Marla's Beauty Blog

New and a Classic?

2012-02-06T10:24:00.005-05:00

I always get in an eyeshadow rut. Same base, same crease color, day after day. I was in our Bethesda store the other day and one of bluemercury’s makeup artist experts said, “Have you tried Trish McEvoy’s Rose Gold?” I hadn’t. She put it on me and I am hooked. A rose, coppery gold with a little shimmer – it is the perfect shadow to transition to spring. Warm, neutral and exciting, this is my daily shadow on top of my favorite base shadow of all time, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Bone. I am definitely adding Rose Gold to my Trish Planner!

Nude, Nude Lip

2012-02-02T14:27:00.006-05:00

Now I’m slightly sick and feverish. After 3 nights caring for sick kids, it was inevitable. Too much to do, so I headed to the office. I threw on a black cozy sweater, pearls, a leather skirt and suede boots and was feeling like no makeup today. So, I experimented with the nudist of nude lips. I started with Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Baby, so creamy but sheer I can’t decide if it is a lipstick or a sheer gloss. (By the way, I have three of these at all times, one in my cosmetics drawers, one in my Trish planner and one in my purse!)

I then added a dab of Trish McEvoy Lip Gloss in Shimmery Pink* (found deep in my lip gloss bin) on the center of my upper and lower lip and pressed my lips together. The gentle shimmer in this catches a little sunlight and helps me look not so ill. Sometimes you need just a little lip to make it through the day!

*Trish McEvoy Lip Gloss in Shimmery Pink is not being made any more, but Trish McEvoy Flawless Lip Color in Seduction is a close substitute!

Up All Night Makeup

2012-01-31T10:34:00.008-05:00

No, I was not out partying. I was up all night last night with a sick kid. 103 degree fever, breathing on me all night as I hugged her, hoping it would go down so she could sleep. Needless to say I woke up the next morning dragging and trying to get out the door.

My skin, surprisingly, looked okay (thank you Vitamin C serum)!

I quickly used Trish McEvoy Brush #11 with the Arabian Nights Eye Definer to line my eyes.

I used NARS The Multiple in South Beach on my cheeks.

I put Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara on my lashes.

I lined my lips with T. LeClerc Lip Pencil in Tendre and swiped a little NARS Lip Gloss in Sweet Revenge on top.

Voila – 5 minute makeup and done. Presentable enough for being up all night. . .

New, Fab and Hydrating!

2012-01-06T13:27:00.004-05:00

I came back from winter break with a slight sunburn and dry, tough skin. (Yes, shame on me, it is a long story about being stranded without shoes, money or sunscreen on an island with three kids.) Waiting for me on my desk was Revive’s new Moisturizing Renewal Cream Supreme Ultra Retexturizing Hydrator. Now honestly, I would buy this just on the name. (Just kidding!) The truth is, after one night, my skin is smooth, hydrated and glowing. The cream has a rich, whipped texture and a delicious soft orange scent. I am in love. . .

Oldies but Goodies - Fall Makeup

2011-10-07T10:56:00.030-04:00

I felt like I was stuck in an August makeup rut so I rummaged through my makeup drawers for some fall colors. Here are my new addictions to old products for fall:

1. Laura Mercier Chestnut Lip Pencil. This goes with any fall neutral - it's the only lip pencil I am gravitating towards right now.

2. Nars Belize Lip Gloss. The perfect light nude to go with high drama eyes, which I love.

3. Bobbi Brown Caviar Eye Shadow + Trish McEvoy Brush 11 Precise Eye Lining. This is the perfect fall eyeliner. The color is the deepest chocolate with a hint of amethyst but looks almost black. Perfect for day to night and is striking with leather - which is everywhere!

4. Nars Orgasm Multiple mixed with Nars Laguna Multiple. My skin color is so blah as we transition from summer to fall - orgasm brightens while the depth comes from bronzy Laguna.

I feel much better with my new old colors!

Cat Eyes for All

2011-08-26T11:16:00.021-04:00

This cover of the New York Times Fashion Magazine this past Sunday epitomizes fall to me. Dramatic cat eyes go with all of the deep, rich hues of fall. Burgundy dresses, high chic leather boots, furs and shearlings, the glamour of fall demands smoky and daring eyes. It used to be hard to get this look, requiring the perfect steady hands plus the perfect mix of water and eyeliner. No more – there are so many new, one-step, easy to use products. From Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Colour to NARS’ Larger than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, drama and glamour is right around the corner for all of us. This look reminds me of the trademark makeup of one of my all time favorite fashion icon,
Carine Roitfeld, the former editor of Paris Vogue.

P.S. Need help with this – the bluemercury makeup artistry team is unbelievable at teaching tips and tricks!

A Facial for My 40+ Lips

2011-08-22T11:41:00.005-04:00

When I first started bluemercury (with my now husband!), I was 29. Our older clients used to come in and say it was bothering them that their lipstick feathered. While I knew this was a beauty problem, at 29, I just couldn’t relate. Now, at 41, I have that problem. As tiny little wrinkles have formed on the outside of my lips, my lipstick just doesn’t want to stay put. Lucky me, Bliss just sent me their brand new Fabulips Treatment Kit. A 4-step facial for your lips – I can’t decide which step is my favorite. Cleanse, scrub, plump, and hydrate – I love all of these products on their own. While the sugar lip scrub is too die for and the softening lip balm is one of the best around, I must admit, my favorite step is the peppermint tasting lip plumper. This is truly a facial for your lips. I highly recommend this post shower, pre-night-out on the town for the perfect, kissable baby lips.

U2's Bono and Skincare?

2011-07-18T11:45:00.009-04:00

I went to the U2 concert last night in Philadelphia outside at the Lincoln Financial Field with 100,000 of my closest friends. Despite the crowd - it was unbelievable. Summer night, 65 degrees, a full moon and Bono and the Edge at their best. "One," "Pride," "It's a Beautiful Day," "Vertigo," they know how to write and perform. Needless to say, my skin felt grimy and gross after. As I rustled through my bag, I found Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare's EZ4U Facial Towelettes. I wiped the grime off right away and my skin felt fresh and glowing. They are pocket size and very mobile. I highly recommend them....and U2.

Pure Magnificence: SPF 30 No Makeup Necessary

2011-06-29T11:45:00.004-04:00

I was fortunate enough to receive La Prairie's Anti-Aging Day Cream SPF 30 ($200) as a gift from La Prairie. I have been hoarding it and saving it for the summer. I have honestly never used a sunscreen that has been so perfect. I have been slathering it on in the morning, popping on mascara, eyeliner, a cream blush and lip gloss, and then running out the door. My skin looks hydrated, luminous and I get SPF 30 protection?! As I have been getting older (think 40+) I have been religious about using tinted moisturizer or foundation to even out my skin tone. Not necessary with this miracle cream. What a lucky discovery!

Note: I would not use this as a sport sunscreen (for tennis or beach), but it is the most perfect every day sunscreen ever!

Order from Bluemercury 2 – Westport, CT 203-222-9222 or Marlton, NJ 856-985-9226. Free shipping until July 31, 2011

Recess: Sunscreen Required

2011-05-13T13:03:00.012-04:00

My 8 year old daughter came home sunburned yesterday from school. Recess combined with the gorgeous May weather we are having is a recipe for disaster! I promptly put Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 and Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+ by the back door. These are the two sunscreens that my children like and find it easy to put on themselves. From now, until the end of school, our morning routine will include sunscreen application to cheeks, noses, foreheads and bare-arms!

Oh Boy!

2011-04-14T10:31:00.050-04:00

We were in Chanel's offices overlooking Central Park reviewing fall and holiday launches. There is a glorious staircase between the two floors which is a copy of the staircase in her Paris apartment. Carpeted in two of her favorite colors, beige and black, I felt like she was going to traipse down at any minute.

Even more glorious is Chanel's new lipstick - Rouge Coco Shine. The team gave me "Boy" to take with me, named after the love of Gabrielle Chanel's life. How romantic. And that is just what this color is - completely romantic. A soft pink, moisturizing, with a hint of glimmer. I felt so innocent and puppy love-ish when I tried it on last night. (Available at select Bluemercury and Bluemercury2 locations).

Got Laura?

2011-04-06T14:32:00.006-04:00

I was doing a little spring cleaning of my makeup and skincare drawers and realized that I am a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in nude addict. I had seven tubes that were 90% used up, what is it about that last 10%? Hydrating and light, I love this tint. It evens out my skin tone, without feeling like I have caked on foundation. The proof is in the picture.

When All Else Fails

2011-04-04T15:21:00.004-04:00

I went skiing with our family out to Colorado last week for spring break. We spent all day for five days on the mountain - through 60 degree sun and blizzards. Needless to say, I completely destroyed my skin. Between too much sun reflecting off the snow and 60 mph windburn, I came home with red, peeling, wrinkled skin. There was only one solution - Darphin Aromatic Care Oils. They were made for this sort of damage. I had prepared and brought Darphin Orange Blossom Aromatic Care with me and used it every night. But when I got home, the soothing, healing Darphin Chamomile Aromatic Care oil fixed my skin in two days. The difference is that oils are just pure moisture and protection. Creams and any sort of treatment would leave a burning sensation. A couple times a year, when I feel like nothing will help the aging, crepy, damaged look of my skin - I transition to the Darphin oils. I even got my husband using them - and he didn't even wear sunscreen on the mountain (I know, unimaginable). So when all else fails, apply oil.

Skiing Face

2011-03-31T14:14:00.033-04:00

Yes, I have a face for everything. Skiing is no exception. I couldn't go on the slopes bare faced. I was in layering mode. 1) Darphin Vitalprotection Age-Defying Protective Lotion SPF 50 for hydration and moisture. 2) Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. It is thicker than the Darphin SPF 50 and puts a stronger skin barrier against the elements. And, whether proven or not, I feel like it stays on my skin longer. 3) Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in light/medium to even out my skin tone. While layering SPF does not provide extra protection - these steps made my skin look hydrated and protected - and that was the most important to me. After a little eyeliner, mascara, and a nude lipstick, I was ready to take the family on the mountain. P.S. the kids had on Skinceuticals SPF 45 every day. They got a little wind burned, but no sunburn.

Quick Pick Me Up: Eye Energizer

2011-03-17T15:07:00.003-04:00

Between 3 kids and 30 stores, I often have extra wrinkles or bags under my eyes even after I put on my makeup in the morning. Enter Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel. I just tap this soothing, cooling gel on over my makeup and voila – my wrinkles disappear. I even resorted to carrying this convenient tube in my purse for a quick after lunch pick-me-up. Packed with caffeine, it is truly an under eye energizer that takes away my sleep shortage (or the appearance of it)!

A Wow Package from Fresh

2011-03-11T13:56:00.001-05:00

I came into the office this morning to a beautifully wrapped package from Fresh with 4 things in it:

1. The new, delicious Brown Sugar Shower Gel. Fresh’s signature scent – a lemony, sweet sugar escape – now in my shower? I can’t wait.

2. The hydrating heavenly, Brown Sugar Body Cream. Perfect for bare legs this spring.

3. Brown Sugar Candle. This is going straight into my bedroom

4. The magnificent Black Tea Age Delay Serum. Rich and full of antioxidants. I love this for under makeup.

I really do have the best job in the world!

What’s in My Purse: NARS Spring Lipglosses

2011-03-08T13:58:00.000-05:00

Francois NARS is the master at creating great color. I picked up two new lipglosses – Super Orgasm and Angelika. These are my go to for spring. Super orgasm is a sheer pink with a hint of coral and glitter. Angelika looks scary in the tube – bubble gum pink – but is the perfect daytime sheer happy pink. I bought two sets. One for home, one for my purse. You can never have enough lipgloss!

Soothing and Builds Collagen?

2011-03-07T14:23:00.000-05:00

Remede sent me their 360° Cellular Concentre Serum to try. A clear, cooling serum with firming brown algae, healing nymphae flower extract, and soothing vitamin E, it is perfect for those days where your skin needs a little TLC. I love it after a hot shower and before moisturizer.

Lips: New, Notable, and Lasting

2011-02-14T13:59:00.009-05:00

I popped into Bluemercury at Wildwood in Bethesda last weekend. One of my friends happened to be there and had just purchased two of Bobbi Brown's Rich Lip Color SPF 12. She picked up one in Crimson - a deep reddish brown - and another in Rose Blossom - a vibrant, bright rose. She is a brunette with skin that looks gorgeous golden-brown and tanned yearround, so of course, these colors were absolutely striking on her.

I, urgently, had to try these. Since I am on a nude kick, I picked up Bare Pink - a matte, hydrating, very light pinky/brown. I wore it all day - through my son's 4th birthday party - and did not have to reapply for 4 hours. This certainly is the most lasting, hydrating lipstick I own. I love this lipstick!

Perfect Valentine’s Treat

2011-02-02T09:44:00.004-05:00

I can’t help but love this Diptyque Roses Mini Candle. The scent – a delicate, sophisticated tender French rose – takes you to the start of spring. (Don’t we wish we were there – enough freezing cold weather already!). This is the perfect thank you gift for a best friend, sister, or mom.

Yearround Lip: The Perfect Nude

2011-01-28T11:45:00.013-05:00

Our Marlton team showed me a lip combo that I just can’t seem to stop wearing. Laura Mercier Lip Pencil in Chestnut with Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Baby. A warm, light-brown nude – this goes with every outfit from summer through winter. It’s just a hint of color so I don’t look dead, without being a color. At night, I can put any sort of mauve lipgloss over this to pop up the glamour. (Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush is perfect) With all of the nude lips showing on the runways for spring – this one is tailor-made and easy. (By the way – I keep this combo at home and a separate set in my purse – that’ s how much I love it!)

Secret Cure for Winter Time Skin Blahs

2011-01-12T17:09:00.005-05:00

My skin definitely has the winter time blahs: pale, pigmented, dull. The team at our Wildwood, Bethesda location (5 min from my house) recommended that I try Laura Mercier’s new Crème Smooth Foundation in Warm Ivory. It is a beautiful whipped foundation that comes in a jar and gives the most amazing coverage and moisture without looking pasty. It is so easy to put on – I use my fingers, just like putting on a moisturizer. My skin looks perfectly even and flawless – who doesn’t want that? This is my new secret weapon pre-work and pre-going out at night. With the dreary weather we all need a pick me up like this!

Pure Heaven

2010-09-14T12:47:00.005-04:00

I am in love. Darphin sent me an early holiday gift – a peek at their new dynamic duo – Predermine Firming Wrinkle Repair Serum and the Predermine Densifying Anti-Wrinkle Fluid. I can’t decide which I love more. Forget the science, which is compelling. It’s the pure luxury of the texture, scent, and the glow I get which has hooked me. The serum is light, hydrating, and gorgeous under my foundation. I already have a special post-foundation trick also – I tap a couple of drops onto my fingertips, rub it around in my hands and press it to my already made up face to set my makeup with an extra dose of dewiness.

In the morning have been alternating between the serum and the fluid – not really using both together – but choosing between luxuries. The fluid (lotion) is great for when I wake up with an extra pinch of tightness/dryness. I put it on under my primer. At night, I love it over my Skinceuticals Vitamin C Serum.

This morning, my husband asked me what new soap I was using to wash my face. He said it smelled unbelievable. I told him it was the Darphin Predermine Serum. Knowingly, he said, “Ah. . . Darphin.” He knows how much I love Darphin.

Pure love, pure heaven.

New Upper East Side Store: A Family Affair

2010-07-22T17:24:00.005-04:00

There is nothing like the energy around opening a new store. Take hundreds of boxes of beauty products, mix in a bunch of bluemercury veterans, and voila: new store. Today, we opened another bluemercury location! It is on 3rd at 75th in Manhattan - a perfect neighborhood store next to Citarella and near EJs diner. I adore this location. It was a fun store to set up - we had staffers that have been with bluemercury forever, our new team of beauty junkies - even my daughters (in the picture) helped clean some shelves. We are so excited to have a new store and new team members in the bluemercury family. Come check it out!

1311 Third Ave
New York, NY 10021
212-396-1500

Sheer Nars Perfection

2010-07-21T09:02:00.001-04:00

I often use the words NARS and perfection in the same sentence. Francois just knows how to do color, end of story, period. I spoke with Erin, our Marlton manager and product junkie extraordinaire on the phone and she told me I had to get the new NARS Multiple Tint in Cadaques. So I did. This is my new summer multiple from NARS. Although it looks like it is fluorescent magenta in the tube, it comes out as the perfect, sheer, happy, lively pink. This is my new go to for cocktail parties and dinners out. Love, love, love.

Inspiration, Transformation, & Tight, Healthy Skin

2010-07-15T09:25:00.004-04:00

Every year, in our sleepy shore town in New Jersey, there is a race on July 4th called the American Mile. The race goes the whole length of the town - one mile. I have been “in” this race for the past five years. Last year, 2009, I ran an inglorious 12 minute mile. After the awards ceremony, my daughter, who was six at the time turned to me and said, “How come you never win anything?”

Talk about a wake up call. She was right. Admittedly, I had had 3 children in a span of 5 years and was not in the greatest shape. I had been walking and doing a little biking, but nothing strenuous. So I decided last summer that I was going to step it up. I started running on the treadmill at the gym last fall. First,1 mile. Then 2 miles. By the spring I had worked up to 3.5 miles 3 to 4 times a week.

This July 4, 2010, I ran a 7 minute mile, and won first place for my age group. (Yes, 40+. In fact, they said I would have won for the 30+ group.) The best part for me – the excitement of my daughters when I went up to collect my medal.

What’s even great are the side effects – I have more energy then ever, the skin on my face has tightened and looks healthier due to the blood flow from running, and I have dropped 5 pounds while looking more toned.

Slow, steady transformation is possible - sometimes we need a little inspiration from our children to kick start it!

The Drive by Eyeshadow Shop

2010-07-09T09:00:00.004-04:00

The other day I was touring stores – stopping by one store every two hours – and my day ended with a stop off at our Marlton, New Jersey store. Bluemercury staffers Lynette and Melissa were so passionate and excited about the new makeup that had just come in, I couldn’t help but ask them for new summer eyeshadow ideas.

I have totally been in a rut. Stuck using my winter shadows, because I have no time to experiment and be creative. I just asked them for a quick recommendation, no trial. I just purchased and kept moving. Here is what I ended up with:

Melissa’s Recommendations

3 Bobbi Brown eyeshadows
1. Champagne (shimmery bone) for all over the lid
2. Heather (matte lavender) for the crease,
3. Eggplant (deep blue purple) for lining and/or a quick eye highlight.

I popped them into a Bobbi Brown 3 pan and now have a look to go. I must say, I wore this look over the weekend with a white dress and it was new, light and was great for an evening cocktail party.

Lynette’s Recommendations

3 Trish McEvoy Eyeshadows
1. Shell (light matte pink) for all over my lid
2. Golden Apricot (shimmery soft apricot) for the crease
3. Bronze (golden coppery brown) for lining

I popped these into my Trish McEvoy planner and am going to try them tomorrow for a meeting I have in Philadelphia.

I must say, our team is so talented. I felt like I went to a drive-in takeout eyeshadow place and my order was exactly perfect!

Paint by Number Sunscreen

2010-06-28T09:01:00.020-04:00

I am completely obsessed with sunscreen. I went to St. Barth's for a friend's 40th birthday party and perfected my summer sunscreen regimen. In the scorching hot sun, at the beach, on a boat, and by the pool, I did not burn once.
During the morning before breakfast by the pool, I quickly slathered Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ on my face. Light and hydrating, this feels nice and light on my clean morning skin.

After breakfast, I stepped it up for the beach. I applied Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 on my face and back of hands. This is the powerful gorgeous new sister of my 10 year favorite, Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. Light, but with the same strong physical block, there is no other product like this. I won't go to the beach or into direct sun without this. I applied Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 to my chest and shoulders (this super strong block is essential since I always seem to burn my chest).

I followed with Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30 light and airy sunscreen on arms and back. Then, the glam block: I sprayed Dermalogica Water Block Solar Spray SPF 30 on my legs for the sexy, hydrated look. This is oil based, has a heavenly citrus scent, and has a bonus of being SPF 30!
This is my summer sun routine and I am sticking to it!

Pimple Persistence

2010-06-07T10:59:00.007-04:00

My skin has been breaking out more than ever since the start of this year. Not huge breakouts, just consistent. At any given time I have 1 to 3 pimples. This is new for me. I am finding if I am diligent, I can control the quantity and severity of the pimples. But, like dieting, it is taking huge discipline. My tools:

1. Wash face right after running. I have been crazy busy this year. In an effort to drive up my energy level, I have stepped up my exercise to running 3+ miles, 3 to 4 days a week. There is nothing like lingering perspiration to ruin the skin.

2. Cut the afternoon caffeine, switch to herbal tea. I am a Starbucks addict. A double tall skim no whip mocha is my daily morning drink. When I feel low in energy in the afternoon, I have been drinking another one, or a mocha frappucino. I think the extra caffeine and milk has been adding to breakouts and skin dehydration. It takes huge will power for me to order passion fruit unsweetened tea instead of a sweet, energizing coffee.

3. Cut the dairy. I love cheese. I am a non-meat eater so I get protein and calcium from cheese. I know this causes me to get pimples around my mouth. Resisting the parmesan on a salad or brie at a cocktail party is so hard.

4. Use Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Peel Pads when desperate. Last night I had 3 inflamed, red pimples right in a row on my right cheek. I used these salicylic acid pads before bed and nothing else. My skin was clear in the morning.

5. Cover and disguise with Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick (my color - warm beige). I have this bad habit of grabbing any concealer in my drawer to cover pimples with (Laura Mercier, Cle de Peau, Trish McEvoy). The problem is that they cover, but actually the oil in them feeds my blemishes. This Bobbi concealer covers and heals. I keep one in my purse. (A hint - I had to go much darker than my bobbi skin foundation color to get the right coverage.).

Annoying pimples are new territory for me. My current road map is working for now.

Sometimes You Just Need a Pro

2010-05-24T16:20:00.011-04:00

Last Saturday was my 40th birthday party. I honestly usually do my makeup myself for all events, but decided that I would go to bluemercury and have it professionally done. I know it sounds funny since I own bluemercury, but honestly, I usually do not have time to have someone do it.

I must say, there is nothing like having a great makeup artist do your makeup. I wanted a heavy smoky eye and nice, clear, even skin that lasted all night. I raced into our Bethesda location at 4:30 and Kate went to work. I was out in 30 minutes with a dramatic eye and even skin – it was perfect. Here is what she used:

Trish McEvoy Eye Base in Demure over the entire lid. Trish McEvoy Midnight Diamond Eye Powder Definer in the crease with Trish McEvoy Arabian Nights Eye Powder Definer blended all over the lid and in the crease with a heavy hand on the corners. Eyes were finished off with Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base as a face primer, followed by Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Foundation Compact in beige and Laura Mercier Secret Concealer #2. This was set with Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder. This was finished off with Laura Mercier Bronzing Pressed Powder in Golden Bronze and Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Maui as a blush.

The Trish McEvoy Essential Penci l was used all over the lip with Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster SPF 15 Lip Gloss in Pretty Pink.

My makeup lasted all night, looked great in photos, and I felt great. A pro is a pro is a pro, no substitute.

My Bluemercury Haul

2010-05-17T10:43:00.006-04:00

I went shopping at bluemercury in Bethesda the other day. Yes, I know it sounds odd. Although I have closets and closets full of beauty products, sometimes there I things I use in large quantities that the vendors do not regularly send me. So I have to shop just like everybody else. So what did I get?

1. Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer. I have been using Laura Mercier Primer for almost 9 years. I would never put on foundation without it. Primer helps the foundation sit on top of the skin, rather than absorb into the lines and pores. 2 years ago, she introduced her hydrating primer, and as I am bone dry, this is a great upgrade. I bought 2.

2. Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara. My “go to” mascara. Gives me the fullest lashes, doesn’t flake. I have been using this since it came out. It is a Japanese formulation tube mascara that washes off with water only – no eye makeup remover necessary.

3. Acqua di Parma Colonia. I have been wearing this for 11 years, since I started bluemercury. Created in the 1930s, a light, sophisticated citrus, this fragrance is mine, mine, mine. I have gone through bottles of the fragrance and tubes of the lotion. I can’t live without it. I bought the fragrance in 2 sizes and the body lotion in the tube. A dream.

New York City 48 Hour Whirlwind

2010-05-10T09:34:00.044-04:00

Still recovering from a 48 hour NYC whirlwind. It was unbelievably fun and unbelievably exhausting. Took Acela up to New York City from Washington on Wednesday at 2pm. Here is the rest:

WEDNESDAY 8 P.M. Dinner at Diane Von Furstenburg Studio for Independent Filmakers Project. Chatted with Ed Burns about his new movie coming out, met Diane, hung out with Uma Thurman and Jaime Lynn Sigler. Everyone was so nice. This organization funded one of my favorite indie films – “Maria Full of Grace.” All things indie are always good. Went to bed at 1am. Left hotel at 4am.

THURSDAY 5:20 A.M. Guest Host on Worldwide Exchange anchored by Nicole Lapin. This was live and scary. Retail numbers were coming out that morning, I was asked to talk about retail. Except when I was in the green room, the producer comes in and says – we’re going to ask you about Greece. Greece? Ok. So I rolled with it. Had an absolute blast. After the first segment I got used to being live on global television. (P.S. I did my own makeup, studio makeup artists touched me up! Thank you NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara.)

11 A.M. Meeting at Bobbi Brown offices in Soho. Saw fall and holiday collection. Bobbi nailed it. Every sku is unbelievable. Can’t wait for kohl eyeliner pencils and new palettes!

12:30 P.M. Meeting at Crème de la Mer. In love with new top secret launch. Their conference room has a gorgeous huge fish tank in it with exotic fish. Want to take it home with me.

AFTERNOON. Looked at new Manhattan sites for new bluemercury stores.

7 P.M. Operation Smile Dinner. Chatted with Jessica Simpson about her show. Ended up at midnight at Nobu with a bunch of 20 something internet entrepreneurs. Can’t believe that I was the old entrepreneur in the crowd.

FRIDAY MORNING. Breakfast with husband at hotel. At last, some quiet time. Finally, in jeans, hair up, no makeup – we hung out, grabbed breakfast and caught the Acela home to see the kids. I am exhausted and energized!

The High Risk Smokey Eye

2010-05-05T09:43:00.022-04:00

Wolf Blitzer of the Situation Room on CNN

Bret Baier of Special Report on Fox News

Was getting ready for White House Correspondent's dinner parties when I decided I was going to experiment and innovate with a smokey eye. Usually I use a Laura Mercier's Coffee Ground, a deep matte brown, all over my lid and in the crease for the 2-minute smokey eye. But for some reason on Saturday night I was feeling extra daring. So I pulled out my brand new NA RS 15x15 palette and used 4 colors for a smokey eye. This could have easily been a disaster, but I was LUCKY!. Used eyeshadow base, then Edie (shimmery bone) over entire lid, then used Underworld 1, a shimmery silver in crease and on lid, blended Underworld II, a deep midnight shimmer blue all over lid and in crease, with a heavy hand on the corners. Lined top and bottom of eyes with Night Breed, a black shimmery NARS classic, and voila - a midnight blue smokey eye. This could have completely backfired. But taking a risk at home in your bathroom with makeup is really not so risky when you think about it!

Capitol File after party was a blast - Wolf Blitzer, Ewan McGregor, Ashley Judd, Kim Kardashian, etc. Washington meets Hollywood - par for the course these days!

So Sweet

2010-04-30T16:34:00.007-04:00

As I was sitting at my desk, eating a salmon Caesar salad, checking e-mail, looking at products, and talking on the phone – I couldn’t take my eyes off the new Tocca Baci Lip Glosses. They are so sweet. And I don’t mean sweet in terms of surfer dude sweet. I mean sweet in terms of the perfect definition of ideal sweetness. Little tiny rollerball lipglosses, 3 perfect pastel colors, 3 italian escapist names – Amalfi, Catania, Salina. I just keep thinking how when I pull one out of my purse, how everyone will ask me what it is. And for $14, they are even more sweet (now I mean surfer dude sweet). I am in trouble if my daughters find them – I will never see them again!

So You're a Soccer Mom Now?

2010-04-30T09:14:00.004-04:00

I was at the bliss offices in NYC talking about my pre-soccer-game Saturday morning routine: sunscreen, bronzer, navy blue eyeliner and mascara when one of the staffers who I have known for almost 10 years blurted out, with surprise - "So you're a soccer mom now?!"

Once I got over the shock that I was just categorized as someone I couldn't associate with during the Clinton election (during which soccer moms ruled the country and I was only 22 and had no idea what the reference even meant), I proudly responded - "Yes, I am."

The soccer mom's favorites:

1. For the sunscreen slather ReVive Filtre de Soleil Visage SPF 45, Darphin Vitalprotection Age-Defying Protective Lotion SPF 50 or Dermalogica AGE Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 30, all hydrating for my dry skin.

2. For bronzer - my favorite - NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna. Brushed on cheeks and eyelids.

3. For mascara - Trish McEvoy High Volume.

Swiping Lab Samples

2010-04-29T09:08:00.004-04:00

How do I know I love a product? When I try to swipe lab samples from our brands' creative teams.

I just scrambled through two days of meetings in NYC with some of my favorite brands. This is one of the most fun things about bluemercury: my job is to play with new beauty products that are not yet on the market.

So here is a sneak peek at the lab samples I tried to swipe:

1. Laura Mercier's new foundation launching this fall.

2. Darphin's organic and unbelievably heavenly facial treatment oils. I wanted all. These will be my summer sun damage salvation.

3. One of the NARS duo eyeshadow combos. Had the perfect green/blue grey for a fall sultry eye.

4. Remede's new antiaging serum with crazy new cell oxygenating technology.

5. Every single thing from Tocca's holiday collection and a very Jackie O./Michelle Obama dress from Tocca's fall fashion lineup. I am in love with their showroom.

6. Fresh's new fragrance which is the best ever, created by Lev, the founder of fresh who I have known for 11 years.

7. And hurray - Molton Brown actually gave me two of their new shower gels - think pink peppercorn!

I am purposely being a little cryptic. I need to keep my access, right?

Ten Year Makeover

2010-04-15T12:29:00.006-04:00

What I've learned.

1. How to take care of my skin.
2. How to do my own eye makeup.
3. How to eat healthy (more salmon, more spinach, more fruit, less processed carbs).
4. How to be a mom and a companion to my husband.
5. How to be at peace.

The first two I learned from bluemercury staffers. The last three from life!

The March to 40

2010-04-07T09:59:00.012-04:00

I will be turning 40 in May. When I started bluemercury at age 29, I had none of the skin concerns I have now - hyperpigmentation, fine lines around the eyes. Here are the things I really notice between 35 and 40:

1. Getting small indentation on chin. Dermatologist said that is from tensing facial muscles and loss of tiny fat deposits. Her solution: Restalyne. My solution: live with it.

2. Uneven skin tone. Too many years of California sun on fair skin are starting to show. My solution: glycolic acid peels (either at bluemercury spa or Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Peel Pads), Vitamin C (the miracle collagen building, spot busting vitamin), and a little better coverage on the foundation front. (NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji or Bobbi Brown Skin SPF 15 or Dr. Dennis Gross All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 15).

3. Eyelids starting to wrinkle at inner corner. No one told me about this one! Just noticed it last year. Eyeliner starts to flutter up wrinkles in the morning after I first apply. Solution: little dose of Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier concealer on inner corner prior to application of all over eye shadow. And a q-tip for touch up after.

I'll take 40 over 29 any day, I am much wiser and more at peace. And the beauty challenges - I'll tackle those one at a time!

Naked Face - New trick

2010-03-11T09:12:00.003-05:00

If I have serious creative work to do, I often work from my home office after grabbing a coffee at Starbucks. It is these days where I don't see anyone professionally, that I love to wear a naked face. Our Englewood, New Jersey store manager, Deborah, taught me a new naked face trick. After slathering on sunscreen (I wouldn't be without it in the spring - used Darphin Vitalprotection Age-Defying Protective Lotion SPF50 this morning), I take my bronzer, dust my cheeks, and the new trick: my eyelids. It is amazing. It is a little bit of extra color, without any work. This is really 30 seconds and out the door. What more could a busy mom want!

Party Circuit

2010-03-10T08:51:00.015-05:00

Hibernation over, spring party circuit starting. Our calendar is booking up with after-work and weekend events. I have a bunch of quick pre-party tricks that I wanted to share:

1. For the glow: Cleanse face completely and use exfoliating peel pads (Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha-Be ta or Tris h McEvoy Beta Hydroxy Pads) before applying makeup. Your skin will look years younger. It is my trick, I do this before every event, WITHOUT FAIL. And, if I am racing from office, back home/or to hotel room and then to party, I wash my whole face, leave my eye-makeup on, and still use the pads. I then touch up my eye shadow, reapply foundation and blush and lips.

2. For drama: I have learned how to do an easy smokey eye: pick one color and use on entire lid and crease. I use an eye base (sometimes I just use a light concealer on my lid) put Bobbi Brown bone all over my lid and then go over the entire lid and crease with a dark shadow. You need to find the perfect one for you, but, once you find it – this is a 2 minute step. I have been attached to Laura Mercier Coffee Ground, a deep chocolate brown, recently.

3. For great skin: My most up to date go to is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Fiji. Great coverage, lasts all night, great glow. A little heavier than my normal Bobbi Brown Skin SPF, but this is really working for me right now. I am even able to skip concealer with this one, goes right up under my eyes fine. I do use this over Laura Mercier’s Hydrating Primer so my skin looks nice and moist.

These are my pre-going-out tips and I am sticking to them.

Heart-broken

2010-03-08T16:52:00.016-05:00

I was traveling last week and my NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder broke into a million pieces. I didn’t realize how attached I was to this glorious bronzer, until this happened. I discovered bronzer when I was a teen – I used to use the Guerlain orange-looking one. (If you look at my pictures – I definitely have an orange tint!) There is nothing like a bronzer to give you that quick sun-kissed look. NARS Laguna is my absolute go to – the perfect hint of sun, a little glimmer, no orange. I often put it over a pinkish or coral blush. Right now – I am layering it over NARS Penny Lane Cream Blush. I already ran to bluemercury to pick up another. It is now back in my life and I am no longer broken-hearted (or broken-bronzered).

My Travel Must-Haves

2010-02-02T09:36:00.028-05:00

I am traveling almost the entire month of February. Tonight, I organized all of my cosmetics so I could pack efficiently and zip in and out of the airport without checking my bags. I thought I would list out 10 things I can't live without and will be traveling with:

1. Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Seru m. Hydrating treatment I am currently using every morning under primer.
2. Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer. A must use every day before foundation.

3. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Fiji and/or Bobbi Brown Skin SPF 15 Foundation. NARS has fuller coverage than Bobbi, but love both. During the dead of winter I am a little more addicted to NARS.

4. Penny Lane Cream Blush by NARS. Almost had a panic attack when I couldn't find it tonight.
5. Bobbi Brown Bone Eye Shadow. The perfect all over lid color.

6. Trish High Volume Mascara. My all-time favorite.
7. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. They just sent me two travel size ones. Generally, for face cleansers I alternate between whatever I have in travel size.

8. MD Skincare All-in-One Facial Cleanser with Toner. Use as a toner/slash peel. Stronger than a cleanser, lighter than a peel. Gets the day's travel off my skin.
9. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum. My one stop night treatment for an overnight trip. This really does it all for me. The best glow ever.

10. Sample moisturizers and eye creams. Sounds awful, but I generally only pack a moisturizer and eye cream for an emergency and when I do, it's only what I have in travel size. Right now, I am travel with a lab sample Bobbi Brown's new Brightening Moisturize Cream coming out this March or April. I love the texture and it is fine for day or night. If I go on a longer trip, I always pack a moisturizer and eye cream. Anything to not have to check a bag!

Currently also toting: "Caesar" by Colleen McCollough, WWD Dailies to catch up on, and debating whether I am ready for a kindle!

Generation L

2010-01-26T12:41:00.003-05:00

Can we create Generation L? We have Generation X, Generation Y, the Millennials, Baby Boomers, and more. My current obsession (besides beauty products and building a great company) is creating Generation L. I have three little kids age 2, 4, and 6 all born in the first decade of the 21st century. My job, in my opinion, is to create Little Leaders - the future of the 21st century. Between problems of the environment, Middle East destabilization, the U.S. deficit, the end of Social Security as we know it and countless other crises that will emerge (e.g. Haiti), our kids will be up against some huge challenges. They will need the skills and values to take on these challenges head-on. I don’t have the perfect recipe for this – but for me, half the battle is planning for where you want to end up.

So all I ask is that moms unite: let’s see if we can create Generation L, a generation of caring, resourceful, peace-loving, thoughtful leaders.

Two side notes:
1. If anyone has recipes for how to accomplish creating little leaders, please post!

2. I am turning 40 this year – you can see I am reflecting on other things besides the beauty business – so I apologize to those who are only looking for beauty biz stuff right now.

Palm Beach 4: Makeup Oldies But Goodies

2010-01-11T09:15:00.002-05:00

None of my typical makeup was really "working" for me in Palm Beach. My brown eyeshadows for fall were too dull. My pink matte blushes (think Nars Penny Lane) too flat. My lipsticks (Laura Mercier Rose or Bobbi Brown Tulle) too wrong. So I had to dig into my bag (I brought 5, gallon-size ziploc bags of makeup and skincare) and reset my makeup. I went back to a shadow I started wearing 8 years ago - Trish McEvoy Cashmere (although discontinued Trish Matte Eye Shadow in Heather and Glaze Eye Shadow in Rose Quartz are good equivalents). Bobbi Brown Bone Eyeshadow all over my lid, Trish McEvoy Cashmere in my crease, and a deep purple eyeliner (Trish McEvoy Arabian Nights) became my old but new Palm Beach look. For blush - I used NARS South Beach Multiple (South Beach, Palm Beach it is all Florida). Lips - Laura Mercier Blush Lip Glace - another color I have worn for years and years. The purple hue on the eyes worked much better then my typical brown eyeshadows and blue eyeliners. Voila - oldies but goodies. Everyone has them!

Palm Beach 3: New Years 2010 with Fekkai, Woody Allen and Trump

2010-01-08T09:00:00.042-05:00

Marla Malcolm Beck with Woody Allen

Marla Malcolm Beck with Donald Trump

Marla Malcolm Beck with Regis PhilbinLucky me. Invited to Trump's again for new years. To get ready, the Fekkai team invited me into their Palm Beach salon. Denise blew out and flat ironed my hair (using Fekkai products, of course!) Elle did my makeup - a dramatic smokey eye that I could never have done myself. She used deep browns and blues and dark liners. She even applied a couple of individual false lashes. It is always a treat to be pampered like this!
Trump's was the usual tasteful, luxe party. Glorious appetizers outside under the stars and festive dinner and dancing in the ballroom he built for his and Melania's wedding. His close friends, Woody Allen and Regis Philbin were there, as usual. I enjoyed ringing in 2010 with my fun, supportive husband. This is the year I am turning 40 and I am ready!!

Palm Beach 2: New Go-To Sunscreen

2010-01-07T10:00:00.002-05:00

ReVive Skincare sent me the new SPF 45 launching this March. This is my new go to warm weather outdoor sunscreen. I put this on every morning in Palm Beach and zipped out the door to play tennis. Easy application and I felt like I had nothing on. I also loved the firming and hydrating properties. Am addicted.

Palm Beach 1: Pre-vacation

2010-01-05T16:37:00.017-05:00

Went to bluemercury to stock up before our Palm Beach trip. Clearly I am a product addict. I bought the following:
1. Five Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. I use nothing else on the kid’s faces. They never burn with this on.

2. Two MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion. Easy to apply to little arms and legs.

3. Two MD Moms Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes SPF30+. Easy for re-application at camp. Kids put this on themselves. The only physical sunscreen in wipes that I have ever seen.

4. Four Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30. So easy for reapplication for kids on backs. Great for lazy husbands also!

5. Two Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Hydrating. I ran out.

6. Two Phyto Phytomist Hydrating Conditioner spray. Use on my daughters hair as spray conditioner on wet hair.

7. Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo and two Fekkai Salon Glaze. My favorite hot weather shampoo and conditioner.

8. Trish McEvoy Planner Page. Needed a new, fresh one.

9. Rubis tweezers and Tweezerman tweezers. Another case of the disappearing tweezers. Not sure why I always lose them!

Ready to go!

Snow, Sledding & Beauty Perks

2009-12-22T08:21:00.007-05:00

So one of the perks of being the founder of bluemercury is that I get to test everything that comes into our store. So imagine my delight when two fabulous new products, launching this spring came, across my desk.
One – Darphin’s new Vital. .. .SPF 50. A super-hydrating lotion with SPF 50. Being as sunscreen obsessed as I am, I wore this out sledding on Sunday with the kids. (Yes, I was worried about the sun reflecting off the snow. ) I returned home perfectly hydrated and unburned.
After I showered and cleansed my skin, I then re-hydrated withLa Mer’s new regenerating serum, also launching this spring. This is one of the most hydrating serums I have ever tried. My skin looked so refreshed, I didn’t where a stitch of foundation or tinted moisturizer as everyone piled into our house post-sledding Sunday evening for black bean chili and tacos.

Nice, Sweet Glamour Girl

2009-12-16T09:31:00.007-05:00

Marla Malcolm Beck with model Hilary Rhoda
Popped by Capitol File cocktail party at the Mayflower hotel (yes, that Mayflower made famous again recently by Spitzer.) The party was in honor of Hilary Rhoda, the all-American, gorgeous Estee Lauder model who is on the December cover. I met her 4 years ago at a neighbor's home in Bethesda. She is actually from Chevy Chase, Maryland. A sweet, nice teenager then, she has blossomed into a sophisticated, worldly, and still very nice adult. Plus I loved her striking red lipstick. Forgot to ask her which color...

Holiday Season Recovery Mode

2009-12-14T16:39:00.009-05:00

Last week I was in a different city every day. Over the weekend I had a holiday party in Philadelphia Friday night, a brunch in Philadelphia Saturday, two parties in DC Saturday night, and then took the kids to the Nutcracker on Sunday. All events were a blast, but I am a mess. My skin is a mess. And I am catching a cold. Here is what I have been doing to recover:

1. Sleep (just kidding!) Yes sleep is always the best recovery but I have not had time and do not have time to stock up!

2. At Home Facial. Used MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel Pads. My face was breaking out. This is the only thing that helped my skin recover. One night and my skin was on its way.

3. Hot Tea. I am loving Yogi tea Peach Detox. Fruity and spicy at the same time. Had two cups last night. Feel better.

4. Hand Cream. Used the Revive Moisturizing Rene wal Body Lotion my hands. The glycolic was perfect to slough of the dry skin.

5. No alcohol. Drank only sparking water at this past weekend’s events. Too run down to even try a sip of a nice glass of red wine.

I Love Trish McEvoy

2009-11-25T08:22:00.002-05:00

Trish and I have been doing business together for almost 10 years. No one creates fashionable, grab-and-go makeup combos like her. So imagine my delight when she offered to create something chic and perfect just for bluemercury clients. First – she made the Gorgeous Blackberry Makeup Planner for us with faux snakeskin (BTW – I have been looking for a faux snakeskin evening bag for a while now). Second – she put some of my favorites in the planner. Lash Curling Mascara, tawny eyeshadow, (my go-to crease shadow), and the Beauty Booster SPF 15 Lipgloss in brightening pink (sheer perfection). This planner includes so much stuff – a bronzer, 4 eye shadows, a blush, mascara, lip gloss, lipstick, and more! I love Trish. . . and Trish clearly loves bluemercury clients!

My Tahoe

2009-11-23T10:57:00.002-05:00

I spent my teen years as a ski junkie (in addition to being a makeup junkie). I used to jam up to Tahoe at 4am on Saturday morning to ski all day. There is nothing like the sensory experience of getting out of the car and breathing in the crisp, cold, clean mountain air. Especially when you are coming from the urban Bay Area of California. This holiday season I created a candle, in collaboration with Tocca, called Tahoe. A crisp, clean, pine scent – this candle takes me back to being a teenager skiing down the mountain with not a care in the world. If only. . .

Holiday Party Lip

2009-11-23T10:37:00.003-05:00

Went out the other night and our NYC Upper West Side Team chose my lip. Bobbi Brown pale pink lip liner, Laura Mercier Pink Label Lipstick (limited edition for holiday), and Laura Mercier After Hours Lip Glace (limited edition for holiday). This is the perfect soft pink lip to go with any dramatic eye. Too pale for day – perfect for night.

Uber Chic NARS

2009-11-17T18:57:00.038-05:00

Went to the uber-chic NARS 15 year anniversary celebration. As we have carried NARS at bluemercury for 10 years, I was touched to be included. It was probably the chicest event I had ever been to. Francois Nars, an amazing photographer, styled and photographed 15 unique individuals into a special edition book for the anniversary. All of the photographs were exhibited at the event. Each portrait was inspired by an iconic image, person, or emotion, and a classic Nars product. For example, for Amber’s portrait, Nars looked to Catherine Deneuve in Belle du Jour and treated her lips with his popular sheer beige lipstick. Also included were Daphne Guinness, Isabella Rosselina, Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell. The party was over the top – which is what you would expect from a brand that values individuality and creativity. Marc Jacobs wore a skirt, Daphne Guinness looked spectacular, and Francois was himself. I think I was the only non-model, non-celebrity, awed mother of 3 there!

Francois Nars, Daphne Guinness, Marc Jacobs and Marla Malcolm Beck
Marla Malcolm Beck with Russell Simmons and Francois Nars
Marla Malcolm Beck with Daphne Guinness

Dreams of Hugh Jackman & Michael Douglas

2009-11-11T14:02:00.021-05:00

Monday night it was almost 70 degrees in NYC and what was supposed to be a lovely, warm fall party, instead felt like a Midsummer Night’s Dream. I went to Marty Zweig’s stunning apartment overlooking Central Park to celebrate the Motion Picture and Television Fund. It was one of the loveliest cocktail parties I had been to in a long time. The host graciously showed us his unbelievable museum quality art collection of Renoirs, Degas, and more. Hugh Jackman, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones mingled with the 20 or so other guests as if we were all just hanging out.

Marla Malcolm Beck with Michael Douglas

"2008 SEXIEST MAN ALIVE" -People Magazine
Hugh Jackman and Marla Malcolm Beck

My Relationship with Lip Gloss

2009-11-06T07:42:00.029-05:00

I have a strange relationship with lip gloss. I have tons, I am not loyal, and I am constantly losing and finding them. So if you ask me what I would give a girl friend (or myself) for the holidays – the answer is so easy: one of the cute limited edition lip gloss sets that come out only this time of year and then disappear. They are perfect. You get variety, quantity, and quality. It’s a great way to try out new colors that you wouldn’t normally try. And they tuck right into a festive, but tiny evening clutch. Some of my favorites for this season are:
Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glace Set
NARS D. Lovely Lip Gloss Coffret
Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio

I, of course, cannot choose and will be owning all three. Which is for you?

Darphin At-Home Facial

2009-10-29T07:39:00.014-04:00

It was late, my husband was out of town, the kids were in bed, and it was pouring. Perfect time for an at-home facial. I pulled out Darphin's Water Lily Foam Gel, brand new Age-Defying Dermabrasion, Camellia Mask, and the Stimulstkin Plus Lift Renewal Series.

Step 1: Cleanse. I used the Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily. A new staple in my cosmetics cabinet.

Step 2: Exfoliate with the Darphin Age-Defying Dermabrasion. I love the friction and the floral scent took me away to the warm sun and new flowers of spring.

Step 3: Darphin Youthful Radiance Camellia Mask. This thick, white, cream mask also has a heavenly floral scent. I left it on for about 5 minutes while I packed my daughters lunch. The directions say tissue off. As I am not one to follow rules, I washed it off.

Step 4: Treat. My skin, now plumped and hydrated, was ready for a serious treatment. I pulled out the Darphin Stimulskin Plus Lift Renewal Series. I had been hoarding this luxurious product for a special occasion. (Yes, a perfectly quiet house and me alone with my beauty products was a special occasion.) Packed with firming algae, hydrating hyaluronic acid, lifting caffeine, and soothing ginseng this is a set of 6 vials you are supposed to use over 30 days as a skin rejuvenator. I liked the hydration and tightening sensation from the serum after just one use. Then I went off to curl up with a good book. The perfect evening!

For The Boys

2009-10-26T12:52:00.024-04:00

I never write about men’s stuff as I am so wrapped up in the stuff I use and love. Imagine my surprise when I popped into my shower and it was full of new stuff from bluemercury. Apparently, my husband had made a special trip to stock up on the items he loves. Here is what I learned about my husband:

1. He likes BIG quantities. Jumbo size Bumble and Bumble seaweed shampoo (33.6 ounces!), Kiehl’s Grapefruit Shower Gel (16 ounces) and Kiehl’s Coriander Shower Gel (16 ounces).

2. He likes niche. Molton Brown new Cool Buchu shower gel, Molton Brown Eucalyptus shower gel, Philip B. Peppermint and Avocado Shampoo, Kiehl’s Pour Homme shower gel.

3. He is loyal. Kiehl’s White Eagle Shaving cream in a tube. His go to shaving cream for 10 years.

Now, if I could only get him to use our skincare products!!

Bright Lights, Big City

2009-10-09T10:30:00.010-04:00

Emmy Rossum and Marla Malcolm Beck
Went to W hotel, Washington D.C. grand opening. This historic site used to be the Hotel Washington and is famous for the scene in No Way Out when Gene Hackman had lunch overlooking the Washington monument. What a blowout party! Women dressed as glamorous George Washington-esque dancers with powdered wigs. Glorious seared tuna by Jean Georges. And Emmy Rossum (think Phantom of the Opera). She made the trip down from New York to check out the hotel and is so sweet.

P.S. A few days before, my skin was a mess. All it took was the Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask and a little Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, and it was fixed. Now, I am no Emmy Rossum, but my skin doesn't look like the mess it was a couple of days ago!

Creativity Rules - More Spring 2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-18T15:40:00.037-04:00

Hard to keep up with all of the events! Ran from event to event all week and made it back to Washington, DC in time for back to school night for my first grader.
Here are some more highlights:
1. Francois back in a big way. NARS faces at Thakoon, Philip Lim, and Marc Jacobs.
(left to right: models at Thakoon, Philip Lim and Marc Jacobs.)

2. Bobbi Brown's creative side came out at TIBI – Magenta eye shadow, green liner – what a fun side of Bobbi to see!
(top to bottom: Marla Malcolm Beck with Bobbi, a TIBI model and TIBI owner Amy Smilovic)
Marla Malcolm Beck and Bobbi Brown

Marla Malcolm Beck and a Tibi model

Marla Malcolm Beck and Tibi's Amy Smilovic

3. Went to book party for new thriller out by Harvard Business School friend Norb Vonnegut.(yes, there is a relation to the other Vonnegut). Top Producer is Wall Street meets the Da Vinci Code.

Fashion Week Craze

2009-09-14T17:47:00.015-04:00

Back stage with Bobbi at J. Mendel, ran to Thakoon show (NARS did makeup) and then ran back to see J. Mendel presentation.
Spent some time with Bobbi. I asked if she had any life lessons for her clients (like me). She said, "It goes fast. Be present." So appropriate. I love Bobbi.
Just about every major fashion editor you could imagine at both shows. Some of my favorites - Nina Garcia, Kate Betts, Amy Astley.
Will report on Spring trends later. We haven't even hit the cold weather of fall yet!

Bobbi & Marla Malcolm Beck backstage at J. Mendel

Fashion editors waiting for Thakoon show to start

Model from J. Mendel Spring collection - hair, makeup, dress & jewelry to die for.

Jeans, Intermix, and Why I Love Boutiques

2009-09-14T12:08:00.028-04:00

When I was in Chicago visiting our Lincoln Park store last Friday, I spent a little bit of time and walked the neighborhood. I popped into Intermix and was reminded about why I love boutiques so much.
I asked a simple question, "what’s the whole legging thing this season?" A great staffer proceeded to show me 7 different leggings at a huge range of price points.While I was looking for black, I ended up with a pair of J Brand’s new lightweight legging jeans. I adore them and I never would have found this pair on my own. Thank you, Intermix! It is only at a boutique where you get great advice, the best fashion, and great service.

This is why bluemercury was created 10 years ago too! I wanted to create the neighborhood store where you could get friendly, expert, honest advice. Case in point, when I stopped by bluemercury and mentioned that I was looking for the perfect fall every day brown eyeshadow. In two seconds the team picked out Bobbi Brown Copper Sand Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow for me. They also grabbed the T. Leclerc Lip Pencil in Tendre – a completely wearable mauve-brown nude which goes with almost all of my lipsticks and glosses.

Want to see talent in action? Check out a video of our fabulous Lincoln Park team doing makeovers at a makeover party at bluemercury. Also mark your calendar and book complimentary appointments for upcoming fall makeover parties featuring experts from Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier and NARS all showcasing what's new this season.

P.S. A shout out to Jessica Teas of Beauty Woo Me for completely “getting” why bluemercury is special.

Too Old to Club?

2009-09-14T09:58:00.005-04:00

Grammy award winner Mya with Marla Malcolm BeckOur friends who own Dusk (a club at Caesar’s in Atlantic City) in partnership with the late DJ AM convinced us to stop by last Friday evening. Mya, a Grammy award winner, was showing up to sing a few songs and launch her new album Beauty and the Streets. Me, clubbing? I’m usually in bed by the time Mya was supposed to go on stage, so after putting the kids to bed, wandering around the house looking for something to do at 10 p.m. on a Friday night before it was time to leave, and trying to figure out what to wear, we showed up. Spectacular club, spectacular performance and Mya is so nice. While I was one of the few over 30 in the club and the only one in a pantsuit as opposed to a super-mini-mini-mini dress (seemingly today's club uniform) – I had a blast. Clubbing (is that what people even call it?) has come a long way since the late 80s/early 90s techno days. The whole DJ-as-star thing is fascinating. In fact, DJ Morse Code, who was there that night, got the crowd riled up with his amazing artistic skill. As I am still recovering from being out past my bed time, this will probably be my first and last club experience. Lack of sleep is bad for the skin, but if I were younger. . .

Skin SOS - Sun Damage

2009-09-08T10:18:00.046-04:00

Definitely got too much sun this summer. Despite my slathering of sunscreen, I was examining my skin in the rearview mirror while I was in traffic and I noticed some new brown spots. Am trying decide what I am going to do to fix it. Have not decided yet. Here are the options I am thinking about:

1. Phyto + Serum by Skinceuticals. Has Kojic acid and other botanicals that lighten. Used it last fall a lot. Was good. I just put it under my C and E Ferulic.

2. Revive Peau. Yes, this is outrageously priced and I am very lucky that Revive sent me a sample. I have to hide it from my husband because he uses it under his eyes. This is like a face lift in a vial. Tightens and brightens. I do love this and have been saving my most recent stash for an emergency like this.

3. Darphin Stimulskin Plus Cream. Also pricey, but the A, C, and E combined retexturize and brighten. For a less expensive option – I do like Remede Alchemy Lotion – but I need extra hydration when I use this.

Not sure what I am going to start next week, but I definitely need to undo some of the damage.

Another Celebrity Picture

2009-09-04T13:39:00.008-04:00

Went to Capitol File White House Correspondents Dinner Party in the spring. Washington D.C. is the new New York City. Talked to so many superstars I thought I was in L.A. Christian Slater, Eva Longoria, Ludacris, and Forest Whitaker. Washington has not been so glamorous since the Kennedys!

Forest Whitaker and Marla Malcolm Beck

Summer Foundation Fix

2009-09-01T15:54:00.001-04:00

Not my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, not my Bobbi Skin SPF foundation. It is too heavy, too pasty for this time of year. Enter MD Skincare’s Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, my color is Light-Medium. I think this is a little bit more hydrating and absorbs into my skin a little better. That is why it is working so well. I have already gone through one bottle this summer, so it must be working!

The Science of Getting out the Door

2009-08-31T09:35:00.049-04:00

My husband and I work together and when we travel, he is already rushing me out the door in the morning. The other morning, I set a record. Blow dried hair and full make-up in 20 minutes flat. The key: sticking to a regular routine and not trying anything new.

1. Wet hair in shower.(I always wash hair night before.)

2. Spray Phytovolume Mist and comb through.
3. Wrap hair in towel and start makeup.
4. Put Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer all over face with fingers. Gives it time to absorb in while I start with eyes.
4. Used Trish concealer in ivory on lid to hold on eyeshadow. Put on with finger.
5. Used Nars Edie, a slightly shimmery bone eye shadow all over lid and up to brow bone. Put on Trish McEvoy brush #48.
6. Used Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Wash eye shadow (from old Chocolate palette - Bobbi palettes are the best) in crease with Nars brush small dome brush.
7. Lined eyes with Trish Eye Definer in Arabian Nights deep navy blue (any dark shadow works). I dip my Laura Mercier fine point eyeliner brush into water and then dip into shadow and then line eyes. Lasts all day and gives the tightest line.
8. Applied Trish McEvoy lash curling mascara.
9. Dried hair
10. Applied MD Skincare Tint in SPF 15 with fingers.
11. Dotted NARS multiples Malaysia and Orgasm on apple of cheek. Layered and spread with fingers.

12. Lined lips with Nars Tonga, almost nude. I always apply lipstick after I drink my morning coffee. Why waste time before. Done and ready!

Sun-kissed Cheeks

2009-08-31T09:34:00.003-04:00

Richard, our Lincoln Park, Chicago makeup guru gave me the best trick for summer time sun-kissed skin. Use the NARS The Multiple in Orgasm on the cheeks, and then put a dash of the NARS Multiple Bronzer in Malaysia on top. This, with a light, light lip gloss – like Bobbi Brown Confetti Shimmer Lip Gloss , makes me look like I just stepped off a yacht in St. Tropez. (Not quite!)

Change, Protect, Walk

2009-08-26T17:33:00.011-04:00

I have been eating out every night the last two weeks. All of us are trying to squeeze in those end of summer dinners with friends before the frenzy of back to school starts. The result: I am feeling bloated. So I have been taking walks early evening while the sun is still out. My walk routine – change fast, slather Skinceuticals SPF 45 (the best protection ever) all over face and spray Peter Thomas Roth Continuous SPF 30 on arms and legs (nothing like drugstore sprays – clear and oil-free and feels like you have nothing on.) Skin protected - I am ready to power walk.

Removes SPF and Grime

2009-08-19T15:50:00.021-04:00

Almost 2 years ago I asked the Darphin team to design a cleansing balm. Cleansing balms are oil based cleansers that come in a jar. I love them because oil cuts oil and cleansing balms remove all the deep down grime and makeup. I couldn’t find one I loved to use in our spa. The result: pure luxury. Finally out – their heavenly Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood is exactly what I wanted. I have been using it this summer to get off my SPF 45 and all of the heavy grime that comes with hot weather and travel.

The One Skincare Product

2009-08-19T15:50:00.020-04:00

So I went to NY for a quick trip last night. The hot weather is making me lazy. I only brought one skincare product, if you can believe it - Skinceuticals C and E Ferulic.If I were on a desert island and someone said you can bring one product with you (Ok, hopefully the island has shade, because I am an SPF addict.) I would bring this product. It is my secret weapon for healthy, glowing skin. I notice when I do not use it.The Vitamin C builds collagen and gives skin a glow. The Vitamin E is hydrating.A quick dash of the liquid, easy serum at night, and that is all I do sometimes. Even works around eyes – although they do not recommend it. Pure glow – in one step. (If you’re wondering how I washed my face, I did it in the shower with a wash cloth. Not recommended, but as I said, I am getting lazy.)

An Oldie But Goodie

2009-05-21T08:08:00.010-04:00

I am often on the road touring stores, looking at new store sites and meeting with manufacturers. As I move rapidly from place to place, I am limited as to how many beauty products I can stuff in one ziploc. I often forgo body products in exchange for at least four skincare products, tinted moisturizer and my must have--Acqua Di Parma Colonia fragrance.

What a delight it was when I showed up to my hotel tonight and they had Molton Brown products in the bathroom. I embarked on a heavenly shower with Molton Brown Energizing Seamoss shower gel. We have carried this product in our stores since I started bluemercury almost 10 years ago.

This rich, thick moisturizing shower gel has a scent which takes you away to the beach. Fresh, clean and green, I had forgotten how wonderful it is. It is always a treat to rediscover something that was wonderful 10 years ago and is still wonderful today. How often does that happen?

Skin Emergency – A Cold and A Festering Pimple

2009-05-05T15:31:00.014-04:00

After picking up my 4th cold this year from one of my germ carrying school children, my skin was a wreck. This, combined with the comfort food required given the never-ending freezing spring we’re having (read: French fries) gave me a big, obvious pimple to the left of my lips on my lower cheek. This was so obvious, my 3 year old daughter said, “What is on your face?” I finally figured out the perfect solution. Two nights ago, I grabbed my Remede Intensive Double Serum - a dual chamber oxygen and vitamin c serum - and used the oxygen side (you can choose or use both together) and put this antibacterial dream serum on my pimple and the vitamin c side all over my face. The pimple was dried up over night and I felt as if I had just infused vitamins back into my sick-with-a-cold looking skin. The next night I used my MD Skincare 2 step peel pads (my go-to at home deep cleansing facial) and rubbed the vitamin c serum on again after. The next morning all was clear. I am way too old to be getting big, giant pimples.

True Religion-My Almost Naked Face

2009-04-29T10:27:00.051-04:00

When I wakeup on the weekends I am so tempted to run out the door with nothing on except for a quick moisturizer. Between three kids age 5 and under and having to be “dressed” every day, some days it is gloriously tempting to do absolutely nothing. But alas, I can’t. Guilt overtakes me. I am, of course, in the beauty business. So here is my almost naked, weekend face.

Slather a moisturizing, firming, SPF 30 all over my face. My go to these days is Dermalogica’s Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 30. My skin looks fresh, moisturized and all with an SPF 30.
Navy blue eyeliner – Trish McEvoy Arabian Nights eye powder applied with old faithful brush #11.
Volume Mascara. My go to mascara for years. Never smudges, doesn’t wipe off. A tube mascara that washes off with water.

Fresh, innocent, free. This is as naked as I can go.

DIY Blowout

2009-03-18T10:29:00.005-04:00

I have skipped many of my usual trips for a weekly blowout. Partially due to scheduling and why not save a little money in this recession with a little do-it-yourself (DIY)? Before I had 3 children I had stick straight hair and then something happened. Whether it’s age or hormones or too many highlights, my hair gets these funny kinks in it that cannot be mistaken for body or curl. I went from wash and air dry, to wash and take forever to blow dry. I never seem to be able to get my hair as straight as the salon gets it and I hate standing there and standing there and standing there blowing my own hair dry. I have found the perfect product. Oribe’s Royal Blowout speeds up my blow dry time and helps me get my hair straighter. It is unbelievable. I spray it on my wet hair, comb it through, and start drying. It is amazing. It takes me about 10 minutes less to blow dry my hair and all the kinks are gone. And this is the only product (besides Oribe’s shampoo for beautiful color and Oribe’s conditioner for beautiful color) that I use. Quick, straight, and easy. I will take this any day!

Elbow Grease

2009-03-18T10:15:00.012-04:00

My elbows are still so dry and rough from the winter. I never know what to do for them. Body lotions are too basic. So I searched through my stash and found Molton Brown’s new Desert Bloom Ultrabalm Essential Salve. A thick rich, oily balm with a soft, fleeting scent (can’t put my finger on what it is, maybe the honeysuckle?), I am in love. The first ingredient is olive fruit oil and the balm is also loaded with vitamin E. I found myself putting some on my cuticles too. I could also envision this on super dry skin or post sunburn. This balm is the bomb!

Inauguration Soother

2009-01-26T14:40:00.038-05:00

As we are headquartered in Washington DC, I decided last minute, to go down to President Obama's inauguration on Tuesday, January 20. I could not miss this fantastic moment in history. And I have to say, it was fabulous. I was 20 feet from the President and the First Lady (who is stunningly tall and elegant). There was only one problem – it was 20 degrees and I was outside, chilled to the bone, for 9 hours. I came home, my lips were chapped and my cheeks were windburned. I had completely destroyed my skin.

The cure: Darphin's new lip balm which is unbelievably rich and hydrating and Fresh's Mamaku Serum which was soothing, rich and moisturizing. My inaugural skin was fixed in no time!

Palm Beach 2: New Year’s with Trump

2009-01-13T18:00:00.020-05:00

New Year’s at Trump's posh Mar-A-Lago was a treat. It took me hours to get ready, with a trip to the Frederic Fekkai in Salon in Palm Beach for the best blowout (with Zahir) that I have ever had in my life. I perfected my skin with an MD Peel and then applied my absolute newest secret weapon: Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation.

While this is not coming out until January, I convinced the Bobbi team to give me a lab sample two months ago. This is to die for. Beautiful coverage, easy to apply (I only used my finger tips) and it feels like you have NOTHING on. Donald Trump even noticed (see photo)!

Donald Trump and Marla Malcolm Beck

Palm Beach 1: The Packing List

2009-01-13T17:24:00.021-05:00

Every year we go to Palm Beach with the kids from Christmas Day to New Year. It is a time for us to relax with the kids, reflect on the year, and plan for the new year. I must confess, I had an entire carry on devoted to beauty products this trip. Notable items include:

Skinceuticals SPF 45 tubes. This is the only sunscreen that prevents the kids and me from burning. Available in store or by phone at 800.355.6000
Dermalogica Pure White SPF30. I am in love with this new sunscreen that is a pure titanium dioxide block that spreads easily and is not pasty at all.
Trish Brush #11, Laura Mercier fine eyeliner brush and Trish High Volume Mascara. My beach look – eyeliner, mascara, and sunscreen and that is it!
Fresh Lotus Eye Gel. Cooling and hydrating – the best post beach eye cream.
Darphin Serums. I can’t live without this light, dewy Hydrating Serum or the Soothing Intral Serum.
Nars Multiples. In Antibes and Maldives – adds the sunkissed glow prior to going out.
A ton of makeup. Palm Beach is the scene and I had the time to play and create a different look every night. Focus was on lipgloss. I love Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Pink, Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Violet and Blush, and Trish McEvoy Lip Gloss in Shimmery Pink.

Holiday Pre-Party Perfection

2008-11-25T18:03:00.113-05:00

It is holiday season – a time of dashing from work to parties and from parties back to work. I have a fail-proof way to get ready and have glowing skin, even after a long day:

1. Have hair blown out before work in morning. (Much better than waiting for a hair dresser that is behind in schedule. Or, if it is the weekend, it frees up the afternoon to be with the kids.)

2. Dash home, wash face with gentle cream cleanser (Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution) hop in shower, wear shower cap. (Cheesy, but effective.)

3. Once out of the shower and dried off, put on a cozy robe. Keep hair in shower cap, while swiping a gentle cleansing water across the entire face with a cotton ball, including eyes. Cleansing waters are like non-toner toners.
They get your skin extra clean, are non-oily and non-drying. Just like putting water with a kick
on your face. My favorites are Caudalie Cleansing Water or Darphin Azahar Cleansing Water.

4. Use a gentle peel pad – either MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Pads or Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Peel Pads or Trish McEvoy Beta Hydroxy Pads to exfoliate and smooth the skin. This is the key step for a healthy glow! Foundation goes on beautifully after this.

5. Next, I put on Darphin Hydraskin Serum. I am dry and this adds extra moisture. I also put Laura Mercier Foundation Primer on to make sure my foundation goes on smoothly and does not seep into my fine lines. (If you are oily, skip the serum step and use Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Oil-Free).

6. I then do my eyes. For me, heavy navy eyeliner and the use of my Shu Uemura eyelash curler prior to mascara is a must.

7. Next foundation (I go with heavier coverage for night), concealer, cream blush, then lips.

8. After 20 minutes, not including the shower, I am done and ready to get dressed.

I have been doing it this way for years. It really is the trick to a speedy, healthy glow.

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Fried Hair Relief

2008-11-25T17:40:00.009-05:00

I was out in California touring our stores in San Francisco and L.A. and made a huge mistake. I had someone blow out and flat iron my hair – and she did not know what she was doing. She basically fried my already highlighted hair. Enter Frederic Fekkai Salon Glaze. I am in love with this product. It is like an extra conditioner you use after your conditioner. (Ok, I confess, sometimes I use it instead of my conditioner.) I get the best hydration and shine from this product – everyone comments when I use it. I just use it in the shower, leave it on for 3 minutes and voila – instant moisture, strength, and shine. It doesn’t weigh my hair down at all. So much shine in so little time . . .

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Guaranteed Compliment

2008-08-18T12:56:00.012-04:00

The other morning I was checking out of my hotel (on one of my many road trips in the search of new sites for a bluemercury store and spa) and the bell hop, who had no reason to be extra nice that day, popped a question I haven't heard since I was in my 20s. "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Meg Ryan?" I almost dropped to my knees and kissed his feet. When I was in my early 20s, I used to hear that once in a while, due to my then real blonde hair and perky nose. I racked my brain for what I had done differently that morning, and couldn't think of anything. Then the light bulb went off. My skin had felt so grimy and dull the night before, that I had whipped out my last packet of MD Skincare Alpha Beta peel pads and used them before I went to sleep. Instant glow! And apparently instant Meg Ryan!

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Living the dream

2008-05-07T14:06:00.011-04:00

I must admit, some days, being in the beauty business can be quite glamorous. I had the great fortune to host six fabulous beauty editors from Allure, Vogue, Elle, InStyle, Lucky, and Marie Claire at the New Yorkers for Children Charity: A Fool’s Fete. While the gala was a blast (Mary Kate Olsen and Tinsley Mortimer were there), the fun part was the pre-party in my hotel room.

We had two fabulous hair stylists from Bumble and bumble (Joey and Travis) and two fabulous makeup artists from Trish McEvoy (Billie Jean and Tracey) come in and do our hair and makeup while we drank champagne and took in the Central Park view. I heard great stories about how certain editors got into the business. (Yes, it is like The Devil Wears Prada, one was an Executive Assistant for two years before getting the opportunity to write.) And we all felt like we were at prom again, getting into our formal dresses after we were "professionally perfected."

There is nothing like sitting back and having your hair and makeup done by the best in the business. I could get used to this...

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Cleansing water

2008-05-02T23:12:00.016-04:00

Aaaah... cleansing water...

When I got home at 10 tonight from a trip to our Jacksonville and Atlanta stores, my skin felt grimy. Even after washing my face with an alpha hydroxy cleanser (I used Skinceuticals Cleansing Cream). So I pulled out my Darphin Azahar Cleansing Water and was immediately transported to Europe.

While Darphin is a French brand, the scent of this glorious, no-oil soothing water reminded me of the orange blossoms of Seville, Spain, where I went for spring break years ago, when I was studying in Madrid. (Apparently, azahar means orange blossom in some language, but I am too tired to look it up.) I swiped it all over my face with a cotton ball. Clearly, I needed it, as the cotton ball absorbed all sorts of airplane grime.

I love cleansing waters. They are "no toner" toners - not drying, extremely soothing. Glorious water.

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Little Necessities and the Upper West Side

2008-02-27T11:31:00.007-05:00

I am headed up to Manhattan for the opening of our Upper West Side store. I had about 5 minutes flat to pack, with two of my three kids taking my clothes out of the suitcase while I was putting them in (imagine, packing is more fun than dolls!). I am on the train now, thinking of everything I forgot.

Luckily, I will be able to get them at bluemercury in Manhattan. No more waiting until I get home to grab my must haves. What am I missing? A good pair of tweezers. The thing about tweezers is that I always need them and I always seem to lose them. I probably buy about 6 pairs a year. They are a necessity for me. Although I have my brows done by Lance, one of our Georgetown estheticians, they always seem to sprout random hairs between treatments. And, embarrassingly, as I am getting older, the hairs above my lip seem to sprout here and there at the most unexpected moment. Last weekend, we were travelling with no bluemercury for miles, so my husband picked up a pair of drugstore tweezers for me. What a disappointment. A week old and they have no grab. It’s back to Tweezerman and Rubis for me.

What else am I missing – my beloved travel size Acqua di Parma Colonia, my travel size Bumble Shine Spray and my Darphin eye serum for puffiness. I will be picking these up tomorrow at the bluemercury at 83rd and Broadway!

P.S. We have two bluemercury veterans running this location (they bleed blue) – Alexis and Michelle. They are veritable encyclopedias of knowledge and fabulous makeup artists to boot. Lucky New York and lucky me!

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My Rut is Finally Back in Fashion

2008-02-15T17:47:00.024-05:00

Do you ever get stuck in a rut with your lipstick and lip gloss colors? I find that I repurchase the same colors year after year. Occasionally, I’ll discover a new one, which then becomes one of my staple colors.
The good news - this spring, some of my “go to” colors are perfect for the spring fashion season. The look (which I got to see at the Zac Posen show in the fall) is pink, tulle, flowy, goddess-y clothes. (On the opposite end, primary colors are also in, but that is not me, except for the color aqua blue) The makeup – sheer, shimmery and/or shiny pastels. Think pink, raspberry, lavender. (Read: no red and no coral) My old stand-bys are perfect.

Trish McEvoy Cream Pink Rose lipstick — a matte pink rose – which I always wear with her Iced Nude lip pencil.

Laura Mercier Pink Champagne lipstick, a little bit deeper pink mauve – also perfect for spring.

And my old spring and summer stand by – Laura Mercier Violet Lip Glace. It’s being repackaged this spring – still it is the perfect violet/lavender/pink gloss. Wearable alone or over any pink or rose lipstick.

I am also thinking about tracking down one of my old favorites, NARS Catfight, which I can’t seem to find anywhere.

No, these colors will not work for everyone. I am blonde (ok, they are highlights, but I was blonde up until age 22), blue eyes, with fair to medium skin and I freckle easily. (Laura Mercier Tinted Nude is my coloring).

Despite the fact that my makeup is back in fashion, I, of course, will probably not be found in tulle, pink, or flowy, goddess-y clothes. I will be wearing my staple colors, black or blue. But my lips will be perfectly IN.

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A Brightening Experiment

2008-02-04T13:24:00.006-05:00

Last night, I had just flown in from California and was wide awake at 1 am. (Clearly, I was on West Coast time.) I was feeling adventurous and decided to try two new products - the new Bli ss The Youth As We Know It Cleanser and Darphin's Clear White Brightening and Soothing Serum. (I am brightening obsessed right now.)

While I love both products, this cocktail combo was way too powerful for my hyperpigmented, somewhat dry, starting-to-lose elasticity-at-37 skin. My skin peeled right away. The kind of peel where you just sort of rub your skin and wonder what is coming off on your finger tips, and then realize it is just the top, dead layer of your skin.

The Bliss cleanser, with exfoliating salicylic acid, is a light, creamy cleanser with a clean fruity scent. This is perfect for dull, dry feeling skin. I am going to try it again tonight, without the extra powerful step of the Darphin brightener.

The Darphin brightening serum will be added to my collection of great, irresistible Darphin serums that includes: Hydraskin for moisture in the morning, Intral (launching April '08) for soothing redness post-peel or sunburn and Fibrogene for absolute dryness. Light in texture, this new serum (coming out in May ‘08) uses fruit acids and vitamin C to reduce hyperpigmentation, brighten and smooth the skin. No one does a serum like Darphin. I will be retesting this one on a different night, without a salicylic acid cleanser! While my little experiment had extreme results, the great news was that I had smooth, beautiful skin today.

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Superbowl Beauty?

2008-01-29T13:48:00.002-05:00

Ok. There's no question I am beauty obsessed. I was watching the play-off games on Sunday. Both were played in freezing cold weather. One of the sportscasters mentioned that the quarterbacks were playing with Vaseline on their faces to protect from windburn/chill. I responded with shock and horror. Vaseline!

Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Philip Rivers, and Eli Manning would have done much better wearing either Kiehl’s All-Sport "Non-Freeze" Face Protector SPF 30 or Darphin's Intral Balm. Many of our clients who are die-hard runners, and are willing to run in 20-degree weather, coat their faces in these balms pre-run. Great emollient and moisturizing balms - both feel unbelievable on the skin.

Considering the Superbowl is in Arizona, most likely, my advice will not be necessary… maybe next year. Instead, how about a great sunscreen? Skinceutical’s Sport UV Defense SPF 45 is perfect for protection while training in the Arizona sun. Looks like beauty products are even relevant in sports… In fact, they are always relevant!

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Resort Time Packing List

2008-01-08T12:30:00.001-05:00

Just went to Florida (Palm Beach) with my family. The amount of additional beauty products I felt compelled to bring is amazing. I brought exorbitant quantities of sunscreen including:

1. 4 tubes of Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 for my kids and my face. It's paba-free, oil-free, fragrance-free and great for all skin types. I won't go out in the sun without it, nor will I let my kids. It is the BEST sunblock on the market.

2. Skinceuticals New Active UV Defense SPF 15 with Mexoryl SX. Unbelievable texture - It feels like you have nothing on. Not strong enough for poolside or the golf course, but is the perfect shopping sunblock.

3. Two tubes of Remède SPF 30+ Firming and Contouring Lotion. This is for my personal indulgence - Family members are banned. Smells great, is highly moisturizing, and has sunblock.

4. Two tubes of Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30. Great for kids’ arms, tummies, and legs.

5. One lab sample of Canyon Ranch’s new SPF 30 facial moisturizer. Stay tuned, this isn't on the market yet, I was just testing it! Amazing light texture!

6. Remède’s Translucent UV Coat Tinted SPF 30 Medium (Oil-Free). This is the foundation I use during warm weather, always. It is sheer and light and feels like you have nothing on. (This is currently being repackaged and will be back in stock soon!)

I had to completely change my skincare. For some reason (maybe I got slightly too much sun, NOT on purpose), all of my skincare products stung my skin, except Darphin’s Intral Anti-Redness Soothing Serum (which I used for moisture morning and night) and Darphin's Intral Redness Relief Recovery Balm. This balm is unbelievably soothing and hydrating and has an ethereal fruity scent that I can't put my finger on. (Both of these products are coming out in April - I was testing these too and they are fabulous.)

For color, I just couldn’t live without the following two products:

Bobbi Brown’s Chocolate Eye Palette – the shimmer wash in caramel toffee, champagne truffle, and cacao had this sort of sun kissed effect. (Currently not offered online; available at our Philadelphia [215.569.3100] or Suburban Square [610-642-5400] stores.)

AND

Laura Mercier’s Shimmer Block in Peach Mosaic – The perfect non-bronzer, bronzer – it’s a mix of peach, pink, and bronze shimmers which you swirl your makeup brush into to create the perfect sun kissed look.

I'm back now. Spring is around the corner and I am incredibly excited about all of the new products coming out!

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Makeup Treat in NYC

2007-12-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

I had the great fortune last week to have two phenomenal Trish McEvoy makeup artists come to my hotel room in NYC at 7:30 am to do my makeup. I was taping a TV segment with Fox Business News and also had meetings scheduled with the beauty editors of InStyle, Vogue, and more. There is nothing like having your makeup done by a professional - They just know how to make you look your best.

I knew in order to look my best, I needed great skin. No matter how much makeup you put on, it doesn’t sit well if your skin is not exfoliated and moisturized. To prepare, the night before I pulled out my travel packets of MD Skincare’s 2-Step Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel and gave myself a quick, do-it-yourself peel. To follow the peel, I just put on a thin layer of Skinceuticals C E Ferulic and went to bed. In the morning, my skin was smooth and glowing. Even the Trish artists noticed!

The lead makeup artist, Geri (also head of product development for Trish McEvoy) applied Trish McEvoy’s new treatment foundation that is still under development. It was absolutely unbelievable. It’s not foundation; rather it’s skincare with color. I can’t believe it is not coming out until May – I can’t wait to start using it. Understanding the television medium, they also went heavy on concealer to hide any imperfections and dark circles from the camera.

It was a great treat and the perfect way to kick off my day with the press…

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Decorate in Minutes

2007-11-11T09:27:00.001-05:00

It’s Saturday night and we have people coming over in 15 minutes for a last minute wine and cheese soiree before going out for dinner. It was so last minute, that I have nothing to decorate the house with. No flowers, no plants, no anything. I went through my candle cabinet (I keep a ton on hand for last minute hostess gifts) and found the Black Pepper Candle by Molton Brown. It is a chocolate brown candle in a huge gorgeous glass container – it is elegant in and of itself. I lit this in my kitchen, right next to the cheese display. It is striking and is a combination of black pepper, vetyver, and basil. It was so successful; I decided to put the stunning steel blue Molton Brown Wild Indigo Candle in my guest bathroom.

I love it when a plan comes together.

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Grimy Skin and Taking a Break

2007-10-26T13:17:00.001-04:00

I took the train home from New York City to Washington DC last night. This was after a full day of meetings in New York City and no time to freshen up. My skin felt so grimy and dirty. I rustled through my cabinets and found the perfect fix.

After washing my face with a cleanser with light hydroxy acids, I took Caudalie Cleansing Water, put it on a cotton ball and swabbed my entire face to get the rest of the dirt and makeup off. It is soothing and oil-free - my skin felt clean after, but I wanted more.

I then used an Oxygen mask by Bliss for about 2 minutes. It foams up (almost like a shaving cream), deep cleans, and gets any bacteria off the skin. My skin felt refreshed and clean after.

Then I felt like a needed something balmy and moisturizing, but I did not want any intense treatment (no salicylic, glycolic, strong A, etc.) AT ALL. I pulled out Fresh's Mamaku Serum which smells like apricot and has a beautiful luxurious, balmy feel. It’s not a moisturizer, not a liquid serum, but something in between.

This morning my skin felt like I had had a mini-facial. I felt so good, I decided to slather on more Mamaku serum, a little eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick and go to work with a fresh face. Sometimes your skin just needs a break. So do you!

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Fall Cocktail

2007-10-22T15:45:00.001-04:00

I am always looking for the perfect blend of products to get glowing, healthy skin. My concoctions change every couple months, when I decide they stop working, the weather changes, or I get bored.

I must say, I am in love with my latest nighttime cocktail. (I have morning ones too.) After I wash my face and make sure every bit of makeup and the day's grime is gone, I start with Phyto+ gel by Skinceuticals. This is a lightening, soothing gel with kojic acid. (I have an uneven, slightly freckled skin tone which seems to get worse as I get older). I wait about a minute, then put on Skinceuticals Vitamin C and E Ferulic (this, I call the glow serum, it is an unbelievable antioxidant).

The clincher, Darphin's brand new Aromatic Renewing Balm which smells like tangerine, and seems to lock in moisture, without being heavy.

I wake up in the morning and my skin looks unbelievably healthy, if I do say so myself. The greatest thing about this cocktail? No hangover.

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The Worst Traveler

2007-09-30T12:43:00.001-04:00

Everyone is always asking me about what beauty products I travel with. They must think that if I travel with it, it must be wonderful, because you can only travel with a few products.

The truth is, I am the worst traveler. I have to check my bag because I insist on traveling with every possible permutation of beauty products I may want to use. Hardly any of them come in convenient travel sizes. My suitcase is usually 75% beauty items, 25% clothes. And I am unwilling to compromise.

I have attached a photo of what I am currently traveling with. I am usually on the road 2 – 3 nights per week, visiting bluemercury stores and spas, finding new locations where clients are dying for a bluemercury, and meeting with vendors or other creative resources in NYC. Someone in the office asked why there is a remote control in the picture. This is literally a photo I took in a hotel room in New York City. The bathroom happened to have a TV with a remote and I happened to not notice that it made it into the picture.

Here is a list of everything in the picture:

* I cannot live without my Trish McEvoy makeup planner. This holds all of my makeup. I can just grab it and get out the door in 2 seconds. As you can see, mine is filled with a ton of eyeshadows - Deluxe Shaper in Shell, Definer in Charcoal, Definer in Deep Amethyst, Glaze in Palm Beach, Glaze in Raisin, Glaze in White Peach, Glaze in Lilac, Glaze in Sugar Plum, Shaper in Pewter, Shaper in Cashmere. I can accomplish anything with this mix.

* Makeup brushes. Trish #11 (flat eyeliner), Paula Dorf crease brush, Paula Dorf contour brush, Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner brush. There are a ton of other brushes in my planner, including my eyeshadow favorite, #40 by Trish McEvoy.

* Foundations for anything. Remede Oil-Free Tint SPF30 in Medium. This is all I use on the weekends. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 in Nude for everyday. Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation in Beige Ivory for evening events.

* More Eyes. Paula Dorf eye primer – perfect first step to doing eyes. If you put this all over your lid, your shadow sticks much better. Bobbi Brown shadow in White, a great highlighter for right below eyebrow and in corner of eyes. Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Black Plum. I just started experimenting with this.

* Skincare – my morning combination. Darphin Hydraskin Serum + Laura Mercier Foundation primer + Darphin Dark Circles and Depuff Eye Serum.

* Skincare – my mix so I can treat my skin wherever I may be. MD Skincare Antioxidant Firming Serum, Darphin Arovita C, Therapy Systems Retinol/Glycolic, Dr. Sebagh eye cream, Darphin Lifting and Firming eye serum, Lola Kelly Peau Seche super dry skin moisturizer.

* Fragrance – I love citrus. Acqua di Parma Colonia Body Cream, Colonia Fragrance (my signature). Fresh LemonSugarbath shower gel.

* Hair. Frederic Fekkai’s new Coiff Straightening Balm and UV Thermal Spray. I can’t live without these. Use spray first on wet hair, then balm on wet hair for perfect straight blowout. Bumble and Bumble’s Shine Spray for post blow-out.

* NARS Multiples. I usually travel with 3. They are perfect for cheeks and lips. I mix them like cocktails to get the perfect color. Right now I am traveling with Antibes, Cannes, and Maui.

* Lips. I keep most of my lipsticks and liners in my purse. Here I have T. Leclerc lip pencil in Divin, which goes with all of my lipsticks. Also Trish McEvoy lipstick in pink rose. I love this combo for the non-nude nude lip this fall. Too nude is too boring.

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My Sunscreen Buffet

2007-08-01T11:29:00.001-04:00

Summer '07
I am somewhat fair, have a tendency to freckle, and spend every weekend at the beach with my family. Thus, my sunscreen obsession. The counter near our back door has a myriad of suncreens all lined up neatly in a row. I find that if I put the right texture on the right body part, my family and I are more likely to use sunscreen, and use is half the battle. Our current buffet has the following:

Best Face Block for Beach -
Skinceuticals SPF 45 – I won’t go to the beach or bike riding without this on my face. The titanium dioxide content is one of the highest around, making this one of the best physical sunblocks out there. It’s a little pricier than others – so I make everyone use this on their face and not their body. Plus, for some reason, it is less likely to irritate my children’s eyes if it should wander close. $35

Best for Touch Up During the Day -
Dermalogica Waterproof Solar Spray SPF 30 — A spray oil with a hint of lemon scent that glides right on arms and legs, it is so easy to get on, and perfect for touch ups while you are at the beach. Whoever thought an oil would have such a high SPF? Extra bonus – it makes your skin look shiny and hydrated. $30

All Over Body Favorite –
Kiehl’s Water-Resistant SPF 40 for Children – Our whole family uses this on their body. With a 40 SPF and an easy lotion-like texture, this is the favorite pre-beach body sunscreen. $18.50

Most Gentle for Kids –
Skinceuticals Physical Defense 30 - My 2 year old daughter has very sensitive skin. This block has no chemical sunscreens at all (the chemical ones are effective, but in some people, may cause a little irritation) and is easy to put on. $35

For Mom Only –
Remede SPF 30 Firming and Contouring Lotion – This one is in my secret stash. Pure heaven, I love putting this on my entire body. It is super hydrating, contains caffeine and seaweed extracts for firming, and has a faint mandarin orange scent. $52

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