YSL Aquamarine #13 Ombre Solo Eye Shadow

Aquamarine (#13) is one of the two Ombre Solo single eye shadow colors released by YSL for fall 2010. The other color, #14 Satin Silver is a very pretty luminous pearl and I had my makeup done with it to complement Aquamarine, but in the end I passed on it because it's just a little too sparkly and I prefer to pair Aquamarine with low key shades.

Aquamarine might not be the obvious color choice for fall, but it's gorgeous and works perfectly with my skin tone to bring out my eyes. It's a great contrasting shade for dark brown and as long as the eye shadow is applied in moderation and blended well you won't end up with this retro look:

The texture of both these new Ombre Solo shadows is silky smooth. Aquamarine is low on shimmer (almost matte, actually), moderate on pigment but the color can be built up nicely for lining. I use it over a primer and the color holds on until I remove it. The talented Gilberto Santiago from Barneys has shown me hoy YSL Touche Eclat can be used as a primer. A tiny dab of the luminizer and a little brush work creates a satin-like canvas that enhances both the color and the performance of your eye shadow. It's a neat trick which I adopted, especially for evening.

Bottom Line: Superb.

YSL Ombre Solo Eye Shadows ($30) are available from most decent department store as well as online.

Aquamarine eye shadow photos and swatches by me.
Fashion photograph: Richard Avedon for Harper's Bazaar, 1957

YSL Aquamarine #13 Ombre Solo Eye Shadow

Aquamarine (#13) is one of the two Ombre Solo single eye shadow colors released by YSL for fall 2010. The other color, #14 Satin Silver is a very pretty luminous pearl and I had my makeup done with it to complement Aquamarine, but in the end I passed on it because it's just a little too sparkly and I prefer to pair Aquamarine with low key shades.

Aquamarine might not be the obvious color choice for fall, but it's gorgeous and works perfectly with my skin tone to bring out my eyes. It's a great contrasting shade for dark brown and as long as the eye shadow is applied in moderation and blended well you won't end up with this retro look:

The texture of both these new Ombre Solo shadows is silky smooth. Aquamarine is low on shimmer (almost matte, actually), moderate on pigment but the color can be built up nicely for lining. I use it over a primer and the color holds on until I remove it. The talented Gilberto Santiago from Barneys has shown me hoy YSL Touche Eclat can be used as a primer. A tiny dab of the luminizer and a little brush work creates a satin-like canvas that enhances both the color and the performance of your eye shadow. It's a neat trick which I adopted, especially for evening.

Bottom Line: Superb.

YSL Ombre Solo Eye Shadows ($30) are available from most decent department store as well as online.

Aquamarine eye shadow photos and swatches by me.
Fashion photograph: Richard Avedon for Harper's Bazaar, 1957

YSL Aquamarine #13 Ombre Solo Eye Shadow

Aquamarine (#13) is one of the two Ombre Solo single eye shadow colors released by YSL for fall 2010. The other color, #14 Satin Silver is a very pretty luminous pearl and I had my makeup done with it to complement Aquamarine, but in the end I passed on it because it's just a little too sparkly and I prefer to pair Aquamarine with low key shades.

Aquamarine might not be the obvious color choice for fall, but it's gorgeous and works perfectly with my skin tone to bring out my eyes. It's a great contrasting shade for dark brown and as long as the eye shadow is applied in moderation and blended well you won't end up with this retro look:

The texture of both these new Ombre Solo shadows is silky smooth. Aquamarine is low on shimmer (almost matte, actually), moderate on pigment but the color can be built up nicely for lining. I use it over a primer and the color holds on until I remove it. The talented Gilberto Santiago from Barneys has shown me hoy YSL Touche Eclat can be used as a primer. A tiny dab of the luminizer and a little brush work creates a satin-like canvas that enhances both the color and the performance of your eye shadow. It's a neat trick which I adopted, especially for evening.

Bottom Line: Superb.

YSL Ombre Solo Eye Shadows ($30) are available from most decent department store as well as online.

Aquamarine eye shadow photos and swatches by me.
Fashion photograph: Richard Avedon for Harper's Bazaar, 1957

Essie In Stitches Fall 2010 Nail Polish

I chose In Stitches from Essie's 2010 fall collection because it's not just a great transition color but also has a classic "go anywhere" look. I know some consider this warm blush/rose pink too conservative and boring, but for me, as much as I love Sew Psyched and Merino Cool, sometimes (=often) I don't want my nails to be the focal point of my look. Maybe it's because I wear a lot of purple or red lipsticks and most of my wardrobe consists of DVF print dresses that have a lot going on in them. In any case, Essie's fall collection is so satisfying because it gives enough options from edgy to classic.

Essie In Stitches ($8) and the rest of the  Fall 2010 nail collection is available from shopessie.com.

All photos are mine.

Essie In Stitches Fall 2010 Nail Polish

I chose In Stitches from Essie's 2010 fall collection because it's not just a great transition color but also has a classic "go anywhere" look. I know some consider this warm blush/rose pink too conservative and boring, but for me, as much as I love Sew Psyched and Merino Cool, sometimes (=often) I don't want my nails to be the focal point of my look. Maybe it's because I wear a lot of purple or red lipsticks and most of my wardrobe consists of DVF print dresses that have a lot going on in them. In any case, Essie's fall collection is so satisfying because it gives enough options from edgy to classic.

Essie In Stitches ($8) and the rest of the  Fall 2010 nail collection is available from shopessie.com.

All photos are mine.

Essie In Stitches Fall 2010 Nail Polish

I chose In Stitches from Essie's 2010 fall collection because it's not just a great transition color but also has a classic "go anywhere" look. I know some consider this warm blush/rose pink too conservative and boring, but for me, as much as I love Sew Psyched and Merino Cool, sometimes (=often) I don't want my nails to be the focal point of my look. Maybe it's because I wear a lot of purple or red lipsticks and most of my wardrobe consists of DVF print dresses that have a lot going on in them. In any case, Essie's fall collection is so satisfying because it gives enough options from edgy to classic.

Essie In Stitches ($8) and the rest of the  Fall 2010 nail collection is available from shopessie.com.

All photos are mine.

Laura Mercier Fall Favourites Face Palette Collection (Saks Exclusive)

One of the most beautiful and practical sets of the season comes from Laura Mercier. The Fall Favorites Face Palette Collection is centered around the color palette, but also includes a a full size black mascara and three brushes- cheek, lip and eye. The brushes have short travel size handles but are otherwise full size, high quality and help one get the most of the palette. I wish Bobbi Brown would take notice and do the same with some of her face palettes.

The colors are neutral, wearable and very flattering. I already have a full size pan of Coffee Ground, a matte taupe, which I use often and always pack for travel. As you can see, it coordinates well with the other shades Laura Mercier has included here- Bamboo, Rose and Stellar. The four eye shadows are versatile, perfectly coordinated and are truly great for a day-to-night look. I swatched them very lightly, but the colors can be built for more drama if needed. They have a soft texture and a luxurious finish that fits this set very well.

The blushes are quite universal. I can wear both and also like mixing and blending them together. I could have lived with less shimmer, but it's not too bad. I swatched the colors more heavily then I wear them, to make sure you can see the difference between Spice and Apricot Blossom. A lighter application gives the face a natural healthy glow.

Out of the three lip colors, Crystal is a sheer gloss with very little pigment. I don't wear it on its own, but it's great either mixed with the other two or topping a different lipstick. My favorite thing to do here is blending Black Currant and Orchid together for a juicy and rich neutral color that's dark enough to look sexy but isn't too bold.

The only issue here is the size of the pans. The eye shadows are quite narrow and cross contamination is very easy, especially when using good brushes (like the ones that came with this collection). Still, as long as one is mindful things can be kept fairly clean. I've been putting the palette to good use in the last few weeks and have a feeling I'm going to run out of several colors within 6 months or so.

Bottom Line: Between the pretty packaging, tools and the work horse colors, this is a big winner.

This particular Laura Mercier Fall Favourites Face Palette Collection ($125) is a limited edition and exclusive to Saks (in store and online). Other department stores have different sets for fall 2010 with other colors and products (Neiman's has no lip products but includes more eye shadows and a pencil liner).

All photos are mine.

Laura Mercier Fall Favourites Face Palette Collection (Saks Exclusive)

One of the most beautiful and practical sets of the season comes from Laura Mercier. The Fall Favorites Face Palette Collection is centered around the color palette, but also includes a a full size black mascara and three brushes- cheek, lip and eye. The brushes have short travel size handles but are otherwise full size, high quality and help one get the most of the palette. I wish Bobbi Brown would take notice and do the same with some of her face palettes.

The colors are neutral, wearable and very flattering. I already have a full size pan of Coffee Ground, a matte taupe, which I use often and always pack for travel. As you can see, it coordinates well with the other shades Laura Mercier has included here- Bamboo, Rose and Stellar. The four eye shadows are versatile, perfectly coordinated and are truly great for a day-to-night look. I swatched them very lightly, but the colors can be built for more drama if needed. They have a soft texture and a luxurious finish that fits this set very well.

The blushes are quite universal. I can wear both and also like mixing and blending them together. I could have lived with less shimmer, but it's not too bad. I swatched the colors more heavily then I wear them, to make sure you can see the difference between Spice and Apricot Blossom. A lighter application gives the face a natural healthy glow.

Out of the three lip colors, Crystal is a sheer gloss with very little pigment. I don't wear it on its own, but it's great either mixed with the other two or topping a different lipstick. My favorite thing to do here is blending Black Currant and Orchid together for a juicy and rich neutral color that's dark enough to look sexy but isn't too bold.

The only issue here is the size of the pans. The eye shadows are quite narrow and cross contamination is very easy, especially when using good brushes (like the ones that came with this collection). Still, as long as one is mindful things can be kept fairly clean. I've been putting the palette to good use in the last few weeks and have a feeling I'm going to run out of several colors within 6 months or so.

Bottom Line: Between the pretty packaging, tools and the work horse colors, this is a big winner.

This particular Laura Mercier Fall Favourites Face Palette Collection ($125) is a limited edition and exclusive to Saks (in store and online). Other department stores have different sets for fall 2010 with other colors and products (Neiman's has no lip products but includes more eye shadows and a pencil liner).

All photos are mine.