Sneak Peek: Givenchy 2011 Spring Summer Collection NAÏVEMENT COUTURE

I love Givenchy makeup. I was using it for many years before it became a hot ticket. I used Prisme powders when I was in graduate school, and that was a long time ago. The other night, I went Internet surfing to try to find the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. What I found was an existential discourse on life, nature, energy, sensations, happiness, and experience. I'm not sure I can make sense of the quirky "storyboard" as I read it, so I present it to you unedited (with the exception of fixing a typo).

If the world's first woman were to be born today in the primeval garden, she would no doubt have a different vision of paradise. Nature would be tamed, its energy restrained, creating an ambiance in which she would more likely cut down the Tree of Knowledge than water it.

But springtime always manages to awaken desires and dispel gloomy ideas. The impulse to seek gratification is driven by a sixth sense, making us eager for any and all sorts of sensations. A breath of pure air to be discovered or devised.

The must-have Blush Gelée is a rich elixir of youth, illuminating a self-assured candor with fresh energy. NAÏVEMENT COUTURE ("naively couture") is an autosuggestion of happiness. Skin bared to the sunlight, we purge our sensations and embrace our innocence in order to accept our feelings. The exhilarating purity of light, a gentle warmth, tenuous and sensual, that transports us to an apogee of emotion, to be reborn with a uniquely personal authenticity. A rebirth that makes sense of the sensorial and focuses on the essential.

To let ourselves succumb to a playful nature that knows where to tickle to raise a smile, like giving ourselves over to the hands of the designer for that first couture gown, this collection suggests a beauty that is lived and experienced.

Allowing the hand to wield its innate intelligence, to play with lovely colours and fresh textures, is an invitation to enjoy the precious, cunning gift of self-indulgence. A natural, soothing sensuality for a springtime filled with joy.

Did that make sense to you? What follows is slightly more cogent.

The limited-edition Blush Gelée caught my eye. Called "a new beauty sensation on skin," this blush was created by Nicolas Degennes, who wanted to create a playful must-have product that would offer a new "beauty sensation on skin." Blush Gelée is an oh-so-fresh and soft jelly texture that easily melts into the cheeks for a natural and buildable result. With a unique integrated soft foam applicator and a very soft end that slightly touches the skin to leave the ideal touch of "emotion" on cheeks, Blush Gelée should appeal to those who love cream blushes. A skin-like buildable result : a very natural fresh rosy glow on cheeks, for a healthy “pinched cheeks” look.

The Harmony in Candide Garden n°78 offers brown and orange tones for essential eyes, awakened by a touch of fresh spring green. Thanks to the powder atomizing technique, the particles are smaller and more even for a smooth, uniform finish and colors that stay vibrant all day long. With this new product, Givenchy is introducing a new "clap & slide" case. Open then slide out the lower drawer. In one step, you have access to eye shadows, a mirror, and three applicators.

There will be a limited edition of Rouge Interdit in Candide Tangerine n°50. This is the touch of orange we were promised for spring. Nicolas Degennes created a vivid acid orange, in line with the vital energy of the collection, to warm up the face with a fruity touch of joy.

Dare to surrender!
The lipstick that makes the lips so irresistible that they should be forbidden. This isn't just any lipstick, according to Givenchy - it's also a fashion accessory, an object of desire that is simply elegant and absolutely feminine. The color is vibrant and radiant. Lips are supple and satiny with well-defined contours. A more feminine tube case than ever before. Its ribbon and lacquered black tube case make it a real fashion accessory.

What's the secret?
An avant-garde technology for shimmering colors. Used for the first time in the formulation of a lipstick are liquid crystals - multi-layered pigments that reflect the light - were selected to make color more luminous than ever. Enriched with Gold of Pleasure oil, the Rouge Interdit formula is highly moisturizing. Thanks to the Senso-Oil Complex, which contains castor oil and beeswax, its texture is unctuous and ultra-comfortable while staying ultra-fine.Rouge Interdit Shine will be available in Candide Nude n°27, a shade that looks like nude tones were selected to sublimate the inner beauty of lips with essential shine.

Shine so intense it should be forbidden!
A lipstick filled with dazzling sparkles, rich in vibrant reflections and precious glimmers.

What's the secret? A goldsmith's formula: two types of pearlescent particles for unrivaled shine and maximum light reflection to ensure a stunning result. Crystal shine in a texture that pairs comfort and shimmering colors.

Back to orange with the limited-edition Gloss Interdit in Candide Tangerine n°30, a vivid orange shade, to go with the Rouge Interdit of the collection.

See anything that catches your eye? I'm curious about the eye shadows. I assume the collection will be available at Sephora.

Photos courtesy of Givenchy

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush at Sephora

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Tarte has introduced a fabulous new powder blusher. Right now, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush ($25) is exclusive to Sephora, where you can find eight gorgeous shades. It's so pretty, I'm not sure if any of us will be able to settle for just one!

Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts for an amazing 12 hours. Inspired by Tarte's best-selling shades of cheek stains and lip tints, the colors range from soft to vivid to suit a wide variety of skin tones. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep the product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. Combination skin types can rely on its ability to zero in on skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore complexion harmony. The result? Blush that wears better, longer, and truer! I can attest to its effectiveness on dry skin. Knowing Tarte's reliability, I will bet that oily and combination skin types will also love it.I swatched two shades for you (provided by Tarte, received with glee). I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply them to my arm - much darker than anyone would apply them as blush. I wanted you to be able to see the shades. Unfortunately, my best photo is a little blurry (taken indoors in direct light). Fortunately, it doesn't affect the color, which I think you can see well. I haven't been able to get additional photos because we haven't seen sun for days - and are not likely to see it tomorrow either.

Blushing Bride is shown at the top. It's as gorgeous plum-rose. Natural Beauty is shown below. Called a muted strawberry red, it's rose-pink and pretty. Both shades work nicely on my extremely pale skin. Remember, no one would apply her blush with a sponge-tipped applicator intended for eye shadow. Applied with a brush, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is amazingly flattering. There is a nice mirror in each compact, so you can't go wrong.

Now I have the I-wants. I want Amused (bright pink) and Exposed (nude) - and possibly one more. The shades are delicious. Head over to Sephora to see them.

You can always count on Tarte for good-for-you ingredients. This blush features the following skinvigorating ingredients: vitamins A and E, anti-inflammatory emollients and protect against free radical damage; vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and prevents oxidative stress and premature signs of aging, while brightening the skin; Amazonian clay, a nutrient-rich, multitasking, skin-balancing clay that reduces dryness and flakiness, and improves skin clarity, elasticity, firmness, and texture while removing oil from the skin's surface for smooth application and wear. You'll be treating your skin while brightening your look.

Let me know what you think! I'm planning my next Sephora order.

NARS Hollywoodland Soft Touch Shadow Pencil for Spring 2011

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencils ($24 each) provide easy application, portability, and long-wearing eye color. These pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line the eyes, or highlight the eyes. I think you could even use the lighter shades as face highlighters!

The pencils have a smooth, creamy texture with a velvety feel that makes blending a snap. They create an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for increased color intensity if you choose.

There are two new shades available for spring. I selected Hollywoodland, a soft gold that falls right into my swipe-and-go comfort zone. I love gold shadows with some life, and Hollywoodland, described by NARS as soft gold, caught my eye on the Web site. The other shade introduced for spring, Celebrate, is parrot green, a bit too avant-garde for me. Those with darker skin might find it fun.

Because the little color swatches on the NARS Web site are far from true in color, I swatched Hollywoodland for you. I applied it to my arm straight from the pencil, and I took my photo in indoor sunlight. I hope you can see how pretty it is! This is a gold everyone can wear - not too light or frosty, and not too dark. It's not "tainted" with another shade either.

On Sephora's blog, you can see photos of the look created with NARS by Diane Kendal for the Thakoon fashion show. Kendal created an elegant "Golden, but not tanned" look. "As if the girls are glowing from within ... with, of course, confidence," she said. "There is definition in the face without having any hard lines. No mascara, just curled lashes if they need it. The gold goes on top of the cheekbone and over the eye brow for a pop of color." Naturally, she used Hollywoodland!

I purchased a lot of NARS for spring. Stay tuned as I share everything with you.

You can purchase NARS at the NARS Web site, Sephora, and Neiman Marcus. I'm sure there are other sources, but those are mine.

Photo at top courtesy of NARS