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 😛 ). 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 😛 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! 😛
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
Hanny says
April 20, 2011 at 1:09 pmAm now praying for the local Sephora to carry these brands…. >.< They are sooo pretty!!!!
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 1:14 pmSadly 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.
plue says
April 20, 2011 at 1:21 pmhoho i am looking at GA’s blushes! 😀
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 4:51 pmI 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 😛 They’re nice – simple but nice
GlamPink says
April 20, 2011 at 1:25 pmeverything 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!
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 4:51 pmYep! They aren’t that easy to find overseas either so that’s a consolation 😉
bubbles says
April 20, 2011 at 1:39 pmMy heart stopped when I saw the Kaleidescope Eye =P
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 4:51 pmOh believe me, so did mine! 😉
rinnah says
April 20, 2011 at 1:45 pmLee was right. That lip creme color (Framboise) is just so you! 😀
Love living viacariously through others, but it does create some mighty lemmings… 😛
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 4:52 pmHaha yeah that is quite me 😛 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 😛
makeup.addict says
April 20, 2011 at 2:50 pmI 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. 🙂
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 4:54 pmI 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 😉
Monstro says
April 20, 2011 at 3:07 pmI haven’t gone shopping in ages. Armani is out of Malaysia??
And wow, that LMDB lip creme is amazing!
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 4:55 pmLOL! 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.
Lee says
April 20, 2011 at 5:17 pmEither 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 😀 Like dating a celebrity for me you know lol
P/S: I feel guilty about the car park fees, sorry! x
ParisB says
April 20, 2011 at 6:02 pmNo worries! You can buy lunch next time 😉 And the BB held its end up for once! Even I was impressed 😛
gio says
April 20, 2011 at 8:55 pmWow! Le Metier De Beaute Lip Creme is gorgeous!! Too bad it’s very expensive but it’s still very tempting…
ParisB says
April 21, 2011 at 9:22 amYeah all these extremely good looking products are always on the pricier end of the price scale eh? Sigh…
Shay says
April 20, 2011 at 9:23 pmWow, the Kaleidescope Eye is really huge!
ParisB says
April 21, 2011 at 9:23 amErm… in the picture? hehe… Actually it is really quite big in real life. I was pleasantly surprised!
Joyce says
April 20, 2011 at 9:42 pmwonder if we can find Le Métier de Beauté in KL?
ParisB says
April 21, 2011 at 9:23 amNot a chance!
lavender says
April 20, 2011 at 10:32 pmHi Paris
Why must you make us drool? Anyway, thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend!
ParisB says
April 21, 2011 at 9:24 amBecause I can! 😉
Christa says
April 21, 2011 at 12:39 amWhat are the other shades of gloss in the pic with Framboise?
ParisB says
April 21, 2011 at 9:24 amI’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!
Xiao says
April 21, 2011 at 3:16 amI 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).
ParisB says
April 21, 2011 at 9:25 amOoh you have one too! Awesome! 😀 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? 😉
milktea says
April 21, 2011 at 6:20 pmI’m in love with Le Metier de Beaute too! But unfortunately it’s a one-way affair 🙁
ParisB says
April 22, 2011 at 1:33 pmHaha… same for most of us m’dear!
vickic says
February 26, 2012 at 4:36 pmI’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
Paris B says
February 27, 2012 at 9:55 amTom Ford is not available in Malaysia at this time. Your best bet would be Hong Kong or Australia.