Coquette

NARS Holiday 2014 Color Collection: Laced with Edge

I am so in love with the NARS Holiday 2014 Color Collection - Laced with Edge. The packaging is superb and features architectural designer Chris Kabatsi's digitally rendered Nebula print weaved oh so elegantly into the NARS packaging.

Let's talk colors! I currently have the blush in Algeria (Tan Rose, $30) and the lipgloss in Corsica (shimmering pink raspberry, $26). The two complement my complexion perfectly. As you know, NARS just makes the most perfect blushes and the Algeria is such a pretty color, you won't want to miss out on it. It gives me just the right warmth of color on my face as my summer tan is fading away. Plus paired with the Corsica gloss and I've got a really easy breezy natural look to run out the door with. Did I mention all this is limited edition?!

The limited edition Hardwired Lipsticks ($26 each) feature a new formulation that brings color with a high-impact sheen.
Pictured above are: Deadly Catch, Femme Fleur and Adriatic

As you can see, each of the lipsticks have their own complementary lip gloss ($26 each). I love NARS formula. It goes on so smooth and isn't sticky at all. Pictured above are: Buring Love, Corsica and Soleil D'Orient

The Hardwired Eyeshadow ($25 each) features pigments with intense iridescence.
Pictured above are: Gabon, Canberra and Opal Coast

Finally, the nail polishes ($20 each) are sparkly delights for your digits. I can't resist purple and Algonquin, a sparkling lilac is calling my name.
Pictured above are: Algonquin, Barents Sea and Sherwood

The NARS Holiday 2014 Color Collection: Laced with Edge is available now at narscosmetics.com and department stores on November 1st.

Review products were provided by NARS.

Holiday Beauty 2014: Must Have Makeup Brush Sets

Most of the holiday beauty sets for 2014 are now at department stores! Crazy, right? It's a great time to pick up a makeup brush set as most of the designer brands put out really affordable sets that are usually a great size for travel or your handbag. Chanel doesn't do brush sets often so you'll have to pick up this limited edition Chanel Les Mini De Chanel Mini Brush Set ($125 at Nordstrom) that features a foundation brush, lip brush and eyeshadow brush that are exclusive to this set as well as a blush brush, contour brush and eyeliner brush. I saw this in person and the set is just adorable. It comes in a mesh case and mirror. The brushes also feel soft. Chanel has always been my favorite brand of brushes. I also on the other hand love Mac's brushes and there are some afforable sets featuring different brushes below. Hurry and snatch these up before they are gone!

Also got a quick tip this week at Nordstrom's: Burberry Beauty's holiday collection will launch soon in November.

Here are more holiday makeup brush sets at Nordstrom:

Dior Holiday Backstage Brush Set (Limited Edition) ($95)

Bobbi Brown Travel Brush Set (Limited Edition) ($135)
Set includes: Face Blender Brush, Sheer Powder Brush, Dual-Ended Concealer Blending/Eye Blender Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Eye Liner Brush, Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush and Eye Brow Brush

Laura Mercier 'Luxe' Travel Brush Collection (Limited Edition) ($236 Value) ($125)
Set includes: Cheek Colour Brush, Secret Camouflage Brush, Pony Tail Brush, Crème Eye Colour Brush, Eye Crease Brush, Smudge Brush, Flat Eye Liner Brush and Angled Eye Liner Brush

MAC 'Keepsakes - In Extra Dimension' Double-Sided Brush Kit (Limited Edition) ($52.50)
Set includes: 127 SE Split Fibre Face Brush, 128 SE Split Fibre Cheek Brush, 234 SE Split Fibre Eye Blending Brush and 235 SE Split Fibre All Over Eye Brush

MAC 'Keepsakes - Mineralize' Brush Kit (Limited Edition) ($148 Value) ($52.50)
Set includes: 187 SE Duo Fibre Face Brush, 130 SE Short Duo Fibre Brush, 286 SE Duo Fibre Tapered Blending Brush and 287 SE Duo Fibre Eyeshadow Brush

MAC 'Keepsakes' Studio Brush Kit (Limited Edition) ($145 Value) ($52.50)
Set includes: - 129 SE Powder Blush Brush, 190 SE Foundation Brush, 224 SE Tapered Blending Brush, 213 SE Fluff Brush and 209 SE Eyeliner Brush

Ines De La Fressange's Fall/Winter 2014 Collection with Uniqlo

French model Inés de la Fressange is still one of the most stylish models around at age 57 today. The former Chanel model has effortless Parisian style which you see in the new Inés de la Fressange Fall/Winter 2014 collection with Uniqlo. It's all about classic items that you can pair with great accessories. Menswear with a twist. I can't tell you how many stylish French women I saw in Paris this summer wearing a black pants suit. Trés chic! Forget those images of fashion bloggers in girly dresses at the Eiffel Tower - This is not really Paris! I am currently in love with her trench coat (on sale for $99.90). For such an affordable coat, there's amazing quality to it. The material is preached cotton and comes with a removable lining for those chilly days. Comes in classic beige or navy. Decisions, decisions!

Here are more of my favorites from her Uniqlo collection:

Stripe Jacket (on sale for $79.90)

Straight Pants (on sale for $29.90)

Cashmere Tunic ($129.90)

White Cotton Long Sleeve Shirt (on sale for $29.90)

Denim Long Sleeve Shirt ($24.90)

Flannel Polka-dot/Floral Print Shirt (on sale for $29.90)

(Photo: Instagram @coquettenatalie)

I also love Inés book, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange ($16.92 on Amazon). The book came out in 2011 but I only recently heard about it. It's a wonderful inspiration book as well as a perfect shopping guide if you plan on visiting Paris and need good shopping tips. The book is designed beautifully to feel like a journal with lots of color photos and notes. I love that it also comes with a cute bookmark!

Avene Micellar Lotion Cleansing and Make Up Remover: Clean Your Face Like the French Do

Ask any French woman if she uses a micellar cleanser and almost every gal aged 13-93 will say, "Mais Oui!" I learned this secret many years ago upon visiting my in laws in France and seeing a bottle of micellar cleanser on my mother-in-law's bathroom table. Needless to say, years later I have been hooked ever since. I usually stock up each time I go to France, but now thanks to Avene you can now buy a micellar cleanser in the U.S. and you won't have to pay hefty prices, shipping or custom fees in the process.

The Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make Up Remover ($20 for 6.76 fl oz at drugstore.com) is the first step I do to clean my face. It gets rid of all my makeup and eye makeup and doesn't leave my skin dry. If I am not wearing a lot of makeup that day, I won't have to cleanse my skin again. The magic of a micellar lotion is that it's a no-rinse formula. (In France, the water can be hard so most women there don't rinse their skin with water often.) If I am wearing full makeup with foundation, I'll do a cream cleanser after to get rid of all my makeup traces. I have found over the last few years, that I'm not stripping my skin by washing and scrubbing it too much. I love the soft scent of Avene's micellar lotion too! It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, keeping it soft and moisturized. It is soap-free, oil-free, alcohol-free and presservative-free. Can't beat that!

Micellar lotion will always be a part of my routine. Now that Avene has brought it to the U.S., give it a try to see the difference in your skin! It's really great for those with sensitive skin.

You can find out more about the Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Makeup Remover on aveneusa.com.

Review product was provided by Avene.

Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 15

Clarins' new Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation with SPF 15 ($62 at clarinsusa.com) offers skin care benefits in this rich, creamy non-oily foundation. The foundation contains argan oil (one of my favorites) to nourish skin as well as Clarins' patented "Global Age-Defying" Complex that contains proprietary plant extracts as well as a "Light-Optimizing" Complex that uses corrective pigments to optically blur small imperfections in your skin. This foundation gives you medium to full coverage and is perfect for the fall and winter months when your skin needs more hydration. I love how it makes my skin feel more plump and hydrated, yet doesn't feel heavy on my skin at all.

There are 9 different shades in this foundation line. I have two shades 108 Sand which matches perfectly with my end of summer tan and 103 Ivory for the middle of winter when my summer tan will have faded. The foundation also contains broad spectrum SPF 15 featuring titanium dioxide sunscreen which is one of the best sunscreens to have as it is the most effective at shielding your skin from the harmful UV rays. I also have sensitive skin and this foundation feels great on me with no break outs. It's the perfect foundation for you if you are looking for a more hydrating cream foundation with fantastic skin care as well!

Purchase the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 15 at clarinsusa.com.

Review products were provided by Clarins.

September Favorites: Chanel Eyeshadow, Acure Argan Oil + Outlander

I'm a little late this month with my favorites from September but I am happy to post them now and get myself going on this monthly routine. I skipped August because I was mostly in Europe so my favorites from last month will also include a couple of things I really loved from my trip (Chanel palette and Maybeline concealer). Enjoy!

1. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow ($61 at Nordstrom)
On my summer trip, I only brought this eye shadow palette and a few eyeliners to take me through three countries and multiple evenings of dinner in Paris. I even some times apply it with the applicators it comes with because according to makeup genius Lisa Eldrige, these new velvety applicators can give you a different look. I love how buildable the shadows are and I don't get a lot of powder fallout under my eyes. The palette I bought was 204 Tisse Vendome which looks darker in this image here so check it out in person. I love the soft coral color on my lids that works well with the onset of fall. Major love!

2. Acure Argan Oil ($12.99 at Drugstore.com)
I picked this wonderful argan oil at Whole Foods and it's a much cheaper than Josie Maran's. (I could swear the price there was around $11.99 there.) Filled with rich Vitamin E, this is super food for your skin! With essential fatty acids and proteins, argan oil is said to be "liquid gold". It can repair skin, minimize scars and stretch marks, while restoring skin tone and elasticity. I use it at night on top of my whole routine to "set" it all in. It's left the usually dry skin on my forehead incredibly soft!

3. Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask ($65 at Sephora) Anything that bubbles like champagne is a good thing, no? Especially when it bubbles on your face so you can see where it's working to clean your skin. My face feels refreshed and hydrated after. I love doing this a couple times a week now!

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment Concealer ($7.39-$7.99 at Target)
I love this drugstore find for its spongy tip that lets me dab concealer under my eyes like a 5 year old art project. j/k! Seriously, the wide sponge is great to just take away those dark circles and eliminates me from having to have an extra step with a brush. I simply pat it through lightly with my fingers to blend it in after. I picked a lighter shade 215 Fair/Light to have a brightening effect on my face.

5. Outlander on STARZ
If you need a good TV show to get addicted to look no further than Outlander on the STARZ cable network. It's sci-fi meets period romance, if that even makes sense. Ok then how about hot men in kilts? The story centers around Claire Randall a former WWII combat nurse who travels back in time to 1743 Scotland thanks to touching an ancient stone circle. Yes it makes no sense but the story somehow does and you will get sucked in. Plus, you'll love her chunky knits she wears on the show. See if you can catch the first eight episodes via On Demand since the rest of Season 1 resumes on April 4, 2014. Of course the TV show is based on author Diana Gabaldon's series of books in the 90's so you can pick up the Outlander novel to tide you over to April.

Meeting Mr. Lauder + New Fall Beauty with Estee Lauder & Aerin

I had the honor last Wednesday of meeting Mr. Leonard Lauder, son of Estee Lauder and Chairman Emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. while he was visiting Bloomingdales in San Francisco. Mr. Lauder and the team were in town to check in with their "shops" within the various department stores around Union Square. I couldn't have met a nicer or humbler man who has taken his mother's legacy and family business to the next level. The buzz inside Bloomingdales was amazing when he arrived as he visited all the company counters – Estee Lauder, Jo Malone, Mac Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown (all these brands are Estee Lauder entities.) as well as their many fragrances. Over the last five years I have been blessed to have worked with some amazing people through Estee Lauder that I am happy to now call my friends. This experience meeting Mr. Lauder is going to be one of my favorite Estee Lauder memories ever!

So let's talk beauty! There are a so many beautiful things coming out from Estee Lauder this fall that i have to share with you. I got to try them first hand at the counter and let me tell you -- I had to take a couple home with me. To start, let's talk foundation. The new Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup ($45 at Nordstrom) is one of the lightest foundations I have ever used. I love that it has skincare in it with their Pefectionist serum to help brighten your complexion. There is also SPF 25 sun protection in it to protect your skin.

I took my sample vile on my trip to Europe and it lasted me my whole trip. Since it was so light, it was perfect to wear in warm weather. I also bought the Estee Lauder Sculpting Foundation Brush ($45 at Nordstrom). This brush is shaped like no other and it feels AMAZING when you use it. It literally fits your cheekbones, around your chin and helps smooth out the foundation around hard to get spots around your nose. I am going to do a full review on this foundation and brush in a future post because I have a lot to say about it! In the meantime, visit your local Estee Lauder counter or Sephora and try this for yourself!

The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II ($65 at Nordstrom) helps hydrate around my eyes. I just did a review of this eye serum last week so you can read the full review here. One tip I learned was to keep the eye serum and your concealer in your handbag so you can give your eyes a brightening touch without having to redo your makeup when you are having a long day at work. I got to try the new Perfectionist concealer which isn't online yet so definitely go to your nearest Estee Lauder counter.

New to Estee Lauder's skincare line is their Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion ($95 at Nordstrom). This is not a toner but more like a liquid lotion that helps hydrate and promotes smooth supple skin. It is similar to products like the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence but I found the Estee Lauder one to be immediately hydrating. I could feel the plumpness in my cheeks after I put it on. Trust me, this is what your skin will need when the weather gets colder this fall and winter! It is something that's on my list to buy.

My makeup was the new Aerin collection. It was the first time I tried her makeup and I am in LOVE! This AERIN Beauty Weekday Palette ($70 at Nordstrom) has everything you need for a natural look with blush, lipsticks and eyeshadows all in one. The lipsticks are so moisturizing with Aerin's rose balm formula. My complete look came from this one palette!

Another favorite of mine was the AERIN Cool Gel Eyeliner ($28 at Nordstrom) which glides on effortlessly. I also love that the eyeliner has a built in sharpener in it too because 90% of the time I am way to lazy to find my sharpener when doing my eye makeup!

Book Review: Famous Frocks The Little Black Dress

Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress: Patterns for 20 Garments Inspired by Fashion Icons
by Dolin O'Shea
ISBN: 9781452123653
8 x 11 in, 176 pages
$22.64 on Amazon

My good friend and fellow crafter Dolin O'Shea of Lulu Bliss has her first book out, Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress published by Chronicle Books. I recently wrote up a book review and had an interview with Dolin on the site, Racked SF. Dolin's been one of those friends who has impeccable fashion sense and can make just about anything in the world. If I saw her wearing a cute dress or top, more often than not it was something she had just sewn up. She spent over a decade as a patternmaker for the Gap companies and has worked previously at all three entities: Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Now Dolin brings her sewing and fashion know-how to a new kind of sewing book. Famous Frocks features famous little black dresses over the decades. Learn how to sew up Audrey Hepburn's Sabrina Dress or Kate Moss' sexy lace dress of the millennium. The book comes with step-by-step instructions and 10 full dress patterns with sewing variations to make 20 garments in all. All of her LBD dress patterns are modernized for the gal of today and would look oh so perfect for holiday parties. l also love the colorful dress variations where she includes separates from tops to skirts that are perfect for a novice sewer. The patterns in this book can take you through the work week to weekend cocktail parties!

If you are in the Bay Area, come to Alameda on October 11 for a book signing party for Famous Frocks!

The Sewing Room
2434 Webb Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501

Saturday, October 11th
6pm-9pm
more info on Facebook

Check out the book trailer to see what Famous Frocks has inside!

Read my interview with Dolin O'Shea: