The Friday Forum - August 19

The Chantecaille fall collection has launched at Chantecaille's Web site, but I'll bet you didn't know that starting next Tuesday, August 23, Chantecaille will be offering the gift with purchase shown above at Chantecaille.com (with a minimum purchase of $200). The beautiful makeup bag is stocked with deluxe samples of Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser, Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask, the gorgeous Pelates fragrance, and a mini Elation Brilliant Lip Gloss. Wouldn't next week be the perfect time to pick up your fall makeup from Chantecaille? With the exquisite New Classic Palette, Gel Liner Pencils, new Lip Chics, and the innovative Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara available, I know you'll develop the I-wants as quickly as I did. Why not enjoy a little lagniappe too?



The third weekend in August is always an exciting time for me. That's when the International Gem and Jewelry Show comes to Chantilly at the Dulles Expo Center. The huge hall will be filled with vendors later today, selling everything from fragrances (yes, oddly) and knock-offs to the best in fashion jewelry and the finest of fine jewelry. While the August show is never as exciting as the December one, I always find something I can't live without. Later today, I'll be shopping for the very trends we saw at Neiman Marcus last weekend, but at wholesale prices. Anyone can go (you don't have to be a dealer), so if you live in the DC area, make sure to pop over. It's always worth the trip. I'm going to try to constrain my spending very carefully.



Before I visit the jewelry show, I'm going over to Saks Chevy Chase to pick up the Chanel No. 19 Poudre that Loyd Cassler rang for me earlier this week. It launches today, August 19, Coco Chanel's birthday. She was born in 1883, and I think it's safe to say her impact on fashion and beauty was remarkable. I've tested No. 19 Poudre several times, and I'm excited to be the proud owner of, as one of my fragrance expert friends says, a full bottle. Little did I know that collectives of like-minded souls buy and split bottles of new fragrances - until I met the wizard who can find anything.



I tweeted this week that anyone interested in Le Métier de Beauté's new skin care should pre-order it soon. It launches Monday. I think the demand for the initial shipments will quickly overwhelm the stock. If you don't have a favorite LMdB counter, please call either one of my two friends - either will take good care of you. Dustin Lujan is at LMdB at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. Kathy Shoreman at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria told me to go ahead and put her cell phone number on the blog (she may regret that once the heavy-breathing calls start). It's 571-212-8399.



It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers have moved on.



The giveaway contest for the new Fall 2011 Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich Lipstick in R7 ends tomorrow, August 20 at midnight. It's a gorgeous lipstick, inside and out.



Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

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New David Yurman Fragrances - The Essence Collection

Who doesn't adore David Yurman's jewelry (I stop by the counter often just to drool)? I'm an avid colored gems fan, and his designs are beautiful. I will never forget my jealousy when a friend at work (Kirk) would appear after Christmas wearing her new David Yurman jewelry. Her family certainly has good taste!

Now David Yurman has given us a second, inexpensive way to wear his creations with his Essence Fragrance Eau de Toilette Collection. The Essence Collection includes three evocative scents, each echoing the artistry of David Yurman’s signature jewelry and the emotions associated with three of his favorite gemstones - lustrous pink tourmaline, vivid peridot, and glistening citrine. Each essence is identified with a personal touch from Sybil Yurmam, a fluid brushstroke of paint mirroring the gemstone-inspired color.

In the spirit of David Yurman's jewelry, the Essence Collection is designed to be worn alone or paired, mixed to create an expression that is as individual and effortless as the woman herself. The Essence Collection has been artfully sculpted for the sense of smell by renowned master perfumer and creator of the original David Yurman fragrance, Harry Fremont of Firmenich.

The three scents span the range of fragrance types, with at least one for every taste. From floral to "floriental," you will find one you like.

Delicate Essence (Pink Tourmaline) is a modern floral, romantic and feminine. The top notes notes are pink pepper, lotus blossom, and sparkling orange. The mid-notes are pink peony blossom, wild rose, and rose absolute. The dry base notes are sheer amber, blonde woods, and musk. I knew I would love it, and I do. The floral notes are perfect for me, and the pink pepper gives it pizzaz - excitement, energy, and a spirit all its own. The amber and woods give it a lingering base.

Fresh Essence (Peridot) is fruity-floral, crisp and playful. It's also right up my alley. I'm wearing it now. It's fruity, which I love, but fortunately not terribly sweet. I'm sure you've smelled fresh, crisp, green fruity fragrances; they have notes that make their fruits sparkle. This one's special. The top notes are sparkling apple, cassis, juicy red fruits, and fresh greens. The middle notes are rose, peony, and water lily. The dry base notes are soft musk, cashmere woods, and cedar wood.

Exotic Essence (Citrine) is mysterious and sensual. It has an oriental flair to my nose (my first impression was correct, confirmed on the Web site). The top notes are sparkling mandarin through and through. The middle notes are Casablanca lily, rose petals, exotic woods, and patchouli (the patchouli, though soft, means this is not "my" fragrance). The dry base notes are vanilla absolute, amber, warm musk, Australian sandalwood, and peach skin. The warm base notes dominate Exotic Essence, making what otherwise might be floral a deeper fragrance - one you might wear at night to entice. I know that there are many of you who don't share my limited fragrance preferences (usually florals, fruits, and aquatics). This is your fragrance! It's complex and original.

The Essence Collection ($85.00 for 3.4 fluid ounces) is now available at Bloomingdale's, David Yurman boutiques, and DavidYurman.com. I received generous samples from Mr. Yurman's PR firm - and feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to wear these new, unique fragrances. You would expect anything David Yurman touched to be gorgeous, and the Essence Collection is.

Photo courtesy of David Yurman

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