Archive for the ‘Cosmetics’ Category

Beauty Spot: Go green beyond St. Paddy's day

March 11th, 2013
By Nadine Kam




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The partnership of Sephora and Pantone is a no-brainer. With Pantone already setting the tone for color in everything from fashion to cars to the home, the color we wear on our faces is a logical step. Last year, Sephora + Pantone Universe launched a Color of the Year collection built around Tangerine Tango. This year, it's Emerald's turn.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says the rationale for the soothing, life-affirming green is because, “Symbolically, emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation," which she notes is important in today’s complex world.

The color also evokes power and possibility, two things women should feel when they wear makeup. For those who fear the bold green, it's possible to wear just a suggestion of color with eye liner, or go bold with a switch from a gray or violet smoky eye, to one utilizing Emerald and Crown Blue, a navy color.

The collection is available a la carte, or go green with the Color of the Year Collection ($68), that includes:
1 Color Grid Eye Shadow Block in BIONIC
1 Color Code Prismatic Shadow
1 Color Cube Lid Liner Stain
1 Lightspeed Glitter Dust
1 Graphic Sculpt Waterproof Jumbo Eyeliner
1 Color Watt Highlighting Mascara

At any rate, this also means easily avoiding getting pinched on St. Patrick's Day.

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Sephora + Pantone Universe "Bionic"  Color Grid Shadow Block, $26.

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Sephora +Pantone Universe Graphic Lift Liquid Eyeliner, $17.

Urban Decay's 'Great and Powerful' witches collection

March 4th, 2013
By Nadine Kam



milaDisney photos

By Nadine Kam

Coinciding with the opening of the film, “Oz: The Great and Powerful” tomorrow, Urban Decay has come up with two beautiful limited-edition eye palettes inspired by the witches in the Disney film.

While the company named the palettes after Glinda, played by Michelle Williams in the film, and Theodora, played by Mila Kunis, fans have already been referring to the palettes as being for the good girl, and the bad girl, respectively.

Urban Decay refers to the Theodora palette of muted browns and greens as being for the “fiery, strong-willed and spell-binding” woman, while the Glinda palette of glittery silver and gold, with touches of pink, peach and violet as being for the “graceful, fearless and bewitching.”

The palettes are $49 each at Macy’s and Sephora, though those embracing their inner saint and sinner might want to pick up both.

I could have used the Glinda palette when "Wicked" was in town. My friends and I regretted not sparkling for the event, and the Glinda palette delivers. The silver and gold is really too much for most occasions, but just the thing when you want to stand out from the crowd.

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Urban Decay OZ Palette - Glinda - Group Shot

Urban Decay photos

Urban Decay Theodora

Beauty spot: Orogold a Waikiki hit

February 19th, 2013
By Nadine Kam



orodisplayNadine Kam photos
A display inside the new Orogold store at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Ten months after opening its first outpost in the Outrigger Reef Hotel in Waikiki, Orogold has opened its second boutique, this time at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, celebrating with a grand opening that took place Feb. 15. And come April, the company will be opening at a location on Front Street in Lahaina, Maui.

That's pretty fast, but understandable in a place where excessive sun and the need for skincare go hand in hand, and there are countless tourists willing to try something new. In this case, creams and serums infused with 24K gold, with prices expectedly on the high end.

Gold has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are said improve circulation and speed up healing, though its skincare benefits are inconclusive. Any skin improvement is more likely to come from the various cream and serum formulations. For a little more information on gold as skincare, check out this article from Truth in Aging: http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredient-spotlight/gold-is-it-worthy-of-a-new-standard-in-skincare

orogoldThe gold orb is the Vitamin C Mask from Orogold's 24K Vitamin C line formulated with vitamins C, E and A, as well as tangerine fruit extract and flecks of gold.

oromaskA 24K gold mask.

oroThe room is done up in gleaming, polished white.

oroorbThe copper-colored containers are from the 24K DMAE line.

oroprodAlso represented here are masks from the 24K Brightening (silver tone), 24K Collagen & Caviar (lime) and 24K Oil Control (blue) product lines.

ororoomOne of two demonstration rooms.

orotreatmentSome of the products that can be sample in the treatment room.

orocandyFerrero Rocher candies served during the store's grand opening mimicked the shape and color of some of the containers.

Beauty Event celebrates spring season

February 19th, 2013
By Nadine Kam



NM beautyNeiman Marcus photo

The Beauty Event is back, starting Feb. 21 and continuing through March 3 at Neiman Marcus. During the event, sample new skin treatments and fragrances, and enjoy makeovers utilizing the latest colors and products.

Those who spend $125 or more on cosmetics or fragrances during this event, in stores or onlin, will receive a bright-colored spring tote filled with beauty samples, at one per customer, while supplies last.

Those with a NM or Bergdorf Goodman credit card can enjoy double InCircle points online through the 21st, at 11:59 p.m. CT, and in stores through the 21st. The bonus points may not be combined with other InCircle point offers and points cannot be earned on prior purchases, sales tax, shipping or gift packaging.

Beauty spot: Wu's fall look from the NYFW runway

February 8th, 2013
By Nadine Kam



Here's a peek at one of fall's makeup looks, as shown on the Jason Wu runway:

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