Le Métier de Beauté Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope Eye Kit

It was an exciting day yesterday when my Le Métier de Beauté Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) arrived via UPS. Modernist Merlot was launched last week at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island at Newport Center, California, for Fashion's Night Out. I was lucky. Erin Lockard works in that area, and she was visiting our Neiman Marcus stores last weekend. You'll remember that she did a masterful job on my makeup last Wednesday. If you didn't see that feature, just click on this link. Erin and Kathy Shoreman helped me ensure that I would get one of the palettes the next day when they became available. Mine was sent from the store in California.

A total Le Métier de Beauté devotee, I ordered the Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope sight unseen. I hadn't even seen a photo at that point. That made it all the more exciting when it arrived.

I was able to get a few swatch photos for you this morning. I wanted to show them to you so that you too could ask your Neiman Marcus sales associate or Le Métier de Beauté product specialist to "option 7" (order) one for you. You could always call the store directly to order too (949-759-1900, extension 2149). I have to admit I don't know if there are any left as I write on Thursday morning, one week after FNO.

I swatched from the top of the palette (near my wrist) to the bottom. I applied each shade heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator for these photos. The shades are much more refined when applied properly with a brush, and, like all Le Métier de Beauté eye shadows, they are perfect for layering.

The shade at the top in the Kaleidoscope is a drop-dead gorgeous silvery mauve-taupe. It's a complex shade that's resisting my efforts to describe it. It has a subtle shimmer. The peach shade is a matte peach. It's a perfect foil for the other shades on the eyes, and it is also an exquisite blush shade. The third shade is another complex shade that's hard to pin down in words. It is a subtly shimmering mauve tone with brown, lavender, and almost a hint of copper in it. I hope you can put words on it because I'm having trouble limiting the gorgeous shade to words other than "wow." The bottom shade is merlot - a matte blue lavender that is flattering because it isn't a red tone that might bring out the red on our eyes. Merlot is a dark blue-colored wine grape, and it's a perfect representation of that color.

If I can get shade names for the four shades, I will add them to this feature. Perhaps the names themselves can better describe the colors. For now, we'll let our eyes name the shades.

If you are interested in purchasing the Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope Eye Kit, don't let any grass grow under your feet. Order one today!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Le Métier de Beauté Oscar de la Renta Kaleidoscope for Fashion's Night Out

We've known for weeks that Le Métier de Beauté and Oscar de la Renata were cooking up a very special Kaleidoscope for Fashion's Night Out. Today, Le Métier de Beauté posted a photo on its Facebook page.

The Kaleidoscope above is a limited edition “Ready to Wear” Kaleidoscope makeup palette ($150) that was created especially for Fashion's Night Out. It includes a red lip color, two eye shadows, and a cheek highlighter. A portion of the of the proceeds will be donated to the NYC AIDS Fund. It will be available at the Le Métier de Beauté counter at Bergdorf Goodman and the Oscar de la Renta boutique at 66th Street and Madison Avenue in New York.

Update from WWD: De la Renta plans to promote the kit with an appearance at the Le Métier de Beauté counter at Bergdorf Goodman from 5:30 to 6:30 pm Thursday before going to his boutique at 66th Street and Madison Avenue. The Kaleidoscope will be sold only in those two locations.

Photo courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté

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Quick Peek: Blue Rebel from Les Jeans de Chanel for Fashion's Night Out

In August, we looked at Chanel's Les Jeans de Chanel Collection, created for Fashion's Night Out. Denim, the everlasting emblem of chic and casual fashion, was Peter Philips' inspiration for the collection. He created three shades, Blue Rebel, Coco Blue, and Blue Boy, from medium to very pale blue, to offer you as much enjoyment as your favorite pair of blue jeans.

I had no intention of purchasing one of the shades. Then I saw Blue Rebel, and my resolve melted. I was on a quick trip to Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria today. I swung by the Chanel counter to have a look-see. Chanel representative Janine Greenberg was wearing Blue Boy (a pretty medium blue), and she gave me some tape to try Blue Rebel, which had grabbed my eye. One swipe on the tape was all it took to convince me I had to have it.

I haven't had time to apply Blue Rebel - or have it applied. I did paint one nail this afternoon to show you the gorgeous deep blue color. It's dark and rainy outside, so I had to take this photo indoors. I applied two coats. It's a nice dark blue. I'll get better photos, but I'm not sure how soon.

Distribution of Les Jeans was very limited and special to Fashion’s Night Out, September 8, which happens to be the first night of the NM Beauty Event, when gifts with purchase will abound. The following Neiman Marcus stores will have the Les Jeans trio on or before Fashion’s Night Out: Houston, Dallas North Park, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Oakbrook, Michigan Avenue, Tysons Galleria, Troy, Boca Raton, Austin, Natick, and San Francisco. I keep reading that Chanel boutiques and Chanel.com may offer Les Jeans too, but I don't know that for sure.

If you want to be assured of getting one - or several - of the shades, your best bet is to order from Neiman Marcus now.

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

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Chanel Blue Jean Nail Collection for Fashion's Night Out

Vogue will celebrate Fashion's Night Out, the third annual event, with the exclusive Blue Jean Nail Collection by Chanel. Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, developed the collection for Fashion's Night Out, September 8. Denim, the everlasting emblem of chic and casual fashion, was his inspiration. Three shades, Blue Rebel, Coco Blue, and Blue Boy, from medium to very pale blue, will offer as much enjoyment as your favorite pair of blue jeans.



Conceived by Vogue editor Anna Wintour as a stimulus project for New York City in 2009, Fashion's Night Out has grown each year. Now more than 100 cities in 15 countries organize special events, extend store shopping hours, and have fabulous promotions to encourage fall shopping. We will be celebrating FNO in the DC area!



Interested in knowing a little more about Chanel's Fashion's Night Out specials? Head over to visit Product Girl.



The Blue Jean Nail Collection will be available at chanel.com, Chanel boutiques, and some Neiman Marcus stores. I suspect the pieces will sell out, possibly before Fashion's Night Out, so place your pre-orders now. Call your favorite Chanel boutique or Neiman Marcus soon.

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Fashion Night Out, September 8, at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie

Save the date, DC-area friends...



On September 8, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie will host a celebration of fashion, music, and mixology - all things fun, fabulous, and chic - for the store's third annual Fashion Night Out celebration. You don't have to be in New York to have fun!



We'll kick off the evening with cocktails. Local celebrity mixologist Dan Searing will present his latest cocktail concoctions and sign copies of his new book, The Art of Punch - all about 75 recipes spanning four centuries of wanton revelry. Searling is a rising star in the classic cocktail renaissance, a historian, and a partner in the DC cocktail temple Room 11. He's also a founder of the DC Craft Bartender Guild.



Later in the evening, there will be a Michael Kors Fall Collection presentation. You'll be able to snag a limited-edition Michael Kors GWP with purchase. You'll also want to grab a front-row seat for runway presentations of fall's fashion trends, including Bordeaux, leather, and colorblocking.



Crooner BJ Ram will perform jazz standards by old favorites Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and others, while models show off the Lady Chic look in a Mad Men-inspired lounge. I'm going to love that segment of the night.



You'll also have a chance to be pampered at the Le Métier de Beauté Bordeaux Beauty Bar and have your photo taken professionally (showing off your lips and nails if you want). The photo will be yours to keep and share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.



You may need a healthy dose of sugar to sustain the night's activities. There will be a design-your-own cupcake bar (oh oh), gelato bar, and gourmet goodies from local restaurants. No one will go home hungry or thirsty. This is a store that takes very good are of us at its parties. Make sure to take Metro to get there (located conveniently across the street) if you plan to get crazy.



Photos courtesy of Scienceofdrink.com, Michael Kors, and Le Métier de Beauté

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