The Friday Forum - March 14

There was an interesting article in yesterday's New York Times by Alice Gregory that started this way...

They call themselves lemmings. And like those mythic rodents, whose herd mentality is said to be so strong as to lead them off cliffs, these women are united in a mission that, to outsiders, may seem baffling and even berserk.

She could have been discussing makeup collectors, but she was talking about women who collect nail polish and women who will hunt down discontinued colors, paying at times up to $250 for a little bottle that no one else can find. Words such as "swatches," and "buildability." I got a laugh out of the article because with a few changes it could have been about women trying to find their long-lost favorite color products. Once something is discontinued, it takes on a value that only we understand. Read the article at the link above and see if it sounds familiar.

Right under that article was one about the use of African oils in beauty products. Written by Tatiana Boncompagni, it described how African oils have become exotic and, therefore, in demand. I suspect you will see much buzz around new oils and their benefits to skin care in coming months.

The latest celebrity fragrance will come from Sophia Vergara. According to WWD, the Modern Family superstar will call her fragrance Sophia. It is an oriental floral fragrance that was concocted by International Flavors & Fragrances perfumer Bruno Jovanovic and speaks to Vergara’s background and her fragrance preferences. The top notes are blackberry, sparkling cassis buds, and plum; middle notes are purple violet, Colombian Rose, and Colombian Orchid; and the base notes are earthy woods, vanilla, and sandalwood.

The juicy oriental floral fragrance concocted by International Flavors & Fragrances perfumer Bruno Jovanovic speaks to Vergara’s background and her fragrance preferences. The top notes are blackberry, sparkling cassis buds and plum; middle notes are purple violet, Colombian Rose and Colombian Orchid, and base notes are earthy woods, vanilla and sandalwood.

HSN will have an exclusive on Sophia through July, when it will begin to be available in "upper moderate" department stores - whatever those are. I think it sounds nice, so I'll have to wait for summer to smell it somewhere. I'm not going to blind buy it.

That's my news for today. It's time for the Friday Forum - our first in weeks. 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.

Photo courtesy of the New York Times

Clé de Peau Beauté Enriched Lip Luminizers from the La Bohème Collection for Spring-Summer 2014

Clé de Peau Beauté introduced three Enriched Lip Luminizers from the La Bohème Collection for Spring-Summer 2014: #224, #225, and #226. Sweetie Pie, #224, is shown above. Toffee Apple, #225, is shown below right, with Fabulous Fig, #226, at left.

This color collection was inspired by a free-spirited, romantic beauty look. La Bohème fuses the wild and unconventional ethos of a Bohemian beauty with chic sophistication, creating a collection that celebrates the women of today," said Makeup Creative Director Lucia Pieroni.

With unsurpassed luster, these luxuriously enriched lipsticks use exclusive spotlight technology to capture light and maximize radiance. These fresh, new shades are delicately translucent in subtle colors that make an understated impact.

The limited-edition Enriched Lip Luminizers are $60 with case, and I do buy the lip cases because the lip colors are extremely hard to use without them). You have the option to buy refills,

I think all three shades are gorgeous. Infused with Clé de Peau Beauté's unique color complex technology and skin-care benefits, the Lip Luminizer formula harnesses light and increases radiance. I love it. The exclusive Hydro-Wrap Complex EX seals color pigments for maximum hydration benefits and long-lasting wear.

I took swatch photos in full sun. Fabulous Fig is shown at the top of my arm. I think Fabulous Fig is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweetie Pie is shown in the middle. It is a very light pink on me. I was so surprised at how it looked, I had to take it out of the case to verify I hadn't switched it with Toffee Apple, which is shown at the bottom of my arm.

If I spent more time with the shades before I purchased them, I would have skipped Sweetie Pie. It's nice, just not as exciting as the other two. Maybe I find it a little too sweet. What do you think? Does one of the three colors sing to you?

Clé de Peau Beauté's stunning Spring-Summer 2014 Collection is available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Photos at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow from the Jardin de Camélias Collection

Pink Eye Shadow? Me? Who would have thought? I usually look terrible in pink eye shadow (the red-eye look), and the promotional photo of Rose des Vents (#94, $36) made it look very pink and very bright. Still, something told me to give it a try. Intuition? Who knows? I can tell you that I was very surprised by it.

I took photos - the product above and the swatches below - in very late-afternoon sun. Then I tried Rose des Vents and was amazed. This very sheer pink with a touch of blue in it is a beautiful shade. I might wear it as a highlighting pink under the brow and over the irises of my eyes, but it's wearable. I consider it an extraordinary pink purchase. I had planned to use it as a blush if it didn't work in my eye area.

This intensely shimmering long-wear eye shadow offers true versatility. An innovative gel texture that is both soft and cushiony allows it to be worn as eye shadow or eyeliner. It includes a specially designed shadow/liner brush, developed specifically for this unique formula. I have to admit I don't normally use these brushes. I have better. However, I did use the brush to swatch for these photos.

Look at the sheen on this pink! The color is pale, which was hard to predict from the intense shade shown not only in Chanel's photo, but mine. It looks darker in the pot than Chanel's Impulsion.

I think it's pretty, and I'm looking forward to giving it a workout for spring. I was taught years ago by a former Chanel makeup artist (Ava) how to make pink and green work together on my eyelids to stunning effect for spring. I can't wait to recreate the look she taught me.

I think, but am not totally sure, that this is a permanent addition to the Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow stable. However, it is currently exclusive to the Jardin de Camélias Collection exclusive to Chanel online.

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

Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad in Plum-Brown (#212) from the La Bohème Collection for Spring-Summer 2014

Clé de Peau Beauté introduced two Eye Color Quads (#55 in refill, $80 with case) with its La Bohème Collection for Spring-Summer 2014. I showed you #211 the other day; today is my first opportunity to show you Plum Brown (#212). The new colors were inspired by the hues of romantic peaches and plums. These new colors create a youthful yet bold softness around the eye area. Argan tree oil and exclusive Hydro-Wrap Complex keep the colors in place and moisturize for long-lasting wear. The velvety formulation and matte finish offer many possibilities for varying your look.  Plum Brown (#212) is shown above.

I purchased both (in refills) at Neiman Marcus. I guess I'm a cheapskate, but I will not pay $25 for a ho-hum case. It's the eye shadow I want, and since I don't travel, the chintzy little plastic case "does me" just fine. The #212 refill is shown at my house below, sans plastic. My photos were taken in full, mid-day sun.

This shadow collection highlights and defines the eyes with the ultimate in color sophistication and luxury care. Light-reflecting technology enhances natural eye-area contours. The finish is silky and flawless, resistant to smudging, creasing, and fading.

The subtle colors weren't easy to swatch. I had to apply the two left-most colors heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. If you are a Clé de Peau fan, you already know that the gorgeous logos disappear with the first use. I wish they hung around longer; I think they are classy.

The pink at left in the quad almost matches my skin. It's very hard to see at the top of my arm. The mauve-pink shade coordinates beautifully with all the other shades.

The violet color is a good blue-toned lavender, especially for people like me whose eyes don't take well to red-lavender shades. The mauve, the smallest in the quad, is a great eyeliner color. It does make my eyes look red. Hopefully, you don't suffer the same problem. If I had to select only one of the two palettes, now that I've tested them, I would have chosen #211. You know I love neutrals and shy away from plums.

As I said earlier, I was really looking forward to trying these new palettes. I'm accustomed to some glimmer and gleam in my Clé de Peau colors, so I was anxious to see how the company translates matte - the marketing description of the shades. I'm happy to report that they are not flat matte. I'd say they have a satin finish (silky works too), one that shows me some life when the sun or light hits them directly.

Clé de Peau Beauté's stunning Spring-Summer 2014 Collection is available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Saks Fifth Avenue stores. I have more to show you from La Bohème - soon, I hope.

Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad in Peach-Brown (#211) for Spring-Summer 2014

For spring, Clé de Peau Beauté introduced two new Eye Color Quads ($55 in refill, $80 with case). The new quads were inspired by the hues of romantic peaches and plums. They are subtle, extraordinarily wearable colors.  These new colors create a youthful, no-drama softness around the eye area. Argan tree oil and exclusive Hydro-Wrap Complex keep the colors in place and moisturize for long-lasting wear. The velvety formulation and matte finish in both offer many possibilities for varying your look. I purchased both (in refills) at Neiman Marcus, and I'll start show and tell with Peach Brown (#211), shown above in a case.

This shadow collection highlights and defines the eyes with the ultimate in color sophistication and luxury care. Light-reflecting technology enhances natural eye-area contours. The finish is silky and flawless, resistant to smudging, creasing, and fading.

I guess I'm a cheapskate, but I will not pay $25 for a ho-hum case. It's the eye shadow I want, and since I don't travel, the chintzy little plastic case "does me" just fine. The #211 refill is shown at my house directly below, sans plastic. My photos were taken in full, mid-day sun.

The subtle colors weren't easy to swatch. I had to apply them heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. If you are a Clé de Peau fan, you already know that the gorgeous logos disappear with the first use. I wish they hung around longer; I think they are classy.

The pink, the largest color at left in the quad, is a pink that gives light and life to the eyelids without making you look like you have a disease. The beige shade is a beautiful base color - one you can wear to work on a day when you only have time for one swipe before you charge out the door. It evens the skin tone and adds a slight gold highlight - even though it offers no sparkle.

The warm brown shade is an interesting color. It has, to my eye, a slight mahogany - perhaps autumn bronze -  tinge to it, fortunately not enough to add a red hue to your eyelids. I'm struggling for the right description of the color. It serves perfectly as both an eyeliner and a crease/contour shade. Why the peach shade is the smallest in the quad mystifies me. I would have provided more peach and less brown in designing the quad. What do you think? Which of the two rightmost colors would you choose for the #3 placement?

I was really looking forward to trying these new palettes. I'm accustomed to some glimmer and gleam in my Clé de Peau colors, so I was anxious to see how the company translates matte - the marketing description of the shades. I'm happy to report that they are not flat matte. I'd say they have a satin finish (silky works too), one that shows me some life when the sun or light hits them directly.

Clé de Peau Beauté's stunning Spring-Summer 2014 Collection is available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Saks Fifth Avenue stores. I have more to show you - soon.

Photo at top courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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

I feared Chanel's limited-edition Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour in Charmeuse (#142, $34) from the Jardin de Camélias Collection might be too nude or too light for my coloring. As you know the Jardin de Camélias Collection is exclusive to Chanel.com, so I had no way to try the color before I purchased. I was thrilled when it arrived! It is nude, but it leans peach, yielding either one of the nicest nudes I've ever worn, or a perfect pastel for spring.

The next generation of Rouge Allure dresses the lips with unmistakable attitude. A new formula with concentrated, ultra-thin pigments offers radically intense, long-wearing color with full coverage and a satin finish. It leaves the lips supple and protected with lasting comfort.

This is a great, saturated, warm nude shade. It should flatter nearly everyone. I took my photos in full sun - one on my arm and one on my fingertip. Testing lip colors on your fingertip gives a better representation of how the colors will look on your lips. Why? Because the natural color of your fingertip is closer to that of your lips than your wrist or inner arm.

Anyone who loves a nude-peach lip color will love Charmeuse. I was smitten with it the moment I tried it.

I think I'll be wearing Charmeuse starting this month and rolling into summer, when it will complement all the warm, bronze shades to which we gravitate in summer.   Don't forget: it's a limited edition, so if you are curious, order yours now. The Jardin de Camélias Collection is - at least currently, exclusive to Chanel online.

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

The Friday Forum - March 6

It's a grey day, with freezing rain to the south of us. Monday's snow is still hanging around, particularly in shady areas. I can't tell you how tired I am of snow and ice. It's March now, so let's get on with spring!

This has been a horrid week for world peace. I hope the countries in chaos can find solutions, with the help of the rest of the world, and everyone wishing to choose their own governments will have their dreams fulfilled.

During the last week or so, I bought many new treasures. My wish is for sunshine this weekend. I've got hours of photography to accomplish so I can tee up my features for the next week. There's everything from Urban Decay to more Chanel and the new Clé de Peau. I feel so constrained! Fragrance too - I am so behind on some introductions I must feature.

What's new in beauty? According to WWD, Karl Lagerfeld will launch his Karl Lagerfeld Parfums project this month at Harrod's with two fragrances. His fragrances will follow quickly in the U.S. at Macy's. Will his name sell the scents? Only time will tell.

The Karl Lagerfeld women’s eau de parfum, which includes notes of lemon, peach, rose, magnolia, plumeria, musks, and woods, was created by Mane perfumers Serge Majoullier and Christine Nagel. The notes sound nice to me. In the men’s eau de toilette, created by International Flavors & Fragrances’ Jean-Christophe Hérault, there are notes of lavender, mandarin zest, apple, violet leaves, sandalwood, and amber. It sounds equally nice. I'm not one who uses marketing to determine whether I will like a fragrance.

Target is going upscale in skin care and will be overhauling the entire department this spring. The changes will be visible this month in the 750 Target doors outfitted with its newly installed premium skin-care assortment, which is anchored by Amore Pacific’s South Korean skin-care range Laneige. The line will be exclusive to Target in the U.S. The concept will also be occupied by six more brands, including MD Complete, Borghese Age Defying Cellulare Complex, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, 29 by Lydia Mondavi (I featured this brand a long time ago) and Own Beauty. I hope they are better stocked than they have been when they introduced their limited designer clothing - a debacle from my perspective. I assume Target has cleaned up its payment processing troubles, so you could actually shop there safety again. Let's hope.

Sephora is introducing 24 one-time-use nail polish samples, packaged together in a $39 set, which will bow on sephora.com in late April and in its stores in early May. “We know our [shoppers] love to experiment with new nail shades, and this allows them to preview our 24 bestselling Formula X shades before committing to a full-sized bottle,” Kristin Walcott, Vice President and General Manager for Formula X told WWD. “Each Press Pod has a built-in brush and covers all 10 nails in two coats of Formula X. Not only are they great for experimenting with color, they’re ideal for travel because they are so small.” What do you think? Hit or miss?

It's time for the Friday Forum - our first in weeks. 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.

Photo courtesy of enwikipedia