Sephora Collection Urban Luxe All Over Powder Palette - It's on Sale!

I purchased Sephora's Urban Luxe All Over Powder Palette at full price: $14. Now it's on sale for $7. It's a bargain; I'd jump over to Sephora to order it if I were you. It's gorgeous.

The photo online was interesting, but by no means compelling. Something caught my eye, and I'm so glad. Perhaps it was the color description: "shimmering golden, cream, bronze, and brown tones." Use the shades for blush, bronzing, highlighting, and/or contouring. I use them on my eyes too.

This versatile palette creates both contoured and highlighted looks with a luminous, all-over glow. The pearly shades incorporate a light, transparent base that allows the brilliance of pearls to amplify, while the glitter adds a subtle sparkle. Colors can be combined or used individually to generate different looks, depending on personal preference and what is perfect for you when you’re on-the-go. Infused with vitamin E and aloe to soothe and protect the skin, this must-have palette produces brilliant, iridescent, and multidimensional color, leaving an especially radiant finish.

All true and more! I've been holding out on you for a long time - enough time for it to go on sale. I'm not sure why I overlooked this compact in my photo library. I really love it.

I took swatch photos in full sun, and I applied the shades in a few different ways with a sponge-tipped applicator. It has been awhile since I swatched, so I can't remember exactly what I blended and what I didn't. I'm fairy sure that the shade at the top of my arm is the blended shade of all the colors in the palette. I think the result of blending is stunning. The second two swatches are where I get fuzzy. I think the middle shade is a blend of the top two shades in the compact, and the bottom shade is a blend of the bottom two. Please don't hold me to that. You can use the palette to achieve these colors - and more, depending on what colors you pick up with your brush.

Sephora suggests the following uses.

• Use dry for a natural, sheer, luminous finish.
• Use a large blush brush to create all-over glow.
• Use a contour brush to create a more defined, highlighted look.

I highly recommend this bargain from Sephora. I think the Sephora Collection Urban Luxe All Over Powder Palette was a bargain at $14, and it's an amazing find at $7. Sephora has really upped its game with its own collection. You know where to find it.

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

Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Alchemy of Color Face Palette

Yowsers, this is pretty! Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Alchemy of Color Face Palette ($30) reminded me of a new color "brand within a brand," but with a lot more pizazz. I hope you get my drift because I'm not going to fess up. Let's just say I haven't purchased any of those other brand's items.

Once again, Sephora has introduced extraordinary color makeup in a luxury magnetic-closure compact - this time with six shades to highlight, contour, sculpt, and define your look for the season, or any season. This new Alchemy of Color Face Palette will appeal to everyone, but especially to makeup "collectors."

Fall under the spell of the Alchemy of Color Collection, an enchanting collaboration between PANTONE UNIVERSE and Sephora that marries the shades of the season with exclusive formulation and finish. This versatile palette of silky, soft formulas contains light and dark shades with both matte and pearly finishes to create a natural-looking glow. Achieve a perfect flush with the high-pigment blushes and then wear a beautiful, sheer glow thanks to the airy, ultra-transparent base of the highlighting formulas. 

If you check out Pantone's Fall 2012 colors, you may wonder how Alchemy of Color fits in. Rose Smoke and Honey Gold are probably the connection. I wouldn't be excited by a face palette featuring French Roast. Maybe on the eyes, but...

I ordered this palette from Sephora sight-unseen, and I could not have been more pleased when it arrived. These colors are brilliant - even if my photo directly above is a bit dark. Sometimes, the brilliance of white distracts my camera, and there's a lot of white in this compact's case.

I took swatch photos in an unconventional way. You can see in the palette that there is a narrow strip of color at the top left and bottom right. I blended that color with the shade next to it. So, on my arm, you will see four shades - two of them are blended. I took my swatch photos in full sun, and I swatched heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator.

I drooled. Fortunately I was outdoors. You must consider that this palette costs $30, a bargain. I buy a lot of luxury makeup, and Alchemy of Color is extremely competitive with most of it.

The top shade on my arm is one of the blends. It's a gorgeous copper-rose. The pink below (upper right in the palette) is a warm pink on my skin - one with plenty of pigmentation. It's a pretty blush.

The shimmering, icy pink is a blend of the two side-by-side pinks in the bottom row. The bright, shimmering gold is simply stunning. You can apply these colors dry, as I did above for my photos, or wet for even more brilliance and longer wear.I like them dry because they offer enough wattage for my complexion. I like subtle color.

These colors apply perfectly - no duds in the bunch. I'm in love. Whoever hooked up with PANTONE UNIVERSE at Sephora deserves a raise.

This new palette is exclusive to Sephora. I purchased mine online. What do you think?

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

Claudio Riaz Complexion Highlighters in #2 and #4

I'm into Claudio Riaz makeup for the duration. It's going to be a long affair, but I'm totally committed to exploring the line. Claudio Riaz makes extraordinary makeup. My trip to New York in May opened my eyes to a new world, and while it may cost me a lot to explore, I'm enjoying it immensely. I'm planning to take you along with me as sidekicks.

Shortly after my trip and visit to Barneys New York, I showed you Complexion Highlighter #5, which came home with me. I was with my friend Gaia at The Non-Blonde, who purchased an eye shadow I should never have passed by. I'll go back to purchase it. She showed that green eye shadow on her blog recently, and I kicked myself for not purchasing one that day.

The cream Complexion Highlighters ($38) were all gorgeous when I saw them at Barneys. Seriously, I could have purchased most of them. Made with lanolin and beeswax for moisturizing and skin protection, they are sheer and stunning. Riaz recommends you use them prior to foundation application to conceal to correct uneven skin tone or apply to the high points of your face - cheekbones, brow bone, and nose – to brighten the complexion. They are ideal for radiance and a glamorous glow all over the face. Because they are sheer, they add radiance without adding any kind of Las Vegas look.

I purchased #5 in New York, a hybrid between bronze and rose gold. The shade is beyond gorgeous, particularly for summer. The seven shades available range from white to bronze, something for everyone (or in my case, about six for me). I wanted more shades at the time, but they were out of stock. I asked that someone from the counter at Barneys call me when they returned to stock, but no one ever contacted me (or Gaia). They had to have restocked; I heard Claudio was at the store for an event.

Fortunately, Claudio Riaz has a Web site, so I went there to shop. The photos aren't great, and it's hard to select colors there. At Barneys in person, I wanted all the Complexion Highlighter shades, but online I had trouble determining what would be good for me and what might not. I started with two "safe" shades, #2 (gold) and #4 (rose pink). Now that I'm reminded of their sheerness and wearability, I'll order some of the Complexion Highlighters that don't appear to be safe choices.

My swatch photos show #2 at the top of my arm and #4 below. As you can see, #2 is pure gold, not unusual in the world of highlighters, but its sheerness makes it appear magical and natural on the skin. Want a shot of radiance that looks natural? This is your shade!

The rose pink #4, more colorful, is still sheer. I have been using it over my blusher at the top of my cheekbones. It lights up my entire face.

I am smitten with these products, except for their packaging. Most of the Claudio Riaz products come in a cardboard box. The box fits tightly into its "shell" and hard to get into. The open box slides out of the box shell, but not easily. Riaz intended that you purchase multiple products and put them into one of his Refillable Makeup Palettes ($28). I may purchase one now that I have enough of his products to warrant a $28 purchase. Still, I like "little things," and palettes have a way of taking over my bathroom. I'd be happier if he had charged a tiny bit more and given me a compact. For that same reason, I don't get carried away by Trish McEvoy makeup. I don't want (or have anywhere to keep) bulky planners.

It's time to tell you about Claudio Riaz since I'll be featuring his makeup here often. He is an international make-up artist with a career spanning two decades, working with some of the best-known houses in the industry: Estee Lauder, Shiseido, NARS, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Clé de Peau, and Darphin. The driving force in his career has been to understand makeup application and the business behind color to fulfill his dream of enhancing every woman’s individual beauty. His ambition has been to see his name included with the greats with whom he worked.

Claudio Riaz first became enamored with beauty as an adolescent when he would observe his mother and seven sisters getting ready for the evening. He recalls watching them transform themselves when applying rich colors to their faces in varying shades and styles. It was during these times when he became attuned to how beauty needs and dreams differ from woman to woman. Through years of observing these eight women, who are all so similar, but each have their own distinct approach to beauty, he recognized the need for more diverse and instantaneous results. Even at this young age, an idea began to form - that idea became his amazing product line.

With years of experience as a makeup artist and teacher, a vast understanding of the business, and a multitude of ideas and talent, Claudio has created products as distinctive as each of the women who will use them and, subsequently, he launched Claudio Riaz the brand. Claudio released his 24-brush collection for which he is best known. All are said to be hand-crafted from the finest materials and strategically designed for instant and precise application. Multiple brushes have been patented for their exceptional innovation. Less than two years after their launch, Claudio’s successful brush offerings propelled the development of his makeup collection, finely edited products designed for instant application - eye and face concealers, complexion highlighters, and an array of signature lip and cheek colors. His objective is to provide women with products for "instant and attainable beauty." If I'm a judge, I'd say he succeeded.

Distribution of his products is limited. You can find Claudio Riaz at Barneys New York and the Claudio Riaz Web site. While you may not get carried away shopping online, you will standing at the counter as soon as you can - trust me. I've got blushes to show you next. They are stunning - and I want so much more.

Photos courtesy of Claudio Riaz or by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Pink Tourmaline Shimmer Block

Pink Tourmaline is Laura Mercier's new Shimmer Block ($38). It's a limited edition (according to Sephora, where it's claimed to be exclusive). However, it's available at Laura Mercier's Web site. I wanted to show it to you today because Laura Mercier is having a Friends & Family Sale. If you spend $100 or more, you will receive a 20% discount, samples, and free shipping - through June 30.

Shimmer Block is a bronzing or luminizing palette, depending on the shade, composed with a unique, baked formula that contains light-reflecting properties. The four unique shades of Pink Tourmaline impart an icy pink highlighting effect when blended together, giving the skin a healthy, youthful, allover glow.

You can use the Shimmer Blocks to brighten your eyes, cheeks, and body with a hint of natural color and light. Available in shades of peach, pink, and bronze, there's one - at least one - for every complexion.

For my swatch photos, taken in full sun, I applied Pink Tourmaline heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm, and I used a dense blush brush to apply it heavily below. When applied properly, the pink lights up my face. I'm not sure how it would look on anyone with a medium or dark skin tone or yellow/olive undertones. There may be a better shade for others. For me? It's gorgeous!

The photo directly above provides the best replication of how it looks on the face, even though the top photo is more dramatic in color.

It's a great time to place your Laura Mercier order. That item you've been coveting? Order it and a few others during Friends & Family, and you'll basically get one free. I'm shopping now.

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

Salma Hayek Nuance Flawless Mineral Cheek Trio

For the most part, I've stopped browsing the beauty section of my local CVS. Ever since they abolished the beauty manager position, it has been disorganized, and there are few displays of new products. Despite the unappealing nature of the offerings, Salma Hayek's newest display caught my eye as I breezed past to pick up my prescriptions. Pretty colors will grab me any day.

I'm sure I don't have to tell beauty-savvy gals that Salma Hayek has a relatively new beauty line. I had resisted until the four shade families of her Nuance Flawless Mineral Cheek Trio ($10.39 on sale at CVS online - look for in-store coupons) stopped me in my tracks. Pink, Apricot, Mauve, and Spice all looked lovely.

Having no experience with the Nuance line, I selected Pink. Mauve also looked like it would work with my coloring. Apricot and Spice looked too dark or too warm. The color names describe the blush shade, which is accompanied by a contour/bronzing shade and a highlighter. Even though there are no testers available in-store, you can see through the clear plastic top to get a good sense of the colors.

I swatched Pink with a sponge-tipped applicator, starting at the top of my arm with the shimmering highlighter, moving clockwise to the pink blush, and then swatching the contour shade. Then I used a dense blush brush to pick up all three shades, blended, and swatched below the individual shades. I took my photos in full sun.

The colors are very sheer. Those are heavy applications on my arm. That means you can build the color to suit your tastes. The highlighter is a slightly pink-tinted ivory with an overspray. Once the overspray is removed, the sparkles depart, leaving behind a beautifully shimmering shade. The pink is a warm pink - perfect for most pink lovers - with a satin finish.

The contour shade is a golden brown without noticeable shimmer. It's not my favorite contouring brown, but it would do in a pinch.  You can probably see in the blended swatch at the bottom of my arm that the brown dominates the blend, yielding a golden light peach result that makes the pink all but disappear.

Because of the size of the color wedges in the trio, you will need to use the right brush - a smaller one for the blush - to select only one shade. While the overall compact is relatively large, divided into three, it constrains a "sweep with abandon" approach.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Mineral Cheek Trio. I think it's a great value and I'd recommend it to anyone shopping for an inexpensive three-in-one face powder for summer. Now, I think I'm going to stay out of the beauty aisle. I don't really want to be snared again with all of the colors I've already purchased or reserved for summer.

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

M∙A∙C Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder

Can you believe it? I bought two items from the M∙A∙C Vera Collection. I waited weeks to show them to you, and they are still available. It may be a miracle all around.

The limited-edition Vera Collection is characterized by flashy florals, butterfly brights, punchy patterns, and a light-as-air spirit inspired by the art of textile designer, Vera Neumann. Perhaps I was attracted to it because it was designed for fashion fanatics everywhere. I think I was smitten by the colors of the Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder ($28).

Embossed with Vera's signature ladybug, Flower Fantasy and Sunday Afternoon are beautiful blushes and dynamic highlighters. They offer shimmer with a gleam that's flattering. I'm extremely pleased I ordered them - sight unseen.

Here's a photo to show you why I'm so happy with these colors. I swatched Sunday Afternoon at the top of my arm and Flower Fantasy below. In order to pick up enough color for photos, I used a sponge and rolled it over all the colors in the pattern in each compact. The result? Glorious, highlighting color that glows. My photos were taken in full, late-afternoon sun, so the direct, low sunlight was bouncing off my arm.

I'm not sure how I could have chosen between these two gorgeous colors, and I'm glad I didn't have to choose. At $28 each, I felt I could have both. I am wearing both and will continue to wear these stunning highlighting blushes for a long time. The compacts are generous.

I have no idea how M∙A∙C selected the name for these gleaming face powders. There's nothing matte about them. Then again, I'm not a member of the M∙A∙C secret society, which probably has handshakes and nods and winks that members use to recognize one another. They speak about their skin in foundation shade codes. I'm usually clueless. As an outsider, I can verify that M∙A∙C's Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder is worth a look-see. Pretty in the pan and stunning on the face, both shades are attention-worthy.

There can only be two reasons these beautiful highlighting powders are still available. I suspect they didn't pass muster with the secret society. Otherwise, they would have sold out in a day (or less), an outcome that's far too common with M∙A∙C. Or perhaps the name "Pearlmatte" was misleading. If you are a member of the secret society, maybe you can offer an explanation.

I bought my M∙A∙C Vera Pearlmatte Face Powders at the M∙A∙C Web site. You can also find M∙A∙C in my area at the free-standing M∙A∙C boutiques and Nordstrom.

Photo with black background courtesy of M∙A∙C; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sisley Palette Orchidée for Spring Summer 2012

It's here - the one we've eagerly anticipated for months! I wasted no time in picking up Sisley's beautiful new Palette Orchidée Highlighter Blush with White Lily ($108) for Spring-Summer 2012. It's every bit as gorgeous as we expected.

Palette Orchidée is the centerpiece of Sisley's Tropical Orchid Collection. Isn't it heavenly? For the first time, Sisley is showcasing the emblematic orchid, which adorns all of its products, in a trio of luminous and subtly pearly sun-kissed shades in Palette Orchidée. The highlighting blush with white lily sculpts the face and illuminates the complexion - so perfectly it's remarkable.

In the gleaming silver compact, also stamped with Sisley's iconic orchid, there are three pink-peach shades sculpted in a petal design. Coral pink is interlaced with a delicate silky light brown and sprinkled with gold and pink "dust." Freshness and warmth blend together for a luminous, translucent, and gorgeous finish.

The Palette Orchidée 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 Palette Orchidée 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.

As the sun started to make its appearance after a cloudy morning, I dashed outside to get a few photos for you. I understand that each store is receiving limited quantifies of Palette Orchidée, so if you want one, you need to act fast. I'd want one. After seeing it, holding it, and using it, I'm giddy.

I swatched across all the shades, although the shades in the palette are large enough to use on their own. Pick your shade, pink, peach, or golden taupe, the individual shades are glorious. I applied both swatches heavily. I used a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm and a dense blush brush below.

Look at the color! It's got sass and verve. It glows without any glitter ball effect. It warms the skin for spring and summer with a color that's perfect for most of us - a blend of all of the upcoming season's trendiest colors.

One of my swatch photos shows me more pink, and one shows more peach. One photo shows more shimmer than the other. That's the nature of Palette Orchidée, I've observed. It adapts to the surroundings (and I suspect your skin tone) to make you bright and gorgeous. Pink or peach, I'm super-impressed. This palette has it all: glorious, radiant color; an elegant design, and skin-care ingredients that do double duty. Some makeup makes me hyperventilate. Palette Orchidée has that effect.

Palette Orchidée arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria yesterday. If you don't have a Sisley counter near you, give Loula Ayoub a call at (703) 761-1600, extension 3230, at Tysons. You can still get the Beauty Event tote too.

Next up, I want to try Sisley's new Phyto-Blanc Intense Lightening Serum. Unfortunately (for me), I may have to wait a few months while my bank account recovers from Beauty Event.

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

Chanel Lucky Stripes Iridescent Powders for Eyes and Cheeks from Las Vegas de Chanel Collection

The Las Vegas de Chanel was launched exclusively at Chanel's newly renovated Chanel Boutique at Bellagio. Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup and eye behind the collection, was inspired by the vibrant colors and luxury of Las Vegas. The exclusive collection features Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliant, Precision Lip Definer in Vegas Gold, Le Vernis in Gold Fingers, and a very exclusive creation, a face highlighter palette in Lucky Stripes. The centerpiece of Chanel's new Las Vegas de Chanel Collection is definitely the Lucky Stripes Iridescent Powders for Eyes and Cheeks (Poudres Irridescentes Yeux et Joues) ($95).

I was able to snap a few photos of Lucky Stripes in the late afternoon, when the sun made a very brief appearance before it set. Yesterday, my FedEx guy showed up late in the day, so I had missed the best photography window. I also snapped a few photos of the palette, including the one above, before I dug into it. I took my swatch photos this morning.

As you can see on my arm, the blended effect, swiping horizontally across all the shades, is golden. I think Lucky Stripes should be categorized as a shimmering, warm gold highlighter (the warmth comes from the peach and and brown stripes). I had to swatch the powder extremely heavily to get decent photos; it's sheer. I applied multiple layers of each swatch with a sponge-tipped applicator. A blended swatch of all shades is shown at the top of my arm. Just for fun, I swatched the peach color alone and the gold color alone in thin stripes on my arm - not easy to single out. You'll see a swatch of all of the colors blended and applied with a dense blush brush at the bottom of my arm.

Chanel appropriately named Lucky Stripes iridescent. It's very sparkly. This highlighter would not be office-appropriate in my world. It's part of the Las Vegas Collection, so the showy, theatrical look fits. Those pretty stars in the palette will be history after a few applications. I abused my palette just to see if they were somehow embossed deeply. They aren't.

The powder itself is very "powdery." When I used/tested the powder the first few times, swiping across it with a sponge and brush, I had sparkly powder particles flying everywhere. In a sense, not color or palette design, it reminds me of Ombres Tissées Iridescent Effects Eyes in Beiges. When I open the compact, there is powder everywhere. In the short amount of time I've tested it, I've seen the color fade while the shimmer remained. In fairness, I've only had it since yesterday, and I haven't applied it with foundation underneath.

Like all Chanel products, the Lucky Stripes Iridescent Powders for Eyes and Cheeks is nicely packaged. The compact comes in a velveteen envelope, and in a separate velveteen envelope, I found a tapered brush, suggesting an application on the cheekbones.

Did I "need" Lucky Stripes? No. It's one of the "products of the moment," and I felt like I needed it for my blog. I'd recommend you consider your current stock of sparkly highlighters and whether you need another. If you do, Lucky Stripes will delight you. The lovely Gloria at the Chanel at Bellagio Boutique helped me. You can reach her at (702) 765-5505.

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

Edward Bess Quad Royale Poudre Éclat Quatre Couleurs in Monte Carlo

I've been anxious to show you the gorgeous new Quad Royale Poudre Éclat Quatre Couleurs palette from Edward Bess: Monte Carlo ($45). The sun finally made an appearance today. I was working - cooped up inside. When I left the client's site, I drove down the road about a half mile, where I had seen a church. I was ready. I hopped out of my car in an empty parking lot and started taking photos of the palette and swatches. The things I do for this blog! If anyone in the rectory saw me, they had to have thought I was in need of divine intervention. Little did they know that Edward Bess provided the inspiration for my "eccentricity."

Edward Bess Quad Royale palettes offer a "face wardrobe." They can be blended and applied all over the face for luminous color or used as a blush, contouring shade, or highlighter. Summer in Capri was the first shade variation to be introduced. South of France was the second. I treasure them. Now, Monte Carlo provide an entirely different color experience. These palettes are a makeup collector's dream.

A palette of four coordinated shades to sculpt and highlight the face. This versatile set of four perfectly paired shades is ideal for adding depth and dimension to your look. Sweep the collection together for allover, luminous color or use the shades individually to highlight the apples of the cheeks, the tops of the cheekbones, and the eyes. The palette comes with a sleek travel brush so you can touch up on the go.

I knew you would want to see the individual shades in the palette in addition to the blended shade. Imagine the scene in the parking lot. I had my trusty sponge-tipped applicators, so after I took photos of the palette, I started swatching. Then, holding my arm toward the sun, I took swatch photos. I had no way to check my photos on the spot, but, fortunately, a few were half-decent.

I swatched from the top left shade in the palette clockwise. You probably can't see the flesh-toned shade at the top of my arm. I could barely see it in person. The next three shades - warm variations of peach and coral - swatched nicely.

I adore the golden peach shade at the top right in the palette (second swatch from top on my arm). I'll use it for my eyelids and as a highlighter - or just blended with the rest of the shades. It's drop-dead gorgeous. The peach and coral shades at the bottom of the palette blend beautifully with the rest of the shades for a warm, sun-kissed look. The swatch at the bottom of my photos shows all four shades blended. It's a stunning shimmering peach.

Monte Carlo is perfect for those who believed the first two Quad Royale palettes were too light or too cool-toned for them. I think Monte Carlo is also perfect for anyone who wants a beautifully coordinated palette of warm, summer shades. Monte Carlo is entirely different from Summer in Capri and South of France. If you are an Edward Bess collector, it's a must-have.

Monte Carlo brilliantly evokes the warm, sunny Mediterranean beaches of Monte Carlo. While many think casinos or film fests, I think beaches and Gracy Kelly when I hear Monte Carlo. It's a perfect name for the latest face palette from Edward Bess.

Now, Edward Bess (the brand, not the artist) is available at Sephora online and will be available in Sephora stores in a few months. The line continues to be available at the Edward Bess Web site, Bergdorf Goodman, two Neiman Marcus locations. I purchased my Monte Carlo Quad Royale from Bergdorf Goodman. I've already purchased (and received) a few Edward Bess beauties from Sephora. The availability of Edward Bess at Sephora is great news - not only for Edward, but also for customers. Think we'll see a VIB gift with purchase of an Edward Bess sample some day? We can only hope!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; Monte Carlo poster courtesy of Amazon.com

Bobbi Brown Wild Rose Shimmer Brick from the Rose Gold Collection for Spring 2012

Bobbi Brown's new, lust-worthy Rose Gold Collection for Spring 2012 has arrived! There are two Shimmer Bricks in the collection. It's a feast for those like me who have been awaiting a new Shimmer Bricks. The Party Shimmer Brick - as pretty as it was - didn't count as a "real" Shimmer Brick. I featured the Rose Gold Shimmer Brick last week. If you missed it, pop over to this link. Today, it's time for the limited-edition Wild Rose Shimmer Brick ($39).

I've wanted to show you this warm pink wonder since I purchased it last week. The problem has been a total lack of sunshine, my best lighting condition for taking makeup swatch photos. Today, I took photos in two adverse conditions: inside through a window and outside, with reflected light from the snow/ice cover. The sky is completely overcast. As a result, I'm not happy with any of the photos, but the "show must go on." I hope you'll give the makeup the benefit of any doubts raised by my photography.

Wild Rose is a shimmering, powder blush and highlighter in one. It can be used anywhere on the face, including the eyes. The pink stripes in Wild Rose provide five pink and rose shades that, when blended, provide a gorgeous pink glow on the skin. Wear them alone or blended, you'll be pretty in a vivid sun-drenched pink.

Let's start with the outdoor photos shown directly above and below. I applied a stripe at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator swept across all five shades in the palette. The swatch below the "stripe" on my arm was created with a heavy application of the powder, across all shades, using Bobbi Brown's Face Blender Brush. Both swatches were heavily applied.

I brightened the photos above and below with a photo editor. Otherwise, they would have appeared dim and gray. Brightening the photos washed out the Wild Rose color, so be aware that the color is a bit more intense.

Wild Rose leaves a luscious pink glow on my skin. Just as I plan to hoard the Rose Gold Shimmer Brick, I've also decided I need a second Wild Rose. This is my kind of makeup. I heard at Neiman Marcus yesterday that they have already sold all but two of the Rose Gold Shimmer Bricks they received.

The photo at right was taken indoors through my living room window. I can't remember whether the flash went off, but it looks like it did. That light on my arm came from something, and it certainly wasn't sunlight. The flash photo does illustrate the beautiful glow that Wild Rose provides as it reflects light. You can apply it heavily for a shimmer or lightly for a glow. It layers beautifully for ease of application.

Wild Rose is deeper in color intensity than Rose Gold, and it offers more saturated rose color. Both Shimmer Bricks look great on my pale skin. If you have darker skin and may be worried that Rose Gold is too light, Wild Rose is your color.

You can apply the Shimmer Bricks over blush. My skin is so pale, I often skip the blush. Try wearing Wild Rose both ways to decide whether you need the additional color a blush will provide.

With apologies to Bobbi Brown for these terrible photos, I'll hold off on showing you the lip colors in the spring collection until the sun returns. I hope I've shown you enough to entice you to take a look at the two new Shimmer Bricks. I think Bobbi scored a home run.

Bobbi Brown's Rose Gold Collection has arrived at Neiman Marcus locally. It is not yet available on Bobbi Brown's Web site (as of this morning). I don't know if it has arrived at Nordstrom stores, but it's available at the Nordstrom online site.

P.S. If the sun ever returns, I'll get better swatch photos and post at least one.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos, such as they are, by Best Things in Beauty

Benefit Sun Beam Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to m.fay! She won the Benefit Sun Beam.

Brand new from Benefit, Sun Beam ($26) is a golden bronze complexion highlighter. It's time to start thinking about how to brighten up for your winter vacation or spring's arrival.

Sun Beam is like liquid sunshine in a bottle. The golden bronze highlighter gives a natural, sun-kissed radiance. Dot and blend over makeup onto cheek and brow bones for a bronzed glow that complements all skin tones. This product illuminates your bronzer; it adds a pretty golden touch. It doesn't replace it. Benefit recommends you start with Hoola, its own matte bronzer, then add Sun Beam. I recommend mixing it with your foundation, just as you can mix in Giorgio Armani Beauty's Fluid Sheer with foundation. Blend a drop of the liquid with your foundation in your palm and apply as usual. You'll develop a sudden golden glow.

I have one Sun Beam to give away. I bought one for me and one for one of you. How can you enter this contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). 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 - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest this afternoon, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, January 21, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday 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 Sephora

Coming Attraction: Sisley Palette Orchidée for Spring-Summer 2012

I have makeup moments that give me palpitations. My first glance at Sisley's Palette Orchidée for Spring Summer 2012 was one of those moments (click on the photo above to enlarge it!). It's the centerpiece of the Tropical Orchid Collection. Isn't it heavenly? I'm going to need two of them - one to use and one for my makeup museum.

For the first time, Sisley will showcase the emblematic orchid, which adorns all of its products, in a trio of luminous and subtly pearly sun-kissed shades in Palette Orchidée. The highlighting blush with white lily will sculpt the face and illuminate the complexion - so perfectly I can see it in my mind's eye.

In the gleaming silver compact, also stamped with Sisley's iconic orchid, there are three pink-peach shades sculpted in a petal design. Coral pink is interlaced with a delicate silky light brown and sprinkled with gold and pink "dust." Freshness and warmth blend together for a luminous, translucent, and gorgeous (I'm sure) finish.

The Palette Orchidée 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 Palette Orchidée 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.

Sisley's Spring-Summer 2012 look was inspired by the soft, yet exuberant colors of Southeast Asian landscapes - combining warm and cool colors for a chiaroscuro effect ("chiaroscuro" is an Italian term that literally means light-dark). The Phyto-Ombres Eclat shades for the eyes range from soft, pearly pink to intense, luminous violet. Phyto-Lip Shine in sunny orange-coral or summery fuchsia pink will complete the look. This is an exciting collection. I'll have more information for you later.

I've already placed my name on the waiting list for Palette Orchidée. I'm not sure when the Tropical Orchid Collection will arrive at Sisley counters, but I'll be there the moment it does. I'm revved.

Photos courtesy of Sisley

Estée Lauder Topaz Chameleon Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée

Estée Lauder's Topaz Chameleon Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée ($40) is, without a doubt in my mind, the centerpiece of the new Pure Color Spring 2012 Collection. Before you read further, consider calling your Estée Lauder counter to reserve yours. I am dead-sure this limited-edition beauty is going to sell out, just as its predecessor from the Modern Mercury Collection sold out.

My inspiration behind the collection was vacationing in Arizona, enjoying warm sun, the amazing desert colors, and the shadows that play on the sand and rocks. I was thinking of a gorgeously healthy-looking woman who had an element of fantasy in her personality. I wanted to convey that with a palette of strong, yet soft colors. - Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director, Estée Lauder

I introduced you to the Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Topaz Chameleon this morning. It provides the dash of sun-kissed warmth to newly awakened spring skin. Featuring a fitting snakeskin pattern, this prism shine powder gelée can be used to bronze, blush, or softly contour cheeks. A “tribrid” system of liquid, powder, and gel, this first-of-a-kind, “multi-powder” formula creates a theatrical blur of shimmer on the skin when applied dry and a fierce flush of color when applied wet. The unique suspension of golden pigments and pearls float on top of the skin, resulting in a truly unique sensory experience. The modern powder is flexible and uses a luminosity-boosting complex that makes the complexion appear perfectly smooth, seductive, and warm.

In describing it, Pecheux said, "The focus will be on the upper cheekbones to get that warm glow that you get when you have been outside. Apply first to the cheekbones and then dust the leftover over the rest of the face, neck, shoulder, décolletage, wherever. I love this product because it is very versatile, it lives many lives. You can also wear it as an eye shadow, wet or dry."

Like Punxsutawney Phil, if I can see my shadow, I can take decent swatch photos. While we weren't graced with Arizona's sun today, we did have a few moments when the sun broke through the high overcast and gave me some photo opportunities. I swatched Topaz Chameleon very heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm and less heavily with its little brush below.

The golden bronze shade of Topaz Chameleon is a perfect way to contour your cheekbones. That's how it was used at Derek Lam's Spring 2012 Show. Pecheux explained the look...

Derek’s collection was inspired by the clean minimalism and open desert landscape of the Kaufmann house by Richard Neutra in Palm Springs. I wanted the makeup to compliment the fashion with a very dreamy, warm look of fresh skin, shimmering eyes with muted yellow shadow highlighted by copper, lightly bronzed contoured cheeks, and a sheer golden lip.

Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée has the most amazing texture. It's hard for me to describe it perfectly. Consider it one of the creamiest powders you'll ever use. I adore the texture and its flexibility for application. I can apply a light, subtle wash, the way Pecheux described, or use it for more oomph on my eyes or cheekbones. It has the perfect mix of pigment and pearls for a "multi-reflective finish." It can be used for an allover soft sheen or layered for luminous pearly highlighting.

The only thing I don't understand is the little brush that comes with it. The Modern Mercury Illuminating Powder Gelée came with a nifty large sponge applicator that I preferred for a traveling applicator. With Modern Mercury, I found that I could apply it by buffing or blending it with a Kabuki brush. I'm sure that's the case with Topaz Chameleon. There are many ways to achieve the effect you like. Unfortunately, the little brush that comes in the compact gave me an uneven application. That didn't stop me from buying two of them!

The Pure Color Topaz Spring 2012 Collection will be available for a limited time at select Estée Lauder counters nationwide and at Estée Lauder's Web site. It's available now. If you want it, don't delay.

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

Ultraflesh Shinebox Highlight and Shimmer Collection Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Carrie!

I love the Ultraflesh multipurpose Shinebox Highlight and Shimmer Collection ($39) so much, I decided to do a giveaway contest for Christmas. I think Ultraflesh is one of the most exciting new brands that entered my life this year. This compact for the eyes, lips, and cheeks is exquisite.

"Now every angle is your perfect angle - day or night - with this chic and versatile compact that can be used to create a variety of looks. Formulated with an emollient cream-to-powder formulation, the shades hold up for maximum wear without ever creasing." Each of the five colors in the collection can be used anywhere the face.

The top level of the large fan-out compact is an "enhancer," or highlighting powder. The shade appears to be a golden pink in the compact, but on my skin, it's gold and gorgeous. The middle level contains two cream shimmers, sheer gold and sheer rose gold. Every time I apply one, I'm struck by their elegance; everything about these cream shimmers is divine.

The lower level houses two Secret Shimmer pencil highlighters/eyeliners. The shades are rose gold and platinum. These little pencils are the cat's meow. They are so creamy, I want to have them in lager sizes. I hope Ultraflesh is working on that. Surely they know that they have created some of the most heavenly pencils I've ever used! I've been shouting my love for this collection. Seriously, it's that good - the reason I want one of you to have one.

I took my swatch photos in full sun back in May (with my old camera, so they aren't great). I applied the pencils at the bottom of my arm directly from the pencil tips, but I applied all other shades with a sponge-tipped applicator - even the creams. The shades shimmer more in the sun than they do indoors, but they are highlighting shades.

The top swatch is the golden top-level enhancer. The two shades below are the sheer gold and rose gold cream shimmers. The two creamy pencil shades - rose gold and platinum - are at the bottom. Have you ever seen a compact with so many ways to shine?

Each time I have written about Ultraflesh, I have struggled to find enough superlatives to describe the shades. Shimmering, stunning, gorgeous, divine, extraordinary, exquisite - they all work. I'm sure I could use a thesaurus and find more adjectives to apply to the shades in the Shinebox Highlight and Shimmer Collection.

Ultraflesh is sold exclusively by Sephora, where I purchased this giveaway gift during Friends & Family. We are going to do a quick contest, open just four days. So, if you are headed out of town, enter now before you get swept up by holiday festivities.

How can you enter the contest? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). 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 - if you don't, that entry won't count. I tweeted the contest, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day, at midnight. Monday morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday 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 at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty