Lancome Pink Irreverence – Sassiness & Piha Black
 For Spring 2009, Lancome’s Artistic Director for Makeup, Aaron De Mey, played with the idea of mixing safe and edgy by pairing girly pinks with gothic blacks. Bringing back the sellout black sparkly lipgloss from Fall, Piha Black, he added a matching nail lacquer for the Pink Irreverence collection; both shades inspired by his New Zealand homeland’s black Piha beach. I waited month’s on a list at Bloomie’s for my tube of Piha Black gloss and it’s definitely a beauty junkie collector’s items, very fun for layering. |
 Twisting the traditional codes of elegance, Aaron has created an impertinent color statement that pairs Spring pinks against rebellious blacks and potent shine against pure matte textures. The pinks are reminiscent of Lancôme’s iconic rose, while the deep black shades are evocative of the Piha volcanic black beaches of Aaron’s native homeland of New Zealand. Products are meant to be layered to create an array of stunning looks. |
Of course in my world where all things revert back to Grease, I see pink and black and instantly think Pink Ladies. I mean, can you think of anyone who rocked the pink and black better than Rizzo? Don’t you DARE say Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2 or we just can’t be friends anymore. CAN’T. I love me some Grease 2 but it’s so NOT the same thing.
So getting back to the polish. The new Le Vernis lacquers in this collection play up on Aaron’s whole contradictory theme with a delicate sheer pink and inky black sparkler. When I say inky, I’m not kidding. When Piha Black was created, Lancome was not playing. Holy pigmentation, batman! That color is no joke. The formula is aces as well. For a milky sheer, Sassiness has the no streaks thing down. Oh and the flat brush is a winner as well.
Sassiness is meant to be worn sheer but you know me, I have to try and make anything as opaque as possible. With detached nail beds like mine, can you blame me? Unfortunately, even after three coats, we’re still at level sheerness. Perfect for you sheer lovers, not so much for moi.
Piha Black totally has that black sand glittering in the sun thing going on without all the grittiness. It’s glassy smooth with evenly dispersed silver speckles. 
I put this one head to head against my fave black of 2008, Dior Black Sequins. As you can see, the micro-glitter in Black Sequins is more random and prominent while Piha Black’s shimmer is more even and subtle. Though the color intensity is pretty dead on even.
Lancome’s Pink Irreverence collection is available now at Lancome.com and your local Lancome counter. Le Vernis nail lacquers retail for $18/ea.
images: flickr.com, leavemethewhite.com, Lancome and All Lacquered Up
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Thanks for showing comparisons with Black Sequins, I was wondering about the similarities. Do you have issues with Lancome’s brush length? I find it to be so short I can barely use it!
Vampy – Hmm, I don’t find it to be difficult. In a way I prefer shorter brushes because I feel I have more control.
I love both black polishes. Which one has better application?
Thanks for doing the comparison!! I was curious how these would match up. I just can’t spend $18 on sparkly black polish when there are so many cheaper alternatives.
Wow, now that’s taking sheerness to an uncomfortable level! I mean, you have beautiful nails, I don’t think you should worry about them, but I’m like you in that I don’t dig the sheer polishes. I’d probably end up sitting there determined to get opacity like I did with Misa’s Sugar Daddy and get layers that never dry! LOL!
The black is pretty but OMG, who HASN’T put out a “black with sparkles” now? You know?
Ok, that’s a gorgeous black! It seems like it’s hard to find a good black with sparkle, but this one definitely takes the cake.
I’m feeling you on the sheer… so not my thing. How does Piha Black compare to OPI’s Baby it’s Coal Outisde?
OMG how spooky.. :O I chose a NOTD which is black and sparkly today too but not $18.. It’s Virgin Vie and that too has uber pigmentation
How was yours to remove?.. Does it stain and stick?..
Also I 2nd Amanda, how does Piha Black compare to OPI Baby its coal outside?
I’m third-ing (is that a word?) Amanda and Lina-Elvira – I’d like to see this against OPI Baby Its Coal Outside. I think BICO has multicolored microglitter in it instead of just silver, but I’d still like to see them together.
OMG, I need Piha Black! I grew up in NZ and swam at Piha all the time!
All Laquered Up — What are detached nail beds? Thanks for showing us how sheer things are. I’m not a big sheer girl either. Molly
Are you in love with the lip gloss? How does it look on its own? I’m on a waiting list here in California for it…I’m jealous!!!
I am a fan of both dark & sheer polishes & I really do like Sassiness
It has a nice pinky tone.
I think these might make for an interesting funky French!
Thank you so much for revealing your detached nail beds! I have them, too and cannot wear sheer polish. Finally, I am not alone!!
-Beth
EXCELLENT reference, doll. The pink ladies are SO right on.
Hmm… How does it compare to Chanel’s Black Ceramic? I think Piha might be a dupe of it.