Tuesday 17 April 2012

Guerlain Les Fumes Quad versus Rue de Passy

I think there are probably more pictures in this post than are strictly necessary. I won't apologies for this as I'm a neutrals palette perv I'm not ashamed to admit it, I'm also fairly certain that I'm not on my own! This Guerlain Les Fumes Quad was generously gifted to me by a very kind blogger friend and it definitely softened the blow of my eyeshadow no-buy. I mentioned this palette in my recent holiday makeup bag post and I thought it might be useful share it in a bit more detail.

Guerlain

Guerlain+Fumes2

The colours that I use most of all in this palette are the metallic silvered taupe (shocker) and the satin pinky tan shade. So, it came as a surprise when I swatched the other two eyeshadows that they looked so similar when applied. In the pan they look quite different: the eyeshadow on the far left looks lighter than the eyeshadow bottom centre, but when swatched, I can detect no real difference in the depth of colour. The eyeshadow on the far left has a khaki green undertone and subtle shimmer whereas the eyeshadow on the bottom left is more ashy brown. Both of these eyeshadows are a little drier in texture compared to the two lighter colours. All of the Guerlain palettes that I have tried seem to suffer to a certain extend with this variation in eyeshadows quality.

Guerlain+Fumes1
L-R: The colours were swatched from the top centre pan moving round clockwise.

Despite the variable texture, I do use Les Fumes quite a lot as I like the colours and I find it easy to put together a look with this quad when I'm in a rush. It reminded me a lot of Rue de Passy palette so I thought it would be interesting to compare the two side by side.

Guerlain+Fumes+Passy1
Left - Les Fumes, Right - Rue de Passy

Putting them side by side like this, the similarities and differences are more clear. Obviously the Rue de Passy palette has more colours than Les Fumes. From the swatches, I can see that there isn't one single identical eyeshadow (I thought from the pans that the pinky tan might be the same colour). You can achieve similar looks using these palettes and for most people, owning both would be unnecessary.

Guerlain+Fumes+Passy3

Guerlain+Fumes+Passy4

Unhelpfully of course, I can't decide which I prefer. In terms of colour and versatility, I'd probably recommend Rue de Passy. However, Les Fumes is probably better in terms of the consistency of eyeshadow texture. The packaging of the Rue de Passy is stunning but I find the packaging of Les Fumes more practical to use (the Ecrin 6 colour is a bit of a nail breaker). There is also the small matter of the cost to consider. The Rue de Passy Ecrin 6 couleurs palette costs £53.50 and Les Fumes Ombre Eclat 4 couleurs costs £37. Obviously you get more colours for £53.50 but the net weight is the same.

Both palettes are part of the permanent collection and are available from Guerlain counters as well as online from Debenhams and Escentuals. Which do you prefer? If you own both, can you pick out a favourite of the two palettes?

22 comments:

  1. Excellent comparison, MB. I am also a neutrals perv, so perv away, my dear.

    I also love that pinky nude color in Les Fumes palette. The texture is exquisite. It's just a hair too warm and slightly darker than I wanted ... and so, of course, my eye was drawn—nay, dragged—to that lighter shade in the Rue de Passy palette.

    I, too, need an eyeshadow ban. It takes more than a year to use up ONE single! *sigh*

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    1. I haven't hit pan on anything for several years. The urge for eyeshadows is still strong though! Taupes and sludge are my biggest weakness. Loads of your Chantecaille favourites still draw my attention too. I wonder if I need to go into proper eyeshadow re-hab?!

      Rue de Passy is a lovely palette but it did take me a while to warm to it. The textures are quite variable. I'm sure you could construct a more beautiful custom palette (you may take that as a challenge :D).

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  2. I have to say had I bought a quad only to find that two of the shades were pretty much the same thing I'd be feeling a tad miffed! They are gorgeous palettes though, so far I have resisted temptation as I have never seen a palette that I would have used all of the colours from - apart from the US Chanel Eclosion palette, gorgeous but I would now consider it too warm for me I think.

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    1. Oh, I remember the Eclosion palette. I considered it too warm for me also but then Replica posted an eye look with it and realised it was a little deceptive. Having said that, Replica is infinitely more skilled in application than I am so I would probably make a pigs ear of it! I always admire your restraint on the palette front.

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  3. You can never have too many neutral palettes, right? At least that's what I tell myself too....... These two are gorgeous, Les Fumes reminds me of Chanel Prelude which I have.

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    1. It's funny you should say that as Sabrina (The Beauty Look Book) posted a comparison of Les Fumes and Chanel Prelude here. Looking at that post reminds me of how much I wish I'd got my hands on Chanel Enigma.

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  4. I'm a confirmed neutrals junkie! I LOVE the look of both of these beautiful palettes and have stood in front of and swatched them soooooooo many times - just looking for an excuse to one home. SADLY however neutral is not just neutral and the colors do NOTHING for me except make me look tired. These palettes are made for your blue eyes & peaches & cream complexion!

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    1. Thanks Buggsiebee. I think you're absolutely right that not all neutrals are universally flattering. I will often admire palettes such as Urban Decay Naked but I know that so many of the colours wouldn't work for me at all. It never stops me perving though, does it? ;)

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  5. I think I prefer Rue de Passy but, let's be honest, I love a good neutral so both are gorgeous.

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    1. Hahaha! See, I knew you guys would make me feel better about being a neutrals nut :D

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  6. Both lovely, I can't decide either. 'Palette perv' made me chuckle!

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    1. :D I'll probably encourage more strange traffic with that phrase but nevermind!

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  7. I have to say that I actually own both of those with no valid excuse other than being a big fan of neutral palettes and Guerlain! (Also developing some obsessive hoarding tendencies as well) Your post is a lovely comparison of the two.

    I use them very differently. I love Les Fumes for smokey looks and love that pearlescent silvery taupey shade. That shade adds all sorts of depth and dimension to the eye.

    The Rue de Passy is more versatile for me. I love using the top and right shades as a light colored based and the dark colors generally to line or as a crease shade. I once went on a two week trip and got a whole mess of different looks with this palette.

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    1. Hi Jane. Thank you so much for your comment, I imagine it will be really useful for anyone trying to decide between the two. Initially I was frustrated with Rue de Passy as I couldn't achieve the variety I was after. Your comment reminds me how much I ought to try again to get some darker looks with the palette. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  8. Metallic silvered taupes--Drools! Both palettes are gorgeous! Gotta love a palette perv!

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    1. Metallic silvered taupes are a terrible weakness. I'm so pleased to be in the company of other palette pervs!

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  9. Its a very you palette. I think its ok having both, we can never have enough of these types of shades it would seem as we keep buying them over and over again ;) Whilst I really like the design of the Ecrin 6 couleurs, I just find them a bit too heavy, nice to look at but not the most practical xx

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    1. I absolutely agree about the Ecrin 6 couleurs, they are a thing of beauty but not necessarily that practical. I rather like the magnetic closure of the quads too.

      A thought popped into my head earlier. I would you to do a post of your desert island picks. This is because I'm a nosy so and so and really want to know which are your absolute favourites in your collection :D xx

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  10. Thanks for comparing this with the Rue de Passy, for it's exactly what I thought of when you mentioned it. I actually like Les Fumes' colors more. But they both look super pretty.

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  11. Hello,
    The desert island picks is a great idea, actually I wonder if you should suggest it for a beauty spolight thing as I think a lot of people would like to see the whole groups picks? xx

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I was considering buying Les Fumes after seeing pictures of it on someone's blog. I decided to search for pictures of different looks using the quad and came across your blog. I am glad because I already own Rue de Passy and looking at the picture it seems unnecessary to buy both.

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  13. Thank you so so so much for this comparison. I have the rue de passy and desperately trying to decide do I need both (of course I do).

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