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.

Chris Benz Signing Lancôme’s Chris & Tell lipsticks tomorrow at Saks NYC! Are you looking for the Chris Benz Chris & Tell lipstick, here’s one of their last chances to get it. Chris is doing a personal appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter in Manhattan tomorrow 2/18/2010. Chris will be signing lipsticks and sharing the inspiration for his Spring 2010 collection. Saks is the official retailer for Chris & Tell and this is one of the only counters that has any lipsticks left (and only because a special batch was reserved for Chris’s P.A.!).

Chris & Tell, as you may know, was created specifically for the Chris Benz Spring 2010 presentation held in September 2009. Since its debut earlier this month, it’s become one of the fastest-selling lipsticks in the Lancôme Pout-à-Porter designer lipstick series. Six hundred of the lipsticks sold on lancome-usa.com in just 48 hours. Beauty aficionados have already snatched up most of the supply and some have already popped up on eBay.

Chris is happy to sign previously purchased lipsticks too, so if you or your readers already have a Chris & Tell, feel free to stop by. Joining Chris will be makeup artist extraordinaire Daniel Martin, co-creator of the gorgeous peachy coral lipstick, the Lancôme team and some of his favorite models, who will be wearing the clothing and the makeup look from the Spring show.

WHAT WHEN & WHERE:
Chris Benz Personal Appearance
Thursday, Feb. 18th, 2010
Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter
Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets
5 to 7 p.m.

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 .

On my last trip to Sephora I fell in love with Gucci perfumes! It was Flora By Gucci. I also loved Gucci By Gucci Eau de Parfum.

Did you know? The inspiration for the Flora By Gucci fragrance originates from an iconic design from the Gucci archives that was rediscovered by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and has been the catalyst for several of Gucci’s most popular products.

From its original incarnation as a silk scarf specifically designed for Princess Grace in 1966, to the sought-after accessories and ready to wear designed by Giannini in the 21st century, Flora has proven to posses a timeless allure. The Flora world today includes sunglasses as well as the expanding fragrance collection. Fragrance Notes: Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, Sandalwood.

The Flora By Gucci product line will be available globally starting January 2010. It will be supported in traditional retail outlets as well as sold online at the new Flora micro website, www.florabygucci.com  . The microsite is dedicated to the entire world of Flora and allows for an interactive exchange of ideas and imagery for Flora fans globally.

The range
Eau de Parfum 1.0 fl.oz $60.00
Eau de Parfum 1.6 fl.oz $80.00
Eau de Parfum 2.5 fl.oz $100.00

Flora by Gucci Eau de Parfum is available February 2010 at Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide.

Talking Makeup is excited to share with you Lancôme’s chic gift-with-purchase promotion that runs until this Saturday, January 30th, exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Spend $50 with Lancôme and here’s what you can walk away with: A black mini bowling bag filled with a slew of makeup samples, such as a Color Design eye shadow compact featuring several star shades, Color Design Lipcolor in Pale Lip and the always-popular Définicils Mascara. Choose your own anti-aging trio, including a day cream, eye cream and serum, from the Rénergie, High Résolution or Absolue Premium βx collections.

Last week I had the pleasure to meet with Giorgio Armani celebrity face designer Tim Quinn at Saks Fifth Avenue Biltmore in Phoenix. I had fabulous time chatting with Tim and also getting my makeup done. One of the products that caught my attention was the  Giorgio Armani Mascara Top Coat Gold. I love shimmer (you know me) but shimmer on my lashes, my beauty world couldn’t be any better. I have got to have it! After Tim applied Eyes To Kill mascara by Giorgio Armani Beauty on my lashes he added a coat of the Mascara Top Coat Gold. My lashes and eyes sparkled like no tomorrow, and Marta was very happy:)

From left: Marta Walsh, Giorgio Armani celebrity face designer Tim Quinn, and Giorgio Armani Mascara Top Coat Gold

Giorgio Armani Mascara Top Coat Gold: Sparkling top coat mascara creates a luminous and sophisticated shimmer effect on your lashes. The limited edition mascara has a professional applicator for perfect lash separation and definition. $28.00

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. 3×400g 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. 6×9ml 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. 6×30ml 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.

Introducing the Romantic Collection for Fall 2009 and the Golden Beams Collection for Holiday 2009: two new collections showcasing new colours, new attitude and new direction. Inspired by Dolce & Gabbana’s gravitation toward surrealism, each palette embraces a bold insouciance and a sexy spontaneity that challenges the archetypal face of beauty with the revolutionary Dolce & Gabbana aesthetic.

Created for the Dolce & Gabbana woman who seeks a look that’s at once disarmingly assertive and simultaneously seductive, The Make Up captures implicit femininity and explicit sensuality, specially designed for the woman who chooses a life of passion, full-on glamour and ultimate luxury. She aspires to perfection and achieves it; takes risks and succeeds.

The Romantic Collection – Fall 2009

Inspired by Surrealism, the Dolce & Gabbana A/W 09 runway collection echoes both revolutionary sensibility and rebellious spirit. Just as the Surrealists eschewed the conventional to embrace the unpredictable and explore the unimaginable, Dolce & Gabbana break the rules both on the runway and with a new collection of Make Up for fall, tracing the fine line between dreams and reality to create an innovative glamour that teases and provokes.

“We worship the surrealists; they pushed the limits-and proved that anything is possible,” says Stefano Gabbana, “With the Romantic Collection, the idea is to break away from the expected to transform beauty, creating a look that is about ultimate fantasy.”

“And the ultimate luxury,” adds Domenico Dolce, “After all, the ultimate luxury is to dream and, for the Dolce & Gabbana woman, the dream should always be a reality.” The Romantic Collection showcases tone against tone contrast via a rich new range of pinks-from delicate to vibrant to shocking – with a fresh shimmer to lend natural luminosity. Lustrous new shades share a balance of the sensual and the subversive to embody Dolce & Gabbana signature glamour. A key “Romantic” Look

Legendary make-up artist Pat McGrath collaborates closely with Dolce & Gabbana to create the beauty look with select Make Up classics paired with brilliant new shades. Explicit and ethereal pinks are imbued with light; deep neutrals are refined and distinctive. The look lends an air of romance and a sense of intimacy with lucid washes of pure colour and sensuality. A truly feminine aura that’s both suggestive and assertive; the look is exuberant with weightless layering of tone against tone pinks, that coalesce in a seamless elegance that is at once fresh and cool. Moist, voluptuous lips beckon and seduce – soft-sculpted and defined with Soft, a new shade of the classic lipstick and the lipliner. The same hue adds sophistication to nails, through the new Soft shade of the nail lacquer. are delicate, yet smoldering with the eyeshadow duo in Rose, enhanced with the mascara in Black. Cheeks appear lightly flushed with the blush in new Delight.

The Romantic Collection is intimate yet ephemeral with a glaze of pinks dissolving into a rush of strong femininity “The Rose palette brings the collection to a new level; Dolce & Gabbana wanted to take risks with colour, texture, mood – and at the same time capture the essence of each element,” says Pat McGrath.

“While the focus is on the eyes – very sexy, very daring – the soft voluptuous lips add an intensity that’s erotic. The rose look is very romantic, almost ethereal – yet very sophisticated.”

The Romantic Collection – Fall 2009

THE PRODUCTS

For the Lips Recommended Price the lipstick

Classic Cream Lipstick in Soft 65 (new) $30 USD
Shine Lipstick in Naked 60 $30 USD
Shine Lipstick in Drama 90 $30 USD

the lipliner
Precision Lipliner in Soft 6 (new) $30 USD

the lipgloss
Ultra Shine Lipgloss in Baby 75 (new) $29 USD

For the Eyes

the eyeshadow
Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Rose 90 (new) $36 USD
Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Dazzling 160 $59 USD

the mascara
Volumized Lashes in Black 1 $28 USD

the eyeliner
Crayon Intense in Platinum 6 (new) $29 USD

For the Face Recommended Price

the blush
Luminous Cheek Colour in Delight 35 (new) $44 USD

the foundation
Perfect Finish Powder Foundation in Creamy 80 $59 USD

For the Nails

the nail lacquer

Intense Nail Lacquer in Soft 205 (new) $20 USD
Intense Nail Laquer in Pink 100 $20 USD

DOLCE&GABBANA THE ROMANTIC COLLECTION is on counter from September 2009 at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores and saks.com.

The Golden Beams Collection – Holiday 2009

The Golden Beams Collection for Holiday 2009 captures the precious singularity of golden tones with a rare depth and an unexpected eroticism, celebrating three ultra femme variations on golden translucence, anchored by the drama and depth of surreal fantasy. Dolce & Gabbana use captivating contrasts to take beauty to a new level of decadence.

A trio of modern-minded golds – Yellow Gold, White Gold and Rose Gold – glaze, flicker and interact to reveal one sublime look that is at once sexy and glamorous.

“Gold has always been a Dolce & Gabbana signature,” notes Stefano Gabbana. “This collection, based on three shades of gold,” adds Domenico Dolce, “encompasses the sensual, natural and romantic nuances of surreal femininity.”

The collection includes supple textures to enchant and seduce with glints of gold from an exclusive palette of glistening to pearly tones. A harmony of effortless precision results in a look that’s irresistibly off balance – and daringly, distinctively Dolce & Gabbana.

A Key “Golden Beams” Look

A seductive shimmer informs a play of matte neutrals and golds to create a complete face of beauty for the Holiday season that is polished and luxurious. The look showcases precious yellow, white and rose gold shades to create provocative, atonal precision. The eyes are intense, illuminated with a warmth that appears to glow from within. A play of fine metallics lends an ephemeral shimmer and shine to a rich warm patina of matte brown with the new eyeshadow quad in Gold. Featuring the 3 golds gleam, the look is underscored by the mascara in Black while the eyeliner in Gold adds depth and definition.

Cheeks are suffused with soft light with a new shade of the blush in Caramel. Bold red lips in Sparkling, a new shade of the shine lipstick, mirror the luminosity of the eyes with a creamy intensity. The nail laquer in Royal add a subtle sexy finish.

“Golden Beams is full of drama, but it’s a discreet drama,” says Pat McGrath. “The play of opposites-the brown and golds, the matte and shine – is so key; the look is quite daring and evocative-yet also very ladylike, polished and elegant.”

The Visual

The Golden Beams Collection renders and reinterprets this fiery femininity anew with a poignant spectrum of colour that invites infinite possibilities – with ultimate golden girl, Scarlett Johansson. Johansson, who epitomizes the smoldering sophistication of the Dolce & Gabbana woman in all her many glamorous guises, is joined in the new Holiday campaign by David Gandy, the ultimate Dolce & Gabbana man.

The Golden Beams Collection

THE PRODUCTS

For the Lips Recommended Price

the lipstick
Classic Cream Lipstick in Fire 235 (new) $30 USD
Shine Lipstick in Sparkling 65 (new) $30 USD
Shine Lipstick in Gold 70 $30 USD

the lipliner
Precision Lipliner in Fire 5 (new) $30 USD

the lipgloss
Ultra Shine Lipgloss in Magic 145 (new) $29 USD

For the Eyes

the eyeshadow
Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Golds 125 (new) $59 USD
Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Gold 130 $36 USD

the mascara
Volumized Lashes in Black 1 $28 USD

the eyeliner
Crayon Intense in Gold 3 $29 USD

For the Face Recommended Price

the blush
Luminous Cheek Colour in Caramel 25 (new) $44 USD

the bronzer
Glow Bronzing Powder in Natural 10 $47 USD

For the Nails

the nail lacquer
Intense Nail Lacquer in Fire 125 (new) $20 USD
Intense Nail Lacquer in Royal 165 (new) $20 USD

DOLCE&GABBANA THE GOLDEN BEAMS COLLECTION is on counter from October 2009 at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores and saks.com.

In celebration of NARS 15th anniversary, François Nars made a special personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue – signing copies of his books X-Ray and Makeup Your Mind as well as the limited-edition NARS Loves New York and 15th Anniversary Big Love Set.

X-Ray (1999), the wildly successful photography book and collector’s item, Makeup Your Mind (2001), the ultimate instructional makeup manual featuring the world’s most recognizable models, NARS Loves New York Set containing an assortment of four classic products resurrected from the archives by François Nars specifically for the women of New York and re-named after iconic names in the city, and the 15th Anniversary Big Love Set including eight NARS best sellers housed in a travel train case, were available for sale at the NARS counter during this time.

 A talented team of NARS makeup artists offered customers in-store consultations with the NARS Loves New York Set and the Holiday collection.

I’ve been following Brian Atwood on Twitter for some quite time now, and I’m totally fascinated with his talent as a top shoe designer. I would love to meet with Brian one day and chat with him about his world of fashion and shoe design!

Brian Atwood

Here is a cool interview and a sneak peek to Brian Atwood’s world of shoes. Brian tweeted about it today: “Check this video out — Saks Fifth Avenue Presents Brian Atwood…”

Get to know today’s hottest shoe designer, Brian Atwood, up-close and personal. He stops by Saks for a sit-down interview to discuss women, inspirations, celebs and, of course, shoes. Follow him to Saks famous shoe floor where he picks the must-haves from his spring collection. This is one that’s not to be missed.