Le Metier De Beaute's Splendid Frost Kaleidoscope with Up Close Photos and Swatches

Splendid Frost came out just in time for everyone to celebrate the holidays and arrive to those parties looking extra go-od. I think out of the 5 kaleidoscopes I own, Splendid Frost is my favorite for it's shimmer and unique color combinations. I seriously would have splurged on this kaleidoscope for the 'Sugar Plum' color alone. It really is that pretty. The way the shimmer is set off in the sun is really something you need to experience for yourself.

Splendid Frost

'Crystal Ball' - golden brown with flecks of champagne

'Empire' - a matte gray

'Rockette' - coral

'Sugar Plum' - a deep blue with flecks of pink and purple

 The most frustrating thing about trying to photograph these kaleidoscopes is that no matter how good your lighting is (I had full sun), or how good your camera is (it's a decent Canon DSLR), or how talented the photographer is (my hubby has skills!) some things just cannot be captured. I liken it to the most beautiful sunset you have ever seen. You feverishly take pictures trying in vain to capture just how spectacular this event is to review them later and think "ehh, it was prettier in my head." That's because it was! I still wanted to post this pictures (I retook these pics to show how bright and beautiful the coral color really is!) just in case anyone was still contemplating purchasing Splendid Frost for $95.00. It is still available on at http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/le-metier-de-beaute-kaleidoscope-eye-kit/3124765?origin=category&resultback=205 Every kaleidoscope comes with a flip top mirror perfect for applying any touch-ups with. 

Smoldering Embarkment Kaleidoscope Swatches and Photos

Smoldering Embarkment was released for Valentine's Day 2010 and was exclusively sold at Bergdorf Goodman. It designed by Dustin Lujan. I just learned that Smoldering Embarkment is no longer available. For those that are a huge fan of his, you will be happy to learn that Dustin will be coming out with a new kaleidoscope coming out in January (yay!).

Now, because I said that I would do individual pictures of the shadows and I hate to go back on my word here they are :

'First Love'

'Love  Struck'

'In Love'

'Lovelorn'

Smoldering Embarkment swatched

 I hope you enjoyed the up-close pics!

Products that I Use To Achieve My Five Minute Face

This is a post that was inspired by Jane aka Modesty Brown  - UK beauty blogger extradionaire. Check out her blog - http://www.modestybrown.com/ if you haven't already, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Beep, beep, beep it is known around the world as the most annoying sound there ever was and ever will be. It is the sound of your alarm waking you up (just as you were having that great dream about Ryan Gosling). So after hitting your snooze button once twice it is time to wake up and stumble to the coffee pot. You look at the clock and realize you've overslept! Breathe, with these products you can get it together in five minutes and be out the door and while still looking presentable to the world.

My beauty superstars! 

Let me introduce you to my five-minute-out-the-door face products. Sometimes, I don't always have time to do a full face in the mornings, so with time not on my side I need to be fast with my makeup application. If given the choice of sleeping in or getting up earlier to do my makeup, sleep will win every time! With the development of Le Metier De Beaute's Peau Vierge, I can use this one product to substitute two - my foundation and concealer (and fight wrinkles at the same time!). How's that for multi-tasking? I then tackle my dark circles. There isn't a mom I know that doesn't wish they had more sleep. The Peau Vierge will have already hid some of the darkness, but YSL's Touche Eclat will add radiance to those circles. With one swipe of my blush brush on Chanel's Bronze Rose and BAM I can add some color to my fair skin. I'll slick on Chanel's Petit Peche for a pretty pout, then it is onto the eyes...if there is one makeup item I won't leave my house without it is mascara. The mascara I rely on is Le Metier De Beaute's Anamorphic Mascara in 'Aubergine' (an eggplant color), it makes my lashes longer and fuller looking, but more importantly it doesn't clump (because there is something about running late and mascara smudging on us that goes hand-in-hand - like it has a sixth sense or something?!?).

So there you have it, folks. I'll have covered my flaws with Peau Vierge, camoflauged my dark cirlces with Touché Éclat, added a natural flush with the Chanel bronzer, applied a little gloss, and brought definition and attention to my eyes with some mascara. I told you it was simple.

What are your favorite time saving products?

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?