Category: eyes

LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette

I snagged this little gem in a gift bag at NYFW and never could imagine how much I would come to cherish my LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette! While I had my eye on the LORAC Pro Palette for months, I actually am more thrilled with this travel friendly and nimble version.

Not only does it have everything you need for loads of looks. The LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek does it well. Powders are finely milled, blendable, natural-looking and long-lasting. Plus the packaging is well made. The sturdy exterior solidly closes via magnet. The included brushes, one small eyeshadow and one eyeliner/brow, are high quality albeit a little short.

On the eye side, there are two rows of three shadows – one matte and one shimmer. The base shades are generously sized. A matte black works perfectly as a liner. And the darker brown works well on my brows. On the cheek side, three wearable shades are nicely spaced with large wells of pigment. The coral has a little bit of shimmer. Pink is decidedly cooler and on the matte side. And the bronzer is perfect for contouring with its matte finish and rich pigment.

Specifically designed by Lorac Creator Carol Shaw to keep celebrity clients looking fabulous, I love this for regular folks just like us. It is an amazing value at $38. Available at Sephora.

Getting Full Brows

Full brows have been in for several seasons in a row and I’ve happily forgotten how to achieve thin, sculpted arches. Recently, I’ve even gone so far as to just let my brows grow wild. Sure… I’ll tweet a stray hair but it has to be really rogue for me to go after it. Instead, I add fullness and make sure hairs are brushed and set. Thanks to hypothyroidism, the ends of my brows lack fullness, but powders and pencils help add natural volume. If you are like me and are going after full, natural yet tamed brows, here are my favorite brow goodies to achieve the look:

Urban Decay packed everything you need into their new Brow Box. Despite its super tiny size, Brow Box contains two shades of brow powder, setting wax, mini tweezers, two angled brushes and two mirrors (one magnified). The inky powders look natural and have great staying power despite their soft texture. The wax grips without being sticky. And so handy to have tweezers right there should you find a stray.

If you prefer a singular tool, try the NARS Brow Perfector. The waxy texture actually drys velvety matte. And the formula prevents any mistakes from a heavy hand. While it can be hard to great a dramatic look, Brow Perfector is ideal for achieve natural looking, full brows.

Shiseido Eyebrow Styling Compact offers a dark brown shade if you need/prefer a deeper shade. The duo powders can be blended for subtle coloring and shading. The included applicator is dual ended with a sharp tool (for bold looks) and a brush (for a more natural effect). The formula has great staying power but still is creamy and blendable.

The ultimate in luxury (and a fan favorite), Tom Ford Brow Sculptor has an angled, waxy calligraphy tip, included sharpener and grooming brush on the opposite end. The angled tip allows for both thin and wide strokes. The waxy consistency helps hold shape and color.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

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Favorite Fall Launches on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

I’m back on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country this morning to chat about my favorite launches for fall. Representing my favorite brands, these new products mark great technological advances, delicious scents and the best formulations. So tune in if you are in the area at 10AM (if not, I’ll post the clip later this week) and catch the roundup here:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder is part of a skin collection that reflects weightless, undetectable coverage. This powder achieves that luminous but still semi-matte finish that is on trend for fall. Optical blurring pigments perfects skin with natural looking coverage. The effect is perfect for pictures (or television appearances!).

One of America’s most esteemed, Avon, just got a little revamp. And their makeup is better than ever. This summer, they launched the revolutionary Mega Effects Mascara. The ergonomic design with swiveling handle gives complete coverage of lash-lengthening, inky pigment. Another standout, the True Color Eyeshadow Quads, are packed of vibrant but wearable pigment. The creamy powder is luxurious and ultra-blendable. I love Metal Eyes and Purple Haze.

If you just can’t let go of that summer glow, pick up Caudalíe Divine Leg Tinted Body Lotion. I fell for this scent with the launch of Divine Oil, and this part of the collection gives the perfect subtle bronze. The lotion also nourishes and moisturizes skin and doesn’t budge or transfer.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is helping me atone for my summer skin sins. After loads of days out by the pool, my hyperpigmentation was really acting up. This serum promised to work in just one week. And it delivered. Hydroquinone and glycolic acid team up to jump start progress towards more even skin.

Unlike any other powder foundations, Laura Mercier ‘Smooth Finish’ Foundation Powder manages to be luminous and hydrate my dry skin. The formula glides on without settling in fine lines or giving an overly matte finish. The formula can be used dry for sheer to medium coverage or wet for medium to full coverage.

Happy Birthday Belle Belle – Drugstore Favorites and a Giveaway

Now, I am three for three. Every single year, I somehow manage to miss my blog birthday! On September 15th, Belle Belle turned three years old! In fact, this is the 836th post. Whoa – that is a lot of chatting about beauty. In honor of the (belated) celebration, I’ve teamed up with CVS for a red-hot giveaway. And I am going to share some of my favorite drugstore buys from the last couple of weeks.

L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur is like nothing I’ve tried before. Technically a “finishing cream” this magical stuff actually blurs lines and uneven texture. The gel-like texture finishes skin with a matte finish, prepping it for tinted moisturizer or foundation (of which amazingly I find I need less of). Meanwhile, Rivitalift goes to work smoothing and lifting skin over time.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Pearl Black Cherry was a purchase inspired by my friend and blogging buddy, Opinion Nothing. When we had dinner last week, she was rocking a bold, dark and rich lip. While it wasn’t this exact shade, I love the berry, purplish stain of Black Cherry. It gives my skin a little bit of a fancy Snow White / goth look that I love for fall.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Eyeliner in Violet and Cobalt are both great budget ways to play with color. These liners have a rich and soft pencil with vibrant pigments. I like layering both over darker liquid liner for a little twist on a cat eye look. The smudging tool on the opposite end is perfect if you wish to work the color further up the lid for a bolder look.

Speaking of liquid eyeliner, I am finally trying out Covergirl Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen – I had been hearing rave reviews. At first, I was so mad that I had accidentally bought brown rather than black. But I actually like the softer look it gives. The felt pen feels far more luxurious than the drugstore price point. And the ultra-pigmented liquid dries fast and stays all day.

Revlon Lash Potion Volume & Length Mascara by Grow Luscious in Black just might have been inspired by those gorgeous Emma Stone ads. While the effect isn’t as “false-like” like other formulas, I love that it contains strengthening proteins, amino acids and essential vitamins – which all work to improve the look of lashes. I get tons of product on the soft, classic and large wand. And natural full lashes ensue.

Now for the good part. CVS and I have teamed up together to giveaway! I am a huge fan of CVS Beauty Club and thanks to my (frequent) beauty purchases, I can’t tell you how much I love those loyalty benefits like $5 ExtraBucks for every $50 spent on beauty. I also love shopping there because you can return any beauty product and get a full refund within 60 days of purchase. (sign up here) So now here is your chance to win a $50 CVS Gift Card. Just enter using the widget below. I can’t wait to hear how you’d spend yours if you won! (US Only)

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura Mercier Dark Spell Collection

The coming cooler season calls for dark and moody shades and radiant festive glimmer. The newest collection from Laura Mercier, Dark Spell, is inspired by the magical ways of women, evoking mystery and fantasy. The emphasis is on smoldering and bold eyes and illuminated skin. I’ve been checking out some of the collection and am inspired by the spirited look. And finally rocking some serious smoky eyes.

Laura Mercier ‘Dark Spell Collection’ Baked Eye Color in Mystical uses her esteemed baked technology. You can use this wet or dry. There is quite a bit of shimmer, but it blends well. I like applying with my finger and smudging out for a glistening grey. The effect is almost a wash of color. But this isn’t for the timid – there is quite a bit of shimmer. I get great wear out of this, and it is transfer and crease-free.

Laura Mercier ‘Dark Spirit’ Satin Matte Eyeshadow is for those who don’t want quite as much sparkle. And frankly has been a favorite for me. The eyeshadow has a dreamy creamy texture that applies matte. Also long wearing, Dark Spirit doesn’t dust or fall out. This is the first product I’ve tried where I can get that inky pigmented look without fear, thanks to the ease of application. It also can be used wet or dry. The wet application is perfect for an black, smudgy lined eye. The shade is a true black with very little grey, green or blue.

Laura Mercier ‘Spellbound’ Face Illuminator, the standout beauty of the collection, has tremendous packaging. The rippled hybrid product gives long-wearing illumination. The rosy shimmer is creamy but to the touch, but has a buildable pearl finish. I’ve been dusting it on like a highlighter with a powder brush for a very subtle glow. Using my fingers, I can get a more emphatic highlight. And I also love it layered on the eyes for a rose gold opaque look.

Make sure to check out my reviews of other Dark Spell products, Kohl Liner Extreme and Eye Canvas.

NARS Fall Sneak Peek: Eye Paints

Yet another fun and innovative release from NARS for Fall! These Eye Paints are just in time for that season where our looks get deeper and bolder. These high pigment products are advertised as both eyeliner and eyeshadow. I was sure I would only be using them to line, but I am loving these for a wash of color too!

Unlike other gel liners, these guys are weightless and smooth to apply. I’ve been using the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush to use these as a liner, but NARS is also offering a new Angled Eyeliner Brush #38 that is on my wish list. I use my finger or a fluffy eyeshadow brush like this one to get pigment from my lid to crease. Then blending upwards with a clean finger so there is no harsh line.

Particularly unique is Eye Paints’ genuine staying power. Even along the waterline, I get all-night wear and as a shadow, the pigment stays long and strong. NARS is offering the Eye Paints in 10 colors from classic to modern to edgy. I love Black Valley as a liner and both Mesopotamia and Ubangi make for great shadows.

Available in 10 shades:

Black Valley (black)
Mesopotamia (brown)
Transvaal (gray)
Solomon Islands (turquoise blue)
Mozambique (olive green)
Snake Eyes (black with green shimmer)
Tatar (black with purple shimmer)
Ubangi (black with blue shimmer)
Interstellar (silver)
Iskandar (gold)

The full range of Eye Paints ($25) and the angled eyeliner brush ($26) will be available September 1st at Nordstrom and narscosmetics.com.