Quick Peek: Le Métier de Beauté Oscar de la Renta Kaleidoscope

It's a happy week when two new Le Métier de Beauté Kaleidoscopes arrive! This afternoon before the rains came, my limited-edition Oscar de la Renta Kaleidoscope arrived. You may know that it was available only at Bergdorf Goodman and the Oscar de la Renta boutique in New York. Introduced for Fashion's Night Out, it was a huge hit.

Mine came "zooming" in this afternoon, delivered by the FedEx guy I'm getting to know. One day earlier in the week he asked me why I was sitting in my driveway taking photos of makeup. I guess he had never seen me out there.

The Kaleidoscope is very snazzy. Even before I got to the colors, I found that it has its own blue pouch for storage. The velveteen pouch is larger than the Kaleidoscope, so I can even store my Artemis Liquid Eyeliner in it. The box in which the makeup and pouch came is red, white, and black, and it contains a message from Oscar de la Renta that says...

Color has always been an extremely important part of who I am as a designer. It is wonderful to work with cosmetics because they are such an important part of a woman's sense of femininity. The colors in my palette are meant to compliment a woman and enhance her natural beauty. I have chosen shades that are indispensible [sic], like a good red lip and a neutral highlighter for the cheekbones.

Open the fancy box, and you'll find the magnificent palette shown above and below. The Lip Crème is a gorgeous shade of red. I'll get swatches for you as soon as the sun shines again. The champagne Radiance Powder Rouge, a new shade, is perfect - absolutely perfect. The two True Color Eye Shadows will coordinate beautifully to create a beautiful look for any season. This is an incredible palette, made even more so by its association with a designer whose creations are always elegant.

I don't know if Bergdorf Goodman has any of the Kaleidoscopes left. I suspect they don't, but you could always call the Le Métier de Beauté counter at Bergdorf Goodman at (212) 872-8612. I'm sure that if there's a way to find you one, Dustin Lujan will do his best. I have not checked with the Oscar de la Renta boutique in New York to find out if they sold out there. If you know, please leave a comment.

As soon as I can get swatches of this beauty, I will publish them. For now, I'm enjoying just looking at it.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

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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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Quick Peek: Le Métier de Beauté Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope Eye Kit

Le Métier de Beauté's Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) was launched last week at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island at Newport Center in California. I just got it and haven't had time to swatch it for you. Isn't it pretty?

Yes, it arrived from its cross-country trip damaged, but it's too much trouble to send it back. I don't even know if there are any still available. I'll have to get over the little hunk out of the top shade. I'm sure I can clean up the eye shadow powder that's all over the kit.

Assuming I can get decent lighting tomorrow, I'll show you swatch photos. Modernist Merlot is everything I expected - and more!

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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First Look: Le Métier de Beauté Empress Kaleidoscope Lip Kit for Fall 2011

Le Métier de Beauté's Empress Kaleidoscope Lip Kit ($95) from the Silk Road Collection for Fall 2011 gave me a "love at first sight" moment today. I wanted to show you this kit so that you could be on the lookout for it and purchase it the minute it arrives at your favorite Le Métier de Beauté counter. I purchased mine today at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. That means your store should have it soon.



It's raining on and off, and the sun hasn't made a steady appearance since yesterday. The photo at left shows the tester. It was taken in the store. I took some swatch photos in between raindrops; the sun made a very brief appearance. I'll do a better job and a full feature on this gorgeous kit as soon as the sun graces us with a full-time appearance. In the meantime, take a look at my photos. I'll bet you will want this masterpiece.



Here are the exquisite shades. I hope I've got these names right (from memory).

• Imperial Silk - pale pink for a nude base (the top pull-out shade)
• Silk Road - shimmering, sheer red
  
  
• Empress Delicate - mauve mixed with soft champagne
  
  
• Plum Satin - creamy plum for rich contrast (the bottom shade)
  
  

From the transparent pink gloss in Imperial Silk to one of the prettiest reds I've ever seen, this palette offers you many possibilities for creating a look. I am totally smitten with it - the reason I rushed to show it to you today. I promise I'll come back with a full feature and better photos.



I applied each shade to my arm with a lip brush. The shade at the top of my arm is the Plum Satin shade at the bottom of the kit, and I swatched in order, bottom to top in the kit, with Imperial Silk at the bottom of my arm photo.



I haven't had time to do much layering, but I did layer the three lightest shades, starting with the plum at the bottom, adding the mauve, and finishing with the pink glossy color. The result is my kind of lip color, shown just above left. That photo was taken with a cloudy sky.



I may need two of these lip kits. You know how hard it is to find the older Kaleidoscopes!



Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Le Métier de Beauté Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit - Part 2

Imagine a Mediterranean sunset, with shades of sunlit peach, lavender, rosy coral, and gold - just as Dustin Lujan envisioned when he created the Le Métier de Beauté Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit. My limited French tells me a loose translation is Golden Froth or Golden Sea Foam. Light, diaphanous colors, fleeting colors that change by the minute as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, have been translated into a lip palette that offers us the opportunity to create our own nuanced masterpieces, using Le Métier de Beauté's Couches de Colour application technique. Layer the four shades of Écumes D’or to "interpret the moment" any way you see it.

Yesterday, I showed you my first photos of the Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit. I wasn't happy with them because the sun was intense when I took them. This morning, I took my camera to work with me and was able to get better photos of the colors. I wanted you to see more saturated views of the shades so that you could fully understand why I'm so excited about this lip kit. I also wanted to have an opportunity to layer the four shades, starting with Calm Phoenix at the bottom, and moving upward to create a beautifully complex nude lip.

My photos were taken in my office. I applied the four shades with a lip brush this morning, "painting" heavily until I had enough color on my arm to accurately reflect these stunning shades. They are presented here as they are presented in the Kaleidoscope, top to bottom.

• Soft Dew – a nude highlight
• Morning Light – a golden layer of warmth
• Deep Sea – a feminine lavender for contrast
  
• Calm Phoenix – a rich, berry base

The photos of a "single shade" (at left and below) resulted from layering, starting with Calm Phoenix and finishing with a Soft Dew highlight. Look at all four shades and imagine all the sheer, glowing combinations you can create with this paint kit. Then look at the result of layering all four. Isn't it amazing? An artist like Dustin could "see" the result of layering before the fact. I'm more of a left-brain type. I need to try it.

The second set of photos here benefited (or suffered) from direct morning sun. Even with the sun's reflection, they are not diminished, but rather enlivened by the glimmering sunshine. That's how your lips will gleam when you wear these shades.

I applied various combinations to my lips today while I was working, checking frequently in a mirror to see how long they lasted and how they looked. They don't scream, and they aren't metallic. Much better, they have a subtle shimmer - a beautiful glow, really - that's extremely flattering.

The color lasts a long time, much longer than many glosses and rivaling long-lasting lipsticks on me. Eating and napkin use will take a toll, but that's why I never mind reapplying my favorite lip colors after meals or touching up during the day. I'm impressed by how long these shades last on my lips. Hours after application, they look as great as they did when applied.

I described the shades yesterday. I won't repeat those descriptions; just scroll down to see them. Order your Le Métier de Beauté Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit now! It's a Bergdorf Goodman exclusive, and it's very limited. I am sure that those who procrastinate are going to be disappointed. Écumes D’or is going to sell out, and when they are gone, they will be gone. Just call (212) 872-8612, and one could be winging its way to bring a Mediterranean sunset to your house.

Lip Kit photo by Le Métier de Beauté; swatch photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Le Métier de Beauté Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit

Run, don't walk (and please don't trip and fall) to Bergdorf Goodman to get your hands (and lips) on the new Le Métier de Beauté Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit ($95)! It is drop-dead gorgeous, and every Le Métier de Beauté fan is going to want one. Since the availability is very limited and it's exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman, give the counter a call if you are not near New York. Their phone is (212) 872-8612.

Dusk on the Mediterranean, the sun’s lucent rays falling into the sea below. As the ocean collides with the picturesque beach, the rich colors of the sun and sea spray the horizon with lush tones of coral, gold, lavender, and opal. Introducing Écumes D’or, a new, limited-edition, summer Kaleidoscope Lip Kit from Le Métier de Beauté - the essence of this fleeting moment.

Le Métier de Beauté’s Écumes D’or captures the lush colors of the Mediterranean horizon, creating the perfect warm, nude lip. Using Le Métier de Beauté’s exclusive Couches de Colour application technique, layer the four shades to create a look that's all your own. Or use them individually, paired any way that pleases you, or layer three of them instead of four. Whichever way you choose to apply the shades, you are going to have happy and stunning lips.

The four shades, presented top to bottom in the Kaleidoscope, are:

• Soft Dew – a nude highlight,
• Morning Light – a golden layer of warmth,
• Deep Sea – a feminine lavender for contrast, and
• Calm Phoenix – a rich, berry base.

These are elegant, glowing, subtly shimmering shades. I have never seen a better kit for creating a nude lip - one that has just enough color to enliven your face, but not so much that you will lead with your lips. The shades are as perfect as it gets.

Le Métier de Beauté's photo is at the top of this feature. The other photos are mine. The one above right shows the top two shades in the Kaleidoscope, while the one at left shows the bottom two, with a bonus of another photo of Soft Dew. When I saw Deep Sea and Calm Phoenix, swiveling out of the compact, I wanted to do cartwheels (my body asked me to reconsider). When I applied them on my lips, I recognized a new love. Thank you, Le Métier de Beauté! You made my week!

Here are some swatch photos for you. They were taken in full sun, so remember, please, that my pale arm reflects sun extremely well. I took photos at different angles to try to get you decent swatch photos of these sheer, beautiful shades. They are swatched in the same order, top to bottom, in which they are presented in the Kaleidoscope.

At the top is Soft Dew, a light, almost clear, nude-pink (on my skin). Can you see its fluid look on my skin? It's the Mediterranean translated from water to lip color! The next one down is Morning Light, a gorgeous gold - one that you will use with the Kaleidoscope shades and over so many lipsticks you already own. Next is the lavender-plum Deep Sea, a shade that makes my heart skip a beat, just like Uma Paro does. These light plum shades look really good with my coloring - and on most gals. They are extremely popular. At the bottom, Calm Phoenix, is the most colorful of the sheer colors - a warm berry shade that's unique. In the compact, it displays a hint of coral. On my lips, it's more of a sheer strawberry shade.

I've been playing since UPS arrived, applying one shade, then another, then another, using the Couches de Colour technique Dustin Lujan taught me. To meet Dustin is to love him. I often think I'm his biggest groupie until I find out that hundreds (thousands?) of other women are sure they carry the only backstage pass to see him when he visits their Le Métier de Beauté counter. He makes all of us feel special, and his new creation, this exquisite Kaleidoscope, will make you feel special even if you've never met him.

The lip colors are light, luminous, translucent, and flattering. I can't imagine a prettier combination - one reason why Le Métier de Beauté is one of the most desirable and beloved beauty lines among women who "know." I rushed this feature into print so that you, my readers, will be among the first to order this Kaleidoscope.

I am sure that those who procrastinate are going to be disappointed. Écumes D’or is going to sell out, and when they are gone, they will be gone. I usually call sell-outs correctly. Order your Le Métier de Beauté Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit now! I will get "more intense" swatches as soon as I can, but don't wait.

Le Métier de Beauté's Écumes D’or Kaleidoscope Lip Kit is available only at Bergdorf Goodman.

Update 6/15: I got some more intense photos in my office this morning, so watch for Part 2 of Dustin's dreamy Kaleidoscope later today!

Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty; Kaleidoscope sent by Le Métier de Beauté (I ordered one too)

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