Estée Lauder Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascara

Now, renowned makeup artist and Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux has created a breakthrough new mascara based on his secret backstage technique for a beautiful, wide-eyed look. A worldwide first, the new Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascara ($28) brings a dual approach to your lashes, combining two contrasting shades and two distinct brushes for instantly lifted, beautiful eyes. Boldly dress your upper lashes in rich black and define your lower fringe with a more subtle hue for an intense eye-brightening effect.

“My favorite woman is a woman who looks like herself at her best,” said Tom Pecheux. “I love eyes that are made up without looking too made up. This is a trick I’ve been using backstage and on ad shoots for years. The simple trick of using two different shades - darker on top, lighter on the bottom - works to really open up the eyes.”

For a truly modern, fashion-inspired, enhanced eye-opening look, pair this innovative mascara with Estée Lauder’s new, limited-edition Double Wear Stay-in-Place Dual-Ended Eye Pencil Duos and eye-brightening, limited-edition Pure Color Eyeshadows, all part of Estée Two Tone Collection for eyes.

Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascara is a sleek, dual-ended mascara that houses two distinct shades and two unique brushes for both top and bottom lashes.

• Top lashes - Achieve bold drama on upper lashes with the exclusive BrushComber brush, which defines, lifts and thickens even the sparsest lashes with bold, weightless volume while providing a lustrous, rich bold black shade to lashes.
• Bottom lashes - Subtly define and add soft luster to lower lashes with a tiny micro-brush specifically designed for hard-to-reach lashes, accentuating and defining them with a softer, more subtle, smudge-proof hue.

Sumptuous mascara’s unprecedented "Bold Volume" formula has ultra-light, lash thickening fibers, which lift and fill in even sparse lashes into big, lush lashes that are all lightness and flirtatious curl. It is said to be ophthalmologist-tested and safe for contact lens wearers.

The new mascara is available in three eye-opening shades that make it possible to play with a range of looks from refreshingly natural to more bold and dramatic.

• Bold Black/Rich Brown
• Limited-edition Bold Black/Rich Blue
• Limited-edition Bold Black/Rich Plum

It should be available at your favorite Estée Lauder counter now. It is available at the Estée Lauder Web site.

Photo courtesy of Estée Lauder

Macy's Exclusive Estée Lauder Pure Color Blushes

Three limited-edition Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush shades are launching exclusively at Macy's in May. I want to see these! The Siren is calling my name.

The Siren is shown at the top of this feature. Fearless is shown directly below.

Orange lovers and trendsetters should take a look at Naughty, shown below. It looks a little dark to my eye, and I still want Peach Passion. Naughty will be great for gals with dark complexions.

Pure Color Blush yields fresh, radiant color that lasts all day, and it won't streak or fade. The ultra-silky powder sweeps on sheerly for a natural glow. You can build the color for contoured and sculpted definition. These blushes come in two finishes: Satin and Shimmer.

Cheeks come to life when you highlight and contour. This defines a woman. -Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director

Although the press release says that Macy's will have the colors available in May, they may have arrived already. I'll be making a short trip over to Macy's to see them. I assume they are $28, the cost of the rest of the Pure Color Blush Collection.

Photos courtesy of Estée Lauder

First Look: Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder for Summer 2012

As longer days and warm, breezy nights herald the start of summer, Chanel has embraced the season with the Summer 2012 Collection by Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup. Philips chose to replicate the natural glow of sunbathed skin with luminous bronze, peach, gold, and rose tones.

The Luminous Bronzing Powder ($60) has arrived at a few stores and is available in two shades, each comprised of seven unique stripes of color, including a luminous gold. Sable Beige (#907) is shown above on the left; Sable Rose (#917) is shown above. I purchased them today at Bloomingdale's, which has only received part of the collection (and they put older shades in the display slots for the new Rouge Coco Shines - fortunately I recognized the bait and switch). These bronzers will lend subtle hints of warmth and shimmer to every complexion.

Sable Beige, shown above, will bring a fresh glow to lighter skin tones. Sable Rose, shown below, will work for anyone, in my opinion. Blended together, the shades in each compact will create a seamless bronzing effect. Used on their own, the gold powders will illuminate the complexion, while the darker shades will sculpt the face when gently swept across the natural contours.

It has rained on and off all day, and there's no way for me to get good swatch photos. I will try to feature them tomorrow. Will you be on the hunt?

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

YSL Beauté Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Palette for Summer 2012 - in No. 9

YSL Beauté's new Summer 2012 Look offers three new Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Palettes ($52): #7, Shell, #8, Sand (featured here), and #9, Stone. I had planned to purchase one and selected #8 quickly. Neutrals and I get along. Then I started swatching and selected #9 too. It was much more neutral on my skin than I anticipated by looking at the compact.

Through the magic of water and a revolutionary new process, Yves Saint Laurent has pushed the limits of color with Pure Chromatics, a new generation of eye shadows. Real makeup artist magic is made easy with emblematic harmonies that captivate the eyes.

A new water-process technology, exclusive to YSL, is the latest discovery in color for pigments that can be more intense and dramatic than ever before - or can be applied for everyday wear (more me). You can use these shadows wet or dry to vary your eye look from office-appropriate to party-ready.
 
Water enhances the color pigments in Pure Chromatics. When used wet, the water activates the pigments and gives full intensity to their color. The effect is the satiny powder transforms into a luxurious cream while pearls shine with a metallic finish.

Pure Chromatics #9's three neutrals appealed to me the first time I saw them. I had a lukewarm reaction to the charcoal navy shade - a misleading impression. Once I swatched it, I saw beautiful possibilities.

My swatch photos were taken in strong outdoor light, but the sun was pulling a disappearing act the day I snapped them, so they are not as bright as I'd like. I've had no opportunities for a re-do since then. What I hope you see is that these shadows are not at all outrageously shimmery when applied dry. They are beautiful neutrals - three brown-based and one navy grey thrown in for contrast.

I swatched clockwise, starting at the top left in the palette, and I applied the shadows with a sponge-tipped applicator. My favorite shades? Second down and bottom swatches on my arm. The light shimmer brightens my eyes and adds a little star power to taupe.

As reader Eileen pointed out, it looks like the model for the collection is wearing the copper from #8 and the charcoal blue from #9. Even if she's not, they would be a pretty combination.

You can purchase YSL's new Summer 2012 Look at YSL's Web site or any YSL counter. There are plenty of other goodies to tempt you if you aren't in the market for a new eye shadow palette.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Bobbi Brown Miami Collection for Spring 2012 - Fresh from the Beach

Imagine the glow you get after a day at the beach - that’s the inspiration behind the Miami Collection. It’s about sun-kissed skin and beautiful coral and nectar colors infused with gold. And to really get you into a summer state of mind, there’s nothing like a spritz of Beach Fragrance (now in a modern, new bottle) and Shimmering Fragrance Oil.

This collection recreates the fresh, glowing look you get at the beach. - Bobbi Brown

The Collection has arrived at Bobbi Brown counters. This weekend, I saw it and made a conservative purchase of four items. Later today, or tomorrow at the latest, I'm headed back for more!

What grabbed my eye (and wallet)? The new, limited-edition Shimmer Cheek Glow ($39). Available in two shades, Miami and Gold, Bobbi’s new Shimmer Cheek Glow
is a sheer, very creamy powder formula that glides on smoothly and blends easily for a weightless feel and imparts a glow with soft shimmer or sparkle. If you can’t make it to Miami, you can still look like you were partying at the trendy night spots.

Miami looks pink to me, not the coral or nectar that characterizes the collection. The gold is definitely gold. I was surprised by these Shimmer Cheek Glows. I expected more color and less sparkle. I also expected more traditional powders.  When I applied them, I found creamy, sheer, suggestions of color and shine that's jazzy.

Look at how sheer they are! I applied both with a sponge-tipped applicator, and I applied them very heavily, trying to get good swatch photos. I kept building the color, but these photos are as good as I could get. Miami is shown at the top of my arm, with Gold below.

The effect of these Cheek Glows is transparent and sparkling, with just a suggestion of color. If you like to light up your face with a pink highlighter, you'll prefer Miami. If you want more warmth, try Gold. You can see that the sun's rays brought out the shine on my arm. You'll glow at the beach too with these new helpers. The powder is so fine and so creamy, I'll bet you could apply these highlighters with your fingertips.

I purchased my Shimmer Cheek Glows at Saks Fifth Avenue. Neiman Marcus has also received the Miami Collection, so I suspect it's available at all Bobbi Brown counters. It has not gone up at Bobbi Brown's Web site yet, but should soon. I'll show you my other Miami collection purchases as soon as I can get photos.

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

Bobbi Brown Lip & Eye Palette Giveaway Contest

It's all about adding a special touch to your look, and Bobbi Brown makes it easy with this Lip & Eye Palette. This limited-edition (now sold out), double-decker palette includes exquisite shades of high-shimmer Metallic Eye Shadow and comfortable, long-wearing Creamy Lip Color. The Creamy Lip Color shades in the palette are Berry Mauve, Pink Sequin, the Dusty Mauve, and Ruby. The gorgeous eye shadow shades are Gold Dust, Champagne Quartz, Golden Bronze, and Galaxy. The palette comes with a Mini Eye Shadow Brush and Mini Lip Brush with a cap.  Many of these shades were new and exclusive to this palette.

I found this Lip & Eye Palette at the Estée Lauder Company Store in Leesburg, Virginia, where I find all kinds of treasures. I had intended to keep it for myself, but realized I don't have enough eyes and lips to wear everything I love. I'd really like to dig into it. Instead, one of you will win this set.

How can you enter to win 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 (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.

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 evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, April 28, 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.

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

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss - Croisette Collection for Summer 2012 - and the Saks Bait and Switch

Dior has new glosses! The Dior Addict Ultra Glosses ($28) featured with the Croisette Collection for Summer 2012 are Dior's usual gorgeous. Trying to avoid buying one of everything, I purchased two.

The colors shown above, from left to right, are Brown Panama (#432), Orange Pareo (#542), and Pink Croisette (#464). Unfortunately, in my haste yesterday, I fell victim to a sales associate's bait and switch tactics. Rather than leave an empty display when they don't have testers, they will throw in glosses of similar shades. We even talked about these being being new for summer and that she had no tester for Orange Pareo. I selected the brown and pink, thinking I was buying the new shades. Not! The shades I purchased are beautiful, but they are not new. I wish I had examined the boxes before I left.

Here are the two shades I purchased, with Beige Tweed (#227) on the left and Rose Sari (#576) on the right. I really should return them (someone has to teach these SAs to stop swapping old shades into new displays and misrepresenting them!). This time, it's not going to be me because I like these two pearl-finish glosses. I do plan to complain to management.

Here are two swatch photos, taken in full sun. Both shades offer a shimmering gleam to the lips. Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss always suits me. Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss features a featherweight formula with a flash-plumping, spotlight shine effect. Hyaluronic spheres keep lips smooth and moisturized, while mirror-like micro pearls reflect light in all directions for a dazzling finish! It feels great on the lips, and the colors are all nice - a reason I will keep these, even though I feel terribly mislead.

I go through lip glosses pretty quickly, and these will be a nice addition to my makeup bag. So would the new ones, I'm sure.

You can find the new glosses - or the old ones - at all Dior counters. Online, check them out at Nordstrom. I'm not going to recommend you look for them at Saks; you might end up with the wrong shades.

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