Le Metier De Beaute Eye Kaleidoscope in Bauhaus

This is the first time I have posted about Le Metier De Beaute (LMdB), but it is certainly not the first time I have indulged in this high end luxury brand. Founded in New York City, this brand is only available state side at high luxury department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Le Metier De Beaute Eye Kaleidoscope in Bauhaus

For those new to the brand, LMdB's products get rave reviews from beauty bloggers. Their eye shadows in particular are stupendous and as someone who owns eye shadow from almost every major department store brand out there I don't use that term lightly. Highly pigmented, buttery, finely milled, easy to blend, long wearing and imminently good for layering - these eye shadows are truly some of the best I've ever used. Of course, as is usually the case, their is a high price for excellence. LMdB's single eye shadows are $30.00 US and the Eye Kaleidoscopes a heart stopping $95.00 US.

If you carefully examine the price point against a less expensive high end brand like MAC, LMdB's prices are actually quite reasonable. MAC's eye shadows are $16.50 US for 1.8 grams ($9.17/gram) LMdB's eye shadows are $30.00 US for 3.8 grams ($7.89/gram), which means the price of LMdB's shadows are actually cheaper! You just have to be willing to make a sizeable initial commitment.

The Eye Kaleidoscopes are all limited edition and work out to be $6.25/gram - you are essentially getting 4 eye shadows singles for the price of 3! But never mind all the boring fiscal talk...LMdB's Eye Kaleidoscope palettes contain 4 shades meant to be used in their specific "Couches de Couleur" technique. Roughly translating into the layering of colours, LMdB's eye shadows are designed to layered to create depth, texture and colour. Product photos taken with flash, swatch photos in natural light NC 40 skin.

Axiom: sublime bronzed umber. A highly pigmented, shimmery copper that has slight ochre undertones.

Graphic: silver liquid metal. A highly pigmented, shimmery neutral mid tone silver.

Crucible: rich pomegranate. A blackened burgundy shimmer, which is neutral toned and highly pigmented

Genre: deep gun metal. A blackened gun metal silver that leans cool, highly pigmented.

Axiom, Graphic, Crucible, Genre

LMdB's "Couches de Couleur" technique involves layering the entire kalidescope beginning at the bottom and working to the top. Where this approach is genius is that LMdB has mixed both warm and cool tones in the same palette. Like every painter knows, when you layer colours you create new shades which cannot be recreated by mixing paint. Below are a progession of swatches which shoe how the colour of the shadow shifts as one shade is layered on top of another.

Far right: Crucible on top of Genre

Far right: Graphic on Crucible,Genre

Far right: Axiom on Graphic,Crucible,Genre

The end result of all this layering? a beautiful complex smokey taupe which shifts either cooler or warmer depending on how much of each shade is layered.

Though these individual shades are not highly original on their own, the high quality formula and the way in which they glow when layered makes them an excellent purchase and I would highly recommend them. Of course, at $95.00 US I can't say this is a must have because the price is prohibitive for most. But if you feel like splurging on some of the best eye shadows known to mankind, then go for it! This palette is still available on the Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus websites and both retailers will ship to Canada.

Grade: A