New: Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder in Devotion

New this spring, Laura Mercier's Face Illuminator Powder ($44) caught my eye on Sephora instantly. It comes in four shades, three of which are new, but Devotion called to me. I was not disappointed. This gleaming powder adds an instant touch of radiance. Plus, I read at Allure that she designed the Devotion shade for fair skin tones!

Laura Mercier said, "I developed this product to help women create a radiant look for themselves using a performance makeup artist tool that allows a buildable layer of shine - from subtle illumination to extreme radiance." That's exactly how it works.

This long-wearing, buildable, and versatile highlighting powder can be used anywhere on your face or body. It provides a natural-looking, radiant, allover glow. I'm not sure how the red algae ingredient in it adds to the radiance or texture, but that's certainly a popular ingredient these days.

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder highlights the skin with pure light-reflecting pigments for a color-true, multidimensional, and luminous finish that complements all skin tones. Its non-dusting texture allows for excellent color payoff and applies smoothly and evenly onto the skin without dragging across dry areas. The unique formula brings a stunning gleam to the complexion for an instant glow that is said to last up to eight hours.

I took my compact photo in full sun. As is normally the case, my photo is more true than the online photo. I had a feeling that the pink would be stupendous, and it is. There's nothing wrong with the color shown at the top of this feature, but it's not true.

I applied a swatch with moderate intensity with a sponge-tipped applicator and took my photo immediately below in the same bright sun in which I photographed my Devotion compact. As you can see in the swatch photos, Devotion is fairly sheer, and it gleams - no glitter or sparkle - it adds a sheen to my skin. It's brighter in full sun, but it still gleams in indirect light or indoors.

I took a shade photo to prove it. See the glow below. Same swatch, two vastly different lighting exposures.

I think the shade photo shows how the powder gleams evenly on my fair skin, even without direct light.

I think you will like Devotion if you can wear pale pink. If you can't, there are two other new shades you can consider, both warm gold: Seduction and Addiction.

You can find Laura Mercier's new Face Illuminator shades at Sephora, where I purchased mine, at Laura Mercier's Web site, and at Laura Mercier counters. There is a new shade for everyone.

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

Giorgio Armani Beauty Sepia Highlighting Palette for Spring/Summer 2016

Giorgio Armani Beauty recently introduced Sepia, the new Spring/Summer 2016 collection, inspired by the sepia photographs of the past. Its highlighting and contouring palette, lipstick, and nail polish shades revisit warm, earthy tones said to be suited to all skin types.

The beautiful multi-purpose palette in the collection is called Sepia Highlighting Palette ($88). The Sepia Palette, featuring a "highlighting-contouring powder," envelops the skin in a veil of subtle light and smooths out imperfections, while delivering the signature Armani glow in a texture that is silky smooth, light, and soft. The powder boosts the adherence of the pigments and brightens the complexion with a soft, sepia touch.

Being an Armani devotee, I had to have it. It arrived a few days ago, and I was able to get photographs in full sun. We are having lovely weather.

How does Armani suggest you use it? For a natural look, brush over the palette to blend both shades together. Apply over the face with downward strokes for a natural glow with an allover application. For a more sculpted look, use each shade to contour features. Use the lighter shade on upper cheekbones, brow bone, and along the nose, and the deeper shade along the nose, jawline, and under cheekbones. The latter is almost impossible to do, given the thin stripes of the darker shade. So, I'm using it as a bronzer built for blondes (or those with fair skin), and it's perfect!

I took swatch photos in full afternoon sun. I applied the powder fairly heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, blending the two shades together. I selected two photos to show you. The first is posed in front of a Japanese maple, which is showing its lovely sepia color before it turns red.

This powder is not sparkly, despite the way the sun shines on my arm. I'd call the finish silky (maybe lustrous), with a very slight sheen. It is a great shade to wear during the day. I like to apply it with a blush or bronzer brush, using the "double-three" method, sweeping it over my temples, across the lower part of my cheekbones, down the hairline, and across the outer third of my jaw line on each side of my face. It looks so natural on me because it is light.

Here is a second photo, a close-up taken in front of a holly tree. My arm isn't as shiny because I held it at a different angle to the sun. This is probably the more true of the two photos of the same swatch.

I am not sure why Giorgio Armani Beauty chose to call this powder a highlighter and refer to it for contouring. I can use it for contouring, but I think it will disappear as a contouring shade on anyone with a medium or dark complexion. Naturally, the shade darkens if you can manage to get more of the sepia shade on your applicator, perhaps by running it down the center of the palette from top to bottom. If you do have a medium or dark complexion and try it, I'd love to know if it looks like a highlighting shade. It might.

I have to qualify my recommendation for the Sepia Palette. It's beautiful, particularly for those with fair skin. If you are darker, I suggest you try before you buy.

Top photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Rouge Bunny Rouge LOVE LIGHTS Highlighting Powder - Reformulated and Re-introduced

I first told you about Rouge Bunny Rouge's LOVE LIGHTS Highlighting Powder ($48) in 2011. These highlighting powders were fabulous then, and they are even better now. They have been reformulated with triple anti-aging benefits, and Rouge Bunny Rouge has added a new black, high-luster case with a magnetic lid. The compacts come with an applicator, shown in my photo above. They weren't as beautifully embossed in their first incarnation.

When Rouge Bunny Rouge sent me these highlighting powders with other new introductions for review, I had a moment of déjà vu. I figured out why very quickly with a quick blog search. I had featured them in June of 2011.

Rouge Bunny Rouge said, "We interpreted the sublimely haunting beauty of this powder and released it here for you. Feather-light and creamy, to softly stroke your skin with pearly velvet light from dusk 'til dawn. A natural, even, and radiant look is yours, while the tiny dazzling micro-particles add teasingly shimmering twinkles. Let the firelight in to accentuate cheeks, arms, legs...anywhere you dare to bare. With such a bewitching halo about you, those who lay their head upon your warm lap may not want it back."

This radiant powder, enriched with exquisite anti-aging benefits for a firmer and healthier skin, feels like a gossamer sweep of creamy silk. The powder’s miraculous “blurring” finish and smoothing effect will instantly transform your complexion - your personal secret to perfect, clear, porcelain-like skin.

New-generation pigments create a lasting flawless, luminous coverage and a unique blendability. State-of-the-art technologies in powder treatment and coating make for the superb smoothing properties, and delightful skin feel. An exclusive Aglianico Grape Marc Extract is added to boost natural anti-aging and healing processes, such as detoxification and synthesis of hyaluronic acid and type I and type III collagen. These powders are free from parabens, fragrance, and D5.

The new packaging is even more elegant and practical. Inside the tall matte box with a glossy floral print, a foam inserts cradles a high-luster, piano black case with a magnetic lid. All of Rouge Bunny Rouge's packaging is inspired.

You can see the two shades in the photos above. Goddess is a satin-finish, very light cream with pink undertones. Sweet to Touch also offers a satin-finish; it's a medium amber with a golden glow effect.

Like all of Rouge Bunny Rouge's products, LOVE LIGHTS comes with a story. When night falls in the Enchanted Garden and soft moonlight bathes the resplendent beaches of the Grand Moon Seas, nymphs will emerge and dance and whirl weightlessly around a fire. The secret of their weightlessness lies in the starlight powder coating the beach - every night the nymphs luxuriate in it to sustain the magic of their skin and grace of their movement.

I've joined the nymphs in their dance around the night's fire. I took swatch photos of the powders in full, mid-day sunshine, though, not around the fire. I used a sponge-tipped applicator and applied them heavily so that you might see them on my arm. They are beautiful and subtle finishing powders when applied normally, with a fluffy blush or powder brush. When applied with a more dense brush, you can build the coverage on your skin wherever you want light to be reflected.

Goddess is shown at the top of my arm. It is a very light pink, one that will add a touch of color to your skin with a subtlety that is radiant, but conservative - a glow. Instead, it looks makes my skin appear lit from within. That's worth every cent of the price.

Sweet to Touch adds more color, leaving an amber-tinted gold on my complexion. It warms my skin, making me look less bland than I do after a winter without much sunshine. Both shades add a fresh, healthy look to the skin.

These powders really don't sparkle much, despite those "teasingly shimmering twinkles." That makes them perfectly wearable during the day. I'll use both and probably select a shade based on what I'm wearing. I'd have a hard time choosing between them, so I'm excited that Rouge Bunny Rouge sent me both shades.

If you go to this link, you can find a brochure on these lovely powders. Definitely worth a download!

These re-introduced highlighting powders are being launched on Friday, April 1. You can order them from Rouge Bunny Rouge, or wait a short time for them to be available at Beautyhabit.

Update: There is a GWP!  Special offer until April 11, 2016: Buy any Highlighting Powder and receive a Sheer Lipstick Jasmine-weighted Air as a gift. Buy any Highlighting Powder plus any Highlighting Liquid and receive a Face Contour Brush 012 as a gift. Find all you need to Read more...

 

Photos by Best Things in Beauty or courtesy of Rouge Bunny Rouge

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in N° 01

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen is the face of Chanel for the Spring-Summer 2014 launch of Les Beiges Healthy Glow to hit the counters. The Les Beiges line includes Chanel's limited-edition Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen ($65) and the All-in-One Healthy Glow Fluid. With their sunscreen, both are perfect for summertime.

I was lured to the Chanel counter by the new display. I immediately saw Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in N° 01, with its three pretty stripes. I knew the moment I saw it that N° 01 was the shade for me. If you would like to see N° 02, head over to The Beauty Look Book.

Chanel's photo of N° 01 is shown directly above. It is not that colorful. The lightweight, multi-stripe powder can offer a palette of effortless effects - depending on your skin tone. The powder can act as a highlighter, sculpting powder, bronzer, and blush - all with a sheer, natural finish and broad-spectrum sun protection.

A hybrid powder (depending on your skin tone and the shade selected), Les Beiges were inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s passion for freedom - a new makeup approach for “simple, intuitive, and natural beauty.” Les Beiges represent a new, versatile concept for Chanel. We saw our first collection last year, and the latest has finally made it to the shores of the United States.

The ingredients include a purifying protective cream containing white roses and a cotton composite plant cell extract that protects the skin from environmental pollution while soothing and calming the skin. Shea butter offers softness, while the UVA and UVB factors help prevent fine lines and sun spots. The powders are very lightly scented with Chanel's iconic gardenia.

I seem to have purchased more than my share of face powders lately - especially the ones that are nearly impossible to swatch and photograph. This powder adds a pretty glow - or translucent sheen - to my face, something last year's powders did not do. I wasn't overwhelmed with my first purchase last year. With the new N° 01, I see the glow. Given its perfect match to my skin tone, the shade also provides totally transparent, light coverage along with its SPF 15. The active ingredients are octinoxate and titanium dioxide. I love it as a finishing powder.

These swatch photos may be the most difficult photos I've ever taken. I did everything I could to make N° 01 show up on my skin. It is such a perfect match that all you can see in my photos is a glow from the microfine powder. When you examine the powder, you will see that it has barely detectible micro-shimmer in it.

To swatch, I took a sponge-tipped applicator and swatched heavily in a row at the top of my arm. Then I used a kabuki brush to blend all three colors and add a larger swatch below. My photos were taken in full, afternoon sun. If you look extremely carefully, you can see that the powder "lights up" my skin in the sunlight. The shade I selected adds little color - just a slight warmth.

I can select the peachy stripe across the bottom of the compact and achieve a light peach glow that's kind of pretty. Blended, the shades melt into my skin as if they belong there. For me, there is no reason to select individual shades when applying the powder.

The compact comes with a brush inside. It will do in a pinch, but I wouldn't recommend you use it for any serious sculpting.

The new Les Beiges Collection is available at Chanel.com, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and other Chanel counters. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus.

Photo at top and one compact photo courtesy of Chanel; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

YSL New Souffle Éclat Sheer and Radiant Loose Powder

It's hard for me to get excited about face powder. There are so many good ones, and most serve their purpose to mattify the skin, set makeup, or add a glow. When Pamela Morgan (National Makeup Artist) introduced me to YSL's new Souffle Éclat ($60), she basically admitted the same. Then she told me that she calls Souffle Éclat a miracle blurring powder and loves it.

I was intrigued by the image of blurring. Any powder that could blur the imperfections on my face and leave me looking just a little bit better was magic to my ears - and eyes. Pam proved it to me with an application to my hand.

From the first application, skin’s beauty is highlighted in a luminous veil that ensures a fresh feeling throughout the day. Micro Mother of Pearl particles enhance complexion’s natural radiance, while the airy powder hugs the skin and sets and perfects make-up, delivering a reliably flawless finish. For all skin types, even sensitive and dry skin.

Souffle Éclat is available in four shades. Pam selected Shade 01 for me. It is a light pink to the eye, but applies to my skin as transparent. It's perfect. It's a loose powder, as you can see. Just take off the plastic covering, put on the cap, shake, and a perfect application moves through the tiny openings and is ready to be picked up by your powder brush.

I took swatch photos in full sun. You will think I'm absolutely crazy. Anyone who tries to take a swatch photo of a finishing powder is; but you know me - I'll try anything, even with results that are nearly invisible.

Can you see the powder on my arm? If you can, you have amazing vision. It disappears into my skin because it's a perfect shade for me. Can you see that it blurs my veins at the top of the application? If you can, you have great eyes. The fact is that this powder does have a blurring effect - one that is kind to the skin, like candlelight.

No sparkles, no razzmatazz, just a powder that is lightweight and really has a blurring effect! I was impressed enough to purchase it. That's saying something for a face powder - a product I can often resist. There is enough powder in this jar to last me for life - at least my life.

Shade 01 is only one of four shades. You should check out them all at the YSL counter and select the one that's best for your skin tone. If you don't see the blurring effect, I'll be surprised.

Souffle Éclat is available at YSL counters. I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. It's also available online. One source is YSL's Web site.

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

Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Pressed Powder

Le Métier de Beauté's new, breakthrough Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Pressed Powder ($75) has finally arrived at Neiman Marcus counters. I went over to Mazza Gallerie today to pick up mine, Shade 1 shown above. Shade 2 leans yellow and can be worn, I think, by anyone with fair to medium skin. The third shade, 3, is markedly darker in the compact, but so transparent that even Michael (who has light skin) can wear it to add a little subtle color. A Peau Vierge fan might want all three shades for different looks. The compacts are generous in size, with a net weight of 0.40 ounces.

This Peau Vierge powder employs same proprietary delivery technology used in Le Métier de Beauté's skin care and the wonder-product many of you love, Peau Vierge. It's all about delivering the active ingredients in a way that produces a visible anti-aging effect while beautifying your skin. The patented delivery system allows this silky pressed powder - a color product - to also serve as a hydrating, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging treatment.

Enhanced with vitamins and antioxidants to promote long-term healthy and youthful skin, this subtly tinted powder provides the perfect smudge-resistant finish. Blended with unique micronized anti-aging ingredients to avoid clogging pores and protect the skin from environmental stressors, Peau Vierge Pressed Powder is lightweight, applies to the skin seamlessly, and creates an evenly toned, shine-free appearance without altering the natural color of your skin - all the while nourishing and promoting a a healthy and clear complexion. How exactly? Here are the major ingredients.

• TPM has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. It reduces redness, irritation, puffiness/swelling on contact. 
• Sodium hyaluronate, the salt of hyaluronic acid - nature's sponge - allows the powder to feel smooth and hydrating (not dusty or dry). Because hyaluronic acid can hold more a thousand times its weight, it will fill the space between the fibers that connect collagen and elastin, reducing dehydration and filling the look of wrinkling.
• Vital ET is a fast-acting bio-functional form of Vitamin E that is used in the treatment of scar tissue, sun damage, and rosacea. Delivering powerful anti-oxidants to skin, Vital E is very effective in preventing surface dryness, sunburn, and skin-irritation.
• Nylon-12, a synthetic alternative to clay, is the secret to invisible makeup. It is a sterile and hypo-allergenic agent that allows powder coverage to expand and contract with our facial movements so that it will not reveal itself in lines or pores. This bit of magic creates the illusion of naturally flawless skin. It is designed to provide a time-release effect for the other key ingredients by absorbing them first and releasing them slowly on the skin over time.

Michael Reinhardt applied the new powder to my skin today. I purposely arrived in the store without any makeup on. He prepped my face with Le Métier de Beauté's Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment after applying moisturizer. Then he applied the new powder in Shade 1. I asked him to apply it on only one side of my face so that I could see exactly what effects it had. He used a kabuki brush to apply it and buff it into my skin. Immediately after application, I saw that my skin tone was more even, the natural redness in my skin had been tamped down, and my complexion was matte. Interestingly, after 10 minutes on my face, the matte finish had morphed into a more natural look: not shiny, but not matte either. Beautifully natural.

My skin felt hydrated, and it looked good - as if I had on no makeup. I liked what I saw. Then Michael applied the powder on the other side of my face using a sponge. The lower level of the compact holds a large round sponge. A hint? Amazingly, if you press the powder into your skin using a sponge, the effect will delight you. It's surprisingly effective at evening the skin's tone and removing redness without depositing too much powder. We are not accustomed to applying finishing powder with a sponge, but we proved today that the sponge is included with the powder for a good reason.

Was Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Pressed Powder worth the wait? Yes, definitely. I think I'm going to have to purchase another compact because I'll need one in my bathroom makeup "inventory" and another for my desk at work.

You can find Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Pressed Powder at Neiman Marcus. If you don't have a Neiman Marcus and need help, call Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258. They will be happy to help you select a shade.

The photo above shows all three. Shade 1 is shown at lower left; shade 2 is at lower right; shade 3 is at the top.

Photoss by Best Things in Beauty and a friend

Guerlain Météorites Pearls from the Guerlain Météorites Blossom Collection for Spring 2014

Last year, a Guerlain PR representative told me that the Météorites were being reformulated. The new Météorites were planned to be an improvement over those that have been created before. At the time, I thought, "How does one improve something that's perfect?" It will be up to us - Guerlain's customers - to determine whether the new Météorites Pearls ($60) are an improvement over those we already know and love. They have been added to the permanent color line.

According to Sephora, the new formula supposedly has "enhanced softness that makes it easier to pick up the powder with a brush...and also incorporates "stardust technology" to give the skin a subtle brightening glow." There are three new shades, Clair (#2), Medium (#3), and Doré (#4). They are shown below with Clair at the left, Medium in the middle, and Doré on the right.

I purchased all three from the Guerlain Boutique in Las Vegas - sight unseen. My love for the Météorites Pearls is unbounded, so I had to have all of them. What surprised me was that there is only a subtle difference in the shades on my skin - despite the huge difference in the colors in each pot.

Here is what Guerlain has to say about the new Météorites (more or less, with my comments added). Each shade of Météorites Pearls begins with the same legendary combination of three colors that adapt to every skin tone and work harmoniously to beautify the skin. Mauve catches the light, pink refreshes, and yellow counters dullness and corrects redness. These delicate round pearls continue to be shaped by hand, with craftsmanship mastered by only four people in the world [imagine that!]. Softer than ever, the new pearls allow for an easier application [how could application be easier, when it was already a piece of cake?] and a more visible effect with every brushstroke [I think I need to differ there]. These precious pearls are contained in a metal tin, now marked with a new emblem of a reinterpreted rosette that was created with a light gradation of pinks.

• Clair offers a harmony of green pearls for extra redness correction, white pearls to reflect the light, and champagne pearls to adapt to the skin and gently illuminate it.
• Medium offers a nude harmony containing beige and champagne pearls to naturally reflect light and even the complexion, along with peach pearls to add a unique glow to the skin.
• Doré offers the most smoldering harmony. This shade incorporates chocolate pearls with satin shimmers and vivid fuchsia pearls that revive radiance. Unifying beige pearls were added for deliciously beautiful skin.

I love Guerlain's Météorites - always have. I can't count the variations I own. They are all little treasures. I think the Météorites Pearls are among the best finishing powders in the world - definitely in the top three. However, I'm not convinced (yet) that this new formulation is so unique, so divergent from the original, that it merits any term like "revolutionary." How could they offer "a more visible effect with every brushstroke" when they are barely distinguishable on my skin? Take a look at the swatch photos below, remembering that only a wackadoodle blogger would try to make them show up on fair skin in full sun.

I applied them heavily with a kabuki-like brush, with #1 at the top of my arm, followed on the way down by #2 and #3. What do you see? I see a glow from the micro-sparkles and barely perceptible differences in color. Clair glows at the top of my arm because that's where the sun is usually the brightest. I can barely see Medium. Doré provides a bit of warmth to my skin and is great for contouring.

Like Guerlain's previous Météorites Pearls, they are beautiful when used over the face, with or without foundation. For anyone who cares, the packaging is similar to the old, with the sponge atop the pearls, holding them in place and offering something you could use as an applicator in a pinch by blotting the powder into the skin.

I will be very curious to know what you think. It's always fun to purchase new Guerlain colors, and I'm happy to have these three new treasures. Am I becoming blind to subtleties?

For now, look for the arrival of Guerlain's Météorites Blossom Collection for Spring 2014 at your favorite counter. The collection has not arrived yet at my Neiman Marcus stores in the DC area. If you would like to order from the Guerlain Boutique, give Jonathan a call at (702) 732-7008.

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

Crazy 68 Météorites Illuminating Compact from the Guerlain Holiday 2013 Crazy Paris Collection

Guerlain has created another Météorites product to light up the holiday season: the Météorites Crazy 68 Illuminating Compact ($69). Like its Pearl counterpart, the new, limited-edition holiday Météorites Compact reveals energetic hues of pink that light up the face with a delicate satiny halo. The pressed powder is discreetly perfumed with an inimitable powdery violet - a Guerlain signature. There is a third Météorites product I did not purchase: Crazy 68 Terracotta Bronzer, the first-ever Holiday Terracotta. I think my bronzer count has exceeded all bounds of reason. The bronzer does look very nice, though.

I usually resist the pressed powder Météorites entirely, opting instead for the Météorites Pearls. However, this time the colors were so pretty, I succumbed to the I-wants. I'm glad I did. I can carry this compact along with me, and who doesn't want to glow toward the end of the day?

I took swatch photos in full sun, swatching at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator that had been "run" across all the shades in the compact. I really laid on the product, although you'll never know it from my photos. This powder proves I'm a crazy blogger for attempting to show you this light pink powder. For the larger swatch below, I used a brush, but it doesn't look any different - probably because I had to apply it heavily to see it distinctly on my arm. Such is the nature of finishing powders.

I hope you can see that the color is light, cool pink with a slight glow. It is entirely different from the color of the Crazy Champs Élysées Météorites Pearls, which are a warm pink and provide more color than this pressed powder does. It was hard getting good swatch photos, so these will have to do.

This is a very nice illuminating powder, however, if I had to choose between the two holiday Météorites, I'd go with the Pearls - all other things being equal. Of course, they aren't equal. This one is portable; the Pearls aren't conveniently portable.

What do you think?  Which one would you choose? I'll be interested in your selections.

I purchased my Crazy 68 Météorites Illuminating Compact from Sephora, where it was available for a day or two before my favorite Guerlain Boutique had received the collection.

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

Crazy Champs Élysées Météorites Pearls from the Guerlain Holiday 2013 Crazy Paris Collection

Guerlain’s Météorites Pearls ($58) intelligently capture light to create a more luminous and even skin tone in one sweep of the brush. For the Crazy Paris collection, Météorites Pearls offer a new combination of beige, purple, white, gold, and two pinks. All six shades work to create the collection’s iconic luminous finish, while the prominent pink and gold tones provide an energetic glow. The holiday Météorites comes encased in a sleek black metal tin decorated with the collection's Champs Élysées theme and emblem.

Météorites have become a must-have for me. I love the glow they cast on my skin when used as a finishing powder. I'm also smitten with those little colored balls. They remind me of my early days when colors attracted me. Some things never change.

The tin of colored balls of wonder comes with a sponge inside, and I used the sponge to show you on my arm how the blended colors look on my pale skin. I took my swatch photos in full, mid-day sunshine.

Bloggers with pale skin who try to photograph and show finishing powders are either eternal optimists or crazy. I always feel a bit looney when I try to show you finishing powders. I hope you can see the warm pink glow left by a moderate application of the Crazy Champs Élysées Météorites Pearls. I think the color and glow are even more stunning when applied to my face.

The blended shade of this collection's Météorites is gorgeous, I think. An all-year shade, this limited-edition celebrates the reopening of 68 Champs Élysées, the legendary Guerlain flagship boutique that is reopening this winter.

These wonderful pearls of color leave your skin softly shimmering. The powder leaves an illuminated finish. The sunshine added a little extra shimmer to my skin, but the photos are relatively accurate. If you have any doubts, you must try this beautiful new addition to Guerlain's Météorites collection - if you want skin that looks perfect. These Météorites should never be limited to holiday wear.

Quoting from reader Eileen last year, "They can easily be used as an all-over finishing powder by those of us with fair/light complexions and are gorgeous brushed on the décolletté. Medium complexions can use these to highlight areas of the face and body with pearlescence. They'd be gorgeous swept in the classic "C" and blended into a soft pink or rose blush on the cheek." Definitely!

I purchased mine from the Guerlain Boutique in Las Vegas. If you would like to order now, call Jonathan at (702) 732-7008. You will love him. Otherwise, look for Guerlain's Holiday 2013 Crazy Paris Collection at your favorite Guerlain counter.

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

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15

Where's the glow? By now, I'm sure most of you have read reviews of Chanel Le Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 ($57.50) elsewhere. Some of you may have purchased one - maybe two. It was introduced in other countries before it made its way to the United States. Most reviewers have followed the Chanel line, describing the "custom glow" the powder offers.

Seven effortless shades of this versatile powder let you create a custom glow for any season, any occasion. The sheer, lightweight color can be worn alone or over foundation for natural radiance each day.

A skin-perfecting powder, Les Beiges is light and natural, as advertised, offering a transparent, smooth, soft and natural, easy-to-apply powder. Chanel loses me with the "translucent sheen" it's supposed to have. There are seven shades available in the U.S., so the powders can serve as bronzers, contouring powders, or finishing powders.

A hybrid powder (depending on your skin tone and the shade selected), Les Beiges were inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s passion for freedom - a new makeup approach for “simple, intuitive, and natural beauty.”

The ingredients are said to include a purifying protective cream containing white roses and a cotton composite plant cell extract that will protect the skin from environmental pollution while soothing and calming the skin. Shea butter will offer softness, while the UVA and UVB factors will help prevent fine lines and sun spots. The powders are lightly scented with Chanel's iconic gardenia - very lightly. I like parts of its description. The more UVA and UVB sun protection, the better in my mind.

I have a very large sample in N°10, given to me at Neiman Marcus (probably the same samples Chanel sent out). The color is perfect for my skin. I'm not looking for a bronzer; I have way too many of them.

I think Les Beiges Healthy Glow is a nice pressed powder. It adds a matte, not glowing, finish to my skin. It's great for "powdering my nose" mid-day. I've tried it as a setting powder, and it worked moderately well. It offers no coverage of note, so I could never use it alone, without foundation beneath. The coverage is way too sheer to expect coverage.

I've tried everything I know to do to find the glow that other bloggers have reported. I've applied it with a sponge and brush. I've swept my finger across the surface to get a good look at a concentrated sample of the powder. I've examined the powder's surface in the little compact. I can't find the glow or sheen!

I have concluded that the marketing strategy for Chanel's Les Beiges was brilliant. They managed to make me - and perhaps others - think there was something magical to the product, when, it's simply just another pressed powder - a nice one, but not award-winning. That luminous glow? Let me know if you can find it.

Photo courtesy of Chanel

Giorgio Armani Scarabeo Kaleidoscope Face & Eye Palette in Venemous Green for Fall 2013

I purchased Giorgio Armani Beauty's Scarabeo Kaleidoscope Face & Eye Palette in Venemous Green (#2, $88) for Fall 2013, and I have fallen in love. I purchased it at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase after I was alerted this week that it had arrived. I knew it would be my favorite of the two new palettes, and it is - by a long shot.

Giorgio Armani Beauty's Fall 2013 Kaleidoscope Collection is stunning. The collection is called a play of light, nuances, and reflections. "Feminine/masculine duality. Multifaceted cool tones on the eyes, contrasted by berry-toned lips. Subtle femininity softens the garçonne look for autumn."

I started my love affair with the chic magnetic case, which conceals two tiers - one for the face and one for the eyes. Then, the love grew as I studied the pink face powder, The shade is sprinkled with pearls for a very subtle shimmer. The jazzy eye shadow harmonies of green tones, like a scarab beetle, are unique and perfect for a fall glow. Venemous Green is the full package.

I took photos yesterday in full sunshine. The photo directly below is the face palette - a gorgeous and sheer pink - in the top tier.

The eye shadows are shown directly below. Like a kaleidoscope, the center shade morphs with use and the light. You'll see below.

The eye colors are, left to right, Copper Wood, Iridescent Jade, and Sea Green. Copper Wood is a chameleon - brown with a touch of green and a touch of charcoal. I don't see copper anywhere. It is accompanied by Iridescent Jade, an iridescent light green, and Sea Green, which is turquoise blue to my eyes. As usual, the gorgeous colors are accompanied by relatively useless sponge-tipped applicators that take up space, but you'd only use them in a pinch. I'd rather have more eye shadow.

Copper Wood and Sea Green are not matte, as Armani's publicity described. Both shades offer a subtle shimmer. You can see it in my palette photos. Armani has provided both day and evening look directions with the palette. Basically, if you want to wear the colors during the day, keep them below the crease. My shimmering secret!

I took swatch photos in full, mid-afternoon sun, starting at the top of my arm with Copper Wood, followed by Iridescent Green, See Green, and the beautiful sheer face powder/blush.

There are two things you should note in my swatch photos. Copper Wood is very hard to photograph. Even though it has a teeny tiny hint of green in it, I can't see it in my photos. I applied all of the shadows relatively heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. I applied the pink face powder/blush almost normally. I wanted you to see how it will look on your face. It is not very sparkly, so even if you find sparkle unnatural during the day, give it a try. You may find it to be as lovely as I do.

Eileen mentioned that the center, illuminating shade, morphs as you use it. I wanted to show you how. Check out my photo below of the shade after its first use.

I can't wait to see how it looks on my next application! As I peel back the layers, I'll be thinking about that beetle's iridescent colors.

I think Venemous Green is drop-dead gorgeous. I'm so pleased to have it, and I know I'll turn to it often as summer wanes and hints of fall can be seen in nature.

Giorgio Armani's Fall 2013 Collection should be available at all Giorgio Armani Beauty counters soon, if not now. In the DC area, it has arrived at both Saks and Neiman Marcus. It is available online at the Giorgio Armani Beauty Web site. It's the best $88 palette I've purchased in months.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Aramani Beauty; scarab beetle photo courtesy of tattoopins.com; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chantecaille's HD Perfecting Powder Giveaway Contest

Chantecaille's HD Perfecting Powder ($72) is remarkable. Created especially for high- definition cameras, Chantecaille’s revolutionary skin smoothing powder goes on without a trace, leaving only a flawless, matte (but not lifeless) finish. The hydrating formula is available in one universal shade that looks white in the pan, invisible when applied, and approrpriate for all skin tones. Worn over makeup, the translucent powder gently sets foundation, ensuring long-lasting wear. Worn over moisturizer, it adds an evenness to the complexion that might make you think about skipping foundation more often.

I was blown away by how perfect it made me look the first time I tried it at Neiman Marcus. Jeannine Barnes had managed to get her hands on a tester early, and she had it available at a media event. I applied it right there, over my makeup at an event, and was stunned at how flawless and polished it made me look.

The non-drying, colorless formula goes onto my skin with a slight white veil. The white disappears almost immediately, leaving behind air-brushed skin. How good does it get?  The powder softens imperfections on the skin - like my hairline sun spots - instantly erases pores (not much of a problem for me, but I know they plague others), and adds luminosity and radiance. Like all great powders, it evens out the complexion, while never settling into fine lines (ahem, I hate to mention them). It actually blurs lines.

Chantecaille says the weightless feel is an "ultra-gliding texture" that blends into the skin like a fluid. I'm not sure I understand that concept, but the powder does blend into my skin perfectly.

HD Perfecting Powder was formulated with new micro-fine perfecting powders that are undetectable under high-definition cameras or by the naked eye. This powder will give your skin a flawless, natural finish. Some quote unquote HD products promise the news anchor look without delivering anything unique. Chantecaille has delivered a powder I will wear daily, and I don't wear powder on normal days.

I have one to give away.  How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title and link in your tweet. If you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

You will automatically earn a fourth entry if you have commented here during the last two weeks. I will know if you have.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 29, at midnight. I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. If the product is lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck! Please remember that I am now moderating comments. It could be awhile before yours appears.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille