Palm Beach 4: Makeup Oldies But Goodies

None of my typical makeup was really "working" for me in Palm Beach. My brown eyeshadows for fall were too dull. My pink matte blushes (think Nars Penny Lane) too flat. My lipsticks (Laura Mercier Rose or Bobbi Brown Tulle) too wrong. So I had to dig into my bag (I brought 5, gallon-size ziploc bags of makeup and skincare) and reset my makeup. I went back to a shadow I started wearing 8 years ago - Trish McEvoy Cashmere (although discontinued Trish Matte Eye Shadow in Heather and Glaze Eye Shadow in Rose Quartz are good equivalents). Bobbi Brown Bone Eyeshadow all over my lid, Trish McEvoy Cashmere in my crease, and a deep purple eyeliner (Trish McEvoy Arabian Nights) became my old but new Palm Beach look. For blush - I used NARS South Beach Multiple (South Beach, Palm Beach it is all Florida). Lips - Laura Mercier Blush Lip Glace - another color I have worn for years and years. The purple hue on the eyes worked much better then my typical brown eyeshadows and blue eyeliners. Voila - oldies but goodies. Everyone has them!

Palm Beach 3: New Years 2010 with Fekkai, Woody Allen and Trump

Marla Malcolm Beck with Woody Allen


Marla Malcolm Beck with Donald Trump


Marla Malcolm Beck with Regis PhilbinLucky me. Invited to Trump's again for new years. To get ready, the Fekkai team invited me into their Palm Beach salon. Denise blew out and flat ironed my hair (using Fekkai products, of course!) Elle did my makeup - a dramatic smokey eye that I could never have done myself. She used deep browns and blues and dark liners. She even applied a couple of individual false lashes. It is always a treat to be pampered like this!
Trump's was the usual tasteful, luxe party. Glorious appetizers outside under the stars and festive dinner and dancing in the ballroom he built for his and Melania's wedding. His close friends, Woody Allen and Regis Philbin were there, as usual. I enjoyed ringing in 2010 with my fun, supportive husband. This is the year I am turning 40 and I am ready!!

Palm Beach 2: New Go-To Sunscreen

ReVive Skincare sent me the new SPF 45 launching this March. This is my new go to warm weather outdoor sunscreen. I put this on every morning in Palm Beach and zipped out the door to play tennis. Easy application and I felt like I had nothing on. I also loved the firming and hydrating properties. Am addicted.

Palm Beach 1: Pre-vacation

Went to bluemercury to stock up before our Palm Beach trip. Clearly I am a product addict. I bought the following:
1. Five Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. I use nothing else on the kid’s faces. They never burn with this on.

2. Two MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion. Easy to apply to little arms and legs.

3. Two MD Moms Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes SPF30+. Easy for re-application at camp. Kids put this on themselves. The only physical sunscreen in wipes that I have ever seen.

4. Four Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30. So easy for reapplication for kids on backs. Great for lazy husbands also!

5. Two Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Hydrating. I ran out.

6. Two Phyto Phytomist Hydrating Conditioner spray. Use on my daughters hair as spray conditioner on wet hair.

7. Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo and two Fekkai Salon Glaze. My favorite hot weather shampoo and conditioner.

8. Trish McEvoy Planner Page. Needed a new, fresh one.

9. Rubis tweezers and Tweezerman tweezers. Another case of the disappearing tweezers. Not sure why I always lose them!

Ready to go!

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.