Walking into Burberry’s first freestanding boutique makeup counter in Canada is like experiencing a personal luxury closet. Perfect lighting, soft trench tones, comfortable vanities, and current editorial images are intentionally placed amongst the Burberry beauty and perfume lines. It is here, at the Hudson’s Bay in Richmond Centre, where I met Patricia Bensimon, Burberry’s national trainer and makeup artist. With over 30 years of experience, Bensimon warmly welcomed me with a sharp creative eye, first mentioning my good skin and minimal makeup (I came prepared for a makeover) and was thrilled to introduce me to the line of beauty products she describes as “effortless and innovative”.
Burberry is the first major luxury brand to have a fashion house and collection-specific makeup line that is solely manufactured by the brand. Creative director Christopher Bailey and Burberry Beauty creative consultant Wendy Row work hand in hand each season, creating various takes on the “less is more” look.
As I settled into the comfortable vanity chair, Bensimon collected a number of key products that ultimately created a subtle Brigitte-Bardot look. She began with Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base, a moisturizing fluid that made my skin feel soft and dewy. From there, she applied the Sheer Concealer, a magical little corrector that took out my dark circles in 30 seconds (side note: it’s also an eye primer). I now looked like I’d just woken up from a week of blissful sleep.
We then moved from skin to eyes, and Bensimon told me I had “Burberry Brows”. To highlight them, she used the brand’s best-selling Effortless Eyebrow Definer. After a quick wash of Eye Colour Silk shadow in Pale Barley, we were on to eyeliner. In the classic Bardot style, Bensimon drew a line combining the Effortless Kohl Eyeliner (with a built-in sharpener) and Effortless Liquid eyeliner, blending black with a dark plum. Choosing a shade of lipstick was a lesson in layering, as Burberry Kisses is their most extensive colour palette to date. The shades range from sheer to bold, and Bensimon chose a neutral nude lip tone and gloss to finish off my look. Within ten minutes, she had transformed my skin, eyes, lips and brows using only a handful of products.
Burberry’s makeup range (that you will truly want to covet) is a taste of luxury and a must for women who want to feel polished, yet still look like themselves. Canada’s first freestanding Burberry Beauty Boutique is located at the Hudson’s Bay in Richmond Centre.
If you go, tell them NICHE sent you!
Do you follow NICHE magazine’s Editor in Chief, Tracey Drake, on Instagram? You should! Over the coming weeks, she will be giving away Burberry makeup products, from the current collection and you must follow her to win! Follow @traceydrakeeditor
