Victoria Beckham Collection for Estée Lauder - Eye Foil

Yesterday was quite a day. Mid-afternoon, I went over to my mother's house to feed the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, and any other animals who might like what I served. As I went to get back into my car, I saw that my rear right tire was flat! I had driven over to her house with a flat tire. I decided to go to the nearest gas station with free air and pump air into my tire. Once I had finished that, I called the Audi dealer and asked if they could take a look at my tire. They said to bring it right away. So, off I went.

Thank God I bought the tire and wheel warranty when I leased my car. One hour after I arrived, I left with a new tire, which cost me nothing but the time I lost yesterday. When I got home, I realized I had very little good sunshine left to photograph Victoria Beckham's Eye Foil ($36), so I went straight for a swatch and walked far enough up my little street to "get sunshine." While I didn't get a picture of the product itself, it looks exactly as shown above in  Estée Lauder's photo.

This breakthrough liquid eye shadow delivers a high-shine, vinyl-like finish, even after it’s dried - and it dries quickly. Sparkling pearl pigments offer flecks of gold or charcoal foil for a liquid-metal effect.

This is a pretty flexible product. It can be used alone for a stunning pearl effect. It can be used under one of Beckham's Eye Metal Eyeshadows to add an entirely different dimension to the shadows. Or it can be used in the inner corners of the lids. I like it. It adds some pizazz to my eye shadow collection.

I got a kick out of something I read on the Internet the other day crediting Pat McGrath for her "new technique" of using a white or silver shadow or liner on the inner corner. I was stunned. This technique has been used by makeup artists for more years than I can count. It opens up the eyes, and everyone who knows makeup knows that. The article left me wondering if it was written by an intern.

Anyhow, Eye Foil is available (when it's not sold out) in two shades: Blonde Gold, which I purchased, and a dark shade that is also currently sold out. I can't even find the name right now, but I will later. I just got a call from Neiman Marcus that the Guerlain Holiday Collection arrived, and I have to hurry over there to have first choice of my I-wants.

As I mentioned yesterday, the preview products sold out almost instantly. The collection will be officially launched on October 1. Only one store in my area will have it, Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. If you are interested in pre-ordering from them, give Rahman Malik a call at (703) 861-4673. Naturally, you will also be able to order from  Estée Lauder and Bergdorf Goodman once they restock.

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

Victoria Beckham Collection for Estée Lauder

Victoria Beckham has unveiled a limited-edition color cosmetics collection with Estée Lauder. I introduced it last month, and then I promptly pre-ordered a few of the 15 pieces from Bergdorf Goodman. I'm glad I did. Most of the pieces are sold out and will remain that way until the more universal launch on October 1.

Today, I'll show you Charred Emerald Eye Metals Eyeshadow ($45) and Modern Mercury Highlighter ($65), Both of these are already sold out at Estée Lauder.

According to WWD, Beckham's aim was also to deliver products people could immediately associate with her, “whether it’s a smoky eye, a nude lip, or dewy skin. So I’ve been very honest, very true to myself. This has been something that I’ve wanted to do for so many years,” she said.

To Estée Lauder, she’s a next-generation Estée: Authentic, an entrepreneur, wife, mother, fashion designer - and she’s a beauty maven. Some people in fashion are into fashion, but not beauty. She’s into the whole picture and has a vision. She knows her style, her point of view, and the way she wants women to look, feel, act, and be comfortable in their skin, while having a great deal of glamour at the same time.

There are 15 units, including a limited-edition, portable mirror that casts a flattering light for makeup application. Prices range from $30 for the designer’s signature nude-matte lip pencil to $45 for an Eye Metals Eyeshadow, $95 for the Morning Aura Illuminating Crème and $1,200 for the Victoria Beckham Collection Daylight Edition, a light box that includes a removable lighted mirror as well as eight products. After reviewing the collection online, I selected a few pieces that I knew I would actually wear. I'm impressed with their quality.

Charred Emerald Eye Metals Eyeshadow attracted me because it's green. I love green on my eyes. I took my photos in full, early afternoon sunshine, and that may have brightened the colors a bit. I think Charred Emerald is darker than my photo directly above shows, but lighter than the Estée Lauder photo appears.

This rich color powder eye shadow delivers a high-shine finish to the eye. It is densely pigmented with color that is strong, sexy, and confident. You can wear it alone all over the lid for a modern smoky eye or layered over Eye Ink for an oil-slick finish. Eye Ink is very cool. I'll try to get photos so that I can show it to you tomorrow.

Modern Mercury is a highlighter borrowed from Estée Lauder's past. My photo is too pink. The Estée Lauder photo above is more accurate. A favorite of Victoria’s, this highlighter can be worn as an accent on the cheekbones and with or without bronzer to create a moist skin look. It's a beauty.

My swatch photos are pretty accurate. Charred Emerald blends black and green for an exquisite smoky green look. While we can't all look like the former Spice Girl, we can imagine this look on ourselves for a night out. To me, it's glamorous.

Modern Mercury is a rose gold on my skin - one of my favorite highlighter shades. The compact is huge, which means it will last a very long time. You can apply it very lightly for a subtle gleam or more intensely for a  high-wattage look.

The packaging of these products is lovely. It's a dark blue, accented with gold, and it's heavy. It looks its price, if you understand what I mean. The accents are gold. I guess the direct sun made them look silver in my photo below.

Beckham said, “I want to make women feel empowered, to feel sexy and confident. This makeup collection does that. I’m a girl’s girl, I love to make women feel like the best version of themselves.” I think she's done a great job on her first foray into makeup.

There were a few pieces available at Bergdorf Goodman the last time I looked, but you've got a better chance of finding the collection on October 1 when it launches "officially." I even got a note from Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria saying that they will have the collection available there - the only source in my area. If you are interested in pre-ordering from Neiman Marcus, give Rahman Malik a call at (703) 861-4673.

Photos at top courtesy of Estée Lauder; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Friday Forum - August 26 Plus an Exciting Estée Lauder Launch

There's hope for Estée Lauder. Most of you know that after years of profitable, but unexciting existence, Estée Lauder brought in Tom Pecheux, who reinvigorated the brand. Suddenly, Estée Lauder was hot again, and we bloggers had fun with all of the color products he created or inspired. Unfortunately, he left. From that point, the company became what I called the Aerin Lauder Company. Most of the new color introductions were Aerin's, and I found them boring - to the point that I seldom browsed the company's Web site.

More recently, in its efforts to attract Millennials, Estée Lauder made Kendall Jenner its new face (along with blogger Irene Kim) and rebranded many of its new products Estée Edit, which are "curated" by Ms. Jenner and guest bloggers. Intended for rule breakers and risk takers - the way Millennials like to think of themselves - Estée Edit products strike me as modern, but traditional at the same time. In other words, they are a product of marketing. If anything, Kendall Jenner was a turn-off to me.

Little of Estée Lauder's recent marketing has impressed me or enticed me to buy. Then the news broke. Estée Lauder would be partnering with Victoria Beckham to launch a limited-edition color cosmetics line. The collection is set to debut on September 13, with a preview at Beckham's runway show two days before. It will be sold in select retail outlets, including department stores and Victoria Beckham Dover Street, plus the retailer's Web sites. The full collection will be sold at Bergdorf Goodman and bergdorfgoodman.com, Selfridges, Victoria Beckham’s Dover Street store in London and on victoriabeckham.com and esteelauder.com starting September 13. It will launch in the rest of the world from October 1. I can't wait!

In an interview with WWD, Beckham said her aim is to empower women, fill a few market niches, complement her fashion collection, and relay some of the makeup and skin-care wisdom she’s gathered from a life spent on airplanes, red carpets, and in the full glare of paparazzi flashbulbs.

“I was very specific about what I wanted. It was about the must-have items that I felt everybody should have in their makeup bag, things that are really quite difficult to find because I know, I’ve searched,” Beckham told WWD. The aim was also to deliver products people could immediately associate with her, “whether it’s a smoky eye, a nude lip, or dewy skin. So I’ve been very honest, very true to myself. This has been something that I’ve wanted to do for so many years,” she said.

WWD told us there will be 15 units, including a limited-edition, portable mirror that casts a flattering light for makeup application. Prices will  range from $30 for the designer’s signature nude-matte lip pencil to $45 for an Eye Metals Eye Shadow, $95 for the Morning Aura Illuminating Crème and $1,200 for the Victoria Beckham Collection Daylight Edition, a light box that includes a removable lighted mirror as well as eight products.

While the focus will be mostly on lips and eyes, there will also be a bronzer, a highlighter (Beckham convinced Lauder to bring back a version of its limited-edition Modern Mercury highlighter - yea!) and the Morning Aura cream. There is more, but I'll save some surprises for you.

I finally have hope for Estée Lauder again. Victoria Beckham has proven that she has a talented eye, and her experience in the limelight as a celebrity and successful designer should give her the one-the-ground knowledge to develop a cosmetics line that will appeal to everyone, not just Millennials. Are you as excited as I am?

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 courtesy of Estée Lauder and WWD

Estée Lauder Genuine Glow Reviving Oil Lip Tint

Some people, myself included, have dry lips all year round. We are always on the lookout for a hydrating lip product with longevity. I've found a new one in the Genuine Glow Collection! Estée Lauder Genuine Glow Reviving Oil Lip Tint ($20) is so popular, it keeps selling out on Estée Lauder's Web site. I had to wait weeks on "backorder" for mine.

This lovely tint give your lips just-kissed cherry color, along with just-right, oil-rich moisture replenishment. It feels nourishing yet light on the lips.

The cheery shade is a universal sheer shade that glows well with any skin tone. The pen dispenses just the right amount of product too. I love no-waste packaging. Just twist the pen a few times to prime it - until the lip tint comes up, and then apply it directly to your lips.

When this color is added to my own lip color, the result is a saturated, but sheer, cherry red. I'm thrilled with it. I took this photo in full, noon sun, so the color was a bit washed out by all the light.

You can use it alone, as I do, for a unique, glowing, rosy lip or over or under your lip color for a fuller, glossier lip.

You can try to order it at the Estée Lauder's Web site and wait, or you can look for it at one of the many Estée Lauder's counters. It's worth the hunt.

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

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Multi-Palette for Summer 2016

When I saw Estée Lauder's Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Multi-Palette ($50) online, it looked pretty. I see that it is now sold out on Estée Lauder's Web site. That doesn't mean the stores don't have it in stock. These Bronze Goddess items always sell quickly.

Here is how it is advertised...
Illuminate. Contour. Blush.
Radiant, sun-kissed color for face, cheeks, and eyes. Use each shade on its own to sculpt and define, or blend shades together for a natural-looking, all-over glow. Let the sun worship you.

Sounded good and looked good to me, but I'm not thrilled with it. There may be two reasons, and only time will tell if the powder is light on pigmentation or whether there was some kind of coating (not an overspray that's easy to break through) on the surface of the three shades that made it hard for me to pick up enough pigment, even with a sponge-tipped applicator. When I run my fingers over the shades, I can get decent color from the highlighter and blush. The contour (bronzer) is very light, but that's good for those with fair skin.

I took my photos in full, mid-day sunshine. I swatched from left to right as I moved down my arm. The shade at the top is the highlighter; the blush is in the middle, and the contour/bronzer is at the bottom in the photo below.

I worked to get even swatches. The highlighter shines like a beacon in full sun. The blush is a very light rose, a nice everyday shade. The bronzer is a tad muddy on my skin. I think I would want to blend the bronzer and blush together. I have not worn these shades yet, mostly because I had little time to experiment before I left for work last week. I fear that these shades will not have enough pigment when applied with a brush. I plan to try to rough up the diamond-like surfaces before I apply them with a brush. It may be the points of the design that are denying me good color payoff.

I'm surprised that 100% of nine reviewers on Estée Lauder's site recommended this product - actually gave it enthusiastic reviews. I can only give it a qualified recommendation. If I partially destroy the surface, I may end up enjoying the highlighter and blush. I doubt I'll wear the bronzer.

I'm sure that some Estée Lauder counters will still have the Glow Multi-Palette. Call first.

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

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Gelée Bronzer for Summer 2016

Estée Lauder's Bronze Goddess Collection for 2016 has been released, and, as usual, there are some stellar products in it. It's a nice change from the boring Aerin Lauder color. Get ready, bronzer shoppers; this one's a beauty.

Bronze Goddess limited-edition Gelée Bronzer ($32) is a treasure. The press? "Give yourself a heavenly glow with this super-luxurious liquid bronzer. Formulated with a unique blend of bronzing pigments in a pearlized, reflective base for sheer, natural-looking radiance. Feels weightless and comfortable. Turn up the heat." Amen! This bronzer is glorious.

I took photos in full, mid-day sunshine - hence the reflections. The tube is fairly small (one fluid ounce), but it only takes a small quantity to impart a lovely, sheer bronze shade to your face. My swatch photo was created with a tiny dab of the liquid/gel bronzer. You can layer it for more intensity, but no amount of layering will make it opaque.

From the swatch photo, you can see that the color is sheer and natural. It won't really cover your imperfections; you can see my veins through it (sorry). That's its beauty. It lets your own skin shine through the lovely, natural bronze color. This shade should work for almost everyone. It's not muddy, and it's not pink. I love it!

The formula is oil-free, so it will delight those with oily skin, as well as those, like me, whose skin is dry. It literally floats onto my skin on application - nice and even when applied with fingertips or a synthetic brush. It makes me look naturally alive and sunned. I apply it on the highlights of my face where the sun would hit if I didn't wear sunscreen.

I ordered mine online from Estée Lauder, and I have other new items from the collection to show you. You can find the Bronze Goddess Collection wherever Estée Lauder is sold. I'll warn you, though, that the limited items often sell out quickly. If you want one, buy with haste.

Photos at top courtesy of Estée Lauder; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Another Snowy Day Plus What Beauty Treasures Do You Miss?

I wanted to blog today, but I am taking a snow day. We've had about five inches of snow so far today, and we are expecting freezing rain to start this afternoon. I took the photo above about an hour ago when I went to put peanuts in the feeder for the second time today. That blob on the ground is a cardinal cleaning up the few I spilled.

I wanted to share my Valentine's picture of Mom. She is her reclining chair, kept warm with a throw. She's 93 now, so she gets cold easily. I bought her chocolate-covered strawberries and another dessert. Plus we had a vodka sauce lasagne for her Valentine's dinner.

I wanted to ask you a question. What beauty treasure do you really miss, but is discontinued and impossible to find? I'll get us started. I miss Estée Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée. Over a few years, Estée Lauder introduced multiple colors, and they were all gorgeous. I looked forward to each season's new shade. Click on this link to see Crystal Baby. I think it's ashamed that Estée Lauder appears to have ceded its color line to Aerin Lauder. Sadly, I think her makeup is boring. In an effort to revive its color lines (I assume), the company is introducing colors to be promoted by two Jenner (aka Kardashian) gals. I have no interest in enriching that family.

How about you?  What would you love to see introduced on the market again?

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Estée Lauder Crystal Baby Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée Blush

Each season, I to on a crazed lookout for a new Estée Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée ($40). Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée is my absolute favorite Estée Lauder product. I was expecting a bronzing or golden color for summer - maybe something like Heat Wave or Shimmering Sands - but instead, I was able to purchase from Nordstrom this new pretty pink Crystal Baby. I note the purchase from Nordstrom because I have been unable to locate this gem on Estée Lauder's own site, nor have I been able to find it at the counters - odd, I think. I'd be willing to bet it's a limited edition, but it is not listed as such at Nordstrom online.

Estée Lauder describes Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée as a "tribrid" formula of liquid, powder, and gel that goes beyond face powder to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow. The color smooths on as an all-over soft sheen, but can be layered for luminous pearly highlighting. Crystal Baby Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée is described as a high-polish blush with a luminous, silky finish - all true.

I love every Illuminating Powder Gelée that Estée Lauder has introduced, and I'm thrilled to add to my growing collection. This one will enhance your natural pink look with a sexy, polished glow. It illuminates my complexion with its blendable and buildable coverage for a finish that can go from subtle and soft to highly pearlized. This ultra-luxurious gelée features a delicate pattern to celebrate a look that reminds me of the Art Deco period.

You can see in my photo above (with the blue background) that the real thing is lighter and cooler than the photo shown at Nordstrom. I worried when I started to review my photos, wondering if the full sun in which I snapped the photo had drained the color from the powder. It hadn't. I have examined it, and I believe my photo is closer to the real deal than the online sales photo. Both are lovely colors. I am pointing this out because the pink is a cool pink, and anyone expecting a warmer shade might be disappointed.

I applied Crystal Baby with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm and using the same applicator, blended it out in the larger swatch below. I should have used its own custom sponge - not sure why I didn't - because it's a great applicator. It's one of the few applicators that comes with a product that I really like. I took my swatch photos in full sun. I applied the gel powder with medium intensity at the top of my arm and lightly below. I wish I had taken a wider swatch at the top to flatter the beautiful color. You can see how sheer the color is. Fortunately, I don't have visible veins on my face!

I think this pastel pink is gorgeous. It's perfect for my complexion, which has pink undertones. My skin is fair, like the model's, but I think it will be lovely on all skin shades. As your skin darkens from pale toward chocolate, it will show off more highlighter and less blush, I think. Does that make sense to you?

I'm thrilled with my new Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée Blush and hope I don't have to wait past autumn for another shade. I got worried when I asked about a new Illuminating Powder Gelée at the counter about two months ago and found the representative had no information. My plea to Estée Lauder? Please don't ever discontinue this product.

Photos at top and of model courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Aerin Rose Balm Lipstick in Pretty

Aerin Lauder offers a collection of 10 luxurious, creamy lipsticks with medium coverage. They are called Rose Balm Lipstick ($30). I purchased a shade called Pretty, a beautiful warm pink.

A collection of 10 effortless, universally-flattering shades, specially curated by Aerin. Featuring a luxe balm texture, medium coverage, and a shine finish, they help protect lips the way a flower protects its delicate petals, with a natural wax that helps seal in moisture.

I have said before that Aerin's Color Essentials have not excited me. They are exactly as described: essentials. Having more than my share of essentials has made me a little jaded, but I decided to give Aerin's Rose Balm Lipsticks a chance, selecting Pretty because it looked pretty online. Indeed, it is perfectly named. I'm wearing it now with my gorgeous new YSL green palette on my eyelids, and I think I look amazingly good with the perfect contrast of pink and green.

The Rose Balm Lipsticks do offer coverage. Fortunately, it's a medium intensity, as described, so I don't feel like my lips are coated with severe color. I like the finish with its very subtle sheen.

I took swatch photos of Pretty in full sun (although it was about to exit the scene for rain clouds). I applied it directly from the tube. The swatch application was analogous to a regular application on my lips.

Pretty looks the same on my lips as it looks on my arm. The warm pink color has a subtle shine that is enhanced by bright light. It feels great on my lips - moist and creamy.

I took this second photo in front of a blooming honeysuckle shrub with an indirect angle to the sun. While the honeysuckle blossoms are starting to yellow, they still offer a beautiful fragrance. It was nice hanging out there for a few minutes.

Aerin's Rose Balm Lipstick offers what I think is the perfect level of intensity. Any more, and I would perceive too much coverage. I'm a sheer lips kind of gal, but I still like Rose Balm Lipstick. I think I may pick up a few more shades the next time I go to a counter. I blind-ordered Pretty from the Estée Lauder Web site. It turned out to be a great color. Why tempt the fates, though, with Aerin's line so accessible at department stores. I'll go play with the other shades before I select new colors.

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

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Cheek Glow from the Bronze Goddess Summer 2014 Color Collection

This summer, Estée Lauder captivates the senses with a sultry limited-edition color look in the new Bronze Goddess Summer 2014 Color Collection. This modern yet sensual makeup look is inspired by a symphony of color born from the enchantment of long stretched beaches of white sand that turn golden as night falls.

A truly divine experience, the Bronze Goddess Summer 2014 Color Collection features a spectrum of subtly nude hues accented by exquisitely rich colors from soft corals to deep blackberries and lavishly gilded metallics. Eyes glisten with nudes and metallic sparkle. Lips are glossed and brightened with luscious color. Cheeks glow as if kissed by the sun.

Last week, with Mom in the hospital, I had to get my beauty shopping fix online. I specifically went over to Estée Lauder's Web site to see the latest Bronze Goddess beauties. What grabbed my attention? Bronze Goddess Cheek Glow ($28) and one other item I'll show you later - when I can get photos.

Bronze Goddess Cheek Glow offers a cream cheek color that smooths on with a soft, subtle sheen that you can build to a luminous radiance. It's a beautiful sun-kissed color, designed for every skin tone. I was extremely pleased when I opened and tried it.

This new, limited-edition Cheek Glow provides a natural, healthy, and sun-kissed touch of color for our cheeks. Designed to complement all skin tones, this cream blush offers an ideal touch of color, while it illuminates complexions from day to night. The innovative and luxurious blush has a skin-loving, moisturizing formula that is undeniably creamy and sets beautifully on cheeks for a perfectly blushed look. The blendable and buildable coverage also creates finishes from subtle and soft to dramatic and perfectly pinched. I was particularly pleased that it is easy to apply a subtle wash of color or build the color for a little more oomph.

I applied Bronze Goddess Cheek Glow pretty heavily - at the top with a sponge-tipped applicator (totally unnatural) and below with my finger). My photos were taken in full, late-afternoon sun.

I think this warm, rosy pink-peach hybrid is absolutely heart stopping. I could not believe my good fortune that I had blind-bought such a flattering summer shade. I fell in love instantly, and I suspect I'll stay in love until I have used every last trace of this cream treasure. This is one of the prettiest cream blushes I own.

What do you think of this color? Do you like it as much as I do? Pardon me while I gush. Do you think I should break my rules and order another one?

I limited myself to two pieces from the collection, but I'm very tempted to go back for more. You can see the entire collection at the Estée Lauder Web site.

Photos at top courtesy of Estée Lauder; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Estée Lauder Beach Metals Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio from The Metallics New Pure Color Collection for Fall 2013

This fall, imagine an incredible combination of the highest reflective shine and intensely desirable color to make eyes, lips, and nails smolder. The The Metallics, a new Pure Color Collection from Estée Lauder, fill that bill. This surprisingly versatile collection of metallic finishes breaks boundaries and transforms like never before, with liquid-like shadows that saturate eyes, vinyl finishes that lacquer lips, and hyper-chromatics that accessorize nails. Whether soft and pretty or bold and sexy, The Metallics uses a variety of unique reflective finishes to bring a new level of sophistication to multi-dimensional color.

The new Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios ($36) are said to be like molten metal. Play in a new dimension of amplified color with the liquid-like texture melting onto the eyelids for a high-definition chromatic color impact. A creamy, silk-like formula glides on effortlessly releasing pure, brilliant color that stays true for 10 hours without creasing or fading.

I thought Beach Metals (#07) was one of the prettiest trios in the collection. Oddly, I can't find it on Estée Lauder's Web site. There are eight available. I found mine at Saks, but even they didn't have all the colors on their display. The available shades follow.

• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Smoked Chrome
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Arctic Zinc
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Steel Lilacs
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Gilded Chocolates
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Amber Alloy
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Beach Metals
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Sterling Plums
• Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trio in Camo Chrome

I took swatch photos of Beach Metals in full, late-morning sunshine. I swatched with a dry sponge-tipped applicator. This time, I did swatch one color with a wet applicator to show you the difference, and I was surprised how subtle it was.

Here are the three shades in the palette (left to right) on my arm from top to bottom. Like Amber Alloy, the ivory highlighter shade is a gorgeous ivory, but it has more pink in it than Amber Alloy. The center color is a vibrant peach. The dark copper-brown hybrid shade is intended to be a liner, although you can use it lightly for contouring or accenting the outer corners of the lid.

I swatched the gorgeous peach wet to see how much it would amp up the intensity. As you can see below, not all that much. The shade did become more electric - more metallic - but the color wasn't more intense. It just took on a different character. See the photo directly below.

I'll be wearing my Beach Metals eye shadows applied with a dry brush. I think the shades are beautiful as they are, without any extra help. Certainly for daytime wear, they should be applied dry for office-friendly use. I suppose the exception would be for those in fashion or the arts, where you've got leeway on snazzy looks.

The trio compacts are gold in color, emblazoned with the Estée Lauder logo, and come with a double-ended sponge-tipped applicator, the kind you'll never use. Each trio compact has a nice mirror inside, as well as the overlay with paint-by-numbers shade suggestions.

These eye shadows are available at the Estée Lauder Web site and some stores. If you don't see them at the counter now, you will soon. The display has all the lip and nail colors, so prepare to be dazzled. I was when I saw the whole collection at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Estée Lauder The Metallics New Pure Color Collection with a Focus on the Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios for Fall 2013

"When it comes to color, there are no limits. I like to have freedom. Metallic makeup does that," said Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director at Estée Lauder. The Metallics New Pure Color is a brilliant new expression of color, featuring the cool sheen of metal and the liquid light of lacquer. The slightly edited "press" on this collection follows in the next few paragraphs.

This fall, imagine an incredible combination of the highest reflective shine and intensely desirable color to make eyes, lips, and nails smolder. The The Metallics, a new Pure Color Collection from Estée Lauder, fill that bill. This surprisingly versatile collection of metallic finishes breaks boundaries and transforms like never before, with liquid-like shadows that saturate eyes, vinyl finishes that lacquer lips, and hyper-chromatics that accessorize nails. Whether soft and pretty or bold and sexy, The Metallics uses a variety of unique reflective finishes to bring a new level of sophistication to multi-dimensional color.

The new Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios ($36) are said to be like molten metal. Play in a new dimension of amplified color with the liquid-like texture melting onto the eyelids for a high-definition chromatic color impact. A creamy, silk-like formula glides on effortlessly releasing pure, brilliant color that stays true for 10 hours without creasing or fading.

The dazzling eye shadows instantly transform from a soft powder to a silky liquid-like texture using slurry technology to give the powder a unique silk-satin feel. True Vision technology - a crystalline (polymer) laminate - magnifies and amplifies color for intense clarity and vibrancy, while a unique blend of optics captures light for a reflective flash of shine.

Designed to be applied dry for a refined look or wet for a highly metallic finish, the new Pure Color Instant Intense EyeShadow Trios infuse metallic into any look for an added dimension of sophistication. Featuring three brilliant shades, each trio is a total eye look in one: base, contour, and highlight for mistake-proof application. Extremely blendable and color-true, the expertly coordinated shades look stunning on all skin tones and range from soft chrome shimmers to dramatic metallic finishes.

What's cool about these eye shadow trios is that they are not at all dramatic when applied dry. I'm not fond of colors that are "amplified" and intense, and metallics can be suspect. That's why I was thrilled to find beautiful everyday neutrals I love in this new collection of eye shadows, lip colors, and nail lacquers.

Amber Alloy (#06) is a beautiful trio of beige and brown shades. It is one of two trios that instantly captured my attention. I first saw it at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. Not having time to get to Mazza this week, I dashed over to Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria, where there was no sign the collection had arrived - and no help at the Estée Lauder counter. So I walked down the mall to Saks Fifth Avenue and purchased my new trios there.

It was really late in the day by the time I was able to get photos of Amber Alloy. The product shot above is dark, even though it was taken in sunshine. Even so, the colors in my photo are more true than those in the Estée Lauder photo above, which looks way too warm.

I swatched with a dry sponge-tipped applicator. I had to walk up my road to find a decent patch of sunshine for the swatch photos below.

The ivory shade at the top of my arm is the base shade at the left of the palette. Meant to be used as a highlighter all over the lid, particularly up to the brow, it gives the eyes a pretty gleam. The amber-toned shade is the one in the middle. A pretty warm toffee shade, it should work for all complexions just about any way you want to use it. The combination of these two shades is perfect for an office look.

The gorgeous cool-toned brown is intended to be used as a liner, but I can use it as an accent or contour shade because it's not too dark. How do I know how it's intended to be used? Each trio comes with a plastic overlay that gives paint-by-numbers instructions for those who can't figure out how to apply eye shadow. None of us, right?

The trio compacts are gold in color, emblazoned with the Estée Lauder logo, and come with a double-ended sponge-tipped applicator. I suppose I should have swatched with a damp brush to show you how the colors look when applied "wet." I didn't because I won't be wearing the trio that way. I love it just the way it's pictured here. I purchased another trio that I'll show you as soon as I get swatch photos.

These eye shadows are available at the Estée Lauder Web site and some stores. If you don't see them at the counter now, you will soon. The display has all the lip and nail colors, so prepare to be dazzled.

Photos at top courtesy of Estée Lauder; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Estée Lauder Pure Color Sheer Rush Gloss in Plexi Pink from the Cello Shots Collection

A new option for a succulent, “just-bitten” look is  Estée Lauder's limited-edition Pure Color Sheer Rush Gloss ($24), which saturates the lips in a high-shine finish. Created in a unique gellified water-light system, this ultra-light lip gloss provides a sheer wash of wet color and glamorous shine.

The innovative gloss base in Pure Color Sheer Rush Gloss has film-forming co-polymers submerged in emollient esters to provide a cushion-like feel on the lips and water-light high-shine polymers that amplify its luminous finish. It's a perfect complement to the rest of the Cello Shots Collection

The available shades are Hot Fuse, Pink Patent, X-Pose Rose, Techno Jam, Poppy Shock, and Plexi Pink. Since I had seleted Pink Patent in the other pieces from the collection, I got wild and crazy and chose to purchase Plexi Pink. Just kidding. I knew I had to try one of the other shades.

This medium-toned slightly warm pink is a sheer beauty. It offers fabulous shine and a nice, moist feel on the lips.

I took swatch photos last week in full sunlight. I applied Plexi Pink with its doe-foot applicator. The first swatch photo below was taken in front of two large clumps of hellebores. I wasn't standing in blazing sun, but you can still see how nicely shiny it is.

This lip gloss delivers on its promises. The color is bright, but sheer. My kind of spring gloss!

As Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director at Estée Lauder, said, "It’s a gentle, watery look with just a touch of bright, vibrant color." The Pure Color Cello Shots is a playful collection that blushes the cheeks and washes the lips with a shot of collophane-sheer gel color.

I think this collection is worth a look. It should be available at all Estée Lauder counters, and it is available at EstéeLauder.com. It was scheduled for an April 2013 landing.

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