Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge d'Armani Downtown Collection for Fall 2011 - AKA Armani Hollywood Ambers

From Giorgio Armani Beauty, the Rouge d'Armani Downtown Collection for Fall 2011 ($30) offers six new, limited-edition shades that are a perfect complement to your fall fashion. The collection arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria last week. The Downtown Collection is also referenced as Armani's Hollywood Ambers. The United States and Europe have given these lovelies different collection names, as I mentioned yesterday in my feature on the new Gloss d'Armani shades.

I played with the new shades with Erin Vega, Armani Product Specialist, at Neiman Marcus. I selected one, Brown #205, to bring home with me. A couple of the shades were a little too dark for me (in my opinion). I know they are perfect autumn colors - just not for my face.

When you take a look at my photos, you may think, "Why on earth did Giorgio Armani Beauty categorize this shade with the browns?" On my lips, this shade does display its brown side. It's actually a hard shade to categorize. It might also fit with the plums, reds, or pinks. So remember that you can find some incredibly lovely colors in a category toward which you might not gravitate naturally. I love browns, but perhaps you don't. Check out the colors in person if you can and forget the categories and numbers.

Let's take a look at Brown #205. I would describe it, after wearing it, as a warm, deep rusty rose - and yes, with a lot of brown in it. The brown is more evident on my lips than it is on my arm. It is about as dark a shade as I can wear, and I would definitely limit its wear to the fall season and traditional fall fashion.

The color is intense - almost opaque. It looks best on me blotted and enlivened with one of my Gloss d'Armani plum or mauve shades. It's incredibly gorgeous when used as a stain (blotted) and topped with the new Pink #507 Gloss d'Armani. That combination looks like it was made for me, and it's amazingly long-lasting.

The pairing of Brown #205 with Pink #507 takes the "rust" out of the shade. Rust tones and I have a difficult relationship. If rusty roses are your colors (you "Autumn" seasonal color types or redheads), you need to dash right to your favorite Armani counter or order online. Brown #205 is your color, and it's a limited-edition.

I won't recite the other five shades in the collection. You can see them at this link. The tube photo will change to display the color you select, so that helps to take the guesswork out of ordering online. I love that feature.

The Hollywood Ambers (or Downtown Collection, whichever you prefer) will keep us happy until the holiday collection arrives in November. These new Rouge d'Armani shades are available online at Giorgio Armani Beauty and at Armani counters and boutiques.

I did order a second shade (Beige #109) from the Hollywood Ambers today, taking advantage of the discount Giorgio Armani Beauty USA is offering right now. With any $50 purchase, you will receive a 15% discount and free shipping if you use the code EXCLUSIVE at checkout. The offer is valid from now until October 20. Hurry! It's a great time to buy.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Giorgio Armani Beauty Gloss d'Armani Downtown Collection for Fall 2011 - AKA Armani Hollywood Ambers

From Giorgio Armani Beauty, the Gloss d'Armani Downtown Collection for Fall 2011 ($28) arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria. The colors in this collection are also referenced as Armani's Hollywood Ambers Collection. It seems that the United States and Europe have given these lovelies different collection names.

Now available in three limited-edition autumnal shades that cling to the curve of the lips, the glamorous, flattering signature Armani hues range from amber to burgundy-cut mahogany-wine. They offer concentrated high-definition color, fusing shine, comfort, and lasting color. You can see all three of the latest colors at this Giorgio Armani Beauty link. Just select a shade, and the tube for that shade will appear.

I purchased two of the new shades when the "for-sale" units arrived at Neiman Marcus. The testers had come in first, tempting us mercilessly. Two of the shades were naturals for my tastes: Pink #507 and Plum #605. I might still buy the third, but I'm saving some money for the stunning Holiday Collection. I'm sure you'll have no trouble figuring out what's what in my photos. Erin Vega, Armani Product Specialist, and I played with all the new colors, and we both loved these. I'll have new Rouge d'Armani photos to show you later tonight or tomorrow.

These new shades, like other Gloss d'Armani shades, intrigue me because the color in the tube isn't necessarily the color you will see on your skin or lips. They must be tested! Once you test, you'll have trouble selecting only one shade.

Look at my swatch photos, and you will understand why. How could I select Plum #605, a perfect shade for fall, without also taking home Pink #507, a perfect shade for any time of year? I don't even have to describe these shades; the photos speak for them. They are both gorgeous additions to my expanding Gloss d'Armani collection.

Gloss d'Armani's exclusive Color-Fil Shine technology allows the texture of Gloss d’Armani to be compared to a weave that gently and lastingly adorns the lips. The secret ingredient, the Color Bond Polymer already found at the heart of Rouge d’Armani, has the ability to form a supple mesh that traps pigments and pearlescent particles. Thanks to its translucent formula base, the texture gives "full expression" to color.

Mirror oils (I have no idea what they are) increase its shine, while silicon oil leaves it silky-smooth and non-sticky. Armani claims the comfortable, stay-fast color is like a second skin. I know some women, particularly those who lived in Armani's Lip Shimmers, find these glosses a bit heavy, but that's often what it takes to get the last. I got used to the feel and find it comfortable. The company says the color remains true for eight hours without fading or migrating. I don't get eight hours out of any lip product, but I get two to three from these, depending on what I'm doing. Eating is a problem, and I like to eat.

Gloss d’Armani’s flexible velvet applicator adds volume and defines contours instantly and effortlessly, with an expert touch. It is bent at an angle to the wand, easing application. You can see that in my photo of the tube and wand of Plum #605 above.

Giorgio Armani Beauty's Madre Perla Holiday Collection, which many of us are eagerly awaiting, will arrive at stores in November. The Hollywood Ambers (or Downtown Collection, whichever you prefer) will keep us happy this month. These new Gloss d'Armani shades are available online at Giorgio Armani Beauty and at Armani counters and boutiques.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre for Fall 2011

Imagine my excitement when I learned 13 new YSL Beauté Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre ($30) shades had finally arrived at Neiman Marcus! I got right in my car and drove over. I hadn't expected to purchase five of them, but I did. I even had a hard time narrowing my selections down to "only five."

Discreet meeting of gold reflects and color. A game of variations, a magic fusion. Purity of light and lightness of pigments. Lloyd Simmonds reinterprets the iconic gold of Yves Saint Laurent through a collection of lip colors subtly infused with yellow, white, and pink gold pearls. Variations on a theme for lips as sublime as the most beautiful jewelery.

To me, these are gems - lipsticks that live my life, sheer, beautiful shades that enliven my face and make me look "naturally good." I'll be headed back for more - either back-ups or shades I didn't purchase on my first round. They were all so tempting!

Here are my "first five" shades of Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre, shown left to right in my photo above.

#104, Brun Métallique
#105, Rose de Madère
#107, Rose Boréale
#112, Rouge de Venise
#113, Rose Parisien

These gleaming lipsticks are all gorgeous. I took swatch photos twice, hoping to get true colors without showing too much of the gorgeous shimmer cast by the sunshine. The photo immediately below is one I was able to snap without too much shine. I swatched in numeric order, with #104 at the top and #113 at the bottom in my photos. Every one of these shades looks exquisite on my lips.

Brun Métallique (#104), shown at the top of my arm, is one of two brown shades I considered. This one had more rose in it, so it lept onto my purchase list. Everyone at Neiman Marcus was busy, so I swatched and helped myself. Then I asked Kathy Shoreman to pull the five I had selected, reluctantly leaving behind seven of them. I hesitated over #101, Violet Singulier, the blue shown in the photo at the top of this feature. It would be fun to have it for its curiosity value.

Rose de Madère (#105), second down, is an extremely sheer rose that leans brown. Rose Boréale (#107) is actually peachy pink to my eye. It looks fairly neutral in the tube. If you look at my photo of the tubes above, it's the shade in the center - seemingly a nude peach. In indoor light, it appears to be a light rose with a hint of brown. Rouge de Venise (#112) appears to be red in the tube, but it's not. It's a beautiful bright rose on the lips. That's the nature of sheer lip colors. You get a gorgeous hint of color that looks extremely natural. Rose Parisien (#113), shown at the bottom of my arm, is the perfect Parisian rose. It's going to appeal to anyone who loves rose lip shades.

You can see all the shades in the tubes at Blondy Candy. The gorgeous Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre shades have arrived at Neiman Marcus. If they aren't already, they will be available at counters soon. They are available to see at YSL Beauté's Web site, but I couldn't figure out how you might purchase them there.

I'm sure I'll be buying more of these, so you'll see Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre here again. It's my kind of lipstick!

Update: I realized after I published this feature that I got carried away by color. Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre is lightweight on my lips and has the typical Rouge Pur light fragrance that doesn't bother me at all (and I normally dislike lipsticks with overt fragrance). I've been wearing Rouge Pur (in its various incarnations) for years. The case, elegant as always, draws attention from my friends. I'll follow up later. There will be a second feature.

Photo at top courtesy of YSL Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara

How would you like to have high-impact eyes - like Megan Fox's above? Bold, voluptuous lashes cloaked at a stroke with the precision of a makeup artist? Following Eyes to Kill (the latest standard for luxury mascaras) and Eyes to Kill Excess (an instant volume booster), Eyes to Kill Lash Stretch Lengthening Mascara ($30) offers a new variation for a "killer gaze."

"Eyes to Kill Lash Stretching Mascara creates a high-definition fringe in one single sweep. The lashes are amplified and lengthened to the extreme for a sharp and intense gaze." I found that's not just marketing hype. This is a great mascara for lengthening and "realistic" volumizing in just a few strokes (I always use more than one - I expect that). There is no clumping, thanks to the well-designed brush, and it lengthens and separates the lashes easily. It gives the lashes a flexible feel, which looks and feels natural.

Linda Cantello, International Makeup Artist and Creative Director, described Stretch Lengthening Mascara this way, “Lengthens lash by lash without overloading. Pure black. A precision brush inspired by make-up artist techniques, yet extremely ease to handle. It has everything you expect from a mascara." I'll say! Perhaps a little more.

Armani's Micro-Fil lengthening technology gives Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara the perfect balance between hard and soft micro-waxes and incredibly fine smoothing polymers. The former define and curl the lashes, while the latter easily smooth and coat the lashes along their entire length. Nicely fast and easy to apply, the formula is said to coat each lash by 360% from root to tip. Thanks to a wealth of black pigments, the formula makes the lashes a perfect shade of black (from my perspective). It's also available in an enthralling midnight blue, which I must see as soon as it arrives at the store. The deep blue shade is not available online yet either.

For maximum lengthening, the Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara brush adopts an asymmetric form. On its flat side the short bristles are arranged on the diagonal, with the ability to capture and cloak the lashes from the root. Turn with the flick of the hand and there is the rounded side, with its bristles set in fan shapes, stretching each lash, coating it right to the tip.The lash fringe is lengthened, curved, and perfectly defined. You get instant lash extension without overcoating.

With its bold design, the Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara packaging is cast in champagne-colored metal, giving it the appearance of a real sculpture. All of Giorgio Armani's packaging is elegant. This new mascara continues the tradition.

Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara was available online at Armani Beauty a few days ago, but appears to be temporarily out of stock. I'm sure it will be restocked soon. It will be available any minute, if it's not already, at Armani Fifth Avenue and select fine department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Barneys.

Photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

NEST Fragrances - Tahiti Vanille and Pumpkin Chai Candles for Fall

I can't remember when I became a fragranced candle fanatic. It was a long time ago when I discovered the mood-altering properties of a great candle. Unlike air sprays or diffusers, candles bring the warmth of a flame that's comforting (as long as I'm in the same room). When I plan to park myself to read, watch television, write, or relax - stay in one spot - I love to burn a fragranced candle.

I have to admit that I collect them. Yes, I use them entirely, but I always keep a choice of fragranced candles at the ready - for myself and for gifts. I think they are lovely gifts and wonder why no one ever gives me candles. Maybe it's the cats. We do have to be careful that curious or frolicking kitties don't knock them over when they are burning.

NEST Fragrances, a leading luxury home fragrance company has added a new, fine vanilla fragrance, Tahiti Vanille ($32), to its FiFi Award-winning NEST Fragrances Collection. Debuting this fall, Tahiti Vanille joins other favorites Black Fig & Honey, Moroccan Amber, and Wild Oats & Bourbon in the company's sophisticated gourmand fragrance category. Gourmand fragrances are especially popular during the cooler fall and winter months because of their warm, reassuring, and comforting qualities. You can bring the kitchen to your bedroom without the crumbs!

“While traveling through the French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific last summer, I had the opportunity to visit a vanilla farm on the island of Tahaa,” said Laura Slatkin, founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances. “As I passed racks and racks of vanilla pods drying in the sun, the aroma was so alluring and intoxicating it inspired me to create a vanilla-scented candle, Tahiti Vanille.”

Slatkin took Tahitian vanilla bean, white chocolate, and cinnamon and blended them with caramel and a touch of white rum. The result is divine, with a scent that's literally scrumptious. With no one ingredient overpowering the others, it's a blend that telegraphs comfort. The candle definitely creates an "island ambiance," perfect for our transition from summer's glory to the autumn "nesting season." NEST sent mine to me, along with Pumpkin Chai (see below), and I've been burning Tahiti Vanille ever since. The Pumpkin Chai is waiting for cooler weather.

NEST's new Tahiti Vanille candle can be purchased exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and specialty stores nationwide beginning this month. I've seen it online (e.g., Candles off Main), but I haven't seen it on the shelves at Neiman Marcus yet.Pumpkin Chai ($32), with packaging evocative of falling leaves and Halloween, will create a cozy autumn ambience with a blend of wild pumpkin, spicy Masala chai, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. This special-edition candle is housed in a sophisticated brown translucent glass with a blush orange wax. Like all NEST candles, it would make a welcome hostess gift, if you could bear to part with it.

As long as you keep the wicks of NEST's candles trimmed to about 1/4 inch, the candles burn evenly and won't leave a grey residue on the glass container. The offer quality outside and in. They will burn for 50 hours, and in small increments, it takes me a long time to go through an entire candle. They are a great value.

Just in case you don't know, NEST Fragrances was founded and is owned by Laura Slatkin. NEST is a specialized home fragrance company that emerged from its parent company, Slatkin & Co., after an acquisition. I can't even count the number of Slatkin-developed candles I've purchased over the years.

Laura Slatkin has a long-standing reputation as a leader in the home fragrance industry and is well-known for her luxurious scented candles, room sprays, diffusers, and other essentials for rooms and environments. NEST’s client list currently includes more than 50 prestige companies in the fashion, beauty, and home fragrance industries - all of whom turned to NEST to develop their exclusive lines of home fragrance products.

In 2008, Laura launched her own home fragrance collection, NEST Fragrances, which won the 2009 FiFi Award for Interior Scent Collection of the Year. In 2010, Laura launched her second and third fragrance collections, Sprig Fragrances and Project Art by NEST Fragrances. NEST draws on decades of experience in the home fragrance industry with a special expertise in designing, developing, producing, distributing, and marketing home fragrance collections that capture each client’s unique brand image and style. For more information, visit NEST's Web site. NEST can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Photos courtesy of NEST Fragrances

Bobbi Brown Marrakesh Chic Collection: New Lip Shades

There's a lot to love in Bobbi Brown's new Marrakesh Chic Collection for Fall 2011. I discovered three new lip shades, in three different lipstick formulas, that I like for fall even more than my first purchase, Violet Glaze Metallic Lip Color.

There were two new Metallic Lip Colors. I fell in love with Jewel Red ($23). For red phobes, let me say up front that it's not exactly red on the lips. Jewel Red (#26) is a glorious rose with gold shimmer. It may be the prettiest of the beautiful bunch. Metallic Lip Color combines high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls for multidimensional shimmer that has a soft and creamy feel as it provides medium coverage.

Bobbi Brown's newest lipstick formula is Rich Lip Color SPF 12 ($23). I purchased Desert Rose (#25). The "heather rose" is extremely pretty on my lips. Rich Lip Color combines lip color pigments with a clear base to deliver pure, crisp color with just one swipe. It's a creamy long-lasting formula that provides medium-to-full coverage.

There are two "very new" shades in my "old favorite" Creamy Lip Color ($23): Pale Plum and Pink Blossom. I purchased Pale Plum (#63). Creamy Lip Color delivers rich color with comfortable, long-lasting wear, a soft, creamy shine, and medium coverage. With emollient shea butter and plant-derived skin conditioners, this fabulous lipstick provides softness and moisture as advertised.

I think all three of my newest Bobbi Brown lip colors are stunning. I took my swatch photos in full sun to show you the shades. Granted, the sun adds some shimmer to the colors, but they all shine without help.

I swatched in numeric order, so Desert Rose is shown at the top of my arm, Jewel Red in the middle, and Pale Plum at the bottom. I applied each shade heavily. Color-wise, my photo at right may be just a tad too warm.

Desert Rose is a stunning mauve-rose shade that complements all the new eye colors extremely well. Jewel Red may look red on my arm, but on my lips it's a rich, red-toned rose. It's semi-sheer, which makes it beautifully wearable for me. Pale Plum isn't all that pale - or all that plum. I'd describe it as a medium rose that should work for everyone, working its creamy magic when you wear it.

These new shades are a fabulous addition to Bobbi Brown's already-expansive collection of lip colors. With lipsticks available in multiple formulas, there's bound to be at least one that excites you. They are available at Bobbi Brown counters now, and you can also see them at the Bobbi Brown Web site. There's a nice Bobbi Brown gift with purchase during Beauty Week at Neiman Marcus.

I purchased a few of the new Rich Color Eye Shadows. I'll show them to you soon.

Photo at top courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best things in Beauty

Dior Smoky Nude 3 Couleurs Smoky Eye Palette for Fall 2011

Dior's new 3 Couleurs Smoky Eye Palettes ($48) offer gorgeous eye color choices for fall. In addition to Smoky Khaki, which I featured this morning, I purchased Smoky Nude. There are six of the new color trios. If I had been feeling rich, I could have purchased all six. They are stunning.

Just like Smoky Khaki, Smoky Nude isn't what you might expect from its name. It's not a wallflower. The trio of shades offers a warm, neutral look for the eyes. The only thing nude about the palette is the ivory base shade. Like all of the new trios, Smoky Nude offers a one satin-finish shadow, one shimmering shadow, and a base shade that differs in its finish from palette to palette.

Ordinarily, I prefer cooler brown tones on my face. Interestingly, makeup artists would rather warm me up by blending in shades like these. I have one of those blank canvas faces; I can wear warm or cool tones. I'm not sure whether that's good or bad.

I applied the shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, and I took these swatch photos in full, morning sun - finally! I've been trying for two weeks to get half-decent swatch photos of these palettes.

The satin-finish cocoa brown shade in this palette is incredibly useful. While the word "useful" sounds like a boring warning, it's not meant to be. When applied with a brush, it can be sheer and subtle for day or smoky and sultry for night. It's all about the application. We can use it on the outer lid, in the crease, or blended.

The shimmering neutral is a warm taupe. It's drop-dead gorgeous and should make @Glowyjoeybunny's heart sing. It makes me extremely happy. It looks fabulous swept over the lower (moveable) lid. The ivory base shade is perfect for my coloring. It lights up my eyes with its subtle shimmer. It will do that for yours too - no matter what your skin tone - although you may use it differently if your skin is significantly darker than mine.

I love the new compacts from Dior. Slide back the top of the case, and a mirror flips up, exposing the three eye shadows (and two tiny brush and sponge applicators). I love the look and feel almost as much as I love the colors. It realize it's a novelty, but it's a fun novelty - classy!

You can purchase Dior's new 3 Couleurs Smoky Eye Palettes at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks - probably anywhere with a Dior counter. If money were no concern, I would purchase Smoky Brown and Smoky Navy, the latter just for the incredible shimmering blue shade that I'd find a way to wear. These new eye palettes should be on your "go see" list.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Dior Smoky Khaki 3 Couleurs Smoky Eye Palette for Fall 2011

Dior's new 3 Couleurs Smoky Eye Palettes ($48) offer gorgeous eye color choices for fall. I purchased Smoky Khaki and Smoky Nude weeks ago - the second they became available. I held off on showing them to you for multiple reasons - camera troubles, bad weather, you name it. Now, I'm ready to start with Smoky Khaki.

A breakthrough makeup innovation introduced by Dior: an unparalleled sliding palette that reveals a three-color eye shadow harmony to get catwalk-smoky eyes in three easy steps. This smart palette features soft, powdery textures for an effortless and made-to-measure smoky-eye effect. The extremely bendable base perfectly preps and colors the eyelid, while the eyeshadow duo offers different effects: more matte for a natural ready-to-wear style or more shiny for a glamorous couture style. A collection of trend-setting, sultry harmonies.

Khaki is one of my favorite eye shades. Dior has given it an unusual twist in Smoky Khaki. All three shades in the trio have a khaki cast. No single shade is pure khaki. You might think a khaki lover would find that distressing. Not me! I love this palette.

The khaki cast to each color is subtle. My swatch photos were taken in morning sunshine. I have nearly 50 other swatch photos, taken in various lighting conditions, but they didn't work to my satisfaction. I applied each shade heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator.

At the top, there's a brown shade that "leans khaki." You can see the khaki hue in person, but in the photos, the shade looks brown. You'll have to trust me; that Dior brown leans khaki. There's khaki in the sparkling grey shade too. I hope you get a hint from the swatches. The gold is an antique gold base shade, and I think it's easiest to see the khaki in the gold.

This is a palette you have to go see. You will love the slide-flip compact, with its pop-up mirror. The Beauty Look Book has a feature on Smoky Khaki, so make sure to check that out. You'll see the three shades on a different skin tone.

You can purchase Dior's new 3 Couleurs Smoky Eye Palettes at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom - probably anywhere with a Dior counter. I'll keep working with that new camera until I get it right.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

YSL Beauté Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner for Fall 2011 - Two More Shades

After I showed you YSL Beauté Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner for Fall 2011 ($35) in Sea Black this past weekend, I decided I loved it so much I need more shades. I purchased No 3 Bronze Black, shown at right above, and No 6 Jade Black, shown at left above. They are both exquisite.

These liners apply like the best gel liners - smoothly and easily - almost magically. They will stay on your lids until you're ready to remove them - and then some. While the new liners are not marked waterproof, I have to remove them with an oil-based long-wear eye makeup remover.

I wanted to show you my latest treasures, but we've had the remnants of a tropical storm hanging around for days. Because I was at Neiman Marcus today, I took in-store photos of the two shades I purchased in my second round and some swatch photos. I'll show you one of the swatch photos (it's so hard to get great light in a department store). I applied the three shades in a thick line with a liner brush.

Jade Black is shown at the top of my arm. Look at the magnificent emerald color! Bronze Black is amazing. It's bronze, but it has a khaki cast that won my heart. I also swatched Cherry Black because it's popular and pretty. I could even be convinced to wear a red tone on my eyelids with that one - almost.

I purchased my new YSL Beauté Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Long-Wear Cream Eyeliners at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria. I'm sure they will be available at all YSL counters soon. For now, I can tell you with certainty that Neiman Marcus Tysons received them. You are going to love everything about them.

Update: I caved and bought Cherry Black. It's really gorgeous. Next, I guess I'll buy the rest of them.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Quick Peek: Blue Rebel from Les Jeans de Chanel for Fashion's Night Out

In August, we looked at Chanel's Les Jeans de Chanel Collection, created for Fashion's Night Out. Denim, the everlasting emblem of chic and casual fashion, was Peter Philips' inspiration for the collection. He created three shades, Blue Rebel, Coco Blue, and Blue Boy, from medium to very pale blue, to offer you as much enjoyment as your favorite pair of blue jeans.

I had no intention of purchasing one of the shades. Then I saw Blue Rebel, and my resolve melted. I was on a quick trip to Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria today. I swung by the Chanel counter to have a look-see. Chanel representative Janine Greenberg was wearing Blue Boy (a pretty medium blue), and she gave me some tape to try Blue Rebel, which had grabbed my eye. One swipe on the tape was all it took to convince me I had to have it.

I haven't had time to apply Blue Rebel - or have it applied. I did paint one nail this afternoon to show you the gorgeous deep blue color. It's dark and rainy outside, so I had to take this photo indoors. I applied two coats. It's a nice dark blue. I'll get better photos, but I'm not sure how soon.

Distribution of Les Jeans was very limited and special to Fashion’s Night Out, September 8, which happens to be the first night of the NM Beauty Event, when gifts with purchase will abound. The following Neiman Marcus stores will have the Les Jeans trio on or before Fashion’s Night Out: Houston, Dallas North Park, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Oakbrook, Michigan Avenue, Tysons Galleria, Troy, Boca Raton, Austin, Natick, and San Francisco. I keep reading that Chanel boutiques and Chanel.com may offer Les Jeans too, but I don't know that for sure.

If you want to be assured of getting one - or several - of the shades, your best bet is to order from Neiman Marcus now.

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

YSL Beauté Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner for Fall 2011

YSL Beauté's brand new Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner ($35) intensifies the eye with a spectacular long-lasting look. I saw the liners for the first time at a media event, and I fell in love with No 4, Sea Black, which is really blue. The moment the liners arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria, I pounced by phone.

Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner is available in six shades. The shade name on my box differs from the shade name in the promotional literature. I've included the box name in parentheses in the list below after the promotional name. I like the box names best.

• No 1 Pure Black (Deep Black)
  
• No 2 Black Grey (Ashy Black)
  
• No 3 Black Bronze (Bronze Black)
  
• No 4 Black Blue (Sea Black)
• No 5 Black Burgundy (Cherry Black)
  
• No 6 Black Green (Jade Black)
  

Here are a couple of swatch photos taken in sunshine - and one taken with a light overcast. I am finally using my new camera, but I'm not proficient with it yet. Please bear with me as I find the rhythm I need to get a sharp focus with the zoom lens set for close-up shots. What looks perfect in the viewfinder isn't.

As you can see in my swatch photos - regardless of my skills - the shade of Sea Black is indigo blue. It reminds me of this beautiful art shot of dandelion seed heads that you can find at redbubble.com (and purchase for greeting cards).

Its name, Sea Black, is something of a misnomer to me. It's blue through and through. On the lids, it looks blue - a gorgeous deep blue that catches the light, but does not shimmer on its own. I hope you can see that from the different light exposures of my swatch photos.

My photos show a thin line and a thick one, both drawn with an eyeliner brush. This cream liner applies like the best gel liners - smoothly and easily. It will stay on your lids until you're ready to remove it - and then some. While it's not marked waterproof, I have to remove it with an oil-based long-wear eye makeup remover.

I need to get over to the store to see the green, grey, and bronze shades. I am very pleased with YSL's new eyeliner. I know already I need a few more shades. I'm sure it will be available at all YSL counters soon. For now, I can tell you with certainty that Neiman Marcus Tysons received it.

Liner photos by Best Things in Beauty; dandelion photo courtesy of redbubble.com

Neiman Marcus Fall 2011 Beauty Event

The photo says it all. The Neiman Marcus Fall 2011 Beauty Event starts next Thursday, September 8 (the date of Fashion's Night Out), and runs through September 18. During the event, if you spend $100 or more in the beauty department, you'll receive a tote filled with an assortment of samples.

The samples this season are more exciting than they were in the spring. You'll get packet samples of Le Métier de Beauté's new skin care, some of the newest fragrances, and other goodies. One of the three totes is Bordeaux (the others are a darling leopard print and black), and I'm sure Bordeaux's going to be the first choice of fashion-savvy gals. After all, it's Ken Downing's color of the season. Make sure to take advantage of the pre-sale period now to place your order and reserve the bag of your choice.

Many brands will be offering gifts with purchase - always a great incentive to spend. Works for me!

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Le Métier de Beauté Vintage Ken Nail Lacquer from Ken Downing's Bordeaux Collection

I wanted to get a professional application of Vintage Ken to show you the gorgeous color. Vintage Ken is the nail lacquer in the I'm Worn This Way/Vintage Ken set, one of the three sets in Le Métier de Beauté's The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011. See my Quick Peek feature here.

For his second exclusive collection for Le Métier de Beauté, Downing took the essence of the fall runways and distilled it into a beauty collection that presents elegant, coordinated duos to transform you into Lady Chic. The gorgeous sets have catchy names.

1. Ken, Red My Lips (lips) and Gypsy Rose Me (nails) - subtle red with a blushing pinot undertone
2. Ken's Wine on the Vine (lips) and Ken's Bodacious Bordeaux (nails) - rich, crimson cabernet
3. I'm Worn This Way (lips) and Vintage Ken (nails) - Bold berry with a deep grape undertone, as you can see above.

All three sets arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria last week. I decided to start with Vintage Ken. Because I like a professional application, but didn't have much time, I went to Yelp to look for a highly recommended nail salon near my house. The lesson learned here was, "Don't believe everything (anything?) you read on Yelp." You can read the rest of that story below.

I was able to get a few photos to introduce you to Vintage Ken, a gorgeous, deep purple shade. My photo at the top is the better of the portraits. The one below looks a little too blue. The shade will be a dramatic addition to my fall and winter wardrobe. Actually, it's really nice now! I adore purple and grape shades, and I can't wait to add a new Bordeaux handbag to my collection.

Each set in the Bordeaux Collection is priced at $49. The Bordeaux Collection is available at Neiman Marcus exclusively. I'll show you more soon in another feature.

Now for the rest of the story. The young lady who applied Vintage Ken was a total rookie. She couldn't paint a straight line near my cuticle, got nail lacquer all over my fingers (and under my nails), and thought her work looked just fine. She even dribbled top coat on my legs. She never used an orange stick to wipe away her mistakes; instead, she used her own fingernail. It was a fairly disgusting experience.

After I made sure my photos were OK, I removed the utterly gorgeous Vintage Ken because I couldn't repair it myself. It was hard to remove because she had painted it into my nail bed and under my nails. I'll get a real pro to apply the next one, Bodacious Bordeaux. I like a precise application, particularly with a dark shade. Hey, I'm a Virgo!

Photo at top courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

New: Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color

Shiseido introduced new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors ($25) this month, and they are luscious. The lightweight cream eye shadows have a radiant, lustrous finish that will maintain a just-applied, fresh look for 16 hours without smudging or creasing. They apply easily with your fingertip or a cream shadow brush (or concealer brush) for a smooth, even finish. You can wear the shades separately or blend them to create a custom look.

The formula adds a luxurious bonus to the color. Shiseido's Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE hydrates the lids. The shadows contain a jewel-reflecting powder that emits an intense radiance to morph to your surroundings. A patent-pending emulsification technology allows excess oil and water to be removed after application, leaving behind only the hydrating and jewel-reflecting powder on the lids. That's how the shadows stay crease-free for the duration. They apply like a dream come true.

The 12 shades range from the vibrant Purple Dawn, shown on the model above, to a discreet Sable. I purchased two shades to start my collection. I love cream shadows, so I was on the lookout for the new shades. Actually, I had seen them at Nordstrom, but it was during the crazy Anniversary Sale days, so I skipped out of there quickly. The shadows are now available online at Sephora. That's where I bought mine.

The two shades I purchased are shown above: Meadow (BE204), a gorgeous antique gold - and Patina (GR707), a silvery khaki or olive green. I adore them both!

I took a few swatch photos in full sun. You can see that these shadows are shimmering beauties. Yes, the sun makes them look especially sparkly, but you can always count on Shiseido for totally wearable makeup. On my lids, they are magnificent. For these photos, I applied the shadows with a cream eye shadow brush.

You can see that Meadow is a gorgeous, shimmering gold. I love gold shadows on my lids, and Meadow is going to replace a very old one (another brand) that has finally given up the ghost. Patina is an interesting, muted green with a silver shimmer. It's beyond flattering. It brings out the green in my eyes, which is fun.

I think the pots are really well-designed. Instead of being perfectly round, they have a contour that allows for an easy grasp and turn (as you can see in Shiseido's photo of Meadow above).

I am a huge Shiseido devotee, and I'm passionate about cream eye shadows. I am totally delighted with my new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors. Now I have Techno Gold and Sable on my must-have list. Perhaps I'll even buy Leather. I need to see that one in person, but I could order the other two from the online photos. I know I'll love them.

You can find Shiseido's gorgeous new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors at Shiseido's Web site (click on the little circle and a fabulous photo will display), Sephora online, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's. Go look at them!

Photos at top courtesy of Shiseido; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Quick Peek: Le Métier de Beauté - The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011

They arrived! All three sets of The Bordeaux Collection by Ken Downing for Fall/Winter 2011 for Le Métier de Beauté arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria today. It was exciting! I wasn't expecting to see them this early in the season. They are drop-dead gorgeous!

For his second exclusive collection for Le Métier de Beauté, Downing took the essence of the fall runways and distilled it into a beauty collection that presents elegant, coordinated duos to transform you into Lady Chic.

I will devote a full feature to the collection soon, with my nails done. For now, I wanted to show you the two sets I purchased: I'm Worn This Way/Vintage Ken and Wine On The Vine/Bodacious Bordeaux.

Wine On The Vine/Bodacious Bordeaux is shown at the top of this feature, and I'm Worn This Way/Vintage Ken is shown at right. Each set is $49. There is a third set, Ken Red My Lips/Gypsy Rose Me that I didn't buy. I struggled to get decent photos of the duos as Irene's clouds started to blanket our area. The moment I put the duos away in their boxes, the sun came out again. I'll get brighter photos for my next feature.


I was able to get swatch photos of the two Moisture Stain Lipsticks in direct and indirect light. I don't normally wear dark lipsticks, so I had wondered if I would like the lip colors in the Bordeaux Collection. I love them. I needed two sets!

My first swatch photo of the lipsticks at left, taken in full sun, shows Wine On The Vine at the top of my arm and I'm Worn This Way below. You can see that neither is pure red. Wine On The Vine is a stunning, deep grape, and I'm Worn This Way appears to be a saturated rose on my arm, but it's red. The photo at right shows the shades when the sun ducked behind clouds. I'm Worn This Way is particularly interesting because the lipstick looks red in the tube, and it is red (not rose as it appears on my arm). On my lips, it's a cool-toned cherry red - one I can wear, which delights me. I think it's the most flattering red lipstick I have ever tried. Your own lip pigmentation will define the shade of these lipsticks (which is normal).

The "lip-matching" Nail Lacquers are exquisite. Vintage Ken is shown at left and Bodacious Bordeaux is shown at right. Both shades will give us the Bordeaux look that will be the "in color" this fall and winter. Bordeaux provides a beautiful accent for so many colors, and it will add a fashionable flair to your little black dress.

The packaging of the sets is unique, with a black, deep red, and fuchsia leopard print removable insert in an elegant black box. The insert cradles the nail lacquer and lipstick. The boxes have a printed Kenneth Downing signature. If you could stand to give one away, it would be a very classy gift. Sorry about the glare from the sun on the window of one of the boxes shown just above right. Isn't the box enticing?

I always warn you when I think something new is going to sell out. Consider yourself warned about the Bordeaux Collection. Call your local Neiman Marcus now. If you would like to order one from my friend Kathy Shoreman at Neiman Marcus Tysons, give her a call on her cell phone at 571-212-8399. Do it today if you can. She's off tomorrow (nursing her broken and bandaged hand), but will be back at work Sunday.

I will be back with a full feature later. I was so excited, I wanted to show you my selections from the collection as quickly as possible. I keep looking at my Wine On The Vine red lips in a mirror. I'm a happy gal.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty