Friday, August 30, 2013

The Friday Forum - August 30

I have so much to tell you, I don't know where to start. I had the opportunity, courtesy of Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie, to see what's new and what's coming in the beauty department. I'll use today's Friday Forum to get started and continue later today and tomorrow.

Since La Prairie really knows how to set up an exhibit - always with exquisite flowers, silver trays, and elegant presentation - I'll start by introducing you to some new products that excited me. La Prairie is one classy company. My brochures were sealed in a silver envelope, and I came home with deluxe samples.

There are two new additions to the anti-aging collection: Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Contour Cream ($190) and Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Perfection à Porter ($150), both of which I want now. La Prairie has zeroed in on my two biggest concerns: eyes and nasolabial folds. Here is the press on the new products.

Streamline your beauty routine with the multi-tasking Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Contour Cream, a rich, highly moisturizing formula designed to treat the age-sensitive contours of the eyes and lips. A patented, encapsulated amino acid complex begins working immediately to fill wrinkles and hollows in the eye area with an action similar to "lipo-filling." Puffiness and dark circles recede, while an anti-discoloration complex works to prevent future darkness around the eye with marine-derived glycosaminoglycans. For the lip area, a volume-enhancing ingredient inspired by nature works its magic to smooth the skin around the lips as tropical fruit acids exfoliate and stimulate for a younger, fresher look.  The enclosed metal-tipped contouring wand dispenses the emollient cream, soothing the skin, while evenly distributing the formula. The end result? Lines (aka wrinkles) are filled, nasolabial folds are smoothed, and volume is added to age-related, hollowed areas. Moisture is replenished and maintained. The light fragrance is divine.

Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Perfection à Porter will treat your eyes and lips with on-the-go packaging. Designed with both form and function in mind, a chic white leatherette case houses a sleek silver compact containing two separate compartments: an eye cream-gel in one and a lip balm in the other. This elegant beauty accessory is a must for an anytime fix.

Three innovative line smoothers work together to fill in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while a unique light diffuser further disguises signs of fatigue and aging around the eye area. In addition, marine and vegetal extracts work to correct visible signs of aging and reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes. For the lips, a derivative of an essential plant oil and dehydrated hyaluronic acid microspheres work together to restore plumpness, while emollients and a hydrating complex ensure that our lips won't flake or chap.

I have ingredient descriptions for these products and will share them when I feature reviews. I must also tell you about three fabulous new La Prairie products scheduled to arrive at counters in October and November.

Before I sign off this morning, I'll give you a sneak peek at Le Métier de Beauté's new Hydra-Crème Lipsticks. Again, I'll apologize for photos of photos taken indoors. They are all I have to show you right now.

The Hydra-Crème Lipsticks are available in 16 new shades. Here's the press.

Stunning, healthy lips are yours with Le Métier de Beauté's new Hydra-Crème Lipsticks. The buttery, ultra-moisturizing formulation glides smoothly and evenly over lips for maximum comfort; long wear; and rich, brilliant color. Shades are a gorgeous mix of mattes and sheers, past favorites, and new, on-trend hues.
  • Emollient, hydrating formula that won't slide
  • Delivers voluptuous, full-coverage color to lips
  • No mineral or animal derivatives
Translated, that means that Le Métier de Beauté's lipsticks have been reformulated. Some of your favorite colors today will remain available, but others will be gone forever once they sell out. You might want to stock up on your favorites now. Once again, I apologize for these miserable photos.

I'll be following up the Friday Forum with the scoop on new products from Sisley (the color will knock your socks off), Bobbi Brown, Dior, Kate Somerville, and Chantecaille Holiday. Where to start?

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.

Just to prove how much money I spend at Sephora, I was recently awarded with VIB Rouge status. I received a lipstick - a dinky deluxe sample of BITE for VIB Rouge. I also got a Beauty Studio All-Access Pass for in-store services. I never use them. I'm really not impressed.

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest for the latest Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip Lip Sampler. The deadline is tomorrow, Saturday, August 31, at midnight. Good luck!

Update: This weekend, through September 2, Beautyhabit is offering a 20% discount with code BYESUMMER. Unfortunately, Chantecaille appears to be excluded. However, the discount is fabulous, and I just purchased a boatload of fragrance. 

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

23 comments:

Nemo said...

Wow,Cg, you are beyond wonderful! I just pre-ordered the new LMDB Carnaby! And, my brand new Tom Ford She Wolf (what a name, what a name) arrived Wednesday and I must tell you about it. I looked at the shades and I thought I can't wear these--too dark! But I have learned to play with the colors and that's what I did. I removed my old eye makeup and then applied the She Wolf. Beautiful! Even without a primer, etc., the colors were gorgeous, probably the prettiest eye palette ever for me and of course now I want another one. And it's all because of you. Thank you. Now I am awaiting the new Jeux de Regards eye collection from CHANEL. I am anxious to learn what you think about those colors. Have a lovely holiday weekend.

Charlestongirl said...

I know you would be right on top of that new Kaleidoscope, Nemo! It looks gorgeous.

I adore She Wolf. Try pairing the shades with the In the Pink Trio if you bought it.

Kylee @ Lifting in Lipstick said...

Oh my goodness. I can't WAIT to see the new LMdB lipsticks. I need to know which shades I have to get from the old range that won't be re-released (and also which new ones to keep my eye out for)!

Unknown said...

My Bergdorf order arrived today. I love it. Thanks to you I own She Wolf, In The Pink, Eye Primer Duo, and the Eye Defining Pen. Am I nuts for wanting a backup of both trios?

Unknown said...

Can you believe that they are already scalping the Tom Ford trios on eBay? $98.00!!!!

Eileen said...

My In the Pink and She Wolf arrived the day I was leaving for Vancouver. There was no way I could leave them behind, so I tossed them in my purse as I dashed out the door. I was so glad that I took them with me because I was able to use the trios to create all kinds of interesting looks from casual breakfast to formal luncheon to festive evening. A friend was having a destination vow renewal and everyone who came was in the mood to party so the two glittery shades got quite a workout. I actually used my finger to press the sparkle shades in place because I didn't have a packing brush with me. That worked just fine and I didn't have any fallout. TF certainly knows how to make glitter wearable.

Like Nemo, I thought She Wolf might be too dark, but I was completely wrong. It is stunning in its complexity and minimalist beauty. And, as you mentioned, Charlestongirl, She Wolf plays real nicely with In the Pink. There is absolutely nothing about either palette that disappoints, but She Wolf is unquestionably the real star of TF's fall collection. Not only does the name bring to mind a smoky-eyed vixen, but it also perfectly describes the colors to be found in a wolf's pelt. Actually, one of our huskies looks like he could have been the color inspiration for this gorgeous trio :-)

Hi Nemo,

I just picked up Fascination (blues/gray/teal) from the Jeux de Regards collection. I haven't played with it yet, but since the US version typically means more saturated color with greater ease of blending, I'm thinking the look is going to be more intense than the swatch pictures from Europe/Asia indicated. I gave Séduction a miss because I have so many similar palettes and wanted to try something completely different, but it is a beauty.

I returned home in time to enjoy (Not!) the hot temperatures and dry Santa Ana winds that have been sweeping through the LA area just lately. I don't know what I'd do without the precious Tatcha lip balm that I received as a generous gift. I know there are lots of cheaper balms out there and that the efficacy of one over another pretty much depends on the needs of the person using it, but I can't recommend Tatcha's balm highly enough. Even though it is made with camellia oil, it is not gooey, oily, or slippery. Rather, it is hydrating, soothing, and healing while providing a comfortable occlusive barrier against the elements. I love this balm and think I might have to get an extra one to keep in my purse.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, everyone, and if you live in SoCal, stay cool!

Unknown said...

Which La Prarie products work on the nasolabial folds? That is what I need. No wrinkles so far except for those darn creases. I do want preventative eye care also. Do you think this is better than La Mer?

Melanie said...

I am so eager to read all that you have in store for us! Especially about the La Prairie products. That is a line that has intrigued me lately.

Thanks so much for allowing me to share information about Canadian availability of Tom Ford's line. It's funny that Eileen should mention applying the glittery shade of the trio with a finger: Charlotte Tilbury's makeup line launches Monday (I am DYING to see it!) and she has a glittery shade in her quads that looks, texturally(at least on-line), similar to that of TF's and her recommendation is to tap it on with a finger.

Enjoy the long weekend -- it is up here for us, too!

wendy said...

oooh la prarie!!! love it!!! i'm anxious to hear your reviews about sisley. i read that their new color "eye shade" amber is a must especially for those with blue eyes. i'm also anxious for bobbi brown. as much as i adore bobbi's brand i'm always disappointed with her eyeshadows. does anyone else feel that way? i'm really hoping her new "chocolate eye pallette" is a winner! i've read some very mixed reviews on bobbi's website. and chantecaille holiday? double oooh!! i so wish there was a chantecaille counter where i live. i was sooo into purchasing the wild horses pallette but, looking at swatches, i really don't know. that brick red for the blush seems scary for pale tones and the persimmon lippie looks beautiful but not for an everyday look. has anyone actually used this pallette? i'd love some more opinions. happy labor day to all!!! my mom is very sick and i have some sort of bug. we both used to use a decleor balm to soothe our sore noses and chapped lips but, i heard it's no longer available. xxxxxxooooooo to you!

Charlestongirl said...

Nuts, Sondra? No, just smart. :)

Charlestongirl said...

No way! $98 and I suppose they want shipping too?

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

I would think your finger would work great for application. Why not? Glad to hear you enjoyed them on your trip.

I also think TATCHA's lip treatment is worth every penny.

Charlestongirl said...

Sondra, yes, I hate to say it, but I think these work better than La Mer.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Melanie,

LP is a very pricy, but luxurious line that does work. Otherwise, they wouldn't have such loyal customers.

I was glad you could share the Canadian info. It was a great service to BTiB readers!

Charlestongirl said...

Wendy, I will try to put up the Chantecaille photos tomorrow.

The new Bobbi Brown mascara is fabulous. I have passed on the Chocolate palette, even though it's gorgeous. I just can't buy everything anymore.

The Chantecaille blush: I am so glad you brought that up. I saw one worn down, with all overspray removed, and it really is pink. Lovely. I need to put that note on the feature. I thought I had dug through the overspray, but I have now seen that I didn't.

LoveSugarBabyDoll said...

I have never been impressed with the reward program at Sephora. As for the miniscule Bite lipstick sample, that's not a $1000 thank you. We all got a good laugh when I showed it to my girlfriends. I prefer to spend my cosmetic monies elsewhere if possible.

bedazzled64 said...

I have rediscovered my Givenchy blush. Shame on me for putting it in the back! I have the shade Vogue Orange and its absolutely stunning!

That's one thing I never did understand, you don't hear too much about their products but everything I've ever tried is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Oh CG you are the BEST! I'm so ready for some exciting new makeup and your color swatches have me excited for the upcomming seasons as I was kind of bored with the summer releases. Most of all, thanks for keeping up with site discount offerings. I always look to you for the latest ways to save money. Have a fab Labor Day weekend!

Denise at aeiokid at comcast dot net

Nemo said...

Last night I made a dash to my closest CHANEL counter to buy the Jeux de Regards. Everything was in but the Seduction eye palette, which I bought later online. Today I was going to wear my TF She Wolf again, but opted for the new CHANEL Fascination quad. Ladies, it is gorgeous! Again, I was hesitant about the grayish-blue colors, but, again, I was wrong. They are beautiful. I love the Blue Exquis eye pencil. I recommend all of it. My SA informed me that the next collection, the Collection Moire lip colors, is lovely. And then there are beauty events at both Saks and NM.........

Amy D. said...

I just purchased the i Profumi de Firenze Frangipani e Cocco perfume you wrote about this summer, at Beautyhabit. I found a decant after reading your post and fell in love with the fragrance - but I've been holding out, hoping for a sale. I wasn't familiar with the line. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Yes! Plus shipping!

Eileen said...

Hi Nemo,

Isn't Fascination a wonderful surprise? It has enough warmth that it works well with my coloring and makes my dark green eyes sparkle. I'm wearing a restrained version today, but I think it will make a gorgeous evening look; especially when used with the crayon yeux in Bleu Exquis. In the dim, warm light of a concert hall, a colored smoky eye is a more flattering and interesting choice than the traditional black/gray/silver combo. Enjoy your new goodies!

Claire said...

Hi CG and everyone, Happy Labor Day weekend! I can't believe I succumb to Marc Jacobs lip vinyl, one of the shade hits perfect pitch reminiscent of my fave lipstick ever: Chanel Flirt. I also plan to purchase something from BeautyHabit but it is so daunting to choose just a few. If anyone has any recs for product/line to try there, do let me know!