Before you go getting googlie-eyed at this post, you should know that I was SO nervous and SO excited that there are no photos or video. So sorry, but that's the truth.
I learned of a Pat McGrath/Dolce & Gabbana The Makeup event at Saks Fifth Avenue via Makeup Minute. I instantly made an appointment, and inquired as to the minimum purchase requirement. I was shocked when the woman on the other end of the phone answered "None". Curious, excited and nervous I headed to Saks for my 1pm appointment. After waiting about 15 minutes while the darling Princess Poochie had the artists work their magic on her. Once I got in the chair, a darling makeup artist (eeps, can't remember his name) took a lot of time walking me through the line, explaining the products to me and making sure I had a great experience. During the session, I heard a boisterous woman talking to the makeup artist behind me and walking him through the application on the customer behind me. This woman, I later learned, was Pat McGrath's assistant. When my MUA was almost finished, Pat herself glided down the aisle of Saks, walking up to each customer to say hello, and direct the MUA to getting our looks just right the Pat McGrath way. She was so kind, so sweet and so eager to talk to all of us. I truly walked away feeling like we shared a genuine moment. Now THAT is what I call an experience.
What I purchased from the line:
- Dolce & Gabbana The Nail Lacquer in Stromboli (AMAZING) $20
- Dolce & Gabbana The Eyeliner in Stromboli $29
- Dolce & Gabbana The Eyelinerin Coffee $29
- Dolce & Gabbana The Eyeshadow Quad in Nude $59
While in the MUA's chair, I overheard and learned a few things:
- Anything named Stromboli is a must have (obviously I bought into this by my nail polish and eyeliner purchase)
- Notice I didn't purchase a lip gloss? The glosses were recalled due to a defect in the brushes - the brush hairs literally fell out!
- Paula of Older Girl Beauty overheard during her appointment that the reason there were no makeup brushes available for purchase was that D&G could not decide on the logo for the handle, therefore they are not available for purchase
- The lipsticks smell like Estee Lauder, aka old lady
- If you watched RuPaul's Drag Race, you might remember Rebecca Glasscock, one of the finalist drag queens. Outside of the dazzling drag world, Rebecca is known as Javier, who is apparently a Freelance Makeup Artist. He was the one receiving all the coaching from Pat McGrath's assistant.
- Don't even think of attempting to open the nail polish bottle while the gold cap is still in place. You must remove the cap to expose quite a boring, black corrugated lid to open the polish. Design fail.
- The D&G counter at Saks Fifth Avenue is directly across from the Giorgio Armani Beauty counter. I like to call this space the Pat McGrath hallway of greatness
Overall, I think the line is overpriced for what it is. The Stromboli color is STUNNING and an absolute must have from the line. The brushes were soft, but I'm not even 100% that these were the brushes from the actual line. The assortment of bronzers is amazing, and the powders in the eyeshadow quads are smooth. I think the price I paid for the products was worth my experience, but I can't say 100% that I would be repurchasing the product. I purchased the experience and the opportunity to shake hands & double kiss with a legend.
Have you had a chance to check out the line? Is there a color/product you're dying to see?
