A Fab New Store and Beauty Galore

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the re-opening of Saks Off Fifth Outlet at Potomac Mills in a brand new space with other area fashion bloggers. Full disclosure: I've styled some great events at Potomac Mills.  As much of a fan as I have always been of the mall, especially the Last Call by Neiman Marcus (they get direct shipments from Bergdorf Goodman!), I was never that enthused about the mall's Saks Off Fifth store.   After receiving a tour of the new store and being treated to an incredible beauty box of goodies (see below!), I have a whole new outlook and will be taking clients to shop the store ASAP.

Lip Gloss Set in Gold Dune, Plum Kisses, and Starlight Snow, $18.89

Body Wash in Spring Grass & Lotus, $10.49

Cologne in Spring Grass & Lotus, $27.99

Nail Polish Set in Pure Mercury, Mauve Intense, and Fairy, $17.49

Now light, bright and with INCREDIBLE deals on major designers (can we say Derek Lam and Ralph Lauren Collection?) the store is irresistible. I picked up a black fur collar to mix into my fall wardrobe and my husband (can we say furlough shopping?) scored an incredibly well-fitting suit from one of the store's new private labels. See me below with the dream Derek Lam outfit I put together during the event. In case you are interested, that outfit was 70% off! Really good thing I am pregnant and can't buy any real clothes...

New Barneys Beauty Floor

In other exciting store news, I happened to be in New York for the recent opening of Barneys' newly renovated beauty floor. Barneys made big news when they first moved their beauty floor to the lower level (i.e. the basement) years ago. On October 4th, the Barneys flagship store in New York, as well as the store in Beverly Hills, unveiled the new format, meant to emphasize the Barneys environment over the individual brands. In short, it is a stunning presentation and a total retail game changer. And just in case you mess up your hair while trying on clothes upstairs, there is now a Valery Joseph-helmed blow dry bar: Barneys Blow Bar.

Fall Beauty Trends

Orange and purple. Seriously, keep reading! If you happen to be near the Henri Bendel store in New York City, I highly suggest you stop by the Giella beauty counter. I've written before about my favorite all-in-one bronzer/highlighter/blush in the world, EYE M GLAM. This season Giella sent me some new updates for my fall beauty routine, a few of which mix fabulously with my favorite beauty product.

EYE M GLAM Sheer Highlighting Powder, $35

I love the in-between pink and orange hue of Giella's latest blush color: Bashful. It is so new that it isn't even on the website yet! It is soft and pretty on its own and a great addition to your usual bronzer for a more impactful look.

Bashful Blush by Giella, $38

Can one be in love with a lipstick? Actually, Glum Plum is too good to be called just lipstick. It has a lightweight, but somehow long-lasting, gel texture. I was a little freaked out at how dark and well, plum, it was when I initially opened the tube. Imagine my surprise when it went on as a gorgeous stain. I've been seeing the strong dark lipstick look on the runway and thinking I could never pull it off. Well now we all can! This color is also hot off the makeup presses for fall.

Plum Lipstick as seen at Vera Wang Fall 2013

Glum Plum Lipstick by Giella, $28

The copper eyelid is a twist on the orange color story for fall. I would NEVER have tried this if Giella hadn't sent it to me personally. It is sooo fun!!! She shows it with a beautiful matching copper lipstick, Manic, but I liked it on my skin tone best with a more true, sheer orange like Candy Apple Revlon Lip Butter.

Orange Eyeshadow as seen at J.Mendel Fall 2013

Copper Loose Eyeshadow, $28

How are you having fun with your beauty routine this fall?