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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2016 Runway Collection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo courtesy of pcwired.net

The Friday Forum - March 4

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

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

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

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

It's time for The Friday Forum. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope you are ready to share.

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

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

TATCHA Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fashion and Fragrance - The Elegance of Armani Privé

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos courtesy of Vogue and Giorgio Armani Fragrances