Le Métier de Beauté Bauhaus Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Holiday 2012 - Swatched and Applied

Le Métier de Beauté's limited-edition Bauhaus Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Holiday 2012 arrived - and is it extraordinary! I had the privilege of its first application by Erin Lockhard. She layered all the shades, and I was stunned by how beautifully they blended.

I have to write this feature very quickly because I have a friend coming by to go to lunch in just a few minutes. I will probably come back and embellish the post a bit later. In the meantime, let me give you my first impression: the synergy of these shades will surprise  and delight you. The top two, brown and silver don't seem like natural partners, do they? You must see them blended to believe.

I took my swatch photos in full, afternoon sun (hence the shadows). I swatched the shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator in the same order on my arm that they are presented in the Kaleidoscope.

The shimmering copper brown is simply gorgeous. It the first shade Erin applied sheerly to my lid, and we marveled at how good it looked. It's a perfect shade for swipe-and-go. Then she layered the silver shade over it, and it suddenly had pizazz.

I had my doubts about the burgundy shade. On the lid, though, near the lashes and blended with the other shades, it became much more brown and much less red. The midnight grey is elegant. With just a smidge of blue - to remind you of a starry night - it's exquisite.

I must tell you more about my makeup application. Erin applied individual lashes to enhance my own, and everywhere I've gone since I left her hands, I've received compliments - all from makeup artists. She is a master at applying individual lashes to glam your look in no time. No wonder celebrities love her.

Our photo shows the best store lighting we could find before I left. Shadows galore, but I wanted to give you a look at Erin's handiwork. She's a pro's pro!

Living proof? I ambled around Neiman Marcus before I went over to Saks to pick up Chanel's spring collection. I couldn't believe the compliments. It has been years - I'm sure, years - since makeup artists I don't know stopped me as I walked by and commented on my eyes. First, all my friends at Neiman Marcus were awestruck by Erin's work. then, I was cruising around Saks with Loyd, who had already said he wanted eyelash lessons from Erin, when the Laura Metier artist said as we walked by, "Your eyes are stunning." I turned around, and he was talking to me. Wow! Later at lunch, my friend noticed. It was a head-turning day. All thanks to Erin Lockard. Shadows by Le Métier de Beauté

The new Kaleidoscope Lip Kit named for Dr. Tina West will arrive this week. If you want to reserved one, make sure to call Michael Reinhardt at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. I believe the new palette, which he designed, will be exclusive to his store.

Update 12/10: The shade names in this Kaleidoscope, top to bottom, are:

• Axiom, a bronzed umber,
• Graphic, silver liquid metal,
• Crucible, rich pomegranate,
• Genre, deep gun-metal grey.   

Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty