Le Métier de Beauté 2015-16 VIP Program Wrap Up and Overview

Disclaimer: I purchased this.

The final month's offering from the Le Métier de Beauté (LMdB) 2015-16 VIP subscription program was 2 of their Revitalizing Hydro Red Algae & Collagen masks, which retail for $15 each.  Here is how they are described:

"The ultimate care your skin craves. The Revitalizing Hydro Red Algae & Collagen Mask is imbued with red algae and collagen extracts that nourish with advanced nutrients and boost skin's long term firmness and texture. The luxurious formula simply melts into skin and works its magic. The natural technology smooths, softens and improves the skin in as little as one application. Take a nap and wake up with time on your side."

Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Cetyle Ethylhexanoate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Agar, Xantham Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Ceteth-10, Ceteth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance/Perfume, ACID RED 18 (CI 16255).

I enjoy using face masks and am looking forward to trying these out.  I do admit to feeling a bit underwhelmed considering this was the last month of my subscription  This year was a mixed bag for the VIP program, although there were definitely some stellar products along with some definite missteps on LMdB's part - at least in my opinion. Below is a picture of everything I received this year:

The missteps were a few products that did not seem to fit the LMdB product line in looks (leopard print bronzer?) or quality (baked eyeshadow?). I didn't even post about the Whirlwind baked eyeshadow after someone on MakeupTalk pointed out that LMdB was clearly just putting their name on a shadow available from other brands.  For example:

The exact shadow, name and all, currently on sale for $10.95 can be seen here.

I get that it's a struggle to consistently delivery high quality products at the bargain basement price point of a subscription service ($29/month, although the VIP program requires payment upfront for the year, $348) and I've always questioned how LMdB would be able to even approach making a profit with this service.  Whirlwind definitely eroded good will amongst subscribers, however. To LMdB's credit, we also got an eyeshadow ($40) brush that month, and you can't go wrong with a a good quality brush.

There were also a few perplexing months where we received lipstick after lipstick after lipstick, including a pink (Emerge) and metallic bronze (Burnished) in December. Not exactly seasonal colors, although I've been enjoying Burnished as a topper over other colors this summer.

Trompe l'Oeil

However, LMdB did seem to correct course in the last half of the program, where we received the award winning Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complex ($125) plus a foundation brush ($50), a gorgeous powder highlighter called Trompe l'Oeil, the Bohemia eye kaleidoscope ($95), a powder brow quad, and a body moisturizer ($125).

Even with just determining value based on products in LMdB's catalog and not factoring in items made exclusively for the VIP program, the value is definitely there.  I come up with over $500 worth of standard catalog items, which I paid $348 for.  Hard to beat, especially if you consider everything else along the lines of a GWP.

Plus, I'm really enjoying that the 2015 VIP palette we received in the first month is a metallic palette.  It inspired me to depot my eye kaleidoscopes and single LMdB shadows to make some stunning palettes.  More on that later.

So, while I did not resubscribe for year 4 of the VIP subscription program, I've got to admit that LMdB is still my favorite luxury brand.  Yes, there were a few misses, but hits outweighed them for me, and I've discovered more than a few favorites from this brand over the last 3 years. I'll have to admire year 4 items from afar :-)

Vital ET Recovery Body Boost by Le Métier de Beauté

Disclaimer:  I received this as part of the VIP subscription service, which I paid for.

Well, Le Métier de Beauté's Vital ET Recovery Body Boost ($125) is definitely the most expensive body lotion I've ever tried. I can't say I would ever spend that much for this type of product, but as part of the VIP subscription program, I'm game. So, I wonder what makes this baby so special? Let's look at some of the claims:

Redefine Age

Replenish, repair and protect your entire body with Vital ET Recovery Boost – Body. This highly effective form of Vitamin E defends against free radicals. Free radicals are known to damage collagen, create dryness and lead to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. This deeply reparative serum will drive super antioxidants and vitamins directly into your skin, leaving you with glowing, age-resistant skin. 

Key Ingredients:

TPM® Technology. Vital ET®, a patented technology that decreases appearance of redness and swelling while fortifying resistance to inflammation caused by environmental stressors.

Vitamin E in skincare is nothing new, so the patented TPM (Targeted Penetration Matrix) Technology must be the game changer. It was hard to find much detail on this TPM Technology, but it was developed by an Australian drug delivery company called Phosphagenics in 2002 and has 28 patents protecting it. Phosphogenics' other products include opioid skin patches for clinically based pain therapy, so they definitely sound legit. Here's a snippet of what I could find:

Phosphagenics core technology offering is built around the science and application of phosphorylation, a process where the addition of a phosphate group has been found to enhance the bioavailability, activity and safety of existing pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, as well as to assist in the production of drug delivery platforms.

Obviously, only long term use will truly tell the story, but I can say this is a nicely formulated body lotion/cream that does a good job of leaving my skin feeling soft and hydrated. It has more of a gel than a shea butter type of consistency, which means it's lighter and does not leave any greasy after feel. According to LMdB they do not add fragrance to their skincare, and I could not detect any in this.

The current year's VIP subscription program ends in July, so I've only got one more month of LMdB goodness coming my way.  I did not resubscribe as I'm swimming in product at the moment and have had more than my fair share of unexpected expenses lately (hello, new air conditioning unit).  Hopefully I will not experience too strong of a case of FOMO, but if you are interested, it looks like slots are still available here.

Bohemia Eye Kaleidoscope from Le Métier de Beauté: May VIP Subscription

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

The elusive Le Métier de Beauté kaleidoscope. You always hope for one, and 10 months into this year's VIP subscription program, it finally arrived.  Better late than never, I say.

Created specifically for the VIP program, Bohemia features 4 new exclusive shadows.  Zari, a shimmery platinum blonde with great pigmentation:

Sway, a soft muted plum with a matte finish that can also be worn as a blush. This was the least pigmented of the four but can be built up in intensity:

Gitan, a shimmery soft copper that applies like butter:

Chambray, a matte peacock blue:

As always, LMdB shadows can be layered for a multidimensional effect, and application suggestions were thoughtfully included on the enclosed card.

Here are two looks I've done since receiving Bohemia on Monday.  I'm quite happy to have another eye kaleidoscope to add to my collection and that the past 4 months of the VIP program have brought quality items I know I will continue to use.

The current year's plan runs through July and I do not plan on resubscribing for a 4th year as I'm on product overload, but the VIP subscription program seems to be back on a good track!

Wearing Sway as a blush as well

Dovima Brow Enhance Palette by Le Metier de Beaute: April VIP

 Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

April's VIP subscription offering by Le Metier de Beaute is a quad palette of matte brow powders.  After receiving it I set it aside to take pictures and almost forgot about it.  I'm happy I finally got the time to take some pictures and try it out, because this is lovely!

The pigmentation on these is fierce!  Not only that, but they apply smoothly and can be buffed out if you want to use them as an eye shadow or contour shade. I've been using the bottom and left side shades as contour powders and a light hand is needed - basically just tapping the brush on the pan to pick up a touch powder.  Seriously, great formula.

I've used the lighter right side shade and the bottom taupe as brow powders, both to good effect. The tip card highlights using them for a multi-dimensional brow look by using more than one color, so I'll be playing with that as well.

Dovima's one weak spot is the packaging, which features a loose and rather cheap feeling brow brush rattling around in it's plastic dungeon. My tip to LMdB (as if they are listening) is to either ditch the brush and rethink the packaging, or secure the brush in it's compartment. 

I'm speculating that this could be a pre-launch type of product and therefore it may not be quite ready for prime time packaging wise, or alternatively it will only see the light of day in the VIP subscription program and LMdB was cutting costs on the packaging.  Regardless, the brow powders themselves are stellar.  Here I'm wearing the right side golden tan shade as my transition crease color.  I also used as a brow powder with a darker brown grow gel over it for more definition.

Below is the bottom taupe shade as a brow shade and also to line my lash lines and as a crease transition color.  Versatile indeed.

LMdB has opened the 2016-2017 VIP subscription for new members.  I've subscribed for 3 years now and have discovered more than a few products that I really love, however I've decided not to subscribe again this year.  I'm swimming in makeup and really need to dial it back for a while.  Also, the VIP subscription has evolved in it's 3 year lifespan and this past year was only so so for me.  While the last few months have been great, there were also several months that just did not seem up to LMdB's usual curation/formula standards.  Regardless, here are the VIP program details in case you are interested, and who knows, the 4th year could be the best:

• One Time Annual Fee of $348 ($29/month for 12 months)
• Shipping is included
• First shipment is August 1, 2016
• One full-sized item or an assortment of items shipped to you at the beginning of each month
• Curated mix of color, skincare, pre-release sneak peaks, lab previews and exclusives

Le Métier de Beauté February/March VIP Boxes: Get Your Glow On

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

After several lackluster months, Le Métier de Beauté has redeemed themselves with the February and March VIP boxes.  Both boxes feature products that are designed to make your skin glow, so let's take a look.

The cult favorite Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer is both skincare and makeup. You can use it as a face primer or mix it with liquid foundation for a soft glow that is truly lovely.  Here is how Neiman Marcus describes it:

Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe contains the breakthrough, proprietary delivery system Syntoc Actif. This exclusive and patented technology aids in the improved delivery of key ingredients. Among those ingredients is retinol—the most efficacious anti-aging active proven to smooth lines, refine texture and even tone. SPF 18 protects the complexion, while light-diffusing pigments help to instantly blur and diffuse imperfections for a smooth, radiant, natural-looking finish.

I still have a Peau Vierge that I received back in 2014 from the VIP subscription, so I've broken that one out to use up.  It will take a while, as a pea sized amount is enough to cover my face and the tube sent back in 2014 is a whopping 2 ounces, which is twice as much as the pump (1 oz, $125).  So, I'm set for a while :-)

Peau Vierge somes in 4 different shades, but these are sheer in nature and I think the difference is subtle at best.  I've only used Shade 2, which is described as a true neutral beige, and it's perfect for my skin.  It's actually hard to see Peau Vierge in skin swatches, but if you enlarge the picture below you can see the shimmer on my hand after I applied it to my face.

March's offering is the Trompe l'Oeil powder highlighter, which was designed for the VIP program. It's a gorgeous pink champagne hue and I'm definitely looking forward to playing with this one.  While I use highlighters year round, spring definitely brings them even more to the forefront.  I will post a more thorough review once I have used this a bit.

The enclosed card indicates you can wear it over blush or as an eyeshadow as well, and the powder is finely milled with that ethereal type of glow that should look good wherever you decide to wear it.  Trompe l'Oeil is French for "deceive the eye" and is an art technique where objects appear to be 3-dimensional.  Great name for a highlighter.

Well done, LMdB, well done. You can't go wrong with Peau Vierge, and Trompe l'Oeil looks very promising.