Pat McGrath and Dolce & Gabbana Makeup at Saks Fifth Avenue
By Angie W and Jessica M

This weekend many lucky ladies had a chance to meet the wonderful, renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath, as she launched the new Dolce & Gabbana makeup line at the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store in New York City. We were happy to be able to attend so that we could try some new cosmetics, meet Pat, and report back to Annie at Blogdorf Goodman!

When we arrived at the store, we were surprised to discover that the combination of the makeup launch and Pat McGrath's visit was an Event, with a capital E, complete with live models, television crews, photographers, and reporters. The Dolce & Gabbana counter had expanded to fill a large, central area of the first floor, with a giant, revolving billboard of Scarlett Johansson looming over the scene.


We began by sitting down with two makeup artists, Spencer and Javier, at adjacent stations. Since Angie wanted to focus on experimenting with several lip colors, Spencer began by applying Devil, a vibrant siren red that Angie loved right away. (Think L’Oreal Drumbeat Red with a richer, creamier, long-lasting formula.) However, Spencer had just wiped off the Devil when Pat suddenly swept in and grabbed Angie’s hand, telling her that with her beautiful, pale skin she needed red, wine, and rich rose shades. Angie was only slightly mortified that she was meeting Pat with just-wiped-off lips. She felt she looked like the Master in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Episode 1. (“You have punch mouth!” – that’s for Annie!) Angie tried three colors: Devil, the much-coveted Dahlia -- which Pat specifically recommended for Angie's pale complexion -- and Ruby Sheer. In the end, she settled on Devil. The lipsticks are available in two formulations, Classic or Shine, and Devil is one of the Classics. Spencer had also paired Angie's Ruby Sheer lipstick with Nude blush and the Stromboli eye shadow duo (a shimmery nude as an all-over wash, with smoky black used as liner).

Meanwhile, Jessica was consulting with Javier about an eye-makeup look that would be soft but sophisticated. Javier went straight for the eye shadow quad called Nude, to enhance her dark brown eyes. Jessica was surprised for a second, because the Nude shades looked warmer than her usual colors, but then she was glad that she had trusted him. The orangey shade turned out to be a flattering, shimmery peach on her pale skin, and the medium brown blended into her eyelid crease with a velvety finish. Javier accentuated her lash-line with eyeliner in Coffee, a rich brown spiked with gold sparkles; it was a little bit edgy, but in a subtle, under-the-radar way. (Angie actually thought that of all the products we tried, the Coffee eyeliner was the most outstanding product in the line because its bronzy shimmer was so gorgeous.) Javier finished Jessica's look with Coffee mascara, which really did an amazing job of lengthening and emphasizing her lashes without the dreaded "spidery" look. A sweep of Nude blush and a coat of semi-frosty peach lipstick named Soirée were the final touches.

We were both dazzled by all the gold packaging and the flashing cameras, but we still managed to sight Pat McGrath a few times as she circulated from station to station. Pat was wearing all black: a flowing outfit, flat sandals with delicate straps, and a chunky, woven clutch. Her hair was long and sleek, and her skin was incredibly beautiful. Of course, the most noticeable thing about her was her warm, vibrant personality. She took time to touch up the makeup on a few customers, and to speak and shake hands with many more women around the room. It was easy to see how much these women admired her.

One of the more interesting aspects of our visit was a conversation with a New York Times reporter who asked us why we had come to the event. When we both immediately identified Pat McGrath as the main draw, the reporter was thrilled because we had confirmed her idea that Pat's celebrity status was the cause of the great enthusiasm for the event, rather than the Dolce & Gabbana brand itself or Scarlett Johannson's participation as the "face" of the products. Angie and Jessica both admire and respect Pat for her entrepreneurism, her artistic vision, and her many collaborations (including her design of the Armani cosmetics line and her involvement with Cover Girl, Max Factor, and other brands). We were sure that most of the other women in attendance were there for the same reason: to meet a woman who is a role model and unique artist.


For more information, see http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/
and http://www.dolcegabbanamakeup.com/
The phone number for the Dolce & Gabbana makeup counter at Saks is (212) 940-4949.

Dolce & Gabbana Cosmetic Collection
Launches in June at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC

Just when I thought that it was time to say goodbye to my Vogue subscription, an article by Viki Woods catches my eye and fills me with glee. Apparently the dynamic duo at Dolce & Gabbana have been working on a cosmetic line with Pat McGrath. The line boasts 27 cream lipsticks,12, semi sheer lippies, 12 glosses, 14 eye palettes, and a gaggle of blushes, bronzers, wet & dry foundations, nail lacquers and mascara. McGrath states "We used the strongest and the best pigments and the most modern technology. We looked for the lipstick that lastest the longest, had the best texture, felt the most comfortable, the most luxurious; it was just all encompassing. And obviously, we tested for months, on team members and models. That's what we do."

Everything from the color choice to the pale gold packaging is from the minds of Docle & Gabbana. The star of the entire collection, the Dahlia lippie, is a quite gorgeous looking red. Very Merlot-like in shade. The added touch to this lippie is the engineering. With each swivel of the lipstick, a puff of powdery rose fragrance is emitted. The boys wanted the smell of a vintage smelling cosmetic. I am not sure how the kids will feel about this trick. On makeupalley's fragrance board there is always a throw-down when "grandma perfumes" are mentioned. It appears that there are some generations that do not appreciate or understand the classics. They want to smell like cupcakes. I personally love a powder with a rich rose scent or adore the science behind the satisfying click of a compact. I am excited to see a team bring back the old glamour of cosmetics. The influences for the collection range from Rome's Cinecitta in the fifties and the boys own gardens.

One of my favorite parts of the article is a quote concerning Pat McGrath. "Pat has known us a long time; she knows why we like red, gold. She understands exactly what I mean when I say "Black"-she knows I mean black from Stromboli. It is not a sad black". Gabbana says, drawing with the eye pencil, "it's a volcanic and sparkling black."
Other products described are eye palettes. There are blues inspired by Portofino and a nude shade was inspired by the dresses worn by Jean Harlow.

According to this Vogue article the makeup collection will launch in June at the Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store in NYC. If you have any more information or deets please post in the comments. Patti and I currently planning a NYC summer trip and I would love to coincide our trip with the launch. I want to see the Dahlia lippie in person.

Credits: Vogue, Silvana Mangano as Circe in Mario Camerini's Ulysses
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinecitt%C3%A0

Pat McGrath Appearance:
Dolce & Gabbana Cosmetics debut at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship location in New York City

When: Saturday May 16, 2009
One-on-one consultations by appointment only: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

What: McGrath and her team of fashion week artists will conduct personal consultations with customers to illustrate beauty tips and application techniques focusing on the naturally enhancing and transformative elements of Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up, as first seen on the runway during Milan Fashion Week.

Where: Saks Fifth Avenue
12 East 49th Street at 5th Avenue
Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up Counter, First Floor

Contact: Customers may schedule an appointment by contacting: 212-940-4949

What Blogdorf Goodman is thinking: OMG
Someone...anyone...take pictures of her or her makeup trunks. She is my hero. I heart her.