May 11, 2012

Swatch - Lancome Ombre Absolue Erika F

Maybe blogging is just like working out.
You  thought you're taking a couple days off, but it is already 10 something days since your last one. ;o

Finally I am back with a swatch post.
Promise you I will be better than this from now on. ;)

Lancome Ombre Absolue Erika F

I still don't understand why Lancome has not made any effort to make this highly-coveted color available in the US. 
Erika F had been on my wishlist like forever, but it was tentative one probably because I refused to pay the marked-up price.
I was finally able to get my hands on this thanks to a generous blog friend. ;)


I don't wear green eye shadows very well in general, so I was not 100% sure this would work on me.
Still, it is quite debatable whether it is a "green with grey undertone" or a"grey with green undertone".
I am inclined to think it is the latter since this unique color looks quite good on me and I even get compliments when I wear it.


The first two pictures actually don't do justice to this gorgeous color.
It is quite sparkly and the shimmer is not like anything I have encountered before.
Sure, it is silvery medium-sized (not quite glittery) shimmer that look nothing special from the pan.
Once it is on and blended, the shimmer shines through the sheer but clear base color.
What is amazing to me is that it managed to stay in the "shimmery" category without going over to the "metallic" realm.

I swatched this next to the L'Oreal Infallible Golden Sage, which is definitely more green with golden undertone.


I love using Erika F in shimmery smokey eye looks paired with NARS Night Porter (this is a black shade with green shimmer), and I will feature this soon in my post.
It is excellent to use as a single all-over color as well since it blends in nicely without requiring too much effort. 
(It is surprising cause the texture of this eyeshadow is rather hard.)

I've read somewhere this Asia/Europe only (well, boo to you, Lancome) eyeshadow was an "accident from the lab".

If that is true, I think is is very fortunate and beautiful one. 
Wouldn't you agree? ;)



Join the conversation!

  1. Oh it looks so good on you, Lena! I have swatched this, but it looks like a bruise on me! Also I wasn't sure what to think about the large glitter, so I put it back and walked away :p

    Glad to know you enjoy it!!

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  2. This does look gorgeous indeed! It definitely looks more grey to me, but since I haven't swatched it in real life I guess it's really hard to be sure. I'm looking forward to seeing your EOTD too!

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  3. A beautiful accident indeed! I'm thinking grey with green undertones as well. Looking forward to seeing it on you Lena! Happy weekend!

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  4. This is such a unique shade - I agree that it leans towards the grey with green undertone. What a beautiful "mistake"!

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  5. I love the color. It looks great :)

    http://petitemini.blogspot.se/

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  6. I have this one! I know it's called the legendary erika shadow in Korea.... but unfortunately this doesn't look good on my eyes D:

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  7. It is very beautiful! I understand the hype. I think I'll have to settle for L'Oreal's Golden Sage, though!

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  8. That's such an excellent comparison about blogging and the gym. I totally agree. I'm the same way.

    The eye shadow is gorgeous. Don't know if I'd get it though. I'll stick to golden sage.

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  9. the erika f looks silvery to me..but i like both actually..i can definitely see a greenish hint in golden sage..

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  10. It doesnt look very green to me xD Looks like silver ;o
    But still a pretty shade I love how shimmery it is xD

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  11. to think about it, i think you're right! ;)
    the shimmer is on the cooler side and it makes it easier for me to pull this off!

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  12. they are quite different in both color and texture. :)
    erika is more sparkly where golden sage gives satiny glow-y effect.
    i am glad you like both! :)

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  13. lol
    i need to get back on both blogging and working out asap!
    there are many similar shades. golden sage is surprisingly beautiful! :)

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  14. you look beautiful wearing green shades, Larie.
    i can totally picture golden sage glimmering on you! :)

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  15. i know, in korea people are raving about this and i've seen so many pretty pictures.
    i think they have more dupes because of this hype. lol

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  16. thank you, Diana! :)

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  17. yes. i totally agree with you.
    they should make "mistakes" like this more often. ;p

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  18. thanks, Rowena!
    i am happier since i've always afraid wearing green shades and this somewhat green eye shadow is working for me. :)

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  19. i love this color!
    maybe my picture looks a little washed out. it does have distinct green character to it.
    i will do a FOTD post soon! :)

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  20. ah i would think this color is beautiful on you! you wear greens so beautifully, Sunny.
    i agree the shimmer could be too much. ;)

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  21. you have such a beautiful collection of make-up everything!

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  22. aww thank you, Debi! :)

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  23. I agree! Like the comparison with working out ))) I am the same with the gym ((

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  24. Very pretty colour, I can visualise how gorgeous it would be paired with Night Porter. The green tone isn't too visible, but I can definitely see it and it makes this eyeshadow really unique :)

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  25. aww your comment enable to do a FOTD post sooner. ;)
    i am glad this shade is actually unique and different from the similar colors i have!

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  26. lolz
    lets get better both at blogging and working out together. ;)
    thanks for visiting!

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  27. Sarah S.May 13, 2012

    Such a unique color, and funny name!

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  28. lol isn't it?
    honestly, i thought "maybe Erika from the lab F'd it up" for second since they say it was a mistake. ;p

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  29. Estee ChaMay 13, 2012

    I like this color, so pretty :)

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  30. OHHH that is actually really gorgeous.. it's almost like a really really faint military green with iridescent shimmer.. SOOOO PRETTY!!!!

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  31. Haha I couldn't agree with you more about the blogging is like exercise comment you made! That happens to me all the time >.<

    This is a really pretty color though! It really does look similar to the Infallible shadow.

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  32. its really pretty!! it would make a perfect bright smokey :) it looks so shimmery and smooth one would think it was baked

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  33. Let's! ;)

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  34. The shade is so pretty!! its really shimmery! love the color! I just wonder why its Erika F? Why F? lolz!

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  35. Mimi WritesMay 14, 2012

    oh wow, it came out to be a really cool accident then. i think the shade is pretty! :)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

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  36. you are so rigiht about blogging, lena! just like working out for sure because you do it regularly, and you keep up with it, but once i take a break for like a week or more, it's hard to get back on the wagon. glad to have you back. :) i love lancome eyeshadows, and usually like going for dark/smoky colors. i really like the way the erika f has a shimmery quality to it. i, too, think it's a beautiful mistake. :)

    have a great day!!

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  37. I'd say its definitely a grey shadow with some green in it. It looks pretty! Maybe I'll pick it up while I'm still over here in Asia... :)

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  38. A beautiful accident indeed! I really love how it would look with a some gunmetal grey!

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  39. I actually like Golden Sage more because of the green, Erika F is just too silver for me. I'm hoping you'll create a look using it and change my mind though! ;)

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  40. golden sage is beautiful! it is one of the few "obvious greens" i really adore.
    will do a FOTD pic soon. ;)

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  41. thanks for the suggestion, Laura!
    gunmetal grey would nicely pair up with Erika. ;)

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  42. hey Andrea!
    hope you are having a fabulous time. :)
    definitely check out duty free stores if you're travelling!

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  43. i admire for jogging regularly, Jas!
    i should blog and work out more often, really!!
    just that i have lots on my plate lately. ;p

    i really like lancome eyeshadows and i think often times they are underrated as well.
    they have nice campaign every season. ;)

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  44. thanks, Raimar!
    my pleasure. ;)

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  45. hi Mimi! :)
    i couldn't agree with you more.
    thanks for the comment!

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  46. lol i just was saying "maybe Erika at the lab f'd the shade" haha ;D
    i love the unique shimmer in this!

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  47. interesting thought!
    maybe it is baked just a bit since the texture is on the hard side.
    this one is quite versatile. both good for wash and smoked out looks. ;)

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  48. ah i wish i was better at both. i should keep trying, though. right? ;)
    once applied these two colors are quite different. i love them both! :)

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  49. thanks!
    i love this colour. it looks quite nice with green/grey color contacts as well. ;)

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  50. thank you, Estee! :)

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  51. I like Erika F. Blogging does take a lot of time but you have to keep at it! Haha.

    http://purrincup.blogspot.com/

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  52. OOh i really like the GOlden Sage! really beautiful color, the shimmer is not too over powering but still so perfect! Love it =)

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  53. this is definitely a unique colour! pretty though :)

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  54. Amazing review! I love this colour so much!!

    Kisses, Lucy!

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  55. Penelope_LMay 22, 2012

    Such a beautiful shade! Truly gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing! You have such great quality pictures and swatches,

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  56. PinkOrchidsStephMay 23, 2012

    Wow pretty shade, thanks for the comparison swatch!!! I can't believe how similar the loreal one is! They both look very pigmented!

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  57. Lol at your blogging and gym comparison...because I'm totally guilty of the same thing too. =X

    The color is very beautiful, I like the shimmer! Boo to Lancome for not making it available in the U.S. Hmmm I have Golden Sage too but haven't used it yet, lol, now you're making me want to play with my makeup too! :)

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  58. Janine SonMay 25, 2012

    i could totally relate with you~ i dont really wear green eye shadows too. or even blue .lol. im afraid it wont look nice on me and i'd look totally made up so i stay with neutral colors~

    anyway, that color looks nice! and im a fan of smokey eye makeup ^^

    stylefoxhouse.blogspot.com

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  59. i can totally imagine blue/green looking fab on you, but i've seen neutrals work great as well from your posts. ;)
    i've been reaching for this color quite often lately. it works great with my green contacts!

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  60. hi Diana!! :)
    i can't believe i've only blogged once in May!! i was blogging every other day or even more often.
    when it comes to workout it is even worse..that much i'm gonna say..lol

    golden sage looks very similar in the swatch pic, but they are very different once worn. do try it if you have it. it is gorgeous!

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  61. they both are very pretty and pigmented.
    i'd have to go with Erika F if i have to choose, but i don't wanna choose. lol

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  62. aww thank you, Penelope :)
    i really love this shade. this was my choice for a weekend visit to my sister's as well.

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  63. thank you, Lucy! ^-^

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  64. i've tried more than a couple of dupes of this, but Erika F is still the one! :)

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  65. you're absolutely right.
    the shimmer in Goden Sage is very different. it gives nice satiny glow effects. :)

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  66. i agree!
    i keep telling myself that i should do a little better, but at the same time, it has become like chores..

    thanks for your comment! :)

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  67. hehe i will try, Feelo!
    i know it as a fact that greens look fabulous on you. i agree golden sage would look better on you.;)

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  68. WOW! I love that silvery shimmer. Very nice. LOL at your blog break!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  69. i wear this quite ofen with green color contacts!
    hope we both keep on blogging and having fun, Kim ;)

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