Yesterday, I had a divine complimentary one-hour facial by Barbara (from Bergdorf Goodman) at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. She will be back next week (February 17, I think, but confirm that with Michael Reinhardt if you are local to DC. I highly recommend you go! Michael and his counter partner Andy can be reached at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258.
It looks bright outside. I have Chanel photos to take, but there is significant cloud cover. I'm waiting to see if the clouds burn off mid-day. I really want to show you the new Chanel lipstick, Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshine. I need to show you as the Beauty Events start. I've also promised to get new Chantecaille swatch photos. I would have taken them yesterday, but I forgot to take my camera over to Neiman Marcus. If we get socked in with clouds this weekend, I'll feature some fabulous fragrances. I haven't forgotten that comment asking for fragrance features.
For those of you who have enjoyed following Monsieur Guerlain on Facebook, he's back! I'm pleased. He is inspirational, and his knowledge of the Guerlain fragrances is almost unparalleled.
There are some fabulous weekend discounts to be used. The best in my opinion? Beautyhabit is offering 20% off of your $100 purchase with the code LOVE20. The wonderful niche fragrance line Imaginary Authors is offering free shipping with purchases of $30 or more through February 15. Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram have been filled with special offers. If you like certain brands, make sure to follow them on social media to save money.
It's time for The Friday Forum. 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. I hope you are ready to share.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Update 2/13: The Saks tote is not silver. It is white with what looks like gold throughout. It's a great bag for summer. The puffy ornament does come off. You will have your choice of blue (best in my opinion), black, or white.
Photos courtesy of a friend at Saks and Saks Fifth Avenue
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14 comments:
I got an order off to Neiman Marcus this morning so as not to miss the freebie bag. Got some Lancôme toner & the new NARS lip gloss among other things. I decided on the gold bag because I don't have a metallic bag right now. The orange one looked very pretty, fun, and summery though. Well, I picked up the new pink Dior illuminator last week. I had a doctor appointment in that city anyway, so just ran by the mall. It really has been a beautiful step in my make-up regimen. Looking forward to more fragrance reviews from you because your likes run a little different than Ms. Gaia, The Non-Blonde, whose blog I also read daily. It will be nice to read another perspective even though I usually go for the dark & smoky. If Gaia reads this, she might take issue at the way I spelled smoky!! Still so very glad you're back and doing well.
JW, my sweet friend Gaia and I are pretty much scent opposites. We laugh about it.
The gold bag is pretty too. I think one of my friends at a NM will give me one to honor past purchases. :)
I think you will find that illuminator to be your best friend.
So, are you ready for a long tale? I had my "play date" with Marcus Monson last Wednesday. It was time for my annual Guerlain tune-up and he did an excellent job of it. I arrived early and he was running a bit late, and so I had the opportunity to chat and watch what he and his assistant were doing on two other ladies. Their makeup applications were as different as night and day and yet they were perfectly suited to their personalties. One lady had tousled brown hair and an energetic pixie look about her. Her makeup application had her bouncing up out of the chair, all smiles. The other lady was cool and sophisticated with a platinum bob. Her makeup application was elegant and "done" without being heavy handed. I took one look at her and said, "Wow! I hope you're going somewhere special." While Marcus was finishing up my makeup, he was also advising his assistant on how to do another lady who had come for a natural, daytime makeup. He picked two eyeshadow colors and applied them to just one of her eyes. The difference was startling! The two neutrals he chose for her made her eyes sparkle and brought her features to life. By the time the assistant finished her makeup, she was a knockout and yet completely natural looking. I could go on and on about what it is like to watch an artist like Marcus at work, but it would be better to simply book an appointment should he ever visit your local counter and see for yourself. There is no cookie-cutter approach when Marcus is doing the makeup. No woman ever leaves his chair looking like anyone other than the most beautiful version of herself.
OK, so what about me? Because Marcus knows I like a bit of drama, he did a beautiful soft-focused cut crease look. I say soft-focused because the look adhered to the concept of cut crease, but there were no sharp lines anywhere. He used the Écrin 6 Couleurs in Beaugrenelle. I must confess, the first time I saw that particular palette, I wasn't sure exactly what I'd do with it and so I passed it by. In Marcus' hands; however, the magic of this palette was revealed. He applied a light wash of the silvery blue on my lid and then patted on a bit of the silvery grey to add light and dimension. The effect was ethereal! He used the navy blue mixed with the medium grey to "cut" the crease and then he feathered it up and let it fade into nothingness over my brow bone area. He lined my upper lashes with the navy cream liner and also used it to tightline. He then used the navy blue shadow again and ran it under my lower lashes and up to connect with the "cut". He also used it lightly over the liner on my upper lashes. Black volumizing mascara finished the job. My eyes looked large and sultry--well, at least as sultry as you can get on a 71 year old! LOL The only shade he did not use on me was the light pink-tinged cream. He told me to use that as a browbone highlight for evening. On my cheeks, he used the Smile blusher. He stroked the brush in the pink and then lightly popped it onto the coral to pick up a bit more warmth. On my lips he used Rouge G in Madame Rêve with Rose Glacé over it. Both colors were LE Rouge Gs from awhile ago they were brought back for this spring. And, by the way, Marcus is a warm, humorous, and genuinely kind man. I spent a wonderful hour at the Guerlain counter where everyone was super nice. So, that was my big beauty big deal for the week.
Hi JW,
I smiled when I read your comment about Gaia and "smoky". I used to always spell it "smokey" until my teenage niece lectured me about smoky eyes. So, now I write "smoky" when talking about makeup, but the old school marm in me cringes whenever I do :-)
I'm so glad you got your Dior. It's so beautiful and flattering--well worth the hunt.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Eileen, I'm jealous. Marcus is so good and so nice, I'd love to see him every month. The makeup he applied sounds gorgeous. I'd love to know what he did with the platinum bob. What a Valentine's Day Treat!
Thanks again for the TATCHA swatch. I think you helped BTiB readers make the decision to buy.
Hi CG! SO glad you are back blogging - because it means you are feeling better and it brightens my day! Now I must have a Marcus Monson experience!
Eileen and CG - does Marcus come to the East Coast? Is he associated only with Guerlain at Neiman's or does he travel to all the Guerlain counters? I am a little uninformed about makeup artists. Thank you!
Thank you, Nina!
Marcus lives in Texas. He does go to both coasts. I've missed his appearances here in the past. He was in the DC area when I wrote about him recently. I know he goes to NY too.
I believe he goes to all stores with Guerlain counters, including NM, Saks, and Nordies. Make sure you let all your local Guerlain reps know that you really want an appointment the next time he is scheduled.
As for Smoky vs. Smoky, I used to spell it Smokey in the beauty world, but someone reminded me to distinguish between a smoky eye and Smokey the Bear. :)
Hi Charlestongirl,
The fair lady with the platinum bob was about our age and she was petite just like you. And, she looked very chic--just like you :-) In fact, she reminded me so much of you, I wish I had paid more attention to where Marcus was placing the various eyeshadow colors on her. Marcus used Beaugranelle on her but applied it in a way that was quite different from how he used it on me. His skill at placing, mixing, and layering colors enabled him to use the same palette to create different looks on two significantly different looking women. On her, Beaugranelle was classic with an emphasis on the outer V. He completed her look with a soft pink lip and cheek that looked gorgeous with the smoky greys and muted blues on her eyes.
BTW, I mentioned to him that when he was back east he had done the makeup on a friend named Adrienne. He immediately exclaimed, "Charlestongirl!" :-)
Eileen, your Guerlain session sounds wonderful! I've had a similar experience once with a Chanel National Artist who was charming and most skilled. I would love to have more of these opportunities to learn (video tutorials would be nice, too).
I have enjoyed the pink Dior highlighter after I figured out how to use it and like the new Chanel Rouge Allure matte ls in La Délicate. My skin has been parched and dehydrated. Happy weekend!
Tanja
Dear Charleston Girl,
I have been a silent fan of your blog for years. I cannot express how happy I am that you are back. Through the years, I have also gotten to "know" and appreciate Eileen's comments and insights. You are quite the dynamic duo! Her comments were particularly helpful to me today. I picked up Beaugrenelle the other day and I look forward to trying the look that was so beautifully created for her. I have been wearing it with a very cool pink blush and mauvey pink lips.
I have had Madame Reve and Rose Glace' since they first came out and was never happy with the way they looked on me. Until this afternoon, when I tried that combo. LOVE!!! I also have the two of you to thank for my gorgeous Tatcha lipstick that arrived this afternoon. Absolutely stunning! I swore I would stop backing products up, but this one is tempting me!Thank you both for sharing your love of our "beautiful" world.
Thanks, Eileen! That's so cool.
Today, at NM, I met a woman with a pretty grey, short bob. She looked great. I almost fell over when she told me she is 82.
Hi Franlynne, and thank you. I've tried to talk Eileen into writing for BTiB, but she prefers commenting. I adore her insights.
I'm so glad you got A Plum Blossom!
Dear Charleston Girl,
I too have been a silent fan for several years. Even if you can't purchase and photograph the way you'd like, I still really appreciate your blog. I just wanted to say thank you!
I'm currently really love love LOVEing my Marc Jacobs Infamous lippie. it's just the perfect with every look kind of color. Also loving colourpop's lippies. Have you tried them yet?? Such a good deal, especially for of the moment colors and looks.
XOXO
Hi Franlynne,
I'm very late with this so I don't know if you'll see it, but I did want to say I'm pleased you're happy with Beaugranelle. Although the quad had gotten some good reviews, I wasn't in the least bit impressed with how some of the bloggers were using it, and so I didn't pay all that much attention to it. In Marcus' capable hands; however, it quickly became apparent how versatile Beaugranelle could be. The look he created for me couldn't have been more perfect---as was the look he created for the lady whose coloring and features were so different from mine. As for layering Glacé over Rêve, like you, I love it and consequently I've been carrying two Rouge G's around in my person for the past several days. Good thing I work out with weights! LOL
When we were talking about the various makeup looks being created, Marcus said, "You know what you want, but I know what you need." How true! But, don't think he is one of those my way or the highway types of MAs. He is willing to work on compromise as he gently nudges a woman towards something new and more flattering. Marcus Monson is one class act :-)
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