Author: Lindsay

American Beauty Contest

I’d be remiss not to mention my new favorite book. I’m already treasuring my copy of American Beauty that highlights a diverse group of quintessentially American women such as Lily Aldridge, Solange Knowles, and Jenna Lyons. The photos by Vogue alumna Claiborne Swanson Frank are stunning. In celebration of the book, Estée Lauder and Neiman Marcus teamed up for a contest. Tell them how you exemplify modern American beauty for your chance to win.

  • One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to New York City during Fashion Week to have your portrait taken by Claiborne Swanson Frank, attend a runway show, receive a tour of the Assouline offices and meet founders Prosper and Martine, an Estée Lauder makeover and gift package and a $1500 Neiman Marcus gift card.
  • Two second-prize winners will receive a gift bag filled with products from Estée Lauder.
  • Ten finalists will receive a gift bag filled with products from Estée Lauder.

To enter, visit Vogue.com/promotions to upload a recent photo along with a brief statement that explains why you represent modern American beauty. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter and for full rules, go to www.vogue.com/promotions. Starts April 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. and ends May 15, 2012 at 11:59 PM ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States/D.C. 18 or older, except employees of Sponsor, their immediate families and those living in the same household. Void outside the 50 United States/D.C. and where prohibited. A.R.V. of prize or prizes $13,830: Sponsor: Conde Nast.

And just a note: I’ll be at the Grand Poobah Neiman Marcus Northpark store tomorrow, catching up on all the latest and greatest beauty. Make sure you are following me on Instagram (bellebellebeauty) for drool-worthy pics of makeup and skin care. Can’t wait to report back what I learned!

Belle Belle on the Web

I’m thrilled to be part of Safe Sun Stories on the Bergdorf Goodman blog today! Check out my review of  SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid by La Mer right here. We are coming up on Melanoma awareness month and summer weather is just around the corner. Don’t forget to stock up on Sunscreen. This La Mer fluid is dreamy to use and works great under makeup!

I’m also guest blogging over at The Bolder the Better, rounding up Spring Trends. Amy is a fabulous fashionista in Austin and is making quite the splash with her new blog. She’s a master mixologist of prints and just plain lovely. For more details on bold lips, full brows, metallic lids and colorful nails, check it out here!


Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick

So many recent “firsts” over here at Belle Belle Beauty. First Edward Bess, then La Prairie and now (finally) Tom Ford. I love it just as much as my other luxury foundation pick, Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream Foundation, but they couldn’t be more different. Clé de Peau gives a silky, glowy finish with medium coverage, whereas Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick is nimble, oil-free and buildable in coverage.

This stick has a unique quality: swiping the stick directly on my skin gives a creamy, blendable formula. The only other stick foundation I’ve used (Bobby Brown) is not near as blendable and almost cakey. As the Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick sets, the finish is more matte, bringing with it fantastic staying quality. I haven’t had a foundation EVER stay on as long as this does.

Shaped like a giant concealer stick, I wasn’t sure now precise I could be. But actually, the stick allows you to build coverage where needed and let a sheerness shine through where you don’t. If you are having a particularly good skin day, just use this as a concealer! And love this is airplane friendly and portable.

Tom Ford’s price point is definitely high ($78), but this stick is HUGE and excellent quality. You won’t be sorry.

St. Ives Scrub-free Exfoliating Pads and Naturally Smooth Hand Cream

What do you get when you mix the buzz-worthy beauty ingredient with affordable, drugstore cult-favorite brand?  St. Ives Scrub-free Exfoliating Pads and Naturally Smooth Hand Cream! Love it the latest and greatest appears on drugstore shelves. And what’s hot right now are AHA’s.

So what are AHAs and how do they work? The most common forms of AHAs are: glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid , malic acid (from apples), citric acid (from citrus fruits) and tartaric acid (from grape wine). Human skin has two principal components, the avascular epidermis and the underlying vascular dermis. Aging generally occurs in the underlying dermis. So that’s where AHAs come in. Due to small molecular size, these guys can penetrate the top layer of skin (glycolic is the smallest). The generate more collagen at deeper levels and generate new cells at the surface.

I’ve been incorporating these into my routine in the form of products found in the post here. But if your looking to find them at the drugstore price point, look no further!

St. Ives Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads are gentle enough to use everyday. They are perfect to throw in a gym bag or pack for a summer trip.

  • First mass-market brand exfoliating pads with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
  • Exfoliates to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin in just 7 days
  • Formulated with 100 percent natural lactic acid
  • Available at select mass retailers, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide for $4.99 (SRP)

St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream is incredibly nourishing. It is easy to forget that aging is so apparent on delicate skin on the back of your hands. AHAs will help keep the skin looking young will moisturizing like a champ.

  • Exfoliates and improves the appearance of rough, uneven skin in just 7 days
  • 100 percent natural moisturizers help it absorb quickly into skin
  • Formulated with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
  • Available at Target stores nationwide for $2.99 (SRP)

La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Eye Cream

When La Prairie launches a new line, they make sure their loyalists will love it. Their new White Caviar Illuminating Système specifically targets age spots, discoloration and hyper-pigmentation, meeting the needs of their current customers and making a new one out of me. My biggest concern is under eye circles and hyper-pigmentation, so I was on La Prairie bandwagon for the first time. I had no qualms about trusting my eyes to La Prairie. They have been around for more than a half of a century as pioneers in cellular, anti-aging therapy.

The White Caviar Illuminating Eye Cream works in three ways against discoloration. It prevents by limiting and minimizing the trigger enzyme, tyrosinase, which starts hyper-pigmentation deep within the skin. While you are using the cream, it actuals is decreasing and controling excess melanin. And, lastly, it also fades existing spots.

Here’s where it gets technical: Oligopeptide-68, a skin-lightening peptide, along with Swiss Garden Cress Sprout Extract, fade existing spots and prevent future excess pigment formation. Vitamin C and Licorice Root Extract help melanin. And  Golden Caviar Extracts boost the anti-oxidant level of defense in the skin while also promoting firming aspects. Lastly, La Prairie’s exclusive Cellular Complex of Glycoproteins, Horsetail, and Ginseng Extracts, help stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process.

Long story short: it works. This stuff is results oriented. My dark circles have improved and even some hyper-pigmentation around my eyes has faded. And a bonus is you can use day and night. The formula is sheer and lightweight so it works well under makeup. And because of its weight, you can apply it all the way up to the brow bone.

 

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Supreme Foundation

I’ve definitely covered loads of foundation options for those of you with dry skin like me (look here, here and here). But this one is for all those with oiler skin. Laura Mercier has just come out with new oil-free foundation that gives skin the ultimate coverage, comfort and wear for a flawless complexion.

Here’s what she promised (and delivered):

  • Oil-free, non-drying, lightweight formula glides on evenly on to skin and does not settle into fine lines.
  • Visibly minimizes the appearance of pores for smoother skin.
  • Buildable coverage, from moderate to full, evens skin tone.
  • Provides a soft matte finish.
  • Longwearing formula (lasts up to 8 hours) feels lightweight and comfortable on skin.
  • Silicone-free, fragrance-free, non-greasy.

The formula is excellent – smooth, great staying power and even, matte finish. My only caveat is make sure you actually do have oily skin. This will only play nice with truly oily skin. My guinea pig, Corey, assured me she had oily skin but it was even drying for her. But when I tried it on my early-twenties buddy with the right complexion, the Oil-Free Supreme Foundation really shined. I love this for younger skin with acne problems. The addition of aloe, green tea, and silica sooths, heals and corrects.  Vitamin A will also help correct imperfections. And Vitamin E hydrates without a greasy finish.

The oil-free foundation hits counters this month and is available in 12 shades: Porcelain Ivory, Blush Ivory, Warm Ivory, Sunny Beige, Vanilla Beige, Golden Beige, Shell Beige, Tawny Beige, Honey Beige, Suntan Beige, Toffee Bronze, Rich Sienna).