Westman Atelier: Overview

Westman Atelier by famous makeup artist Gucci Westman launched right before the Barney’s fall Love Yourself event. It was perfect timing (Barney’s Love Yourself event is bi-yearly and it’s one of the best beauty GWP there is). I picked up three things in September. There was hardly any swatches so it was kind of a stab in the dark picking colors. The line is super easy to use with it’s chubby sticks and creamy formulas plus it’s organic. Details about the line per Barney’s and details about products per Westman Atelier:

Top makeup artist Gucci Westman launched Westman Atelier, a thoughtfully curated collection of products, in 2018. Combining luxury, efficacy, and clean formulations, Westman calls on her career as a major editorial makeup artist to create her line of consciously crafted cosmetics. The range, which includes blush, bronzer, foundation, and more, is designed to provide the look of dewy, radiant, and healthy skin.

Vital Skin Foundation Stick

Luxurious cream foundation rich in antioxidants and formulated with active ingredients to combat redness, calm irritation, even out complexion, and boost moisture. Molten texture melts into skin for a radiant, natural finish. Your natural skin, effortlessly enhanced.

No silicones, no parabens, no PEGs, no talc, no pthalates, no synthetic fragrances. Non-toxic. Vegan. Cruelty free. Gluten free.

Key Ingredients

• Vegetable Derived Squalane restores suppleness and flexibility to the skin with enhanced luminosity and radiance.
• Phytosphingosine a potent skin-identical compound that helps skin conserve moisture and provides anti-inflammatory activity reducing the appearance of fine lines and targeting specifically redness and inflammation.
• Berryflux Vita a potent active ingredient extracted from raspberry cells, for its deep moisturising and youth-preserving properties.
• Camellia Seed Oil to protect skin from environmental pollutants.
• Coconut Oil to rejuvenate dehydrated skin.

This foundation stick comes in hard pink casing with a magnetic closure. It’s very chic, cool packaging. I have a love hate relationship with stick foundations. Some are too dry and full coverage, some are too matte, some are too greasy. This one is perfect. It’s hydrating without being greasy, it melds into the skin so it doesn’t look cakey. It looks like skin.

This has buildable coverage and while it’s dewy it does have a more satin-dewy-skin like finish. It has good longevity & I get about 8 hours before there’s a hint of fading. I don’t get any real breakdown or anything either it so looks good all day. So far I’m really impressed with the formula and wear. I like a foundation that is skin like and holds up. Plus it’s buildable and has a light to medium coverage level which is my favorite.

The only downside is the shade range. It’s not great. They’re also all very yellow or golden toned. The neutrals are even golden or yellow in hue. I grabbed shade V originally but when I went to New York I exchanged it for VI as it was a hint more neutral. Luckily I had samples of III, V, VI, VII & VIII so I was able to play first then pick the right shade. Shade V is close to that NC 25 kind of range, it could even fit a NC 25-30 but it’s very golden. That was my issue with it.

I’m more neutral with a hint of warmth and olive but I’m far from true golden or yellow. Those tones tend to look fake on me. I have a really hard time finding good foundation matches for this reason. The neutral ones tend to be too pale or dark as there’s always a neutral light shade or neutral true deeper medium. I’m like that cusp of light medium to medium where typical light mediums are all too yellow, pale or peach, and all mediums are too yellow, golden or dark. I find there’s not a huge amount of brands who have made shades in that true light medium/medium neutral/olive/slightly warm tone. They also don’t have any dark tones in this range so it’s definitely very limited.

I included the Westman Atelier shade descriptions below. I hope to see them expand the range one day as the formula is quite excellent. Shade VI works well enough for me but it’s a touch dark and caramel toned. It doesn’t oxidize but rather sets lighter and more into my skin tone. It starts caramel but gets a bit more neutral after it sets. It reminds me of Hourglass Vanish Stick in Warm Beige & Surratt Surreal Skin in 9. Both of those did the same ‘lightening’ thing with my skin tone. I get a more natural look when I choose a shade darker versus lighter, especially if darker is more neutral.

The shade description for VI is ‘medium neutral, caramel undertone’ so that makes sense. That’s pretty much a perfect description. I agree with descriptions on V and III as well. Shade III is like the perfect NC 20 shade. I feel like I read somewhere she made all the shades more yellow to counteract something but I can’t find that article or snippet now. Westman is definitely known for her focus on skin as a makeup artist and her line definitely shows that. The whole range is very natural. It enhances your skin and natural self. I love it when you have makeup that you can see your skin through.

Super Loaded Tinted Highlight

Beautiful highlighting cream delivers luminous warmth in a universally flattering shade. A soothing, easy-to-apply, multipurpose polish for eyes, cheeks, and face infused with a combination of antioxidants and hydrators. Nourishes and treats skin while enhancing natural glow.

No silicones, no parabens, no PEGs, no talc, no phthalates. Non-toxic. Vegan. Cruelty free. Gluten free.

Key Ingredients

• Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres, designed to smooth and fill wrinkles for a lifting effect.
• Caper Extract, a natural soothing active derived from caper buds. Helps reduce inflammation and enhance skin well being.
• Organic Jojoba Oil, a natural antioxidant, provides moisture for a radiant and luminous finish. A Cell Protecting Antioxidant, provides protective properties against pollution and UV damage.

I didn’t know what to think of this but it looked nice so I grabbed it. It is way too dark to be a highlighter. Peau de Peche is described as a ‘soft pearlized bronze suede’. It’s a shimmery terracotta peachy rose shade. It actually gives you that perfect sunburnt look which is perfect as a blush. It’s like the natural warmth that works well for so many skin tones. This will be a great highlighter for deep skin tones but no one else is getting away with this as a highlighter. I wear shade VI and it’s darker than my skin tone. I love how the shimmer looks natural and it’s not frosty or too reflective.

I absolutely adore this as a blush. It’s become a quick favorite. I really have become quite fond of the cream blush because I have drier cheeks now. They do wear off quicker than powder but most the formulas I like tend to last 6-8 hours with no fading so it works for me. The Super Loaded formula is light in texture. It’s not greasy, oily or too shiny. It’s got a satin finish. It doesn’t dry down fully but it stays in place. It says you can use this on the eyes but it would slide all over the place and crease. Cheeks only for me.

It actually has a hatch mark texture when you first open it. I thought maybe I read it wrong and this was a powder because it totally looks like a powder texture in the compact until you swipe it. It’s really creamy and smooth. It’s also moderately pigmented and applies easily. No patchy look because it blends like a dream. The compact is really lovely. A heavy duty luxe matte black plastic case. It comes with a faux leather pale pink pouch. I like this formula, it lasts on me 6-8 hours with no fading. I actually use it quite a bit as a base because it adds that perfect natural flush. I then layer a different shade on the apples of my cheeks for a pop in more color. More on that below.

Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

Multipurpose color for cheeks, lips, and lids. The creamy texture melts into skin and is formulated with soothing ingredients that work to balance moisture. Infuse skin with a naturally effervescent flush of buildable color.

No parabens, no PEGs, no talc, no phthalates, no synthetic fragrances. Non-toxic. Vegan. Cruelty free. Gluten free.

Key Ingredients

• A triple botanical blend of light ayurvedic oils to soothe and nourish.
• Vitis Vita Grape Extract to detoxify skin cells, promoting the production of the skin’s own collagen and hyaluronic acid.

I grabbed shade Petal. Described as a ‘dusty nude rose’ & I would say that’s accurate. It’s not a warm toned shade but it’s neutral. The blush sticks have the same style of case as the foundation stick. They’re just shorter and grey. It’s a cream finish so no shimmer. The finish is satin and not glossy. It’s pretty similar in texture to the foundation. It’s creamy and blends easily. It’s a hint drier than the highlight and more pigmented. That makes it last a bit longer-around 8 hours before fading. I like to use the Super Loaded Tinted Highlight as a base for warmth then use Petal on the apples of the cheeks. It actually makes such an amazing combo. Very natural. I reach for this combo all the time. It’s become a favorite look.

Overall I really loved the Westman Atelier line. I love natural skin showing creamy formulas that are well done. They’re all satin finish so nothing too glossy and shiny. Everything was pigmented enough to show up well. The packaging is luxe & chic. The quality is spot on. The line is clean, vegan & cruelty free. For a clean makeup brand the texture & formula of the products is really phenomenal. It’s one of the best ones out there (because honestly a lot of clean brands don’t have the best formulas or textures). I would love to see the foundation range expanded (it needs to be and I think it might be in the works). And I would love to see a sheer/hydrating lipstick range (with a shimmering pink nude), a true nude pink blush and some paler highlighters (rose gold champagne). That’s my wishlist of shades.

In an era of matte everything it’s nice to have that natural dewy satin brand that makes you look like you. In your own skin. I’m a big believer in ‘you but better’ formulas and shades. I feel like Gucci Westman is my soul mate in that aspect. Plus the line is just super chic and easy to use. I look forward to seeing it expand. I’m sure I sound super excited, but honestly I haven’t been excited by that much makeup in the last year. The releases have been just OK last year, but this was one I really loved and it deserves the praise. That being said, if you don’t like natural and you want matte, full coverage or extremely pigmented, this line probably isn’t for you. This is for anyone looking for that ‘you but better’ look with easy cream formulas.

 

Top to Bottom-Super Loaded Tinted Highlight, Baby Cheeks Petale, Vital Skin-III, V, VI, VII, VIII:

Ingredients

 

Vital Skin Foundation Stick

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isononyl isononanoate, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Dicalcium phosphate, Microcrystalline wax (cera microcristallina), Squalane, Polyethylene, vp/hexadecene copolymer, Synthetic wax, Disteardimonium hectorite, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Silica, Nylon-12, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Hydrogenated coconut oil, Phytosphingosine, Butyl stearate, Isostearyl alcohol, Alcohol, Water (aqua), Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer, Ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer, Mica, Dibutyl lauroyl glutamide, Rubus idaeus leaf cell culture, Tin oxide

May Contain: Titanium dioxide CI 77891, Iron oxides CI 77491, Iron oxides CI 77492, Iron oxides CI 77499

Super Loaded Tinted Highlight

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Mica, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Silica, Beeswax [cera alba], Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax [helianthus annuus seed wax] flavor (aroma), Octyldodecyl myristate, Capparis spinosa fruit extract, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium hyaluronate, Titanium dioxide CI 77891, Iron oxides CI 77491

Baby Cheeks Blush Stick

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Kaolin, Caprylyl caprylate/caprate, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Polyethylene, Mica, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Lecithin, Behenylcarbamoylpropyl polysilsesquioxane, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Citric acid, Rubus idaeus leaf cell culture

May Contain: Titanium dioxide CI 77891, Iron oxides CI 77491, Iron oxides CI 77492, Iron oxides CI 77499, Red 30 lake CI 73360, Blue 1 lake CI 42090, Red 7 lake CI 15850, Yellow 5 lake CI 19140