Natura Bissé Eye Recovery Balm

Natura Bissé's new Eye Recovery Balm ($95) has quickly established itself as an essential in my skin-care routine. I'm an eye treatment "enthusiast." I prefer that term to other terms that suggest a dependency requiring intervention, even though those other terms may be appropriate here. This ultra-restorative treatment is fabulous.

Our eyes give away our thoughts, mood, and yes, unfortunately, age. The first telltale signs of aging often appear with fine lines around the eyes. While those lines don't terrify me (no Botox for me, thank you), I do prefer to minimize them and keep the fragile skin around my eyes looking refreshed and young.

When I had my wonderful Natura Bissé oxygen facial in February, I was introduced to Eye Recovery Balm by Michael Ann Guthrie, the National Director of Sales. Subsequently, she sent me a much larger sample, so I've been using this wonderful eye balm for about two months. That's plenty of time to see (and feel) results. Michael Ann knows that my skin is ultra-sensitive, and she knew I'd "take to" the NB•CEUTICAL line, which is tailored to sensitive skin - a pro-tolerance and intensive recovery solution. The product line contains protective and recuperative ingredients to help the skin increase its tolerance to internal and external elements and enhance recovery when affected. NB•CEUTICAL products are allergen-free and paraben-free.

Eye Recovery Balm contains a rejuvenating peptide complex formulated with state-of-the-art ingredients that visibly soften expression lines and wrinkles while strengthening the skin around the eye contour area and increasing elasticity. It soothes the skin through Sensorphine, a neuropeptide that provides immediate relief to the eye contour area and strengthens the skin's own self-defense mechanisms.

The formula also contains decongestant agents, such as a biotechnology extract rich in Vitamin PP that contains anti-fatigue properties; sugar extract from biofermented Zea Mays, which helps the eye area look rested; soothing and anti-stress ingredients, such as Allantoin, a-Bisabolol, d-Panthenol, and organic aloe vera, all of which improve the resilience of the eye contour area and prevent itching, tightness, and irritation. There are also anti-free radical ingredients, such as Betaine and Vitamins E and F that keep the skin hydrated, soft, and protected throughout the day.

I love everything about Eye Recovery Balm, from the way it feels, to the way it keeps my eye area looking moist and hydrated, to the pump-top container that dispenses exactly the right amount for an application. It's definitely a keeper - one I'd highly recommend. The balm actually looks like a thick balm, not a cream, but it absorbs quickly, preparing the way for makeup.

You can purchase Natura Bissé's Eye Recovery Balm online or at Natura Bissé counters, such as Neiman Marcus or SPACE.NK.

Photo courtesy of Natura Bissé

Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss in New Sequins Finish

Estée Lauder has introduced its Pure Color Gloss in a new, limited-edition Sequins finish (22.50). Six sensational shades are available in one brilliant finish, providing the ultimate color payoff - a new dimension in hyper-shine lip color.

Bright lips are fun and bold. The extremely metallic lacquered gloss feels like a two-in-one, creating saturated color for high-impact lips that make a big impression. - Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director, Estée Lauder

This limited-edition high-intensity lacquered Pure Color Gloss with a sequins-shine finish has eluded me at the stores. I want my hands (lips?) on it pronto. A hybrid texture, high-impact shine, and brilliant color set the stage for a modern, sultry look that exudes confidence and attitude. New lacquered formula saturates lips with vibrant color for unbeatable glossy coverage, while luminous pearls create infinite depths of crystal reflections for a dazzling shine.

After reading that, you may have your eyes peeled for it too. Here's more from Estée Lauder.

Hybrid Texture

• New smooth, creamy texture combines the fluidity of a gloss with the softness of a lip cream to provide a lacquered, full-coverage base with a luminous, vibrant shine
• Non-sticky, non-tacky formula glides on effortlessly and leaves lips beautifully cushioned

High-Impact Finish

• High percentage of glass-like pearls provide tri-dimensional sparkling effect for a brilliant mirror-like shine finish
• Extreme shimmer provides infinite depths of crystal reflections
• Flexible, precision paddle is specially designed in conjunction with the formula to deliver an even and impactful color and sequins-shine finish every time

Brilliant Color

• Exclusive True Vision Technology wraps pigments in a crystal-like coating that optically enhances lips with prismatic full, vibrant color
• Smooth, even pigments create visibly fuller and perfectly sculpted lips for seductive color that lasts
• A high-impact color palette ensures intensely saturated color and radiant shine

Infinite Moisture

• Vitamins C and E moisturize and help protect lips
• Multi-functional humectants enhance lips’ emolliency and moisturization leaving lips immediately soft and hydrated
• Over time, the condition of the lips improves, feeling and looking younger and healthier
• Exclusive Estée Lauder signature fig scent

The colors represent every family. There is Molten Honey for nude lovers (you know what I mean!); Cosmic Pink and Fuchsia Vibes for berry lovers; Double Dare for gals who dare to wear red and coral; and Violet Rain and Purple Passion for plum lovers. I must get my hands on the berries and plums.

These Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss in the new Sequins finish will be available at Estée Lauder counters soon if you want to see them in person. I found them online at the Estée Lauder Web site,  Nordstrom, and other retailers. I'm so there I just ordered them online!

Photo courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow from the Miami Collection for Spring 2012

Bobbi Brown introduced four new shades of Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($24) with the Miami Collection for Spring 2012. They are Copper, Bronze Sugar, Nude Beach, and Candlelight. I snapped up the two lightest shades, Candlelight and Nude Beach, at Nordstrom. I've been a Long-Wear Cream Shadow fan since it was introduced, and I couldn't wait to see them.

Candlelight is shown directly above, and Nude Beach is shown directly below. Both are fabulous neutral eye shadows.

Bobbi’s innovative cream shadows deliver saturated color with a soft, velvety finish. This blendable and buildable formula applies easily with fingers or a brush and maintains its true color without creasing for up to 12 hours. Just when you thought your makeup couldn’t stand up to the summer heat, now it can. The new shades from the Miami Collection will provide a pretty, naturally gleaming, fresh from the beach look.

I knew it would be difficult to get decent swatch photos of these light shades, and it was. I applied them very heavily with Bobbi Brown's Cream Shadow Brush and took my photos in full sun. You can see the beautiful shimmering gleam these shades offer. They are absolutely perfect for a swipe-and-go application. I often use Bobbi's cream shadows alone on the lid below the crease when I'm in a hurry. These two shades are perfect for that. They would also be perfect base shades for use with an accent color.

Candlelight is shown at the top of my arm, with Nude Beach below. Candlelight appears golden ivory to my eye. Nude Beach is golden beige. I think it's easier to see the actual shades in the pots than on my skin.

I'm tempted to go back and purchase the other two shades. I'm such a cream eye shadow addict, I'll probably surrender unless the collection sells out quickly. These shades are a gorgeous complement to the coral and peach lip colors that are so trendy.

The Miami Collection is available at all Bobbi Brown counters. These shades are also available at Bobbi Brown's Web site. Even though the collection hasn't been posted under "What's New," you'll find the new shades available at this page.

Update 4/30: This morning, I got an e-mail from Bobbi Brown with the announcement that the Miami Collection is now available at their Web site.

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

Chantecaille Shine Eye Shade in Menthe Giveaway Contest

Chantecaille's Shine Eye Shade ($30) is a supremely light-textured shadow with a wonderful pearlescent glow. New technology allows for the incorporation of a high density of tiny particles of real pearl into the color pigments, creating a crease-proof consistency.

Worn on its own, it washes the skin with a film of liquid shine. Shine Eye Shade also mixes easily with matte shadows for a more muted effect or iridescent shadows for a glamorous look.

It's cruelty-free, without animal or mineral derivatives. Chantecaille products are not tested on animals. There are no animal derivatives, lanolin, or mineral derivatives in their products. All skincare products are free of synthetic colors and fragrances, and they do not contain any sulfate detergents, phthalates, or petrochemicals. You can wear all of their products with assurance of safety - and you will look great at the same time!

Menthe offers a beautiful neutral wash of subtle "neutral green." It's a beautiful shade - one I've enjoyed for a few years. I love wearing it on its own or to contrast with a darker color. I have one to give away, a gift to me from Chantecaille at Bloomingdale's. I took a photo of it this morning that shows a sliver of sunlight dancing across the shadow.

How can you enter to win this contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, May 5, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder from the Croisette Collection for Summer 2012

Despite their confusingly similar names, Dior has two new bronzers. I profiled the first, from Dior's Croisette Collection, Diorskin Nude Tan Nude Glow Sun Powder ($55), about a week ago. It has a matte finish. Prefer a little sparkle in your life? You'll love Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder ($55).

This radiant bronzer is available in two shades: Sunlight (#002) and Sunset (#004). After our discussions here, I sought out Sunlight and purchased it at Saks Fifth Avenue when I was there for Kilian Hennessy's appearance last weekend.

Here's its lovely multi-toned face. The colors alone in the "Nude" pattern will draw your interest. The sparkling nude, pink, and rozy bronze are gorgeous in the compact.

Once again, just like Diorskin Nude Tan Nude Glow Sun Powder in Honey, the lightest shade, Sunlight looks a little muddy on my arm, but absolutely gorgeous on my face. I'll show you two swatch photos that don't do it justice. I applied it heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator and took my photos in full sun.

Unfortunately, I don't think you can see the subtle sparkle in my photos unless you enlarge them, but I hope you can see that there's a nice hue to the shade - one that has just enough pink to make it look natural on my pink-undertoned cheeks.

I think I'll reach for this bronzer more often than I'll reach for Honey. While bronzers look more natural in matte shades, I need a lift that a little sparkle provides.

Dior's new bronzing powder warms up and contours my skin with a natural, sun-kissed glow. Formulated for all skin tones with a new Mineral Prism technology, energizing water, and a light transparent formula, this powder will erase signs of fatigue while imparting a healthy radiance to the complexion. Everyone needs to have a few bronzers in her makeup wardrobe. If you need a new one, give one of Dior's a try.

I purchased mine at Saks, but it's available at all Dior counters and online sources. As a side note, the only place I could find the lip glosses from the Croisette Collection was at Dior's Web site. I ordered them last week and hope to be able to show you the "real shades" here soon - not the imposters the Saks product representative had substituted on her display.

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

Guerlain's Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Météorites Perles d'Azur for Summer 2012

Guerlain's Météorites Perles d'Azur ($58), the must-have multi-colored little pearls, are adopting their summer wardrobe! Encased in Pucci-adorned packaging, Météorites Perles d'Azur is enriched with a corrective blue pearl to create a flawless complexion. Formulated like the classic Météorites Perles, the Perles d’Azur beautifully adapts to the demands of the sun by combining six colors that even out and correct every skin tone.

• Corrective effect: blue and pink counter the warm tones in tired complexions
• Skin-evening effect: beige and orange warm up the complexion and create an even tan.
• Illuminating effect: ivory and white gold are light reflectors without a whitening effect.

Météorites Pucci Collector's Brush ($38), an elegant kabuki-style powder brush, is designed to work perfectly with Météorites Perles d'Azur pigments to pick up just the right amount of Terra Azzurra Powder. The chic, midnight blue brush is stored in a Pucci print pouch.

The brush pouch is shaped like an eyeglass case. It is beyond cool! The Météorites come in the beautifully lined box shown below. Love it!

It's fruitless to try to show you a finishing powder swatch, but since I took photos, I'll feature one. The powder is intended to finish your makeup application, not add color. You'll see that it adds virtually no color to my arm, just a softly sparkling finish that's neither too sparkly nor too mattifying.

I applied the Météorites extremely heavily with the companion Météorites Pucci Collector's Brush. You may be able to see the powder on my arm, probably because my photo was taken in full sun. It does add a nice "blur" to my skin, particularly attractive for those of us who have a few years we'd like to obscure.

Did I need the brush? No, but it's so darn pretty, with its blue and green case, I'm delighted to have it. These two items will rev Météorites lovers and Guerlain and Pucci collectors.

I pre-ordered my favorites from Guerlain's Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Collection from Bergdorf Goodman and they arrived via FedEx. Additionally, the collection is slated to arrive beginning in May at selection locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, and Bloomingdale's.

Brush courtesy of Guerlain; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Friday Forum - April 27

Yesterday, when I was at my mother's house to lay out her medication for the week, I put peanuts in the shell out for the birds, squirrels, and, of course, foxes. I had seen mama fox when I went inside, and I wanted her to have a treat. When I went outside later, there was our new baby! He was about the size of my cat Charlie, and he was absolutely adorable.

Although he has a red fox mother, he has a lot of grey in him. I'm not sure whether his red coat will develop or whether he will stay a combo color. I'm going to take my camera with me each time I go to try to get a photo of him. This photo came from a greeting card.

I had a great time last week at the By Kilian event at Saks Tysons Galleria. I still need to write up my experience. I'll do that this weekend. Mid-week, I attended the Kiehl's grand opening at Tysons Corner Center. They sure know how to throw a party! Tomorrow, I've got another beauty event on tap. What a fun week for beauty!

I also paid a visit to "my neurosurgeon," a really nice guy who happens to be among the most talented neurosurgeons around. We talked about the recurrence of my pinched nerve symptoms, which include pain that radiates from my neck to my fingertips, along with tingling that's almost as annoying as the pain. If I spend more time with symptoms than without, I may end up having to have surgery. That will be a last-ditch move for me! The whole idea of having a "basket" and metal plate in my cervical spine is creepy. Supposedly, the surgery is a piece of cake (for the patient), but still.

This was quite a week for Le Métier de Beauté fans who wanted On the Coast. It was posted at Saks.com earlier than expected - Saturday, rather than Monday - and it sold out by Sunday morning. Those who had read here or on Facebook that it would be available on Monday were furious. Le Métier de Beauté listened to its loyal customers and worked with Saks.com to make more Kaleidoscopes available. It was once again posted as a "back order," and it sold out quickly - again. Then, interestingly, after showing as unavailable/sold out, it became available a third time. A friend in France wanted one. When I checked to attempt to order for her the first time, the second batch had sold out. Then I went back the next day, and it was available again. Unless something weird happens, I expect to receive it "before May 22" so that I can send it on its way to France.

There are many lessons here - for brands, retailers, and customers. From a customer perspective, I'd recommend you check early and often when you expect a product launch. I always do that at Sephora, and I always find the product I want at least a day before Sephora notifies me that it's in stock. Speaking of Le Métier de Beauté, did any of you attend the special events at Saks San Francisco or Short Hills?

It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest for Bobbi Brown's gorgeous Lip & Eye Palette. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, April 28, at midnight.

Photo courtesy of fineartamerica.com

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine from Summertime de Chanel 2012

There are two limited-edition Rouge Coco Shine ($32.50) lipsticks featured in Chanel's Summer 2012 Collection. Oddly, they are not the Rouge Coco Shines that are featured in Chanel's upcoming "training" materials sent to Chanel counters earlier this year. I had featured those early this month. They are extremely pretty - just not what I expected.

I did a double-take when I first saw them at Bloomingdale's. I was sure the product representative had pulled a switcheroo (the norm in some stores). Nope! She had put out exactly what Chanel sent her. I went back to purchase them when I got Chanel's e-mail featuring its summer makeup.

The shades are En Vogue, shown above at left, and Empriente, shown at right. They are perfect shades for summer - ripe, juicy, and in the oh-so-fashionable shades for this season.

I took a few swatch photos in full sun. En Vogue, the peachy coral, is shown at the top of my arm, and Empriente, a pink nude is shown below. Both are shiny, sheer, and luscious, the hallmarks of Rouge Coco Shine.

I want to assure you that I don't have skin cancer (to my knowledge). That dark red mark on my arm near the bottom left in the photo directly below is a bruise. I fear it will be with me for weeks, so I'll only mention it once. I've tried to cover it up for swatch photos, but the result was ghastly in photos. Maybe I can find my super-strength Dermablend and try again.

Rouge Coco Shine joined Chanel's lipstick offerings last year, with the amazingly successful launch of Boy. Since then, Shine has rocketed to the top of favorites lists everywhere. It lasts a reasonable amount of time, and it provides stunning color and great hydration. The only fault I can find with Rouge Coco Shine is that the shine doesn't persist as long as the color does. I like shine - it makes my lips look fuller - so I refresh after an hour with a gloss.

There are also two new Lèvres Scintillantes gloss shades in the new collection. They mirror these Rouge Coco Shine shades. One is coral, and the other is golden beige. I decided to pass on the glosses since I'm well stocked for summer. I'd love to have them, but even I have limits!

You can purchase Chanel's new Summer 2012 colors at Chanel online, where shipping is free through May 4, or at Chanel counters. Locally, I found them at Bloomingdale's Tysons before any other counter had received them. I looked again yesterday at Nordstrom, and they had still not arrived there. Same for Saks Chevy Chase. They will arrive soon, I'm sure.

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

Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Collection Terra Azzurra Terracotta Gloss for Summer 2012

The Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Collection embodies the union of two prestigious houses in perfect synergy. This exceptional makeup collaboration draws its inspiration from summertime in the Italian Riviera, with its light-hearted and energetic dolce vita attitude that welcomes the warm, sea weather. Created by Guerlain Creative Director, Olivier Échaudemaison, and Pucci’s Image Director, Laudomia Pucci, the collection embraces summer with delightfully sunny shades and vibrant bursts of color.

The collection includes three shades of Terracotta Gloss ($30.50) to light up the lips with sensual shine in radiant, limited-edition shades named after iconic Pucci silk scarves. They are listed below in the order shown above, left to right.

• #12, Porto Azzurro, an "unruly" indigo blue, as transparent on the lips as it is vibrant in the tube
• #11, Porto Ercole, a sensual brown to highlight a spice-toned complexion
• #10, Porto Fino, an incredibly shiny coral pink to set off a sun-kissed glow to perfection

The boxes for these glosses are lined with the blue and green Pucci print that characterizes the rest of the collection. Pretty snazzy! On the outside, they convey the European elegance that Guerlain brings to mind.

Here is a photo I took outdoors when the glosses arrived here from Bergdorf Goodman. As you can see, I reversed the order shown at the top of this feature. Why? I put them in numerical order, I habit I've developed when taking product shots.

Without further ado, let's get to the swatches - the fun part of the feature. My photos were taken in full sun. Porto Fino, and delectable coral, is shown at the top of my arm. Porto Ercole is shown in the middle. Who says it's for spice girls? I think it's gorgeous for anyone who loves brown lip colors as much as I do.

The funky Porto Azzurro, a blue with a touch of purple, is shown at the bottom. Many women shy away from blue lip glosses, finding them "just plain odd." I love them because they will correct a lipstick that's too warm, too orange, or too dark. I'll often apply a lipstick that works for me with one fashion choice, but not another. If it makes me look color blind, I use a gloss that corrects the color, warming it or cooling it, depending on the situation. Porto Azzurro will cool a lip color that's too warm and give it a dimension that's flattering. Give it a try if you've been avoiding blue.

I purchased mine from Bergdorf Goodman. The entire collection will be arriving (and selling out quickly, I'm sure) at all Guerlain counters soon. It's scheduled to be available in May.

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

Kiehl's Opens at Tysons Corner Center

While Kiehl's opened its beautiful new store at Tysons Corner Center on March 16, the grand opening party was last night. President Chris Salgardo and the NewsBabes invited us to celebrate with a benefit for the NewsBabes 2012 charity, the George Washington University Mammovan. The Mammovan is a Mobile Mammography Program began in 1996 with a singular, ambitious goal: to make life-saving, early detection of breast cancer possible for all women.

It was a festive evening.  DJ Neekola had us rocking as we browsed the amazing selection of Kiehl's products (and checked out our swag bags), ate Georgetown Cupcakes, drank pink lemonade (topped with real mint in April!), and chatted with DC's most prominent news anchors.

The gorgeous and environmentally attuned shop is decorated with brightly colored Warhol-like paintings and exposed brick, with neon signs everywhere. It's appealing and bound to draw in men and women alike. The products are arranged by type, from skin care to body treatments; there's something for everyone and a lot to love.

Here's NBC Washington news anchor Eun Yang at right, sharing a fun greeting with Susan Nixon, who is currently with the CBS Television Network. Stunning and charming women. Below? Two more beautiful ladies: Cynne Simpson, ABC 7 news anchor with Alice Carleton, manager of the new store.

I had a great time and plan to visit again. Guests were packed into Kiehl's, making navigation through the store challenging during the party. After thanking my hosts and the wonderful PR team from BrandLinkDC, I left with the promise that I could bring back Best Things in Beauty readers for a private master class, complete with hand massages. Who's with me?

Kiehl's at Tysons Corner Center is open during mall hours. You'll find a welcoming staff and great products. Go check out the full Kiehl's retail experience and see how Kiehl's can make your skin and hair healthy. The store is located on Level 2 near Sephora and Lord & Taylor.

Update 4/26: Totally embarrassing, but I had several typos of "Kiehl's" in this feature! I hope I fixed them all. I'll plead fatigue.
 
Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Collection Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush for Summer 2012

A beautiful summer is a summer when the warm sunlight blends with the scents of the Mediterranean.

The Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Collection embodies the union of two prestigious houses in perfect synergy. This exceptional makeup collaboration draws its inspiration from summertime in the Italian Riviera, with its light-hearted and energetic dolce vita attitude that welcomes the warm, sea weather. Created by Guerlain Creative Director, Olivier Échaudemaison, and Pucci’s Image Director, Laudomia Pucci, the collection embraces summer with delightfully sunny shades and vibrant bursts of color. The common thread of this second collaboration is a motif inspired by an iconic print, “Winter Capri,” taken from the Emilio Pucci archives. Exclusively retouched for this collection, this signature print, a blue flower interlaced with swirls and flames, adds a joyful and elegant Pucci touch to the Guerlain summer products.

The limited-edition Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush ($75), shown above, is the star of the collection. This exquisite powder and blush combines two success stories: Guerlain’s legendary Terracotta powder and Emilio Pucci’s iconic prints. The world of beauty and fashion unite in a single case to beautifully enhance the complexion. Half bronzer and half blush, this hybrid powder has a lightweight formula and offers a universal harmony of four shades. The outer case pays tribute to the paneling of a Riva yacht with an ebony-colored varnished wood. The Bronzing Powder & Blush is presented in an accessory pouch with the Pucci motif - the ultimate summer accessory.

I love the blue and green padded pouch, and I love the compact's magnetic "snap" case. See the magnets on the compact photo above? They line up with the magnets on the top of the large compact. This magnets "snap" together for a firm fit between the top and bottom of the compact.

The bronzer-blusher itself is a knockout. I took many swatch photos, and for some reason, most of them are out of focus. It looks like my camera lens fogged up from humidity. Fortunately I got two half-way decent ones. I took my photos in full sun.

For this first swatch photos, I applied the shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. At the top of my arm, the brown bronzer shade is swatched alone. In the middle, I swatched across the three other shades, peach, rose, and pink. For the bottom swatch, I ran the applicator equally across all shades in the palette.

I also swatched very heavily across all the colors using a circular motion with a dense blush brush. The close-up photo directly above shows how warm the shade is, but also how perfectly it straddles the line between a bronzer and blusher. I think it's drop-dead gorgeous and I'm thrilled to have it.

I purchased mine from Bergdorf Goodman. The entire collection will be arriving (and selling out quickly, I'm sure) at all Guerlain counters soon.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille Luminous Gloss Collection for Summer 2012

For the perfect pop of color and splash of shine, Chantecaille has created the new Luminous Gloss Collection ($32 each) and introduced them with its Summer 2012 Collection. These unique, new lip glosses offer 3-D glass-like shine for up to six hours. The shades, shown above from left to right, are Coco, Lychee, Guava, and Passionfruit inspired by exotic summer fruits. I ordered all four. Who wouldn't want them all? They are luscious.

My glosses are everything I expect from Chantecaille and more. I took the photo directly above in morning sun. It could be brighter, but still shows the warm shades nicely. From left to right in my photo, they are Coco, Guava, Lychee, and Passionfruit - a different order than shown above. I swatched in that same order, from left to right. I took my swatch photos in full sun.

All four shades are lightly shimmering and pretty. Actually, they gleam. They are lively and radiant, but not especially shimmery. They have a mirror-like appearance.  All four saturated shades look great on their own or over a lipstick. They feel great on the lips - moist, but not sticky. They have a medium weight on the lips - enough substance to give them lasting power.

Coco, shown at the top of my arm is a beautiful, natural brown. It provides a superb nude look on my lips. It has warmth and just a touch of rose. Guava is a hybrid shade, a warm mixture of pink and peach. Lychee is peach to my eye, but it has a hint of pink in it. Passionfruit is a juicy coral - the color of the year.

These new glosses have a doe-foot applicator and an entirely new formulation. I highly recommend them.

The Luminous Glosses can be purchased now at Chantecaille.com. The rest of the collection will be available soon. You can pre-order at other sites, such as Saks.com.

Photos at top courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Le Métier de Beauté On the Coast Kaleidoscope Eye Kit - Swatched

Le Métier de Beauté's very limited-edition On the Coast Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) is even more beautiful than I had anticipated! Mine came today, and I was lucky to be working at home. I dashed right outside to get photos. Although it had sold out at Saks.com this past weekend, it is once again available, but I suspect it will sell out again quickly.

Here's On the Coast at my house. It is much prettier in person, I think, than it looked in its promotional photo at the top of this feature. On the Coast includes four beautiful True Color Eye Shadow Shades, from top to bottom.

• Effervescent beige champagne
• Shimmering tan taupe
• Soft satin brown
• Deep champagne cobalt

That's the same order in which I swatched them on my arm, using a sponge-tipped applicator. My photos were taken in full sun.

Every one of the four shades is gorgeous!  Gleaming gorgeous! Even the blue, a shade I normally avoid, is one I'll wear. It's too pretty to leave behind.

I'm not going to draw this feature out with extra words. You know Le Métier de Beauté, and you know their magnificent Kaleidoscopes. For now, you can order On the Coast only at Saks online. Hurry! Don't forget to use the code LEMETIER2 at checkout to receive a Bora Bora Eye Palette with any Le Métier de Beauté purchase - like this one.

Update 4/25 10:30 am: There has been a lot of back and forth on the availability of On the Coast at Saks.com. Now it's on again. Go order it quickly if you want it.

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

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder for Summer 2012 - Swatched

The sun came out, just in time to show you swatches of Chanel's Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder ($60) for Summer 2012. I love both of them. They are both soft and eminently wearable. No drama - just pretty, light bronze color.

Sable Rose (#917),shown directly above, is the darker of the two and definitely has a warm rose tint. Sable Beige (#907), shown at the bottom of this feature, is a peachy-beige or light tan shade, a wonderful color for light-skinned gals who don't want to look muddy (I'm not sure who would).

My swatch photos were taken in early-morning sun. The swatches were applied heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, which I ran over all shades top to bottom to blend them. Sable Rose is shown at the top of my arm, with Sable Beige below.

Both have a tiny sparkle to them - nothing over the top. I'm including three photos here to try to show you the colors in different outdoor lighting conditions.

I'm smitten with both of them, and while $120 was an "investment" for two, I don't know how I could have chosen one over the other. I'll wear Sable Rose as a blusher.

These bronzers may not be "flashy," except for the wonderful striped pattern in the compact, but they are going to be loved for their effect on the skin. Definitely check them out. They are arriving at Chanel counters across the United States.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty