Snow, Sledding & Beauty Perks

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

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

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 Renewal 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

Ok – so nothing is looking good on my skin. 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!