The Friday Forum - July 5

Here it is, 10:00 am, and I just remembered it's a Friday. Oops! Yesterday's holiday had me all turned around. To all my U.S. readers, I hope you had a wonderful day!

I managed to fit in a little shopping. I drove over to Tysons Corner Center expecting a mob scene, but it wasn't too bad. I went to Nordstrom, looking for the new Clarins Splendours Collection. Nordstrom had the lipstick I wanted, but the rep (who was clearly not a Clarins rep) could not find the eye palette. So I left and went to Bloomingdale's. They had the eye palette, but every one of the four lipsticks was sold out there. I punted and left without purchasing any pieces from the collection. I will order online. At times like that, I always wonder why I bother going to stores. I can get what I want in seconds online - all from one retailer - without running around in the heat. Yesterday, it was hot, but the humidity was a killer.

While I was at Bloomingdale's, I saw two new Bobbi Brown bronzers and bought them both! That's what I do when I can't decide. I will show you swatch photos as soon as the sun returns for more than two minutes. Today was predicted to be sunny, so I'm hoping the clouds move out of here. Bloomies' Bobbi Brown counter had just received the Navy and Nude Collection, which is odd because Neiman Marcus has had it for at least a month.

I saw a cute Shiseido bronzer compact for summer. It was yellow and perky, like the daylily above. I didn't stop for long for fear I might be tempted to purchase it. I also saw the new line of Laura Mercier slimline lipsticks. They must be very popular. I tried to buy Sin, but it was already sold out. In general, I found the colors (sheer, cream, and matte) to be rather lifeless. Their new formula is wax-free, a novelty, but the shades didn't offer me any pizazz. I doubt I'll continue to pursue Sin, but I would have purchased it if it had been available. It was my favorite of the many shades, most of which were uninspiring.

In the category of big beauty news for the week, Chanel's legendary fragrance creator, Jacques Polge, is preparing to retire. Chanel has decided that he will be succeeded by his son, Olivier. Olivier Polge has been a perfumer at International Flavors & Fragrances since 1998. He will join Chanel Fragrances in September, working alongside his father and Christopher Sheldrake, a perfumer, notable fragrance creator, and director of research and development at Chanel Fragrances Laboratory.

Olivier Polge will have giant shoes to fill as he replaces his father. As Creator of Chanel Fragrances, Jacques Polge created every Chanel fragrance in the last 35 years, including Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, Allure, Chance, Chanel de Bleu, Chanel No.5 Eau Premiere, and the extraordinary Les Exclusifs fragrances.

In Giorgio Armani news, makeup artist Linda Cantello described the beauty look at the for Armani Privé fall show as “Thirties glamour, but done in a kind of nude way.” “Death in Venice” and Carole Lombard were among the influences. Cantello paled down the models’ matte skin and applied a powdered stain to their lips. She also added a glittery line to eyelids as a nod to Hollywood.

Hairstylist Orlando Pita created short wavy bobs to channel a hint of Great Gatsby. He braided the underneath section of models’ hair and then waved the top loose layers with a curling iron and spritzed on some spray. The look was simple sophistication.

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest. I'll try to get swatch photos later today of Josie Maran's Argan Lip & Cheek Color Stick Set. The colors are fabulous, and the little stick are darling. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, July 6, at midnight. Good luck!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty and courtesy of WWD