Unless you’re extremely up to date on your fashion names, it’s unlikely that you’ll know Isabel and Ruben Toledo. Isabel is originally from Cuba, but their current home is Manhattan where they create, create and create. Ruben is an artist, so we have him to thank for the illustrations, while fashion designer Isabel is all about the colour.
I love a sunset blush – the Toledo Blush Ombre you see above is Ripe Peach – a warm fusion of peach notes and pink. There are two others, Azalea Blossom and Kindergarten Red which is a crimson to pale nude – I cannot wait to see that one – it sounds absolutely stellar! The MAC Toledo Collaboration Lipstick shown is (I think, because there is some sample labelling confusion) Barbeque, an orange based red that gives a proper smack of colour.
The Violentwink x 6 Eye Palette contains from bottom: Sweet Allure (satin), French Clay (frost), Stars N Rockets (veluxe pearl), Tendersmoke (frost), Frizzyplum (frost), Overnight (matte). The Lipglass is Oxblood (yes, really!) and it’s a completely wearable nude that doesn’t wipe out your lips, but instead gives a natural looking gleam. There are also three Pearlglide Intense Liners – shown is Petrol Blue – in purple, blue and green and if you don’t know the Pearlglides, they’re soft metallics and then some that create a really impactful line.
In the first swatch, you can see Barbeque (matte) Lipstick, Oxblood Lipglass and Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner.
Personally, Violentwink wouldn’t be my first choice of the three palettes available – when this range launches in March, instead look out for Bellgreens – a softer, olive-based palette.
Finally, a swatch from Ripe Peach Blush Ombre – much as I prefer a creme blush, this is a beautifully awakening shade to put on your skin – the words ‘healthy glow’ are overused in beauty world, but that’s what you’ll get with this blush – a healthy, peach-pink flush of colour that brightens and enlivens the complexion.
Price wise, Violentwink is £33, Pearlglide is £17, Lipstick is £17, Lipglass is £16 and Blush Ombre is £25.
I think there is some real personality in the MAC Toledo Collaboration – vivids, neutrals and everything inbetween. There’s a saying that you can’t make a mistake being you – and that somehow seems to apply here. Pieces that appear at odds with others is exactly what the Toledo partnership is all about – freedom to be creative so that the bigger picture that fits is built from curiosities.
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