Sunday, March 18, 2012

Le Métier de Beauté Spring 2012: Northern Lights (The Auroras) Kaleidoscope Eye Kit

Le Métier de Beauté's spring collection has finally hit counters! This is the last of my spring wants, and now that I have it I can move on to obsessing over summer (have you seen Dior? Guerlain? NARS? Ugh, so pretty). 



The Le Métier de Beauté Northern Lights (The Auroras) Kaleidoscope Eye Kit feels different compared to all the others I own. I won't say it's less pigmented (just take a look at the hand swatch below), but it does produce a more subtle effect on the eyes compared to previous kits. Since the Le Métier spring lip features a bolder shade of pink, I think Northern Lights is made to be worn hand in hand with the Aurora Lip Kit.


L-R: Ionic, Sky, Magnetic, Equinox, all four shades blended together



I'm sure most of you are tired of hearing me rave about the brand, so I won't add any spluttering exultations to this review. The textures, colors, formula, and lasting power of the shadows are on par with previous releases, so if these are colors you think you'll wear, I say go for it! 


For those interested (this was the look featured on St. Patrick's Day), here is the bevy of products I used to create the look in this post:



I mixed a pump of Peau Vierge with Chantecaille 'Just Skin' to add radiance to the skin. Using Guerlain Cruel Gardenia, I highlighted the area above my cheekbones, down the nose, and above my cupid's bow. Finally, I set with loose powder. 

I applied all four shades of Northern Lights on my eyes using the company's signature couches de couleurs method (explained here), and added more of Equinox on the crease for definition. I then lined my eyes with liquid liner, and layered a generous amount of mascara on my lashes. 


The cheeks are a little complicated, and I don't know why I did what I did (I'm sure there is a simpler way to create the same effect), but I like how it turned out. First, I contoured below the cheeks and along the jaw line with Burberry Earthy Blush, then  I applied Guerlain Cruel Gardenia on my cheeks and patted Burberry Cameo Blush over it. I topped that off with Guerlain Sunny Pink Terracotta Blush, and went over everything with Bobbi Brown Rose Gold Shimmer Brick. It's more products than I think was necessary (though they really didn't weigh a thing), but my cheeks were glowing all night long.


Le Métier de Beauté Northern Lights (The Auroras) Kaleidoscope Eye Kit retails for $95 and is available at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. As usual, if you don't have a counter near you, please do not hesitate to contact Dustin Lujan of Bergdorf's at 212-872-8612 and tell him I sent you. Everything from the spring collection is limited edition, so don't wait too long!

36 comments:

  1. those are pretty colors and i love the packaging.

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  2. how do you like this as compared to past collections? :)

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  3. You look gorgeous! I pre-saled this palette before the Neiman's beauty event without seeing any pics of it since they always seem to sell out before I make up my mind! Plus I wanted that red gloss! Lol, this will be my first lip & eye kaleidoscope from LMdB. After I saw some photos of the eye kit, I started to think I made a very poor choice, but from the looks of your photos it looks like a lovely shimmering purple taupe! Phew! Can't wait to pick them up. Thanks for the lovely photos as always :)

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  4. ChannelHMC- indeed!

    stephanie- I think every collection has its own story, so it would be hard to compare :) I think these colors are great for spring, and I definitely am happy to add them to my stash (I know it doesn't seem like it, but I don't love *every* kaleidoscope out there :P)

    Naomi- thank you! Haha I agree on that for counter exclusives. The seasonal collections are produced in a higher quantity, so there is less fear of them running out before you can get to it. Even though you presaled, you can always apply the tester at the counter and see if you like the colors, if not you can always return the eye kit :)

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  5. The purple and bronze shades mixed together are unexpectedly divine! I adore the look you've created with this. I still need to pick up a Kaleidoscope: I always hesitate too long and then they're long gone.

    ♥ Jessica

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  6. heh do you love this?

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  7. Ahhh I love the purple and the bronze! The blue might be a bit trickier to manipulate for my warm-toned skin, but this still looks like a great set! Thanks for making me drool all over my computer again :p

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  8. Jessica- Do ittttt :D

    stephanie- I do. It's not my favorite kaleidoscope ever, but I still like it :)

    Sunny- teehee!

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  9. Holy pho! Your skin just looks gorg! <3

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  10. Ladies,

    Online photos do not do this palette justice! I played with the kit at the counter yesterday and I was blown away-soft, color that is perfect for Spring.

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  11. I love this as a whole look! The Northern Lights kaleidoscope is a bit too subtle for me for $95, but you're really making me jones for the Aurora (lips) one.

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  12. do you think the purple is dark enough to warrant getting this if i already have penelope? (bottom 2 shades look similar). Love the lip kaleidoscope - it's going on my list. i'm sad that i missed out on cruel gardenia. i have really fair skin so perhaps nars copacabana would be a good stand-in. i usually just use fresh glow... i love the guerlain terracotta blush; never thought to layer it...definitely going to try that. thanks! you look beautiful!

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  13. dani- <3

    DEN- I agree :) Take any chance to play with it at a physical counter!

    J.- I'm ploughing through mine quite rapidly. a little afraid it'll be gone!

    katie- Do you mean Devotion? Penelope's bottom two shades are sort of a taupey sand brown and dark forest green.

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  14. Oooooh the colors are so pretty! Esp. Equinox and Magnetic blended together!

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  15. I meant to say that the bottom 2 shades of northern lights looked similar to 2 of the colors in penelope but now that I look at your other photos, they look to be quite a bit darker.....

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  16. If you want the color more pigmented and intense you could always put the colors on from bottom to top gives a much more dramatic look. :)

    Xoxo
    Alyx
    LMdB Vegas

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  17. Your glowy cheeks...so chomp-able ;)

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  18. Argh! Only you could make me take a second look at this kaleidoscope. I had dismissed it as too blue for me, but now I love what you did with the color on your lower lash line.

    Still, I'm thrilled with my choice of the limited edition Cherry Blossom Kaleidoscope. Just did a gorgeous face for spring with it.

    Looks like I'll just have to get 'em all. xD

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  19. I love this look - its so beautiful.

    These are probably my favourite photographs of you out of your entire blog!

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  20. The colours look a bit scary warm alone but look beautiful on you! I checked out a LMDB palette in HK - City something? It was lovely but I decided to pass because the cost was just too prohibitive and I put the money towards shoes instead ;) Some day maybe ;)

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  21. Maggie- lmdb eye shadows become altogether magical when layered :)

    katie- ah, yeah they're very different :)

    Alyx- thanks for the tip

    Larie- it is for you to chomp!

    Leigh- you got that right! xD

    Alison- Thank you :)

    Paris- Oh City Girl, I heard good things about that kaleidoscope :) but yes, shoes are important too. I need to find my spring/summer pair

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  22. wow this looks surprisingly good. I saw best things in beauty's swatches and it looked almost lifeless and definitely difficult to wear. think this will look good on someone with your undertones but maybe a shade or two darker? :p

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  23. What a beautiful Kaleidoscope! Not as beautiful though as you my dear. <3

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  24. You're beautiful!!

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  25. You look super gorgeous - the eyeshadows are very pretty as well.
    S xx

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  26. j- absolutely! But if you're near a counter do go and try it out :) (and try the lip kit! My absolute love)

    C- aww you <3 will you be getting it?

    Anonymous- Thank you :)

    Seonaid- Thank you! I give LMdB all the credit... and about an hour of primping lol :x

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  27. I can't wait for you to review the nail polishes. They look gorgeous!

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  28. omg you look lovely! how does this compare to silk road? and are you getting cherry blossom from dc? wondering which kaleidoscope to spring for (no pun intended :p)

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  29. Jo- wearing two of them now! I decided not to get the blue one because it looks very similar to Bon Voyage and I have too many blue polishes as it is.

    delia- Thank you :) It doesn't compare at all - they're entirely different sets of colors! Silk Road is plum brown. The cherry blossom kaleidoscope is on its way to me, but I'm afraid I won't be able to review it till next week so I don't know if it'll still be in stock by then :(

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  30. if you don't mind me asking a follow-up question, Xiao... based off experience and just swatches online, would you say this or cherry blossom would be more unique and more suitable for warm medium skintones? also, how much did shipping cost for the the cherry blossom kaleidoscope? sorry for the barrage of questions! xx

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  31. delia- of course not, ask away! I don't know if it'll be "more suitable" (I think I mentioned before I don't put much stock/don't know much about in color theory...), though I do think the colors are more atypical of kaleidoscopes. The good news is I received mine an hour ago, but due to my schedule I can only get the eye look up on friday, and I don't know if it'll still be available then. There are precious few swatches and on-eye looks online now and none where I can really see how it performs, so I apologize but I really can't give you my opinion on something I don't know :(

    I ordered it through my NM associate from Boston, so shipping didn't cost anything for me. I don't know if this is possible for everyone though, so if you do call up the NM Washington counter, ask for Michael and ask if you could get free shipping. I think the new policy regarding exclusive kaleidoscopes is they will offer free shipping because it's unfair for us to have to pay for it (but I might be mistaken! :x).

    Hope that helps!

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  32. of course it helps! I'm really looking to Friday then :) I called NM and the lady at the counter (Michael was having an off day) and she said there should still be stock Friday/Saturday. Excited!

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  33. delia- sorry! Crazy busy the past few days. I think I might be able to have it up sometime after midnight :( based on my first use (just in case you're anxious), I think the Northern Lights kaleidoscope would show up better on you. The Cherry Blossom k has *really* light colors and can barely be seen even on me (and I think I'm quite fair...) so I don't know if it will work on your medium skintone...

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  34. thanks Xiao! I read your post, and thank you for the advice! I suspect you're right :)

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  35. what lipstick are you wearing?

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  36. Xiao, would you have any info on the summer collection? Last year it went out early May, I was wondering it it would be the same this year. Thanks for such a great blog btw

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