Chanel Mystère Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow from the Superstition Collection for Fall 2013

There was a lot to see and "play with" on Chanel's Fall 2013 Superstition Collection display, so I went over the Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie to swatch, photograph, and purchase. I think Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Mystère (#43, $59) is the centerpiece of the collection - the one piece that will stop shoppers in their tracks.

Here it is on the display. The missing single eye shadow in the first photo is Gri-Gri, a taupe so beautiful, it came home with me. I will get swatch photos soon so that all of you taupe lovers can see that it's worth a purchase.

Mystère is definitely a fall palette. The shades, described by Chanel as golden khaki, golden ivory, matte khaki, and silver taupe, complement each other beautifully - even if their color descriptions aren't spot on.

I think Chanel edited the eye collection for fall with precision. You can use the new Khaki Mascara, shown below, on your lashes, and line your eyes with the beautiful Khaki Prècieux Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer, shown at the bottom of this feature - my pitiful in-store "C" showing it applied lightly.

I swatched each of the eye shadows in Mystère with a sponge-tipped applicator, starting with the gorgeous rich, deep khaki in the upper left-hand corner and moving clockwise around the palette. I took my photos outside Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie store in full, late-morning sun.

This quad delights me. The charcoal khaki, with a golden hue, is intense and perfectly suited to a fall or night eye. This swatch you see is one pass with the applicator, so it's intense, but you can easily blend it out for your seductive, smoky, nighttime look. The golden ivory below it was described well. Unlike some shades in this ivory range, it offers plenty of pigmentation for an even application of your base shade (or highlighter).

The third shade down is the one that Chanel must have described as matte khaki. I find it to be a hybrid khaki taupe/brown shade. It's not matte either. It offers a satin finish - even a slightly sparkly finish. The color is complex and fabulous to my eyes. It's love.

The silvery taupe is worth the entire price of admission. It's the type of shade that leaves me speechless, beyond the first OMG. Although I didn't come home with it today, it will be joining my makeup museum next week, I'm sure (I needed to come home and check my balance...hate this newfound, frugal makeup budget). Did you know that Mystère was available last month on Chanel's Web site? Where was I? Sleeping at the keyboard, no doubt.

Mystère is, in my humble opinion, one of the best quads Chanel has introduced in the last three years. Teaming it with the Khaki Mascara and a golden khaki liner was pure Chanel genius. It's a limited-edition Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow, so if you are interested, don't waste any time securing yours. Nicki Hashemi, Chanel representative at Neiman Marcus, would be glad to help you. She's a doll - and a talented artist. You can call Nicki at (202) 966-9700, extension 2236.

The Khaki Prècieux Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer closes this feature with a "C." I hope to add it to my collection. It's a golden khaki - totally different from 2011's Khaki Platine. If you are as much of a khaki fan as I am, you may have trouble leaving it behind at the store. I'm sorry my indoor swatch photo isn't enticing. The liner is.

Have you seen Mystère? What did you think? Did it come home with you? Will you be ordering it? I'll be back later with more from Superstition.

Update: It's mine. I'm going to save it for fall. It will be hard to keep my hands off it.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

TATCHA Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm

TATCHA's new Gold Collection harnesses the timeless gifts of the camellia to nourish the skin and lips. As I mentioned recently, the precious benefits of the camellia were first discovered thousands of years ago in Japan - specifically by Oshima Island "farm girls" who applied the flower’s extract to their skin and hair. The Ama (Japanese female free divers) evolved this ancient beauty secret by coating their bodies with camellia oil to protect their skin during frigid ocean dives. Centuries later, geishas began applying nutrient-rich camellia oil after bathing, a luxurious addition to their daily beauty ritual.

Rich in essential antioxidants and moisturizers that deeply nourish and protect the skin, the TATCHA Gold Collection is embellished with flecks of 24-karat gold to add a touch of opulence, celebrating the geishas' timeless practice of elevating the day from routine to exquisite. The sumptuous, two-piece collection marries Old World wisdom with modern sensuality.

On a recent day, when I was felling particularly blah, I received a gift of the Gold Collection from TATAHA. Everything about the gift was luxurious - the purple and gold embellished gift box to the purple tissue paper and gold cord. Opening it was a pleasure. I felt good even before I gave the Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($36) its first whiff.

The balm is packaged in a beautiful box with a pull-out drawer that holds a beautiful jar, accented by the TATCHA logo, a purple rum, and a see-through window at the top. Behind the window the balm is adorned with gold leaf. It's gorgeous. I've never seen a more beautiful lip balm presentation.

There is a little story inside the box, "A Rediscovery." I won't spoil it be quoting it. You will enjoy its contribution to the experience of unwrapping your beautiful TATCHA treasure.

It took me only a nanosecond to try it. I lightly ran my finger over the balm (and gold leaf) and spread the treatment onto my lips. This natural treatment melted onto my lips instantly, infusing them with the treasured emollients of squalane; Japanese camellia oil, which has been long regarded for its antioxidant properties that protect the skin; licorice, which brightens; and rice oil to moisturize deeply. Also in the formula are macademia nut oil and TATCHA's HADASEI-3 Complex. It has a natural, very mild, and pleasant fragrance that all but disappears on application.

All TATCHA skin care is formulated without mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, DEA, TEA, urea, or phthalates. TATCHA succeeds at providing the best ingredients for your skin and your health.

To use the balm, scoop a tiny bit of balm and just a touch of the gold leaf, then spread or dab evenly on your lips. The first time I used mine, I took too much gold, but it was certainly a treat. My lips were instantly hydrated and gleamed with the trace of gold, which magically melted and fused with the balm.

In the days I've had TATCHA's Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm, I've saved it for nights, trying to make it last forever, I guess. When I apply it at bedtime, my lips feel indulged. It has almost unheard-of lasting power. When I awaken at 3:00 or 3:30 - a nightly occurrence - I can still feel it on my lips! For a balm that feels lightweight, that is remarkable. When I finally drag myself out of bed (5:30 lately), I still have moist lips. I consider myself the lip balm expert (there are few I haven't tried), and I have never found one that lasts eight hours on my lips - until now.

Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm is a remarkable product. If you are as compulsive as I am about having moist lips, you must check it out at TATCHA's Web site. It is work every penny, if not more, of the $36 price (the jar is generously sized at .28 ounces).

Next up, I will be introducing you to the Gold Camellia Beauty Oil, which I am testing for a little bit longer (as I normally do with skin care) to ensure that I can give you the straight scoop.

Photos courtesy of TATCHA