Dior Summer 2015 Tie Dye Collection

Over the years I've seen summer limited editions come and go, many of them riffing on the same themes: bronze skin, jewel-toned eyeshadows, glossy lips with a hint of pink or coral, bright nails. So it's interesting to see Dior try something novel with theirs in terms of execution. The Dior Summer 2015 Tie Dye Collection takes its inspiration from the tie dye seen in the house's fashion collections, and it's safe to say that in Dior's sophisticated hands, tie dye is definitely more haute than hippie. Think blended shades that lend each other depth, all while bringing sun-kissed light to the face. A photo-heavy and detailed look at the entire collection after the jump!

The most eye-catching use of the tie dye motif has to be in these Diorskin Nude Tan Tie Dye Edition Blush Harmony palettes ($59), available in 'Pink Sunrise' and 'Coral Sunset'. True to their names, these blushes offer silky, brightening, translucent colour that looks like a second skin.

'Pink Sunrise' is a more muted blend of pinks suited for fairer complexions, while 'Coral Sunset'—with its swirling combination of bold corals and oranges—is more appropriate for tanned and darker skintones. I love the heft of the silver cannage-embossed compact and the super-soft white kabuki brush; as always, Dior's attention to luxe detail is apparent.

If ever there's a time to experiment with coloured eyeshadows, it's during summer when everything seems more vibrant and bright. The Dior 5 Couleurs eyeshadow palette ($61) in 'Contraste Horizon' offers a quartet of shades—gold, bronze, mint green, and peacock blue—with a subtle iridescence that would brighten eyes and complement sun-kissed skin. But it's the centre hue—a matte white—that really modernizes this limited edition. (Need some inspo on how to concoct looks with this palette? Check out these tips from Diorshow National Artist Pascal Grand'Maison.)

Warm, bronzy, peachy shades for summer? Um, yes please. The Dior 5 Couleurs eyeshadow palette in 'Amber Nuit' will be a permanent addition to the Dior 5 Couleurs eyeshadow family. I think this would be a really pretty neutral eyeshadow palette for someone with a darker skintone.

The Dior Tie Dye Collection also includes 3 new permanent shades of Dior Addict Fluid Stick ($39): 'Tropiques' (at the top, a face-brightening petal pink); 'Plaisir' (middle, a fuchsia nicely balanced between warm and cool tones); and 'Ciel Rose' (a muted, slightly mauve-y dusty rose).

If you've never tried Dior Addict Fluid Stick, you're in for a treat. The water-based lip colour delivers intense shine and pigment, without the heaviness or stickiness of wax-based lipsticks or glosses. For the full lowdown on Dior Addict Stick's formulation and feel, check out this review I wrote last summer when it first launched.

The Dior Addict Tie Dye Lipstick ($34) is tied in first place with the Diorskin Nude Tan palettes when it comes to my Tie Dye Collection faves. They're so pretty, just really great sheer and shiny lip colours with a moisturizing, balm-like texture. But that's not the best part: Check out contrasting colour cores shaped like the Dior monogram. So cool, right?! The cores lighten or deepen the dominant outer colours, and they give otherwise typical hues some added dimension. Available in four limited edition shades: 'Coral Trip' (coral outer colour with a red core); 'Red Bliss' (sheer candy red outer colour with a cool pink core); 'Nude Fever' (dark beige outer colour with a lighter peach core); and 'Fuchsia Utopia' (fuchsia outer colour with a lighter petal pink core).

I'm digging the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer ($33) lip plumping treatments in 'Beige Sunrise' and 'Pink Sunset', which can be worn alone for full, luscious lips and a hint of tint or layered under another lip colour. I like the fact that they're tinted differently so you can match the undertones of the sheer lip colours in this collection, or go for a different effect.

I hate to say this, but of all the products in the collection, I was probably most underwhelmed by the Tie Dye limited edition Dior Vernis Gel nail polishes ($27). These nail polishes boast the same great shine, wear, and brush of other Dior Vernis Gel lacquers, but the shades don't inspire the sort of heart palpitations that Dior's limited edition nail shades usually do. 'Sunwashed' is a butter yellow that applies evenly in two coats, while 'Sunkissed' is a creamy peach.

The Dior Tie Dye Top Coat ($29) took some research and experimentation to figure out, and I almost gave it a pass because it was so perplexing. If you apply an even coat of this over 'Sunkissed' or 'Sunwashed', it just looks like translucent pink jelly that totally obscures the pretty pastel hues of the base colours—a far cry from the ombre tie dye effect that's promised. Instead, try to "blob" it on nails and then do an all-over top coat so the pink is more concentrated in certain areas. You can also wear it alone as a nail enhancer, kind of like Dior Nail Glow.

I'm pretty nonplussed with Diorskin Nude BB Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 10 ($67) in new shade 025, which will be a permanent addition. Love the texture and luminizing benefits of this product, but dislike how this particular shade looks really dark on me. Maybe it'll work better as a contouring shade.

And last but certainly not least, get a look at the prettiness that is the Diorshow Khol Pencil ($32) in 'Pearly Turquoise'. So. Pretty.

So does anything in the Dior Summer 2015 Tie Dye Collection tickle your fancy? How do you like the tie dye blushes and Dior Addict lipsticks?