Weekend Roundup - June 25

On this last weekend in June, we've got one foot in summer and the other in fall beauty, even as we enjoy summer's pastimes.

Three of us set sail with Chanel's Fall 2011 Collection!
Café Makeup shared close-ups of the beautiful Chanel Illusion d'Ombre eye shadows for fall.
Best Things in Beauty found Chanel's Joues Contraste Fards à Joues Poudre in Rose Écrin to be a perfect blushing pink complement to fall's focus on eyes. I did turn to eyes later in the week.
The Beauty Look Book compared Chanel's Spring and Fall 2011 Collections: Ombres Perleés de Chanel vs Illusion d'Ombre.
There's plenty to love from summer and seasonless beauty.
Karla Sugar provided a complete and comprehensive shopping guide to M·A·C's newest collection, Bloggers Obsessions.
The Non-Blonde gave us a taste of Bite Beauty with the delicious lip color Shiraz.
Fab over Forty demonstrated the many looks that can be created with Le Métier de Beauté's gorgeous Penelope Kaleidoscope.
Product Girl transitioned her handbag to summer. See her lightweight essentials.
Diva Debbi taught us how to become sleeping beauties with the latest hair products from Nexxus, along with Kevin Mancuso's tips.
BeautyXposé tested Salon Graphix 450 Maximum Heat Protect Spray. Will it help your hair beat the heat?
Daly Beauty is marveling over Benefit's Foamingly Clean cleanser.
Gouldylox Reviews is giving away a Napolean Perdis set of five products to give you a summer glow. Go enter now!

How will you be spending this glorious weekend?

Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Khaki Platine for Fall 2011

There's Khaki Platine, placed unobtrusively at the bottom of this Chanel Fall 2011 Collection photo - a superstar seemingly overshadowed by flashier celebrities. If you can purchase only one item from this collection, Chanel's Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Khaki Platine ($29) is the one I would recommend. It's an eyeliner like no other.

Here's the first one I purchased, worn almost down to a nub just from playing with it this week. Fortunately, the liner comes with its own sharpener, so I'll make it as good as new tomorrow. I'm saving the second one I bought as a back-up. Maybe it will even go in my makeup museum. It's worthy of preservation.

You don't want to see this creamy pencil, which applies with seamless ease, in its "house." I know you want to see swatch photos. I took them over several days, trying to snap a few that would show you this amazing shade on my skin. It's green; it's silver; it shimmers; it reflects light. In certain light, it has a mint cast. In other settings, it's shimmering khaki through and through.

Unlike Rose Platine, which I found best as a liner for use under my lower lashes, Khaki Platine is gorgeous circling the entire eye. On the model's eyes in the feature below, I am sure it was used to enhance the inner corner. I think the shade will work no matter what your eye color or skin tone. It's a pick-me-up shade, one that will catch your eyes in the mirror and make you think, "I look pretty good today!" What a difference an eyeliner can make!

Be assured that Khaki Platine offers the control to apply a thin line, which I prefer, or go with a more intense, bold look. It can even smudged to serve as a shadow.

It's clearly the companion to Illusion D'Ombre in Épitant, an eye shadow in the fall collection that will make your heart race. Illusion D'Ombre in Épitant was designed for a self-confident woman. Khaki Platine will please those of us who long for a touch of glamour, but don't want to shout.

I'll leave you with one more photo. Now, hop online at Chanel.com or rush to your nearest Chanel counter and buy the limited-edition Khaki Platine! If you don't, you'll regret it. Put another way, how can you resist?

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

Chanel Les 4 Ombres, Ombres à Paupières Quatuor in Prélude for Fall 2011

Is Chanel's Les 4 Ombres, Ombres à Paupières Quatuor in Prélude ($57) the perfect prelude to fall? Or is the eye shadow quad a prelude to Illusion d'Ombre, the shining eye shadow stars of the Fall 2011 Collection? It can certainly stand on its own, but it's also a fabulous canvas for the pizazz that we can create with Illusion d'Ombre or Khaki Platine.

Composed of four neutral shades, Prélude is seasonless. With each passing year, beauty masters like Peter Philips have taught us that colors should have no boundaries. I've let go of my old, preconceived notions that certain colors should be worn in the fall, and others only between Memorial Day and Labor Day. As long as I'm sane, I won't be wearing snow white shoes in the winter - I'm still conservative - but I'm much more appreciative of jewel-toned shades for summer and quiet neutrals for fall and winter.

Anyone who is a neutral shadow addict will love Prélude - even those with boxes brimming with browns, taupes, and creams. I found Chanel's photo of Prélude to be so misleading, I chose to use my own for this feature. Even my photo of the quad didn't adequately capture the lovely yellow-hued neutral in the top right of the compact. It is not pink. I struggled for two days to get adequate photos of the quad and swatches.

Picture a neutral eye, accented by Khaki Platine eyeliner, and you may have a vision as creative as Peter Philips had when he created this beautiful collection. More on Khaki Platine later today. Look at his model and picture these lovely colors on your own eyes.

The four shades of Prélude, top left and listed clockwise, are medium taupe, yellow-cream, mauve-tinged brown, and light taupe. I swatched them on my arm in that order, and I took my swatch photo this morning in sunlight. I applied each shade with a sponge-tipped applicator, using two to four swipes.

I wasn't happy with the arm swatch photo and resorted to the old fingertip method to try to show you a more saturated view of the four shades. On my fingers, the shades are shown from the light taupe on my pinkie to the medium taupe at far right. I think this photo gives a better view of the subtly shimmering shades.

What do you think? Will you be purchasing Prélude or holding out for the snappy, iridescent Illusion d'Ombre shades. I know you all want Khaki Platine. You should! I'll be working this afternoon to get better photos of the eyeliner than I was able to capture yesterday. Until then, have fun with these.

I purchased the fall collection from Chanel and Neiman Marcus. It arrived at Neiman Marcus this week, so check your favorite Chanel counter. It should be there now - or very soon.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; model photo courtesy of Vogue

The Friday Forum - June 25

Some Fridays bring a sense of relief and an expectation for relaxation! I'd like to follow this cool cat out to an easy chair, hat in hand, but with the book he's missing. I haven't started reading any new books lately (and they are stacking up). There hasn't been enough time in the day to get hooked on another leisure-time activity! I'm not working today; maybe a book is in my near future. I'd love to escape into a well-written novel.

What a crazy week! Two stunning fall collections arrived - Bobbi Brown and Chanel - and I've had fun playing with them. I've also been sniffing my way through several new fragrances; I hope to tell you about them soon. Every time I'm ready to share my latest skin-care finds, a makeup collection intervenes. Next week - I promise. I'll also continue my Chanel series later today. What did you purchase from Chanel Fall 2011? What are you considering?

We had so much fun this week with the Fresh team! If you haven't followed @Jawn_Fresh and @Alyson_Fresh on Twitter yet, now's the time. You will want to keep up with these talented (and fun) folks for the latest happenings at Fresh. Jawn told me about the newest products in the pipeline. We are going to love them.

It's time for The Friday Forum. We use the forum to share information and chat. Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By Monday, most (not all) readers have moved on.

Don't forget to enter the Juicy Tubes Sparkling Pinks giveaway contest. The deadline is tomorrow, June 25, at midnight. It's a cute set, and I'm sure the winner will enjoy the variety flattering pinks.

I forget where I found the photo - apologies to the photographer

Chanel Fall 2011 Joues Contraste Fards à Joues Poudre Rose Écrin

The Chanel Fall 2011 Collection we've eagerly awaited has arrived - at Chanel.com and Chanel counters. It's everything I expected and more. While Chanel fall is "all about the eyes," the windows to our souls, there's a lot to love for lips and cheeks.

I had planned to start my Chanel series with Khaki Platine, a gorgeous eyeliner (one I'm sure Chanel made for me), but the weather didn't cooperate. Clouds have "graced" my attempts to get good photos of Khaki Platine, although I think I'll throw one in at the end of this feature.

Instead, I'm starting with Joues Contraste Fards à Joues Poudre in Rose Écrin ($43). Everyone needs a pretty cheek to complete a look, and Rose Écrin will delight anyone who loves a warm pink blush.

Chanel's Joues Contraste Powder Blush has been in my makeup wardrobe as long as I can remember. There have always been pretty shades that worked for me, and I just added Rose Écrin (#68) to my list of favorites. The moment I saw the photo in the promotional materials at Neiman Marcus, I knew it was going to be perfect.

What can I tell you about Chanel Joues Constraste that you don't already know? It's a unique powder blusher that offers buildable coverage, from natural with a light application to dramatic (if you choose), and it always imparts a flattering radiance to the cheeks. The blush has a lovely silky texture, which ensures easy application. It comes with a little brush that one would only use in a pinch. You need to use a fine blush brush with Chanel's iconic powder blush.

I was able to get a few indoor photos of Rose Écrin - the compact and swatches. Rose Écrin is not as peachy in the pan as Chanel's photo makes it appear, and it's not quite as cool a pink as my own photo shows. Split the difference, and you'll have good idea of the appearance in the compact.

On my arm - my pale skin - the color is all pink. Not too cool, not too warm, it's a pretty pink that is a year-round shade to my eye. Beautifully flattering! How much more could a gal want?

I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply it to my arm, and I applied it heavily to get these swatch photos. I hope you can see that the pink shade of Rose Écrin is not too cool, but not too warm. Applied lightly, it imparts a very natural blush. Apply it heavily, and you will look pretty in pink (or like Raggedy Ann).

From the Chanel photos I've seen, the cheeks are not the focal point of the collection for fall. I'd recommend a light touch, especially if you intend to glam your look with the beautiful new eye shadows (I'll be showing them to you when the weather cooperates). For now, have fun with one little swatch photo of Khaki Platine. I've already purchased two of them! That's why you have to rush out to get this collection. We crazies are buying multiples!

I bought the fall collection from Chanel and Neiman Marcus. I have many lovely new things to show you over the coming days. I hope you'll come back to see.

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

Fresh Kiss & Tell - New York This Weekend - Neiman Marcus Party Last Night

Fresh is having a Kiss & Tell Promotion. With a contest online that you can enter at Facebook, you could win $2,500 in Fresh products - just by sharing your sweetest kiss ever (in 100 words or less - tougher than Twitter). Make sure to enter by July 8.

This weekend in New York City, a Kiss & Tell Pop-Up Truck may be in your neighborhood. Inside the Kiss & Tell Trucks, you will receive a free Sugar Lip Treatment of your choice - and have a chance to experience a Sugar Lip Experience, a beauty ritual that nourishes, protects, and perfects your lips. You can see the schedule for the truck's stops at this link. With four locations, anyone in New York should be able to make it. Jawn Marques will be there this weekend, so you will have a chance to meet him. I guarantee you will be enchanted. More below.

You can also send a Kiss & Tell e-card to one of your friends. Tell a friend why you love the Sugar Lip Treatment Collection, and the lucky recipient will receive a free Sugar Lip Treatment with any $50 purchase on fresh.com. How cool is that? Check out this link to send a card.

I'll bet many of you know Fresh primarily for the iconic Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50). Often featured at Sephora, this lip conditioner, along with the rest of the Sugar Collection, put Fresh on the beauty world's map in 1997. Fresh founders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg were inspired to use sugar as a natural ingredient in their formulas by childhood memories of their grandmothers using it as a natural antiseptic to heal cuts. As they say, the rest is history. Fresh's Sugar Collection remains a pillar of the brand today. To know Sugar is to love it, but a failure to explore the rest of Fresh is an oversight you need to correct!

Last night, a select group of shoppers and friends had an opportunity to get up close and personal with Fresh at a master class and party at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria. With plenty of wine and food, we feasted while Jawn Marques gave us an overview of Fresh, the company's philosophy, and skin care. He touched on fragrance and color, but Jawn stressed skin care. After all, your skin has to look good for your makeup to look good!

The Fresh candle-lit table was set elegantly for our group of beauty lovers - all of whom sampled as Jawn started with Crème Ancienne, Fresh's couture anti-aging formula, handmade in a monastery, and ended with fragrances, covering all the options (serums, moisturizers, eye creams, masks, you name it) to keep our skin looking fresh and healthy. Toward the end of our party, Alyson O'Brien and others helped our partygoers spruce up for the evening. I love visiting with the Fresh team and appreciate the special effort they made (in rush-hour traffic) to pop down to Virginia to spend the evening with us.

Afterwards, we got Jawn and Alyson set up on Twitter, so make sure to follow them today! They are @Jawn_Fresh and @Alyson_Fresh. I took this photo upstairs after the party - the lighting in the Café wasn't great for photos. Let's show them some love on Twitter!

That's the morning report! I'll have a makeup feature for you in a bit.

Photos courtesy of Fresh; Jawn and Alyson's photo by Best Things in Beauty

Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection for Fall 2011 - Beach High Shimmer Lip Gloss

Even though Bobbi Brown's new Tortoise Shell Collection focuses on the eyes, what better way to draw in others' eyes than with a pretty lip? Bobbi has just the thing for you! From two new limited-edition shades of Rich Lip Color SPF 12 to three shades of High Shimmer Lip Gloss, you'll have a tough choice to make if you're in a frugal mood. Not only that, there is a snazzy set of mini brushes to tempt you. What's a gal to do? Cave!


I was tempted to purchase this Tortoise Shell Mini Brush Set ($55) even though I have enough Bobbi Brown brushes to last for life. It's so pretty! The tortoise shell case and brown handles lend a special touch to Bobbi's fabulous brushes.

When Rich Lip Color SPF 12 ($22) was introduced earlier this year, I bought a lot of shades. Last weekend, I had to tell myself, "You don't need more of them!" Oh, how I wanted at least one. I think I will purchase one of the two (Soft Nude or Twig) in early July. I wasn't as strong when it came to the High Shimmer Lip Glosses ($22). Bare Sparkle, Beach, and Citrus beckoned. Citrus is a pre-existing shade. Bare Sparkle and Beach are new.

Bobbi’s new lip gloss combines gorgeous, light-catching shimmer with lasting, non-sticky shine. Made with fine pearls and clear pigments, High Shimmer Lip Gloss stays color-true and gives lips beautiful, brilliant dimension. Plus it’s enriched with emollients and vitamins C and E to moisturize, condition, and protect lips - so they feel as good as they look. Whether you wear it on its own or on top of your favorite lipstick, the new tapered sponge applicator lets you apply it like a pro. I am quite pleased with Bobbi's new applicators. I found the old brushes difficult. They always got splayed after a few uses. It was too much trouble, sometimes impossible, to precisely aim the wand into the tube to ensure that the brush would stay in pristine shape. This is a marvelous change!

I selected Beach (#16), a beautiful, shimmering brown shade with a hint of mauve on the skin. It's got personality. It was also the darkest of the two new shades, and I like a little color in my gloss.

Look at these swatch photos and tell me Beach doesn't have a personality. It adapts to light and its surroundings, pulling first one tint, then another, to draw attention to your lips. The finish is a glossy shimmer, reflecting light with a liquid gleam. To see it is to want it. The hydrangeas are lovely too. They will be making frequent appearances here.

I applied Beach straight from its wand and tried to paint an even square on my arm. The photos were taken in sunlight, although I tried to vary the sun's angle in the photos. The shade and the shine are exquisite, whether in full-on or indirect sunlight. I may need to buy a second tube of this gloss. I want one for my bathroom, but I'm sure I'll feel compelled to keep one in my makeup bag.

Yesterday, I promised to show you a press photo of the Sand Tortoise Shell Eye Palette - the one I didn't buy. Like its sister in Bronze, which I swatched yesterday for you (gleefully), Sand is filled with neutrals, four of which are new and exclusive to the palette. Anyone who is drawn to matte neutrals (there are two metallic shades in Sand), will be thrilled with this wardrobe of neutrals for the eyes.
The Tortoise Shell Collection is available at Nordstrom Tysons Corner Center and Pentagon City. It's probably available at other Nordstrom stores now. It will have its grand opening on July 1 at Bobbi Brown online and Bobbi Brown counters. You'll be able to armchair shop or visit your favorite counter to purchase. Many of the pieces in the collection are limited editions.

Press photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown; other photos by Best Things in Beauty