Bobbi Brown Powder Pearl Eye Trio Plus Creamy Matte Lip Color Preview

I saw Bobbi Brown's new limited-edition Powder Pearl Eye Trio ($46) at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie, tested it at the counter, and purchased it without hesitation. No blind-buying with this "On-the-Go Gorgeous" set designed to make you sparkle.

Standout eyes are as easy as one, two, three with this trio of pearly eye powders. Easy to apply and blend, each shadow boasts 95% pure pearl pigments and rich sparkle to create a subtle wash of shimmer or a burst of ultra-intense color (depending on how you apply it). With crease-free wear and flake-proof color, you'll be tempted to gift one to yourself.

The box is so pretty, I can understand why Bobbi Brown is suggesting its use as a holiday gift. I would have a hard time giving away these little eye shadows.

My photo directly above shows Moonlight at left. It's described as a shimmering purple pink, which sounds horrid, but is nowhere close to the shade. You'll see that in the swatches. The shade shown in the middle is called Pink Pearl, but is described as a shimmering golden peach. Go figure. Black Pearl, a warm grey, is shown at right.

Each tube contains a powder that you apply with its own applicator. I will warn you that you should hold the tube upright when you remove the applicator wand. I didn't when playing with one, and some of the pigment spilled out on my clothing. I was in old clothes, so it didn't matter. You wouldn't want that to happen if you were wearing a party dress.

Forget Bobbi Brown's descriptions as you look at the swatch photos. As you can see, I took them in full sun. I applied each shadow with its own sponge-tipped applicator, which helps the pigment adhere to the skin.

Moonlight is taupe through and through. Taupe can have some lavender in it, but Moonlight is not the type of color that might make your eyes look red. The shade is gorgeous.  Pink Pearl, which should have been named Champagne Pearl, is also stunning. As you can see, it also also has a teeny tiny hint of lavender or pink in it, but the shade is essentially a silvery beige. Black Pearl is the easiest shade to characterize. It's a nice medium grey with plenty of shimmer.

When I saw these online, I had worried that they might be little glitter bombs. They aren't. The shimmer is brilliant - wearable, but not overwhelming, perfect for evening wear.

I love this little set and hope Bobbi Brown decides to make it part of her regular line, with more colors. Her latest innovation is a treasure.

You can purchase the Powder Pearl Eye Trio at Bobbi Brown's Web site and Bobbi Brown counters everywhere. Take a look!

While you are at the counter, check out Bobbi's new Creamy Matte Lip Color. There are 12 intense shades. These new lip colors aren't "me." I tried them and found them too matte and too opaque for my taste. However, intense lip colors are all the rage this season. You may like them.

Creamy Matte Lip Colors are formulated with an exceptionally high pigment load for intense color payoff in a single application. Traditionally, the more pigment that exists within a matte formula, the drier it tends to be. These lip colors are formulated with special emollients and soft waxes that form a conditioning barrier to lock in moisture. Bobbi says they offer long wear - up to eight hours.

The new Creamy Matte Lip Colors are at counters now. I'd recommend you try before you buy.

Photo at top courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best Things in Beauty