YSL Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry Eyeshadow for Summer 2011 - #19

Through the magic of water and a revolutionary new technology, YSL Beauté created Pure Chromatics, its latest generation of eye shadows, in March. You can create "makeup artist magic" with any of the eight harmonies for the eyes. There are two palettes (quads) featured in the Summer Look for 2011. Today, I want to show you #19.

The must-have colors for Summer 2011 embody the unexpected intensity of a summer in Paris, a time when anything is possible.

Indeed! Anything might be possible by copying the look on the model above. With flashy cat's eyes, created with many shades, including blue and yellow, and blue nails, she'll draw attention. Take heart! There are looks for summer that are just as pretty, but much more wearable. The two new Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry eye palettes are gorgeous. I showed you #20 earlier this week. Today, let's take a look at #19.

Depending on how you use Pure Chromatics 4 Wet & Dry Eyeshadow #19 ($48), you can achieve subtle or intense metallic looks. I prefer subtle and apply the eye shadows dry. I had trouble applying them wet. I learned from Gaia at The Non-Blonde, who was bolder in her experimentation, how to get the full effect of the chromatic formula and apply these YSL colors wet.

Even though I don't gravitate toward pink eye shadows, there was something about #19 I couldn't leave behind. The bright pink has an indescribable allure. What appears to be a lighter pink in the compact is actually white with a pink cast on my skin. The two browns, dark and taupe, are lust-worthy. All four shades coordinate perfectly.

When I looked at the Summer Look on YSL's Web site, I became confused about #19. Online, it appears to be an entirely different palette. It has a lavender and brown theme. There is nothing about the #19 I purchased at Neiman Marcus that transmits lavender. I sure hope YSL is not re-using numbers. I could be wrong, but this isn't the first time I've noticed a discrepancy.

I took a few swatch photos to show you these glorious shades. My photos were taken in full sun, and I applied the shadows with my own sponge-tipped applicators (not the ones supplied in the compact). I swatched clockwise, with the top shade on my arm matching the top left pink in the compact.

Is that pink gorgeous or what? I have no idea where or even if I'm going to use it - but I love the shade. It's pastel rose to my eye, gleaming and glorious. Maybe I'll try it as a blush or cheekbone highlighter. The ever-so-slightly-pink white shade is a great color. It applies evenly, which I appreciate. I have struggled with so many metallic whites; there's no struggle required with this one. The darker brown has a touch of copper in it. It's actually much prettier than my photos show. The shimmering taupe? Love!

I'm glad I purchased #19. Even if you don't like these shades, you will find that #6 and #20 are fabulous. Everyone should own at least one Pure Chromatics eye shadow palette!

Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry Eyeshadows are available at YSL's Web site and Neiman Marcus. I'm sure the other stores have received them - or will soon. I forgot to look when I was in Saks earlier this week. Keep your eyes open for them.

Photo at top courtesy of YSL Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty