One of the first full press kits I ever received was from Versace Make Up. I have yet to fish it out, but I will in due course, but it was SO stunning I couldn’t actually believe that this was how brands presented their products to the press. Press kits still can have the ability to wow but these days I’m more used to a couple of lipsticks shoved in an envelope and no release or information at all :-). There’s nothing more lacklustre than loose make-up that’s been a bit bashed on its journey but I can see why ‘kits’ are more limited now – they cost a fortune to produce and we have more of an eye on sustainability .. and of course, with the onset of social media, so many people to send out to.
Surprisingly, Versace Make Up didn’t last very long at all – it started in 1998 and ended in 2009. I used to pass the stand in department stores (perhaps Debenhams) and they just looked so shiny and glamorous but perhaps it was just too expensive at the time and didn’t earn its keep on the shop floors – the usual reason for discontinuation. As you can see, it has the classic Medusa head that’s the brand emblem on the lid in a raised relief.
Inside, the blush is very, er, pink! It’s such an uncomplicated colour – almost a bit neon – and weirdly, for such a creative brand, there is no shade name, just a number: V2008-M. All the blush shades started with V200. On the front of the packaging under the product description ‘Compact Blush’ it says ‘tested in a dermatologist’s clinic’ which is the most bizarre way NOT to say that it’s dermatologically tested. On the plus, it’s fragrance free!
As the compact opens out, it reveals a top layer to hold the brush as well as a mirror.
On USA eBay a used compact is around $20, but unused it seems they fetch around $70. Of all the discontinued beauty ranges, this is the one I wish would come back the most.
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