There’s a Shimmery Bed of Roses Beneath the Gobs of Glitter That Greet Lancôme La Roseraie Illuminating Smooth Powder

“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