Guerlain Fard Métal Iridescent Eyeshadow in Cuivre Ora from the Terra Ora Collection for Summer 2013

I had two shades from which to choose. I had lectured myself about selecting only one. It went something like this, but with spicier language: "OK, you fool. How many more eye shadows do you need?"

When faced with reality, I choose Guerlain's limited-edition Fard Métal Iridescent Eyeshadow in Cuivre Ora (#01, #35) from the Terra Ora Collection for Summer 2013. I think it will be more useful to me because I have fewer copper shadows than brown ones. I could just as easily selected Bronze Ora. When I saw these limited-edition eye shadows in person, I gasped.

The secret for beautiful eyes this summer, Guerlain’s loose, iridescent eye shadows give an immediate metallic result with only one light application. The shadows are available in two easy-to-wear shades: Cuivre Ora, a warm and sensual copper, and Bronze Ora: a timeless bronzed brown.

My new Cuivre Ora arrived from the Guerlain Boutique in Las Vegas this past week. I saw today that it's available at Neiman Marcus, so I would assume the Terra Ora Collection is now on counters - with the exception of Terra Nerolia, which will launch later.

Guerlain says that this metallic eye shadow needs only one light application. Take that seriously. Often, when I swatch makeup, I have to apply it unnaturally heavily to show you the color here. That sure wasn't the case with Cuivre Ora! I applied it to my arm with one coat and took my swatch photos in full, mid-day sun.

Kapow! This eye shadow applies like molten metal. Once it binds to your skin, it adheres perfectly, creating an opaque metallic finish that will stay with you all day - or night, the more likely time for its use. I'm way too conservative to wear Fard Métal in the daytime.

The copper color is stunning and really brings out the blue in my eyes. I'm thrilled with it all on its own (below the crease), but combined with the rest of the Terra Ora Collection, it adds sparkle and contrast to the sun-kissed look I can create with my new Guerlain goodies.

By the way, at Neiman Marcus I saw the shade of Shine Automatique the model is wearing: Corail Ora. I'm extremely tempted to purchase it. I'm changing and finally realizing that I can wear coral. No one in the industry who knew me 10 years ago would believe it. I would recoil when makeup artists tried to warm me up with coral shades. My appearance has changed too, though, making me even more of a blank canvass than I used to be.

When I first tested this loose powder Fard Métal shadow (that behaves like a liquid), I found that little sparkling bits of the powder went flying everywhere when I pulled the wand from the tube. I blew most of the strays off my face and camera, but the blue paper I used for the shot of the product was history. I couldn't blow off the powder, and if I had tried to brush it off, I would have had blue paper with copper shading. This eye shadow wants to adhere to anything. I'd recommend you remember that little nugget and apply it over your bathroom sink, where you can easily wash away any strays. I assume that won't happen as readily when the tube isn't full - but who knows?

Guerlain’s Terra Ora collection was scheduled to be available beginning in May at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, and Bergdorf Goodman - and of course at the Guerlain Boutiques. I purchased mine from Rhonda at Guerlain. I know a few of you have called her; she's a doll. She got a huge kick out of one of you and shared with me your question, asked when she answered the phone, "You mean this is THE Rhonda?" You can reach her at (702) 732-7008.

I bought the Lingerie de Peau Beauty Booster Invisible Skin-Fusion Multi-Perfecting Makeup SPF 30 PA+++ product, and I'll show you a swatch of "light" very soon. Now we wait for Terra Nerolia. I have pre-ordered it. Do I want the rest of the collection - everything? Yes, but I'm reminded of one of my father's sayings about ice water and places for the deceased.

Photos at top and bottom courtesy of Guerlain; other photos by Best Things in Beauty