grey, silver, charcoal and sky blue. Using all 5 shades on the eye at one time is not practical for me – the colors are too cool-toned for my skin. I find that the best way to use this is to use 3 shades at the most from this palette and applying the paler shades with a light hand, using a dark grey or black liner smudged, then applying the middle dark charcoal shade on top blending for a smokey eye.
The colors on the outer corners have a high-frost finish when applied with a heavy hand, but blend out to a pretty soft frosty glow. Applied with a softer hand you get a nice dusting of sparkle. The middle shade is a matte dark greyish-black with the prettiest multi-colored micro sparkles. It twinkles when the slightest bit of light hits it. It’s borderline too cool for my skin, it needs a bit of tweaking with something warm like a light dusting of bronzer to make it work better for me.
Gris-Gris unique in the sense that the formula and finish of Dior Quints are hard to match from any other brand. I don’t know of a similar palette that has all 5 shades in one compact. However, the silvery shades have definitely been done before – but in separate palettes, brands and singles. For your reference, here is Dior Gris-Gris compared to other Dior Quints such as Moonlight, Smoky Crystal and Sky Glow. Below it is also compared to Chanel single eyeshadows in Platine, Silvery and Black Star. While the Gris-Gris shades aren’t identical to any of the other colors, you can see quite a few similarities in other eyeshadows.
For the nails, there was a cream pink and a cream grey shade in the tester unit. I picked Gris Montaigne 707. This comes with the same new chiseled/tapered brush that came with the Holiday Nail Lacquers (see here). I find the metallic Dior nail polishes to be a hit or miss, but this non-shimmer formula has me really impressed! You do need 2 thin coats, but the result is a smooth and glossy and the formula is non-goopy. It also seems to dry faster than most nail polishes I’ve tried. A big thumbs up for me.
Two coats, no base or top coat:
I went through my nail polish stash and didn’t find many non-shimmery greys. The only one I have is RBL Stormy (which you can see is lighter than Gris Montaigne). Here is the Dior compared to other silvery greyish colors.
These are gorgeous! I don't have that many greys/silvers in my collection, so that quint is a must have for me. And the nail polish, yes please! Thanks for sharing this with us! I will go check out my local dior counter sometime this week to see if the new collection is out here yet!
I love love love that palette! It's a must-have for me! The nail polish is one of he prettiest grays I've seen. I'm so into my Shellac Nails these days, but I might have to get that one too… 😉 Thank you for sharing and happy new year! xo
What a nice quint! I tried on the Dior Gris polish in the store and the other sheer light pink one & I love the formula. All of the grays on your nails in the last pic look simply gorgeous alongside each other! 🙂
Both the nail varnish and the quint look very appealing. I've never had a Dior quint before but after seeing Gris-Gris and the others you have compared it too, I am sorely tempted. Thanks for sharing! MB x
Love those grey shades, I can imagine the quint being a great investment! Hm, sounds like it will be a bit of a Chanel vs Dior war in my mind until spring… lol! 🙂
These are gorgeous! I don't have that many greys/silvers in my collection, so that quint is a must have for me. And the nail polish, yes please! Thanks for sharing this with us! I will go check out my local dior counter sometime this week to see if the new collection is out here yet!
I love love love that palette! It's a must-have for me! The nail polish is one of he prettiest grays I've seen. I'm so into my Shellac Nails these days, but I might have to get that one too… 😉
Thank you for sharing and happy new year! xo
What a nice quint! I tried on the Dior Gris polish in the store and the other sheer light pink one & I love the formula. All of the grays on your nails in the last pic look simply gorgeous alongside each other! 🙂
Both the nail varnish and the quint look very appealing. I've never had a Dior quint before but after seeing Gris-Gris and the others you have compared it too, I am sorely tempted. Thanks for sharing!
MB x
I love, love greys 🙂 Already have the polish… tempted by the palette… thanks for the swatches.
I passed on both of the new Dior quints–too frosty for me. I was tempted by the new rotating (vs. vibrating) mascara but not at $36 a tube!
I've been ohh-ing and ahh-ing over Dior's Spring Collection ever since I saw some promotion pics.
Hopefully, this collection will be available here in Austria soon too! Definitely have to get Gris Gris and Gris Montaigne. Gray is so my color!
I'm really loving that NARS polish! I absolutely love silver and grey!
I really like the Dior Gris Montaigne polish. I have Stormy and LOVE it. Is it possible for me to love the Dior more??
Love the greys.
Love those grey shades, I can imagine the quint being a great investment!
Hm, sounds like it will be a bit of a Chanel vs Dior war in my mind until spring… lol! 🙂