“Look at you! Rockin’ the glitter.”
Ever notice how some makeup looks are reliable conversation starters? — like neon nails, bright red lips and almost anything with glitter. They’re almost guaranteed to get people chatting, no matter where you are.
I came across one the other day when I took Lancôme’s La Rosaire Illuminating Smooth Powder ($42) out for a spin.
El Hub was the first to notice when he kissed me bye before leaving for work. “Is that glitter on your cheeks?” he asked.
“Why, yes,” I replied, impressed and surprised. “It is. And now you have some on your shirt.” 🙂
Then, during a mid-morning Starbucks break, my favorite barista handed me a soy chai tea latte and said, “Ooh! You’re so sparkly today.”
I think Tabs even noticed because he shot me a look that said, “Disco tonight? We must be hitting the club after dinner because you’re workin’ that glitter.”
If there’s one thing the glitter in this limited edition face and cheek powder isn’t, it’s subtle.
At least initially.
La Rosaire (“Bed of Roses”) is one of 11 pieces in Lancôme’s Roseraie des Delices Spring 2012 collection for eyes, cheeks and lips. The collection features two eye palettes, two eyeliners, a face/cheek powder, three lipsticks and three lip glosses.
The light peachy pink star burst design behind the rose on the pan contains an overspray of concentrated conversation-starting glitter. Once you work through the overspray, the glitter subsides, revealing a sheer peachy pink powder with what I feel is a very pretty sheen.
The rose design decorating the lower half of the pan also has an overspray, this one a cool-toned rosy pink with a sheen; beneath it resides a slightly warmer peachy pink with a subtle shine.
Swatches of the overspray on the left; swatches of the powders beneath the overspray on the right
Lancôme was not just whistling Dixie with these oversprays. Both seem thicker than usual to me and last through quite a few swipes.
In a way, it’s like getting two completely different pans in one — with the oversprays and without — but you have to work your way through the first to get to the second.
I must admit, though. I prefer the more delicate face and cheek powders beneath these glitter bombs. They remind me of less pigmented versions of MAC’s new Pearlmatte Powders in Sunday Afternoon and Flower Fantasy.
Other items of note…
- Wear time: How does all day sound? 🙂
- Scent: Lancôme isn’t shy about strong fragrances, but they decided to leave this product unscented.
- Texture: Once you work through the giant flecks of glitter in the oversprays, the powders beneath them are finely milled and soft to the touch.
- Pigment: These powders apply rather sheer on my tan skin and may appear brighter on lighter ladies than they do on darker damsels.
If you prefer makeup that whispers to makeup that SHOUTS, the powders beneath these oversprays might be perfect for you.
PRICE: $42
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Lancôme counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Valentine’s Day carbs and the most epic loaf of sourdough bread I’ve ever eaten
El Hub and I were tuckered out last night and ended up just winging it for dinner (side note: I decided to go with Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in Fuchsia Dore for mah lips). Of course, every restaurant in town was booked, but we still wanted to do something, so we stopped by Whole Foods to pick up a few noms for an improv picnic in our living room.
We brought back some fruit and veggies, a wedge of Swiss cheese, sliced meats for the boys and an epic loaf of sourdough bread.
Yes, EPIC! I watched, with much delight, the Whole Foods baker gal pluck it straight from the cooling racks, so it was no more than a few hours old, and I swear to gawd, it was the softest, yummiest loaf of bread I’ve ever had.
From here to eternity, I’ll always remember this Valentine’s Day as the one with that epic loaf of sourdough bread… LOL!
Yep, I derive great pleasure from carbs. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Joyce says
I’m not a fan of glitter, so good thing it’s only an overspray. Whew! Also, I’m glad all these Spring collections are rolling out because it means that winter is almost over. Yay! I’m sick and tired (literally) of all this freezing cold weather. hmphh, pout
Karen says
Me too! Although we have had a pretty mild winter here in Northern California…
Kajal Couture says
Karen what are you wearing on your eyes….you look gorgeous in these pics!!
Karen says
Thanks! 🙂 I’m wearing the MAC Call Me Bubbles quad and Paul & Joe Gel Liner.
What eye makeup did you wear today?
Chris25 says
Did I tell you that I’ve started a challenge of baking breakfast on Sundays? Sourdough bread is my next challenge. 🙂
Karen says
No you didn’t. That’s really cool! I’ve never tried baking bread before. Is this your first time making sourdough?
Denise S says
I’m on a big illuminator kick lately so I was curious about this powder. Probably won’t work with my caramel colored skin.Right now I’m loving the gleam I get from Laura Mercier peach mosiac powder. Might still check this out in the store as it looks great on you!
Karen says
Yay, a fellow Laura fan! What are your fave products from her line? I like her eyeshadows, brushes, Stick Glosses and perfumes.
Phyrra says
That’s so gorgeous.
Karen says
It’s really pretty to look at… just super glittery!
Chelsea says
They do some really pretty LE powders. They never look pretty after you use them for a while though…
Paris B says
I just saw this a few days ago and I actually preferred how the powder looks after all the overspray is scraped off – its a lovely peach with highlight underneath that makes a pretty blush. But it then looks very blah in pan.
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
It’s a beauty, and I definitely prefer it without the overspray!
Great choice of lip color! That bread sounds yum! I’m all about carbs too, and I learnt my lesson the hard way that I cannot maintain my weight or be happy if I my diet is protein-based. I know it’s very much going against the trend (seems like every day somebody writes a book about how good protein is and how carbs is the ultimate villain), but as I told you I learnt it the hard way :p So now I eat my carbs with Nooooooo guilt!
Nina says
your v-day was a lot like mine — we stayed home. the hubs cooked, i bought dessert and we just chilled at home. 🙂
the powder is pretty w/ the flower … but i think its a tad too light for me!
Sarah S. says
Wow, you look so glowy! I can’t tell it’s glittery in the photos, you simply look ethereal 🙂
Louisa says
This looks so gorgeous! Just a shame its not very pigmented. I really like the idea of a shimmery blush 😉
Kim says
I’m extremely jealous about your loaf of bread! It sounds like it was awesome and I’m sure I would have been eating the entire thing with a pound of butter (or brie). 🙂