Saturday, April 3, 2010

Lancome Bronze Riviera Summer 2010 Color Collection

Lancome's new Bronze Riviera Collection for Summer 2010 offers playful bronze and celebratory pink expressed in complementary shades designed to make you gorgeous this season.

Be lavished in shades of gold and bronze that jet you away to the beautiful places and faces of the Riviera. The most luxurious elements of nature all come together now to create this summer’s hottest color collection - with pops of pink to add a happy play of color to any look.

I went shopping at Lancome.com, and the first new item that leaped into my shopping cart was the limited-edition Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Bronze Riviera Palette in Pink Party Pretty ($45). These are easy-to-wear shades that will enhance your look whether you choose to tan (faux, I hope) or not. I was delighted when the palette arrived in the mail. It's prettier in person than it is in this Lancome photo. I like the texture and wear of Lancome shadows, and I know I'll reach for this palette often.

To compliment your shadows, Le Crayon Khôl ($28) makes a splash with a new waterproof formula. This creamy smooth dual-ended eye pencil perfectly lines, defines, and contours - and it will stay put no matter what summer throws at you. It's available in two duos, Sultry in Sunset and Sassy in Sunrise. I decided to wait to purchase one until I can see the shades in the store. I'm leaning toward the more conservative Sultry in Sunset.

That's not the half of it! I saw the Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer in Temptingly Bonze ($45) online and had the instant "I want's." It said Sold Out. Then I went to Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's looking for it. At that point, the collection had not arrived. I have since learned that there was a glitch with shipping. Never fear, it will be available. How could anyone resist a bronzer compact that looks so pretty, with its sunset/sunrise amid the trees design?

The Tropiques Minérale Bamboo Bronzer Compact opens to reveal a silky, sun-kissed, pressed mineral powder with a big, full-face mirror for the golden, glamorous glow of tropical sun in seconds. Intended to be dusted on cheek bones, forehead, nose, brow bones, chin, and décolletage, it will give you than fresh tan look without the sun exposure.

Can't wait for the compact? Try the handy Tropiques Minérale Magic Bronzing Brush ($33). It's available in a shade that works for all skin tones, and its self-contained reservoir of 100% mineral blusher automatically releases powder onto its brush at the press of a button for a natural-looking, shimmering, bronze glow from head to toe. Need convenient touch-ups on the go? This is your bronzer!

I ordered the Ageless Minérale Brightening Mineral Powder Blush with White Sapphire Complex ($29.50), which contains pure mineral pigments for soft, sheer color and a radiant blush. It's available in three colors. My choice was the lightest, Luminous Rose, and it's perfect for me. The blush is also available in Brilliant Berry and Sparkling Sand - the latter color designed to emphasize the bronze glow on your cheeks. Lancome says it provides six-hour wear; I'd say eight. It's fragrance free, oil-free, talc-free, and safe for sensitive skin. A perfect summer solution!

Lips and nails round out the collection for a complete, color-coordinated look. It's a beauty. Check it out at Lancome's Web site. I'm sure it will be at our favorite Lancome counters soon.

Photos courtesy of Lancome

Weekend Roundup - April 3

This was a great week for beauty blogs. Spring brings out flowers, color, contests, and creative ladies! Here's a roundup of some of our favorite blog posts.

Kari at Fabulous Over Forty wrote about the Lancome products she uses every day. Lo and behold, Lancome turned around and offered a giveaway of every product she had mentioned! The deadline for that contest is Monday at 5:00 pm CST. Go there now to enter!

Gaia at The Non-Blonde writes about fragrances with such originality - makeup too! This week, she reviewed Chantecaille's Eye Define Palette - with swatches. You are going to want it!

What has Kelly been up to over at Gouldlox Reviews? She had a hair makeover, and you have to see it. The highlights are très chic.

You'll want to read this week's installments of Forty Days and Forty Nights of Potions, Lotions, & Serums at Blogdorf Goodman. Check out the Lisa Hoffman love from Annieytown.

Amber tried out the new and improved Prevage Face. Find out why you need antioxidants for your skin at Beauty Junkies Unite.

KarlaSugar wrote the book on MAC Lip Gloss at The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself. You can see swatches from nine different formulas before you buy!

Feeling frugal? Felicia tells you about a drugstore bath treat, Suave Naturals Mango Mandarin Refreshing Body Wash, at This That Beauty.


There's always plenty going on at mySkin. Smell the flowers and find out why lavender should be part of your beauty routine.

I'm one of Giorgio Armani Beauty's biggest fans. Check out the new Finishing Fabric Second Skin Blush and see if you can resist. Don't forget to enter the Gillette Venus Embrace Giveaway Contest! The deadline is Monday.

Please let us know if you enjoyed the tour!

NÉOLIA Olive Oil Soap Alert - Costco Restocked!

I have looked for this amazing soap at Costco for a year - always hopeful and always disappointed - because it was never restocked. Until today! I just found it again. I am deliriously happy! I bought seven eight-packs.

You can read about the NÉOLIA Olive Oil soap eight-pack at this Best Things in Beauty link. There are two types in the package - Olive Oil & Shea Butter Soap and Olive Oil Soap - both appeal to me.

I know that not all Costco stores have the same stock, but if you have been looking for this, make the trip. It's worth it!

Buy the soap. Don't bother with the hair products. I hated them and gave them away.

Photo courtesy of NÉOLIA