The New York Times published a piece in yesterday's Thursday Styles section that suggested there were fewer events this year. I think that was true from my perspective. There were definitely fewer beauty specials. The events in my area, DC, were much more low key than they have been in prior years. I did a last-minute switcheroo, going over to Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria rather than Mazza Gallerie, where I really wanted to be. It was very tired and knew I'd be at Mazza today. I found a lackluster, sparsely attended event. The beauty department was buzzing, but only because of Beauty Event. The action was in New York.
I've got so much to show you and tell you. I will catch up over the weekend. After work today, I'm headed over to Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie to see Erin Lockard from Le Métier de Beauté. I'm very excited about that.
Today at work will be busy. I hate having back-to-back meetings, and I'll be in them from 9:00 am to noon. Meetings make up hard to get "real work," production of documents, for example, completed and off the to-do list. I will - no matter what - slip out early and head for Mazza. It's not every day I get to see Erin.
This week, my new treasures included a lot of fragrance and skin care. I needed the skin care. I didn't "need" the fragrance, but it was all so tempting. I'm going to have to have a marathon writing spree and tell you about some of the new introductions. Naturally, some makeup snuck into my bags. I purchased two of the new Dior Nude lipsticks. I'll show those to you as soon as I can get some sunshine this weekend. I also received a box from Tarte yesterday. It sits unopened downstairs. I had to collapse last night long before I finished with the mail.
Can you believe that the Chantecaille counter at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria had already sold out of the Elephant Palette by last night? I know they will restock, but that proves that it's the super-hit of the season.
Let's talk about your week of beauty. 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 will have moved on.
I have two giveaway contests underway. The new Chanel Sky Line Les Vernis from the Blue Illusion de Chanel Collection, was a spur-of-the-moment post. I love to share. The other, for Bobbi Brown's gorgeous pink Cheek Tint in Sheer Coral, along with a Le Métier de Beauté cleanser that is not for sale, is a great prize.
Photo courtesy of the New York Daily News
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23 comments:
I also did a lot of shopping this past week - but I did get a bonus, so I treated myself a bit!
I got the Armani Maestro foundation - love it - and the new concealer is coming tomorrow. Got the Tom Ford Cheek and Lip Stain - love that too - as well as the plum creme shadow - I like it but it won't change my life, and I agree about the chintzy stickers on the jar. Yesterday I got a new Chanel Rouge Allure Intense lipstick in Extatique, which is a very pretty pink - and I do love the texture. The Chanel LE polish in Provocation is on its way to me.
That might be it for makeup products - I've been testing a new Philosophy moisturizer this week - Full of Promise - which promises to firm the skin and make it more resilient - so far I am very pleased. I'm very dry on my cheeks, and my skin is quite dehydrated. I have very few wrinkles - just some lines under the eyes that are very fine, and those nasty vertical lines between the brows...but my main concern is that my skin is losing (or has already lost) its youthful firmness. This is so far making a small improvment (I think)!
Well Victoria Beckham is looking very American...very California. It's rubbing off, eh?
I look forward to your Nude swatches (on any other blog this would be an x-rated comment!!). Nudes are incredibly tricky on my sallow skin ;-)
Speaking of skin, I went concealer shopping with my friend, for her. She settled on a Sephora brand because it was light coverage, natural looking and she liked the packaging. What surprised me was the YSL concealer. It seemed to emphasize the purple discoloration! As for me, I'm happy with my EL one for the summer, but I'll need something different and long-lasting for the winter. Chantecaille isn't an option as we don't have that brand here and I'd def. have to sample first, for colour purposes. Someone mentioned La Mer, have you tried that one?
I got several Caudalie makeup remover samples. I was very unimpressed by all the aggressive scrubbing I had to do to get my makeup off. Pass!
Have a gorgeous weekend?
I feel like FNO was suddenly sprung on us this year, unlike in the past where it's been a big deal but maybe that's just me not noticing with everything that has been going on.
I did not buy any makeup this week (shocking I know!) but I'm planning. I did make my maiden voyage to MiN NY with a friend of mine (who hates me now that I made her spend money on a perfume lol). I picked up Vengeance Extreme by Juliette Has a Gun (and I love that name) and Tardes by Carner Barcelona. It was a really fun experience trying to find that elusive "me" fragrance. I saw a few other things I liked so I'll be back!
I received a mailing from Saks about a new Guerlain foundation that is coming out so I'm excited to go over there and try it and pick up 2 items that had been used on me during a makeover there. We'll see.
Have a great weekend!
Did anyone think that FNO sets looked like murkier variation of the spring nailpolishes - April, May and June?
Good morning everyone. I also thought this year's FNO was a bit of bust. With LA's growing designer scene, you'd think a lot more would be going on, but it was just some tired, lack-lustre events that even the department stores weren't inclined to promote in any significant way. Perhaps this being an election year had something to do with it. We've just wrapped up two national conventions and people are in a more serious mood; focused on things like health care, housing, education, and our über fragile economy. It's hard to spend on frivolity when such issues have been in the spotlight so much of late.
And speaking of vanity purchases, I finally got my Chantecaille goodies and am over the moon :-) It is such a gorgeous collection and the quality is stellar. It is undoubtedly one of the best autumn collections released this year.
Hi Lovethescents,
I've tried the La Mer concealer. It had a soft texture that glided on smoothly, it had a natural real-skin glow to it, it was moisturizing without being sticky or tacky, BUT it settled into every teeny-tiny line under my eyes even when set with an ultra fine finishing powder like La Mer's. :-( As much as I loved the initial look of it, I didn't like the way it eventually settled into all my nooks and cranies. After you try it at the counter, walk around for awhile and then check your under eye area to see if it has migrated. I'm sure you have far fewer crinkles than I!
Hi Charlestongirl,
I picked up a sample of Oranges en Fleur and will splurge on a bottle as we still have a lot of warm weather ahead of us here in So Cal. On me it is a lovely warm, sexy scent-- sultry rather than earthy. I quite like it. Not being a perfumista, I probably would have not noticed it had you not reviewed it.
Hi Lena,
I didn't purchase any of the polishes for spring or FNO so I went back and looked at blog swatches. You're right! The Twin Sets seem to be darker, more muted versions. There's nothing inherently wrong with the concept. Spring provided a wardrobe of shades--a pink, a red, Nd an orange--and Twin Sets does the same. Interesting.
Here's wishing all of you a great Friday and an even better weekend.
Ack!!! Eileen! That's horrible! That was my biggest issue with Chanel's concealer, and eventually, Armani's. Why is this such an issue for me?
I know that Cle de Peau is sooooo well loved, but that one got flaky on me after a few hours.
I'm certain I'll find something that will work for me....eventually.....
My Neiman Marcus Chantecaille friend says that most of the goodies are "stuck on a truck." She did get the eye pallete and the kabuki brush which she is holding for me but the rest of the stuff won't arrive until sometime next week. Hopefully I'll be able to pick everything up next weekend.
This week I bought the new Armani concealer that you reviewd last weekend. It is great. It is a very thin liquid but it covers great. I've tried the La Mer too and it got a little cakey on me too. I love that the new Armani doubles as an eye treatment. The Armani SA at Bloomingdales showed me the catalog of new goodies that will be coming out soon from the brand and I'm really curious about the new liquid lipstick that is going to be at counters in October.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Can I plead total fatigue? I'll be back in the morning to discuss/respond. It was a long day, starting with real work and moving into total fun with Erin Lockard from LMdB, Michael Reinhardt, also LMdB, Jeannine and Vicki, Chantecaille and Sisley, Lisette from Chanel, Jason Layden from Tom Ford, and others - all at NM Mazza. I am on a beauty high, but beyond tired.
Well...since there wasn't a purple polish in the spring collection, and I have the purple polish (Provocation) that was delivered today, I don't see that much of a resemblance in the colors...
I didn't realize FNO was coming up until the day before. I think that the conventions really eclipsed it all. Plus, i didnt really see special sets or anything advertised like they were last year
My mom and I placed Neiman orders this week. I got an Armani eyeshadow and lipgloss, the Chantecaille elephant blush, and the new lip chic; my mom stocked up on moisturizer and I convinced her try a Chanel blush. I'm looking forward to those packages! I also ordered a Wen kit from Sephora I have heard good and bad things about this line, but it seems suited to my hair type. I thought the kit was a good deal to try out the line. Here's hoping it works! I have had such issues with shampoos in the last year.
Hi Bisbee!
I want to order that Cheek and Lip Stain. Has it got some shine to it?
Skin care is so important. I spent more on skin care at Beauty Event than makeup. Have you ever tried Kinerase?
Hi Lovethescents,
I hope to get those nude lipstick swatches today. The sun is out - now at least.
Victoria Beckham does look like a California girl. :)
I don't like La Mer's concealer. Have you tried Armani?
Hi Evelyn,
I hope to check out Guerlain today. I don't know if they will have the PR at the store. Guerlain's PR hasn't send me any info yet.
I am so glad you got by MiN! They are so nice there.
Hi Eileen,
I just adore the new Houbigant fragrance! I'm so glad you like it too.
FNO appears to have been hopping in NY. I learned that Mazza in DC was also hopping. Contrasted to Tysons, which was downright sleepy, and I'd say it has become less appealing as a super-event. I'm not sure why, since you'd think retailers would love an event to draw in buyers. Maybe that was the problem. They drew in tire kickers. :)
Oops, Lovethescents, I didn't see your comment about the Armani concealer. Well, you must try Chantecaille. Next time you go on a trip to NY, shop!
Hi Jo,
There is a lot of great stuff coming out this fall. My wallet will be thin - thinner than it is now.
I've known for some time that the deliveries of the new Chantecaille would be staged. I don't think it's a matter of there being a truck somewhere. It's more like an airplane stuck on the tarmac in France. :)
Hi Lena,
I didn't notice that, but leave it to Eileen to go look. She's got a great eye. You too!
CG - the Tom Ford Cheek and Lip Stain has a slight sheen...but it's not "shiny" at all...which suits me, since I'm not that much a fan of shiny lips! You could certainly add a gloss on top, but I don't think you need to!
Hi CGirl!
You two got "good stuff"!
WEN is very nice, in my opinion. I find I can only use it in the winter, though. It's too hydrating for my fine, limp hair in the summer.
Just had to come back and say my beauty event goodies came today (well, some of them). My mom loves her blush (and it looks great on her) and I am in love with Armani ETK #27. Such a beautiful purplish taupe. I chose the pewter bag, and it is beautiful. A silvery-taupe and perfect for fall. My week has been made.
Yea, CGirl! I love that bag too. I got the navy and that silvery taupe whatever color. Love them!
I'm so glad you love your new Armani shadow!
I am a relatively new follower and popped by to mention a few items I bought this week. The first two are the Clarins Ombré Mineral eyeshadows in Tea Rose and Auburn. They are soft, muted colors that can be used dry or wet.
My second treat was Guerlain's Rose Bengale (163) Rouge Automatique lipstick. A very moisturizing lipstick with great colour that lasts for several hours on me. The Guerlain SA did my eyes with Les Fumes, but it is too cool for my deep blue eyes.
OMG, Maureen, you just reminded me that I purchased two of the new Clarins eye shadows and never posted them. Thank you!
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