In addition to their consumer products division which includes L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline, Garnier, Essie and other brands, the L’Oreal Group also owns luxury beauty brands Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Shu Uemura, Urban Decay, Lancôme, Kiehl’s, Clarisonic and Biotherm. I had the pleasure of attending their Holiday 2014 cocktail party last month and was able to check out what each luxe brand had in store for the Holidays. Each collection was beautifully laid out in themed lounges around the venue. Even “Shupette” made an appearance!  Let’s take a closer look at each collection.

Biotherm Holiday 2014

For the third year in a row, Biotherm has released limited charity editions of some of their best-selling products. Part of the proceeds in sales of these products will go to Mission Blue to help protect the Arctic region as part of this years Water Lovers Campaign. Biotherm understands how important the Earth’s water is to us and together with Mission Blue they are ensuring that our oceans get the care that they need.

Biotherm Limited Edition Charity Products

Aquasource 48h Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel ($71 CAD/125ml) is Biotherm’s iconic moisturizer made from Life Plankton Cellular Water. Its gel-like creamy texture provides intense and long-lasting hydration that lasts all day. Available in Normal/Combination and Dry Skin formulas. 

Lait Corporel Anti-Drying Body Milk ($29 CAD/400ml) is a light, non-greasy body lotion that works to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, while protecting its natural elasticity and providing the ultimate in hydration.  

Christmas Sets in charity packaging are also available and include up to 3 products. 

Clarisonic Holiday 2014

This year, Clarisonic launched 3 new designs of their ARIA Sonic Cleansing Device. Gold, Silver & Winterlace options are now available at Department stores, Sephora and online. I love my Clarisonic and use it every day! It has done absolute wonders for my skin and I’d recommend that everyone try it if you haven’t already joined the #sonicrevolution. While the standard colours are nice, these limited edition options are absolutely beautiful! A great gift for yourself or a loved one!

Kiehl’s Holiday 2014

I love Kiehl’s skincare! I don’t think I’ve gone to bed this past year without first applying their Midnight Recovery Concentrate to my skin. This year for the Holidays, Kiehl’s announced its 6th annual artist collaboration. International artist duo Craig Redmen & Karl Maier (aka Craig & Karl) designed the limited edition label which is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colour. Some of Kiehl’s best-selling favourites were adorned with the festive graphic print. 

Creme de Corps (classic formula) ($38-63 CAD – 250/500ml)

Creme de Corps is one of Kiehl’s most hydrating body moisturizers, making it a must-have for anyone with dry skin. It is formulated with Beta-Carotene, Squalane and nurturing oils and leaves skin soft, smooth and hydrated. 

Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter ($46 CAD/240ml)

A luxuriously scented cream – light on the skin, yet rich in 24-hour hydration. Decadently air-whipped for instant penetration to restore, protect, and soften skin. This body butter delivers deep hydration and leaves a light scent on skin.

Ultra Facial Cream ($56 CAD/125ml)

A lightweight daily hydrator that leaves skin comfortable and stocked with moisture. Provides 24-hour hydration with continuous water replenishment throughout the day, leaving skin supple and soft especially in harsh weather conditions. 

Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner ($49 CAD/250ml)

A Kiehl’s bestseller for almost 50 years, this gentle, alcohol-free toner contains Calendula, derived from the Marigold flower. Nourishing ingredients leave the skin feeling smooth, fresh and invigorated after each use. 

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 Set ($38 CAD)
This set features Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 in flavours Cranberry, Mango, Mint & Original. This soothing lip balm treatment soothes and hydrates the lips with ingredients such as Squalane, Sweet Almond Oil, Allantoin, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Wheat Germ Oil and Vitamin A. Great for anyone with dry, parched lips!

Lancôme Holiday 2014

Lancôme’s “Happy Holidays” Collection for 2014 is a sophisticated reinterpretation of Paris’ famous lights. Think gold, textures and richly festive red velvet! 

Shupette by Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura’s new collection for Holiday 2014 has everyone in the beauty community buzzing! The artistic collaboration with fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld features Shupette, his snow-white long-haired pussycat princess (aka the most spoiled feline ever!). With just about everything you could ever possibly need included, this collection has a plethora of options from skincare to colour cosmetics and more. Here is a quick breakdown with pricing:  

Shupette Has-it-All Eye & Lip Palette (with faux fur cover) $115 CAD

Eye-Need-Shu Trio in “Parisienne Chic” (blue) or “Tokyo Kawaii” (pink) $45 CAD each

Rouge Bonbon Fantasy Trio in “Parisienne Chic” or “Tokyo Kawaii” $45 CAD each

Silk Cushion Cheek Colour in “Orange” or “Salmon Pink” $35 CAD each

Eye-Need-Shu Liner in “Midnight Black” or “Gala Brown” $28 CAD each

Pampearl-Me Face Powder $50 CAD

My Precious Glitter Set (trio) $58 CAD

Shupette by Karl Lagerfeld Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil $98 CAD/450ml

Shupette by Karl Lagerfeld TSUYA Skin Under Base Mousse $46 CAD

Furry Fantasy Premium False Eyelashes $100 CAD

Eye-Need-Shu False Eyelash $35 CAD

Shupette’s Flair Eyelash Curler $24 CAD

With-Love-From-Paris Brush Set $95 CAD

Urban Decay Holiday 2014

I was most excited to see what Urban Decay had in store for Holiday 2014. As many of you know I am a HUGE fan of their Primer Potion, 24/7 Eye Pencils, 24/7 Concealer Pencils and their infamous series of Naked Palettes! UD launched four main items for the Holidays: the Vice 3 Palette, Naked Illuminated, Black Magic Pencil Set & Little Perversions Set.

The Black Magic Set ($47 CAD) includes 4x double-ended 24/7 liners – so you get 8 shades of their creamy, award-winning formula! I’ve never had any luck with pencil liners (you guys know that I prefer gel formulas) but these and one by L’Oreal Paris are among the only ones that do not smudge on me. They glide on smooth and dry down to a long-lasting finish. Included in this particular set are: Zero/Demolition, Black Velvet/Smoke, Black Market/Tornado & Perversion/LSD. A great value and a must have in my opinion!

The Little Perversions Set ($55 CAD) gives you multiple ways to create that blacker-than-black look. Loaded with 4 kinds of Perversion (3 waterproof liners and their new mascara) plus their new Subversion Lash Primer, this little black bag is sure to be a hit! Whether you prefer a felt-tip liner, a twist-up pencil or a traditional pencil, it’s all included. Two of the liners included in this set are full size (Ink for Eyes & All Nighter Eyeliner)  and the other is travel-size (24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Blackest Black).

Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body ($35 CAD) is a silky, baked powder highlighter with a beautiful microfine shimmer. It contains light-reflecting particles that create a luminous, radiant look. Comes in 2 shades: Luminous (champagne) & Aura (soft pink).

This new Vice 3 Palette ($70 CAD) is what everyone will be coveting this year! With 20 never-before-seen shades of metallic finish eye shadows, Vice 3 combines rich colour, blendability, long wear and a velvety texture in this exclusive palette. From soft black and stunning burgundy to rich emeralds and striking neutrals, it truly has it all! I love the way that this palette is laid out…..neutrals are on the left, jewel tones in the middle and smoky shades are on the right. The shades can be paired vertically for coordinated looks or mixed if you are feeling adventurous. Let me know in the comments below if you would like to see a full review on this palette! 

Giorgio Armani Holiday 2014

The Giorgio Armani collection this season is absolutely breathtaking. As with all Armani products, the luxe packaging is merely an added bonus to the superior formula of their products. I am most familiar with their Rouge Ecstasy Lipsticks and Blushing Colours Palette but word on the beauty street is that all of their products are must-trys. Here is what’s in store for Holiday 2014:

Orient Excess Palette ($98 CAD)

This exclusive palette comes with its own blue velvet pouch and features a porcelain, universally translucent face powder and a trio of eye shadows inspired by mink, chinchilla and sable furs.

Maestro Winter Glow ($68 CAD) 

This product is lightweight, pigment-free and leaves a satiny white veil on the skin. Can be used as either as a base or as a finishing makeup for an airy, healthy glow. 

Lip Maestro ($38 CAD)

Two new Holiday appropriate red shades join the Maestro family. Shades #414 Pure Red & #634 Burgundy offer intensely matte “couture” lips.

Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick ($38 CAD)

The same great shades above (#414 Pure Red & #634 Burgundy) are also available in the Rouge Ecstasy range of lipsticks which feature CC exclusive care and color technology! 

Nail Lacquer ($32 CAD)

Armani introduces shades #414 (pure red), #634 (burgundy) and #0 (an ultra-shiny clear top coat) to adorn the nails this season. 

YSL Wildly Gold Collection – Holiday 2014

Another luxe brand that has me salivating every time I go to their department store or Sephora counter is YSL Beauté….and their Holiday collection this year is no exception. YSL’s elegant collection this year even features limited collector editions of one of my favourite products (i.e. Touche Éclat). 

YSL Palette Collector Wild Edition ($100 CAD)

This gorgeous palette comes in a stunning black leather case which is covered in gold leopard print and YSLs legendary logo. It includes four eyeshadows (black, bronze, gold & silver), a soft pink blush and a lip duo (Rouge Volupté Sheer Candy Pink and Rouge Pur Couture Fuchsia).

YSL Wild Edition Touche Éclat ($49 CAD)

The same great formula of Touche Éclat in pretty limited edition packaging!

#1 Luminous Radiance
#2 Luminous Ivory
#3 Luminous Peach

Rock Sequins Couture Palette in Tuxedo ($64 CAD)

A beautiful assortment of 5 eye shadows ranging from matte black to shiny white for that sultry smoky eye look. The limited edition palette is covered in “sequins” and is a collector piece all in itself!