Two Faced Spring 2014 Cosmetics Collection

I received an e-mail this week feature new products for Spring 2014. I wanted to share them with you because I think they are enticing.

The Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection ($49) looks gorgeous. As you can see in the photo above, it will be a Sephora exclusive.

There are new shades in La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream ($21), a lipstick with the moisture of a lip balm in a pigment-saturated, one-swipe formula. He developed La Crème in four of the most wearable shades in each of the five color families: Berry, Red, Nude, Pink and Spice to make choosing the right lip color easier.

There are also new shades in Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush ($29). With three perfect swatches, you can just swirl the colors together and apply or use more of one shade for a custom flush or highlight. I was taken with both shades above.

You can see more of the new collection at this Two Faced link. These were my three. See what you think.

Photos courtesy of Two Faced

The Friday Forum - December 13 - and Jo Malone

This has certainly been a painful week. I'm going to work from home one more day, today, and then rest as much as possible this weekend. I do have one little trip I have to make tomorrow (Neiman Marcus Mazza to pick up my new Le Métier de Beauté goodies). I'm actually thinking about taking my walker with me. Having something to lean on helps. There is a trend show tomorrow morning, and if there are seats, I will stay for that. I'll have photos to share next week, as long as there is sunshine Sunday. Unfortunately, snow is a possibility for tomorrow.

The photo above is a grouping of new candles from Jo Malone. The company is winding the clock back to yesteryear with its new individual home candle scents. The Just Like Sunday home candle scents feature Lavender & Lovage, Green Tomato Leaf, Sweet Almond & Macaroon, and Incense & Embers.

Lavender & Lovage is calm and aromatic with the aniseed twist of garden lovage. Green Tomato Leaf is tangy and evocative with cassis and artemesia on a cushion of moss. Sweet Almond & Macaroon is delectable, rich, warm, and softened by vanilla. Incense & Embers is contemplative, sensual, and relaxing with napa leather, vetiver, golden amber, and smoky incense brightened with silver fir and white pepper. I know the two I'll buy, even without a whiff: Green Tomato Leaf and Sweet Almond & Macaroon. I had tomato-scented candles from Williams Sonoma years ago, and I loved them.

I received a lot of boxes this week, and they are all still unopened. Usually, I'm excited when a box is delivered. You know I hurt when I leave them downstairs by the front door. Charlie, not realizing I don't feel well, has been delighted to have me home this week. I work at my desk all day, and he alternates between my lap and his cat cushion at my feet.

It has been so cold, the ice that fell and froze on Monday is still on the ground, particularly in shady places. We aren't used to extended periods of temperatures hovering around 32 degrees, so I'm finding this weather intolerable. I've been putting plenty of food outside for the animals. Mine are feasting on bird seed, peanuts, dog food, and frozen water. I'll fix the water situation soon. I hope you will remember the animals who share our world and leave out food and water.

It's time for the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? 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 early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Update: Just more to say. Have you seen the Two Faced Spring 2014 Collection photos? If not, let me know, and I will post them.

Photo courtesy of Jo Malone

New Le Métier de Beauté Products Arriving at a Counter Near You: Lipsticks, Kaleidoscopes

Le Métier de Beauté has launched four new Hydra-Crème Lipstick ($25) shades this holiday season at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's stores. Be sure to get Last Tango, Amore, Fellini, and Cardinale before they sell out (they are in that order in the image, left to right). All are limited editions and spectacular! Actually, I think all products shown in this feature are limited editions.

La Strada Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95) is shown above. As always, it's ideal for blending and layering. I don't have the shade names yet.

The Total Look Face Kit ($95) offers Nico, a buttery, bronzed eye shadow (top level); Chelsea Girl, a soft pink, silky highlighter; Divina, a universal rose blush; and Sun Kissed, a beautiful blonde bronzer. It looks like a must-have to me.

The Cheeky Chic Blush Kaleidoscope ($95) offers four cheek colors. Velvet Underground is a a pale matte salmon-pink. Dali is a pure matte classic pink. Ondine is a silky matte beige-nude. Electra is a sheer, gold illuminator. Another must-have in my book.

The photos above were sent to me by Le Métier de Beauté headquarters. The group shot below was contributed. I must get over to Neiman Marcus Mazza as soon as possible. The products are in store at Le Métier de Beauté counters. These colors look gorgeous!

If you need help, call (or visit) Michael Reinhardt or Chae Edwards at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. You can reach them at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236.

Be Careful on Ice

We didn't get that much snow today, but we had a layer of ice underneath from yesterday. That's what got me. As a result, I fell, hurt myself, and can't even think about beauty tonight.

After a long day on the phone (nine hours on a call with my team), I was really hungry. I never have much food in the house, so I went outside to try to clear four inches of snow off my car. I was planning to go find dinner. I fell on black ice. My right side (my worst on any day) took the brunt of my fall. My right palm is cut open, and I hurt from shoulder to knee. I feel like whining about it. I should have been even more careful than I was.

I'm "this far" from bed. I'll take a heating pad with me, although the proper treatment would be ice. I can't even consider that thought. Ice is not my friend tonight. I'm just hoping that I did no serious damage to already-compromised body parts.

Tomorrow is Day 2 of the long-distance meeting. At least I'll be sitting. For now, I'll offer my apologies for my failure to write a beauty feature. I just don't have it in me right now.

Photo courtesy of physiolink.com

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Eau de Toilette and Forte Eau de Parfum

A couple of years ago, I purchased Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Aqua Universalis ($175 to $235) at Neiman Marcus. It's divine and a perfect holiday gift. Everyone likes it.

According to his biography, Francis Kurkdjian was not born in Grasse as many French perfumers were, nor did he come from a long family heritage of French perfumers. As a child, he studied piano and dance. A lovely piano melody plays as you peruse his Web site. It's so calming, you should visit when you want to relax!

At age 15 (when most of use haven't determined our future course), he decided he would become a perfumer, and in 1995, when he was 25, he created his first perfume, La Male, for Jean Paul Gaultier. Since then, he has created dozens of fragrances, and you know their names, even if you don't know his. Aqua di Parma Iris Nobile, Dior Cologne Blanche and Eau Noire, F by Ferragamo, and Emmanuel Ungaro are just a few. His work as a perfumer reached a milestone in 2009 (some sources say 2008) when he opened Maison Francis Kurkdjian in Paris.

Aqua Universalis Eau de Parfum is a fragrance for "everything, everyone, and all days." The name is Latin for "Universal Water," and the scent does what it says on the bottle. Francis Kurkdjian calls it the missing link between skin, clothes, bed linens, and the air, and he’s spot on. This light, sparkling eau de toilette could be spritzed by anyone, anywhere, anytime – but you’ll probably want to save it for your skin, since you can scent your house with the Aqua Universalis candle or incense paper and launder your clothes with the matching detergent.

The notes begin with a strong unisex fragrance of bergamot and lemon from Sicily. When you first apply the fragrance, it's almost masculine - certainly unisex. It starts to dry down quickly, though, and as it does, the lily of the valley and sweet mock orange white flower bouquet take over. From that point forward, it's soft and feminine. The fragrance culminates in sheer perfection with light and musky woods. It's not terribly long-lasting (a shame), but if you like it, reapply!

Since I purchased my first fragrance from Kurkdjian, I have purchased others. I was one of the first to buy Aqua Universalis Forte ($275), a more intense, longer-lasting version of the original. This olfactory composition has the same "sunny" emotions, but adds the memory, sparkle, and intensity to the citrus charm and white flowers of the "classical" Aqua Universalis. The result is the fabulous, precious, sought-after "sillage" or lingering trail left by the fragrance. Sicilian citron is still there, but with another bergamot chosen this time for its greener, more brilliant, sparkling notes.

The nobility of a bouquet of white flowers - lily of the valley and seringa - elevated by the absolutes of Egyptian jasmine flowers and Moroccan roses. The fullness of light woods as a base note, brought to the fore by a more sustained musky accord. And finally, an exceptional concentration on par with an extract.In short, an aerial fragrance, at once light and powerful like gold in summer.

You can find Aqua Universalis at Neiman Marcus and LuckyScent.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Coming Soon: Le Métier de Beauté The Countess Kaleidoscope Eye Kit

Within the next week or two, four new products will arrive at Le Métier de Beauté counters! Three Kaleidoscopes and a Peau Vierge powder. A Christmas feast?

One of them, The Countess Kaleidoscope Eye Kit (assumed to be $95), will be exclusive to Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. I pried the photo above out of the designer, Michael Reinhardt. Michael told me that the position of the bottom two shades is flipped in the photo. The deep blue will be in the bottom drawer.

I don't have the shade names and descriptions yet. You can bet they will look more beautiful than they do in the press photo. They always do. Michael always designs palettes that work for everyone. His Kaleidoscopes are among my favorites.

This Kaleidoscope looks drool-worthy to me. If you would like to pre-order it, call Michael Reinhardt at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258 or 2236. I'd wait until Monday to call. I'm not sure who is covering the counter today, but I'm sure Michael will be there tomorrow. If you cannot get through on the store phone, call (202) 506-0885.

Photo courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté

The Friday Forum - December 6

How could I not start a Friday Forum without my sentiments about Nelson Mandela. He was a man who who spent 27 years as a prisoner in South Africa for opposing apartheid, led his country to democracy, became its first black president and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite knowing intuitively he was near death, his passing left me in tears yesterday. There are few human beings whose accomplishments have affected so many. May he rest in peace and become the guardian angel for those at war and those who fight to gain their freedom and human rights.

Imagine spending 27 years - 1/4 of your life - in jail. Jailed unfairly for so long, he never lost hope and his love for other people. The enormity of his example has left an indelible mark on his country and the world.

It seems rather trivial to go from the death of such an inspirational person to the world of beauty, so I won't - not this morning. I'll leave that fun to you in the comments section.

It's time for the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? 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 early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

I hope you have a great weekend - without the snow or ice that's headed this way.

Photo courtesy of nelsonmandelaonline.net