The Friday Forum - March 21

In Keira Knightley's third campaign for the Chanel perfume Coco Mademoiselle, she stars in a provocative short film as the character of Coco Mademoiselle, featuring the mystery and adventure of previous ads. There is a link to the fascinating advertisement at the Huffington Post. I watched it this morning and found it to be much more interesting than Coco Mademoiselle (the fragrance). Even though I love Chanel's fragrances, Coco Mademoiselle, created by Jaques Polge, reeks of patchouli. It's too bad that Polge threw in the patch because the perfume would have been a beautiful modern floral without it.

I got an exciting call from Barneys this week. Eve Lom had created a Radiance Perfection Complexion collection that promises to infuse our primer, foundations, powders, and even a bronzer with the award-winning Eve Lom skin care. There is a launch party (sob, I just can't go) this month, and then I will be able to buy some of the products to try them. Test samples are on the way. In fact, I am hoping they will arrive today. I checked out the European Web site and prepared my wish list immediately. I must have Radiance Lift Foundation, and I want to try Golden Radiance Bronzing Powder. I won't have to wait long. The party is this month.

Esxence, an international meeting of fragrance gurus, has started. Held in Italy, people in the industry converge from all over the world. Niche perfumers set up booths - welcoming spaces - where attendees can smell their fragrances and talk, the talk being more fun than the whiffs. Learning about fragrance lines and how individual fragrances were inspired and created is the best part of the conference. There is a formal program too - and you can watch it, as well as interviews with perfumers! The program is live streaming now and will continue throughout the conference. Just go to this link and watch. I've got it running now. Even if you don't have the enthusiasm and passion for perfume that some of us have, you have an opportunity to learn a lot. Maybe you'll become a more informed fragrance fan. If you do watch, let us know what you think, please.

Here are a few news nuggets from WWD.

• Beauty vloggers are running rings around the brands in drawing eyeballs from people interested in beauty. You Tube is where the action is. Of You Tube's 14.9 billion beauty-related video views, just 3% come from companies, while 97% of views come from independent content creators - or vloggers. Basically, entrance to the vlogger stable is easy. As a Sephora executive said, all you need is a camera and your bedroom. Naturally, the popularity of vloggers depends on their personality and suitability to "the camera." Some successful vloggers have turned their hobby into a business. Think Michelle Phan. I do see major attention shifting from blogs to vlogs.
• Givenchy is launching a L’Atelier collection of seven women’s fragrances. Look for the fragrances to arrive in the United States at Saks Fifth Avenue in April. I read the notes, and I'm sure I'll want to try one or two.
• L'Wren Scott's tragic suicide has left the world wondering why she took her life. As you know, she was gorgeous and successful, with a personality her friends called irrepressible and ebullient. She was Mick Jagger's longtime companion and lover. She seemed to have the world at her fingertips. We have learned that she was in debt, but honestly, $5M is not a lot of debt for a business. Some close friends said she struggled with depression, and others noted that she had become unusually uncommunicative in recent months. Still, no one could put the entire picture of her demons together in a way that added up to suicide. She struggled internally, never seeking help, and her final act saddened everyone, leaving the eternal question "why?" I wish we - society - had a better way of preventing suicide. You wonder how a woman who had everything decided to take her own life - without seeking help. Yes, she is at peace, but at what cost to those she left behind? Her death left me very, very sad.

Just as the white stuff from our St. Patrick's Day snowfall is melting, we are learning that it will snow again next Tuesday. My body cannot take another shoveling session. Both knees - even my bionic knee - are screaming angry. My shoulder is shot. I may try to ignore this one and simply drive over the "few inches" expected to "grace" my driveway and flagstone walk. I've had it. It's almost April! Summer makeup collections are about to arrive, including Guerlain's. My mind has moved on, but Mother Nature won't let me forget that she's angry.

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.

Update: Yes! The new Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge powder has arrived at Neiman Marcus. I got the call today. I'm going to see Michael Reinhardt tomorrow. You can reach him at (202) 966-9700, extension 2258, if you need help.

Photos courtesy of the Huffington Post and Eve Lom

Guerlain Terracotta Summer 2014 Collection

I showed you Joli Teinte Beautifying Foundation from Guerlain's Summer 2014 Terracotta Collection. There is more, though, and you must go shopping prepared!

Included in the collection are a Terracotta Brush, Terracotta Sunless, and a limited-edition Terracotta After Sun Cream. Let's start with the Terracotta Brush ($42), which you can see on my photo of the display. It's at bottom left.

This brush is the perfect ally for creating a smooth, perfectly tanned complexion. Its ultra-soft natural bristles are red, like those used by Guerlain make-up artists, and evoke the warmth of a sunset. The convenient and elegant travel size slips into any handbag for touch-ups during the day, carefully protected in its bronze velvet pouch with a magnetic closure.

Terracotta Sunless ($53) is a 2-in-1 self-tanning gel that delivers a veil of moisture and sun-kissed color to the entire body. Incredibly simple to apply, it melts into the skin. Within one hour, the skin is perfectly bronzed and stays that way for up to four days. This intensely nourishing formula contains a subtle blend of self-tanning DHA and 100% natural organic argan oil rich in polyphenols and moisturizing fatty acids. Terracotta Sunless creates the look of a beautiful, even tan with the feel of smooth, satiny skin.

The limited-edition Terracotta After Sun Cream ($53) is calling me. Because tanned skin is even more beautiful when it is intensely hydrated, Guerlain is offering its first exclusive Terracotta after-sun care, boasting the Tan Booster Complex to enhance and intensify bronzed skin. Formulated with precious ingredients of natural origin and infused with the scent of the tiare flower, Terracotta After Sun completely hydrates, softens, and soothes skin from the effects of the sun. I don't tan, but I love moisture in any form. I totally adore the tropical scent of tiare. I think I will be calling my favorite Guerlain Boutique tonight. It's limited; I've decided I need it.

The key ingredients...

• Cupuacu butter - this Amazonian treasure belongs to the same family as cocoa and is renowned for its exceptional ability to retain water in the skin.
• Camellia oil and jojoba seed oil - this cocktail of oils with antioxidant properties works in perfect synergy to hydrate and protect the skin, while helping it to rebuild its hydrolipid film (the skin's natural protective barrier).

Sounds exceptionally nice, doesn't it?  The full Terracotta Collection is available at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Sephora. and Bergdorf Goodman. Will you be shopping?

Photo at top by Best Things in Beauty' other photos courtesy of Guerlain

Greg Lauren Eau de Parfum, a Barneys New York Exclusive

How did I find Greg Lauren Eau de Parfum ($195)? I was looking for another Barneys exclusive, which I bought. I was lured to Greg Lauren by its description. It certainly wasn't the bottle.

Greg Lauren is a completely unique fragrance designed and handcrafted by Greg Lauren himself in collaboration with master perfumer Ralf Schwieger. The combination of tonka beans, vanilla, and marine notes delivers irresistible sensual facets - a very special fragrance both artistic and elegant.

Artistic? The fragrance is, but the bottle is hobo chic at best. I was surprised when it arrived. The slightly peeling label is topped with masking tape - seriously, masking tape, with Greg Lauren written with what I assume was a permanent marker. I looked at it with wonder after I unpacked it. "Barneys exclusive" didn't resemble the handcrafted, distressed bottle I saw.

The notes in the fragrance description appealed to me, though, and that is how I came to blind-buy Greg Lauren. The first time I sprayed it on my skin, I was hooked.

Greg Lauren is an American actor and painter who happens to be gorgeous. He looks much better than the bottle above. Check him out on Wikipedia. Yes, he's related to Ralph Lauren: a nephew.

I am impressed with his bloodlines, but I'm in love with his fragrance. Ralf Schwieger is a renowned perfumer, so Lauren selected his namesake's creator well. The fragrance is a vanilla-centric fragrance, but the other notes keep it from the vanilla trap that often claims vanilla fragrances and swallows them up into the vanilla rubric. Bath and Body Works, anyone?

The vanilla opens with the tonka bean making its presence known, like a fine liquor, and it quickly turns soft and - dare I say - feminine. The marine notes, whatever they are, remind me of the sea air, driftwood, seashells, and natural dune grass characteristic of Kiawah Island. The fragrance is salty, without the parching quality that often equates to "salty."

I found this fragrance to be beautifully balanced. It's unique, harmoniously blended, sweet, and salty, but light and fragile. Wear it, and you will be reminded of the sea, but you won't smell like seaweed. Instead, you will smell intriguingly welcoming (that has to be the vanilla) and sensual. Greg Lauren, although marketed as unisex, is, in my opinion, a perfume that will sing to women and the men who love them.

See what you think. It's the perfect time to try Greg Lauren. Barneys is having its Beauty Bag event. Spend $250 on cosmetics and fragrances, and you will receive a bag truly worth the effort. I wish I had waited to order.

Photo courtesy of Barneys New York

Urban Decay New Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss

Yes, it snowed again. Sadly, this snow claimed a victim, the husband of a Facebook friend - someone I like and respect. I have learned that he was shoveling snow, just like the rest of us this morning, when he had a heart attack. It sure was a reminder to me to live every day as if it were your last. You never know.

I realize after that intro, it seems trivial to talk about lip gloss. I had a hard time working up the spirit to write this feature, so I'll dedicate it to Kathleen.

Urban Decay, trading off their Naked franchise, recently introduced a new, permanent lip gloss in nine luxurious shades. A gloss and a rich lip balm in one, this super-nourishing gloss has an addictive, creamy texture and a gorgeous, high-shine finish. Perfect for complementing the always-popular Urban Decay smoky eye, the Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss ($20) feels so luxe that you’ll want to keep applying it all day. The makeup junkies at Urban Decay painstakingly crafted this formula, obsessing over every last detail until it was just right. Laced with ingredients that are good for your skin, the formula includes Hyaluronic Filling Spheres, vitamin E, avocado oil, and shea butter to hydrate and condition lips. Rosehip seed oil provides an extra hit of vitamins, including vitamins A and C.

In a clinical study of 30 participants who used Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss, these results were reported immediately after use.

• 86% of participants had a significant improvement in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• 76% had a significant improvement in volume and hydration.
• 86% said their lips felt nourished.

You may ask me, "Why should I care if participants felt that way immediately after application?" The only answer I can give is that you get a nice jolt of moisture when you use Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss.

The bottle features a pretty, highly metalized champagne cap and overshell with a cool “Naked” cutout effect. As pretty as it is, it’s also practical. You can see the shade through the “Naked” cutout and the little window at the bottom (so it’s easy to spot the right shade in your bag). The extra long, flocked paddle applicator also picks up a generous amount of gloss for even color. It has a slightly curved or upward arc to it, which seems to cover the lips in one swoop.

I purchased two shades from Urban Decay: Liar and Naked. Liar is shown in my photo on the left, with Naked on the right. I took photos in full sun. My swatches were taken at the same time. Liar is shown at the top of my arm, and Naked is shown below.

Both are very light. Liar has more color than Naked, which makes sense. Both are sheer and shiny. Liar, described oddly as a mauve pink, is my favorite, mostly because Naked disappears on my lips.

Naked is described as a nude pink with pink pearly. You can see the glistening pearls in my photos. They add a generous sparkle to the otherwise nude color. Now that I have seen these two, I will not fear ordering the darkest shade, Beso, described as a deep mauve-pink. However, I took a look at Temptalia's swatches, and I saw little difference among the new shades on Christine's lips. I'm not sure I need more than two of these lovelies.

Liar and Naked offer average wear. Although they are supposedly scented with a light mint, I can't taste anything. Because of my sinus infection? Who knows? Generally, I dislike mint tastes in my lip products, so whatever exists in this one is very light to evade my attention.

You can find these Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss at Sephora and Urban Decay. Sephora appears to offer one shade you can't order at Urban Decay.

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

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! May the luck of the Irish be with you today and every day!

You don't have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day; everyone can be Irish today. Just because! Do you want to wear green or go green? St. Patrick's Day may be a good day for a green choice.  Today would be a good day to shop for organic and natural beauty products. Let's all be good and do good while enjoying the revelry of St. Patrick's Day.

Speaking of revelry, I love these photos!

 

Photos courtesy of etsy.com and a modified photo courtesy of icanhas.cheezburger

Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Beautifying Foundation SPF20 from the Summer 2014 Collection

In 1984, Guerlain revolutionized the way a beautiful bronzed look was achieved. The endless hours in the sun to attain that perfect glow, while also causing damage to the skin, could be traded in for a healthier, much quicker way to “tan.” Terracotta was born and with it, a natural-looking glow season after season that never betrays your secret. On the strength of 30 years of expertise and innovation, Guerlain is now introducing a new collection of beauty must-haves as part of the Terracotta collection. Step into the secret of a healthy glow with Joli Teint.

Guerlain has started to introduce its Summer 2014 colors, and I lept at the chance to try a few of them, which I featured with an introduction on March 3. I was drawn to Terracotta Joli Teint Beautifying Foundation SPF20 ($53) (it's name on the tube is actually longer) when Jonathan at the Guerlain Las Vegas Boutique told me it had arrived and described it. The snow was still on the ground here, but I needed a mental dose of summertime.

Comparable to sunshine in a tube, this magical, lightweight fluid gives skin an instant touch of summer, leaving behind a perfectly radiant glow. Used on its own or paired with Terracotta Powder for buildable color, there is no easier and healthier way to create the perfect customizable tan for every complexion. Terracotta Joli Teint has a feather-light texture that glides on, leaving an incredibly fine and silky veil over the skin. It contains nourishing natural ingredients that counter the visible effects of fatigue, reviving dull skin for a radiant, even complexion. It is available in five shades: Clair (Light), Natural, Moyen (Medium), Fonce (Dark), and Ebony.

The key ingredients feature pigments coated with a biomimetic filmogenic polymer - these very closely resemble the structure of the proteins in the skin. They work harmoniously with the epidermis; the luxurious texture blends effortlessly blends into the skin for a smooth, natural finish. Chlorella extract, a micro-algae rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, activates microcirculation to nourish and tone the skin. Nasturtium extract comes from a flower; it is rich in sucrose and vitamin C and stimulates cell oxidation to boost the complexion’s radiance and vitality.

Taking photos on Clair in early-afternoon sun, wasn't easy. There is no good way to picture a foundation without blending it, and then you shouldn't really see it. I decided to show you a dot of Joli Teint and then blend the dot on my arm to show you how well it blended into my skin.

The beige dot of foundation leans yellow against my skin. Clair, the lightest color, is the only one I could possibly wear. After I got the close-up photo above, I blended Clair with my finger. The results are shown below.

Clair is darker then my light, inner-arm skin tone, but my face has more color, so I can blend the shade into my face for a slightly healthy - dare I say tan - appearance. If I want to add color to my face for summer, this Joli Teint color will be perfect. It adds color in a blendable, believable shade. I can add my Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder on top, and I'll have a perfect look.

I'm pretty happy with the way Joli Teint looks on my skin. It also feels good - nice and hydrating. I will admit to putting it away until the season brightens. Right now, it is extremely cloudy. Later today, it will start to rain, with the rain turning quickly to snow. By tomorrow afternoon, we could have six more inches of snow on the ground. That does nothing for my mood - or my thoughts of summer looks.

If you would like to read a review that gives and excellent description with swatches of all the shades, check out MonsiieurAlex. He wrote a very thorough review, with plenty of pictures of himself modeling the product. Of course, he's in Southern California, where I'll bet it's not "fixin' to snow."

You can purchase the new Joli Teint at Guerlain's Boutique in Las Vegas. Call Jonathan at (702) 732-7008. You can also find it a Guerlain counters at select locations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, and Bergdorf Goodman.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour in Fleurie from the Jardin de Camélias Collection

On my second "roll" through Chanel's online-exclusive Jardin de Camélias Collection, I ordered Fleurie (#139), a limited-edition Rouge Allure Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour ($34) that I had resisted on my first spree. I was afraid the color would be too saturated, too intense for my tastes. Was I wrong! I'm glad I took a chance on Fleurie.

It is a beautiful pink, and it had the perfect shine and finish for me to wear when I want to emphasize my lips but not lead with them. Described by Chanel as the next generation of Rouge Allure, Fleurie dresses lips with "unmistakable attitude. A new formula with concentrated, ultra-thin pigments offers radically intense, long-wearing colour with full coverage and a satin finish. Leaves lips supple and protected with lasting comfort." I'm actually wondering if those ultra-thin pigments offer the transparency I see in this full-coverage lipstick.

Take a look at the lipstick. I took this photo in late-day sun.  The color looks a bit flat because of the dwindling light. I did find some good spots for swatch photos. I think they show the color well.

Look at this bright pink! It's cool - but not too cool - on my lips, but might be warmer on women with different coloring. The finish is satin, but it shines in direct light. It has a lot of life.

I'm thrilled with Fleurie. I'll be wearing it this spring, if spring ever comes. The weather forecasters are predicting up to six inches of snow, starting tomorrow and ending Monday. Snow on St. Patrick's Day? Heresy!

As you know by now, the Jardin de Camélias Collection exclusive to Chanel online, and Fleurie is a limited-edition shade. I think it's worth a purchase if you look pretty in pink.

I ordered the rest of the lip glosses from the collection, but I have not been able to get photos yet. Stay tuned.

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