From Paris to New York to Los Angeles. Every year for the past few, a wonderful day-long event called “Be a Parisian” sets up shop in a bungalow at the Sunset Marquis Hotel.
Produced by New York-based Fournier Communications and its lovely proprietress, Marie-Laure Fournier and her staff, guests are escorted by beret-clad guides and introduced to new products from luxury French brands including Orlane, Talika, Emani, Patyka, Leonor Greyl and Votre Vu.
New York-based skincare specialist Ildi Pekar, who specializes in facials and slimming body treatments at her midtown salon (www.ildipekar.com), also set up a beauty pop-up shop within the bungalow. Limited only by time and the number of guests who wanted to see her, she was able to provide a mini-version of some of her acclaimed treatments.
In addition to new products from the lines being showcased, there are of course the “hero” products, like Talika Lipocils, the best eyelash conditioner we have ever used. Since being introduced to it several years ago by Marie-Laure, we use it nearly every day under mascara–to great effect. (Unlike other products, it leaves your lashes supple and conditioned, rather than stiff and spiky.)
Many of the French lines are big on the beautifying properties of oils, including Talika with its Huile Vitale, a facial elixir made from pure essential oils that serve to balance, repair and hydrate the skin.
From Patyka, it’s the Huile Absolue face and body serum. Leonor Greyl’s wonderful huile/oil can be used for the hair and the body– and hairstylists swear by its products like Masque A L’Orchedee, a softening mask for frizzy hair that works wonders, especially in humid weather.
Votre Vu also makes a line of hair products in addition to its body products and new offerings of color cosmetics just coming to market. We can’t wait to try the Nourishing Moisture Tint and Concealer after we were color-matched to a shade called, appropriately, Champagne.
Guests were also introduced to a new beauty website called Pampadour, launching soon, a place where beauty is queen and your favorite products will take center stage.
We’re sure some of those from “Be a Parisian” will be among them.
