Author: Lindsay

Yves Saint Laurent Eye Brighten Trick

As we enter the swinging holiday season, I am prepping for late nights finishing up work before vacation (okay, and maybe some holiday festivities and cocktails).  Sadly, this leaves me with puffy, tired looking eyes.  So I know my new found trick is going to be put to good use in the next couple of months.

I already had the requisite pen of Touche Eclat on my vanity (every makeup junkie does).  But it is even better mixed with a pea size amount of Yves Saint Laurent Temps Majeur Eye.  Temps Majeur Eye has luminescence, so it does double duty as part of my makeup routine.  On its own, it brightens the eye (while battling dark circles, puffiness and fine lines).   With the highlighting power of Touche Eclat, your get that extra radiance.   I like to also add a swipe of Touche Eclat down my nose and right under my brows.   I have fair to medium skin and use No. 2 Luminous Ivory.   Well rested, festive look all in all!

 

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner

I am madly crushing on the classic look with a nod to retro style for makeup these days.  And no one does classic like Laura Mercier.  One of my old favorites is the Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony.  I spray some Shu Uemura Depsea Water Facial Mist in Bergamot on the Laura Mercier Flat Eyeliner Brush.  Some recommend working the liner into a paste, but I prefer swiping the brush in the cake to get more of a gel.  Instead of drawing the liner across the lash base, tuck the brush into the lash roots.  I usually start on the top side of lashes, but you can also line the underneath of the root.  Move the brush along the lash line, tucking at each stop.  The final product is subtle, but defining.  For a little more drama, reapply.  This also makes the line a little more solid.

If you use Laura Mercier Eye Colour, you can pop out the liner and keep everything together in a three or six-well custom compact for a customized color palette.

eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm

I’d heard great things about these little balls of lipbalm goodness, but had never come across one in person.  Didn’t take but two seconds for me to plop a couple in my basket at CVS this past week. I had to see what the fuss was all about.

These have zero color, but are incredibly nourishing – perfect as part of the nighttime ritual.  They pretty much covered all the bases here as far as unwelcome ingredients:

  • Gluten-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Petrolatum-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • 95% organic
  • 100% natural

The sphere actually works really well – no edges and even application.  Unlike a tube, you don’t nick the edge of the balm when replacing the cap.  The packaging is very similar to what you find your NARS products in –  soft, velvety plastic.  And one of the highlights for me: surprisingly easy to find in my massive purse.   Right now, I can’t stop using summer fruit as I am craving a beach vacation.  But sweet mint is a close second.

Belle Belle Beauty Makeover

Belle Belle Beauty is getting a makeover!  This weekend, we will be transitioning to the new and improved website.  The address will still be the same: www.bellebellebeauty.com.  I will continue to post images and inspiration over on tumblr at bellebellebeauty.tumblr.com.  And make sure to check out my fashion blog, Su-perb.

Meanwhile, I am channeling this bold lip and fresh face look this weekend.  For the lip, I am picking up NARS lipstick in Niagra.  Can’t wait to hear what you think of the new design!

Avon Eyeliners

Watching a makeup tutorial the other day, I was blown away by the Avon eyeliners, particularly for application right in the lash line.  I had to try them out for myself.  I test-drove the MVPs of their extensive liner lineup – Extra Lasting liner and glimmersticks.

Extra Lasting is a classic liquid liner.  For the full inky line, it requires two swipes.  But I actually find this preferable.  You are able to correct and customize the line.  After a minute or two of drying time, this liner is NOT budging.  You absolutely get the promised 12 hours of wear. In fact, this rivals the staying-power of any liner I’ve tried, no matter the price point.  It took quite the scrubbing with eye makeup remover to get this swatch off my hand.  Extra Lasting liquid liner is $9.

Glimmersticks are a retractable, self-sharpening pencils.  They don’t have the staying power of the liquid liner, but are pretty impresive for a pencil.  These are perfect for a smudged eye line and dramatic lashes.  These are now on sale for $2.99 – perfect excuse to pick up all five colors.

Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream Foundation and Concealer

Early this week, I posted my favorite drugstore foundation.  As an alternative, Clé de Peau Beauté makes my pick if you are in the market for luxury foundation or concealer.  Some of the advantages to paying more include assistance in finding the perfect shade and glamorous packaging.  No matter your preference, I want to cover the bases!

Clé de Peau Beauté knows what they are doing.  It is a Japanese brand that has been around for 30 years, with a focus on bright and radiant skin.  After I apply the Silky Cream foundation, I am very moisturized but not too dewy.  Coverage is medium with just about as flawless of an effect I have ever seen.  But amazingly still very lightweight.   Application has been outstanding with the Shiseido ‘Perfect’ Foundation Brush.

This tube is surprisingly small for the heafty price tag.  But I can assure you, the amount needed per use is incredibly small.  We are talking pea size here.  Plus the tube makes the FAA cut off for carry on.

The concealer basically speaks for itself with all of its awards.  It was a Neiman Marcus Beauty Awards Finalist.  InStyle Magazine named it best undereye concealer in May 2011.  Just like the Silky Cream Foundation, the concealer is powered with Revitalizing Moisture Complex to lock in moisture and smooth out texture.  Unlike some other popular concealers, it isn’t so dry you cannot blend it – blending leads to a more natural looking appearance.

I have been using this as my go-to concealer for about six years.  The formula is perfectly balanced between creamy and matte.  It does beautifully under the eye, but can cover a blemish too like a champ.  And the tube will last you months.

As a note, I found this tip on the Neiman Marcus website and felt it was worth repeating:

Tip: For lighter skin tones, the Honey shade can be used underneath your matching concealer as a color corrector for truly dark areas. Apply the Honey shade to your darkest area. Pat lightly. Apply your matching concealer on top and blend.