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