Clé de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick

Clé de Peau has a new lipstick coming. Extra Rich Lipstick will be available in eight new shades, shown below.

I was given a sample-sized R3, Leonardis, a rich rose on my lips. The swatch to the right on my arm isn't quite true because my arm isn't as pink as my lips. When I first tried the lipstick, I had on a bright pink sweatshirt (quite the fashion on a snow day!), and the color looked great.

The texture is creamy and comfortable. Clé de Peau calls it "a velvety lipstick with gorgeous true color and smoothing moisture." It has a satin finish and adds a gleam to my lips. The ingredients include argania spinosa kernal oil (argan oil), a nutrient-rich, nourishing, and emollient oil from the Moroccan ironwood tree that cares for the skin and adds shine to lipsticks; and sunflower seed oil, which can help retain moisture in the skin.The colors to be introduced look really nice. Black Bacara looks dramatic - I can't wait to see it. Baby Julia looks like the perfect everyday pink.

The lipsticks should be available in March at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. For a sneak peek online now, visit the Clé de Peau Beaute Web site.

My thanks for this preview to Chris Coles at Nordstrom!

Update 2/14: The new lipsticks arrived at Nordstrom Tysons Corner today. They are $60. I have my T3 on hold!

Photos courtesy of Clé de Peau

Clé de Peau Palette Vintage

Clé de Peau's Vintage Palette ($125) is both beautiful and interesting. Designed like a multi-faceted jewel - inside and out - this face powder palette was "inspired by the timeless allure of vintage jewelry." It provides a gorgeous glow on the skin with its shimmering nude tones.

When Chris Coles first showed me the palette at Nordstrom, I was intrigued. He proposed to put it directly on my face, and it was a no-foundation Sunday. Since it looked like a highlighter (and it is that and more), I envisioned odd results. Chris insisted that it had actually been designed to be used with or without foundation, so I acquiesced. You have to trust someone, right? And I do trust Chris.

Was I surprised! It evened my skin tone, gave me a glow, and didn't leave me looking like a rogue sparkler. I was sold! I would describe the effect as luminous, pearly, and brilliant.

I am enjoying the palette - a lot. I wish I could direct you to a store's online site or the Clé de Peau site to see more. It was a holiday limited edition, and there are very few available. Two Nordstrom stores have it as I write. If you are interested, give your local Nordstrom Clé de Peau counter a call. They could get it for you from one of the two Nordstrom stores that still show it in inventory: Pentagon City, Virginia and Aventura, Florida. There are a few more of these scattered around and available - somewhere! The Neiman Marcus at the Tysons Galleria has one left.

Given its popularity, wouldn't it be a good idea if Clé de Peau made it permanent?

Photo courtesy of urcosme.com

Clé de Peau Refining Fluid Foundation

Yesterday, a friend and I went shopping. We went to Nordstrom at Tysons Corner, Virginia for a little beauty and shoe shopping. My friend saw the many stations set up for a Bobbi Brown event and remarked that she had never had a store makeup application. Yikes - we had to do something about that!

I took her to Chris Coles. I knew Chris would do a fabulous job, but I had no idea how fabulous until he had finished! Chris recently started representing Clé de Peau, and I was curious to see that prestige line in action. I'll summarize by saying that she looked gorgeous when he was finished.

He used Clé de Peau's Refining Fluid Foundation on her, and I was stunned by how pretty it made her skin. The SPF 24 foundation made her look airbrushed (no need for Photoshop!). Her fine lines were minimized, and despite its light weight, the foundation erased almost all of the hereditary redness in the center of her face. Suddenly, her skin was radiant, with a soft-focus finish.

You can probably guess that I had to try it too. I asked Chris to select a shade for me, and his choice was spot-on. After an application, my skin was airbrushed too, with the same soft-focus finish. This is amazing foundation.

Here's how the package insert describes Refining Fluid Foundation (edited).

• Achieves vibrant translucent skin by minimizing the look of sagging and dullness through a blend of skin-care ingredients, including the hydrating Hydro-sensing Polymer, and makeup ingredients, including Treatment Lucent Powder EX, which provides a satin sheen
• Instantly, easily melts into skin upon application, with a hydrating texture like a beauty serum
• Retains a beautiful, luminous finish, filled with dewy luster
• Protects skin from dryness caused by external factors, while naturally reducing the appearance of spots and wrinkles

With its SPF 24, the foundation is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective sunscreen against UV rays (titanium dioxide and octinoxate provide the protection).

This is a product that meets its promises! Chris mentioned that the foundation has a firming action - the reason it minimizes the appearance of fine lines and imperfections. I could feel that while wearing it, although it wasn't uncomfortable at all like some firming products are.

Refining Fluid Foundation is pricey at $118 for a one fluid ounce. It comes with a nice pump top, so you won't waste any once you determine how many pumps your skin needs. The container is dark and opaque too - best to protect the product.

If you need a treatment foundation, are of "a certain age," or want to improve the appearance of your skin, stop by a Clé de Peau counter for a consultation. If you are anywhere near Tysons Corner, I hope you will visit with Chris!

Photo courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauty