Earlier this week I popped into a L’Oreal launch at The Reserve night club in town. The brand’s got some seriously fab-looking new goodies coming out later this year and, of everything I got see, I’m most excited about Lumi Magique, a new ‘light-infusing’ foundation due out in June. (Alas, I can’t give you the price just yet as I’m struggling to open the flashdrive I was given, but will fill you in the moment I’m sorted out.)

Back in the day, I used to be OBSESSED with another of L’Oreal’s light-reflecting foundations, Translucide, and was totally devastated when they discontinued it. I spent a fortune on eBay, tracking down the very last bottles in existence YEARS after they took it off the shelves. The very last one I found, about two years back, was absolutely vrot and turned the colour of cement the moment it hit my face. Drat! So ja… here’s hoping Lumi Magique is everything my beloved Translucide was and more…

Other L’Oreal fabulosity that’s soon to hit the shelves? Three new mascaras, one of which is Lash Architect 4D Black Lacquer, R195, due out next month. 

We were given an enormous bulging sack o’ product when we left (I know, I know… you hate me… you totally want me dead…) and it included both the regular and waterproof version. I’ve been using the former for two days now and, for the record, it’s pretty darn good. Will be sure to plak up a proper review along with piccies closer to the official launch date. 

Anyway, getting back to the launch itself… from what the brand managers told us combined with the few new commercials I saw, it’s very clear that L’Oreal’s going in a slightly ‘edgier’ direction with a new look and feel that’s a little bit more moody, super slick and very sexy. Oooh and speaking of sexy… did you know that their new male brand ambassadors are Gerard Butler and Hugh Laurie?

Once the presentation wrapped up, we got led into another room to check out an interesting little art exhibition. Each painting was inspired by L’Oreal’s tagline (‘You’re worth it!’) and created by a local artist that had been given L’Oreal cosmetics to integrate into the work. Of everything I saw, this one was my favourite:

You can’t really see it in the above shot, but Sharfaa’s attention to detail is beautiful. I have no clue as to what she used on her subject’s lips, lipstick or paint, but they looked so gorgeously glossy I was scared to touch them in case I created a smudge. She also used one of L’Oreal’s black hair dyes in creating the hair. (And of course, being a vain li’l cow, I totes appreciated that she’d incorporated a mirror into the work…) 

After the exhibition, things got even more fabulous as we were then treated to a Moet & Chandon champagne tasting…

Of everything I tried, the rose’ was deffo my favourite in that it was crisp and sweet, but not too sweet. I enjoyed a glass or two while indulging in a bit of a skinner catch up with one of my fave fellow ‘beauties’ Chantelle Bester AKA Not Another Poppie then headed off home… but not before pinching one more macaroon off the decadent dessert table… 

Thanks L’Oreal! I reckon 2012 is going to be a super exciting year for you guys. I can’t wait to play with all the goodies you gave me and will be sure to slap up nice, detailed reviews closer to the date of each launch. 

Love, love

Leigh