New Lip Colors From Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection — Bare Shades Worth Bearing?

Though the days of fashioning sunglasses, hair combs and mirrored compacts out of the spotted shells of hawksbill sea turtles are behind us (the creatures are critically endangered and, hence, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species wisely banned the capture of these animals, their sale, and the manufacture of products derived from their parts), we’ve found more humane ways to benefit from the beauty of these shells, deriving ways to use synthetic materials to mimic the semi-translucent, golden amber, bronze, and brown shades on their surface. Chances are that, over the years, you’ve donned many an accessory crafted out of tortoise shell, which exploded in popularity in the ’60s and ’70s — with everything from horn-rimmed, Buddy Holly-style eye glasses to oversize chains with interlocking translucent oval links and retro frame purses bearing the glossy print.

Rather than selling seashells by the sea shore, as the old tongue-twister goes, makeup goddess Bobbi Brown is offering a collection of cosmetic essentials that pay homage to the tortoise shell (selling faux tortoise shell is way more chic, right?). The shining stars of the new Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection are, of course, the two eye shadow palettes, each of which comes packaged in a shiny, square tortoise shell compact with a handy mirror under the top lid and a pull-out drawer holding additional eyeshadow covers beneath the main surface.

The Sand Tortoise Shell Eye Palette ($60 at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com) focuses on softer neutral shades, with only the occasional metallic or sparkling number. The Sand Tortoise Shell Eye palette, then, includes the following eight shadows: Ivory Eye Shadow, a creamy, off-white hue; Gold Bar Sparkle Eye Shadow, a yellow gold with subtle shimmer; Hot Stone Eye Shadow, a grayish nude; Black Chocolate Eye Shadow, a dark brown hue; and new shades like Desert Sand Metallic Eye Shadow; Antique Rose Eye Shadow, Terracotta Eye Shadow, and Sandy Rose Metallic Eye Shadow.

The Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette ($60 at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com), meanwhile, focuses on slightly darker neutrals, with greater emphasis on shimmering, sparkling, and metallic shades. This palette features the following eight shades: Banana Eye Shadow, a yellow-tinged neutral color akin to an unpeeled banana; Copper Cocoa Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, a hot cocoa shade with reddish copper sparkle; Espresso Eye Shadow, a near-black brown with a dusky quality; and the new shades Gold Nugget Sparkle Eye Shadow, Amber Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Tiger’s Eye Metallic Eye Shadow, Bronze Metallic Eye Shadow, and Olive Sparkle Eye Shadow.

I’m trying to secure one of the palettes (I’ve got my eyes on the Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette!) but, in the meantime, I wanted to share some other pieces from the collection with you gals.

In addition to the eye palettes, this classic, timeless collection features the Tortoise Shell Mini Brush Set ($55 at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com), an ideal gift item since it includes four brushes with shorter, easier-to-grip handles and full-sized, soft-bristled heads: the Mini Angle Eye Shadow Brush, Mini Eye Sweep Brush, Mini Blush Brush and Mini Ultra Fine Eyeliner.

The new collection also includes three new High Shimmer Lip Gloss ($23 at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com) shades: Citrus, Beach, and Bare Sparkle. I had the chance to try the Bare Sparkle High Shimmer Lip Gloss, a non-sticky, near-clear, warm champagne pink with microscopic clear pearls that, when applied to lips, imbues them with a vinyl-like coat of shine and a sexy dose of sparkle. In terms of the color, it’s so close to clear that it’s barely perceptible. I actually found this lip gloss quite boring and disappointing but I suppose if you need a really understated gloss, this would be a good quality option.

Two new Rich Lip Color SPF 12 lipsticks ($23 at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com) are also introduced in this collection: Twig and Soft Nude. As the name implies, the Soft Nude shade (which I had the pleasure of trying) is a fleshy, pinkish brown shade — more reminiscent of Laccaria Laccata mushroom gills or Goya pink beans than bare skin, but nevertheless earthy, creamy, and alluring.

Below, you’ll find swatches of these two lip colors. What do you think? Will you be copping them?

Here’s what the Bare Sparkle High Shimmer Lip Gloss looks like on skin, as well as the Rich Lip Color SPF 12 in Soft Nude. I’m quite smitten with the Soft Nude lipstick, particularly since it captures the warmth of summer and yet can also be integrated into a demure fall look.

As soon as I get an eye shadow palette, I’ll show you some swatches so bare with me, ladies!