Lancôme Partners with Canadian Painter for Summer 2012 Colour Collection

Lancôme and Corno’s summer collection features neons and nudes

Lancôme and Canadian painter Corno have created a saturated summer palette sure to please

For summer 2012, Lancôme partnered with renowned female Canadian painter Corno to produce a limited edition makeup collection. The colours are on-trend, showcasing the modern partnering of neons and nudes, bringing the best of both worlds to a face near you. And, of course, this is Lancôme so have faith that it’s brought the brights in the most sophisticated and wearable way possible.

Colours are vivid and summery, with a cosmopolitan vibe that makes everything pop.

Corno: A Canadian Artist’s Collaboration with Lancôme

Corno, originally from Quebec but now based in New York, is known for her use of expressionist style, often superimposed over underlying intricate female forms. Her high-energy work relies on an intense play of textures and colours, as well as bold brush strokes that create luscious works of art that have been displayed around the world from Paris and London, to Hong Kong and Dubai.

Her work and vision naturally extends to the realm of colour cosmetics and she worked with Lancôme makeup artist Lora Spiga to customize this playful and colourful collection.

Corno also created unique artwork for the collection’s packaging. It reflects the philosophy behind her aesthetic: feminine, audacious and spirited. As well, all products and boxes bear Corno’s signature, in vibrant pink, natch.

Lancôme’s Summer 2012 Colour Collection

The goods:

• Colour Design lip colour in “SOS Pink” (punchy pink) and “Natural Beauty” (neutral beige) ($27)
• Colour Design 5 shadow and liner palette in “Golden Frenzy” ($54)
• Blush Subtil “Cosmopolitan Pink” and “Tangerine Tint” ($38)
• Vernis in Love nail polish in “Jolie Rosalie” ($16)
• Powder foundation brush ($40)

Lancôme gave me a few products to try out which were fun to play with and did impress me. Admittedly, my first thought when I saw the eyeshadow colours was, “Great. I can add this to my collection of a million other neutrals.” And the lipstick colour was brighter than anything I’d ever pick out on my own. But both performed remarkably well and have found a home in my personal collection (no small feat since I’m a minimalist).

I’ve swatched the colours on my arm so you can see what they’re like in real life, on real skin, with no flash in natural daylight. Far left is the lipstick, and going toward the right are the eyeshadow colours, which I started from the top of the pan (12 o’clock) and worked my way clockwise.

The pan is overlaid with a clear plastic cover that labels each colour’s role:  “all over base” (shimmering champagne), “highlighter illuminator” (antique gold sparkle), “crease” (matte mid-brown) and “lid” (gold sparkle). The only colour I didn’t swatch is the black powder liner (black with fine microglitter).

Colour Design 5 Shadow and Liner Palette

Right off the bat I was impressed with the pigmentation of this set. There’s really good colour payoff with these shadows, which sometimes doesn’t happen with the sparklier ones. I found using the sponge applicator or my fingers gave the best finish; brushes just seemed to spackle on the sparkle without picking up the colour. I also love layering the sparkly colours over a matte or satin eye colour to give it a whole new dimension. Use an eyeshadow primer or cream base to keep the sparkles from migrating. Overall, a great addition to my kit, and that’s from someone who already has dozens of neutrals.

Colour Design Lip Colour in SOS Pink

This is a bright, punchy pink, slightly warm, but not a hint of coral. It’s a very modern colour, and I wasn’t sure I could pull it off, but in the end I loved that it was such a pretty, summery colour. It’s incredibly lightweight and creamy for a matte, with no discernible fragrance (thank you!) And on my pigmented lips, it showed up as a grown-up version of candy pink.

These bright, saturated colours are really contemporary and this lipstick is a great gateway to that trend for anyone over 20. This will be a summer staple.

Available at select Lancôme counters.