Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Pretty Palette for Eyes, Lips & Cheeks Giveaway Contest

Bobbi Brown's Pretty Palette for Eyes, Lips, & Cheeks ($60) is extremely versatile. It is filled with pink tones designed to create a healthy look because Bobbi believes that there is nothing more beautiful than a healthy-looking complexion. I found this palette at the Estée Lauder Company Store, and it did not come with the brushes. No matter.
Any woman who loves makeup and wants a clean, fresh, modern, and healthy look will proably have her own brushes!

The shades in the Pretty Powerful Palettes were handpicked by Bobbi to flatter all complexions, from fair to dark. The shadows are designed to instantly brighten and open up the eyes. The palette has a blush that creates a healthy, flushed look. The lip shades look like the shade of our lips, but better.

The Pretty Palette includes eye shadows in Ivory, Pink Flannel, Chocolate Caviar, along with Pink Chiffon Shimmer Wash; a blush in Pretty Pink; a lip color in Sandwash Pink; and lip glosses in Bubble Bath and Soiree Pink Glitter.

Here's how Bobbi Brown suggest you use it. Sweep the lightest eye shadow from lash line to brow bone with an eye shadow brush. Dust one of the medium eye shadows on the lower lid, from the lash line to the crease. Use an ultra-fine eyeliner brush and the darkest eye shadow to line eyes. Smile and dust the blush on the apples of the cheeks, blending up toward the hairline, then downward to soften the color. After brushing on lip color, top it with the lip gloss of your choice. Finish with two to three coats of your favorite mascara.

I have one Pretty Palette, with its Pretty Powerful logo compact, to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway 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 (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) 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). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of entrants I haven't been able to find in the past.

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 early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, September 1, 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.

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 QVC

Giorgio Armani Beauty Easy Chic Collection for Fall 2012

Giorgio Armani has unique new, limited-edition colors in store for us for Fall 2012. The Easy Chic Collection offers two classic harmonies, which are complemented with new Rouge d'Armani Lipsticks and two new Eyes to Kill Waterproof Pencils.

The new signature Neo-Classic Face & Eye Palettes ($88) - in Neo-Brown and Neo-Black - are classics featuring a black lacquered double-tiered case with a magnetic closure inspired by the Rouge d'Armani Lipsticks.

On the first tier, you'll find a feather-light powder with micronized particles of Micro-Fil technology to illuminate the skin with the signature Armani glow. On the second tier, you'll find two matte eye shadows in intense hues and a satin illuminator - also formulated with Micro-Fil technology. Satin and matte illuminators seem to be the latest innovation for fall.

The Neo-Black Palette includes a transparent face powder in Sheer Beige, teamed with Soft Beige, Taupe, and Jet Black Eye Shadows. The Neo-Brown Palette offers a Sheer Rose Blush, partnered with Greige, Brown, and Earth Brown shades.

Armani's newest shadows "reinvent" eye makeup using Color-Fil technology to achieve uniform color payoff in intense shades. Dark tones appear darker; lighter tones appear brighter. With Color-Fil Velvet and Color-Fil Satin finishes, both effortlessly blend together to create fall's seductive neo-classic eye. This fall, you'll discover the most intense matte color with a new luminous finish and a brighter, bolder satin for an incredibly amplified contrast.

Color-Fil Velvet is a creamy matte powder for intensely hued shadows that can create the ultimate in tailor-made eyewear. Matte eye shadows can be dry, hard to blend, and occasionally uncomfortable. With his technological breakthrough, Giorgio Armani is introducing a formula that provides velvety colors that evenly glide on the lid as a very thin film and remain faithful to the shades promised in the palette. The extremely high percentage of treated pigments available in the shadows contributes to the ultra-fine, blendable powder. Moreover, in a revolutionary formulation process, the eye shadow is given a wax coating to achieve excellent comfort, while high-impact matte colors are preserved while worn. The result is a creamy, soft-skin sensation that stays decadently comfortable with full intensity.

Color-Fil Satin is Armani's bright, high-drama color with a long-wearing luminous finish. Frosted shadows can feel dry and occasionally fleck onto the cheeks and into the eyes. Through his Color-fil Satin technology, Armani has given us powders that are bonded with a silicone-like gum that creates a magnetic effect between particles, allowing the powder to glide onto the skin like a flexible stretch fabric, while maintaining a lasting feel. The spherical polymer and treated pearls in the formula allow powder to roll onto the skin and assure that the pearls adhere to the skin. This new satin shadow delivers long-lasting, comfortable color, without smudging.

The new Rouge d'Armani Lipsticks ($30) will be available in three shades. I have photos of two of them. Beige 111, Rouge 408, and Plum 526 will complete your color contrasts with pure, long-lasting color. Lightweight oils and dense pigments mold color to the lips, sealing in moisture without fading or creating any feathering.

Two new Eyes to Kill Waterproof Eye Pencils ($28) will define your eyes in Granite Black or Earthen Brown shades with a wax-based, glide-on technology. These eye definers combine the precise application of a pencil with the comfort and 16-hour wear of a liquid liner for color that remains comfortably soft all day.

"This autumn, Giorgio Armani reinvents texture with his unique vision of color, contrasting fabrics and shapes to play off a masculine aesthetic against elegant femininity. Perfectly harmonized shades are revisited in a neoclassical way to add a sultry decadence to the face," said Linda Cantello, International Makeup Artist for Giorgio Armani Beauty.

Giorgio Armani Beauty's Easy Chic limited-edition collection will be available in September at Armani counters and at the Armani Beauty Web site.

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Dior Golden Jungle Essentials for Radiant Eyes and Lips for Fall 2012

Carine Roitfeld, former editor of Vogue Paris, is one of the most respected women in fashion and beauty. She applied her uncanny abilities to create a stunning collection for Fall 2012, Dior's Golden Jungle Color Collection, which has started to arrive in stores. The collection features Daria Strokous posed in a Fall 2008 couture leopard print hat and captivating neutral makeup captured by world-famous photographer Steven Meisel. I love leopard prints - as long as no leopards were harmed to create them - and think the photos are appealing.

Dior's Golden Jungle Essentials for Radiant Eyes and Lips ($70) in #002, Golden Browns, is the centerpiece of a the collection. It reached out and grabbed me as I strolled through Neiman Marcus looking for new makeup. Any cat would.

My photos were not taken in full sun. As a result, they aren't as bright as I'd like. With two days of rain and clouds, I've been handicapped in my plans to photograph all the fall makeup I've purchased. I even considered holding off on showing you any of the new colors, but I was itching to publish something. So, here we go...

To protect the lip gloss, the silver compact has a door. It's flipped up in the photo above and down in the photo immediately below. That's a nice touch we've seen before from Dior. I like it for travel anywhere away from the bathroom counter.

The panther print eye shadow includes shades of black, brown, and shimmering gold. Because of the design and size of the individual colors, I find it almost impossible to use all three shades individually. I'm impatient when I apply eye shadow. I don't want to meticulously use three different brushes to "get the look." My swatch photos show how I'll use the panther shadows.

The swatch at the top of my arm shows all three shades blended together. Because of the lighting, it shows in these photos as medium brown, but you can make the blended shade a copper brown if you use more gold in the blend. I tried to use all three colors evenly.

The middle shade on my arm is the golden shade alone. As you can see, it's very light. It's a perfect base shade and can be used as a non-shiny highlighter.

Dior's photo at the top of this feature shows an artistic mixture of the eye shades. I think it's spectacular. Just be ready to work a bit with the colors to achieve that look.

The lip gloss is an extremely pretty, shimmering light peach - a perfect shade to coordinate with the neutral eye shades. While it doesn't add a lot of drama to the lips, you won't want that when you've made your eyes the center of attention.

I purchased my Golden Jungle palette at Neiman Marcus, where the pieces in the collection - most pre-ordered - were selling out this weekend, and they just arrived. For some reason, the Dior collections sell out the fastest. I'm glad I was able to get what I wanted. I've got more to show you: two gorgeous palettes and a me-color lipstick. Stay tuned and pray for sunshine, please.

I'll put a Mom update in the comments. Thank you, everyone, for your concern.

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

LORAC Unzipped The Nude Collection

LORAC, created by Carol Shaw, celebrity makeup artist, introduced a set that grabbed my attention the first time I tried it. LORAC Unzipped The Nude Collection ($34) is drop-dead gorgeous - and a value that's amazing.

"Get unzipped and unleash your natural beauty with LORAC's universally flattering nude collection for eyes, cheeks, and lips." Create head-turning looks with four ultra-rich eye shadows, Plum Blush, Lips With Benefits Gloss, and Shaw's famous Visual Effects Mascara.  The Nude Collection shows you how to create natural or dramatic eyes with directions on the box. However, you should feel free to do your own thing with the eye shadows. I usually do.

I swatched everything except the mascara for you. I swached with a sponge-tipped applicator (clockwise in the palette) and took my photos in full sun. You can barely see the Undercover shade at the top of my arm. It is, without doubt, a perfect undercover shade for me. It provides a neutral base that blends right into my eyelids while it brightens them.

The golden bronze, shown below Undercover appears to be named Unrevealed. It shimmers with a summer, beachy intensity that I adore. The matte Unapologetic is a pretty chocolate brown - not original, but a shade everyone needs to have. Unlaced, a unique shimmering shade, shown at the bottom of my arm, joins Unrevealed as a must-have. It's best described as shimmering taupe, with a hint of gold. Totally stunning!

The lip and cheek shades coordinate beautifully. I applied the Plum Blush at the top of my arm, using a sponge-tipped applicator. It was applied very heavily. On my face, the color looks amazingly natural. I love it! It has the right hues of pink-rose, toned by a matte finish that makes it look just right. The Lips with Benefits Gloss in an exclusive shade,  Andy, is a neutral pink that's right up my alley. My only question is, "Why would anyone name a lip gloss Andy?" I'm going to have to ask. Anyhow, Andy is a very pretty natural, almost nude pink.

This is a beautiful set, with $134 worth of makeup for only $34. Even though I received mine from LORAC, I feel like to won the bargain hunter's lottery. I would have snapped up LORAC's Unzipped The Nude Collection the moment I saw it.

I'm having trouble locating it online. Theoretically, it's available at Ulta.I found it at Amazon, but the seller wants to sell a lot of two for $119.46, which is crazy. I must run off right now, but I'll contact LORAC PR and figure out why I can't direct you to a source.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection for Spring 2011

Laura Mercier's Silk Road Collection for Spring 2011 was inspired by the precious jewels and raw silks that once traveled the Silk Road, an extensive interconnected network of trade routes across the Asian continent, connecting East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, as well as North and Northeast Africa and Europe. The Silk Road got its name from the lucrative Chinese silk trade that began during the Han Dynasty.

The collection features rich, shimmering shades of violet, neutrals, and golds for eyes and roses for lips and cheeks. I think it's a very pretty collection.

The Eye & Cheek Palette ($48) shown above has four eye colors and two cheek colors in perfect spring shades. The two cheek colors are gorgeous: Palace Pink - soft pink with shimmering gold pearl; and Persian Rose - pink coral with gold hidden pearl. The eye shades are Regal Violet - bold, sparkling violet; Golden Sands - soft pink peach with sparkling gold pearl; Rare Taupe - soft grey taupe with satin finish; and Lavender Silk - pale, blue violet with matte finish. So far, I have been able to resist this palette, only because I probably won't reach for two of the four eye colors, Regal Violet and Lavender Silk. It's hard, though, because I love four of the six shades, particularly the cheek colors.

The look photo above shows two Stickglosses ($20), Purple Haze and Pink Jewel. Once I saw a swatch of Purple Haze, I had to have it! Reader Soni is responsible for my purchase of a previously introduced Stickgloss in Peony. She gave me the I-wants in a comment last week. Stickglosses care for your lips while delivering colour in a sheer and sophisticated finish. I swatched my two new ones to show you.

My photo was taken indoors in bright light. You can see that Purple Haze at the top is a gorgeous blue pink - it's not purple at all. Maybe that's where the "haze" part of the name originated? Peony is rose, but it also has a touch of brown or mauve in it. It's a complex color - hard to describe. Regardless of any descriptors one might put on these two Stickglosses, I love them! I may have to buy a few more - soon - including the new Pink Jewel. These lip colors feel great on my lips - they are extremely hydrating - and they give my lips such a pretty shine, I don't need to top them with gloss. There is a slight, sweet flavor/fragrance on application, but fortunately it disappears quickly.

If you are taken with metallic gold eyeliner, there is a new one in the collection. Gold Thread ($26) will make your evening look sparkle. It's the "un-Laura," so I'm wondering how it found its way into her collection. Three Lip Plumpers round out the look. The Lip Plumpers ($30) are Ruby Glaze, Golden Glaze, and Rosy Glaze. You can see the shades in the photo above.

This collection is worth a look next time you're in a department store. We'll see if I can keep my willpower alive and continue to pass on the palette. I'm weakening.

Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier

Clinique Milly Pretty in Prints Compact

Clinique introduced a very pretty compact for spring! The Milly Pretty in Prints Compact ($36) is characterized by the exuberant prints and colors for which fashion's Milly is known. The silver mirrored compact features a versatile eye shadow quad in rich browns and delicate pinks plus a coordinating cheek color. It's a bargain at $36!

The palette comes in its own colorful Milly drawstring pouch - cute and useful for storing earrings - applicators, and a how-to card. You can see from the photo above that the design of the pouch is reflected in the compact, a nice touch.

I always love the combination of pink and chocolate. The shades flatter each other. The look you can create with these shades will make you pine for spring. It's tender and soft.

I swatched all shades using a sponge-tipped applicator, and I took my photo inside in direct sunlight. The shadows are shown above the blush. At the top is the ivory shade, almost invisible on my arm except for the shimmer. It's the perfect base to create the look on the lids, though. The other three shades are swatched in the top-down order shown in the palette photo above. I adore the shimmering bronze-brown shade. I'll be using it a lot - with our without the other shades in the palette. The rich matte brown shade is a perfect liner.

The blush is beyond gorgeous. To my eye, it's a true pink. I applied it fairly heavily on my arm so that you could see the shade. I love it!

The instruction card says to sweep the ivory shade from lash line to brow. Layer the pink shade over the lid to the crease. Contour the outer corner of the eye with the shimmering brown, and then define the upper and lower lash lines with the matte liner. You could do that, or make your own mix. I think you'll like it.

You can find the Milly Pretty in Prints Compact at Clinique counters nationwide. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus.

Photo courtesy of Clinique

Le Métier de Beauté MARCHESA Holiday Collection

Featured in the Neiman Marcus holiday catalog, Le Métier de Beauté's MARCHESA Collection for Holiday 2010 ($250) arrived in stores this month (January 2011). Not only was it disapppointly late, it arrived in short supply. I had pre-ordered it. It's a good thing! Lisa Lingis, the Le Métier de Beauté rep at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie received only her pre-orders plus a paltry three extra - and no real explanation for the delay or scarcity. I heard that they received three total at Tysons Galleria. That's what I'd call an "extreme limited edition."

It may not matter. The MARCHESA Holiday Collection (also called the Snowflake Set) is a collector's item. Housed in a classy gunmetal grey box, the collection provides four mini-sized items, reminding me of a doll's house and little people. This is not a value set.

The Neiman Marcus catalog had left us guessing about the contents of the bejeweled Snowflake Eyeshadow Trio. The shades had not been revealed. The very small mirrored compact holds three shadows, along with a tiny eye shadow brush. While perfect for those who may want to tuck a pretty shadow compact into an evening bag for late-night touch-ups, it's not terribly practical.

The eye shadows are swatched above right. My photo was taken indoors in a sunny window, and the shadows were applied with a sponge-tipped applicator. The shades are a shimmering peach, satin plum, and deep charcoal.

There is a sample-sized Volumizing Mascasa in Noir. I don't touch up my mascara after I leave home, so I'm not sold on its utility. The same is true for the Night Sky eyeliner. It's a gorgeous liner, and those who have trouble keeping liner in place may appreciate its portability.

The lilliputian Double Entendre Lipgloss features two fabulous shades: Lip Crème Lip Gloss in Vanilla Crème and Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss in Uma Paro. After my shock at the size of the first MARCHESA double-ended gloss introductions, I grew to like their jeans pocket size. Want ultra-portability from a dynamite gloss? You will appreciate this one. Is it a good ounce-for-ounce value? No. Is it handy? Yes. Are the two shades gorgeous? Definitely!

If you are a Le Métier de Beauté collector, you will want to try to get your hands on this tiny boxed set at Neiman Marcus (call ahead). If you want to experience the luxury of Le Métier de Beauté and don't need to have the latest gimmick, buy the full-sized products. You can purchase full-sized Le Métier de Beauté mascara, eyeliner, two glosses, and three eye shadows for about $228, and they will be with you for a long time.

Photo at top courtesy of Lisa Lingis

Chantecaille Tiger in the Wild Palette

Look what I just ordered! Chantecaille has new makeup for fall, and, as usual, it's all gorgeous! Here's the scoop on a stunning piece.

Tiger in the Wild ($78), a limited-edition palette, was created to celebrate and raise awareness for the wild tiger. The selection of easy-to-wear cheek and eye shades with an elegant tiger embossing should be attractive on everyone.

While the world celebrates the Year of the Tiger, the plight of this majestic animal continues. In fact, this celebration of the tiger places it in an even more perilous situation. Demand has increased for tiger parts including paws, teeth, bones, and skins. While the last of the tigers are being shamefully poached, tiger farms are sprouting in Asia catering to the illegal trade in body parts. Tigers are poached, hunted and exterminated for profit, and it sickens me.

The disappearance of wild tigers is of utmost urgency. The loss of our top predators is the barometer of an ecosystem in trouble.

Since 1998, the last Year of the Tiger, the population of tigers in the wild has diminished from 5,000 to 3,200. With this palette, Chantecaille supports TRAFFIC, an international wildlife trade monitoring organization to help save the last tigers in the wild. It is a world-wide concern, which needs attention and focus.

If there was ever a time to spend money on makeup, this is it! You could own this gorgeous palette and support one of the world's most urgent efforts to protect wildlife and biodiversity. Even if you don't have the money to buy the palette, please contribute to TRAFFIC or another organization dedicated to saving tigers.

While we are talking about tigers, you have probably seen me tweet about Tony the Tiger. Tony is a tiger who is being held captive in a cage at a truck stop in Louisiana. Please go to the Free Tony Tiger blog and click on the link to sign a petition to help save Tony by sending him to a large cat sanctuary. This just isn't right.

Back to the makeup. The Royal Bengal Tiger is laser-etched onto cream, pewter, and indigo eye shadows and a flattering, sheer persimmon cheek shade. It's another hot ticket from Chantecaille, a company with a conscience!

Since the new Tiger in the Wild Palette has just been introduced, it's shown as "coming soon." You can still order it - I did! I'll tell you about the other new items soon.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

Bobbi Brown Denim & Rose Collection Face Palette

Today, I'm wearing colors from Bobbi Brown's new limited-edition Denim & Rose Face Palette ($60) for Fall 2010. The look I created is soft and pretty! One of the great things about this new palette is its flexibility. The colors can go from day to night, and the palette's convenient too. The denim zip-up packaging makes it perfect to throw in your purse for a late-day glam-up.

Have you noticed how blue eye shadows and liners are all the rage this year? Once shunned, with memories of prior decades and opaque baby blue eye shadows, blue has made a comeback. Fortunately, it's not your mother's blue! Instead, it's sheer, shimmering, or smokey (or it may be turquoise, Pantone's color of the year for 2010, reflected in the NARS Burn It Blue Duo Cream Eyeshadow).

In the Denim & Rose Face Palette, the one blue shade, which looks very blue in the photograph and the pan, is smoking hot. You can see in my photo below how muted it is. There's a beautiful new Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner available in Denim Ink too. It coordinates beautifully with the eye shadows in the Denim & Rose palette. I'll show it to you tonight.

Packed with icy greys, neutrals, and pinks for eyes and fresh rose shades for lips and cheeks, this palette is the beauty equivalent of "dressed-up denim." Whether you’re in the mood for flushed cheeks, a neutral day look, or a sparkling, smoky eye, you’ll have plenty of options with the Denim & Rose Face Palette.

The Pink Rose Blush, shown at the top of my arm photo, is soft and pretty. Of course, Bobbi made sure it coordinates perfectly with the lip colors.

There are four shadow shades. The lightest, Navajo, is cream and matches my arm so well there was no way to photograph it. The next three, shown on my arm top to bottom in the photo to the right, are Pink Granite Sparkle Eye Shadow (shown under the blush), Dark Rinse Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, and Grey Denim Eye Shadow. Today, I'm wearing Navajo as a base color, Grey Denim as a contouring shade, and Pink Granite Sparkle as an accent color in the center of my lids. I'm quite pleased with the look! Had I wanted a little more oomph, I would have used the Dark Rinse Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow as a smudged liner.

There are two Creamy Lip Colors and two lip glosses. I applied all of them on my arm photo with a lip brush, but this morning, to apply them "in real life," I just used my finger. The lip colors are Indie Rose (under the Grey Denim shadow) and Cool Rose (below). Both are flattering; they make my blue eyes pop. Shown at the bottom of the photo are the two glosses: Hot Rose Lip Gloss and Iced Lilac Glitter Lip Gloss (at bottom). Today, I'm wearing Hot Rose Lip Gloss over the Cool Rose Creamy Lip Color. Love the combination!

If there were anything about this gorgeous Denim & Rose Face Palette I would change, it would be the size or placement of the Pink Rose Blush. You have to be pretty careful with your blush brush when picking up the color nestled between the shadows. Just think, if it were larger, it would last longer too! The trade-off would be a palette that's less portable.

The Denim & Rose Collection is available at the Bobbi Brown Web site and Neiman Marcus. It should be available at all Bobbi Brown counters soon. Since the palette is a limited-edition, don't let any grass grow under your feet if you want one.

Through July 2, if you use code DENIMR at checkout, you will receive a travel-sized mini of Extra Balm Rinse and free shipping at the Bobbi Brown Web site.

I'll show you the rest of the collection in my next post.

Palette photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Tarte The Vanity Palette Giveaway Contest

Tarte's The Vanity Palette was a limited edition - a $494 value - that is no longer available. I purchased one, thinking it would make a nice gift. It will - for one of you!

The palette has swivel-out levels with 16 eye shadows, 16 lip glosses, four brushes, a park avenue princess bronzer, luminizer, and two shadow brushes. That's not all; there's also a lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 mascara. It's literally a makeup wardrobe in a golden case that closes with a magnetic snap. Whether you use it for your everyday look or find it the perfect travel companion, you will love this set!

All products are loaded with "skinvigorating" ingredients: vitamin E, beeswax, rice bran wax, carnauba wax, and mineral pigments. Tarte's products are free of parabens, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, phthalates, sulfates, fragrances, and mineral oil. They are good for you while they make you beautiful!

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

The contest is open to residents of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 26, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner.

I will post this contest at Free!Grechen, my favorite giveaway site on the Web. If you like giveaway contests, you will love Free!Grechen.

Good Luck!

Update 6/22: The winner of this contest will be required to reply to my e-mail within 48 hours of notice or will forfeit the prize. If that happens, another winner will be selected.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Giorgio Armani Beauty Mediterranean Palette

Oh happy day! My Giorgio Armani Beauty Bronze Mediterranean Palette ($85), my Mother's Day present from my two beautiful cats, arrived with today's mail. Not being one to stand on ceremony (after all, they don't realize what a nice present they gave me), I immediately opened it and started to play. I took some photos to show you that every color in this palette is sheer and gorgeous.

My photos of the palette's two levels here were taken in full sun. Every single shade is exciting! The shadows and the bronzer are extremely sheer, leaving a beautiful summer tint that's hard to overdo. The bronzer is a good color - not too brown, not too pink, and not muddy on my face (as some bronzers can be). It leaves a subtle hint of sunshine in a shade that's natural looking.

The photo of the bronzer on my arm is the best I could get. Taken in full sun, it disappeared. So, this photo was taken in strong, but indirect light. You can see how sheer the color is (and I applied it with the Armani Blender Brush so that I could pick up enough pigment to make the shade show up in a photo). Applied with a blusher or powder brush, it's even more sheer - translated into extremely wearable and versatile. I am going to use this bronzer often - starting this weekend to make it look like I have sun-kissed skin, without the sun exposure.

The luscious shades in the shadow level of the palette are Olive Green, Emerald Turquoise, Copper Gold, and Pale Green. They are placed on my arm, top to bottom, Emerald Turquoise, Pale Green, Olive Green, and Copper Gold. There really is a difference between the olive and pale green shades, although it's hard to see in the photo to the left. The photo at bottom right makes the difference in color and intensity more clear, with the Pale Green at top and Olive Green below.

I am so happy with this palette! I can't wait to play with it at Saks with Loyd Cassler. Loyd always devises unique combinations of colors - ones I haven't tried.

Right now, you can only purchase the Bronze Mediterranean Palette at the Armani Beauty Web site. It will arrive at Armani counters soon. Hopefully, it will be at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland when Tim Quinn arrives for the May 21-22 event.

Photo at top courtesy of Armani Beauty

Bobbi Brown Antigua Face Palette

Bobbi Brown's Antigua Face Palette ($55) is one fabulous little number, and it's a Bloomingdale's exclusive. I bought mine weeks ago, and I'm loving it!

Designed to give you that well-rested, seaside glow, this Caribbean-inspired palette has a pinky-peach illuminating bronzer that gives pale skin subtle, sun-kissed color and works as a beachy blush on darker skin tones. The palette also includes three neutral eye shadows and three pink lip colors that let you take your look from subtle to bold, just like a week on the islands. These colors were made for me, and I'm betting they were made for a lot of you too.

The shades are: Navajo Eye Shadow, Oat Eye Shadow, Caviar Eye Shadow, Antigua Illuminating Bronzer, Kitten Creamy Lip Color, Pink Ballet Creamy Lip Color, and Azalea Metallic Lip Color. This palette is worth your consideration. You could purchase most of these shades as single items, but why do that when you can get so much for $55?

You can find the Antigua Face Palette at Bloomindale's stores and on the Web site.

Photo courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Bobbi Brown Color Strips Collection for Spring 2010

Bobbi Brown has put together three new Color Strips Palettes ($60) with pops of colors accompanied by the perfect neutrals that make them work for everyone. Each of the three palettes in the collection has five Eye Shadows and three shades of Pot Rouge, all designed to work together beautifully.

Love color but don't know exactly how to use it? Have you ever purchased shadows that look fabulous in the store - either in the testers or after an artist applied them for you - and can't figure out how to use them once you get home? Bobbi Brown believes that everyone can wear bright shades, and she has made it as easy as paint-by-numbers! Buy one and you get Bobbi Brown's expertise every time you use your new palette.

Here's what Bobbi has to say about Color Strips. “Don’t be afraid of color. Each palette has one bright eye shadow that really stands out. The rest of my hand-picked shades for eyes, lips, and cheeks will make it wearable.”

I've already decided I can't live without the gorgeous Bonfire and Aquamarine palettes! And I will be introducing a color-shy friend to Orchid; she's going to look great in the lavender eye shades.

I love the use of Pot Rouge in these palettes. I'll get three fabulous lip and cheek shades that coordinate with the eye shadows in each palette. I'm already imagining the mix-and-match possibilities! As she always does, Bobbi has thoughtfully included a brush so that you can use your palette on the go.

The Aquamarine palette includes the Eye Shadow shades Lightening Sparkle, Aquamarine Metallic, Storm, Ivory, and Grey Sky, along with the Pot Rouge shades Sand Pink, Pale Pink, and Powder Pink.

The Bonfire palette includes Eye Shadow shades in Bone, Cafe Cream Sparkle, Cognac Metallic, Bonfire Metallic, and Caviar and Pot Rouge shades in Fresh Melon, Tawny, and Calypso Coral.

The Orchid palette includes the Eye Shadow shades White, Dusty Plum Metallic, Orchid Sparkle, Mulberry, and Caviar, along with the Pot Rouge shades Sand Pink, Pale Pink, and Powder Pink.

The Color Strips Collection will be available soon at Bobbi Brown's Web site and at all Bobbi Brown counters. I can report that they are in the store at Nordstrom at Tysons Corner and available at Nordstrom online. I need to hurry over to Nordstrom. Message to impending snow storm: hold off, please! I have beautiful spring makeup to buy!

Update 2/27: I ordered mine at Bobbi's Web site today! Am excited.

Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Lancome Holiday Eye Shadow & Blush Palette

These darling little limited-edition Lancome Eye Shadow & Blush Palettes ($39.50) are a great value. Six coordinating shadows join a blusher and a mini shadow brush in a beautiful compact. What a nice way to try some new colors!

The palettes are available in four color families. I bought Alluringly Bronze, and I'm considering going back for Evening Splendor. Our friends in beauty at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland gave me the 411 on a discount offer that starts on Sunday the 22nd and rolls for a week. During that time, there are discounts tied to spending levels, and the lowest is easy to reach - $100.

The Plum Irresistible palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Rapturous, Seductive Gaze, Magnificent, Captivating, Diva Shimmer, and Entrancing, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Violet Sunrise.

The Alluringly Bronze palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Fabric, Alluring Presence, The New Black, Enticing, Get It Now, and Daylight, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Mocha Havana.

The Evening Splendor palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Honeymoon, Tempted, Impress, Mannequin, Model, and Lezard, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Bronze Escapade.

The Nude Seduction palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Pink Zinc, Wear It Well, Erotique, Amorous, Kittenish, and Feline Strut, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Aplum.

Essentially, there's a color family for everyone! These palettes are available online at Lancome.com (where there is free shipping on all gift sets) and at Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and most Lancome counters. They will only be available for a limited time - until they sell out.

Want to see swatches? Visit The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself.

Update 11/24: Lancome is having a Friends & Family sale online. Just enter code HOLIDAYJOY2 at checkout to receive a 20% discount and free shipping through November 30.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Shu Uemura's Tsumori Chisato Collection for Holiday 2009

This one's hot off my e-mail!

Shu Uemura partnered with Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato to create the limited-edition "Wish upon a Star" holiday collection. Tsumori’s favorite Japanese icons "twinkle star" and "lucky cat" add a playful spirit and tidings of luck throughout the collection. You know I would be intrigued by makeup with a cat motif, right?

The Planet Cat Couture Palette ($65), shown here, contains three pressed eye shadows in Black Glitz, Shiny Silver, and Copper (nice colors!), one cream eyeliner in Black Purple, one cream highlighter in Gold Iridescent, one blush in Apricot Pink, and two dual-ended applicators. I think I have to have this! For the makeup, of course. I really don't collect cutesy cat things, even though I love our feline friends. These are great colors.

The Radiant Ribbon Couture Palette ($65), wrapped with a pretty bow, looks like a perfect spring look. It has three pressed eye shadows in Rose Pink, Shiny Gold, and Pale Purple, one cream eyeliner in Dark Brown, one cream highlighter in Diamond, one blush in Salmon Pink, and two dual-ended applicators.

For the face, Shu Uemura offers a darling Duo Color Highlighter in Duo Snow shimmering powders (yep, a cat in the powder) for $45. For your lips, the Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio Set with a pretty pink pouch is $45, and includes Gloss Unlimited shades Venus Peach, Moon Gold, and Scorpion Red. There's also a new Rouge Unlimited shade in Jupiter Brown ($25).

Completed with a mini brush set ($69) and a makeup bag ($29), which can be seen at this link, the collection has some pizazz.

Until November 4, you can get free shipping from the Shu Uemura Web site on any of these holiday products.

Photos courtesy of Shu Uemura

Dior Holiday 2009 Palettes, Sets, and Pendant

It's Dior Holiday Love!

Dior has introduced some beautiful sets and palettes for Holiday 2009. My two favorites are shown here. The limited-edition Dior Deluxe Travel Palette ($75 and shown to the left) was my first choice, even though I stopped traveling long ago. Had to have it! This beauty has six smashing eye shadows that, mixed and matched, give you many gorgeous combinations. In fact, I have already tried two of the eye shadow rows on my cheeks, and they are stunning there too. The palette also has a "real" DiorBlush in a pretty pink shade, an allover highlighter, a lip gloss in #257 Organdi Pink, and a mini Black Iconic Mascara.

The limited-edition Dior Holiday Collection Makeup Palette for the Eyes ($42 and shown to the right) is a divine neutral palette - a great buy! Dior makes such high-quality eye shadow, anyone would love the eye palette as a gift - if you could part with it! The iridescent shadows are shades #682, #542, #519, and #929. Formulated to blend seamlessly, these silky, highly pigmented eye shadows were created with Dior's new Wet Reflect technology. Like the shadows in the travel palette, they can be applied on their own or mixed for endless combinations.

These two sets come in darling black patent zip-up cases with a silver-toned "D" charm that is removable. You could "Diorize" your key chain!

There's more! In a red patent case at Sephora, Dior has a limited-edition Holiday Collection Makeup Palette for the Lips ($40 and shown above) in shades of pink and red. What's interesting is that there appears to be a different lip palette at the department stores - darker lip colors in a black patent case. Check out the difference at this Nordstrom link.

A Mini Brush Set, also a limited edition, is available for $60. There's even a luxurious crystal pendant, the Aurore Boréale Crystal Lip Balm Pendant ($80), inspired by a Swarovski crystal created exclusively for Christian Dior in 1955. The Crystal contains a petal-pink lip balm with a hint of shimmer.

There are some opportunities this week to save money on these little wonders! Sephora is having Friends & Family until November 2. Just use the code FF2009 at checkout. Additionally, Saks has a Buy Some Get Some event on Thursday, October 22. Spend $250 that day and get a gift card for $25. Spend $500 and get a gift card for $50. It gets better as you spend more, so it's a good time for holiday shopping.

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom and Sephora

Laura Mercier Colour Wardrobe

Laura Mercier has introduced some pretty palettes for the holidays. My favorite is the Colour Wardrobe ($98). The two-tiered compact holds six Eye Colours, three Cheek Colours, six Lip Stains, and two finishing Lip Glazes, along with its own tools that make the palette portable.

A multi-level palette, the top tier contains: African Violet, Cafe Au Lait, Sandstone, Celestial, and Coffee Ground Eye Colours; Plum Rose and Nude Cheek Colours (exclusive); Double-Ended Eye Colour and Corner Eye Colour Brush; and a full-size mirror. The second tier has Mocha, Scarlet, Melon, Mulberry, Nude, and Rosette Lip Stains (exclusive); Brown Glaze and Pink Glaze Lip Glazes (exclusive); a Double-Ended Lip Brush; and a mini magnifying mirror.

This is a good value. Purchased alone, the products would cost $235. Additionally, both Bloomingdale's (in store) and the Laura Mercier Web site ($110 purchase) have gifts with purchase, so you can get some free goodies along with this great-value palette.

Photo courtesy of Laura Mercier

Chantecaille's Bengali Palette

Ever lusted after something you felt you just couldn't afford at that moment? This is it for me! Chantecaille's gorgeous Bengali Palette ($117) is going to have to wait for another paycheck (I have spent some serious money on new cosmetics this month).

The Royal Bengal Tigers on the blush and highlighter are so classy, and the four "jungle inspired" eye shadows are colors I would wear. With a pearl finish to the colors, this natural-look palette is perfect.

The blush is a radiant peach, and the gold highlighter is a great complement. The Lasting Eyeshades include a luscious jungle green, pale silver, deep brown, and golden copper. All Lasting Eyeshades have a silky, easily blendable texture, allowing them to be applied in varying degrees of intensity - something I really like.

Even better than fabulous makeup (if that's possible), sales of this special-edition palette benefit TRAFFIC, an organization that supports efforts to protect the wild tiger. Had I been the Virginian who won Mega Millions last night, I would purchase the palette today and send a check to TRAFFIC. We can't allow the big cats to die!

Chantecaille has a deep concern for our endangered environment and the many animals at risk. You can read about their philanthropy at this link. I love Sylvie, Olivia, and Alex for it! I met Sylvie and Olivia at Neiman Marcus a few years ago, and they made a lasting impression on me. My kind of women!

You can purchase this palette and compacts that benefit the animal kingdom at the Chantecaille Web site, Neiman Marcus, or locations listed at this link.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

Giorgio Armani Beauty Crystal Palette for Holiday 2009

The Giorgio Armani Beauty Crystal Palette for Holiday 2009 ($98) arrived last week at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Thinking that professional photographs of it would show up online within days, I waited to tell you about it.

Wait no longer - I couldn't contain my excitement, so I took my own photos - in less than ideal conditions, given that I always get my best shots outdoors, but it's pouring. Here's are photos of this bejewled beauty taken in the best light I could find inside.

The sleek black case is ornamented with black and "diamond" crystals, making the presentation of this compact elegant. Of course, it comes in its own little black pouch. What's even more impressive to me, though, is the top layer of this two-level compact. The gorgeous shiny highlighting powder is "similarly attired," but with powder crystals. This powder is a stunner - in the case or on the skin! It leaves a holiday sparkle.

It gets better! The eye shadows in the bottom level are four of the prettiest shades I have ever seen combined - simply perfect. Arrayed just like the Armani eye shadow quads, the subtly shiny colors (top to bottom) are - to my eye - a taupe, silver-grey, light teal, and dark chocolate. The darkest color, what I'm calling dark chocolate, can be used as an accent color, a liner, or a regular shadow (you can build this shade from light to dark). The teal is a greyed-teal, perfect for your lid color or as an accent, depending on the look you are trying to create. The taupe is so versatile, I know I'll wear it out. The silver-grey is a perfect highlighter for your eyes. It's love.

Look out, Loyd, I think I'm coming back for another one of these palettes. I am feeling the urge to hoard!

Saks Chevy Chase has the Crystal Palette for Holiday in store; I suspect other Saks stores do too. Remember that it's Friends & Family as Saks this weekend. I'm sure that the Armani Web site and other stores carrying Armani Beauty will have this stunning palette soon.

Pitiful photos by BTiB

Another Fabulous Bobbi Brown Palette for Holiday

The new Bobbi Brown Chrome Palette ($75) is another must-have in my book! This incredible palette puts Bobbi's cool, contemporary take on holiday beauty into one incredible product. The icy, shimmering eye and lip accents will cast an iridescent glow on your face. Inside this chrome-accented palette, you'll find everything you need to deck yourself out for the season: 10 eyeshadow shades, four lip shades, a mini eyeshadow brush, and mini lip brush. Not only that, it's packaged in a gift-ready chrome carton in case you start feeling generous.

Here are the 10 shades for eyes: White, Polar Ice Shimmer Wash, Storm Cloud Sparkle, Iron, Thunder Metallic, Moonlight Sparkle, Cyber Grey Shimmer Wash, Foil Metallic, Chrome Metallic and Charcoal Haze.

For lips, you get Pink Mist Shimmer Lip Gloss, Winter Bronze Glitter Lip Gloss, Berry Glitter Lip Gloss, and Chrome Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss.

I'm swooning over this one! The eye shadows are gorgeous. This photo just doesn't do them justice.

It's available right now at Saks in store and at Nordstrom in stores and online. I hear there are lipsticks coming too. Hopefully, you will be able to find it soon at Bobbi Brown's Web site and other department stores.

Update: The lipsticks came in, and they are very nice. I will post on them soon.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom