Beauty

Buy it now: Chanel Les Beiges



This Chanel Les Beiges sample has been sitting in its box for weeks because I was too scared to use it. I’ve never used bronzers because I don’t know where to position them, but I finally couldn’t resist this sand-hued compact (a first for Chanel) and went for the plunge.

Verdict: Peter Philips has triumphed again with this elegant Healthy Glow Sheer Powder (with SPF15) which has barely perceptible golden specks that very subtly catch the light (I used shade 30). I’ve found the best way to use this is to be confident with the brush; swish it in a swooping figure-of-three type action along the side of the face from brow to chin, then a bit over the forehead and nose. The results are so impressive – a natural, outdoorsy ‘wellness’ effect.

I think this is going to be my hero product for the summer although the only downside is it’s quite heavily scented so that’s something to get used to. It’s selling fast but Selfridges currently has all the shades.



Beauty social networks ‘are a marketer’s paradise’…




I often trawl The Fashion Spot forums to research new fashion ad campaigns and magazine editorials but I’m not so well up on the beauty forums. The New York Times has an interesting piece on beauty review sites like She Said Beauty and Pampadour, which let consumers talk to each other about beauty products before they buy. Sephora’s beauty network, Beauty Talk gives its super-users advance info on new products which is a nice perk as well as a good way to keep them contributing to the site (unsurprisingly, Beauty Talk members spend more money on the site than regular customers). Read the story here



Beauty bits: Michael Kors, NARS, Jo Malone London, Into The Gloss, & Other Stories, YSL, My Beauty Emporium



COMING SOON: MICHAEL KORS MAKE-UP
The Michael Kors machine is about to get even bigger with the announcement of his colour cosmetics line arriving in August. He already has a hugely successful fragrance market (the scented Michael Kors leg shine is one of my all-time favourite products), but this beauty line is set to send his stock even higher. (more…)



Last chance: So Dior at Harrods



Gosh isn’t there a lot going on with retail right now? Online may be the all-powerful monster threatening the high street, but bricks and mortar stores are fighting back by ramping up the drama and excitement on offer.

This weekend is your last chance to get involved in the multi-sensory experience that is Dior at Harrods. (more…)