Le Métier de Beauté Kaleidoscope Blush Kit for Spring 2012

I thought you might like to see the Le Métier de Beauté Kaleidoscope Blush Kit ($95) that has arrived for the season. So many women missed out on this Kaleidoscope when it was a counter exclusive at Troy, Michigan, Le Métier de Beauté has re-issued it, making it available to everyone.

For years, scientists have been perplexed by why our body responds by blushing when we have a crush or are suddenly the center of attention, and why the hues of blushing can be so varied. Even Charles Darwin struggled to explain blushing, describing it as “the most peculiar and the most human of expressions.”

It’s clear blushing is personal. Every woman’s flush is a unique shade all her own. With that in mind, Le Métier de Beauté created this Kaleidoscope Blush Kit. We’ve heard of a “lipstick wardrobe,” think of this as one for the cheeks. “When we blush, it’s not one shade; it’s a prismatic multitude of color. To express how you feel or the feeling you want to evoke, you need to layer color for that perfect flush,” says Le Métier de Beauté’s Director of Color Mikey Castillo.

“In order to create dimension, there must be at least two pigments that are contrasting in tone or texture. For instance, matte with sheen, satin with matte, pink with coral, or mauve with bronze. Layering multiple shades eliminates flatness while bring vitality to the skin. This is true of color whether it is on the eyes, lips, or cheeks.” The Blush Kaleidoscope contains a selection of these contrasting shades and textures, giving the wearer infinite possibilities.

“The whole delight of a blush collection is to enable a woman to create a multitude of looks by blending two or more of the multiple hues in the Blush Kaleidoscope,” says Mikey. The beautiful and balanced combination of the shades creates an effortless, feminine glow. Blend the matte shades for day and transition to evening with a sensuous, shimmery layer. The four-in-one stacked kit includes a satin peach, a matte rose pink, a shimmery highlighter, and a cool pink. Each shade is finely-milled for adjustable coverage, transparency, and intensity. The shine-absorbing, oil-free formula is safe for all skin types including sensitive skin.

I still have the swatch photos from the Blush Kaleidoscope that I bought from the counter in Troy. I swatched from top to bottom, and I took my photos in full sun. The shade at the top of the kit that looks peach in the pan is a warm peach. No one will apply it as a blush as heavily as I did for my swatch photos. After I wiped most of the horizontal swatch off my arm, I found the shade flattering - even for my cool-toned skin.

The second shade down is a peach-pink hybrid (or blend), and I think it's extremely wearable by all because it's neutral in tone. Both shades at the top appear to be matte to my eye - which makes them believable blushes. The third shade is an exquisite gold, perfect for highlighting or blending. It has a subtle shimmer, as does the pink in the bottom swing-out pan. The pink shade is stunning. I've worn mine down to a thin layer with a hold in the middle. I'd love to have another one!

The Kaleidoscope Blush Kit should be available at your favorite counter at one of these fine retailers: Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and select boutiques.

Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty