Lancôme Artliner Waterproof Precision Point Eyeliner for Summer 2012

How I love an ultra-thin line at my lashes! Lancôme's Artliner Waterproof Precision Point Eyeliner ($29.50) for Summer 2012 was designed to give me a fine line - as thin as it gets. This liner was introduced in three shades: Gold Passion, Bronze Desire, and Pink Luxe. I selected Gold Passion. I think the color will surprise you, but first...

Emphasize your eyes with this easy-to-handle, liquid pen featuring a uniquely shaped foam tip that lets you line, shape, and define eyes to create any look you like. Rich, deep, luminous pigments offer the most intense, dramatic color you can apply. Glides on smoothly without scratching, tugging, or skipping on the lids and lasts all day.

You can easily use Lancôme Artliner to draw the finest line imaginable. I love the applicator. That drew me to Gold Passion (#103), but the color also captured me.

I took a few swatch photos in full, late-afternoon sun. Instead of applying a thin line, I swiped on the liner multiple times to create a large swatch to show you this amazing color. It's a bronze, brown, gold hybrid. It is semi-metallic, but not overly showy at the lash line. It's also waterproof, good for all of you who have trouble with oily lids in the summer.

Is there anyone who can't wear this color? Is there anyone who wouldn't love to have it? Look at how powerful it is! If you are looking for an alternative to black - one with pizazz, this is it.

Lancôme suggests you apply it for a rich, metallic gold or bronze effect. Trace the upper lash line to add a pop to the eye and “break-up” the darkness of the smoky eye or a bright color for a daytime look.

I think this eyeliner was the sleeper of Lancôme's summer collection, and the good news is that it's still available at many Lancôme counters. The summer Artliners were available two days ago at the Lancôme Web site, but today it appears that the weird Pink Luxe is the only color for sale. I'm very curious about the two-day sell-through. Ask at your favorite counter.

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

Lancôme Color Design Palette in Desert Sunset from the Bronze Diva Collection for Summer 2012

Lancôme is featuring a beautiful new Color Design Palette on its Bronze Diva display for Summer 2012: Desert Sunset ($49.50). How could I leave it at Saks?

Infinitely luminous and sensationally smooth, this limited-edition, all-in-one, six-shadow palette will brighten your eyes with shades of golden pink, orange, copper, and brown. Inspired by the desert sun and exotic mirages, this versatile new palette will allow you to create a full eye look for day or night. 

Wouldn't these shades catch your eye? The whole summer display is gorgeous, and I want more pieces. For now, I'll have to be content with the eye shadow palette. The other pieces I wanted had not arrived at Saks. A stick cream bronzer and two brilliant liquid eyeliners, along with Hydra-Balms are still calling my name.

I swatched the palette clockwise from top left to bottom right. I swatched all shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, and I took my photos in full, late afternoon sun.

The shade at the top of my arm is the base shade. It has a creamy texture and isn't shimmery. It's called Light Beige, but I'd call it Light Pink. The pink shade, called Pink Coral, does shimmer and is a gorgeous pink. I see no coral in the shade. I can wear it without looking like an albino bunny.  The peach, called Shimmer Pink Peach, doesn't have as much shimmer as the other shades, but it is shimmery - not glittery - shimmery. If it has a pink hue in it, I have to wonder about the individual who "saw" that when naming the shade.

The perfectly named Deep Brown has a touch of charcoal in it. I love the shade. Copper is a vibrant shade; it will make blue and green eyes pop. The shimmering white gold (boringly called Beige) is a great highlighter.

The shadows have a nice creamy texture, allowing for easy application and adherence to the skin. Most of the shades apply lightly and sheerly with a brush. Layer them for a more dramatic look.

Lancôme suggests you create a warm eye for summer by applying the soft peach tone all over the lid as a base and then applying the copper shade to the lid, extending the color up to the crease. For a smoky eye, apply the bronze shade across lower lid and up to the crease. Sweep the deepest shade around the lash line, then sweep the gold shadow from the brow down to the crease color to highlight under the brow bone. You can line your eyes with the deep brown shade, applied wet or dry.

Use them however you like; these are pretty colors that will give you a beautiful complement to the eyeliners, bronzers, and lip colors for Summer 2012.  Lancôme's new collection is definitely worth a look-see. I recognized some of the items as repromotes (for example, the large Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer Compact), so make sure you know what you have from 2010 and 2011 before you choose. I'll buy more of the Bronze Diva Collection - the new releases - when they arrive at the store.

The collection should be currently available at a Lancôme counter near you. I purchased this palette at Saks and found it online at Macys.com.

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

Lancôme La Laque Fever Gloss Collection Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Micah!

You could experience Lancôme's most potent, intense lip shine with this limited-edition mini-gloss collection. I looked at this La Laque Fever Gloss Collection ($35) in Preciously Plum and decided it would make a great New Year's Day giveaway contest, with it's pretty purple, starry packaging and silver rope handle.

The set includes three travel-sized La Laque Fever Lipshine (Gloss) shades.

• Seductively (drop-dead gorgeous mauve plum)
• Plum Savvy (brown plum)
• Enticing (dazzling pink plum)

Le Laque Fever is a lip lacquer that combines vibrant concentrated color and unprecedented shine in one stroke. From the moment of application, densely pixilated pearls deliver multidimensional shine that actually holds, so you’ll be touch up-free for up to eight hours. The soft-sculpt applicator smoothes on a perfectly even layer of impeccable color and contours lips so they look lush and full.

I have one La Laque Fever Gloss Collection give away. How can you enter this 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 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).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google 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 in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest this afternoon, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, January 7, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. 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. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner. Lately, my shipping luck has improved significantly.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Lancôme French Coquettes Fall 2010 Collection

Lancôme's dynamite French Coquettes Fall 2010 Color Collection is available! Designed by Artistic Makeup Director Aaron De Mey, the "seductive color statement mixes urban sophistication with witty chic." De Mey's vision for fall captures the spirit of the modern woman at the start of the 20th century, heralding the signature hallmarks of French glamour and the passionate temperament of the Parisian woman.

I've seen the collection at Nordstrom, and I ordered a few pieces from Lancôme. They haven't arrived yet, but I wanted to share the details with you. I think this collection has a few must-have pieces. Saturated shades of black and silver blend with blood cherry and a sophisticated pink - all shown in the flapper-inspired looks of Daria Werbowy and Elettra Wiedemann, the campaign's models.

La Rose Déco ($40), shown at the center of the photo, is an all-over powder that gives a subtle shine, with its mix between shaded tones of rosewood and a touch of pink glow. The second I saw this beautiful pink-rose powder, I wanted it! I'm always lured by pretty designs in a compact. You can use the compact as a blush by selecting only the rose's heart, or you can contour and highlight with it by using the darker and lighter shades independently. It's a masterpiece!

Ombre Magnétique ($25) eye shadow is inspired by minerals and their infinite nuances of iridescent light. Lancôme calls this product the new generation of ultra-sparkling eye shadows. Ombre Magnétique opens a new horizon of light-catching colors and twinkling effects. The innovative texture is extremely long-wearing due to the type of polymers used. It is also easy to apply and doesn’t crease. The amount of mother-of-pearl makes the colors more intense than ever. The shadow is available in Urban Silver, Black Macadam for the ultimate smokey eye, and Cherry Chérie.

The lip colors are gorgeous. L'Absolu Rouge ($29) in Rose Divine, Cherry Kiwi, and Parisian Attraction gives you different options for luscious lips in the pink-berry family. Top any of them with La Laque Fever ($26.50) in Rouge Temptress, and you will be as flapper-chic as the models!

There's more to see, including a Color Design Eye Shadow Quad in French Touch and Kissed by Paris, a trio of Le Vernis nail colors to complete the Belle Époque look.

To see the French Coquettes Collection, Daria's and Elettra's looks and how they were created, and a short and snazzy video, head over to Lancôme's Web site.

Update 7/18: I should have told you that the Ombre Magnétique won't be available until August.

Photos courtesy of Lancôme

Famous Faces Representing Beauty Brands

There have been three recent, noteworthy announcements about famous women signing up to be the "face" of beauty companies. I think all of them were great choices!

Actress Diane Kruger was just announced as the new face of Calvin Klein’s upcoming women’s fragrance launch, Calvin Klein Beauty. Highlighted for her recent work in Inglorious Bastards, the stunning starlet is well-known for her remarkable style. She joins a brand roster of fashion and beauty icons that includes Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Christy Turlington, Natalia Vodianova, and Eva Mendes.

Kruger attended the 2010 Costume Institute Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, celebrating the night with Francisco Costa, Calvin Klein Collection’s Women’s Creative Director. Her look for the evening was in line with the iconic Calvin Klein aesthetic of clean lines and understated elegance.

Calvin Klein Beauty will debut this fall, and Diane Kruger will star in the global print and television advertising campaign.

And who better to represent COVERGIRL than the darling Taylor Swift? With her fresh beauty and authentic style, the Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer and songwriter is the perfect face for the brand. COVERGIRL appeals to all ages, but has a special place in the makeup bags and hearts of under-30 beauties.

Equally brilliant, I think, was Lancôme's choice of the gorgeous actress Julia Roberts as its newest ambassadress. Julia Roberts, known around the world for her talent, charm, and smile, has a look that appeals to everyone.
We all study these faces for their looks. Some of us try to recreate them! Who doesn't read the notes featured in magazine ads that identify the shades of makeup these famous faces are wearing? I'll enjoy following these gorgeous gals.

Photos courtesy of Calvin Klein, COVERGIRL, and Lancome

Gorgeous Makeup - Treasures in the Pan

I'm enticed by makeup that's gorgeous. Sometimes, it's too pretty to use! I think that cosmetics companies are on to us. They add designs and artwork - stamped or embossed, stripes, color blocks - anything to grab our attention.

There's a subliminal message, "If I'm this beautiful in the pan, imagine how pretty I will make you!"

I'm getting spoiled. I have so many little works of art in my makeup collection. Each time I pick up one of these pieces, I marvel at its beauty. There are designs that are ephemeral - they are only apparent on the surface of the product and blur or disappear with use - and those that are ingrained into the fiber of the product and will be with you as long as the makeup lasts.

Most of the prestige cosmetics companies have been producing makeup artworks for years. The Chantecaille tiger and dolphins above are not only stunning, they remind me of my passionate support for environmental causes. When you purchase Chantecaille makeup, you are supporting Chantecaille's deep concern for our endangered environment and the many animals at risk.

Stripes have been big for a couple of years. Of course, Washington Color School artist Gene Davis was the stripe master. I am privileged to have huge Gene Davis stripes hanging in my home. I'm also privileged to have almost every Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick ever made!

Even mass market companies have joined the bandwagon, with Physicians Formula offering bamboo and many other companies offering stripes, blocks, and patterns.

I even lust for makeup without trying it or even knowing the shade will be right for me - just because it's a work of art. A case in point is the new Lancome Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer Compact. Those trees and that gorgeous sun transported me to the beach. The bronzer shade looks like it will work for this fair-skinned blond, right?

Check out the Guerlain Terracotta Light Summer Bronzing Powder 01 in Blondes Hâlées below. The mosaic of copper and various nude shades join glints of pink in a five-shade mosaic that had me the second I opened the compact. No matter that they colors, when mixed, are exquisite on my face. What really grabbed me was the color wheel!

It's possible that I'm just an impressionable, superficial consumer who has fallen for form over function. I don't think so, though. All of the beautiful products I have bought look great on my face! Many have a complexity of color that's unparalleled.

What about you? Are you more likely to purchase a pretty, patterned product than a plain one?

Photos courtesy of Chantecaille, Bobbi Brown, Arthistoryabout.com, Physicians Forumla, and Guerlain

Lancome Bronze Riviera Summer 2010 Color Collection

Lancome's new Bronze Riviera Collection for Summer 2010 offers playful bronze and celebratory pink expressed in complementary shades designed to make you gorgeous this season.

Be lavished in shades of gold and bronze that jet you away to the beautiful places and faces of the Riviera. The most luxurious elements of nature all come together now to create this summer’s hottest color collection - with pops of pink to add a happy play of color to any look.

I went shopping at Lancome.com, and the first new item that leaped into my shopping cart was the limited-edition Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Bronze Riviera Palette in Pink Party Pretty ($45). These are easy-to-wear shades that will enhance your look whether you choose to tan (faux, I hope) or not. I was delighted when the palette arrived in the mail. It's prettier in person than it is in this Lancome photo. I like the texture and wear of Lancome shadows, and I know I'll reach for this palette often.

To compliment your shadows, Le Crayon Khôl ($28) makes a splash with a new waterproof formula. This creamy smooth dual-ended eye pencil perfectly lines, defines, and contours - and it will stay put no matter what summer throws at you. It's available in two duos, Sultry in Sunset and Sassy in Sunrise. I decided to wait to purchase one until I can see the shades in the store. I'm leaning toward the more conservative Sultry in Sunset.

That's not the half of it! I saw the Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer in Temptingly Bonze ($45) online and had the instant "I want's." It said Sold Out. Then I went to Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's looking for it. At that point, the collection had not arrived. I have since learned that there was a glitch with shipping. Never fear, it will be available. How could anyone resist a bronzer compact that looks so pretty, with its sunset/sunrise amid the trees design?

The Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer Compact opens to reveal a silky, sun-kissed, pressed mineral powder with a big, full-face mirror for the golden, glamorous glow of tropical sun in seconds. Intended to be dusted on cheek bones, forehead, nose, brow bones, chin, and décolletage, it will give you than fresh tan look without the sun exposure.

Can't wait for the compact? Try the handy Tropiques Minérale Magic Bronzing Brush ($33). It's available in a shade that works for all skin tones, and its self-contained reservoir of 100% mineral blusher automatically releases powder onto its brush at the press of a button for a natural-looking, shimmering, bronze glow from head to toe. Need convenient touch-ups on the go? This is your bronzer!

I ordered the Ageless Minérale Brightening Mineral Powder Blush with White Sapphire Complex ($29.50), which contains pure mineral pigments for soft, sheer color and a radiant blush. It's available in three colors. My choice was the lightest, Luminous Rose, and it's perfect for me. The blush is also available in Brilliant Berry and Sparkling Sand - the latter color designed to emphasize the bronze glow on your cheeks. Lancome says it provides six-hour wear; I'd say eight. It's fragrance free, oil-free, talc-free, and safe for sensitive skin. A perfect summer solution!

Lips and nails round out the collection for a complete, color-coordinated look. It's a beauty. Check it out at Lancome's Web site. I'm sure it will be at our favorite Lancome counters soon.

Photos courtesy of Lancome

Lancome's Valentine's Day Treat

Another great Valentine's Day offer! I had to share it with you.

Today through February 14, spend $35 or more at Lancome, use code JTVALENTINE at checkout, and you will receive mini Juicy Tubes in Miracle, Berry Bold, Simmer, Touched By Light, and Daiquiri. You'll get free shipping too. That's a sweet deal!

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Chris & Tell

First impression...

This year's Lancome Pout-a-Porter lipstick, a very limited-edition wonder, is Chris & Tell ($29), the L'Absolu Rouge lipstick that was developed in collaboration with the New York-based fashion designer Chris Benz.

Slated for February introduction, it is already sold out at Lancome.com. It has arrived at Saks Fifth Avenue. If you want one, hurry! Call your local Saks to get on the waiting list. I did that about a week ago, and I picked up Chris & Tell yesterday.

Described by many as a peach or pinky-peach shade, it looks creamy orange on me. It's bright and pigmented. I had on a flashy pink jacket when I applied it for the first time, and my trusted makeup advisor Loyd Cassler grabbed a tissue for me to get it off quickly - proof that it looked hideous on me (a cool-toned, fair-skinned blond). Drat! I'll try it again when it won't clash with my clothing, and I'm in a summer mood. With a gloss on top to add some pink or brown it down, I may like it. Doubtful, but possible.

If you can wear orange-toned lips, you will want this lipstick. It has already been spotted on some pretty influential women, including Rachel Zoe, Eva Mendes, and Anne Hathaway. You will note that they have different coloring. There's a big audience for this lip color, and it will look fresh for spring and summer on the right women.

If you don't have a Saks near you, the Chevy Chase Lancome counter would be happy to charge and send. You can call them at (301) 657-9000. Make sure to press "0" when the automated operator picks up. Ask for the Lancome counter.

As for mine? One lucky dark-skinned friend will probably inherit it.

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Lancome Ô My Rose Collection for Spring 2010

Lancome's Ô My Rose Collection is on trend for Spring 2010 - very pretty! I went to the mall today to find it. It was in store at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's, but not at Macy's or Lord & Taylor. There are some gorgeous pieces in the collection.

I have no willpower! I'm trying to purchase only the best of the best (it's not like I need makeup). Despite that resolution, I came home with five pieces, and I'm seriously considering a sixth.

There are two limited-edition Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quads ($42), Pop'n Green (shown here) and Kissed by Copper. Pop'n Green is drop-dead gorgeous. It's shown on the model in the photo. Although most of us won't wear 360-degree green, the teal shadow, placed discretely, is very flattering. The other three shades, worn alone or mixed and matched, are fabulous. Kissed by Copper, the other new quad, offers an alternative for women looking for warmer copper and brown shades.

Pop'n Green is one of three looks created by Aaron De Mey, Lancôme’s International Artistic Director for Makeup, for the Ô My Rose Collection. You can create your own Pop'n Green look by applying the lightest shade from lash to brow to open up the eyes and highlight the inner corner of the eyes. Mix the mossy green and teal shadows together until you find the perfect shade for you - apply to the lash line and into the crease and blend away any hard edges with a blending brush.

A new gel Teal Delight Ink Artliner ($23.50) or the Le Crayon Khôl Waterproof Eye Liner ($24.50) in Teal Kiss complete the eyelids. You can use your favorite mascara on your lashes.

The Pop'n Green look for eyes is cool-toned. Pop'n Cheeks Gentle & Lasting Blush ($35) will warm up your face with its collage of coral, pink, and gold. This is a stunning blusher - pretty in the pan and pretty on the face.

I'll save the new lip colors for another posting - coming soon!

Photos courtesy of Lancome

Lancome Holiday Eye Shadow & Blush Palette

These darling little limited-edition Lancome Eye Shadow & Blush Palettes ($39.50) are a great value. Six coordinating shadows join a blusher and a mini shadow brush in a beautiful compact. What a nice way to try some new colors!

The palettes are available in four color families. I bought Alluringly Bronze, and I'm considering going back for Evening Splendor. Our friends in beauty at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland gave me the 411 on a discount offer that starts on Sunday the 22nd and rolls for a week. During that time, there are discounts tied to spending levels, and the lowest is easy to reach - $100.

The Plum Irresistible palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Rapturous, Seductive Gaze, Magnificent, Captivating, Diva Shimmer, and Entrancing, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Violet Sunrise.

The Alluringly Bronze palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Fabric, Alluring Presence, The New Black, Enticing, Get It Now, and Daylight, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Mocha Havana.

The Evening Splendor palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Honeymoon, Tempted, Impress, Mannequin, Model, and Lezard, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Bronze Escapade.

The Nude Seduction palette features Color Design Sensational Effect Eye Shadows in Pink Zinc, Wear It Well, Erotique, Amorous, Kittenish, and Feline Strut, plus Blush Subtil Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush in Aplum.

Essentially, there's a color family for everyone! These palettes are available online at Lancome.com (where there is free shipping on all gift sets) and at Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and most Lancome counters. They will only be available for a limited time - until they sell out.

Want to see swatches? Visit The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself.

Update 11/24: Lancome is having a Friends & Family sale online. Just enter code HOLIDAYJOY2 at checkout to receive a 20% discount and free shipping through November 30.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Lancome's Limited-Edition Holiday Beauty Box

Each holiday season, Lancome offers a Beauty Box, an incredible value collection of makeup and skin care products. This year the box is $52 with any $36 Lancome purchase. It's advertised as a $330 value.

For the last few years, I have purchased these limited-edition sets, and I have found them to be beautifully "edited." Last year's box, an oval, deep red, faux reptile, zippered box with a handle, serves me today as storage for makeup brushes. These boxes are so much nicer than see-through plastic from Target - or shoe boxes!

Included this year?

• Creme Radiance - clarifying cream-to-foam cleanser
• Renergie Microlift R.A.R.E. - lifting cream with SPF 15
• Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover - full-sized
• Cils Booster XL - super-enhancing mascara base
• Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara in Black - full-sized
• Color Palette - nine eye shadow shades and two best-selling Blush Subtil shades
• Color Design Sensational Effects Lip Colors - in All Done Up and Trendy Mauve
• Color Fever Lasting Radiance Sensual Lipcolor - in Prune Drama Girl
• Juicy Tubes Lip Glosses - in Magic Spell and Simmer

If the lipsticks and Juicy Tubes aren't full-sized, the are really close to it!

Just enter code BEAUTY09 at checkout at Lancome.com. The department stores have these boxes too. While Lancome.com and Bloomingdale's offer the box in black, I saw the box in white at Macy's. I like the black one best. The contents are the same.

Update 11/24: Lancome is having a Friends & Family sale online. Just enter code HOLIDAYJOY2 at checkout to receive a 20% discount and free shipping through November 30.

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Beauty Shopping at Bloomies - Part 1 Lancome

Today, I went to the mall. I wanted to purchase "Pink Ribbon" products and see any new goodies that had hit the counters. Because I had to pick up some things I had ordered from Connie Ferrara, my Estee Lauder rep at Bloomingdale's, I went to Tysons Corner Center. They had a lot of new arrivals and gifts with purchase in the beauty department, so the trip was fun!

Bloomingdale's is supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through its Give Pink Get More Program. Bloomingdale's Insider Card members who enroll by donating $15, will receive a Give Pink Get More gift card that can be used for holiday shopping in store and online. The more you spend in store in October, the more you'll get back. Just click on this link for details.

The new Lancome Deluxe Brush Set is so cool. Even though I don't need more brushes, I had to buy it! The store only received a few, and I knew I would regret going home without it. For $59, you get five precision, short-handled brushes in the beautiful clutch shown here. On top of that, they had a nice gift with purchase. Next time I go, I'd like to spend more time with Shammi Bindra to see the new skin care, Absolue Precious Cells, that Kari reviewed on Fabulous Over Forty.

The brush set includes the following brushes.

• Foundation Brush #2 -The must-have brush for flawlessly applying any foundation
• Powder Brush #1 - The pro for sheer, smooth, naturally flawless powder or blusher application
• Precision Shadow Brush #12 - A great eye shadow brush
• Dual Ended Brush #18 - Two sided: the flat, fine edge brush precisely applies shadow, wet or dry, to create a sharp eye liner, and a shadow brush on the other end
• Blending Shadow Brush #17 - For precise eye shadow application that makes smudging in the corners a breeze

I know I'll love these brushes. I like them better than the Indigo brushes that were introduced a couple of months ago. Although both colors are strange for makeup brushes, the purple (more ruby toned than shown above) reeled me in!

Guerlain's Holiday Collection for 2009 was in the store, and I had to buy a few gorgeous items. I'll tell you about them tomorrow. I also got a darling Clinique lip gloss set in a pink zip bag. I'm loving all my new treats, but where on earth will I put them? My house has turned into a makeup emporium.

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Lancome - Fall Collection - Liberty Eye Shadow Palette

I finally broke down and bought a Lancome eye shadow palette I have been eying. I got it during last week's online sample special, which was quite a bonanza - lip colors were my sample choices.

The Color Design Liberty Palette ($42) in Golden Audacity is a limited edition Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quad Smooth Hold palette of finishes: from shimmer to sheen, metallic to matte. Lancome's "micro-aired powder technology" really does offer supreme smoothness and blendability, and these are very wearable new shades.

I wore the shadows today, and I was quite pleased with the quad. The three neutral tones produce a golden look, and the slightly metallic dark charcoal color is a great liner. It may be my lighting - or eyes - but the dark color seems to me to have just a hint of blue in it, which would be consistent with Lancome's Fall '09 Declaring Indigo theme. The shadows were used in the Indigo Crush look.

After I applied the shadows with a shadow brush, I used a MAC #227 brush for blending. I wanted to blur any distinctions between the colors I had mixed. Here I am, almost 12 hours later, and the shadows still look great! Naturally, I used a primer. It's part of my everyday routine.

You can purchase this eye shadow palette at Lancome's Web site or at any department store that carries Lancome. There are two other palettes in the collection, Indigo Charm (lots of blue and gold and rather dramatic) and Nude Elegance, which has some nice neutral shades as the name suggests.

Right now, there's a Lancome freebie with a $35 purchase that includes a nice compact with a blusher and eye shadows. Just enter SMOKYROSES at checkout.

Photo courtesy of Lancome.

Oscillating Mascaras

Last night, I curled up with the August InStyle magazine and read their Beauty Buzz road test of "vibrating mascaras" - one trend this obsessive compulsive beauty addict will miss. I can poke myself in the eye with a wand powered only by my arm. Why would I want help?

According to InStyle, the Lancome Oscillation ($34 at Sephora) mascara is the best for lengthening and freedom from clumps. So, if you are brave, this sounds like the best of the three they reviewed. It's also the first one that was released. Lancome is known for having great mascaras, so waiting lists formed for this one.

The other two? They say that the Estee Lauder Turbolash All Effects Motion ($32) one is best for thickening, and the new Maybelline New York Pulse Perfection one is best for your pocketbook ($15). However, it sounded like both clump. Why would you want to have to add an eyelash comb to the morning routine to "fix" your mascara?

I may sound like a curmudgeon, but I just don't get it. We all know how to apply mascara, right? We have read all the tips about moving the wand back and forth as we apply the product from the base of our lashes to the tips, but I don't even do that. I simply use a superb mascara, Maybelline Define-a-Lash Volume Washable Mascara (currently), and it gives me great darkening, length, and clump-free "thickness." I have used others I recommend to those who want their lashes clump-free (in other words, to avoid the Tammy Faye look) and enhanced. These include Clinique's Naturally Glossy Mascara and their newer High Impact Mascara.

So, I guess I'm old fashioned, but I don't think I'm missing anything. What do you think?

Photo courtesy of Sephora. Thanks to InStyle for the review!

Nice Lancome Gift at Saks

Lancome Gift with Purchase Alert!

I got a mailer today announcing a Lancome gift with purchase at Saks. From July 12 to August 1, the "French Twist" is free in-store only with any Lancome purchase of $50.

You will be able to select warm or cool colors. The gift includes an interesting bag, two lipcolors, an eyeshadow quad, plus their new Genifique anti-aging product, Absolute Premium Replenishing Cream with SPF 15, a Definicils High Definition mascara, and a 10-day sample of the foundation of your choice. On top of that, with a $75 purchase, you can select a full-sized mascara and your choice of an eye pencil or eye shadow. What a haul!

I haven't tried Genifique, so it may be the time to pick up some new pieces from the Indigo Fall Color Collection.

Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.