Dior hit it big this summer with their bronzers and quints, in particular with and Rosy Nude 534 and Rosy Tan 754. I’ve featured Aurora and Sunset here along with Aloha here and Paradise here. Many of you ask me season over season “who did it best this season?” For me it typically depends on product category. Often times I cannot pick my favorite because I tend to fall in love with multiples. But to answer the question: who did it best for the eyes for summer 2011? The answer: hands down, is DIOR! I haven’t been this excited about a Dior Quint since Iridescent Leather (Fall 2008) and Goldfever (Summer 2008). The quints for summer 2011 do not disappoint.
Rosy Nude 534 and Rosy Tan 754 ($58 each) are both the prettiest palettes of shimmery neutrals I think I have ever seen. Both are medium to high frost but look lovely on the eyes without being too glitzy. The texture is soft and smooth. Pigment is rich and easily blendable. I typically can only wear 3 shades at one time per quint – I consider my eye lid space small and especially since I have no visible crease – contouring abilities are limited without looking fake. With these quints, I still prefer 3 shades but the texture is layerable and blendable enough so I have been able to wear all 5 shades at once.
How do I wear these? There are a number of ways. In the few weeks I’ve had these, I’ve typically worn 3 shades (just pick 3 in any palette) and you can layer them together:
- Method 1: apply lightest shade first 1/2 way up the lid, smudge darkest shade on top along lash line, apply medium shade above dark color to blend upwards
- Method 2: apply any medium shade first and mix with the darkest color in each palette blending on lids, then apply a wash of a lighter color on top to give a glow
- Method 3: just layer lightest to darkest in a gradient pattern (lightest all over, and blend each progressively darker shade on a smaller portion of the eye, ending with the darkest shade along the lash line smudged over a pencil liner)
Rosy Nude 534 is the lighter option with: shimmering cream, shimmering sandy champagne, glowing fawn, glittery peach-pink, soft candy powder pink.
Rosy Tan 754 has a high frost pink, shimmering deep chocolate with gold flecks, frosted cool creamy white, warm frosty taupe-tan, warm cocoa satin.
They are both must haves in my opinion. Even at the high price they are still must haves. To put it into perspective for product/cost.
- Dior costs $58 for 5 shades, approximately $11.60 for 1.2 grams
- MAC for a shadow pan costs $11 for 1.5 grams
While I’m always one to have an eye on brands who skimp on product, I do recognize that there is so much more to a product than just the quantity of product. Yet, even a high quality product that is way overpriced is like a punch in the stomach. That being said, to me, the Dior Quints are reasonably priced for the quality, packaging, color, texture, uniqueness and convenience. I don’t need a cream base for these to apply well, although layering over a cream shadow does extend the wear for me.
Make sure you check Amy’s gorgeous reviews if you missed them on Café Makeup. Here they are swatched on my arm without any moisturizer or base (applied with fingers):
Here are comparisons to a few other neutral quints by Dior. First set has Endless Shine (Holiday 2010) and Crush Glow (Summer 2010):
Second set has Elegante and Parisian Lights (Spring 2009):
Third set has Iridescent Leather (Fall 2008) and Earth Reflection (2008):
Swatched next to Crush Glow in sunlight:
Iridescent Leather, Earth Reflection and Rosy Tan:
Elegante, Parisian Lights, Endless Shine (note these aren’t as sheer as they look on my arm, the swatches are crummy plus I think these apply wonderfully on the eye – they just need a base for better application on the arm):
Those who are interested in a nice points program, check out the Dior Diva US program (save your original receipts, authorized retailers are listed on the website). I redeemed a bunch of receipts last year for the highest tier and the gift they sent was very generous.
Overall: Dior wins my heart for eyeshadows this summer. I didn’t even test Chanel’s summer quad (because of that lime green), although I did think Chanel won for spring. Dior’s Rosy Nude and Rosy Tan are versatile, gorgeous, and wearable for year round and for any occasion. The neutrals balance out well with brights for lips and cheeks but also work as the perfect accent for neutrals on the rest of the face.
oooh loving rosy nude!
Thanks for reviewing. Really dying to get Rosy Tan now!
I agree I think rosy nude especially is gorgeous. I've splurged a lot already this week so it'll have to wait for a while. I think Nars dogon eyeshadow is my eyeshadow pic for summer 10 though! So pretty! More for a nighttime smokey eye though!
Rosy nude swatches so well! I overlooked the palettes since the colors were light neutrals, but the shimmer makes them much prettier than I'd imagined before. I loved how you included your eyeshadow application tips as well! Tips like that are great when you don't have the "standard" eyelid — they would have helped a lot when I was first getting into makeup =)
Thanks for sharing this review and swatches. These palettes are FANTASTIC! I work in an office and on weekends and afterhours, I stay casual, so bright dramatic colors are hard for me to wear. These colors seems so wearable yet still interesting. Can't wait to try them out myself!
WOW beautiful post. So nice to see such an assortment of Dior quint swatches! I'm so tempted by everyones glowing reviews to get Rosy Tan but I have been disappointed in the pigmentation of the two Dior quints I've tried previously. Ready to Glow and I can't recall the other. Should I give Dior quints another chance with this collection?
I was hoping you'd reviewed these quints this morning! They are lovely-I have and love Iridescent Leather (wearing it today in fact) so I was wondering if either of these palettes were too similar to that to warrant purchase…from the looks of your swatches I am leaning towards Rosy Tan. The only thing I am wondering now is if Rosy Tan is too similar to Chanel Spices quad, which I also own…
Lastly, I did swatch and really love Chanel's Lillium quad over the weekend. The texture was fabulous and I thought the colors, though unusual for a summer color collection, were unique and beautiful.
Beautiful, basic, elegant, timeless – Dior does it best! I purchased the Rosy Nude for my pale daughter who adores those shades (a waste on me). And I had to swatch the Rosy Tan to compare the shades with my Dior quint Pure Dreams (my favorite still). The darkest shade runs muddy on my pink-toned skin, and the middle one is more flesh-toned, so I will p-a-s-s, but with effort!
If you do not own a Dior quint, or do not own one with these superb but basic shades, please invest in one of them. As Sabrina explained, there are at least 3 methods of application. I often use Dior shades with other brands because they are blendable and add that touch of something special.
Gorgeous. I got Rosy Tan but these swatches make me want to get Rosy Nude too! LOL! I will have to just go out and splurge. Thanks for sharing. xo
Oh my – these are both beautiful! There are sooo many gorgeous items in the spring and summer collections! Thanks for the review and lovely photos 🙂
Hi Sabrina,
I know the summer armani quad is not your Must have, but do you mind comparing that with the Dior Rosy Tan? I am debating between the 2. Currently I am Chanel Cameo/ivorie intensity 1.0 and Armani LSF # 5.
Thanks.
Daisy
Rosy Tan is the first Dior quint in almost two years that I saw and knew immediately I had to purchase. I have a feeling that it will end up like my Dior Elegante – so beloved by me that I can't even bear to use it. I am debating a second one just so I could have an unused one! Rosy Nude was disappointing on me, though. Every color looked alike on my skin, so I returned it.
Thank you for the comparison swatches! You are the best.
Those are really gorgeous. I thought I'd prefer the Rosy Nude based on my coloring, but I am loving the Rosy Tan. The only thing that scares me off is "frosty." I wonder if Dior has changed its numbering system–I could swear the palettes that ended in 9 were the shimmery ones. Anyway, the Rosy Nude just glows on your skin.
thanks for the price breakdown! definitely makes me feel less guilty about splurging on one of these. I only want to get one because I feel like I own way too many neutral shadows, but which one to get??? Ahhhh, decisions, decisions.
You take such beautiful pictures. Dior is definitely the way to go for me.
Thanks so much for the comparsions Sabrina, when I first saw these online I thought Rosy Tan may have been too similiar to Earth Reflections (which I own) but I can see now that isn't the case. Great post!
Sabrina,
First of all – looks like you got some color. I'm always envious of that Southern California sun!
Second,
MUST have Rosy Tan!
Hi Sabrina,
Thank you so much for the swatches! =) Your swatches always help me in making decision on any makeup purchase.
Like the other reader Sharon, I have and love Iridescent Leather. So yes, I am also if either of these palettes were too similar to that to warrant purchase. I am favouring Rosy Tan this time round.
What do you advise?
omg they look amazing and i want them… like now
Both are soo gorgeous! Thanks for the great review/swatches! 🙂
DREAMY Sabrina!
Thanks for sharing…I will be hitting my local (freestanding G-d I hate malls)! Saks this afternoon to check them out. All my favorite tones.