face Archives - Page 24 of 44 - Belle Belle Beauty

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Smart Gel BB

I was already smitten with this BB Cream from Dr. Jart. But since I had fallen hard for everything from his Water Fuse line, including this and this, I knew I had to give Dr. Jart Water Fuse Smart Gel BB a whirl. My dry skin responds so well to these hydration packed formulas, leaving my face feeling radiant and plump.

Right off the bat, you will notice the jelly texture of the formula, inspired by memory foam mattresses. I can just visualize all that moisturizing goodness ready to impart bouncy hydration. After scooping out product, a little deformed space will slowly return to an even layer in the jar. It also does this on your face, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.

Unlike so many BB Creams, you get fairly good coverage with some building. The two available shades have a radiant finish, glow-y but totally even. In this way, it reminds me of this tinted moisturizer. The SPF 30, antiaging and anti-inflammatory ingredients all work to improve the appearance of your skin long-term while you wear it. I can totally see myself throwing this on for a little coverage during the day during the warm summer months (and likely most days before then too!).

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.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Where have you been all my life, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer??? Whoa, talk about a concealer that can do it all. While it has been mostly touted as great covering under eye darkness, I have found it is a fantastic spot/blemish concealer as well. The balanced, buildable formula is a true go-to for me these days.

The formula is creamy and hydrating, hence the radiant properties. While it has a thin texture, I’d say the coverage is moderate to full. A little bit goes a long way. Plus, it is buildable, so you can always add more if you feel you need a bit more coverage.

The formula also contains hydrating skin care. Light diffusing technology helps blur imperfections. And the pigment blends seamlessly into my natural coloring.

I can get a full day of wear out of this. While it is crease-less, I’ve found it does best on freshly moisturized skin – any dryness can interfere with its blendability.

SHADES INCLUDE (from lightest to darkest):

CHANTILLY: true ivory shade for fairest complexions
VANILLA: tiny cast of pink for the fair complexion
HONEY: warm peach tone for light to medium complexion
CUSTARD: yellow tone for light to medium complexion
GINGER: golden undertone for medium complexion
BISCUIT: medium dark natural balance of pink and yellow undertones
CARAMEL: medium dark yellow and golden undertones
AMDANDE: medium dark with golden olive undertones
CAFÉ: dark shade with warm red undertones
CACAO: dark shade with deep gold to brown undertones

note: Ginger is my preferred shade. I wear Santa Fe in the Sheer Glow Foundation and St. Morti in Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (although this winter I should lighten up with the new Terre Neuve). I was surprised I was this dark on the spectrum, but I prefer a concealer that matches my skin tone instead of one shade lighter.

Check out this brief tutorial from NARS on how to use Radiant Creamy Concealer to perfect complexion:

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.

Highlights from Youngblood Cosmetics Spring 2013

I applaud Youngblood for their truly distinctive and fresh Spring collection. From a daring eyeliner to a real God-send for those with oily skin, each addition fills a product need elegantly. I’ve been trying out three products: gel eyeliner, new lipstick and anti-mattifier. Here’s the roundup.

I can’t stop hearing about blue for the spring and I was hesitant at first. Well, I’ve come around to embrace this trend whole-heartedly – whether you go for subtle navy mascara or bold turquiose eyeliner, this look is ultimately wearable. The New Incredible Wear Gel Liner in Lagoon is for a look with more impact. I am a huge fan of gel liners as they are easy to apply and last ages. This one is no different and with safe natural ingredients, limiting irritation. The finish has a golden sheen and the iron oxide makes for a deep, rich pigment.

The new lipstick in Debalicious is a petal/bubblegum pink shade – could you get more Spring? I think not. The formula is packed with natural oils and Candelilla wax to soften and hydrate lips. While the finish is on the matte side, the formula glides on creamy. The shade will really pop on those with deeper skin tones, but is totally wearable on my light-medium complexion as well.

Attention those with shine issues: Anti-shine Mattifier is a unique and effective solution for oil control. The formula absorbs surface oil while Nigella and Pumpkin Seed oils purify and balance the skin. So your skin will be oil free throughout the day. I don’t mind the included sponge for application, but I think it is best applied with fingers to spots prone to oiliness.

All these goodies are now available on www.ybskin.com.

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.

Hard Candy CC Crème

Looking for one of the hottest beauty products at a steal of a price? Look no further than your local WalMart. Hard Candy has just launched a CC Cream and it is priced at $8! So, what’s a CC Cream? Think of a BB Cream with more coverage and ingredients to color correct your skin.

I’ve been really impressed with the way Hard Candy CC Crème wears, especially given the price point. The thick (unscented) cream blends well into my skin to give full coverage. The oil-free formula contains light optic pearls that correct skin undertones. The blurring effect (and heavy coverage) hides blemishes and dark spots. I’d call the finish satin – not matte, but still glowing.

The generously sized tubes come in four colors: fair, light, medium and dark. (FYI I am a dead on match for light). Available exclusively at WalMart. Note: I can’t seem to find this online yet, but it hit shelves in mid-February so check your local store.

mark. Just Blushing Powder Blush

I’ve been on a blush bender lately. With my fair skin at the height of its winter paleness, a little shock of pink can transform me from sallow to glowing. It has been especially frosty here lately, so I’ve been channeling that doll-like sweet pink cheeks rather than my old trusty nude. The effect is kind of windblown chic (just trust me on this one).

While I have my old blush standby, a girl always wants options, right? My dear friend, Lara, was raving about these powder blushes from mark (naturally, I had to see what the fuss was about). And a bonus: with this price point ($9), you can pick up and experiment with a new look, guilt free.

But here’s what’s so special – Just Blushing Powder Blush wears and acts like the most luxe of products. I’m so impressed by their feather-light feel. And at the same time, the powder applies so creamy. The best is the glowing finish and full day of wear the formula gives.

There are eight shades and I’ve swatched four below. From top to bottom: Dollhouse, Lovespell, Cameo and Charmed.

I thought I would fall hard for the nude-y peach Cameo but it is the sweet, cool pink Lovespell that has really captured my heart. I love Dollhouse for a more dramatic look or for darker skin tones. Charmed is a balanced pinky nude with ultimate wearability.

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.

Chantecaille Limited-Edition Save The Sharks Palette

Time after time, Chantecaille stuns with their palettes benefiting wildlife. They honor their cause while still being beautiful and wearable. This season’s is no different. The Save the Sharks Palette is graphic and fresh that translates into either a neutral or bold look but both very feminine.

I’ve been wearing the palette out and about for a couple weeks. First, I love that the artwork of the palette is not disturbed by use (this isn’t always the case). The dual shades of each pot blend beautifully, and with a smaller brush you can use the individual shades.

Great White – a creamy, iridescent beige inspired by the apex of our oceans’ ecosystems, the Great White shark. I use this on the brow bone and in the corner of my eyes for a highlight.
Gray Reef- a true, shimmering taupe with a touch of grey inspired by the Indian and Pacific Oceans’ Grey Reefs sharks. I swipe this on on my lids, just to the crease. This is perfect for a quick everyday look.
Black Tip – a deep ocean blue in the pan, this shade is closer to navy/black and inspired by the inky fin of Black tip sharks. While I reach for this only occasionally, I like using an eyeliner brush to apply right at the lash line. I think setting a liquid liner with a powder like this improves staying power.
Sea Anemone – a iridescent and sheer pink shade inspired by the underwater gardens of the tropical seas. This makes for a great highlighting blush, but don’t be afraid to use it on your lids too. Pastels on the lids are a thing this spring, ya know.

I love a look good, feel good product. For each purchase of this palette, a portion of all proceeds will be donated to BLOOM Association. BLOOM works towards banning shark fining. Several shark species have been decimated by 95% largely because of Asia’s growing and unregulated shark fin trade. The fins are used in a soup and the practice of harvesting is done in barbaric ways. The decimation of the shark population also hurts our ecosystems.

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.