Le Métier de Beauté The Countess Kaleidoscope Eye Kit - Exclusive to Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie

I hit the Christmas jackpot with Le Métier de Beauté's limited-edition The Countess Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95). Naturally, it doesn't look very much like the press photo. It is way more beautiful. See the "real" Countess directly below.

She was photographed in very full, noontime sun, which may have washed her out a tiny bit, but this photo and the one below are true.

The Countess was created by Michael Reinhardt, an artist who knows what women want to wear - how they want to look. He had a party in mind when he created The Countess, although I find the top two shades perfectly wearable during the day, and I love the rose gold Vita so much, I will wear it whenever I feel like it.

The Countess is exclusive to Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie, but now that Neiman Marcus shipping is free, you can purchase it easily with a phone call (see below). If you are intrigued, I wouldn't delay. A very limited quantity was produced.

The shades and textures are also limited editions. The powders were formulated by a new-to-Le Métier de Beauté supplier, and the shades are all new. Naming them from top to bottom, they are Caprice, a burnished sand; Amacord, a patinated bronze; Eclipse, a gilded sapphire that I would call periwinkle; and Vita, a rose "highlighter" that looks like molten rose gold to me. They are swatched in that order, with Caprice at the top of my arm. I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply all shades fairly heavily and took these photos in full sun.

Caprice, the color of champagne, is light and relatively sheer (compared to the pigmentation of Amacord and the other shades below it). It's a lovely color for use as a base or highlighter. Amacord is a luxurious bronze - an antique gleams with a gentle polish.

Eclipse is one of the most flattering blues I've every seen. I seldom wear blue eye shadows. This one will be irresistible. I can't wait to ask Michael to apply it so that I can see how he will use it on me. I tried it as an accent color, and it was smashing.

The rose gold Vita looks liquid on the skin. It is absolutely divine to my eyes - unlike any other rose gold I own. I was surprised - and delighted - by the texture. Le Métier de Beauté should consider making Vita into a single after The Countess sells out - and it will.

If you'd like to purchase The Countess, give Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards a call at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. Here it is, Boxing Day, and I'm still hyperventilating over this Kaleidoscope. I got it Christmas Eve.

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