Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette for Holiday 2013

Look at this beautiful, limited-edition The Essentials Eye Palette ($45) for Holiday 2013! Does it remind you of Urban Decay's Naked Palettes? It does me, although I find it much more desirable than the original.

This holiday season, take your look from day to night with Clarins' gorgeous eye shadow palette that includes 10 harmonious neutral shades in matte, satin, and pearl finishes. By purchasing The Essentials Eye Palette, you will help support Clarins’ initiative to preserve the Brazilian Kuntanawa culture and ecosystem by planting 10,000 trees known for their medical and cosmetic properties.

Living in the Amazon rain forest, the Kuntanawa Indian community wants to return to its ancestral lands thanks, in particular, to the revenue generated by reforestation and sustainable forest management. However, they have extremely limited means for replanting trees on their land. This project - and those like it - will help bring immense environmental benefits in terms of biodiversity and the preservation of ecosystems. The objective is to plant thousands of forest trees that will enable the Indian community to diversify their sources of revenue, of course, but also to promote biodiversity and soil regeneration on their land. In this way, they will be able to revive their land while helping to protect the planet and combat global warming.

My eyes lit up when I saw this palette. I can't wait to purchase one, probably at Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom, my two best Clarins sources. I love it when beauty companies give back to the environment, and I applaud Clarins for the excellent philanthropic choice. I'd like to support it. I'm thinking of purchasing one for me and one for a holiday gift. Who wouldn't love to receive The Essentials?

Photo courtesy of Clarins

Clarins Splendours Summer 2013 Colour Collection

Clarins has introduced a beautiful, compelling Splendours Colour Collection for Summer 2013. It's tempting me to make my way to a Clarins counter. We'll see if you also hear the counter beckoning. Make sure to click on any photos here you wish to enlarge. Of course, we could be lazy and simply shop the collection at the Clarins Web site.

Besides looking cool, Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm ($26) offers the magical combination of crystalline transparent color and the comfort and repairing action of a balm that smoothes, shapes, and plumps for super-soft lips. There are four breezy, easy-to-wear summer tints. A pigmented core delivers soothing moisture and luscious, natural-looking color in Crystal Rose, Crystal Mandarin, Crystal Gold Plum, and Crystal Berry.

Splendours Shimmer Body Oil ($32) is infused with golden, micro-particles. It illuminates, nourishes, and scents the skin without oiliness, giving you a summer glow.

The Splendours Summer Bronzing Compact ($35) promotes an instantly sun-kissed, even. and natural-looking complexion. Whether you desire the perfect “touch” of sun or a look that's "très soleil," Clarins' new bronzing compact sets the tone for glowing summer skin with three sheer sun-drenched powders in a chic compact. At the very heart, a tiny golden treasure brings the dazzling look of sunshine to your skin.

The Splendours Colour Quartet & Eye Liner Palette ($42) is a beauty, with a harmony of four eye shadows, Copper Gold, Pale Gold, Pink Gold, and Brown, with an Intense Plum Eyeliner designed to give the look a smoldering new edge. The eye shadows offer highly-concentrated mineral pigments that deliver long-lasting results.

There's more! Wonder Waterproof Mascara ($25) will coat your eyelashes from root to top, making them look longer. The Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel ($22) Crystalline transparent color combined with the comfort of a balm.

New gel texture lip gloss is said to visibly plump up the lips with glides-on shine for a luscious “wet lip” effect. The gel is a Clarins Laboratories innovation that has a "delicious blackcurrant fragrance."

The collection is available at Clarins online. I haven't been to a store in a week, so I've got to try to make some time tomorrow to go look.

Photos courtesy of Clarins

Clarins Jolie Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick and Gloss Prodige Lip Gloss from the Rouge Eclat Collection forSpring 2013

There I was, browsing (slowly, for once) at Nordstrom, when the Clarins counter reached out and grabbed me with a light, bright, and very pretty display. New goodies in the Rouge Eclat Collection! After checking out everything, I came away with two lip colors - one lipstick and one gloss - both in a glorious sparkling rose shade.

The lipstick is Jolie Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick ($24.50) in Sweet Plum (#18). It's one of 15 new shades. The Gloss Prodige Lip Gloss ($20) is Vibrant Rose - one of two featured shades.

I have to tell you that I stood and strongly considered the Eye Quartet Mineral Palette below. The taupe shade at top left is drop-dead gorgeous. I wasn't sure I needed the other three. I'm still mulling that palette, though. I'll let you know if I go back for it.

The beautiful rose lip colors are cheerful and swimmingly shiny. I was surprised when I got them outside into the sunshine and found their colors remarkably similar. What a perfect pair!

I took my photos in full sun. It was really cold out that day. I'm surprised the goosebumps aren't prominent. My blood was flowing, trying to keep my body warm as I held my arm up to the sunshine. This is terrible, but I can't remember which swatch was which. I am pretty positive the lipstick is shown at the top of my arm, with the gloss below. The reason it's so hard to tell is that they are equally shiny and almost the same color. I do remember, though, that the second swatch (below) hit me in the face with a very strong fruity fragrance when I applied it with its sponge applicator.

Sweet Plum shows more plum in person, but I have to describe it as rose. The brilliant Vibrant Rose Lip Gloss is just that. It will make your lips sing. Worn together these two lip colors are dynamite.

Clarins makes makeup for adults. I don't understand why their lip glosses must be laden with flavor. It have it on my arm and lips as I write, and I just want it to go away. Experience tells me it will in about 20 minutes. My lips have a glorious, flattering, rose shine, but I taste like I'm chewing bubble gum. If you can handle that, you will love the new Gloss Prodige Lip Gloss. The lipstick isn't notably fragranced.

The Clarins Rouge Eclat Collection is at Clarins counters now. I do not see it at the Clarins Web site. I can't figure out why.

Eye palette photo courtesy of Chic Profile; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clarins Colour Accents Powder and Blush from the Ombre Minérale Fall Color Collection

I get excited when I see a new Clarins color compact. The moment I saw this new Clarins Colour Accents Powder and Blush ($35), which I think is a limited edition, I felt that familiar urge to purchase. I was online, and you know how that went. I have zero self-control.

This powder/blush hybrid "features four harmonious shades to bring instant illumination to every skin tone and complexion." The translucent powder blends easily to smooth the skin and even out imperfections - or to use as a blush or even a contouring powder by pale faces like me.

I like (not love) it, so keep that in mind as you read my description. I'm having trouble describing this Clarins Powder and Blush with the right balance. Perhaps that's because I'm ambivalent about my state of like.

The blended powder is not especially colorful. I took my swatch photos in full sun. I applied the shades - blended across the compact - at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator and with a blush brush below. Both applications were heavy - really heavy. That's as it should be for a shade one can use as a face powder.

The problem for me is that it's much too dark to use as a face powder. I can't imagine applying this shade all over my face. The color, when blended, is pale tan or beige. It's too dark for me to use as a face powder, but perfect as a neutral blush. I like to use neutral-toned blushes when I wear colors like purple. Pink blushes are a total no-no with purple jackets (in my opinion).

I had thought that the pink stripes in the compact would add a pink cast to the powder. Wrong. Additionally, I did not find it illuminating, as advertised. It has a matte finish.

This color is tan with a peach undertone. Where's the pink? Lost in the fray. Those little stripes make the compact pretty, but they don't add much pink to the skin. I actually tried to over-represent the pink as I was swatching. It didn't help.

Who will be the perfect customer for Clarins' Colour Accents Powder and Blush? Someone with a medium or darker skin tone who prefers warm shades and wants a face powder that will even skin tone and blur imperfections. Or someone whose skin is so light that this product will serve as a great contouring shade or blush. That's a limited market. Clarins could have done something more exciting.

I purchased my Clarins Colour Accents Powder and Blush at the Clarins Web site. It's part of the Ombre Minérale Fall Color Collection.

It's available at Clarins counters, including Bloomingdale's and Macy's.

Photo at top courtesy of Clarins; photo at bottom courtesy of Macy's; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clarins Rouge Prodige True Colour & Shine Lipstick from the Ombre Minérale Fall Color Collection

Clarins Rouge Prodige True Colour & Shine Lipstick...
An unrivaled formula that delivers long-lasting lip color, shine, and hold that lasts for hours. High-fidelity Pearl technology ensures that color and shine stay true for hours while this creamy, rich texture provides nourishing skin care benefits to lips. A wide range of colors to choose from to create your own glamorous look. 

Seeing new Rouge Prodige True Colour & Shine Lipstick ($24.50) shades for fall - the Ombre Minérale Color Collection for Fall 2012 - I dove in. I purchased Fig, shown at the top of this feature and on the left in my photo above, and Orchid Pink, shown on the right. Both are limited editions. Both are so gorgeous I gasped when they arrived.

I swatched in full sunlight. The photos show the shades pretty well, although it may have lightened their appearance just a tad. They will definitely be just a bit darker on your lips, which have their own pigmentation.

Fig is shown at the top of my arm, with Orchid Pink below. Both lipsticks are sheer, shiny, and hydrating - my kind of lip color.

How could one choose between them? I had to work hard to keep my hand from ordering Dark Cherry and Spiced Orange, the other two new shades. I could be on the road to Dark Cherry. After seeing these two in person - and knowing how they look online - I'm confident their sheerness will mitigate the darkness in the tube of any of the shades.

I will keep one of these new shades with me at all times over the next few months, probably  Fig because it works with all colors. The hydrating formula suits me nicely, so I can use it to give my lips a drink.

I ordered my Rouge Prodige True Colour & Shine Lipsticks from the Clarins Web site. It was easier than seeking out a Clarins counter.

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

Clarins Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick from the Spring 2012 Colour Breeze Collection

Clarins is featuring two new Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipsticks ($24.50) with the Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012. The lipsticks combine the transparent color and shine of a lip gloss with the creamy texture of a lipstick, which makes them absolutely perfect for me - and sheer shine lovers everywhere. There are two shades: Pink Coral and Pink Magnolia. I decided instantly that I am a Pink Magnolia kind of gal.

Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipsticks offer a unique MaxiLip Complex that helps plump and hydrate the lips for fullness, softness, and suppleness, while the deeply moisturizing and long-wearing formula provides the benefits of a balm with lip care ingredients. If you like semi-sheer, hydrating lip shines as much as I do, you're going to love this lipstick.

Here's a photo of Pink Magnolia taken at home last week, when we still had some sunshine. Look at the color bullet! It's a beautiful mauve-pink in the generous oval tube, and it struts its stuff beautifully on the lips.

My swatch photos were taken in full sun. Add the beautiful pink you can see on my arm to whatever pigmentation you have in your lips, and the result will be a brilliant (hence the name), shimmering, semi-sheer color that will make your lips a stunning focal point. I'm calling the sheerness semi-sheer because Pink Magnolia offers enough saturation that it's more than a tint. The gorgeous color and serious shine are a winning combination. I love Pink Magnolia because it makes me look perky. It's no wonder lipsticks can be a girl's best friend.

Here is Clarins' description of the Colour Breeze Collection...
Spring brings poetic grace and a hint of casualness. The sheer lightness of a high-shine lip gloss, smooth powders, fresh and unique textures. A bright, luminous complexion, beautifully enhanced cheek bones, ultra-shiny lips, and naturally unsettling eyes.

Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick provides the ultra-shiny lips promised for spring. The swatch photo directly above was taken with the sun's full reflection. Look at the shine!

The only thing I would change is the flavor. The lipstick has a fruity taste. The flavor is fairly strong on application, but it dissipates quickly, unlike the flavor of the new Gloss Prodige. The flavor won't keep me from wearing this gorgeous lip color, though. It's close to perfect.

The spring collection has arrived at the Clarins counter at Bloomingdale's and is also available at the Bloomingdale's Web site and at Nordstrom. It's available at Macy's and should be available at Saks. I'm surprised that it's still not available at the Clarins Web site. Hopefully, you'll be able to see it there soon. I think this collection is exquisite. You won't want to miss the limited-edition colors.

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

Clarins Gloss Prodige Intense Colour & Shine Lip Gloss from the Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012

The Clarins Colour Breeze look for Spring 2012 is all about pretty. The display is stunning, and the makeup matches the promised look. There were eight lip glosses on the new display. I struggled to select "only two" of the new Gloss Prodige Intense Colour and Shine Lip Gloss shades ($20). Every one of the eight was desirable.

Gloss Prodige is a new generation, non-sticky gloss formula from Clarins that delivers mirror-like shine, intense color, and long-lasting color. It makes the lips look smooth, full, and luscious with saturated color.

Here are my selections: #04, Candy, on the left and #01, Chocolate, on the right. I really liked #07, Blackberry, and may have to go back to Bloomingdale's for it. The shades range from light nude to dark berry. There's something for everyone.

Fortunately, I got swatch photos in full sun last week when we could still see the sun. Candy is shown at the top of my arm, with Chocolate below. Candy is a medium-intensity rose pink that I can wear without lipstick underneath. Chocolate is a rose-brown. It leans even more rose on my lips, with their own rose pigmentation, than it does on my arm. I've always liked brown-toned lip colors, so Chocolate (with its tempting name) was one of the first shades I tested in the store.

The ultra-shine of Gloss Prodige is luminous - lip glosses that earn their "gloss" name. They add a glassy look to the lips. They wear extremely well. I love the tubes; I don't have to guess to find the shade I need. The only thing I would change is the taste. They remind me of fruit-flavored lip butters. The flavor is strong on application - not obnoxious if you like berries or Popsickles, but very noticeable. I'm getting used to it.

The spring collection has arrived at the Clarins counter at Bloomingdale's and is also available at the Bloomingdale's Web site and at Nordstrom. It's available at Macy's and should be available at Saks. I'm surprised that it's still not available at the Clarins Web site. Hopefully, you'll be able to see it there soon.

I have one more piece from the Color Breeze Collection to show you: a knockout lipstick. Soon! I did get photos last week.

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

Clarins Instant Light Blush from the Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012

Clarins limited-edition Instant Light Blush ($28), featured with the Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012, is available in three shades: Vitamin Pink, Coral Tonic, and Brown Fizz. The fluid texture of this "liquid blush" glides onto the cheeks with ease to deliver natural-looking and luminous color. "Plant-based mineral ingredients smooth and sculpt the cheek for optimized light reflection." Beyond Clarins' description, I think this novel blush leaves extremely pretty, long-lasting color on the cheeks.

My attention was captured initially by the unique applicator. It's like a big paddle - or a large doe-foot applicator for the cheeks. After testing it in the store, I found that it applies and blends easily, so I purchased Vitamin Pink. The names of these blushes are "interesting." Ignore them and focus on the flattering shades. I've found that Instant Light Blush is very long-lasting - perfect for those who find that powder blushes disappear after a few hours of wear.

I applied and lightly blended the Vitamin Pink Instant Light Blush (with the applicator) for these swatch photos, which were taken in full sun. Isn't the color luscious? It's bright pink and beautiful. The shade has a touch of what I call watermelon, making it far more fun than plain-vanilla pink. While it may not be the color I blush naturally, it looks naturally pretty on my skin.

You'll blend it more thoroughly than I did for these photos. You can use the applicator to start blending, but I'd recommend you finish with your fingers or a brush. It's as pretty blended "out" as it is on my arm. It adds sheer, radiant color to my pale face. The other two colors round out the offering to ensure there's a shade for you. I considered buying Brown Fizz to use as a bronzer, but remembered that I have, literally, hundreds of bronzers. Sanity prevailed.

I think Clarins is often overlooked on beauty blogs, and I can't figure out why. Clarins offers trendy colors, quality makeup, and serious value for your dollars. I purchased "even more" from the Color Breeze Collection at Bloomindale's. I will continue to feature it here. The lip colors are next up.

The collection has arrived at the Clarins counter at Bloomingdale's and is also available at the Bloomingdale's Web site and at Nordstrom. It's available at Macy's and should be available at Saks. I checked the Clarins Web site as I was writing this feature, and I didn't see it there yet. I'm sure it will be available from Clarins soon.

Photo at top courtesy of Bloomingdale's; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clarins Colour Breeze Face & Blush Powder from the Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012

I found the new Clarins Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012 at Bloomingdale's, and I had to try then buy a little of everything. It's a beautiful collection. I'll be featuring my selections this week.

I decided to start by showing you the limited-edition Colour Breeze Face & Blush Powder ($35). It grabbed my eye as I walked by at Bloomingdale's. I stop for new makeup displays (wouldn't that make a funny car sign?).

You won't feel cross-eyed when you look at this palette in person, but my photo directly above may leave you wondering about your eyesight. Apparently, my camera didn't know what to make of those pinwheels.

This face palette offers an ultra-fine, soft powder texture that Clarins says we can use to illuminate our complexions with matte color. That description seems contradictory, but the palette does brighten the skin without sparkling. The powder makes the complexion appear even, creamy, and soft. The powder is enriched with natural extracts of raspberry and red currant seed oil, said to soften and nurture the skin. Clarins is so well-known for its superior skin care, it should be no surprise they've incorporated ingredients that are good to the skin into the makeup.

The Colour Breeze Palette won't provide a lot of color to your face. It's really not a blush. If you are one of the many women who wants to brighten her skin during the day without sparkles (office-appropriate makeup), you're going to love this powder. It adds a touch of warm color. It should be used on the high points of the face as an illuminator or applied all over as a finishing powder (in my opinion). For some reason, it reminds me of the Edward Bess Quad Royale compacts, some of my favorites, but without the shine. The Clarins palette is a lot less expensive.

I worked pretty hard to get my swatch photos. It was cold, so you may notice the little hairs on my arm sticking out (sorry). I used a sponge-tipped applicator to swatch, ensuring that I got equal amounts of the colors in the pinwheels and the base shade. Applied properly with a brush, you won't get as much color as my swatch photos show. Given that my readers are savvy women who "get it," I know you can bridge between these swatches, with heavily applied powder, and the effect we're going to achieve on the face.

Colour Breeze offers a warm, pink pick-up to the face. It's a beautiful shade for spring (or any time of year when you need a little warmth). The palette photo at the top of this feature, taken from the Bloomingdale's Web site, makes the palette appear too dark and too peachy. My palette photo isn't exactly color-true either. It's too dull. The base color is a skin-toned beige. The pinwheels offer a darker beige, peach, and pink, with a touch of gold at the center of each. I can see teeny tiny sparkles in the palette, and if I run the pad of my finger over the colors, I can see them on my skin. However, when applied to the face with a brush, the color enlivens the skin without any overt sparkling. You can see the sun's reflection on my arm above and below the color swatches. You won't see the swatches shine, visual proof that this powder offers a matte finish (let's call it satin since it's not boring).

I love the color. Even though my skin is cool-toned, I can wear warm shades. Makeup artists are always trying to warm my face, meaning, I assume, that they think I look too pale and colorless. I do feel fortunate that I can wear both warm and cool shades. I'd hate to be limited to one or the other! Think of what that would do to my makeup choices.

I'm not sure how well Colour Breeze will work on dark skin, but I think it's a lovely choice for fair to medium skin tones. Check it out. The collection has arrived at the Clarins counter at Bloomingdale's and is also available at the Bloomingdale's Web site. I haven't had to chance to see if it has arrived at Saks. I checked the Clarins Web site as I was writing this feature, and I didn't see it there yet. I'm sure it will be available from Clarins soon.

Photo at top courtesy of Bloomingdale's; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clarins Passion Face Palette for Holiday 2011

Clarins' limited-edition Passion Face Palette ($55) for Holiday 2011 caught my eye immediately, with its Aztec, maze-like pattern inside and out. When it arrived (I ordered online), I was delighted. The colors looked lovely, sprinkled with gold pearl, and the compact itself had the hefty feel of luxury makeup. It has serious heft in the hand. Actually, it's so heavy that I wouldn't consider throwing it in my handbag. It rivals my camera!

Passion subtly illuminates the face and décolleté with gold for a beautiful, festive make-up look Even though the shades look peachy-pink in the pan, it's really not. It's gold, with a touch of bronze on my skin. It's definitely not polished, pure gold.

We could not have worse weather here for taking pictures this week. Yesterday, when I snapped these photos, it was almost dark out. Mid-day, the sun was totally obscured by rain clouds. It was "dusk" by 3:30 pm. However, I really wanted to show you this pretty palette, so I did the best I could, knowing that today it would rain continuously. Please keep in mind that everything looks more exciting in person - the palette and the powder on the skin. My camera won't pick up shimmering gold well when there isn't a great light source. I tried to use flash outdoors, but that just washed out my photos.

As I mentioned, while I expected gold with a touch of peach or pink, the color of the mingled shades in the Passion Face Palette is gold on my skin. I don't see pink indoors or out. I see a gold shade that's tinged with bronze.

I applied the powder, swept across all the shades in the compact with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm and then with a dense blush brush below. I applied both swatches heavily and took my photos in less-than-adequate light. Even with the lighting conditions, my camera picked up the color as I saw it. It's not clear, pure gold. Instead, it has a touch of camel or bronze in it - it all depends on your perspective.

It gleams on the skin. It's not a sparkle bomb. The gold overspray on the powder surface disappears almost immediately, leaving a pretty surface that will accent your skin without glitter. My skin is so fair, the Passion Face Palette could actually serve as a winter bronzer.

The compact comes in a Clarins red velveteen pouch. It's a nice treat. I purchased mine at the Clarins Web site, where there's a gift with purchase through Sunday. With a $40 purchase, you'll receive three deluxe travel goodies. Use the code THANKS at checkout.

Photo at top courtesy of Clarins; other photos, such as they are, by Best Things in Beauty

Clarins Barocco 2010 Holiday Eye Colour Trio

When the Clarins Eye Colour Trio ($40) was first advertised with the Barocco Collection for Holiday 2010, I knew I had to have it. No matter how many neutral eye shadows I have, there are always "new kids on the block," and I'm a neutrals groupie.

I asked Loyd to keep his eyes out for it at Saks, and even weeks later, it hadn't arrived in Chevy Chase. So, I ordered it online - sight unseen - as I do frequently with makeup. My faith was rewarded.

The limited-edition palette of three eye shadows is presented in a black rectangular case with a glossy white gold lid that's decorated with the Barocco black scroll. It's snazzy. You won't want to hide it in your bathroom. The case holds a large mirror and double sponge-tipped applicator that will come in handy if you find yourself without an eye shadow brush. The three shades are fabulous - for day or evening.

• An elegant, black matte to emphasize, line, or intensify
• A smoky bronze that's described as a duo of black and gold mixed for a smoky bronze effect
  
• A radiant pearly gold to give eyes touches of light, whether worn with the rest of the trio or alone

My swatch photo at right was taken in sunlight, but it wasn't extremely bright. I applied each shadow with the applicators that came in the compact. At the top, you can see how soft the matte black appears on the skin. It's extremely wearable - without drama if that's your preference. The bronze and gold shades are incredibly stunning. The bronze is one of the prettiest bronze shades I own. To my eye, and depending on the light, it even has a hint of khaki. The gold is a yellow gold that coordinates perfectly with the bronze.

I have worn the trio with the gold on my lid, the bronze on the outer corner of the lid and crease (in a sideways "V"), and the black as a liner on my top lash line and very lightly smudged on the outer corner under my lower lashes. The effect was "smashing."

I showed you the Barocco Collection in late November. The Face Palette is equally desirable. I will get a swatch photo for you this week if the sun ever comes out again. The Shimmering Gold Powder for Face & Décolleté is very sparkly and festive. If you purchase it, open the black and gold decorative box carefully. Those little gold nuggets give off powder easily. If the gold nuggets have been jostled at all, you'll find yourself covered in powder! Pretty powder, but powder nonetheless.

I highly recommend the Eye Colour Trio, particularly if you want to be a golden goddess for the holidays. See if you can find it at your Clarins counter. If you can't, it's still available at the Clarins Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Clarins

Clarins Barocco 2010 Holiday Colour Collection

I want to share with you my latest online purchase. One of the most recent Clarins collections sold out quickly - at least at the department stores - so this time, I'm giving you fair warning. If you want anything from the limited-edition Barocco Holiday Collection, shop quickly. When my pieces arrive, I will share swatches with you.

Barocco, named after the Baroque artistic style prevalent in Europe from the late 16^th to the 18^th centuries, mixes style with elegance, gold with black, in the decorative packaging and colors of the collection. Clarins says the decoration was inspired by the delicate work of a goldsmith. To me, it was inspired by the artistic trends of an era, defined by elegance and intricacy - not only in gold, but in all things coveted by the era's wealthy.

The Barocco Face Palette ($55) with a baroque pattern inside and out, is an incredibly soft and lightweight compact powder. The elegant case has a black lacquered logo bottom with a glossy gold lid decorated with a black scroll - protected by a red velvet pouch. A harmony of two complementary shades is stamped into the powder with a matching scroll pattern. The beige and a pinky-peach shades look gorgeous.

The Barocco Eye Color Trio ($40) was the first piece in the collection to catch my eye. The palette of three eye shadows is presented in a black rectangular case with a glossy gold lid decorated with a black scroll. The case holds a large mirror and double applicator. Three festive shades will light up your eyes for the holidays, or any time.

• An elegant, black matte to emphasize and intensify
• A subtle, captivating duo of black and gold mixed together for an instant smoky bronze effect
• A radiant pearly gold to give your eyes touches of light

This trio looks ab-fab, and I want it now! I got tired of waiting for it to show up at "my Saks"!

The Shimmering Gold Powder for Face & Décolleté ($35) was a roll of the dice. Described as a powder formed into gold-dusted nuggets, there's no telling how sparkly it may be. It's so pretty, though! Presented in an elegant black cylinder, decorated with a black scroll and embellished with a beautiful tassel, the delicate powder nuggets are nestled in with a poofy black powder puff. Doesn't it look gorgeous?

The only piece of the collection I didn't order - yet - is the Barocco Rouge Prodige Lipstick ($24). Described as a deep purple velvet, it looks dark. I can't assess whether it will work for me until I see it.

Clarins has provided fabulous paint-by-numbers instructions for a festive holiday look. While the instructions may be hard to read here, you'll have no trouble at the Clarins Web site.If you decide to order online, use the code SEM2, and you will receive a set of four deluxe samples - on top of the usual samples to be selected. There's another offer, SEM1, that will give you two deluxe samples and free shipping. I got free shipping with a purchase over $75. Or, look for the Barocco collection at Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdale's, or other Clarins counters.

Photos courtesy of Clarins