Bobbi Brown Bronze Eye Palette from the Nude Glow Collection

The assortment of beautiful new eye palettes at Bobbi Brown counters is dizzying. I stood at the counter at Neiman Marcus, wondering, "How many can I afford?" "How many will I really use?" Those questions turned out to be my decision criteria.

There were multiple palettes on the Nude Glow and Nectar and Nude displays. Had I had unlimited funds, I would have selected several. Then I asked myself, which one or ones would I use the most? Several of the Nude Glow palettes offered two matte shades, which are not my favorites for several reasons: 1) I have plenty of neutral, matte eye shadows, and 2) I find them rather lifeless on my skin.

The limited-edition Bronze Eye Palette ($50) stood out. It had only one matte shade and offered three shimmering shades that were quite wearable. You can see my very own palette below.

Luminosity for eyes meets skin tone-enhancing color - Bronze Eye Palette features four perfect hues for medium skin tones in a mix of matte and sparkling textures: Gold Bar Sparkle Eye Shadow, a beige gold; Amber Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, a warm copper bronze; Toast Eye Shadow, a toasted peach; and Rich Bronze Eye Shadow, a golden brown. Go figure! It was created for medium skin tones. I can't buy that. I have fair skin, and the colors look great on me. So there. Who thinks up this guidance?

As usual this week, my swatch photos were taken in full sun as I was surrounded by snow - not ideal photography conditions. I was freezing, so you may note the goosebumps on my arm. The things I do for this blog!

I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply all shades (heavily), and I took the photos in full, mid-morning sunshine. I started my application at the top of my arm with Gold Bar Sparkle Eye Shadow at the top of my arm and moved clockwise around the palette, finishing with Toast Eye Shadow at the bottom. Incidentally, I'm not terribly fond of Toast. It's a little muddy on my skin, but the other colors are good for looks I like. I'll play with Toast. Maybe I can learn to love it.

Gold Bar Sparkle Eye Shadow is heavy on sparkle and light on pigmentation. You can see how sheer it is. Still, it leaves a pretty effect on the eyelid, so I won't hold its sheerness against it. Naturally, you can use it to top any eye shadow shade to give it a lift.

As you can see directly above in a darker photo, Amber Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow is drop-dead gorgeous. The warm copper bronze makes me dream of spring. The same is true for Rich Bronze Eye Shadow. The golden bronze is a gorgeous accent or crease shade - perfect to warm up your look.

Bobbi Brown says these eye shadow shades work with your skin tone, practically blending on their own, to bring brightness and lightness to any look all in a polished silver compact. How to use it? The company suggests starting with a classic Bobbi eye - light allover shadow, medium lid shadow, dark liner - then layer Sparkle Eye Shadow on top. How will I use it? Most often I will combine Amber Shimmer Wash with Rich Bronze Eye Shadow for a warm look that will sweep me away to a tropical island.

The new Bobbi Brown eye shadows are available at all Bobbi Brown counters. I purchased the Bronze Eye Palette at Neiman Marcus. You can also find it at the Bobbi Brown Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Guerlain Crazy Paris Eye Palette from the Guerlain Holiday 2013 Crazy Paris Collection

I love the look designed for Guerlain's Crazy Paris Holiday 2013 Collection, which pays homage to Paris' dazzling lights. The neon colors infused into this collection are as festive and fabulous as the city itself.

In celebration of the reopening of 68 Champs Elysees, the legendary Guerlain flagship boutique reopening this winter, Crazy Paris is designed with a vibrant "68" engraving. The limited-edition pieces in this collection are playful and incredibly charming, with colors that verge on exuberance. Crazy Paris celebrates all that makes the holiday season so exciting and unforgettable.

The Crazy Paris Eye Palette ($86) is the distinctive centerpiece of an extraordinary collection. Guerlain’s holiday collectors’ palette is a complete eye makeup kit for all occasions, whether an office party or a night on the town. The grey and black matte powder liners - to be used wet or dry - are perfect for defining the eyes, while the four alluring shadows in beige, copper, white, and festive hot pink can be used alone or blended together to create gorgeous, sexy eyes.

The Crazy Paris Eye Palette is enclosed in a sleek black lacquered case and opens to reveal a large panoramic mirror illuminated with the letters "P.A.R.I.S." in an electric pink.

Isn't this palette unique? When I first saw it, I wondered how I would use it. What shades would I combine. I have come to realize that the possibilities range from wild and wacky to conservative or flirty.

I took swatch photos in full, mid-day sun, using a sponge-tipped applicator to swatch. My application was moderate to heavy. I started with the copper at the top and moved down the horizontal shades. Then I swatched the black and grey liner shades. The grey is actually a dual-use shade. I like it as an eye shadow, not just an eyeliner.

The copper shade at the top of my arm is stunning. I paired it with the "beige," which is really a light gold. Perfection!

The white is white. The nice thing about it is that it's well-pigmented and stays put. Whites don't always do that. I can't wait to play with it, trying it out with the grey and the pink. Somehow, even if it takes help from a professional makeup artist, I'm going to figure out how to wear that pink on my eyelids. Normally, pink and I - especially bright pink - don't get along because of my coloring.

I really like the grey shade. It's medium in tone, making it extremely versatile. The inky black is provides a dramatic liner for day or night.

As you would expect from Guerlain, everything about the formula, texture, finish, and wear of these eye colors is absolutely perfect. While the palette is luxury priced, it offers luxury for your investment. I have nothing to "dissect" or criticize. Crazy Paris is as good as it gets. I love the fact that the selection of shades broke the mold.

I purchased mine from the Guerlain Boutique in Las Vegas. If you would like to order now, call Jonathan at (702) 732-7008. You will love him. Otherwise, look for it soon at your favorite Guerlain counter.

Photo at top courtesy of Guerlain; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Tarte Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette

I nearly had a meltdown when this gorgeous Tarte Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette ($36) appeared at my door. A good friend had recently gone to work with Tarte Cosmetics, and she sent it to me. I opened it eagerly - I'm a sucker for cat prints - and I gasped. The colors in this palette are gorgeous. Plus, I'm a Tarte addict (yes, I took advantage of their Labor Day sale).

On the prowl for a palette that's excitingly-on-trend to spice up your shadow wardrobe? Turn up the "meow factor" with Tarte's Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay Eight-Shadow Collector's Palette - a fearless and sophisticated eye shadow palette featuring nature's most perfect ingredient: Amazonian clay. This purr-fectly portable palette, inspired by the wild side of the Amazon rain forest, is emblazoned with a bold spotted animal print and gold etched black patent leather.

Show your fashion-forward spots this fall while keeping things neutral with what's inside: eight full-sized Amazonian clay eye shadows in brand new neutral shades that include Meow, Jungle, Call, Wild, Instinct, Lynx, Primal, and Roar. Each Amazonian clay eye shadow delivers the perfect amount of creamy matte perfection or subtle shimmer, while Amazonian clay works to nourish the eyelids, reduce surface oil, and improve overall texture for easy application and better, longer, truer wear. Everything you need to create a complete eye look that can range from sleek and mild to sexy/wild is inside, including a large mirror for a flawless application on the go. "Go wild but still look beautifully, natural with Tarte."

I was struck by the perfect selection of colors - neutrals with a dash of grey and blue. How good does it get?  My photos were taken in full sun. For my first photo, I swatched the palette top to bottom left on the left-most column, then the oblong flesh tone followed by white in the top center.

Look at this gorgeous selection of neutrals! There's a plastic insert that identifies the names of each color. Somehow, I managed to misplace it (don't ask - it was that kind of weekend). I think the gorgeous, shimmering champagne beige at the top of my arm is Meow. Fitting for a cat lover!  The brown under it is a perfect complement to the other neutrals. The next shade down is the oblong flesh shade that runs across both "levels" of colors (top and bottom). It's a peachy nude that is a perfect base shade. The white is a great highlighting shade, and it blends nicely with the other shades if you want to customize your color.

Picking up at the bottom of the palette below the white shade in the photo below, there's a shimmering mauve brown, which looks great on me without bringing out the red in my eyes. The next shade, the second oblong, is a perfect base for the mauve brown. The fit each other to a "T."

The grey shades provide a striking alternative to the browns. The medium grey works beautifully with the blue grey (more charcoal on my skin than blue).It's a beautiful liner with all the shades, bringing out the blue in my eyes.

I've written many times about Tarte and their ethics. Tarte knows there is nothing beautiful about cruelty to animals, which is why all materials are faux; meaning they're 100% cruelty-free, promoting welfare to animals everywhere. I totally support their wonderful stance and love them for it.

In addition to ensuring the animals are safe, they also work hard to create cosmetics that are safe for us. Tarte's skinvigorating benefits in this palette offer:

• Amazonian clay: Nature's most perfect ingredient providing total skin balance;
• Vitamin E: A natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free radical damage; and
• Mineral pigments: Colors and dyes derived from natural minerals known to soothe and soften the skin.

I know that many of your are Tarte addicts too. You won't find this one at Sephora. The Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette is an Ulta exclusive. Currently, Ulta is offering a gift with purchase, so it's a great time to go wild and check out this palette. I think it's a bargain!

Photo at top courtesy of Ulta; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Coming Attractions: Le Métier de Beauté New Kaleidoscope Face Kit II and Chauvet Pont d'Arc Kaleidoscope Eye Kit

There are two dynamite Kaleidoscopes coming soon to Le Métier de Beauté counters. I got a sneak peek at them, but only had my iPhone with me (no other camera). These photos of photos, taken inside, are grainy and not up to par with what my camera would have produced.  They will have to do for now - until I can get better ones, either from Le Métier de Beauté or with my camera later this week.

The Chauvet Pont d'Arc Kaleidoscope Eye Kit, ($95, shown above), for Summer 2012 was inspired by the Chauvet Cave Paintings in France, the oldest in the world, I've read. The cave paintings, found in Chauvet Pont d'Arc, which is located in the south of France, are among the most significant prehistoric art sites known to mankind. The hues are richly pigmented - beautiful and intense. Painted by ancient artists wielding extraordinary skills, the images evoke the burgeoning life of centuries long past and, with protection, will last and be enjoyed for eternity.

The shades in Chauvet Pont d'Arc are all gorgeous. I hope I got their names right.

• Umber - umber-toned satin mauve
• Ocher - sandstone ocher
• Madder - shimmering terracotta
• Crystalline - silky matte desert teal

You can bet I'm on the waiting list for this Kaleidoscope, which will be a limited edition, like most of them.

The new Kaleidoscope Face Kit II ($95) looks equally exquisite (even if someone left greasy fingerprints on its photo). It was designed to create a flawless complexion during the warmer months. The four new shades will help you finish your look effortlessly, with blush and a shade that will finish your face or eyes with a luminous glow and delicate sheen.

The face powder will leave a radiant, soft, matte finish. It's a universal shade and enriched with vitamin E to protect our skin. The rest of the shades will produce a naturally sun-kissed look, with their silky, light powder pigments.

Both of these Kaleidoscopes are scheduled to arrive very soon. You'll want to call your favorite Le Métier de Beauté representative to reserve yours. That's why I'm jumping the gun on my receipt of the press photos. I don't want any of you to miss out and be disappointed.

If you need help, call Michael Reinhardt at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. He and his team members are wonderful! I had a complimentary facial there yesterday, followed by a gorgeous makeup application with the GWP, and left feeling very glamorous.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chanel 51, Montaigne Eyeshadow Palette

Look what just arrived from the Chanel Boutique at Bellagio Las Vegas! The 51, Montaigne Eyeshadow Palette celebrates Chanel's new boutique at 51 avenue Montaigne. We can help Chanel celebrate here in the United States by wearing this fabulous new palette, 51, Montaigne Eyeshadow Palette (Ombres Matelassées Palette Yeux) ($80).

I zoomed outside to get some quick photos in this afternoon's bright sunlight. The presentation of the palette inside the Chanel bag was gorgeous. It's really too bad I had to open it!

The shades in the palette are all complementary. I'll have many options for creating looks, with three golds (white gold, yellow gold, and antique gold), one khaki, and one midnight violet-blue.

I applied all five shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. I'm reminded of respectful events on television, when commentators realize it's best to let the photos speak for themselves, and they remark that we'll be allowed to watch in silence. That's what I'll do here, allow you to check out the photos, without excess commentary.

The texture of these eye shadows is divine. They are not powdery, and there's no fall-out. The shadows adhere to my skin beautifully.

I'll be back as soon as I can get more close-ups (and darker photos). For now, what do you think? Do you need 51, Montaigne? You can purchase this golden collection now by calling Las Vegas. The gals (Rochelle and Giselle) at the Chanel Boutique at Bellagio Las Vegas are delightful - and so responsive. You can reach them at (702) 765-5505.


Update 3/16: Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book has posted swatch photos. Make sure to check them out.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; Chanel boutique photo courtesy of avenuemontaigneguide.com

Estée Lauder Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette from Bronze Goddess Capri Summer 2012 Collection

Estée Lauder's new limited-edition Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette in Bronze Sands ($45) offers a fresh palette of five seductive summer shadows in "effervescent" metallic sand shades complemented by a sizzling pop of aquamarine in a hot, cyber-metallic finish.

The newest limited-edition Estée Lauder color collection, inspired by the Isle of Capri, captures the warm and welcoming feeling of summer in an exotic locale. The Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette offers a natural look emblazoned by the sun.

Turn up the heat with a sexy, hyper-natural eye look for summer. This versatile palette offers ease and flexibility to highlight, define and dramatize your eyes from a shimmering, natural look by day to a truly vivid, sultry look by night. A true innovation with new Prisma-Shine technology, the formula is a tribrid of a liquid, powder, and gel all in one, allowing for high-definition color impact that won’t crease, fade, or flake. Apply the shades dry, or wet if you want to intensify your look.

Pure Color Cyber Eyes Gelée Powder EyeShadows offer richly pigmented shades with a shiny, metallic finish. The collection puts the eyes squarely at center stage in shades that flatter and rope in the eyes. These texturally graphic shadows drench the lids in drama with shades that are theatrical, yet wearable.

This palette is a stunner - much prettier in person than it is in the photos! When I saw it first in the press photos, I was curious. I had had a slightly unfavorable first impression of two of the shades (red and blue?). I was so wrong! When I saw it in person at Neiman Marcus and got a chance to test the shades, I knew I needed it. I'm glad I made that decision. I've grown to love it - not just like it - over the last week.

My photo, directly above, shows the glimmering blue color much better than the Estée Lauder photo at the top of this feature. Blue isn't blue, and some blues are much better than others. You'll be looking for occasions to wear this ocean-inspired shade.

Estée Lauder's Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette succeeded in its intention to evoke the sea and sand - shimmering under the glare of warm, tropical sunshine. The metallic shades are "proper" - no messy glitter with this one, just shimmer and sheen.

I took my swatch photos in sunshine that was on the wane. There was enough light, but clouds were moving in. I used a sponge-tipped applicator to swatch all five shades, starting at the top left in the palette, moving clockwise, and ending with the divine aquamarine in the middle. Just a little more sunshine would have made my photos look just like the colors of Capri.

The copper shade has recently become one of my favorite eye shadow shades. It's amazingly flattering, no matter what your eye color. Gold? I'm a gold addict, and this palette gave me two golden shades: bright gold and pastel gold. Two golds in one palette made me as happy as Charlie when he's eating Pounce treats. Fortunately, we don't have to purr and chew at the same time.

The lively, slightly shimmering brown (not burgundy or red) is extremely flattering and coordinates beautifully with the other shades in the palette. The aquamarine? No photo can capture its elegance on the skin. Whether you like blue tones or usually skip them, as I do, you have to try this one! It reminds me of Cyber Teal, but it's not exactly that color. Wear it with the gold or copper, and you can become that seaside bronze goddess. It shimmers; it has a complexity in tone; it's eye-catching.

The Bronze Goddess Capri Summer 2012 Collection has arrived at most Estée Lauder counters. It's also available at Estée Lauder's Web site. There are two new fragrances in the collection, and they are nice, tropical fragrances that combine the alluring notes of cassis, mandarin, lemon leaves, jasmine, lily of the valley, peony, and base notes, such as vanilla and amber. I'm seriously considering a purchase of one.

This is a fabulous collection - summer at its best. Tom Pecheux has revolutionized Estée Lauder, making it a must-have line in my list of favorites.

Photo at top courtesy of Estée Lauder; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Quick Giveaway Contest: Tarte TEN Limited-Edition Collector's Eye Shadow Palette

Congratulations to Bethany C!

As I carried more new things into my house today (a fruitful day of shopping on Small Business Saturday), it struck me to give away something to make room. The first thing I spied was this beautiful eye shadow palette from Tarte, which came with a sample of Lights, Camera, Lashes. I decided to run a quick, ad hoc giveaway contest. Enter now so you don't forget.

Before being treated with soothing vitamins, the luxurious shadows in Tarte's TEN Limited-Edition Collector's Eye Shadow Palette ($44) are softly milled from natural mineral pigments for rich color payoff and silky application. The liners are infused with antioxidant-rich and free-radical fighting carnauba wax, shea butter, and cocoa seed butter. The deep black and plum are sure to complement every look. Housed in a refillable palette studded out to embody a little bubbly, this masterpiece is the perfect way to celebrate the last decade of Tarte's welcome existence. Here's a toast to the next TEN. Cheers!

Here are the shades in TEN.

• Top row (L-R): matte soft pink, shimmering silver gray, soft shimmering gold, vibrant shimmering copper, vivid shimmering amethyst
• Bottom row (L-R): shimmering deep plum, matte almost black, deep shimmering chocolate, deep shimmering forest green, vivid shimmering teal
• Double-sided eyeliner: black and deep plum
  

How can you enter to win? All you really have to do is leave a comment on this feature.

After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title. I will tweet the contest in a few minutes, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Sunday, November 27, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Monday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner. Lately, my shipping luck has improved significantly.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Tarte

Bobbi Brown Party Eye Palette - Warm and Cool

Bobbi Brown scores again! The new Bobbi Brown Warm Party Eye Palette ($45) is available in warm and cool shades. I jumped for the warm one. It was a tough decision; they are both gorgeous.

Pop the bubbly! Champagne, gold, and copper shades accentuate and complement any attire for the holidays. This six-shade palette, which includes a Mini Dual Ended Eye
Shadow/Eyeliner Brush, has the following shades that are perfect for a neutral shadow lover. These neutrals have some pizazz, making them perfect for day or evening.

• Bone Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow
• Champagne Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow
• Pebble Metallic Eye Shadow
• Pink Blaze Sparkle Eye Shadow
• Copper Sand Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow
• Black Chocolate Eye Shadow

I swatched the palette left to right, starting at the top of my arm with the Bone Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow at the top left in the palette, then swatching the lower row. I applied each shade heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator - except Black Chocolate, which needed no help for a photo.

I'll be wearing every shade in this palette. The shimmering and metallic shades have plenty of pigment and apply beautifully. While Black Chocolate is too dark for me to use as a shadow, unless I apply it extremely lightly (which I can do), it's a perfect liner that coordinates well with all the other shades in the palette.

Although I like all the shades, I'm particularly fond of Champagne Quartz, a golden peach that's a perfect eye opener and Copper Sand, a shade I've grown to love since reader Eileen pointed out how good it can look on blue and green eyes. It's a shade I had avoided in "the olden days." Even the pink-toned Pink Blaze looks good, and I have difficulties with pink shades on my eyelids.

It's nice that the dual-ended brush comes in the compact. It's handy in case you decide to carry it along for a touch-up when you are going out to an evening event after work. At home, I'd use one of my regular brushes.

The two new Party Eye Palettes have arrived at some Bobbi Brown counters. Look for them at Neiman Marcus (where I purchased mine) and Bluemercury. I shopped yesterday and didn't see the palettes yet at Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's, but they should arrive soon.

The photo below is the Party Eye Palette in Cool. I knew you'd want to see it.
Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Lancôme Color Design Eye Brightening All-In-One 5 Shadow and Liner Palette in Golden Frenzy from 29 St Honoré for Fall 2011

Do you like gold? I don't mean the kind that's selling for about $1,750 per ounce right now. I mean gold makeup! I like both, but for now, I'm sticking with golden makeup. It's all I can afford.

Lancôme's 29 S^t Honoré Fall 2011 Color Collection by Aaron de Mey, named after its original Parisian boutique at 29 St. Honoré, revisits the classic femme fatale era when timeless cult makeup products were born. The seductive color statement for fall captures the glamour of the 1940's with luscious red lips and seductive smoky eyes. I'm not sure how the Golden Frenzy Color Design Eye Brightening All-In-One 5 Shadow and Liner Palette ($48) snuck into the collection, with its gleaming golds.

Lancôme’s new versatile, all-in-one palette conveniently creates a full eye look for day (with restraint) or night. The newest generation of Lancôme’s luminous, silky, lustrous powders transparently "wraps the skin," allowing a seamless layering of pure color for a silky sheen and radiant finish.

Golden Frenzy comes with directions and a plastic overlay to show you how to apply the shades in five easy steps (all-over base, lid, crease, highlighter, and liner) or design your customized look. You'll shine in this palette. The long-wearing formula will not fade, and I found it stays color-true over time.

The all-over base shade is a metallic white. The shades below it in the palette are, left to right, a lid shade in metallic gold, a crease shade in matte brown, and a highlighter/illuminator shade in metallic copper-brown. The liner, which spans the bottom row, looks black to me. Lancôme suggests in the directions that you apply the highlighter shade in the inner corner of the eyes and on the ball of the eyes. I think it's too dark for use in the inner corner (for most of us), but that might work for some. However, it's a glamorous lid or crease shade.

I took my swatch photos in full sun. I applied the eye shadows with a sponge-tipped applicator. They are swatched with the base shade at the top, the "highlighter" shade below, the brown crease shade third from top, and the lid shade at the bottom.

The all-over base shade is extremely metallic. I would not wear it as suggested. Rather I would use it as a highlighter (in the inner crease) or on the lid only. The actual highlighter shade will provide a gorgeous metallic copper look wherever you apply it. The matte brown shouldn't be constrained to use in the crease. You could also use it as a liner if your coloring is fair. The golden lid shade is metallic, bright, and glimmering. I love gold (of all kinds). It's vying with the copper shade for my favorite in the palette.

The liner shade is shown at left. I applied it with a slanted liner brush. It's a matte black to my eye. I would have preferred a dark brown with this palette, but we can all use black. I like the texture of the liner.

What do you think? If you need to add some pizzazz to your eyes, this may be your eye shadow palette! I bought mine at Neiman Marcus. It should be available at all Lancôme counters. It is shown at Lancôme's Web site as "out of stock," but there's a "notify me" button, so they must expect to receive additional stock.

Photo at top courtesy of Lancôme; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sneak Peek: Giorgio Armani Beauty Palettes for Fall/Winter 2011

Featuring Megan Fox, Giorgio Armani Beauty is rolling out a sophisticated yet wearable look for fall. How Armani! I was able to get photos of the new palettes to show you, courtesy of my friends at Planète Beauté.

If you love makeup and you aren't following Planète Beauté, my first question would be, "Why not?" Planète Beauté was one of the first blogs I linked on my site. I was new to blogging, and I found their content to be superb. I was a bit jealous too because Europeans often get press releases about European collections before the information lands in the United States. Sometimes I think our photos arrive in the U.S. by raft - one that crossed the Atlantic in turbulent weather!

Go subscribe or follow Planète Beauté! Don't tell me you can't read French. Google Translate will help you.

As I started to write this feature today, in came more Giorgio Armani Beauty Fall/Winter 2011 photos I'll be able show you this week. I feel like I won the lottery - and I don't even have the products in hand!

For now, look at these beautiful eye shadows I have in my future. The jacquard pattern, inspired by couture textiles, gives the shadows a three-dimensional appearance. The Giorgio Armani logo ensures we make no mistakes about their exclusive origin.

These colors look extremely wearable. Each palette has a highlighter to illuminate and a dark color to use as a liner. Two shades of the same color (grey-blue, green, and neutral pink-browns) seem to take their inspiration from Pantone pages.

The palette with the black background below may actually be a face palette, with a highlighter, blush, and cheek color. Even it it's intended for the eyes, it would make a beautiful face palette to create a pink and healthy glow. I need to get my hands on it to see if the small sheer red at the bottom is large enough to use as a blush. You can tell I don't have complete information yet.

In the past, I've found that the European collections (or early photos) are occasionally slightly different from what we receive in the U.S. I've also seen the "look" photos differ from one continent to the next.

We may have to wait until late August or early September to see these beauties in person. That will be agonizing for those of us who buy everything Armani. I want to wear these now.

Photos courtesy of Planète Beauté

Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection for Fall 2011 - Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette

I had a lovely surprise over the weekend - a Bobbi Brown collection I wasn't expecting yet arrived at Nordstrom. Among the new and featured items was this fabulous Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette ($60). I gasped when I saw the display. Apparently, Nordstrom was lucky to get it early. It will be available at Bobbi Brown's Web site and Bobbi counters on July 1. I'm feeling lucky!

Like a great pair of eye glasses (and who doesn't love classic tortoise shell glasses?), Bobbi Brown's stunning collection is all about eyes. Inspired by her own tortoise shell frames, Bobbi designed the collection to complement, rather than compete with, your glasses. Stunning shadows in shades ranging from bronze to gold to espresso are housed in tortoise shell compacts with gold detailing. It was enough to make me pull out my gold tortoise frames and wear them.

There are two palettes, one fairly matte, and one with plenty of shimmer. You can guess I chose the shimmery Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette. It took a nanosecond to pick my favorite of the two. Here are the shades in the palette - some new and exclusive to the palette, and some available in prior introductions.

• Banana Eye Shadow
• Gold Nugget Sparkle Eye Shadow (new)
  
• Bronze Metallic Eye Shadow (new)
  
• Olive Sparkle Eye Shadow (new)
  
• Tiger's Eye Metallic Eye Shadow (new)
  
• Espresso Eye Shadow
• Amber Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow (new)
  
• Copper Cocoa Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow

Steady my heart, there are only two shades that don't "excite" me - the two matte ones. Why am I not attracted to the age-appropriate shades as much as the more glamorous ones? Of course, Banana is a perfect base shade, and Espresso is a perfect liner, so they are essential shades. I am just familiar with them. That probably explains my blasé attitude. You need the basics, though, and Bobbi was wise to include them.

My photo of the two-level palette, taken in full sun, is just above right. The bottom "drawer" slides out from below the top level, making the palette compact. I swatched the shades for you, starting on the top level at top left, and moving clockwise - then moving on to the bottom drawer, starting again at the top left and swatching clockwise. My photos were taken in full sun.

I swatched in the order in which I listed the shadows above, and applied all shades with a sponge-tipped applicator. I can barely see Banana on my skin at the top, but the gorgeous Gold Nugget below it on my arm should be visible. The two shades on the top level that are utterly gorgeous are Bronze Metallic Eye Shadow and Olive Sparkle Eye Shadow. On the lower level, I am thrilled with Copper Cocoa Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow and Amber Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow.

I had to get at least one close-up photo of the shades. The shade at the top is the stunning Olive, and below it, top to bottom, are Tiger's Eye, Espresso, Amber, and Copper Cocoa. How pretty does it get?

This Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette should be on your must-see list for shopping over the Fourth of July weekend! You'll be able to armchair shop at Bobbi Brown online or visit your favorite Bobbi Brown counter. If you can't wait, see if your own Nordstrom has the new collection. I suspect each department store, as is their habit these days, ordered a limited number of units, so your best bet, if you can't find it locally, will be to order from Bobbi Brown's Web site when the collection is posted.

There is another palette. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Sand Tortoise Shell Eye Palette. There's also a beautiful Tortoise Shell Mini Brush Set, new Rich Lip Colors with SPF 12, and new High Shimmer Lip Glosses. I purchased one of the glosses and will show it to you tomorrow morning, along with press photos of the rest of the collection. This is exciting!

Photos at top courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Bobbi Brown Bare to Bold Eye Palette Giveaway Contest

The Bare to Bold Eye Palette ($45) has six eye shadows and a dual-ended eye shadow brush/eyeliner brush. The palette was designed by Bobbi to give you a subtle, neutral look for day and a bold, sparkling look for evening. Anyone who wants one palette to dabble, or amplify her classic daytime look with hints of browns and sparkling greens for a bolder look, is going to love this palette. I have one I adore. I featured the palette in October.

Here are some instructions from Bobbi Brown. Finish these eye looks with mascara.

For a bare look...
Sweep Navajo eye shadow as a base color from the lash line to the brow bone using the eye shadow brush. Then, dust Cement eye shadow as a medium color on the lower lid up to the crease. For a pop of color, sweep Champagne Quartz into the inner corner to reflect light.

For a bold look...
Sweep Navajo eye shadow as a base color from the lash line to the brown bone using the eye shadow brush. Dampen the brush and apply Champagne Quartz into inner corner of the eye. Then, take Evergreen Sparkle eye shadow into the middle of the eye and blend well. Next, create an outer V to smoke out the eye with Quarry Shimmer Wash eye shadow. Pick up Caviar eye shadow onto the eyeliner side of the brush and line the upper and lower lash lines.

The compact includes these shades, along with the brush.

• Navajo, a creamy pink
• Cement, a gray beige
• Champagne Quartz Metallic, a golden peach pink
• Quarry Shimmer Wash, a shimmery taupe
• Evergreen Sparkle, a teal gray
• Caviar, a black brown

How can you enter to win this contest? Easy! Just leave a comment here once. After you comment, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can "earn" a second entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) in your tweet. I will tweet the contest later today, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point, but you can save me time by telling me you're a follower in your comment). I can't track followers through a third-party service, so you need to be on Google's list for me to verify the entry.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 4, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org)to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder after the contest ends.

The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of QVC