Here in the UK, autumn/winter makeup collections usually do not launch until it is more weather appropriate towards end of August.  However, Harrods have already launched the new Burberry Autumn Winter 2012 makeup collection mid way through (our very lacking) summer.  I hadn't heard/read very much about this collection until I received a phone call from the Burberry counter at Harrods.

[edited: images of Lip Covers now added]

Cara Delvingne again heads the campaign with smokey brown eyes, a half opened mouth and very enviable eye brows.

This collection comprises of:

• New Velvet Foundation - long wear velvet finish, the bottle is the same as the Sheer Fluid Foundation but the glass bottle has a frosted finish
• Sheer Eye Shadow in Dark Sable #23, Mulberry #24 and White Porcelain #25
• Lip Cover Lipstick in Mocha Glow #31 and Sepia Pink #32

Most of the colours from this range was used in the Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012 RTW show.  From style.com:

Using a palette of Burberry Eyeshadows that corresponded with the colors in Bailey's clothes, Rowe traced its Dark Sable along the upper lashline to create depth before blending its Midnight Brown across the lid and pressing Mulberry, a burnt berry, into the crease. A few purposeful swipes of its Gold Trench defined the lower lashes. "There are no hard lines, none of the usual heaviness on the lid," Rowe explained of the beautifully slept-in, diffused halo of neutral tones. The cold snap of a Yorkshire morning played across the cheeks courtesy of Burberry Blush in Earthy, and a mix of the brand's Mocha Glow and Sepia Pink Lipsticks gave mouths a sumptuous, velvety finish.

I was given a makeover by one of Burberry's head makeup artists Monica, who was really lovely and explained each product in detail, since I have only tried the lipsticks from Burberry.  At first I asked for a smokey eye look using Dark Sable and Pale Barley, but afterwards was still curious about the Mulberry eyeshadow (especially because Monica was wearing Mulberry on its own and it looked gorgeous on her), and so she kindly obliged and did a second look with Dark Sable & Mulberry combined.  Cheeks and lips were as per Cara's campaign visual, with Earthy Light Glow Blush on the cheeks and the new Sepia Pink Lip Cover on the lips.


I passed on the Lip Covers as Sepia Pink, when applied on me, is a much darker rose and looked a bit similar to Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle (it did look good though - maybe I'll reconsider later).  I didn't even swatch Mocha Glow as it looked very dark in the bullet.

I picked up Dark Sable (which I initially wanted) and Mulberry (which I initially dismissed because I thought it would be too red).  Monica gifted me a compact mirror which I think is very cute - it's basically the eyeshadow compact but with a mirror instead.  I also took away 2 samples of the foundation to try for colour/wear (I tried #3 yesterday but it looked a bit too light).

Before removing my makeup some five/six hours after my makeover,  I realised the eyeshadow had not creased on my usually oily lids - and I don't think Monica used any primer on my lids.  Very impressed.

I will be reviewing the two eyeshadows later this week.  What are your thoughts on this collection?

Londoners: FYI, I was told Harrods have exclusivity on this collection for a month, so I don't think it will be available at other counters until mid August.