April 2011 Favorites

With the Advent of May, it is time to review my April favorites. Here is a list of things I reached for daily throughout April, and really don't know how I would get by without:

April Favorites 

Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion SPF 15 ($30.00) - we all know by now to put sunscreen on our face daily (right, RIGHT?), but how many of us think about putting it on our hands? I have become very cautious of my hands since I spotted my first age spot on my hand (gasp) and given the amount of sun our hands receive while driving, for instance, it's a smart move to protect our hands from the crippling grips of the sun. Spots be damned!

Jo Malone Home Candles ($65.00) - specifically in Blue Agava & Cacao. Even when I do not light these decadent candles I find them to be extremely aromatic just sitting pretty on my vanity or dresser. They last for years. I really do love a good candle. I wish you all could smell how great this candle smells - AHHH. Someday I will own her luxury candle with its understated elegance that retails for a mind-blowing $375.00 (a girl can dream can't she?) I think it would make the perfect accessory in my non-toddler-proof home on my non-toddler-proof coffee table, in my all white living room that would naturally be free from cat hair or dust (apparently, I do too much dreaming). I have always had a good experience with the representatives and they have all been friendly in doling out free samples of her lovely fragrances as well. Moving onto packaging, I am a sucker for the small details and love a good package. I love that they wrap each item up so well and place it in her bag with the black ribbon to top it off.

Clarisonic Classic Brush ($195.00) - I would feel like Little Bo Beep when she lost her sheep, if I were without this brush. I literally have nothing bad to say about this brush. With my skin being as sensitive as it is, this brush has been a godsend. I often rely on this brush alone for my exfoliating and I love how smooth my skin feels after I use it. I replace the brush heads every 3 months and I use the sensitive head one. You can find them at Nordstrom's for $25.00 a piece, but have found them packaged for 2 for $40.00. I have also seen a marked difference with how clean my skin gets and how truly awesome it is at removing my makeup, which is something my hands alone cannot do.

Chanel's Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Powder in Bronze Rose ($50.00) - I haven't touched a blush since picking up Bronze Rose. I like that I add some color and that this one duo encompasses both a blush and a bronzer. Normally, I cannot pull off a bronzer but this one makes it surprisingly very easy.  It is highly recommended even for us with fairer complexions.

Le Metier De Beaute's Peau Vierge Lash Growth Serum ($95.00) - I was a bit skeptical after reading the claims of what this almighty product was suppose to do. I was also freaked out by some of the side effects of Latisse. I did not feel comfortable applying something on my lids to stimulate growth, I did not want to risk my iris color permanently changing, and furthermore, I did not want to throw $95.00 down the drain. Well, after being assured that this product was not like Latisse and that it really did work I'll admit I was assured and intrigued. I decided to bite the bullet and give it a whirl. Almost, three weeks into applying the Peau Vierge Lash Serum I woke up to fuller lashes. Seeing really was believing. I was converted! The Lash Growth + LMdB eye lash curler + Anamorphic Mascara = amazing lashes! (Look for a separate review on this to come, I've been faithfully taking pictures to document my lash transformation).

What were your April favorites? 

Le Metier De Beaute's Dualistic Eye Pencil in 'Champagne' and 'Tamarack' Review

I'm a huge fan of Le Metier De Beaute's eye shadows, I've said it before and I'll say it again-  they are blendable, richly pigmented and have true staying power. Well, I have discovered another gem from their line and that is their equally fabulous dualistic eye liners. I have two of their eyeliners, one in 'Champagne' - a gorgeous taupe with champagne splashes and one in 'Tamarack' - a complex bronzy darker brown.

Their pencils are "velvety soft" and go on effortlessly with no tugging whatsoever. They retail for $36.00 and can be found in-store at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Nordstrom's stores (or purchased online at the above mentioned online stores). A great tip that I learned from the Le Metier De Beaute (LMdB) artists is to apply the eye pencil all over the lid and blend, then apply your eye shadows on top. The pencil can act as an eye shadow base and make the eye shadow last longer. I did the prettiest eye with my 'Champagne' pencil blended up to the crease and Splendid Frost kaleidoscope shadows applied using their couches de couleur (which is French for "layer"), but I forgot to take a picture (drats!).

Swatches of 'Champagne' and 'Tamarack'

'Champagne'

'Tamarack'

I like the duality of these pencils, the fact that they can serve as a liner or be used as a shadow is a strong selling point in my eyes.

Currently, LMdB Dualistic Eye Pencil's only come in an assortment of four colors (in 'Sequoia', 'Champagne', 'Tamarack', and 'Noir'). Both 'Champagne' and 'Tamarack' are both staples, in my opinion, for any neutral loving beauty connoisseur out there.

Do you own any of the Le Metier Dualistic Pencils? If so, what colors?

Le Metier De Beaute's Kaleidoscope Comparison Swatches - Golds

Le Metier De Beaute's Goldish Browns

A quick post to show the difference among the various kaleidoscopes. This one focuses on the golds or browns. 'Mulberry' is available for purchase for $30.00 and is part of their regular, permanent line. 'Mulberry' is very sheer and was swatched approximately four times for the color to show up versus one swipe for the other colors. 'Mulberry' was previously reviewed here and has golden peach undertones.

'Spectacle' is part of the Le Cirque kaleidoscope that came out in the Fall of 2010. 'Spectacle' has an undertone that is more blush brown.

'Love Struck' is part of the Smoldering Embarkment kaleidoscope that premiered for Valentine's Day. It is a deeper brown with golden flecks in it.

'Crystal Ball' belongs to the celebrated holiday Splendid Frost kaleidoscope with more bronzy beige undertones.    

All kaleidoscopes are limited edition and do sell out rather quickly. My best suggestion is if you see something you like to purchase, buy it! It may not be around again if you change your mind. All these kaleidoscopes are sold out, with the exception being Splendid Frost. Splendid Frost can be found for sale at http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/le-metier-de-beaute-kaleidoscope-eye-kit/3124765?origin=category&resultback=103 for $95.00.

Keep in mind no camera can truly capture just how stunning some of these colors are in person. I just hope these pictures help some of you that were wondering what certain colors really looked like. 

Le Metier De Beaute's Kaleidoscope Comparison Swatches - Reds

It was requested that I take detailed pictures to show the difference of each shadow. So as promised, here are the more detailed pics displaying the comparisons between various kaleidoscopes. It is a beautiful, sunny day here in Southern California, so the beauty Gods were on my side and I was able to  take these. *Please note - these pictures were taken outside in the direct light to reflect the gorgeous sparkle each shadow possesses, these photos were not altered in any way.*

Le Metier De Beaute's reds

Overall, these colors could fall under the 'red' category but they each possess different undertones. 'Alexandrite' has purple undertones, 'Enrichissant' has goldish brown, 'Bordeaux' has more of a brick red, while 'In Love' has more orange-y undertones.

'Alexandrite' is available as a single color for $30.00 and is part of their permanent line.

'Enrichissant' is from their Le Cirque kaleidoscope that came out in the Fall of 2010.

'Bordeaux' is also part of their permanent collection and can be purchased for either $30.00 or is part of their 'Tunisian Trist' kaleidoscope (exclusive to Bergdrof's or Neiman's online only).

'In Love' is part of their 'Smoldering Embarkment' kaleidoscope. Although each shade is similar, they are all different in their own right. Overall, I love how richly pigmented each shadow is and how nicely they blend together. It is also worth mentioning that these shadows have true staying power (you can get a full's day wear out of these babies). You really do get what you pay for with Le Metier. Christa, I hope this helps you out!  :)

This shows how pigmented they are

What colors are your favorite from Le Metier?   

An Overview of my Le Metier De Beaute Kaleidoscope

Le Metier De Beaute's Kaleidoscopes

I'm currently working on taking pictures of each kaleidoscope in detail. I know having to bring a toddler to and from everywhere I go can be a turn off from me wanting to go and browse leisurely at a cosmetic counter. Having a toddler sometimes forces you to need an exit strategy - a way to get in and out effectively, with what you want. I've mentioned before that pictures on websites can vary greatly from those that are taken in detail by bloggers. My aim is to help you, the reader, get a more accurate picture of how beautiful each shadow is (each kaleidoscope possess a color that blows me a way with their complexity and uniqueness).

I've only started seriously liking Le Metier de Beaute (LMdB) about six months ago, but in that time I have amassed a fairly decent and respectable collection, including five total kaleidoscopes, four for the eyes, and one for the lips.

Here is an overview of the kaleidoscopes:

Tunisian Trist is the latest kaleidoscope that I purchased and at the time was exclusive to Neiman Marcus online, but now I see Bergdorf's also carries it (online only). It was previously reviewed here.

Smoldering Embarkment was created by Dustin Lujan to commemorate Valentine's Day of 2011. This kaleidoscope can only be purchased at Bergdorf Goodman's in store or by calling up Bergdorf's directly at 212.872.8612. The colors in this particular kaleidoscope include from top to bottom -First Love, Love Struck, In Love, and Lovelorn.

Splendid Frost was LMdB's holiday kaleidoscope for 2010, the colors are from top to bottom - Crystal Ball, Empire, Rockette, and Sugar Plum.

Le Cirque debuted in the Fall of 2010. The colors include, starting from top to bottom - Flamboyantes, Spectacle, Enrichissant, and Dynamique.

Les Artiste lip kaleidoscope complemented Le Cirque and also came out in Fall 2010. From top to bottom the colors are - Illusionists, Acrobates, Magiciens, and Danseurs.

*Look for future reviews on each kaleidoscope and shadow in detail*.