Armani Shopping with Charlestongirl

This was a shopping week. Even though I still haven't won the lottery, I felt a need to get out, talk to "beauty people," and learn some things. That was the happening thing in New York, but I was firmly planted in the DC area. So, naturally, I trekked over to see Loyd Cassler at Saks in Chevy Chase, and we played with the Eyes to Kill Palettes.

Since it was the most neutral, I gravitated to #1 (called Steel Black, it is anything but), and Loyd applied it for me. I had been in do-it-yourself mode when I last saw the palette. Gorgeous shadows! The total effect was natural and flattering - I think it made my eyes look very blue. This is an "everywoman shadow." It jumped into my bag.

Then, he pulled out #3 (called Gun Metal Grey, and while it includes grey, the outer ring looks bright purple). I recoiled a bit, but trusting Loyd completely, I let him apply it over his gorgeous handiwork with #1. He blended the grey and the purple for the outer corners of the lid, and when he was done? Viola! A bit more "drama," but overall still acceptable for daytime. That is one of the reasons I love Loyd - he is an artist who blends color with reality.

One of the other reps came up later and wanted to know what shadow I had on (clearly it looked good!). We giggled and said, "A lot of them." Loyd is so much fun! I have no memory of it, but I suspect I had a hidden love of paint sets when I was a very young child. I do remember that when I was a little older, an uncle gave me a very pricey set of pastels. I treasured them - didn't use them, they were too beautiful to touch.

What was most fun was applying #4, Rouge Iron, as a blusher, as I had said in my first Eyes to Kill posting. It looked good - even on my skin! We did a lot of hand testing (even Loyd would tell you it's a no-no for my eyes), and I can see that #4 could work as an eye shadow for a woman with dark skin who wants a sultry effect. Used as it was intended, as an eye shadow, it's a rusty, brown-based red - not as weird as it looks in the pan. The liner in the center is brown. I prefer it as a blusher.

One really nice thing about these three-shade palettes is that they are $58. Not a hefty price for the high-end cosmetics customer; it shows a recognition that all women are looking for better prices in this environment.

When I left, I thought my need to shop was satisfied for a day or two, but no! The Avon Quads arrived, and I got to see how nice they are. Not only that, they sent a catalog, so my before-bed reading consisted of the Avon catalog and a Beauty Week catalog from Lord & Taylor. I went to sleep dreaming of cosmetics!

Photos courtesy of Armani Beauty.