Category: eyes

Sophie from Angel Food Style

This past September, I met Sophie of Angle Food Style at New York Fashion Week and have been hooked on her fashion blog ever since. I love her fresh, classic and Southern California looks that always are so polished. I loved visiting Los Angeles when I lived in the Bay Area and her gorgous photos take me right back there. Doesn’t hurt that she is one of the most genuine and nicest women I have met in the blogging world. And loves Maltese puppies as much as I do (that is a saying A LOT).

Besides a perfectly polished outfit, I noticed Sophie’s makeup always looked natural and finished without being overdone…(not to mention her “hard to ignore” natural beauty). With our endless chats on Twitter and Instagram, I knew she was a girl after my own heart – a true beauty junkie. If we meet up again, you will find us in Sephora undoubtedly.

Angel Food Style on Belle Belle Beauty Two

So… I am so excited to have her on Belle Belle today to talk about her day-to-day look with a couple extra touches to make it holiday-ready. This everyday face has a “bit more oomph than the summer-appropriate mascara/bronzer/lip gloss situation”.

Here are the products Sophie is wearing:

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5.25 (can’t get enough)
Nars Bronzer in Laguna under cheekbones, on temples, chin
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in shade 10 “beige” on apples of cheeks
Giorgio Armani Eye Quad in Bourdoir– I mixed the 4 nude shades together and concentrated the darkest shade in the outer corner
Tarte Amazonian Clay Liner in Black on inside bottom waterline, Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Liner to line eyelids (I would die without this liquid liner- use it everyday)
Bare Escentuals Buxom Mascara in black
Anastasia Beverly Hills “Brow Wiz” pencil in Ash Blonde
Nars lip gloss in “sweet revenge”– the perfect nude/pink every day shade

Like me, Sophie is a huge Armani fan. Their foundation, we both agree, is a best of breed. Sophie points out their high quality, “especially in the shadows – the pigments are so luxe and last all day”. Anastasia is a great resource for brow tools – I love her clear brow gel. And I have a Sephora package en route with NARS Laguna – can’t wait to try one of her “staples”.

Make sure to follow Sophie on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!

Get The Look Video: Rich Lips and Winged Eyeliner

So excited to feature the second video from Sara and Rebecca in our “Get The Look” series. (Check out the first one here) Like Holiday Luxe, Sara and Rebecca used natural makeup products to achieve the look, including one of my favorite lines, Youngblood.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrYe-WEPWmo]

“While mixing too many trends can make you look overdone sometimes two looks are better than one! Winged eyeliner paired with a deep red lip creates a slightly retro look that somehow feels perfectly of the moment!”

The final look!

Makeup used:

images by Mia MacDonald

Holiday Shopping Makeup – An Afternoon Out

I got a touch overwhelmed with work yesterday. You know that point when you approach complete lack of productivity? Yeah, I hit that. So, I put on some winter makeup and headed out for some holiday shopping. I took the opportunity to use some odds and ends in the makeup drawer and want to highlight some favorites:

Laura Mercier ‘Art Deco Muse Collection’ Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge: I got so many compliments on this shade. It was balanced – not too warm and not too cool. The finish was ultra-shiny, it was easy to apply and I got a couple hours of wear out of it.
stila ‘all over shimmer’ liquid luminizer (sample from birchbox): Highlighter can approach too disco on me, but this version is blendable and fairly sheer. I love it on my cheekbones.
Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow in Black: This liner applies like a gel and is super long-wear. The best part is the ultra-fine brush it comes with for a perfectly precise line.
CARGO Blu_ray Pressed Powder: This oil-free powder uses photochromatic pigments to automatically color correct make-up. It is micro-fine so lines are filled and imperfections are camoflauged. This is a great addition to tinted moisturizer or BB Cream when you just need a touch more.
NARS Illuminator Orgasm: I’m just not a fan of Orgasm blush on me, but this Illuminator is a different story. The sheer nature keeps it from being too orange. I love the subtle color on my cheeks when I am more fair during the winter months.

While I was out, I stopped at the local Le Métier de Beauté counter to check out their newest eye kit – it is a beauty!

Shades include (from top to bottom):

Axiom: sublime bronzed umber
Graphic: silver liquid metal
Crucible: rich pomegranate
Genre: deep gun metal

Loads of new and fabulous things are happening at Belle Belle for the holiday season and new year. The aforementioned overwhelming feeling was completely born from fabulous projects and partnerships – all on a happy note. Speaking of happy… I am thrilled to report I reached 10,000 Pinterest followers yesterday! Thank you followers – and for those of you who aren’t… link here. Cheers!

Makeup Tips: Lining Your Eyes

I feel like I have been going on and on and on and on about “nude lips, inky eye”. Not only is it my current favorite, but I see it on the runways, celebrities and so many of my friends. It is low matenience for a night on the town (no lipstick touch ups). You can vamp it up for drama, or chill it out for during the day. The hard part is getting that eye liner just right.

First, pick the formula of eye liner you are most comfortable with – usually a pencil. Use short strokes close to your lash line to get the perfect shape. Use a pointed q-tip to clean up mistakes. Don’t worry about skipped spots or perfect color saturation. Just get a base coat on. Second, take a gel liner with a brush or liquid liner pen and trace over keeping exactly in the line you have already drawn. You can use short tiny lines with the end of the liquid pencil. Or use a very fine brush to apply the gel within the lines (see how tiny that tarte brush is on the left?).

If you are an overachiever, take a final layer – of liquid or powder – and set that liner for the long haul. Make sure to apply mascara from the very roots to really emphasize and extend that line.

This post is the first in a series of makeup tips. Hope you enjoy!

image here

For this look, I’d use these products:

It’s All About The Brows

I can’t believe there was a time when I didn’t use any brow products. A well-groomed, full brow can frame the face, making you look younger, more awake and polished. Who wouldn’t want that? Here are some of my favorite brow products – if one isn’t in your rotation, pick one up now!

1. Benefit Brow Zings
2. Jouer ‘Brow Fix’ Grooming Gel
3. smashbox Brow Tech To Go
4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel
5. Josie Maran Magic Brows Argan Brow Marker Plus Argan Brow Powder
6. MAC Brow Set
7. hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
8. Le Metier de Beaute Brow Bound Eyebrow Pencil

image: modernhepburn.tumblr.com/

bareMinerals Light Show

Here’s another bareMinerals holiday offering that was just too good not to highlight on it’s own. Light Show covers cheeks, eyes and lips in a golden palette along with a gold clutch. The clutch is pretty cute for a special occassion or a festive makeup bag. The palette feels little fragile – it is plastic – but looks amazing with its golden casing.

Included:

bareMinerals READY® Eyeshadow in Spotlight, Flash, Flicker, and Dazzle (opalescent cream, matte purple clay, antique bronze, midnight teal)
Round the Clock™ Waterproof Eyeliner in 10 PM (burnished mocha – a great alternative to black) This eyeliner is creamy and long-wearing.
bareMinerals READY® Blush in The Limelight (soft peach)
bareMinerals READY® Bronzer in The High Dive (tan) – I will always treasure a bareMinerals bronzer – I love the way they feel on the skin.
Marvelous Moxie™ Lipgloss in Super Power (soft peach nude) Minty and has the prettiest pink, nude finish
A great tutorial for two different looks

bareMinerals Light Show Bag and Tutorial

bareMinerals fans and beauty junkies would love to find this under their tree.