Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Garden

This new collection from Dolce & Gabbana reminds me just how amazing spring collections can be. Brands get playful and creative with colour – you can guess straight away that the Garden collection is all about the rose.

Rosa Duchessa in Provocative (£44) is the star of the show – a stylized, almost camouflage design rose print sits on the blush (and is also on the lid of palette) that gives a perfect pink flush for cheeks. Use the biggest brush you have for a perfect gentle diffusion of this light but flattering shade – it’s generously pigmented so don’t be over-enthusiastic! It’s a very fine powder that doesn’t feel in the least drying – I sort of expect it to smell of roses but it doesn’t. The deeper colours in the over-spray give the impression that it’s going to be a power pink, but truly, it’s gentle and more or less suit-all. The bad news is that it’s currently out of stock at Harrods (on line – you might find it in store).

There’s a generosity in pigment that carries through all of the products – the matte lipsticks are extra-generous!There are three limited editions for the spring collection: Dolce Peony, Dolce Orchid and Dolce Ibiscus (£30). If you don’t know the texture of D&G mattes, they’re feather light and creamy with only one swipe needed for a full colour lay down.

Again, limited edition, this new Eyeshadow Quad in Dolce Garden, £44, is my favourite from Dolce & Gabbana in a very long while. I wore all the shades except the pink to an event last night and loved the look – gentle but fresh and defined.

Of the two I have here, Innocence is not limited and Orchid is. Orchid is shot through with a metallic edge and is a bright, purple hit pink – absolutely gorgeous on summer toes. A third shade, Ibiscus, much like the lipstick in colour, is a hot coral shade and is also limited. They’re £21.

This collection is so much more about fresh nuance than you realise at first glance – it’s enlivening without being overpowering (Ibiscus lipstick aside!) and very sophisticated: really I’d say it’s an any age wear but particularly flattering if you’re past mermaids and unicorns and want to veer on the side of elegant rather than avant guarde. You can find the collection HERE.

Swatch: Dolce Garden Quad Palette, Orchid, Ibiscus and Peony Matte Lipsticks, followed by Rosa Duchess Blush.