Coming Attraction: Les Expressions de Chanel Collection Will Launch on Black Friday

Black Friday will be extravaganza day for Chanel shoppers. Not only will Le Volume de Chanel launch officially, a wealth of new color will be introduced with Les Expressions de Chanel. See update below.

I got a few photos at Saks Fifth Avenue today. In-store photos of photos are always dark and disappointing, but they're the best I'll be able to do until I get my hands on the gorgeous new Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow Palettes ($58) and Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadows ($36).

Each harmony of complementary colors provides one quad and one shade in Illusion d'Ombre.  All of the "expressions" are paired with Le Volume de Chanel Mascara and Ligne Graphique de Chanel eyeliner. Click on the photo above to enlarge it.

Coral Expression - radiant shades from natural beige to peach - offers a repromote quad, Eclosion, along with a new Abstraction Illusion d'Ombre (shown above) in a peach rose shade. The liquid eyeliner is black.

Plum Expression - a range of plum hues with hints of metallic silver - offers a new quad in Variation (light rose, silver grey, deep purple, and light, shimmering plum) paired with a Purple liner and repromoted Illusoire (purple) Illusion d'Ombre.

Brown Expression - earth tones with glints of gold offers a new Intuition quad (light pink, gold, chocolate brown, and shimmering brown-grey) and an Illusion d'Ombre shade, Vision. A limited-edition Ligne Graphique de Chanel liquid eyeliner will be available in Platine, a silver-grey.

Want to pre-order and save the hassle of Black Friday crowds?  Give the Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase team of Georgia, Loyd, and Marie a call at (240) 497-5363.They can ensure you get your new makeup without leaving home.

Update 11/4: A "frequent shopper," Emilie, let me know that the quads are available at the Neiman Marcus Web site and in store. I am headed up there now. There is free shipping right now at Neiman Marcus.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

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

NARS New Eyeliner Stylo

There's a minimalist story at the NARS Web site announcing the new Eyeliner Stylo ($27). I think it's deserving of a little more detail. I guess François NARS - or his surrogate - decided there's only so much you can say about eyeliner.

A new modern liquid liner that ensures a flawless even line with just one stroke. Features a super-fine tip for precise definition and versatile application options.

• Up to 24-hour wear
• High-intensity color
• Glides on smoothly and evenly 

Said to be a "true modern classic." OK, I still don't know all that much. It's liquid, it's long-lasting, and it has a super-fine tip (the part of its hype that captured my interest).  I wear my eyeliners ultra-thin, and some liners are almost impossible to apply easily as a super-thin line. Even harder for some liners is the technique I learned from Loyd Cassler at Saks Chevy Chase: applied from underneath the lash line and between the lashes so the "line" is almost imperceptible, but the eyes are beautifully defined.

I purchased Koala, the grey one. Eyeliner Stylo is also available in brown, black, and dark cobalt blue. I wanted Koala because I thought it would look great with the Vent Glacé eye shadow duo that I love. Now that I have it, I love the color - with any shadow.

Here are a few swatch photos, taken in full sun. I drew a line from thick to thin - not on purpose, it happened that way. I'm delighted to report that Eyeliner Stylo can be used to "design" a very thin line with ease. It's also easy to apply using the "Loyd Cassler" technique. I love it! Now, I'm going to order the beautiful blue Atlantic.

Isn't this a nice grey? It's not too dark and not too light. I can see that it's grey, not black. It is extremely long-lasting and must be removed with a long-wear makeup or eye makeup remover with oil.

NARS didn't promise much, but he delivered as promised and then some. If you are in the market for a new eyeliner, this one is a great choice. I purchased mine online at NARS. You can also find Eyeliner Stylo at Nordstrom and Sephora.

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

Le Métier de Beauté Artemis Liquid Eyeliner - Let's Start a Movement!

I'm hoping to start a "by popular demand" movement! Earlier this year, Neiman Marcus offered a gorgeous (beyond perfection) liquid eyeliner as a gift with a Le Métier de Beauté purchase during Neiman Marcus Beauty Week. Le Métier de Beauté's Artemis Liquid Eyeliner is one of the prettiest midnight navy liners I have ever used. What am I going to do when I run out?

Not black-blue, not cobalt blue, it's a lively deep blue that might show you just a trace of purple in certain light - actually dim lighting.

Greek goddess Artemis was, among other legends, the Mistress of Animals. In my eyes, that's a perfect name for a peerless eyeliner. It applies with ease, allowing me to draw the thinest of lines (my preference) with its precision brush. It opens up my eyes, making the whites whiter and my eye color a more intense shade. It makes my lashes look full and adds a subtle but dazzling effect. It's long-lasting too. All in all, I'd deem it perfect.

My photos were taken in full sun so that I could show you the gorgeous shade. Wouldn't you love to purchase Artemis? You can't! Le Métier de Beauté has no plans to introduce it into the permanent line. However...they might bring it back as a gift with purchase if the demand is there.

So, I'm starting an Artemis movement. Please comment here so that we can show Le Métier de Beauté some Artemis love. Tweet this too, please. You never know when love could restart the production line!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty