Coming Soon: Le Métier de Beauté Dark Orchid Kaleidoscope - Gift with Purchase at Neiman Marcus Camp Gorgeous

The Neiman Marcus Camp Gorgeous Event is coming soon: June 4-15. Le Métier de Beauté has an amazing gift with purchase in store for you. The Dark Orchid Kaleidoscope, a $95 value, will be yours with your Le Métier de Beauté purchase of $250 or more. Time to stock up on skin care?

The unique beauty of this collection is in the new eye shadow formula Le Métier de Beauté's chemist just completed. The new texture is more buttery and rich than anything the company has offered before. What can you anticipate?

• Tier 1:  Split-Pan Cake Liner. Black and Plum-Orchid 
• Tier 2:  Rich Orchid. (similar to Alexandrite/Fig, but more magenta, and brighter) 
• Tier 3:  Mocha Sheen (similar to Corinthian, but more vivid and brighter) 
• Tier 4:  A new moisture-resistant Eye-Base Primer. When applied to the eyelid, the look is like a sheer, pearlized nylon stocking.

Michael Reinhardt at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie is taking pre-orders for those who want to make sure they "earn" this free, exclusive Kaleidoscope before they "sell out," so to speak. Give Michael or Chae Edwards a call at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258.

Ask Michael about the all-new single eye shadows coming, as well as the new neck cream, destined to reverse one of our most troublesome signs of aging.

Photo courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté

Tom Ford Beauty Eye Primer Duo

Tom Ford's unique, new Eye Primer Duo ($45) is a powder and cream primer that enhances the performance of eye shadow by preventing creasing and extending wear for up to 15 hours. The cream primer, which you apply first, features the Tom Ford infusing complex, which helps create a smooth look, while the oil-absorbing powder that you apply over the cream ensures superb color definition. Does it work? Yes, but what you want from an eye primer will determine whether you love it or not.

First, I will tell you that it works really well. I apply the cream in the bottom part of the flip-top jar with a touch-up brush intended for creams - the same brush I use to apply concealer. I apply the powder with a camouflage brush, only because it allows a tidy application without any flying powder near my eyes.

The cream is almost colorless when applied. I can see that it's there, but it doesn't effectively conceal the redness I have above the crease. It does even out my skin tone, partially concealing the redness, but it doesn't significantly improve my own coloring. The powder is white-ish when applied. The color isn't ghastly, as it might sound. It sets the cream and adds a touch of brightness to the eye area. That's nice.

I apply my color above the two layers, and the color adheres perfectly. It also stays put all day. Given that, I would declare Tom Ford's Eye Primer Duo a success. However, it is not a concealer. The eye primer I've been using, Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base, which costs $30, does what the Tom Ford primer does with one step, and it conceals the redness in my eyes.

Those who have no need for a concealer in their primer will adore the Tom Ford eye primer. It is extremely nice (texture, wear, all the things we associate with Tom Ford Beauty) - and it's effective. Those who want their primer to conceal will want to save a few dollars and try the Edward Bess product. I must note, based on a recent comment, that the Edward Bess primer should not be applied from its own wand. That will apply too much product. Put a drop from the wand on your palm, and pick up the product with a cream shadow or touch-up brush for application.

Tom Ford's Eye Primer Duo was released with the fall collection, and it is available at all Tom Ford Counters. I purchased mine from Dustin Lujan at the John Barrett Salon in New York City. Right now, John Barrett is offering free shipping. You can reach Dustin there at (212) 872-2714.

Photo at top courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Clinique All About Shadow - All New, Starting in Taupe Heaven with Starlight Starbright

Most women want eye color with pop that takes seconds to apply, but lasts all day without fading away. These luxurious new Clinique eye shadows provide a rich, creamy formula with high-intensity pigment and intense color. The "form and function" of Clinique's new All About Shadow provide a rich color payoff in a single stroke.

Special "Fusion Layering" and "Variable Milling" technologies were used to create a lush, creamy application that makes the eyelids appear smoother while delivering rich, true color. A blend of good-for-your-skin ingredients, including Astrocaryum Murumuru seed butter and vitamin E, creates the ultimate creamy and silky powder texture. The smooth formula glides on easily and stays put throughout the day. I have been so impressed with the new shadows, I went a little crazy at the counters. I have so many to show you!

Available in all finishes, from matte to high shimmer, All About Shadow is offered in Singles, Duos, and Quads. To increase the wear of All About Shadow from eight hours to 12 hours, Clinique has introduced All About Shadow Primer for Eyes - the perfect first step for achieving eyes that dazzle. This new primer significantly improves color retention, reduces creasing, and extends wear up to 12 hours when applied under All About Shadow. For a more casual look, All About Shadow Primer for Eyes can be worn alone to achieve a perfected and natural look. The doe foot wand makes application easy. The primer is available in four shades to reach a broad range of skin tones: Very Fair, Moderately Fair, Medium, and Deep. I haven't tried it yet because I just restocked my favorite primer and added Tom Ford's new primer to my stable - but I will get to it.

To add more intensity to any eye look, Clinique’s top-selling Quickliner for Eyes Intense builds definition while lasting from day to night. This fabulous eyeliner provides non-fading, long-wearing color with a smooth, liquid-liner-like payoff that stays put for 12 hours. It's available in six new shades: Intense Truffle, Intense Clove, Intense Peridot, Intense Peacock, Intense Aubergine, and Intense Amethyst, as well as two limited-edition colors,  Intense Sable, and Intense Cobalt. I think it was Cobalt that made my hyperventilate. Quickliner for Eyes Intense is now available in 15 gorgeous shades.

The beautiful range of colors drew me to the new display at Clinique counters. I've picked out colors at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. You will have to click on the photo above to see the extraordinary range of shades. Even then, you can't experience their beautiful texture and finishes from these swatch photos.

Today, I'd like to show you one of the first duos I purchased: Starlight Starbright (a duo, $20). It was obviously made for taupe/neutral shadow lovers. It comes with an overlay on the mirror, suggesting how you might want to apply the two shades to create a beautiful look. You can easily peel off the overlay.

I took swatch photos last week. I swathed fairly heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator and took my photographs in full sun. The shade on the left is shown at the top of my arm, and the smaller shadow is shown below.

I think these subtly shimmering shades are exquisite. The light taupe is a perfect base shade, and the darker taupe is my kind of definition color. This must be a very popular duo because it was sold out (already) at one store where I shopped and still in stock at another. While I'm sure it will be restocked, I wanted it "now."

I have many swatch photos to show you. I did say I went a little crazy. Who wouldn't with gorgeous shades and fabulous prices? Stay tuned this week as I show you more and provide some of Clinique's application tips. I love this new eye color line!

The new All About Shadow colors are available at all Clinique counters and Clinique's Web site. You should check them out.

Photos at top by Clinique; other photos by Best Things in Beauty