Chantecaille New Classic Palette for Fall 2011

Chantecaille's New Classic Palette ($85) for Fall 2011 is gorgeous. I'm smitten. I know already that it's joining my Tiger in the Wild Palette as a staple in my makeup wardrobe. The New Classic Palette captures the polish, glamour, and timeless elegance of the ladylike fashion trends for the fall season. Don't forget, it's all about Lady Chic!



Three eye shades, Valerian, Thistle and Lavender (the rich plum shade) will allow you to create multiple looks with layered washes of easy neutrals anchored with the deep plum tone. While the Lavender shade is technically classified as a liner in the palette, it can be applied sheerly to create a smoky eye look. Pearlescent Valerian’s subtle shimmer can be used to as a base shade or to highlight the brow bone or the inner corners of the eye. It's gorgeous and elegant pink on my skin. Chantecaille calls the neutral Thistle the perfect silver grey lid shade for both day and night. On my skin, it's an exquisite shimmering taupe.



The brightening peach-pink cheek color in Rose provides a classic peach flush, one that coordinates beautifully with the eye shades in the palette. Enriched with vitamins A, C, and E, it will also give your skin a nourishing treat when you wear it.



Because Valerian and Thistle shimmer, I had a hard time getting perfectly representative swatch photos. I took many yesterday and more this morning in an attempt to show you the shades without too much reflection from the sun. I'll show you a few and hope that you can see how pretty the shades are - and how nicely they coordinate. As usual, I applied each shade heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. I swatched the palette clockwise, starting with Valerian at the top of my arm and finishing with Lavender at the bottom. I took my photos in full sun.



Valerian, the pink shade at the top of my arm, is the hardest to see in my photos. It doesn't appear to provide much contrast to my skin, but I can assure you that it's drop-dead stunning on the eyelids. It shimmers, lighting up my eyes with a shade of pink I can wear (which makes me very happy). Then there's the taupe Thistle, one of my all-time favorite eye shadow shades. I just don't see the grey in Thistle (and I don't think I'm losing my eyesight). On my skin, I see a subtly shimmering taupe - one that leans toward the milk chocolate shade range, not the grey one. Chantecaille "did good" when they paired Thistle with Valerian.



The blush shade, Rose, is peachy on me. I think peach tones look better with icy pink and plum or purple shades. If you apply too many pink tones to your face at one time, or if you are wearing rich purple or lavender clothing, you don't want to look glaringly pink. A fabulous Chantecaille rep and I discussed that one day when I was wearing purple. The peach tone complements the eye shadows very well. It does not shimmer as much as my photos suggest. I'd wear it on my eyes with Thistle too, just because I think it would be pretty.



The Lavender liner/shadow is a very deep plum. On my skin, it looks charcoal in most lighting, with just a hint of plum. It's a great shade for anyone, even those of us who find plums difficult to wear.



Hopefully, I've whet your appetite to go see the New Classic Palette for yourself. I'm sure the shades will flatter you, no matter what your skin tone. One cool aspect of the palette is that the compact is refillable. Take good care of it; it will be with you for a long time!



You can purchase the New Classic Palette at Chantecaille's Web site (where I purchased mine). A special gift with purchase started today (with purchase of $200). I believe that the Chantecaille counters should receive their stock this week - or very soon. I'll provide an update when Neiman Marcus receives their stock.



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

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Giorgio Armani Beauty Jacquard Woven Face Color Palette for Fall 2011

I was very excited when the new Giorgio Armani Beauty Jacquard palettes arrived at Neiman Marcus! I decided to show you the Woven Face Color Palette ($55) first because it was a curiosity to me. Although I'm sure you could wear these shades anywhere on your face, including your eyes, they are stunning when blended into one shade for the face - an exquisite highlighter.



Here are the four shades presented individually. My photo was snapped in sunshine (which has come and gone all day), and I swatched each shade with a sponge-tipped applicator. The top color strip, a shimmering yellow-toned ivory, is shown at the top of my arm. I think it's beautiful. The two shades of gold, one darker than the other, comprise the majority of space in the palette. The rose shade at the bottom is almost impossible to apply individually with anything except a very narrow brush. It's a pretty color, though. I took a close-up photo to show you.



Use of either gold shade - or the ivory - no matter what tool you use for application - provides a stunning highlighter. After I started playing with the palette, it became clear to me that the palette really shines when you blend the shades. I took a dense blush brush and blended all the shades together as evenly as possible, applying the swatch to my arm mid-way between my wrist and my elbow. The shade that resulted was gasp-worthy.



It's a golden, shimmering highlighter that's a rose-leaning gold with just the right amount of shimmer. The color definitely reflects sunlight.



You can see in my two swatch photos here that the blended shimmering gold has a warm pink hue. If you "lean on" your brush along the rose strip of the palette, it will be even more pink. If you avoid the rose strip, it offers a pure golden tone. The choice is yours.



I'm officially in love with my new Jacquard Woven Face Color Palette. It's available at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria and Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase. That means your own Armani counter will have it soon if it's not already on display.



I'll show you the eye palettes tomorrow. I think they are equally lust-worthy.



Update 6:46 pm: The swatches of the blended shade on my arm were taken in the same location. One was taken in bright light. Then the sun popped out (totally), and I got a brighter one.



Photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Bobbi Brown Tailored Collection - Neiman Marcus Exclusive

Like a perfectly tailored pinstripe suit, Bobbi Brown's Tailored Collection ($100), a Neiman Marcus exclusive, telegraphs "polished, office-appropriate chic." In addition to a sleek palette filled with Bobbi's flattering and versatile shades for your eyes and lips, it features Illuminating Bronzer Powder, Blush, and Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara to complete a chic look.



The collection also includes three mini-sized makeup brushes: a dual-ended Eye Shadow/Eye Liner Brush, a mini Lip Brush, and mini Face Blender Brush (one of my faves - one can never have too many of these). These brushes come with short handles making them perfect for travel and on-the-go makeup application.



Everything comes perfectly packed in a pinstriped makeup case with a divider to keep them separate.



The pinstriped Tailored Face Palette includes the following colors.

• Navajo Eye Shadow (creamy pinkish white)
• Petal Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow (light pink)
• Gray Pearl Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow (medium gray)
• Caviar Eye Shadow (blackest brown)
• Antigua Illuminating Bronzing Powder (light pink bronze)
• Peony Blush (bright pink)
• Soiree Pink Glitter Lip Gloss (pale pink)
• Nude Pink Lip Gloss (neutral pink)
• Pink Bouquet Glitter Lip Gloss (rosy pink)

Most of the colors are soft and subtle, as you will see from my swatch photos below. I took my photos in full sun, I applied all the shades heavily for these photos. The eye shades and cheek shades were applied with a sponge-tipped applicator. The lip shades were applied with the handy mini Lip Brush that comes in the set. I did not swatch the mascara, which is black.



You won't be able to see Navajo eye shadow at the top of my arm. I could barely see it, no matter how much I applied. It matches my skin perfectly, masking imperfections and redness, but without adding color. It's a perfect base shade. The shimmering pink Petal Shimmer Wash is a baby pink shadow - very pretty, although it may not be my best shade. The two greys in the group, Gray Pearl Shimmer Wash and Caviar, will give you options for accenting or lining your eyes. My personal favorite is Gray Pearl.



The three lip glosses are very light. Soiree Pink Glitter is shown at the top of my arm, Nude Pink in the middle, and Pink Bouquet Glitter at the bottom. Pink Bouquet Glitter is the only one of the three I could wear without lipstick underneath. I really like that lip brush, though!



The cheek shades are both very nice. My favorite is Antigua, which is a gorgeous warm pink bronze shade. It's perfect as a blush on me. I bought it the second Bobbi Brown introduced it. Peony Blush is a bit bright. I have to apply it with a very light hand.



I purchased this collection when it was still in pre-sale at Neiman Marcus at Mazza Galleria. I'm glad to have it. It's one of those handy palettes with brushes that you might want to keep in your desk drawer at the office (you never know when you'll have to freshen your makeup). It will come in handy. It's one of those classics you can always use.



There are instructions for application, should you need them, at neimanmarcus.com. You can purchase the Tailored Collection there or at your favorite Neiman Marcus store.



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

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