This was the view over my neighbor's house this morning when I stepped outside to feed the birds and squirrels. What a glorious sunrise! It was fleeting, as the moon lost its audience to the sun. The photos I snapped just seconds later weren't nearly as colorful. Is it any wonder so many artists are inspired by sunrises?I got a call this morning from a long-time friend who told me her husband has cancer. I fear the outcome (pancreatic cancer is hard to survive), but the call made me think about the highs and lows of our lives - from a glorious show by nature to a reminder of our mortality, all in the space of an hour. It was jarring.
So let's turn to happier news. This was an exciting week for spring collections. I haven't shown you half of what I discovered, but I hope to get more photos today. For once this week, I think we have a sunny day on tap.
I'm trying to be selective with my spring makeup purchases. That's hard for me because traditional spring shades look good on me. I have been able to resist a few palettes that are gorgeous in the compact - little statements - but offer shades that aren't "practical," such as the new Dior "Garden" eye shadow palettes. You can see them at Fab over Forty and Café Makeup. While I was eager to see those embossed rose beauties, I was able to walk away too. I'm working on my willpower! Plus, where am I going to wear pastel green and pink? I don't lead that kind of life. Were you swept away by Dior's Spring 2012 collection? Confession: I did purchase one very pretty pink lipstick that I hope to show you this weekend.
It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? 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.
The deadline for this week's giveaway contest is tomorrow, Saturday, January 7, at midnight. If you'd like to win the La Laque Fever Gloss Collection, make sure to leave a comment.
Photo by Best Things in Beauty
Oh Charlestongirl, I'm so sorry for that sad news about your friend's husband. I hope the progression is very slow, and as painless as possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that gorgeous photo. It makes me want to use those colours on my eyes too :-)
I hadn't seen the Dior Spring collection. Just looked at it now, courtesy of your link. Wow! It is SO pretty. I will definitely have to test it out. Very tempting, indeed.
I didn't make any makeup purchases this week, only a sofa bed :-) I must call the shops to see if that new EL palette is available yet. Also, thanks to your post on neutral eyes and BRIGHT lippies, I've been doing that and loooooving it! I'd only been wearing those bright lipsticks in the summer, but I do love how they're so uplifting when it's -25C and grey.
Have a wonderful weekend
Hi Lovethescents,
ReplyDeleteI had a college friend who succumbed a few years ago. I know where that diagnosis is headed. So sad for Donna. I can't imagine how she's going to deal with the loss of her husband.
Thanks re: the photo. I wondered if my camera would pick up the sky's brilliance and was pleased that it did.
As much as you might have needed that sofa bed, you'd have had much more fun with makeup. :) That's why I can't get around to buying the new stove I'd like to have.
I knew you'd find a pop of bright invigorating in winter. Wear red too; it perks you right up.
I am sure that women with dark complexions or those who have yellow in their skin are going to find the Dior colors enticing. While they looked pretty on Amy's arm, I can't see myself wearing them. I've tried the pink and green look before, and I looked like a bunny eating a salad. Wish I could wear the shades because the palettes are so gorgeous.
The problem is that I have to stay away from Ava. She's a Dior makeup artist who is fab...u...lous. Once, when she worked with Chanel, she did my eyes in those colors, and I have to admit the look was beautiful. I'm sure Ava could do it again, and I'd buy the green palette and then never wear it thereafter. So, this weekend's resolution will be, "Stay away from darling Ava." :)
Now I am envious that you've had someone do your makeup and do such a great job. I haven't had that experience yet.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, I wonder if I'll look to EasterBunny-ish in those colours? What do you think?
Hi Charlestongirl,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your friend's husband. I work with cancer patients and their families and while the journey is challenging, having good people around you and enjoying each day as it comes makes for the best quality of life regardless of how the disease may or may not progress. I will hope for the best for your friend and her family.
On the lighter side of things, I made it home from Montreal only buying one major thing! lol I realized that it's very bad to go on a trip when you like to shop when you have your significant other with you. I saw a bottle of Jasmin Rouge in Holt Renfrew (I decided to buy it stateside in any case) and was explaining to my S.O. about it and he said to me - what is the cost per spray? Cost per spray?! oh. my. Next time, I'm going to Montreal with my girlfriends instead.
The major buy: a L'Artisan perfume - La Chasse Aux Papillons. So pretty! I also bought some Bleu Lavande hand cream and various soaps that seemed interesting to me. I mention this because at customs the guy asked me what did I buy and I told him. He looked at me incredulously that I spent that much on those things. lol Men! They do not understand.
I had seen the Dior palettes before I left and they are very pretty but are not something I would really wear (still tough to say no). I did buy the Waterlily polish which is cute. I also ordered the Cruel Gardenia powder and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. My Rouge Bunny Rouge order (the new beautiful pigments!) was waiting for me when I came back which cheered me up after looking at my piles of work emails. As for the rest of spring collections, I'll have to see. Can't buy it all so I need to focus on the pieces that will actually make me happy to use.
Hope you have an enjoyable weekend! (away from the Dior counter!) :)
P.S. Thank you lovethescents for the Montreal tips and Charlestongirl for linking us up.
One last bit on pictures: just saw the MAC promo for Iris Apfel for MAC. What an AWESOME picture. Have you all seen it? If I could be that stylish and fabulous some day.....
ReplyDeleteLovethescents, while I look like a bunny, you might look like an egg. LOL - either way it's eccentric.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, try those palettes before you purchase. They belong in a museum, but I'm not sure they belong on blonde faces.
Hi Evelyn,
ReplyDeleteCost per spray? My God, that's way too practical for something as delightful as the makeup and fragrance we don't need, but desperately want. Some of our beautiful purchases are life-changing!
None of our pursuits are about need, when you consider that so many members of the world's population need clean water. I think your SO needs to think about cosmetics in the same way as a ticket to a sporting event (hockey game?) or the movies. Guys...so many don't get it! Glad my best guy pal gets it. I've even sent him shopping for makeup.
La Chasse Aux Papillons was one of the first L'Artisan fragrances I ever bought. It is indeed gorgeous. Nice selection!
Cruel Gardenia and the RBR eye shadows are so wonderful, they should hold your attention for days/weeks! Love them!
It must be very hard to work with cancer patients. Puts everything into perspective, huh? You and Lovethescents have something else in common. I admire anyone who can avoid dissolving into tears of empathy.
Lovethescents,
ReplyDeleteYou must read this!
http://intothegloss.com/2012/01/iris-apfel/
I had planned to include it in the Weekend Roundup. :)
I was sorry to hear about your friend's husband. Losing a loved one to cancer is never an easy journey for patient or family and friends. I hope that Donna and her husband have lots of loving support as they work their way through this ordeal. I found your picture of that glorious sunrise to be quite inspiration, comforting, and life affirming. We all need moments like that in our lives to remind us that life bearing light will always triumph over the darkest night.
ReplyDeleteWednesday, I got the call from my charming Guerlain SA letting me know that she was unpacking the spring goodies and that I simply had to come see them. So, without further ado, I headed to Nordstrom. This pink-centric collection is so soft and feminin. I purchased Cruel Gardena (more beautiful than I had imagined), Kiss Kiss Gloss in Flush Pink, the new refillable mascara, and three Rouge G: Rose Innocent (light, warm pink), Rose Ensoleillé (peach-tinged pink), and Rose Piquant (medium, warm rose). I didn't pick up the eye palettes because I just wasn't inspired the way I was with Chanel's Éclosion. They are beautiful, though, and will make excellent additions to many women's collections.
I also picked up some Tom Ford this week. I bought the eye quad in Cognac Sable after seeing the review and tutorial on The RaeViewer. It looked stunning on Rae so I made a point of checking it out and promptly fell in love with it. I know TF's quads have been hit or miss, but this one is a hit :-) I also bought Shade and Immuminate #01 and can't say enough good things about it. I can see why it has so many MA's gushing about it. It's a classic face sculpting product in an emollient cream formula that blends smoothly and delivers perfectly natural looking dimension to the face. For those of you with normal to dry skin who like to contour, it is definitely worth a try. I can easily see why it made Kate's best of 2011 list in last week's Friday Forum. It's a great product.
I saw the Dior palettes and wasn't moved by the color combinations. The rose design on the pans is lovely, but the color selection left me thinking, "Meh!" It's just not the direction I'm headed in for spring. But, one of the wonderful things about having so many cosmetic brands available is that there is always something for everyone.
Here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend as the first week of the new year draws to a close.
Charleston Girl,
ReplyDeleteI have to ask you what you think of the Le Metier Kabuki brush and Rumor blush. Both have been on my 'to order' list for quite a while. I have decided that LMdB are the only blushes that last on my skin but I only have Echo and am itching to add more shades. I am fair, like you, and not sure how well Rumor will work for me, having never seen it in person(remembered you saying you wanted to purchase it). I would have bought the blush kaleidoscope IN A HEARTBEAT had it been offered at Nordstrom - or even online at Bergdorfs but I now have a strict policy not to order from their stores......after some mess-ups and their quite hefty shipping charges! Anyway, the kabuki has awful reviews on nordstrom.com but I still want it, I think. Do you still like yours and find it worth it? Thank you so much and a very Happy New Year to you!xx
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI love both. The kabuki brush is wonderful - so useful for buffing in anything, foundation, blush (cream or powder), bronzer.
Rumor is a total chameleon. Everyone can wear it. Only a few weeks ago, I pointed it out to a friend who works at NM. She said, "That's too dark." I responded with, "Just try it." She put it on and looked fabulous. The cool thing about Rumor is that everyone can wear it, from pale faces to the darkest of skin tones. I think it's sheer genius.
I never put much stock into those site reviews (Nordstrom, Sephora, and the like). Many people like to complain. I read a few of those reviews just now. I have not noticed any significant hair loss with mine, so I wonder how those complaining customers treated their brushes. It's also the case that happy customers seldom go back to write - often it's just those who want to whine. I'm guilty of that. I don't feel a need to review products on store sites when I do it here. :)
That does it, Eileen! I have to get my hands on Shade and Illuminate. I wish we had a TF makeup counter here. So far, we have fragrances and lipsticks, but not the new color collection. I'd love to be able to hop into my car and just go buy it!
ReplyDeleteCharlestongirl,
ReplyDeleteAnother group I am part of asked for recs for favorite beauty blog and I immediately thought of you! Then I realized that I had probably never left a comment here letting you know how much I enjoy your blog every morning, so here it is. Thanks for the beautiful photos and excellent reviews.
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! Thank you!
Hi Charlestongirl,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you remember the primitive contouring products from eras gone bye ;-) The TF Shade and Illuminate is nothing like those heavy, obvious products. It's a bit pricy, but it is one TF product that is well worth it. There is a generous amount of product and, unless you're into creating racing stripes all over your face, it will last a long time. There are a couple reviews and tutorials on YouTube that showcase this item (gossmakeupartist and the sublime agent). Lisa Eldridge also does a tutorial (Girls who are boys . . . 9/18/11) using it albeit in a somewhat exaggerated fashion. It's easy to see why it is finding its way into many pro kits.
Hi Charlestongirl!
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to your friend whose husband is battling cancer. It is a cruel disease. I hope for her and her family that his suffering is as limited as possible.
I am excited to announce that I FINALLY received my Antiquite Poupee!! I will say that after the long wait, Dustin and his team were gracious enough to overnight it free of charge. Nothing beats good customer service. I immediately swatched it on the back of my hand, and cannot wait to use it on my eyes tomorrow. The shades are all stunners.
Hi Eileen! I am so glad you got the S&I! I actually responded to your comment about how I apply it, but I was afraid you wouldn't see it. In case you didn't, I just use my fingers to blend the product, but occasionally use a MAC 188 to blend the contour shade a little more thorougly. Did you end up getting the brush? I am glad you like the product. Well worth the price.
After reading your posts about the Guerlain KissKiss glosses and new Rouge Gs, I see at least one of each in my future. I love a good pink.
I also picked up LMdB's gloss in Cap d'Antibes and Guerlain's Rouge Automatique in Shalimar. Both are lovely. Shalimar is a nice pop of color. I actually purchased both after reading the query one reader left about Erin Lockard's lip colors in your post about her. I am so thrilled Erin took the time to answer that question, as it was the first thing that popped into my head after seeing those pics! Paris seemed a little too bright for me, so Shalimar seemed to be a safer option.
I have to say, this is easily my favorite blog on which to leave comments. There are so many regular readers that you form this bond with them. And, of course, Charlestongirl always takes the time to respond to everyone, which is so wonderful. I was floored that Eileen remembered that S&I was on my "best" list. It really becomes a little community. And since I don't have friends that are as obsessive about makeup as I am, it is nice to have people with whom I can chat about the joys of makeup.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Kate
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI held off on the S&I brush so that I could play a bit with the product first. I've been applying it with a Hakuhodo duo fiber brush that I just got and it seems to work very well. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a brush junkie so who knows? Perhaps the next time I'm at the TF counter I'll decide I just can't live without Tom's brush :-)
Isn't Charlestongirl's blog the greatest? She's been a daily must read ever since I discovered BTiB. And, I adore the Friday Forum because it's so much fun to read comments from other beauty aficionados and sometimes get a bit of a dialogue going. And not only is Charlestongirl interested in beauty, but judging from her comments and concerns, she's a warm, humorous, thoughtful, and caring woman--just like her readers.
Eileen, you are going to have me pulling out that credit card tonight. I need to find TF with free shipping.
ReplyDeletePlus, Eileen, the LMdB gloss you bought is the one Erin was wearing on top of her Paris lipstick in the photo I published last week. One observant reader wanted to know what she was wearing, and, happily, Erin remembered!
ReplyDeleteKate, thank you (and Eileen too). And Laura!
ReplyDeleteI love our little community. I feel like I have a big circle of girlfriends. Most of mine don't get excited by makeup (although Kathy Shoreman at NM does!). It's so much fun to chat with all of you every week.
To think that over a year ago, I thought about dropping the Friday Forum because I was getting so little reaction! I guess it takes time for features to catch on. :)
Ohhh, glad you didn't drop The Friday Forum! I look forward to hearing from everyone each week although I don't always comment!
ReplyDeleteI spent two weeks with my mother in Texas over the holidays. I picked a few small things there: the Shiseido foundation brush, which I love; some nail polish; nothing major. I'm looking forward to seeing the Dior Spring collection. I'm not sure about the palettes, but the polishes look heavenly. I bought two of the Chanel Velvet lipsticks before I left and have been wearing the dark red Le Sensuelle non-stop.
So sorry to hear about your friend's hubby. I'll keep them in my prayers.
Great photo! There's nothing like a beautiful sunrise.
Hi Charlestongirl! it's not friday there anymore, but it's still friday here so i figured i'd comment.
ReplyDeletei've been reading your blog for around a year now but i'm more of the silent reader type so this is my first comment, sorry!
i just wanted to say i love your blog and i love that every morning there is something new to read. i have to admit i've said a couple of times, "but she only has one face!" especially since i can only afford to be a minimalist haha i want to thank you for your time and effort into giving us the best reviews and swatch photos so that we can really decide if we want the product. i actually bought the estee lauder modern mercury highlighter and Armani Summer 2011 eyeshadow palette because of your posts! funny story with the armani palette: i had a paper due and of course i got distracted and checked BTiB, saw your post and the photos, ignored the fact that i had a paper due, drove to the nearest neiman marcus and luckily, they had just received the palette and put it for sale that morning! there i was, dressed in my sweats and "bun" of hair jumbled up on top of my head, demanding this new eyeshadow! the associate probably thought i was nuts but i didnt care - i LOVE that palette and i'm so glad you posted about it :)
i haven't had any recent makeup purchases recently (last one was the topkapi palette). Dior's spring is just too out of the box for me - i'm a more neutrals kind of girl and i rarely venture out of it. the roses are beautiful but it's not going to be hard to pass (esp since i'm very fair skinned and my features are not prominent so i'd definitely look like an easter egg). i'm actually hoping for more makeup releases i can pass on since it's better for my wallet! haha
i guess one purchase i can share is an eye cream i bought from this small company called jeune d' age organics. i really like it and see it as a repeat purchase, and even better that it's $25.95 for 1oz!
well now that i've written an essay for my first comment, i'll conclude with prayers for your friend's husband and family, and excitement for the new year.
have a wonderful weekend!
No questions or comments from me, just wanted to say hello and thank you for posting the beautiful photo :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteNice to "see you." :)
Hi Esther,
ReplyDeleteIt's always so nice to hear from "silent readers." Thanks for commenting!
You sound like my kind of shopper! Paper due, crunch time on work project, too tired to do anything? EXCEPT, head off for the latest and greatest makeup. Yep, been there. :)
I'll have to check out that eye cream.
I learned today that the prognosis for Donna's husband is dire. His cancer is stage 4; there are many lesions in addition to the mass in his pancreas; and it's basically all inoperable. He is in the hospital, where they are trying to insert stents in ducts that are basically closed, impeding all digestion right now. It's so sad. I am not sure he'll make it two weeks.
He hadn't felt particularly well for a few months and has lost weight. There's a lesson for all of us here. Don't put off seeing a doctor when things don't seem right.
Anyhow, right now, they need those prayers. Thank you.
Charelstongirl,
ReplyDeleteIf your friend's husband has pancreatic cancer, please refer her to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. They are a fantastic organization and provide support services to people in her situation.
www.pancan.org
Michele
Michele, thanks for that link. I will definitely pass it along.
ReplyDelete