Edward Bess Quad Royale Poudre Éclat Quatre Couleurs in Monte Carlo

I've been anxious to show you the gorgeous new Quad Royale Poudre Éclat Quatre Couleurs palette from Edward Bess: Monte Carlo ($45). The sun finally made an appearance today. I was working - cooped up inside. When I left the client's site, I drove down the road about a half mile, where I had seen a church. I was ready. I hopped out of my car in an empty parking lot and started taking photos of the palette and swatches. The things I do for this blog! If anyone in the rectory saw me, they had to have thought I was in need of divine intervention. Little did they know that Edward Bess provided the inspiration for my "eccentricity."

Edward Bess Quad Royale palettes offer a "face wardrobe." They can be blended and applied all over the face for luminous color or used as a blush, contouring shade, or highlighter. Summer in Capri was the first shade variation to be introduced. South of France was the second. I treasure them. Now, Monte Carlo provide an entirely different color experience. These palettes are a makeup collector's dream.

A palette of four coordinated shades to sculpt and highlight the face. This versatile set of four perfectly paired shades is ideal for adding depth and dimension to your look. Sweep the collection together for allover, luminous color or use the shades individually to highlight the apples of the cheeks, the tops of the cheekbones, and the eyes. The palette comes with a sleek travel brush so you can touch up on the go.

I knew you would want to see the individual shades in the palette in addition to the blended shade. Imagine the scene in the parking lot. I had my trusty sponge-tipped applicators, so after I took photos of the palette, I started swatching. Then, holding my arm toward the sun, I took swatch photos. I had no way to check my photos on the spot, but, fortunately, a few were half-decent.

I swatched from the top left shade in the palette clockwise. You probably can't see the flesh-toned shade at the top of my arm. I could barely see it in person. The next three shades - warm variations of peach and coral - swatched nicely.

I adore the golden peach shade at the top right in the palette (second swatch from top on my arm). I'll use it for my eyelids and as a highlighter - or just blended with the rest of the shades. It's drop-dead gorgeous. The peach and coral shades at the bottom of the palette blend beautifully with the rest of the shades for a warm, sun-kissed look. The swatch at the bottom of my photos shows all four shades blended. It's a stunning shimmering peach.

Monte Carlo is perfect for those who believed the first two Quad Royale palettes were too light or too cool-toned for them. I think Monte Carlo is also perfect for anyone who wants a beautifully coordinated palette of warm, summer shades. Monte Carlo is entirely different from Summer in Capri and South of France. If you are an Edward Bess collector, it's a must-have.

Monte Carlo brilliantly evokes the warm, sunny Mediterranean beaches of Monte Carlo. While many think casinos or film fests, I think beaches and Gracy Kelly when I hear Monte Carlo. It's a perfect name for the latest face palette from Edward Bess.

Now, Edward Bess (the brand, not the artist) is available at Sephora online and will be available in Sephora stores in a few months. The line continues to be available at the Edward Bess Web site, Bergdorf Goodman, two Neiman Marcus locations. I purchased my Monte Carlo Quad Royale from Bergdorf Goodman. I've already purchased (and received) a few Edward Bess beauties from Sephora. The availability of Edward Bess at Sephora is great news - not only for Edward, but also for customers. Think we'll see a VIB gift with purchase of an Edward Bess sample some day? We can only hope!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; Monte Carlo poster courtesy of Amazon.com