Want to look this good? You can with a little help from Chantecaille! Perfect skin and teeth won't hurt, but the elegant makeup is all Chantecaille. The Summer in St. Barth's shades have launched.Over the next few days, I'll be showing you how to duplicate the eyes, cheeks, and lips from the Summer in St. Barth's look. Today, let's take a look St. Barth's Compact Soleil ($45) bronzer. Olivia Chantecaille (above) is wearing St. Barth's, which imparts a beautiful, sun-kissed look that's light and perfect for those who fear bronzers. St. Barth's is a sheer brown that will leave us pale faces with a natural look, one that doesn't scream, "Bronzer!" The shade was inspired by Chantecaille's Le Tigre Bronzer.
St. Barth's was lightly dusted on the highest points of Olivia's face with Chantecaille's Face Brush - on her cheekbones, chin, and forehead. She's also wearing BIWA Poudre de Perle, which I will show you as soon as I can get good photos.
Don't let the look of this bronzer in the compact - or its photo online - influence your impression of the shade. It's one of the most wearable bronzers I have ever purchased. No special technique, such as a very fluffy brush and light hand, is needed to get the right touch with St. Barth's. It's goof-proof.
Compact Soleil captures the wonderful effects of the sun without any of the harmful effects of UV rays. This incredibly natural-looking bronzer is the result of the latest micronizing technology that creates an ultra-fine powder with a silky, glowing finish. Gingko biloba and wild rose work together to heal and protect the skin, leaving it smooth and radiant. It's cruelty-free, with no animal derivatives, paraben-free, and fragrance-free.
I took my photos
outdoors in sunlight. You can see the reflections on the pretty silver-toned compact in the photo above. St. Barth's is sheer and flattering. I decided to use a sponge to apply swatches for my photos. There's a heavy application at the top of my arm and a lighter one below. Keep in mind that I applied both more heavily than I would normally apply the bronzer. I hope you can see that this shade is divine. There isn't even a smidgen of orange in it.
I can see some tiny sparkles in the compact, but St. Barth's applies a gleam - an indescribable glow - no fireworks. That's fabulous for convincing your admirers that the sun-kissed glow is natural.
The texture is the fine, creamy powder we expect from Chantecaille. It adheres perfectly. It has definitely joined the "wear me" pile among the best bronzers in my life. Compact Soleil in Capri had already gone there. St. Barth's has joined it!
After having so many makeup artists apply bronzer to my face, making me look healthy, helping my cheekbones pop, and making my square jawline recede a bit, I've become a bronzer convert over the last year. When you find the right one, you'll join me.
You can find Compact Soleil at Chantecaille's Web site. It arrived at Neiman Macus (where I bought mine) within the last few days, so I'm sure your Chantecaille counter will have it soon. This bronzer is a must-try for anyone with fair skin. Try it; if it's too light for you, one of the other Compact Soleil shades should be perfect. I'm looking forward to the next Chantecaille event at Neiman Marcus!
Update: There will be a Chantecaille event on June 11 at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria with Eddie Hernandez (call Kathy Shoreman at 703-761-1600, extension 3282).
There will be a gift with purchase for Camp Gorgeous, Sunday, June 5, through June 12 at all Neiman Marcus stores.
Photo of Olivia Chantecaille courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty