Event Recap: Nordstrom San Francisco Centre Fall 2013 Beauty Trend Show

Backstage access to upcoming beauty trends at Fashion Week is one of the biggest adrenaline rushes I get every year–twice a year.  Unless you are among the beauty-obsessed, it’s difficult to explain the excitement of seeing the current year’s fall beauty trend in February, or the spring trend in September of the previous year.  Nonetheless, attending runway shows is a must-do in my business.

That includes attendance at the seasonal Beauty Trend Show produced by Nordstrom.  By the time season trens rolls around, it’s nice to have a refresher of the looks that I saw some six months earlier.  Saturday, I was in attendance at yet another Trend Show at my favorite Nordies—San Francisco City Centre with my fashionista daughter Chelsea. And, as usual, the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show did not disappoint.

On the way to our seats we were greeted by Nordstrom staff giving us a standing ovation at the elevators.  Wow.  And the requisite goodie bags, and a gift card!  Loaded!  Woot! Cute little donuts, fresh fruit skewers and much needed coffee greeted us at the entrance of the show. And I have to give a huge thanks to the planning crew for my primo seats at the front of the runway.

Opening the show was a mini runway show featuring some fab fashion from Nordstrom.  Of course, the models were camouflaged in dark sunglasses–couldn’t spoil the makeup reveals later in the show.  My rather unsteady video is below:

Joelle Russo, Nordstrom Regional Beauty Director, took the helm for another fabulous trend show, narrating the three scenes, doling out major beauty loot to winners in the audience, all the while looking pretty cute in a flirty black skirt and some black booties that I would love to score.

We were first treated to a runway show featuring all the beauty brands looks for Fall 2013.  And thank goodness these models were upbeat and smiling.  Quite the opposite of a Fashion Week runway show.  Maybe they had something to eat…

Scene One: Graphic Eyes

Pearse, my favorite Smashbox artist (sorry Lori) presented his beautiful model who was wearing the latest and greatest liner from Smashbox—Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner.  And guess who else was wearing that same liner.  Yup, yours truly. And I can confirm that this pencil is a fabulous way to create a graphic eye.  This pencil is self-sharpening, has a formula that glides on like liquid and goes the distance.  It’s a winner.  Check out my review.

(Pearse also mentioned Halo Foundation which I love, love, love.  I also reviewed that, so check it out too.)

Next up was the Arcona, another brand that I have been in love with for a hot minute.  The Triad Toner Pads were featured, and they are a must-have.  Not only do they smell great, they take off all your makeup, eyes included and leave your skin totally refreshed. Yes, I reviewed that too.  Read it here.

We all know that Yves Saint Laurent makeup is iconic, particularly Touche Éclat, so we were treated with a video of the YSL makeup artist demonstrating the graphic eye trend with the Eyeliner Effect Faux Cils’ Bold Felt-Tip eyeliner Pen and Touche Éclat.  Of course his model was a model, so she looked fabulous.  But I’m sure we all can with the proper YSL tools.

A Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show wouldn’t be complete without the Clairisonic feature.  If you haven’t used one, you really don’t know what you are missing.  Try one, your skin will thank you.  And, a Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show wouldn’t be complete without those cute guys who pass out the goodies and demo products like the Clairisonic.

With eyes being the focus, a good eye cream is always in order.  That’s what Kiehl’s tempted us with.  So now I’ve got one more eye cream on my bucket list—Kiehl’s Super Corretive Cream.  It’s supposed to be the last frontier.  So, being the eye cream fanatic I am, I have to check that out.

Another video from Trish McEvoy showed the makeup artist and genius behind the brand creating a gorgeous yet easy-to-do look from her Face Shaper Palette.

I heart NARS and my dear friend Janice Daoud who travels the world with NARS Cosmetics.  Janice presented a beautiful model wearing NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation and the new Eye Paint from NARS.  So you know I had to head on over to the NARS counter to get matched for my new foundation after. According to Janice, “Matte luminous skin and Graphic eyeliner are the Fall must-haves, achieve by using the NARS Radiant Creamy Compact Foundation and Eye Paints.”

Philosophy also featured skin care and eye cream. And I was shocked not to see Jeff Cornett presenting, but that was only because he jumped ship and I saw him later in the show.

And of course, no eye is complete without properly groomed brows. So the queen of brow brands, Anastasia, showed off their Brow Enhancing Serum and 5-Element Brow Kit.

Scene Two: Redefined Smoky Eyes

Burberry emphasized the need for beautiful skin as a canvas for your smoky eyes.  Achieve that look with their Fresh Glow Fluid Base and Powder.

Estée Lauder has revamped their popular night serum, and this too is on my list of products to try. So, I’m adding Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II to my ever-growing list of beauty goodies.

I’m an exfoliating  junkie and LOVE Dr. Dennis Gross Skin Care Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel.  And when Joelle introduced the brand, there was Jeff.  Great skin is a must not just for fall, but always.  This dual peel system from Dr. Dennis Gross is so simple and effective, that anyone desirous of professional peel results needs to try this peel system.

Clinique has revamped Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, giving it a +!  And they have a customizable smoky eye kit.  And you know they always have a great gift.

Guerlain’s model was sporting a sky-high bun which neatly tucked away a ‘Shine Automatique’ Lip Color, and of course, the iconic Terracotta Bronzer was in full-effect.  This time is spray form.  I like that.

A clear message at this trend show was that you need to have a flawless skin around your eyes to sport the eye makeup trends.  To that end, we were presented with many choices for under eye care.  Lanĉome presented Visionnaire Advanced Eye Contour Perfecting Corrector and the new Tient Visionnaire Skin Correcting Makeup duo.  Both I have to try.

Clarins featured  two eye products—Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate and Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate.

Scene Three: Bordeaux Lips

One of my favorite trends this fall is the Bordeaux Lip. Fits me quite well considering my love for red lips and red wine…

M.A.C had a gorgeous model strutting the runway.  But, her lips weren’t Bordeaux.  They were retro red.  That’s fine.  I would have loved to see the trend on her lips though. CHANEL, my former employer, strutted a beautiful model wearing the new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 and Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour.

Our favorite model (cute boy) demonstrated how to use Erno Laszlo skin care, even splashing his skin on stage.  Other highlights from Scene three was the Laura Mercier Model with a pretty look and an even more amazing top that was reminiscent of a dress that Kerry Washington recently wore.

One of our favorite nail brands, butter LONDON showed off a goregous mani  and Alterna rocked the end of the show with a bevy of models with beautiful healthy hair. I even nabbed an interview with Alberti Popaj, the educational expert with Alterna, which I will be posting later this week.

After the show we mingled downstairs and saw some of our friends from Lancome and NARS and more.  And we spent money.  Thank goodness for that gift card…

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