We are back in a fog. It looks a bit like the picture above here. At least it's not terribly cold.
By popular demand, The Friday Forum has returned. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. After a long delay, I hope you are ready to share.
I wasn't able to get to counters this week. I hope to go tomorrow, in the rain. If I see something special, I will chime in within the comments section.
Just a few of the features coming up here in the next few days (I need sun for photos to use in makeup features): Chanel, Jo Malone, and Moroccan Oil.
Photo courtesy of beingwoven.org
I'm trying to pan some of my products, but unfortunately, one of them is my La Mer lip balm. I love it, but it's so expensive.
ReplyDeleteMy alternative, which I can't rave about enough, is Aquaphor in those tiny purse-sized tubes. I slather a ridiculous amount on after I cleanse in the morning, and by the time I sit down to do makeup, a lot has sunk in and my lips are in perfect shape.
In fact, I just applied some. Great stuff!
Hi Poppy,
ReplyDeleteI have one of those little tubes of Aquaphor next to my bed. I don't like it as much as my tubes of Smith's Rosebud Salve, but I'm out of that one at the moment. The Aquaphor is great!
I agree about the Aquaphor. I even use it on incisions after I have skin cancer removed from my face. I noticed one Youtuber uses it on top of chapstick!
ReplyDeleteI'm loveing By Terry Sheer Expert light foundation. Love the way it feels and for the first time found a color that works on me #4.
Also loving Kevyn Aucoin Lipstick . So moisturizing. It spoils me.
I have been hearing a lot about Mila Moursi skincare. Does anyone have an opinion about it? It is very expensive, but if it is wonderful, I will consider investing in it.
ReplyDeleteI like the new Chanel liner in purple chocolate on the bottom lashes/waterline. The spring blush by Chanel is also fabulous!
ReplyDeleteTanja
Woo-hoo! The Friday Forum is back :-) I love this opportunity to read about random adventures in beauty. It's such a fun exchange of ideas and product information so thank you, Charlesongirl, for re-instituting it.
ReplyDeleteGood old Aquaphor. I'm OK with it at night, but during the day I find it has too much slip to play nice with my lipliners, lipsticks, and glosses. Since I have very dry lips, I always need to apply a balm before retouching my lipstick and so I like a product that will hold my lip products better. My old reliable is Jack Black lip balm. It is moisturizing and has a substantial amount of SPF but, because it is a man's product, it is not shiny, gooey, or slick. I have a few different balms that I use for evening (love ByTerry Baume de Rose), but Jack Black is my daytime staple.
It's still very early as far as spring collections go, but so far the only one that has really piqued my interest is the new Tom Ford spring collection. I'm thrilled that there will be eight cream eyeshadows shades and I'm intrigued by the new lipstick formulation. I'm curious as to how that patent shine is going to look and wear. The colors look gorgeous, so it will just be a question of how they translate on the lips.
Although Guerlain's spring colors are bright and cheerful, I must admit I'm a bit confused by the collection's lack of a unifying theme. That surprises me because the holiday collection was so beautifully coordinated. I bought the entire holiday collection without a moment of hesitation and don't regret one single piece of it :-). It was just that stunning. I guess I was expecting something equally special for spring. Perhaps when I see the key players in person, it will all come together for me. And, certainly, Marcus will get me sorted out once he has me in his chair. LOL He sees possibilities and uses colors in a way that never ceases to please me.
And, speaking of Guerlain, I think that Pantone's Pink Quartz and Serenity will look beautiful with Guerlain's Les Nuées from last year. Marcus showed me how to mix the pastel pink and icy blue to create an opaline effect on my lids that really brightened my eyes. He then used the deep sapphire blue to add smokiness around my lashes and up into the outer V and contour. His artful blending ensured that there were no demarcation lines; only a seamless flow of color. It was my go-to last spring and it looks like, thanks to Pantone, I'll be using it again this spring :-) I'm really in love with Pantone's colors this year.
As for Chanel, both Nemo and I have already complained about the missing quad, Tissé Beverly Hills. That Chanel released the collection without one of the main pieces is a real shame. For me, it's always about the eyes and so I just couldn't get interested in the other products without the quad as the focal point. I'd rather a company hold back a bit and release everything at once rather than rushing to market only to have some of the items unavailable. I agree with Nemo that that creates bad feelings between the brand and the consumer.
Those are just a few of the things that have been on my mind lately. Let's hear it from the rest of you!
Sandra, there are several By Terry products that have captured my heart. Great line!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 6:22, I had to look up that brand. I've never used it. Anyone here?
ReplyDeleteTanja,
ReplyDeleteThat liner by Chanel is gorgeous! Unique too. I'm fairly swept away by Chanel liners. However, I can't wear liners on my waterline. They all bother my contacts.
After many years of searching I have finally found my holy grail for skin care with the Le Metier De Be Beaute skin care line. I use everthing but the dark spot corrector and just love it! I also multiply my results by using Jenu around eyes and lips. It's rare these days that products live up to their hype. These do!
ReplyDeleteWhat are your feelings about face oil? There was an article in Good Housekeeping listing their top choices.i do not like investing in something I am not sure about.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I love LMdB's skin care, with the exception of the Dark Spot Corrector. Expect more good skin care from them this year. However, poor personnel decisions were made this week, and I fear their color products will suffer.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I love face oils! Which ones did they recommend. Some nice ones are ridiculously expensive, while others are a good value for their price.
ReplyDeleteEileen, I absolutely must see Marcus the next time he comes here!
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about what Chanel did. The blush is pretty enough to be the collection's centerpiece. When you know a quad is missing, it's frustrating. I expect to see the quad any day soon.
Hi Anonymous@6:22,
ReplyDeleteI have never invested in Mila Moursi's line although I have had a facial at her spa and skin clinic in West Hollywood. My skin did look very nice afterwards and for several days following the facial but, because I take excellent care of my skin to begin with, there was nothing transformative or miraculous about the results. In truth, I could have gotten the same results at any number of clinics like Kate Somerville's. I did not have to pay for the facial as I was a member of a wedding party and it was the bride's gift to "her girls". Although my treatment (including tip) was prepaid by our generous bride, I was constantly being pushed to buy the complete regimen. Every product used on me came with a sales pitch and the explanation that it was absolutely necessary to the success of the treatmeant. Yeah, whatever! I didn't buy anything because I already have an excellent assortment of skincare that suits my needs and the hard sale approach at Moursi's clinic really left me feeling sour. I will give credit where credit is due, though. At the wedding a few days later, my skin still looked radiant as did the skin of the other ladies in our party. The makeup artist even commented on how smooth and toned our skin felt.
All of Moursi's products' ingredients are readily available online as are numerous reviews. If I were to purchase her products, I'd just be sure there was a generous return policy--just in case ;-)
I have the Mila Moursi dual action serum and the body wash. If I used the serum as they direct(5-6 pumps), I think I would have gone through it in a month. It might have plumped my skin somewhat, but I haven't been blown away by it and do not intend to repurchase. The body wash is fine(the smell reminds me of carrots but I kind of like it). I believe BeautyProfessor is a fan. A lot of their products contain methylisothiazolinone, which I'm allergic to,so that's a turn off for me. For what it's worth, my favorite skincare lines are Omorovicza and NIOD.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThere are so many wonderful beauty oils, it makes me dizzy to think about all of them. Different oils do have different benefits and are suited to different skin types and so it's important to find one (or a dozen! LOL) that suits your skin's needs. You can also find them at all different price points from reasonable to ridiculously expensive. The only problem with skin oils is that they are pretty much one dimensional. They do not contain all the peptides, humectants, anti-oxidants, and cell communicating ingredients that are packed into a good serum or cream. And, of course, they don't contain the anti-aging heavy-hitter, retinol or retinoic acid. Therefore, I think it is best to treat them as supplemental products. Once you find the ones you like, though, you'll never want to be without them as they do so much so well. They're positively addictive. There's a lot from which to choose: single source oils, oil blends, and hybrids that are essentially serums with a combination of oils added to the mix. Let us know your skin type, your concerns, and what oils were recommended. Perhaps some of us have had experience with them or perhaps we can recommend some based on our own experience. BTW, Helen at Lola's Secret Beauty Blog is a beauty oil aficionado and has numerous posts about her favorite oils.
I needed and just purchased a new mascara - Guerlain Cils D'enfer Maxi So Volume in black, introduced April 2015. I think it's my new favourite - the wand is on the short side - I'm nearsighted so that works wonderfully for me since I have to get quite close to the mirror. The bristles are shorter than normal too, perfect for my now skimpy lashes - they make it very easy to deposit mascara. Love the coverage!
ReplyDeleteI love facial oils too! I have a sample of the La Mer one and it's fantastic as expected. Of all of mine it is the one that leaves behind the least oily residue. I also like the Kiehl's midnight recovery oil. My skin gets really dry in winter and oil is the last step in my nighttime routine.
ReplyDeleteAs for spring collections- does anyone else have a Chanel ribbon blush that is seriously scented? I've never had one of their products with so much scent! I purchased that bc it's a pretty unique color in my collection. My favorite line so far is Dior! The pink highlighter is divine and I am loving the colour and contour eye sticks!! I bough Twig and Iris and might back them up. I am hoping the other two colors of those and the other two nail shades ultimately do get released here- from what I can tell on the promo stuff they will. Agreed it's odd to not be able to buy all the collection all at once.
I've got two Mila Moursi samples but haven't tried them yet. It's a brand being pushed by beautylish. I love their customer service but sometimes I get wary of the CEO emailing me about the next best. I guess I hate missing out on the best but I like it best when I hear about great brands through you ladies or on IG or anything other than a large launch on a popular site. I'm sure her stuff really is great though.
Does anyone have any good brow product recommendations? I need light shades. And I have thin brows. I don't like doing up my browns how intensely it seems popular now but they do need some help!
Things I love: Lune + Aster CC Cream (Blue Mercury's proprietary brand)...fantastic coverage and treatment, Kari Grann Lip Whip...so soothing, smells lovely, and no petrochemicals, Kate Somerville Anti-Bac for my menopausal acne...it has cleared it right up!
ReplyDeleteVery disappointed with: Burberry "Kisses Sheer" glossy lip color stick in Nude Pink...It looked chalky and peachy on my lips and made them peel and flake instantly!
Also, Cover FX Custom Cover Drops...TOO heavy, too hard to control, unblendable.
I am so glad this feature is back. Even though I didn't post I loved to read what everyone wrote. I am loving my Spring 2016 Dior Glowing Gardens highlighter in 001 Glowing Pink. It has the exact same consistency as Guerlain Cruel Gardenia Meteorites from a few years ago. Both are made in Italy so I am sure they are both made by the same manufacturer.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to hear that LMdB has made a change that will hurt the color line. Like you said in an earlier post, they were just rising so fast and had such a bright future then it was like they just quit. I hope all of the turmoil they have been going through isn't too much for them and they stick around for a long time because they can make some lovely products.
Thank you to everyone who responded to my question about Mila Moursi skincare. I first heard about it through Beautylish, also. I love Beautylish, but I agree that I trust the opinions of other beauty lovers more than the CEO of a company. I love the Friday Forum. Thank you, Charleston Girl, for bringing it back!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, Sisley has a face oil to die for. Unfortunately, Black Robe Precious Oil has a precious price. $235!
ReplyDeleteCheck out these two: http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com/2013/05/aroma-m-beauty-camellia-face-oil.html and http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com/2013/06/la-christine-n-3-berry-face-oil.html
The first is $95 and the second $78.
Anonymous 4:19, Dior put out a solid collection for spring, but most of it was repetitive of prior collections. Since Peter Phillips designed it, I expected more. You selected the best piece.
ReplyDeleteDustin and LMdB have parted ways. You will see Dustin again, but I fear that the decision making regarding the color line is now flawed. There is a giant chance that we will see few new introductions and unexciting ones at that. I hope I'm wrong.
Hi MamaVal!
ReplyDeleteI agree on Kate Somerville's skin care. She deserves more attention than she gets.
Anonymous 4:19, I bought that pink Dior today. It's gorgeous. Be thankful you got it. Each store got only three pieces!
ReplyDeleteI only have one item from Mila Moursi and that is the cleansing toner priced at $70. I am not sure if it is life changing enough to purchase again but if I had more of her products maybe I would think differently.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased the Erasa XEP 30 Serum that won Allure's best new beauty award in September. It is supposed to do in two weeks what other products take 2 months to do. The technology behind it is amazing and when I start to use it day and night I am hoping that all the talk about it will be true.
The Natasha Denona Cream highlighter and shimmer face and body highlighter is truly outstanding. I recommend using both together. I wore both last week and got many compliments while out at the beauty counters. No glitter or really shimmer like the name states, but serious GLOW.
I also purchased the face glow foundation as well but have not tried it yet. Beautylish very kindly sent me a replacement as the cap would not come off and the whole pump had to be removed to get to the makeup inside.
Then it would not tighten and was loose, so I could not use the pump because the cap would not come off and the whole cap/lid was broken somehow and would not twist tightly shut.
It is very nice buying from Beautylish because of their excellent packing and hand written notes with extra attention on everything. I do not like ordering online from Nordstrom as consistently there is no packing at all in the box, just a tuft of paper wadded up. I have purchased many items from Nordstrom online in the past and their inattention in the shipping department is the same every time.
One time they put two blushes in a bubble envelope.
I purchased the Artis Brush 9 piece set and they are excellent brushes, very dense and blending is very easy. I do not recommend the $50 micro fiber pad for wiping the brushes clean. There is no lid and it takes a day or two for that whole pad to get dirty. I don't feel it is sanitary and use tissues to clean off color in a hurry.
Sephora makes a wiping pad for brushes just like it, although smaller, for $18 that has great reviews and I will look into that.
Hope everybody has a great weekend and Happy New Year! Theresa
Hi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to let us know how you get along with Erasa XEP30. I read an interesting article about it on FutureDerm which focuses more on the science behind it than the review in Allure did. It does sound interesting and I know that there is quite a race going on to be the first to develop a topical preparation that does, indeed, achieve the same results as Botox. Although Erasa isn't on par with Botox, it is a very promising first step; especially for needle-phobs :-)
I'm late commenting, but I have recently loved the Ciate London Olivia Palermo eye shadow palettes. Not only are the colors gorgeous, the textures are wonderful. They're my latest "go to" for shadow.
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteI am starting in the morning and will do it day and night and will certainly let everybody know! I wish there were more independent reviews other than the ones who received it for free, and also more recent reviews.
I do believe that it will work, at least to some extent, but time will tell! It is supposed to be available in an undisclosed -as of yet-store early this year as well.
Have a great week! Theresa