You guys, I keep forgetting that I wanted to show you the pretty colors I wore for the family Christmas meal. For the Holiday season, Estée Lauder introduced the Limited Edition 'Extravagant Pure Color' Eyeshadow Palette in "Extravagant Gold", along with its companion lippie, the 'Pure Color' lipstick in "Extravagant Berry".

Now, the great thing about this palette is that while it may look very neutral, it is enhanced with golden flecks that makes these colors something special. I know I always want to dress up for special occasions, but rocking a dark smokey eye just wasn't fitting for the family dinner. So, with the golden shimmers to warm up the colors, this bold neutral (oxymoron?) fit the bill. And with just a touch of the v pigmented lippie, I was set to throw down the dressing. (*What? It's my favorite dish.).

Now, I know these were part of the Holiday 2010 collection, but I checked both esteelauder.com and nordstroms.com and they both still have the palette ($42) and lipstick ($22) in stock if you want to grab them - or check your local counter as they may still have some, too.

*Disclaimer: I received these products from their PR for editorial consideration.

On Thursday, July 22nd Estée Lauder will kick off its largest sampling program to date – America’s Night to Repair. For 4 synchronized hours – from 5:00pm – 9:00pm (all local times) – Estée Lauder Beauty Advisors will be distributing a total of 360,000 deluxe samples. Customers can choose either a 10-day supply of NEW Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex or Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex at ALL Estée Lauder department and specialty store counters nationwide – one sample per customer while supplies last. Customers can visit Advanced Night Repair for additional information.

Read some interesting news about Estée Lauder’s new "Global Faces" that you might find interesting:
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New York, NY, April 15, 2010 – The Estée Lauder brand today announced that it has signed two of fashion’s brightest runway and editorial stars as new global faces of Estée Lauder. French model Constance Jablonski and Chinese model Liu Wen will join Estée Lauder’s roster of global beauties – Hilary Rhoda, Carolyn Murphy, Elizabeth Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow – and debut in its global advertising campaigns beginning June 2010.

The signing of Constance marks the first time Estée Lauder has signed a French model, and the signing of Liu Wen marks the first time the brand has signed a Chinese model. Over the years, models in Estée Lauder’s global campaigns have hailed from the U.S. (Karen Graham, Willow Bay, Carolyn Murphy, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Rhoda), the U.K. (Elizabeth Hurley), Czech Republic (Paulina Porizkova), Poland (Anja Rubik) and Ethiopia (Liya Kebede).

"Estée Lauder has always searched for global beauties that define a generation,” said Aerin Lauder, Senior Vice President, Creative Director, Estée Lauder. "Constance and Liu Wen are the beauties of our time. Both models have quickly captured the attention of the fashion and beauty world.”

“We are thrilled to introduce Constance and Liu Wen to women around the world,” said Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Global Brand President, Estée Lauder. “Both models have the style and confidence that reflects Estée Lauder’s modern vision of global beauty.”

Constance moved to New York from Lille, France in September 2008, and has since become one of the most coveted faces in fashion, walking a total of 62 shows in New York, Milan and Paris for the Autumn/Winter 2010 season including Derek Lam, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten and shooting editorials with the world’s top fashion photographers, including Steven Meisel, David Sims, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Mikael Jansson, Mario Sorrenti, Craig McDean and Patrick Demarchelier. Constance recently appeared on the cover of Chinese Vogue and in editorials in the American, British, French and Italian editions of Vogue.

Liu Wen (*warning: it's in Chinese) hails from Beijing, China, and is China’s brightest fashion star. First establishing her career with the Chinese editions of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, she broke onto the international stage in Paris on the Spring 2008 runways of Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier. Since then, Liu Wen has become a fixture on the runways of New York, Milan and Paris, walking a total of 49 shows for the Autumn/Winter 2010 season including Rodarte, Derek Lam, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo and Balenciaga and shooting editorials with the world’s top fashion photographers including Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Sorrenti, Terry Richardson and Dan Jackson. Liu Wen recently appeared on the cover of Chinese Vogue and in editorials for W as well as the French, Japanese and Chinese editions of Vogue.

Estée Lauder introduces their most "powerfully hydrating creme to date" in their new "Hydrationist" line. "Instantly, thirsty, dehydrated skin is quenched with NEW and
exclusive Bio-Mimetic Water to deliver immediate moisture lasting 24 hours. With continued use, Estée Lauder’s exclusive NEW Sustainable Moisture Complex™ with Revival Plant Extract helps boost, balance and maintain skin's optimum moisture levels. Over time, it will help skin retain and sustain its own internal moisture for exceptional long-lasting, youth-infusing hydration. Skin becomes stronger, more comfortable and continually hydrated, and is thus better able to resist the signs of premature aging more effectively."

INSTANT HYDRATION:
HYDRATIONIST immediately replenishes thirsty skin with youth-infusing moisture lasting 24 hours. Hydrated at multiple levels, skin’s moisture balance is restored by exclusive NEW Bio-Mimetic Water with the following three unique features:
1. Structured: Bio-Mimetic Water is “structured”, so that it is able to easily assimilate into skin for an immediate burst of hydration that reaches deep within to where skin needs it most.
2. Mineral enhanced: The efficacy of Bio-Mimetic Water is enhanced by the concentration of vital minerals: Magnesium, Calcium, and Zinc. When skin is supplied with these nourishing minerals, it is better able to carry out its natural daily functions, such as barrier repair, more efficiently.
3. Arginase Activator: Once inside the deepest surface layers of the skin, Bio-Mimetic Water helps skin stimulate arginase activity, a natural process that increases the production of urea in skin. Urea is a Natural Moisture Factor and a naturally occurring compound that binds water in skin for increased moisture. As we age, skin’s natural urea production (stimulated by arginase activity) declines. Recent Estée Lauder studies show that Bio-Mimetic Water increases arginase activity by 98% 2 .
Results: Skin feels softer, smoother, and more hydrated than ever. Thirsty skin is instantly replenished with 81% immediate moisture and stays hydrated for 24 hours 3 . The appearance of fine, dry lines diminishes.

LONG-LASTING HYDRATION:
HYDRATIONIST features Estée Lauder’s exclusive Sustainable Moisture Complex™, a blend of powerful ingredients that work over time to help skin naturally build and maintain a strong moisture:
1. Exclusive to Estée Lauder, the Age Measurement Study was conducted over five years, and involved hundreds of women from ages 20 – 70.
2. Based on in-vitro testing.
3. Clinical results based on Normal/Combination Creme test barrier. This powerful complex helps skin hold and preserve its own internal moisture for deep, long- lasting and sustainable hydration.
The Sustainable Moisture Complex™ consists of:
1. Revival Plant Extract (Haberlea Rhodopensis): A miracle of nature, this beautiful Revival Plant has the amazing ability to dry out and survive drought conditions for several months without harm to its well- being. Upon the re-introduction of water, the plant remarkably recovers and continues to flourish, bloom, and grow. The Sustainable Moisture Complex™ featuring Revival Plant Extract helps skin sustain its internal moisture so that it is better able to adapt to everyday exposures that could cause dehydration.
2. Barrier Building Blend: This unique blend delivers a wealth of our most advanced lipids and triglycerides to help strengthen and build skin’s barrier. A special “ceramide activator” also helps build skin’s barrier from the inside out by helping skin activate its own natural lipid production. Moisture is kept sealed in for deep, long-lasting hydration.
3. Trehalose: A naturally occurring sugar in skin, Trehalose helps maintain a healthy water balance inside and outside of cells, providing cells with the exact level of moisture needed to function optimally.
Results: Skin’s moisture barrier is strengthened by 50% after fours weeks of continued use 4 and skin’s ability to stay hydrated 24 hours after just one application also significantly improves with continued use. A stronger barrier and sustainable supply of moisture help skin fight the signs of premature aging more effectively.

UNIQUE, SIGNATURE SCENT:
The signature aqua coral note that lies at the heart of the HYDRATIONIST fragrance is brought to life from the coast of Madagascar. The natural, marine coral scent combines with a hint of algae, fresh ozone, grapefruit, tangerine, and pear to create an aquatic, yet citrusy blend. The natural, green botanical impression is then enhanced with touches of hyacinth, white lily, sheer rose, sandalwood and musk.

USAGE:
Use morning and night after applying your repair serum on clean skin for a more youthful, healthy look. Non-acnegenic. Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested.

HYDRATIONIST PRODUCTS:
Available at Estée Lauder counters nationwide and www.esteelauder.com
Creme for Dry Skin: Ultra-comforting creme feels velvety soft as it spreads across skin; absorbs leaving an after-feel of deep hydration, comfort, and suppleness. (Suggested Retail Price: $38.00)
Creme for Normal/Combination Skin: Lusciously soft and refreshing texture immediately soaks into skin, infusing it with moisture and a burst of freshness; leaves skin feeling supple and silky-smooth. (Suggested Retail Price: $38.00)
Lotion for Normal/Combination Skin: Pleasantly lightweight, water-smooth texture glides on effortlessly; quickly absorbed, it leaves skin moisturized, plumped, comfortable, and refreshed. (Suggested Retail Price: $38.00)
Creme for Normal/Combination Skin with SPF 15: A lightweight, silky-smooth texture glides easily across skin; absorbs quickly leaving skin feeling comfortable, hydrated, and super soft. (Suggested Retail Price: $38.00)

When you get up around "my age" (*chronologically, of course), we all end up with a few teensy-tiny, and maybe one annoying, wrinkle. It's there. You know its there. And you want it gone. While many of us do not want to resort to Botox or other cosmetic procedures to make them go away, there are times we just wish they weren't there.

Well, Estée Lauder is going to try to help with its new line filler, Perfectionist [CP+] Targeted Deep Wrinkle Filler - the latest addition to the "Perfectionist" skincare line. It comes in a small, pen-like tube that makes it easier to apply directly where you want it. Once you apply it, just tap it into the wrinkle and smooth out the edges. This "concentrated treatment that instantly reduces the look of smile lines, crows feet and deep creases around the forehead, brows, and eyes and dramatically blurs the appearance of lip lines to hold back lipstick feathering for up to 8 hours." Also, "with continued use, skin becomes firmer, lines are blurred and deep wrinkles appear less noticeable for a younger and smoother look."

Now, this isn't something I would use everyday, mostly because I don't go for the full on face of makeup each day. However, I had a chance to try this, and when I do want to go all out, this fills in and gives me a smoother surface to play with. Remember, read the instructions. It says to use this *under* your moisturizer, and, it seems to me, that this is because the filler can be a bit drying, and the moisturizer keeps it from "cracking" while wearing it. Moisturizer also seems to give it a bit of a barrier between foundation, too, as some foundations seem to have a hard time setting over it on its own.

You can pick this up at your local Estée Lauder counter for $39.50. I'd tell you to pick it up online, but it looks like it is "out of stock". However, if you purchase it online, they will shoot you an email telling you your expected ship date.

If you do pick this up, or are already using it, lemme know. I'm curious how it works with daily usage.

So here's something I didn't know - Estée Lauder has never participated in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Until this season. I'm actually really surprised by this - you would think at some point in it's 64yr history that they would have been a part of it.

And boy, did they jump right in, with "bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails" at the Derek Lam Fall/Winter 2010 show. Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux led a team of 15 artists to create the stunning look on 22 models - While famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished their nails with a new color that was tested backstage!

"When Derek showed me the fabrics that inspired his Fall 2010 collection – bold and muted tones mixed with earthy pigments including terracotta, greens and browns – I thought the makeup shades should be complimentary. So we chose a blend of bold blue shadows on the eyes, shimmering copper lips and flawless, matte skin created with a light foundation -- an on-trend beauty preview of what we will see for Fall 2010." Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director.

One of the things that Tom is doing as the new Creative Makeup Director is working on new high-impact colors that will be on Estée Lauder counters in Fall 2010, but he runway tested some of them backstage for this show:
Eyes: New Estée Lauder EyeShadow Tested Backstage – Shades Launching Fall 2010
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Midnight Blue
Estée Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara in Black
Lips: Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Beige
Cheeks: Bare
Skin: Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation
Nails: New Estée Lauder shade Tested Backstage (*I hear it is a sheer, milky white kind of color with some, not a lot, of sparkle to it.)

I can def say that I look forward to checking out these new colors when they hit the counter this fall.

(*Credits)
Makeup: Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder
Nails: Jin Soon Choi for Estée Lauder
Model Photo: Liu Wen (Marilyn) Photo Courtesy of Estée Lauder

I gotta admit that nowadays I tend to think of the great blog Blogdorf Goodman when I think of this store - which is def a compliment to the store, let me tell you. However, the store isn't half bad itself.

I was lucky enough to get to try some La Mer cream. I am sure my little sample wasn't near enough to make me appreciate the joy that this is supposed to be, because as of now, I am all very meh about it.

I also got the chance to see the Paul & Joe's Disney line, which was mostly all sold out and taking pre-orders for their new shipment. And I had the loveliest Estee Lauder MA assist me with the solid perfume compacts they had for the holidays.(Loved the Nesting Dolls, but they were too much, and the Gingerbread Man, but he was sold out). Boo.

And lastly, I had the chance to try the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer that all the kids are raving about. Okay, maybe not the kids, but all the in the know beauty ladies. I originally thought I wanted the Illuminating TM, but apparently that was just a bit too shiny for such a lady of age as I am, which I actually agreed on after seeing it in person. I did get a little trio of plum colors to throw in my purse, but decided against the TM for now. (This also happened to be the first of *3* times I was complimented on my skin that day, but got dinged for the dark circles under my eyes.)

Then I made it over to Henri Bendel:

I gotta say that right now I cannot think of a single thing to say about the makeup counters here, so I am guessing that I just didn't see anything that caused me to stop and spend any time there.

With a side trip over to Barney's:

Just as I was leaving, a delightful male MA stopped me on my way out to tell me just how lovely he thought I looked, but if he could change just a couple of things, he would change my eyeliner (the Laura Mercier MA had put it up under my top lashes, which was unusual for me, so I didn't entirely disagree on that point) and my dark circles (See? This was round #2 - after the Laura Mercier MA had had her way with them.)* So, he pulled out his handy dandy wand of T. LeClerc Makeup Corrector Fluid and gave it a shot. Now, I have to say that I really liked this stuff, but since it was going over all ready concealed eyes, I couldn't judge it just for itself. However, I did like the feel of it, and the MA was a sweetheart, too. He was French.

And a last stop at Bloomingdale's: