Last weekend, I met up with a reader, Lee and it turned into an epic 6 hour gab fest. It was quite amazing really, considering it was the first time we’d met (rather like a blind date :P ). I failed to notice the time and it was only when the restaurant we were in started seeing the dinner crowd come in, that we shifted our butts :P I think the staff were so relieved to see us go! Parking at Bangsar Village killed my poor wallet though so we’re going to have to meet elsewhere for our marathon sessions next time! :P
But what was significant about our meeting was that Lee very kindly lugged her traincase of beautiful high end makeup that we do not get here, so I could take a look at them! On that fateful day, my camera battery died. So what you have are mobile phone pictures, which she happily encouraged me to take and which I did… after I’d picked my jaw off the floor.
Here are some brands we only ever hear of without being able to see them first hand (at time of writing).
Le Métier de Beauté
A very niche and high end luxury brand for now, Le Métier de Beauté. Interestingly its an American brand, not French, despite the French-sounding name. I’d been captivated by the online buzz about this brand and it was most gratifying to see it in person. The main item I wanted to see was the Kaleidescope Eye which is a beautifully made eyeshadow palette of 4 eyeshadow pans in a swing out mechanism.
Le Metier de Beaute Kaleidoscope Eye Kit – Le Cirque
This one’s Le Cirque and I did not swatch it, but it looked delicious! Lee tells me that it applies like a dream and is made to be layered one over the other. I have no doubt it is beautiful. View some swatches of it here and here. I’m absolutely lusting over it now! Its also surprisingly large. The whole kit sits in my whole palm with hardly room to spare.
Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme – Framboise
Another item Lee told me I would love is the Lip Creme in Framboise. Here’s the swatch on the back of my hand. Argh!! She was right. I’m in love with the colour!
Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme and Lip Glosses
Lip Creme is a liquid lipstick and I’m told its so moisturizing and just 1 application lasts the whole day. Ahhhh…… The plum looks pretty intense too. I’m dying to wear Framboise!
Le Metier de Beaute Blush Bronzer
Here’s a Bronzer/Blush which reminds me of something from… is it Bobbi Brown? It looks familiar anyway. I can’t place my finger on it. But it looks lovely.
Dolce & Gabbana
I didn’t take pictures of the eye palette (was too busy gawking) but I found the eye colours small and I wasn’t as enraptured by it. I think the super shiny packaging puts me off somewhat. You can see the packaging in the first picture right at the top.
Dolce & Gabbana Nude lipstick
I however, had to take a picture of this strange coloured lipstick. Its really a nude colour! No pinks, no oranges, just straight nude. Would be interesting to see it worn eh?
NARS
Nars Mini Multiples – Orgasm, Malibu and Luxor
Ah by comparison to the rest, Nars isn’t all that high end per se, and its less of a stranger. These are the mini multiples which were released for Christmas 2010.
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani! Why did you have to pull out of Malaysia??!! :( Anyway, here is a picture of the lip wax (which is like a cream lipstick), cream blush/highlighter duo and eye.
And finally, here is a picture of 3 lipsticks in a deep deep purple that I personally would find hard to pull off but which Lee assures me, looks absolutely amazing on her. I have no doubt of that :)
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little peek into some exotic luxury brands we don’t get here right now. I certainly enjoyed myself gawping at them and you can be sure, I’ve also cultivated some lemmings. Sigh…
Have you come across any of the brands above? NARS and Giorgio Armani would be quite common by now but how about the others? Or do you by any stroke of luck own anything from any of the above brands that you’d like to share your thoughts on? I’m definitely eyeing the Le Métier de Beauté but the Kaleidoscope Eye kit is … *gulp* … US$95!
Paris B
Am now praying for the local Sephora to carry these brands…. >.< They are sooo pretty!!!!
Sadly it’s probably never going to happen. Barring NARS (and maybe GA which I’m not sure) the rest aren’t even carried in Sephora USA. They are too exclusive.
hoho i am looking at GA’s blushes! :D
I own just one from when they were still here. I think I had 2 but I’m not sure what happened to the other one :P They’re nice – simple but nice
everything looks so tempting!!! I’ve read and lemming over Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Silk Eye Shadow!!! The lip creme Le Métier de Beauté also looks gorgeous!! T_T sad we don’t have all these lovely things here!
Yep! They aren’t that easy to find overseas either so that’s a consolation ;)
My heart stopped when I saw the Kaleidescope Eye =P
Oh believe me, so did mine! ;)
Lee was right. That lip creme color (Framboise) is just so you! :D
Love living viacariously through others, but it does create some mighty lemmings… :P
Haha yeah that is quite me :P The only consolation to my wallet is that they aren’t easy to find and I don’t have a USA mule ;) Otherwise I’d be pretty much broke :P
I still remember my first Armani purchase while I was in Nordie’s in NY. I stood at the counter for a whole hour testing everything and came out with the famous Luminous Silk Foundation, Orange Master Corrector and Sheer Blush #2. Alas, it turns out the foundie absolutely sucks in this humid Malaysian weather as it slipped and slide off my face within the first hour of application. I have been kicking myself non-stop for not getting the Lasting Silk Foundation instead. :(
The only products I have from D&G is their Lipgloss in Seduction and the Perfect Finish Powder Foundation. Both are quite good but it ain’t nothing to shout about.
I really do want to try some stuff from Le Meteir de Beaute but the brand is really hard to come across. As a foundation junkie, I really want to try their Classic Flawless Finish Foundation which costs $68 per bottle *gulp* But no matter, next time I’ll be in the states, I’ll definitely check out their counter. :)
I used to have the Luminous Silk Foundation too! Like you said, it does turn one oily in this humidity. Also I never found a good colour match. I was between colours and it was too pricey to buy 2 to mix. I did like their powder foundation but I never bought the full size one. I just picked up a D&G lipgloss online – let’s see how that fares. I read it was nice, but as you said, nothing to shout about. Its great that you’re heading to the US! For now, I’m not so Le Metier de Beaute will just be a long distance lust for now ;)
I haven’t gone shopping in ages. Armani is out of Malaysia??
And wow, that LMDB lip creme is amazing!
LOL! GA pulled out last year or was it 2 years ago? Its been a while – I asked if they might bring it back but there’s no news for now.
Either your technique is awesome, or your BB has done magic, gwad I can never do pictures like that w/o my DSLR!
It was exactly like a blind date but I could spot you from far far away :D Like dating a celebrity for me you know lol
P/S: I feel guilty about the car park fees, sorry! x
No worries! You can buy lunch next time ;) And the BB held its end up for once! Even I was impressed :P
Wow! Le Metier De Beaute Lip Creme is gorgeous!! Too bad it’s very expensive but it’s still very tempting…
Yeah all these extremely good looking products are always on the pricier end of the price scale eh? Sigh…
Wow, the Kaleidescope Eye is really huge!
Erm… in the picture? hehe… Actually it is really quite big in real life. I was pleasantly surprised!
wonder if we can find Le Métier de Beauté in KL?
Not a chance!
Hi Paris
Why must you make us drool? Anyway, thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend!
Because I can! ;)
What are the other shades of gloss in the pic with Framboise?
I’m sorry I have absolutely no idea – perhaps lee can help us out with this one. I failed to take note of the rest once I saw Framboise!
I have one of the eye kits and I have to say I haven’t been buying any other e/s (just to justify buying that one!) but they’re worth it. The shadows are some of the smoothest I’ve ever tried and the way the kits are built make applying shadow in a pinch a no-brained (since they’re meant to be applied from top to bottom).
Ooh you have one too! Awesome! :D Which is the colour you have? I have heard that the application technique is very easy and that it applies beautifully. I guess I must get my hands on one eh? ;)
I’m in love with Le Metier de Beaute too! But unfortunately it’s a one-way affair :-(
Haha… same for most of us m’dear!
I’ve heard rave reviews about the Tom Ford beauty line.. Am craving for the Eyeshadow quads! It’s not available in Malaysia is it? Where’s the nearest place I can purchase the Tom Ford line? Thankss
Tom Ford is not available in Malaysia at this time. Your best bet would be Hong Kong or Australia.