Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick for Spring 2013

Bobbi Brown's new Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks ($28) are a treat for women who love cream eye shadows. Since I'm a huge fan of cream shadows, I immediately purchased two when they appeared at the counters. Wouldn't you know, I chose the light, natural, subtle shades.

Effortless and high impact - that’s the essence of new Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick. This do-it-all formula glides on tug-free and can be used to shade, define, smoke
up, and highlight the eyes. In subtle to eye-popping shades that last for up to eight hours without creasing, flaking or fading.

“Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick is designed for the modern woman on the move. Just swipe it on and go - it’s that easy,” said Bobbi Brown. I think she was right.

The sticks are available in the eight shades shown below. Sorry the print is fuzzy. I enlarged the clip.

A unique blend of oils, waxes, and film formers gives this water-resistant formula excellent eight hour wear. Color-rich emollients provide intense pigment in one easy swipe without flaking or creasing. Supremely smooth, lightweight feel. Antioxidant vitamins C and E protect the delicate eye area, while skin conditioners help create a smooth, comfortable, and lightweight feel that is not oily or tacky.

All in all true. I selected Golden Pink (#4, shown at left above) and Sand Dune (#6, shown at right). I liked vanilla too. I know, I'm a wimp. I might have chosen Bark, but I wanted to play with the first two before I invested more money in them. Now, I am ready to expand my little collection.

I took swatch photos in full sun. I applied the shades directly from their tubes and did little blending beyond what was required to get even swatches. Golden Pink is swatched at the top of my arm, with Sand Dune below. Golden Pink offers a beautiful sheen to the lids in a peachy-pink color that anyone can wear. That's not all sunlight you see on my arm. Golden Pink is gorgeous.

I'm less taken with Sand Dune. Not because there's anything inherently wrong with it; it's just not my shade. Described as a medium beige tan, It's a little muddy on my cool, pale skin. It would be much nicer on someone with a warmer skin tone.

I love the way these apply and blend with ease. On me, they last all day without any creasing or fading away.

You can find the new Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks at Bobbi Brown's Web site or at any Bobbi Brown counter. Take a look and see what you think.

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

Dolce & Gabbana Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Stromboli

I'm so happy now that I know an insider at Dolce & Gabbana. Finally I have a connection, and although he's in New York, I can buy safely. He will know the "real color" of the items (the online swatches are inadequate) and can recommend makeup colors I will love vs colors that were designed "for someone else."

My friend sent me a GWP with the first order I placed with him at Saks Fifth Avenue, a mini Crayon Intense Eyeliner ($29 for the regular product) in #1, Stromboli. Stromboli is a perfect shade for me.

I have no idea how it was named because stromboli is a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, Italian meats, or vegetables. The dough traditionally used is Italian bread dough. How that translates into this glorious sparking charcoal-toned liner is a mystery to me. Stromboli is also an active volcano on a small island off the northern coast of Sicily, the more likely suspect for the name. It's dark, perfect for a liner, but not deep black. I guess that makes it charcoal.

Dolce & Gabbana is a company with sparse product descriptions. This one doesn't tell me much about the product - just about the image the designers hoped to create. It's also a bit out of date.

Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Coffee was a Best Splurge in Allure magazine's "Best of Beauty" October 2009. Intensity and sensuality are dually expressed with the various shades of eyeliner. A precisely defined line conveys modern elegance; while a smudged smoky eye incites intrigue and desire.

The marketing blub doesn't matter, though, since the eyeliner is gorgeous. I love the texture and the ease with which I can draw a thin line at the base of my lashes. I like my eyeliner worn with a thin line, and this one is perfect for a thin, even application.

I took swatch photos in full sunlight. I drew my D&G without breaking the liner (no matter how hard I try to use a light touch, liners that are too soft break when I take swatch photos). Points were scored immediately for surviving my photo session with a sharp tip.

The shade is so pretty - natural - on me. Because it's not harsh, it works nicely for day - even with the teeny tiny gold sparkles in it. They are micro-fine, so they leave behind a flattering radiance.

The gold sparkles, combined with the "charcoal" liner are a natural for anyone who doesn't want a harsh black look during the day, but does like a little pizazz. It applies with ease - no tugging required. My mini didn't have the smudge brush on the end, but I seldom use them. However, those who love a smoky or soft eye will find that tool useful.

I like this liner so much that I will order more shades as soon as my friend gets some new products and I place my second order. That should be the lip glosses, expected around the second week in February, or Desire, a new Dolce & Gabbana fragrance that has luscious notes.

You can order this or anything else from Dolce & Gabbana at Saks. A Saks credit card, shipping will be free. If you order $150 or more, use code JANSF when you order online (with any credit card), and your shipping will be free.

Photo at top courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander from the Arabesque Collection for Spring 2013

There are two new shades in Laura Mercier's popular Crème Cheek Colour included in the new Arabesque Collection: Oleander and Praline. I purchased both, but would like to focus on Oleander today. Laura Mercier's concise description goes straight to the point.

A long-lasting, natural cheek color formulated to provide translucent, buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish

If you've tried Crème Cheek Colour, you might want to enhance that short marketing blurb, but it really says it all. Plus, the color depiction on Laura Mercier's Web site is spot on.

This beautiful shade made me think spring. I took swatch photos in full sun after applying it to my arm heavily with a sponge-tip applicator at the top of my arm and a larger sponge (lightly) below. Normally, one would apply this blush with a nice cream color brush. I didn't have one handy at the time.

What a beautiful shade! It's pink in a shade that should be almost universally wearable. It's hard for me to put descriptor to the shade. It's not baby pink. It's not rose pink. What color pink is it? Help me out.

What I can tell you is that it applies with a slight sheen - nothing unnatural looking - just a glow that will make you look dewy and moist (read young). Laura Mercier's cream blushes are a pleasure to apply because they blend with ease and look as transparent as you want. Just apply lightly, and if you feel you don't have enough color, layer another application over the mid-points of the first. You will look fresh and happy.

You can find Oleander at Laura Mercier's Web site with the rest of the Arabesque Collection. You can also find it at all Laura Mercier counters (and the online sites at retailers that carry the line) - in other words, it's easy to find right now.

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

Screen Actors Guild Awards Fashion

So far, what I've seen from the Screen Actors Guild Awards has been a bit ho-hum. Perhaps the celebrities are saving their best for the Academy Awards. There were a few standouts, though. Check out Ellie Kemper above in her Reem Acra gown. I love her look.

Naomi Watts looked gorgeous, as always. The Marchesa gown is amazing.

What do you think about redheads in red? I'm not sure this Alexander McQueen gown flatters Jessica Chastain. It's too tight too.

Kerry Washington, on the other hand, looked divine in white. Her embellished Rodarte gown suited her to a T. Wow! Just wow.

Photos courtesy of the Huffington Post

Sunday This and That

DivaDebbi's beautiful collages of fashion and found items have enchanted me for months, so I finally asked her how she created them. Debbi told me Polyvore, so this morning, I went off to play. I still have a lot of questions, and very few answers, but I created this collage in no time at all, using a template on the site. It was fun. Now I must go try to figure out how to "do it right." Hop over to her page and see a Top Set she created - one that was judged top-notch by Polyvore. I agree!

I kind of hate winter. Today is a beautiful day if you look outside the window. It's sunny, the sky is blue, yet tonight or early tomorrow morning, it's predicted that we will have the pleasure of freezing rain. I'm so glad to don't have to go anywhere in the morning.

Today, between reading The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York, by Chandler Burr, which for some reason I cannot read continuously for more than 30 minutes, and browsing spring couture on WWD, I have immersed myself in the fashion and beauty industries. Some of the fashions shown for spring are glorious testaments to the creativity of their creators. Even though some were a little risqué (I don't like peep show fashion, always created by men, it seems), I think the spring collection by Elie Saab was exquisite.

He explored degrees of transparency, with his signature crystalline embroideries scattered across fragile tulle and airy crinoline dresses - in familiar hourglass and fishtail columns, plus a new shorter, flaring Fifties shape. "Saab kept everything tone-on-tone, sticking largely to a pale palette of ivory and makeup pinks, sparked here and there by icy blues and hot coral." That quote from WWD pleased me.

Click on these photos to see that properly placed embellishment and strategic lining took nothing away from his glorious work.

Unfortunately, he let a few vulgarities through - Lord knows why. The gown below could have been sent by the angels if he had lined the top (which I assume will be done for his couture clients).

Tom Pecheux created the makeup for the runway. “I love the fact that the collection is extremely feminine and very, very transparent,” said Pecheux. “Everything is very delicate and fragile,” he told WWD.

So, too, was the makeup. A mauve-lavender hue was applied to models’ eyelids, while their eyeliner came in a burgundy shade. False eyelashes in brown were affixed piece by piece (Erin Lockhard's perfect way), and there was a creamy blush highlighting skin that was then topped with a thin layer of foundation. Under not over. “It’s really [about] little details,” said Pecheux.

Hairstylist Orlando Pita looped models’ tresses back in an asymmetric fashion. “There’s a roll, there’s a twist,” said Pita, adding of Saab: “Basically, he wanted the hair up with a side part and wet texture.” Put together, it all worked nicely. I thought it was a splendid presentation.

The Chanel show, although critically acclaimed, was, in my humble opinion, a bit bizarre. Strung together by pieces - the Chanel way - that look otherworldly when combined on the runway were shown in a garden setting that could have been a fairy tale if it weren't for the goth-like makeup worn by the models.

Their eyes encircled with dramatic feathered lashes, they could have been the birds in paradise. To me, the eyes distracted from the luscious setting and floral embroideries. It will be fun to watch these couture looks morph into the trends we'll see in the coming months.

For all you who have been waiting along with me for the new Frédéric Malle fragrance, it is now known, thanks to Perfume Shrine, where I read that Malle is going to launch a line of eponymous designer scents that "go off the beaten path." The first fruit of this collaboration is a fragrance for Dries Van Noten, one of the pioneers of the Antwerp "School of Six."

The new Malle perfume is touted to be inclusive of a new, natural Indian sandalwood from a sustainable source. Indian sandalwood, for those who didn't know, had essentially been eradicated from perfumery in the last 20 years or so, due to concerns and regulations on the sustainability of the Mysore sandalwood. The news, therefore, is a leap of hope for the industry in general and sure to create a real peak of interest in the heart of every perfume fan out there. The new fragrance is an oriental woody, smooth, and polished like the designs of Van Noten.

The composition has been undertaken by rising perfumer Bruno Jovanovich of International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) The fragrance notes are citron, sandalwood, guaiac wood, saffron, Spanish jasmine, tonka beans, Cashmeran/blonde woods, vanilla. and musk.

There is a generous draw for a sample, so head over to enter if you are as anxious to be one of the first to sniff as I am. I had called Barneys New York this past week to find out when a new fragrance would arrive. The rep didn't know (clearly he doesn't read blogs!), but promised to call me when this new fragrance arrives.

I had been expecting a lily of the valley floral that never materialized. Malle's PR had denied the rumor (see Basenotes), but I had held out hope that two greats, Malle and muguet would unite for something very special.

There are two new rose fragrances at counters now. Both are lovely, although I haven't felt compelled to purchase either - yet. Balenciaga's L'Eau Rose Eau de Toilette, shown above, is described as "a sparkling violet fragrance. A twist of the iconic violet with a sparkling touch of blackberry and musk. The scintillating and youthful fragrance is a feminine scent that captures the sophistication of Balenciaga Paris with an enticing, floral musk." Odd that I didn't smell the violet. I have to go back when I don't feel a winter cold coming on. The second, by Cartier, is Goutte de Rose, shown below.

It's all rose - very pretty, bright, and reminiscent of a garden rose. The nose behind this fragrance is Mathilde Laurent. I remain undecided between the two.

For those of you who are Tom Ford fragrance fans, there are two new scents on the way. I don't have photos yet; you know how secretive Tom Ford can be.

Sahara Noir will be available, I'm told, in a bottle looks exactly like White Patchouli, except that it's completely gold. The box is also all gold. It will debut at Tom Ford Kuwait. Sahara Noir is said to have top notes of Italian bergamot, mandarin orange, violet, ginger and basil. The middle notes are grapefruit blossom, orange blossom, tobacco, and black pepper. The bottom notes are Indian amber, Tibetan patchouli, cedar, oakmoss, and leather. Although it wasn't mentioned, a friend who has smelled it noticed a licorice note that should be benzoin. It's definitely an oriental and is a new direction for Tom Ford.

There will also be a new Private Blend - a replacement for Amber Absolute. Little is known about it. The bottle color will not be brown like most of the line. No details on notes have been revealed. It will debut at Tom Ford Shanghai with a huge launch, along with new lip and nail colors.

That's all my news for today. I hope you found something here of interest.

Photo at top created by Best Things in Beauty using a Polyvore template; other photos courtesy of WWD, parfumo.de, Balenciaga, and Cartier

NARS Andy Warhol Walk on the Wild Side Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to the winner: Brenda!

NARS Walk on the Wild Side ($39), a limited-edition set that features a silver illuminator, an ultra-violet polish, and an exclusive Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Orgasm. It was introduced with the Andy Warhol Collection.

Think vivid bright flowers and the high-impact contrast of the silver factory walls - a peek into Andy Warhol’s artistic world. Inspired by this explosive scene, NARS delivered this Sephora-exclusive set that includes gorgeous colors for the complexion, lips, and nails.

The set charmed me with the Silver Factor Illuminator, perfect for winter. The three items included are shown in the photo above.

• 0.25 oz Nail Polish in It (ultra-violet)
• 0.11 oz Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Orgasm (peachy pink with shimmer)
• 0.57 oz Illuminator in Silver Factory (silver)

I have one set to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)?  Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

Readers who have left a non-contest comment during the last two weeks will receive an additional, fourth entry. You don't have to do anything. I remember you.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Tarte Emerald Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner

Whether it's just a hint or an entire wash of color, it's easy to wear emerald, Pantone's color of the year, with Tarte's Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner ($19). This emerald is rich, vivid, and bold - everything you need to make a gorgeous statement.

A follow-up to Tarte's best-selling SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner, this trimmed-down, skinny waterproof eyeliner glides on like velvet and powers your day so you never have to worry about sumdging or budging. Just like the original, you can lock down a completely waterproof finish thanks to the rich, pure pigments boosted by Amazonian clay for truer, bolder color.

You can use the built-in smudge tool at one end to soften the look if you don't want a thin line - the line I love. No matter how you wear this versatile liner, the Amazonian clay will work to nourish your eyelids, reduce surface oil, and improve overall texture for easy application and long wear.

I love this eyeliner, which is available in 10 beautiful shades, but emerald is the shade of the moment. This color emerald is, of course, bright green, but it's got a slight blue hue that makes it absolutely heavenly. Perhaps the "T" could stand for teal emerald instead of Tarte?

I took swatch photos in full sun on one of the rare occasions in the last few days when it graced us. This has to be one of the prettiest green liners I have every seen. On the arm or on the eyelids, Emerald Skinny SmolderEYES is magnificent.

Emerald was sent to me by Tarte. There's another green shade I must have. It's Sunstone Jade, and you can see it nicely by clicking on the color swatch at Tarte's Web site. The photo will change to show you each color. I love the thin pencil, so I may have to order a third one - maybe Slate?

You can purchase this gorgeous entry to the color of the year at Tarte's Web site, Sephora, and Ulta.

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