Dior Golden Shock Holiday 2014 Collection

I know we've only just passed Thanksgiving and the trees still have most of their leaves, but here at Solo Lisa headquarters, I'm already dreaming of Christmas thanks to the Dior Golden Shock Holiday 2014 Collection. Beautiful products, exquisite packaging—really, what's not to love? The Golden Shock collection is available in stores October. Whether you're looking for luxe gift ideas, looking to treat yourself, or planning your beauty looks for the holiday party circuit, this collection has something for everyone.

Many more photos and details after the jump!

First of all, can we talk about the return of the gold packaging? This was hands down my favourite part of last year's Dior holiday collection. The round nail polish bottles are like year-round Christmas ornaments for your vanity, while the gold compact will thrill you with decadent elegance every time you use it. These would be great gifts or treat-yourself indulgences for the girl whose motto is "All gold everything."

And speaking of the gold compact, behold the Diorific Golden Shock Illuminating Pressed Powder ($82; exclusively at Holt Renfrew). The compass-rose-embossed powder goes on translucent with eye-catching gold shimmer. Under bright lights the effect is quite subtle, but in dim light one's skin looks like it's been sprinkled with fairy dust. I was testing this one over my mouse pad and because of the particles' tendency to scatter, my mouse pad's grey felt surface is now gold-flecked, which I'm kind of digging. Use the enclosed super-soft flat brush to sweep it on the bridge of the nose, the temples, the cheekbones, the collarbones—wherever you want a hint of gold.

Continuing with the gold theme, we have Diorific Vernis 'Gold Equinoxe' ($28; left, not available at Sephora)—a pigmented metallic that dries to a molten finish—and Diorific Golden Shock Top Coat ($29; right). This is not your typical glitter top coat: it features little pieces of gold leaf in varying sizes and shapes suspended in clear lacquer. If you had to only pick one Diorific Vernis to splurge on, I'd suggest the top coat as it can breathe new life into all your beloved fall/winter shades.

Rounding out the Diorific Vernis collection ($28 each): 'Shock', a creamy red with a hint of fuchsia (left, not available at Sephora); 'Smoky', a deep aubergine with the barest hint of shimmer (centre); and 'Mirror', a semi-sheer pearl with gold shimmer that gives vampy shades a burnished-brass finish when used as a top coat (right, not available at Sephora).

For the eyes, the Golden Shock collection features two new Dior 5 Couleurs eyeshadow palettes ($61; not available at Sephora) and a new Diorshow Fusion Mono eyeshadow ($32), all of which are limited editions. These 5 Couleurs palettes boast all the hallmarks of the fall relaunch: new textures and effects, better pigments, and improved applicators.

After my session with Diorshow National Artist Pascal Grand'Maison on the weekend, I feel so inspired to play with a palette like 5 Couleurs 'Golden Shock' and its endless mix-and match possibilities. The bronze, champagne, and gold-flecked pastel pink would be great for a lightly contoured daytime eye look. The plum and gold kick it up a notch for evening.

5 Couleurs 'Golden Reflections' is the cool-toned, steel-grey sister of warm, plum-infused 'Golden Shock'. Both palettes are versatile and will flatter a wide variety of skin tones and eye colours. The finishes are a mix of matte, satin, and iridescent.

Diorshow Fusion Mono in 'Mirror' ($32) is the eyeshadow that will give all your existing smoky eye and neutral palettes that Midas touch. It has the same gold-dust effect as the Illuminating Pressed Powder and the centre shades in the 5 Couleurs palettes, but much more concentrated. Use wet or dry, as a liner or all-over shadow.

To go with the dramatic eye looks, slick on a coat of Dior Addict Gloss ($31; not available at Sephora) in 'Gold Rain' (a sheer peach with gold shimmer) or 'Pink Excess' (a rosy pink with gold shimmer).

The Golden Shock Collection also includes the Diorific Golden Shock lipsticks, which I sadly don't have samples of but sound intriguing if you're a lipstick lover like myself. According to the press kit, they're duo shades in "crimson red, candy pink, coral and burgundy" with iridescent gold shimmer; wear the matte colour or the iridescent gold shimmer by itself, or layer the shimmer over the pure colour. And if you'd like to know what the lipstick packaging might look like, check out last year's Diorific lipsticks and you'll have an idea: golden glamour all the way.

Are there any favourites calling your name?