The Friday Forum - November 4

This is how my hydrangea looked the day after the snow storm last weekend - sad, shocked, and downcast. As the blossoms dry each fall, they are glorious. I'm afraid their color development was stopped dead. This may not be the year to bring the blooms inside for a winter display.

Today's Friday Forum must be short. I have a 10:00 meeting to negotiate with a developer over the trail location in our conservation easement. That means I have to move along, remembering to eat breakfast so I'll be "sharp." When I get back, I'll publish swatch photos of one of my Le Métier de Beauté Stoc-Ken Stuffers. They are great gifts. Buy them now at Neiman Marcus. They will definitely sell out. I purchased mine the minute they hit the store.

The Bethesda Lululemon murder trial concluded this week, with a guilt verdict - an appropriate finding, but it won't bring back Jayna Murray. I found the evidence astounding, and I must comment.

Apparently, as the beautiful, young Murray was brutally beaten to death, she screamed for help - for over 10 minutes. Several workers at the Apple store next door heard her cries for help, but did nothing. Nothing! How hard would it have been for them to call 911 and say something like, "I don't know if this is an overreaction, but this is what I'm hearing from next door." Aren't Apple employees supposed to be smart? The case brought back memories of Kitty Genovese, who was murdered outside her home in Queens while 38 witnesses did nothing to save her. Nothing! There have been many analyses of the Genovese case, but the public reaction to the Apple do-nothings has just begun. Someone left a flower-laden 311 outside the store yesterday. It was removed. Apple PR refused to comment about whether those employees still worked there. I think it's time Apple trained their employees in ethics and social responsibility. Unfortunately, empathy can't be taught.

The testers for Giorgio Armani Beauty's new foundation and holiday color have arrived at Neiman Marcus, but no product to buy! I hope today changes that. Meanwhile, for you Chantecaille fans, here's a deal. Go to Chantecaille's Facebook page, like it, and then click on Thank You on the left sidebar. You'll be rewarded with a 10% discount code. If you've been pondering a purchase, now's the time!

Sephora's V.I.B. sale starts next week (November 10). If you are a V.I.B., you should have received a card in the mail. If you aren't a V.I.B., you aren't spending enough [big smile].

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest. You can enter to win the Ultraflesh Perfect Pinks 6-Piece Lipstick Set at this link. The deadline is tomorrow, November 5, at midnight. Good luck!

Update 2:32 pm: I got word while I was gone this morning that the Giorgio Armani Beauty makeup arrived at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad in Sahara Haze

Tom Ford Beauty's Eye Color Quad in Sahara Haze ($75) was the second of the two eye shadow quads I purchased sight unseen. I like greens, and this green looked khaki, a favorite shade. I was also drawn to the unique colors coordinated in the palette. It had "potential," but I wasn't sure about my selection.

Sahara Haze doesn't look very much like its Neiman Marcus photo at the top of this feature. It's much prettier! It has life; it has sizzle; it made me happy when I applied it.

When I was taking photos of the quad, I suspected that the green shade would not reveal its beauty and complexity in my photos, taken in full, mid-day sun, and I was correct. I even closed in on the colors to attempt to get the shimmering green to look green, not grey. It doesn't.

Fortuntely, you can see the gorgeous green in my swatch photos. Sahara Haze gets the "dynamite" label, and it was definitely worth its price.

I swatched in clockwise order, starting at top left. I think these swatches will surprise you. Compare them to the way the colors look in the compact, and you may find yourself wondering whether I pulled a palette switch.

The gleaming ivory with a hint of gold at the top of my arm is extraordinarily gorgeous. I didn't have to work hard at all to apply it (or the other shades) with a sponge-tipped applicator. The color adhered to my skin with a fabulous creamy texture and shine. The shade that appears to be flat grey in the quad at top right is actually a stunning taupe-grey hybrid. I'd buy a single of either of these shades.

The grey at bottom right in the quad is the closest of the shades to what I expected. It's a nice, medium grey that coordinates well with the other shades. I can use it as a liner.

The green - a metallic mossy green - is stunning. It offers serious pizzazz to the palette, and it looks extremely pretty with all of the other shades. I really like it combined with the shimmering ivory for a "fancy eye."

Of the two Eye Color Quads I ordered, I expected to love Golden Mink the most. Sahara Haze appeared to be a risk when I ordered it. The tables were turned on me. Sahara Haze is definitely my favorite of the two, and I think I'll reach for it much more frequently. Now, I'm waffling on my opinion of the line. I'd pay $75 for Sahara Haze in a heartbeat.

If you want to shop Tom Ford Beauty, the line is available at Neiman Marcus' Web site and select Neiman Marcus stores. It's also available at Bergdorf Goodman.

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

Tom Ford Beauty Cheek Color in Love Lust

Once again, the online photos don't quite match up with the actual product. In the case of Tom Ford Beauty's Cheek Color in Love Lust ($55), I was much more delighted with the color that arrived than the one I had expected. The photo on the Neiman Marcus Web site is shown above. My photo, taken in full, mid-day sun, is shown immediately below.

To read more about Tom Ford Beauty and the new collection, please scroll down to this feature. I don't see much sense in recapping information I provided yesterday. I would like to feature the gorgeous color of Love Lust.

The packaging is the same as it is for the Eye Color Quads I purchased, with hefty brown and gold compacts that are provided in brown suede pouches - all nice. The color matters more to me, and Love Lust did knock my socks off. I think it's gorgeous.

I purchased two blushes, and I purposely selected the two with the lowest shade numbers (Love Lust is 01), believing that they would be best for my fair complexion. I think I was correct. Love Lust is a gorgeous peach. Some might call it a very warm pink, but the description peach works for me.

I'm not sure my swatch photos do it justice. I applied Love Lust very heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm and fairly heavily with a dense blush brush below - just to show enough color. The swatch photos were taken in full sun.

Love Lust has a slight shimmer in the sun - more of a gleam. It's lively without overt sparkle. The first time I applied it, I sighed. This is the kind of makeup that helps you forget about the price. When applied properly, with a brush and lightly swept on the cheeks, the color draws attention. While the powder is a little "powdery" in the compact, it blends into the skin beautifully.

I like the other shade I purchased, Frantic Pink (02), almost as much. I'll feature it as soon as possible. I can heartily recommend the Tom Ford Cheek Color. That makes me a little giddy.

If you want to shop Tom Ford Beauty, the line is available at Neiman Marcus' Web site and select Neiman Marcus stores. It's also available at Bergdorf Goodman.

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

Maison Martin Margiela (Untitled) Eau de Parfum

Think crisp, green, alluring, complex, and unisex. That should give you a head-start in experiencing Untitled Eau de Parfum by Maison Martin Margiela ($100-$140). It was early evening when my bottle arrived via UPS (a gift from one of my favorite PR gurus). I immediately sprayed Untitled on my arm. The bottle arrived right before I left to pick up something at a friend's house and continue on to dinner with one of my guy buddies. I hadn't worn a fragrance that evening, so three of us were able to form a distinct first impression. What better test?

All three of us were enchanted. It's the kind of scent that makes you dive in for another whiff - over and over again. My friend Kathy and I thought it was a perfect fragrance for both women and men. My friend Paul said he's wear it. Untitled was an instant hit!

Who or what is Maison Martin Margiela? In 1998, Martin Margiela, a Belgian fashion designer, started his own women's wear label (his men's wear was introduced about 10 years later). He was heralded for the "intelligence" of his edgy, hip, contemporary designs, and Maison Martin Margiela became very successful - even without a runway walk by the reclusive Margiela. About two years ago, he actually left the house named after him, but his departure has not held back the house from continuing its innovation. The first Margiela fragrance, Untitled, was introduced by L’Oréal in 2010.

By naming the eau de parfum Untitled, Maison Martin Margiela certainly defied convention, letting the fragrance speak for itself. There are no hints about the fragrance from its name and few from the elegantly spare bottle, other than the light green liquid. The bottle, created by Fabien Baron and inspired by apothecary vials, has a white cotton drawstring pouch.

The signature house fragrance was created using exceptional ingredients that yield an unexpected contrast between powerful, dazzling green notes and a sensual dry-down bursting with frankincense (incense) and white musk. The scent is said to belong to the citrus family, but it's so much more complex than a fruit grove. The top notes are galbanum essential oil, boxwood (box tree green accord), and bitter-orange tree absolute. The middle notes are galbanum resoinoid, lentiscus resoinoid (mastic), bitter orange, and jasmine accord. The base notes are cedar wood, incense, and musk.

I'm not often attracted to fragrances with detectable incense. As I mentioned once, I'm reminded of gagging as priests waved burning incense my way during high mass. In Untitled, the incense adds depth and complexity, taking it out of the simple fruits category that some associate with scents dominated by grapefruit or mango, or the easy woody floral category.

The fragrance was created by Daniela Andrier (perfumer of successful Giorgio Armani, Gucci, and Prada fragrances, including Prada Candy) to "reinterpret the aromas of greenery after a rain" shower. She succeeded by including the earthy scent of moist loam with the dewy greenery of the garden's shrubbery.

The opening is crisp and sharp - exactly what you'd expect from a citrusy scent. Quickly, though, the edges are smoothed, leaving a dry-down that progresses from a woody floral to a soft musk. Although I know others disagree, my friends and I have found the sillage and staying power to be remarkable. Just one squirt on my arm was enough for my dinner companion to detect Untitled from across the table. It leaves a unique and sensuous trail. Good thing he liked it! On other occasions when I've worn Untitled, I've received many complimentary inquiries.

I'm smitten. Untitled is unlike any other scent I wear, and I'll be wearing it year-round. While some may think of Untitled as a summer fragrance, I never feel bound by seasons in selecting my fragrances. You can find Maison Martin Margiela's Untitled at Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States.

Now is a great time to check out Untitled. There's a new game on the Maison Martin Margiela Web site. Go to this link to register or sign in to take part in the competition and try your chances at winning exclusive Maison Martin Margiela gifts. Competition 1 runs through November 21, and competition 2 will take place from December 19 to January 2. I played, and I think I've got the hang of it now. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue, Wikipedia, Southern Living, and Maison Martin Margiela

Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad in Golden Mink

My Tom Ford Beauty "pre-sale" order arrived from Neiman Marcus, and the first item I opened was the Eye Color Quad in Golden Mink ($75). Because of its price, I had high expectations for a luxury cosmetic. I'd hoped it would sweep me off my feet.

After gaining international fame by turning Gucci into an icon of sexy, modern fashion, American designer Tom Ford introduced Tom Ford Beauty. His captivating collection of heady fragrances gained an instant cult-like following. Fragrance gurus adore the sultry scents. His cosmetics launch has been widely anticipated. We all expected the ultimate in luxury and class from the man who sets trends no matter what he does.

Called the centerpiece of the Tom Ford Color Collection, the Eye Color Quads are designed with four opulent, complementary shades that can be used to achieve multiple looks - from a bold, smoky eye, to a sultry slash of color and everything in between. Formulated with advanced color processes, the four luxurious finishes - sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer and matte - offer a spectrum of intensity and effects and deliver incredible shade fidelity and outstanding adhesion.

There were 10 quads from which to choose, and I decided to select two that looked "conservative." Let's dispense with "conservative" right away. There was nothing conservative about the Golden Mink I held in my hands after I unpacked the boxes (yes boxes - four boxes, one for each item I had ordered!). The color rendition in the photo on the Neiman Marcus Web site did not show the shine in Golden Mink - major sparkle in the top two shades.

It was not ideal light when I took the photos of Golden Mink for this feature, so I may throw in a few more later. My photo of the quad was not taken in full sun.

I know you've been excited about seeing some of the Tom Ford items, so I'm starting quickly here with Golden Mink. The brown and gold case is large and has heft in the hand. The mirror is large, as is the quad. It comes with the usual rinky-dink applicators included with many quads. In this case, they are dual-ended. One has two sponge-tipped applicators, one for shadow and the other for liner. The other has one for shadow, and a brush on the other end. Tom Ford's name us handsomely embossed on the gold trim, and we are reminded it's Tom Ford at the bottom of the mirror. The quad comes in a brown suede pouch inside a box.

The colors in golden mink? At top left, there's a very sparkly, lightly pigmented gold. I worked hard to get enough gold on my arm swatch to show you the color. It's a gorgeous gold, but I would be happier if it had just a little more pigment. It's clearly the shade designated "sheer sparkle." The peach shade is equally sparkly. It's a beautiful shade, reminding me of some of the other peaches I've purchased this year. It may surpass my other purchases in sparkle level, though.

I swatched in clockwise order. The next color (bottom right in the quad) must be the satin-finish color. It's an intense, milk-chocolate brown - very pretty with the other colors in the quad. The fourth shade (bottom left in quad, bottom on my arm) is a shimmering copper - perhaps my favorite of the four colors.

Evaluating this quad is difficult. I want to emphasize that it's very pretty. The colors coordinate beautifully, and it's showy. Because the colors are showy, I won't reach for the quad during the day. I can't imagine wearing the colors to physical therapy, for example. I'd look silly. It's only marginal for daytime wear. I need more time to play with it to find its "sweet spot" for wear. I'd also like to determine how long the shades last on my eyelids.

Golden Mink's cost is the factor that has given me "scoring anxiety." At $75, Golden Mink should have wowed me. It should be orders of magnitude better than other, comparable high-end quads. I have a Clé de Peau Eye Color Quad that offers similar shades. I paid $55 for that (a refill). Do the handsome compact and suede pouch justify a $20 difference? I'm not sure, but I'm leaning toward a "no." If money were no concern? I'd have a different opinion, I think.

I purchased one other quad and two Cheek Colors. I'm headed outside to get some photos so I can show them to you tomorrow. If you want to shop Tom Ford Beauty, the line is available at Neiman Marcus' Web site and select Neiman Marcus stores. It's also available at Bergdorf Goodman.

I spent a lot of money to order my four Tom Ford Beauty items, so I'm going to try to fall in love. There are 130 items in Tom Ford's cosmetics collection, the latest color launch from the Estée Lauder Companies.

Update: I like this palette - I really do. I am just not sure it's worth the price. The jury is still out. I wish the gold had just a little more color and a little less sparkle. I can tell you now that I'm much more excited about the other items I tried (and photographed) today. The colors in Golden Mink are pretty, but not earth-shattering. One of the blushes I purchased is a different story! Glam!

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

Dolce & Gabbana Shine Lipstick in Drama

Some "blind purchases" are so exciting you want to do cartwheels. I was that excited when I opened and tried Dolce & Gabbana's Shine Lipstick in Drama ($30). I had decided to order a Shine Lipstick when I placed the rest of my Dolce & Gabbana Beauty order online with Saks Fifth Avenue. I had the same dilemma with Shine Lipstick I had had with the Ultra-Shine Lip Glosses. There were 25 shades. Without ever seeing the display of Dolce & Gabbana Beauty lip colors, how would I select one shade that would be absolutely perfect? I turned the wheel of Jeopardy, and I landed on a divine selection.

Shine Lipstick imparts a look of ethereal sensuality, with a nod to ultra-feminine glamour. The semi-sheer color high-shine lipsticks adds lustre and volume to the lips.

The description of Shine Lipstick enticed me, and the shade, Drama (#90), where the wheel landed, is even prettier than it looked online. It had appeared to be a mauve-rose-brown shade in the online swatch - more brown than it is in person. It is a rose-mauve-brown hybrid shade, but in person it's much more rose than brown. It's the kind of color that instantly attracts me when I'm lip color shopping.

My swatches show Drama on my arm in full sun. I think it's drop-dead gorgeous. As you can see, it shines, as promised. I don't think I need to describe the color. It speaks for itself. I'd call it a mauve-leaning rose, slightly on the cool side of the spectrum.

When I was outside taking photos, I saw a magnolia blossom - a very confused bud on my star magnolia. For some reason, it had decided to bloom, about six months early. I feel so badly that it was frosted this past weekend. Imagine how pretty it would be if it were to open fully? It probably froze in place. What you see in the photo at right will probably be the full extent of its November glory.

Shine Lipstick feels lightweight on my lips, but offers very nice staying-power. The shine can be seen indoors and out; it's extremely flattering. You probably know that a little shine can give your lips a fuller appearance. Shine Lipstick does have a fragrance, a "feature" I could do without. Fortunately, it dissipates quickly.

If you like mauve-rose lip colors, you are going to like Shine Lipstick in Drama as much as I do. It's a stunning shade. What color should I try next? Shimmer looks almost the same online, but I'll bet it's not. I think Ruby or Dahlia may be my next selections.

You can purchase Dolce & Gabbana color, brushes, and fragrance at Saks Fifth Avenue (online and select stores), as I did, or at Dolce & Gabbana's Web site. For a store locator, click here.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

How to Get Your Glow with RéVive Skin Care

Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, founder of RéVive Skin Care, made a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria a couple of weeks ago. I was excited about meeting him. He doesn't make many store appearances these days, and I thought we were privileged to have him visit our area. I also had an opportunity to interview him on the phone before his arrival, giving me plenty of information to consider before I heard his presentation.

We actually had a whole team of RéVive experts there that day, including Hylton Lea, Senior Vice President for Communications and Brand Development (on left), and John Wesley Gates, the company's Regional Sales Manager (at right). All three of them spent time with participants answering questions and showing them the products that were best for their skin and concerns. Anyone who met Hylton that day had to come away impressed with his enthusiasm and the friendly ease with which he provides advice. Amidst all the activity, John ran around making sure our experience that day was absolutely perfect (set-up, refreshments, product demos, etc.). If I were John, I would have headed straight for the bar when I arrived at Amtrak!

Let's just get this out of the way too: When have you seen such an attractive group of guys - all with perfect skin - from one company? Dr. Brown gives me hope that I don't have to look my age! I must also mention the incomparable Cleo Sorbi, our local Account Executive, and Anna Befanis, the RéVive Product Specialist at Tysons. They are amazingly knowledgeable.

As we ate tea sandwiches and sipped on iced tea and water during the formal presentation, Dr. Brown opened our eyes to the magic of RéVive. With just a few products, you can markedly improve your skin and get the RéVive glow. Dr. Brown and everyone who works for him are a testament to the effectiveness of RéVive. After the formal presentation, Dr. Brown took the time to provide an individual consultation to each participant, talking about her skin-care concerns and providing a "RéVive prescription."

I introduced you to Dr. Brown and his background in prior features. To recap, after years as a successful plastic surgeon, Dr. Brown stated a research laboratory dedicated to increasing the healing rates of burn victims' wounds. Though his clinical research, he discovered a unique bioengineered protein molecule (Epidermal Growth Factor or EGF) that accelerated burn healing. When the molecule was added to the patient's wound-care treatment, healing was accelerated.

What does this have to do with skin care? As we age, cell division slows. As it slows, we develop signs of aging, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sagging skin, and a loss of radiance. The development of wrinkles is actually similar to an injury to the skin. Dr. Brown found that if he could kick-start cells to turn over more rapidly than they would normally, he could postpone the inevitable signs of aging and give the skin a much-needed boost. He started to experiment with the molecule that had helped burn patients so markedly, dissolving it into Elizabeth Arden's Visible Difference. The results were amazingly effective. He found that his "cream" allowed him to regenerate the skin in a way he couldn't with a scalpel. A facelift can lift the skin, but it won't make it glow. RéVive will make you glow.

Dr. Brown's iconic product, the one that started the RéVive revolution, was RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream. This powerful perfecting cream, which contains EGF, gives all faces the legendary RéVive glow - quickly. It's a remarkable moisturizer, and it's a RéVive best seller. Once hooked, always hooked. Its earliest devotees are among today's devotees. After just a few evenings of using Moisturizing Renewal Cream, you'll see a difference in your skin. Keep using it, and you'll see a more youthful you in no time at all.

Dr. Brown introduced us to his latest miracle, Peau Magnifique Youth Recruit ($1,500), which was recently reformulated to make it even better. There's also a new Peau Magnifique Les Yeux Youth Recruit ($750), which must be my next RéVive purchase. These powerful skin-transforming treatments help slow the visible signs of aging, with a potent blend of “youth-recruiting” ingredients that provide dramatic visible results in just four weeks. I saw results overnight. I know that sounds impossible, but I told Dr. Brown when we talked after the event. The first morning after I had applied a sample of Peau Magnifique Youth Recruit to my face, I awakened to find a line-free face, even skin tone, and raring-to-go skin.

The formula merges biotechnology and beauty, resulting in a marked improvement to the skin. This powerful treatment helps detect and recruit healthy cells in their prime - it's as if the skin gets an "injection" of new life. A dramatic increase in cell renewal reveals brighter skin, smoother tone and texture, and an immediate glow. You’ll see firmer, younger looking skin with a visible reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Peau Magnifique is a targeted four-week treatment. Given its price, I asked Dr. Brown when a woman should use it. After all, $1,500 is an investment. He said that you would use Peau Magnifique no more than twice/year or before a big event. He mentioned a wedding; my mind went straight to a class reunion. Use it far enough in advance of the event to allow your skin's cells to renew, leaving a younger you to greet friends and family.

Peau Magnifique will:

• detect and recruit healthy skin cells to repair and renew skin;
• increase skin cell renewal to reveal brighter, smoother tone and texture;
• firm skin while reducing the look of lines and wrinkles; and
  
• gives skin new life and an immediate glow.

Skin stem cells sit by and wait for some kind of injury or assault to the skin that signals them to create new skin cells. Dermabrasion, lasers, and other cosmetic procedures are basically "controlled trauma," sending signals to the stem cells to create new skin. The best cosmetics can do the same thing - a lot more gently. That's how Peau Magnifique works, by promoting cell renewal with powerful ingredients. What are those ingredients?

A Bio-3 Cell Renewal Complex has three key ingredients.

• AEE: detects the most healthy, rechargeable cells in your skin and works to recruit only the healthy cells - a proprietary ingredient developed by scientists
• Phykosaccharide: gives our skin cells an added boost to optimize and enhance the benefits of EGF, promote rapid regeneration of skin cells, and decrease skin reactivity (derived from marine biotechnology)
  
• Bio-Renewal Protein: a bio-engineered protein designed to encourage skin cell renewal

Additionally, Peau Magnifique includes targeted skin-repair ingredients, a magnificent and powerful peptide blend that helps restore collagen production to slow the signs of aging. After using my samples for a couple of weeks, I'm a believer.

The new Peau Magnifique Les Yeux Youth Recruit looks the same in the packaging: four little vials containing a miracle serum. It was developed using the same ingredients and principles found to work so well in the face treatment. The eye treatment is targeted to help repair the delicate skin around the eyes and slow visible signs of aging with potent “youth-recruiting” ingredients that provide dramatic visible results in four weeks.

The formula is similar to that of regular Peau Magnifique for the face. It merges biotechnology with beauty, resulting in a noticeable decrease in the look of lines and wrinkles. It's a laser-free lift, and I'm dying to try it!

If you are considering a cosmetic surgery procedure to eliminate fine lines and other signs of aging from your face, you might want to try Peau Magnifique Youth Recruit first. It's easy to apply a gentle serum to your face (or the area around your eyes) each night. There's no down time; you won't burn to a crisp red; and you'll probably find, as I did, that you look remarkably better in no time. Better skin without the risks and side effects!

Even if you don't feel you need Peau Magnifique Youth Recruit, there's a RéVive recipe for you. The line consists of targeted treatments that help you minimize product layering (one for this, one for that) and maximize results.

Many thanks to Dr. Brown, who has spent time on the phone with me, explaining the science behind his products. I love talking with him - his candor is refreshing. He's quick to debunk skin-care marketing hype, and our conversations have helped me learn. I feel comfortable recommending skin care when I understand how it works. I've become a RéVive disciple.

Photos by Things in Beauty; Peau Magnifique Youth Recruit photo courtesy of RéVive