Giorgio Armani Beauty Runway Fall/Winter 2016 Collection

Giorgio Armani is launching backstage makeup developed for his runway show - a look every woman can wear. Each new season for the past two years, the Armani Runway Lab has given Linda Cantello, Giorgio Armani International Makeup Artist, the tools to create the new colors imagined by Mr. Armani backstage. The following information came from the Armani press release.

An exclusive and limited makeup collection, directly inspired by the fashion show, is being made available to women so they can make the latest runway makeup their own. This season, every woman will be able to wear the look from the Armani Runway.

Bohemian Chic and Timeless Velvet
The Giorgio Armani Fall/Winter 2016 collection features black velvet heightened with floral prints. This soft, delicate and durable fabric, matte and iridescent at once, captures the light like none other and offers a multitude of highly inspiring facets. New shapes combine precise lines with the bohemian feel of fabrics swarming with jacquard brushstrokes, splashes of color, gradations of tone, and stylized flowers.

Makeup as seen on the catwalk is naturally soft and luminous. The pure complexion enhances mysterious eyes accentuated by lids that cast endless reflections of light. Lips are subtly tinged with an irresistible lavender nude that complements the perfectly elegant fleshy beige color of nails.
The Armani Runway Fall/Winter 2016 collection is composed of three products: 1) a palette with a sheer powder and a trio of eye shadows; 2) an Eye Tint liquid eye shadow; and 3) a Rouge d’Armani lipstick.

The Runway Palette ($120)
Featuring fabric hot off the runway, this season's eye and face palette is wrapped in silk muslin with floral prints stylized in nude, lavender, and black, as shown above.

This precious collector's palette has two tiers. The first tier reveals a silky and luminous universal sheer powder to mattify the complexion and highlight facial features. The second tier contains a trio of eye shadows in deep, delicate shades, ranging from matte velvet black to shimmering champagne and satiny mauve greige. Applied on the lids and below the eyes, they brighten and bring out the eyes.

Eye Tint – A Source of Light ($40)
Layered with the eye shadows from the Runway Palette, Eye Tint leaves an illuminating veil of iridescent champagne on the eyes. It can also be applied beneath the brow arch and in the inner corner of the eye for a heightened illuminating effect.

Inspired by MAESTRO Fusion Makeup, Eye Tint blends onto the skin smoothly for a "no-makeup" feel. Its pure, intense, and indefinable color guarantees long wear (16 hours), while retaining a light, fresh "bare lid" effect. Its extra-thin "Smart Eye Color Film" ensures flawless adherence to the eyelid. Its highly workable texture is easy to blend before drying and provides a cream-like sensation of comfort.

Rouge d'Armani ($40)
Lips are given a sensual touch of mauve beige to enhance their natural color. Rouge d'Armani lipstick deposits just the right subtly delectable tone of lavender nude on the lips.

Used every day by makeup artists around the world, this couture lipstick is now a must-have for even the most demanding women. Its gentle, lightweight formula promises exceptional color hold and comfort for six hours straight.

A Fashionable Case
Strengthening the unique ties between fashion and this exclusive makeup line, the Armani Runway products slip into a precious and elegant pouch made with the fabric of the Giorgio Armani Fall/Winter 2016 collection. It's really pretty! The pouch for the palette is the same as those shown above with the lipstick and Eye Tint.

Linda Cantello, Giorgio Armani International Makeup Artist, said, "For this collection, I took the fabric and was inspired by the colors; there is a blend of grey, lavender colors. The advantage of having the Runway Lab backstage is that we created a very shiny wet-looking Eye Tint that we didn’t have before."

The Runway Collection should have been available at Armani Beauty counters and online in mid-August. I've been checking every week because I want it. I'll let you know when I find it.

Update 9/21: The collection is in-store at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria and Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase.

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Guerlain Météorites Pearls Carousel for Summer 2016

For spring and summer, the iconic Guerlain Météorites Pearls have been reinvented in delicate, pastel colors. The limited-edition, skin-enhancing Guerlain Météorites Pearls in Carousel ($62) will gently give your complexion a fresh glow. Warm pink pearls revive. Soft mauve pearls catch the light. Sunny yellow pearls fight dullness. The pearlescent white pearls reflect light. Guerlain's innovative stardust technology transforms UV rays into visible, soft-focused, perfect light (using a spherical pigment contained within each pearl), while the mix of harmonious shades customizes luminosity to your skin tone by your own application - light or layered.

I was a grateful recipient of the Carousel Météorites Pearls, which Guerlain sent me. I did a happy dance the day I came home from work, found them on my doorstep, and looked up and saw just enough sunshine to get a few photos. The colors in Carousel are absolutely perfect for spring and summer, a time when you want to enliven your complexion, even if you are stuck in an office all day.

Lest you ever doubted that I take my pictures at my house when I say I do, look at that gnat who flew in and landed on my tableau! Now it's too dark outside to get additional photos, so we might as well name him the now-famous Carousel gnat.

Look at these gorgeous colors! You can see them blended on the applicator shown in the photo above. The beautiful spring pink will liven up any winter complexion.

I held the container toward the sun so that there would be little shadow from the container on the pearls. You can see the beautiful pastel shades, made more vibrant by the warm pink pearls. They contribute significantly to the overall effect when you blend all the shades and apply the Météorites to your skin.

As always, I had a crazy blogger desire to show you a swatch photo. I used the applicator that came in the Météorites to apply them heavily to my arm, and I held my arm directly at the sun. I really layered the color so that you could see how lively it is; it makes my skin glow. The result is shown below.

Fortunately, unlike some of my past photos of finishing powders, you can see the color on my arm. I think it's exquisite. It glows, but doesn't sparkle. The warm pink will flatter most of us. I applied it all over my face with a fluffy powder brush, and I was thrilled with how good Carousel made me look. I also noticed that I can wear it, applied heavily with a denser brush, as a subtle blusher because my face is so pale. Another way you can apply Carousel is in a "three" on each side of the face - over the temples, across the cheekbones, down the edge of the face, and partially across the jawline.

The Carousel pearls have the same light, distinctive Guerlain scent that all Météorites have. It dissipates quickly, and it never fights with my chosen fragrance for the day.

I've never met a Guerlain Météorites introduction I didn't love. I have many versions, and I'll never discard them. When I'm not using them, they live in my makeup museum. That's how special I think they are!

I did a quick online search and found that you can purchase the Météorites Pearls Carousel at Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom's Web site. I know they must be available from other retailers, so I'll update this feature when I can identify them. If you've seen them in stores, please let us know in the comments.

Update 3/18: Carousel is available at the counter at Neiman Marcus.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; last photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Guerlain Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder Face, Body & Hair from the Holiday 2012 Color Collection

Guerlain's limited-edition Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder Face, Body & Hair ($88.00) was to be the star of the Holiday 2012 Color Collection. I think the Liu Eye & Lip Calligraphy Palette is the superstar. Sorry, Liu, but you have limited usefulness.

Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder reveals a light-as-air loose powder that enhances the face, body, and hair (or possibly your clothing) with an iridescent golden veil. A mere press of the bulb releases the powder, leaving a very light version of Liu’s mesmerizing aromas in its wake: a composition of aldehydes, sensual roses, vanilla, iris, and woody notes. Many will recognize Liu’s original bottle, with its elegant black glass case and golden letters reminiscent of a Chinese tea caddy. A black woven bulb has been added, transforming Guerlain's legendary fragrance - hard to find now, and if you do, it will cost you dearly - into a desirable and feminine makeup accessory.

Liu's appearance is exactly what I expected. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus and immediately tried it out when I got home. My first reaction? Where's the smell?

Once again, I'm attempting the impossible, trying to show you how Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder looks on the skin - my skin (click on the photos to enlarge them). I don't want it in my hair, although that might be the best place for it. I'm sparkle-averse, so I have limited use of the new Liu.

I sprayed the powder relatively heavily on my arm and took my swatch photos in full sun. What you see is what you get. Liu leaves an ever-so-slightly pink tint and a lot of micro-glitter. The fragrance was disappointing. Guerlain's Liu perfume is barely detectable. This holiday powder plays off its reputation, but doesn't evoke it with any significance.

I was excited about this powder - not because of the sparkle, but because of the fragrance. I thought I'd get a mini-Liu. It's not that good. You might as well forget the fragrance and concentrate on the powder. If you want to spend your beauty allowance on a nearly clear sparkly powder, and you're willing to spend $88 on it, this is the powder of Holiday 2012 for you. How many crazy women joined me in purchasing it will probably remain unknown.

You can find Guerlain's Liu Perfumed Shimmer Powder Face, Body & Hair at all Guerlain counters or online. Nordstrom is a great online source.

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

Coming Attraction: Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Iced Light Holiday Collection for 2012

Illuminate your holidays with a sophisticated, magical makeup collection from Giorgio Armani. Inspired by the house’s iconic eveningwear, layered with sequins and crystals, each sheer shade and luminous harmony celebrates a woman’s natural radiance.

Shimmering mattes evoke the translucent purity of snowflakes against a winter sky, fresh-snapped branches gathered for a fire, and the glow of rosy cheeks. Day to night elegance, created exclusively for our end-of-the-year festivities.

For the first time, Giorgio Armani has added a lip color to his signature palettes. Two new, limited-edition Shimmer All-in-One Palettes offer harmonies that combine the season’s most flattering, shimmering shades for eyes, face, and lips - total looks for effortless chic. The black lacquer double-tiered case slips into a small bag, a must-have accessory to take with you everywhere you go.

A complete look at your fingertips. The first tier houses a compact face powder with illuminating Micro-Fil technology for long-lasting shimmer. Soft and creamy, the weightless powder melts into skin to create a natural, silken finish.

On the second tier, you'll find two luminous Color-Fil Satin eye shadows to blend and layer, plus a lip wax for sheer matte color. Two festive harmonies will be available.

• The Snow Shimmer Palette: Face Shimmer compact powder in Snow is paired with Light Grey Satin and Grey Satin eye shadows and Rouge lip wax for sophisticated winter style (shown above on left).
• The Nude Shimmer Palette: Beige Shimmer powder joins Light Taupe Satin and
  Taupe Satin eye shadows, along with Beige lip wax for sheer, natural elegance.

The new essential from Giorgio Armani is a glamorous, zero-color Lip Maestro Transparent Instant Radiance Lip Volumizer for fuller, beautifully illuminated lips. Lip Maestro Transparent enhances and amplifies every look. Use alone for smooth, plumped and naturally luminous lips. Apply on top of lip color for maximum volume and radiance. The color of your lipstick will last longer. Your lips will be softer and more seductive, wrapped in comfort for up to eight hours. The texture is velvety light and fluid. Translucent, soft-focus spheres glide across the lips to create a “backlit” effect. The perfect fusion of matte and shine. Slip Lip Maestro Transparent into a handbag for sophisticated lips anytime, anywhere. I may need two. One for my bathroom and one for my handbag.

Micro-Fil Loose Powder will provide the finishing touch to your radiant holiday look. Exclusively for the holidays, Giorgio Armani has created a limited-edition Micro-Fil loose powder in a soft, festive pink. The ultra-fine, translucent powder warms and evens out skin tone for a flawless complexion. Apply to the face, shoulders, and décolleté for a seductive, rosy shimmer.

Giorgio  Armani's Iced Light Collection for Holiday 2012 will be available in time for our holidays - probably November. I can't wait!

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Cosmetics

M·A·C Mineralize Skinfinish in Star Wonder from the Heavenly Creature Colour Collection

You know I don't often purchase items from M·A·C's way-too-frequent collections. I made an exception for Mineralize Skinfinish in Star Wonder from the Heavenly Creature Colour Collection ($29). In general, the Mineralize Skinfinish and Blushes are my favorite M·A·C products. I'm a pushover for the beautiful multicolored compacts.

A luxurious, velvet-soft powder with a high-frost metallic finish. Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face.

True, but in the case of Star Wonder, it's a great highlighting blush.I stopped by the M·A·C counter at Bloomingdale's about a month ago - maybe longer. I had an opportunity to color test the shades in the store, and I selected Star Wonder over the other three shades. This beauty was mine!

Not only was it pretty in the compact, it's extremely pretty on my skin. I wouldn't say it has a high-frost metallic finish. I think it has a shimmering finish that's flattering and wearable. Check out my swatch photos, which were taken in full, late-afternoon sun. I blended all the colors in the palette together and applied a heavy swatch with a sponge-tipped applicator.

Isn't that a gorgeous pink? It has color and life, and it jumps off my face - in a good way. I'm smitten.

For me, Star Wonder is a blush. I wouldn't wear it applied all over my face, as M·A·C suggests you can. Perhaps someone with much darker skin can. Because I like it so much, I just blind-purchased two of the Mineralize Blushes from the collection. Hope I like them!

I just saw on M·A·C's Web site that this Mineralize Skinfinish is sold out in all shades except Earthshine. However, I believe you can still find it at M·A·C counters. Call around. I'd recommend you look for it if you're passing by a counter or M·A·C boutique. If you can't find it, just wait a few weeks. There will be another collection.

Update: I just found it at Nordstrom online.

Photo at top courtesy of M·A·C; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Giorgio Armani Beauty Yeux Teint Face & Eye Palette in Neo-Black from the Easy Chic Collection for Fall 2012

Giorgio Armani has introduced avant-garde makeup for Fall 2012. The Easy Chic Collection is available in two "classic harmonies," neither of which seem classic to me. I previewed the collection here. I featured the Neo-Classic Palette in #2, Neo-Brown here. Now that I finally have Neo-Black in my hands. I'm ready to give you my impressions.

The new signature Neo-Classic Face & Eye Palettes ($88) - in Neo-Brown and Neo-Black - look snazzy. They feature 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 shimmering illuminator/shadow - also formulated with Micro-Fil technology.

The Neo-Black Palette includes a transparent face powder in Sheer Beige, teamed with Soft Beige, Taupe, and Jet Black Eye Shadows. As much as I adore and live in Giorgio Armani Beauty products, I think Mr. Armani (or Linda Cantello) missed the mark with Neo-Black (#1).

The top level is a powder, supposedly a transparent face powder. I'm not sure whose skin they had in mind. For my fair skin, it's way too dark to serve as a face powder, yet too light to be considered a useful bronzer. The model above cannot be wearing it as a face powder. It's too dark.

The lower level has one beautiful shade, the brown that looks grey in the palette, plus the black. They are mice-enough eye shadows, but they aren't unique. I don't think anyone will consider them must-haves. See what you think in my swatch photos below. I applied the shades heavily, and I swatched with a sponge-tipped applicator. My photos were taken in late-afternoon sun, but with a light cloud cover.

Ho hum. The powder, shown at the top of my arm, is a warm, slightly peachy powder. I applied it heavily to get the color you see in my photos. I don't know anyone whose skin that color. I'm not sure how it was intended to be used. This level really should have housed a blush, like #2, Neo-Brown.

The shimmering eye shadow/highlighter is gorgeous, a shimmering beige - very pretty and useful. The cool, intense brown belies its appearance in the palette - nice enough, but not a necessity if you have Neo-Brown. The black? Uninspiring. Who needs another black eyeliner?  Who needs a black eye shadow? Who needs a black eye? Not me!

I feel guilty writing a less than stellar review of a Giorgio Armani Beauty product. I live in Armani. I love Armani. Given the price, I could easily have passed on this Neo-Classic Yeux Teint Face & Eye Palette. I'm sure there's a customer for it; it's just not me. I'm too conservative. I'd recommend you give Neo-Brown a look-see if you want a new treat from Armani - or one of the new Rouge d'Armani shades.

The new Easy Chic Face & Eye Palettes are currently available at Nordstrom's Web site (and stores where there is an Armani counter). They have not been posted at the Giorgio Armani Beauty Web site, and they have not arrived at all stores that offer Giorgio Armani cosmetics. They will arrive soon, I'm sure. It's just so easy to shop online at Nordstrom, with its free shipping and relatively quick delivery.

Photos at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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

Edward Bess Quad Royale Poudre Éclat Quatre Couleurs in South of France

The new Edward Bess Quad Royale Poudre Éclat Quatre Couleurs in South of France ($45) offers four perfectly paired shades that you can sweep together for allover luminous pink "sunset" color - or mix and match to highlight your cheeks and dress your eyes. The palette comes complete with a travel brush for touch-ups on the go.

South of France was extremely hard to photograph. It was easy to get photos of the palette itself. The swatches were another story. I had just as much trouble as I had when I swatched the first Quad Royale, Summer in Capri, which is darker! Today, I had to endure goosebumps, trying repeatedly to get decent photos.

The powder is lovely. The effect on the skin is sophisticated, subtly shimmering, and flattering. I swatched the individual shades with a sponge-tipped applicator, trying to apply them heavily, and you will see from my photos that the shade at the top left of the quad - at the top of my arm - is virtually impossible to see on my arm. I could barely detect it, and my camera did no better. The other shades do show, even if they are very light. I tried to get photos at two different times of day outdoors before I gave up.

The photo at right was the best I could get. Can you see the pink shade that shimmers with micro-sparkles at the top of my arm, just above the scar at the far right (turn of my arm)? That's the shade at top left. I swatched clockwise from there. The shade next to it in the palette isn't much darker, but I can see the stripe on my arm (almost level with the bottom of the scar). These shades offer two shades of pink, as you can see in the photo of the palette.

The shades on the "lower deck" do show up. The palette's largest block, with Edward's initials is a warm, flesh-toned pink, and the warm mauve-pink at the bottom of my arm is the darkest shade in the palette.

I blended all four shades together - the best way to use South of France, I think - with a dense blush brush and applied a circular swatch fairly heavily and darker than I'd apply the powder to my face. The photo at left shows all four shades blended. The result of blending is a beautiful "sunset pink." It gleams with the light I saw in the sky last night, as the sun disappeared below the tree tops, just before dark. It was an exquisite sunset, and this powder made me remember it immediately.

I hope you can see that South of France makes my skin gleam. Even though I can see some micro-sparkles in the palette itself and on my arm, if I look closely, the effect on my skin is more of a polished gleam. It's exactly what you'd expect from Edward Bess - elegant, understated, luminous color.

South of France is perfectly named. It brings the pastel colors of seaside villas to a palette that will give your skin a pastel glow no matter what the season. I think you'll enjoy it.

I purchased my Quad Royale from Bergdorf Goodman. You can call the Edward Bess counter there at (212) 872-8826. South of France is also available, as is Summer in Capri, at the Edward Bess Web site.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty and courtesy of boatbookings.com

Chantecaille Poudre de Perle in South Seas Pearl for Holiday 2011

I've been waiting for Chantecaille's Poudre de Perle in South Seas Pearl ($55), a new shade for the holidays. It arrived at Neiman Marcus, and I am the happy new owner of the latest Poudre de Perle shade.

This innovative all-over highlighting formula arrives in its own brush and delivers the perfect amount of luminosity to all skin tones. The smart formula replaces traditional talc particles with weightless, silky, and translucent optics that ensure skin clarity and luminosity. Particles of zinc, iron, and mica provide mineral content to calm sensitive skin and fortify it from environmental elements. It's gorgeous too.

Poudre de Perle built on the unparalleled success of Protection Naturelle, Chantecaille's excellent powder that delivers full-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Poudre de Perle's innovative powder formula is contained with its own brush and delivers the perfect amount of color. The first shade introduced, Biwa, is a pearly warm pink shade with golden peach highlights. It's perfect for most skin tones and skin types. Not only is the blush convenient to apply, it's refillable. I like the re-use concept. Less waste will help us be better stewards of our planet.

I took a photo of my own South Seas Pearl in the store (it's drizzly fizzly and very cloudy outside) and tried to swatch it there too. Because South Seas Pearl is very light, I didn't have much luck with my in-store photos. They show my arm with a light sparkle. Once I got home, I opened the top and put a small foundation brush directly into the powder to apply it to my arm heavily, ensuring that I had enough pigment and hopefully enough light to make the powder show up in an outdoor photo. I did - barely.

I think you should be able to see that South Seas Pearl is a beautiful light rose gold. It sparkles, like Biwa does, but not in a way that's distracting to me. The more you apply, the more color you'll see on your face.

South Seas Pearl can be used all over the face or in selected areas that you want to highlight. It's a color that I think will appeal to many, leaving behind a transparent, shimmering veil that's flattering and slightly warming.

Since it has arrived at Neiman Marcus, you'll be able to try before you buy. If you can't wait, check it out at Chantecaille's Web site, where there's currently a special offer. With any $125 purchase, you'll receive Amaretto Lip Gloss PSF 15 - the one worn by Angelina Jolie on the cover of Vanity Fair.

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

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze

Tarte's new Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze ($28) is goof-proof! Want a bronzer you can't overdo? Check! Want a bronzer that will leave you looking like you had a week at the beach, without the expense? Check! Prefer to use makeup that's good for your skin? Check! Tarte has you covered.

Like the original, this micronized clay finishing powder mattifies the skin, minimizes the appearance of pores, and replenishes all skin types, while adding a natural touch of bronze to your complexion. This silky smooth finishing powder glides on evenly and imparts a healthy, natural warmth. The skin-smart Amazonian clay, nature's perfect ingredient, acts as a total skin balancer by reducing dryness and flakiness, improving clarity and texture, and removing surface oil to mattify skin for a soft and flawless lit-from-within finish. I know it seems counterintuitive that the powder could leave a matte finish while giving you a glow, but it manages - somehow. It even works to replenish and rehydrate the skin, with Tarte's Amazonian clay, natural pigments, and skinvigorating ingredients. It's formulated without mineral oil, parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, sulfates, or synthetic dyes or fragrances. Good for your skin - good for your looks!

The container has a plastic insert with one hole in the middle. You are supposed to press on both sides of the sifter hole to dispense the powder. It was designed to release just the right amount of powder for one application, without leaving you to worry about getting powder all over the place. Just use a fluffy brush and apply the powder all over the skin, or wherever you want to glow (the high points of the face, jawline, neck).

That little hole didn't suit me, so I started trying to pry the insert out of the container with a very small screwdriver. It was tenacious; Tarte designed it to stay there! I succeeded, but unfortunately chipped a small piece out of the lip of the screw top. No matter, once the cap is re-attached, there will be no drying inflow of air. Why did I do that? Because I'm pretty good at sweeping just the right amount of powder onto my brush, shaking off the excess, and applying it with ease. That worked for me quite well when applying this powder. That's not to say you should take my lead. The little dispensing hole should work for most because a little goes a long way. However, if you want to do your own thing, and if you have more patience than I do (take your time), you can flip out that little plastic insert without chipping anything!

The color is a beautiful sunlit bronze. Here's a photo of the powder, which you can see has a golden, matte bronze tint. I applied a swatch of the powder to my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator and struggled to get a photo that would show you that it has just a teeny tiny hint of pink/peach in it. That's what makes it so perfect for my skin! Many of us, particularly those with light coloring, tan naturally with a pink/peach hue. Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze looks natural on my face.

My swatch photo was taken in full sun, and I applied the bronzing powder to my arm very heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. The slight shimmer you see is sunlight. The yellow you see is a bruise. Concentrate on the left side of the swatch photo, and you'll see the beauty of the shade. I hope you can see the slight pink-peach tone of the bronze. It's so pretty!

I already deemed 2011 the year of the bronzer. Here's another one that should send every makeup-loving gal to the store for peek. Don't let this one disappear before you get there. I'll bet you come home with it! It's a great value and competes extremely favorably with bronzers twice the price. I'm lucky - Tarte sent mine for a look-see. I'll be using it often.

You can purchase Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze from Tarte, Sephora, Ulta, QVC ($42 there, with a brush included), and beauty.com. You really need to try it.

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

Giorgio Armani Beauty Spring Collection 2011 Pink Light Powder

To round out my series of features on Giorgio Armani Beauty's stupendous Spring 2011 La Femme Bleue Collection, I present one of the prettiest loose powders I have ever purchased. The Spring Collection 2011 Pink Light Powder ($49) completes the look with a fresh pink glow.

Armani's loose powders are always extremely light and fine. As a rule, I don't use loose powder. I like the glow I have after I apply my foundation, and if I use a powder, it's normally a pressed powder highlighter. I make an exception for Armani's loose powders. They never take away my glow, but instead leave a veil of almost transparent color that polishes my appearance. The look is natural and luminous. This new powder continues the legacy.

I was sure I would not be able to get a swatch photo to show you the gorgeous light pink color. I got one, and I added an arrow pointing to the swatch so that, hopefully, you could differentiate between my arm and the powder. I applied the powder heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator to pick up enough product to make it show up in the photo, which was taken indoors in a bright window.

None of us will apply this pretty powder that heavily, but I'll bet you can imagine the pretty pink wash it will add to your spring look. Combined with the other pink selections from La Femme Bleue, it completes the look.

I was tweeting with Tim Quinn, Giorgio Armani Beauty's Celebrity Makeup Artist, today, and he predicted the Spring Collection 2011 Sheer Blush would sell out. I think Dawn Pink will sell out too, and I wouldn't be surprised if this powder becomes scarce quickly. It's that pretty. Glad I bought two of everything!

You can find La Femme Bleue Armani at the Giorgio Armani Web site, Neiman Marcus, or wherever you normally purchase your Armani Beauty products.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Guerlain Or Impérial Sublime Radiant Powder from Les Or for Holiday 2010

I wasn't going to purchase Or Impérial Sublime Radiant Powder for Face and Body ($85) from Guerlain's Les Or for Holiday! I figured it would be uber-smelly, and I'm not big on gimmicks. Then, I read that it smelled like candied violets (the un-Shalimar).

Have you ever eaten those little sugar-laden treats? Candied violets are a specialty of Toulouse in the south of France. The French have been using them to decorate cakes and pastries for hundreds of years. Revived in the mid-80's as a candied treat, they are made by a quite a few companies in France and the U.S. They are no longer rare and hard to find here, but I'll never forget my first taste. Many years ago, someone brought me candied violets from France, and I swooned when I tasted my first exotic candied flower. I think they lovely on salads and ice cream - I've used them ever since - but I digress.

Or Impérial is a spray powder that highlights wherever it lands. Packaged in a classy bee-embossed glass container, it looks as nice on the vanity as it looks on skin! The vintage look to the bottle, with its bulb-shaped atomizer, makes this a pretty gift.

This silky, light powder caresses the skin "like a breeze, leaving behind a luminous halo." Deliciously perfumed with violet, it subtly embellishes the face, body, and hair with a shimmering golden glow. You can spray it anywhere! Pamela Morgan from Guerlain calls it "poof poof." A few poofs on your face or hair will give you an indescribable gleam. It's amazing.

The 20% VIB discount at Sephora pushed me over the edge and pushed Or Impérial into my shopping cart. I'm glad, except that I had to wipe it down when it arrived. I was fairly annoyed that it leaked - thanks to either Sephora or UPS (I'm betting on Sephora, and I'm wondering how a new item that hadn't had its poofer poofed could have left powder all over the inside of the box and the bottle and atomizer).

You can find this beauty at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom - any Guerlain counter. It is on display with the rest of the Holiday 2010 collection. Stop by a store and give yourself a poof poof. It's fun!

Photos courtesy of Sephora and Easy-French-Food

Clé de Peau Vintage Palette II for Holiday 2010

Do I feel special! I'm wearing a beautiful highlighting powder: the Vintage Palette II ($125), the second annual, limited-edition stunner from Clé de Peau. Look at this compact! How stunning does it get? Second only to animals (my favorites), the raised rays of light on this palette are exquisite.

Inspired by the "timeless allure of vintage jewelry, this face powder melts into skin like silky cream and provides a warm, delicate glow like the solemn sparkle of precious jewels." The finish is achieved with a harmonious blend of colors with pearl pigments. From pinks to golds, the shades combine, with the swipe of a powder brush, to make the face gleam.

There are some micro-sparkles in the powder. I was feeling festive today - a short day at work and the beginning of the long, holiday weekend, so I threw caution to the wind and applied it before work. I loved the way it lit up my face. Although I could see a small amount of micro-sparkling on my cheeks at first, just an hour and a half later, what's left is a gleam. I don't know where those little sparkle devils went, but they aren't on my bright purple jacket, so I'm not sure I care.

I knew this special compact was going to be introduced for the holidays, but I forgot it for a time. When I finally asked about it, Alanna Lee, Clé de Peau Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, only had two left! Yikes - I'm glad one of them is mine. London Pretty Boy wrote about it in August, so I can't claim I didn't have enough advance notice. Don't make the same mistake I almost made. If you are interested in the Vintage Palette II, look for it now.

You can find this gorgeous holiday palette at Clé de Peau counters at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. I noticed that it's listed as "not available" at Neiman Marcus online. That means the warehouse sold out.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Giorgio Armani Beauty Gold Rush Palette for Holiday 2010

Just in time for the holiday season, Giorgio Armani Beauty has introduced a stunning golden powder highlighter. The Gold Rush Palette ($55) is pretty on the outside and pretty on the inside.

The soft, universal golden beige, sheer, shimmering powder lights up the face and décolleté with an irresistible gold-cut glow. The sleek, pale gold and black lacquered signature compact adds a sparkling note to this beautiful palette.

Since the Armani Web site doesn't show the powder - only the compact, I took a photo of the inside of the compact. The photo at right was taken outside in strong light, but it makes the color look at little dull. It's not at all dull; it's an extremely pretty golden beige. I was excited when I saw it in person at Saks.

I never thought I would be able to get a photo of the powder on my arm, assuming it would blend right in, leaving only a glow. So I applied the powder heavily with a sponge - not a powder or blush brush that I would normally use to apply a highlighting powder.

The photo at left was taken yesterday in full sun. It does show the powder - a swath across my arm if you look carefully (a downward slanting line left to right). Hopefully, you can see a subtle, shimmering, gold. That's how it applies on my skin. It's not too sparkly - simply pretty. I love it!

You can purchase the Gold Rush Palette at Giorgio Armani Beauty Web site, Saks (I bought one at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and my online order finally arrived), select Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus stores, and Armani's own counters too. This one's worth your attention. I think the price is very reasonable for a luxury makeup line.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty