Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 - Lipgloss and Eyeshadow Quad

Lise Watier really deserves a wider audience. Canadian-born, based in Montreal, they quietly and consistently bring good quality products, on-trend collections and their own unique, French flavor to the beauty market.

This spring, they produced the Aquarella collection, which is just so perfectly pretty and fresh. I only bought two items (so far!), but not for lack of desire. They were the two that I limited myself to because I felt that they encapsulated the best the collection had to offer - lovely design and spot-on colors.

Doesn't that immediately make you think of Easter egg hunts and blooming lilacs and breezy brunches?
So, so pretty.

Indirect natural light.

Artificial light.

In sunlight.

These are the first Lise Watier eyeshadows I've purchased, so my expectations were pretty much a blank slate. The pigmentation in these is what I would consider medium, with the purple being the sheerest upon first swipe. (The purple also has a faint blue duochrome that is visible under artificial light, which I was pleased to discover.) They can be built up to a point, but I think the effect is meant to be more diaphanous and ethereal, rather than intense.

They all have a delightfully silky, smooth texture and a delicate sheen, and feel almost like satin when you touch them with your bare finger. They remind me a bit of the Lancome quint shadow texture, though perhaps not quite as slippy.

The overall effect of wearing these is akin to a soft-focus watercolor - hence the name, Aquarella. These are shades to wear if you want to evoke a gentle, feminine grace.

Indirect light.

Indirect light, different angle.

Indirect natural daylight.

Same light, different angle to show glossiness.

Rose Aquarella is a lilac-pink gloss with very fine blue-violet shimmer, as well as a teeny touch of gold shimmer. Like the quad, it creates an ethereal and feminine effect. 

The texture is smooth, very glossy without being vinyl-shiny, just lightly tacky as it dries (which increases wear), and nicely hydrating. Probably one of my favorite gloss formulas. Applied over lipstick it tends to cool and soften the color. It also has a distinctive floral fragrance, which fits in with the theme, but which I wish had been omitted.

I actually had a hard time locating this one when I first went on the hunt, as it had sold out in a couple of the Pharmaprix locations I checked. They have probably restocked since, but you never know. If you like it, I would recommend snatching it up, lest you regret it.

Availability: Pharmaprix, Jean Coutu, The Bay, the Lise Watier website. The quad is 36$ CAD and the lipgloss is 20$ CAD.

Pros: Soft, wearable textures and colors, difficult to overdo. Beautiful packaging that is a treat to pull out of your bag. Reasonable prices for a department store brand.

Cons: Pigmentation of the quad is on the sheerer side if you prefer a stronger look, and a primer is best for longevity. Floral fragrance in the gloss can be a deal-breaker.

(I purchased these from Pharmaprix/SDM.)