New Zealander Aaron de Mey’s tenure at Lancôme has seen some extraordinary results in just two seasons. Like most of the international brands the new ‘O My Rose!’ collection was designed for the Northern Hemisphere Spring, but seasons have become less relevant in these web-bound days – it’s more about enjoying new makeup trends as they are released.

And O My Rose! wasn’t so much released as sprang out vigourously!  The charming collection celebrates beauty a la francaise (‘from St Germain-des-Pres to Saint Tropez) in a wonderful ‘60s mood.

O My Rose! is centred around three shades which together successfully channel de Mey’s pop art inspiration:  coral, aqua and beige.

Star products are ‘Pop’N’Cheeks (a.k.a Rose Camoflage Blush) – an exquisite pearlescent coral/sandy blush compact which can also be used on the eye area; Limited Edition ‘Pop’N’Palettes’ – Ombre Absolu eye colour quads in cute polka dot compacts in either green-silver or copper-beige combinations; and La Touche Pro, two shades of concealer that can be custom blended in an elegant slender compact with double ended, dual purpose applicator.

We fell in love with de Mey’s nail colour for Lancôme from his first collection, and our crush endures with O My Rose’s La French Tropez colours, designed to wear either alone or in a zany French manicure.  There is ‘Pop petrol’ – its darkest green being a logical follow on from last season’s dark indigo – and B.B sand, an extraordinary glittery gold.

The collection sees the release of two new shades of La Laque Fever gloss – we love the vibrant ‘Swinging Copper’ and there’s also Coral Bliss.

Look out for Lancôme ambassador Elettra Wiedemann emerging from a wall of roses in the collection’s advertising – it’s on counter from 23 March 2010.

- Julie Roulston