Clé de Peau Radiant Liquid Rouge

Several of you have spoken in comments about Clé de Peau's Radiant Liquid Rouge ($48). I was dying to try it and gleeful when a gratis box arrived from Clé de Peau with three shades, #12, #14, and #17. There are seven shades in all. My photo above shows #12 at left, #14 at the top, and #17 at the lower right.

This luxurious, dermatologist-tested, glossy stain delivers long-wearing color that melts into the lips for a shiny, vinyl look. It provides these benefits.

• Unique Tri-laminar technology separates color and shine into three layers for an unparalleled level of color saturation and captivating texture.
• Brilliant Color Powder creates bright rich color that appears to melt into lips.
• Crystal Coat Polymer reveals a jewel-like luster and radiance.
• Illuminating Hydro-Wrap Complex and premium Argan Tree Oil deliver rich moisture that lasts for four hours.

On my lips, Radiant Liquid Rouge feels extremely creamy and hydrating. The colors pop with a shine and brilliance that I love. The color is extremely long lasting.

I took my photos in full, mid-afternoon sun. My arm shows them in numerical order, with #12 at the top, #14 in the middle, and the red #17 at the bottom.

You can probably guess that my favorite of the three is #12, the mauve rose. It's my kind of color. I'm wearing #14 now. It's a warm day, and it's a beautiful peachy-pink that's perfect for warm weather. The red #17 will have to be a night shade for me. I'm a bit of a red phobe. Nevertheless, the shade is magnificent.

I know some of you have been wearing these lip colors. I'd love to hear about your experiences.

You can purchase these fabulous lip colors at Clé de Peau's Web site and Clé de Peau counters. It would be a good time to go to the counter at Neiman Marcus, where there is a GWP.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Star Clash Edition Lipstick

YSL's beautiful, limited-edition Rouge Pur Couture Star Clash Edition Lipstick will dress you for the holidays, with gold and silver sparkles and a bullet embossed with stars. It's a fancy lipstick for those who want to look glitzy when they pull it out of their bags to refresh the color.

This collector’s edition of Rouge Pur Couture features six iconic shades for the season. When I examined them to select one, I decided it was time for me to purchase some new nude lip colors. Le Nu, #70, was my choice. All of the shades are intense, and I was afraid that several of them would be too bright for me.

In one stroke, you’ll achieve elegant, rich color that dresses the lips with intense hydration and antioxidant care, leaving lips soft, supple, and smooth. It delivers on that promise.

It looks like I accidentally drew on my background paper again - and I was so careful! Nevertheless, I hope you can see that the packaging and lipstick themselves will attract attention. I took my photos in full, mid-afternoon sun.

This is a good nude shade for me and others with light hair and fair skin. It has enough warm pink color to brighten our faces. I read in a recent StyleWatch that those with fair skin should look for nude lipsticks that carry a soft rose or baby pink to make the whole face glow. This one does that.

You can find this lipstick at YSL counters and at Sephora. It looks like the other available shades are bright. If you can handle bright colors on your lips, give them a try.

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

The Friday Forum - September 9

Have you noticed the beauty and fashion trends for fall? I'm not thrilled with some of them. Here's a short list.

• Lips: Dark and matte. I'm really not excited about drab, matte lipstick.
• Eyes: Either natural or glittery. I could leave the glittery to the under-21 set. There was also a fair showing of smoky eyes, but not as prominent as the other looks.
• Complexion: Glowing. There's a trend I can get behind!
• Hair: Curls, waves, and hair accessories. I can't do any of them with my straight bob. The humidity of late is killing my hair style.
• Clothing: Jewel colors that are, in general, gorgeous. I would kill for the Ralph Lauren blue velvet coat I see every time I open a magazine. Click on the photo below to enlarge it and look at the ornamentation.

If I had to sum up my impression of the autumn season (to date), I'd say I'm only half-way onboard. That's OK, I'm too old to be a fashion victim and too poor to buy every trend. How do you feel about the season's showings?

Don't forget that Neiman Marcus' Beauty Event started yesterday and ends on September 18. The totes that are yours with a $125 purchase are available in silver and black and have a paltry number of samples inside. At least the totes are nice. As always, the GWPs are yours for a dear price. Most of them start with a purchase between $100 and $300, and many of them are tiny samples, rather than deluxe samples or full-sized products. The best I saw? Le Métier de Beauté has all new products in theirs, and they are really nice. The only two I merited were LMdB and Tom Ford. If you want help, please call my friends - given the salary cuts imposed on everyone in Beauty, they need the commissions! Michael Reinhardt and Debbie O'Malley at (202) 966-9700. Ask for their counters. Tell them I sent you and said they would send you a few extra samples.

It's time for the Friday Forum. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope to see you in the comments.

Photos courtesy of Vogue and Ralph Lauren

Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2016 Runway Collection - Introduced Today

The mystery collection, used on all of the models at Tom Ford's runway show yesterday, became available for sale today. We couldn't even see it until after the show! I purchased my new pieces at Neiman Marcus from Debbie O'Malley. She had them ready for me this morning, and I came home quickly to take photos before any afternoon clouds rolled in.

Here is how Allure described the small collection...
The makeup look for the show was fresh and natural with an emphasis on shine. The foundation was kept as sheer as possible, and cheekbones were highlighted with a glossy mixture that was a blend of Tom Ford Illuminating Primer and foundation, and then tapped on with a finger to give skin a dewy, rather than shimmery, quality. The eyes, which appeared to be glossy and slightly shaded on the runway, were actually coated with a mixture of two shadows - one a shimmery golden-beige, the other a glittery chocolate brown - both of which come from the Eye Colour Duo in AW16 (short for Autumn/Winter 2016) that will go on sale September 8 at tomford.com and Tom Ford counters. The lip shade (Tom Ford Lip Contour Duo in AW16) is also brand new, created just for the show. "It's a sheer nude with a bit of peach and a bit of pink, so it looks like your natural lip color, but with a beautiful texture," Tom Ford Beauty's Director of Product Development, Philippe Chansel, said backstage at the show. "And we formulated it so it can be used on every model at the show.

The Eye Color Duo in 04 AW16 ($60) is a beauty. It provides two beautifully neutral shades that can be used traditionally, layered, or blended. I am sure I'll get a lot of wear out of this duo. I took my photos in full, early afternoon sun. I swatched with a sponge-tipped applicator.

The Lip Contour Duo in 09 AW16 ($53) is a very light peachy nude. It is brand new, created just for the show. I am going to have to play with the shades to make sure they give me enough color. I can always put a more colorful gloss over them to brighten my face.

There is a photo of one of the models wearing these shades below. They look good on her.

My swatch photos were taken in full sun and show how the lip colors look without any lip pigment to enhance the colors.

The peachy nude is pretty. If I don't use it this fall, I'm sure I'll wear it in the spring.

The Cheek Color shown at the top of this feature is a re-promote, Love Lust.

What do you think? Tom Ford cleverly made us wait until his runway show had ended to see and purchase these colors. Was that a clever marketing trick? It worked for me!

You can purchase them at Tom Ford Beauty online and at Tom Ford counters. If you would like help, give Debbie O'Malley a call at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie at (202) 966-9700. Ask for the Tom Ford counter.

Photos at top and of model courtesy of Allure; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Coming Attraction: Tom Ford Shimmer Shot for Fall 2016

I must apologize for the quality of the photos in this feature. I took them from a Tom Ford Training Manual. I must have been quite a sight, sitting outdoors on a staircase in the city, drawing attention as I snapped photos of each page.

Tom Ford's Shimmer Shot reminds me of Giorgio Armani's Fluid Sheer, and that's why I'm excited to get my hands on it. It is a lightweight liquid that can be used on any skin tone to create luminosity or a fine luster. Its pearlescent glow highlights and defines the bone structure, creating a perfectly balanced symmetry or strobing (that new term I find laughable).

Shimmer Shot blends flawlessly into the skin for an instant glow. It can also be mixed with your foundation to make your face glow - just like Fluid Sheer. On the skin, it softens and diffuses light for a smooth finish.

Unlike Fluid Sheer, which is available in many shades, it will be available in two shades this fall: Spin Spin Sugar and Lust for Life. Both of these glow on the skin - no sparkle, just a beautiful gleam.

It will be a limited edition, so don't waste time if you are interested in purchasing it. I'm sure Debbie O'Malley will put you on her waiting list. I'm on it. You can reach her at (202) 966-9700. Ask for her at Tom Ford Cosmetics.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Not too long ago, Sephora offered a five-use sample of Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil ($105) for selection in a customer's three free samples. I was intrigued, but I saw that it contained "the next generation retinoid oil." That concerned me, given the terrible reactions I've had to retinol in the past. My dermatologist advised me to avoid it - forever.

Then, a couple of years ago, Le Métier de Beauté introduced retinol-based products that incorporated a unique, patented form of retinol encased in vitamin E to deliver the retinol into the skin and past my ultra-sensitive outer layer of skin. I could use them! It was a first. I figured that if they could do it, perhaps another company could too. Besides, my trial was free. I knew that I could withstand a day of redness if the first night went poorly.

Marketed as a next-generation retinoid oil that improves the skin's plumpness and helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly clearer, younger-looking skin, Luna certainly had appeal. Luna works throughout the night to deliver more visibly youthful, luminous, even-toned skin in the morning. "A trans-retinoic acid ester complex reduces the appearance of pores and wrinkles, while visibly improving the signs of premature aging: fine lines, uneven texture, age spots, dryness, and dullness."

The oil contains a complex high in azulene (blue tansy, German chamomile, and cape chamomile) helps to lower the irritation associated with retinol to leave the skin calm and soothed. Cold-pressed avocado, chia (source of Omega 3), and concord grape seed oils sink in deeply for quick absorption of actives while boosting radiance. It's rich in vitamins B, C, D, E, and A and has a high sterolin content. Advanced trans-retinoid acid ester mixed with potent botanicals produce the ultimate transformative sleeping night oil. It's true!

There is a warning on the box that the first use or two may produce redness and peeling for a few days. It's temporary. I was the perfect candidate for those side effects, and I experienced nothing except mild redness on the third day of use. I skipped a night, and my face returned to normal - only better.

The effects of the ingredients?

• Helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity
• Focuses on damage caused by the sun, time, pollution, lifestyle, and stress
• Helps address the effects of skin damage with strong anti-inflammatory properties and helpful with eczema and dermatitis
• Great for plumping fine lines
• Believed to encourage a healthy inflammatory response and support the skin's ability to regulate sebum

Here are Sunday Riley's test results. I do not know their sample size.
After an independent consumer testing panel used Luna Sleeping Night Oil for four weeks...

• 100% felt the product absorbed well into the skin
• 96% of women felt their skin looked brighter and more radiant 
• 96% of women felt their skin looked healthier and revitalized
• 92% of women felt their skin tone looked more even, calmer, smoother
• 92% would recommend Luna to a family member or friend
• 88% felt their pores looked smaller
• 85% felt their fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead were visibly improved

What did I experience? In only a few days, my skin was smoother; my small pores were even smaller; and I could swear my sun spots were lighter. My skin tone was even. I looked younger. Seriously!

Needless to say, I spent the $105 and bought Luna. It is a little tricky to use. I learned from the sample pack that you apply only a few drops each evening. It's hard for me to apply only a few drops. My skin is so dry, it slurps the oil before I can get it spread evenly over my entire face. So I probably use more than Sunday Riley intended. Given the fabulous effects, I can live with that.

I apply my moisturizer over it before bed. You don't have to. I've tried it both ways, with and without moisturizer, and I've found my skin to be equally improved.

I highly recommend Luna. From my perspective, it's a revolutionary product. Have you tried it yet? It's available at Sephora. By the way, it's cruelty-free and free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalate.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

The Friday Forum - September 2

It's hard to believe it's September - my birth month - already! The summer flew by, even the month of August that I took as a vacation. I felt I deserved one since I take them so seldom.

There was an interesting article in Tuesday's New York Times about the Kardashians/Jenners and their flouting of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) guidelines for bloggers, and celebrities who advertise products on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and other online boards. In March of 2013, I told you about the new guidelines that require transparency regarding gratis products and/or payments for product features. Many bloggers immediately and unhappily began to follow the rules requiring that they disclose gratis products (free), sponsored posts, and affiliate links clearly and conspicuously.

Here is what I wrote at the time...
The FTC wants digital sites to make perfectly clear that the product being reviewed was received for free. The agency assumes (as I often do) that a glowing review was provided in trade for the free product. I think it's about time the FTC weighed in and clarified their expectations. My only regret is that they did not extend their guidelines to magazines. If you think Allure purchases what it glowingly features, think again.

The FTC make it clear that it's not adequate to leave a small print statement, such as "This product was provided for editorial consideration," at the bottom of a review. They want it disclosed in the review right away, up-front if possible, and they want it equal in size to the content of the post. I have always tried to disclose early in my features (as long as I could make it flow) and will try even harder going forward. I have never resorted to the "editorial consideration" lingo because I believe the product was sent to me with an implicit expectation of a review. No one sending me free products expects me to enjoy them and "consider" reviewing them. I'm not that naive.

The FTC particularly does not approve of a disclosures section that says something like, "From time to time, companies send me products for free, but I always review them honestly." That was the "solution" of many beauty bloggers and now it's a no-no - as it should be. Additionally, bloggers paid to tweet [or post on Instagram] about a product will be expected to add a hashtag, such as #ad to their tweet.

The Times told us that the FTC had caught up with the Instagram posts of Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, Kylie, and Kendall for their failure to abide by federal guidelines. These women get paid big bucks to advertise products, services, and places on Instagram as if they were their favorites - love or advertisements? The example cited was an Instagram post by Kylie Jenner that originally said, "Thanks for the birthday home, @airbnb," that was changed to"Thanks for the gift of a lovely birthday home, @airbnb" after her lawyer received a letter from TruthinAdvertising.org. I'm not sure that cleared up the gratis stay. The "ladies" also edited the captions on at least a dozen other Instagram photos and deleted others.

Top social media celebrities are paid on the average $187,500 for a post on YouTube, $75,000 for a post on Instagram or Snapchat, and $30,000 for a post on Twitter. The rules state that these posts must be labeled #ad or #sponsored to make it clear that they celebrity was paid for the endorsement.

I found it hilarious that several PR representatives were quoted as saying that audiences have a "visceral" reaction to seeing the #ad hashtags because they don't want to know that people are getting paid for "stuff, even if they are." Bloggers have told L'Oreal Paris and Urban Decay that their engagement on posts that are properly tagged "ad" or "sponsored" get lower engagement than if the tag were not there. I think that's hooey. What do you think?

As you know, many beauty bloggers disclose, either in the text of a feature, or by using buttons at the top of the feature. I sincerely doubt that their readers are turned off by such disclosures. I'm sure you have also noticed that some beauty bloggers do not disclose. Sooner or later, these bloggers, if they have a decent audience, will be caught, and the fines will be painful. I'm glad the government and Truth in Advertising are making an example of the Kardashian crew. They make millions of dollars a year simply by posting Instagram promotions. It's time they added honesty to their shtick.

It's time for the Friday Forum. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope to see you in the comments.

I may take a few days off over this Labor Day weekend. I've noticed that readership has taken a nosedive in the last week, and I've concluded that many readers are taking advantage of the last official week of summer for a vacation. I think should do that too, but if I get my hands on anything extraordinary, I will put that vacation on hold and feature it. Happy Labor Day!

I do want to remind you that Neiman Marcus' Beauty Event starts next week. You can pre-order now. If you need some help, call (202) 966-9700 and ask for Debbie O'Malley or Michael Reinhardt. They can help you with their own products (Tom Ford and Le Métier de Beauté) or any products in the beauty and fragrance department. The tote that you will receive with a nominal ($125) purchase is nice this time. It's worth a look-see.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest