Counter Culture Couture

Counter Culture Couture

Luxury is coming to Baltimore, folks. There’s no escaping it. Darn it all.

Towson Nordstrom is finishing its much-anticipated renovation, and with it comes Tom Ford Cosmetics and fragrances from the beloved and envelope-pushing designer.

A face bronzer will set you back about $110 and a fragrance $200-300. No prob.

You can check out all the goods there, courtesy the Tom Ford regional team you’ll find stationed in store.

Tom Ford has always been known for his gender-bending Studio 54 throwbacks, so it was no surprise when I found myself booked to do an underwater makeup and vintage shoot on a gorgeous guy – Ruth Shaw employee and model Justice Hartley, here being styled by Under Armour stylist Jason Tom.

Of course, wouldn’t you know we were doing this on the coldest day of the summer? Jason and photographer Christopher Myers kept the shoot moving swiftly, while Tom Ford kept his side of the deal with his contour cream and “Boy” lipstick staying put, even underwater! (Photo courtesy Christopher Myers)

On the softer side, the celebrity makeup artist line by the late Kevyn Aucoin has come to the About Faces chain of Baltimore-based day spas, and is making a big impression. Kevyn was a contemporary of Tom Ford, who helped Ford design much of his earlier work. And that’s not all. Count Kevyn as the man behind Laura Mercier Cosmetics, Limelight for Alcone foundation, and the Ultimate 2 Nudes collection made famous by the early 90’s supermodels. Check in next week with the About Faces folks to find out about their Kevyn Aucoin launch events, and when its New York staff will be in town, providing makeup for Ruth Shaw’s uber-fashionable grand opening.

Meanwhile, you don’t need to be a New Yorker to feel glamorous and “gorge,” thanks to Aucoin’s makeup line. Here’s bride Rachel Perry positively glowing in his porcelain Sensual Skin Enhancer and Exotique Diamond Eye Gloss with his medium nude lip pencil and plum gloss for her wedding at the Hilton.

Capitol Hill bride Caroline popped in for a makeup run-through trial at the spa’s Pikesville location. She wanted the Kevyn Aucoin line because of his work on designing the “no makeup” makeup looks of the 90’s. The focus is all on her skin with his Ethereal Primer followed by Ethereal Color Corrector and Capri bronzer.

Last but not least is a bridal party from a wedding produced by Halle Von Kessler (remember, folks, fall is one busy wedding season!). I got to try Kevyn Aucoin’s powder foundation on them because it was such a large group and we needed to prepare in a hurry, yet do something that would last through the rainy day. The powder promises not to deprive you of your natural skin’s glow and provide you with a perfect color match.His easy-to-apply lashes and cheek highlighter make sure you avoid that “mannequin” look.

It may not be the Tom Ford installation, but my new – and smaller – makeup travel kit has let me ease into fall with all these essentials with a lot less back pain. Bring the counter to you, if you will!

Dr. Steve Sobelman
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