Saturday, June 29, 2013

Le Métier de Beauté Castaway Collection for the Face and Eye, Exclusive to Neiman Marcus, Live and In Person

As is usually the case, Le Métier de Beauté's press photo of the limited-edition Castaway Collection for the Face and Eye ($125) did not do it justice. I have to admit that when I saw the press photo, which I published here, I was not chomping at the bit to get my hands on Castaway. However, I know from experience that those early photos can be misleading. Not that I've seen the palette, live and in person, I can't wait for it to arrive. It is scheduled for landing next week. Yippee! I won't have to wait three months to get my hands on  my own.

The Castaway Collection is a well-edited blend of blushing and bronzing hues and rich, sheen eye shadows that combine to create glowing skin and a variety of flattering face and eye looks. The multipurpose palette includes eight universally wearable shades that you will be able to mix and layer for endless customized options. Le Métier de Beauté hopes the Castaway Collection for the Face and Eye will serve as your essential beauty staple.

I swatched all the shades, which are reportedly new, but I don't have names for them yet. Fortunately, the sun was shining brightly, high in the sky. I swatched heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, so you will have to use your imagination for how the blushes, bronzer, and eye shadows will look with a normal application. I swatched both rows from left to right.

The blush/bronzer face shades are gorgeous. The first shade provides a gorgeous rose pink sheen. In my opinion, it's perfect. The second pink, a bit more blue, offers just a hint of sparkle. The warm pink (third down) should please nearly everyone. It's one of those shades that brightens the face. The golden bronzer is warm and wonderful on the skin, and it mixes beautifully with the other three face shades. You will note that it also offers a stunning sheen. All of the face shades have life.

The eye shades are a well-edited mix. The two taupe-brown shades are must-haves. If you live in neutral shades, you are going to want to have them. I do. Even though I love the entire palette, I zeroed in on those shades and had little palpitations.

The shade at the top of my arm is a peachy taupe on the skin - the perfect base shade, the perfect anything shade. It is seriously gorgeous. The warm brown below it is as perfect as brown gets in my eyes. Look at the beautiful sheen it offers!

The moss green shade is a fabulous complement to the other colors. When applied as a wash of color, it lends a distinct touch to the entire look. I love green and wish Le Métier de Beauté offered it in Kaleidoscopes as often as it includes plum shades. The brick/terracotta shade will appeal to all of you warm-skinned beauties. I will have to be convinced I can wear it once I have my own go at it - at home with all my favorite brushes.

Michael Reinhardt has been applying all the shades on customers this week, and he assured me that the terracotta shade is more versatile than it appeared when I swatched it heavily on my arm. I think the first pairing I will try is the the top shade all over the lid, with the terracotta in the outer corner for definition. I'm betting it makes my eyes pop very blue. I didn't try that today. Sometimes anticipation is good.

Although the Castaway Collection is not as limited as Zeitgeist was, I predict it will sell out. Because it's is a limted-edition that will be available only Neiman Marcus Le Métier de Beauté counters, you should pre-order one if you want it. If you need help, give Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards a call at my favorite Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie counter at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. They are both there today. Naturally, you can also call your local Neiman Marcus to reserve one.

Update: The top row of this palette is the same as the top row of Zeitgeist. The confirmation came from the company.

P.S. (and entirely unrelated to the Castaway Collection for Face and Eye)...I got a little more scoop on the Las Vegas counter. See the comments on the Friday Forum for more information.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

14 comments:

Lori said...

Thank you for the pictures of Castaway! Love that green! I am wondering if the blush shades are the same as the ones in Zeitgeist? They look very similar in your photos. What do you think?

Sara said...

Hi CG! Thank you for the swatches, I have been eagerly anticipating them. The palette looks gorgeous! Are my eyes playing tricks on me or do the blush shades look very similar to those in the zeitgeist palette (which did arrive safely thank goodness!).? I held up your two blog posts side by side, one on my iPad and one on my husband's, and they look very close if not the same! I hope you have a great weekend!

Jenny said...

I asked LMdB--and they told me that the blush shades were the same. Though the eyeshadows were different and only available in the Castaway palette.

Nemo said...


Already pre-ordered mine! I love it! And Cg, I agree with you, the LMDB left mucho to be desired. Your photos will cause a sell-out.

Unknown said...

LOVELY!

Melissa said...

Thank you so much for the swatches, CG! I agree with you, much more stunning in person. It's amazing how deceptive promotional pictures can be!

That peachy taupe and green are TDF! I can't think of any colors off the top of my head that I have in my collection that are dupes of this palette. I might have to take the plunge!

Charlestongirl said...

Well...

Until LMdB gives us the names of the blushes and bronzer in Castaway, I would be hesitant to try to speak authoritatively. They could be the same. I have studied Zeitgeitst, which I have, against, my photos of Castaway, and there is huge similarity. However, Michael was told they were different.

I like them all so much, I won't be disappointed if I end up with a double dip. I'm leaning that they are the same.

Jo said...

Oh how stunning! I too was thinking I could pass on this based on the LMdB press photo but after seeing your live in person photo I think I need this palette. All of the shades are gorgeous,

Meredith said...

Hi CG, do you know the name of the second blush, the blue pink one? That looks like a good one for me. Glad you like your new job and that Charlie doesn't seem to be too upset with the adjustment.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Meredith,

IF (caps on "if" for now) they are the same, it's The Factory.

Kylee @ Lifting in Lipstick said...

Oh, that green! There's is such a serious lack of greens in LMdB's palettes, which I find to be utterly tragic. I'm quite loving this palette...thank you for the swatches (for those of us living nowhere near a counter!).

Charlestongirl said...

We now have confirmation from LMdB that the top row is the same as the top row of Zeitgeist.

Bella said...

So pretty, I'm looking for this one! So useful!

Yin said...

Aww I already ordered this and I have the zeitgeist palette too.... such a bummer the top row is the same :( They are beautiful blushes, especially layered and you can use the bronze color on your eyes too. I wish they did something different.