Monday, February 20, 2012

Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad for Spring 2012

Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad (Ombres Couleurs Quadri) for Spring 2012 ($55) can be identified by its number: #208. Like every other Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad I own, it's stunning. I'll bet all neutral eye shadow lovers will agree.

About the price...Clé de Peau Beauté does not provide compacts with its Eye Color Quads. You'll pay $55 if you want the eye shadow (called a refill), and the case for the palette, with a mirror and two small applicators will set you back an additional $25. I think $55 is "enough." As a result, I never buy the lovely cases. I make do with the protective plastic cover on the "refill," which you can see immediately below. Actually, my Clé de Peau Beauté quads take up much less space in my bathroom than those that are "fully equipped."

I gasped when I saw these colors! Then I gasped when I tried them. Although #208 has been introduced for spring, these colors are seasonless. I'm thrilled to own this beauty.

Light upon radiant light, overlapping in layers of translucence. Softly diaphanous, each shade takes on increasing depth that captivates with sophisticated elegance. A smoky brown palette creates sheer drama, subtle radiance, and natural shading.

Clé de Peau Beauté's light-reflecting technology is combined with a finish that's silky and flawless, placing their eye shadow quads among the most desirable. Argan oil ensures a smooth application and wear, while an exclusive advanced moisturizing ingredient, "Hydro-Wrap Complex," gives the powder a hydrating creaminess. The shadows adhere to the lids nicely, resistant to smudging, creasing, and fading. Once you apply them for the day, they will stick with you until you're ready to remove them (unless you rub your eyes, cry like a baby, or go swimming).

I applied all four shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator for my photos, which were taken in full sun. The largest shade at the left of the palette, shown at the top of my arm, is a shimmering taupe with a twist. It has an ever-so-slight peach hue on my skin. It's unique. I'd like to have a baking pan full of this shade. It's so pretty, I'm considering a hoarding purchase. I can swipe this shade on my lid below the crease and go. For beauty in a rush, it's divine.

As we've come to expect from Clé de Peau, the harmony of the four shades is magnificent. The second shade is milk chocolate. I applied it way too heavily for these photos. Applied normally, with a brush, it provides a sheer veil of brown for the crease or the outer corner of the lid above the lashes. It's a perfect brown for my fair skin. The third shade, intended to be a liner, is a muted dark chocolate. The fourth shade complements the first "showcase shade" perfectly. It's a mauve-grey-taupe hybrid that's beautiful. I wish there were more of it, another reason to hoard #208, don't you think?

The gold oversprayed design on the quad will disappear on first (or second use). All four shades shimmer, even after it's gone. The shimmer is subtle and perfectly appropriate for day wear - more like a gleam on the lids. I'm excited by #208.

I purchased mine at Nordstrom Tysons, where I met a new friend, Claudia Amarra, the Clé de Peau Beauté manager. Clé de Peau Beauté's Eye Color Quad and the rest of the new collection for Spring 2012 has also arrived at all of the counters, including Neiman Marcus, where the Beauty Event starts on Thursday. There is a Clé de Peau gift with a $300 purchase. I've already purchased my new items, so I won't be able to reach that level. It's a high price for "admission."

Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

22 comments:

Eileen said...

I love Clé de Peau eyeshadows. They wear creamy smooth and remain color true until I remove them at night. Like you, I never bother with the case. I have 4 Clé de Peau quads and have had no problems. The plastic refill holder has a cover and is perfectly adequate. As you are fond of pointing out, money saved means more makeup :-)

Fruity Lashes said...

OMG! I am in need of this palette just like every other CDP palettes I have collected over the years. #208 looks really easy to put on and the radiance along with the shimmers look really highlighting.

Anonymous said...

OH MY, that is too beautiful. I've been considering getting one of these, so thanks for the tip on not getting the case. I never knew that!

Christina said...

Hi, I couldn't decide between this or the new spring 2012 Chantecaille set & that you recently reviewed. I love neutrals, so that I flexibility to purchase single shade of shadow if I want a little bit of change.
Can you confirm that it is safe to say that after the first two uses, the shadow is matt?
I still can't decide which set I should get! Chantecaille or Cle de Peau.
Christina

Charlestongirl said...

Christina, neither of the shadow palettes is matte.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Tracy!

I've never bought a case. Can't bring myself to plunk down the money.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Fruity Lashes!

I think you're going to love 208! I do.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

Aren't they luxurious - even in their plastic holders? :)

Mary Ann said...

Charlestongirl you read my mind. I just order this from Saks, also order one of the new lip luminizers lippies. Love CDP! I do not purchase the cases for the products, I do not understand the reason for that. Just received RBR foundation today,
Can't wait to try.

Christina said...

Thanks! I think I will go with Cle de Peau as my first purchase. It is $58 Canadian and I always wanted to try the new set of shadows.
I've purchased the Silky lipstick and they are perfect for the winter season.

Charlestongirl said...

Mary Ann,

I've been wearing that RBR foundation every day!

Charlestongirl said...

I hope you enjoy the quad, Christina!

Christina said...

I will let you know what I think also :)

sunnlitt said...

Those are amazingly lovely eye shadows!! I am smitten.

I am concerned, though, that the taupe lean pink. Since I have gotten older (who hasn't?), I try to get rid of the pink around my eyes, not add to it.

Do you find that to be noticable when you use the colors?

Thanks SO much for your wonderful blog!

Caroline said...

I absolutely love the #208 quad, CPB really exceeds the previous releases this time! I got the #208 last month, and I definitely think it is by far the most amazing spring release I've got, even include the Lunasol, THREE, CHICCA & SUQQU ones.

I did purchased the cases for every quad I own, simply because the cases themselves were stunning, though I never use the applicators (which is sad because they were far more high-quality - just like all Japanese brands).

I've read about Chantecaille's spring release in December, you swatch was great! I am so looking forward to see the eyeshadow quad in store in person.

Charlestongirl said...

Caroline, I think you will love the new Chantecaille Coral Reefs Palette. I sure do!

Snjohnson10 said...

Just got back from my visit to the Cle de Peau counter! I could not resist this Quad! My favorite to date!
Stacy

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Sunlitt,

I can seldom wear regular pink on my lids. This shade is more peach. I think you'll like it if you try it.

Charlestongirl said...

Hey there, Stacy! Isn't it lust-worthy? How would you describe the gorg color on the left?

Snjohnson10 said...

That's a tough one Charlestongirl! I would describe it as a light golden taupe. I am wearing it today and am in love! Even though these are basic appearing neutrals they are in actuality so much more complex! Truly many options exist with this palette!
XO Stacy

Jess said...

I'm totally a neutral eyeshadow person, but I haven't been caught by any palette for quite a while until I saw this beauty!
Thank you for your swatch ohotos and review! This is so going onto my to-buy-list! :)

Christina said...

I have an update! I got this set and I really loved it at first, but I found that this neutral set is too rusty against my pale skin. The metalic look can be a bit too much, but a great punch for evening look. I don't think I would repurchase this set.