Chanel Ombres Tissées Iridescent Effects Eyes in Beiges from Aquarelles de Chanel Collection

After much anticipation, I got my hands on a couple of pieces from Chanel's Aquarelles de Chanel Collection, which arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria today. Chanel Ombres Tissées Iridescent Effects Eyes in Beiges ($75) was on my wish list, so I took a few photos of the compact in the store and then started swatching.

The highlighting powder shades in the compact are very light. On top of that, it's very dark outside because it has rained on and off all day. I couldn't get decent swatch photos in the store, but I got "as good as it gets" when I got home.

To show you that you can use all three shades blended as a facial highlighter, I applied the powder with a sponge-tipped applicator and ran the applicator across all three shades in the compact, light beige, gold, and pink. You will see that this powder isn't much darker, when blended, than my fair skin tone.

The shades apply with a lot of sparkle. I am not sure yet whether that sparkle will disappear once the top layer of the compact is worn off. Early indications (from use) is that it is an overspray and that the sparkles may thin out or disappear over time. When I used the powder for the first time, swiping across it with a sponge and brush in the store, I had powder particles flying everywhere. It settled down a bit after I wore through part of the top layer.

Then I swatched the colors individually. They are all highlighting shades with very subtle color. I'm not sure that I could get great swatch photos on a sunny day. On my arm at right, the light beige shade is shown at the top, the gold in the middle, and the pink at the bottom. They will all light up your look, but without imparting a lot of color. I'm sorry for the grey tones of my photos that resulted from the heavy cloud cover. It was the best I could do today, and I knew you wanted to see the collection's centerpiece. I'll update this feature tomorrow if I can get better photos in sunshine.

How will Ombres Tissées Iridescent Effects Eyes in Beiges look on your skin and eyelids? If you have fair skin, as I do, the shade(s) will give you an iridescent glow. As skin tones darken (from mine), I believe Ombres Tissées in Beiges will offer a more obvious highlighting effect and possibly more color. No testers arrived, and the store does not expect to receive them with this collection, so you'll have to buy on faith.

Ombres Tissées in Beiges was billed as a pink-peach highlighter created for Chanel's Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture Show. Peter Philips created several new, limited-edition pieces and reached back into Chanel's beautiful line for others. The collection arrived at the store, with this compact named Iridescent Effects Eyes. I think it's a multipurpose product, although I do worry about little sparkles falling in my eyes if I use the shades as highlighting eye shadows.

In addition to this compact, the store received the two Joues Contraste blushes (Pink Cloud and Rose Pétale), Rouge Coco Shine in the Royallieu, and Ombre Essentielle in Gris Exquis. I can't tell you whether Les Vernis in Tendress arrived. We lost track of it in the excitement of the makeup!

Update 8/4: As I expected, my swatch photo in sun wasn't much better. This morning, the sun has flirted with us, making a few quick appearances. I applied each shade extremely heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator to try to show you the colors. This is the result.

Photos (such as they are) by Best Things in Beauty

Sneak Peek: Giorgio Armani Beauty Blushing Fabric for Fall 2011

We're all excited by the new eye palettes in Giorgio Armani Beauty's Jacquard Collection for Fall 2011. I featured a sneak peek at the gorgeous colors last month. Did you know that there are two new Blushing Fabrics ($38) and that they are arriving with the fall collection? Camel (#6) and Scarlatto (#7) define the upcoming season.

Sophisticated Jacquard motifs woven into silk fabric are the inspiration for autumn's makeup lines, where color, radiance, and sensuality combine in gossamer textures. The color palettes explore the contrasts and the interplay of light and shade, creating a look that is both soft and intense. Satin half tones, verging on pastel - aqua green, tobacco, and camel in desaturated shades with Scarlatto and deep violet. Silky glints on a floating haze of color; this is makeup that mirrors fashion.

Blushing Fabric, unveiled in two new shades for fall, offers sensational texture for the cheekbones. Camel and Scarlatto are completely unexpected colors (let the tube colors be your guide - sorry about the dark backgrounds), but both will give a natural, radiant sheen by the almost imperceptible texture of this blush. Apply it correctly, and your face will have the perfect fall glow.

Blushing Fabric is a micro-blend of water-soluble pigments that creates a luminous and luxurious fabric-like finish with incredible transparency. Inspired by Armani's finest couture fabrics - silks and chiffon - when first introduced, this sensuous "textiled" color wraps skin in weightless perfection.

Blushing Fabric is like wearing a "colored layer of air" on your skin. Formulated with Armani's MicroFil 3D technology, it creates your "second-skin blush." The unique MicroFil 3D formulations in Armani makeup products are characterized by lightness and fluidity, facilitating seamless blending and layering to enhance the natural glow of the skin.

The Face Fabrics always sell out. Make sure to see the new shades when they arrive at your Giorgio Armani Beauty counter or online at Giorgio Armani Beauty.

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Guerlain Ecrin 4 Couleurs in Les Cuirs from Mirror Mirror Collection for Fall 2011

Guerlain has introduced nine Ecrin 4 Couleurs eye shadow palettes ($59) with its Mirror Mirror Collection for Fall 2011. This morning, I offered a quick peek at Les Verts and Les Gris. We will return to them. As I explained, I wasn't happy with my swatch photos of those gorgeous palettes.

I wanted to show you Les Cuirs (07) today too, the palette designed for me. OK, just kidding. I would love to think it was made just for me, but Les Cuirs (the leathers in English) will appeal to everyone who loves neutral eye shadows.

Each palette offers shadow tones in four finishes, all of which are creamy powders that apply evenly with ease.

• Matte, with an ultra-soft finish
• Iridescent, with a micro-pearl look
  
• Velvet Satin, for a soft, delicate, velvety finish
• Alcatar’s Eyes, with a soft "metallic" finish

Here's a photo of the display at Neiman Marcus. Les Cuirs is pictured third from the top on the right side of the display. If you love brown-toned shades, your eyes will go right to it.

I took swatch photos in full sun. Because I wasn't happy with the photos I took of Les Verts and Les Gris, I gave my arm a foundation this afternoon. I applied a teeny tiny bit of Luminous Silk Foundation to my arm to provide the shadows with a "primer" so that they would adhere nicely for my photos. It made all the difference - either that or the sun's angle. I applied each shade with a sponge-tipped applicator. The shade on the left side of the palette is shown at the top of my arm. I swatched clockwise, ending with the shade at the bottom of the palette shown above.

The medium brown at the top is the metallic shade. In Les Cuirs, I'd call it shimmering. Metallic seems like such an over-the-top descriptor, and it's not outré. It's simply gorgeous. The creamy shade at the top of the palette is shown below. It's the matte base color that coordinates beautifully with the other hues.

To my eye, there's only a slight difference in the look of the Iridescent and Velvet Satin shades. Both offer a very subtle shimmer. One is a shade I call "tan" because that's how it looks on my skin. Others might call it a light camel. On those with darker skin, the shade will have a different effect. I'm sure. The shade shown at the bottom of my arm is a drop-dead stunning taupe. Pull out your wallets, taupe lovers!

Every one of the shades offers Guerlain's extraordinary micro-fine powder texture that applies and adheres like a dream come true. Use a brush to apply the shades in the palette, and you will be able to build color easily. You can go light and natural for a day look or layer the color of the two darker shades for a look that will take you into night (but without major drama, if you wish). At first glance, you might think the shades are more of the same: nudes we know so well. Each has its own unique hue and quality, though. You must play with Les Cuirs to appreciate it fully.

You can play now! The collection has arrived at Neiman Marcus, where I purchased my palettes. That means it will be at all Guerlain counters very soon, if it's not already.

I'm having fun with my new palettes. So many colors, so many looks! They make me feel pampered. How will I resist buying three more?

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Quick Peek: Guerlain Ecrin 4 Couleurs from Mirror Mirror Collection for Fall 2011

While the lips may be the focus of Guerlain's Fall 2011 Mirror Mirror Collection Look shown above, the eye palettes were the attraction for me. I'll be back later with more photos and descriptions, but I thought I'd show you two of my gorgeous new palettes.

Les Verts (03) offers a blend of green and brown tones that are perfect when pared. Les Gris (05) is more dramatic. Three greys, all in different tones, are offset by a base that looks pink in photos, but is really a pink-toned taupe on my skin. Many of the new palettes are deceiving in the pan. They translate into more beautiful shades on the skin.

I did get swatch photos to show you, but I'm not pleased with them. I'm going to try again later today. I will tempt you with just a few photos now.

Les Verts is shown on my arm at left. I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply all the shadows, and I swatched clockwise, starting with the shade at the left of the palette. Les Gris is shown on my arm below right.

The palettes have a plain gold face, etched with "Guerlain." They are not the lacy, silver palettes that are works of art from former collections. As you might expect, they feel luxurious in the hand due to their weight.

I purchased my pieces from the collection at Neiman Marcus. I'll be back later...

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

Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes Palette

I can't resist neutral eye shadow palettes! There I was, surfing Sephora, when I saw that Josie Maran's Argan Beautiful Eyes ($36) had just arrived. There are three color palettes: Beautiful Nudes, Beautiful Purples, and Beautiful Smoke. That choice was easy for this nude shadow lover.

Argan Beautiful Eyes features four eye shadows and one shadow liner expertly coordinated to offer the ultimate range of customized looks. These naturally formulated shadows are richly infused with argan oil and a blend of floral and fruit extracts, resulting in soft and nutrient-rich textures. The palettes offer iridescent, matte, and satin finishes.

I "tore into" my new Beautiful Nudes palette immediately after I snapped a palette photo, swatching on my arm and eyelids. I realized immediately that the colors are very light. That's good for me, but will not be good for those with darker skin.

I swatched in counterclockwise order, starting with the shimmering gold in the lower left and ending with the "dark brown" in the upper left corner. I did not swatch the chocolate brown liner in the center. The liner is a lovely shade. It's a pretty liner on me - very natural. On others? Like the shadows, it may be too light.

The shimmering gold is extremely pretty. It's a little hard to get it to adhere, though, even with a primer underneath. It's very "crumbly." You'll definitely need a primer if you want to get an even golden pop. I had difficulty applying it with a brush. The sponge-tipped applicator I used for my swatch photos may be the best applicator. The shade next to it in the palette appears to be a satin-finish gold, but you can see on my arm that it's more of a white-toned yellow on my skin. It's a good base shade. The shade in the top right of the compact is a very pretty, shimmering, light bronze (I applied it heavily for the photos). The shade at the bottom of my arm is a medium-toned, matte brown. Like the other shades, it applies much lighter on the skin than it looks in the palette.

I have mixed feelings about Beautiful Eyes. The shades are very pretty, and when I'm in the mood for a very natural look, they will come in handy - despite the fact that I have duplicates of all the shades. My reservation about the palette is the difficulty I've had achieving a nice, even application using one of my usual eye shadow brushes and a primer. My first impression is that it's not perfect for us dry-skin types. I'll keep playing and update you if I discover a magic technique. I'm going to try a different primer and different brushes.

I don't want to leave you with an incorrect impression, but I did want to warn you to try before you buy, unlike me. Make sure to have a look-see if you have fair skin! The shades are absolutely perfect for us. If your lids are not as dry as mine (my lids are very dry, and I use a creamy primer), you may not have any trouble at all with application. The palette has received very good initial reviews at Sephora, where Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes is an exclusive.

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

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour

Laura Mercier's fabulous new eye shadows, Caviar Stick Eye Colour ($24), arrived at my local Neiman Marcus last week, and I'm impressed. Inspired by Laura Mercier's cult classic Caviar Eye Liner, Caviar Stick Eye Colour offers a superbly easy way to create a smoky eye look - one that can range from subtle to dramatic, depending on your application technique.

Available in seven irresistible, creamy shades, the water-resistant sticks offer glamorous color. I find it interesting that the first two shades I purchased, Khaki and Amethyst, reminded me of Chanel's Khaki Platine and Rose Platine eyeliners, even though the Laura Mercier shades are darker. I bought another one of these Laura Mercier beauties on my second round. Steel was calling my name.

We continue to have makeup-melting weather, so I only rolled out the color of my three new shades a tiny amount for the photo at right. Steel is shown at left, Khaki in the center, and Amethyst at right. I did get two decent swatch photos - one in full sun and one when the sun ducked behind the clouds.

The shades on my arm, top to bottom, are Amethyst, Khaki, and Steel. I applied them heavily and directly from the tubes. I did not smudge them, which is recommended. Because the shades set quickly (they are long-wearing and transfer- and crease-resistant), it's best to smudge them quickly, using your fingertip to achieve the intensity you desire. They blend beautifully.

At left above, the three shades are shown in full sun. My "cloudy" photo, shown at right, probably depicts the shimmer level more accurately. The colors are not super-shimmery, but rather subtly shimmery. Once blended, they lose much of the shimmer, leaving behind a gleaming smoke in one of your favorite shades. The problem with my swatch photos is that the actual shades are best portrayed in the full-sun photo. Steel is not as blue as it appears in the photo with the white hydrangea, and Khaki does have a khaki hue, although it's very brown too.

If you want to see more photos, head over to The Non-Blonde. Gaia chose Sapphire, Amethyst, and Khaki. Amethyst looks like a different shade on her skin, but Khaki looks remarkably similar on both of us.

These stunning eye shadows are available at Laura Mercier's Web site and your favorite Laura Mercier counter. I bought mine at Neiman Marcus. Make sure to look at the Classic Smoky Eye Palette too.

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

Alima Pure Runway Collection for Fall 2011

Alima Pure's limited-edition Fall 2011 Runway Collection ($30) will be available exclusively online starting tomorrow, August 2, at alimapure.com. The four gorgeous eye shadow shades for fall offer a variety of ways to take your look from summer into fall - and from natural to dramatic.

Here are the shades that comprise the collection, listed below with their position in the photo at right in parentheses.

• Backstage Satin Matte Eyeshadow - pale pink, a perfect base shade (top left)
  
• Front Row Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow - shimmering pale gold (bottom right)
  
• Press Pass Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow - deep taupe (bottom left)
• Catwalk Luminous Sheer Eyeliner - hybrid charcoal, emerald, chocolate mixture that's hard to categorize (top right)

Alima Pure suggests you apply Backstage Satin Matte Eyeshadow from lashes to brow, like silk lingerie for your lids. I love that analogy! Sweep Front Row Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow on your lids. Smudge a little more under your lower lashes to add drama. Brush Press Pass Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow into the lids, concentrating on the outer corner of the eye. Like your best cashmere sweater, this shade will go with just about everything. Finish your look by lining your eyes with Catwalk Luminous Shimmer Eyeliner and mascara. Select nude-toned blush and lips (how about Holly Berry Organic Nourishing Lipbalm?), and away you go.

I took swatch photos this past weekend. If you have really good eyes, or a great display, you might be able to see Backstage at the top of my arm. I can barely see it because it blends into my skin so well. Below it, I applied Catwalk as a shadow to show you that this liner shouldn't be limited to use as an eyeliner. It would be a gorgeous, shimmering accent shade for most of us. Press Pass is taupe and loveable. I will reach for the shimmering, medium-toned taupe often. Front Row is perfectly named. It should have a front row in your makeup drawer, with its pure gold glory.

My swatch photos were taken in full sun. I applied all four shades with a sponge-tipped applicator, giving them a little more oomph than is necessary for everyday wear. I wanted you to see the colors adequately. With the exception of Backstage, the base shade, these are sparkling shades. You can see the sparkle in the pots, and you'll see it in the finely milled mineral pigments on your skin.

Because Alima Pure's pure colors and mineral pigments are rich and long-lasting, you don’t need much powder to do a beautiful job. That's why it was, for me, simply a matter of learning to pick up just the right amount of powder on my brush. I used to be afraid of mineral pigments, but with Alima Pure's shades, practice has made perfect, and I'm a convert.

Alima Pure makes its mineral makeup using only the purest cosmetic-grade mineral pigments. There are no additives, fillers, or fragrances that can irritate your skin or clog your pores. In fact, the natural mineral pigments Alima Pure uses are actually good for your skin, providing sun protection and helpful anti-inflammatory properties.

Alima Pure has a great Web site, filled with information, and their blog is interesting (a great discussion of natural health and beauty). They also have a Facebook site and a Twitter account (@alimapure). Check them out - you won't be disappointed. This is mineral makeup a makeup snob can love! Because the company takes its global relevance seriously, $2 from each Fall Runway Look will go to the Global Fund for Women. Need another reason to shop online tomorrow?

Photo at top and collection courtesy of Alima Pure; other photos by Best Things in Beauty