Author: Lindsay

September’s Favorite Things

1. I can’t quit reaching for my summer bronzer – I am just not quite ready to give up that sun-kissed glow. This bronzer by the Balm has just enough umph and a balance between pink and brown. It also looks great on the lids. (available at Nordstrom)

2. This Victoria’s Secret eye kohl fits perfectly across my lids. I close my eyes around the crayon and drag it outward. This gives a thin, yet intense, jet-black line for a more smoldering eye. I can’t find it online, but it is worth checking out if they have it in the store.

3. BareMinerals Well-Rested Face & Eye Brightener is similar to the YSL Touche Eclat, but has a balanced mineral infusion of radiance. It truly energizes and awakens the eye area. It is sheer so it works on all skin tones. (available at Sephora)

4. As far as BB Creams go, 3LAB is my go-to. I love the coverage, consistency and match to my skin tone. It is on the heavier side but I find if I apply it with the included roller contraption, it goes on super even and natural looking. (available at Nordstrom)

5. I am definitely feeling the spicy, cozy scents for the fall. And this Amber is a clear, clean incarnation that has a hint of musk. (available at Amazon)

6. These hair ties are basically ingrained in my life. They are everywhere: car, bedside tables, purse, bathroom, kitchen. I love they don’t tear or break long strands and they hold up like a champ. I think I have some that around 3 or 4 years old. They even hold my long hair in a top knot (twistbands are available at Birchbox)

7. And for my NYFW “best find”: Clarins Beauty-Flash Balm. This mask/treatment is ideal for a busy day or big event. After not enough sleep, I slapped this on before a big brunch and found my skin looked hydrated, glowy and not the least bit tired. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then apply makeup. Your look will have an extra radiance. (available at Neiman Marcus)

NARS Illuminated Skin Care

I am going to attempt to remain calm as I introduce you to the newly relaunched NARS Skin Care. But I apologize if I get a little overly excited. The brand known for beautiful color and elegant packaging has come through with some truly innovative, results-oriented, superb skin care.

Off the bat, I am swooning over the Purifying Foam Cleanser. Most of you know I love a good foaming face wash – check out some other favorites here. The Clé de Peau Beauté Gentle Cleansing Foam has long been a holy grail products for me, and I am thrilled to report this NARS face wash is so utterly similar at less than half the cost. It is highly foaming with small botanical exfoliating spheres (which are not irritating).  Wild Rose and Peony extracts soothe skin. And while this is targeted for normal to oily/combination skin, it isn’t drying and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight. The theme of all three of my favorite products is their illuminating capabilities – cleanser included. The formula contains the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ designed to restore skin’s youthful radiance and reflect light like a prism.

NARS ‘Skin’ Optimal Brightening Concentrate, in its elegant square jar, is unlike any other serum I have tried. The center piece of the NARS collection hydrates, soothes and boots radiance like nothing else. It comes in especially handy for big events or after a late night – the complexion really looks revitalized. Vitamin C works long term to prevent and help repair signs of aging and dark spots. This also makes a lovely primer, especially for those with oily skin. Just skip moisturizer (but not SPF) and use the concentrate under makeup.

Lastly, the Luminous Moisture Cream – certain to be a favorite for those of you with dry skin like me. Like the Concentrate and Cleanser, this cream contains the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™, so you will continue to get that brightened appearance. The rich cream has seriously intense hydration, which only makes my skin look plumper, glowier and overall more healthy. Beech Bud Extract boosts collagen production and anti-oxidants to combat free radical damage. Bravo, NARS!

Shop my favorites:

Emmy’s Makeup MVP – Christina Hendricks

The truth is, I really love this current season’s makeup trends. And everyone looked healthy, beautiful and radiant on last night’s red carpet. But Christina Hendricks really stepped up her game with Hourglass Cosmetics makeup. So I had to feature a “Get the Look”, perfect to implement for a fall wedding or  holiday parties in the next couple months.

Christina was wearing Christian Siriano gown and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, with her trademark curvy bombshell look. Her face complimented the sheer neutral material of the dress and let her curves and bold lip to the talking.

Makeup artist Vanessa Scali went for old Hollywood glamour. She started with Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, which hydrates while creating a great canvas for makeup. Next, she applied Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Shell. Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer was applied wherever necessary.

Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Flush was applied to the apples of the cheeks blending outward to the cheekbones.

For definition and intensity, she lined her eyes with Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Liner in Ebony at the base of the lashes and on the inside top rim of the eye. Using the lighter shade from Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy, she swept the color from the lash line to the eye brow. Then, she used a touch of the deeper shade blending it well, from the lash line to just above the crease and swept past the natural outer corner to exaggerate and elongate the eye. This color continues very subtly under the bottom lashes. She finished the eyes with lush, flirty lashes – Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara (reviewed here) was used all over the lashes and Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer concentrated on the center of the lashes.

She gave Christina a bold, strong lip with Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon (reviewed here).

Shop the look:

NARS Autumn Leaves Sheer Lipstick

I am on cloud 9 with the welcoming of fall – football, cardigans and pumpkin flavored everything. And fall makeup collections, of course. After sifting through the berries, wines, reds and oranges, I have settled on my favorite new lip for the season – NARS Autumn Leaves Sheer Lipstick.

The sheer color is a warm, shimmer-filled orangey-red. The color looks more brunt siena on the lips than it does in the tube. The sheer formula with vitamin E keep my lips moisturized now that we are moving to drier months. For those of you who aren’t on the bold lips bandwagon quite yet, NARS’ sheer lipsticks give the perfect wash of color.

And speaking of cloud nine…. I am thrilled to be featured over on IFB today, where I am discussing being a blogger full-time. Check it out here.

Bliss High Intensity ’24-Heaven™’ Healing Body Balm and GIVEAWAY

Like a momma bear getting ready for hibernation, I am preparing for these winter months when my skin is known to become a dry, itchy mess. And this year, I am stockpiling Bliss High Intensity ’24-Heaven™’ Healing Body Balm.

This insanely rich balm looks like icing or crisco in the tub but has the consistency closer to greek yogurt. And while it is very nourishing, the quickly absorbing balm doesn’t become greasy or sticky. Staying on the food trend, the scent is kind of like cake batter (but not in that teenybopper, nauseous way). It smells clean and maybe even a little vanilla on the skin.

That would probably sell me right there. But then bliss went a step further. They threw in exfoliating lactic acid and soothing, protective colloidal oatmeal. At the end of the day, my skin still feels super hydrated from my AM application.

Just because I love you readers (and in honor of Belle Belle Beauty’s second birthday), I willing to part with a ’24-Heaven’ from my own person stash. Just enter using the widget below. Open to anyone anywhere! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t want to chance it, you can pick up your own at NeimanMarcus.com.

Happy Second Birthday, Belle Belle Beauty!

Cheers to you, my wonderful readers. Last Saturday was Belle Belle Beauty’s Second Birthday. I wanted to say a (belated) thanks for all your support. I am looking forward to many more years of talking beauty!

(image: Marie Courroy pour L’Officiel Photographie: Thierry Lebraly via Glitter Guide)