Beauty PSA: Vintage Le Métier Kaleidoscopes Available

Oh you girls are going to love this. I was up at the John Barrett salon at Bergdorf's and found a treasure trove of vintage treats. They have eye kaleidoscopes in Penelope, Splendid Frost, Aphrodite (!), Violaceous Splendor (!!), and Le Cirque, as well as lip kaleidoscopes in Les Artistes, Autumn Embers, and Red Rapture. Also available are the dual kaleidoscopes Sterling Beauty and Golden Beauty.

Everything is in severely limited quantities so if you see anything you want you should call immediately! The number is 212-872-2700 x2714. Ask for Heather and tell her Xiao from Messy Wands sent you.

*Update: In case you aren't the comment reading sort, dear reader Megan and Passion4Art alerted us to more available Splendid Frosts (I swear this is like a treasure hunt)! The person to call is Alex from Neiman Marcus Las Vegas at 702-731-3636, or you can text her at 702-722-7400. I know I haven't featured Splendid Frost on Messy Wands but it's my all-time favorite kaleidoscope (yes I said it).

Also, can I say how much I love being able to text an SA to order stuff? Absolutely amazing.

Le Métier de Beauté Eye Kaleidoscopes

A reader gave me a fantastic idea earlier today. Since I can't photograph myself right now, why not photograph some of the prettiest things I have in my makeup drawer? By the way, have we ever discussed my dream to own a beauty closet? I think that's what I need to store these things in a way that makes sense, unlike the haphazard mess taking over half of my study table right now.

While I regret that I don't have the space in my room nor the photography skills to do my Le Métier de Beauté eye kaleidoscope collection justice (if you haven't already, you must read this post where Sabrina showcased her stupendous collection of Chanel quads), I hope you still enjoy the photos below.

this is actually called Aphrodite. It was a gift from my beauty editor at a previous internship

Violaceous Splendor, more details here

Smoldering Embarkment

this one was not for sale. Dustin made a few prototypes and gave me one but it never went to production. I call it "the green kaleidoscope"

Capitol

The elusive Oscar de la Renta kaleidoscope

Not individually pictured are Silk Road (worn on the eyes in this post), Splendid Frost, Penelope, and of course, Antiquité Poupée.

I'm pretty happy with what I have, but I so fervently wish I was around early enough to purchase Devotion and the amazing Roopal Patel palette. Those are my only two Le Métier de Beauté regrets.

Nude Lip Combo: Guerlain Rouge Automatique #103 and Le Métier de Beauté Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

These pictures make me want to cry. My skin does not look like that anymore. Especially now, just emerging out of the cave I lived in to write my final papers, a quick inspection shows new acne scars, enlarged pores, ingrown brow hairs (!!), a pimple or three around my face. It's the beauty blogger equivalent of falling from grace. Perhaps skincare posts should ensue?

Anyway, while I fix up my face, I thought I would share my favorite fool-proof nude lip combo: Guerlain Rouge Automatique #103 topped with Le Métier de Beauté Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss. While many cite daring reds as their go-to special occasion lip, I prefer mine to be non fuss and impossible to screw up. I worry too much while wearing reds to really have a good time!

An oversight: I just realized I don't have any photos of Rouge Automatique #103 in my folder. If anyone wants a swatch, let me know and I'll try to do it soon.

Le Metier de Beaute Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

Rouge Automatique #103

Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

Rouge Automatique #103 and Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

Rouge Automatique #103 and Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

There aren't many makeup items I will repurchase if I lose or finish them, but RA #103 and Bondi Beach are two that I will run out and buy as soon as I don't have one in my reach. You cannot imagine how grateful I am that they're both permanent items.

If memory serves me, I packed Burberry Taupe Brown eyeshadow on my eyes, then dabbed a little of  Armani Eyes To Kill Intense #14 at the center of the lid. Cheeks are courtesy of Chanel Tempting Beige, one of my all time favorite blushes!

Not Beauty-Related But...

Spotted these fantastic things on DKNY PR Girl's tumblr.

Photo Source: style.com

Pretty much what I want to wear every day for the rest of my life. I'm huge on billowy circle skirts and hourglass silhouettes. Pass me any well-tailored white shirt and I will have a mini gushing fit.

Then there's also this pair of platforms from the DKNY Summer/Pre-fall show.

Photo Source: style.com

All I'm saying is they better sell them because I've been looking for platforms like that since April.

I Suppose One Calls This A Filler Post

Apologies for the absence (as explained here). I promise Messy Wands will get back on track next week.

In the mean time, a photo from last July when I had fantastic lighting in my apartment. The only thing I remember about this picture is that I used Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense #15, which I won't be reviewing now (though you only have to read my thoughts on #19 to know how I feel about it). This is a huge problem because I want to know what I was wearing on my lips.

Others I found in the folder to better illustrate ETK #15:

Ah, that window and the constant rays flitting into my once-room. If only I still had them.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Honey and Passion

I often fidget about shorter posts, thinking it might suggest negligence or laziness, but I forget that there are times when brevity better suits the occasion, and when products speak well for themselves, there really isn't much else needed to be said.

One such product is the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15. I've tried both Honey and Passion and I've been thinking about the Rose and regular versions ever since. 

L-R: Passion, Honey

The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments are lightweight balms housed in a sturdy lipstick canister. It differs from regular packaging in that you have to twist the cap to access it. There is no chance that the cover will dislodge in your bag - always a plus.

Lips without any product

In one of my very first posts on Messy Wands, I mentioned that I used to be highly sensitive toward lip products. While the (unknown) allergies have since subsided, occasionally it still rears its ugly head. Burt's Bees and Chapsticks don't do well on my lips, even the oft-raved-about Jack Black Lip Balm tends to make my lips swell when left on overnight. I've had no problems with the Fresh balms. They work as they should, are tasteless, and while there's a slight odor to the bullet it doesn't linger on the lips. I don't find that frequent re-application is needed. 

Fresh Honey

Fresh Passion

The two that I have give me an extra pop of color, which I like. Those who prefer colorless balms can choose to explore the original version.

I couldn't recommend them enough.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 retails for $22.50 and is available at Fresh freestanding stores and Sephora.

Le Métier de Beauté Holiday 2011: Antiquité Poupée Redux

I know we've had plenty of coverage for Antiquité Poupée, but it's just so gosh darn pretty! 

Oh but there is a point to the post! While I couldn't for the life of me grab a decent full face photo, I wanted to show you how it looks layered on the eyes. For the main part of the lid, I layered the top three shades from top to bottom, and added the fourth color only in the crease. I lined the top lid with Le Métier de Beauté Precision Eyeliner in Noir and patted the fourth shade over it with a flat liner brush. 

That last step is crucial in getting a sharp, defined eye line. 

L-R: Fourth shade by itself, fourth shade over black liquid liner.

Here comes the point: While you may have heard that all 100 units of Antiquité Poupée sold out within the first day of release, the good news is Le Métier de Beauté will be producing an additional sixty so more will have the opportunity to revel in this kaleidoscope's magnificence. I've worn this kaleidoscope thrice (!) this week and I received compliments on it every time. This is the one Le Métier exclusive I would loathe to miss. As always, you can reach Dustin Lujan and his team at 212-872-8612, tell him I sent you!

Speaking of exclusives, allow me to slip in a reminder about the ongoing Beauty Bloggers Charity Auction, where plenty of discontinued amazingness is up for grabs. And oh hey I'm just going to slip in another shameless plug! My discontinued amazing exclusive Le Métier de Beauté Modernist Merlot palette is sitting on my desk right now just begging to be shipped off to the highest bidder.