There's not a lot on the beauty agenda this weekend. Neiman Marcus has InCircle coming up next week. As usual, there will be gifts with purchase throughout the department.
Michael Reinhardt let me know what he will have for his Le Métier de Beauté shoppers at Mazza Gallerie. There will be a facial clinic on Thursday, April 11, including the opportunity to experience the new Ultra Hydration Eye Mask for instant gratification. The InCircle GWP will be a full-sized Colour Core in your choice of one of the top four shades - a great gift that can be yours with a purchase of $125. Michael will have an exclusive step-up gift for those who spend at least $250. He also has the Melange de Colour Eye Palette, so if you weren't able to purchase one, now is your chance. You can call him at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236.
I'm sure you will be hearing from your favorite sales associates in the next few days. I got a message from Sisley, but I'm not in a position right now to spend much. I am saving my pennies for the arrival of the Tom Ford summer collection on the 15th.
For fragrance lovers, the big news this week is that The Fragrance Foundation has announced its "Best of 2013" finalists. The winners will be announced at The Fragrance Foundation Awards 2013 on June 12 in New York. Here are the nominees.
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Luxury
ALIEN Essence Absolue by Thierry Mugler (Clarins Fragrance Group)
Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilée (Beauté Prestige International)
Bond No. 9 Central Park West (Laurice & Co./Bond No. 9 New York)
Chanel Coco Noir (Chanel)
Florabotanica by Balenciaga Paris (Coty Prestige)
Gucci Premiere (P&G Prestige Products)
Hermès L’Ambre Des Merveilles (Beauté Prestige International)
Jivago Rose Gold (Ilana Jivago Inc.)
Miss Dior Le Parfum by Dior
Tom Ford Café Rose by Tom Ford Beauty
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Prestige
Coach Poppy Blossom by Aramis & Designer Fragrances (The Estée Lauder Companies)
Dahlia Noir EDT (LVMH Fragrance Brands)
Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme (P&G Prestige Products)
DOT Marc Jacobs (Coty Prestige)
Issey Miyake Pleats Please (Beauté Prestige International)
Jimmy Choo Eau De Toilette (Inter-Parfums Luxury Brands)
La Petite Robe Noire by Guerlain
L.I.L.Y by Stella McCartney
MARCHESA Parfum d’Extase by Sephora
Midnight Fleur by NEST Fine Fragrances
Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Popular
Christina Aguilera Red Sin (P&G Prestige Products)
Forever Red by Bath & Body Works
GAP Established 1969 (Inter Parfums USA)
Halle Berry Closer (Coty Beauty)
Justin Bieber’s Girlfriend (Elizabeth Arden)
Pink Friday Nicki Minaj (Elizabeth Arden)
Seduction Dark Orchid by Victoria’s Secret
So Elixir Purple (Yves Rocher Amérique du Nord inc.)
Unplugged for Her (Avon Products, Inc.)
Victorinox Swiss Army (Victoria Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.)
Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Luxury
Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilée (Beauté Prestige International)
Bond No. 9 New York Musk (Laurice & Co./Bond No.9 New York)
Colonia Intensa Oud by Acqua Di Parma
Ermenegildo Zegna Essenze Italian Bergamot by Aramis & Designer Fragrances (The Estée Lauder Companies)
Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Prestige
Acqua di Giò Essenza by Giorgio Armani
Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême
Code Ultimate by Giorgio Armani
Dolce & Gabbana the one for men Sport (P&G Prestige Products)
ENCOUNTER Calvin Klein (Coty Prestige)
Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge (P&G Prestige Products)
Montblanc Legend (Inter-Parfums Luxury Brands)
Play Sport by Parfums Givenchy
Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf
Tom Ford Noir (Tom Ford Beauty)
Fragrance of the Year: Men’s Popular
GAP Established 1969 (Inter-Parfums USA)
James Bond 007 (P&G Prestige Products)
Paris for Men by Bath & Body Works
Perry Ellis Aqua (Falic Fashion Group)
Playboy VIP for Him (Coty)
ROCKS by Original Penguin (Falic Fashion Group)
Unplugged for Him (Avon Products, Inc.)
Amazon Lily by NEST Fine Fragrances
Betsy Johnson Too Too Pretty (Inter-Parfums USA)
Brooks Brothers Miss Madison (Inter-Parfums USA)
Chanel Coco Noir (Chanel)
Donna Karan Woman by Aramis & Designer Fragrances (The Estée Lauder Companies)
Flora Garden by Gucci (P&G Prestige Products)
Florabotanica by Balenciaga Paris (Coty Prestige)
Gucci Premiere (P&G Prestige Products)
Issey Miyake Pleats Please (Beauté Prestige International)
Pink Friday Nicki Minaj (Elizabeth Arden)
Best Packaging of the Year: Men’s (due to a tie there are 11 finalists)
Acqua di Giò Essenza by Giorgio Armani
Bond No. 9 New York Musk (Laurice & Co./Bond No.9 New York)
Code Ultimate by Giorgio Armani
Dolce & Gabbana the one for men Sport (P&G Prestige Products)
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Sport (Beauté Prestige International)
James Bond 007 (P&G Prestige Products)
Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge (P&G Prestige Products)
Montblanc Legend (Inter-Parfums Luxury Brands)
Playboy VIP for Him (Coty)
Unplugged for Him (Avon Products, Inc.)
Victorinox Swiss Army Forest (Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.)
Media Campaign of the Year: Women’s
Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme (P&G Prestige Products)
Donna Karan Woman by Aramis & Designer Fragrances (The Estée Lauder Companies)
Gucci Premiere (P&G Prestige Products)
Issey Miyake Pleats Please (Beauté Prestige International)
J’adore by Dior
Justin Bieber’s Girlfriend (Elizabeth Arden)
Lady Gaga FAME (Coty)
Pink Friday Nicki Minaj (Elizabeth Arden)
Victoria’s Secret Angel Gold (Victoria’s Secret)
Wonderstruck Enchanted Taylor Swift (Elizabeth Arden)
Media Campaign of the Year: Men’s
Acqua di Giò Essenza by Giorgio Armani
Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême
Code Ultimate by Giorgio Armani
Dolce & Gabbana the one for men Sport (P&G Prestige Products)
ENCOUNTER Calvin Klein (Coty Prestige)
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Sport (Beauté Prestige International)
James Bond 007 (P&G Prestige Products)
Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge (P&G Prestige Products)
Montblanc Legend (Inter-Parfums Luxury Brands)
Interior Scent Collection of the Year
AERIN Home Fragrance Collection by NEST Fragrances
After Midnight Candle Collection by NEST Fragrances
Cider Lane Home Fragrance Collection by Bath & Body Works
i.relax Aroma Diffuser by Oregon Scientific
R. Nichols Candle Collection by R. Nichols Candles
Ralph Lauren Home Fragrance Collection by Maesa
Sa Majesté La Rose by Belle Fleur New York
The American Boardwalk Candle Collection by Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Line of the Year
Crabtree & Evelyn West Indian Lime by Crabtree & Evelyn
Forever Red by Bath & Body Works
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Sport (Beauté Prestige International)
PINK Wild & Breezy by Victoria’s Secret
Fragrance Hall of Fame
A*MEN by Thierry Mugler (Clarins Fragrance Group)
Annick Goutal Petite Chérie (Beauté Prestige International)
Jivago 24K (Ilana Jivago Inc.)
Red Door by Elizabeth Arden
A few of my favorites are on the list of nominees, but a few astound me. Enough said by me. Are you wearing any of these new fragrances?
It's time for the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. 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.
Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway contest for Bobbi Brown's Pastel Shadow Option Palette. The deadline is tomorrow, Saturday, April 6, at midnight.
Photo by Best Things in Beauty
Hi Cg
ReplyDeleteI must have a very strange nose - I dont seem to see Kilian on any of the lists or even Byredo- And Jo Malone- mine must all be on the "other" list of nominees!
I was wandering if you had heard about the CaCi handheld microlift device- Perricone in the UK has launched it under their brand- I had a micrlift facial once , it was amazing??Have a great weekend!
Hi MR,
ReplyDeleteKilian was considered niche and won one of the best of 2013 awards earlier this season. Nothing that I recall on Byredo or Jo.
Never even heard of the CaCi. Did you feature it? I can go look.
Happy weekend!
Love, absolutely love, my new CHANEL lip glosses. But I forgot all about Daydream!!! How did that happen? Should I drive another 100 miles to get it? Of course! Have a splendid weekend, Cg. Spring is here, it really is.
ReplyDeleteHaha!- then I have a niche nose!
ReplyDeleteI have not featured the Caci- I am circling and hope to purchase it soon- was hoping you could nudge me in that direction if u had used it before!
I am also *patiently* waiting for Tom Ford summer. Our counter only sells perfume, lipsticks (no gloss no shines) and nail polishes. I was just informed today they were measuring for a new counter in anticipation of TF colour (dont scream out loud) which is expected anytime from July to Dec. So I will probably have to work a little magic in procuring TF summer- which basically means I will be paying a helluva lot to get it to me!
Hi CG. Happy Friday! I have a comment on NM. I know you're a devotee of NM and you have relationships there and I envy you a little because they do carry some things I like. However, this last NM beauty event was a real bust. I waited for it to order a few things so I could get the tote and samples. The tote was ok, samples blah. But in my order, they sent me the wrong Dior lipstick. Ok, mistakes happen. I called them and they removed the return fee and said send it back and make sure I clearly indicated on the return form the correct color to replace it with. I wrote everywhere on that form I could that the wrong color was sent and pleas replace it with Charmante. I boxed it up and went in search of a post office. There is a UPS store right around the corner but NM insisted that it had to be returned via USPS or they would charge me for the return. Excuse me? They screwed up the order. Well, I finally hunted down a post office and off the package went. Weeks go by and then I get an e-mail telling me they have received my package and have credited my card back for the return. So I call them again and explain that I wanted an exchange for the right color, not a return. Another week and a half go by and I find a plastic envelope at my front door. Inside is my crushed tube of lipstick. That's correct, they sent a fragile item in a plastic bag with no inside protection like bubble wrap or something. And the best part: they sent me the exact same wrong color again. I called customer service and told them I would not be going through the same return hassle again, especially considering the product was damaged and asked them to credit my account back. They did credit my account and I tossed the lipstick. They were polite on the phone but could not have cared less about the mistake or the hassle. I also asked to be removed from all of their mailing lists and closed my account. I'm so done with NM I need a new word for done. Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to warn other NM shoppers that if you are shopping with them online.....beware.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone, running out for lunch, but...
ReplyDeleteDeb, please e-mail me the store, invoice #, and whatever else might help. I am going to contact NM for you.
I love your picture, Charlestongirl. It looks like spring is finally beginning to happen :-) The fence out by our riding arena is completely covered in an explosion of pale pink jasmine blossoms and the scent is intoxicating---so much better than eau de cheval! And, soon the rest of the garden will also be abloom. This is the time of year that I particularly like strolling through the neighborhood and up into the hills; enjoying all the scents of spring.
ReplyDeleteExcept for an abundance of Dior glosses, I haven't purchased much other than a Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation. She makes an excellent one for dry, mature skin that is very versatile. It can be sheered out to almost nothing or layered for full coverage. My mild rosecea has been acting up a bit just lately (I must schedule an IPL treatment ASAP!) so I use just a tiny amount and blend it out with my fingers for light coverage and then go back and lightly layer a bit more over my splotches. Redness be gone! Another thing I like about the foundation is that it doesn't contain sunscreen. When my rosecea is acting up, even the small amount of chemical sunscreen found in many foundations can be irritating. The LM cream foundation blends evenly and smoothly over my physical sunscreen, though, so I'm a happy camper. I'll probably stick with this one for awhile even after my skin has calmed down again.
Have a wonderful spring weekend everyone!
Just wanted to say that I am so surprised by Deb's story! I've gone through similar fiascos with Saks, but not with NM. Also - the packaging in the plastic bag - I'm always amazed that NM ships one tiny lipstick in a huge box filled with crushed paper - overkill yes, but I'm lucky they haven't used a plastic bag!
ReplyDeleteHi Bisbee,
ReplyDeleteI got a laugh out of your huge box for one tiny lipstick image. That's the way my things from NM always come :-). I've ordered from NM for years and it never fails to amuse me when a huge box arrives. The first time that happened, my husband tossed the box into the air and asked if I had bought a bunch of feathers! LOL
OK, I'm back. Deb, I realized when I re-read your comment, that you had ordered from NM.com. I have no influence there. Did you know that the online site is actually a different company from the Neiman Marcus stores? Unfortunately, they besmirch the brand.
ReplyDeleteI would have done what you did, and I'd be just as angry. What a debacle!
Nemo, call and have it sent! All that gas? Order it from Chanel with free shipping?
ReplyDeleteHi MR, yes, TF has specifications that require a much larger counter when the full line is displayed. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteI love jasmine. I wish we could grow it here. My hellebores are fading, as the photo showed, but they are still glorious.
You need to try the yellow Fluid Sheer to cover that redness when it flares. It's amazing what it will do!
Bisbee,
ReplyDeleteFor me, that's Nordstrom. I'll get a gigunda box that's 1/100th full from Nordies. I haven't experienced anything that excessive from NM. What a waste!
Hello, Cg! Just returned from another 100 mile trip to by the CHANEL Daydream lip gloss. Put it on in the car--couldn't wait, and I love it! These are exquisite glosses. Worth 100 miles for $29.50!
ReplyDeleteThat's OK, I'm full of gas anyway! Besides, my husband went with me and we made an adventure out of it.
ReplyDeleteI bought the LMDB Melange de Couleur after seeing your swatches and watching a YouTube video (I stalked the Saks website until it appeared for a hot minute). There isn't a counter near me, and I had only purchased one item from them before (eye shadow in Corinthian, which I love). I've been using it steady for nearly 2 weeks, which is saying something considering all of the makeup I own. I'm absolutely in love! I'll be buying more LMDB products from now on (but I rely on bloggers and YouTubers for colors, so thanks for posting!).
ReplyDeleteI grabbed another Chanel gloss today in Sundress. I had it several years ago and now I remember why I loved it so much. I also picked up a Rouge Allure lipstick in 92 Secrète, which is a gorgeous bright pink shade for spring/summer.
I checked out the Dior counter but the girl there stalked me so hard I tucked and ran...not sweet an helpful, more intense and overbearing. Ah well, there are other Dior counters (and I've recently discovered a love of Dior lip products, so I'll be hitting one up soon).
Hi Charlestongirl,
ReplyDeleteI actually did not know that Hellebores nod towards the ground, but now I do!
I really enjoyed poring over the list of finalists, thanks for sharing it on BTiBeauty! I've made a mental note to check some of them out! I was a little surprised at the way things were broken down by Luxury/Prestige/Popular. I feel like some of the scents might belong in a different category based on their price/quality, despite the name of the fashion house attached.
I'm happy to see one of my pickups, Balenciaga Florabotanica, on the list. I think it would be a great pick for best packaging --- I really love the abstract colors combined with their vines on the box!
Nemo, you are a hoot! I wouldn't drive that far for a lip color. Not a chance!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThat palette was a special treat because they grabbed shades from Kaleidoscopes. Extra-special.
I hate it when SAs are all over me. Fortunately, most of them know me now. New ones? Forget it - too aggressive. What's sad is that they are ultra-aggressive because the stores set ridiculous goals for them.
Yep, Dovey, I was lying on the ground. :) It was actually a good thing I was able to get up.
ReplyDeleteThey have always used the categories. Can you imagine a celebrity fragrance trying to compete against Chanel or Guerlain? That said, there's some real trash (IMHO) on that list.
I like Florabotanica too. Everything about it, except the company's choice of Kristen Stewart as the face of the fragrance.
I am on waiting list for Aualilies palette, plan to get the aqua liner and brush as well. I liked it nut your review confirmed it, hope to get a lot of use from it?
ReplyDeleteInteresting looking at the fragrance awards and categories etc.., I have never seen this before but don't seek it out. One thing I will say is that I just cant stand celebrity scents, regardless of their smell etc. Scent is an emotional thing, not a practical thing, prices are as the market will bear, some great inexpensive scents and vice-versa. Again I HATE scents from celebs, wont even try them although I have been given samples of Lady Gaga, Rhianna etc at times. I subscribe to a seasonal beauty products box which is usually pretty good this spring version is not very good. It had a small bottle of a scent usually they send a fairly well known scent this is called Marni, haven't heard of it. Anyone familiar with this one? Love your floral pics, so cheerful. Still have snow and mud now here! Hope its not too long to order the Aqualillies, cant wait.
niydone201bfbI found out that it is a scent sold at NM and Saks etc so its known, my size is 7ml, not sure if I like it, a bit masculine, strong for my tastes burt will give it a go.
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask you if you were laying on the ground! Silly you!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a By Terry Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge and first of all, the color was horrific (Nudissimo was more like "Deadly white peach") and the fragrance was so over-powering that I immediately wiped it off of my lips. YUCK! My lips smelled like "old lady" and it took forever to get that taste out of my mouth. Guess I don't like that, huh?
Hi Dovey and Charleston Girl,
ReplyDeleteRe the categories for the FiFi Awards:
The designations are based entirely on the number of "doors" at which the perfume is sold with Luxury being the least locations and Popular being the most.
-- Lindaloo
Hi angusmum1!
ReplyDeleteI have a sample of the new Marni, but it didn't move me. Pleasant, though.
The Aqualillies Collection will take you right out of that mud and snow. So cheerful!
Oh MamaVal,
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible! How disappointing! When I tested the shades, I found that one really light on me, but not the way you describe it. Sorry!
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteCorrect - the number of doors. However, it changes a bit each year, so hard to pin down 100%.
Great fragrances but honestly I don't like some of them. Well, just a few. I personally love Chanel Coco Noir and not just the packaging. It smells really good and I always prefer if my husband use Acqua di Gio. I think the smell is really suitable for men. I just hope he loves it the way I do.
ReplyDeleteWell the fragrance list is nothing to get excited about but I didn't expect it to be. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have been buying the limited edition nail varnishes from Dior and love them, I have spring bal, diablotine and have bought princess today (well there was 10% so hard to resist) I also reserved the new green summer colours from Dior as well as the bronze/blush palette, those limited editions, once they are gone they're gone.
I also bought a couple of illamasqua nail varnishes and the pure pigment Eyeshadow in the Easter hunt sale.
I have ordered a new drying spray that a lot of bloggers are getting excited about.
All in all a busy beauty week.