Monday, September 6, 2010

Le Métier de Beauté True Color Eye Shadow in Corinthian

I'm trying to ease into Le Métier de Beauté. There are so many gorgeous colors. Visiting a counter requires an exercise in self-restraint, not one of my virtues.

Fortunately, on my first Le Métier de Beauté visit last month, I was on my lunch hour, so I couldn't linger at Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie. Otherwise, I might have purchased more than the "sample" that came home with me.

I went with no preconceptions or wish list. I did a very fast visual survey of the beauties available and selected three Le Métier de Beauté items. I've already shared with you the luscious Creme Fresh Tint in Poppy. Today, I'll show you an eye shadow that sang to me.

At first glance, True Color Eye Shadow ($30) in Corinthian appears to be a straightforward shimmering taupe in the pot. I can't resist taupe shadows, so I tested it on my arm immediately. The color is so much more complex than simple taupe. Depending on the light, it's what we normally name taupe (light brown with a hint of mauve) or it's light brown with a copper cast. You can actually see the two tones (personalities) on the right and left sides of my swatch below, which was influenced by the uneven glint of the morning sun's rays on my arm, making the eye shadow appear more shiny than it is in person. You have to build the color to get a lot of reflection from the shade.

Because Corinthian is very sheer, I have the luxury of applying a sheer wash of shadow or layering the color to experience all of its nuances. I brushed it onto my arm very heavily so that you could see the saturated color you can achieve if you choose. The shimmer finish is not "over the top." Just to show you, I included a dark photo of the same swatch below, taken in dense shade. The shadow gleams - in a good way. It's not glittery.

Le Métier de Beauté True Color Eye Shadow is advertised as having weightless, true-to-color pigments with adjustable intensity and transparency. The powders are creamy, offering a luxurious finish and smooth coverage. Each elegant, black compact has a mirror.

If you aren't a shimmer lover, there are matte and stain finishes available for you. Neiman Marcus lists 31 shades available (oddly, not Corinthian), and Bergodorf Goodman lists 36, with Corinthian listed as backordered, but they show the same 31 little swatches.

Le Métier de Beauté is available at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. It appears that Le Métier de Beauté will soon have its own Web site. Although under construction, the site features a photo of MARCHESA limited-edition face, lip and eye palettes, created by Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, designers to the stars. I snagged a photo to show you the palettes below. They will premiere exclusively at Fashion Night Out, September 10, at Bergdorf Goodman. If you are interested in purchasing one, you should call to reserve it.

The Le Métier de Beauté Web site leads to a Neiman Marcus MARCHESA Collection page. In addition to the palettes, there are dual-ended lip glosses and a Sheer Illumination Highlighter. Check them out.

I want to try Platinum and Clay True Color Eye Shadows next. I can feel another addiction coming on! Gaia, I am blaming this latest addiction on you.

Photo at bottom courtesy of Le Metiér de Beauté

4 comments:

MarciaF (Beauty Info Zone) said...

If you use the pull down list on Neiman's website you'll see Corinthian is at the very bottom. They don't show a swatch but they carry this fantastic eyeshadow. I love your picture of it. I couldn't get the depth and shimmer that you did with my camera. What camera do you use? I'm definitely going to get a new one.
Enjoy Corinthian since it's a fabulous shadow but watch your wallet!!

Charlestongirl said...

I actually need a new camera, Marcia. I have an ancient Sony point-and-shoot, and I don't have much control with it. I have a very sophisticated Pentax system, but it's not digital. So, I need to buy. I was ready to spring for a new camera when I bought the iPad. Now I wait.

I missed Corinthian on that list. Glad you found it! Thanks.

Look at the price this way: It's less than Guerlain!

Eileen said...

I'm a few days late, but couldn't let this post pass without making a comment on one of my guilty pleasures--Le Métier de Beauté. I've been an LMdB fan for a couple years now and yes, Gaia--that ever so classy lady--has been my inspiration :-)

I'm not a taupe collector by any means, so it has to be very special to grab my attention. Hello, Corinthian! You did a really great job of describing the color complexity which your picture in the sun so beautifully validates. This is a shadow of exceptional quality and color.

In case any of you ladies of a certain age are worried about shimmer, don't be. I'm 62 and have had no problems with any of the "shimmer" shadows in my admittedly limited LMdB collection. The iridescence in the shimmer shadows is there to give depth and richness to the color upon application. Of course, you can always build up the shimmer as the sunlight swatch so clearly illustrates, but that's just an option.

For those who don't already know, le métier de beauté means the craft of beauty. And, that's the approach that LMdB takes with it's shadows. Colors can certainly be worn alone, but the real fun comes in playing with their intensity and transparency and in combining them and layering them with other colors. At first glance, some of the colors look a bit out there, but don't be timid. If you ask the SA to show you how they can be used, you'll be in for
quite a lesson in the craft of beauty.

Charlestongirl said...

Blogger failed me, Eileen. I wrote a long response to you, and it just lost it! DRAT!

Thank you. I can now blame Gaia for an addiction. It was easy to ignore Le Metiér de Beauté because it's not carried in my usual haunts. Now that I'm going to Mazza more, I am in for a rush!

The LMdB rep wasn't there when I purchased my first three items. I'll seek her out on Friday when I go over for Fashion Night Out. I'll try not to look at my AmEx balance before I go. This makeup has such incredible quality, I know I want more!