Autumn has arrived! These dogwood leaves caught my eye this week, so I snapped a portrait while I was outdoors swatching. With the shortened days (it's getting dark at 5:00 pm) and even a few frosty nights, it's clear that winter's on the way. Today, it's cold and windy. I can deal with the cold; it's snow that makes winter so miserable. Can it be pretty? Yes, if you never need to go anywhere. Even trudging out to the back yard to fill the bird feeder can be tough going in knee-high snow. Fortunately, that doesn't happen here often.We've got sunshine, even if it is cold. I'll be able to get photos today. I still have a lot of new treasures to show you. My left arm may have goosebumps, but I'll be able to swatch today. That makes me happy.
I'm also happily anticipating a fun weekend. Tomorrow, I have two events to attend. In the morning, I'm attending a breakfast with Tim Quinn. He'll be presenting the new Giorgio Armani Beauty holiday collection (most of which I have) and the new foundation (which I also have and must feature very soon). Tim is always great fun, so I'm looking forward to seeing him.
I'm also going to visit with Ivan Castro from Le Métier de Beauté. I interviewed Ivan on the phone in June, and I'm looking forward to meeting him in person. I'm curious to see what colors he'll select for my face.
This is the day my CREED Royal Service is scheduled to arrive. Usually the things I'm dying to have don't arrive on time. Could this be a first? I'm so excited about the commemorative fragrance. Along with being a beautiful scent, it's special - and very limited.
I owe you, my readers, visitors, and fellow bloggers, my sincere and humble thanks. My Wikio ranking went up this month - so much it surprised me. Thank you for your support! I do appreciate the vote of confidence - and your friendship - every time you click on Best Things in Beauty.
It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. 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 have moved on.
The deadline for this week's giveaway contest is tomorrow, Saturday, October 12, at midnight. If you'd like a chance to win Chanel's Brun-Express Eyeshadow Duo, just click on this link and leave a comment.
Happy Veterans Day! To all our veterans and the veterans of our allies, thank you.
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25 comments:
I've been obsessed this week with makeup/eyeshadow palettes! Last weekend, I purchased the Berry Chic palette from Edward Bess and I love it! It's my first venture into this line. I also have concerns about purples and pinks and this is outside my comfort zone, but this palette is very workable!
I also love Chanel's brow pencil. It definitely can alternate with my Shu Uemura pencil but it's more accessible!
I made up my mind and purchased Frantic Pink from Tom Ford. Now I will be watching my mailbox, waiting for my goody package to arrive! I'm really enjoying the Rouge d'Armani #406, it really is my favorite red.
My next project is to buy some nice things for the holidays for the ladies I work with. I think gifts of items to pamper themselves with would be good, what do you think?
Charlestongirl,
Congrats on the ratings and have a wonderful weekend!
I picked up a some beauties over the last few weeks for my recent b-day: Creme de la Mer (my face is enjoying this), the EB Back to Basics palette (wishing I had gone for the plums, too), Sisley Kohl Star eyeliner(forget exact name), and the Chante New Classics Palette (stunning!).
I've read your raves about La Mer and for the first time in a while, my face is remaining moisturized throughout the day.
I'm still awaiting the EB and Sisley.
The Chante palette is too pretty to touch!
I've already gotten a head start on my holiday shopping--too easy with stores pushing holiday specials so early!
I feel fantastic and quite blessed!
Glad you have some sunshine there, hopefully the gray and cold of winter will stay a bay a bit longer!
Can't wait to hear details of your lmbd appointment! I do hope you will share :)
Hi Joolz!
Berry Chic is such a pleasant surprise - filled with berry tones that we all can wear. Love it!
My Chanel brow pencil (years old) dried out. I went to use it one day and realized it was kaput. I need to get another one. I agree - the Chanel pencil is fabulous!
Evelyn, did you check out the gift sets at Sephora? There are some Fresh sets that are especially attractive gifts - and if you are a VIB, you can use the code VIBDREAM for a 20% discount!
Hi Sophia!
Go ahead and use your Chantecaille palette! You'll be glad you did. At least you'll only be digging into big C's - no tigers, sea turtles, or other beloved animals.
You picked up some wonderful makeup. The La Mer? An essential!
Did you try Sisley's new Black Rose mask? It's divine - superbly moisturizing.
Hi Katie...but of course! :)
Ratings are well deserved. We appreciate your dedication to your blog and to us. Thank you for all that you do, in the name of beauty and friendship :-*
It's been a weird week in beauty for me. I have had this lingering sty in my left eye that comes up every two days. Just when I think it's gone, it pops up again in a different spot...same eye. Haven't been playing with much makeup as a result!
Also, I've been having issues with my Cle de Peau concealer. It's crepey on me all of a sudden! Sigh...not sure why. I'm not leaving it out to dry, it just gets that way on me after about 2 hours of wear.
Anyway, I must go and try to nap now as I go back to work tonight, after nearly 2 years off for Mat Leave. I'm so nervous! Wish me luck and have a great weekend, everyone!
Good luck back at work, Lovethescents! I'll bet you enjoy the break from being a mom 24 hours/day.
Get someone at work to give you antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory drops for that eye! Also, keep your makeup away from it so you don't re-infect yourself.
As for the concealer, are you wearing enough eye cream? Now that the weather is changing, you need to step up your hydration level.
Thanks for the recommendation, Charlestongirl! I will have to check out the Sisley mask, (Black Rose just sounds gorgeous). And yes, you are right, just those "C" imprints makes it easier to dig into!
Thanks for investing so much time and energy into creating such a beautiful blog! Yours is always a favorite!
Thank you, Charlestongirl! So I should wear makeup on my right eye only? :-))))
I have changed my eye cream for the winter. I'm on the Origins now and like its effect. Maybe I should get something greasier to go with my Cle?
No antibx ointment or drops in stock, unfortunately. IV, no problem, but it's not my thing :-)
LOL, Lovethescents! It's probably easier to get morphine.
How about no eye makeup at all until you heal? You wouldn't want to look lopsided. Or, just buy a drugstore mascara and throw it out when you are healed.
You want an eye cream that you can "feel" with your fingertips an hour after you've applied it. It doesn't have to be greasy, just moist under your eyes. That should keep your concealer from drying out and cracking.
So excited that you'll be receiving Royal Service. Looking forward to seeing pictures. Congratulations on your rating. As a new subscriber, I must tell you your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. I certainly appreciate all the time you devote to it. Thank you :)
I'm hitting Sephora tomorrow with my VIB card, hopefully I will be able to find some things, if the store doesn't look like it's been hit by a tornado that is. That always bugs me, I know stores have sales but can't people be neat and civilized?
:) enjoy your weekend!
Ok - my new favorite product is most DEFINITELY the new Giorgio Armani Designer Lift foundation!!! Why? It is Luminous Silk on steroids for those of us with skin that is dry and has fine lines - I seriously smoothed it on and the line between my eyes DISAPPEARED. I did some research and found that there are two types of microscopic fillers that the foundation employs - one of powdered silk. It also uses luminous microspheres of color to reflect light, giving an ethereal airbrushed look to the face. Seriously, I have received so many compliments since wearing this foundation - "Your skin is gorgeous," or "airbrushed" or "flawless!" This is what we want to hear when we are 42!
I'll send you a sample if you'd like to try - the matches with the Luminous Silk are 90% accurate. I was a 4 in the LS, I am a 2 in the DS - the 4 in the LS has a tad more yellow.
Anyway - my product of the MONTH!!
Oh, and congratulations on your RATINGS charlestongirl - But I expect no less from you! :)
This was a great week for beautiful things and, more importantly, beautiful people. I was able to spend some quality time with Team Edward (EB) and Team Marcus (Guerlain) and had the most wonderful time with some delightful, funny, and kind people.
My mission at the EB counter was to purchase South of France for myself and a few other things that some friends asked me to pick up. What I came away with we're all the products on my list as well as lots of application tips for me and my friends. A visit to the EB counter--particularly when
Edward is there--is always a special and pleasurable experience.
Guerlain Makeup Session:
Friday, I had an appointment with Marcus Monson--makeup guru and artist extraordinaire for Guerlain, North America. In addition to being an incredibly gifted artist, he struck me as one of the kindest, most knowledgable people in the biz. I was thoroughly impressed with his intelligence, knowledge of makeup and skin care, his artist's eye, technical skill, the genuine interest and individual approach he took with each client, and his intuitive understanding, honed by years of experience, of how to bring put the best in a woman. I saw four other women whose makeup he had done, and we all looked special and unique.
The session began with Guerlain skin care applied by a warm and personable assistant who was in charge of prepping. As each serum and cream was applied and the skin gently patted or stroked, she explained the benefits of each particular product she applied. I was then ready for Marcus. As he studied me, he asked me about my style and the image I liked to project with makeup. He then talked about various foundation options and picked the perfect shade. He also had me close my eyes and he used his hands to explore the bone structure of my face. Getting the lay of the land was how he explained it. Familiar with my face's contours, he was then ready to begin applying color. He selected the quad Les Gris for my eyes and applied the colors in a manner that made my eyes look large and luminous. He gave me a sophisticated look with gorgeous contouring and soft smoke around the lashes rather than the full on smoky eye look that I've seen on many of the blogs. My lashes got a nice coat of Guerlain's incredible Le 2 mascara and my brows were simply brushed in place. On my cheeks he used Rose Plein Vent and showed me how I could "play" with the four shades that make up this luminous blush to produce different effects. My smiling lips got a swipe of Rouge G in Brenda and I was set to go :-)
One of the many things I particularly liked about my session with Marcus was that he encouraged me to check out his progress in a mirror as he worked and he carefully explained everything that he was doing. When he was preparing my parting face chart, he also reviewed everything he had done. It was a great learning experience from a man who genuinely cares about making each woman her very best. He is constantly traveling, but if any of you have the opportunity to sit in his chair, jump at it! He's one in a million :-)
Thank you, Miss Brahms!
I learned about Designer Lift today from Tim Quinn. It was fun hearing his perspective - and about what's coming. I am such a huge Armani fan! I'll try to feature Designer Lift tomorrow or Monday.
Ooh, Eileen, I need to meet Marcus! I'll keep my eyes peeled for an event here.
Thanks for sharing. That sounds like a perfect day!
My day today was fun. I attended a media breakfast with Tim Quinn this morning, and in the afternoon, Ivan Castro did my makeup. For an hour, he perfected a VERY smoky eye with Silk Road. I looked a little too glam when he was finished. A great evening look, but it was "intense." Got lots of compliments, though, from the gals at NM (who are into such glam makeup at any time of day). :)
For me, it was a beautiful evening/party look. Very sophisticated!
Evelyn, I almost never go to Sephora stores. They are unkempt. No matter how they might try to keep it clean (at times), there are too many careless shoppers.
Hope you found something you liked!
Thank you, Rosamaria!
Hi Charlestongirl,
Aren't we lucky to have access to some of the greatest MA's in the world? I find it interesting that, in my experience at least, the more popular, influential, and sought after they are; the nicer and more genuinely interested in making woman feel beautiful and confident they are. They certainly know their worth, have confidence in their taste and artistry, but they are also appreciative of diversity and they strive to make us happy. So, yes, if Marcus visits your area, make an appointment.
That Tim Quinn is a charmer, too, isn't he? I'm sure you had a great time learning about everything new Armani. As you know, I'm also a devoted fan and am curious about the new foundation.
I'm also sure we're all eagerly awaiting your account of your LMdB session with Ivan. The eye look sounds a bit over the top, but beautiful none the less. Sometimes the artists forget that after we're done with them, we're just going home to feed the animals and put out the trash! LOL
Enjoy the rest of your weekend :-)
LOL...exactly, Eileen. I never tell them I lead such a boring life. When Ivan finished with me, he kept embellishing. It was a hoot. He's clearly a perfectionist.
Did you know his home base is Beverly Hills? Go see him!
Tim Quinn is so real. The highest compliment I can pay him. I adore him. I love his sense of humor, his ability to remember what's important in life (cancer has a way of teaching that lesson), and his casual elegance. Tonight he was having dinner with Andrea Mitchell, no doubt to talk about his prior and her current cancer experiences.
With no prepared remarks, he just started talking today. I often wonder if the gals just meeting Tim understand he's a seriously well-known celebrity artist.
You're right about how nice the guys are (and gals). They are often talented people who seem to enjoy sharing their tips and special effects with us. I think I've met only one well-known artist who was a bit too fond of himself. One percent? Not bad!
Hi Eileen, hi Charlestongirl!
Thank you for sharing your great experiences with those amazing artists! You can't see me but I'm green with envy! :-)
You are really lucky to be near places where they come often and your reports are so good we can imagine being in your place and we can almost see the results (do I have too much imagination?!) Anyway thank you for those dreams... and I'm sure you were both stunning!
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