Friday, August 5, 2011

The Friday Forum - August 5

It's hard to believe it's August. Back-to-school sales have started, and our thoughts are turning to fall fashion and beauty. All the while, most of the country is gripped by dangerously hot and dry weather. I've noticed that the days are getting shorter, a sure sign that the season will change.

This was such a "straddle week" for beauty. The much-anticipated Les Aquarelles de Chanel Collection arrived at Neiman Marcus. I believe it was the last summer collection to hit the store. The pieces arrived at the same time as Chanel's early fall collection. Sharing space on the counter, they are a juxtaposition in color. Les Aquarelles represents the pale pinks of summer, while the fall colors offer more punch. There are two quads on the Chanel fall display. Blue is clearly on France's mind for fall! One of the quads features shades of blue. I thought about Dior's new palette when I saw it. Blue is clearly "hot."

Speaking of blues, Jo Malone's Wild Bluebell Cologne arrived earlier than we had anticipated. In case you've been among the many waiting, Neiman Marcus has it (at least at Tysons Galleria).

I visited with Michael Reinhardt at the Le Métier de Beauté counter at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie this week. He had received one of the new nail lacquer shades from the fall/winter East Meets West Collection. I took a photo of Anatolia in the store, but I don't think my photo represents the rich plum color adequately. Described as a rich plum illuminated with golden effervescence, it's a gorgeous fall color. Once all four shades arrive, I'll decide what I can't live without (if anything). They cost $18.

It was a fun fragrance week for me. I finally got my flacon of CREED's White Flowers (launch date was July 31), and I also have a nice, big sample of Original Cologne, a perfect summer fragrance for men or women. I'm enjoying them both, plus lots of other fragrance samples and bottles that have arrived. I also got to try the new Chanel No. 19 Poudre. Turns out it will launch as a Saks Fifth Avenue exclusive. So, next week, I'll head over to Chevy Chase to visit with my friends there. I need to spend more time writing (and less reading) to share all my newest fragrance impressions with you. Why is it I've got the summer lazies?

I also received two Sephora boxes, the result of surfing Sephora last weekend. I've got a pretty Guerlain bronzer to show you, hopefully later today. Despite my expectations that it might be a slow week, it flew by!

It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. I won't throw any bombs, like I did last week when I vented on the aggressiveness of store sales reps. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers have moved on.

Don't forget the giveaway contest for Guerlain's Le 2 de Guerlain Mascara. The deadline for commenting to enter is tomorrow, August 6, at midnight. It's pretty cool!

Update 2:30 pm: The information I was given at a department store about the availability of a larger size of Anatolia was incorrect (not the store where I photographed it). The size is LMdB's normal bottle size. I'm sorry for any confusion (or anticipation) I may have created earlier today.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

22 comments:

Miss Brahms said...

Yes, all the new collections are coming in, most of which Charlestongirl has already reviewed! Guerlain, Chanel, Lancome, Laura Mercier - I am eagerly awaiting the Giorgio Armani Fall 2011 colors - that is one of my favorite lines!
Don't forget new skin care - I know Charlestongirl is going to have some exciting skin care news from a few high-end lines soon....:)
At my store, we are lining up National Makeup Artist Events for Beauty Event, which starts September 8, right after Labor Day and Back to School! I am also getting sneak peeks at the great Gifts with Purchase that will go with each line - Bobbi Brown has an exclusive lip palette, Lancome, as always, has a fantastic clutch packed with full-size color and skincare products.
I have two small children, so September usually heralds Back to School, but increasingly it has become Fall Beauty Trends! Fashion's Night Out is September 8, both in Manhattan and in Neiman Marcus!
Read all about it HERE!! :)

Bunny Masseuse said...

@Charlestongirl:
At first I also thought the week would start slow, but it has sped up for sure! I celebrate my birthday today in a low key manner (just like every other day... at work!) and look forward to a family gathering on Sunday and some thrifting (as well as Hamfest in Berryville) while topping it off with fresh salmon on the grill!

I really missed my outdoor experience in Alaska this year, now that I'm back, I can see why my uncle choose 30 yrs ago to move there, it's beautiful and lovely... but in the winter if you are not comfortable being indoors or you need sunlight it's NOT the place to be!

@Miss Brahms:
I can't wait for the Guerlain training to be done at the end of the month to find out all the new goodies instore for them in the future. Of course, all of which will show up on BTiB as soon as it's out!

I have never been to a NM NMAE so I look forward to seeing what's out and available and expanding my growing HE collection!

Charlestongirl said...

I'm always happy to hear about GWPs, Miss Brahsm. Can't wait!

I'm getting FNO info from New York. Glad to hear we are joining the big leagues. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Happy Birthday, Bunny Masseuse!!!! Low-key or not, it's always a milestone. Have a good one.

The Guerlain is not LE, so you have plenty of time to make up your mind on the palettes.

Hamfest in Berryville? Sounds fabulous. Hope it's a nice day!

Charlestongirl said...

Poor Savannah, she just started having a seizure (she's epileptic). I threw her in a carrier so that she wouldn't hurt herself or the house (she claws at everything during a seizure - and worse). Hope it doesn't last for hours, although I know the "aftershocks" will. I feel so badly for her when this happens. Even though she gets medicated twice/day, she still has seizures now and then.

lovethescents said...

First of all, as much as I loved the picture you posted of the Aquarelles, I'm so disappointed in the Ombres Tisses! This looked like something I might use on my face and my lids, but it's just too pale for my skin tone; and I'm sure the skin tones of many other women too. Oh well, money saved!

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal!!!!! You tried No19 Poudre???? What do you think?? I can't wait to get my greedy wrists on it :-)

Big news: husband announced we're going to NYC on Thursday for a long weekend! Happy 12th anniversary to us :-) I'm so flippin' excited, I can't even use real words...(hence, flippin'). I'm so anxious to test out makeup lines we don't have access to in Canada: Eddie Bess, Chantecaille, Le Metier, Kanebo. I assume Barney's and Bergdorf's are the best places? I hope the SAs are ready for my children! Bahahahahahaha *insert evil laugh*

Charlestongirl said...

Wow, Lovethescents! You are going to have a blast! And you can get a whiff of No. 19 Poudre when you go to Saks. I love it. Want it now!

Let me know if, for some reason, they don't have a tester in NY, when we have it here in the "backwaters." I could try to weasel some out of Saks for you in a tester vial.

I think I'm now entirely jealous.

The stores are not next to each other (LOL), but they are close. Go to Henri Bendel too. Very close to BG.

Bunny Masseuse said...

@Lovethescents: Make sure to Visit Inglot! I only have had the opportunity to see their LV store but their stuff is excellent! With a purchase of 40$ of product you get a free makeover. I'm a sucker for their "flakie" polishes.

lovethescents said...

Hi Charlestongirl! Sorry for making you jealous. Come meet us there!

Thank you for offering the 19Poudre sample. I'll let you know if I need it. (how do you like my use of the word "need"? Food, water, shelter, perfume).

Googling Henri Bendel's now.

Thank you for the tip, Bunny! We have Inglot here too. I've never tested anything from that line. You've made me curious now :-)

lovethescents said...

More questions for the forum: has anyone tried Shellac yet? Thoughts?

Has anyone tried to dye their eyelashes? Thoughts?

Obviously, I'm contemplating both. I'm tired of doing my nails every 5-7 days. I want something that will last despite always washing my hands. Re: the lash business, I read on this blog about LashDip, which isn't available in my province. Someone suggested those lash dying kits.

Thank you, in advance, for any advice or feedback!

Eileen said...

Oh, poor Savannah! How it makes my heart ache to think of that little kitty. She's lucky to have a caring and tender guardian such as you. Because I take prophylactic medication to manage chronic migraines, I know all too well that there is nothing magic about it. As helpful as it is, there is always that episode waiting to happen and, when it does, it's usually a doozie! I hope the major seizure passes quickly and that she sleeps the remainder off. Is she usually pretty wiped out the next day as well? I hope peace comes quickly to her.

On the beauty front, I'm being very conservative right now. My only purchase this week has been Laura Mercier's Caviar liner in Amethyst. Gosh, it's a beautiful color but I just don't get the name. On me it is rosewood with a hint of gold sparkle. Oh well, a rose by any other name . . . I'm using it under my lower lashes and it is quite pretty. There are a lot of other things in which I'm interested, but I need to give some thought as to how my wardrobe is going to shape up for fall. I'm also holding out for the September events and the new products which will be coming out at that time. September is going to be more interesting than August.

Ah, Lovethescents,

You are in for a real treat: cosmetic shopping in NYC. Hopefully, you'll get a chance to meet EB. He's often at his counter. He's a totally delightful young man. I had the chance to meet him when he opened his Beverly Hills counter. I'm sure some of the other readers who shop NYC can also give you the names of excellent SA's/MA's at the other counters. Warning! Once you've played around with the likes of EB, LMdB, Chantecaille, and the like, there is no going back :-) Have a wonderful trip and congratulations on that 12th anniversary!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

Savannah recovered from this one pretty quickly. Yes, she does go sleep it off. She's usually very hungry right after a seizure, then loses her appetite for a day or so. Today, I was able to let her out of the carrier more quickly than usual, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

I used to have migraines, but the daily meds they gave me years ago didn't work. So I just relied on Imitrex whenever I felt one coming on. I no longer get them (well, maybe once every few years).

I am trying to be conservative in spending because I know what's coming. I just saw photos of new CdP makeup that made my heart skip a beat. Plus there are those gorgeous GA eye shadows, and...oh, I need to count my dollars.

I think we've done a great job of corrupting Lovethescents. :)

Soni said...

Awwww poor kitty. That's sad when things like that happen to animals because they don't speak "our" language and we can't explain things to them. All we can do is hold & pet them and try to make them as comfortable as possible. (and I'm sure you are doting on her). I used to work the front office at an animal hospital and I used to love going in the back at lunch/break time to pet & talk to (comfort) the animals who had surgery. I would want someone to do that for my babies. Hope Savannah recovers quickly.

Anyway...I'm totally wanting the Chanel aquarelles products now. (along with EB storm shadow) My Saks is too far away, so I may have to do some internet or phone shopping.

@lovethescents - I'm jealous of your NY trip. Have a blast for all of us!

@bunny - Happy Birthday!

@Eileen - I bought 3 of the LM caviar eyesticks. Really like their lasting power. May have to go back for Amethyst.

Happy weekend ladies!!!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi, Soni!

Thanks! Savvy just had some dinner. She's better now. I really can't comfort her. She is a loner. The best thing to do is make sure she is OK and let her go hide and rest. My "nut case" cat.

Did you check with NM about getting the Chanel collection?

Hope you have a great weekend! Same wishes for everyone here!

Soni said...

Hi Charlestongirl,

I can relate to savvy. That's how I am when I am sick...don't want to be waited on or anything...just left alone. It's a good sign that she's eating though...

I checked NM online but the collection isn't up yet. (hopefully they will put it up) I don't know any SA's/MA's there since I never get over to that side of town. So I guess I'll just wait it out. (til it's online) *sigh*
I really wish beauty brands wouldn't do "exclusives" to certain stores. Some of us just don't have easy access to those higher end stores. Oh well...

Charlestongirl said...

Soni,

I don't think it is going online at Neiman Marcus. It is going online at Chanel, though. Kathy Shoreman can send it. 703.761.1600. She is there now till nine.

Tomorrow too, I think. Ask for her when you get ext 3282.

Charlestongirl said...

BTW, Soni,

That exclusivity "thing" seems to be gaining in popularity. Not sure why. Maybe it is a reward for the stores that sell and promote a lot? Not really sure.

Eileen said...

I'm so glad Savannah's recovering quickly this time. I wish we understood the workings of the brain a whole lot better than we do. All we can do is try for the winning combination of meds, keep the little critters safe from injury, offer comfort if they can accept it or at least be there in the background to make sure their needs are being met if they prefer to be alone. Bless her little kitty heart.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Pam said...

Hi Charlestongirl..so sorry to hear about Savannah's seizures but very glad to hear she recovered quickly.
@lovethescents...I was recently shopping online for a UV nail dryer so I could to Shellac on my own nails. I started to read a little more and it would seem you have to remove the "Shellac" by soaking your nails in pure acetone. Isn't this exactly what you have to do to remove fake nails?...which would be really bad on natural nails. Later on, I spoke to a friend who is an RN. She said the Shellac is really bad for natural nails...they are unable to "breath" once they are cured and they can fall off. That was enough info for me.

Charlestongirl said...

Pam and Lovethescents,

Go read this...http://beautyxpose.com/2011/musings/the-rundown-on-shellac-manicures.html.

They gave the basics. Make sure to read the comments too.

I would not do it. For one reason, after 5-6 days, my nails have grown too much. Then there's nail "health." While nails are technically dead, they can be injured. Once injured, there is no repair.

Joey said...

=) I bought LMdB Anatolia yesterday for a sweet blogger friend. I am hoping she loves it.

Monique Jones said...

I can't wait to get mey hand on Anatolia.