It’s no secret that Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana love glitz and glamour. The elaborately gilded collection that came down the runway during Dolce &Gabbana’s AW2013 show is just one example of the Italian designer duo’s ongoing celebration of everything lavish. D &G’s limited edition Sicilian Jewels collection for lips and nails (launching in November at Saks) continues that line of inspiration—think ornate Byzantine mosaics and baroque cathedrals.
Of the products, Gabbana admits that he and Dolce put gems on “accessories, corsetry, everything” and said that jewels are “a symbol of power and passion.” Sicilian Jewels consists of four new shades of Classic Cream Lipstick, with corresponding nail colors. The lipsticks ($35 each) come in gold cases, each with a cushion-cut gem which matches the shade set on the cap. The effect is both elegant and fun—the packaging gives them the feel of “play” lipsticks you might have had as a kid. D &G creative advisor Pat McGrath says the shades reflect this duality, too: “They can be worn in a young, ironic interpretation or with a more grown-up sophisticated vibe. Just like a piece of jewelry.”
The colors are highly pigmented and as rich and luxurious as the gems. Ruby is a deep red that looks just like you might expect, and its the only classic shade of the bunch. There’s a bright purple with a hint of reflective sheen (Amethyst), a brighter take on this season’s hunter green (Emerald, pictured top), and Topaz, a theatrical metallic gold, which looks more yellow in the tube than it does on.
We tried them on and loved the dramatic effect! Instead of shying away from color on the eyes, we played them up with equally intense pigments in greens and blues. The makeup: on face, Graftobian GlamAire Airbrush Beauty Makeup in Buttermilk; on cheeks, bareMinerals READY Color Boost in Adrenaline Rush; on brows, Milani Brow Fix Eye Brow Kit; on eyes, Inglot Cosmetics AMC Pure Pigment Eye Shadow in 46 and 32 with a wash of 49 over the top.
Ruby
Amethyst
Topaz
