Wow! Marie Claire Goes Makeup and Retouching Free with Jessica Simpson! And Who Won Our Bronzer & Book Mommy-to-Be Giveaway?

Congrats to Marie Claire on a very cool cover. If you haven't heard the news, Jessica Simpson agreed to be on the May cover (above) with NO makeup and NO retouching.

The Huffington Post is looking to drum up a little drama. They don't believe Jessica is completely makeup free so they're running an "is she or isn't she" poll. From the looks of it, there's a little concealer, a tiny bit of mascara and some cream blush going on (and they credit well-known celeb makeup artist Jeannia Robinette as part of the "grooming team"), but so what?

If you knew how much retouching goes into most magazine covers, you wouldn't believe it. So this is pretty brave of everyone involved. Congrats to editor in chief Joanna Coles and beauty director Ying Chu. A big part of magazines is getting lost in the fantasy of fashion, beauty, models and celebrities, but it's nice to have a dose of reality from time to time.

Tell us what you think.

And congrats to Natasha, who won our mommy-to-be giveaway! (Make sure to check out her blog, Fashionalities. It's a lot of fun.) Natasha gets a copy of Amy Tara Koch's "Bump It Up" pregnancy style manual and a Star Bronzer bronzing powder. Don't forget, if you're going to be anywhere near New York's Upper West Side tomorrow between 5 and 7 p.m., stop by the Lancome boutique on Columbus and 69th to say hi to us and Amy. We'd love to see you!

And Lancome's on HSN tonight, 4-5 p.m. and then 8-9 p.m. with our education vp Joan Poulton and makeup artist Robert Cook. You can check out some of our new products, including the amazing Genifique Repair night cream (wait until you see the before & after pictures) and our summer eyeshadow palette.

Happy viewing!

Erika F: The Real Story About a Cult Eyeshadow (Plus an Eyeshadow Giveaway!)

Annie from Blogdorf Goodman checked in with us the other day because her eagle eyes had spotted a silvery greenish-grey eyeshadow in one of the Ô My Rose spring palettes that looked suspiciously like the famous Erika F.



What is Erika F., you ask? If you read the beauty blogs, you certainly know that it's a cult eyeshadow available everywhere except the U.S. You also know that it's one of the most amazing eyeshadows ever made, according to certain bloggers. But sadly for those who live in the U.S., what makes it so amazing is the silver paillette pearl that we aren't allowed to use in products here.



I bought one last year at the Lancôme boutique in Paris and I hesistate to say this, but it's not my color. (I seem to be in the minority.) I hated to break the bad news to Annie, but the shade in the Pop N' Green Color Design shadow spring quad is very very very close, but it's not Erika F. It even looks like Erika F. in certain lights, but the shimmer and the color are a teensy bit different. (See Cafe Makeup's great swatches above and read her report.)



One thing I have yet to discover about Erika F. is the namesake. Who is this mysterious Erika F.? Does anyone out there know?



If you've tried Erika F., let us know what you think. If not, let us know what your favorite eyeshadow is. We'll pick one post at random and that person will win a Pop N' Green palette. (Maybe I'll even throw in my Erika F...) Please post by Tuesday night.



THANKS TO BLOGDORF GOODMAN , PINK SITH AND CAFE MAKEUP FOR THE PHOTOS.

This Weekend's Lancôme List!

Some things to do, see and read:

—Patricia, of the Lancôme PR team, is profiled on the Beauty Logic blog. Thanks to our friend Mildred for that and congrats on your 400th post. Phew!
—Our new pal Kae, who's behind the very popular Hungry Asian blog, reviews the Lollipop lip/nail charity collection we just launched. She gave herself a manicure with all the shades, and even added a hand-drawn silver Lancôme rose to the Bon Bon Strawberry mani! (See above.)
—There are a few days left to enter our Polyvore.com Hypnôse Senses contest. The winner gets a $250 gift certificate to lancome-usa.com and a bottle of Hypnôse Senses signed by Lancôme spokesmodel Daria Werbowy. (Daria is picking the winning entry!) Five runners-up each get $100 gift certificates.
—Need to amp up your eyeshadow? Get some inspiration from the charming XtellmeaboutmakeupX on YouTube as she discovers Lancôme for the first time. (The first time! Miss X, how is this possible?) She's pretty fearless with the eyeshadow application.
—If you're near a department store, stop by the Lancôme counter and check out our new Oscillation Powerfoundation. Did you see it in O Magazine? It's a fun product and it's unlike anything you've ever tried before. If you're a mineral fan, you will love this. No mess, no fuss, none of that twirling, etc., etc. The puff does all the work. Tell the beauty advisers that The Lancôme Blog sent you!
—I'll be washing my makeup brushes this weekend. Dirty brushes=dirty skin. Yuck. Good brushes will last a long time--but only if you take care of them. Wash yours if you haven't done so in a while.
—Cheer on the Yankees! (Unless you live in Philadelphia, of course.) The World Series is very glamorous this year, with the likes of Kate Hudson and Demi Moore in attendance. (Demi, btw, has a new Helena Rubinstein fragrance coming soon. Can't wait to smell that!)
—Lastly, have a Happy Halloween. Hope it's all treats. xoxo