Author: Lindsay

Shu Uemura Volume Maker Invisible Texturizing Powder

I’ve got a mess of fine long hair. This means two things: it takes forever to style and I am lacking in volume. So when I find a product that acts as a voluminizer AND dry shampoo, I pounce. Shu Uemura Volume Maker Invisible Texturizing Powder works great to “fluff” a blowout in its second or third day. It can make a pony just a little more posh with some volume at the crown. And it can lift lifeless hair.

This powder is absolutely invisible on my dark brown hair. I love the pen-like packaging (a breeze to throw in your purse). And it is fragrance-free. Seperate the strands where you want volume. Then use a very small amount of product – essentially one click – and brush on the roots of the hair. Massage with your fingers to distribute and voila! I found this tutorial super helpful when learning how to use the Volume Maker.

Shu Uemura Volume Maker Invisible Texturizing Powder is available at Shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com.

Chanel Fashion’s Night Out

One of the thrills of Fashion’s Night Out are the exclusive launches fetting the occassion. This year, Chanel amped up its offering with three lip and nail duos. As always, Peter Philips, the creative director of Chanel Makeup, has hit the trend perfectly with the purples, plums and beiges. There are three new colours for lips – Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Délicate, La Provocante and L’Infidèle – and three new nail varnish colours to go with them – Chanel Le Vernis Délicatesse, Provocation and Infidèle. I’ve got my eyes on the vampy, purple set! How about you?

These shades will be available at select Chanel boutiques on September 6th.

NARS’ Andy Warhol collection

Two of my favorite worlds are colliding: art and makeup. Good things are bound to happen. WWD reports Nars will debut two makeup collections that channel Warhol’s iconic art. Francios Nars and Andy Warhol, both forward-thinking pioneers in their art, kind of remind me of each other – both epitomizing modernity.

The two collections will reflect his pop art phase and Factory phase. The crown jewel of the Pop collection is the Debbie Harry Cheek and Eye Palette ($65) is an ode to Warhol’s muse. The Factory collection features the Edie set, a film canister containing Film Star pure matte lipstick, Edie eyeshadow, Carpates eyeliner stylo and more. Warhol quotes are emblazoned on the compacts containing eyeshadows pressed into shapes of flowers.

The Debbie Harry palette and entire Pop collection will be available at Sephora on October 1st. The Factory collection will be in department stores on November 1st.

Couture Gel Nail Polish

I admit, there is something comforting about going out for a mani/pedi. I somehow feel more prepared to face the world with fresh polish on my digits. But you can’t always make it to a salon (or perhaps those mani/pedis were cut from the budget). I’ve been the queen of at home manis these last couple of months (just check out my Instagram feed – username bellebellebeauty). Yet, I never would have imagined I could get a Gel Polish manicure at home.

Enter the Couture Gel Nail Polish System. This at home gel polish kit made these long-lasting manicures possibly and easy to achieve. Gel nail polish is a light-sensitive lacquer that quickly dries to a shiny, indestructible finish under a UV lamp. I’ve done two manicures and they both lasted 10 days on me. This is an eternity in my books. I think with diligent use of gloves while doing dishes and a gentler approach to using nails as tools (guilty), you could get three weeks.

The colors are really impressive with a range of 65 options. Below, I am wearing Painfully Hip.

The kit, priced at $129, contains:

Your choice of 3 gel nail polish shades, plus a base coat and a top coat
A salon-quality 36-watt UV Espree Salon Lamp
A step-by-step brochure and instructional DVD on application and removal
A zip-up nylon carrying case
Professional manicure tools

When you price out $30 gel manicures at salons, this is an amazing deal. And I love the flexibility of being able to do a gel mani at home. It is my current favorite for right before travel, ensuring there won’t be any chips on my trips!

Bliss fabulips treatment kit

A few weeks ago, I was talking about a facial for the hair. So why not a facial for the lips!? A healthy pout is not only prettier, but absolutely mandatory for lip color. There is nothing worse than an uneven, flakey bold lip. Might as well make an at home, mini spa treatment out of priming those lips to look their best.

The kit includes everything you need for the four step treatment:

Lift impurities and lip color with the foaming lip cleanser.
Polish lips and remove dead skin with the sugar lip scrub.
Use the volumizing instant lip plumper
Moisturize with the softening lip balm.

The lip “facial” has amazing results. But these are also great to use solo. I adore the foaming lip cleanser for removing lipstick or stain at the end of the evening. It gently cleans with Cocoa butter, shea butter and rice bran extract. Let it set for 20-30 seconds to activate and foam.

I keep the sugar lip scrub in the shower for daily exfoliation. It contains almond and walnut shell to exfoliate and nourishes with jojoba seed. It is packed with vitamins and, on its own, leaves my lips hydrated.

The lip plumper comes in handy before big events (it doesn’t tingle or irritate – just minty). Cork tree extract and peptides volumize and contour. Sodium hyaluronate keeps hydration in, boosting volume even more.

And the balm is so silky and soft. This is probably my favorite of all. It is perfect for right before bed. Waxes and oils condition delicately. Shea butter, jojoba and grape seed oils seal moisture in with a dose of Vitamin E.

Le Métier de Beauté ‘Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Correcteur’ SPF 16 Concealer

Le Métier de Beauté has recieved major kudos for their Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complex’ Tinted Treatment SPF 18 (review here), but did you know they made a Peau Vierge concealer as well? Not only does the creamy formula flawlessly cover my hyper-pigmentation, but it also works to treat it.

The formula uses the same breakthrough, proprietary delivery system as the tinted moisturizer. Syntoc Actif is unique in its ability to deliver active ingredients. Retinol in the formula encourages collagen production, diminishes the appearance of dark circles, and heals blemishes. I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my larger areas of hyper-pigmentation since using this concealer.

The consistancy is creamy (so it works great under eyes). The finish isn’t dewy but natural looking. It blends beautifully, making it virutally undetectable. I like using it with the Le Métier de Beauté Concealer Brush or buffing it on with an Eyeshadow Blending Brush (like this one).

Broad-spectrum SPF 16 protects the skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays.