Bobbi Brown Marrakesh Chic Collection: New Lip Shades

There's a lot to love in Bobbi Brown's new Marrakesh Chic Collection for Fall 2011. I discovered three new lip shades, in three different lipstick formulas, that I like for fall even more than my first purchase, Violet Glaze Metallic Lip Color.

There were two new Metallic Lip Colors. I fell in love with Jewel Red ($23). For red phobes, let me say up front that it's not exactly red on the lips. Jewel Red (#26) is a glorious rose with gold shimmer. It may be the prettiest of the beautiful bunch. Metallic Lip Color combines high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls for multidimensional shimmer that has a soft and creamy feel as it provides medium coverage.

Bobbi Brown's newest lipstick formula is Rich Lip Color SPF 12 ($23). I purchased Desert Rose (#25). The "heather rose" is extremely pretty on my lips. Rich Lip Color combines lip color pigments with a clear base to deliver pure, crisp color with just one swipe. It's a creamy long-lasting formula that provides medium-to-full coverage.

There are two "very new" shades in my "old favorite" Creamy Lip Color ($23): Pale Plum and Pink Blossom. I purchased Pale Plum (#63). Creamy Lip Color delivers rich color with comfortable, long-lasting wear, a soft, creamy shine, and medium coverage. With emollient shea butter and plant-derived skin conditioners, this fabulous lipstick provides softness and moisture as advertised.

I think all three of my newest Bobbi Brown lip colors are stunning. I took my swatch photos in full sun to show you the shades. Granted, the sun adds some shimmer to the colors, but they all shine without help.

I swatched in numeric order, so Desert Rose is shown at the top of my arm, Jewel Red in the middle, and Pale Plum at the bottom. I applied each shade heavily. Color-wise, my photo at right may be just a tad too warm.

Desert Rose is a stunning mauve-rose shade that complements all the new eye colors extremely well. Jewel Red may look red on my arm, but on my lips it's a rich, red-toned rose. It's semi-sheer, which makes it beautifully wearable for me. Pale Plum isn't all that pale - or all that plum. I'd describe it as a medium rose that should work for everyone, working its creamy magic when you wear it.

These new shades are a fabulous addition to Bobbi Brown's already-expansive collection of lip colors. With lipsticks available in multiple formulas, there's bound to be at least one that excites you. They are available at Bobbi Brown counters now, and you can also see them at the Bobbi Brown Web site. There's a nice Bobbi Brown gift with purchase during Beauty Week at Neiman Marcus.

I purchased a few of the new Rich Color Eye Shadows. I'll show them to you soon.

Photo at top courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best things in Beauty

More about → Bobbi Brown Marrakesh Chic Collection: New Lip Shades

New: Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color Collection

New colors from Tom Ford's Lip Color Collection ($48) arrived at Neiman Marcus! I found three of them irresistible - even without the testers, which haven't arrived. There's a peek below at the shades I purchased.



Tom Ford believes that a woman attains true glamour by amplifying her individuality and expressing her own iconic style of sophistication and seductiveness. With Tom Ford Beauty, he introduces 18 new lip colors that "empower a woman to transform her look and mood and express her most glamorous self."



Formulated with rare and exotic ingredients, including soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter, and chamomilla flower oil, the luxurious formula has an ultra-creamy texture for an incredibly smooth application. Specially treated color pigments are blended to deliver pure color with just the right balance of luminosity.



I purchased three colors that are all in my comfort zone: #02, Pink Adobe; #03, Casablanca; and #04, Indian Rose. I took photos of them in the tubes and on my arm. I realize that they look extremely similar in the tubes in these photos, but they are unique shades.



The tube of #02, Pink Adobe, is shown above right. It's a rose-toned pink with a hint of brown to my eye. Casablanca, #03 is shown at left. I would describe it as a vibrant blue-toned rose. It's the darkest of the three shades I purchased. Indian Rose, #04, is shown below right. I'd describe it as a medium-toned rose pink that straddles the cool/warm spectrum.



I swatched all three shades on my arm in this order, top to bottom (yes, out of order): #02 Pink Adobe, #04 Indian Rose, and #03 Casablanca. All photos were taken in full sun, which added a bit of sparkle to the swatch photos. I would call the finish of these lip colors gleaming, with a bit of shine in strong light, but not sparkly.



Adobe Pink is shown at the top of my arm. Tom Ford's color chart of the new shades shows it on the top row with the nude and brown tones. Next down on my arm is #04, Indian Rose. Hopefully you can see in my swatches that it's the "neutral shade." Both Indian Rose and Casablanca, which is shown at the bottom of my arm, are featured on the middle row of Tom Ford's color chart, which includes colors that range from light pink to a deep Violet Fatale. The bottom row shows the reds in every shade of the red spectrum. Sabrina posted a photo of the card at The Beauty Look Book.



While all the shades offer saturated color, Casablanca is the deepest of those I purchased. It warms up a little in the sun, but it is definitely cooler on my lips than the other two shades. The swatch photo below left is probably the best portrait of the shade, even though there's too much reflected sun on my arm.



The pigmentation of your own lips will determine how intense these lipsticks look on you. They all offer saturated coverage. I found when applying Casablanca that I had to tidy up the bottom lip line I had drawn from the tube. Naturally, a lip liner would have helped. I could have applied it more precisely with a lip brush, but I usually don't take the time for that.



They are very pretty. Did I "need" three new lipsticks, each costing $48? No, I'd probably have been just as happy with two. The elegant black-brown cases will be an eye-catcher, though, when I pull one out of my handbag. I'll have to select one of the shades as a take-along.



You can purchase the Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color Collection at Neiman Marcus. I can verify that the store at Tysons Galleria received all the new shades. Feel free to give Kathy Shoreman a call at 571-212-8399 (her cell) if you don't have a store with a Tom Ford counter near you.



Photo courtesy of Tom Ford

More about → New: Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color Collection

Quick Peek: Le Métier de Beauté - The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011

They arrived! All three sets of The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011 for Le Métier de Beauté arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria today. It was exciting! I wasn't expecting to see them this early in the season. They are drop-dead gorgeous!



For his second exclusive collection for Le Métier de Beauté, Downing took the essence of the fall runways and distilled it into a beauty collection that presents elegant, coordinated duos to transform you into Lady Chic.



I will devote a full feature to the collection soon, with my nails done. For now, I wanted to show you the two sets I purchased: I'm Worn This Way/Vintage Ken and Wine On The Vine/Bodacious Bordeaux.



Wine On The Vine/Bodacious Bordeaux is shown at the top of this feature, and I'm Worn This Way/Vintage Ken is shown at right. Each set is $49. There is a third set, Ken Red My Lips/Gypsy Rose Me that I didn't buy. I struggled to get decent photos of the duos as Irene's clouds started to blanket our area. The moment I put the duos away in their boxes, the sun came out again. I'll get brighter photos for my next feature.





I was able to get swatch photos of the two Moisture Stain Lipsticks in direct and indirect light. I don't normally wear dark lipsticks, so I had wondered if I would like the lip colors in the Bordeaux Collection. I love them. I needed two sets!



My first swatch photo of the lipsticks at left, taken in full sun, shows Wine On The Vine at the top of my arm and I'm Worn This Way below. You can see that neither is pure red. Wine On The Vine is a stunning, deep grape, and I'm Worn This Way appears to be a saturated rose on my arm, but it's red. The photo at right shows the shades when the sun ducked behind clouds. I'm Worn This Way is particularly interesting because the lipstick looks red in the tube, and it is red (not rose as it appears on my arm). On my lips, it's a cool-toned cherry red - one I can wear, which delights me. I think it's the most flattering red lipstick I have ever tried. Your own lip pigmentation will define the shade of these lipsticks (which is normal).



The "lip-matching" Nail Lacquers are exquisite. Vintage Ken is shown at left and Bodacious Bordeaux is shown at right. Both shades will give us the Bordeaux look that will be the "in color" this fall and winter. Bordeaux provides a beautiful accent for so many colors, and it will add a fashionable flair to your little black dress.



The packaging of the sets is unique, with a black, deep red, and fuchsia leopard print removable insert in an elegant black box. The insert cradles the nail lacquer and lipstick. The boxes have a printed Kenneth Downing signature. If you could stand to give one away, it would be a very classy gift. Sorry about the glare from the sun on the window of one of the boxes shown just above right. Isn't the box enticing?



I always warn you when I think something new is going to sell out. Consider yourself warned about the Bordeaux Collection. Call your local Neiman Marcus now. If you would like to order one from my friend Kathy Shoreman at Neiman Marcus Tysons, give her a call on her cell phone at 571-212-8399. Do it today if you can. She's off tomorrow (nursing her broken and bandaged hand), but will be back at work Sunday.



I will be back with a full feature later. I was so excited, I wanted to show you my selections from the collection as quickly as possible. I keep looking at my Wine On The Vine red lips in a mirror. I'm a happy gal.



Photos by Best Things in Beauty

More about → Quick Peek: Le Métier de Beauté - The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011

Bobbi Brown Violet Glaze Metallic Lip Color from Marrakesh Chic Fall 2011 Collection

Shimmer like you've never seen or felt before. Bobbi Brown's Metallic Lip Color ($23) features a flattering combination of high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls. This creamy lipstick feels soft and comfortable on the lips and offers medium coverage.



Violet Glaze is featured in Bobbi Brown's Marrakesh Chic fall collection. Bobbi Brown created this collection with inspiration from the days of her week-long bicycle tour in Morocco. There are new, limited-edition Rich Color Eye Shadows and lipsticks in multiple Bobbi Brown formulas. Since I'm drawn to the metallics, Violet Glaze was a must-try.



I purchased Violet Glaze from Neiman Marcus sight unseen and, fortunately, I like it. It's a little bit brighter than the shades I live in, but I'll adapt. Would I have bought it if I had swatched first? Maybe not, but I know I'm too conservative.



Anyone who can wear blue-toned, cool pinks should check it out. As our seasons become boundless in terms of color choices, Violet Glaze offers a way to brighten your face when wearing a plum smoky eye - just the type featured in Bobbi's promotional photos for the Marrakesh Chic Collection.



My swatch photos were taken in full sun. In the photo above right, my arm was turned slightly away from the sun. Otherwise, the sparkles from the sun's reflection would have blinded you. In my swatch at the left, the sun hit my arm more directly, hence the higher shimmer level. On my lips, I would describe the shade as a shimmering violet pink. It's not a shade I'd call "metallic."



There is something for everyone in Bobbi Brown's new collection for fall. I know it's available at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, so it's probably available at your favorite Bobbi Brown counter.



Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom; swatch photos by Best Things in Beauty

More about → Bobbi Brown Violet Glaze Metallic Lip Color from Marrakesh Chic Fall 2011 Collection

Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge d'Armani in Pink 525 from Jacquard Collection for Fall 2011

There are four new Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge d'Armani shades that arrived with the Fall 2011 Jacquard Collection. My selection was Pink 525 ($30), shown at right. It's a silvery mauve pink - perfect for a lot of us, carefully aligned with fall's colors.



Rouge d'Armani is a long-lasting lipstick. It's not drying like some, although I don't get a full eight hours of wear from it (as advertised). I would have to stop talking, drinking, and eating. I don't expect eight hours of wear from any lipstick. The Rouge d'Armani lipsticks have a very soft and creamy texture. You may already know that the magnetic, snap-closure cases of Rouge d'Armani define the quiet elegance of the shades that lie within.



Here's an introduction to Rouge d'Armani from Giorgio Armani Beauty.



The lipsticks use Color-Fil technology. Giorgio Armani pioneered this breakthrough cosmetic color technology, which owes its highly innovative formula to a unique color bond agent. Color bond, the result of seven years of research and 20 patents, offers exceptional qualities of comfort, luminosity, and color intensity.



Color bond is a revolutionary polymer architecture with an exceptional property that weaves highly selected ingredients into a supple 3D matrix that adheres durably to lips. Its made-to-measure architecture, made of two “parts,” is able to unite two contrasting properties: hold and comfort. Its smooth surface optimizes light reflection, revealing a new color vibrancy.



The ingredients allow Armani Beauty to achieve the perfect formula, with exclusive emollients and "micronized" waxes that slip onto lips for a smooth, melting, comfortable application. The spherical micro-pigments fuse with the color bond agent for rich, vibrant color. There are two lightweight oils - one for perfect affinity with the lips for comfort, the other for a smooth and satin finish.



As you can see in my swatch photos, taken in full sun, but with my arm turned slightly away from the sun, the color of Pink 525 is a cool pink with slightly blue undertones. It adds a soft shimmer - a gleam, really - to my lips. On me, it's a perfect color, one I'm going to need to hoard. It offers medium coverage (I don't like opaque lipsticks very much), with enough color to light up my face and make my eyes pop blue.



As you can see from my two photos, as the ambient light increases, the shade becomes warmer, which means 525 will make a lovely transition from indoors to outdoors, leaving you with naturally pretty lips anywhere you go. That's a nice lipstick!



There are three more shades in the fall collection. Two are what Armani calls Beige: one a very light nude and the other a medium tone. There's also a Rouge shade, 406, that I swatched last weekend and showed in my shopping feature. It's too red for my face, but it will be gorgeous on anyone who can wear a vibrant red shade.



When you stop by your favorite Armani counter to check out the heart-stopping Jacquard palettes, make sure to look at the lovely new lip colors. I bought mine at Neiman Marcus.



Photos by Best Things in Beauty

More about → Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge d'Armani in Pink 525 from Jacquard Collection for Fall 2011

Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich Lipstick for Fall 2011 Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Madelyn E!

Clé de Peau Beauté has introduced new Extra Rich Lipstick ($60) shades with its Fall 2011 collection. I have one to give away, courtesy of an industry friend. I was sorely tempted to keep R7, a beautiful brown rosewood shade, but I've got enough lipstick for one person.



Extra Rich Lipstick is a velvety lipstick with gorgeous true color and comforting moisture. I grabbed a quick photo of R7 this afternoon when the sun made a brief appearance. My photo is dark, but it should give you an idea of the shade. I believe, but am not 100% sure, that R7 is the shade shown at left in Clé de Peau's photo above. That photo looks too orange.



How can you enter to win? Here's the "fine print."



There are a few simple steps. First, all you really have to do is leave a comment on this feature. After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).



You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers.



You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) in your tweet. I have tweeted the contest, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry. I appreciate multiple tweets, but it's not necessary.



The deadline for entries will be Saturday, August 20, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.



This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I won't be able to replace it with another. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.



Good luck!



Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté; other by Best Things in Beauty

More about → Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich Lipstick for Fall 2011 Giveaway Contest

Sneak Peek: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Swatches

Next month (or so it's scheduled), Chanel will launch a new lipstick. Rouge Allure Velvet will cost $32 and offer a velvet finish with pearl pigments (read that as matte) that's enriched with moisturizing ingredients for easy wear.



The shades will be grouped into four color families: beige, brown, rose, and red. Like many companies, Chanel is promoting red lipstick for fall and winter.



I came by a swatch photo from a Chanel insider. It's an iPhone photo, so it's not as good as we might like, but it gives you an idea of the colors and the finish (very matte and intense). I'm sorry I can't identify each swatch. I did lighten up the photo in a photo editor because it was so dark.



This new lipstick is "not my thing." I am not a huge fan of matte lip colors, so it's unlikely I'll feature Rouge Allure Velvet when it launches. I'll continue to wear my new Rouge Coco Shines right through fall and winter. For anyone who loves opaque or matte lipstick, these may be "just your thing." Will you be looking for Rouge Velvet Allure when it hits the Chanel counters?



Photos courtesy of Chanel and an unidentified friend

More about → Sneak Peek: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Swatches

Estée Lauder Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor

Exploring a new sensation in lip color, Estée Lauder and Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux are introducing the new Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor ($28). They hope to change the modern direction of what a lipstick should be. Two formulas are combined to create a luscious, one-of-a-kind lipstick that is launching in 12 delicious shades. Taking a cue from couture fashion, Sensuous Rouge LipColor fuses a creamy shell with a liquified core for a lipstick that is "uniquely decadent, marrying style and performance." Think shine and moisture!



In an interview, Tom Pecheux said that wearing Sensuous Rouge "is almost like wearing a matte lipstick on the contours of the lips and a very creamy lipstick in the center so it creates a very sensual look to the lips. The center of your lips will appear moist, yet the color won't run, and the strong shell of the lip color is going to help contour and provide the best shape to the lips." He said that if you want to achieve a more subtle look with just a touch of color, you should apply it with your finger and tap the color around your lips to make the color more transparent. When you want to create more of a statement lip, you should use a lip pencil in addition to the lip color to reach perfection. I find using it directly from the tube without a liner makes my lips look and feel fabulous.



The new patented process of "core within core technology" delivers two high-performing formulas with one swipe.

• Shell - firm, pigment-rich shell provides an easy application to highlight the curves of the lips
• Core - jellied, glossy core boosts shine and moisture

Estée Lauder's True Vision Technology incorporates intense, highly pigmented shades for an instant application that stays color-true. The concentrated pigments are wrapped into a crystalline laminate polymer for a multidimensional look that is magnified and rich in color. Luminous pearls accentuate the shape of the lips, helped along by the slim bullet that provides for precise and easy application.



Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor offers buildable sheer-to-medium coverage. An exotic blend of fruit extracts and fruit butters provide soft, cushioned comfort. You'll feel soft, moist lips immediately on application, and Estée Lauder says you'll see conditioning over time. The lipstick is softly fragranced with vanilla. The case is pretty, with its transparent base and shiny gold cap that tucks luxuriously into the Estée Lauder logo.



The 12 shades vary from ravishing reds to brazen berries and natural nudes; there's something for everyone. I was privileged to be given the new lipstick in Sensuous Nude, shown in the tube here, a gorgeous, shiny brown-toned nude. In both photos, you can see the shell with the center core. It reminds me of my Chantecaille concealer.



I took my swatch photos in full sun. You'll see that Sensuous Nude is a pure nude without pink or peach undertones. It may look muddy to you on my arm, but the effect on my lips is gorgeous. The sheer, nude brown added to the pink in my lips creates what may be the perfect nude for me. It's extremely natural in appearance and suits my coloring well. So many nude lipsticks look too light or frosty on me. Not this one! It has just the right amount of color. It appears to me that this is the lightest of the Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor shades. The rest of them will offer more color.



The lipstick feels great on my lips. I have a sense that I'm wearing a lip conditioner that sticks with me. I like that a lot. The vanilla fragrance dissipates quickly. It provides an initial burst of "soft and sweet." Fortunately, it doesn't stick around. I say that because I have a personal issue. It's my preference that my lipsticks be free of fragrance.



All of the shades look gorgeous, but I really want to get my hands on Orchid Surrender next. It's one of my favorite mauve shades.



Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor is available for pre-order at Estée Lauder's Web site. I'll pop by a few counters later today to see if it's available at Neiman Marcus or Saks. Have to have that second one! This lipstick is a keeper. Don't I have nice friends?



Update 1:05 pm: I checked at Neiman Marcus and Saks today. Pure Color Sensuous Rouge has not arrived yet.



Update 8/13: These lipsticks arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons, which means they will be at your own EL counter soon!



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

More about → Estée Lauder Pure Color Sensuous Rouge LipColor

Rouge Bunny Rouge Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipstick - Tongue Tickles

After a brief hiatus, I'm continuing my Rouge Bunny Rouge series with a gorgeous lipstick. First, though, I need to express my thoughts about our friends in London, including the Zuneta team. After three nights of rioting, London has suddenly become a dangerous place. We are all hoping the government can find a way to restore order - quickly - with whatever show of force it takes to subdue crowds of vandals and looters. We hope that law-abiding citizens and those who are trying to protect them are safe. Now, back to beauty...



During one of my first online shopping forays at Zuneta, I saw that Rouge Bunny Rouge offered eight lipstick shades in a sheer formula. I love sheer lip colors. I had a dilemma. Buy one or all eight? I decided to buy one, try it out, and then order more. As you might imagine, I needed more. The first time I tried to order Tongue Tickles it was out of stock. I made a mental note to try again next time, and I did. When it arrived, I saw immediately why the shade is so popular. It was love at first sight.



Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipstick ($34.26) has all the qualities of my other new Rouge Bunny Rouge makeup beauties: whimsical packaging, lust-worthy color, and a story. The first shade I had ordered was Dissolved in Dreams. You can see it at this link. That's where you can also read the enchanting tale about these "soft, diaphanous colors that hover on your lips so finely that they enhance and refine your naturalness into a graceful glamour."



Just look at Tongue Tickles at right. It's gorgeous! It's described at Zuneta as a sheer, shiny, pale carnation pink with a white shimmer. That's one description that may not be spot-on. It's so much prettier than "pale carnation pink," which brings to mind vapid bouquets for sale on the roadside.



Tongue Tickles is a sheer, warm rose that sings in sunlight and dances in moonlight. It's one of my best-ever blind lipstick selections. It's lively on the lips, lending a sheer, medium rose-pink warmth that's simply stunning. I need to hoard it.



I took a few photos in full sun, but at different angles to the sun, to show it to you. On my lips? Tongue Tickles is a sheer, gleaming rosy pink with a bit of silver shimmer. The photo at right is probably the best representation of the color.



I realize I'm creating competition for my next order. At least I have one for now. I'm saving up my wish list so that I can order enough to get free shipping. I just hope that Tongue Tickles will be available when I order again. I need three more!



We hope our friends at Zuneta (and everywhere in London) are safe!



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

More about → Rouge Bunny Rouge Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipstick - Tongue Tickles

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Calla Lily and Violetta for Fall 2011

Chantecaille's Lip Chic ($32) shades for fall are now available online at Chantecaille's Web site, and they arrived at my local Neiman Marcus store this weekend. One of my favorite lipstick formulas, Lip Chic offers the perfect combination of lipstick and lip gloss in one tube (meaning one simple application). Lip Chic offers a high, glossy shine and brilliant finish in a light texture for a pretty lips while you're wearing it. It also sports collagen, hyaluronic acid, and tripeptide-29, which will condition and gently plump your lips.

Last week, I was able to give you a sneak peek at Chantecaille's color collection for Fall 2011. Today, I can show you the Calla Lily and Violetta Lip Chics. I'm very excited to have them - and excited to be able to share the photos with you. The tube of Calla Lily is shown at right. The tube of Violetta is shown at left. Both shades look deceivingly dark in the tubes, but they are perfect shades on the lips (in my opinion). They will light up your face.

I took a lot of swatch photos to show you the shades at various angles to the sun. I put three in this feature, hoping to show you how pretty these lip colors are.

Calla Lily is shown at the top of my arm with Violetta below in all photos. You'll see that they are very different, giving you two distinct looks for fall. Calla Lily is a warm rose-pink with a tiny hint of brown. Violetta is fuchsia or raspberry to my eye. On my lips, it's about as dark a shade as I like to wear. It's extremely flattering, pulling out the blue in my eyes. You be the judge by the swatches.

You can see how beautifully sheer these Lip Chics are. For me, that translates into lip perfection. Both offer a gleam and subtle shine - not shimmery, simply stunning. They feel fabulously creamy on the lips, and the color is long-lasting for a sheer lipstick.

I can already envision Calla Lily and Violetta with the New Classic Palette for eyes and cheeks, another fall wonder we expect to see soon. Can't wait!

For now, you can find these new Lip Chic shades, along with all the other beauties, at this Chantecaille link. If they arrived at my local Neiman Marcus counter, they are bound to be at your favorite counter soon.

Even though the fall promotional photo showed them at $34, I paid $32 at Neiman Marcus, and that's the price at the Chantecaille Web site.

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

More about → Chantecaille Lip Chic in Calla Lily and Violetta for Fall 2011

New Shades: Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color

There are five new shades available in my all-time favorite Bobbi Brown lipstick! While I've always loved Bobbi Brown's lipsticks (and glosses), the Creamy Lip Colors ($23) feel so good on my lips, I reach for them often.

Creamy Lip Color combines rich color with a creamy shine formula. It offers comfortable, relatively long-lasting wear. With emollient shea butter and plant-derived skin conditioners, the lovely formula provides the prefect balance between color and treatment.

The five new shades are listed below. I purchased three shades, all described and shown to me as new by the product specialist. Unfortunately, only one of those rung for me was new, Washed Seashell (#52). Not sure how that happened, but I like one of the two others, Twilight, very much. I just can't show you as many new shades as I had hoped. You can see little swatches on the top row of the selections at Bobbi Brown's Web site.

• Burnt Sugar, bronze nude
• Hibiscus, bright candy pink
• Pale Petal, medium blue-toned pink
• Washed Seashell, shimmering, medium nude-toned pink
• Tiger Lily, shimmering medium coral

It's so hot out, I was afraid to roll the shades out too far for the photo. Lipsticks soften very quickly in our glaring sunshine and heat. Retro Pink is shown at left, Twilight in the center, and Washed Seashell at right.

The three shades are shown on my arm, with Washed Seashell (#52) at the top, Twilight (#45) in the center, and Retro Pink (#33) at the bottom. You can see that Washed Seashell is a warm pink, perfect for summer. Twilight represents one of my favorite brown lipstick shades. It adds a nice natural tone to my pink lips. Retro Pink is definitely light - lighter than my usual suspects - and I don't think it's the shade I selected.

The rep had told me that the new shades had the highest ID numbers, and #33 is not high. I think I had asked for Pale Petal. I'm going to have to start consulting my iPhone when shopping. I'm not "big" on returning "used" makeup, so I'm still considering whether to keep Retro Pink or not. I have too many shades like it.

For someone who doesn't write a blog, whether the shades are new or pre-existing shouldn't matter. I went to Neiman Marcus to see the new ones; hence my dismay. If you've never tried Creamy Lip Color, check out all the shades. If you are looking for new shades, make sure to take the list above with you on your shopping trip.

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

More about → New Shades: Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color

Dior Rouge Sérum from the Blue Tie Collection for Fall 2011

Steady my heart, Dior introduced new Rouge Sérum Luminous Color Lip Treatment ($34) shades in a new formula with the Blue Tie Collection for fall. Filled with even more active skin-care ingredients than the parent Sérum de Rouge lip color, Rouge Sérum features an amazingly creamy texture to moisturize, smooth, and pamper your lips day in and day out. Enriched with mango butter and other natural extracts, this nourishing treatment is said to boost your lips' microcirculation and collagen levels and enhance their appearance with gorgeous, luminous color. That color is sheer - my favorite lip color look!

The new shades are shown beautifully at MakeUp4All.

• Carmine Crystal
• Coral Crystal
• Passionate Pink Crystal
• Primrose Crystal
• Sweet Pink Crystal
• Tea Rose Crystal

What's a gal to do when faced with a display filled with gorgeous shades? Select two to start! I came home with #675 Passionate Pink Crystal and #645 Sweet Pink Crystal. I could easily have bought four more.

My new shades are shown in the tubes at right. Passionate Pink Crystal is shown at the top and Sweet Pink Crystal below in my photo. Both colors look a little warmer in my photo than they appear to my eye. Naturally, I took many swatch photos and selected the one that most accurately portrayed the shades on my skin.

My photo was taken in morning sunlight. Passionate Pink Crystal is on the left, and Sweet Pink Crystal is on the right. Hopefully, you can see that they are very different pink shades - both sheer, gleaming, and luscious. Passionate Pink Crystal appears red-pink in the tube, but applies as a stunning pure pink. Sweet Pink Crystal is warmer - more rose and with just a hint of brown. I'll be living in both shades.

For the original Sérum de Rouge forumula, Dior said that after one month of daily use, Sérum de Rouge increased the hydration of our lips by 40%, added 24% more smoothness, and helped regain curves and firmness. I wasn't sure about those statistics; they were nice, but not important to me. I simply loved the colors, look, and feel! Now, the new, improved Rouge Sérum formula has captured my heart. This week, I'm going over to Neiman Marcus, where I bought the first two, and I'm going to try to resist buying more...for now.

If you love lighter-than-air, luscious lip colors, check out the Dior Blue Tie Collection Fall 2011 display at your local department store. These new lip color-treatment hybrids are my favorite part of the collection.

Photos courtesy of Neiman Marcus and by Best Things in Beauty

More about → Dior Rouge Sérum from the Blue Tie Collection for Fall 2011