Le Métier de Beauté Pale Shelter Kaleidoscope from the Spring 2014 Kaleidocope Program

Le Métier de Beauté's Pale Shelter Kaleidoscope from the Spring 2014 Kaleidoscope Program arrived about a week ago. It surprised me. I had purchased the spring program so long ago (I think), I forgot it. In came a Kaleidoscope, with a note from Rich (printed?), and I was flabbergasted.

Naturally, I tore into the box, where I found an unusual Kaleidosccope called Pale Shelter on the bottom. I do not believe there were any instructions for use, but it's always possible I accidentally ditched them. Who needs instructions, anyhow? Unfortunately, I have no color names.

I'm supposed to receive another Kaleidoscope this month - the second in the program, which is sold out. However, there is a current Summer 2014 Program that you can purchase here. I feel kind of badly showing you something you can't purchase, but you never know what will turn up on eBay (or on a blog sale, if you shop them).

Pale Shelter's label on the bottom looked like it had spent some time in storage, getting scratched and mistreated. The powders in the swing-out arms, however, are pristine. My first thought when I started to test the colors was, "This is a very nice basics or neutrals palette." My second thought was, "How typical that a palette designed by Mikey Castillo would have a lavender shade in it." I think he is fixated on lavender/plum/red shades. Fortunately, this lavender - whatever it's called - is nice and neutral.

I took this angled shot of Pale Shelter to try to show you a bit of all the colors. You will note that the top drawer is split, holding two shades. That's an innovation for Kaleidoscopes, and I think it will serve Le Métier de Beauté extremely well. Not everyone wants a full pan of, say, lavender.

I swatched all the shades with a sponge-tipped applicator, starting at the bottom of the Kaleidoscope on my arm and working toward the split pan at the top. I took my photos in full sun. At this point, and with what we went through during the last week, I can't remember whether it was morning, noon, or late afternoon! That little detail has vanished into the recesses of my brain that hold meaningless facts.

Look at how the grass greened up in a week! All winter, my grassy backdrops looked dead. Now there's fresh green life.

The yellow at the top of my arm is a cream, I think. I assume it's supposed to be used as a concealer or base shade. It's nice, although just a little too yellow for my skin. I'll use it wisely. The lavender is below it. Although it is "browned down" a bit, you can still see the red in it. I love Mikey, but don't get me going on his love for red around the eyes. Then we would have to talk about layering and blending, and I'm too tired for that this evening.

The shimmering copper-taupe blend (third shade down on my arm) is gorgeous. It's a color I can fully embrace. I love it. The two shades below, which I swatched in thinner stripes because they look like eyeliners, are charcoal and "muddy brown." The charcoal is a good shade. The brown is definitely mud on my skin.

Overall, I think Mikey might have had a warm-skinned, West Coast beauty in mind when he created Pale Shelter. I think anyone with warm-toned skin will find this Kaleidoscope an everyday reach-for palette. For me, with my cool-toned, pale skin, it will always be a second choice to the many Kaleidoscopes I have. There are some, particularly the ones designed by Michael Reinhardt, that suit my skin color better. I wish Le Métier de Beauté would let me design the perfect Kaleidoscope for pale blondes!

As I mentioned, it's too late to order Pale Shelter. If you can stand the suspense of buying into a surprise program, sign up for the Summer 2014 series. It could be fun!

P.S. Word has it that Pale Shelter might make a for-sale appearance at Camp Gorgeous at Neiman Marcus in June. Nag your favorite Le Métier de Beauté rep if you want one. Just don't quote me.

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