Chantecaille Lip Sticks from the Protect the Lions Collection for Fall 2016

My last purchases from Chantecaille's Protect the Lions Collection for Fall 2016 were two Lip Sticks ($36). Full color release combined with a delightfully creamy texture makes Chantecaille Lip Stick both glamorous and incredibly comfortable. It's infused with natural beeswax, vitamins A and C, and emollient amino acids. The new shades are, left to right above, African Violet, a dramatic berry with subtle, cool undertones; Mirage, the perfect beigy nude; and Sunset, a warm, sophisticated coral. I purchased the latter two. African Violet is too bold for me.

Mirage is shown directly above at left, and Sunset is shown at right. I took my photos in full, noontime sunshine.

I  took several swatch photos, and they all look a bit uneven. You can see the colors on my arm perfectly well, but my drawing skills could have been more perfect. I was hurrying because when I photograph lipsticks in the heat, they start to soften quickly, making it hard  to get even swatches. You may even be able to see where I tried to square off the swatches with my finger, blurring the color a tad.

I think Mirage and Sunset are beautiful shades. They complement the Protect the Lions Eye Palette shadow colors perfectly. Both look great with my coloring, and I'm sure they will be pretty on most skin tones.

Chantecaille's Lip Sticks are available in 17 shades. I decided to take a screen shot of African Violet to show it to you below. On the lips, it's a bright, bold, fuchsia-toned berry that will draw attention to your lips - a great evening shade.

I purchased my Lip Sticks from Neiman Marcus. Jeannine Barnes is the product specialist who helped me. You can reach her at (202) 966-9700. Just ask for Chantecaille. You can also order any pieces from this collection from the Chantecaille Web site.

Photos at top and bottom courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille Pride Cheek Shade for Fall 2016

Chantecaille's Pride Cheek Shade ($40) is a silky, smooth powder blush that adds the perfect hint of natural color to your face.  For a limited time, the Pride Cheek Shade will be available in the refillable Pebble Compact. Five percent of the proceeds of its sale will go to Lion Guardians. Pop over to look at their beautiful and inspiring Web site.

Processed with a new technology that produces a light, ultra-fine coated powder, Cheek Shades apply effortlessly and adhere beautifully. Pride is a very soft, demure pink that adds a natural-looking flush of color to all skin tones. Yes, it does have a light overspray. When I swatched, I removed the overspray beforehand.

I took my photos in full, late-morning sunshine. It was very bright outside, so the sun may have "bleached out" the color a bit. I also didn't realize you could see my leg in the mirror! Oops.

I applied the color with a sponge-tipped applicator, heavily in a stripe at the top of my arm and lightly in a circular motion under the stripe. The color intensity you get when using a blush brush will be even lighter.

I think this shade of nude, warm pink is gorgeous. You can layer it if you want more color. The amount I've shown on my arm is perfect for me.

I purchased my Pride Cheek Shade from Chantecaille. It arrived in one day. Pride is also available at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. Jeannine Barnes is the product specialist there. You can reach her at (202) 966-9700. Just ask for Chantecaille. I have two of the three Lip Sticks from the collection and will be showing them to you very soon.

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

The Friday Forum - August 19 Plus Chantecaille Protect the Lions Eye Palette Live and In Person

Thank God for FedEx! My guy showed up with Chantecaille's Protect the Lions Eye Palette just as I was moving toward my computer to write the Friday Forum.

Look at that beautiful blue sky reflecting in the silver-rimmed case! It puts that exquisite lion in the perfect context of blue sky and Mother Nature.

I featured this palette last week as a coming attraction. Hop over to the link for all the information on Chantecaille's Fall 2016 Collection. At the time I featured it, several of us worried about the description of Amboseli, a glistening shade "inspired by the beautiful, rich burgundy color of the earth in Amboseli National Park." Worry no more! The shade is a gorgeous, rich brown.

I'll name the shades again, starting at top left and moving clockwise. Also, someone asked if there is an overspray on the colors. The answer is yes.

• Sand, a creamy beige infused with flecks of gold African Topaz;
• African Topaz, a glistening copper; 
• Rock: a silky, matte, neutral grey; and
• Amboseli, a glistening shade inspired by the beautiful, rich burgundy color of the earth in Amboseli National Park (this mesmerizing shade enhances all eye colors). 

I immediately took swatch photos, using a sponge-tipped applicator, starting at the top of my arm with Sand, and moving down until I ended with Amboseli.

As you can see, Amboseli is not burgundy. It's brown - just as I suspected from its appearance in the compact. All four shades coordinate beautifully - even the grey, which doesn't always look like it belongs with brown tones.

I purchased my Protect the Lions Eye Palette from Chantecaille. It arrived in one day. The palette is also available at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. Jeannine Barnes is the product specialist there. You can reach her at (202) 966-9700. Just ask for Chantecaille. I have most of the rest of the collection and will be showing it to you over the coming days.

Don't forget that five percent of your purchase will go to Lion Guardians. That's important to me.

It's time for the Friday Forum. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope to see you in the comments.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Coming Soon: Chantecaille Protect the Lions Collection for Fall 2016

Chantecaille's Fall 2016 collection is a love letter to the majestic nature of lions. Watching a lion move through the bush is an electric experience. Their gorgeous coats gleaming in the sun, their easy, languid power. Exuding pride and confidence, these creatures are truly the rulers, responsible for the balance within the animal kingdom.

Chantecaille's recent trip to Africa inspired the season’s palette: the red earth, shimmering sand, and matte, rocky terrain became an elegant suite of rich, earthy hues that enhance the eyes, lips, and cheeks and reflect the natural beauty of the captivating landscape. The color story also synchronizes with the fiercely feminine, understated chic earth tones seen on many Fall 2016 runways.

Each season, Chantecaille's philanthropic relationships broaden our eyes to a changing world, one where humans encroach on the natural habitats of animals. Our impact is felt worldwide, and we find so much inspiration  in the impassioned people who seek to reverse this damage. A true passion for lions led Stephanie Dolrenry and Leela Hazzah to leave their homes in the Midwest and Egypt and settle in Kenya. Both have devoted their careers to lion conservation, and their perseverance with groundbreaking conservation methods in Kenya’s Amboseli National  Park and the foundation of The Lion Guardians are proof of their true love for these animals.

After immersing themselves in the local Maasai culture, where young men are traditionally raised to be lion hunters, Dolreny and Hazzah have redirected the focus of the tribe to understand the nuances of living in harmony with the lions. By teaching the Maasai youth to speak Swahili and English and employing them to use GPS technology to track the local lion population, they have showed the tribes that attuning themselves to the animals and respecting their patterns and habits is the only way to live together with the majestic creatures. What has resulted is a cherished relationship between the Maasai and the lions and an empowered generation of tribes people, who, with the resources of education and technology, have evolved from lion hunters to become lion guardians.

The Protect The Lions Eye Palette ($85) was inspired by the African landscape and their beautiful lions. Eyes are softly sculpted with washes of creamy beiges and velvety grays. Flecks of shimmering copper anchored by majestic burgundies set the eyes aglow. Skin is left luminous with a slight flush of demure pink on the cheeks.

The shades are...

• Sand, a creamy beige infused with flecks of gold African Topaz;
• African Topaz, a glistening copper;
• Amboseli, a glistening shade inspired by the beautiful, rich burgundy color of the earth in Amboseli National Park (this mesmerizing shade enhances all eye colors); and
• Rock: a silky, matte, neutral grey.

Pride Cheek Shade ($40) is a silky smooth powder formula that adds the perfect hint of natural looking color. Of course, it's embossed with an exquisite lion face.

The shade? What more natural name could it have than Pride? It's a soft, demure pink that adds a natural flush of color to all skin tones.

I should stop here and tell you that five percent of the proceeds of each eye palette and cheek shade sold will be donated to the Lion Guardians to help them continue their work to save the lions, among the most majestic creatures on Earth.

Full color release combined with a delightfully creamy texture makes Chantecaille Lip Stick ($36) both glamorous and incredibly comfortable. It's infused with natural beeswax, vitamins A and C, and emollient amino acids. The new shades are, left to right, Mirage, the perfect beigy nude; African Violet, a dramatic berry with subtle, cool undertones; and Sunset, a warm, sophisticated coral.

The Luster Glide Silk Infused  Eye Liner ($29) is an innovative, long-lasting eye liner that combines the effortless application of a pencil with the dramatic definition of a liquid liner. Falls brings us a new shade: Amethyst, a silky smooth, burgundy infused with light-catching pearl that adds instant drama and definition to the lash line. It coordinates perfectly with the eye palette.

Many of you know that I live in Chantecaille makeup. More often than not, the eye shadow I apply in the morning was made by Chantecaille. Today, I'm wearing the Sharks. The colors work well for me, and they last all day. I'm more than a fan. I'm obsessed with Chantecaille. I can't wait to get my hands on these new colors.

The good news? We don't have to wait long for this gorgeous collection to arrive at counters! It will be available in August 2016 at Barney’s New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Frédéric Fekkai Salons, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, select Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom locations and Chantecaille.com.

Photos courtesy of Chantecaille

Chantecaille Collection for Summer 2016 - Love the Lip Chic and Mermaid Eye Color

I wasn't ready for Chantecaille's Summer 2016 Collection. In the past, Chantecaille has introduced its seasonal colors close to the actual season. I usually anticipate the time frame and ask for the press release. This year, I think my first notice was an e-mail. I made sure to see the new collection on my first trip to Neiman Marcus as soon as I knew that the Summer 2016 Collection was available.

The display, shown above, shows two new shades of Lip Chic, accompanied by one re-promote, totally new Mermaid Eye Colors, and a few re-promoted favorites I already own, like Luster Liquid Lumière. Naturally, I started playing with colors immediately and found a few I couldn't live without.

Let's start with Mermaid Eye Colors ($34). My first reaction was, "Oh no - not more sparkly pot eye shadow colors!" Everyone makes them now, right? It wasn't until I tried them that I realized they are distinguished by their gleam. They do not add a glitter bomb to my eyes. I was smitten and left the counter with three of four shades. So much for my initial reaction!

Mermaid Eye Colors' innovative high shine, crease-proof formula that can be worn wet or dry
 as an eye shadow or eyeliner. The luxurious texture creates a metallic sheen that won’t crease or transfer after application. Creamy and long lasting, the high-pearl formula is infused with a silk tree extract that lends a youthful appearance to the eye area. The bullet points tell Chantecaille's story.

• Creamy, powdery feel makes it easy to apply with the fingertips or a brush
• Richly pigmented hues shimmer with a rich metallic sheen
• Buildable metallics mix beautifully with opaque shadows
• Exceptional adherence for long-lasting, even coverage

Lagoon, shown at left above, is a stunning dark green shade. Chantecaille calls it teal. Seashell is a soft, glistening gold. Triton is called a warm and moody grey. I'd call it a beautiful stone, the kind of polished stone worth collecting. I did not purchase the fourth: Starfish, which is a beautiful copper. I wanted it, but had to maintain some semblance of frugality - even with one of my favorite brands.

I took swatch photos of my three new eye shadows in full mid-day sunshine. I applied the shades with a sponge-tipped applicator, starting with Lagoon at the top, Seashell in the middle, and finishing with Triton at the bottom. The direct sun makes the shades sparkle, but in person, they gleam with a beautiful sheen.

You know my camera has problems with green shades. The best representation of this gorgeous green in Lagoon is where the sunlight hit my swatch directly. It's gorgeous, but I asked how I would use it. The model in the display is wearing it on her entire lid, but I don't feel comfortable wearing that much color on my eyelids. My favorite Chantecaille representative, Jeannine Barnes, suggested using it close to the lash line, and it looks exquisite there.

Seashell, the soft gold, is a wonderful, all-purpose gold. It is an excellent shade for both warm and cool skin types. Triton. shown at the bottom on my arm, was an immediate choice. It's a wonderful neutral - not too silvery, not mauve, just a pretty color that will flatter anyone's eyes.

The Lip Chic ($36) that spoke to me was Gypsy Rose, a new shade. Lip Chic's lightweight and hydrating formula makes it one of my favorite lipsticks. Gypsy Rose is a charmer. I took a swatch photo in full sun, applying the swatch directly from the tube.

Isn't this a gorgeous pink? It's right in my pink sweet zone, not too blue and not too peachy. I am enormously pleased with it. Chantecaille describes Lip Chic, which I have featured many times, as follows.

This exceptionally comfortable formula is easy to apply and creates an even finish that is shiny, but never sticky. Lip Chic leaves lips appearing fuller and decidedly more youthful in appearance, but never irritated [like plumpers leave your lips feeling]. Lip Chic combines the high shine and plumping effects of a gloss with the rich, even coverage of a lipstick. It applies with an incredibly soft, lightweight texture as it helps to smooth the appearance of lips

I featured Luster Liquid Lumière in 2014. You can read about it here.The Hi-Def Summer Bronzer on the display was an HD Perfecting Powder. Perhaps the bronzer had not arrived. I do not know yet whether it is one of the existing Chantecaille bronzers or a new one.

I think there's something in Chantecaille's Summer Collection for everyone. If you get a chance, stop by a counter and check it out. If you need help, you can call Jeannine at (202) 966-9700. Ask the operator for the Chantecaille counter, then ask for Jeannine. She would love to help you select products and colors that will be "right" for you - and she's good at it. There is an InCircle GWP if you spend $350. Incentive?

Update: I literally just got an e-mail from Chantecaille describing their Summer 2016 bronzers! You can see it here.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Friday Forum Plus Chantecaille Lip Chic for Spring 2016

Chantecaille's Lip Chics ($36) for Spring looked very pretty in the promotional photo, but they are even better in person. I swatched them yesterday at Neiman Marcus. I wanted you to see the three new shades.

Chantecaille's Lip Chic is a hybrid between a lip gloss and lipstick - my kind of lip color.  It combines the high shine and plumping effects of a gloss with the rich, even coverage of a lipstick. The exceptionally comfortable formula is easy to apply and creates an even finish that is shiny and beautiful. Lip Chic leaves lips looking fuller and decidedly more youthful in appearance - and never irritated. Lip Chics apply with an incredibly soft, lightweight texture and helps smooth the appearance of the lips.

Gaia is shown at the top of my arm. It's a soft, shimmering earthy caramel. Wild Poppy, shown in the middle, is a sheer, vibrant poppy red with a touch of coral. Red Juniper is a classic and sophisticated berry red. My photo was taken in full sun.

I was afraid that Wild Poppy might be too coral for me, but it's not - it's beautiful. Gaia is my kind of nude/brown shade, and Red Juniper is the only kind of red I can wear. It has enough sheerness that I look bright and natural, not like a kid  playing grownup.

Now I want all three of these shades, which can be found at Barney's New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Frederick Fekkai Salons, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, select Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's locations, and Chantecaille's Web site.

We had a snow storm Monday of this week (5-6 inches), that washed away with heavy rains the next morning. Now, the predictions are for a 60+ degree weekend. It's already pothole hell here. I imagine that some roads will be impassable by next week. I look for the holes, but some catch me by surprise. I see a re-alignment job in my future in the spring.

It's time for The Friday Forum. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope you are ready to share, especially since it's still Beauty Event in the stores.

Photos couresty of Chantecaille and by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille Le Magnolia Eye and Cheek Palette for Spring 2016

Chantecaille's Spring 2016 Collection is all about the beauty of nature. It channels the grounding feeling of serenity when you are truly lost in the beauty of nature. Inspired by blooming fields of wildflowers, the look is romantic, bohemian, and effortless. 

Imperfections are blurred, and cheeks are glowing with a flattering flush of coral. Eyes are effortlessly enhanced with a wash of pale, silvery sage anchored by earthy browns. A delicate touch of shimmering cream puts focus on the eyes and plays against a burst of bold, juicy color on the lips for a youthful look that is modern and refreshing. - Chantecaille

The centerpiece of the Spring 2016 collection is the limited-edition Le Magnolia Eye and Cheek Palette ($83, refillable). It is shown above and directly below.

The shades in the palette are Leaf at the top left, a unique, pale, pearly sage green that instantly brightens the eye area on the lid or lash line; Magnolia at top right, a delicate and slightly iridescent pearl white; Bark at bottom right, a semi-matte rich gentle brown to define and contour; and Wild at bottom left, a fun, playful coral that adds a flush to the cheeks.

I finally got a day without a cloud in the sky and was able to get swatch photos for you. I used sponge-tipped applicators and took my photos outside Neiman Marcus.

I remember that there was a question about the Sage. Is it green or grey? It's actually either or both. The appearance depends on the lighting. When I swatched it on my arm, my eyes saw sage green, but my camera has trouble with subtle greens, and I think it looks a bit too grey in my photos.

Magnolia is a perfect base shade. You can see it looks light pink on my arm. The brown Bark is indeed a gentle brown - not nearly as dark as it appears in the compact. The Wild blush is a beautiful warm pink coral. Naturally, you would not apply it as heavily when using it as a blush as I applied it to my arm to show you the shades.

I think this is a beautiful palette, another in a succession of treasures from Chantecaille. With each season, the company adopts a non-profit cause to help the environment and wildlife. This year it's TRAFFIC.

Chantecaille uses botanicals sourced from around the world. It's important to the company that the natural ingredients they use are harvested in socially and ecological ways. The beauty and health-care industries demand for wild plant ingredients is increasing. Unfortunately, some plants are being harvested in a non-sustainable manner. Houpu Magnolia is one such example. Once, thousands of magnolia trees grew wild all over China. Demands for the trees bark, prized for its anti-inflammatory properties and used abundantly in Chinese medicine as well as the cosmetic industry has contributed to the plant being extremely rare in its native habitats in China.

Chantecaille created Le Magnolia Eye and Cheek Palette to increase awareness of TRAFFIC's work to improve the outlook for wild plant species and the livelihoods of people around the world through supporting the widespread adoption of the FairWild Standard. Embossed with a magnolia, this limited-edition complements the delicate watercolor hues seen on the 2016 runways. Five percent of the proceeds of each palette sold will be donated to TRAFFIC to support their wild plant conservation work.

I also swatched this season's Lip Chics. They are much prettier in person than they are in the promotional photos. I will show them to you very soon.

Chantecaille's Spring 2016 Collection will be available this month at Barney's New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Frederick Fekkai Salons, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, select Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's locations. You can already purchase it at Chantecaille's Web site.

If you would like to work with a Chantecaille representative at Neiman Marcus for Beauty Week, give Jeannine Barnes a call at (202) 966-9700, extension 2289. She will take very good care of you. I've known her a long time, and I can make that promise without hesitation.

Photos courtesy of Chantecaille and by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille Spring 2016 Collection

Chantecaille's Spring 2016 Collection is all about the beauty of nature. It channels the grounding feeling of serenity when you are truly lost in the beauty of nature. Inspired by blooming fields of wildflowers, the look is romantic, bohemian, and effortless. 

Imperfections are blurred, and cheeks are glowing with a flattering flush of coral. Eyes are effortlessly enhanced with a wash of pale, silvery sage anchored by earthy browns. A delicate touch of shimmering cream puts focus on the eyes and plays against a burst of bold, juicy color on the lips for a youthful look that is modern and refreshing. - Chantecaille

If you've been reading Best Things in Beauty in prior seasons, you know I am a total Chantecaille devotee. I purchase just about everything the company introduces, and I wear Chantecaille makeup of one kind or another almost every day. I predict now that I'll need a backup of the new Le Magnolia Eye and Cheek Palette ($83, refillable) shown immediately below.

Chantecaille uses botanicals sourced from around the world. It's important to the company that the natural ingredients they use are harvested in socially and ecological ways. The beauty and health-care industries demand for wild plant ingredients is increasing. Unfortunately, some plants are being harvested in a non-sustainable manner. Houpu Magnolia is one such example. Once, thousands of magnolia trees grew wild all over China. Demands for the trees bark, prized for its anti-inflammatory properties and used abundantly in Chinese medicine as well as the cosmetic industry has contributed to the plant being extremely rare in its native habitats in China.

Chantecaille has created Le Magnolia Eye and Cheek Palette to increase awareness of TRAFFIC's work to improve the outlook for wild plant species and the livelihoods of people around the world through supporting the widespread adoption of the FairWild Standard. Embossed with a magnolia, this limited-edition complements the delicate watercolor hues seen on the 2016 runways. Five percent of the proceeds of each palette sold will be donated to TRAFFIC to support their wild plant conservation work.

The shades in the palette are Leaf, a unique, pale, pearly sage green that instantly brightens the eye area on the lid or lash line; Magnolia, a delicate and slightly iridescent pearl white; Bark, a semi-matte rich gentle brown to define and contour; and Wild, a fun, playful coral that adds a flush to the cheeks.

The Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner ($34) is a perfect complement to the palette. It has a groundbreaking formula that captures the ultra-gliding, even application of a liquid liner in an easily controlled pencil that can be sharpened. You will want Earth, a deep espresso brown to wear with your Magnolia eye shadows.

Three Lip Chics ($36) round out the collection. Lip Chic is a lightweight, glossy lipstick that has a rich, soft texture with the shine and subtle plumping effects of a gloss. Available in three new shades for spring, the cushiony formula leaves lips feeling ultra-soft and looking shiny without any sticky feeling.

Gaia (was it named after The Non-Blonde?) is a soft, shimmering earthy caramel. Red Juniper is a classic and sophisticated berry red. Wild Poppy is a sheer, vibrant poppy red with a touch of coral. I must try Gaia as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Many thanks to Chantecaille for giving us this beautiful introduction. The Spring 2016 Collection will be available this month at Barney's New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Frederick Fekkai Salons, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, select Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's locations. You can already purchase it at Chantecaille's Web site.

Photos courtesy of Chantecaille

Chantecaille Happy Cheek Gelée

Chantecaille Happy Cheek Gelée ($39) was introduced in stores with the Holiday 2015 Collection. Online at Chantecaille, it was available earlier. My product specialist was stunned that I had it before the collection was introduced at Neiman Marcus. I feel sorry for store representatives when their new products aren't so new to online shoppers. However, I have no regrets for purchasing Happy the moment it was offered.

Cheek Gelée is a hydrating gel-cream blush that combines the freshness of an emulsion with the lasting power of a stain. Sheer yet vibrant pigments add instant color and luminosity for a radiant, youthful glow.  Happy is described by Chantecaille as a soft rose petal pink that creates a youthful, windswept glow. That's pretty accurate, but they failed to mention the beautiful sheen that it imparts.

I love this color. It's pink, but not a blue pink that might make you look ghastly in the winter. It is long-wearing, although the sheen fades over time. It will brighten your face, but not compete with your gorgeous eyes wearing winter colors.

You can purchase Happy at Neiman Marcus, where shipping is free. Jeannine Barnes at (202) 966-9700, extension 2289, would be happy to help you. You can also find it at some Nordstrom sites, and, of course, you can purchase it directly from Chantecaille's Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Chantecaille; swatch photo by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille Bliss Cheek Shade for Fall 2014

Embossed with the signature Chantecaille rose to celebrate the company's 15-year anniversary, this limited-edition Cheek Shade in Bliss ($38) is housed in a portable and refillable "pebble." Made with micro-particles that contribute to the featherweight texture, Cheek Shades create a subtly convincing blush of color. Enriched with anti-aging vitamins A, C, and E, the color adheres beautifully to the skin and blends so well it leaves no perceptible surface.

Of course, I ordered it - even knowing that it would likely be very light and sheer. Light pink and sheer work on my skin. I was also taken by the embossed rose, knowing it would "fade" (flatten) with use.

Cheek Shades are made with micro-particles that contribute to their exquisite colors and featherweight texture. Processed with a new technology that produces a light, ultra-fine coated powder, Cheek Shades go on matte and adhere beautifully to the skin yet blend so well they leave no perceptible surface. That is certainly true of Bliss.

Bliss is very light. It is a warm pink - despite its appearance in the compact. I swatched at the top of my arm very heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator and then used a brush to apply a large swatch below. I took my photos in very late-afternoon sun. This is a beautiful blush, particularly for use when you don't want your cheeks to be the center of attention. You might want your eyes or lips to command attention.

I love this color. It works for me, and I think it should work for many of you. For me, it's a year-round shade. That said, I think one will be enough. I'm already doubling up on other pieces from the collection.

Bliss is available now at Chantecaille's Web site, where I purchased mine. You'll find it in August (no later than September) at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Frédéric Fekkai Salons, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, select Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom locations. Neiman Marcus tells me it has already shipped to them, and they hope to have it this week.

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

Chantecaille Mulberry Luminous Gloss for Fall 2014

They really should have named Mulberry Luminous Gloss ($34) Charlestongirl's Gloss. It doesn't get any prettier, and it could not be more "me." I like pigmented lip glosses that I can wear without lipstick, and this one is perfect.

I was so stunned by Mulberry Luminous Gloss when I tried it for the first time, I hopped online and ordered two more. Not only that, I'll buy another one from my favorite Chantecaille representatives at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. That way, I'll have one for my bathroom, one for my makeup bag, and two for back-ups. Sometimes, a product is so good, you have to break the no-back-ups rule.

Luminous Gloss is an extraordinary lip gloss formula that offers up to six hours of long-lasting shine. Rich texture, dramatic brilliance, and innovative shiny polymers create a fluid 3-D glass-like effect for volume and shine with superior adherence. Water-binding agents hydrate and smooth the lips.

Mulberry is described as a sheer burgundy with flecks of light-reflecting gold and called an approachable way to wear the bold berry lip seen on the fall runways. In the cluster of mulberries above, there is only one berry that contains this glorious color, which is well described as berry, but not burgundy, I think. Let's call that creative license in naming.

The sun cooperated a bit today, and I was able to get photos of this stunning lip gloss.

I applied the lip gloss directly to my arm, using the flexible doe-foot applicator. I was able to snap some afternoon swatch photos when the sun stuck its nose out from around the clouds.

I love everything about this color, from the rosy berry shade to the shiny flecks that are especially apparent in bright light, to the long-lasting wear. It's the cat's meow - a compliment to the animal-loving Chantecaille family.

I've mentioned before that lip colors should be tested on your finger pad. The pigment in your fingertip mimics the pigment of your lips much better than your arm. I took a photo on my finger to show you how you might expect Mulberry to look on your lips. It actually looks slightly lighter here, a hue I can only attribute to the sun's angle.

Chantecaille's Luminous Gloss is loved for its superior adherence, rich texture, and dramatic brilliance. You may get up to six hours of wear from Luminous Gloss. I can't, but my lips absorb anything moist. I'm OK with re-applying anything this pretty periodically throughout the day.

Mulberry is available now at Chantecaille's Web site, where I purchased my first three. You'll find it in August (no later than September) at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Frédéric Fekkai Salons, Neiman Marcus, Space NK, select Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom locations. Neiman Marcus tells me it has already shipped to them, and they hope to have it this week.

Photo at top courtesy of Chantecaille; mulberries courtesy of amazonconcepts.com; other photos by Best Things in Beauty