Category: face

Edward Bess Monte Carlo Quad Royale

Edward Bess is making its debut on Belle Belle Beauty. And it is about time. I am a big fan of the brand, and the Monte Carlo Quad Royale doesn’t disappoint.

This palette is nimble and well-made. I love the ability to mix-and-match portions of the palette to highlight cheeks and eyes. Or use all four colors blended together for a sun-kissed look. Using the colors for both eyes and cheeks gives a beautiful beach-bunny and natural look. Perfect for a casual evening with lip gloss and mascara.

The powder is creamy and soft. The effect is fairly sheer but still radiant. And I’ve found the pigment is easily buildable. The color in the upper left corner is a very sheer, iridescent peach. Top right is a silvery peach that is moderately opaque. Bottom left is a sheer, metallic apricot. Bottom right is a more opaque peachy pink shimmer.

The palette also comes in Summer in Capri (and beige pink) and South of France (a silvery beige). Monte Carlo is by far my favorite, being universally flattering and making for the best bronzer.

Chantecaille The Coral Reefs Palette

I’ve always thought the Chantecaille palettes were beautiful. But couldn’t justify the high price tag ($79). I can’t wait to tell you why I think this one is different. First, these shades are utterly wearable. But we will get to the beautiful colors in a bit. Second, the palette is refillable (I never knew this). Third, the mirror is HUGE and great to have on hand. Fourth, five percent of the proceeds benefit the Marine Conservation Institute in an effort to protect 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020. This seems like a small percentage, but it helps with the sticker shock. And last, this is a well-built, inclusive palette that would be so perfect for travelling.

So, now for the actual product. These shadows are blendable, soft and nicely pigmented. The gold shade on the corals is just a thin layer and comes off in the first use. Pity because it is so pretty, but you’ll be so excited about using the palette, it won’t matter.

The Pink Pearl (top left) mades a great eyeshadow base, all the way up to the brow. I also use it for highlighting. The Reef (top right) is a perfect crease color. You can also use Driftwood (bottom left) for a dramatic eye, but I like it for liner, smudged along the lashes. And what makes this palette different is that it includes a cheek color. Coral (bottom right) is a slighly peachy, sheer pink. Overall, these shades would love fab on a variety of skin tones. And when you break it down, the cost is slightly more palatable.

Spring Trends for Daughter-in-Law Diaries

I am so excited to be guest posting over on Daughter-in-Law Diaries today! Creator, Ali Katz, launched her site as a forum and resource for ladies who are adjusting to their new roles as daughter-in-laws. What a cool idea! She is receiving some phenomenal press – Ali is definitely going places. Head over and check out the new site – I am not even married, and love it 🙂 And here is a sneak peek of the post. Congrats, Ali!

How to incorporate my favorite spring trends into your beauty routine:

Bold Brows

 

via BellaSugar

This Spring, we will see loads of bold prints and colors appear in our closet. To compliment the adventurous look, brows will be stronger and fuller. A prominent brow actually better frames the face. On it’s own, a filled-in, groomed brow can finish the face just as much as a swipe of lipgloss.

To get the look, fill in your brows with Le Metier de Beaute Brow Bound Eyebrow Pencil. It is dual ended with a brush at one end. Use this to comb out the brow hairs first. Then use it after to blend the gel-like formula. Then, to hold the brows in place, comb through Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear.

Bronzed Glow

via tumblr.com

The runway celebrated golden skin that looks just sun-kissed. Instead of risking sun damage, wrinkles and skin cancer, use one of the new bronzing palettes. Use a large brush to lightly dust below the cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, along the hairline and on your neck. Try Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Season to Season Bronzer or Guerlain ‘Terracotta – Four Seasons’ Bronzer. Then add a little Benefit Sunbeam on your cheekbones and brow bone.

Bright Nails

via Belle Belle Beauty

Work those neons and pastels into your nail wardrobe as well. Bring out your inner child and try blues, greens, fuschia and nail art. I love Essie polishes because they are high quality, but at a low commitment cost. And they always have a range of on-trend colors. Their new Resort collection features the bold “Sure Shot” and perfect, purple pastel “She’s Picture Perfect”.

 

 

BY TERRY Hyaluronic Face Glow

I feel so remiss haven’t not reviewed this product earlier. It was my winter holy grail – lightweight, combats dryness and evens out my skin. The Hyaluronic Face Glow was my first By Terry product I had ever used. And I ordered it sight unseen. I ordered Warm Glow, the darkest shade available (not completely sure why). But it actually works. It requires some blending around the neck and I would be better with Nude Glow, but I love the bronzed look it gives me.

It is paired down version of a foundation. It primes (and I often use it as a primer when I really want to go flawless) and moisturizes. But I wouldn’t call it a tinted moisturizer. It is more light-weight and “airy” with its mousse-like feel. And I adore the signature By Terry floral scent. It is very subtle, and lovely.

So why is this such a good moisturizer? The primary ingredient is whipped hyaluronic acid molecules. Along with galanga leaf extract, this penetrates while softening and plumping. The mineral pigments give a radiant, but not dewy or shinny finish.

This product is unlike anything else I have tried. If you love light-weight foundations and tinted moisturizers and have even an iota of dry skin, give it a try.

Sephora + Pantone Collection Featuring Tangerine Tango!

Sephora recently partnered with Pantone to create a makeup collection featuring the color of the year: Tangerine Tango! Pantone is a corporation best known for its Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space. Their colors are often used in fashion and beauty to highlight color trends for particular seasons.

There are twelve different products offered, but the highlights for me are the nails, lips and blush. All a a great way to experiment with this on-trend shade. And the brights will look perfect with a Spring Break tan!

The nail polish features reddish-orange in four different finishes, from creamy and matte, to glitter and shimmer (four for $24).

  • Tangerine Tango Cream, Pantone #17-1463
  • Tangerine Tango Shimmer, Pantone #17-1463
  • Tangerine Tango Glitter, Pantone #17-1463
  • Tangerine Tango Matte, Pantone #17-1463

The lipgloss set features hydrating and long-wearing colors (quite a deal at $20):

  • Tangerine Tango Vivid, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine)
  • Tangerine Tango Luminous, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine with shimmer)
  • Tangerine Tango Glaze, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine with gold shimmer)
  • Tangerine Tango Opal, Pantone #17-1463 (tangerine pink with gold shimmer)

The Sephora Prisma Chrome Blush has a velvety texture, blending baked, powder, and cream consistencies. They are highly blendable and wear beautifully. The warm shade, Apricot Brandy is a warm, pinkish orange.

 

Laura Mercier Portfolio Animation Collection

Laura Mercier has some new product launches just hitting counters that are really exciting! Featuring creamy, sheer and rich colors, the products all fit into the custom compact making them perfectly portable. And the Custom Artist Portfolio, totally new for Laura Mercier, reminds me of the Trish McEvoy organizing system (which I love). It is actually a good value at $98 because it includes all these goodies:

  • Rigid outer shell case wrapped in metallic, pewter snakeskin material
  • Four multi-size mesh cosmetic bags, easily removable with built in magnets
  • Laura’s unique pocketed brush page
  • Two refillable 6 and 3-well Custom Compacts that hold your favorite eye, cheek and lip godets

The Lip Glaze offers sheer, spring colors. I love applying this with my finger for a wash of color. They have three new, limited-edition shades:

  • Soft Pink
  • Plum
  • Lotus Bloom

Sheer Crème Colour is a crème face colour that provides a soft veil of colour for a “bonne mine” (healthy glow) effect. One of my most favorite new spring products, these are great for highlighting. Available in three new, limited-edition shades:

  • Pearl Glow Veil
  • Pink Cheek Veil
  • Bronze Veil

The Second Skin Cheek Colour is a very fine, pressed powder that is literally fool-proof. I love the lightweight wear of these blushes. Available in five new, permanent shades (18 total):

  • Heather Pink
  • Peach Whisper
  • Soft Iris
  • Honey Mocha
  • Sweet Mandarin

Also included are three new, limited-edition shades of their Eye Colour:

  • Merlot Sateen (I wasn’t sure about red eyeshadow, but this really does work!)
  • Golden Crème Luster
  • Seashell Pink Sateen