Shiseido Launches Spring 2012 Collection

I am sucker for Shiseido skin care and cosmetics. The quality always seems to be consistant, backed by Japanese expertise and aesthetic. The Spring collection has vibrant colors that I cannot wait to try! And the lightweight SPF has my name on it.

  • Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF42 ($30): An ultra-light, oil-free UVA/UVB sun protection lotion with a matte-finish. Fends off smoke, smog and sun!
  • White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum ($125): Diminishes dark spots in ten days and prevents future pigmentation from appearing by inhibiting melanin formation at all four stages.
  • White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream ($55): Reduces dark-circles by combating poor microcirculation and pigmentation issues with Shiseido’s patented Multi-Target Vitamin C technology. Great when concealer just isn’t enough!
  • Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream ($55): Shiseido scientists evaluated 20,000+ ingredients to produce this superior wrinkle-smoothing technology that fights all five types of eye area wrinkles.
  • Perfect Mascara Full Definition ($24): The dual-textured brush captures individual lashes with a nourishing formula that lasts up to sixteen-hours without clumping. Available in two shades – Black (BK901) and Brown (BR602).
  • Shimmering Rouge ($25): Uses Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE to moisturize lips during daily wear. Available in seven new shades: Opal (PK214), Sorbet (PK415), Mango (OR316), Butterscotch (BR317), Sugar Plum (RD718), Temptress (RD320) and Venus (RS619, my personal favorite!!).
  • Shimmering Cream Eye Colors ($25): Inspired by Artistic Director Dick Page’s photography, these eye shadows can be blended to create impeccable color. The three new shades include: Ice (BL215), Sunshower (OR313) and Pale Shell (PK214). Try mixing Sunshower and Pale Shell for a light, peachy hue, perfect for Spring!

Le Métier de Beauté Aurora Kaleidoscope Lip Kit from the Northern Lights Spring 2012 Collection

I am a loyal fan of Le Métier de Beauté and have been dazzled by their finely-milled eyeshadows and eye kits. But I had never tried their lip kits. After seeing Georgina Chapman at the Oscars rocking the Le Métier de Beauté Spring Collection, I knew it was my time to get my paws on their new Aurora Kaleidoscope Lip Kit.

First, I am hooked on the delicious vanilla scent. It is sophisticated but still pronounced. Confession: I am currently sniffing the back of my hand where my swatches are. Yum. Second, the colors are subtle but still evoke the Spring trends. They range from soft floral to pronounced fuchsia. I have been wearing these colors individually, but the proper application is “Couches de Colour”. Le Metier artists would encourage layering the colors from top to bottom. Both the layered and single application results in an unusually beautiful pout.

From top to bottom:

  • Illuminate, shimmery, sheer pink (pretty, classic Spring pout)
  • Voltaic, a satiny mauve (I can’t stop wearing this solo – beautiful)
  • Dynamos, an shimmery nude (for a perfect nude glisten)
  • Eos, an opaque, bright fuchsia (perfect for the Spring neon trend)

Sephora + Pantone Collection Featuring Tangerine Tango!

Sephora recently partnered with Pantone to create a makeup collection featuring the color of the year: Tangerine Tango! Pantone is a corporation best known for its Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space. Their colors are often used in fashion and beauty to highlight color trends for particular seasons.

There are twelve different products offered, but the highlights for me are the nails, lips and blush. All a a great way to experiment with this on-trend shade. And the brights will look perfect with a Spring Break tan!

The nail polish features reddish-orange in four different finishes, from creamy and matte, to glitter and shimmer (four for $24).

  • Tangerine Tango Cream, Pantone #17-1463
  • Tangerine Tango Shimmer, Pantone #17-1463
  • Tangerine Tango Glitter, Pantone #17-1463
  • Tangerine Tango Matte, Pantone #17-1463

The lipgloss set features hydrating and long-wearing colors (quite a deal at $20):

  • Tangerine Tango Vivid, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine)
  • Tangerine Tango Luminous, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine with shimmer)
  • Tangerine Tango Glaze, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine with gold shimmer)
  • Tangerine Tango Opal, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine pink with gold shimmer)

The Sephora Prisma Chrome Blush has a velvety texture, blending baked, powder, and cream consistencies. They are highly blendable and wear beautifully. The warm shade, Apricot Brandy is a warm, pinkish orange.

 

Laura Mercier Portfolio Animation Collection

Laura Mercier has some new product launches just hitting counters that are really exciting! Featuring creamy, sheer and rich colors, the products all fit into the custom compact making them perfectly portable. And the Custom Artist Portfolio, totally new for Laura Mercier, reminds me of the Trish McEvoy organizing system (which I love). It is actually a good value at $98 because it includes all these goodies:

  • Rigid outer shell case wrapped in metallic, pewter snakeskin material
  • Four multi-size mesh cosmetic bags, easily removable with built in magnets
  • Laura’s unique pocketed brush page
  • Two refillable 6 and 3-well Custom Compacts that hold your favorite eye, cheek and lip godets

The Lip Glaze offers sheer, spring colors. I love applying this with my finger for a wash of color. They have three new, limited-edition shades:

  • Soft Pink
  • Plum
  • Lotus Bloom

Sheer Crème Colour is a crème face colour that provides a soft veil of colour for a “bonne mine” (healthy glow) effect. One of my most favorite new spring products, these are great for highlighting. Available in three new, limited-edition shades:

  • Pearl Glow Veil
  • Pink Cheek Veil
  • Bronze Veil

The Second Skin Cheek Colour is a very fine, pressed powder that is literally fool-proof. I love the lightweight wear of these blushes. Available in five new, permanent shades (18 total):

  • Heather Pink
  • Peach Whisper
  • Soft Iris
  • Honey Mocha
  • Sweet Mandarin

Also included are three new, limited-edition shades of their Eye Colour:

  • Merlot Sateen (I wasn’t sure about red eyeshadow, but this really does work!)
  • Golden Crème Luster
  • Seashell Pink Sateen

Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter

This is my current drugstore MVP. Not only is it my favorite drugstore lipstick, but it actually performs just as well as other more expensive lip color products. What distinguishes this price performer is the butter-like balm consistancy.

Lip color looks awful on dry lips. I’m known to just forget the whole lipstick thing in those dry winter months. But I have found that Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter can actually heal dry lips with mango, shea and coconut butter. After the first couple of days of testing these guys, my lips actually looked better – healthy and moisturized.

I’ve found the coverage depends on the shades, but they all have a shiny finish. Of my three favorites, Red Velvet is the most opaque. Strawberry Shortcake is a sheer, frosty pink (perfect for spring). And Creme Brulee is a neutral, sheer peach. There is no scent or taste to these colors. And they don’t last longer than an hour or so. But they feel so good to apply, that I don’t mind.

Prices vary, but they are $7.49 at drugstore.com. And right now (through 3/9), drugstore.com is offering 20% off purchases in their Beauty department. Just click here and use code BEAUTY20.