Rouge Bunny Rouge LOVE LIGHTS Highlighting Powder - Reformulated and Re-introduced

I first told you about Rouge Bunny Rouge's LOVE LIGHTS Highlighting Powder ($48) in 2011. These highlighting powders were fabulous then, and they are even better now. They have been reformulated with triple anti-aging benefits, and Rouge Bunny Rouge has added a new black, high-luster case with a magnetic lid. The compacts come with an applicator, shown in my photo above. They weren't as beautifully embossed in their first incarnation.

When Rouge Bunny Rouge sent me these highlighting powders with other new introductions for review, I had a moment of déjà vu. I figured out why very quickly with a quick blog search. I had featured them in June of 2011.

Rouge Bunny Rouge said, "We interpreted the sublimely haunting beauty of this powder and released it here for you. Feather-light and creamy, to softly stroke your skin with pearly velvet light from dusk 'til dawn. A natural, even, and radiant look is yours, while the tiny dazzling micro-particles add teasingly shimmering twinkles. Let the firelight in to accentuate cheeks, arms, legs...anywhere you dare to bare. With such a bewitching halo about you, those who lay their head upon your warm lap may not want it back."

This radiant powder, enriched with exquisite anti-aging benefits for a firmer and healthier skin, feels like a gossamer sweep of creamy silk. The powder’s miraculous “blurring” finish and smoothing effect will instantly transform your complexion - your personal secret to perfect, clear, porcelain-like skin.

New-generation pigments create a lasting flawless, luminous coverage and a unique blendability. State-of-the-art technologies in powder treatment and coating make for the superb smoothing properties, and delightful skin feel. An exclusive Aglianico Grape Marc Extract is added to boost natural anti-aging and healing processes, such as detoxification and synthesis of hyaluronic acid and type I and type III collagen. These powders are free from parabens, fragrance, and D5.

The new packaging is even more elegant and practical. Inside the tall matte box with a glossy floral print, a foam inserts cradles a high-luster, piano black case with a magnetic lid. All of Rouge Bunny Rouge's packaging is inspired.

You can see the two shades in the photos above. Goddess is a satin-finish, very light cream with pink undertones. Sweet to Touch also offers a satin-finish; it's a medium amber with a golden glow effect.

Like all of Rouge Bunny Rouge's products, LOVE LIGHTS comes with a story. When night falls in the Enchanted Garden and soft moonlight bathes the resplendent beaches of the Grand Moon Seas, nymphs will emerge and dance and whirl weightlessly around a fire. The secret of their weightlessness lies in the starlight powder coating the beach - every night the nymphs luxuriate in it to sustain the magic of their skin and grace of their movement.

I've joined the nymphs in their dance around the night's fire. I took swatch photos of the powders in full, mid-day sunshine, though, not around the fire. I used a sponge-tipped applicator and applied them heavily so that you might see them on my arm. They are beautiful and subtle finishing powders when applied normally, with a fluffy blush or powder brush. When applied with a more dense brush, you can build the coverage on your skin wherever you want light to be reflected.

Goddess is shown at the top of my arm. It is a very light pink, one that will add a touch of color to your skin with a subtlety that is radiant, but conservative - a glow. Instead, it looks makes my skin appear lit from within. That's worth every cent of the price.

Sweet to Touch adds more color, leaving an amber-tinted gold on my complexion. It warms my skin, making me look less bland than I do after a winter without much sunshine. Both shades add a fresh, healthy look to the skin.

These powders really don't sparkle much, despite those "teasingly shimmering twinkles." That makes them perfectly wearable during the day. I'll use both and probably select a shade based on what I'm wearing. I'd have a hard time choosing between them, so I'm excited that Rouge Bunny Rouge sent me both shades.

If you go to this link, you can find a brochure on these lovely powders. Definitely worth a download!

These re-introduced highlighting powders are being launched on Friday, April 1. You can order them from Rouge Bunny Rouge, or wait a short time for them to be available at Beautyhabit.

Update: There is a GWP!  Special offer until April 11, 2016: Buy any Highlighting Powder and receive a Sheer Lipstick Jasmine-weighted Air as a gift. Buy any Highlighting Powder plus any Highlighting Liquid and receive a Face Contour Brush 012 as a gift. Find all you need to Read more...

 

Photos by Best Things in Beauty or courtesy of Rouge Bunny Rouge

Guerlain Le Crayon Yeux Water-resistant, Long-lasting Eye Pencil in Khaki Driver for Spring 2016

When Marcus Monson was here last, he used this Guerlain Khaki Driver (#05, $31) water-resistant, long-lasting Eye Pencil on me. It was gorgeous. He applied a very thin line right into the base of my eyelashes, making them look fuller than they are. The color looked khaki if you looked for color, but it could have passed for a soft black when viewed through the lens of my lashes. Of course, I wanted it.

Guerlain sent me this gorgeous eye pencil in the package with ENJOY. I was so pleased to receive it and thrilled to see that it comes with a sharpener. Some of you know that I'm not happy with pencil products I can't sharpen. This dual-ended pencil even has it's own smudger on one end, perfect for those who want to use it for its color - even a smudged smoky eye - instead of a defined eyeliner.

I hope you can see the khaki color in the photo directly above. It's definitely green, but a dark khaki with a kohl look and feel.

Guerlain describes the pencil this way...
Guerlain redefines the typical eye pencil and introduces its first-ever all-in-one liner and khol pencil with a water-resistant and long-lasting formula. With minimal effort, this gentle, creamy-smooth Eye Pencil glides on for a seamless application. Whether going for a dramatic look or something a bit more natural, this new pencil and blending tip create beautifully defined and contoured eyes in an instant.

The indispensable look accessory, Guerlain's Eye Pencil, kohl and contour, allows every makeup result, from a simple elegant sweep to a sultry smoky eye. Thanks to its gliding texture including intense pigments, it can be used as liner in eye contour, as kohl in the inner eye, or even over the entire eyelid. It is long-lasting, no-transfer, and water-resistant; it unfailingly withstands heat and tears of emotion.

I can definitely testify to it's long-lasting characteristic. Even though I used my OCuSOFT eyelid scrubs the next morning, my liner remained intact. I loved the even, thin line that remained, giving me a second day of lush-looking lashes. I can also assure you that it glides on effortlessly. Although creamy, once it sets, it's there to stay.

I took a swatch photo in full, noontime sunshine. The sparkles you see on my arm are leftovers from an eye shadow I had not fully removed over the eyeliner swatch. Sorry - I didn't see them until I looked at the photo online. Khaki Driver is not glittery or sparkly.

I've mentioned before that my camera has difficulties with greens, and this one is no exception. While this color is fairly accurate, it's not spot-on. Nevertheless, I hope you can see how lovely and totally wearable this khaki is.

This Eye Pencil comes in five new colors, including Khaki Driver. The other four are 01 Black, 02 Brown, 03 Purple, and 04 Navy Blue. I've got to check out that navy blue next time I go to the counter.

You can purchase it from your favorite Guerlain source, including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and online sources, such as Sephora. I'd recommend you check it out.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Guerlain Ecrin 1 Couleur Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Silky Powder in ENJOY for Spring 2016, Limited Edition

I wanted this limited-edition ENJOY eye shadow (#13, $34) when it was first introduced with the Spring 2016 Collection but I was being frugal and had to pass. Then, Guerlain sent it to me for review, and I was thrilled. It's a beautiful shade for any time of year, but it's special right now as the daffodils are starting to bloom.

ENJOY is the Spring Limited Edition of the iconic eye shadow Ecrin 1 Couleur. With this shade, Guerlain offers a new buttercup shade to creates light and a delicate halo to illuminate and intensify your eye look. Nested in a new shiny metallic rose gold (some would say gleaming copper) compact, the powder invites us to see the world in color.

Incorporating Guerlain's trademarked Lastever technology, the pigments are coated in a gel allowing them to stay put all day long without settling into creases or fine lines. ENJOY is an essential must-have to use to your heart’s content. Use it as a base; use it layered or blended with other shades; or use it as a highlighter. I have found that it's gorgeous when used with any shade that has a touch of periwinkle in it - opposites on the color wheel. It reminds me of the garden mixture of violets and buttercups. It also makes my eyes pop blue. It also looks great with any copper shade.

As you can see in the photo above, the eye shadow comes with a dual-ended sponge-tipped applicator. It's handy if you want to take the compact along, but it's also useful to apply the shadow heavily. For my swatch photo below, I applied it moderately, knowing the noontime sun would wash out the color a bit.

You can still see how wearable this shade is. It can be applied sheerly for a wash of yellow, or more heavily for a yellow pop. The shade provides color, but also highlights the eyes, whether you apply it on the inside corner of your lid, all over the lid, or even under the brow bone to reflect light.

I'm thrilled with it. If you need a gleaming yellow addition to your eye shadow wardrobe, you can find ENJOY at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and any source in store or online where Guerlain color is sold. It has a perfect name. I think you'll enjoy it as much as I am.

Photo at top courtesy of Guerlain; other photo by Best Things in Beauty

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Whether it's a holy day for you or a holiday opportunity to celebrate friends and family, I hope you enjoy your day. Easter seems to have come early this year. Nevertheless, our gardens are obliging us with flowering trees, daffodils, and other early flowers. It's starting to get really pretty out there.

I started to write about the terrorist attacks in Brussels this week, but I think the atrocities committed there are too depressing for a Happy Easter feature. I'm glad Pope Francis condemned them in the strongest language.

I haven't seen my garden Easter Bunny this week. My garden is usually populated with darling bunnies. They do a great job munching on weeds - and the occasional herb. I saw one a month or two ago. I know he's around. I hope he lays low when the foxes are around.

Bunnies are safe from poisons in my garden (although not in neighboring gardens owned by people who think there's something sacred about grass at the expense of the environment). I stopped using herbicides many years ago when I learned the connection between the degradation of the Chesapeake Bay and garden chemicals. I favor weeds mixed with grass and a resurgence of the blue crab and oyster populations over perfectly manicured lawns, and I'm sure my bunnies do too. Actually, I wish there were a way to ban the use of lawn chemicals in my area. Whatever you use to poison weeds and encourage grass growth here eventually makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay.

I've read about the horrible drought in California and the illegal use of water by the "privileged," who, I guess, believe that that a green lawn symbolizes wealth. If people would take the time to research drought-resistant landscaping, they would learn that they could have a picture-perfect garden and save water - a win win.

Tomorrow, I think I'll break out a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate spring and the rebirth of nature's beauty. I hope you also find a pleasurable way to celebrate the rebirth of Mother Nature and Easter Sunday. Let's hope for peace.

Enjoy the day!

Photo of Vintage Postcard, made in Germany, A.S. B. 196, courtesy of Bygone Books

The Friday Forum - March 25

The photo above was taken outside my work building at Tysons Corner. Aren't the trees beautiful? If I walk over to a window, I can enjoy that view. I'm loving it.

I also took a photo of my star magnolia last week, before it started to become frowzy from a light frost. I have been gazing at it, particularly as I drive into my driveway. That tree laden with cardinals is like a spring Christmas tree.

I've really enjoyed watching the bald eagle cam the American Eagle Foundation set up so that we can monitor the DC eagle family 24 hours a day. I've been excited to learn so much about eagles - from how the parents behave to sibling rivalry. The first-born little "rotter" tries to push his sibling out of the way at feeding time. I applauded when DC3, the second born, gave him a head bop. If you haven't watched yet, check it out at this link. Just try not to get as obsessed with it as I am!

Last week, I talked about notices of unsubscriptions of the e-mail feed for the blog. There is another thing I meant to mention. Some people check an option that says "ISP requested deletion" or something close to that. These notices always seem to be from people with AOL e-mails. I can't figure this out. I assume that since the mailing list is large, the ISP may see it as spam. Why would AOL or your Internet Service Provider, e.g., Verizon, ask you to unsubscribe from a list? You don't have to do that. Just put the list sender, bestthingsinbeauty@gmail.com in your contacts if you wish to continue to receive my blog e-mails.

I am very excited that I'll get to see Guerlain's Marcus Monson on April 9. After years of not being invited to his events, I'm "on the list." He is so much fun, in addition to being a magnificent makeup artist, he's a must-see. If you are in the DC area and want an appointment, call Karen at the Guerlain counter at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria.

It's time for the Friday Forum. I'm sorry it's going up a bit late today. I cannot e-mail images to my work computer. New rule; apparently the company is receiving attachments with malware, and they have workers stupid enough to open them (not nice, but really!). I had intended to insert the photos this morning, but I watched the eagle cam too long and started to run late. Those eagles have captured my world.

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. Given that it's Easter weekend, I suspect some of you are away.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2016 Runway Collection - Swatched Plus Armani Goes Fur-Free

You may remember that I had to swatch the Giorgio Armani Beauty Spring/Summer 2016 Runway Palette in the store, and I promised to provide better swatch photos of the three eye shadows and blush.

The Spring/Summer Runway Palette ($120) is gorgeous - even prettier than it looks on the Web site. The photo directly above shows the first tier of the palette with a warm pink blush that will thrill many, and the second tier presents three beautiful eye shadows.

I was able to get a swatch photo in late-afternoon sunshine. I swatched with sponge-tipped applicators, applying the eye shadow shades fairly heavily and the blush rather lightly.

The leftmost shade is a beautiful base champagne shade, which is shown at the top of my arm, offers a beautiful gleam. I wish you could see the exact tone of the beautiful grey shade in my photo. It has a slight periwinkle tint that makes it unique. It's worth the price of admission. The light copper shade is a beautiful shade for spring and also daytime. I'm smitten with all three.

The blush is shown on my arm below the three eye shadows. I applied it moderately and blended it slightly into a circle. It's a warm pink shade that works perfectly for me.

I hope this photo will give you enough information to decide whether the palette is a must-have for you. It is for me. Right now, the Armani Beauty Web site is offering a 15% discount and free shipping for orders of $75 or more. Just use the code SPRING.

Just in case you haven't heard, The Armani Groups has announced that all of its lines will go fur-free starting this fall. WWD reported an agreement between Armani and The Humane Society of the United States and the Fur Free Alliance. The Armani Group plans to stop using animal fur in all of its products. The Fur Free Alliance is a coalition of 40 animal protection organizations in 28 countries that are trying to end the fur trade.

Giorgio Armani said in a statement released by the HSUS, “I am pleased to announce that the Armani Group has made a firm commitment to abolish the use of animal fur in its collections. Technological progress made over the years allows us to have valid alternatives at our disposition that render the use of cruel practices unnecessary as regards animals. Pursuing the positive process undertaken long ago, my company is now taking a major step ahead, reflecting our attention to the critical issues of protecting and caring for the environment and animals.”

This makes me love Giorgio Armani even more. Hip hip hooray!

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; swatch photo by Best Things in Beauty

April Aromatics Face Serum and Natural Fragrances

Last year, Tanja Bochnig, natural perfumer and artisan - founder of April Aromatics - sent me a sample of her Face Serum, a little treasure. With ingredients of infused organic calendula oil, organic rosa mosqueta seed oil, organic avocado oil, organic jojoba oil, castor oil, rose otto essential oil, organic lavender oil, sandalwood oil and other natural essences, the Face Serum has a botanical fragrance that made me sure I was doing good things for my face. I took the photo above shortly after it arrived. Now, it's an empty spray bottle, a reminder of beautiful things past.

The serum reminds me of pricey brands that are loaded with natural botanical extracts, like Sisley. It is a medium-weight serum (you know you've applied it) that absorbs rapidly and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and healthy. I love it and want more.

Last week, I asked Tanja if it is available. Her response was that the Face Serum was one of the first products in her collection, created years ago. She continues to make it for herself and friends, but has devoted almost all her time to perfumery. She also moved to Europe, where every cosmetic product has to be meticulously registered and lab-proven. So she put her cosmetic line on hold. Nevertheless, the Face Serum is available, but you won't find it on her April Aromatics Web site. She said that if anyone wants to purchase it, just send her a message, either through her Web site or on Facebook. In the near future, she plans to bring out an organic cosmetics collection. It's already in the works, and I'm excited to see it. You could be one of the first to experience it! If you love botanical products, you will love Tanja's Face Serum. Just contact her to acquire it.

Want to give one of her fragrances a try? I can recommend many of them. In 2012, I selected Unter den Linden as one of the best fragrance introductions of the year. It left me in a trance then, and it still does. Lindenblossom CO₂ extract from Bulgaria and linden blossom absolute extract from France mixed with magnolia blossoms and a citrus note create this delicate fragrance with a beautiful, light, powdery, sweetly floral scent of honey. It smells like linden trees in full bloom.

I stopped writing "fragrances of the year" features because I just can't afford to purchase enough of them to select the definitive "best." If I had continued, I am confident April Aromatics' fragrances would have been among them.

Jasmina Eau de Parfum ($225) is another favorite of mine. It's absolutely seductive (no exaggeration), an aphrodisiac par excellence. The jasmine flowers for this scent are obtained from the southern part of India and are distilled through a variety of processes. The flower‘s calming, soothing qualities help to relax the body, lift the spirit, and quiet the nerves. Jasmina brings a heightened spiritual awareness and encourages sleep and dreaming. It is a very sensual scent and a truly pitch-perfect soliflore. The notes are jasmine, ylang-ylang, and grapefruit. If you like your jasmine with a touch of citrus, you'll love it.

We used to have to order April Aromatics fragrances from Europe. Now, though, Luckyscent offers them, making them readily available to us in the United States. April Aromatics has a large number of April Aromatics fragrances available. I'll bet there's at least one for each of you.

Photo at top by Best Things in Beauty; other photo courtesy of April Aromatics

Rouge Bunny Rouge Dazzling Sip Tinted Luxe Balm from the Euphony of Lace Collection for Spring 2016

The moment I saw the e-mail announcing the new Rouge Bunny Rouge Dazzling Sip Tinted Luxe Balms ($31), I asked about them. There are no lipsticks that delight me more than those that are sheer and shimmery. Totally unexpectedly, Rouge Bunny Rouge offered to send them to me, making me one of the most grateful bloggers on Earth. They arrived on a sunny day. I knew I could get photos if I hurried. I think my hands were trembling as I opened the box. It's a wonder I didn't cut myself. I left Charlie playing with the pretty RBR tissue paper as I dashed outside to try them and take photos. I've been wearing them ever since.

These beautiful new lip colors are part of Rouge Bunny Rouge's Euphony of Lace Collection for Spring 2016. The beautiful model is wearing the new Spring Harmony eye shadow palette, the Foundation Essence I featured in January, and the darkest of the Tinted Lip Balms, Specs of Cerise. To see how she got the look shown above, pop over to the Web site, where you will find step-by-step directions.

The three shades are shown directly above. From left to right, they are:

• Pinch of Nude, a juicy and transparent juicy beige, nude that adds shimmer with little color for your casual days;
• Sip of Pink, a transparent and luminous soft raspberry-pink with light peach undertones; and
• Specs of Cerise, a transparent and luminous red - like crimson-red cherries.

The balms offer dazzling, sheer treatment colors with anti-aging, intensely moisturizing, and repairing properties. They have a delicate scent that dissipates quickly, leaving behind all of the hydration and shine. They feel light and creamy on the lips. As we age, our lips lose color, elasticity, and volume; the unique Tinted Luxe Balm formula is exclusively aimed at making a difference. The shimmer will make your lips look plump. It doesn't get better!

Rouge Bunny Rouge says that Tinted Luxe Balm is based on a powerful active complex designed to bring back the original volume of our lips within four weeks of daily use, all while smoothing fine lines, nourishing, and brightening the lips. An Ecocert-approved, patented active complex derived from natural sunflower oil intensely hydrates and softens (clinically approved). I haven't had them for four weeks to testify to this effect, so I'll have to get back to you later. In the meantime, I'm enjoying them for their sheer, shiny look.

Adding to the glamour of Rouge Bunny Rouge color, there is a story, of course. This sybaritic balm is inspired by the Dragon-guarded Fountains of Indulgence in the Enchanted Garden.

It's a soothing yet scintillating mélange of exuberance and healing that quenches your lips with richness while glinting them with a light veil of precious pearls. This sumptuously luxuriant balm melts creamily, dispelling cold and fatigue, making your lips as soft to the touch as the unopened buds of spring, while also polishing them with a dewy gleam. Your shining smile will sweep everyone around you into the heart of the Water Faeries’ abode, where you can swim unabashed in your own bubble of contentment.

Luxury care, with a reflection of pearls. An innovative lip balm that nourishes, restores, and protects with a Triglyceride-packed formula. With specially selected actives: an emollient complex, rice bran oil and vitamin E for antioxidant and emollient properties. Aloe adds moisture and promotes natural healing. A structured, full-bodied cream glides on smoothly and melts onto the lips. The immediate results are healthy lips with a brilliant veil of precious pearls.

The transparent shimmer at the top of my arm is Pinch of Nude (#091). The middle shade is Sip of Pink (#092). The shade at the bottom is Specs of Cerise (#093). I applied all three shades directly to my arm (one pass) from the tubes and took my photos in late-afternoon sun. I love them all. I would have purchased all three.

You can purchase Dazzling Sip Tinted Luxe Balms from Rouge Bunny Rouge and Beautyhabit. Rouge Bunny Rouge was offering a buy two, get one free offer in February, but I don't think it's still valid. Beautyhabit has a special offer on their page. With your $85 or more Rouge Bunny Rouge purchase, you will receive a Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipstick in Tongue Tickles - a beautiful shiny pale carnation pink with a white shimmer (a $29 value) Use the code LACE. The offer expires March 25, 2016 or as long as supplies last.

Photos courtesy of Rouge Bunny Rouge and by Best Things in Beauty

The Friday Forum - March 18

Yesterday, I went to a Guerlain Skin Care Event at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria. I was treated to a long hand massage that relaxed me after a full day at work. Unfortunately, I had to leave before the "full treatment," but I left with a few treasures I'll tell you about very soon.

I am praying for sunshine this weekend. We may see the sun Saturday. I'm hoping to take photos. I fear Sunday may be a washout. There is a possible snow storm predicted. I'm so tired of that white stuff.

We have nesting bald eagles in DC, and the two eggs are predicted to hatch this weekend. One little eagle has already started to break his way out of the shell. Please send happy thoughts the way of our precious family. I hope the eaglets survive and thrive.

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.

One more thing...every time I publish a post, just about every day, old subscribers unsubscribe. That's OK. There are a lot of ways to make sure you see Best Things in Beauty when you're ready. Or not. It's a little weird, though. FeedBlitz asks readers to select a reason. Some say I send out too many updates, and others say I send out too few updates. I can't figure that one out. The feeds go out every day I write a feature. I'm going to stick with that; it's a blogging convention. Fortunately, for every two or three I lose, I gain a new subscriber. To my new subscribers, thank you! You make me happy.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty              

Guerlain Météorites Pearls Carousel for Summer 2016

For spring and summer, the iconic Guerlain Météorites Pearls have been reinvented in delicate, pastel colors. The limited-edition, skin-enhancing Guerlain Météorites Pearls in Carousel ($62) will gently give your complexion a fresh glow. Warm pink pearls revive. Soft mauve pearls catch the light. Sunny yellow pearls fight dullness. The pearlescent white pearls reflect light. Guerlain's innovative stardust technology transforms UV rays into visible, soft-focused, perfect light (using a spherical pigment contained within each pearl), while the mix of harmonious shades customizes luminosity to your skin tone by your own application - light or layered.

I was a grateful recipient of the Carousel Météorites Pearls, which Guerlain sent me. I did a happy dance the day I came home from work, found them on my doorstep, and looked up and saw just enough sunshine to get a few photos. The colors in Carousel are absolutely perfect for spring and summer, a time when you want to enliven your complexion, even if you are stuck in an office all day.

Lest you ever doubted that I take my pictures at my house when I say I do, look at that gnat who flew in and landed on my tableau! Now it's too dark outside to get additional photos, so we might as well name him the now-famous Carousel gnat.

Look at these gorgeous colors! You can see them blended on the applicator shown in the photo above. The beautiful spring pink will liven up any winter complexion.

I held the container toward the sun so that there would be little shadow from the container on the pearls. You can see the beautiful pastel shades, made more vibrant by the warm pink pearls. They contribute significantly to the overall effect when you blend all the shades and apply the Météorites to your skin.

As always, I had a crazy blogger desire to show you a swatch photo. I used the applicator that came in the Météorites to apply them heavily to my arm, and I held my arm directly at the sun. I really layered the color so that you could see how lively it is; it makes my skin glow. The result is shown below.

Fortunately, unlike some of my past photos of finishing powders, you can see the color on my arm. I think it's exquisite. It glows, but doesn't sparkle. The warm pink will flatter most of us. I applied it all over my face with a fluffy powder brush, and I was thrilled with how good Carousel made me look. I also noticed that I can wear it, applied heavily with a denser brush, as a subtle blusher because my face is so pale. Another way you can apply Carousel is in a "three" on each side of the face - over the temples, across the cheekbones, down the edge of the face, and partially across the jawline.

The Carousel pearls have the same light, distinctive Guerlain scent that all Météorites have. It dissipates quickly, and it never fights with my chosen fragrance for the day.

I've never met a Guerlain Météorites introduction I didn't love. I have many versions, and I'll never discard them. When I'm not using them, they live in my makeup museum. That's how special I think they are!

I did a quick online search and found that you can purchase the Météorites Pearls Carousel at Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom's Web site. I know they must be available from other retailers, so I'll update this feature when I can identify them. If you've seen them in stores, please let us know in the comments.

Update 3/18: Carousel is available at the counter at Neiman Marcus.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; last photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

How can TATCHA continue to turn out such amazing products - customized to satisfy every need? No matter what your skin type, age, or preferences, there is a TATCHA product (or suite of products) for you.

Several years ago, I introduced TATCHA here and learned that many of you were already devotees of this brand and its fabulous products. For over 300 years, Japan’s geishas have been held in awe for their  breathtakingly beautiful, porcelain skin. Perfected through centuries of  timeless rituals, the beauty secrets of the geishas had been passed down from one generation to the next by word of mouth - that is, until TATCHA rediscovered their coveted daily regimens in a  200-year-old  manuscript, written in the twilight of Japan’s Edo Period.

Traveling back to the City of 2000 Temples (Kyoto), TATCHA worked  with  teams of scientists, scholars, and geisha themselves to decipher the rituals and ingredients from this text. What they uncovered is the very foundation of Eastern skin care and beauty.

TATCHA’s formulas pay homage to the icon of Eastern beauty and their own storied heritage. Now the secrets of the geisha live on through a proprietary process involving the most precious green teas, Okinawa red algae, rice bran, and other time-tested ingredients.

TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($48) - not new, but that doesn't matter - was made for me. You won't convince me otherwise. TATCHA had my clone in their labs as they envisioned and created this revolutionary skin mist. She was a woman with dry, possibly aging, skin. She wanted more than anything to look dewy and fresh again - not just in the morning right before she leaves for work, but at any time of day when she needs a boost. She told the researchers that she cares about botanical ingredients that unlock nature's secrets. She also prioritized the appearance of the container, explaining that lavender blue is calming - one key to feeling and looking younger.

TATCHA took her vision and turned it into Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, a mist among many on the market, but one that's unique.

What is it?  Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is a silky liquid moisturizer that's formulated with green tea, squalane, red algae, Japanese rice bran, and TATCHA's HADASEI-3  bioactive complex. It should be misted onto the face for a boost of soothing  hydration and dewy, luminous, replenished-looking skin - anytime, anywhere.

The milky emulsion contains moisturizers and humectants that leave my skin rehydrated and dewy. Because it does not contain the high levels of alcohol and fragrance found in conventional hydrating sprays, it has no drying effect that would be counterproductive to its hydrating purpose.

Named one of the 10 best hydrating facial mists by Vogue.com, it's already made its mark on the beauty profession. Daniel Martin, celebrity makeup artist, keeps Luminous Dewy Skin Mist in his bag. Simply put, he said it feels good. He has already gone through many bottles of TATCHA’s spritz since discovering it. “I love layering it on before foundation to prep the skin. In some cases, it’s hydrating enough that I don’t even need a separate moisturizer,” adds Martin, who also uses the mist after makeup application to set makeup in place. Like me, he loves TATCHA's packaging. It's pretty and luxurious, and we all know pretty makes pretty.

Another leading magazine, Harper's Bazaar.com, featured Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (along with its sister mask) by reporting that it seals in intense hydration. Finish your hydrating treatment with Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, "a mist of botanical water  with humectants to rehydrate your complexion minus any drying alcohols, so you look luminous all day."

This wonderful skin mist will not affect your makeup - other than refreshing it. I'm using it now as I go from the cold, winter air into office air, which is very drying. Early spring is my driest time of year. I close my eyes and spritz lightly (just a few pumps) to renew my skin and my makeup. Luminous Dewy Skin Mist will make your skin dewy and fresh, but never oily - just instantly revived and refreshed. Your co-workers may wonder what miracles are happening in the ladies room. Use it in summer or winter; there's no constraint on the season for this miracle mist.

You really need to check out TATCHA's Web site or Sephora, especially if you can't get to a Barneys, the best-known retailer for TATCHA. Anything TATCHA is a "find," and I recommend this mist over all of my others (and I have quite a few).

Those geishas were onto something. Don't you think we should encourage TATCHA to develop a cosmetics line beyond its last two superb annual lipsticks?

Photos courtesy of TATCHA

Guerlain - New Shades of Terracotta, The Bronzing Powder and Long-Lasting Natural Tan

I mentioned just last week how much I love Guerlain's Terracotta Bronzing Powders ($53). Now, I'm thrilled to tell you that Guerlain has created four new shades to give you three weeks of sun in three seconds - and more flexibility in the color you tan.

Since 1984, the legendary Terracotta Bronzing Powder has claimed its permanence in women’s vanity cases and hearts. It is continuing to stake its claim in history with a new contemporary design inside and out and an expanded range of shades that match every skin tone. Guerlain has drawn upon over 30 years of expertise and innovation to bring its iconic legendary texture for a naturally bronzed glow. One Guerlain Terracotta powder is sold every 25 seconds worldwide! It remains a cult product synonymous with “bronzer.”

The features and benefits of Terrcotta Bronzer...

• Radiant, blendable finish leaves skin with a healthy glow
• Enhances skin and illuminates the overall complexion
• Long-lasting formula, enriched with moisturizing ingredients
• New powder design with an embossed solar pattern 

Legendary scents can evoke deep emotions, and the new fragrance of Terracotta is one that brings forth memories of happiness, serenity, beauty, and wonder. Notes of tiare flower, freesia, orange flower extracts, jasmine, rose, iris, tonka bean, and vanilla gently come together to deliver a fresh feeling to the skin. The scent is divine. As a rule, I don't care for scented makeup, but I make an exception for this one. It's divine.

The tanned skin of blondes takes on rosy tones, while that of brunettes develops golden tones. These tones are reflected in the Bronzing Powders. The new shades are marked with an asterisk.

00 Blondes*, 01 Brunettes, 02 Blondes, 03 Brunettes, 04 Blondes*, 05 Brunettes,07 Dore*, and 09 Intense*.

Terracotta The Bronzing Powder is available at select locations and online at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, and Guerlain boutiques. I have an appointment with Guerlain on Thursday and can't wait to see the new 00.

Photo courtesy of Guerlain

The Friday Forum - March 11

What an eventful lunchtime I had today! After a meeting at Tysons, I zoomed over to Bloomingdale's to see Pamela Morgan, YSL's National Makeup Artist, and now their fragrance guru as well. She showed me a set of the new-ish fragrances that Bergdorf Goodman is carrying, and I was enchanted with almost every one of them.

The Patchouli? Not for me. Don't even get that stuff near me. All of the rest, in my opinion, are divine. I'm wearing Saharienne, which was first presented in 1968 and relaunched in 2011. Fragrantica describes it as a blend of the contrasts of hot desert aromas and fresh tones that are desirable in the summer as the hottest of all fresh waters. Sparkling and invigorating notes of lemon, Italian bergamot, and mandarin give way to the core made of white flower petals, orange leaf, galbanum, and black currant bud. The base is warm and sensual due to the spiciness of pink pepper and ginger, and their is a powdery effect as it dries down. Heavenly.

After smelling all of them, I think I want four. How am I going to pull that off?

As I left Bloomingdale's and got in my car, who should walk by but Loyd Cassler! I haven't seen Loyd in years - since he left Saks Fifth Avenue as "Mr. Armani." I was thrilled to jump out and have a five-minute chat, which we hope to continue on the phone. He is now with Algenist and spends a good bit of time managing the brand in the greater Maryland, DC, and Virginia region. I'd love to see him again soon. We have a lot of catching up to do.

I want to give you a warning about an advertisement you may have seen here or on Facebook. Do not purchase from the scammers that call themselves Dress Lily. I am in the process of a very tedious process with them to return a mis-advertised item. It turns out they are in China. Because of their unresponsiveness, I have filed my first-ever PayPal dispute. Just don't even consider their products. I have blocked their advertisements from showing up here ever again.  There is even a Facebook page called People Scammed by Dress Lily.

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.


Photo by Best Things in Beauty

The Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2016 Runway Collection - In-Store Photos

I finally got a chance at lunchtime today to pop into Neiman Marcus and get some quick photos of the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2016 Beauty Runway Collection. I had to take my photos with my iPhone in the store or outside the doors, and the outdoor photo isn't wonderful. The sun was hiding behind a thick cloud cover. Sometimes, you have to make do.

The Spring/Summer Runway Palette ($120) is gorgeous - even prettier than it looks on the Web site. I took my photos of the tester. The photo directly above shows the first tier of the palette with a warm pink blush that will thrill many. The second tier, shown directly below, presents three beautiful eye shadows. It looks like someone really dug into the center shade with a knife.

The colors are better represented by Armani's photo directly below. I think it's more accurate than I was able to achieve indoors.

I took swatch photos inside and outdoors. I selected one taken outdoors for this feature. It isn't a great photo, but it was the best I could do on the run today.

I swatched all shades with a sponge-tipped applicator. The leftmost shade is a beautiful base champagne shade. It is not white as it might appear. I wish you could see the tone of the beautiful grey shade in my photo. It has a slight periwinkle tint that makes it unique and extravagant. It's worth the price of admission. The light copper shade is a beautiful shade for spring and also daytime. I'm smitten with all three.

The blush is shown on my arm below the three eye shadows. I blended it slightly into a circle. It's a warm pink shade that works perfectly for me. If you want to enlarge this photo, just click on it.

I promise to get better photos once this exquisite palette is mine. For now, I hope these photos will give you enough information to decide whether the palette is a must-have for you.

One photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil

No matter how good my foundation is, I cannot keep it on every part of my face all day long, especially on extended days. I do (for the most part) keep my hands off my face, but there's my Kleenex addiction, which is firing up with the early tree pollen as I write. I have seasonal allergies, and the Kleenex I use regularly wipes my makeup off my lower nose. My red nose comes with the allergy turf.

I always carry a touch-up product with me. I used to have wonderful little sample-sized Bobbi Brown cream foundation (with mirror and sponge) in my best shade, Warm Ivory. Alas, I have used them all up. I don't think I'll ever find those little treasures again. I asked a Bobbi representative if she had any left about two years ago. She thought she did, but I never heard back from her. In their absence, I've been using Bobbi Brown's Skin Foundation Stick, but it's heavier and larger than I prefer for my handbag.

Bobbi Brown was clearly reading my mind when she developed the new Retouching Face Pencil ($32). This miracle creamy-matte pencil fills in makeup spots I've wiped off, but also lightens shadows, covers dark spots, and neutralizes redness for a retouched-yet-natural-looking finish.

The Retouching Face Pencil features a full array of shades that are designed to make it easy to perfect all skin tones. Each shade glides on comfortably and blends seamlessly for the most skin-like finish. You can use it on bare skin as an all-in-one skin perfector, or layer it over foundation, as I do, for added coverage where you need it most for a natural-looking finish. There is also an Illuminate Pencil you can use to create a subtle strobing/highlighting effect. Just swipe on the high points of the face and blend in with your fingers. I'm a happy gal. This product is ultra-light in my makeup bag, and it's always there when I need it.

My only complaint? I wish Bobbi Brown had named and matched the shades to her foundation colors that are common across types of foundation. I had to figure out which one to order online. For me, it was a toss up between Porcelain (would it be too light?) and Extra Light (would that be too pink or too dark?). I selected Porcelain at Sephora's Web site, and my guess was perfect. I need foundations that are yellow-based in order to mask the redness of my nose. You can see the slight yellow tone in my swatch photo below.

I drew the swatch onto my arm with the pencil, and I did not blend it at all. Had I blended it, I doubt you would have been able to see the swatch on my arm. My photos were taken in full afternoon sun.

As an extra-added bonus, Bobbi Brown included a sharpener in the box. You would think that would be common sense for makeup companies, but I can't tell you how many pencils I have that did not come with sharpeners. At Armani counters, you can ask for them, but at most counters, they are not available for free. Since pencils come in all sizes, I think that's crazy.

The Retouching Face Pencil is available at Sephora, where you can see the wide range of shades. I think I'll try the Illuminate Pencil next. I highly recommend this little wonder for anyone who needs a foundation touch-up during the day.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2016 Runway Collection

The splashy photos sent by Armani Beauty last week caught my eye. I need to get over to a counter to see if the new spring/summer color treasures have arrived locally.

Directly inspired by the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2016 fashion show, the Runway Collection captures the essence of the "fil rouge" or red thread. Light and daring, this season’s exclusive collection opts for a natural complexion that highlights celestial, almost cosmic, eyes. Lids cast endless reflections of light. The lips are given a light, pearly veil of barely-there color that contrasts with the striking red polish of the nails. Each product features the star fabric of the Spring/Summer Armani Show and is enveloped in a veil of sheer tulle adorned with touches of graphic color.

As usual, the centerpiece of the collection is the Spring/Summer Runway Palette ($120). This palette looks like a must-have to me.

With a twist of graphic colors, wrapped in a luxurious veil of iridescent sheer tulle fabric straight from the runway, the palette focuses on the face and eyes. The first tier reveals a powder blush with a velvety texture that gently sculpts the cheekbones and delicately highlights facial features to create a healthy glow. The next tier contains a trio of eye shadows in iridescent shades: pearl, silvery copper, and shimmering grey - all of which look beautiful.

In addition to the palette, there is a Eye & Brow Maestro in a pot ($35), charcoal Runway Eye Tint ($42), natural pearly shimmer Runway Ecstasy Lacquer ($40), and red runway Nail Lacquer ($30).

Each piece of the collection is beautifully packaged in a veil of sheer tulle adorned with touches of graphic color. You can see the palette in the pouch above.

To see the entire collection as well as a video, pop over to the Giorgio Armani Beauty Web site. I am going to try to get over to Neiman Marcus later today or tomorrow at the latest to find out which pieces I can't live without. As you as intrigued as I am?

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Month of March Le Métier de Beauté Extravaganza Only at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie

Le Métier de Beauté at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie knows that we all love to shop in the spring, so they (and they only) are offering us a Spring Fling at Le Métier de Beauté. Michael and Andy (and Debbie, of course) have cooked up a delightful bouquet of goodies to reward you for shopping and help you think spring - all month long.

First of all, two new cleansing treatments will join Le Métier de Beauté's skin-care roster. I'm looking forward to featuring them very soon.

Daily Refresh Cleanser - This gentle exfoliating gel cleanser removes makeup and impurities while nourishing and strengthening the skin. Ingredients of green tea and vitamins A, C, and E will help brighten, repair, and protect the skin for a fresher and more vibrant complexion.

Replenishing Oil Cleanser - This new addition to the upscale selections of oil-based cleansers is designed to cleanse and hydrate the skin in one step. The complex combination of botanical extracts and emollients will lift impurities, residual makeup, and excess oils for a satin smooth feeling to the touch.

On Saturday, March 19, Global Skincare Aesthetician Barbara will be back at the Mazza Gallerie store. If you have not experienced the magic of Barbara's facial touch, this will be your next opportunity. Call Michael Reinhardt or Andy at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258, to reserve your appointment. They will go quickly.

As an added bonus, the counter will be offering an exclusive, Washington DC-only "knock your socks off" gift with qualifying Le Metier purchase. I believe the qualifying purchase will be $350, so it will be a great time to stock up on your essentials. I'm not allowed to tell you what the GWP is, you'll have to call the guys with your shopping list. Michael or Andy will give you the secret details.

This is the first Spring Fling at Neiman Marcus Mazza's Le Métier de Beauté counter. Go and you will be pampered. Call and you can have a telephone consultation and still earn the GWP with a qualifying purchase. I think Michael may be thinking about additional treats, however, I'd advise you to participate as soon as possible. They could run out of the beautiful gifts.

Photo courtesy of pcwired.net

The Friday Forum - March 4

We awakened this morning to a winter wonderland - the perfect kind of snow that stuck to the ground and trees, but left the roads only wet.  My little snowdrops were covered earlier, but now they are visible once again.

This has been a crazy-busy week for me. In addition to starting to work again (part time this week while we wait for Procurement to do their thing), I have also been in the final throws of a home refinancing. Interest rates plunged again, and I decided to take advantage of "found money," especially with a generous discount from my mortgage broker. I wish mortgage finance companies could make their requests for documents all at one time, not spread out over weeks. One day it's, "We need copies of this," and the next it's, "We need copies of that." On top of that, I had to straighten out this beauty warehouse I call home before the appraiser showed up.

I'm looking forward to getting back to some kind of routine next week. That will probably mean writing at night. My features will publish, but you won't get notice of them until the next afternoon.

I want to swing by the counters this weekend to see if anything new has arrived. That should be fun since the two major beauty events have ended, and the departments shouldn't be as crowded. I'll go after the GE repairman comes tomorrow morning to tell me why my microwave and dishwasher quit. Great timing!

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.

I plan to write over the weekend. I want to show you the new Armani color, and if the sun is out, I'll get photos for features. Hope to see you again soon!

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

TATCHA Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum

About a month ago, TATCHA sent me their new Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum ($95). I test most skin-care products for at least a month, so I am finally ready to tell you about this wonderful eye serum.

I'll start with TATCHA's own informative description. This weightless serum of Okinawa red algae, honeysuckle leaf, and caffeine offers instantly visible firming, reduced puffiness, and plumping hydration to diminish fine lines.

A cooling ceramic applicator, which you can see in TATCHA's photo immediately above, and fine dust of 23-karat gold brighten and diminish shadows under the eyes without adding shimmer. This serum was developed for all skin types. It's non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing. It was tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists before introduction.

We had a conversation about puffiness last weekend. If your puffiness is due to the shifting of fat under the skin (especially under the eyes), as so many experience with age - or as an unfortunate result of genetics, no eye serum or cream will fix it. Cosmetics cannot melt fat (yet).

However, many of us retain fluid, and that fluid leads to puffiness. This serum, with its caffeine, can act as a diuretic and reduce or eliminate fluid-filled puffiness. Have you noticed in the morning that you have a little "puff" above your sinuses on the side on which you sleep? If you are willing to spend 20 minutes resting with frozen peas over your eyes (protected by gauze, please), you can usually fix that. Who has an extra 20 minutes in the morning? I'd rather use TATCHA's Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum and spend a minute or two. Use the cooling applicator, and gently squeeze a small amount of serum from the tube onto the applicator. Give yourself a lymphatic massage under and over the eyes morning and night. Although TATCHA doesn't recommend that you massage over your eyes, I do. Just don't apply the serum too close to your lash line. The caffeine in this serum will draw that fluid out of your skin, and the manual lymphatic massage will help with the natural lymph drainage.

I have a bit of crepiness in the inside corner of my eye over the crease - another effect of aging. It annoys me beyond reason, and I'm thrilled that this serum is firming that area to correct it. That's one reason I recommend a good massage over the eyes. It has reinforced for me my "test for 30 days" routine. I saw an immediate difference, but I can also see a more permanent difference after a month's use.

What is Okinawa red algae? It's an active ingredient for skin health. It is a rich source of natural polysaccharides with a proven ability to enhance skin’s barrier function, replenish the skin’s natural water reservoir, and increase its moisture-retention capabilities. It is the pillar of TATCHA's signature, trademarked HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex. In TATCHA’s beauty book, Okinawa red algae is incorporated into rituals from washing hair to nourishing the body. Okinawa red algae has been a prized part of the local Okinawa diet for centuries and is called “treasure from the god of the sea” by the island’s residents. Want to know more? Just pop over to this link and this one. The ingredient gives Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum its wonderful hydrating and properties that will leave your skin looking relaxed, radiant, and luminous. Those pesky fine lines might just disappear.

When you use TATCHA skin care, you can be assured that every ingredient was carefully and scientifically chosen for its benefits to the skin. TATCHA guarantees its products, and their shipping is free, so you have nothing to lose - and much to gain - by trying them.

You can purchase TATCHA Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum at the TATCHA Web site. While you are there, look around. TATCHA offers many wonderful products, and they present excellent information on ingredients and their benefits.

Photo at top by Best Things in Beauty; applicator photo courtesy of TATCHA; red algae photo courtesy of photobucket.com

Fashion and Fragrance - The Elegance of Armani Privé

Cate Blanchett has never looked more beautiful - and she always looks fabulous - than she did at the Academy Awards Sunday night. Dressed in a seafoam Giorgio Armani Privé gown that complimented her pale complexion beautifully, she was stunning. That Tiffany starfish bracelet was the icing on the cake. Every time Mr. Armani dresses a superstar for the Academy Awards, he leaves us talking.

I find it hard to believe that fashionistas are arguing over this dress and whether it was worthy of its coronation as one of the best of the night. It was perfectly created to showcase her beautiful body, without revealing too much skin. The effect on television was one of pure Hollywood royalty. 

This past weekend I tested Privé Vert Malachite ($310), a new Armani fragrance that was introduced this year. A sweet friend at Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas sent me a sample.

One of two in a unisex collection called Les Terres Precieuses, Vert Malachite is a tribute to the countries and cultures that have inspired Mr. Armani. Vert Malachite is a celebration of Russian culture. It's full of light, extremely delicate yet resistant. White lily accord, at the heart of this enchanting creation, is infused with luscious sambac jasmine and ylang ylang essence, offering a sensual and unique signature.

Fragrantica says the nose behind this fragrance is Fabrice Pellegrin. The top notes are bitter orange and petitgrain. The middle notes are ylang-ylang, jasmine sambac, and pink pepper. The base notes are lily, benzoin, and vanilla.

The moment I sprayed Vert Malachite on my arm, I was struck by the dry, sweet composition of some of my favorite notes. At first, this fragrance makes its presence known, so one spray should be enough. As it dries down, it cuddles closer to the skin. The reward? Twelve hours of wear!

I have to have a bottle of Vert Malachite. It's expensive, but I'll wear it for a very long time. My friend also sent me a sample of its partner in the collection, Rouge Malachite, which I haven't tested yet. That's a project for later in the week. I like to spread out my rewards.

Photos courtesy of Vogue and Giorgio Armani Fragrances