I can tell that we're going to be friends

Have you ever despaired of not having a place to gush over Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower?
The dream has been realized.
Frederic Malle has joined facebook.
http://on.fb.me/fmallefb

So far the page has discussed the candles, included quotes from the new book "Frederic Malle: On Perfume Making" and the greatness of Une Fleur de Cassie. This fragrance does not get enough love or appreciation.

Let us all wish for a Frederic Malle twitter account for 2012.
For now...go become buddies with the rascal that is responsible for all my fragrance lemmings!

Credit: Frederic Malle
Title: We're Going To Be Friends by The White Stripes from White Blood Cells.

Lancôme’s Spring 2012 Collection: Roseraie Des Delices

I just opened the press release for Lancome's Spring 2012 collection.  I had to post it because it looks like a spring collection should look like.  It is bright cool waters and whispery pinks. Like a tropical paradise.
You just want to jump in that picture. I love the looks of the pink powder with the etched Lancome rose and that lipstick tube. I am currently having a "mint" moment.

I have been "missing in action" once again.  I want to thank everyone who has checked in with me on twitter.
A special shout out and thank you to ellemazing101, selfstyledsiren, boisdejasmin, alyssaharad and lipstickrose for the final push to get this blog back into gear.  My friend Christine is going to revamp and convert the blog to Wordpress.  If you have any ideas to make this site better and modern....please contact me or leave a comment.  I have been out of the game...so I need to know what gets on readers nerves...besides not blogging!


Back to spring and new beginnings.....
 
Inspired by a rose garden on a balmy, tranquil afternoon, the collection features blush, eyeshadow palettes, and lip colors in soft pinks and greens.
Aaron De Mey hoped to capture the palette of summer nature, translating water, sun and sky into makeup shades that illuminate both sun-kissed and fair complexions.

Cheeks
La Roseraie Illuminating Powder, is a multi-color powder blush embossed with a delicate rose. This looks so pretty!

Eyes
Color Design 5 Pan Shadow and Liner Palette, $49 – in Rose Romance and Vert Tendresse

Lips
Le French Touch Absolu Nu, $35 in Cotton Candy – Sheer pink lipstick in playful ornate packaging

L’Absolu Nu Replenishing & Enhancing Lipcolor, $29.50 – Rose Petal and Sweet Marmalade

Color Fever Gloss, $26 –Green Petal, Tangerine Petal and Rose Petal

Credits: Lancome

Octopus Garden: Springtime with Chanel

I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade
(The Beatles)

I have been slightly obsessed and enamored with the Chanel show. Everything from the octopus garden set to that Aurora Borealis white sequined jacket that will most likely wind up in the closet of Rachel Zoe.  Pearls peppered the model's hair and face.  It was a new level of pretty.

That Lovely Face
A new Chanel foundation is arriving in April 2012 called Vitalumiere Aqua Fresh and Hydrating Cream Compact Makeup SPF 15. The rest of the village that created that flawless complexion was Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder, Eclat Lumiere Highlighting Face Pen and Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer.
The blush, Glowing Blush Harmony, will be available in January. Just a touch of peach.

The Eyes Have It!
Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Fantasme and Emerveillé
Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Ebène
Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in Clair
Crayon Sourcils Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil
Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Black
Ecourbe Cils De Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler

Our Lips Are Sealed
Rouge Coco Baume Hydrating Conditioning Lip Balm (available January 2012)
Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Plaisir (available March 2012)

The Future Lemmings
As always...Chanel nail polishes look like a breath of fresh air. June appears to look like a soft apricot shade.  A conch shell underbelly could have been the inspiration.
Le Vernis Nail Colour in April (available January 2012)
Le Vernis Nail Colour in May (available January 2012)
Le Vernis Limited Edition Nail Colour in June (available January 2012). 
The pearly white nail shade featured on some models was created for the runway show.  I wish I could find a more detailed shot.  Did I detect an aurora borealis vibe?

You can see the nail polishes on the blog of Lisa Eldridge.
http://www.lisaeldridge.com/blog/20237/lisa-loves-june-is-busting-out-all-over/
She is a Makeup Artist God and an overall lovely twitter buddy. Follow her on twitter and bookmark her blog.

Photo Credit: Vincent Lappartinet
Credit: Chanel PR

Vena Cava and Loeffler Randall Sample Sale in NYC

I have attended only one sample sale in my life.
My dear friend, Angie, took us to a nameless sale in a basement space somewhere in NYC.
I was blown away by the prices.
It was wild.
Here is the scoop on a Vena Cava sample sale happening in June. 
Let us know if you attend and if you get anything mindblowing.

What has been your best score at a sample sale? Make us jealous in the comments.

I Got The Spring Fever Blues

I feel so lazy, can't do a thing
My mind is hazy just like a smoke ring
I think of nothing but lying in the hay
I got the spring fever blues

The sun is shining right in my room
I feel like I was the man in the moon
I'm riding high on the clouds way above us
I got the spring fever blues

I wish that spring were back again
To satisfy my lazy yen
I miss those days of dreaming
If birds were nestlin' in the trees
And leaves were swayin' with the breeze
My heart would keep on beaming, who-o-oh

I hope the south wind blows past my door
And leaves me someone whom I can adore
I think of nothing but love and romance
I've got the spring fever blues, I mean
I've got the spring fever blues

Credit: I Got The Spring Fever by Ella Fitzgerald
Photo: Bond 9 PR (The new bottle for Madsion Square Park)
Review forthcoming from Cavewoman!

Cosmic Love: Florence Welch in Nars Beauty

NARS worked with makeup artist Tasha Brown to create the look for Florence Welch, of Florence & The Machine for both her red carpet and performance looks.

ON THE RED CARPET: “I was inspired by the thought of a beautiful English rose. With Florence’s lacy Valentino dress, we wanted to round out the look with warm shades,” said Tasha about the singer’s red carpet look. Below are the NARS products that Tasha used:

FACE
PRO-PRIME Pore Refining Primer (NEW for Spring 2011; exclusively available at Sephora)
Sheer Matte Foundation
Desire Blush

EYES
PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Lovejoy Blush (as eyeshadow)
Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara
LIPS
Tzigane Lipstick (NEW for Spring 2011!)

ON STAGE: “Florence has such flawless skin so I added a bold color to complement her copper dress,” said Tasha about Florence’s performance look, for which she added the following NARS products:


FACE
Gina Blush

LIPS
Heat Wave Lipstick

Credit: Getty Images and Nars PR

Mila "Sweet Lips" Kunis in Lancome

Celebrity makeup artist Tracey Levy took inspiration for Mila Kunis’ Oscar look directly from the star’s bold yet feminine lilac gown. The result—sultry and beautifully defined.

Face
Teint Miracle Lit-from-Within Foundation
Blush Subtil in Sheer Amourose

Eyes
Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Coral Crush
Color Design Eye Shadow in Impress
Le Crayon Khôl EyeLiner in Black
Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara in Black

Lips
Color Fever Gloss in Blazing Pink
La Laque Fever Lipshine in Lucent Nude

Credit: Getty Images and Lancome PR

Queen Cate: Robin Fredriksz for Lancome

Celebrity makeup artist Robin Fredriksz made up Cate Blanchett in icy cool tones that complemented her pale lavender gown. The focus: softly defined smoky eyes.

Face Breakdown:
SK-II skincare, including mask, under-eye pads and moisturizer, to prep skin Teint Lancome's Miracle Lit-from-Within Foundation
Lancome's Blush Subtil in Miel Glace

Eyes:
Color Design Eye Shadow in Latte (all over the eyes)
Color Design Eye Shadow in Volcano (in the crease)
Color Design Eye Shadow in Ciel du Soir (as liner on lid and lower lash line)
Définicils Precious Cells Mascara in Black

Lips:
Color Design Lipcolor in Pale Lip

Credit: Zimbio via TFS and Lancome PR

Pretty Padme in Dior Beauty

Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Beauty by Dior

Jewelry by Tiffany & Co

Hair by Frederic Fekkai's Didier Malige

Makeup artist Eileen Kastner-Delago created a glowing look for Natalie Portman, the face of Miss Dior Cherie.

"I was inspired by her dress so I went with more purple tones," said Kastner-Delago.

The Beauty Breakdown:

Skin: Dior Capture Totale One Essential, Diorskin Nude Natural GlowFoundation #020 and #030, Diorskin Nude Hydrating Concealer #002

Eyes: Dior 1-Colour Eyeshadow in #546 Gold Touch, Dior 2-Colour Eyeshadow in Purple Look #885, Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Extase Pinks #804, Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in Black, Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Navy Blue.

Lips: Dior Addict Lipstick #623 Infamous Pink, Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Apricot Cloche #436.

Cheeks: DiorBlush in Peechy Keen #553

Jewelry Breakdown: Tiffany rubellite tassel earrings with rose-cut diamonds, an Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard bracelet, diamond earrings (worn as hair accessories) and diamond ring, both by Jean Schlumberger.

Hair Breakdown from Frederic Fekkai's Didier Malige

Inspiration: A glamorous bohemian style that’s soft, romantic, and feminine

The Instructions

1) Apply an anti-frizz product and volumizer before blow-drying the hair smooth using a round brush.
2) Then curl the hair using a 1” curling iron to create soft and feminine waves.
3) Next, create a foundation for the style by backcombing the bottom layers of the hair.
4) Sweep the hair to the left side of her face, securing with bobby pins.
5) For a finishing touch Didier used one of Natalie’s earrings as a shimmery accent piece.

Secure the look with a sheer hairspray

Credits: Zimbio, Dior PR, Frederic Fekkai PR, and Tiffany & Co PR

Blue Valentine: Michelle Williams in Chanel

Michelle Williams in Chanel 2011 Spring/Summer Haute Couture

Makeup Artist Jeanine Lobell

Beauty Inspiration: "My inspiration was Michelle’s stunning CHANEL 2011 Spring/Summer Haute Couture gown. The dress represented Michelle’s personality - ethereal and sparkling.”

Jeanine Lobell----“Michelle’s skin is so fresh and beautiful. I applied CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra Light Skin Perfecting Makeup in B10, which allows her skin to shine though the makeup, creating a fresh look. I set the makeup with CHANEL Natural Finished Press Pressed Powder in Translucent 1.

For eyes, we went for a light, ethereal smoky look mixing the shades in the CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Smoky Eyes. I used the silvery shade as a base, and then used the pewter shade, taking it from the lash line up into the crease, adding shape to the eye. I then smudged the same shade in the lower lash line. I used the black shade, blended into the pewter, as a liner. I applied a few individual lashes in the center, and a lot of CHANEL Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir on the top and bottom. I used the CHANEL Precision Brow Definer in Blond Claire to define the brow.

To create a glowing pink cheek, I applied CHANEL Blush Duo Tweed Effect in Pink Tweed. I mixed her lip colour, CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Rose Dentelle, with a bit of the Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, which creates the effect of the lips blending into the face.”

Credit: Chanel PR and TFS

The Real Orange County: Nars Illuminators

Following the success of the Orgasm Illuminator, NARS introduces three new iconic shades to the Illuminator category. This collection of light-reflecting liquids glides on to refresh the skin, enhance the complexion and create a shimmering incandescence. The Illuminators can be used to highlight bare skin or to light up your makeup as it lights the skin from within.

COPACABANA - Like its namesake Multiple, Copacabana Illuminator will impart a pearlescent sheen and can be applied all over the face, mixed with foundation, and used to highlight the neck, shoulders and décolleté.


SUPER ORGASM – Infused, like the blush, with golden shimmer and a peachy-gold hue that can be applied all over the face, mixed with foundation, and used to highlight the neck, shoulders and décolleté.

LAGUNA - A golden-bronze hue, just as in Laguna Bronzer, that will give a sun-kissed glow and can be applied to the face or mixed with foundation.

Key ingredients include Polar Berries, known for their antioxidant properties; Bisabolol, known as an anti-inflammatory (obtained from the Chamomile plant) and Indian Frankincense, known for its soothing and comforting properties. Non-comedogenic. Dermatologist-tested.

PRICE: $29 each
AVAILABILITY: www.narscosmetics.com
CREDITS: Nars PR

Alice's Adventures: Revlon's Gucci Westman for Temperley

Who: Revlon’s Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman, backstage at Temperley

What: Revlon’s Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman, created a beautiful look inspired by the designer herself, pairing a beautiful bright red lip with a smoky purple eye for a powerful but chic look. “Alice Temperley is a stylish, successful woman. She was the perfect inspiration and loves a red lip. I also wanted to compliment the beautiful muted palette of the collection and the Venetian theme, so I created a confident bright red lip using Just Bitten Lip Stain + Balm and a strong purple smoky eye. I love the combination of red and purple for a look that is chic, expensive and powerful”

Revlon Product Breakdown

Lips:
'Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm' in Flame, $8.99
Matte Lipstick in Really Red, $7.99

Eye:
Customeyes Mascara in Blackest Black, $8.99
ColorStay Liquid Liner in Blackest Black, $7.39
ColorStay 12H Eye Shadow Quad in Sunrise Sunset, $6.99
ColorStay 12H Eye Shadow Quad in Steel Impressions, $6.99
Luxourious Color Eyeliner in Black, $9.99

Face:
PhotoReady Concealer, $10.99
PhotoReady Powder, $12.99
PhotoReady Foundation, $13.99
Revlon Matte Blush in Berry Rich, $9.79

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY: http://www.revlon.com/
Credit: Revlon PR
Photo Credit: Style
http://www.style.com/

American Gothic: Lancome & Chris Benz Fall 2011

Chris Benz had a Southern Gothic sensibility on his mind when creating his Fall 2011 collection. Indeed, it was his recent travels to Savannah, Georgia, for his role as a mentor at The University for Creative Careers (SCAD), which sparked a collection brimming with dark beauty. To counter this lady-like look, lead makeup artist Daniel Martin went colorful, with a look that was “a little off,” said Daniel, starring a “slept-in” eye, matte skin and bitten lips.

Daniel created two different looks using Lancôme’s new Color Design 5 Shadow and Liner Palette and L’Absolu Nu Lipstick (out in March). Some of the models wore a mix of blue-toned shadows paired with a rose stained lip while others donned aubergine eyes with a muted berry pout. Skin was matte with just a hint of color on the cheeks. Two nail colors were used, Noir 29 (black with a pinch of gold shimmer) and Bang Bang Red (a classic orange-red).

Assisting Daniel Martin was the Lancôme National Makeup Artist team. This is the first time that this talented group of artists has joined forces during Fashion Week. You’ll be hearing more about the team, which includes Tarek Abbas, Darais, Manuel Villegas, Alex Sanchez, Ricardo Costales, Jason Leong and Robert Cook, very soon.

SKIN:
Teint Idole Foundation and Blush Subtil in Mauve Coquette

EYES:
Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Teal Fury (blue eye) and Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Mauve Cherie (aubergine eye)
Le Stylo eyeliner in Noir
Hypnôse Mascara in Black

LIPS:
L’Absolu Nu in Evening Lace (paired with blue eye) and L’Absolu Nu in Satin Toffee (paired with aubergine eye)

NAILS:
Le Vernis in Bang Bang Red and Noir 29 (coming Fall 2011)


Credit: Lancome PR
Photo Credit:Cameron Krone

Lipstick Love Affair

Lancome is having a lippie moment!
Spend $35 on Lancome-usa.com, enter code XOXO and get three full-size lipsticks free! Offer ends on 2/16/2011 (today)!
You have until 11:59am EST.

Happy shopping!

Credit:Lancome PR

Natalie Portman in Dior Beauty At The SAG Awards

Padme Breakdown

Makeup artist Eileen Kastner-Delago created a look inspired by "Old
Hollywood with a modern twist" for Portman.

"I wanted to give her dewy, glowing skin and slightly smokey eyes with a
natural lip color," said Kastner-Delago.

Skin: Dior Capture Totale High Definition Serum Foundation, Dior Skinflash
in Sunbeam #003, DiorSkin Wear-Extending Invisible Retouch Powder
Eyes: Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Stylish Move #970 and Sunset Cafe #440,
Diorshow Mascara in black
Lips: Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Pink Protegee #664 and Dior
Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Satin Peach #236

Stylist Orlando Pita created a sculpted, wavy hair look for Portman, which
was inspired by the look Pita recently created for the Christian Dior Haute
Couture show in Paris.

Queen Amidala's bling was a jaw dropping Tiffany & Co. 27.95 carat pear-shape yellow diamond drop earrings with white diamonds set in platinum. The price for these sparkles is a cool 2 million dollars. She paired it with some delicate Tiffany & Co. Metro Diamond bangles.

The gown was Azzaro. I am not loving her dress choices for the award season.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Credits: natalieportmanlove.tumblr.com via Fashionspot, Tiffany & Co PR and Dior Beauty PR

"Go, Speed Racer, Go!"

Miss Keira Knightley and Joe Wright are currently filming a new Coco Mademoiselle campaign at Place de la Concorde in Paris. The inspiration could be Kill Bill or Speed Racer.
I am going with Speed Racer.

Here she comes
Here comes Speed Racer
Shes a demon on wheels
Shes a demon and shes gonna be chasing after someone.

Shes gaining on you so you better look alive.
Shes busy revving up a powerful Mach 5.
And when the odds are against her
And theres dangerous work to do

You bet your life Speed Racer
Will see it through.
Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer, Go!

Shes off and flying as she guns the bike around the track
Shes jamming down the pedal like shes never coming back
Adventures waiting just ahead.
Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer, Go!

Credits: Chanel and Wikipedia

Once in a blue moon

January Jones in Atelier Versace Spring 2010

I had such mixed emotions concerning this dress. The craftsmanship was pretty breathtaking.
The whirlpools of fabric.
The bright oceanic blue shade that managed to glisten in the sunlight.
The hoop engineering.
You just can not deny the impact.

I am still looking at this with a side eye.

Is it the shoes that are bothering me?

I can not pinpoint it just yet.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

"I saw it in Italian Vogue. I just asked Donatella [Versace] if I could wear it for an evening. It's extremely glamorous. It's probably going to be in a museum tomorrow."

(quote from January Jones to The Hollywood Reporter)

Now to the makeup.............

The makeup artist was Rachel Goodwin.

The beauty inspiration:
For January's make up I was inspired by Irving Penn's iconic photos of his
wife/supermodel Lisa Fonssagrives, whose signature extended eyeliner
symbolizes the epitome of elegance. I used ultra feminine colours with
super sculptural liner for a cool update on that classic late 50's
silhouette.


Beauty Tip:

I used CHANEL Liquid Eyeliner in Noir along the lash line for an
exaggerated cat eye effect, adding extra lashes on just the very outer
edges for added length. I then applied two coats of inimitable CHANEL
Inimitable Intense Mascara in Noir on the top lashes and one coat of CHANEL
Inimitable Intense Mascara in Purple on the bottom lashes.

I want to do this trick!

The rest of the face I kept understated using minimal foundation, pale pink cream cheek
colour and CHANEL Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Confidence on her lips.
I finished the look by dusting her brow bone and lids with a loose iridescent pearl shadow with a hint of purple to play off the super reflective quality of her dress.

Credits: images from popbee and wikifashion

January Jones quote from The Hollywood Reporter

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/index.jsp

Beauty breakdown from Chanel PR

Dog Days of Summer

The Lancôme Boutique in NYC’s Upper West Side is kicking off the summer with “The Paws for Beauty” event tomorrow, Saturday, June 19th. Chat with a Lancôme makeup artist while your pup snacks on gourmet goodies. Listen in as dog trainer extraordinaire Andrea Arden shares her tips for caring for a pet through the hot summer months. Even our own Miss Juicy Tubes, Lancôme’s Mollie Winerock, will be there with her adorable Yorkie, Lucy.

Lucy is an adorable pixie!

10% of the total sales during this event will be donated to the Humane Society of New York.

Venomous Villians Coming In September

I am very late to the party with this piece of MAC news.

From WWD: MAC Cosmetics is teaming up with Disney to create a limited edition color collection, intended to launch globally in late September in all MAC locations. The products will feature four Disney villians. I am hoping there will be some blood red lipsticks, sparkling green eye shadows and a black eyeliner called Diablo.

The hints are in this MAC video: http://www.maccosmetics.com/vv_landing/index.tmpl

Here's hoping that there is a Maleficent compact! Can you imagine?
What products would you love to see? Let us know in the comments.

Palette Lemming

CHANEL Celebrity Makeup Artist Kate Lee worked with Gemma Arterton at the Los Angeles premiere of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time on Monday, May 17th.

"I prepped Gemma's skin with CHANEL Hydramax + Active Serum. On her eyes, I used a beautiful violet grey shadow from a new palette launching in July- CHANEL Quadra Eye Shadow in Enigma. (I think I need this! It looks like a mouse-like, violet taupe.)

I lined the inside of Gemma's eyes with CHANEL Intense Eye Pencil in Clair, also launching in July. This beige shade is a nice alternative to white - it gives a more modern effect and is not quite as harsh, making the eyes appear wider. Finally, I applied two coats of CHANEL Inimitable Mascara in Noir. I used a generous amount of CHANEL Hydramax + Active Lip Care on her mouth,and added just a bit of CHANEL Rouge Allure Laque in Dynastie for a touch of colour. To complete the look, I applied CHANEL Powder Blush in Fandangoon the apples of her cheeks."

Photo Credit: Zimbio via fashionspot