Monday, October 21, 2013

Le Métier de Beauté New Hydra-Crème Lipstick

Le Métier de Beauté's new Hydra-Crème Lipstick ($25) has arrived at counters. A fabulously long-wearing, ultra-moisturizing, and completely new formulation, the new "CC" lipstick is available in many colors in a new Le Métier de Beauté chrome package.

I had given Michael Reinhardt at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie free rein to select a few colors for me, which he did with his usual perfection. I went into the store last weekend and selected a few more. I ended up purchasing five shades. I sat with another of Michael's customers (and a Best Things in Beauty reader!) as we played with colors. They range from nude to classic, fire-engine red, with every shade between. Want bright orange? There's one for you.

Here are my five beauties - all predictably "me shades." From left to right, they are Botticelli Angel, Butterfield 8, One & Only, Rose Garnet, and Tea Rose. Aren't they pretty?

I'm not pleased with my swatch photos. Yesterday, I had perfect swatching weather - and totally forgot to take photos. My day got away from me. I took my swatch photos today when I got home from work - in other words, very late in the afternoon. The sun "shine" was direct and very bright. I tried to turn slightly away from a direct hit, which is why my arm looks almost deformed. Oh well, the things we do for photos.

My photos show the shades in the same order, starting with Botticelli Angel at the top of my arm and ended at the bottom with Tea Rose. Please try to ignore all the sunshine. These lipsticks do offer shine, but it's not over the top. Michael calls them a hybrid between lipstick and lip gloss, meaning you don't need to top them with gloss. I agree with that. They have enough shine unless you're looking for high, reflective shine.


Botticelli Angel is peach in color. Butterfield 8 is a warm pink. One & Only is a gorgeous mauve (my kind of lipstick). There is a second shot of these three shades immediately below.


Rose Garnet and Tea Rose are a bit darker on my lips than my "first three." For comparison, I showed One & Only at the top of my arm in the photo below. Rose Garnet is in the middle, and Tea Rose is at the bottom of the swatches.


Put these three together, and you've got my dream trio. I love the rosy shades. They perk up my face, which I think has been looking a bit wan during the last few days. It's time for a mask.


Here's a close-up of the two rose shades. They were taken pretty close to my elbow, and I was twisting my arm, which is why my skin is lined. I can flatten it out, but that was not to be the case as I struggled to get clear photos. I realize that Rose Garnet and Tea Rose don't look all that different in this photo, but they are different. Perhaps I didn't need both, but I wanted both.

The new Hydra-Crème lipsticks offer a semi-sheer finish with great coverage. I'd call it "in between" sheer and opaque. They stay on my lips a very reasonable amount of time - maybe three to four hours (most typically three so far), which is good for me. The luster goes before the color does, which is typical. The "feel" is fabulous. They feel creamy and hydrating on my lips.

I think these new lipsticks are going to be a big hit for Le Métier de Beauté. They were made in Italy (good), and they are substantial in the hand. I can't think of anything to say that's even slightly negative. I love my new treasures, and I'm glad they have joined the permanent line.

They should have arrived at all Le Métier de Beauté counters. If they aren't at your favorite counter, they will be soon. Will you be checking them out? If you want help, call Michael Reinhardt at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. Now that shipping is free, why not?

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

14 comments:

Virginie said...

The packaging makes me think of Clinique lipstick...

Jo said...

One & Only is calling my name! I'm definitely going to check these out at soon as I can get to a LMdB counter.

Nemo said...

Love these colors you chose, but I have a HUGE QUESTION that must be addressed before I buy: Are they likely to break in the tube? I recall the Dolce & Gabbana lip shine lipsticks that did just that constantly because they too were a mix of color and shine. In fact, they were too soft for a bullet shape.

Eileen said...

One more thing for me to check out when I drive into the Valley. It's going to be a fun shopping excursion seeing as my list is getting longer by the day :-)

I did laugh, though, when I first saw the tube. I also immediately thought of Clinique. That aside, the product itself sounds like just the type of lipstick I love. I'm looking forward to giving it a whirl.

Sandy said...

5 out of my 7 LMdB lipsticks broke on me! Some before I even got to use them. I hope they have addressed this with the new formula. The only other brand I've ever encountered this with is Riuge Bunny Rouge. Big brands are well known for fine lipstick formulas but the breaking is really disappointing.

Julie L said...

The lippies that you have picked are all so pretty. I also love the colors for they are not too dark or not too light. If I were to choose, I would also pick them.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the swatches, so helpful! They all look lovely.

Unknown said...

one and Only is fantastic color, I also think this one could suit me best. My kind of "my lips but better".

Gail said...

Do they have any scent?

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, all of them! May have to check these out too.

melisand61 said...

One and Only is stunning. Seems like others like it too! I hope they don't break.

Mamavalveeta03 said...

Nemo, I also had that problem with Poppy King's "The Lipstick Queen" Endless Summer lipcolors. And I KNOW that we're all beauty afficianados and know enough not to wind the tube all the way up!! So that was a problem with the product, clearly.

I'm quite surprised that the lipsticks are only $25! I thought that pretty much everything LMdB was high-end...really high-end. Gorgeous colors!! Butterfield 8 (love the name because of the movie) and One and Only are my faves! (And what are you talking about, CG? Your arm looks great!!

Anonymous said...

What a great new range! I love how you are so honest CG - I don't need both but I want both! Sounds like me to a T!

Niki

Anonymous said...

I simply LOVE my one & only so beautiful on; cannot get enough of it! Been a month, no breakage...