Stunning Photo from Chantecaille

Every so often, I find a photo I want to share. This one from Chantecaille's Facebook site is share-worthy. On the eve of the launch of Chantecaille's Sea Turtle Palette (available online tomorrow), let's admire the majesty of this glorious white tiger. I've already featured the Tiger in the Wild Palette. I think I purchased three of them. Actually, four - one was a gift. Tiger in the Wild remains on my all-time greats list.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils ($24) are the talk of Twitter. The buzz over these glorious lip "sticks" has been intense, with beauty mavens lusting for them or sharing the shades they purchased. I participated, answering a tweet by Laurie at Product Girl, who purchased Frivolous, one of the six shades. I decided to start with Baroque and New Lover, knowing I could go back for more if I loved them. I love them!

These are glossy lip pencils with a smooth, buttery texture. They coat the lips with stunning, glossy color and moisturizing ingredients, including vitamin E, hyaluronic acid spheres, and phytosterol esthers. They don't contain the bad actors we all like to avoid, like phthalates, sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, and synthetic fragrances. They are so much nicer - in my opinion - than the matte pencils that NARS introduced previously. I like a little shine.

Here is a photo of the two shades I purchased. It was taken in sunlight indoors. Baroque is shown at the top of my arm, with New Lover below. Don't use the swatches on the NARS site as your guide for purchasing a Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil. The swatches at Sephora are better. I purchased mine from Sephora.

I adore both of these shades. They are gorgeous colors, have a perfect amount of shine, and feel great on my lips. They are long-lasting too - something I learned as soon as I tried to wash them off my arm. I swatched to see them the moment they came and then went to the bathroom to clean up. Soap and water didn't remove them. I had to get out the long-wear makeup remover. That's great for those of us who eat off our lip colors in a jiffy.

NARS has a hit on its hands! Now I want all the shades. They are so handy for throwing in your handbag or keeping in your desk drawer at work. This morning, I saw at The Beauty Look Book that Sabrina had bought all of them. I can see why. These pencils are fantabulous. (I checked - that's now a word!)

You can purchase them at the NARS Web site, Sephora, and at your NARS counter soon. The gals at Neiman Marcus can't wait to receive them.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS

One Night Set

Are you one of those gals who loves to party, but hates it when her makeup disappears half way through the fun? You're going to find the One Night Set ($24.95) a lifeline. It's got everything you need to refresh your look - all in a tiny case that will slip into your evening bag without adding weight. Don't want to take the whole case with you? The palette will fit into a wallet.

You know I've panned some of the extremely expensive, credit card-sized palettes as a waste of money, despite the gorgeousness of the colors. One Night's palette is one I can recommend. The price is right.

Sent to me to test while I was totally laid up after knee surgery, I finally started to play with it about two weeks ago. The verdict? I like it. I think it's a good investment if you want "take-it-with-you" makeup. Would I use it at home? No, I have better colors and better tools, but who doesn't? At work or during a night out, I have found myself fumbling for anything that would serve as an eye shadow brush. Had I had my One Night Set with me, I would have been ready for anything.

The One Night Set is a complete credit card-sized kit that includes all you need on the go: concealer, eye shadow, eyeliner, powder, bronzer, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, and even a brow tint. It's packed in a small black pouch with five brushes to apply exactly what you need where you need it. It will even last awhile despite its small size. The cosmetics are made in New York (not China!) from the highest quality material, under careful attention to quality. This kit fits in the smallest clutches. Just drop in your ID and a credit card, and you are ready for a night on town or a trip. You can leave behind your treasure chest of cosmetics - or in my case, about three pounds of makeup.

I have the Fair Skin Set, which is perfect for my skin tone. The sets are also available in neutral, medium, tan, and medium tan, so there should be one for most skin tones. Fair Skin didn't yield the best swatches. The concealers, for example, almost disappear into my skin. That said, here are all the shades in the Fair Skin Set swatched (my photo was taken outside in sun, and I applied each shade with a sponge-tipped applicator). The two concealers are shown at the top of my arm. You can't see one at all; it matches my skin tone perfectly. The other, more tan than I am, is below it. You can barely see that shade in the photo. If neither matches you perfectly, mix them a la Laura Mercier. It will work perfectly.

Moving left to right on the top row (see palette above), there are the two concealers, an eye shadow in light brown, and eye liner in black. On the lower row, there is a white powder, bronzer in a good shade for fair skin types, lipstick in a gorgeous rosy pink, and lip gloss in a very light, neutral pink. There is a tiny black mascara included in the case, along with blond brow tint with a mascara wand. The case also includes a tiny set of applicators. You wouldn't choose to use them at home, but when you need a brush, they could be enormously useful.

Here are some tips from One Night Cosmetics for using the set

• We provide two shades of concealer for you to mix to match your shade or use individually. Let's face it, our skin changes colors sometimes, and we need options. The concealers also work fabulously as an eye shadow base.
• The cake eyeliner is great either wet for a more defined look or dry for a smoky look. It also works great as an eye shadow.
• The Shine Control (white powder) is a must have when you are everywhere. It goes on clear and will take that shine away.
• Use the bronzer either all over the face for a sun-kissed look or as a blush on your cheeks.
• Apply the lipstick and the lip gloss together to customize your shade.
• On those special occasions when you are carrying the tiniest of clutches, just take the compact without the pouch. It will fit into virtually anything, including most wallets.

Interested? You can find a One Night Set at One Night Cosmetics online. Party on!

Update: This is nice. One Night Cosmetics is offering you a $3.00 discount on your purchase. Just use the coupon code "bestthingsinbeauty" without the quotes at their Web store.

Photo at top courtesy of One Night Cosmetics

NARS Super Orgasm Lip Gloss and Tzigane Lipstick

In addition to its fabulous new Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils (which I plan to feature tomorrow), NARS showcased three lip glosses and two lipsticks for spring. I selected one of each to go with my spring look: Tzigane Lipstick ($24) and Super Orgasm Lip Gloss ($24). In case you are wondering, Tzigane is a rhapsodic composition by the French composer Maurice Ravel. It also means "gypsy." I'm not sure which inspired François Nars, although I suspect it was the gypsy connection.

Tzigane is advertised as a sheer, pink brandy that leaves just a whisper of subtle color on the lips. It's said to be perfect to wear solo by day or paired with a bold eye by night. I envisioned a brown-rose shades, so I was disappointed when it arrived in the mail. It's coral to my eye.

Super Orgasm, not new, continues to play the Orgasm franchise to the hilt - in this case with great success. The gloss shade is pinker than its blush sister. It's shiny pink with an almost imperceptible hint of peach, and laced with gold glitter. I didn't like Super Orgasm Blush - way to sparkly for my taste, but I love the lip gloss!

Here is a swatch photo of both shades. The photo was taken indoors in sunlight. You can see the luscious pink of Super Orgasm at the top. I really like it. It's pigmented, and the shine is flattering. I am much less fond of Tzigane. To my eye, it's a muted coral. I can't see the pink (remember, "sheer pink"), and while I can envision the brandy, it's a stretch to call it pink brandy. Someday, I'm going to stop trusting the little color swatches on the NARS Web site. They are among the worst online.

Super Orgasm has found a good home. Tzigane will be going to one of my chocolate-skinned friends who looks very good in coral. I hope she likes it. I have plenty of coral lip colors (mistakes and by choice). I didn't need another.

You can purchase the NARS Spring 2011 collection at the NARS Web site and Sephora. I hear it's scheduled to arrive at Neiman Marcus soon.

Photos at top courtesy of NARS

Sneak Peek: Givenchy 2011 Spring Summer Collection NAÏVEMENT COUTURE

I love Givenchy makeup. I was using it for many years before it became a hot ticket. I used Prisme powders when I was in graduate school, and that was a long time ago. The other night, I went Internet surfing to try to find the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. What I found was an existential discourse on life, nature, energy, sensations, happiness, and experience. I'm not sure I can make sense of the quirky "storyboard" as I read it, so I present it to you unedited (with the exception of fixing a typo).

If the world's first woman were to be born today in the primeval garden, she would no doubt have a different vision of paradise. Nature would be tamed, its energy restrained, creating an ambiance in which she would more likely cut down the Tree of Knowledge than water it.

But springtime always manages to awaken desires and dispel gloomy ideas. The impulse to seek gratification is driven by a sixth sense, making us eager for any and all sorts of sensations. A breath of pure air to be discovered or devised.

The must-have Blush Gelée is a rich elixir of youth, illuminating a self-assured candor with fresh energy. NAÏVEMENT COUTURE ("naively couture") is an autosuggestion of happiness. Skin bared to the sunlight, we purge our sensations and embrace our innocence in order to accept our feelings. The exhilarating purity of light, a gentle warmth, tenuous and sensual, that transports us to an apogee of emotion, to be reborn with a uniquely personal authenticity. A rebirth that makes sense of the sensorial and focuses on the essential.

To let ourselves succumb to a playful nature that knows where to tickle to raise a smile, like giving ourselves over to the hands of the designer for that first couture gown, this collection suggests a beauty that is lived and experienced.

Allowing the hand to wield its innate intelligence, to play with lovely colours and fresh textures, is an invitation to enjoy the precious, cunning gift of self-indulgence. A natural, soothing sensuality for a springtime filled with joy.

Did that make sense to you? What follows is slightly more cogent.

The limited-edition Blush Gelée caught my eye. Called "a new beauty sensation on skin," this blush was created by Nicolas Degennes, who wanted to create a playful must-have product that would offer a new "beauty sensation on skin." Blush Gelée is an oh-so-fresh and soft jelly texture that easily melts into the cheeks for a natural and buildable result. With a unique integrated soft foam applicator and a very soft end that slightly touches the skin to leave the ideal touch of "emotion" on cheeks, Blush Gelée should appeal to those who love cream blushes. A skin-like buildable result : a very natural fresh rosy glow on cheeks, for a healthy “pinched cheeks” look.

The Harmony in Candide Garden n°78 offers brown and orange tones for essential eyes, awakened by a touch of fresh spring green. Thanks to the powder atomizing technique, the particles are smaller and more even for a smooth, uniform finish and colors that stay vibrant all day long. With this new product, Givenchy is introducing a new "clap & slide" case. Open then slide out the lower drawer. In one step, you have access to eye shadows, a mirror, and three applicators.

There will be a limited edition of Rouge Interdit in Candide Tangerine n°50. This is the touch of orange we were promised for spring. Nicolas Degennes created a vivid acid orange, in line with the vital energy of the collection, to warm up the face with a fruity touch of joy.

Dare to surrender!
The lipstick that makes the lips so irresistible that they should be forbidden. This isn't just any lipstick, according to Givenchy - it's also a fashion accessory, an object of desire that is simply elegant and absolutely feminine. The color is vibrant and radiant. Lips are supple and satiny with well-defined contours. A more feminine tube case than ever before. Its ribbon and lacquered black tube case make it a real fashion accessory.

What's the secret?
An avant-garde technology for shimmering colors. Used for the first time in the formulation of a lipstick are liquid crystals - multi-layered pigments that reflect the light - were selected to make color more luminous than ever. Enriched with Gold of Pleasure oil, the Rouge Interdit formula is highly moisturizing. Thanks to the Senso-Oil Complex, which contains castor oil and beeswax, its texture is unctuous and ultra-comfortable while staying ultra-fine.Rouge Interdit Shine will be available in Candide Nude n°27, a shade that looks like nude tones were selected to sublimate the inner beauty of lips with essential shine.

Shine so intense it should be forbidden!
A lipstick filled with dazzling sparkles, rich in vibrant reflections and precious glimmers.

What's the secret? A goldsmith's formula: two types of pearlescent particles for unrivaled shine and maximum light reflection to ensure a stunning result. Crystal shine in a texture that pairs comfort and shimmering colors.

Back to orange with the limited-edition Gloss Interdit in Candide Tangerine n°30, a vivid orange shade, to go with the Rouge Interdit of the collection.

See anything that catches your eye? I'm curious about the eye shadows. I assume the collection will be available at Sephora.

Photos courtesy of Givenchy

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush at Sephora

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Tarte has introduced a fabulous new powder blusher. Right now, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush ($25) is exclusive to Sephora, where you can find eight gorgeous shades. It's so pretty, I'm not sure if any of us will be able to settle for just one!

Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts for an amazing 12 hours. Inspired by Tarte's best-selling shades of cheek stains and lip tints, the colors range from soft to vivid to suit a wide variety of skin tones. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep the product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. Combination skin types can rely on its ability to zero in on skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore complexion harmony. The result? Blush that wears better, longer, and truer! I can attest to its effectiveness on dry skin. Knowing Tarte's reliability, I will bet that oily and combination skin types will also love it.I swatched two shades for you (provided by Tarte, received with glee). I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply them to my arm - much darker than anyone would apply them as blush. I wanted you to be able to see the shades. Unfortunately, my best photo is a little blurry (taken indoors in direct light). Fortunately, it doesn't affect the color, which I think you can see well. I haven't been able to get additional photos because we haven't seen sun for days - and are not likely to see it tomorrow either.

Blushing Bride is shown at the top. It's as gorgeous plum-rose. Natural Beauty is shown below. Called a muted strawberry red, it's rose-pink and pretty. Both shades work nicely on my extremely pale skin. Remember, no one would apply her blush with a sponge-tipped applicator intended for eye shadow. Applied with a brush, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is amazingly flattering. There is a nice mirror in each compact, so you can't go wrong.

Now I have the I-wants. I want Amused (bright pink) and Exposed (nude) - and possibly one more. The shades are delicious. Head over to Sephora to see them.

You can always count on Tarte for good-for-you ingredients. This blush features the following skinvigorating ingredients: vitamins A and E, anti-inflammatory emollients and protect against free radical damage; vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and prevents oxidative stress and premature signs of aging, while brightening the skin; Amazonian clay, a nutrient-rich, multitasking, skin-balancing clay that reduces dryness and flakiness, and improves skin clarity, elasticity, firmness, and texture while removing oil from the skin's surface for smooth application and wear. You'll be treating your skin while brightening your look.

Let me know what you think! I'm planning my next Sephora order.

NARS Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil for Spring 2011

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencils ($24 each) provide easy application, portability, and long-wearing eye color. These pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line the eyes, or highlight the eyes. I think you could even use the lighter shades as face highlighters!

The pencils have a smooth, creamy texture with a velvety feel that makes blending a snap. They create an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for increased color intensity if you choose.

There are two new shades available for spring. I selected Hollywoodland, a soft gold that falls right into my swipe-and-go comfort zone. I love gold shadows with some life, and Hollywoodland, described by NARS as soft gold, caught my eye on the Web site. The other shade introduced for spring, Celebrate, is parrot green, a bit too avant-garde for me. Those with darker skin might find it fun.

Because the little color swatches on the NARS Web site are far from true in color, I swatched Hollywoodland for you. I applied it to my arm straight from the pencil, and I took my photo in indoor sunlight. I hope you can see how pretty it is! This is a gold everyone can wear - not too light or frosty, and not too dark. It's not "tainted" with another shade either.

On Sephora's blog, you can see photos of the look created with NARS by Diane Kendal for the Thakoon fashion show. Kendal created an elegant "Golden, but not tanned" look. "As if the girls are glowing from within ... with, of course, confidence," she said. "There is definition in the face without having any hard lines. No mascara, just curled lashes if they need it. The gold goes on top of the cheekbone and over the eye brow for a pop of color." Naturally, she used Hollywoodland!

I purchased a lot of NARS for spring. Stay tuned as I share everything with you.

You can purchase NARS at the NARS Web site, Sephora, and Neiman Marcus. I'm sure there are other sources, but those are mine.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS