Brand: Olay
Product: Definity Color Recapture

I love the idea of paring down my makeup routine in the summer. Moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation; it all seems a bit much at any time of the year. In the heat and humidity of the summer, such a routine seems unbearable. A tinted moisturizer with SPF seemed like it would be the answer to my prayers.

For years I have coveted Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer. Reviews for the product are extremely favorable. Users rave that it is lightweight, provides excellent coverage, and moisturizes very well. It’s SPF formula protects skin from the harmful summer rays. It is the perfect product, except for the $42 price tag.

Olay seemed to have the answer for my woes in their Definity Color Recapture line. Here was a moisturizer with a touch of foundation wrapped in SPF 15 goodness. Sadly, it was not to be. The color selection was poor. The lightest shade is way to dark for anyone with very fair skin. My own skin is middling fair, and the moisturizer turned up a strange shade of orange on me. DCR is moisturizing, and the sunscreen surely works, but it is not at all weightless. The product seems to sink into the pores. I happened to glance in the mirror about an hour after application and was taken aback by what I can only describe as the “beading” of the product on my face. Not attractive. Not even a little. At $25 a bottle, Definity Color Recapture is certainly less expensive than Laura Mercier’s offering. However, at $25 a bottle, DCR is not at all cheap. I expected quite a bit more. I’ve noticed Olay price points are escalating, while the quality of their products are declining. This disappoints me as I’ve always respected Olay for creating quality skin care for babes on a budget. Olay may be a household name, but if the company believes that their name alone is enough to sell their product, they are mistaken. I seem to remember an ill-fated cosmetics line that once bore the Olay name.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

Today Only! 6/23 – Bijules
Shop deep discounts at the Bijules Champagne ring sale. Summer cocktails and snacks will be served. RVSP to RSVP@BijulesNYC.com.
Place & Time: Panda NYC, 139 Chrystie St., nr. Broome St.; 6–10.

Through 6/25 – Various at Scatola Showroom
Merchandise from Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Iodice, IMPROVD, and more is 60 to 80 percent off at the Scatola showroom sample sale. Belts start at $15 (originally $135), tops start at $35 (originally $175), and dresses start at $75 (originally $325).
Place & Time: 544 W. 27th St., nr. Eleventh Ave., sixth fl.; T–F (10–8).

6/24–6/27 – Rag & Bone
T-shirts are $45 and under, denim is $95 and under, dresses are $175 and under, and jackets are $225 and under at the rag & bone sample sale. The selection includes womenswear, menswear, shoes, bas, hats, and more.
Place & Time: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., nr. 16th St.; Th–F (11–8), S (noon–6), Su (noon–5).

Through 6/30 – Issey Miyake
Spring 2010 merchandise is up to 40 percent off at Issey Miyake. Hand-dyed printed tunics are $594 (originally $990).
Place & Time: 119 Hudson St., nr. N. Moore St. (212-226-0100); M–S (11–7), Su (noon–6).

Through 7/4 – 3.1 Phillip Lim
Womenswear, menswear, and accessories from the spring 2010 collection are 40 percent off during the 3.1 Phillip Lim spring sale. Twisted-front leather pencil skirts are $405 (originally $675), organic cotton rhinestone T-shirt dresses are $130 (originally $325), broomstick pleated silk dresses with ribbon detailing are $357 (originally $595), and hand-embroidered croc sequin tank dresses are $537 (originally $895).
Place & Time: 115 Mercer St., nr. Spring St. (212-334-1160); M–S (11–7), Su (noon–6).

Through 7/15 – Stella McCartney
Select ready-to-wear and accessories are up to 40 percent off at the Stella McCartney spring/summer sale. The floral-print pleated chiffon dress is $2,879 (originally $4,795), the cobalt silk-slub jacket is $1,229 (originally $2,045), and the sequin pants in black and nude are $679 (originally $1,125).
Place & Time: 429 W. 14th St., nr. Ninth Ave. (212-255-1556) .

Through 7/31 – Lulu Guinness
The spring 2010 and past-season handbag collections are 30 percent off at Lulu Guinness.
Place & Time: 394 Bleecker St., nr. 11th St. (212-367-2120); M–S (11–7), Su (noon–6).

Have the inside scoop on an upcoming sale? Submit your tips to info at newyorkdesigner dot com

 
Brand: Christian Dior

Product: Escale a Pondichery (fragrance)
Splurge Item

Every summer it seems like I smell D&G’s Light Blue on every other woman that passes me by. It bores me. I get it, I really do. It’s fresh and citrusy and as refreshing as a lemon Italian Ice on a 90 degree day. The problem is that it’s been around for a while now, it is sold everywhere, and it has spawned more than several knockoffs and smell-a-likes. I have tired of it.

Citrus is not generally my thing. Chalk it up to body chemistry, or, whatever. It just never worked for me at all. I have an extensive fragrance library, but up until recently you’d be hard pressed to find a citrus perfume. During the dog days of summer, I generally reach for tea scents.

Christian Dior’s Escale a Pondichery has become my “gateway” citrus fragrance. Named for the famous trading post in India, it’s refreshing citrus notes are tempered by black tea and cardamom. It is absolutely refreshing, in the way that floating lazily and aimlessly in the sea close to the coastline is refreshing. I don’t dislike Light Blue, but it’s vibe is more “let’s have a few drinks and chase each other through the back yard sprinkler, then, bang ourselves up on the Slip ‘n Slide”. Call me lazy. I’d rather be floating among the waves any day.

Escale a Pondichery retails for $66 for 2.5 ounces at Nordstrom.

Cut Costs Cuties!

Gemma

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