Estee Lauder Pure Color Night by Tom Pecheux

On May 21, Kari published a must-read piece on the Pure Color Night Collection by Tom Pecheux for Estee Lauder. To see photos of the look and the three products, please pop over to Kari's place at Fab over Forty.

The finely edited and stunning collection consists of a Pure Color Ombre Effect Eye Shadow ($20) in Naughty Black, a trio of matte and shimmery black/brown shades; Pure Color Lip Gelée ($20) in Kiss Me, a rosy nude; and Pure Color Luminous Powder ($40) in Highlight, the creamiest powder illuminator I own. Highlight is so creamy (for a powder) it's surprising. The formulation is fabulous.

Kari told us that this limited-edition collection would be available only at Bergdorf Goodman, so I called to order mine. I waited a few days, but I didn't dilly dally. I spoke with Donna Muzio, who was a doll. She convinced me that I should order the eye shadow, even though it looked as if it would be way too dark for me to wear. Donna, if you are reading this, thank you!

Although I haven't confirmed it, rumor has it that the collection has sold out. The first day Bergdorf's could mail out the pieces was last Monday. I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my goodies, and they came today. They are gorgeous!

Here are a few "arm shots" taken in different outdoor light intensities. I applied all of the products with the applicators included. You can see the highlighter at the top. I can't stress enough how pretty it is. I'm already gushing. I will probably wear this one down to the bottom of the pan. The lip gloss is stunning. I'm sure you read rosy nude and thought, "Yeah, there are thousands of them." None of my several hundred are quite like this one!

The three dark shadows (stripes in one pan) are all slightly different, I think my favorites are the two lightest ones shown on top, but all three will be useful accent colors or liners for me. I smudged them on heavily for these photos. Applied lightly, they are perfect smokey eye shades.

Thanks to Kari, Donna, Tom Pecheux, and Estee Lauder, I'm a happy gal today! Donna wrote me the sweetest note too. She's a contact I'm keeping!

Update 6/20: You can see Kari modeling her new pieces (she got them yesterday too) at Fab over Forty!

Weekend Rant: Product Returns

If you read Best Things in Beauty regularly, you know that I've been testing primers for months. I've found great ones and others that left me wondering, "What on earth were they thinking?"

One primer I reviewed recently came from a luxury-priced line, and it did nothing - absolutely nothing - to prime, prepare, or enhance my skin. Yet the company representative (who knows I love the makeup from her company) testified to its effectiveness in adding a glow. Hope springs eternal, so I forked over my charge card and purchased it.

Later, as I shared with you, I found that the product was worthless. It had no desirable effects - nada. Kim (a beauty pro) asked in the comments if I'd lost my mind. In a word, sweetie, yes. I was in the mood to try primers, and I assumed that a company that could make fabulous makeup could also introduce products to enhance our makeup.

Fast forward. This past week, I had a session with an esthetician who works exclusively for the same company. Here's how the conversation went.

Me: I tried the blah-de-blah primer, and...
Her (cutting me off): That primer won't do anything for your skin. Why did you buy it?
Me: The rep told me it would be fabulous for me.
Her: Which rep? Did you buy it at [insert store name]? Was her name [insert SA name]?
Me: Yep.
Her: Take it back. We do have a primer you might like, but that's not it.

And so I did. I really don't like to return things. I feel that if I make the wrong decision, it's really my fault. I'm supposed to be hype-resistant. For the most part, I am. This time, I was misled by the company's incredibly fabulous makeup, a lure it turned out. I'll be smarter next time.

Why am I writing out this rant? It's really not OK to buy products just to try them and then return them. You will earn a bad reputation at a store if you do that too often. If you like beauty products, you want to have a good relationship with the many talented (and honest) people who work in the industry. They deserve that! I've made some lasting friendships at stores, and I know how hard my friends work to please us.

If you are interested in a new product, ask the sales associate or company representative for a tester or sample. If they don't have a pre-packaged one, they will usually make one for you (at a good store). Had I been able to get one, I would not have purchased the primer. The Golden Rule has to apply here. Do unto stores as you would have them do unto you! However, if a sales or company representative misleads you, you have a right to return an item that doesn't match his or her praise. Maybe the rep can explain to you how you might use it more effectively. Maybe not. Have that discussion. It's only fair.

What about you? How do you feel about returning beauty products?

Photo courtesy of MJC

Weekend Roundup - June 19

Sample, blend, brush, pat, spritz, swatch, critique, and photograph - our beauty blogging friends do it every week to bring you fab features you will want to read! Here's this week's recommended reading.

Gaia shared her current - and eclectic - perfume lists at The Non-Blonde: Most Recently Worn, Top of Her Wishlist, and more. Find out what's on her mind - and body.

Kari showed us that even gorgeous celebrities can have "bad look days." Some of the photos are a hoot! Once you read Celebrity Makeup Gone Bad at Fab over Forty, you won't feel so klutzy when you have a less-than-perfect day.

Victoria Stiles has a fabulous Sigma Brush giveaway contest underway at Makeup Artist Backstage. In the world of makeup artistry, brushes are the center of the galaxy! Wouldn't you like to enter to win two amazing sets of brushes? They come with Vicki's stamp of approval!

Speaking of Victoria Stiles, she shared some great tips for melt-proofing your makeup with Anne at BeautyXposé. She also recommended products for budge-proof glamour. It's a must-read as the weather heats up.

Kelly found the holy grail for lashes, and she spilled her secret at Gouldylox Reviews. Enough said - go read!

Marcia from Beauty Info Zone wrote a guest post at Prime Beauty. Cindy calls Marcia the "foundation queen," so you'll want to know why Marcia loves AeroMinerale Makeup Mist.

All week, Product Girl has been giving us a look at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale beauty specials. If you haven't been to the store to see and pre-order these amazing value sets, you need to check them out now before they sell out. Nordstrom's limited editions are always hot tickets.

Bobbi Brown's Sheer Color Cheek Tint is a beauty blogger favorite. Jennifer reminded us all why we love it. Head over to Beauty in Real Life to find out why you need at least one of these portable perk-me-up sticks.

Don't forget to enter one of our two Best Things in Beauty giveaway contests. The deadline for the Smashbox Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Collection is tonight, June 12, at midnight. The deadline for the Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour is Monday, June 21. I'll be sending these out to two lucky ladies next week.

We hope you can kick back and enjoy your weekend with us!

The Friday Forum - June 18

It's time for The Friday Forum! Most of you know, we share information in The Friday Forum. 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. Either way, I always enjoy hearing from you.

As usual, I will share the best beauty bits (sales and special offers) with you over the weekend. I'll put them in the comments.

Don't forget to enter one of our two giveaway contests. The deadline for the Smashbox Naked Beauty Mini Lip Gloss Collection is tomorrow, June 12, at midnight. The deadline for the Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour is Monday, June 21. I'll be sending these out to two lucky ladies next week.

The microphone is yours!

IF Eau de Parfum by Apothia

I feel like a honey bee when I spray IF Eau de Parfum ($80) by Apothia. I can't keep my nose away from it. If you like white flower fragrances, you will adore IF.

IF is the last of the fragrances I had purchased at Henri Bendel in February and saved for later. I like to unwrap treats when I need them. After feeling battered and bruised after some tough incidents at work, I unwrapped IF. A quick spray lifted my mood, and my curiosity soared.

IF had been suggested by Giuseppe Intili after I professed my love for white flowers and tuberose. What I couldn't figure out right away was what additional scents contributed to an almost instant euphoria for a floral fragrance lover. I did some quick Google searches (IF isn't new), looking for an explanation for my feeling that I had stumbled upon a secret garden. I found nothing overt in the reviews that explained my attraction. So, I wore IF every day this week, asking myself as I sprayed it, "What is that divine note mixed with my beloved tuberose?"

I think I've got it! It's honeysuckle. What's really strange about all the online reviews I read is that they imply that IF offers a quick citrus (grapefruit and yuzu) burst, followed by exotic flowers and a sexy musk dry-down. Okie dokie. Maybe I am a total loser when it comes to recognizing or characterizing scents. To me, IF is not citrusy at all. It's floral through and through - a white flower lover's dream. There isn't much of a dry-down either. It's floral and then it's gone. The ephemeral pleasure is the only thing I can find to criticize about IF. It doesn't hang around for long - a few hours at most.

If you would like to try IF Eau de Parfum, it's carried at Amazon and Ron Robinson online. I purchased mine at Henri Bendel. You can order a sample for $5 at Ron Robinson.

Photo courtesy of Ron Robinson

Josie Maran Argan Oil and Bonus Color Stick

QVC Bargain Alert!

Josie Maran Argan Oil with Bonus Color Stick ($48) is available only at QVC. Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil, sourced from Morocco, is legendary for its ability to offer fast-absorbing hydration - and cure all kinds of skin ailments. While you can purchase Josie's argan oil products from Josie's own Web site or Sephora, the combo with the color stick is available only at QVC.

At QVC, if you order Josie's Argan Oil now, you will receive a fabulous argan oil-infused sheer color stick that tints the skin with a flattering rosey tone. You can use it on your cheeks (as I am today), lips, or anywhere else you want sheer, natural color.

Agan oil is a lightweight oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. As I have written many times, it may be used as a daily moisturizer or in the treatment and conditioning of everything from facial skin to cuticles to split ends.

If you were on the fence about trying Josie Maran's Argan Oil, this bonus color stick should help you make up your mind! I love mine. It's available at QVC.

Photo courtesy of QVC

Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Sale

The Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Sale starts today! Use code SHARE to save 20% through Sunday, June 20. To sweeten the deal when you shop the event, you will receive a $10 off coupon for a future purchase between July 1 and 4, 2010.

Now's the time to stock up on your favorites or try something you've had your eyes on!

Photo courtesy of Bare Escentuals