A sneak peek to the VIP Wine Reception held last week, Thursday November 18th, 2010, at the Fratantoni Residence in Silverleaf North Scottsdale. This was a kick off event for the upcoming Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Wine Gala which will be held in March 2011. Before the event I stopped by at the 29 Cosmetics counter at Neiman Marcus in Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall to get my makeup done by the fabulous Hetty.

L to R: Hetty, 29 Cosmetics’ makeup expert at Neiman Marcus Scottsdale and Marta Walsh at the Fratantoni Residence in North Scottsdale. Via: www.martawalsh.com.

You must see Hetty for anything 29 Cosmetics when you are at Neiman Marcus at Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, she is an artist. 29 Cosmetics founded by Lydia Mondavi, yes she is related to the Mondavi family and the wine makers. The line is utilizing the benefits of grape seeds, of course. I love how the makeup feels on my skin, the effect is very dewy and elegant.

BTW The Fratantoni Residence is the most beautiful home & views! It was a work of art, very Michelangelo-esqe. The house was designed by Josie Fratantoni and her husband Sam who are luxury home builders in the North Scottsdale area. You can find them at: www.fratantoniluxuryestates.com.

Read full article in www.martawalsh.com

Introducing Luxury-to-Go, a new way to try before you buy Essential Complements Samples by La Prairie. Starting week of March 15th, 2010, at La Prairie counters nationwide.

La Prairie, the renowned Swiss beauty company best known for their cult-favorite Caviar and Platinum-infused anti-aging creams, will be doling out complimentary “essential” trial samples from a particular collection to clients who participate in an at-counter skincare consultation. The trial samples of assorted eye, serum and face products are signature La Prairie chic and luxury, meaning packaged in deluxe tubes and jars – no messy packets.

To experience La Prairie’s top-notch service and legendary skincare (and NEW “essential complements” samples), all you need to do is stop by for a consult at your local La Prairie counter at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

I’m already a huge fan the La Prairie Anti-Aging Longevity Serum and this is why I’m excited about La Prairie’s latest addition: White Caviar Illuminating Système.

About White Caviar Illuminating Système from La Prairie: Luxury Swiss beauty company La Prairie is dedicated to keeping skin as young looking as possible, as long as possible, and that means launching high-performance products to target lines, wrinkles and now, age spots.

Introducing White Caviar Illuminating Système from La Prairie, which includes:

White Caviar Illuminating Cream – $450
White Caviar Illuminating Serum – $450
White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum – $250

This feast for your skin is an innovative three-part system that works to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion, free of future age spots and pigmentation patches. At the heart of White Caviar Illuminating Système is Golden Caviar, sourced from environmentally-regulated farmed sources, combined with clarifying Whitening Complex with Larch Tree Extract, detoxifying Swiss Garden Cress Sprout Extract, Vitamin C and various bio-technology. As a signature La Prairie touch, attention to detail applies not only to the formulas but also the packaging. To that end, White Caviar Illuminating Système is housed in substantial white pearlescent jars with La Prairie’s silver caviar beads around the cap.

This white hot system is a must for women of all ages who are looking to fight aging and skin discoloration. On-counters NOW, La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Système is available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.laprairie.com .

This holiday season delight loved ones with a gift for the bath, body or home from British fragrance house Jo Malone. Luxurious and unique, Jo Malone offers the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Each offering is elegantly presented within the iconic cream-coloured box and tied with a grosgrain ribbon. When opened, the Jo Malone experience begins to unfold.

Gifts For The Home

Tea Box Deluxe Candle Collection: Elegantly understated, the Tea Box Deluxe Candle Collection brings a sense of refinement to the home. A suite of three Deluxe Candles are presented in a stately cream-coloured box accompanied with a silver-plated wick trimmer, candle snuffer and key. The Collection features Eau De Cologne, Parma Violets and Sweet Almond Macaroon Deluxe Candles; each candle includes an engraved Jo Malone Candle Lid. 3x400g 395 US / 450 CAN

Pomegranate Noir Deluxe Candle: Combining the sweet, fruity notes of raspberry, pink pepper and pomegranate with patchouli, frankincense and spicy woods, the Pomegranate Noir Deluxe Candle envelops a room and lingers for hours. The Pomegranate Noir Deluxe Candle includes an engraved Jo Malone Candle Lid and is beautifully presented in a Jo Malone signature gift box. 400g 130 US / 150 CAN

Pine & Eucalyptus Collection: Savor the season with Pine & Eucalyptus, a limited-edition scent from Jo Malone. The crisp aroma of pine is entwined with velvety eucalyptus to evoke the sense of winter.

Collection includes:

Bath Soaps 3 x 100g 50 US / 60 CAN
Bath Oil 250ml 60 US / 72 CAN
Living Cologne 200ml 95 US / 138 CAN
Home Candle 200g 65 US / 75 CAN
Luxury Candle 2.5kg 345 US / 400 CAN

Scented Travel Candles: Add the finishing touches to your home by decorating the interior with the delicious scents of Amber & Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, Lime Blossom and Orange Blossom. These little luxuries are sold individually and will create an ambience of style, sophistication and warmth in any room.

Amber & Sweet Orange Travel Candle 60g 35 US / 50 CAN
Grapefruit Travel Candle 60g 35 US / 50 CAN
Lime Blossom Travel Candle 60g 35 US / 50 CAN
Orange Blossom Travel Candle 60g 35 US / 50 CAN
*available November 2009

Signature Gift Collections

COLOGNE COLLECTION: The Cologne Collection celebrates the artistry of scent. Six colognes delicately encompassed in glass bottles with spray pumps may be worn alone or layered to create unique combinations. The collection includes Grapefruit, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Pomegranate Noir, Sweet Lime & Cedar, Lime Basil & Mandarin and White Jasmine & Mint. 6x9ml 95 US / 110 CAN

BATH OIL COLLECTION: The Bath Oil Collection is an invitation to unwind. Beautifully presented in glass decanters, six distinct scents may be used singly or combined to capture the senses. The collection includes Grapefruit, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Pomegranate Noir, Sweet Lime & Cedar, Lime Basil & Mandarin and White Jasmine & Mint. 6x30ml 85 US / 95 CAN

POMEGRANATE NOIR PAMPER KIT: Ensure bath time is a sensual, sophisticated experience with the Pamper Kit. Offered in rich, regal Pomegranate Noir, the limited-edition Pamper Kit includes Bath Oil, Shimmer Body Powder and Body Crème. The Pamper Kit is elegantly presented in a Jo Malone signature gift box.

Bath Oil Glass Decanter 200ml
Shimmer Body Powder with Ultra Luxe Puff 70g
Body Crème 175ml
245 US / 295 CAN

LIME BASIL & MANDARIN FRAGRANCE CHRONICLE: The Lime Basil & Mandarin Fragrance Chronicle™ tells the story of a rich citrus accord embellished with notes of aromatic herbs and sensual woods. Reminiscent of the scent of limes carried on a Caribbean breeze, this addictive fragrance balances dewy translucency with a warm, woody dry down. Transform Lime Basil & Mandarin with the accords of Mandarin, Sweet Basil and Amberwood to create your own compelling signature blend of this modern classic.

Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne 30ml
Mandarin Cologne Accord 9ml
Sweet Basil Cologne Accord 9ml
Amberwood Cologn

The Jo Malone holiday offerings are available October 2009 at Jo Malone Shops, jomalone.com, Bergdorf Goodman and select Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide. Jo Malone is available exclusively at Holt Renfrew in Canada.

Talking Makeup is excited to share with you shu uemura’s Artistic Director Gina Brooke’s latest creation of custom diamond eye shadow as part of Madonna’s new look for her Sticky & Sweet 2009 summer tour.

Madonna makeup with Gina Brook for shu uemura

Inspired by Madonna’s hit song “Ray of Light”, Brooke, who has been working with Madonna since 2002, transforms Madonna’s eyes nightly by applying a mixture of crushed, small flawless diamonds and white eye shadow to her lids. “The resulting brightness and glow from Madonna’s eyes captivate the audience and reinforces the fact that there are always new possibilities with make up – and no rules,” commented Brooke.

To create this sparkling and bright look, Brooke adds shu uemura’s ME White 906 Pressed Eye to provide a soft, gorgeous light-reflecting, diamond like effect. Brooke feels that any woman of any age can wear a shimmery, ethereal shade like ME White 906. A little sheen helps enhance the eyes and gives an instantly younger appearance. Madonna is always up for trying new things and I think all women should feel comfortable experimenting and enhancing their beauty – on stage or off,” stated Brooke.

Beginning with Madonna’s beautiful eyes, Brooke adds shu uemura’s ME White 906 Pressed Eye to provide a soft, gorgeous light-reflecting, diamondlike effect. “Since she is playing big stadiums, I decided to further enhance the shadow’s diamond-like effect by using real diamonds around

Gina Brooke’s collaborations with Madonna include three worldwide concert tours (Reinvention 2003, Confessions 2006 and Sticky & Sweet 2008) as well as numerous music videos, photo shoots and red carpet events. In 2004, Brooke collaborated with shu uemura to create a pair of custommade mink lashes for Madonna. In 2006, she took the idea to a revolutionary level by creating a pair of diamond and minkencrusted lashes for Madonna. After overwhelming interest from consumers, the shu uemura lashes were created and sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus for US$10,000 a pair.

Karl Lagerfeld will launch Kapsule, a trio of mix ‘n match unisex fragrances, this coming November.

It is Lagerfeld’s first fragrance project under new licensing arrangements with Coty; a company representative noted that: Lots of people are doing three fragrances, but only at an expensive price, as a limited edition. Here, the idea was to say we will propose a capsule wardrobe of fragrances…at a price that is in line with the market. 

Kapsule Light was developed by perfumer Mark Buxton, and has notes of bitter orange, jasmine, nutmeg, clove and musk.

Kapsule Floriental was developed by perfumer Emilie Coppermann; the notes are ivy leaf, violet and black tea.

Kapsule Woody was developed by perfumer Olivier Cresp and features cedar, moss and plum.

Karl Lagerfeld Kapsule new Fragrance  will be exclusive to Neiman Marcus in the US through early 2009.

via: Now Smell This.