Le Métier de Beauté Penelope Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Summer 2011

Yesterday was an exciting day here. Le Métier de Beauté’s Mediterranean Holiday Summer 2011 Collection arrived, and I think I felt heart palpitations when I opened the Penelope Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95). Then I examined the new nail polishes and was sure my heart skipped a beat. It was definitely one of those "steady my heart" days.

Twilight in the Mediterranean, the time of the day when light works its magic, when the slow descent of the sun meets the sea to color the landscape. The sand becomes a gilded path to an emerald sea blanketing the horizon. The sky quickly transforms from its daytime azure to deep, rich hues of purple, pink, golden bronze, and finally to a midnight blue. A moment of the day only the Greek Gods could create. Le Métier de Beauté's Mediterranean Holiday Summer Collection will be one to remember.

I think the Penelope Kaleidoscope Eye Kit captures the beauty of the Mediterranean panorama perfectly. With four opulent shadow shades, the kit evokes these rich, twilight colors of the Mediterranean sunset. It's a romantic lift for the eyes.

• Blonde Amber is a sand-hued neutral, perfect as a shadow base.
• Pale Satin Amethyst is a light blue-toned purple, like the Mediterranean sky at dusk.
• Bronze Topaz, an alluring metallic, mimicks the sunset reflected on the sand.
• Black Emerald, a deep ocean green, provides an irresistible finish to the Couches de Couleur layered look for which Le Métier de Beauté is famous.

Penelope, like other Kaleidoscopes, offers four hues to give maximum contrast to the wearer's eyes - no matter what their color. Each hue was selected to evoke one of each element in a sequence of crescendo: warm, cool, hot, and cold. The intensity of contrast increases with the application of each layer - always flattering because of the initial blanket of warmth, Blonde Amber in this case. What I adore about Le Métier de Beauté's shadows is how I can wear one or all of the shades in the compact, leaving me with tens of different looks. Dustin Lujan taught me the underlying principles of Couches de Couleur, and I've been mesmerized since.

I haven't had enough time to truly experience all of the looks I'll be able to create with Penelope, but I wanted to give you a quick peek before I start to experiment. The photo at the top is Le Métier de Beauté's. The rest are mine, taken in full morning sun.

Here are two swatch photos. I applied each shade with a sponge-tipped applicator and took the photos this morning. These colors are extraordinary. I couldn't resist photographing them with flowers. They belong in a beautiful landscape.

I will go entirely through Blonde Amber and Bronze Topaz. The neutral shades are perfect for me - one more shimmering than the other. I can wear the Pale Satin Amethyst; it's a tone of lilac my skin tone and eyes appreciate (unlike many). The deep black-green is flattering as a liner or accent shade. It's all-around love!

I will write about Penelope again. It's too special for only one feature. Give me a little time to wear it and experience the joy of my layering selections. Then I'll get back to you. I'll also show you the four nail lacquers that complete Mediterranean Holiday.

Penelope Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Summer 2011 arrived at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. The testers have arrived at Neiman Marcus locally, but without the stock. I'm sure they will receive it next week. I'll be purchasing when they do; this is hoard-worthy shadow. Mine was a gift from Le Métier de Beauté. I feel so special - they really know how to make my heart race!

Check out Le Métier de Beauté's Facebook page to see more.

Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté