Le Metier de Beaute Modernist Merlot Kaleidoscope Review, Photos, Swatches

I believed I could skip on this limited edition Kaleidoscope, released exclusively at Fashion Island's Neiman Marcus LMdB counter in Newport Beach, CA for Fashion's Night Out, when I saw photos of it on BTiBeauty. After discussing the color way with my friend Xiao of Messy Wands, however, I decided it was a must-have since I had already passed on Silk Road earlier this year. I can only deprive myself so much, right?

Modernist Merlot does not disappoint on the eyes. The shades work beautifully together for a fall eye look, which I will be filming a tutorial for tomorrow! Modernist Merlot is not a palette that I would assumed I would reach for but it's the perfect purple, multi-tasking palette to travel with - especially because the second 'hot' shade doubles as a blush color and because I can use the last shade alone as a liner.

The first three shadows are silky smooth and well pigmented, in usual LMdB fashion, but the last eggplant purple shade is a touch chalky because it has a matte finish. It may swatch a little roughly but not to worry! It applies well to the lid with a dense brush. All the shadows do work best with a base like NARS Pro-Prime, which is what I've been using most these days.

My favorite is the first shade, the cool iridescent pale purple. I don't have anything like it! The pink undertone makes it a lovely brightening wash all over the lid when used alone. The second shade is a matte pink with a touch of peach and is ultra pigmented! The third berry shade has a gorgeous warm shimmer running through it but it's not quite iridescent. It reminds me most of Chanel's Ebloui. I do adore the fourth and final shade because it's one of the few deep purples I own that doesn't look muddy or black against my skin.

Here are individual swatches as well as a view of the colors all blended together. You can use more or less of each, depending on what effect and shade of purple you want to achieve. I recommend you use the least of the second shade if you want a true berry purple tone.

 Natural Light

With Flash

Couche de Couleur - All four shades layered in order

Bottom Line: I've never been a fan of pink eyeshadows in palettes, especially not at this price, but Modernist Merlot is my fall must-have make-up piece. It couldn't have been a more appropriate Fashion's Night Out release so call 949.759.1900 to see if NM has any more left!

Le Metier de Beaute Splendid Frost Kaleidoscope Review, Photos, Swatches

Le Metier de Beaute has recently become one of my favorite brands and their signature Kaleidoscope kits are on my must-have eyeshadow palettes list. This particular Kaleidoscope was released during the Holiday 2010 but it's still available at a few Neiman Marcus counters and at Nordstrom.com for $95 - this is not an affiliated link. I'm just making it easier to enable you!

Let's start with the swivel-out compact. It's compact, lightweight, and durable so it's a joy to travel with. I've dropped mine twice now and there isn't a single dent! The only drawback is the weak glue but LMdB is reportedly improving the glue so that the eyeshadow pans will stay put more securely. Now let's talk about the shadows. I'm not an eyeshadow worshipper - rather on the ambivalent side, honestly - but more and more I am apt to reply "LMdB" when I'm asked what my favorite eyeshadow brand is. The shadows apply smoothly and there is very little fall out whether I use a brush or my fingertips.

In Bright Sunlight

Indoors [More True to Color]

Now we'll break down the colors, starting with the warm-toned taupe with a metallic finish. The base appears more intense depending on how much light the shimmers reflect. The next shade in the Kaleidoscope is a cool matte grey and the closest shade I have to it is Guerlain's 186 Eclat Mono. I prefer the LMdB grey because it's better pigmented but the Guerlain 186 is more flattering on me when worn alone, as it has less of a blue undertone. The next shade, the hot color, is a peachy-pink that doubles up as a blush! I was hesitant about using it but it actually adds dimension and brightness without overpowering any other colors on my lids. Finally, the last shade is the cold shadow, the most complex navy in my make-up collection. It's incredibly pigmented and even has coordinating violet and peachy-pink shimmers to compliment the hot shade above it, creating a striking duo that can be worn separately from the traditional LMdB couche de couleur method, which I will dedicate a spotlight post to. 

This was my first LMdB purchase and I am proud to say it was one of the best purchases I made in 2010. Make it yours this year before it's too late!