Category: face

New: Pierre Hardy for NARS and Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer

Can it ever get better than shoes and makeup? I think not. Again NARS brings us a unique coupling with such style. Inspired by his Summer 2013 shoe collection, Hardy’s collection has six polishes pairings (two polishes designed to compliment each other) and two blushes. The polishes come in a small shoebox with dust bag (a nod to Hardy’s own footwear packaging). The blushes feature Hardy’s signature cubic print with a gold overspray. Look for the collection May 1st at narscosmetics.com.

ETHNO RUN: orange, navy

SHARPLINES: peach, burgundy

VERTEBRA: coral, dusty rose

EASY WALKING: rose gold, camel

SHARKS: yellow, lavender

VENOMOUS: gunmetal, black

Blushes ROTONDE: tiger lily and BOYS DON’T CRY: pink grapefruit

Also, NARS is releasing a new primer: Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15. The lightweight formula is packed with Light Reflecting Complex and red algae extract to keep skin looking luminous and fresh all day. The formula absorbs quickly and fights dullness and fatigue while Vitamins A, C and E help ward off free radical damage. Available April 15, 2013 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com.

Hourglass Foundations and Concealer

I’ve had the pleasure of covering quite a bit of Hourglass makeup on Belle Belle. Some favorites include Ambient Lighting Powder and Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick, among many many others. The luxury brand has a true pulse on classic beauty with serious formulas that flatter so many skin types. But I was remiss in covering one (favorite) product area – foundation and concealer. When I dove in, I was thrilled to find two different foundation formulas. I fell hard for them both – but they are quite different. So, hopefully this will help you decide which is perfect for your skin.

First up, Veil Fluid Makeup. If you have aging or drier skin, this is the formula for you. The formula is packed with anti-aging ingredients like wrinkle-filling peptide Matrixyl Synthe’6, wheat and marine-based Skin Tightener ST PH and Vitamin E. The texture has a moderate weight, but the silicon-based formula is buildable in coverage. The finish is that dewy and glow-y look that I am always drawn to. I like applying with my fingers very sparingly for a sheer, radiant look. Vegan-friendly. Eleven available shades across a wide spectrum.

Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation could be a true godsend for those with oily and acne-prone skin. The formula is liquid powder with a matte finish, allowing a full day wear without powder or touch-ups. The oil-free formula is also water-resistant – can we say perfect beach vacation foundation!? But the exciting part is, after many customer testimonials, Hourglass realized that Immaculate was helping with acne and scarring! They are now conducting clinical testing and the preliminary results are pretty dramatic. This stuff controls oil, improves scars, lessens severity and frequency of breakouts and improves texture and clarity. This development makes me extremely enthusiastic for this foundation for readers who suffer from acne. Also, this foundation is also gluten-free. There are eight new shades for a total of sixteen options.

I’d be remiss not to mention Hidden Corrective Concealer. I’m not terribly surprised Hourglass developed such a luxe, balanced concealer. The stick is creamy but with robust coverage. This allows for both under eye and blemish concealing. I’d liken it to a slightly more creamy version of this. The finish, as it dries down, is slightly matte, but the Vitamin E charged formula keeps it from caking. And there are six shade options.

Available at Sephora and Barneys.

NEW: BUXOM Hot Escapes Bronzer

I know I sound like a broken record going on and on and on about bronzer and self-tanner. What can I say… when the mood strikes! These new Bronzers from BUXOM are unique in their quality and formula. I can’t stop reaching for them, particularly when I want a natural, easy finish to an everyday look. Dare I say these might be one of the best of breed? Yes, yes I think I can.

Off the bat, you’ll notice this bronzer smells good. Talk about going above and beyond! There is a slight, creamy, beachy coconut scent. Don’t worry… it is subtle. But definitely a treat. Second, the powder has some serious creamy properties. The coconut oil powered formula is totally buildable. Rice lipids help with a smooth, luminous finish.

If you have a skin tone anywhere close to mine (light-medium), run run run out and buy Tahiti (pictured left). It is literally a dream shade. I also adore Maldives (pictured right) for a more intense look and it would be beautiful on those with a deeper or olive skin tone.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS 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.

bareMinerals READY Bronzer

Okay, kids. It is time to step up my bronzer game. While I have been loving this more subtle, glow-y bronzer from Chanel, I want more color these days. Well, color me lucky because this beauty recently arrived on my doorstep and I am smitten.

I’ve been using shade The High Dive (the medium shade – also a lighter tan and dark available) with this brush – not designed for each other but I like the wide natural layering of color it gives. I make the shape of a 3 on each side of my face, ensuring color hits my temples, below my cheekbones and below my jawline. I also sometimes swipe down sides of my nose with a finger to give a more chiseled appearance.

The formula is packed with antiaging ingredients like bareMinerals’ proprietary SeaNutritive Mineral™ Complex with antioxidants and cold-pressed carrot oil. I find the finish fairly balanced – not too matte and not too glow-y – with a silky, buildable texture that lasts.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

Did you hear yet? It is all about matte skin these days. After what seems like so many seasons of dewy, glow-y skin, the runways are now flooded with matte, pristine skin. Instead of trading in all those luminous foundations, I am opting for a mattifying primer. I recently covered this mattifier (if you prefer a compact), but I am loving this tube since I am already hooked on a wearing a primer under foundation.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is designed for those with oily skin, but I find it works just fine on my drier complexion. It has a bit of a tightening effect, so if you do have drier skin, layer it over a moisturizer. I love the look I’ve been getting wearing it under this foundation. It also minimizes pores and has a great effect on its own. For those battling shininess throughout the day, you can layer this over makeup.

The true beauty of the lightweight formula is that it is silicone-free – sometimes with silicone formulas, product can ball up and texture is compromised. The primer includes EverMat™ to reduce oil productions. The consistency is in between a liquid and cream and goes on sheer. I’ve found my makeup last for hours when I use this as a primer. (Also free of Oil, Alcohol, Fragrance and Parabens).

Bonus: also can be used to mattify lip gloss or as a eye shadow primer – particularly helpful if you have oily eyelids!

MAC ‘Mineralize’ Moisture Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

I’ve always found that, generally, MAC foundations didn’t play quite as well with my drier skin (exception being this one). When I started reading up on MAC’s newest foundation, I knew everything could change. The MAC twitter team assured me this formula would be a great match for my drier skin.

So, I headed off to my closest (and beloved counter) to see Jennifer. Tulsa folks, Jennifer at Saks is a treasure – you guys need to visit her stat if you haven’t already. I was matched with NW20 – sometimes I prefer the warmer tones to counteract the redness in my skin. Admittedly, I would also probably be fine with NC20.

Off the bat, I was impressed with the lightweight liquid texture. The coverage is buildable, but you can go fairly sheer because the combination of powders creates an optical blurring effect. Officially, the finish is satin, but I get a pretty glow-y look. I love the healthy, luminous finish. What probably sets it apart is the 77-Mineral Complex, Shea butter and vitamin E, making it comfortable on my drier skin. Bonus: I get a long day of wear out of this foundation.

Available online MACCosmetics.com, Nordstrom and Dillard’s.