Chantecaille Save the Sharks Palette for Spring 2013

Chantecaille's graphic and alluring new, limited-edition Save the Sharks Palette ($83) fuses trendy colors from the Spring 2013 catwalks with the freshness of the oceans in a bold yet feminine way. Featuring three eye shades with shark names, it's simply stunning: Great White, an allover sandy beige; Grey Reef, a glistening sandy taupe-grey; and Black Tip, a deep ocean blue.

The palette includes a Sea Anemone Cheek Shade, a golden pink-coral color that is universally flattering on all skin tones. The Cheek Shade was inspired by the underwater gardens of the tropical seas.

Chantecaille, known for its philanthropy, is passionate (as I am) about saving the sharks. The BLOOM Association has successfully orchestrated a top-level ban on all Hong Kong Luxury Hotels that were serving shark fin soup, for which sharks are slaughtered. Five percent of proceeds from the Save the Sharks Palette will be donated to the BLOOM Association to ban unregulated shark fin trade. You can help by never ordering the soup in restaurants.

I purchased my palette at Chantecaile's Web site the second I discovered it. I didn't even know it was coming. When it arrived, I did a little happy dance. It's even prettier than it looks on Chantecaille's site.

I took swatch photos the second the sun came out this morning. It got even better. I need to hoard this palette, as I do with all Chantecaille palettes. I wish I weren't short of cash every January.

I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply these exquisite shades. They look good in the palette, but they are extraordinary on the skin. I blended across the shark's fin as I swatched. The Great White highlighter (labeled as such) is a perfect ivory shade for highlighting or use as a base shade. The Grey Reef isn't really grey. Instead it's a fantabulous subtly shimmering taupe with a twist. This is one of those shades I will wear through (called hit pan by some). Serious palpitations when I tried it on.

The Sea Anemone Cheek Shade isn't really coral either. It looks pink to my eyes when it's applied to the skin. It's a very warm pink - as promised, one that should work for every skin tone.

The Black Tip Eyeliner is very deep blue. In my photo,you may see a hint of purple. It's not. It's midnight blue.

Every palette Chantecaille introduces is magnificent. I don't know how they do it, except for talent, creativity, and a knack for knowing what we will all love. This palette continues Chantecaille's own beauty of combining superior products with a great cause. For that, they stay at the top of my favorites list - year after year. I'm still wearing my favorite tigers multiple times per week. Come to think of it, these colors are similar to the shades in the Tiger in the Wild Palette.

I have not seen Save the Sharks in the stores yet (although it may be there), but you can order it from Chantecaille, where the shipping will be free. My recommendation? Buy at least one.

Photo at top courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty