I wanted to get a professional application of Vintage Ken to show you the gorgeous color. Vintage Ken is the nail lacquer in the I'm Worn This Way/Vintage Ken set, one of the three sets in Le Métier de Beauté's The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011. See my Quick Peek feature here.
For his second exclusive collection for Le Métier de Beauté, Downing took the essence of the fall runways and distilled it into a beauty collection that presents elegant, coordinated duos to transform you into Lady Chic. The gorgeous sets have catchy names.
- Ken, Red My Lips (lips) and Gypsy Rose Me (nails) - subtle red with a blushing pinot undertone
- Ken's Wine on the Vine (lips) and Ken's Bodacious Bordeaux (nails) - rich, crimson cabernet
- I'm Worn This Way (lips) and Vintage Ken (nails) - Bold berry with a deep grape undertone, as you can see above.
I was able to get a few photos to introduce you to Vintage Ken, a gorgeous, deep purple shade. My photo at the top is the better of the portraits. The one below looks a little too blue. The shade will be a dramatic addition to my fall and winter wardrobe. Actually, it's really nice now! I adore purple and grape shades, and I can't wait to add a new Bordeaux handbag to my collection.
Each set in the Bordeaux Collection is priced at $49. The Bordeaux Collection is available at Neiman Marcus exclusively. I'll show you more soon in another feature.
Now for the rest of the story. The young lady who applied Vintage Ken was a total rookie. She couldn't paint a straight line near my cuticle, got nail lacquer all over my fingers (and under my nails), and thought her work looked just fine. She even dribbled top coat on my legs. She never used an orange stick to wipe away her mistakes; instead, she used her own fingernail. It was a fairly disgusting experience.
After I made sure my photos were OK, I removed the utterly gorgeous Vintage Ken because I couldn't repair it myself. It was hard to remove because she had painted it into my nail bed and under my nails. I'll get a real pro to apply the next one, Bodacious Bordeaux. I like a precise application, particularly with a dark shade. Hey, I'm a Virgo!
Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty
"...she used her own fingernail." **gag** Nevertheless, it's a beautiful color. Could be the light or could be the promo picture, but the color looks less red on your nails than in the bottle. And why did you have to mention Bordeaux handbags? *stamps foot* Now I want one! I have so much basic black and British tan, I need a shot of sometihng more colorful this fall!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous manicure, you look ready for something serious, lady :-)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, did you say anything to that useless, so-called manicurist?
ReplyDeleteZuzu,
ReplyDeleteI don't get manicures, just applications, but I thought that was quite unusual. It made me want to call the Virginia Department of Health.
The color has very little red in it...to my eyes. It is definitely a blue grape.
Yes, I've been on the hunt for that bag for about two weeks. All the ones I love are way too much money.
Lovethescents,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have left it on for a party tonight, but it was such a mess, it had to go. There was even color under my right thumb nail! I could feel it! You wouldn't believe how long I had to work to get it out from under my nails and from my skin.
When I pointed out to her that she was painting my skin, she said not to worry, she would go back and fix it. She didn't. I insisted when she had finished, but when I realized the fix was no better than the application, I just wanted to get out of there.
What a nightmare! What an awful experience and waste of polish. I hope you didn't tip her.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did tip her. I'm a wimp. I regretted that later.
ReplyDeleteit looks gorgeous nonetheless! beautiful nails to start off with. I'm a virgo too and know how you felt though!!i had a palin french manicure done once by a really hard-trying young apprentice. she tried her best but just couldn't please me. I was polite and just paid, went home and took the stuff off. we have no such products in italy, what a crying shame. i'm really missing out there.
ReplyDeleteregards from sunnyitaly
(Shaking my head) Though you're experience is especially bad, I'm always disappointed by polish applications and always regret not having spent the money on more polish. Unless it's accompanied by a treatment and/or massage, I can always do better a better job.
ReplyDeleteVintage Ken is beautiful on you! I wasn't moved by the photos of the products themselves, but this one is beautiful applied.
Hi Sunny Italy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!
I don't mind being a detail-oriented Virgo at all, but it does make us especially critical of anything that's less than perfect.
I was astounded that such a highly rated salon actually charged money for the young lady's services. I may write them - may not. I'll never go back, I can promise.
Take care and happy birthday. :)
Ava, this is one you just need to see. I was at an event at Mazza tonight talking to Lisa and Michael. We all agree that it has to be worn to be fully appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI need to get better at using my left hand to apply polish on my right. You appear to have learned to do it well! That Dior polish was gorgeous on you.
Thank you, Charlestongirl!
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for the birthday wishes! same to you!
ReplyDeletesunny itay
Thank you, Sunny Italy!
ReplyDeleteMine comes around mid-month. Those birthdays are no longer welcome events. :)
BTW, everyone,
ReplyDeleteI heard from our regional LMdB rep last light that Vintage Ken is the shade all the gals working in fashion at Neiman Marcus Mazza want.
Mine is 21st! always welcome a birthday! it means we're alive and (probably) kicking! :D
ReplyDeleteif you ever need any help with italian just let me know! I'd be glad to help.
sunny italy