Category: face

Warm It Up!

Well, hello there April. While it is cold and rainy here today, I’d like to officially mark this day as the beginning of spring. I know technically it was back in March, but I have a dirty secret for you. I absolutely hate April Fool’s Day. I fall for some prank every single time. On a more serious note, the ever popular “I’m pregnant” Facebook update really offends me as there are so many people in the world that struggle with infertility. So instead of Fool’s Day, April 1st will always mark spring in my book! Anyway… back to beauty.

Spring means a more natural, undone and bronzed look in my world. I just got a fresh hair cut, so I am enjoying my natural waves and letting my hair air dry. I’m skipping darker lips and eyes in favor of glowing, luminous skin. Behind the scenes here at Belle Belle, I’ve been test driving some goodies, and now I am happy to present my favorites to warm up the complexion:

1. benefit Dallas is a natural and plum-based bronzer that is on the matte side. Because it is so sheer, it works well for a wide range of fairer skin tones. Used all over, it can banish dullness or layered where the sun hits gives a vibrant glow.

2. NARS New Contour Blush Duos are also on the matte side and add that perfectly balanced warmth. Despite the “Blush” name, I find the darker shade of the duo works best under the cheekbones and around the temples. I’ve played around with the lighter shade and surprisingly love it under the eyes and down the center of the nose. It also doubles as a luminous face powder on the go. I tested both Olympia (perfect for the most fair to light skin) and Paloma (my pick for my light to medium skin tone).

3. CoverGirl TruMagic The Sunkisser has to be my most favorite drugstore find in the past couple months. What looks like a dark bronze cream transforms into a subtle, layerable glow on the skin. While you can use this to contour, I like using it liberally around the outside of my face, sides of my nose and even on my lids for a true “sunkissed” look.

4. jane iredale In Touch Highlighter in Comfort perfectly offsets bronzed areas with a pink glisten. The pale pink adds radiance and the cream formula lends to a more subtle glow. I like to apply directly from the stick to tops of cheekbones, brow bone and the bridge of the nose and then blend with my fingers.

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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.

Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi-Use Blush in Heavenly

Organic beauty has been on my mind. While I wouldn’t say I look for it universally, there is something of a thrill finding a product that works well and also promises to be free of nasty ingredients. Vapour Organic Beauty has been peppered throughout my blog reading list and I knew it was about time to learn more about the brand. I had heard rave reviews about their stick foundation, and while I have yet to try it, I knew their stick formulas were bound to be winners.

Aura Multi-Use Blush in Heavenly is a true multi-tasking superstar. As part of the “Radiant” family, expect more of a highlighter than a blush. Other shades come in “Classic” or “Stain”. Frankly, the “Radiant” shades seem to be the stars with their flexibility and suitability for a wide range of skin tones.

Equally suited for eyes, cheeks and lips, Aura Multi-Use Blush in Heavenly gives that “lit within” glow. And don’t stop there. This stick is perfect for shoulders and décolletage too. Unlike NARS Multiples, Vapour’s stick – at least this one – works better if you warm the product on the back of your hand to activate. For cheeks, you can apply directly from the applicator and work into the skin.

Now here comes the good part: this blush is made with 70% Certified Organic ingredients and 30% mineral pigments and vitamins. It is packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients and anti-oxidants along with moisturizing and calming ingredients. It should be noted that I can not detect a scent. Cruelty and gluten free.

Available at Beauty.com

Spring Color on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

It is Friday and you know what that means… I’m back on Great Day Green Country and it is time to ring in spring. After a frigid and icy weekend, we have 60s and 70s for the next four or five days (yes, there is a patio in my near future – likely around happy hour today). And what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than some spring shades. Today, I am rounding up the six products to warm things up on your vanity:

NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector

Okay, winter. We get it. You aren’t going anywhere soon. But instead of a beautiful white wonderland these days, you insist on being cold and dry, dry, dry. We all know the joys of dehydrated skin. And one of the most charming side effects? Dry skin loves to show off fine lines and wrinkles even more than usual!

I’ve noticed my concealer and foundation settling in the fine lines under and around my eyes. When my skin is moisturized, plumper skin usually prevents this from happening. But thanks to my poor water drinking habits and frigid air, I can’t seem to prevent those pesky lines from showing up. At least that was the case until NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector landed on my desk.

This stick is packed with a lightweight primer that smooths and preps skin. Skin is plumped thanks to hyaluronic acid so concealer and foundation go on smooth. Spherical Line Smoothing Powder adds a matte finish and brightens dark areas within wrinkles and under eyes. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from large pores, but this primer promises to diminish their appearance as well.

I swipe under my eyes and between my eyebrows and then lightly press into my skin with my fingers. Don’t worry about a greasy, slippery feel. Skin feels hydrated and smooth with a natural finish. And vitamins A, C and E will improve the look of skin and provide antioxidant protection.

Available at NARSCosmetics.com and Sephora.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

How does Hourglass possibly follow up the widely acclaimed release of Ambient Lighting Powder? Or the incredibly popular Ambient Lighting Palette? Needless to say… this was bound to be a difficult task. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush recently hit shelves and while the reception was mixed, I’ve found the powders to be unique and almost as special as the powders.

The primary hurdle for most bloggers I know who have tried the product is that “blush” might not be the best name. I’ve been testing Ethereal Glow (a cool pink blush with a moonlit luminosity) which, on me, plays much more like a highlighter and not that different than my beloved Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder.

Each blush is a hybrid of an Ambient Lighting Powder and a classic blush shade:

Dim Infusion (Subdued coral blush fused with Dim Light to add warmth)
Diffused Heat (Vibrant poppy blush combined with Diffused Light for a subtle halo effect)
Luminous Flush (Champagne rose blush fused with Luminous Light to evoke a candlelit glimmer)
Radiant Magenta (Golden fuchsia blush combined with Radiant Light for a summer glow)
Mood Exposure (Soft plum blush fused with Mood Light to brighten the complexion)

While I haven’t experienced the other shades in person, I understand that the pigment is can be subtle across the board (although it certainly doesn’t look like it online). The shades are buildable, but I find Ethereal Glow to be perfect with a subtle touch for highlighting and an on-the-go touch up powder. My friend, Maree, has a gorgeous swatch of Radiant Magenta here that can demonstrate potential pigmentation.

The distinctive attribute of this blush is the inclusion of Photoluminescent Technology to enhance and provide depth and dimension. The handcrafted blushes are mixed using the Italian miscelare technique meaning no two blushes will look alike. Designed to be used with Ambient Lighting Powder, the Blush can create “multidimensional luminescence”.

My takeaway is that these blushes do add a natural and dynamic finish. The other shades might work well as a blush given that they are buildable. While Ethereal Glow isn’t necessarily a “blush” in my book and might be a duplicate of Ethereal Light, I appreciate the smaller palette for my clutch and the slight cool pink shimmer that works beautifully as a highlighter.

Fragrance, talc and gluten free. Not tested on animals.

Valentine’s Day Makeup on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Happy Valentine’s Day! While I admit this day isn’t my favorite, I am going to embrace my inner cupid in my most favorite way possible – makeup! If it is a night in or a fancy evening on the town, Valentine’s Day makeup calls for a little romance. May I suggest even if you are single, a swipe of a red lip will put a pep in your step. Today on Great Day Green Country, I am sharing five of my favorite items for this great day of love: