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