Beauty
What’s Inside: Beauty Buyer Summer’s Makeup Bag
NM assistant buyer Summer Larson's cosmetic bag.
Before beauty products make it on the pages of NeimanMarcus.com, the beauty buying team scouts, sees, sniffs and samples every product on the market. We stopped by NM assistant beauty buyer Summer Larson’s very pink office at NeimanMarcus.com HQ, where she had just finished up a morning mani – testing a brand new gel nail kit deskside. Completely work-related, of course! She then unzipped her Prada cosmetic case.
...what's inside.
1. Chanel Double Perfection compact in 80 Medium Beige
2. Prada cosmetic bag
3. Tom Ford lipstick in Pink Dusk
4. Mai Couture blotting paper in Vitamin C+E
5. Lollia Mini Imagine hand cream
6. Laura Mercier lip shine in Naked Apricot
7. Tom Ford cheek color in Frantic Pink
8. YSL Touche Eclat in 2 Luminous Ivory
9. Tom Ford Neroli Eau Fraiche mini
10. Bobbi Brown mini brush set
11. Chanel Levres Scintillates Glossimer in Pink Peony
Summer does a deskside gel mani with the new Luminess Air Gel Manicure Kit.
Describe your morning beauty routine.
Cleanse: I start my morning by brushing my teeth with my Supersmile toothbrush and Cinnamon Burst toothpaste. The cinnamon always gives me a jolt in the morning! Next, I hop in the shower and use the new Serge Normant shampoo and conditioner (which smells amazing) and Lollia’s Wish shower gel. I wash my face with Clarins gentle foaming cleanser and my poppy-print Clarisonic Mia 2, which I cannot live without. I then towel dry my hair, and air dry my body (keeps your skin softer) and then moisturize with Kate Somerville’s Total Vitamin Antioxidant Complex serum and her Nourish Daily Moisture for my face and Bliss’ blood orange Body Butter for my body.
Hair: I blow-dry my hair with the new Sedu 6000i Revolution Dryer which is amazing because it only takes 5 minutes. I have very long, thick hair, and I used to hate blow-drying my hair in the mornings, but this new dryer makes it so simple and quick. Whether I decide to go curly or straight, I always use my Sedu Icon Prive flat iron. The curls stay all day when I use it to curl, or it is board straight when I use it to straighten. Don’t forget to use a balm on your hair to protect it before applying the heat. Fekkai’s Ironless straightening balm is great.
Summer touches up her makeup at the office.
Make-up: I don’t know what I ever did without BB cream! It gives you the most flawless looking skin AND it’s SPF! I use DiorSnow BB Cream. After applying my BB cream all over, I start with my eyes. YSL gel eyeliner in Deep Black for the top and Nars eyeliner for the bottom. I put the Nars on my lower eyelid, above my eyelashes to give my eyes a smaller look. This eyeliner is fantastic because it doesn’t smudge or run even though it is basically touching my eye all day. Then I curl my lashes and apply Lancome’s Hypnose Drama mascara. For every day foundation, I use Armani Face Fabric, but for special occasions, I use my Luminess Airbrush system, which keeps your makeup on literally ALL day. I use the Chanel Double Perfection compact as my powder, brush a little Guerlain Terracotta bronzer over my cheekbones, nose, and forehead, and top off my face with Tom Ford’s Frantic Pink Cheek Color on the apples of my cheeks. For my lips, I put a little Jack Black lip balm in mint (I love the tingly feeling) over my lips and then finish with my signature color Pink Dusk by Tom Ford.
If I’m feeling flirty, I spritz Valentino’s Valentina, or Tom Ford’s Neroli Eau Fraiche when I’m feeling more fun. The Neroli Eau Fraiche smells like a suntan, which is delicious for the summer.
A close-up at Summer's cosmetics.
What is your favorite product of the moment?
DiorSnow BB cream. Wear it under your foundation for more coverage, or by itself while your running around on the weekends. Either way, your face looks flawless.
Is there a product that you have been using for years that you are completely devoted to?
I am a serious flat iron girl. I have straightened my hair since I was 12 years old, and the Sedu Prive flat iron is my absolute favorite.
Tell me about some of the products in your bag?
Mai Couture blotting papers are amazing! Instead of putting on more makeup on top of what I already have on, I use these to take away the oil and shine. I have the Foundation Papier for when I need a little more coverage, the Vitamin C+E for a skin pick-me-up, and the Sunset Blvd. Blush Papier for a little color. These are a must for every person.
Summer's beauty bag.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I LOVE trying products! I never realized I was a such a beauty junky until I started working in the beauty buying office.
What beauty trends are you trying this season?
I love colors, so I am so excited to see all of these great neons. Deborah Lippmann always comes out with the most electrifying colors, whether it is a pretty pink, or an intense purple or yellow. They really stand out. Plus colors on your eyes and lips is another form of fashion that you can express yourself with. You just have to know how to apply it without looking like a clown. I am also excited to see the matte lip. I prefer lipstick to lip gloss, so I am happy to see that my tendency to have a matte lip is actually a trend!
See more beauty at NeimanMarcus.com and Neiman Marcus stores.
