The Friday Forum - June 21

Yesterday, I went over the our largest conservation easement site to meet with the builders for a trail pre-construction meeting. There is a church that borders the property, and this exquisite bank of oak leaf hydrangeas - in all their glory - lined the bank above the parking lot. Fortunately, I had my camera with me, so I parked and started snapping photos, even though it was cloudy. Behind the oak leafs, I found these lace-cap beauties with hostas interspersed. The hydrangeas made the trip especially worthwhile.

Today is my last day of workday "freedom" - if having no work can be considered freedom. On Monday, I start a new consulting job for the federal government in a particularly rewarding area. I will be thrilled to start working again, but I'm realizing that I'll miss hanging out at home with Charlie, with plenty of leisure time for blogging. You will see my schedule of posting change as I adjust to my new routine. Next week, I doubt I'll be able to write two features/day, although once I adjust, my posting times will likely revert to what they were last year.

It's hard to believe I have hit the four-year mark with Best Things in Beauty. Your wonderful comments when I expressed doubts about continuing bouyed my spirits, so I'm making the assumption I can keep going. At some point, I'm going to get too old for this - but you will be growing older with me.

I found it ironic that we had such a good discussion this week and the very next day I published the early news on the Nordstrom Anniversary specials. The juxtaposition was jarring to me, but, what are you going to do? That was not a complete list, by the way. It was the "early teaser list."

I guess by now you've heard that Tom Ford is expanding his beauty line to men. When the MailOnline asks, "Would your boyfriend spend $78 on concealer?" you know it's news.

This fall, the Tom Ford for Men Skin Care and Grooming Collection range will be launched in the U.S. in November. According to WWD, it includes six multifunctional skin-care products that are said to fuse high-performing ingredients with lightweight textures to calm, comfort, and mattify, as well as two grooming products that are intended to correct flaws and improve the appearance of the skin instantly. “Most people say to me, ‘Wow, you have great skin.’ I pay attention to my skin. I use skin-care and grooming products,” said Ford, adding that novices should “get a magnifying mirror and look at their facec. Do you have broken capillaries? Pale or sallow skin? Dry skin?” His answer is clearly fix it or conceal it.

Tom Ford will also be introducing two new oud fragrances (I am so over oud) and new color for women for fall and holiday. I will be following up on the color detail. Here are some new product photos.

I do have interest and hopes for Ford's Atelier d'Orient fragrances - none of which I've seen in our DC-area stores. I know they launched at Selfridges, and I'm not sure they have made their way across the Atlantic. I'm eager to get my nose on Plum Japanois.

Despite the relatively high prices for the men's skin care, I suspect Ford's men's line will be as popular (almost as popular?) as his women's offerings. I would like to see men wearing the mud mask - perhaps at a Tom Ford counter. You know how they glance at us when we are mid-makeover in the beauty department? Ha! We will be able to return the look.

You makeup addicts are also aware, I'm sure, that Marc Jacobs is launching a beauty line in August. It will be sold exclusively at Sephora. Recognizing the potential for profits, as well as brand extension, other fashion designers are jumping into the beauty world. Matthew Williamson, Pierre Hardy, even Christian Louboutin are readying beauty products. It's the 1970's revisited.

I know some bloggers have published photos of the fall Guerlain Collection - and that it's gorgeous. In the U.S., we are not getting all of the colors that are launching in other countries. I'm working with PR and will get you the U.S. collection photos as fast as they hit my inbox.

A few of you have asked about a Le Métier de Beauté summer collection. What you've seen is what you got. EXCEPT, there is a Neiman Marcus-exclusive Kaleidoscope called Castaway that will be available soon. There will be big news for fall (which, of course, launches in the summer). I hear the Kaleidoscope is getting a makeover, and a new one will be introduced. Major renovations are coming to many of the color cosmetics, and there will also be new skin care (one SKU in the fall, one next year). Stay tuned. Le Métier de Beauté has outsourced public relations, and I don't know what their blogger strategy will be. Maybe I should ask!

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest for the Tarte Femme Naturale Refillable Eye Palette. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, Saturday, June 22, at midnight. A word about giveaways...Someone left me a comment last week implying that I was dishonest, showing favoritism in selecting winners. One winner was in social media? How would I know that? Why should I care? I didn't publish the comment; I thought it was an outrageous accusation.

I use random.org to select winners once I tally hundreds of entries. I have no intention of showing you photographs of the scrawled entry names and numbers I sloppily and quickly write out in code so that I can spin the wheel. I have no intention of displaying screen shots of random.org. I spend my own money on most of my contests (products, shipping - often internationally), and I will continue to do it my way. My advice to anyone entering my contests? Please don't if you cannot trust that the winners are selected randomly as I have specified. Fortunately, I do not believe that the one comment is representative of the sentiments of my readers.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty and courtesy of WWD