ProductWhores

Doll Lashes

I have tried Lancome mascaras in the past (huge fan of Definicils, I have to say), however with the hefty price tag and the fact I've become a Cover Girl Lash Blast addict, I haven't touched the Lancome counter for mascara in forever.  Well, this all changed as soon as I saw the ads for the new Hypnose Doll Lashes mascara (those three wide-eyed fifties-looking chicks converted me) and I ran to the Macy's counter this weekend to buy it.  This stuff is amazing - I completely love it. Yeah, it's 25 bucks, but my lashes look ridiculously awesome even if I don't use any liner.  The brush has a fat end and a skinny end and as long as you follow the instructions (outer edge gets the fat end and the inner edge gets the skinny end) you will be as happy as I am.  No clumping, even coverage and definitely lifts and extends my lashes (it does work even better if you use liner and an eyelash curler).  Bonus for me (and the real reason I decided to buy Doll Lashes right away) I scored the bonus gift this past weekend, which comes in an adorable cosmetic bag.  Gotta love bonuses (monetary, too, if my boss is reading this...)

Lancôme Définicils Precious Cells High Definition Amplifying Mascara

This month, Lancome released Définicils Precious Cells High Definition Amplifying Mascara, a brand new mascara, which is exclusive to Nordstrom and nordstrom.com.    This new formula is infused with Swiss Apple Extract, "a revolutionary plant derivative that reinforces and protects lashes" which translates to the apperance of thicker, longer lashes.  They have invented a technologically-advanced brush which has smaller bristles, perfect for coating each and every lash, without clumping.  I, for one am dying to try it so a trip to Nordstrom is on my agenda for this weekend.  The mascara is getting great reviews online, but I would love to know if anyone has tried it yet.  What do you think?  Retails for $29.00.

Photo courtesy of Lancome

Declaring Indigo

Lancôme's new fall collection, Declaring Indigo, was created by their artistic director for makeup Aaron De Mey and is meant to celebrate the vibrancy of Paris.  Aaron chose shades of indigo blue, bright red and luxurious gold that are meant to represent the energy and passion of Paris.  (As a side note, the first time I went to Paris I was in college and had the flu and we stayed in a gross hostel and it was raining and it all kind of sucked.  I was like, "THIS is the city everyone raves about?  I do not like it."  And then I went back a few years later when I wasn't sick and we stayed in a gorgeous hotel right across from the Opera House and I fell completely in love with the city.  Now I can't get enough of Paris.  If I lived in London [like I do in my fantasies] I would totally take the Chunnel to Paris every weekend and eat their ridiculous pastries and write in my journal along the Seine before I met my cute French boyfriend for dinner.  That sounds much better than most of my weekends in Los Angeles).  Anyway... Declaring Indigo has some fantastic products in it, including the Indigo Paris polish above, which I must get my hands on ASAP. 

The only product that I've tried so far is the Ink Artliner in Indigo Charm and it's a winner.  It's the most gorgeous deep blue shade and the gel formula has a creamy texture that makes it easy to apply.  And once it's on, it goes nowhere.  It really stayed put for me all day without getting all over my eye area, which is key for me with such a bold color.  I'll definitely be wearing it out at night with a nude lip and tons of mascara.  Love! 

Pout-à-Porter Returns

This is exciting news.  Lancôme is bringing back the Pout-à-Porter Lipstick series!  The last four lipsticks that they released in that collection were gorgeous (they included collaborations with uber-designers Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som and Thakoon). All four of the shades sold out (one Proenza Pink lipstick even sold for $122.50 on eBay!) 
 
For Spring 2010, Lancôme is collaborating with up and coming designer Chris Benz and in honor of that, they're doing a lipstick naming contest that was announced on Chris Benz’s Facebook fan page today.  The new shade will be inspired by Chris’ Spring 2010 collection and will be worn by the models at his show in September. The contest winner gets a fantastic five tubes of the lipsticks PLUS a $500 Lancôme gift certificate.  All you have to do is post your shade name suggestion on Chris’ Facebook fan page based on what you know about Chris and his fashion personality.   (You can find his page here).  The deadline for submissions is Sunday, July 12th, at 5 p.m. EST, so put your thinking caps on!  (I just went to the page myself and someone suggested calling it "Boobular."  Heeeee!)

Lancôme’s Spring 2009 Collection

Lancôme’s new Spring 2009 Collection, Pink Irreverence, gets its inspiration from French heroines Madame Bovary, Sylvie Fleurie, Marie Curie and Brigitte Bardot.  It pairs bright, bold pinks with deep blacks and boasts both shiny and pure matte textures.  Here are the full details of the limited-edition collection, which is on counters now.

La Laque Fever Full Color Lipshine ($26):

• Electric Pink
• Optical Rose
• Lucent Nude
• Iridescent

Color Design Eyeshadow Quad ($42):

• Irreverent Madame (How fantastic are the mix of shades in this compact?)

Laque Liner  ($25):

• Pure Black
• Pure Sparkle

Color Design Illuminator for Eyes and Face ($20):

• High Expectations
• Hard To Get

Color Fever Gloss ($25):

• Piha Black

Le Vernis Nail Polish ($18):

• Piha Black
• Sassiness (A gorgeous pink, Lancôme calls this "the ultimate color of spring”) 

What am I dying for from this collection?  Well, I'm definitely going to have to pick up the Piha Black Color Fever Gloss, since I missed it when it came out in the fall and have been kicking myself ever since.  And I think I'm going to need the matching Piha Black Nail Polish - it's the perfect pedicure color (I don't think I can pull it off on my hands without looking like Morticia Addams).  I'll have to make a trip to the mall for it though, since it's already sold out online (oh, the things I do to feed my addiction...)  I also can't stop thinking about the Electric Pink Lipshine - it's the perfect vibrant color to transition into spring with.  Ooh la la!   

Dark Lips For Fall

If you've picked up any of the huge September fall fashion issues of any magazine, you know that super dark (even black!) lips are the look for fall.  But while I can totally appreciate the beauty of this look on the models in Vogue, let's just say I look considerably LESS fashionable with it.  (I actually kind of look like I'm dressing up as a vampire for Halloween - definitely not high fashion on me).  But I'm still interested in ways that I can incorporate this look for fall, and according to Lancôme, a good way to ease into the look is with black lip gloss, since a low-pigment black gloss is easy to wear alone (I'm a little doubtful of this on me, but we'll see...).  You can also blend the black gloss with other colors to make your own dark shades for autumn (I'm really curious to see how that would look with a few of the lipsticks I already own).

In November, Lancôme will be debuting Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black as part of a luxurious lip set created by Aaron de Mey, their new artistic director for makeup. For $48, the kit contains the black gloss and Color Fever Lipstick in Piha Red, which was inspired by the red of a Christian Louboutin sole.  (And what girl doesn't love that color?)  The idea is to wear each color alone or to come up with your own shade by mixing them together (as shown on the color on the lips above, which I totally love and can't wait to try and recreate myself).

Only 500 of the sets will be available in the United States, and they'll be found exclusively at the Bloomingdale’s 59th Street location in NYC, on lancome-usa.com and at the five Lancôme boutiques.  If you'd like to put yourself on the just opened waiting list at Bloomingdale’s, just call (212) 705-2886 to get your name on the list.

Photo courtesy of Lancôme

Purchase With Purchase!

Grey is the hot color for fall, and thanks to Lancôme, you can now get a cute grey tote to start your season off right.  Right now, when you purchase anything at a Lancôme counter, for only $35 you can get your hands on an adorable grey and burgundy tote that's filled with deluxe samples of their best-sellers.   Samples include: Color Fever gloss and lipstick, Color Design eye shadow quad, Blush Subtil, Hypnôse mascara, Bi-Facil, Absolue Premium Bx face and night cream, and a three piece brush set.  This purchase with purchase is available at Bergdorf Goodman and Belk Lancôme counters, but only while supplies last, so you better hurry.  A girl can never have too many bags!  (Or deluxe samples!)

Photo courtesy of Lancôme

Sparkling Jewels

Can you believe fall makeup collections are already being released?  It's crazy that it's the middle of July (and ridiculously hot and humid in L.A. right now) but we're already thinking of autumn colors.  It's kind of exciting - when I start sweating the second I get out of the shower, it's nice to dream about cold days coming back again (cold being relative in Los Angeles, I guess...) 

Lancôme has launched its new fall collection Maharani Jewels online already (it hits stores this month) and it looks like another winner.  The collection pays homage to India by using colors associated with the country, where Lancôme arrived last year.  Here's the official description:  "From deeply colored spices, to the natural hues of the landscape, to vibrant pigments that color traditional Saris, to the gemstone-toned jewels that adorn the neck of a Maharani, or princess, each of these rich pieces highly influenced Lancôme’s fall palette."

By far the item I'm most excited about is the Poudre Elephant Teint bronzer powder.  Seriously, how adorable is it?  I LOVE the little elephant on it and the color looks great too.  Still, I love the elephant so much, I don't know if I'll even be able to bring myself to use it!  I feel like it's so pretty, I'll want to carry it around in my purse and use the compact as a mirror because it'll just make me happy to see the little elephant when I'm having a bad day.  The collection also includes two new Maharani Color Design Eye Shadow Quads in Lotus Splendor and Secrets of Benghal and three new Le Crayon Khôl Kajal smoky eyeliner pencils.  And for the lips, there are six new Juicy Tubes in bright, bold colors meant to represent the fashions of India.  (I already have my eye on at least three of them!) They're in cute India-esque packaging too so you can tell them apart from your "regular" Juicy Tubes.

The collection is on sale now on Lancôme's website.  The great thing is - they might be fall colors, but they're perfect for hot summer nights as well.  Happy shopping!

Photo courtesy of Lancôme

Catch This Fever

This summer, I'm all about shimmery lip glosses.  First, I fell hard for MAC's Dazzleglass, and now I'm crushing on Lancôme's Color Fever Gloss.  Available in a wide variety of colors from bright red to light pink, these glosses are currently holding a place of honor in my (ridiculously big) bag.  They're a great texture for a gloss - not sticky or tacky at all, but smooth and moisturizing (almost more like a liquid lipstick).  All three colors that I tested were super shiny, but in a subtle way, which I like (they didn't scream, "I dance in Vegas on the weekends" like some of the other ones I've tried).  They have decent staying power for a gloss, probably due partly to the unique patented Lip-Sculpt applicator.  I like it MUCH better than the standard lip gloss wand - it deposits gloss evenly across your lips and doesn't glop it all in one place, so you're not wasting product or ending up with lopsided lips if you're not near a mirror (so embarrassing!)  My favorite shade?  Tumultuous.  If you're looking for a great shimmery bronze to wear all summer, look no further. 

Color Fever Glosses retail for $23 and are available everywhere Lancôme is sold and at Lancôme-USA.com.

Photo courtesy of Lancôme

Lancôme's Power Mascara

Exciting news from Lancôme, which is already the number one luxury mascara brand in the world.  This fall, they're launching an amazing new mascara called Ôscillation.  It will provide users with a 360-degree coat around every single lash.  Wow!  The vibrating brush will have no fewer than 7,000 vibrations per minute, giving you the perfect application.  Ôscillation is so unique that it has four patents for technology and formula.  It was created by a team led by Jean-Louis Guéret, the designer of all Lancôme mascara brushes and the creator of nearly 400 mascaras during his storied career.  (400?!  Why do I suddenly feel like I've done nothing with my life?)  My only complaint is that I'll have to wait until fall to get my hands on it.  I need instant gratification, dammit!

Photo courtesy of Lancôme