Giorgio Armani Beauty Summer 2010 - Live and in Person

Giorgio Armani Beauty's new eye shadow, lipstick, and lip gloss shades arrived at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland, so I hurried over on my lunch hour today. Loyd Cassler - bless his heart - called me late yesterday to tell me they had arrived.

They were exactly what I expected - and more. What's strange is that the photos on the Armani Web site (and their latest e-mail) differ from the photos that the company sent me in April and what is actually in the store! Hopefully, they will straighten that out soon.

The new Eyes to Kill ($59) shades above are #5 (Granite Turquoise at left) and #6 (Stone Marine at right). The company has re-released #1 (Steel Black) and #3 (Gun Metal Grey).

I am so pleased that Armani Beauty re-released Eyes to Kill #1 (Steel Black). There isn't much that's black about #1, but there's a lot to love. I wear this palette frequently. It has two lovely neutral shades, which you can wear on their own or blended. The little "dot" in the center is intended to be a liner, and it's the closest thing to black in the palette. Armani has been sold out of #1 for a long time. Fortunately, it's back! I'm going to have to purchase another one to satisfy my hoarding instinct.

The re-introduction of #3 is interesting to me because Tim said plums would be big for fall. If you want to be ready, you should check out this palette. You have to try it to see how nice it is. I didn't think I would be able to wear these colors, but Loyd showed me how, and I bought #3 when it was first introduced.

The new colors are really pretty! The colors in #3 (Granite Turquoise) pop in the pan, and to some extent, they pop on the eyes too if you build the color. The sheerness of the two shades, turquoise and grey, allow you to apply only a wash of color if that's all you want. The more you blend in the grey shade, the more subdued the color becomes.

Loyd used this palette to do a touch-up on my eyes at lunch, and I loved it. He used Maestro #34 as an all-over base shade and blended the turquoise and grey shades to apply to my eyelids. Then he used a #3 navy Smooth Silk Eyeliner in a thin line above my top lashes and added a little in the outer corner below my bottom lashes. He smudged the color underneath. We didn't mess with mascara because I had to go back to work. He's a photo of the end result. Can you believe I took this myself, holding the camera out as far as my arms would reach? Close-ups are scary, and my eyes were red and wrinkly today from an allergic reaction to a shadow from another line that I had tested and removed in the morning. Despite eyes that were irritated, I got so many compliments before I could get out of the store! I'm used to wearing a more neutral eye, but I was very happy with the way these shades looked. I predict, though, that I'll be using a little less color when I do it myself. Loyd made the color pop so that it would show in a photograph.

Now for the true mystery palette. Eyes to Kill #6, Stone Marine - the one I purchased in the store - is shown at top right. Armani Beauty's photo on the Web site has a totally different middle color! The colors in #6 are taupe, pink, and peach. There isn't a trace of marine blue in it. I can't explain this today, but I have written to my Armani Beauty contacts to try to get an explanation. I'll let you know in an update to this post when I get a response [See June 4 update at the end].

There are three new Rouge d'Armani Lipsticks ($30), swatched on my arm, left to right: #204, #203, and #202. All three are brown-toned and gorgeous. Loyd was sure I would think that #204 was too dark on me; I loved it! I came home with it, along with #203.

There are three beautiful new Lip Shimmer Lip Glosses ($27) too! Shown on my arm, left to right below, are #67, #66, and #65. I painted on quite a bit to try to make the colors photograph well, and #65 at right shows a little too bright in this photo. The photo is slightly blurry too - sorry - one of us moved!

Lip Shimmer glosses are a staple of my makeup wardrobe. I don't think there is a shade that has ever been introduced that I didn't purchase. They are sheer, shimmering, and extremely flattering. On top of that, they feel great on my lips. The Web site photos of the new shades are shown below.I'll be playing with all of these new goodies for many days, trying different combinations and looks. Over time, I will use them up! What do you think? See anything you would like to have?

Update 6/4: The photos on the Armani Web site are incorrect and will be replaced. The photos here are the "real ones."

Photos at top and bottom courtesy of Armani Beauty
The rest were taken by Loyd Cassler or yours truly

M·A·C's To The Beach Collection

M·A·C has a hit on its hands. The limited-edition To The Beach Collection is selling at a fast clip. In fact, this too-pretty-to-use starfish highlighter is sold out online and in stores. When I asked about it at one department store, they told me they only received six of them. They also said that the M·A·C store in the mall had a line waiting at the door when they opened on release day, and it was gone in a jiffy. If you want it at any price, check eBay. Apparently the "resellers" scooped it up.

While I was originally disappointed, a friend who manages the beauty department at a large department store told me it was not my color. He said it is stunning in the case, but imparts an orange-toned glow to the face. He was very successful in talking me down from my "Can't you find it somewhere?" plea. I still wanted to see the collection, though, so today, I went to Nordstrom. I wanted to see the Not Your Daughter's Jeans on sale anyhow.

I bought three pieces. On a lark, I picked up the To the Beach Lipstick in Funbathing ($14). It was the darkest in the collection and appeared very brown in the tube. The color on the skin is amazingly different - and very pretty. It could be described on me as mauve, or a brown-toned rose. You have to see it to believe it. It's a CREMESHEEN formula with a soft shine. Love it! The case is an attention-getter, with its coral color and a cream shell motif.

I also purchased both shades of Lustre Drops ($18.50): Pink Rebel and Sun Rush. Pink Rebel is a shimmering pink (not too pink) and Sun Rush is a glimmering gold. Both are gorgeous. Lustre Drops provide sheer, natural-looking highlights with a luminous, shimmering finish. The lustre is shiny, not sparkly, so these are going to be useful. You can use Lustre Drops on your face or body as a highlighter. My M·A·C friend told me she mixes them with her foundation. You could also mix them with your moisturizer, or just use them on their own. Remember, a tiny drop goes a long way!

Naturally, I was interested in the bronzers. The Bronzing Powder, and Bronzing Oil in the collection are sparkly. While very pretty, I don't need more sparkly bronzers, so I passed on them. Additionally, the one that might have grabbed me, Creme Bronzer ($25), with its darling little seashell case, was muddy on my skin in the lightest shade (Beach Bronze). It's a hazard of being fair.

There's plenty more, including eye shadows, lip glosses, and powder blush. I'm quite content with the three items that literally jumped into my bag. You can see the whole collection online at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and at M·A·C.

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's

Bobbi Brown Beach Club Collection for Summer 2010

About a week ago, I got my hands on the much-anticipated Bobbi Brown Beach Club Collection. Tipped off by a reader that it had arrived at Nordstrom, I wasted no time getting over there. Not only am I a Shimmer Brick addict, I adore Bobbi's cream eye shadows. The colors had looked so yummy in the advance photos, I know I would love them. And I do!

Beach Shimmer Brick ($38), a compact hand-made in Italy, features five bars of warm, pearlized, shimmering shades to create a beautiful seaside glow (think sunset). Run your Face Blender Brush across all five shades and lightly dust over your cheeks and forehead for extra oomph. Or wear just one or two shades on your eyes for subtle glamour. Shimmer Bricks are so versatile, I can't resist them. If you are thinking that these shades are too warm for a cool complexion, my face is living proof that they work beautifully for summer.

There are four new pastel shades of Bobbi's Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22).

• Moonstone, a pale shimmering green that Diron used on Hayley last week (see this link)
• Opal, described as opalescent pink
• Pink Oyster, a shimmering pale pink
• Surf, a pale, shimmering blue

There is also a new shade in Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22): Shore, a soft matte beige perfect for a look that’s just one notch up from natural and a perfect base for the metallic shades.

Bobbi's Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows are wearable metallics. The award-winning formula is infused with sparkle I can wear without looking like a glitter bomb exploded nearby. These shadows are very sheer. You can blend the shadows on your lids with your fingers or use Bobbi's wonderful Cream Shadow Brush for a wash of color. For a more dramatic look, add another layer, or wear one on top of your favorite matte cream shadow for soft shimmer. When Diron did Hayley's makeover at Nordstrom last week, he applied Moonstone over Sandy Gold.

These really are long-wearing shadows. They stay color-true, retain their sparkle, and don't migrate to the crease. I wear contacts and have very sensitive eyes. I have never experienced any flaking into my eyes with Bobbi's metallic cream shadows. Of course, wearing a primer helps.

I don't normally wear pinks and blues on my eyes, but these shades are so sheer, they work for me - even the pastel blue Surf. I tried a dab of it on the center lid near my lashes, and it made my eyes look bluer than they are - and very summery.
Even if you don't want to purchase the whole collection as I did, you should seriously consider the Shimmer Brick and at least one of the shadows for a sheer and pretty summer treat.

One more Bobbi Brown fact you should know - the Antigua Face Palette, which was exclusive to Bloomingdale's when introduced, is now available at Bobbi Brown's Web site. It's a great value.

You can find the Beach Club Collection at Bobbi's Web site and Bobbi Brown counters at your favorite department stores.

Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Shiseido Ocean Summer 2010 Collection

Doesn't this look gorgeous? Dick Page keeps creating one extraordinary collection after another for Shiseido. His Summer 2010 collection is carefully edited with items you are going to want. I want all of them! A trip to the store (or Shiseido's Web site for a look-see) should be on your to-do list. You know I loved the Spring 2010 Shiseido Collection. The love continues with Ocean for Summer 2010!

Page's ideas for the summer collection initially came from photographs he took along the coasts of countries around the world. The beauty and color of animals, aquatic plants, seascapes, and sea shells inspired him to create the Ocean Collection. Page said, "I wanted to play with the concepts of transparency and lightness, so that even if a color is strong, it is rendered with a light hand." He succeeded!

Luminizing Satin Face Color ($30), available in three new shades shown at left, offers looks from Medusa (PK107), an illuminator with a delicate, silver-blushing radiance; to Starfish (OR308), a red-gold blush with golden pearls to warm any complexion; and Shell (GD809, a fabulous bronzer. I'm wearing Starfish, which looks very coral in the photo at left. It is a warm shade, but perfectly suitable for all skin tones because it is a peach-coral shade that has some pink "undertones." Another nice thing about it is that it lasts all day. My cheeks look as good as they did 12 hours ago when I applied this blush. That's remarkable staying power for a powder blush.

I want to try Medusa next. A silver-toned pink illuminating face color sounds like a must-have to me. The color is said to be buildable. Apply lightly with a powder blush for a transparent radiance or more heavily with a blush brush for a pink glow. I'll let you know more after I get my hands on it.

Luminizing Satin Eye Color ($25) in Ocean Sunset (GD824) continues my love for Page's golden eyelids. He creates colors that we can all wear (as Renato Almeida demonstrated to Anne Houseman and me when he showed us the Spring 2010 Collection). I'm partial to gold around my eyes; it lights up my whole face. This luxurious powder shadow will give you luminous eyelids, perfect for summer and year-round. I am wearing Ocean Sunset now, and I love the glimmering gold. It makes my eyes look bright and very blue. I don't know anyone who isn't going to find this new radiant gold flattering.

There is a new Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil ($20) in Black Sand (BK904), an incredible shade of greenish black. I love anything that's subtly green, and the Web site photo of this color looks unique. Inspired by the black sand beaches of volcanic islands, the pencil is said to reveal a green-black tint infused with gold pearl for a subtle radiance. I'm sold, and I haven't even seen it in person yet! Shiseido's eyeliner pencils are creamy, apply with ease, define my eyes all day, and are budge-proof once the color sets. I have to have Black Sand!

Perfect Rouge ($25) in Red Triton glows with a golden red shade, perfect for summer's bold lip look! Described as a golden red, this lipstick may be too saturated in color for my pale face. It completes the golden look, though, and if you are looking for a bold lip - the trend for spring and summer - you should look for this creamy, moisturizing lip color with a lustrous finish. Today, I improvised and completed my Dick Page look with a golden mauve lipstick that evoked the "spirit" of the Ocean look. I was pretty pleased with how I looked today (she says with a happy grin).

To cap off the collection, there's a to-die-for lip gloss: Luminizing Lip Gloss ($22) in Rainbow (SV809). This gloss has floating multi-colored pearls to give your lips shimmer and shine, while moisturizing them for hours.

I am not sure how you could look at these photos and not want the whole collection! I received two pieces from Shiseido to introduce me to it. I need the rest! I know I'm gushing. Beauty bloggers love makeup, and I'm no exception. There's a difference between love and lust! Dick Page and Shiseido keep creating lust-worthy collections.

You can learn more about Dick Page and watch some videos of looks he has created at this link. Head over and see the entire Ocean Collection at this link. Here's a stylized look sheet. What it doesn't portray is the gorgeous golden eye!

Shiseido's quality color collections offer luxury and quality at very reasonable prices. I've become a happy customer who anxiously awaits each new collection. In my area, Shiseido is available at Nordstrom, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's.

P.S. I am assuming that the prices of the new colors are the same as the Spring 2010 Collection prices.

Update 5/14: The Red Triton Perfect Rouge Lipstick is gorgeous on the lips! Not too saturated for me and not orange-toned as it appears in the photo above. Here's a swatch on my arm. Love it!

Photos courtesy of Shiseido

Coming Attraction: YSL Solaris for Summer 2010

In a sultry shift from the spring cosmetics collections, Summer 2010 from YSL Beauty promises to be "free and passionate." Here's a preview sent to me by a YSL Beauty marketing rep, along with some of the photos she provided.

The Yves Saint Laurent woman plunges into a new adventure filled with sun, sensuality, and exotic makeup colors with the radiance of desert golds refreshed by Mediterranean blues, and the intensity of reds vibrating with light. Born of the elements, her essential and solar beauty is a force of nature. Her complexion is a hymn to the luminous nuances of the safari lands. Golden and copper like the sand of the dunes, it captures and reflects the exquisite glow of the sun at its zenith.

The look plunges deliciously into the coolness of waterproof Riviera Blue, lined in Blue Lagoon, with delicate arabesque on the eyelashes. Pink Lychee or Blood Orange lips stir desire, fuchsia lacquered nails tap a rhythm… the flamboyance of reds like an elixir of life, a concentrate of Yves Saint Laurent passion.

Three new TERRE SAHARIENNE ($50) bronzer shades will be added to the line.


There will be new limited-edition selections for eyes, lips, and nails!

• FARD LUMIÈRE AQUARÉSISTANT N° 19 - Riviera Blue $30
• ROUGE PURE SHINE N° 93 - Pink Lychee $30
• ROUGE PURE SHINE N° 94 - Blood Orange $30
  
• LA LAQUE N° 142 - Ultra Orange $20
• LA LAQUE N° 42 - Ultra Violet $20

The following new and delicious basic shades are being added to YSL's stunning color selections.

• FARD LUMIÈRE AQUARÉSISTANT N° 5 - Golden Sands $30
• MASCARA AQUARESISTANT N° 7 - Blue Lagoon $30
• GLOSS PUR N° 7 - Pure Sorbet $30 (all glosses seen below)
  
• GLOSS PUR N° 8 - Pure Watermelon $30
  
• GLOSS PUR N° 9 - Pure Hibiscus $30
  
• GLOSS PUR N° 10 - Pure Redcurrant $30
  

I'm a huge fan of ROUGE PURE SHINE and GLOSS PUR, so I'll be eagerly awaiting the arrival of these sheer beauties at stores in May/early June. If you want a sultry pop of color for summer, be on the lookout!

Update 5/12: The collection is now available at the YSL Beauty Web site (free shipping with all makeup orders through May 18 - use code SUMMER10 at checkout).

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

The Sunny Clarins Sun Light Collection for Summer 2010

Clarins has a winning color collection for the season! The Sun Light Collection has three key pieces to brighten or bronze your look for summer. In short, they are gorgeous.

I first played with them at Saks a couple of weeks ago. The collection had only been there for about two weeks, but many pieces were sold out. Clearly, faster shoppers had discovered the beauty of the collection. So, I bought what I could at Saks and ordered the rest of the items I wanted from the Clarins Web site. Pfew! Mission accomplished. Then I asked about the collection at Bloomingdale's a week later. The response? "Wow, it blew right out of here!"

I know that inventory control is a key issue for department stores these days, but could the buyers not have seen that this collection would be a blockbuster? Its carefully edited pieces and universally appealing colors were going to sell.

Let's start with the limited-edition Instant Sun Light Eye Quartet & Liner Palette ($36), four warm eye shadows and a liner that will work for both warm and cool skin types while adding a summer glow.

Decorated with a shimmery gold star anise flower, the four shades are pearly ginger, iridescent cinnamon, matte cocoa, and sparkling paprika. They are joined by a metallic nutmeg eyeliner, and the shades can be used to give you countless looks from sweet to smokey. The palette contains tiny applicators - good for women on the go - but use your professional brushes at home. I love every one of these colors. There are no blah neutrals in this palette! Instead, there are shadows designed to add light with their color, and the effect on the lid is stunning.

The Instant Sun Light Instant Smooth Compact Highlighter ($32) comes in two shades: natural and bronze. They are irresistible. I toyed with both, with the help of Armani makeup maestro Loyd Cassler. I wanted them both, but couldn't decide between safe (Natural, a light pink pearly shade) and Bronze (a totally wearable pearly bronze highlighter). The texture of these highlighters is creamy, and the effect on the skin is soft and pretty. They are also generously sized. Loyd chose Bronze for me, telling me that it was a shade I don't own. There you have it; I came home with Bronze! Except...I really wanted the Natural one too, so that found its way into my online order. They are both gorgeous.

There are three Instant Sun Light Click & Gloss SPF 6 ($18) lip glosses, available in Vanilla, Coral, and a luscious Cinnamon. I can't tell you how much the name "Cinnamon" turns me off, given my aversion to the real thing. So, I just overlooked the name and bought the gloss. It's a pretty mauve that's perfect for my coloring, and it carries enough pigment to give my lips some color. The click-pen applicator leaves most of the product carefully protected in the packaging while you use only what you need.

There's more (some cool lip balms, a waterproof liner, and more), but I bought the most exciting pieces. Check out the entire collection at the Clarins Web site, where you can actually find these products. Or meander by your local Clarins counter at the department store and bemoan the fact that you wanted to see and possibly purchase these. Maybe the buyers will get the hint if the sales associates pass along the word about the demand.

Photos courtesy of Clarins

Guerlain Perles Collection for Summer 2010

I wasn't expecting to see Guerlain's latest Perles Collection for Summer 2010 in stores until May. For many reasons, I'm glad I limped over to Bloomingdale's at Tysons Corner Center last night to the "what's new in the department" class Beauty Department Manager Tarsha Jones had set up. The knee pain was worth it when I found the Guerlain collection in stock (mostly) and ready for me!

Guerlain makes some of the most elaborate eye palettes available. Each collection gives us pretty colors with a theme, and the new Pearles Collection continues the tradition. The Ombre Éclat 4 Shades Eyeshadow ($59) is a tad darker than it appears in this photograph. The sheer neutral shades, encased in a matte silver, mirrored compact, are eminently wearable. The more you wear them, the more you'll lose the design, but that's the only downside of these beauties.

While the directions that come in the box show you how to create a "look" by using the shades in a traditional way (one for the entire lid, one for the crease, etc.), you will find these colors to be extremely flexible. Play at will!

The texture is as luxurious as we've come to expect from Guerlain eye shadows - a creamy powder that stays put. With long-lasting wear, they are must-haves.

There are also four new Ombre Éclat 1 Shade Eyeshadows - all in neutral shades, and all gorgeous. I'll tell you about them in a subsequent post because I have to rave now about other pieces in the new collection.

A Météorites Perles Illuminating Powder ($56) in #03, Teint Doré, is the perfect, warm melange for summer. Housed in elegant silver metal packaging with a floral design on the top, the little pearls of robin's egg blue, beige, and taupe-brown pigments create the perfect glow. There's also a new brush for this powder if you need a brush - or just want one!

There are two Kiss Kiss Baby SPF 10 Nourishing Lip Balms ($31) in "Delicate Nudes." The also are housed in matte silver containers, so don't be shy about touching up in public with these lip-quenching beauties. The two limited-edition shades are shown here. I purchased #262, the pink-toned shade on the left. The other, #242, has a coral tone. Both are extremely sheer, so most of us could wear either. One for every mood?

The collection wasn't scheduled to be at Guerlain counters until May, so I'm not sure whether my find was just lucky timing or an early launch. Either way, I'm sure glad I went to Bloomingdale's!

Be on the lookout for the new collection!

Photo sources: urcosme.com, chicprofile.com, and BTiB

Bobbi Brown Coming Attractions for Summer 2010

I have to be one of Bobbi Brown's biggest fans on earth! I have wished for years that her Web site had a "crazy big spender" club because I would qualify each year. I'd rather skimp on food than Bobbi's makeup. I can imagine the reactions in "order fulfillment" when they see my orders come in. "Holy moly, she's ordering her third one of these. Is she ingesting them?"

Imagine, then, my delight when I picked up a Pretty Powerful brochure at a department store and got to see Bobbi's upcoming makeup introductions for this summer! Here are scanned photos of new products that you can expect to see.

To be at Bobbi Brown counters in May, Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 is a lightweight, soft shine lipstick that will instantly comfort dry, chapped lips with natural cocoa and shea butters. I am so there! Peptides are included in the formulation to help reduce fine lines and prevent future sun damage. This lip shine will be available in 12 new shades, from pale pink to deep berry. Steady my heart, I saw this photo and decided I needed all of them.

Bobbi's Beach Club will be at the counters in June. The Beach Shimmer Brick has five bars of warm, pearlized shimmer that will give your cheeks and lids a beautiful seaside glow. The shade looks like it's going to work for all of us. It may be a light bronzer for me. I guess you could call me a Shimmer Brick "collector," so you can bet they will be chuckling in order fulfillment again.

Look at the beautiful beach-inspired Long Wear Metallic Eye Shadows above! Bobbi's award-winning formula, infused with sparkle, will be available in glistening pastels from ocean blue to oyster pink. I'll have to decide on the blue when I see it, but I'm already on-board for the other shades. That blue, though, will be "to-die-for" on a friend with dark, dark skin. I may have to buy it for her.

Are you as excited as I am?

Scanned photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Lancome Bronze Riviera Summer 2010 Color Collection

Lancome's new Bronze Riviera Collection for Summer 2010 offers playful bronze and celebratory pink expressed in complementary shades designed to make you gorgeous this season.

Be lavished in shades of gold and bronze that jet you away to the beautiful places and faces of the Riviera. The most luxurious elements of nature all come together now to create this summer’s hottest color collection - with pops of pink to add a happy play of color to any look.

I went shopping at Lancome.com, and the first new item that leaped into my shopping cart was the limited-edition Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Bronze Riviera Palette in Pink Party Pretty ($45). These are easy-to-wear shades that will enhance your look whether you choose to tan (faux, I hope) or not. I was delighted when the palette arrived in the mail. It's prettier in person than it is in this Lancome photo. I like the texture and wear of Lancome shadows, and I know I'll reach for this palette often.

To compliment your shadows, Le Crayon Khôl ($28) makes a splash with a new waterproof formula. This creamy smooth dual-ended eye pencil perfectly lines, defines, and contours - and it will stay put no matter what summer throws at you. It's available in two duos, Sultry in Sunset and Sassy in Sunrise. I decided to wait to purchase one until I can see the shades in the store. I'm leaning toward the more conservative Sultry in Sunset.

That's not the half of it! I saw the Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer in Temptingly Bonze ($45) online and had the instant "I want's." It said Sold Out. Then I went to Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's looking for it. At that point, the collection had not arrived. I have since learned that there was a glitch with shipping. Never fear, it will be available. How could anyone resist a bronzer compact that looks so pretty, with its sunset/sunrise amid the trees design?

The Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer Compact opens to reveal a silky, sun-kissed, pressed mineral powder with a big, full-face mirror for the golden, glamorous glow of tropical sun in seconds. Intended to be dusted on cheek bones, forehead, nose, brow bones, chin, and décolletage, it will give you than fresh tan look without the sun exposure.

Can't wait for the compact? Try the handy Tropiques Minérale Magic Bronzing Brush ($33). It's available in a shade that works for all skin tones, and its self-contained reservoir of 100% mineral blusher automatically releases powder onto its brush at the press of a button for a natural-looking, shimmering, bronze glow from head to toe. Need convenient touch-ups on the go? This is your bronzer!

I ordered the Ageless Minérale Brightening Mineral Powder Blush with White Sapphire Complex ($29.50), which contains pure mineral pigments for soft, sheer color and a radiant blush. It's available in three colors. My choice was the lightest, Luminous Rose, and it's perfect for me. The blush is also available in Brilliant Berry and Sparkling Sand - the latter color designed to emphasize the bronze glow on your cheeks. Lancome says it provides six-hour wear; I'd say eight. It's fragrance free, oil-free, talc-free, and safe for sensitive skin. A perfect summer solution!

Lips and nails round out the collection for a complete, color-coordinated look. It's a beauty. Check it out at Lancome's Web site. I'm sure it will be at our favorite Lancome counters soon.

Photos courtesy of Lancome

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Exotic Bronzing Blush for Summer 2010

Last week, I purchased a few pieces from Estee Lauder's new Bronze Goddess collection. One standout is the limited-edition Exotic Bronzing Blush ($35).

This huge blusher comes in a mirrored compact in just one shade pattern that should work for at least half of us! The vibrant pink mixed with a light-to-medium bronze powder makes this bronzer especially wearable. You can wear it as a shimmering sun-kissed blusher, which I have been doing for the last few days, as a bronzer, or to enhance the tan or bronzer you already have (or one of the bronzers from the new collection). I love the flexibility.

Estee Lauder suggests a few ways to apply it.

• For an exotic glow, apply it to the "apple" of your cheeks and down the center of your face.
• Use it alone as a blush sweeping from the middle of your ear towards tip of nose.

I find that it's also great for a quick contour under the cheekbones, at the temples, and to frame the face.

If you are tired of your winter look, you may want to check out the Bronze Goddess collection. I'm glad I did. I will tell you about the other pieces in the collection over the next few days.

Pieces of Bronze Goddess, including this one, are selling out quickly in stores. The Exotic Bronzing Blush is available at the Estee Lauder Web site and at Estee Lauder counters. Don't count on it to stay at the counters for long. I got the last blusher at the Neiman Marcus at Tysons Corner.

Photo courtesy of Estee Lauder