Le Métier de Beauté Saks Fifth Avenue Fall 2013 Dominique Kaleidoscope Eye Kit - Plus More News

The Dominique Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) is exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue. It is in the company's Look For Fall Fantasy September Beauty catalog, which arrived last week.

I know that there have been comments here about ordering this from Neiman Marcus. I don't know how. It's a Saks exclusive.

I don't have a press description of the shades yet, but they appear to be a pretty peach, lavender, sparkling/snazzy pink, and periwinkle. I'm very curious about it. I wish there were a Saks in the DC area where I could go see it.

There's more in store from Le Métier de Beauté. This week (probably Wednesday or Thursday), the company is launching two-ounce Peau Vierge tubes in shades #2 and #3.  Customers requested an easier-to-carry tube that they could throw into their bags, so Le Métier de Beauté came up with a two-ounce tube for convenience.  It will hit all Le Métier de Beauté counters this week.  It's the same great product, but now available in a larger size and different packaging for $175.00 (one ounce is still $125.00). Pretty cool, huh?

Photos courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté

Le Métier de Beauté Neiman Marcus Fall 2013 Kaleidoscope Eye Kit: Carnaby Street - Swatched

I'm so excited that I now have my hands on Le Métier de Beauté's Carnaby Street ($95). As usual, the real thing is much prettier than the press photo above lets on.

Le Métier de Beauté Neiman Marcus' exclusive Carnaby Street Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Fall 2013 was inspired by swinging London and the famed Soho shopping district that was the center of the mod and hippie movements of the 1960's. Le Métier de Beauté says this pretty collection of eye colors "screams of fashion-forward sophistication." I say it screams wearable, everyday beauty.

Cameo at the top is a shimmering peachy pink. Anorak is a warm, glinting taupe. They had me with these top two shades. Then they moved on with pizazz.

Jackie is a sophisticated matte mauve. I will never wear it alone (unlayered) - it's not suited to my eyes with their tendency to redness. It does layer well with the other shades, though. Last weekend, Christopher applied Carnaby Street on me at Mazza Gallerie (the tester had arrived), and Jackie looked really pretty when blended with the shades above it.

Dandy, at the bottom, is a stunning blue (strangely called midnight navy, but it's not that dark). It's a pure, medium-toned blue that makes a pretty, contrasting eyeliner for me. Those who love smoky blues will find it a gorgeous color that gives life to the eyes.

I took my swatch photos in full, mid-day sunshine. I applied all four shades moderately heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. You will see that I had a little friend keeping an eye on me from the porch - grooming himself when I shot the photo directly below.

Given my tastes, the top two shades are worth the price of admission. The peachy pink is the perfect color to ensure that your eyes won't look red. The gleaming taupe is, well, perfect.

I took one swatch photo that wasn't in strong, direct sunlight because I felt the sun was washing out the shades. Here is a shot in front of the chrysanthemum my friend left for me. It is in full bloom at my front door.

This Kaleidoscope is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and made it to the Mazza Gallerie store just as the end of Beauty Week neared. Through today, Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie has amazing GWPs. If you spend $125 and purchase a Le Métier de Beauté lipstick, you will receive another one for free. If you spend $300 at Le Métier de Beauté, you will receive a full-sized Peau Vierge Dark Spot Corrector, which I have learned is also a pore minimizer and retexturing serum.

To order today call Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. You can reach them at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. They are both working today. You can certainly order later, but Beauty Event will have ended. The Neiman Marcus event totes are cute (spend $125 in beauty), but not must-have's. Still, I will use my brown leopard tote to lug things around.

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

Sisley L'Orchidée Rose Blush Highlighter from the City Muse Collection for Fall 2013

Like a melting pot buzzing with energy and creativity, the city is a bubbling whirlpool of effervescence. From Paris to New York, from London to Milan, the Sisley woman is decidedly urban this autumn. Her world spans major international capital cities, where businesswomen flourish. Pounding the streets of the grand boulevards or flitting between high-society dinner parties, she exudes androgynous elegance with the added twist of ultra-feminine makeup.

Perhaps not my lifestyle, but...
In the fall, our complexions lighten; summer’s sun-kissed looks fade away to leave a transparent, hopefully luminous, and pinkish complexion. This fall, color takes center stage. Sisley's L'Orchidée Rose Blush Highlighter ($108) is the perfect complement to dramatic eyes and intense lips. It will not compete with them. You have seen the minimal cheek color for fall. This one, composed of three shades, which can be blended in infinite variations to illuminate the complexion, is perfect.

L’Orchidée Rose colors and enhances the complexion with an easy-to-apply and endlessly adjustable luminous veil. Its trio of ultra-luminous shades is specially designed to beautify and sculpt the face: three soft, slightly pearly shades that refract the light and offer a gorgeous glow.

L'Orchidée Rose adds a subtle pink sheen that will brighten up your winter complexion like a breath of fresh air for the face - light due to the airy and silky formula with micronized pigments and extracts of hydrating white lily. The color is a beautiful, pure pink - perfect for me.

I took swatch photos this past weekend - after I purchased L'Orchidée Rose. I swatched at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator and below with a blush brush. I think the color is marvelous. It has life without "in your face" shimmer.

You can see in the photo directly above that the gleaming finish is beautiful and natural. I can use it as a blush; others may find it a perfect highlighter. No matter what your skin tone, you can find a way to beautify your face with this gorgeous color.

Sisley’s City Muse makeup collection is now arriving at 95 luxury retailers nationwide, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and select locations of Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's. There are other pieces in the collection that I was not able to purchase. You really need to see the whole display. It's gorgeous.

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

Sisley Phyto-Ombre Glow Metallic Eye Shadow from the City Muse Collection for Fall 2013

Sisley's new, unique Phyto-Ombre Glow ($52) eye shadows (I'll bet they will serve beautifully as highlighters too) caught my eyes the moment I saw them a few weeks ago. Silver Glow, Pearl Glow, Gold Glow, and Amber Glow all went on my to-buy list, and I was able to purchase them Saturday. They had arrived at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie on Friday. The ultra-soft, exceptionally fine illuminating eye shadows are designed to give the benefits of a powder, cream, and molded formula in one instantly blending gel system.

Phyto-Ombre Glow is a next-generation eye shadow that captures and diffuses light in a captivating pearlescent halo. It has a cutting-edge technology, unrivaled formula with a host of benefits.

Extremely light and comfortable to wear, this shadow adheres better to the eyelid and is lighter than your typical powder - and more velvety than a cream. Invisible, and with an incomparable glide-on application, this subtle shadow works into your skin effortlessly with no risk of overdoing it. It layers perfectly.

Mother of pearl is in the formula to catch the light from every angle and deliver breathtaking radiance to the eyes. Breakthrough color control with its talc-free, residue-free formula offers ultra-luminescent and thoroughly pure color with a translucent finish. These shadows can be worked in infinite ways for many looks, from intense metallic to subtle shimmer.

Here is a photo of all my new treasures. From left to right, they are Silver Glow, Pearl Glow, Gold Glow, and Amber Glow. You can see that the surface of each is waved - just a little extra to make them especially beautiful in their compacts.

What can I tell you about their formula? Here us what Sisley says.

• Talc-free, residue-free formula for ultra-luminescent and thoroughly pure color with a translucent finish 
• An unprecedented percentage of mother of pearl to catch the light from every angle and deliver radiance to the eyes
• To be worked in infinite ways, for a versatile make-up result: light and natural through to more intense, more metallic, bold looks
• Enriched in green tea leaf, white lily petal extracts, and camellia oil, it softens and respects the skin of the eyelids

I took swatch photos in full sun after swatching with a sponge-tipped applicator. I swatched in the same order above, from Silver Glow at the top of my arm to Amber Glow at the bottom.

The colors are all gorgeous to my eyes. How would I ever have selected just one? They adhere to my lid beautifully, and they gleam with a sophisticated brilliance. Do I have a favorite shade? Not really, but I love the way the champagne Pearl Glow looks on me.

Sisley's trainer told me they were best applied with our fingertips. Sisley's Web site recommends use of the sponge-tipped applicator that comes with each compact or fingertips for application. Take your pick.

This is the part where I drool. You really must try these new eye shadows. Finally, you should be able to find them at your favorite Sisley counter. My online search found them available at Nordstrom's Web site.  Need help? Call Vicki Hamilton at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258.

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

Estée Lauder Beach Metals Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio from The Metallics New Pure Color Collection for Fall 2013

This fall, imagine an incredible combination of the highest reflective shine and intensely desirable color to make eyes, lips, and nails smolder. The The Metallics, a new Pure Color Collection from Estée Lauder, fill that bill. This surprisingly versatile collection of metallic finishes breaks boundaries and transforms like never before, with liquid-like shadows that saturate eyes, vinyl finishes that lacquer lips, and hyper-chromatics that accessorize nails. Whether soft and pretty or bold and sexy, The Metallics uses a variety of unique reflective finishes to bring a new level of sophistication to multi-dimensional color.

The new Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios ($36) are said to be like molten metal. Play in a new dimension of amplified color with the liquid-like texture melting onto the eyelids for a high-definition chromatic color impact. A creamy, silk-like formula glides on effortlessly releasing pure, brilliant color that stays true for 10 hours without creasing or fading.

I thought Beach Metals (#07) was one of the prettiest trios in the collection. Oddly, I can't find it on Estée Lauder's Web site. There are eight available. I found mine at Saks, but even they didn't have all the colors on their display. The available shades follow.

• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Smoked Chrome
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Arctic Zinc
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Steel Lilacs
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Gilded Chocolates
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Amber Alloy
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Beach Metals
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Sterling Plums
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Camo Chrome

I took swatch photos of Beach Metals in full, late-morning sunshine. I swatched with a dry sponge-tipped applicator. This time, I did swatch one color with a wet applicator to show you the difference, and I was surprised how subtle it was.

Here are the three shades in the palette (left to right) on my arm from top to bottom. Like Amber Alloy, the ivory highlighter shade is a gorgeous ivory, but it has more pink in it than Amber Alloy. The center color is a vibrant peach. The dark copper-brown hybrid shade is intended to be a liner, although you can use it lightly for contouring or accenting the outer corners of the lid.

I swatched the gorgeous peach wet to see how much it would amp up the intensity. As you can see below, not all that much. The shade did become more electric - more metallic - but the color wasn't more intense. It just took on a different character. See the photo directly below.

I'll be wearing my Beach Metals eye shadows applied with a dry brush. I think the shades are beautiful as they are, without any extra help. Certainly for daytime wear, they should be applied dry for office-friendly use. I suppose the exception would be for those in fashion or the arts, where you've got leeway on snazzy looks.

The trio compacts are gold in color, emblazoned with the Estée Lauder logo, and come with a double-ended sponge-tipped applicator, the kind you'll never use. Each trio compact has a nice mirror inside, as well as the overlay with paint-by-numbers shade suggestions.

These eye shadows are available at the Estée Lauder Web site and some stores. If you don't see them at the counter now, you will soon. The display has all the lip and nail colors, so prepare to be dazzled. I was when I saw the whole collection at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Estée Lauder The Metallics New Pure Color Collection with a Focus on the Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios for Fall 2013

"When it comes to color, there are no limits. I like to have freedom. Metallic makeup does that," said Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director at Estée Lauder. The Metallics New Pure Color is a brilliant new expression of color, featuring the cool sheen of metal and the liquid light of lacquer. The slightly edited "press" on this collection follows in the next few paragraphs.

This fall, imagine an incredible combination of the highest reflective shine and intensely desirable color to make eyes, lips, and nails smolder. The The Metallics, a new Pure Color Collection from Estée Lauder, fill that bill. This surprisingly versatile collection of metallic finishes breaks boundaries and transforms like never before, with liquid-like shadows that saturate eyes, vinyl finishes that lacquer lips, and hyper-chromatics that accessorize nails. Whether soft and pretty or bold and sexy, The Metallics uses a variety of unique reflective finishes to bring a new level of sophistication to multi-dimensional color.

The new Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios ($36) are said to be like molten metal. Play in a new dimension of amplified color with the liquid-like texture melting onto the eyelids for a high-definition chromatic color impact. A creamy, silk-like formula glides on effortlessly releasing pure, brilliant color that stays true for 10 hours without creasing or fading.

The dazzling eye shadows instantly transform from a soft powder to a silky liquid-like texture using slurry technology to give the powder a unique silk-satin feel. True Vision technology - a crystalline (polymer) laminate - magnifies and amplifies color for intense clarity and vibrancy, while a unique blend of optics captures light for a reflective flash of shine.

Designed to be applied dry for a refined look or wet for a highly metallic finish, the new Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios infuse metallic into any look for an added dimension of sophistication. Featuring three brilliant shades, each trio is a total eye look in one: base, contour, and highlight for mistake-proof application. Extremely blendable and color-true, the expertly coordinated shades look stunning on all skin tones and range from soft chrome shimmers to dramatic metallic finishes.

What's cool about these eye shadow trios is that they are not at all dramatic when applied dry. I'm not fond of colors that are "amplified" and intense, and metallics can be suspect. That's why I was thrilled to find beautiful everyday neutrals I love in this new collection of eye shadows, lip colors, and nail lacquers.

Amber Alloy (#06) is a beautiful trio of beige and brown shades. It is one of two trios that instantly captured my attention. I first saw it at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. Not having time to get to Mazza this week, I dashed over to Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, where there was no sign the collection had arrived - and no help at the Estée Lauder counter. So I walked down the mall to Saks Fifth Avenue and purchased my new trios there.

It was really late in the day by the time I was able to get photos of Amber Alloy. The product shot above is dark, even though it was taken in sunshine. Even so, the colors in my photo are more true than those in the Estée Lauder photo above, which looks way too warm.

I swatched with a dry sponge-tipped applicator. I had to walk up my road to find a decent patch of sunshine for the swatch photos below.

The ivory shade at the top of my arm is the base shade at the left of the palette. Meant to be used as a highlighter all over the lid, particularly up to the brow, it gives the eyes a pretty gleam. The amber-toned shade is the one in the middle. A pretty warm toffee shade, it should work for all complexions just about any way you want to use it. The combination of these two shades is perfect for an office look.

The gorgeous cool-toned brown is intended to be used as a liner, but I can use it as an accent or contour shade because it's not too dark. How do I know how it's intended to be used? Each trio comes with a plastic overlay that gives paint-by-numbers instructions for those who can't figure out how to apply eye shadow. None of us, right?

The trio compacts are gold in color, emblazoned with the Estée Lauder logo, and come with a double-ended sponge-tipped applicator. I suppose I should have swatched with a damp brush to show you how the colors look when applied "wet." I didn't because I won't be wearing the trio that way. I love it just the way it's pictured here. I purchased another trio that I'll show you as soon as I get swatch photos.

These eye shadows are available at the Estée Lauder Web site and some stores. If you don't see them at the counter now, you will soon. The display has all the lip and nail colors, so prepare to be dazzled.

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

Bobbi Brown Bobbi & Katie Collection for Fall 2013

I thought this photo, with the tables turned on Bobbi Brown, was really cute. I got a look at the Bobbi & Katie Collection last week at Neiman Marcus, and I really liked it. Did I purchase the limited-edition Bobbie & Katie Palette ($68)? No, but it wasn't because I don't like it. I think it's beautiful. I've been forced to purchase less - that's all. It's a tough adjustment.

This fall, Bobbi Brown and Katie Holmes join forces to create the ultimate makeup lineup for today’s modern woman: the Bobbi & Katie Collection. Form meets function in the creative duo’s new palette for eyes, cheeks, and lips. Combined with a brush set and cosmetic case perfectly sized for your purse, it’s everything you need for beauty on the go.

Inspired by one of Katie’s favorite journals and reflecting her classic fashion design sensibility, this 10-well face palette is housed in a cloth-bound case that opens to reveal an interior mirror, eight Eye Shadows, two Pot Rouges, and one Mini Eye Pencil. Shades ranging from nudes to pinks to browns are designed to complement all skin tones, and work for day to evening looks. Here are the shades.

• Eye Shadow Shades: Pink Chiffon Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Brown Sugar Metallic Eye Shadow, Pink Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow, Black Cocoa Metallic Eye Shadow, Ballet Sparkle Eye Shadow, Stone Eye Shadow, Antique Rose Eye Shadow, Cream Eye Shadow
• Pot Rouge Shades: Pretty Powerful Pink, Raspberry
• Eye Pencil: Chocolate

It's a nice, coordinated assortment of colors. I especially like the Pot Rouge shades and the neutral eye shadows, which look like they were made for me.

The collection also includes a limited-edition Bobbi & Katie Mini Brush Set ($65). Designed for modern women on-the-go like Bobbi and Katie, this is the ultimate space-saving, multi-tasking set.

The downtown chic brown cosmetics bag contains four Mini Brushes in one zipper-pocket that are perfect for creating any look with the Bobbi & Katie Palette. A separate zipper-pocket is sized perfectly to store the Bobbi & Katie Palette for a complete beauty to-go package. You’ll never leave home without it. The set includes minis of two of my favorite full-sized Bobbi Brown brushes. Everyone should own a Blender Brush.

• Mini Face Blender Brush
• Mini Eye Shadow Brush
• Mini Eye Sweep Brush
• Mini Smokey Eye Liner Brush

Right now, Bobbi Brown counters and Bobbi Brown's Web site have this new Bobbi & Katie collection available, along with other new beauties Bobbi Brown fans should check out. Plus, there's more coming - exciting new makeup. I am testing a new mascara and will have a feature for you soon.

Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Sisley's New Abundance of Colorful Riches for Fall 2013: City Muse

Last week, I had an opportunity to see Sisley-Paris' new color story for fall: City Muse. I was totally smitten and can't wait for the new collection to arrive at counters. I think we can expect to see the stunning colors arrive this month - hopefully in time for Neiman Marcus' Beauty Event.

Most of my photos (with the exception of the one directly above) were taken indoors at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. There are many new colors you will want to check out.

The unique Phyto-Ombre Glow eye shadows (I'll bet they will serve beautifully as highlighters too) caught my eyes immediately. Silver Glow, Pearl Glow, Gold Glow, and Amber Glow all went on my to-buy list. I didn't get a price, but I think it's between $40 and $50 each.

Mother of pearl is in the formula to catch the light from every angle and deliver breathtaking radiance to the eyes. Breakthrough color control with its talc-free, residue-free formula offers ultra-luminescent and thoroughly pure color with a translucent finish. These shadows can be worked in infinite ways for many looks, from intense metallic to subtle shimmer.

I learned that these cream-to-powder shadows are meant to be applied with our fingers. I tried it in the store, and my fingers applied them perfectly. I spent the rest of the evening lopsided, wearing Silver Glow on one eye and Gold Glow on another.

L'Orchidée Rose is much like the Palette Orchidée Highlighter Blush with White Lily ($108) that was introduced in Spring-Summer 2012. It's much lighter in color, though. While you can't see that in my dark photo above, if you enlarge the photos at the top of this feature, you'll see. It's drop-dead gorgeous.

I'm assuming it brings to the forefront the same qualities as its predecessor. Freshness and warmth blend together for a luminous, translucent, and gorgeous finish. L'Orchidée Rose combines the latest technological advances in makeup with Sisley's skin-care expertise. It's feather-light, silky, blendable texture adheres perfectly to the skin, thanks to a complex of esters, mother of pearl, and silicone that ensure a perfect second-skin appearance and buildable coverage. The powder will enhance luminosity and add softness to the skin.

Incredibly lightweight, the L'Orchidée Rose powder has a special coating to provide translucency and light. The colors will remain pure and radiant with wear, thanks to micronized pigments. Extract of white lily provides a moisturizing and emollient effect to leave the skin velvety smooth, enhance the complexion, and provide skin-care benefits.

The three powder eye shadows you see in the photos above are re-promotes - great colors for fall: Midnight Blue, Black Diamond, and Ultraviolet. There are two lip glosses in the collection: #8, Pink, and #9, Plum. They are priced at $55.

I wasn't expecting a blockbuster color collection from Sisley for fall. Now, I'm counting the days until I can purchase the colors. I want all four of the Phyto-Ombre Glow eye shadows and L'Orchidée Rose - at the very least. There is also new Sisley skin care I mentioned recently. I'm giving my samples a workout and will let you know what I think. Early results are excellent.

Look for this beautiful collection soon at Sisley counters. I'm saving up.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Le Métier de Beauté Neiman Marcus Fall 2013 Kaleidoscope Eye Kit: Carnaby Street - Updated with Pro Photos

I'm so excited that I can show you Le Métier de Beauté's photos of Carnaby Street. My in-store photos of photos were less than exciting.

Le Métier de Beauté Neiman Marcus Fall 2013 Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) is Carnaby Street. Take a trip back to swinging London with a Kaleidoscope Eye Kit inspired by the famed Soho shopping district that was the center of the mod and hippie movements of 1960's London. This pretty collection of eye colors "screams of fashion-forward sophistication."

The colors are much prettier than they look in the Kaleidoscope photo. Cameo at the top is a shimmering peachy pink. Anorak is a warm, glinting taupe. They had me with these top two shades. Then they moved on with fabulous pizazz.

Jackie is a sophisticated matte mauve. I'll have to see it to know if I can wear it alone (unlayered). Dandy, at the bottom, is a stunning teal (strangely called midnight navy - so we will have to see it in person).

This Kaleidoscope is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and will be available during Beauty Week, which will be here before you know it. Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie will have amazing GWPs. If you spend $125 and purchase a Le Métier de Beauté lipstick, you will receive another one for free (at least at Mazza). If you spend $300 at Le Métier de Beauté, you will receive a full-sized Peau Vierge Dark Spot Corrector, which I have learned is also a pore minimizer and retexturing serum.

To pre-order (this one will sell out), call (or visit) Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. You can reach them at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Le Métier de Beauté Neiman Marcus Fall 2013 Kaleidoscope Eye Kit: Carnaby Street

The best I can do today is show you a photo of a photo taken in the evening indoors with no flash. How's that for three strikes against a good photo? I will go back tomorrow and try to get a photo (of the photo) outdoors if the sun is shining.

Le Métier de Beauté Neiman Marcus Fall 2013 Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) is Carnaby Street. Take a trip back to swinging London with a Kaleidoscope Eye Kit inspired by the famed Soho shopping district that was the center of the mod and hippie movements of 1960's London. This pretty collection of eye colors "screams of fashion-forward sophistication."

The colors are much prettier than they look in my photo. Cameo at the top is a shimmering peachy pink. Anorak is a warm, glinting taupe. They had me with these top two shades. Then they moved on with fabulous pizazz.

Jackie is a sophisticated matte mauve. I'll have to see it to know if I can wear it alone (unlayered). Dandy, at the bottom, is a stunning midnight navy.

This Kaleidoscope is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and will be available during Beauty Week, which will be here before you know it. Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie will have amazing GWPs. If you spend $125 and purchase a Le Métier de Beauté lipstick, you will receive another one for free. If you spend $300 at Le Métier de Beauté, you will receive a full-sized Peau Vierge Dark Spot Corrector, which I have learned is also a pore minimizer and retexturing serum.

To pre-order (this one will sell out), call (or visit) Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. You can reach them at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. I will publish a better photo as soon as I can get one.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Tom Ford In the Pink Ombré Eye Color Trio Palette for Fall 2013

Tom Ford's In the Pink Ombré Eye Color Trio Palette for Fall 2013 ($60) will please many - I suspect those with darker skin than mine. The colors are gorgeous peachy-pink shades. This trio was also a gift to me from a sweet, generous friend.

As you already know, I couldn't get good swatch photos until Saturday. Even before I took them, I had worn two of the shades to work. I like both shades (I wore the two from left), but to my eyes, they weren't meant to be paired. They are both very light on my pale eyelids, and they left a slightly pink hue over my primer. Pink is not a good color for me because it brings out any red in my eyes. I must pair or layer it with a darker shade, like taupe or grey.

I swatched heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. My photos were taken in late-morning sun. Here are swatch photos so you can see what I mean.

The shade at the top of my arm is the one on the left in the trio. As you can see, it's a pastel, almost chalky pink. The shimmering shade in the middle is a very pretty taupe-peach hybrid. I expected it to look great with the top pink shade, but it didn't offer me the contrast I love. The effect on my lids was very light with no definition. I will wear this shade as my base color next time.

The sparkling peach shade at the bottom on my arm is glittery - a gorgeous color, but one you'll need to apply using the same directions I provided for She Wolf. I was able to achieve decent color for my photos because I swatched with a sponge-tipped applicator, which also lays down enough color if you pat the color in the compact and then pat or swipe it onto your eyelids. A regular eye shadow brush would not have laid down even color - just glitter. A friend who is a superb makeup artist told me that you must apply the uber-sparkly side with a short-haired, stiff eye shadow brush and pat the color on, stippling, making it one with your skin. It helps to use a primer. That way, you get the color, not just a layer of glitter. I'll wear it at night. It's so pretty, it needs a festive occasion.

 I love In the Pink, despite my personal issues with the colors. I have paired the shades with other Tom Ford shades and shadows from other brands, and I've been very pleased. Isn't it funny? I love the shades, but not with one another.

Why do I think gals with darker skin than mine will adore In the Pink? The contrast between darker skin tones and these colors will be magnificent. I'm thrilled to have the shades to wear with other palettes, even if I won't be using them to create a single In the Pink look.

What do you think about In the Pink? It is scheduled to be available at all Tom Ford Counters in September. Is it on your list?

If you want one now, give Dustin Lujan a call at (212) 872-2714 at the John Barrett Salon in New York City (I don't think he works Mondays). You can be the first in your town to have one.

I'll show you the eye base next. Getting photos of that ought to be a challenge. Dustin told me it's very clear.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Tom Ford She Wolf Ombré Eye Color Trio for Fall 2013

My favorite of the Tom Ford Eye Color Trios introduced for Fall 2013, She Wolf ($60) was an astounding gift to me from a dear, sweet friend in the industry. The hybrid brown-grey colors are perfect for fall, offering both daytime, modern shades and nighttime pizazz in one palette.

As you know, Tom Ford earned his eye color reputation with his quads. Now, with the introduction of two trios for fall, he is expanding options for us makeup addicts. I finally got a day with brilliant sunshine yesterday, giving me a chance to take swatch photos of this beauty.  I was so frustrated when it arrived last week, but the late-day lighting was all wrong for good photos. Then it rained the next day. Saturday was my salvation.

I swatched heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. My photos were taken in late-morning sun.

I didn't need such a heavy application of the grey-brown hybrid shade on the trio's left side. It's an intense shade with a stain finish. I'll use it lightly for contouring or with a thin liner brush for a lovely liner. It's one of those in-between shades that goes with just about any look.

The shimmering middle shade, a blend of mocha or mushroom and grey, coordinates perfectly with the shade at the top of my arm. I've been wearing it (around the house so far) with the orchid shade in the Orchid Haze quad. I expect it to also blend nicely with the shades in In the Pink, Ford's other trio for fall.

The color of the third shade (at right in the palette) is a beautiful golden taupe - not at all like it looks in the compact. The color is beautiful, but it's a bear to apply.

The sparkly shades in the two new trios are very much like the sparkly shades in the new Guerlain duos. You have to apply them correctly to get pigment (color) to accompany the glitter. For my life - and age - they are way too sparkly to wear during the day. I will wear them during the evening if the occasion is right.

I'm going to repeat the advice I provided for Guerlain's sparkly new shades because it is exactly the same. I was able to achieve decent color for my photos because I swatched with a sponge-tipped applicator, which also lays down enough color if you pat the color in the compact and then pat or swipe it onto your eyelids. A regular eye shadow brush would not have laid down even color - just glitter. A friend who is a superb makeup artist told me that you must apply the uber-sparkly side with a short-haired, stiff eye shadow brush and pat the color on, stippling, making it one with your skin. It helps to use a primer. That way, you get the color, not just a bunch of glitter. (He works for another line, and is a superb artist.)

I love this color, so I will not let it languish in the compact with barely a dent. I'll have to make it a cause to go out more often so I can wear it.

She Wolf is scheduled to be available at all Tom Ford Counters in September. If you want one now, give Dustin Lujan a call at (212) 872-2714 at the John Barrett Salon in New York City. I'll publish In the Pink swatches next.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Tom Ford Orchid Haze Eye Color Quad for Fall 2013

I showed you a quick photo of Tom Ford's new Eye Color Quad, Orchid Haze (#13, $78), a few days ago. Now I have swatches. I did not want to put up bad swatch photos earlier, so I waited until today, a beautiful day with gleaming, brilliant sunshine.

This is a new quad. There are two Asia exclusives that have been introduced with the fall collection: Lavender Lust and Seductive Rose. Dustin Lujan at the John Barrett Salon selected the best of the three for me. I trust him completely. I bought Orchid Haze without seeing a photo.

Like Tom Ford's other quads, the eye shadows in this beauty offer top-notch quality. The powders feel like cream as I run my applicators over them. There is no fallout on my face, and the colors color-true all day. That said, I will rave over the shades in this quad. I was afraid it might be too lavendar-licious for me - way too purple - based on the name. It's not, in fact I got two beloved taupe-toned shades with it.

I swatched in clockwise order, starting with the beautiful, shimmering peach-taupe blend in the upper-left corner of the quad at the top of my arm.  Is that color gorgeous or am I delusional? I nearly jumped for joy when I applied it. In the same color family, but darker, the complex taupe-peach-chestnut hybrid shade is equally gorgeous. After I swatched these two colors, I declared the quad entirely worth the $78. I'll be wearing these shade to work.

The third shade (lower-right corner in the quad) is a liner shade for me. The eggplant color looks good with the other shades when used as a liner nestled into my lash line. I cannot wear this color when applied sheerly and used as a contour shade. It makes me look like I have a wicked hangover or fatal disease. Those of you who can wear eggplant shades will love its vibrancy.

The only shade that merits the use of the term "orchid" is shown at the bottom of my arm. It's a lovely blend of heathered lavender, pink, and taupe. I can wear it - yea! It does not look ghastly pink on my eyelids. It's beautiful when used as a base "hazy" shade with the "brown" shade in the quad. I won't limit its use with other shades in the quad. It is everyday useful.

I expect, but have not verified, that this quad is a "permanent" addition to Tom Ford's stable of quads - as permanent as anything can be in makeup. I'll let you know if I guessed incorrectly. It is scheduled to be available at all Tom Ford Counters in September. If you want one now, give Dustin a call at (212) 872-2714.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Tom Ford Fall 2013 Eye Colors - Live and in Person

I came home from work today and found my Tom Ford order at my door. I had ordered from the best place to order: Dustin Lujan at the Tom Ford Salon in New York City. Dustin always gets Tom Ford's collections a couple weeks earlier than most department stores. You can reach Dustin at (212) 872-2714.

I am not sure I can get great swatch photos this late in the day, but I did take a few photos to whet your appetites. Hopefully, I can get good swatch photos tomorrow.

The trio shown at the top of this feature is In the Pink.  The trio shown in the middle is She Wolf. The new quad, which was not an Asia exclusive, is Orchid Haze. There are two palettes available that were Asia exclusives. I'll sort that out later. Aren't they gorgeous? I have not photographed the eye base yet. Dustin told me I needed it because it's fabulously brightening.

Even before swatching, I'm in love.

Update 5:00: I did go outside to take quick swatch photos of In the Pink - applied very heavily. I couldn't resist. I don't think this swatch photo is as true as it should be, so I will wait until tomorrow to try again.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty