Category: face

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder

I used to think that those who used a powder foundation were somewhat a rare and exotic breed. I never understood the draw, maybe other than portability. The matte look and cakey finish just wasn’t flattering. And there were plenty of oil-free liquid foundations if you had oilier skin that did a great job.

Then Laura Mercier went and did something totally different. With my preconceptions, I was a little hesitant when this new foundation formulation landed on my desk. But Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder promised a silky, natural feel. Directly from Laura’s mouth, she promised a matte finish without being “dead matte”. Maybe this is the way I can finally rock that fall trend of matte skin without looking dusky?

Amazingly, this oil-free powder went onto my skin like silk. It gave a luminous glow and actually hydrated. Applied either wet or dry, you can get a range of coverage. I like using a buffing brush dry for a very sheer look. Use the enclosed sponge dry and apply like pressed powder for slightly more coverage. Or dampen the sponge and apply for medium to full coverage.

I’ve been wearing shade 5 (Linen) and 6 (Wheat), but I can tell it will only be a couple more weeks and I will be wearing 4 (Buff) as my tan fades. Again, I applaud Laura Mercier with her comprehensive offering of 20 shades.

Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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.

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’s Iconic Tinted Moisturizer Gets Three New Shades!

I’ve had a return to an old favorite recently and it is just in time for some exciting new from Laura Mercier. I feel like I kind of grew up on Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer. It is sheer and light-weight, offering a great balance of coverage with SPF 20. The natural dewy finish is right up my alley. And the formula plays well with my dry, sensitive skin. Since my early days of loving Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer, a little bit has changed. Most recently, there are three new shades – hooray for greater shade ranges!

The newest shades include:

Cameo (light beige with reddish undertones)
Natural (light beige)
Ochre (beige)

The three new shades look like they have slightly cooler finishes and dot the middle of the shade range. I’m a solid Sand this summer. But over the years, I have also worn Nude and Bisque. I apply with my fingers working outwards, but Laura (admittedly the goddess of great complexion) advises otherwise. Her technique:

apply a small amount on the back of your hand and pickup formula with the narrow end of an egg-shaped sponge or clean fingertips. Apply to the face working on one area at a time. Laura recommends starting at the outer portion of the face and working inwards toward the nose. Avoid excess application around the contours of the face. Blend well. Repeat application until desired coverage is achieved.

Also new since the days I first fell hard for Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer are three new formulations. Oil-free is the same signature sheer, light-weight formula but also controls oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness. Oily skin needs hydration too. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating is a favorite of mine, adding an even more radiant finish. And it now also comes in a compact! Tinted Moisturizer Crème Compact SPF 20 is convenient and great for travel and touch-ups on the go.

Laura Mercier is available at countries Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom (currently running a beauty gift) and Sephora.

CARGO HD Picture Perfect CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20

I know we are all a little fatigued from the BB/CC craze. At this point, it has been done by virtually everyone. And so many people have already found their favorites. Popular choices include Dr. Jart, Boscia, and my beloved Kiehl’s. So, why beat a dead horse? Well, it certainly isn’t to confuse you further. But to give you another option that truly differentiates itself from the rest of the pack.

Off the bat, I was totally confused when I first dispensed the balm from the tube. It was white. After confirming that this was, in fact, the actual shade of the balm, I proceeded. With a little bit of doubt. But gosh darn it… this stuff adjusted to a perfect match for my skin. The oil-free formula uses color adapting pigments and color correcting technology for a fool-proof shade.

I applies just like a moisturizer and ended up with fairly sheer coverage that is lightweight and slightly matte. This isn’t a buildable CC cream, so those looking for more coverage, this won’t be your cup of tea. I don’t get that dreaded sunscreen scent, but there is a tiny chemical fragrance that dissipates quickly. My skin feels supple and hydrated while I wear Picture Perfect so the dry skin sufferers like me should love it.

The tube is very small – just one ounce. At $39, this is fairly high on the cost spectrum, but I actually love the tinier packaging, perfect for travel or to throw in your purse. Bottom line, for those who want a lightweight, perfect match and oil-free formula, this could be your holy grail. Also, those with drier skin will love its hydrating properties. With SPF 20 (okay for office days), make sure you layer with a stronger SPF if you are headed for a day outdoors.

Shiseido Sheer & Perfect Foundation

Well, let me just tell you about this little gem that hit my vanity last week. Talk about a new favorite foundation! The newest from Shiseido is one of those perfectly balanced foundations that conceals but doesn’t hide. You still look like your skin but only better.

Now, first a note – after a weekend full of reading September issues, I fully understand that a matte complexion is on trend. But after a short twitter chat with my friend, Lara, we both accepted that a dewy, glowy finish just works better. I agree with her wholeheartedly that it looks healthier, more natural and more youthful. So that being said, this isn’t for you matte lovers out there.

The oil-free formula packs a dose of hydration. I’d say coverage is light to medium but solidly buildable for those who want to move towards medium coverage. I love the silky texture and the finish is dewy but not sticky. The interesting part of the foundation – gets me everytime – is while it feels and looks like it could be a tinted moisturizer, my redness and dark spots are banished.

Kudos on their wide range of 18 shades across the spectrum. I’ve been wearing a near perfect match – B20, a light natural beige. While I promise Sheer & Perfect has a dewy finish (but not overly so), the formula does use powders. The optical powder complex helps conceal uneven coloration:

green powder cancels out redness and blemishes
blue powder cancels out dark spots and circles
white powder cancels visible pores

While the bottle is fairly small, $35 for a luxury foundation isn’t bad. And it is so good, you won’t even want to look at the price tag. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Sephora, Macy’s, Barney’s and Shiseido.

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.