Fabulous Over Forty – Where Beauty Is Ageless

While in NY last week, my co-worker Brooke and I took a few minutes to stop at the Giorgio Armani counter at Saks. I decided I was NOT going to leave NY without stopping there, no matter how little time, how exhausted, or how grimy we were.

If you get to Saks in NY, be sure to stop and see Rafael, he’s the best! We both had makeovers and he made us feel like we were the most special customers of the day, especially when I know I was embarrassed at how “un-Fifth Avenue” I looked after traipsing around town for work and hitting the stifling hot subways. But Rafael made us feel and look like a million bucks!

Here’s what was used on me:

• Crema Nera moisturizer – a rich cream that didn’t feel heavy or greasy when on. It is spendy at $225. I can’t say if it’s worth it or not, as I only tried it that evening.
• Luminous Silk Foundation - #6 shade was used on me. It’s a lightweight, oil free foundation with a natural finish. $55.
• Fluid Sheer - #10 was used on me. Just a touch was added to the foundation mixture and it creates a luminous veil to your skin. I’ve never mixed this into the foundation before. #10 shade is like using a bronzer, without being too dark. I’ve used #2 before as just a highlighter, as I am not an overall shiny skin kinda gal. $55.
• Ochra Mediterranean Palette - $85. This is a beautiful palette that has 4 shades in goldens and bronzes that are a slight shimmer. There are several ways to mix and match these colors. On the bottom of the palette is a bronzer. This was used on the cheeks, forehead, and nose areas.
• Smooth Silk Eye Pencil - Shade #12 was used – it’s a brownish black color. These pencils are the creme of the crop. Smooth, silky, never dry out, and they have a sponge tip on the other end if you want to smudge. $26 and worth every penny if you use eye pencils.
• Maestro Mascara - Top the eyes off with this volumizing mascara. $26.
• Sheer Lipstick - Shade #24 was the shade I settled on. At first a more bright coral shade was used, and I just wasn’t comfortable with it. It was a fun shade, but I liked this shade much better. $26. I LOVE the Armani lipsticks – all formulas!
• Smooth Silk Lip Pencil - Shade #9 was used, and it’s a natural pinkish/brown shade that matches my lips. Again, these pencils are smooth and creamy – never drying. $25
• Lip Shimmer - Shade #2 was used to top off my lips. This gloss shade I already own and have repurchased several times over. It tops my all time cosmetic favorites list. $26

See the after here. Rafael was so great – he even found some wonderful scents that he just knew we would love by the descriptions of what each of us like in a scent. For me he chose Bond #9 in Chinatown - a little spritz here and there, and we were off! Too bad Brooke and I were too tired to get dressed up and have a night on the town!

Get thee to a Nordstrom store or to Nordstrom.com for pre-ordering any of the beauty exclusives. These become available to ship or pick up on Friday, July 18th, but you can reserve your favorites now.

After scouring their website to see what is available, these were a few of the special bargains that I thought might be worth looking into. You may have other favorites, so be sure to check it out.

This Giorgio Armani set includes mascara, lip gloss, eye liner, a foundation and Fluid Silk sample as well as a Prive’ sample in a black case. $108 value for $55.

These mini Essie nail polish colors are beautiful for fall! This is a must on my list – only $15.

This Smashbox “Socialite” set is a $161 value for only $59. Smashbox always has some of the best value sets out there and this is no exception.

This MAC lip color is only $14 and it is a lipstick with a coordinating core color with a pearl-finished core. Available in 4 shades.

Bobbi Brown has this “Cocoa Mauve” collection – an $83 value for $65. A metallic eye shadow, blush, lipstick, gel eye liner all in a nylon bag.

Be sure to check out what might be your favorite exclusive.

I recently saw this ad by the Skin Cancer Foundation. I think it is fantastic! A funny, catchy way to make you realize what the sun can do without getting all preachy. If you click it on, it will enlarge so it is easier to read.

I had my 6 month full body skin cancer check the other day, and all was clear this time! I have been ‘upgraded’ to not having to come back for another year, unless I see changes.

About a year ago I had a major scare with a possibility of melanoma, and again 6 months after that. It was a fluke that I had a mole check, as I went to the dermatologist for some eczema instead. I’ve posted my story before, so I won’t bore you with it all over again. But, please be careful with the sun, besides, who wants to look all wrinkled and leathery! Save yourself the thought of ever having cosmetic work done by protecting your skin from the sun. It’s much cheaper and safer.

Don’t you love it when you receive a great compliment?! Well I got one the other night – someone wanted to know what I had “done” because I looked 10 years younger. I know I don’t look 10 years younger, but my skin feels fantastic and I owe it all to Kate Somerville products.

Enjoy free shipping on any Kate Somerville order now thru June 30th. Just enter the code FREESHIP5 at checkout.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to try my new favorite Quench!

I’ve been in NY this week on business – so sorry for the few and far between posts. But being here this week has been very grueling with hard work, long hours and oh my, the heat and humidity! But I have some great people that I work with; Trooper A (Andrew) and Trooper B (Brooke). While many people say “oh! such a glamorous field of work”, I have to chuckle because if they only knew! That’s when the Fergie song Glamorous came to mind.

But while maneuvering the crowded streets and stifling subway system, we had some great laughs. I thought I’d share with you some of our sources for laughs and code words.

• Ham – just hot and sweaty all over – whether brought on by heat or nervousness
• Swass – Sweaty A@#
• Swack – Sweaty Back
• Swoobs – Sweaty Boobs
• Swits – Sweaty Pits

Well, you get the picture, the heat can make you delirious. I admire the women in their work day best and polished makeup. How do they look so cool and collected, I’d love to know. What are your secrets for keeping put together in the heat?

G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S.

We flying first class

Up in the sky

Poppin.. champagne Livin.. my life

In the fast lane And I won..t change

For the glamorous

Ooh the flossy, flossy

The glamorous The glamorous glamorous (The glamorous life)

For the glamorous

Ooh flossy, flossy (the flossy flossy)

The glamorous

The glamorous, glamorous ( The glamorous life)

For the glamorous Ooh the flossy, flossy

Please stay tuned for your regularly scheduled program. I am in NY this week on business and will be getting back to regular posts shortly. Thanks for your patience! Have a great day!