New: Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color

Shiseido introduced new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors ($25) this month, and they are luscious. The lightweight cream eye shadows have a radiant, lustrous finish that will maintain a just-applied, fresh look for 16 hours without smudging or creasing. They apply easily with your fingertip or a cream shadow brush (or concealer brush) for a smooth, even finish. You can wear the shades separately or blend them to create a custom look.



The formula adds a luxurious bonus to the color. Shiseido's Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE hydrates the lids. The shadows contain a jewel-reflecting powder that emits an intense radiance to morph to your surroundings. A patent-pending emulsification technology allows excess oil and water to be removed after application, leaving behind only the hydrating and jewel-reflecting powder on the lids. That's how the shadows stay crease-free for the duration. They apply like a dream come true.



The 12 shades range from the vibrant Purple Dawn, shown on the model above, to a discreet Sable. I purchased two shades to start my collection. I love cream shadows, so I was on the lookout for the new shades. Actually, I had seen them at Nordstrom, but it was during the crazy Anniversary Sale days, so I skipped out of there quickly. The shadows are now available online at Sephora. That's where I bought mine.



The two shades I purchased are shown above: Meadow (BE204), a gorgeous antique gold - and Patina (GR707), a silvery khaki or olive green. I adore them both!



I took a few swatch photos in full sun. You can see that these shadows are shimmering beauties. Yes, the sun makes them look especially sparkly, but you can always count on Shiseido for totally wearable makeup. On my lids, they are magnificent. For these photos, I applied the shadows with a cream eye shadow brush.



You can see that Meadow is a gorgeous, shimmering gold. I love gold shadows on my lids, and Meadow is going to replace a very old one (another brand) that has finally given up the ghost. Patina is an interesting, muted green with a silver shimmer. It's beyond flattering. It brings out the green in my eyes, which is fun.



I think the pots are really well-designed. Instead of being perfectly round, they have a contour that allows for an easy grasp and turn (as you can see in Shiseido's photo of Meadow above).



I am a huge Shiseido devotee, and I'm passionate about cream eye shadows. I am totally delighted with my new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors. Now I have Techno Gold and Sable on my must-have list. Perhaps I'll even buy Leather. I need to see that one in person, but I could order the other two from the online photos. I know I'll love them.



You can find Shiseido's gorgeous new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors at Shiseido's Web site (click on the little circle and a fabulous photo will display), Sephora online, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's. Go look at them!



Photos at top courtesy of Shiseido; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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New Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colour

Clinique's new Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colours ($19.50) build on the enormous success of Clinique's Vitamin C Lip Smoothies. These new creamy, crease-resistant eye colors keep their color and wear nicely all day. The lid colors promise to instantly cool the lids, thanks to a unique applicator (those metal applicators are all the rage, but see below). Nourishing ingredients in the formula are said to coax fine lid lines into a blanket of smoothness, and antioxidants and botanicals help protect the eye area. They even have spinach leaf extract in them (makes me think of Popeye).



These beauties come in 12 shades. I had a hard time selecting "only four." I wanted two shades I could wear as a base on my lids and two that offered some "quiet color."



My selections are all fabulous!

• Bit O'Honey, light champagne shimmer
• Cute-cumber, silvery leaf green
• Ginger-ly, peachy gold
• Seventh Heather, taupe (of course!)

A little bit of these cream shadows goes a long way. Clinique suggests that you start with a small amount and build additional color as desired. I'll go one step further and suggest that you squeeze the tiniest amount out of the tube and pick up the color with a small concealer brush. Apply to your lids with the brush, building the color until you've got the look you like. I would not recommend that you apply the creams directly to your lids with the gimmicky applicator and then blend quickly with your fingertip. I'd use my finger first if I were skipping the brush.



In my swatch photos, which were taken in full sun, I blended the shades slightly with a brush. I didn't blend Bit O'Honey as much as the others because it's light. It's shown at the top of my arm. As a result, it pops in my photos. You can apply it with more restraint.



The other three shades are, top to bottom, Cute-cumber, Ginger-ly, and Seventh Heather. All of the shades have some shimmer, but some have more than others. Cute-cumber and Seventh Heather have less then the others I purchased.



They shades dry quickly and stay put. If you have oily lids, I would recommend that you wear a primer. If your lids are dry like mine, you can skip the primer if you wish. These shadows shouldn't crease at all on dry lids.



Nice, aren't they? You can't beat the price. All of the names are corny, but who cares? I bought mine at Neiman Marcus, but ordered two more (that had sold out at NM) from Clinique.com.



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

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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

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Rouge Bunny Rouge Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow in Atlas Swallowtail

My Rouge Bunny Rouge love turned to lust a few months ago. In June, I featured Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow ($40.32) in Velvet Fritillary, purchased from Zuneta. The neutral khaki with golden undertones was so pretty, it left me gasping. I knew I needed at least one more of the lovely cream shadows.

After deliberating for a month, I selected Atlas Swallowtail. Described as a satin wash of nude taupe with pewter reflections, buildable to a darker, more opaque, and metallic hue of the same shade, it sounded like a soul mate. Taupe, in all of its complex manifestations, may be a perfect eye shadow shade for me. Atlas Swallowtail has joined my favorite taupes I keep in a special place.

When my package from Zuneta arrived last week, it was one of the first items I tried. I had to dole out my new goodies one at a time in an attempt to survive the long weekend with a makeup treat for every day. I couldn't resist the cream shadow for long, though. Out came Atlas Swallowtail, and a deep satisfaction rolled through me. Just like a narcotic! (Sorry, but with the knee replacement still fresh in my mind, it seemed like a perfect analogy.)

My swatch photos just don't do this amazing taupe justice. It's sheer. I wanted its sheerness to show here, so I didn't apply it to my arm extremely heavily. In the first photo above, I turned my arm away from the sun so that you could see the shade with and without the sun's reflection on the swatch. In the second photo, below right, the sun was obscured by cloud cover, but it was still light enough to get a photo.

The finish of Atlas Swallowtail is definitely satin. It has a gleam, but no shimmer, making it absolutely perfect for your daytime looks - indoors or out. Anyone who finds shimmering shadows too bold will love the finish.

Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow has a light, velvety, cream formula for a silky glide. The innovative silicon waxes and gels, in combination with beeswax, give it perfect slip as it glides over your eyelids, either with the wand or another brush. I dot it into my palm and apply it with a synthetic brush. Para cress flower extract and coffee extract in the formula offer a firming feature to perfect your look, as the color enhances it.

There's a lovely story associated with Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow at the Zuneta Web site. Since I quoted that whimsical tale here, I won't repeat it. Read it, and you will envision those craftsmen, fabric in hand, inspired by the butterflies gently flapping their smooth, silky wings.

I've purchased all of my Rouge Bunny Rouge treasures from Zuneta. The shipping from the U.K. is free to U.S. customers who order enough. I never any trouble achieving the free shipping level. If anything, I have to restrain myself from ordering one of everything.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Tarte emphasEYES Waterproof Amazonian Clay Cream Eyeshadow & Brush

There are days when I can barely contain my excitement. The day these four Tarte emphasEYES Waterproof Amazonian Clay Cream Eyeshadow & Brushes ($22.80) arrived was one of them. They are only available at QVC, but I received mine from Tarte. I am one lucky lady! Perhaps my love for cream shadows - and Tarte - has become legendary. These are among the best cream shadows I'm wearing. They are every bit as exciting as some of the makeup that's been getting all the attention in the last two weeks.

I've been using these rave-worthy shimmering treats on my eyes for a couple of weeks. The five shades were launched over a two-month period. I didn't understand how they escaped my notice at Tarte and Sephora until I discovered they were exclusive to QVC. Note to self: Read e-mails.

We'll have to chat with QVC because the little swatch photos do not do these beauties justice. They look dark and a little imposing. You have to click on the little square shade representations to flip the large photo to one that shows the colors in the pot in a more flattering light. Look at Seashell Pink. It looks brown in the little square at this link. Click on it, and you see the "real-life" look at right.

Each of the four colors I've been wearing is an everyday delight. I got a pretty decent full-sun photo of the shades before I dug into them. They are shown with Slate at top left, Moss at top right, Beach Bronze at bottom right, and Seashell Pink at lower left. Every one of these shades falls into my "love zone." They have exquisite shimmering color without being too conspicuous. I couldn't be happier with them!

For my arm photos, all taken in full sun, I used Tarte's fabulous cream shadow brush - the one that accompanies each emphasEYES Waterproof Amazonian Clay Cream Eyeshadow - and swatched in this order, top to bottom: Seashell Pink, Slate, Moss, and Beach Bronze. I applied them heavily so that I would get adequate colors for the photos. On my lids. I apply them with less oomph.

Seashell Pink has a tiny blue hue in it. It's a complex shade. Slate is hard for me to describe. Despite its name, which implies a blue-grey shade, I think it's a gorgeous taupe. Moss is moss green (or khaki), one of my favorite shades for eye shadow or clothing. Beach Bronze is bronze and beautiful.

These pigmented shadows stay put forever. Naturally, they sport some of Tarte's good-for-you signature ingredients. Micronized Amazonian clay intensifies the color pigments, while working to nourish skin, reduce surface oil, and improve overall texture for a beautiful application. Thanks to a botanical blend of natural plant waxes, the shadow glides on smoothly and forms an impermeable layer that protects against sweat, tears, and creasing for hours of wear time (up to 18 for me). I love their non-creasing quality. The colors do not migrate into the crease, as some well-regarded creams do.

Not only is this cream shadow super long-wearing, it works to infuse our delicate eyelids with Amazonian clay, aloe leaf extract, beeswax, and vitamins A and E. Because they are Tarte, the shadows are formulated without parabens, sodium laurel sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, or phthalates.

Tarte has a special event coming up at QVC. On July 2, in four time periods (Midnight-1:00 am, Noon-1:00 pm, 5:00-6:00 pm, and 9:00 to 10:00 pm ET, there will be features on Tarte's high-performance naturals. With all of those times available Saturday, you should be able to tune in, if not on your television, then online as I do.

In the meantime, pop over to QVC to see these fabulous cream shadows. If you buy more than one, which I would find easy to do, you get a $3.00 discount on each additional shade - and save on shipping and handling. Wish you could tell them Best Things in Beauty sent you!

Photos at top courtesy of QVC; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Tarte emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner

Tarte has a striking new line-up in its Summer 2011 Collection. Their emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner ($22), available in six shades, is a hit! From the blackest black to a lush khaki, there will be at least two shades that will speak to you. Not only that, you'll get three products in one - a budge-proof cream shadow and eyeliner with a fabulous brush that gives you the tool you to create both looks.

Infused with micronized clay and reinforced by a natural waterproofing agent, these plush shadow/liners are a must for creating intense and long-lasting high-definition eyes. Tarte's natural Amazonian clay is one of nature's perfect ingredients, lending deep color pigments while nourishing the skin, reducing surface oil and improving overall texture for smooth application. The botanical waterproofing agent is "earth engineered" from a blend of natural plant waxes to form an impermeable layer that protects against rain, sweat, tears, and creasing. This fusion of nature and technology results in an intense, smooth cream that can be smudged onto lids as an allover shadow or used as a high-definition liner. The double-ended brush makes that your choice.

Each emphasEYES shadow/liner is housed in an airtight jar to keep the product's cushiony texture intact. Some cream/gel shadows and liners dry out fairly quickly. They start life dry, and they get worse over time. Not this one! When you dip its companion brush into the product, you'll see why. It's like a fine cream, and it blends like a dream.

Here are four of the shades. I left the black one out of this photo (it's shown above), but you'll see swatches below. I had to brighten this photo a tad because it was cloudy outside when I took it.

From the lop left, moving clockwise, are brown, bronze, plum, and green. Those titles are much too humble - much simpler than these gorgeous shades. There's something special about each one. The brown is a deep, dark brown - in some lights almost indistinguishable from black. It's the perfect shade for those who don't find full-on jet black flattering by day. The green is a trendy khaki - as pretty as it gets. It's my personal favorite among favorites. I consider it a must-have.

The swatch photo at right shows all the shades Tarte sent me, except for black. For the top three, I used the shadow end of the companion brush, and at the bottom, I used the perfect, thin liner end. Green is at the top of my arm (my arm is not naturally yellow, but the bruise is healing from my tumble). Bronze is below, and Plum is shown below the bronze. At the bottom in this photo is Brown. You can see how dark and rich the shade is.

I wanted to attempt to show you the difference between the rich, deep Brown and Black shades. At the top of the photo at left I painted Brown. Black is below. If you look very carefully, you'll see the difference. The photo was taken in indirect sunlight. It was fairly bright out, but the sun wasn't shining.

The photo at right shows all five shades I have. I don't have Indigo, although I'd like to. Navy liners are among my favorites. Green is similar to the new Khaki Platine, but without as much shimmer. I'm not sure how it gets any better! Would it be appropriate for me to gush now?

Bronze is a rich shade, one that will flatter any complexion. The Plum is among the trendy shades for 2011. It may not be my best shade, but I'll bet it will work for so many gals. Black and Brown? Who can't use them forever?

It's so generous that Tarte provides a brush with each of these emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liners - as if their skinvigorating ingredients weren't enough! When Tarte named these liners waterproof, they weren't overstating that feature. When used as either a shadow or liner, they won't move once they set - and they set quickly. They are perfect for summer, when moisture attacks from all angles.

These shadow/liners apply with a creamy ease that will surprise you. You won't struggle, and you won't have to fuss and start over. If you have sensitive eyes, like I do, you will find Tarte's liners perfect. Make sure to screw the caps on tightly after you use them, and these liners will make you glamorous and happy for a very long time.

You can purchase emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner from Tarte, Sephora, Ulta, QVC, and beauty.com. You really need to try at least one.

Photos at top courtesy of Tarte; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Paul & Joe Beauté Limited-Edition Collection for Summer 2011 - Eye Gloss Duo

Paul & Joe introduced a limited-edition Eye Gloss Duo-B ($30) with the Summer 2011 Collection. I introduced the collection yesterday. I had choices for a cream eye shadow - something that always pleases me. There was Smooth Sailing 001, Fathom 002, and Depth 003. Smooth Sailing, pretty in blue, was "not me." Neither was Depth, a pink and grape duo. Fathom - golden orange (literally, that's how it looked online) and champagne beige-gold looked like they would work.

The collection of eye-opening lid lacquers is infused with two textures: whipped jelly and a watery, pearl-enhanced base to "give eyes translucency while showcasing them glamorously." Paul & Joe claims advertises that "a champagne shimmer from their signature Secret D’Or will leave eyes sparkling like jewels with a long-lasting satin finish. The duos have the consistency of a cream-gel, yet wear like a powder without smearing or caking, with a base that contains an ample amount of liquid for continuous moisture throughout the day."

The boxes of the Paul & Joe cosmetics are so cute - I love their presentation. The Eye Gloss Duo tube is straightforward. The dual-ended wand offers two color-coordinated shades - in this case, golden beige and an golden orange-tinged peach. Reader Eileen opened my eyes to orange shades. They do emphasize the blue in my eyes, and I have learned that some of them look good on me - better than I had imagined in the past.

I have provided two swatch photos for you, taken in full sun. The shades on my arm were almost unblended. I applied them with their doe-foot applicators and then smudged them ever so lightly.

Don't let the golden orange-toned shadow scare you! I apply it as a crease/accent shadow. It takes a tiny dab amount of the cream shadow, dotted on my lid, and blended with either my finger or a brush to give me a warm, golden, and punchy peach look that's pretty for summer when paired with peach or bronze cheek and lip shades. I use the golden orange shade in the outer crease and outer lid.

I wear the metallic champagne beige-gold on the lid. Make no mistake - the lighter shade has sparkle, not what I call shimmer. The light catches micro-glitter. Anyone over 40 won't want to wear it to work (fashion, beauty, art, and culture jobs excluded). However, the color pairing is a hit. It looks fabulous with the Bronzer B in Siren, the blush/bronzer in the summer collection. I understand how the look evolved; it's cohesive. I would recommend this Eye Gloss Duo to anyone who loves this color combination and can pull off a metallic eye. I will save it for evening.

You can find Paul & Joe Beauté at b~glowing (where I purchased my items from this collection), Beautyhabit, and DermStore.

Photo at top courtesy of b~glowing; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Rouge Bunny Rouge Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow

My personal soap opera continues...love at first sight, obsession, pursuit, possession - love turned to lust for everything Rouge Bunny Rouge. This morning I featured Original Skin Blush for Love of Roses. Now I'd like to show you Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow ($40.32). I purchased Velvet Fritillary from Zuneta. If you don't know the online boutique, please read this morning's feature. Knowing Zuneta is like having a door pass to an exclusive club.

I was placing my first Rouge Bunny Rouge order, sight unseen, and trusting my instincts to select products and colors I would like. Since I adore cream eye shadows, Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow, with a wand applicator, was a natural. It's available in five shades. The one that fascinated me the most was Velvet Fritillary, described online (and perfectly) as a satin wash of greyish khaki with golden reflections, buildable to a darker, more opaque, metallic hue of the same shade. I love grey, and I love khaki, so it jumped right into my shopping cart during my e-mail conversations with the team at Zuneta.

Since I love the way Rouge Bunny Rouge is described at Zuneta, I have to share this enchanting description of Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow.

Deep inside one of the Enchanted Garden’s dense jungles, surrounded by a thick and leafy rain forest, lies the Butterfly Makers Workshop. As the hot, monsoon rains drum down upon its roof, inside there is serene calm, as hundreds of the most skillful tailors labor lovingly over exquisitely fine fabrics, cutting and moulding them with a precision that only a select few can ever manage to attain. Rolls of light and airy chiffon, luxuriant velvet, delicate white batiste, and sparkling brocade are cut, smoothed, and shaped by the expert fingers of the craftsmen. A tailor will close his eyes, and, fabric in hand, imagine on a mental canvas the image of a perfect, elegant butterfly. After many hours of work, the outline of smooth wings becomes apparent, absent of the smallest crinkle. It is said that some of the butterflies are so perfect that they burst forth from the fingers of the tailors. Acquiring a life of their own, they mingle with the light and fly away into the rain forest, gently flapping their smooth, silky wings.

We were inspired by these very butterflies that sprung to life, to bring you Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadow. Our utmost Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadows caress your skin with the ease of a butterfly wing beat, so that your lids appear smooth and renewed, while coated with a semi-matte, slightly luminous color. It’s an irresistible combination of exceptionally long-wear, a non-crease formula, and smudge-proof texture. Our comfortable wand includes a light, velvet, creamy formula for silky gliding. Easy application is achieved by innovative silicon waxes and gels, in combination with beeswax. Rouge Bunny Rouge added para cress flower extract to stimulate natural skin-lifting capabilities and coffee extract to increase collagen and elastin production while also enhancing the natural skin defenses.

How could I resist? An enchanted garden, butterflies, whimsy, airy chiffon, and skin-enhancing color will get my attention any day! When my shadow came, it was love at first sight. I loved the packaging, the tube, and the color of Velvet Fritillary. I'm fairly sure that one or two of the additional colors will populate my third order.

My photo above right shows the box, tube, and wand. My photo at left shows a close-up of the applicator, which should give you a pretty good idea of the Velvet Fritillary shade on the wand. It intrigued me the second I opened it. I could see the subtle greyed khaki, just as promised, and I couldn't wait to get it on my skin! I was applying eye shadow long after my "public day" had ended.

My swatch photos show Velvet Fritillary in two ways. They were taken in outdoor sunlight. In the photo below right, the shadow was applied directly from the wand to my arm to show you the unblended color.

Look at its complexity! It's a greyed khaki, as promised, with golden tones, but words cannot describe its elegance. The photo below left shows the same swatch smudged lightly with my finger. Had I wanted to tone it down even more, I could have used any synthetic brush I have or Rouge Bunny Rouge's Large Shader (003) or Mini Shader (005) Brush - or my finger - to even the application of the cream shadow. Can I gush? Isn't this shade exquisite? What khaki or neutral lover wouldn't want it? Even gold enthusiasts will covet it.

All Silk Aether Long-lasting Cream Eye Shadows can be worn in two ways - as a satin wash of color with a one-layer application (my personal style) or a stronger application for more oomph. The shadow is so easily blended, you can achieve any look you desire.

Of course, there's a Product Application Guide at Zuneta. Their swatch photo at the beginning of the clip makes Velvet Fritillary look way more green (and honestly less interesting) than it really is. It's possible it's just my computer display, though, since all displays portray colors differently. The soft jazz that accompanies the demonstration is relaxing, making the experience of purchasing a treat, even if I can't look like that young model.

As I mentioned this morning, Zuneta's customer service, helping me (or you) select colors online is superlative. The shipping from the U.K. is free to U.S. customers who order enough. I didn't have any trouble achieving the free shipping level. I did it twice, and I'm sure to do it a third time soon! There's more Rouge Bunny Rouge to come here at Best Things in Beauty.

You can find the Rouge Bunny Rouge Web site at this link. They have a Facebook page here. Head over to Zuneta to browse and order. You must.

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

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Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in H4

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow ($25) is one of my favorite cream shadows. Intense and lustrous, this dewy cream eye shadow transforms into powder that creates a glaze of brilliant, shimmery color. It's crease-resistant and long-wearing.

There I was, a few months ago, lusting after some gold and copper eye shadows I saw in a magazine. H4 had been swatched. I wanted it. When I want something, I'm relentless in searching for it. I looked online at first. I couldn't find it. Then I started prowling the Shiseido counters. Every time I went in a store with a Shiseido counter, I looked at every Hydro-Powder shade on display (testers) and asked someone to check the stock in case the H4 tester was missing. No one had it. No one at a Shiseido counter knew the shade. I had almost given up when I found H4 at Bloomingdale's at Tysons Corner Center. I think the sales associate (someone I didn't know) was surprised when I told him I wanted it within seconds of picking up the tester. It was worth the search.

H4 is called Spring Plum. This shade is not plum to my eyes. Maybe I should be worried about my vision. Not only that, the color swatches online make it look mauve pink. You be the judge; I swatched it.

On my arm at right is a heavy application at the top and a lighter, blended application below. I applied the cream with my fingertips (my bad - I was in a hurry, but I washed my hands before I touched it). I would describe the color as a rose-tinged copper. When applied heavily, the rose is more dominant than it is when applied lightly and blended. Either way, I can wear it. I don't look like an albino bunny in it. The shade is extremely flattering to my pale skin and blue eyes, and I think women with other skin/eye combinations will find it very pleasing.

Last night, I looked online, and now suddenly the shade is "everywhere." Go figure! No matter what it's called, it's gorgeous! I verified H4 today with the lovely ladies who represent Shiseido. They see a soft plum with some shine; I see another color. It's not new, so I have no idea why many counters don't display it. Browsers would pick up this beauty in a heartbeat.

You can find Shiseido at Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and other Shiseido counters, as well as online at the Shiseido Web site. See if you can find H4 more easily than I could.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom

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