Friday, July 5, 2013

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

16 comments:

grlnxdor said...

I'm really enjoying this long holiday weekend. In between pushing a wheelbarrow with little boulders in it, I take a break and catch up on all the latest beauty news. Winters are so long and brutal in Wisconsin that I cherish even the heat and humidity that comes with Summer here. We've had such a cool, rainy start to the season that I want to push Fall off as long as I can. I hope everyone has a nice weekend doing things that make them happy!

Eileen said...

Now that July is well underway, I'm sure we're going to see the big push towards the fall collections which will peak in August. As usual, I am much more excited about the fall collections than I was about summer although I did buy some gorgeous items from Tom Ford and Guerlain that I've been wearing constantly. Autumn is my favorite season followed by winter so it is to be expected that those collections would hold more allure.

Last weekend I bought Laura Mercier's new Matte Radiance Baked Highlighter and the new MAC #159 brush. The highlighter and the four bronze shades are simply sublime. They're incredibly smooth and finely milled for baked products. Although I have some baked products, I've never been a huge fan of the type, but these new LM powders might make me a convert :-) The highlighter is subtle and gives a soft glow. I've been applying it in the classic "C" shape with a bit more on the high point of my cheekbones for some extra luminescence. It's very pretty. It is not obvious, but the light dances across it in a way that is most flattering. I didn't buy any of the bronze shades, but who knows, when I'm cruising the counters next week for Nordstrom's "early access", I might relent and pick one up.

As for the MAC brush, it was designed specifically to use with baked products, so it is well suited to the task of picking up the product and applying it without the typical dust and fall out getting all over the place. Of course, that might also be due, in part, to the ultra smooth nature of the LM powder. The brush is duo fiber, quite soft considering it is a MAC brush, directional, and can be used for blending as well as apllication. I've been quite pleased with it and that is saying a lot because I find most MAC brushes to be mediocre at best. The #159 is definitely an exception, though, and is worth taking on a test run.

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful and long weekend.

Claire said...

Oh, I'd love to see that makeup break down for Armani! It looks so classic. Re. shopping, I sometimes agree with you. I have to drag my toddler all the way to the mall, then load him up to the stroller, and walk all the way to the counter just to find out that they don't have what I need or the collection has not arrived yet. Most of the time I call ahead so I don't waste my time & energy, sometimes I feel just waiting until everything is out before testing. This is why blogs like yours is so helpful for me, at least. Thank you CG, for all your effort of bringing the Best Things in Beauty (no pun intended!!)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi grlnxdor,

That does not sound fun - wheelbarrow, boulders? Be careful!

You probably don't ever experience the tropical heat and humidity that takes over the DC area in mid-summer. It's uncomfortable outside, like walking into an oven.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

I decided today to forget the rest of summer. I don't think I'm going to purchase the Clarins pieces I wanted.

I have Laura Mercier's beautiful new highlighter. Assuming the photos I took are OK, I will feature it next. It's gorgeous!

I'm working from home today. At least I avoided the commute. I'd love to be stalking the beauty counters, but instead I am about to take an information security course online. I could have written it, but I still need that certificate. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Clarie,

I can't even imagine. I can barely get myself into the stores. :)

I'm glad my photos help you shop online.

Eileen said...

Hi Charlestongirl,

Although I know it's just a formality, good luck with the certification. I worked in a field that also required a lot of updated certifications. It seemed that every time a new ruling came from the courts, I'd have to go get a new certificate. By the time I retired, I could paper a room with all of them! LOL

I bet the new LM highlighter is spectacular with your coloring. Enjoy!

grlnxdor said...

Actually, Charlestongirl, we do get high heat and humidity in South-central Wisconsin. Mid 90's and sweltering humidity do occur every Summer. I know all too well about the feel of "walking into an oven"! Thank heavens for AC!

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th to you - was this the Shiesido compact you
saw
http://www.shiseido.com/sun-protection-foundation-case-1970/0730852111189,en_US,pd.html&cgid=whatsnew-2suncare#!

It is their refillable sunscreen in the form of a powder - I live in Florida and have used for years - They just came out with 3 different compacts from the 1970's and they are yellow - Love this stuff

Have you tried the Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist yet - next time you are at the Chanel counter - spray your face - its $90 and I couldn't resist - your skin looks amazing - I can't beleive I spent $90 on a face spray - LOL

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Melanie said...

I am with Claire. Piling two children under the age of four into the car, hoping that they will be amenable to my spending time at the counters is not a reality for me. And, like you, CG, I am in a smaller of the larger Canadian cities, and we get very limited stock of certain collections, especially Chanel. I see what I want on-line (usually here!); I place a call and it arrives at my door. No tears shed by anyone! I can't imagine what I would do if I had so many stores so close to me!

I have moved past summer (just wish the weather would) and am ready for the fall and holiday collections. The Armani hair is stunning. I wish I could do that. The makeup is a little too bare for my liking.

Fascinating news about Chanel's "nez". Hopefully, his son was a good apprentice! I look forward to what he might add to their repertoire.

Enjoy the rest of the long weekend and good luck with the course!

Db01 said...

I just received the Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Color in "silk'. It is a sheer matte shade that is too peachy for me. The Laura Mercier color descriptions online are all way off in my view. I should know that they are mostly too brown for my cool coloring. Colors they describe as pink are always too brown. Disappointing . Have to try in person. Even then the colors tend to be muddy.

Mamavalveeta03 said...

I feel like a raccoon when it sees something shiny..."Bobbi Brown Bronzers? New???" Please show!! Hope you had a great 4th!

angusmum1 said...

Melanie was it you looking for the Hydralon from Indeed Labs? I have a couple of generous trial sized tubes and havent used yet. Let me know as I could send you one no prob, Im in ON. kathysmithwoodcock@yahoo.ca

Crista said...

I too am intrigued by these new Bobbi Brown bronzers...do share!

Melanie said...

Kathy, that is very kind of you to offer! The company actually sent me a full-sized one when I told them that I couldn't find it. Have you tried it yet? I am really liking it.

Unknown said...

I bought one more YSL Glossy Stain, this time its no 7, a gorgeous peachy colour. Its really very expensive here in India but its my 10th wedding anniv today (6thjuly) so that gave me an excuse to splurge.

Bobbi Brown has also finally arrived in India, but just in Delhi at the moment. Waiting for it to open in Bombay. Hope they keep their pricing reasonable. all these brands really hike their prices when they come to India :(

Have happy weekend :)