Le Métier de Beauté Summer 2012: Chauvet Pont d'Arc Kaleidoscope Eye Kit

Edit: It appears that there was an error in communication when I wrote the earlier post. It turns out that wasn't Chauvet Pont d'Arc, or any existing kaleidoscope at all. It was just a collection of shadows Dustin thought was approximate to the color shown on the press release and I erroneously took it for the real palette. I do apologize for the mistake and any confusion that has caused, and I promise it won't happen again.

That said, I kind of wish that was Chauvet Pont d'Arc. I don't see greens often enough in Le Métier de Beauté kaleidoscopes and that matcha green is particularly breathtaking. Below are pictures of the actual Chauvet Pont d'Arc Kaleidoscope Eye Kit.

The colors are as below:

• Umber - umbre-toned satin mauve
• Ocher - shimmering sandstone ochre
• Madder - shimmering terracotta
• Crystalline - silky desert matte teal

L-R: Crystalline, Madder, Ocher, Umber, first three shades/four shades blended

When blended together, Chauvet Pont d'Arc becomes a reddish brown true to its source of inspiration. While the first three colors are of its usual stellar quality, the fourth shade was less cooperative. It required a little more work to blend with the rest, and it also doesn't swatch as well. 

While the colors of this kaleidoscope are unique, I decided not to purchase it. Somehow, the blended result didn't complement my skin tone, and with so many kaleidoscopes already in my kit, I decided my heart wouldn't break if I missed out on this one. 

Le Métier de Beauté Chauvet Pont d'Arc retails for $95 and should be available at counters nationwide soon, if not already. My usual contacts are Dustin Lujan (212.872.8612) of Bergdorf Goodman and Traci Dastou (617536.3660 x2111) of Neiman Marcus Boston. When I visited Traci earlier today, she only had five left!

Note: I decided to leave the old post behind, if only for the memory of that matcha green.

I become unreasonably excited every time I get a sneak preview of a new Le Métier de Beauté release, and when I write the post I'm always trying to contain myself so I would sound like a rational human being. So, without further ado, here's the new summer release Chauvet Pont d'Arc Kaleidoscope Eye Kit. The inspiration for the kit is its namesake, the Chauvet Cave in southern France, where the earliest known paintings in the world are found.

The kit consists of a champagne cream, a matcha green (as in when applied it looks exactly like the color of matcha powder), an earthy brown, and a matte denim blue. While the first three tiers applied wonderfully, the blue (as expected from a matte shade) was a little chalky.

I was rushing to apply it on my eyes because I only got to the store around closing time, so these may look a little slapdash. I only managed to snap these pictures about four hours after application.

Eyes: Chauvet Pont d'Arc; Cheeks: Burberry Sheer Summer Glow; Lips: LMdB Cafe Crème

I'm not entirely pleased with the texture of the blue shade, but I have to admit the green color is a breath of fresh air. Le Métier de Beauté rarely features green in their kaleidoscopes, but in this case it is spectacularly done. 

Le Métier de Beauté Chauvet Pont d'Arc retails for $95 and will be available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and select Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue locations soon. While the palette has not reached counters, it is already available for pre-sale. In the past, the Bergdorf location receives new items slightly earlier than other counters. If you would like to pre-order one for yourself, do give Dustin a call at 212.872.8612, and let him know I sent you! 

Le Métier de Beauté Summer Haute House Hues: Indian Summer

More guerrilla swatches! This time of the latest Le Métier de Beauté Summer Haute House Hues Indian Summer set (it's a mouthful, I know). Copper Leaf immediately reminded me of Silk Road nail polish from last fall, and while I don't have a comparison picture, it looks exactly the same in the tube. You can imagine how ecstatic that made me. Silk Road is my all-time favorite polish from the brand.

L-R: Ginger Snap, Copper Leaf, Chocolate Creme, Cocoa Creme

I was surprised to find that Ginger Snap features the Lip Creme formula. Since it was so sheer, it felt more like a Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss. It doesn't do much but add a bit of color and shimmer to the lips, but sometimes that's exactly what a girl wants.

In the pictures below, I applied Copper Leaf and layered it with Ginger Snap. 

I didn't manage to swatch the two orange nail polishes because my nails were freshly manicured when I went to the counter. Shawn (the Boston LMdB artist) sacrificed his fingers to show me how it looked and it turned out to be pumpkin-y, which I felt would accentuate every tinge of yellow in my skin. For those who are interested, theultimatemakeup provided swatches and comparison shots, as well as a detailed review.

Le Métier de Beauté Summer Haute House Hues Indian Summer set retails for $65 and should be available at Bergdorf's and all Neiman Marcus counters. The Neiman Marcus Camp Gorgeous event began a couple of days ago, but there is still time (ends June 10) to stock up on beauty goods. The Le Métier de Beauté GWP is a discontinued Bella Bronzer and the cutest mini Traviata blush/bronzer duo, and will be yours with a purchase of $125 and above. If you don't have a Neiman Marcus counter near you, you can contact Traci Dastou at 617-536-3660 x2111 and she will definitely help you with your order. You can also contact Dustin Lujan of Bergdorf's at 212-872-8612 (though I don't think Bergdorf's offers the GWP). Do let them know I sent you!

The Epic Brush Post, Part I: Face Brushes

I remarked on Twitter some time ago that I've reached Brush Nirvana. I have not pined for a new makeup brush since my last acquisition months ago, so I suppose my collection is more or less perfect (for now). Many have tweeted and emailed me asking about the brushes I use and I have stalled my replies, explaining that a brush post is in the works – well, it took about half a year, but here it is. I decided to do it in installments because of the sheer amount of brushes I own (the picture below isn't even half of it). 

I am not showing you every single brush I have. The brushes you'll see are part of my "dream team," if you will. I love every single one of them, and even though I have six just under the cheek brush category, I promise none of them are true duplicates of each other. My brushes vary in shape, bristle length, softness, material, all of which influences how they perform and the effect they produce. That said, most people really only need one. I do realize I have a lot of brushes, but what can I say? They're actually the best part of makeup for me. 

I store the main bulk of my brushes in a Shu Uemura leather brush roll. I also own a couple of asoftblackstar's rolls in sizes small and large for traveling. When at home, I place some in various cups or pen holders for ease of access.

Lastly, before we begin, I should let you know that most of my opinions come from reading beauty blogs, talking to makeup artists, and experience with my own brushes (this includes acquisition of a lot of brushes I ended up hating). I am certainly not an expert when it comes to brushes, and I might be wrong about some things, but I hope this brush guide will save you a few mistakes as you navigate the treacherous path of amassing your own perfect kit. 

On to the brushes:

Top-bottom: RMK Face Brush, Suqqu Face Brush, LMdB Face Brush, LMdB Kabuki Brush

L-R: RMK Face Powder Brush, Suqqu Face Brush, LMdB Powder Brush, LMdB Kabuki Brush

The most popular misconception I've come across about brushes is soft = good. I find that a lot of people get carried away with how good the brush feels versus how it actually performs. What you need to remember is while soft is nice, not all of your brushes should be that way. 

My favorite face brushes are from RMK, Suqqu, and Le Métier de Beauté. The Suqqu one is pure indulgence as it is unbelievably soft. According to the listing on ichibankao.com, the brush is made of 100 percent superior gray squirrel hair. It is the most expensive brush I own, at a little under $200 (this is with no tax/shipping charges and 10 percent discount). 

Is it functional? Yes, but because it's so soft and pliable you won't be able to manage anything more than a light application. I use it for a light dusting of powder or when I want to apply a thin veil of bronzer on my face. Is it worth the money? Probably not. But this brush makes me feel so happy when I use it – in fact, sometimes I rub it against my face. Just because. 

The LMdB Powder Brush is a typical round powder brush made of 100 percent natural goat hair, while RMK's version is flatter and wider and made of a blend of gray squirrel and goat hair. Both are soft but firmer (it sounds like an oxymoron, but it really isn't) compared to the Suqqu, thus allowing for heavier application of powder.

The LMdB Kabuki Brush is a versatile creature. I put it under the "face brush" category due to its size, but I actually use if more often to apply cream blushes (it does so surprisingly well, and is so much easier to clean than a synthetic brush). The LMdB kabuki contains the firmest bristles out of the four and can be used for powder and blush alike. If I need to save space when traveling, I bring just this one brush. I've been told that it is virtually indestructible, and while I never want to test that claim, I've thrown it into various makeup bags and the shape always bounces back after a wash. 

RMK Face Powder Brush ($69.99) can be found at bonboncosmetics.com (though currently it's not listed). I purchased mine from a counter when I was in Malaysia. The Suqqu Face Brush ($200+) is only available to the US through ichibankao.com at a high markup, whereas the LMdB Powder ($65) and Kabuki Brush ($85) are available at neimanmarcus.com, nordstrom.com, or any Le Métier de Beauté counter nationwide. 

Thakoon for NARS Nail Polish: Kutki

It seems like I can never get sick of blue polish, but who's complaining? 

I've tried two of the six Thakoon for NARS nail polishes, but only photographed the baby blue Kutki because my feet are in a horrible state. I always wonder how models keep their feet so unblemished, especially with the amount of heels they have to wear on a regular basis. 

Anyway, I'm not sure if I can give Kutki a fair review. My bottle was a castaway from a photo shoot and by the time I used it the polish had thickened. It applied streaky for the first two coats and only evened out on the third when I piled it on. 

On the other hand, I applied an unsullied bottle of Anardana on my toes and it was perfect in two coats, so I think it's just my bottle.

The Thakoon for NARS Nail Polish lineup features an array of six bright creme shades perfect for summer. If I had my way, I'll have one of each.

Thakoon for NARS Nail Polishes retail for $18 and is available at narscosmetics.com.

Guerlain Shine Automatique Swatches

I guerrilla swatched Guerlain's (relatively) new Shine Automatiques last weekend and now I'm itching to try one. I was initially turned away because the lipsticks looked frosty and glittery and wouldn't be a good look on my lips, but after swatching it and seeing it on a few bloggers, it's not as scary as I thought it would be.

I haven't tried it on, so I can't give any impressions. My photos were taken in Sephora – one day I hope to find a Sephora run by associates who are OCD about cleanliness and neatness and it will be a happy place. These testers were smushed.

L-R: 200 Sous le Vent, 202 Mi-Mai, 240 Pamplelune, 260 Jardin de Bagatelle, 261 Rose Imperial, 262 Extrait de Rose, 263 A La Parisienne, 264 Rose Pompon, 265 Pao Rosa

I am missing swatches of 201, 220, and 221. So far, 263 A La Parisienne seems to be most popular shade among the reviews I've read. I personally would like to try 202 Mi-Mai and 264 Rose Pompon. A girl can't have too many nudes!

Exclusive: Le Métier de Beauté Red Hot Tango Nail Lacquer

Continuing the coral barrage: Le Métier de Beauté Red Hot Tango Nail Lacquer is like having Coral Confection on fingertips. 

Red Hot Tango is a dazzling coral red. With a polish as bright as this, it's almost a given that it is a one-coater (though I did two, as usual). The polish has an excellent consistency that allows the color to glide on to your nails.

For those who have been following Le Métier de Beauté for a long time, you might be wondering how similar Red Hot Tango might be with Kontagious Koral from their first collaboration with Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing last summer. I whipped out my bottle for a comparison (it's raining so fiercely outside right now I'll have to get back to you on the actual picture) and I can say it's not entirely the same. I cannot tell you what's different – to my eye it's the pink/orange ratio, but I... don't know which is more pink/more orange. They can easily pass for dupes, so if you have Kontagious Koral I'd say you can safely skip this one.

Le Métier de Beauté Red Hot Tango Nail Lacquer will be released concurrently with Coral Confection later this month, though as of right now I don't know if they'll be available individually or as a set.

Red Hot Tango was provided by the company for consideration.

Exclusive: Le Métier de Beauté Coral Confection Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

CORALS.

When I see corals everywhere, I know summer is finally here. (Though it really should step up its game. It's rainy and cold and miserable outside right now. I need a good excuse to slather on sunscreen, hey?)

While I've been covering corals a fair amount recently (see Chanel Calypso and LMdB Riviera), I haven't seen anything quite as bright as Le Métier de Beauté Coral Confection Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss among the new releases.

Coral Confection is a bold, bright coral red with no shimmer. In the tube, it looked similar to Red Velvet (less blue) and Hibiskiss (less pink, no shimmer), even though I knew the color was very different applied. I decided to show and swatch them side by side anyway:

L-R: Coral Confection, Red Velvet, Hibiskiss

L-R: Coral Confection, Red Velvet, Hibiskiss

When applied, Coral Confection is blindingly bright. Even though it features the Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss formula (less creamy compared to Lip Crème formula), which sometimes swatches pigmented and ends up sheer on the lips, make no mistake – Coral Confection will show up. 

When the gloss dries down, it becomes a lovely stain that lasts forever on the lips (seven hours in, the pigment was still there), which I actually prefer. The stain is a flattering muted coral shade. Do note that Coral Confection does bleed a little so I highly recommend lining/concealing around the lip area when wearing it. It's an extra step, but the color, comfort of the formula, and general happiness this gloss gives me makes it well worth it.

Le Métier de Beauté Coral Confection Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss (most probably $32) should reach stores later this month.

Coral Confection and Hibiskiss were provided to me by the company for consideration, while Red Velvet was a Neiman Marcus GWP