<p>Update on my Rue La La “membership”. So far, I’ve had the privilege to look at their stuff for several days. Of the things they had in their “boutiques”, I could have used some Ridel wine glasses, but the ones I liked were sold out by the time I logged on. The prices are what you’d pay at a department store on sale, so if you can afford to shop sales at Nordstrom, you are a “high net worth individual” - LOL.</p>
<p>I made H set our recorder to tape the Oprah show; I’ll watch tonight and report. I think Oprah might have the highlights of the show on her website later today or tomorrow.</p>
<p>Bunsenburner- I just looked at the boutiques for today. I think if you like a particular designer and you watch carefully you can get some good buys. Today I saw Phoebe by Kay Unger. They had some short fancy dresses for $99 and a few long one’s for $129. If you were in need of a long dress and knew the brand I think the prices on those were better than on sale at Nordstroms. What I have noticed is it really does vary. Some things look like they are 50-70 off where others are only 20-30%. So far only the one order from me. And since it was fleece outdoor wear it definitely does not fall as chic or dressing young.</p>
<p>I have ordered twice. The black sweater was fine. The “shape-wear” that I ordered according to the size chart is so small that I can neither get it over my shoulders or past my knees! (I don’t have particularly large shoulders or knees.) It is not returnable.</p>
<p>On a related topic, I had stopped wearing makeup over the last 10 years or so, more or less coinciding with when I had to stop wearing contact lenses. Occasionally I would want to, but my old makeup was just not working. I had all this Prescriptives stuff that was 15 years old–or even 20, in the case of some eyeshadows!</p>
<p>Last week I went to a Sephora in the Boston area with the idea that I needed an eyeliner, and ended up buying a complete suite of makeup in the “new”–I realize that this isn’t new to anyone who has actually kept up with such stuff – styles (tinted moisturizer, primer, brush-on mineral foundation and blush, lip gloss, etc). It looks SO much better! </p>
<p>I’m gradually throwing out all of my old makeup. It’s so liberating. Now if only they would open a Sephora in Maine! I love that place.</p>
<p>Oh, the best way to bond with a daughter is a trip to Sephora!! So much fun. I really don’t make many purchases, but we just have such a good time. They have finally opened one close to us and I am so happy.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I would trade my Sephora for a place near the coast of Maine any day!</p>
<p>I hate our Sephora. It’s cool to look at, but they tend to hire lovely young girls to whom helping a customer is much too big of a chore. I just hate having to search for them and interrupt their conversations!</p>
<p>missypie, that was my experience at Sephora as well! I much prefer Lancome makeup counter at Macy’s. The one I usually go to hires older ladies (some of whom don’t look good even with a ton of carefully applied makeup) but they know their stuff. And buying makeup at Costco is a no-brainer. Makeup does go bad, so you are supposed to toss mascara and lipstick 6 months after opening them. I keep mine for a year…</p>
<p>The girls–and a guy–at this particular Sephora were extremely helpful! That was one of the great things about it. Two advantages I noted over the classic department store counter: they had no interest in pushing everything from a single line, so ou could try stuff from various sources to address your needs, and the prices were better.</p>
<p>You’d think, huh? The last time I was at a Sephora (the time that I told myself, “I’ll never shop here again”), what I was looking for had been discontinued. And that was the answer. Period. Don’t you think that with all those brands, some other line would have had something similar they could sell me? </p>
<p>As much as I hate pushy sales people, I also can’t stand those who have no desire to sell me anything. (The absolute best are the folks who work at Buckle. They’ve really got it down to an art. They’re dressed cool and trendy and chat with the girls about what they like, then bring them clothes that they’d “look great” in…and the thing is, sometimes they do bring things that we’d overlooked that look great and yes, we always spend more than we’d planned without feeling pressured.)</p>
<p>I know it’s more fun in person but you can also order from Sephora.com if there isn’t a shop near you. They often have deals on free shipping if you order over a certain amount. Once I know a brand and color I like, I find this really convenient.</p>
<p>Does anyone have a Blue Mercury store nearby–it’s very similar to Sephora, but doesn’t carry nearly as many brands. I found the sales people there to be extremely helpful. Also, I like Bobbie Brown cosmetics; in my area, the stores that carry the brand have knowledgeable consultants. They have a very good sense of what works for customers with “mature” skin.</p>
<p>I was at L&T cosmetic counter looking at some cream. This young salesperson tried to introduce me to various products, but I was very focused on what I needed. She pulled out a neck firming cream to show me how great it is. I said, “I am not sure if I really need that, I think I probably could use a night cream more.” She said, “Oh, no, you definitely need this.” What!!! I don’t need no neck firming cream. But now every time I walk by a mirror I am looking at my neck.</p>
<p>oldfort - too funny. Reminds me that when I was waiting for an ordinary facial appt. not long ago, a different door opened in the waiting room and the visiting dermatologist poked his head out and said to me “So Abigail, are you ready to try Botox?” I said “My name isn’t Abigail, but, why, do you think I need it?” He was very flustered and closed the door.</p>
<p>Ditto Bobbi Brown. I made the mistake of getting a different brand of lipgloss recently (couldn’t make it over to Nordstrom’s to BB) & it just doesn’t look right. BB colors are very natural.</p>
<p>Bought a $13 white mini-pashima shawl at Target yesterday, even though we are trying to save $ & I didn’t really need it. I’ve just gotten so much wear & style out of my black one this season, and kept hearing the ‘conversations’ on this thread about stylish scarves. </p>
<p>I was working in a library today, got chilly & turned the pashima scarf into pashima shawl to warm up. They are versatile as well as stylish!</p>
<p>Oh you with the versatile and stylish AGAIN! And me with the cleaning lady rags and trailing ratty old beach blankets AGAIN! I need a scarf intervention.</p>
<p>Oprah’s website has videos from the show and some useful links, like the 5 types of shoes every woman needs to own. Zappos will sell out of many of those shoes tomorrow!</p>
<p>One thing I learned today is that the shape of the bag one carries should never match the body shape, i.e. it is a no-no for a short, roundish lady to carry a round bag, and for a tall, skinny lady to walk around with a long, rectangular tote.</p>
<p>Interesting, Bunsen, re: the bag-shape. And, I bet if you compared watching golf to watching shopping, they’d even out on the ‘can this really be televised?’ scale for the opposite gender.</p>
<p>canamdance–I must tell you, my husband would love it if he came home to a sparkling house & I was dragging cleaning rags around. He would be happy if I was in ripped, slouchy sweats as long as things were well dusted, vacuumed, etc. Sometimes I’ll start vacuuming at 5.30 so he sees me when he comes home & cheers right up. </p>
<p>Once I was a French maid for Halloween – he liked the ‘maid’ part but that was the first & last feather duster (prop) I owned. It’s not really too bad here at all, but he has high standards (grew up in super clean house). </p>
<p>So—know that for some men, you are wearing their dream outfit!!</p>
– styles (tinted moisturizer, primer, brush-on mineral foundation and blush, lip gloss, etc). It looks SO much better! </p>