Clé de Peau Radiant Liquid Rouge

Several of you have spoken in comments about Clé de Peau's Radiant Liquid Rouge ($48). I was dying to try it and gleeful when a gratis box arrived from Clé de Peau with three shades, #12, #14, and #17. There are seven shades in all. My photo above shows #12 at left, #14 at the top, and #17 at the lower right.

This luxurious, dermatologist-tested, glossy stain delivers long-wearing color that melts into the lips for a shiny, vinyl look. It provides these benefits.

• Unique Tri-laminar technology separates color and shine into three layers for an unparalleled level of color saturation and captivating texture.
• Brilliant Color Powder creates bright rich color that appears to melt into lips.
• Crystal Coat Polymer reveals a jewel-like luster and radiance.
• Illuminating Hydro-Wrap Complex and premium Argan Tree Oil deliver rich moisture that lasts for four hours.

On my lips, Radiant Liquid Rouge feels extremely creamy and hydrating. The colors pop with a shine and brilliance that I love. The color is extremely long lasting.

I took my photos in full, mid-afternoon sun. My arm shows them in numerical order, with #12 at the top, #14 in the middle, and the red #17 at the bottom.

You can probably guess that my favorite of the three is #12, the mauve rose. It's my kind of color. I'm wearing #14 now. It's a warm day, and it's a beautiful peachy-pink that's perfect for warm weather. The red #17 will have to be a night shade for me. I'm a bit of a red phobe. Nevertheless, the shade is magnificent.

I know some of you have been wearing these lip colors. I'd love to hear about your experiences.

You can purchase these fabulous lip colors at Clé de Peau's Web site and Clé de Peau counters. It would be a good time to go to the counter at Neiman Marcus, where there is a GWP.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich Lipstick - New, Gorgeous, and Expensive

Clé de Peau Beauté's Extra Rich Lipstick (Rouge à Lèvres) has been reformulated, and the results are stunning. The new formula is said to be a harmony of rich color and refined texture, as stirring as a rose in bloom, as seductively soft as a perfect petal.

This elegant, moisturizing lipstick infuses the lips with luxurious color, texture, and skin care for a look of radiance like never before. Newly designed for Extra Rich Lipstick, the packaging feels as luxurious as it looks. Unfortunately, the packaging is very expensive. Like most Clé de Peau Beauté lip colors, the color bullet is sold separately from the case (or holder). The refill (color), shown below as it is provided with a plastic lid, is $40, and the holder is $25. I was able to purchase two new lipsticks for $80. Had I splurged on the fancy lids, the two would have cost me $120. The disadvantage to purchasing only the refills is that they won't travel well - even in my purse. The plastic tops will flip off easily. Unlike some other Clé de Peau lipsticks that require a holder so that you can turn the bullet up and down, these are functional without the holder. The holder is plastic, I believe - nothing special - so $25 is an exorbitant price for it.

With a spectrum of 30 shades in three finishes, satin, silk, and velvet, I lingered at the counter for a half-hour before I finally selected one satin and one silk shade. The velvet shades are too matte and too saturated for my tastes. The satin and silk shades have more life in my opinion.

I purchased #109, shown on the left in the photo at the top of this feature and #203, shown at right. I could easily have selected three or four more. These lipsticks feel fabulous on my lips - very hydrating - and they are slightly sheer, giving them a natural look on my lips.

I took photos in full sun at different times of the afternoon. In my photos, #109 is at the top of my arm, and #203 is swatched below. Both pinks are medium in color saturation and look great on my lips. what you can't see, which disappoints me, is that #203 is a more neutral pink than it appears on my arm. It was obvious in the store (Nordstrom), but outside in full sun, #203 looks pure pink - almost hot pink.

Extra Rich Lipstick is nicely long-lasting. It has no discernible fragrance. The satin and silk finishes don't shine (any shine you see in my swatch photos is from the direct sun), but they do have a brilliance that I don't see in the velvet shades. The range of colors is notable, spanning shades from very light (too light for me) to very dark. There is at least one for everyone.

I'd like to go back and purchase two more - one with more peach in it, and one of the brown shades. These are gorgeous lipsticks. You will have to decide if they are "unique enough" to warrant the price.

I purchased mine at Nordstrom, where they had just arrived. If your favorite Clé de Peau Beauté counter doesn't have these new beauties, it will soon.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

New: Clé de Peau Beauté Enhanced Lip Luminizer

Clé de Peau Beauté Enhanced Lip Luminizer ($35) - three new, limited-edition sheer lip shades inspired by desserts. "A delicious-looking desert with a texture that captures the gaze. The irresistible smell and excellent taste bring deep satisfaction." Luscious, mouthwatering, and pink, the color of spring.

Pure radiance in a lip rouge. Lavishly bathes lips in luxurious luster. With each use, the fuller and more stunning your lips become. Brilliant dessert-inspired shades and a sumptuous texture put a spotlight on your most beguiling feature.

I purchased all three in the refills to save money.  Directly above, the photo (taken in full sun) shows #221 (Sweet Nougat), #222 (Sugar Candy), and #223 (Raspberry Rip). How could I select just one?

My swatch photos were also taken in full sun. Interestingly, #221 isn't much different on the skin - or the lips - from #222. I probably didn't need both of them. They are swatched on my arm in numeric order, with #221 at the top.

While there is a difference between #221 and #222, it is very hard to discriminate. That's surprising because they definitely look different in the tubes.

All of the other photos I took radiated intense shine. While these swatches show shine, it's moderate (and true). The superbly soft and silky formula melts onto lips and hydrates them intensely. This lip color feels good.

There is a retractable holder ($25) for the Enriched Lip Luminizer cartridges, and I would recommend you purchase at least one. Otherwise, it's extremely difficult to turn the mechanism at the bottom of the refill to raise the color bullet in the tube.

These colors are magnificent, in my opinion. They are perfect for me at any time of year, but they signal spring and warmer weather - or dessert time. Select the mental image that appeals to you.

I'd recommend you stop by a Clé de Peau Beauté counter and explore the magnificent new colors. Since it's Beauty Event at Neiman Marcus, why not go there? Or, check them out online at the Clé de Peau Beauté Web site.

Photos at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Foundation SPF 26

Clé de Peau's Cream Foundation SPF 26 ($120) has attracted your attention. I know that from your comments and questions, and I promised to tell you about it. Like me, some of you are Clé de Peau fans. There was a "former" Clé de Peau Silky Cream Foundation. It came in a pot. You may know it. This one has replaced it.

The new foundation is said to adhere evenly to the nanostructure of the skin, offering lasting coverage, a flawless finish, and "unparalleled radiance." Maybe, maybe not. I have used generous samples of the new Cream Foundation (from Neiman Marcus), and I don't love it. That's not to say that you won't. It's just not the right foundation for me - from a color and feel perspective. That's why I dawdled before featuring it.

Let's start with color. My skin is somewhere between an I-10 (ivory) and and O-10 (ochre or yellow). Neither shade is absolutely perfect for me. The ivory is a smidgen too light, and the O-10 is a smidgen too yellow/dark. There is also a B-10 (kind of pink); it's not right for me either. I don't think I have to tell you that I won't be purchasing two $120 foundations to mix the shades. Even I'm not that extravagant.

The Cream Foundation is also a little bit drying on my very dry skin. Some might call it firming and like it. I don't. I don't like a taut feel. The finish is a bit matte on me too - even when I have on plenty of moisturizer underneath. I prefer a more glowing look.

My issues do not mean that you won't love it. I love Clé de Peau makeup, so I attribute my impressions to my peculiarities. I love the SPF 26, but fear it may have something to do with how chalky I look in this foundation. If you have a normal skin type, you may love it. It does leave a nice, smooth finish that is long-lasting and flattering. My recommendation? Don't purchase it online. Go to a counter, try it on, get a sample if you can, and wear it. You may find it's perfect for you.

Photo courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté

Clé de Peau La Beauté Éblouissante Collection for Spring 2011

Clé de Peau Beauté's La Beauté Éblouissante Collection for spring is compact, but rich. A loose translation of "éblouissante" is brilliant - a perfect description for the colors.

There are two new Eye Color Quads, three new shades of Touche de Rouge lipstick (see feature below), and four new shades of Rouge à Lèvres (Extra Rich Lipstick). Today, I will recap the new colors. I think I have better swatch photos of the Eye Color Quads than I grabbed earlier in the week.

The Eye Color Quads ($55) are #206, at top in the photo at left, and #207. The overlay with Clé de Peau's logo gives them a very classy look, but you will lose those logos as soon as you use the shadows. No matter, these sheer, shimmering shades are luscious.

My swatch photos were taken outdoors in full sun. The shadows were applied with sponge-tipped applicators. The first quad, 206, is swatched at right. The base color on the left side of the palette is shown at the top, and I swatched left to right (for both quads). The base shade is almost skin-toned, so I had a very hard time getting it to show up in the photos I snapped. In the pan, it appears (to me) to be slightly darker than my skin tone, but once it's applied, it's pretty close. I hope you can see that it has slightly more beige-pink in it than my skin has. The next shade is grey, although it appears taupe in the pan. On my skin, it translates to a gorgeous, shimmering, light grey. The copper shade offers punch to the palette. It coordinates perfectly with the narrow band of light, camel brown that's on the right of the palette and at the bottom of my photo. I will have many combinations to explore as I wear these shadows.

The equally gorgeous 207 is shown at left. The base shade, shown at the top of my arm is rose gold, and the next shade below is a much lighter version of it. These are two of the prettiest rose golds I have ever seen. The two grey shades have a hint of ice blue, making them very interesting. Don't these four shades coordinate beautifully?

There are four new Rouge à Lèvres ($60) shades. Extra Rich Lipstick, inspired by nature's temptress, the rose, creates a creamy, rich texture that intensely moisturizes the lips with every application. It's filled with ingredients to soothe the lips, including vitamin A acetate to help prevent and diminish lines and retain moisture (creating full, smooth-looking lips); and Clé de Peau's exclusive Transparent Red Powder, a special pigment with spherical powders that allows it to retain its vibrant, translucent color over time without dulling.

On top of that, the baguette diamond shape allows you to achieve a precise and beautiful finish - as if the lipstick were applied with a lip brush. The corners of the baguette shape are designed to draw smooth, natural lines and fill in the corners and edges of the lips.

The four new shades are R7 and R8 and T6 and T7. T6 and T7 were perfect for my coloring, so they live at my house now. They are shown on my arm, with T6 at the top and T7 below. My photo was taken indoors in sunlight. Beyond being gorgeous, these shades are saturated (without being opaque), shiny, and, in my opinion, gorgeous. The two I didn't purchase are in the red family. I'm partial to the Ts. They suit me nicely.

I told you about the new Touche de Rouge ($52) shades yesterday, so there is no sense in my gushing again. Just scroll down to read that feature or click here.

I am unequivocally smitten with Clé de Peau's La Beauté Éblouissante Collection for Spring 2011. I feel like I stumbled into a gold mine. Make sure to look for the new colors when you go shopping at Nieman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, or wherever you purchase Clé de Peau.

Photo of Amanda Seyfried by Clé de Peau Beauté

Clé de Peau Touche de Rouge for Spring 2011

I had hoped to write a comprehensive review of the Clé de Peau Spring 2011 Collection today, but events, including physical therapy, conspired against me. Stay tuned for that feature tomorrow morning. I got some good photos today.

I did want to show you more of the collection, so I decided to write a quick feature on the three new Touche de Rouge ($52) shades. Touche de Rouge is a superbly soft and gentle lip color that melts onto the lips to give you sheer, elegant, and silky color. If you've been reading Best Things in Beauty for any length of time, you know I prefer sheer lipsticks. I've been using Touche de Rouge, with its classy slim line tube since the moment I was introduced to it. Love it!

There are three new shades for spring. Shade #129, a gorgeous, warm rosy pink that's shown on my arm at right. The other two shades didn't suit me as well. Shade #130 is a pure peach - without a trace of pink to my eye, at least in the swatch photo Kathy Shoreman sent me from Neiman Marcus. Shade #131 is coral through and through - very trendy for this season.

Kathy's iPhone photo at left shows #129 at top, #130 in the middle, and #131 at the bottom of her hand. The moment she sent me the photo, I reserved #129. It's pink (a perfect, easy-to-wear shade - sheer, shiny, and flattering.

The key ingredients of this wonderful lip color include moisture-wrapping oil to create a moist, luxurious-looking luster; Clé de Peau Beauté's exclusive, advanced moisturizing Hydro-Wrap Complex; and argan tree oil for smooth application and wear (one of our favorites!).

I realize it's a little pricey, but if you can handle the price, you will find a Touche de Rouge shade that will addict you. They are that nice. You can purchase Clé de Peau Beauté color at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks, and other fine department stores.

Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté

Clé de Peau for Spring 2011 Preview and Swatches

Makeup for Spring 2011 has been an embarrassment of riches. What seemed to be "as good as it gets" just got better. The new Clé de Peau eye and lip colors just arrived at stores, and there are must-have eye color quads among them.

I am writing this preview to show you the Eye Color Quads ($55) and swatches quickly. I will do a more thorough job when I have more time. I was so blown away by the pretty eye shadows, I couldn't wait to show you.

The palettes in my photo at left are #206, at top, and #207. The overlay with Clé de Peau's logo gives them a very classy look, but you will lose those logos as soon as you use the shadows.

Here are two swatch photos. I swatched from left to right in the palettes as shown above. I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply the shadows, and I took the photos indoors in sunlight. Eye shadow quad #206 is shown at right. I think these shades are luscious. Quad #207 is shown below left. Again, the shades are lust-worthy. In a spring with lots of greys, the two in #207 are gorgeous. If you are a Clé de Peau fan, how could you resist buying both?

These palettes in my photo above look a bit strange because Clé de Peau sells the case for their quads separately, and I won't pay for it. I can deal with plastic just fine, and I don't plan to take them anywhere. I would rather have more makeup than pay for the compacts.

I will show you more swatches of these lovely eye shadows, along with my new lip colors, tomorrow.

Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau

Clé de Peau Vintage Palette II for Holiday 2010

Do I feel special! I'm wearing a beautiful highlighting powder: the Vintage Palette II ($125), the second annual, limited-edition stunner from Clé de Peau. Look at this compact! How stunning does it get? Second only to animals (my favorites), the raised rays of light on this palette are exquisite.

Inspired by the "timeless allure of vintage jewelry, this face powder melts into skin like silky cream and provides a warm, delicate glow like the solemn sparkle of precious jewels." The finish is achieved with a harmonious blend of colors with pearl pigments. From pinks to golds, the shades combine, with the swipe of a powder brush, to make the face gleam.

There are some micro-sparkles in the powder. I was feeling festive today - a short day at work and the beginning of the long, holiday weekend, so I threw caution to the wind and applied it before work. I loved the way it lit up my face. Although I could see a small amount of micro-sparkling on my cheeks at first, just an hour and a half later, what's left is a gleam. I don't know where those little sparkle devils went, but they aren't on my bright purple jacket, so I'm not sure I care.

I knew this special compact was going to be introduced for the holidays, but I forgot it for a time. When I finally asked about it, Alanna Lee, Clé de Peau Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, only had two left! Yikes - I'm glad one of them is mine. London Pretty Boy wrote about it in August, so I can't claim I didn't have enough advance notice. Don't make the same mistake I almost made. If you are interested in the Vintage Palette II, look for it now.

You can find this gorgeous holiday palette at Clé de Peau counters at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. I noticed that it's listed as "not available" at Neiman Marcus online. That means the warehouse sold out.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Clé de Peau's New Eye Color Quads

I promised swatches of Clé de Peau's beautiful new eye shadow quads. I had seen the photos in the fall mega-catalogs that Saks and Neiman Marcus had sent out. When I got my hands on the "real thing," I was smitten. These gorgeous eye shadows, with their coordinating shades, highlight and define the lids with the "the ultimate in color sophistication and luxury care." They shimmer too!

I purchased three of them, but I really wanted all five - even the one at the bottom of the photo, Thulite, with its blush-like color in the largest (left side) pan, is gorgeous on the lids. It was used on the model for the new Clé de Peau look, and the Clé de Peau rep at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie was wearing it. Very nice! The other quads, top to bottom, are Kyanite, Malachite, Gold, and Platinum - all materials for gorgeous jewelry.

Clé de Peau uses light-reflecting technology in these shadows to enhance the eye area. The finish is seriously silky and soft, allowing you ultimate flexibility in creating a flawless look that's resistant to smudging, creasing, and fading. I can testify to that! Even Clé de Peau has joined the argan oil movement, adding it to the shadows to ensure smooth application and tender loving care for the skin around your eyes. The company also uses its exclusive Hydro-Wrap Complex to ensure that you get advanced moisture with its shadows.

The first one I wore, given my love for gold shadows, was #204, Gold. My photos were all taken in full sun, which makes these shimmering shadows look more shiny than they are. They are definitely shimmering, though, so if you are a matte lover, these are not your quads. I love shimmer (not glitter, shimmer) on my lids. Gold, shown at right has four shimmering shades. The top shade on my arm is the largest in the palette, while the white highlighting shade at the bottom is the smallest. All of the swatch photos were taken left to right in the quads.

Platinum, #205 shown at left, has two very light silver shades and two grey shades, one a light charcoal and one light grey (at bottom). Don't be afraid of these shades. They are all gorgeous on the lids! You can also mix them with any of the other shades in the new quads to create your own look. The shadows blend very nicely.

The third quad I purchased was #201, Malachite. Just a little less sparkly than its sisters, Malachite is, in my opinion, drop-dead gorgeous. It may be my favorite. The second shade from the top in my arm photo (and second from left in the quad above) is a stunner. One might describe it as rose gold or shimmering taupe. However it's described, it is worth the price of the whole quad, even though all four shadows are very pretty. Look at how subdued the green shade is on my skin (third from top) - perfect for a slightly green-toned smokey eye. You could have fun with this shade!

Now, I'm wondering if I can hold out and resist the other two palettes. I am a bit makeup poor right now. Each compact "refill" is $55. That's what I purchased. The refills come in a plastic case - not elegant, but protective. The quad's compact case is $25. If you travel, you will want a case. If not, there's no reason you can't store the refill in its plastic box (within its cardboard box) and save a few dollars for more makeup!

You can purchase these new Clé de Peau Eye Color Quads at Neiman Marcus. I'll bet Nordstrom has them too.

Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau

Clé de Peau's New Jewelry-Inspired Eye Shadows

Were you wondering what you might purchase at Beauty Event at Neiman Marcus? The event starts September 10 (tomorrow) and runs through the 19th. There are many gifts with purchase, along with a darling tote with goodies with any beauty department purchase of $100 or more. You might want to consider Clé de Peau's new eye shadow quads.

Clé de Peau's Beaute Eye Color Quad Refills are stunning! Each compact "refill" is $55. The quad's compact case is $25. If you travel, you will want a case (or two). If not, there's no reason you can't store the refill in its box and save a few dollars for more makeup!

I had seen the photos in the fall mega-catalogs that Saks and Neiman Marcus had sent out. Today, I got my hands on the "real thing," and I was smitten. These gorgeous eye shadows, with their coordinating shades, highlight and define the lids with the "the ultimate in color sophistication and luxury care." They gleam! I purchased three of them, but I really wanted all five - even the one at the bottom of the photo, Thulite, with its blush-like color in the pan, is gorgeous on the lids. It was used on the model for the new Clé de Peau look. The other quads, top to bottom, are Kyanite, Malachite, Gold, and Platinum - all materials for gorgeous jewelry.

Clé de Peau uses light-reflecting technology in these shadows to enhance the eye area. The finish is seriously silky, creates a flawless look, and is resistant to smudging, creasing, and fading. Even Clé de Peau has joined the argan oil movement, adding it to the shadows to ensure smooth application and tender loving care for the skin around your eyes. The company also uses its exclusive Hydro-Wrap Complex to ensure that you get advanced moisture with its shadows.

It's dark out now. I'll get swatch photos of my new shadows over the weekend. Don't wait for me, though. Head over to Neiman Marcus and see the beauties for yourself. We drew a small crowd as we played with them!

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Clé de Peau Intensive Brightening Mask

Last night, I was in the mood for a mask. I had been given a sample of Clé de Peau's Intensive Brightening Mask ($120 for six applications), and it was time to try it!

I had no idea how much the mask sample was worth when my Clé de Peau representative gave it to me. Turns out those two packets had a combined price of $20! When I learned that, I was expecting a miracle mask.

Intensive Brightening Mask is a weekly high-performance treatment mask designed to help diminish the appearance of sun and age spots. Like most brightening products, it's designed to even your skin tone by effectively delivering powerful brightening ingredients, along with moisture, to the entire face.

The mask has different ingredients in its two pieces (one for the upper half of the face, one for the lower). Both pieces have these two ingredients.

• Tranexamic acid, which is said to inhibit overactive melanin activity, which causes tanning and the formation of dark spots (not sure about these effects on the skin; it does have proven value in the field of surgery for reducing pre- and postoperative blood loss)
• Vitamin C deoxidizes visible spots and prevents melanin precursors from activating

The upper mask contains what's called an illuminating vital complex, formulated to improve the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and dullness around the eyes.

The lower mask has Clé de Peau's restorative smoothing complex, said to normalize cell turnover and enhance natural exfoliation, which should minimize the appearance of pores.

To use the mask, position the lower mask piece around your mouth and align both ends in front of the ears. Press lightly to fit the mask over the contours of the face. Position the upper mask piece around the eyes and forehead. Smooth gently to fit mask over the contours of the face. Leave the mask on for only 10 minutes, then remove it and gently massage the remaining essence into your skin. Follow with moisturizer.

For "unprecedented brilliance," Clé de Peau advises its clients to use Anti-Age Spot Serum with the Intensive Brightening Mask as a brightening ritual. In a combined Anti-Age Spot Serum and Intensive Brightening Mask usage test, after four weeks:

• 92% felt the combined usage provided natural radiance, luminosity, and clarity to skin;
• 84% felt their skin texture appeared polished, firm, and lustrous;
• 82% felt the combined usage effectively reduces spots and dullness.

The Intensive Brightening Mask is less expensive than my La Mer The Hydrating Facial, another saturated fabric mask that I love, and the experience of using it was just as pleasant. I had a few restful, cooling minutes. I used the excess product within the envelopes to apply some to my neck, so I was ready for $20 results.

Did I get $20 results? I don't think so. This morning, I saw no dramatic difference in my skin - actually no difference at all. I know it's unreasonable to expect to see significant brightening after one 10-minute treatment. The question is: Would I spend $120 in order to experience six treatments to see if weekly use for six weeks will give me supremely even skin tone. My answer is no because I don't have dramatically uneven skin. Anyone plagued by uneven skin tone and many sun spots might feel differently.

I suspect Clé de Peau's Intensive Brightening Mask is targeted toward the Asian market, where brightening skin products are all the rage. In the U.S., there are less expensive options to which I would turn if brightening were one of my major skin-care concerns, and I would find a daily use product.

If you want to try the mask, have a look at Nordstrom or select Saks and Neiman Marcus stores. Ask the Clé de Peau representative for a consultation and find out if the $120 might benefit you.

Photo courtesy of Clé de Peau

Clé de Peau's New "The Mascara"

Clé de Peau has introduced a new mascara, and it has arrived in stores. Called "The Mascara" or "Mascara Integral," ($50) the company says it's "an exceptional mascara that creates the distinguished drama of length, volume, lift, and curl with a lustrous deep black." Chris Coles at Nordstrom gave me a deluxe sample to try, and I can report that it meets its promise!

Available only in black, this is a no-nonsense mascara, one that is intended to make your eyes attract attention. Isn't that ancient saying about our eyes being the windows to our souls true? Everyone reads your eyes, which say what you are really thinking. Mascara frames your eyes. It's always a don't-leave-home-without-it choice for women asked to select only one must-have makeup product.

Clé de Peau seems to be confident about The Mascara. There's no hype on the Web site or the packaging. The ingredients tell me that it contains the usual paraffins and some other materials often found in mascaras. It also contains some ingredients that will trap or enhance moisture, such as dimethicone, argan oil, and sodium acetylated hyaluronate (an ingredient developed by Shiseido that is an anchoring humectant). Shiseido is the parent company of Clé de Peau.

This mascara reminds me of Dior's DiorShow, an iconic mascara. My The Mascara sample has a large (curved) brush that does a good job of lengthening, plumping, and separating the lashes. I definitely have va-va-voom lashes when I wear it. It's a bit pricey, though. If you are a member of the Clé de Peau or Shiseido cult - and there are a lot of devotees out there - I'll bet you will find this new mascara in your shopping bag before too long. If not, I'd suggest you try it and see if you like it enough to spend $50. If you have a limited makeup budget, there are other Clé de Peau products you might find more enticing.

Photo courtesy of Clé de Peau

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 Crème de Massage

Last week, Chris Coles at Nordstrom gave me a generous sample of Clé de Peau Crème de Massage (Massage Cream) ($120). It has really come in handy in this horrid weather.

The Massage Cream provides major moisture while promoting resilience, firmness, and smoothness. The result? A hydrated and radiant complexion. When your skin is plump, those fine lines disappear. You feel moist and supple, and you look good!

Although you could use the Massage Cream every day, it's more appropriate as a weekly treatment. Use the Massage Cream in place of your usual nightly face treatment. The directions say to apply after cleansing and balancing the skin with toner. Smooth a generous amount of cream over your face using gentle spiral motions. In other words, give yourself a gentle facial massage with the cream. After that? Blot your face with a tissue if you need to remove any excess cream.

I have used it before bed. My face absorbs all of it, so that tissue blot is unnecessary. I go to sleep with a creamy face and wake up looking refreshed and hydrated. My skin appears to have better circulation after I use it. Was it the massage or the cream - or both? I'm not sure, but I like the effect.

The ingredients include squalane (hopefully from a plant source), petrolatum, glycerin, jojoba, palm oil, arginine, and botanicals. Clé de Peau references its ingredient "TC Complex," which helps neutralize the enzyme plasmin, an element that can deactivate vital skin proteins and disrupt the cell turnover cycle. The literature on the relationship between plasmin and your skin is complex, so I won't explain that further. TC Complex is also said to help retexturize skin while reinforcing its ability to resist damage.

The Massage Cream isn't just for us dry types. Chris has very oily skin, and he loves it. I'm sure glad I tried it. I've got about two treatments left, so I'll be saving up for my full-sized jar!

You can find Clé de Peau's Massage Cream at some Nordstrom stores (Tysons Corner Center has it) and Neiman Marcus. It's also available at a few online sites.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

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