Lotte New York Palace Mother's Day Beauty Event

On Saturday, May 11th, Lotte New York Palace hosted the third annual Mother's Day Beauty Event in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Villard Ballroom was transformed into a beauty pop-up for hotel guests and attending media, filled with makeovers, special gifts, and a rose-themed gift with each purchase to celebrate this year's "Roses" theme. Featured brands included Alexander McQueen, Acqua di Parma, Aerin, Bottega Veneta, Chloé, Clé de Peau Beauté Clive Christian, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, NARS and Nest Fragrances.

Throughout the event, live entertainment was provided by New York City-based jazz duo, Actute Inflections. The Lotte New York Palace Spa & Fitness Center offered complimentary hand and chair massages in the Red Salon.

Check out highlights from my afternoon of beauty as I visited each brand. 

Estée Lauder showcased Re-Nutriv skincare collection and spring makeup palettes. Estée Lauder created my eye look using the La Dangereuse eyeshadow palette by Violette filled with sparkle, pearl and matte finishes, along with the Sly & Sultry Deluxe Eye Crayon by Violette.

Chloé showcased three fragrances, including the classic scent that I actually keep at the office, Love Story, and the newest fragrance, Nomade, a floral scent with notes of Oakmoss, Freesia, and Mirabelle Liquor.

Bottega Veneta showcased their ultra-luxe Parco Palladiano collection inspired by an olfactive journey through a Palladian Garden, in Italy. One of my favorite scents in the collection is XIV Melagrana.

Alexander McQueen highlighted, Celtic Rose, a delicate aromatic floral perfume. 

Lancôme previewed the Absolue collection, which launched a rich cream, soft cream, eye cream, oléo-serum and eye serum in January. The luxurious line revitalizes to result in luminous, bright skin. 

Lancôme Spring Collection

Nest Fragrances displayed perfumes and body creams including Wild Poppy and Cocoa Woods. Wild Poppy has aromas of pear, raspberry, and apricot infused with hints of Himalayan jasmine and Rose de Grasse. Cocoa Woods has the essence of bittersweet cocoa wrapped in sequoia wood and white sandalwood, blended with exotic hints of tiare blossom and Thai ginger.

Nest Fragrances Rose Noir & Oud candles and diffusers

Wisteria Blue rollerball and Grapefruit candle

Clive Christian Noble Collection - Rock Rose is one of my favorites with top notes of Tarocco Orange, middle notes of Rock Rose and bottom notes of Lavender. 

Clive Christian 1872 and Original Collection No. 1

Clive Christian Private Collection

One of the Acqua di Parma fragrance picks: Note di Colonia VI 

Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneao Collection, with Fico di Amalfi as one of my favorites, with  top notes of Bergamot, Lemon, Grapfruit and Citron, heat notes of Fig nectar, Pink pepper and Jasmine petals, and base notes of Fig wood, Cedar wood and Benzoin.

I'm really excited about the new line of Acqua di Parma candles ($69) and diffusers ($97). They smell absolutely amazing!

For my makeover, I had tried Clé de Peau Beauté The Foundation, with SPF 21. I was amazed at how well this foundation moisturizes, radiates and illuminates my skin. I can't say I've ever come across a foundation like this one! This foundation has medium coverage and is also acts as a primer. I also tried on Clé de Peau Beauté's concealer and lipstick.

Clé de Peau Beauté Synactif skincare contains MACC-PD, which strengthens the lymphatic channel and results in youthful, refined facial contours.

Nars showcased new palettes for spring/summer, including the limited edition Summer Lights Face Palette and new Endless Orgasm Palette

- Kim Weling

Beauty Event at Lotte New York Palace

On  Saturday, May 12th, Lotte New York Palace hosted a Mother's Day beauty event, as guests enjoyed sampling, shopping, gifts and complimentary makeovers. Luxurious beauty brands included Creed, Nest Fragrances, Lancôme, Acqua di Parma, Molton Brown, and Nars, available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Check out the highlights and products you'll find from each brand for spring/summer. Neuhaus Chocolate was also showcased, and Lotte New York Palace Spa & Fitness Center offered complimentary mini massages. 

Creed has the most gorgeous perfume bottles, especially the Les Royales Exclusives Collection. Jardin d'Amalfi is one of my favorites, with a characteristic scent of citrus and middle notes of cedar, apple and rose for a floral-fresh fragrance. The Les Royales Exclusives come in a gold-accented, hand-crafted glass bottle by centuries-old Parisian glassmaker, Pochet.

Nest Fragrances was showcasing its newest scent, Linen, along with two popular scents, Grapefruit and Bamboo. 

This was the first time I had been introduced to Lancôme Absolue L'Extrait, and upon applying the eye-balm elixir I immediately saw a difference! It helps get rid of any dark circles or puffy eyes. The serum is super smooth and hydrating. I really would love to try out this entire line!

I was also impressed by the Lancome L'Autre Ôud fragrance collection with uniquely crafted scents.

The Hermès Garden Collection is inspired by gardens all over the world, and consists of four fragrances: Un Jardin en Mediterranée, Un Jardin sur le Nil, Un Jardin sur le Toit and Le Jardin de Monsieur Li. 

Un Jardin en Mediterranée tells the spirit of a Mediterranean secret garden, Un Jardin sur le Nil is a sensory stroll along the Nile River, Un Jardin sur le Toit describes a secret garden hidden in the heart of Paris, and Le Jardin de Monsieur Li describes a Chinese garden. La Collection Des Parfums-Jardins has the perfect travel set of all four delicate and light fragrances, packaged beautifully in a Hermès green box.

Acqua di Parma showcased feminine fragrances, including Iris Nobile, Magnolia Nobile, Gelsomino Nobile, Rosa Nobile and Peonia Nobile.

Molton Brown has always been my go-to for hand wash and bodywash. The newest launch is the Orange & Bergamot Radiant Body Polisher, with an amazing citrus scent.

I love all the shades in the new NARS x Erdem Strange Flowers Collection. Known for floral prints, this color palette is very true to Erdem. The collection includes creamy lipsticks, blush, lip powder palette and two eyeshadow palettes.

Neuhaus Chocolate had several different gift boxes available. All of their Belgian chocolates are delicious: irrésistibles, manons, fresh cream, cornets, gianuja, praliné, ganache, caramel, truffles, confectionary, marzipan, liquors, gourmandises and bonbons.

The Palace Signature Facial is a popular choice at the Lotte New York Palace Spa & Fitness Center, but has a luxe menu of spa treatment options, from the Hot Stone Massage to a Customized Peel or Royal Manicure. Spa treatments incorporate Naturopathica products, which have a holistic approach to health and beauty.

- Kim Weling