Le Metier de Beaute at Nordstrom and Julie Hewett Sale- Online Shopping News

Enabling ahead!

Best news of the week: Le Metier de Beaute is now available online from Nordstrom. The color swatches are better than the ones on Neiman and Bergdorf sites, so that's a real upgrade. They have everything, from the miracle that is Peau Vierge to LMdB superb makeup brushes. Especially worth noting: the Face Kaleidoscope. It has everything you need- powder, highlighter, bronzer and the gorgeous Echo blush in one palette. I have most of these items separately, but having them in one kit is even better. I actually wish I had it right now- I have some traveling coming up and this would be perfect.

Many of you emailed me lately asking what was going on with Julie Hewett. The web site is back, everything seems to be in stock and there's quite a bit to explore. Julie Hewett has great red lipsticks for just about anyone- including those who are scared of red. I love her cream cheek colors and the Hue Colour in Newsprint Bleu has been a staple in my makeup wardrobe for ages. There's also a little sale going on until the 7th: 25% off on Bijou lipstick in Jacqueline (sheer fuchsia) and Duo Blush Palette in Carmine/Coral. Use code SSA2010 at checkout.

Le Metier de Beaute at Nordstrom and Julie Hewett Sale- Online Shopping News

Enabling ahead!

Best news of the week: Le Metier de Beaute is now available online from Nordstrom. The color swatches are better than the ones on Neiman and Bergdorf sites, so that's a real upgrade. They have everything, from the miracle that is Peau Vierge to LMdB superb makeup brushes. Especially worth noting: the Face Kaleidoscope. It has everything you need- powder, highlighter, bronzer and the gorgeous Echo blush in one palette. I have most of these items separately, but having them in one kit is even better. I actually wish I had it right now- I have some traveling coming up and this would be perfect.

Many of you emailed me lately asking what was going on with Julie Hewett. The web site is back, everything seems to be in stock and there's quite a bit to explore. Julie Hewett has great red lipsticks for just about anyone- including those who are scared of red. I love her cream cheek colors and the Hue Colour in Newsprint Bleu has been a staple in my makeup wardrobe for ages. There's also a little sale going on until the 7th: 25% off on Bijou lipstick in Jacqueline (sheer fuchsia) and Duo Blush Palette in Carmine/Coral. Use code SSA2010 at checkout.

Le Metier de Beaute at Nordstrom and Julie Hewett Sale- Online Shopping News

Enabling ahead!

Best news of the week: Le Metier de Beaute is now available online from Nordstrom. The color swatches are better than the ones on Neiman and Bergdorf sites, so that's a real upgrade. They have everything, from the miracle that is Peau Vierge to LMdB superb makeup brushes. Especially worth noting: the Face Kaleidoscope. It has everything you need- powder, highlighter, bronzer and the gorgeous Echo blush in one palette. I have most of these items separately, but having them in one kit is even better. I actually wish I had it right now- I have some traveling coming up and this would be perfect.

Many of you emailed me lately asking what was going on with Julie Hewett. The web site is back, everything seems to be in stock and there's quite a bit to explore. Julie Hewett has great red lipsticks for just about anyone- including those who are scared of red. I love her cream cheek colors and the Hue Colour in Newsprint Bleu has been a staple in my makeup wardrobe for ages. There's also a little sale going on until the 7th: 25% off on Bijou lipstick in Jacqueline (sheer fuchsia) and Duo Blush Palette in Carmine/Coral. Use code SSA2010 at checkout.

Scenes From The Mall

Unable to contain my curiosity and not entirely satisfied with the swatches I've seen online so far, I headed to Nordstrom to check out the new Burberry makeup collection. It meant going to the Garden State Plaza, a place I try to avoid at all costs, but the promise of fabulous lipsticks and gorgeous packaging was too much to resist. Since the Paramus store is one of the few locations that actually carry Burberry, I went there full of Jersey pride. Except that the launch date has been pushed back to August 10th. They're doing a pre-sale but there are no testers or any information about the makeup other than a handful of items in one of those display cubes you can't open.

Since the place was cheerful and abuzz with brand reps, makeup artists and the general anniversary sale fun I stayed for a while to see what's new and pretty. I'm glad to report that the Dior counter still has the Nordsrom exclusive palette, so if it's already sold out at your location you might want to give this store a call. At the Armani counter, a young SA whose misfortune was to have me as a customer tried to convince me the summer collection was actually the new stuff for fall. I didn't even bother to argue.

I decided to head towards Neiman Marcus. The place was eerily empty and silent. The fashion floor was in that limbo stage between seasons, when there's absolutely nothing interesting and/or in my size. The beauty department was equally ghostly (to be fair it was still early-ish, about 11:30 am), and most counters were empty of SAs. A couple of employees and the floor manager were running from counter to counter just behind the handful of customers who walked around.

The good news is that the Le Metier de Beaute counter already has a tester of  the fall Kaleidoscope eye Kit (no other fall testers, though, and the products only go on sale September 10th), so if you're in the area that alone is worth the visit. At the Guerlain counter I was assisted by the Lancome specialist who was awesome, helped me play with the testers and rang my purchase:

These are two of the gorgeous eye shadow palettes for fall. Review and swatches are coming as soon, of course.

The previous scene from Armani was repeated at the Nars counter. An overly made up SA tried to insist that the dirty and abused testers of the summer collection were of the newest items. I know that several locations, including some Sephora stores, already have all the fall items, but apparently Paramus isn't one of them (our Sephora didn't have them, either, but I wasn't surprised. This store is always behind).

A quick stroll through the mall made it clear it was time to run for my life. The crowd has thickened and the nasty aroma of the food court reminded me why I haven't set foot in the Plaza in the last 10 months or so. I went home and did some highly satisfying online shopping.

Top photo of the Garden State Plaza in its previous 1960s incarnation from mallsofamerica.blogspot.com
Guerlain palettes: photograph by me.

Scenes From The Mall

Unable to contain my curiosity and not entirely satisfied with the swatches I've seen online so far, I headed to Nordstrom to check out the new Burberry makeup collection. It meant going to the Garden State Plaza, a place I try to avoid at all costs, but the promise of fabulous lipsticks and gorgeous packaging was too much to resist. Since the Paramus store is one of the few locations that actually carry Burberry, I went there full of Jersey pride. Except that the launch date has been pushed back to August 10th. They're doing a pre-sale but there are no testers or any information about the makeup other than a handful of items in one of those display cubes you can't open.

Since the place was cheerful and abuzz with brand reps, makeup artists and the general anniversary sale fun I stayed for a while to see what's new and pretty. I'm glad to report that the Dior counter still has the Nordsrom exclusive palette, so if it's already sold out at your location you might want to give this store a call. At the Armani counter, a young SA whose misfortune was to have me as a customer tried to convince me the summer collection was actually the new stuff for fall. I didn't even bother to argue.

I decided to head towards Neiman Marcus. The place was eerily empty and silent. The fashion floor was in that limbo stage between seasons, when there's absolutely nothing interesting and/or in my size. The beauty department was equally ghostly (to be fair it was still early-ish, about 11:30 am), and most counters were empty of SAs. A couple of employees and the floor manager were running from counter to counter just behind the handful of customers who walked around.

The good news is that the Le Metier de Beaute counter already has a tester of  the fall Kaleidoscope eye Kit (no other fall testers, though, and the products only go on sale September 10th), so if you're in the area that alone is worth the visit. At the Guerlain counter I was assisted by the Lancome specialist who was awesome, helped me play with the testers and rang my purchase:

These are two of the gorgeous eye shadow palettes for fall. Review and swatches are coming as soon, of course.

The previous scene from Armani was repeated at the Nars counter. An overly made up SA tried to insist that the dirty and abused testers of the summer collection were of the newest items. I know that several locations, including some Sephora stores, already have all the fall items, but apparently Paramus isn't one of them (our Sephora didn't have them, either, but I wasn't surprised. This store is always behind).

A quick stroll through the mall made it clear it was time to run for my life. The crowd has thickened and the nasty aroma of the food court reminded me why I haven't set foot in the Plaza in the last 10 months or so. I went home and did some highly satisfying online shopping.

Top photo of the Garden State Plaza in its previous 1960s incarnation from mallsofamerica.blogspot.com
Guerlain palettes: photograph by me.

Scenes From The Mall

Unable to contain my curiosity and not entirely satisfied with the swatches I've seen online so far, I headed to Nordstrom to check out the new Burberry makeup collection. It meant going to the Garden State Plaza, a place I try to avoid at all costs, but the promise of fabulous lipsticks and gorgeous packaging was too much to resist. Since the Paramus store is one of the few locations that actually carry Burberry, I went there full of Jersey pride. Except that the launch date has been pushed back to August 10th. They're doing a pre-sale but there are no testers or any information about the makeup other than a handful of items in one of those display cubes you can't open.

Since the place was cheerful and abuzz with brand reps, makeup artists and the general anniversary sale fun I stayed for a while to see what's new and pretty. I'm glad to report that the Dior counter still has the Nordsrom exclusive palette, so if it's already sold out at your location you might want to give this store a call. At the Armani counter, a young SA whose misfortune was to have me as a customer tried to convince me the summer collection was actually the new stuff for fall. I didn't even bother to argue.

I decided to head towards Neiman Marcus. The place was eerily empty and silent. The fashion floor was in that limbo stage between seasons, when there's absolutely nothing interesting and/or in my size. The beauty department was equally ghostly (to be fair it was still early-ish, about 11:30 am), and most counters were empty of SAs. A couple of employees and the floor manager were running from counter to counter just behind the handful of customers who walked around.

The good news is that the Le Metier de Beaute counter already has a tester of  the fall Kaleidoscope eye Kit (no other fall testers, though, and the products only go on sale September 10th), so if you're in the area that alone is worth the visit. At the Guerlain counter I was assisted by the Lancome specialist who was awesome, helped me play with the testers and rang my purchase:

These are two of the gorgeous eye shadow palettes for fall. Review and swatches are coming as soon, of course.

The previous scene from Armani was repeated at the Nars counter. An overly made up SA tried to insist that the dirty and abused testers of the summer collection were of the newest items. I know that several locations, including some Sephora stores, already have all the fall items, but apparently Paramus isn't one of them (our Sephora didn't have them, either, but I wasn't surprised. This store is always behind).

A quick stroll through the mall made it clear it was time to run for my life. The crowd has thickened and the nasty aroma of the food court reminded me why I haven't set foot in the Plaza in the last 10 months or so. I went home and did some highly satisfying online shopping.

Top photo of the Garden State Plaza in its previous 1960s incarnation from mallsofamerica.blogspot.com
Guerlain palettes: photograph by me.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze (Nordstrom Exclusive)

I picked Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze from Nordstrom's beauty exclusives as an addition to the Ready-To-Wear palette, figuring the tiny pans of lip color in the compact will run out first and because I wanted an additional color that goes well with the bronze theme of the set.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Intimate Bronze is a perfect fit. It's a delicate color, somewhere between a light pink bronze and rosy mauve, depending on the light. With my coloring it looks like a warm nude, something to wear when I want to neutralize the pink tone of my natural lip color. The shimmer is very fine and reflects the light more than actually adding fire.

The gloss is soft and moisturizing, making for a comfortable wear and helping keep the lips soft and moisturized. Its staying power is average minus, but someone with pale lips might see more of the pigment after the shine is gone.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze($26.50) is a Nordstrom exclusive, but rumor has it this color was seen at some airport duty-free stores in Europe. It's no longer available online, as the pre-sale is over, but Nordstrom stores are still supposed to have it in stock.

All photos are mine.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze (Nordstrom Exclusive)

I picked Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze from Nordstrom's beauty exclusives as an addition to the Ready-To-Wear palette, figuring the tiny pans of lip color in the compact will run out first and because I wanted an additional color that goes well with the bronze theme of the set.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Intimate Bronze is a perfect fit. It's a delicate color, somewhere between a light pink bronze and rosy mauve, depending on the light. With my coloring it looks like a warm nude, something to wear when I want to neutralize the pink tone of my natural lip color. The shimmer is very fine and reflects the light more than actually adding fire.

The gloss is soft and moisturizing, making for a comfortable wear and helping keep the lips soft and moisturized. Its staying power is average minus, but someone with pale lips might see more of the pigment after the shine is gone.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze($26.50) is a Nordstrom exclusive, but rumor has it this color was seen at some airport duty-free stores in Europe. It's no longer available online, as the pre-sale is over, but Nordstrom stores are still supposed to have it in stock.

All photos are mine.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze (Nordstrom Exclusive)

I picked Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze from Nordstrom's beauty exclusives as an addition to the Ready-To-Wear palette, figuring the tiny pans of lip color in the compact will run out first and because I wanted an additional color that goes well with the bronze theme of the set.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Intimate Bronze is a perfect fit. It's a delicate color, somewhere between a light pink bronze and rosy mauve, depending on the light. With my coloring it looks like a warm nude, something to wear when I want to neutralize the pink tone of my natural lip color. The shimmer is very fine and reflects the light more than actually adding fire.

The gloss is soft and moisturizing, making for a comfortable wear and helping keep the lips soft and moisturized. Its staying power is average minus, but someone with pale lips might see more of the pigment after the shine is gone.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze($26.50) is a Nordstrom exclusive, but rumor has it this color was seen at some airport duty-free stores in Europe. It's no longer available online, as the pre-sale is over, but Nordstrom stores are still supposed to have it in stock.

All photos are mine.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

The one item that stood out to me when browsing Nordstrom's pre-sale anniversary exclusives was the Fall Ready-To-Wear palette. It has the glow of soft fall light in the early afternoon and every color is pretty and wearable. It's probably one of the products that will accompany me during late summer-early fall travel, because when one is too jet-lagged to color-coordinate, a palette that offers a full look is priceless.

There are two face colors here- a blush and a three-tone bronzer. I think their pans are too small and I don't bother to swipe a good brush over them individually (not to mention to customize the bronzer), I just mix both items together for a natural sun-kissed look. I tried to swatch the blush and bronzer and got reminded why I hate doing this with cheek colors- the result on my arm looks too much like a skin condition. So you'll have to take my word that both are nicely pigmented without looking clownish, the blush is a pretty medium rose and the bronzer is a warm medium-light tan (at least when all three shades are combined. If you don't mind using a small brush you can probably adjust the levels of brown and gold).

I've always loved Dior eye shadows and these four are no exception. The finish is satiny and smooth (far less metallic than the current singles), even the light colors are very pigmented (another area where Dior trumps most other brands) and blend perfectly. You will notice how the colors look different when swatched than they are in the pan. The darkest one was was the most surprising- on my skin it looks bronze and not brown. The lightest is beige in the palette but has a cooler tone on the skin.

I wasn't too excited about the two lip gloss colors, but they are actually very pleasant and flattering. The light shimmery one is almost clear with a touch of pink- it can be layered over a darker lipstick but I was surprised how nice it looks on its own, especially when using the entire Ready-To-Wear palette for a full look. The warm rose shade is even better- it looks delicious on the lips. The mini lip brush that comes in the palette is the most useful accessory there and the only one I'm using. A tiny blush brush and the standard sponge applicator are nothing to blog about.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette ($54) is a Nordstrom exclusive for their anniversary sale. While it's no longer online for pre-sale (I ordered the palette weeks ago and received it last Thursday), it should be available at your local store starting today.

All photos are mine.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

The one item that stood out to me when browsing Nordstrom's pre-sale anniversary exclusives was the Fall Ready-To-Wear palette. It has the glow of soft fall light in the early afternoon and every color is pretty and wearable. It's probably one of the products that will accompany me during late summer-early fall travel, because when one is too jet-lagged to color-coordinate, a palette that offers a full look is priceless.

There are two face colors here- a blush and a three-tone bronzer. I think their pans are too small and I don't bother to swipe a good brush over them individually (not to mention to customize the bronzer), I just mix both items together for a natural sun-kissed look. I tried to swatch the blush and bronzer and got reminded why I hate doing this with cheek colors- the result on my arm looks too much like a skin condition. So you'll have to take my word that both are nicely pigmented without looking clownish, the blush is a pretty medium rose and the bronzer is a warm medium-light tan (at least when all three shades are combined. If you don't mind using a small brush you can probably adjust the levels of brown and gold).

I've always loved Dior eye shadows and these four are no exception. The finish is satiny and smooth (far less metallic than the current singles), even the light colors are very pigmented (another area where Dior trumps most other brands) and blend perfectly. You will notice how the colors look different when swatched than they are in the pan. The darkest one was was the most surprising- on my skin it looks bronze and not brown. The lightest is beige in the palette but has a cooler tone on the skin.

I wasn't too excited about the two lip gloss colors, but they are actually very pleasant and flattering. The light shimmery one is almost clear with a touch of pink- it can be layered over a darker lipstick but I was surprised how nice it looks on its own, especially when using the entire Ready-To-Wear palette for a full look. The warm rose shade is even better- it looks delicious on the lips. The mini lip brush that comes in the palette is the most useful accessory there and the only one I'm using. A tiny blush brush and the standard sponge applicator are nothing to blog about.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette ($54) is a Nordstrom exclusive for their anniversary sale. While it's no longer online for pre-sale (I ordered the palette weeks ago and received it last Thursday), it should be available at your local store starting today.

All photos are mine.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

The one item that stood out to me when browsing Nordstrom's pre-sale anniversary exclusives was the Fall Ready-To-Wear palette. It has the glow of soft fall light in the early afternoon and every color is pretty and wearable. It's probably one of the products that will accompany me during late summer-early fall travel, because when one is too jet-lagged to color-coordinate, a palette that offers a full look is priceless.

There are two face colors here- a blush and a three-tone bronzer. I think their pans are too small and I don't bother to swipe a good brush over them individually (not to mention to customize the bronzer), I just mix both items together for a natural sun-kissed look. I tried to swatch the blush and bronzer and got reminded why I hate doing this with cheek colors- the result on my arm looks too much like a skin condition. So you'll have to take my word that both are nicely pigmented without looking clownish, the blush is a pretty medium rose and the bronzer is a warm medium-light tan (at least when all three shades are combined. If you don't mind using a small brush you can probably adjust the levels of brown and gold).

I've always loved Dior eye shadows and these four are no exception. The finish is satiny and smooth (far less metallic than the current singles), even the light colors are very pigmented (another area where Dior trumps most other brands) and blend perfectly. You will notice how the colors look different when swatched than they are in the pan. The darkest one was was the most surprising- on my skin it looks bronze and not brown. The lightest is beige in the palette but has a cooler tone on the skin.

I wasn't too excited about the two lip gloss colors, but they are actually very pleasant and flattering. The light shimmery one is almost clear with a touch of pink- it can be layered over a darker lipstick but I was surprised how nice it looks on its own, especially when using the entire Ready-To-Wear palette for a full look. The warm rose shade is even better- it looks delicious on the lips. The mini lip brush that comes in the palette is the most useful accessory there and the only one I'm using. A tiny blush brush and the standard sponge applicator are nothing to blog about.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette ($54) is a Nordstrom exclusive for their anniversary sale. While it's no longer online for pre-sale (I ordered the palette weeks ago and received it last Thursday), it should be available at your local store starting today.

All photos are mine.

Dior Vernis Nail Enamel (Nordstrom Exclusive)

In the world of beauty products, exclusivity sells. As do great colors. The two Nordstrom exclusive Dior Vernis Nail Enamel polish colors were launched in July and have fall written all over them. Mystic Violine (#987) is a beautiful if predictable satiny red plum. It's very dark, super sexy, but I have to admit that I already own several similar colors. You probably do, too.

Lemon Balm (#703) is the real star here. The color is hard to describe and changes significantly under different light conditions. It's a brown-gray-taupe-purple thing with a metallic finish. The gray shows more in the bottle and in broad daylight, while nighttime brings out the purple chocolate.

The Dior Vernis Nail Enamel brush is among my most favorites. It's thick, wide and gives great coverage without streaking. As a metallic color, Lemon Balm dries quickly, which in my klutzy world is a major advantage, as I tend to ruin my manicures and get cat hair all over them. I tested with both Zoya and Anise Nails base and top coats, and the results are always good.

Dior Vernis Nail Enamel in Lemon Balm and Mystic Violine ($20 each) are exclusive to Nordstrom. I ordered mine online.

Photos: mine