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MAC collection: Graphic Garden and Look in a Box @ Nordstrom only

Every July, Nordstrom celebrates its anniversary with a sale on items for Fall. The sale features many exclusive items that will not be out elsewhere 'til Autumn or are only sold at Nordstrom. MAC always goes all-out with their own exclusive collection to honor the department store that first sold their products.

Here is this year's selection of goodies:

Graphic Garden Collection
09 Jul (The Bay) / 17 Jul (Nordies) 2009 [US/Canada]
UNK 2009 [international]

collection details via Specktra.net / Nordstrom.com - all others as noted

image source for image @ right

Brush Bags: (LE) $49.50USD
A black and white twill bag with a separate brush holder featuring a rose or poppy pattern. There will be two types of bags:

Define & Blend Brush Set

• 129SE Powder/Blush Brush
• 190SE Foundation Brush
• 209SE Eye Liner Brush
• 219SE Pencil Brush
• 252SE Large Shader Brush

Shape & Perfect Brush Set

• 168SE Large Angled Contour Brush
• 187SE Duo Fibre Brush
• 194SE Concealer Brush
• 212SE Flat Definer Brush
• 275SE Medium Angled Shading Brush

Eye Shadow 6 Palette: (LE) $35.00USD
A black metal compact with a black and white plaque featuring the repeat signature MAC logo that morphs (holographic) into a black and white floral pattern when viewed from different angles.

Fresh Cut Palette

• Floral Inc. - (Frost)
• Sun-Shy - (Lustre)
• Fresh Cut - (Veluxe Pearl)
• Poppy Noir - (Velvet)
• Bloomcycle - (Veluxe Pearl)
• Part Peony - (Lustre)
• #213SE Fluff Brush

Graphic Garden Palette

• Social Climber - (Veluxe Pearl)
• Botancial Blue - (Frost)
• Straight Hedge - (Veluxe Pearl)
• Wild Wisteria - (Lustre)
• Linear Lilac - (Veluxe Pearl)
• Graphic Garden - (Velvet)
• #213SE Fluff Brush

Lip Bags: (LE) $35.0USD
A black and whie twill makeup bag featuring a rose or poppy pattern.

Summer Crop Lip Bag

• Lipstick: Semi-Annual - (Lustre)
• Lipstick: Garden Bed - (Lustre)
• Lipglass: Summer Crop - (Frost)

Baby Blooms Lip Bag

• Lipstick: Soft Illusion - (Frost)
• Spiceflower - (Amplified Cream)
• Lipglass: Baby Blooms - (Frost)

View Face Charts for Graphic Garden @ Specktra.net!

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Look in a Box Collection
09 Jul (The Bay) / 17 Jul (Nordies) 2009 [US/Canada]
UNK 2009 [international]

collection info courtesy of Specktra.net / images courtesy of Nordstrom.com

Area of Distribution: This is an anniversary collection that will only be available at The Bay, Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com.


Look Box: (LE) $59.50USD
A black carton featuring a photo of a model wearing the look (these are north america only). These will also include a face chart and a step-by-step how-to facechart.

Sun Siren Look Box

• Bronze Bronzer - Bare shouldered bronze
• Shroom Eye Shadow - Soft muted golden beige with opalescent shimmer (Satin) (Permanent)
• Amber Lights Eye Shadow - Golden peachy-brown with golden shimmer (Frost) (Permanent)
• Get Rich Quick Dazzleglass - Warm yellow brown (Permanent)
• Mini Zoomlash Mascara in Zoomblack- Pure black (Permanent)
• #181SE Mini Kabuki Brush - Compact-sized buffer brush with a dome-shaped, natural bristle head. Feels luxuriously soft on the skin. Deposits blush, flawlessly blends to provide a soft, even distribution of colour. Ideal for all powder products. The perfect size for your everyday makeup kit.

Seductress Look Box

• Belightful Iridescent Powder - Gilded peach bronze (Permanent)
• Naked Lunch Eye Shadow - Minimal pink with shimmer (frost) (Permanent)
• Knight Divine Eye Shadow - Carbon black with silver/blue reflects (Veluxe Pearl) (Permanent)
• Bare Slimshine - Light neutral pink with subtle gold pearl (Frost) (Permanent)
• Mini Zoomlash Mascara in Zoomblack - Pure black (Permanent)
• #181SE Mini Kabuki Brush - Compact-sized buffer brush with a dome-shaped, natural bristle head. Feels luxuriously soft on the skin. Deposits blush, flawlessly blends to provide a soft, even distribution of colour. Ideal for all powder products. The perfect size for your everyday makeup kit.

Sweet Tease Look Box

• Shell Pearl Beauty Powder - Fresh mid-tone peach with gold pearl (Repromote from Sundressing)
• Gleam Eye Shadow - Barely pinked gold (Lustre) (Permanent)
• Mulch Eye Shadow - Intense golden reddish brown flecked with golden bronze shimmer (Velvet) (Permanent)
• Love Nectar Lustreglass - Ultra-soft apricot with pearl (Permanent)
• Mini Zoomlash Mascara in Zoomblack - Pure black (Permanent)
• #181SE Mini Kabuki Brush - Compact-sized buffer brush with a dome-shaped, natural bristle head. Feels luxuriously soft on the skin. Deposits blush, flawlessly blends to provide a soft, even distribution of colour. Ideal for all powder products. The perfect size for your everyday makeup kit.

  

Illamasqua comes to the US via Sephora ---- later this month! My wishlist

Illamasqua. At Sephora. Soon.

The dets: Shop the entire US line July 21st on Sephora.com, or at their new Times Square store on July 30. It'll also be available in more stores come Fall.

I can't say it enough times! Edgy UK brand Illamasqua, with its inspired, rich, color-packed makeup and the best names in the biz has its roots in 1920's Berlin and its claws all over makeup artists and makeup fanatics everywhere. And it is coming here. To the States. Really. In Sephora.

I plotz! My heart races, my pulse quickens, my fingers itch to swatch!

My thoughts: This completely saves me the stress of making a shopping list for my friend in London to pick up. However, I'm the teensiest, tiniest bit down, 'cause I'd hoped that when Illamasqua came to the States it would be in a department store or boutiques, so they'd have artists dedicated to the brand. Instead, it gets tossed into the hodgepodge that is Sephora. Meh... I'll be ok, I love Sephora. I just wanted to have the Illamasqua experience be.... MORE. In the UK, the artists are dressed to the nines and the counters look stunning -it seems like a touch of theater mixed with a-ma-zing makeup. What's better than that!?  I think some of the flava will be lost at Sephora. Boo! Well, regardless, I hope one of the Sephora stores near me gets the line in the Fall. Doubtful, but at least I can see the goods when I go to NY in a few months. Can't wait!

 

(this is one of the most stunning promo pics I've ever seen!)

So let me give you my laundry list of wants from the line*. And please, tell us in the comments what YOU'RE lemming!

SCRATCH | Let's start with the nails, 'cause a) I'm a polish addict, as you know, and b) I'm convinced this formula is the A-#1 best-wearing lacquer in the industry, if MILF is any indication (my review here). So, what don't I want, right? OK, I guess I'll narrow it down a bit:

• For starters, I want to test their Top and Base Coats to see if they make the ridiculously long wear of the varnishes last even longer - and if they work on other polishes, too. So sign me up for one of each!
  
  Gonna grab: Alarm, Snap, Boosh, Baptiste, Unnatural, Rampage, Jan, Lament, and Phallic.
  
  That leaves the following on my UK wishlist: Scorch, Snap, Glory, Poke, Brigette, and Demure.
  

BITE| Illamasqua makes three categories of lip products, and naturally I want to sample from each! They offer Lipstick, Sheer Lipgloss and Intense Lipgloss. From what I've heard the Intense Lipgloss is incredible - completely opaque and just stunning! And the colors - -- oh, the colors! I am not up for blue lips, but for those who are, Illamasqua has ya covered. I want to get my hands on:

•  Lipstick | I think it's clear from the swatches selected below what colors I like in lipsticks. :) Now, I would love to get my hands on Vengeance, but it's EU only - so that will go on my "bribe a friend to pick it up list"! :)  As a note: Box is the shade created painstakingly by Illamasqua artistry genius Alex Box, and she considers it the perfect red for cool, fair complexions. I've gotta try it!
  
  Gonna Grab: Box, Resist, Underworld, and Corrupt.

•  Sheer Lipgloss | Illamasquat lipglosses are in a cool long and skinny tube applicator with the coolest transparent tip! Packaging alone is a "WIN" and I can't wait to try the formula based on the pictures I've seen.
  
  Gonna Grab: Soul, Divine and Tantrum.

• Intense Lipgloss | Completely opaque coverage - that's what I understand you get with these. I'm slightly intimidated by the bold colors (wrong for dropping kids off at preschool!) so will stick to "safe" shades at first. Of course, Petulant is a bold fuchsia, so my idea of "safe" may differ from yours. :)
  
  Gonna Grab: Move, Petulant, Frenzy, and Fume.
  
  That leaves Fury Intense Gloss to add to the UK list !

Lure | The skin products. I love trying foundations, but usually am left disappointed. How will Illamasqua measure up? And blushes are one of my major temptations, even though I certainly don't need more...

• Primer | I love and completely believe in the power of Primers! Illamasqua offers two - a Matte finish and a Satin finish. Both are SPF 20,and both are available at Sephora. Can't wait to try them.

• Powdered Metal | Um, yes please. All three. Yes, at least one (and probably two) of these seem to dark for my skin, but who cares!? I'm sure I'll find a use for them - if not personally, surely on freelance jobs. At the very least, Bebhionn will be mine! Mine I say! Sadly, they are not available here in the US (at least at this time). Onto the UK order they go!

• Foundation | I'll be starting with the Rich Liquid Foundation, which offers believable-but-full coverage but may also pick up Light Liquid Foundation - a more sheer version only available in the UK. Also available here in the US: Cream and Powder foundations.

• Powder and Cream blushes | Well, it's Illamasqua, so we know these are going to be highly pigmented. I can't wait to try them! It's hard to tell from online swatches, but Rumour looks like it may be a great contour on my fair, cool skin - too bad it's a UK item. The UK portion of the line has tons of neutral shades for bronzing and contouring -check it out! Wonder why it's mostly color products here? Hmph.

Pierce | The eyes have it, as we all know. It's my favorite range of products to check out, whatever the line, and IIllamasqua is no different!

• Powder Shadow | Uber-pigmented shadows, guys and gals! I won't bother saying more, except Imagine looks like a color I may never take off; I love periwinkle! Predator and Daemon will have to be on my UK order.
  
  
  
  

• Pure Pigments | AKA- loose shadows. Metallic. High-shine. OK to wear wherever. I expect greatness from these and hope I'm not disappointed. I do hear great things about the container's small opening - less fear of spillage and loss! I especially am curious to see how Fervent compares to MAC's Blue-Brown PIgment, and how Involve stacks up against my beloved MAC Violet!
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Lashes | My lifestyle has nothing at all to do with wearing False Lashes, except when I'm freelancing at MAC and wearing theirs, but I am completely enamored of and obsessed with them. Love them! Take a look at the ones I'm peepin':

 

I haven't named everything available at Sephora - I'm quite sure you can browse the site for yourelf and see what is there. :)  I just wanted a shout-out to my faves.

I do have some major complaints, though:

1. Where are the cream shadows?
2. I didn't expect them, but boo, no palettes.
3. Where are the pencils!? 
4. WHERE IS S.O.P.H.I.E.!?

I guess we'll wait and see if they expand the line to include some of those things...

Meanwhile, what are YOU looking forward to from this line!?

New from Estee Lauder | Pleasures Splash (3 scents); DoubleWear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme; DoubleWear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil

Lots of newness from Mama Lauder!

Pleasures Splash (3 scents)
 DoubleWear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme
 DoubleWear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil

pleasures Splash | Three new all-over body splashes that are perfect for sundress season! Nice and light, and all based on the best of the sheer floral scent pleasures (the original scent's notes: lilies, peonies, jasmine and baie rose).

• Baie Rose Peony Splash | A fresh floral - exotic and spicy baie rose merges with the soft floral of peony. Also: lily, green leaves, and warm skin accord.
  
• Jasmine Violet Splash | A green floral - fresh violet blends with sexy jasmine. Also: tuberose, cucumber, and a touch of spicy carnation.
• Sandalwood Amber Splash |A woody oriental - rich golden amber swirled with warm creamy sandalwood. Also: orange, lemon, karo karonde, pepper, and warm skin accord.

DoubleWear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme | Lots of love out there for Estee Lauder's DoubleWear line. There should be tons of excitement that the DoubleWear premise has been extended to cream shadows and eye pencils!

• Brilliant color that is stay-true for 15 hours. 
• Sets quickly and unaffected by humidity or heat.
• Contains antioxdants and also formulated to apply smoothy, so you don't have to tug your eyes.
• There are some GORGEOUS colors in this ShadowCreme and a few are LE, so hurry out and pick 'em up...

DoubleWear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil | So pretty! Eye pencils to coordinate with the cream shadows... YAY!

• No smudge, no budge. Stays in place for upto 12 hours.
• Creamy and quick setting.
• Silicones help hold the colors in place; pigment-rich for intense and saturated colors; Vitamin E and jojoba keep it smooth (no undue wear-and-tear on the eye). 
• Comes with a smudger (soft foam tip) and are sharpenable.

Interested in these? The idea of a splash sound great to you, or do you think it's going to be too sheer? Ready to try a great new cream shadow? Have high hopes for a liner that lasts 12 hours? Share with the class! 

I personally want to try these splashes, badly! esepcially intrigued by the Jasmine Violet and Sandalwood Amber! I'd be willing to give the eye products a shot, though I've got tons of supposed long-wearing products and would want a test-drive before buying. Though the colors... ah... the colors! And if these are as good as the rest of the DoubleWear line is reputed to be, they may be a new "must"!

New in Nails | 3.12.09

• Miss Mismas at All Lacquered Up wants to share some Chanel. Well, I don't think she's buying for all of us, but she's got some nice preview pics of Chanel's Summer collection. Please be sure to go read the details on All Lacquered Up.  Below, from left: Golden Sand, Orange Fizz:
  
  
  

• Despite a temporary "mystery collection" speed bump, we don't want you to get blue. Well, maybe we do! Essie goes a little crazy with their new Summer collection, North Fork. Take a look at Scrangie's find, and read the post for more info! 
  
  
  

• All Lacquered Up shares a sneak peek at another great China Glaze collection. (Can that company put out a dud? Hopefully: never)  Introducing: Spring / Summer's Kicks! Visit to learn more.
  
  
  

That's it for nails today. Got anything else for us?

Any of these catch the eye? Are you too busy yawning to care? Share with the class!

Naturally, being a China Glaze junkie, I want to get my hands on Kicks! I can't wait to see that purple-y pink one, and the lighter blue. Essie has shocked me with the blues, and I'll peep those but I'm not that into blues - I just want to see 'em and prove to myself they're real! And you know I love orange, so I'll scope out the Chanel Orange Fizz, but it looks a little pale to interest me. Ya never know, though!

Estée Lauder | Vivid Garden | Summer '09

Estée Lauder Vivid Garden

A festive garden tea party ... blooming flowers ... delectable petit-fours, decadent layer cakes iced in fanciful butterfly and bloom designs ... soft flowing dresses ... youthful expressions of color in unordinary combinations...

(peony source, cat and peony source, petit-fours source,  
cake source)

The description above comes from Estée Lauder's press release for their new Summer '09 collection, Vivid Garden. I've never heard the word "unordinary" but I get the picture...

The collection features bold and vivid colors paired with more subdued pinks and purples. Think fresh, lovely and feminine.

The highnotes:

• New! LE, Vivid Garden Illuminating Powder
• NEW! 2 LE, Signature Eyeshadow Quads: Jasmine Garden and Orchid Garden
• New! Duo-Tone Eye Pencil
• New! 2 LE Pure Color Illuminating Glosses in Lotus Blossom and Peach Blossom
• New! 1 LE Pure Color Illuminating Lipstick in Sweet Lychee
• 1 repromoted Pure Color Illuminating Lipstick in Crystal Coral
• New! 2 LE Pure Color Nail Lacquers in Peach Blossom and Lotus Blossom

BUT: Note that some of these are only available
 at Saks, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus,
 and others are Nordstrom-only shades!

For more info (including what's available where) and pics, read on...

Estée Lauder | Bronze Goddess | Summer '09

Now that it's March, (and there's finally snow on the ground here in Richmond, VA!) it's time to switch gears and think about Summer. How 'bout thinking bronze?

Estée Lauder has already released details of their Summer collection, a reappearance of the Bronze Goddess theme, but with great new products enhancing the collection. 

Collection highlights:

• NEW, LE Sun Blush Illuminator
• 4 bronzers | Soft Matte Bronzer,Soft Shimmer Bronzer, Soft Duo Bronzer (in 2 shades)


• Luminous Liquid Bronzer


• NEW, LE Palette | Sand & Sea


• NEW, LE Duo Tone Eye Pencil
• A NEW, LE shade of Pure Color Lipstick | Golden Goddess


• 3 new shades of High Gloss | Golden Goddess, Coral Goddess, Rose Goddess


• 1 new shade of Pure Color Nail Lacquer | Golden Goddess


• 2 shades of Pure Color Gloss Stick | Orange Poppy, Pop Pink


• A new sun collection featuring an SPF 30 lotion for face and 3 self tanners

• Bronze Goddess fragrance

Look for this collection in March so you can get a jump on your Spring Break or early vacay!

For more details and product images, keep reading!