Jane Russell 1921-2011

Jane Russell and related quotes:

"Publicity can be terrible. But only if you don't have any" 

Jane Russell

"Culture is the ability to describe Jane Russell without moving your hands"

Bob Hope

Photos: imdb.com, life.com, myvintagevogue.com

Burberry Lip Gloss Heather Rose (no. 11)

Burberry Lip Glow lip gloss in Heather Rose (#11) has been my secret weapon lately. It's great on its own, with or without a grounding layer of lip liner underneath, especially for quick and natural looks, but it also adds a lot of dimension to many a lipstick. Heather Rose is a warm beiged-out rose, a bit hard to describe as it changes with the light. Since my lips are darker and have quite a bit of purple pigment, this Burberry gloss is one of my favorite and most flattering nude colors. It would look different if your lips are pale, of course, but I think anyone who can wear delicate warm colors would be able to pull it off.

Like all Burberry lip glosses (and other makeup items, really), the quality here is top notch. The gloss has a light and comfortable texture, it moisturizes and sooths, isn't too sticky and stays in place as well as one can expect from a top of the line lip gloss. I touch up after three hours (or a snack) to maintain the finish, less so if it tops a highly pigmented lipstick.

Burberry Lip Glow lip gloss ($27) is a Nordstrom exclusive, available online and from select locations.

All photos are mine.

Weekly Roundup- Oscar Weekend

I dearly hope everyone had a better week than mine. This flu thing has made me lose several days in a haze of drowsiness and snot and I'm still coughing up a storm (as do The Blond and many of his co-workers and clients. I wonder if its all my fault). I have less energy than Buffy (my 21 lbs cat, not the Vampire Slayer) and that should say something. But this dreary month is nearly over, today's rain has finally cleared the deck from the remaining snow (1/3 of the yard is still covered but not for long) and this Sunday is the Oscars. Pretty gowns and Colin Firth, what's better than that?

And, we have many beauty goodies to share and occupy us until James Franco sings:

The quest for finding the perfect  foundation never ends. Really. Tim Quinn, Giorgio Armani makeup artist to the stars, discussed this with Kari. You can read all about it at Fab over Forty.

Are you curious about La Prairie? I know I was (the result is a bunch of reviews of La Prairie items coming soon to this blog). Charlestongirl got a preview of La Prairie's summer makeup collection at a Neiman Marcus party. Check out Best Things in Beauty to see what's coming.

The new NARS Illuminators shades are getting a lot of blogger attention. I have yet to do anything with my samples, but Amy's impressions at Café Makeup are a good reason to get on with it.

Jo Malone has launched a new line of Tea Fragrance Blends, and Sabrina tried them all. Head over to The Beauty Look Book to find out how she feels about them.

Skin care, anyone? Jane can give you the 411 on Derma at Daly Beauty.

Bare Escentuals has introduced Buxom Smoky Eye Sticks. Jennifer had the scoop at BeautyXposé. Is there one in your future?

Are you starting to look pasty, winter white? Laurie has been loving L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes. Want to learn more? Head over to Product Girl.

Do we need a bottom lash mascara? Debbi gave us her opinion of the new Clinique mascara at DivaDebbi.

Kelly has a new obsession: Konad nail art. See what she's been doing with it (and how) at Gouldylox Reviews.

An interesting feature on Yesterday's Perfume about vintage perfume bottles and their modern copycats, including the possible influence for Katy Perry's Purr cat bottle.

Makeup Magpie brings us photos and review of Bobbi Brown's Rich Lip Color. There's also some Mad Men musing and vintage photos to make things interesting. I promise to post my own review of the lipstick in the coming week, I just need more quality time playing with it.

Stay happy and beautiful!

Image: myvintagevogue.com

Smashbox Face & Cheek Brush No.2

Our brush of the week is Smashbox Face & Cheek Brush No.2. I picked it for my travel kit last summer because I was a bit wary about risking  my delicate NARS Yachio. Smashbox No. 2 looked sturdier and seemed like it would do double and triple duty for blush, a swipe of light bronzer and/or setting powder. The size and shape are right- rounded, domed and full-bodied. The goat hair is soft enough but not floppy and the brush performs well, but at this point my brush collection has me spoiled.

Smashbox Face & Cheek Brush No.2 is too big for my liking as a blush brush, especially with very pigmented blushes. I don't have much cheekbone to speak of, so a good placement is essential. Hence my love affair with the Yachiyo. I have softer face brushes for bronzing, highlighting and buffing, and my biggest complaint is about the finish I get from the Smashbox brush with products such as Guerlain Meteorites. It's not as good as I expect. But I'm aware this is really nitpicking- this is a decent working brush and I have been using it successfully, especially with Smashbox own Soft Lights. It just can't replace some of my favorite face brushes (some I already reviewed, others will soon be featured here).

Bottom Line: Good for some products but it's not The One.

Smashbox Face & Cheek Brush No.2 ($48) is available from Ulta, Sephora and smashbox.com.

All photos are mine, my lovely assistant is Sophie.

Guy Laroche- Clandestine

I didn't discover Clandestine by Guy Laroche (1986) until a couple of years ago, and that's a shame, because it could have easily been one of my signature scents back in the day. Clandestine has all the stuff I love and then some- a honeyed boozy plum opening that leads the way into a surprisingly dark floral heart and a gorgeous, rich sweet animalic base. What's not to like? Just look at the list of notes (from fragrantica.com):

Top: plum, bergamot, pineapple, aldehydes and apricot
Heart:  Damask rose, tuberose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, carnation, heliotrope, honey and iris
Base:  patchouli, amber, vanilla, benzoin, cedar, civet and musk

Seriously, that's the stuff big skanky floriental dreams are made of, and when it comes to this style, I'm a child of the 1980s through and through.

Clandestine is obviously a dark and sexy perfume, quite heavy and not for the faint of heart. It's also beautiful, rich and well-balanced, keeping the animalics, honey and heavy eyelids under control. For such a bold perfume with obvious intentions, this Guy Laroche creation is actually quite tasteful. It's easier to wear than another gem of the same genre and era, Paco Rabanne La Nuit, and feels more glamorous and less dabaucherous. It's still fun, though, and feels almost cozy with its warm honey and smooth base. Clandestine feels like taking off that red carpet dress and slipping into something more comfortable to continue the night.

Clandestine was discontinued quite a while ago (Fidji and Drakkar Noir are the only fragrances currently listed on Guy Laroche website, though we all know that Fidji hasn't been itself for years now). Bottles of the EDT of the most recent formulation can still be found online for around $50, but since my bottles are older and all are EDP I can't comment on quality.

Clandestine 1986 ads from hprints.com
Guy Laroche fashion ads from the mid-to-late 1980s from benjaminkanarekblog.com (Benjamin Kanarek is the photographer who shot the ads).

Rouge Bunny Rouge Lip Gloss- I Have My Honey (053)

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a niche European brand that has been getting a lot of online buzz and a cult of fans. I've heard about it from readers and bloggers, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when this Gleaming Temptation Lip Gloss in I Have My Honey (#053) arrived at my door. First, behold the feminine packaging. It's extra useful when a tube of lip gloss is different enough to stand out in my drawer so I don't need to waste time searching for a specific one. But Rouge Bunny Rouge is more than its cute tube.

The Gleaming Temptation Lip Gloss is hydrating and comfortable to wear. It stays on nicely without migrating, smearing or fading (until lunch, that is). Even a sheer and nude color such as I Have My Honey is nicely pigmented and gives the lips a healthy radiance and plumped up look. This specific color is a lot more complex than I expected. No. 053 is a warm mauve with tiny coppery particles that don't cross the line into glitter territory (unlike the somewhat similar LORAC 3D I reviewed earlier this week). It looks beautiful over a nud(ish) lip liner or on top of light rosy colored lipsticks (or this one from Youngblood Cosmetics, that I've been wearing a lot lately).

Bottom Line: My wishlist is already a mile long.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Lip Gloss ( £20, right now about $31 according to the website) is available from Zuneta.com. They ship internationally. The lip gloss for this review was sent for my consideration by the store.

All photos are mine.

Molinard Chypre d'Orient

Talk about retro. While Molinard launched Chypre d'Orient in 2007 it smells straight out of a collective memory of Perfume with a capital P. It strongly reminds me something from my childhood, but I can't really place it (note to self: send mom a sample. She'll hate it but would probably be able to tell what perfume of yore it resembles). When I say "strongly" I mean it. Chypre d'Orient has a bosom that leads the way, clad in a 1950s-style brassiere  and not trying to hide it. It has a presence and an attitude, it's all feminine and not going to hide it, even if the final outcome is a bit too Mrs. Slocombe.

Chypre d'Orient is sweeter than one would expect. The first thing I smell whenever I wear it is a very chocolaty patchouli that masks any attempt of well-bred notes such as galbanum and iris to peek through. The chypre construction is evident from the start, though, as well as the presence of oakmoss. I have no idea what miracle was performed to make this possible, given IFRA and co., but it's there and wants you to know that. The rose note in the middle is very prominent and unfortunately it doesn't smell like a high quality rose. It might be the combination and not the raw material itself, but if there's a reason why at times Chypre d'Orient smells cheap, I think it's the powdery rose note. There's a slight fruitiness that for a  little while makes one think of the other fruity chypre, Mitsouko. But Molinard lacks Guerlain's restraint in arranging the notes and allows them to jump at you all at once. That's probably the other problem with this perfume- it's just too much. There's a bit of powderiness in the dry-down, but mostly sweet ambery musk

I enjoy wearing Chypre d'Orient because it's fun and very out there, but I have yet to leave the house clad in it and I doubt it's ever going to happen. It's going to attract attention and not necessarily of the good kind. It's too sweet, too dirty, too ornate and loud to mix in polite company, even if sometimes the temptation is great. Some women would look ravishing in a green eye shadow and a retro orange red lipstick, but it would still look more like a costume than a legitimate outfit. That's how I feel when wearing this Molinard perfume-I know better than to step out in it, no matter how small it makes my waist appear.

Chypre d'Orient by Molinard can be found online for under $25.

Photo of Gina Lollobrigida from stirredstraightup.blogspot.com.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter looks, feels and smells like a sinful indulgence. It might be made of soy milk and honey, but the scent is all yellow cake with thick frosting. The whipped texture and the sweet smell are so dessert-like one hesitates a little before slathering it on parched limbs. Sometimes I enjoy the scent and its cakiness, but it can get a bit too much, especially if all I want is a skin treatment that wouldn't clash with my perfume.

I find that the cream absorbs faster on my arms than on my legs, which can be annoying when in a hurry to get dressed and quickly pull on a pair of opaque black tights, the ubiquitous accessory of the season. Still, this Kiehl's body butter provides hour of relief from dryness, and coat the skin in a thin protective layer. I've noticed that once the layer wears off, there's no long-term improvement in the skin's condition, and that's quite disappointing. Then again, my skin is much more dry than anything normal people experience, so my expectations might be too high. After all, this is a decent body moisturizer, especially if you don't mind smelling like vanilla frosting.

Bottom Line: I prefer L'Occitane or Crabtree & Evelyn.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter ($35, 8oz) is available from most decent department stores and kiehls.com.

Photo: elanaspantry.com

Giorgio Armani Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil Spring 2011

The last time Armani had these Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil I blinked and missed them, because for an unknown reason they're a limited edition item and they were sold out before you could say "Giorgio". I was adamant about not repeating this mistake again, so now that these little pencil miracles are part of Armani Spring 2011 collection, I made sure to get one in each color- black, dark brown and green leaf.

The thing about Giorgio armani's Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencils is the incredible gel-like texture and finish. They glide on your eyelid with ease and a fluid-like consistency, they set within a second and stay put with no smudging all day long. The pigment is clear and intense like a gel and can line the eye by itself or as a base for powder products.

The Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil can be used on the waterline, but I personally avoid it, since my eyes are tear-prone and eventually even this waterproof formula surrenders and the color bleeds and gives me raccoon eyes. But as long as I keep the liner on the lash line and my upper lid, these Giorgio Armani eye pencils have become true favorites.

Bottom Line: Get them while you can.

Giorgio Armani Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencils for Spring 2011($27 each) are available from Saks, Barneys and giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com.

All photos are mine.

Parfumerie Generale- Gardenia Grand Soir

My relationship with Parfumerie Generale Gardenia Grand Soir is best described by the evil little phrase "it's complicated". I usually have the utmost love for Pierre Guillaume's creations, and I tend to deeply appreciate them even when I find a Parfumerie Generale fragrance I don't really want to wear on a regular basis. It took emptying the third sample of Gardenia Grand Soir for me to decide that actually, no, I really don't wish to live with it for another single day.So, yes, it IS complicated.

Gardenia perfumes are largely based on a fantasy note/accord, as to my understanding you can't extract the oils from the flower itself. Hence, gardenia is open to the perfumer's interpretation about what it should feel and smell. Some go all the way. I have no idea how Mr. Rosenthal of JAR fame managed to create his stunning Jardenia. That thing is alive and possesses every nuance and emotion of a fully developed gardenia, from the hope of the new blossom to the decay of the rotting last flowers, including the infamous blue cheese note, mushroom and general dirt. It's magnificent and once acquainted with Jardenia one  cannot smell gardenia perfumes ever again without comparing it to the masterpiece.

A gardenia that holds its own is the discontinued Velvet Gardenia from Tom Ford Private Blend. It's a bit more perfume-like and easier on the nose and skin, but has that earth and mushroom in spades, to remind you where the gardenia comes from where you both are eventually headed.

Compared to these two, Parfumerie Generale Gardenia Grand Soir is the Disney version. It's sweet, gauzy and prettified to the point the perfume loses all connection to the living, breathing and photosynthesizing gardenia. The "ugly" parts of the gardenia seem to have been replaced with sandalwood on all its sweet creaminess. It's interesting and I've been sort of attracted and repulsed at the same time. On some days it was quite easy to wear, and that's not a bad thing. But it ends up being just too much fantasy and too little flesh and blood . Even the green parts are over-saturated and end up on my skin smelling of cheap fruity shampoo. I guess it's the abstract fruit note (something tropical and apple-like, overripe and underripe at the same time) that does me in. I can deal with a lot, just not with that.

Gardenia Grand Soir ($95, 50ml) and the rest of the Parfumerie Generale line can be found at Luckysecnt.

Art: Gardenia by Louis Jr. on deviantart.com

LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss

I have a feeling I'm past the age demographic for this particular LORAC lip gloss. I got a mini Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss as a GWP some time ago, eyed it suspiciously and then decided to wear it occasionally. Just because the color is so pretty and wearable and I couldn't help it- it's too shiny and there's actual glitter in it, but it's fun.

I like makeup artist Carol Shaw's work and the color sensibility of her LORAC brand usually speak to me (her various palettes are great). I still think the whole 3D thing is a bit too gimmicky- "holographic pigments for a multi-dimensional, high-lacquer shine and long-lasting color" simply means glitter, but at least in the case of this bronzed rose color, confusingly also named 3D, the effect is not over-the-top, even though it is, indeed very (VERY) shiny.

The texture is minimally sticky, very moisturizing and not too heavy. It stays in place over naked lips as well as topping a lipstick and adds a lot of life to creamy lipstick formulas. It can perk up the look and make a demure rose shade a lot more glamorous. But the bottom line is that you're still wearing glitter, even if it's a very pretty glittery gloss, so user's discretion advised.

LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss ($22) is avilable from Sephora and Ulta.

All photos are mine.

Bijoux Hibou -Jewelry that lets the sun shine in

Apologies for the late start today. I'm still trying to recover from the flu and it isn't happening as fast as I'd like. But I promise some pretties are coming up and I'll do my best to catch up on photos and swatches (email is another thing, though. You know I'm permanently behind). I was searching for something else when I stumbled upon Bijoux Hibou, an Etsy jewelry store by artists Wandie Ortiz. Her one-of-a-kind painted polymer clay necklaces caught my eye with their warm colors and sunshiny designs. The finished work looks like glazed ceramic, but is actually created by applying alcohol inks and dyes and painting directly onto polymer clay with a brush. Liquid clay is added to seal the color and heat as many times as needed to get the desired look.

The ones you see here (both photos by the artist), the Golden Sun and the Butterfly necklaces are currently available for the princely sum of $15 each. Just search for Bijoux Hibou on Etsy.

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz- Rose Vert EDP

The first time I randomly pulled out the sample of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Rose Vert and sniffed the tester it hit me with a chaotic multi-colored rose. I wasn't sure Rose Vert and I were fully compatible, but this DSH creation, like all natural perfumes, cannot be judged or appreciated until they get a chance to develop and interact with one's skin.

It's not so easy to pinpoint exactly what makes Rose Vert such a superior perfume, rosy or not. There's the abundance of just about every raw rose material known to men- Bulgarian Rose Absolute, Centifolia Rose Absolute, Damask Rose Absolute, Moroccan Rose Absolute and Turkish Rose Otto that paints a round, sweet and full picture of the flower, as though it was captured in its most flattering pose and angle. Then there's the pairing with green notes- from the light citrus of the opening to the dark velvety moss that draws you in, deeper and deeper into the wood, away from the sun... there's magic in there, sensuality and a delicate and sophisticated sweetness that comes from the rose itself with no discernible additives.

Rose Vert is an emotional experience as much as an olfactory one. DSH has created such depth in this perfume- color and texture that create longing to experiences and moments that linger on the edge of your memory and awareness. If you think about it, good poetry is often made of similar mental building blocks.

Rose Vert is part of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Perfection Connoisseur collection, based on fine natural essences, seldom used in commercial fragrances due to their extreme rarity and cost. Available in several sizes, concentrations and bottles (for example: $60 10ml EDP) from dshperfumes.com.

Art: Wild Roses by David Densley, 2009

Feline Inspiration At London Fashion Week

It looks like at least some of the models at the Unique Show at London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 were having fun despite having their eyebrows bleached (I'm keeping mine, thank you very much). These looks don't seem to take themselves too seriously, even if my Sophie, the real fashion icon here isn't sure why.

Photos from Unique Show at London Fashion Week by Ian Gavan for Getty Images via Zimbio. Photo of Sophie by the husband.

OPI Boris And Natasha Nail Polish

Since we're back in Winter Wonderland (it looks like about three inches of snow, maybe more), it's appropriate to revisit OPI's Russian collection from 2007. I found a lone bottle of Boris & Natasha at my local Ulta a couple of years ago and grabbed it because it was much prettier than I remembered.  Boris & Natasha is a creme formula, no shimmer that I can detect. The color is a deep burgundy plum, more red than purple when you keep it at 1-2 coats, darker as you pile it on. My photos were taken in strong natural light. at night or under low yellow lights the polish appears darker but not blackened. I'm still not sure how office friendly it is- this OPI color is quite sultry. Still, it's very pretty and fits today's winter is back mood.

Boris & Natasha was part of OPI's limited edition Russian Collection. It's still readily available online, usually under $5.

All photos are mine.

Currently

Brought to you by the flu.

Book
I usually have The Guide within arm's reach and currently it's the only thing that goes with a brain on meds, but I admit to nodding off reading Luca's lengthier reviews.

Song
Fistful of Mercy by Fitful of Mercy



Perfume
Guerlain Vetiver. I can actually smell it.

Makeup
Utterly enamored with the Le Metier de Beaute Smoldering Embarkment Kaleidoscope. It makes me look almost alive. More on that tomorrow. Maybe.

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Yoga pants. Black or charcoal. And that's the most glamorous part.

Food
Does NyQuil count?

Drink
Tea with honey.

Joy
Breathing

Bane Of My Existence
Other than my lungs trying to vacate my body, it's all quite peachy.

Anticiaption
Keeping food down

Wishlist
Meh


So, how are you doing?


Photo of Greta Garbo as Camille: garboforever.com

Weekly Roundup

Happy Saturday!
We had a couple of days here to pretend spring was actually here. It felt marvelous- going out of the house without a coat- Imagine that! Of course, the universe is now busy reminding us what February is all about (it's snowing as we speak). But right now I don't mind too much. I have the new Le Metier de Beaute Smoldering Embarkment Kaleidoscope as my new plaything and it's keeping me happy. My blogging friends all seem to have find new loves and ideas this week. Here's what they've been doing:

Nicole Kidman seems to have been getting her groove back lately. Her red carper appearances have been amazing. Kari from Fab Over Forty has the details on Nicole Kidman and her Grammys beauty look by Carol Shaw and LORAC cosmetics.

I saw the new Clé de Peau colors earlier this week and while I couldn't find anything for myself I instantly knew Charlestongirl from Best Things In Beauty was going to be smitten with La Beauté Éblouissante Collection for Spring 2011. The pastel looks for the eyes and brilliant, shiny lips, the collection is right up her alley. I'm jealous but my charge cards are relieved.

Everyone is talking about the turtles lately. Chantecaille's latest offering, Sea Turtle Palette is another great achievement in presentation. Amy from Café Makeup has the best photos, as always.

Good brushes are the key to good makeup application. They can make all the difference in product performance and the way it looks on skin. Sabrina from The Beauty Look Book shares with us her must-have eye brushes. It's a must-read.

When it comes to Butter London, the color I'm waiting for is No More Waity, Katie, their tribute to the royal bride-to-be (yes, I pre-ordered). Carla at Product Girl has the scoop on Butter London's spring collection, straight from Nonie Creme herself, the brand's creative director.

Kelly at Gouldylox Reviews reviewed a few pieces of the skincare line By Nieves. This line was given the accolades of Best Local Skincare Line by the SF Weekly. Sounds good.

As we're waiting Chanel's newest line of lipsticks called Rouge Coco Shine, Jane from Daly Beauty got her hands on the first release of this line. See what she thinks of the shade Boy.

Chelsea from BeautyXposé shares her experience with the new Maybelline Fit Me line.

We've all been there- trying to replace an old favorite products that's no longer with us. Debbi of DivaDebbi was on a hunt for a blush. Read about her dilemma and what she ended up finding at Sephora during her hunt.

Wherever you are, stay happy and beautiful this weekend.

Image: myvintagevogue.com

Le Metier de Beaute Smoldering Embarkment Eye Kaleidoscope- Photos, Swatches, Impression

I only got my hands on the newest Le Metier de Beaute Eye Kaleidoscope, Smoldering Embarkment, yesterday afternoon, but I actually got to wear it for a full day on Tuesday, after Dustin The Magnificent did my makeup using it. I loved the effect he created and the elegance  of this look- Smoldering Embarkment is based on neutral colors but has a twist, thanks to the rich shimmery purple in the third tier and its the warmth it gives to the other shades.

Those already familiar with Le Metier de Beaute and the Kaleidoscope concept don't need much of an introduction. If you're new to the brand, I'll tell you that these are top level finely milled eye shadows with an incredible depth and satin texture/finish. The colors in the Kaleioscope can be worn alone or in any combination, but their secret is that they're meant to be layered one on top of the other. You start at the top and often use it as a base, going down the tiers, the bottom often used as a liner along the lashes. You can and should play and adjust the amounts you use of each according to the look and effect you wish to achieve and even change the order of the colors- it's all about creativity and making the look your own.

Smoldering Embarkment was meant as a Valentine's Day special, but the counter at Bergdorf didn't get it on time (which is why I had to leave the counter empty-handed on Tuesday and had to wait for the FedEx guy). The colors in this Kaleidoscope are not too out there, and would compliment and thrill most faces. I have a feeling this combination (created by Dustin Lujan) is going to be a true classic and highly popular- it's that pretty.

So, what do we have here?

At the top there's the satin First Love. It's a perfect base and highlighter that brightens the area under the brow. You can see it compared to the single (matte) Naked- First Love is decidedly yellower.

Love Struck looks deceivingly simple in the pan. What's so special about a medium brown? Well, it has some khaki and gold undertones and it's absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't find even a distant cousin among my Le Metier herd, and actually, even in a color wardrobe rich with neutrals as I have, none looked or swatched  exactly like Love Struck (some Shiseido and Edward Bess colors are close, though).

In Love, the beautiful purple was the one that looked very familiar. A quick rummage through my eye shadow drawers produced Le Metier de Beaute's Devotion Kaleidoscope . The color in the second tier, Mon Amour looks identical to In Love. The funny thing is that when swatching I actually see a difference- I played with them extensively, swatching on my other arm, moving from room to room and stepping outside for a change in light, but they never looked quite the same. Either they are truly not the same or I'm going nuts (it's possible. I have some upper respiratory crud that's making me miserable and cold meds aren't exactly sanity-friendly). In any case, the difference is very subtle and if these were single eye shadows you'd never buy both.
(By the way, Devotion still seems to be available on Nordtrom website, but if you look closely at their photo this is actually the Holiday Kaleidoscope which they were not even supposed to have. Just an FYI)

Lovelorn is a soft charcoal satin with the finest micro-shimmer in multiple colors. It's a lot more subtle when swatched and looks identical to the single Thunder. I actually have two pans of Thunder, one much older than the other and they're not 100% identical in the pan, but the swatches are completely interchangeable between all three.

So to sum it up- two completely new shades, two existing one (though one is a limited edition and only appears in another Kaleidoscope), a spectacular combination. The universality of the looks one can get from Smoldering Embarkment makes it a great choice to carry in a makeup bag for various occasions- it's one of the "you can't go wrong with this" palettes. To complete the look, Dustin used Le Metier de Beaute Anamorphic mascara in Jade- it's a soft almost-green shade that I've always loved. It goes perfectly with these eye shadows.

Bottom Line: Do you even need to ask?

Le Metier de Beaute Smoldering Embarkment Eye Kaleidoscope ($95) is a limited edition and available from Bergdorf Goodman. It's not online yet, so you'll need to call the counter (212-872-8612).

All photos are mine.