Shiseido Spring Collection - Part 1

Yesterday, Anne Houseman of BeautyXposé and I had the pleasure having our makeup perfected by Renato Almeida, National Makeup Artist for Shiseido. We met up at the Macy's at Pentagon City - outside my usual haunts, and far outside Anne's, since she just moved to Virginia from Boston. First thing I did when I walked in the store? Yep, you guessed it. I walked by a shoe sale. Some darling little Calvin Klein gold flats with a spongy rubber sole for comfort and a cute gold three-dimensional flower on top reached out and grabbed me. Great little numbers at a great price - and so comfy!

Anne arrived smartly wearing no makeup, and I came with my usual natural makeup look. That's an age difference, I think. She's young, while I'm, well, "older." Above is a snapshot of the two of us after Renato worked his magic.

Before I get to the artist and the makeup after this long introduction, I want to tell you that I was greeted by many warm and welcoming people - freelance artists, Shiseido reps, sales associates. They offered me a face massage (which I declined like a fool), played with colors with me (I arrived early), offered me chairs at every step (I still have bum knees from my unfortunate encounter with Synvisc-ONE). I felt at home. That's nice in a bustling department store.

Working in the beauty industry for more than eight years, Renato Almeida has helped bring makeup trends from the fashion world to the real world. Renato has spent most of his beauty career working backstage at New York fashion week and on fashion photo shoots, which has contributed to his strong reputation as one of the industry's most sought-after makeup artists. Since his partnership with Shiseido in 2006, he has worked to help today's and tomorrow's Shiseido customers look our best with his effective techniques and flattering Shiseido color combinations. My impression of Renato? He has an "eye." He doesn't paint by numbers. He applies, checks, and blends. He checks over and over again, using his keen eye to ensure that the effect he's trying to create is working. While all makeup artists "look while they work," Renato has trained his eyes to look frequently - he's not easily distracted - and the result is a flawless makeup application, with colors that work for the client and a look that telegraphs, "How pretty you look," not "Your makeup is fabulous."

I'm always interested in how people arrived at their calling. Before our makeup sessions, I had a few minutes to talk with Renato, who originally worked as an advertising copy editor in Brazil. First he landed in Los Angeles. His interests in art, fashion, and photography led him to New York, where he worked for three years with Linda Cantello, currently International Makeup Artist and color guru for Armani Beauty, before branching out on his own. With Linda, he had the pleasure of collaborating with (he says observing) her as she created new color collections for YSL.

Shiseido's spring collection, designed by Dick Page, is gorgeous, like so many others this season. Before we started, I had an opportunity to ask Renato what makes Shiseido makeup unique and to show me his favorite color items. Shiseido, you probably know, is well-known for its skin care. As a result, the company includes skin-care ingredients in all of its makeup too. They want your makeup to work for you while you wear it - not just sit on your skin. That's nice for all of us - young and older.

Renato's favorite Shiseido product selections? He used them on Anne and me!

Mascara Base ($23): a moisturizing treatment that treats, enhances, and protects your lashes from the "ravages" of mascara ingredients and adds volume, curl, and length to make your mascara pop.
Lasting Lift Mascara ($23): the Shiseido waterproof, oilproof, and sweatproof mascara with a great texture that lifts and plumps the lashes, allowing lash-by-lash definition.
Accentuating Cream Eyeliner ($26): a long-lasting cream formula that comes with a brush that is actually useful. Renato prefers thin eyeliner (a man after my heart) to define the eye and make the lashes look lush, and he uses my favorite technique (upper liner applied from underneath the lashes to draw a perfect line). He used black on Anne.
Corrector Pencil ($17): not white, but a natural yellow/beige blend that he uses to conceal the red membranes of the inner eyelids - and it lasts through tears!
Two new bright Perfect Rouge ($25) lipsticks - all the rage now - OR418 (bright orange) and RS320 (bright fuschia), lip colors that demand a soft eye.
Luminizing Satin Eye Color ($25) in PK319, GD810, BR303, and BE202 - all warm, from pink to copper. The little color swatches on the Web site don't do these justice. They are luminous without sparkle - truly lovely.

Tune in later today for Part 2. I'll tell you about the spring colors, the products he used on Anne and me, and his application techniques. While our hair, eye, and skin colors are different, he used the same fabulous copper-toned eye shadow on both of us (GD810) with extremely satisfying results! Her green eyes were greener, and my blue eyes were bluer! I was also enamored with Accentuating Color Stick ($33), a multipurpose cream for eyes, lips, cheeks, and body. Renato used the color stick in S1, Bronze Flush, as my blusher. I loved it! It wasn't my "intuitive" color choice, but it warmed my skin and made me look softly chiseled and dewy. He knew exactly what he was doing. It was love!

Collection photo courtesy of Shiseido

Tarte Flower Child Natural Cheek Stain

One of my snowstorm online orders arrived - finally! I was in serious delivery withdrawal. When I arrived home from New York at 3:00 am this morning, my Tarte order was on my doorstep. I had ordered a few things, and the new Flower Child Cheek Stain ($30) was one of my purchases. It was love at first sight!

This cheek stain is a limited edition by Tina Turnbow, a celebrity makeup artist who collaborated with Tarte on their Spring 2010 collection. The shade is described as a deep golden rose. It's actually a gorgeous rose - not "deep" really. I have very fair skin, and it's a charming color on my cheeks.

Here's how Tarte describes it.

Get an early start on the summer of love with this natural cheek stain infused with tarte’s t5 super fruit complex. Inspired by the natural glow of fresh-faced flower children of the Haight-Ashbury era, this rosy pink shade is in perfect harmony with all skin tones for an instantly warmed complexion that outwardly reflects your inner peace.

You know, I'm sure, that Tarte's Cheek Stains are made with a proprietary blend of the five most active superfruits: goji, acai, maracuja, acerola, and pomegranate. The first blend of its kind, the t5 super fruit complex is loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant-rich nutrients and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, anti-aging, and skin-restorative benefits with each application. Besides that, they are enormously pretty, adding a natural glow to your complexion.

I've become quite the Cheek Stain lover and was thrilled to see the Flower Child shade online. Now I'm thrilled to have it in my makeup collection! You can apply it with a foundation brush or by using the roll-up container to apply it directly to your skin and blending with your fingertips. Either way, you will have a gorgeous flush that looks like your own.

You can order Flower Child from Tarte's Web site or from Sephora.

Photo courtesy of Tarte

Brights for Spring and Summer 2010 - MAC's Colour Forecast

Here I am, thigh-high in snow, and I'm thinking about new makeup colors for spring and summer! I've seen a printed preview of the Chanel collection, due in April, and a new MAC spring collection is already available. Giorgio Armani Beauty's latest collection will be arriving in stores soon. So much to spend, so little money!

You already know that pinks and corals are the "it" colors for spring. Get ready, the trend will continue into summer. There's bright color in your future.

The MAC Spring Colour Forecast is available at MAC Cosmetics online and in MAC stores. I can't speak for MAC counters in the department stores since I am snowbound. There are some terrific colors in the four families - pink and plum cool tones and coral and amber warm tones. There are eye shadows, stackable crushed metal pigments, lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes, glossy nail lacquers, and even fragrances.

In the pinks, Blush Ombre in the limited-edition Azalea Blossom ($25) looks pretty. It's a light, cool pink - right up my alley! In the coral range, Nanogold eye shadow ($14.50), a sheer yellow beige with pink pearl, looks gorgeous and versatile. If you like coral and orange, this collection will give you the I-wants. I have to get my hands on Radiccio ($14), a plum family sheer mid-tone blue mauve lipstick. The warm ambers - precious, excessive, and golden - are the most intriguing to me (even though I have cool-toned skin). There is an Colour 4 eye shadow quad with four dreamy colors: Manila Paper, Flip, Aztec Brick, and Creole Beauty. At $36, these limited-edition shadows have me revved. I love golden and bronze shadows! Although my choices may seem to be the most subtle of the bright new colors, they will suit my fair skin.

I'll be giving you the latest on Chanel and Armani very soon. Gorgeous colors coming for a welcome season. Spring can't come fast enough! Want to dive in? MAC is offering free two-day shipping today (February 7) only! Wouldn't it be nice to get a box of sunshine delivered to your door? Just use the code CUPID at checkout. I plan to take advantage of this offer.

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Chantecaille Spring 2010 Look - Les Dauphins

This arrived in my inbox last night! I have been enthusiastically checking the Chantecaille counter at Neiman Marcus, waiting for the Spring 2010 Look. Now, I'm waiting for the hours to tick by until I can find out if the colors have actually arrived in the store. I think the look is gorgeous!

What animal (or makeup) lover could resist Les Dauphins ($77)? Each pan in this new quad is embossed with dolphins! The duo shades for the eyes offer warm grays, delicate beiges, and iridescent neutrals. The perfect pink cheek color offers "a universally flattering flush of rosy warmth."

I must have this! How could our impending snow storm deny me? If it's not at the store - or I can't get there - I'll be ordering online at the Chantecaille Web site. Fast! Trust me, friends, this palette is going to sell out!

I'll let you know more as soon as I can get my hands on Les Dauphins (and more) from Chantecaille for Spring 2010.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals Collection - Part 2

At last, the Cabana Corals Collection for Spring 2010 has arrived in stores (I have seen it at Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom)! It's also front and center on Bobbi Brown's Web site. I'll be writing about the collection in several posts, starting with the two Shimmer Bricks this morning.

The collection gives us a beautiful selection of coral shades perfect for eyes, lips, and cheeks. The shades range from fresh new pink corals to universal nude corals and on to true coral shades. Almost every woman will find one or more shades right for her.

This collection enticed me, even though I'm not a "coral" natural. Many makeup artists try to lure me out of my comfort zone with peaches and corals, and they insist I look good in them. When I finally got my hands on the collection yesterday at Bloomindale's, I found that some of the colors have a pink tone and are great for women with cool-toned skin. The true corals (warm and with an orange tone) are better for women with warm skin. There are also nude corals that will work for everyone.

Let's start with the two Shimmer Bricks. If I could give awards for all-time makeup bests, Shimmer Bricks would get an award. There are two new ones, Pink Quartz (I will need two of these) and Nectar. Each is $38.00 - so reasonable! You may remember that Nectar was one of the colors introduced as a Mini Shimmer Brick Metal Compact at Neiman Marcus in December.

Nectar creates a soft, coral-peach glow. It works well with neutral and peach blush shades, or can be used alone as a blusher. It's pigmented, so I will use it as a blusher, with a light hand and a fluffy brush, when I want to warm my skin tone.

Pink Quartz was made for me! The shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft, warm pink glow and works well with neutral and pink blush shades - or can be used alone, like the other, as your blusher.

I sweep through all five shades of Shimmer Brick Compacts with Bobbi's Face Blender Brush ($45) or a fluffy blush brush and dust lightly on my cheekbones as a blush or after blush, depending on the shade. If you focus on applying shimmer on the top of cheekbones - where light naturally hits the face - you will get a very flattering look. You can also selectively use the colors with a small brush.

The great news is that these Shimmer Bricks are not limited editions. If you fall in love with one, you will be able to find a second!

Look for them at Bobbi Brown's Web site or your favorite Bobbi Brown counter. They are gorgeous.

Photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

YSL Beauty Spring 2010 Eyeshadow Duos

YSL Beauty is featuring two Eyeshadow Duos ($41) in their Spring 2010 collection. My choice, shown at left, was #27 - Golden Pink and Precious Bronze. The other duo is #25, Turquise Blue and Hazy Violet (shown below right). It's pretty, but a little too "colorful" for my tastes.

The new colors are both luminous and radiant. Both duos play with contrasts that work together really well. Want subtle? Go with #27. If you want flashy, #25 is your duo!

YSL's extremely soft powder shadow glides on evenly - always appreciated - and adds an optical smoothing effect. These shadows are pricey, but I think they are worth every penny for their flawless application and long wear. One thing I really dislike about eye shadows is uneven application, which I then have to work to fix. I never have that problem with YSL's eye shadows.

Right now, YSL Beauty is offering free shipping on all orders. You can also find the Spring 2010 Collection at Saks, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's. There are a lot of pieces to love.

Photos courtesy of YSL Beauty

Shu Uemura Égérie Satin Radiant Sticks for Spring 2010

Égérie..."a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication." Shu Uemura's Spring 2010 collection is inspired by rock 'n roll. Flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin-sheen finishes to transport you to the spotlight of the captivating rock stage.

I would have gladly jumped onstage with the Beatles at their first U.S. live appearance at the old Uline Arena in Washington, D.C. I was so starstruck that night! John, Paul, George, and Ringo stole my heart and kept it. Who hasn't imagined themselves onstage with their idols?

Did the rock 'n roll theme attract me to the Shu Uemura makeup? Not really - maybe I'm too old! I'm not much of a rebel, and I'm more interested in cool makeup than rock music! The makeup reeled me in.

When I first saw the new Shu Uemura collection online, I was immediately attracted to the Égérie Satin Radiant Sticks ($40), two stick-style blusher-highlighters with a soft, creamy texture for the cheeks. Shu Uemura promised a delicate satin veil for my face. Sold! Then I read about the tiny particles of pearls that would add a satin-shimmery finish. I ordered them sight unseen - Translucent for highlighting and Blush, a peachy-pink blusher.

When my Shu Uemura order arrived, I tore into the box with glee! There's something about stick products that I can't resist - maybe because I have so many great ones, like Ramy's Multiples! for Eyes, Cheeks, and Lips; NARS The Multiple; or Bobbi Brown's Sheer Color Cheek Tints.

Do I love the new Satin Radiant Sticks too? Yep! Like most stick products, you do have to blend them after application. It's not really swipe and go. You can blend with your fingers or a foundation brush - they both work. I use my fingers with the Satin Radiant Sticks. The Translucent one is truly colorless. It leaves a sheer, subtle shine wherever you use it. This is a really versatile product. I may even throw it in my overburdened makeup bag. Blush is a fabulous peachy-pink color. It's a shade that's going to appeal to a lot of you. Even the containers are attractive, with their silver, pink, and white design.

The ingredients are fascinating! The first ingredient, always the most highly concentrated, is dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer that gives a soft, velvety glide to skin products. Because it stays on the surface of the skin, dimethicone provides a protective barrier. It's an excellent ingredient for someone whose skin barrier is challenged, such as someone with rosacea whose epidermis is thin and needs added protection or someone with dry skin. Dimethicone helps prevent transdermal water loss. Another ingredient is canola oil, which is moisturizing. In short, the sticks have good slip, and they are protective and moisturizing. They rock!

You can see the collection and the rock 'n roll looks created for it at Shu Uemura's Web site or wherever you normally check out the line. Today (literally), you can receive free shipping with the purchase of any Égérie product at Shu Uemura. Registered members always get free shipping and a deluxe sample with a purchase of $50 or more.

Photos courtesy of Shu Uemura

YSL Beauty's Spring 2010 Collection for Face and Cheeks

YSL's Spring 2010 Look is very pretty! I've lost count of how many times I've called a spring 2010 makeup collection pretty. There's a clear pink and peach trend for spring, and I'm delighted by the feminine appeal of all the new colors.

I remember talking to Armani's Celebrity Face Designer, Tim Quinn, last fall about the colors for spring, and he told me it would be all about pink and peach. Tim, you were absolutely right!

YSL Beauty joins its cosmetics colleagues in offering us a pretty-in-pink season. While I'm not into bright blue eyelids, that's irrelevant. The artistic photos aren't about reality anyhow. There are many pieces to love in the new collection, so I'll break up my impressions into multiple posts.

I'm a pushover for highlighters and blushers, and my first two picks from the YSL collection that I purchased at Nordstrom were the two new Y-Mail Complexion Palettes.

Y-Mail Complexion Palette #1 Face Highlighter ($65 and shown at right) is a limited-edition palette that highlights the face with three light pearly shades that add a pink glow to the skin when swirled together on a powder or blush brush. The colors are very sheer and have a subtle sparkle that works for day.

Y-Mail Complexion Palette #2 Blush Highlighter ($65) is a limited-edition blusher. Three shades, shown at left - nude, peach, and pink - combine to add a luminous glow to the cheeks.

Both palettes provide sheer, light color. They are fabulous on my fair skin. On darker skin, they might add more "highlight" than color.

Each palette comes packaged in a YSL "handbag" of its very own, a little black tote that has the Yves Saint Laurent name and address, with a stamp and postmark on one side (see photo below). It's a gimmick to me, but I'm sure there are collectors out there who will like the packaging more than the makeup. It is darling, but what am I going to do with the little tote? I'm into the makeup!

Right now, YSL Beauty is offering free shipping on all orders. The collection is also available at Saks and Nordstrom.

Photos courtesy of Saks and YSL Beauty

Dior Lace for Spring 2010 - Dentelle Eyeshadow Palette in Coquette

More on the Dior Lace Collection for Spring 2010!

There are two new Five-Color Eyeshadow Palettes ($57). My choice (and Loyd Cassler's) was Coquette, shown here, a palette of pink, plum, and gray. The name of the compact comes from the very French "coquettish" wink of color.

When I first looked at these shadows, I thought they might be too pink for my tastes. The pinks actually have a touch of peach in them, making them far more wearable on the eyes than true pinks would be. True pinks make me look like an albino bunny. The shades are all soft and sheer, which I like, and the two plum-toned shades (at the left) are tempered with taupe and gray - perfect to make your blue eyes blue!

There are so many combinations you can create with this palette - it's like having two new palettes! The ultra-smooth texture of Dior's Five-Color Eyeshadows allows flawless blending. With my super primer, the shadows last all day, and they don't crease.

There is a second Five-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Pearl Glow. It features shades of indigo, violet, and silver to dress eyes in soft, smoky luminosity. I haven't tried these yet - may have to pop back over to Saks or Nordstrom when I have time to stay and play.

Like most of the spring collections, Dior's is extraordinarily pretty! "Pretty" is the adjective of the season, and it's about time. The choices we have this season are staggering. I'm thinking of going without food so that I can keep buying. I would like to lose three pounds anyhow. (OK, those of you who know me will scoff, but even size 4s feel fat sometimes.)

If you have a Dior event coming up in your area (I hear from Kari at Fabulous Over Forty that Macy's is having a series of events), you should go! The collection is available at Saks, Nordstrom, and wherever Dior cosmetics sold. The Dior Lace Collection will delight you.

Photo courtesy of Saks

Dior's New Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm

I went back to Saks for this! I was so tempted when I first saw the Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm ($25). It's part of the new Dior Lace Collection for Spring 2010.

Although I don't usually like pot lip balms, and I don't usually like scented lip balms, this one was like a magnet. It drew me right back into the store.

Crème de Rose is described as a smoothing, plumping lip balm with an SPF 10. It promises to soothe, re-plump, hydrate, and protect your lips. This nourishing lip balm comes in one universal petal pink shade and features a heavenly rose scent - a divine fragrance that instantly transports you to an English garden.

Opening the pot is a sensory pleasure. The roses pop out! You smell roses on application, and then the scent fades. Perfect!

Crème de Rose balm leaves just a hint of enlivening pink on the lips, but major moisturizer, with shea butter and rose essential oils to hydrate your lips. It actually stays on me for a reasonable amount of time, which is fairly amazing given that my lips instantly absorb most lip balms.

Is there anything about it I can't gush about? It's pricey for a lip balm, so I fear many people won't try it. Also, a personal problem: it contains retinyl palmitate, which could make my lips peel continuously , given my sensitivity to Vitamin A products. The retinyl palmitate is pretty far down the ingredient list, so I'm hoping I won't have a reaction to it. The ingredient is there is keep the dead skin cells sloughed off the lips, making them moist and lush. Unfortunately, I'm terribly sensitive to it and try to avoid it whenever I can. It's a superstar skin care ingredient, so most of you should be happy it's included in the mix.

Dior provides secrets for use in the package insert. Dab a bit onto the center of your lips to add a touch of radiance. Apply the balm under lipstick or lip gloss to prepare your lips. Or apply a thick layer to your lips before going to bed to make your lips feel moisturized and comforted when you awaken.

Crème de Rose is available at Sephora, Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Dior Addict Lipcolor in Pink Embroidery for Spring 2010

Dior's Lace Color Collection for Spring 2010 is brimming with pretty new colors. My favorite lipstick is #663, Pink Embroidery ($26). It's the rightmost of the two lipsticks on the lower-left side of the photo here.

Dior Addict is a creamy lipstick with a new and improved formula that offers weightless, high-impact color. I love its smooth texture. It will make your lips look vibrant and feel nourished.

Pink Embroidery is a mauve-leaning pink - as pretty as any of the spring lipsticks I've seen so far. It was one of my four purchases from the Lace Color Collection, although I'm still lusting after the Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm. I'm certain I'll go back to Saks for the lip balm - maybe today. It has a petal pink shade and features a delicate rose scent. So much for restraint!

Another new lipstick is Pink Bustier. It's gorgeous too. You have to see them to choose!

The new Dior spring collection is available at Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus. It's available at Sephora too. This is a lovely collection. I'll be describing my new five-color eye shadow next!

I have to confess that Loyd Cassler, Armani makeup artist extraordinaire, knows my tastes so well that he selected my new Dior makeup for me before I even arrived at the store! The items were selling out or going fast, and he know I wouldn't want to miss some of them. Having a personal makeup shopper is luxurious! Every one of his selections was perfect!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Dior Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder for Spring 2010

Dior Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder (Poudrier Dentelle Effet Lumiere Visage) for Spring 2010 ($55) is one of my recent purchases. Remember I had a beauty trip to Saks last week? I "exercised some restraint" when I saw the spring collection; I only bought four pieces. :)

The powder in shade 001, Pink Lace, is packaged in Dior's signature black felt case holding a silver-toned magnetic compact that is etched with a lace pattern. It's heavy too! Inside the mirrored compact is a shimmering light peach-toned pink illuminating powder for the face, neck, and décolleté.

Inspired by the soft, feminine lace of the 1920’s, the Dior Lace Color Collection features shades that will flatter every woman. From lace-embossed powders and eyeshadows to rose-colored lips, Dior's face of spring is elegant and pretty!

This powder was such an instant hit, it was selling out at Saks. Why do department stores initially order so few units of items that are bound to be coveted? Fortunately, it's available wherever Dior cosmetics are sold, including Saks, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's.

If you are looking for a pearly sheen, you might love the Lace-Effect Powder!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Lancome Ô My Rose Collection for Spring 2010

Lancome's Ô My Rose Collection is on trend for Spring 2010 - very pretty! I went to the mall today to find it. It was in store at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's, but not at Macy's or Lord & Taylor. There are some gorgeous pieces in the collection.

I have no willpower! I'm trying to purchase only the best of the best (it's not like I need makeup). Despite that resolution, I came home with five pieces, and I'm seriously considering a sixth.

There are two limited-edition Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quads ($42), Pop'n Green (shown here) and Kissed by Copper. Pop'n Green is drop-dead gorgeous. It's shown on the model in the photo. Although most of us won't wear 360-degree green, the teal shadow, placed discretely, is very flattering. The other three shades, worn alone or mixed and matched, are fabulous. Kissed by Copper, the other new quad, offers an alternative for women looking for warmer copper and brown shades.

Pop'n Green is one of three looks created by Aaron De Mey, Lancôme’s International Artistic Director for Makeup, for the Ô My Rose Collection. You can create your own Pop'n Green look by applying the lightest shade from lash to brow to open up the eyes and highlight the inner corner of the eyes. Mix the mossy green and teal shadows together until you find the perfect shade for you - apply to the lash line and into the crease and blend away any hard edges with a blending brush.

A new gel Teal Delight Ink Artliner ($23.50) or the Le Crayon Khôl Waterproof Eye Liner ($24.50) in Teal Kiss complete the eyelids. You can use your favorite mascara on your lashes.

The Pop'n Green look for eyes is cool-toned. Pop'n Cheeks Gentle & Lasting Blush ($35) will warm up your face with its collage of coral, pink, and gold. This is a stunning blusher - pretty in the pan and pretty on the face.

I'll save the new lip colors for another posting - coming soon!

Photos courtesy of Lancome

Selections from MAC in Lillyland for Spring 2010

After much anticipation, MAC in Lillyland arrived in stores on January 7. It was September when we got word that Lilly Pulitzer had partnered with MAC Cosmetics to create a makeup collection. (You can read MAC to Go Preppie at Best Things in Beauty.)

Naturally, I went straight to a MAC store on Thursday. "If you can’t afford to go to the resort, we will bring the resort to you with these products,” James Gager, MAC's senior vice president and creative director, told WWD. That was enticing, with our prediction of snow. A trip to Florida without airport security!

The Lilly Pulitzer pull was strong too. The bright, cheerful clothing is very popular in the South, and there has been a resurgence of its retro-chic look. Sure enough, I found three pieces I "couldn't live without" within the colorful, very pretty collection. There's that "pretty" word again! There are pieces to love.

The collection includes two makeup brushes, an eyeshader for $24.50 and a large angled contour brush, $32; two Technakohl liners, each $14.50; four colorful Lipgelées, each $14; two nail lacquers, each $12; three Paint Pots, each $16.50; four Cremeblend blushes, each $18.50, a Pearlmatte Eye Shadow compact, $19.50; and a Pearlmatte Face Powder, $27.

My selections? I had to have the Pearlmatte Face Powder, a pressed powder in which pearlized shades combine to produce a soft, highlighted finish. In this special limited-edition design, four complementary shades form a floral motif inspired by the signature patterns of Lilly Pulitzer.

Cremeblend Blush in So Sweet, So Easy - pretty in pink - came home with me. This poured cream blush is uniquely formulated to bring a natural, softly dewy look to the cheeks. It's best to apply with your fingertips and lightly pat it into your "smile." The color, depth, and dimension stay put throughout the day. MAC says it can be used on cheeks or lips. I like it on my cheeks and will try it on my lips this weekend. Joie-de-Vivre, another new color, is a gorgeous peachy coral that will delight peach blush wearers. The other two shades border on artsy. Optimistic Orange is definitely orange, and Florida is bright fuchsia.

The Paint Pots are a favorite. I choose Rubenesque, a frosty golden-peach with gold pearl (shown here). The other two shades are pretty too: Bare study, soft beige with gold pearl, and Fresco Rose, a frosty pink with matching pearl. Paint Pots are highly pigmented, long-wearing cream eye color - long-wearing, easily blendable, and colorfast.

The Lipgelée shades are all gorgeous sheer lip glosses. The collection features Lush & Bright (bright pink yellow coral with pink in a pearl finish), Preppy (blue pink with pink pearl), Resort Life (described as off-white with pink pearl - I would call it pearly beige), and Shift to Pink (light violet with silver in pearl finish.

The limited-edition Pearlmatte Eye Shadow compact combines matte and pearlized shades of green, pink, and white in a floral pattern. These are not my eye shadow colors. They would be pretty in a carefree summer shift, but not on my eyes. They may appeal to dark-skinned beauties.

This is a fun collection! You can see it online at the MAC Cosmetics Web site, at MAC stores, or Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's.

Top photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Guerlain KissKiss Strass Lip Color for Spring 2010

On Sunday, when I introduced the Guerlain Cherry Blossom Collection for Spring 2010, I mentioned that the 10 KissKiss Strass Lip Colors ($31) knocked my socks off. I'm still smitten!

The 10 KissKiss Strass ($31) Crystal Shine shades are some of the nicest transparent, shimmering, sparkling, gloss-like lipsticks I have seen in a very long time. They have mother of pearl in them, along with hyaluronic acid microspheres (like little sponges) to maintain optimal lip hydration. The shades are all irresistible - in Red Gold, Yellow Gold, and Pink Gold families.

I purchased one to start, and it's in the Yellow Gold family - kind of strange to me. Although it has a touch of brown in it, it is very mauve. I finally got home from work early enough to get some photos (just a bit dark and grainy) so that I could show you how beautiful #343 Brun Satin is. The color appears dark in the tube, but on the skin, it's a beautiful, transparent, shiny lip-enhancing color.

I have worn #343 every day since I bought it. I am so excited about it that I plan to go on a hoarding trip this weekend - either that or start calling my favorite department store reps to get a few more set aside for me. I would like to have two more Brun Satins, one Rose Strass, and one of the true brown shades. This lipstick-lip gloss hybrid falls into my definition of "perfect." Others must agree because Nordstrom had sold out of this shade, so I made the trek down to Bloomingdale's to find it.

You can purchase the KissKiss Strass Lip Colors at Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdale's, or wherever you usually find Guerlain. It's worth a trip to see them!


Top photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Clinique Juiced Up Beauty Collection

Clinique has a new collection, Juiced Up Beauty, and like many of the collections that have arrived at stores recently, it's very pretty. Who doesn't like pretty?

The collection features new limited-edition compacts for face and eyes, High Lengths Mascara, and Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colours. The face and eye compacts have enticing berry patterns in them. I can't resist gorgeous compacts.

All Over Color in Mixed Berries ($29.50) not only looks fabulous in the pan, it's very pretty on. It is not as highly pigmented as you might imagine at first glance. This is a perfect blusher for me - the color matches my natural blush. I swirl my blush brush around all of the colors and apply. Love it!

All Over Color is actually designed to be used anywhere on the face. It's a long-wearing powder that creates a sheer, subtle radiance that "looks fresh and stays fresh." Sweep it over your entire face for a luminous glow, brush it on cheekbones to highlight, or use it as a blusher - your choice.

There are two Fresh Picked Eye Shadows ($17.50) in the collection: Fresh Picked Berry and Fresh Picked Pear. Fresh Picked Pear, shown here, was my choice. It has a great neutralizing base color and a subtle green that's "wearable" for all skin tones. Really nice! The other shadow in the collection is Fresh Picked Berry - one I can't wear because I avoid pinks and plums on my eyes. I think dark-skinned beauties will love the berry colors. I envy my dark-skinned friends for their ability to wear a wider range of colors!

The High-Lengths Mascara ($14.00) comes with a high-tech wand that applies just the right amount of product to lengthen your lashes without adding clumps. The mascara comes in black and black-brown. I have favored Clinique mascaras for many years. They do what they promise for the best "department store price" you can find.

There are three Vitamin C Lip Smoothies ($17.50) featured in the collection: Nude-tricious, Mango-Thon, Pink Me Up, and Goodness Grape-cious. Check out this Best Things in Beauty link for more information about Vitamin C Lip Smoothies. They are lipstick and lip gloss in one, powered by antioxidants to protect your lips.

I really like Clinique's color collections. They always introduce colors that work for me! I first spied this one at Nordstrom and came home with the Mixed Berries All Over Color and Fresh Picked Pear Shadow. I'll go back for a few of the Vitamin C Lip Smoothies as soon as my checking account gets a refill.

You will find Juiced Up Beauty at Nordstrom and wherever Clinique is sold.

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain Cherry Blossom Collection for Spring 2010

The Guerlain Cherry Blossom Collection for Spring 2010 is gorgeous - so enticing, so pretty. Guerlain, a brand I used to overlook, has captured my attention for the last few seasons. Now I stalk the counters in anticipation of the new arrivals.

The Cherry Blossom Collection has a lot to love. The Blush Éclat #07 in Cherry Blossom ($49.00), shown below, with its Japonesque pattern of pink and peach umbrellas, was a must-have for me. It adds a subtle pink blush that will be perfect for spring.

The Ombre Éclat 4 Couleurs in #408 Jeu d’Ombrelles ($59.00), shown below the blush in the photo, is a great pick for anyone who can wear pinks and lavenders on the eyes. With the pattern in the shadows, it's almost too pretty to use!

There are gorgeous new lip colors. Among them are 10 new Rouge G de Guerlain Le Brilliant shades ($46), which are housed in the jewel lipstick compact with mirror. The nude, red, pink, and orange shades in four color families are all delicious - lighter and shinier than their predecessors. I just wish those luxurious cases weren't so heavy. But if you want an elegant lipstick to pull out of your bag, these are right up your alley!

What knocked my socks off were the 10 KissKiss Strass ($31) Crystal Shine shades, some of the nicest transparent, shimmering, sparkling, gloss-like lipsticks I have seen in a very long time. They have mother of pearl in them, along with hyaluronic acid microspheres (like little sponges) to maintain optimal hydration. The shades are all irresistible - in Red Gold, Yellow Gold, and Pink Gold families.

I couldn't purchase all of them on the heels of Christmas spending. I selected one, #343 Brun Satin, a beautiful brown-mauve on me. I'm sure I'll go back for more, and I hope they are available. Nordstrom at Tysons Corner had sold out of #343, so I headed down the mall to Bloomingdale's, where the shade was available.

Among the nicest powder compacts around, Guerlain's Météorites Voyage Exceptional Pressed Powder ($170) in #01 Mythic adds a pretty finish to the skin. I was so tempted! I think, though, I would rather have more of the new lip colors.

This collection has something for everyone to love. You can find it at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Saks, or wherever you purchase Guerlain.

Photos courtesy of urcosme.com and Nordstrom

Giorgio Armani Beauty Spring 2010 Nude Contrasts Palettes for Eyes

Giorgio Armani has introduced gorgeous eye looks for spring! I purchased both palettes; there's no way I could select a favorite. They are both stunning.

The Nude Contrasts Palettes for Eyes ($58) were featured in Giorgio Armani's spring fashion show. Each offers a play on color and contrast to achieve a modern and subtly smoky look.

Top to bottom, palette #1 is composed with light blue, bare bronze, jet black (really charcoal with a hint of brown), and silver. Palette #2 features bare bronze, nude pink, pure red (really charcoal with a hint of brown - I have no idea where Armani got the pure red description - doesn't look red on me), and gold. I am already mixing the two palettes. The combination of the bare bronze from #1 with the gold from #2 is divine. Clearly, the most common use for the darkest shade in each palette will be as a liner or accent color. I cannot see the difference in the two "charcoal" shades when they are used as liners on my eyes.

The mix-and-match possibilities are endless. The light blue dotted at the center of the lid with a bare bronze base on the entire lid is fabulous. I am having a great time - I feel like I am playing with watercolors!

The colors have a flattering subtle shimmer. They are all sheer and buildable, so if you want more oomph, just layer on more pigment.

Even the shiny cases are classy, with their mirrors inside and Giorgio Armani signature on the top. I won't mistake these for the other Armani items in the jumble of my "daily makeup" counter. The palettes share with the Eyes to Kill palettes the challenge of picking up only one of the colors. When you use a liner brush with the charcoal, it's easy. But to pick up the silver or gold, you need to use a very narrow accent brush - a normal eye shadow brush will be too wide.

Right now, you can order the Nude Contrasts for Eyes from the Armani Beauty Web site. I'm hoping that Saks will have them in store soon. I can't wait to see what wonderful combinations Loyd Cassler creates.

When I delayed and didn't buy a second Eyes to Kill palette in #1, I regretted my procrastination. This time, no delays. This is hoarding-worthy makeup.

Photos courtesy of urcosme.com

Laura Mercier Polished Spring 2010 Collection

This is a pretty collection! "Pretty" seems to be a trend for spring, and I'm excited by that. Don't look to Laura Mercier for the latest edgy look. She makes wearable makeup - designed for women by a woman (a very nice one too).

Laura Mercier's Polished Collection offers new shades for spring - three Luster Eye Colour Duos for a soft eye, three Satin Lip Colours in pink-peach and brown shades, a new Satin Lip Gloss in a pot, and Radiant Crème Colour - a cream highlighter with ribbons of pink-peach, gold, and rose. I selected one of the eye shadow duos and the Radiant Crème Colour.

The new Satin Lip Colours ($22) are Pink Cocoa, Barely Beige, and Maple Brown. All are semi-matte lipsticks designed to provide long wear and comfort in a non-drying formula. The Lip Shine ($22) in Crystal Pink is a limited edition that combines shea butter and vitamin E into an emollient formula that has a lightweight, non-tacky feel on the lips and a pearlescent look.

There's a Luster Eye Colour Duo ($22) for every skin tone. The shades, from lightest to darkest, are Cocoa Rose, Golden Brown, and Plum Spice. I selected Golden Brown, a combination of gold and taupe shades that enhance my blue eyes and work perfectly with my fair skin. I think this duo will work for everyone - really versatile shades. It's a limited edition, so I'm glad I bought mine.

The most fascinating piece in the collection is the Radiant Crème Colour ($35) highlighter (shown in the photo above). The shade is named "Polished" after the collection. I really love this compact! You can use the pink-peach, gold, and rose colors separately, or combine them. The gold is the brightest shade (on me). Each color provides a gorgeous sheen. No glitter here - love it!

You can find these new colors at Nordstrom (where Chris Coles made sure I saw the Radiant Crème Colour) and Bloomingdale's now. I'm sure Saks and Neiman Marcus must have them too; I haven't looked yet. You can also order online at Laura Mercier's Web site, but you won't find the Radiant Crème Colour available there today (hopefully soon).

Footnote: Laura Mercier has joined Korres on the Quercetin antioxidant bandwagon. She has introduced Flawless Skin Tone Perfecting Crème with Quercetin Plus ($95), a new anti-aging moisturizer. I'll try to get my hands on some to review it later.

Photo courtesy of urcosme.com

Michael Kors Very Hollywood Collection for Estee Lauder

Doesn't Hilary Rhoda look gorgeous? The limited-edition Michael Kors Very Hollywood Collection for Estee Lauder arrived at Nordstrom on December 26, giving a lift to the Estee Lauder reps who were suffering from the post-holiday let-down. I bought only two pieces - more on that below - the items that worked for me. There are some brunettes out there who are going to be very tempted by this pretty look.

The collection evokes the Beverly Hills Hotel, the pink palace. The nude, pink, and peach collection speaks volumes about the hotel's 12 acres of lush gardens, exotic flowers, and private walkways. Check out the Best Things in Beauty post from October announcing the collection.

The collection has five lipsticks, five glosses, two eye shadow duos, two eye pencils, a shimmering loose powder, and two nail lacquers, divided into two color families: Rodeo Pink and Bel-Air Beige.

I like the collection! Unfortunately - for me - most of the colors don't work with my fair complexion and blond hair. I know they should, but bubble gum colors leave me looking pale and washed out - or like I'm trying to be a teenager again. There were two items, though, that absolutely had to come home with me.

The Michael Kors Eyeshadow Duo in Night Star ($30) is dramatic. Like night and day, the white shade is a perfect lid base, and the charcoal is a great accent color. Love it!

The Michael Kors Blush ($26) in Sunset Coral isn't nearly as coral as the link to the Estee Lauder site shows. Instead, it's a beautiful, natural peach that warms without adding a lot of pigment. It's beautiful, and it jumped into my bag. The other blush, in Sunset Pink, was too pink for me. If you have any pink in your complexion, check out Sunset Coral. If you don't, you will love the bright Sunset Pink for spring.

The five beautifully transparent Lip Sheens and five Lip Glosses range from nude to vibrant pink. Most of them are just too light for me, giving me a monochromatic, washed-out look. I can see them on others, though, and they will be delicious.

The lovely Michael Kors Shimmering Loose Powder ($32) will fit the bill for anyone who wants a subtle sparkle with a golden pink tint. It's very pretty. I was tempted, very tempted. The lovely rep who helped me had very dark skin, and she plans to use it to enhance her décolleté. She is already stunning and will be even more so with this powder.

The limited-edition items in this collection are going to sell out. Nordstrom got limited quantities, and stocks are low already! If you are interested, shop soon. The colors will be at an Estee Lauder counter near you.

Photos courtesy of Estee Lauder