Category: face

NARS Spring 2015

I am way not on the ball when it comes to NARS Spring – so unlike me! Their launches are usually among the ones that I am most excited for probably because it is always so darn good. And somehow I didn’t get this up until today – a couple weeks after it hit shelves.

If it was even possible, I am drawn more towards neutrals as the years go on and Spring 2015 is all about nudes – but not neutral – a more daring subtle color palette. Something in my wheelhouse but just a slight twist – I like it.

Tilda Swinton is featured in the collection’s photos designed by François Nars to “expose a new natural state”. Look for pink shimmer on cheeks, barely there eye shadow and deep neutrals. The shades pictured above (from left to right):

Liguria Lipstick – Nude caramel
Porto Venere Eye Paint – Soft pale pink
St-Paul-De-Vence Duo Eyeshadow – (L) Shimmering nectarine (R) Chestnut
Valhalla Single Eyeshadow – Soft shimmering pink peach
Guyane Lip Gloss – Seashell pink
Vent Salé Lip Gloss – Silver highlight (to be used on top of a deeper shade in the middle of the pout)
Reckless Blush – Sheer pink shimmer

Available now at narscosmetics.com and Sephora.

Self Care Step Two: Morning Makeup Routine

I’ll keep this fairly short and sweet seeing as I am a person who prefers more brief blog posts and articles: these are the steps I take when I ~~haul ass~~ get ready in the mornings before work (sometimes I will step out of the box with bolder shades on evenings out with the girls).

1. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream – this new launch has been all over the internet recently, but the hype is warranted. My dry skin eats this up and I get a glow with fairly sheer coverage. I love the brush sold with it but it is no longer in my possession – my former makeup artist friend snagged it this weekend (if that’s a clue as to how good it really is!). I am able to wear both Suede and Vanilla interchangeably.

2. Kate Somerville IllumniKate Concealing Eye Cream – since I am going with a sheer face, I don’t want to cake on a concealer. This eye pen masks dark circles and works to improve the look of skin at the same time. So think long-term improvement towards a bright and wrinkle-free under eye!

3. MAC Brow Set – I alternate using this and a pencil but for now I like the way Brow Set subtly colors brow hairs and sets them at the same time. I currently use Girl-Boy but I think next time I will purchase the slightly darker Show-Off.

4. NARS Contour Blush – To simplify things, I use this duo instead of a powder. I use the darker shade under my cheek bones, temples and jaw line with a bronzer brush. Then using a smaller dome brush, I use the lighter shade under my eyes (to set the concealing eye cream), down my nose and on my chin. Powdered, bronzed and set all with one product. I use the shade Olympia (and Paloma in the summer).

5. Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette – this product is brand new and I had very high hopes for it. Thankfully, I am really happy with it. But it should be noted these powders are very creamy and soft – I just happen to really like that formulation. I wear the matte and lighter shades in the Infinity palette.

6. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof – an old favorite that I have rescued from the depths of the Belle Belle Beauty closet. I find this liner doesn’t drift and works well on both the waterline and just above the lashes. And it at its best in the classic black shade.

7. bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara – also an old favorite, this mascara really does it all and does it well. I get volume, curl and and inky finish that doesn’t fall out – something that is quickly becoming my biggest pet peeve.

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Dermalogica’s Precleanse

Getting settled after one heck of a long trip. Excited to be cozy with the pups, but wanted to check in with an introduction – my hilarious and talented friend of DammitSuzanne.com (you’ll obvi love her blog). Today she is over here on Belle Belle sharing her thoughts on Dermalogica’s Precleanse! Take it away, Suzie:

This one goes out to all the ladies that like to put a dark eye on now and then. Or the girls like me, who are blonde and fair and need black eyeliner and two coats of mascara to look like I’m awake. Regardless, with dark eyeliner comes great difficulty in removal. There are always two problems a girl has, (1) how to remove eye makeup gently, and (2) how to do it in the best, most efficient way. Eye makeup remover works, and I’ll never dog it, but for me, it always feels greasy on my eyes afterwards, which is something I hate. Enter Dermalogica’s Precleanse. I started using this product about two months ago, and can’t get enough of it. It removes my makeup, and when wiped away with tissue, leaves nothing but hydrated skin. My preference is to use a cotton ball wet with warm water for my eyes, but it’s not necessary. I admit I use it mainly for my eyes because I don’t wear a ton of makeup on the rest of my face, but the Precleanse works for the whole shebang. Give it a try, you won’t regret it. It’s changed my life almost as much as Broad City.

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

I know I get all hot and bothered about foundations frequently… especially those from NARS. But their newest formula is really worth checking out. Think weightless, long-wear and buildable. And just with one little tiny drop of product.

Okay, fine… in the interest of full disclosure, I actually use 2-3 drops but that still is basically nothing especially for this generously sized square vessel of goodness. While I have tried using fingers, sponge, and a flat foundation brush, I really prefer using a stippling brush to apply. I get significantly more coverage than with this other winter favorite, but the finish is still fabulously natural.

How does NARS continue to amaze? Well, apparently it is something about polymers and pigments. All I know is that I can apply NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation basically half asleep and somehow it manages to look amazing all day long. One aspect that I particularly love given my skin type is that the technology works to neutralize redness and dullness – something I deal with all year long. My hyper-pigmentation is even but not appearing too “covered”.

Gold and green pigments work together in a specifically designed ratio to reflect light off the surface of skin to give the look of flawless but luminous skin. And scarlet spiderling root extract (where do they find this stuff?) works against discoloration and dullness.

Thanks again NARS for providing a new favorite – you guys might just be sitting on top of the heap in my book when it comes to giving great Skin!

My winter skin tone matches perfectly with Vallauris (Medium 1.5 – Medium with pink undertone). Available at NARScosmetics.com and coming soon to Sephora.

New Year’s Skin: Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe and Glow Pen Highlighter

Let me say this off the bat: this is a true luxury duo with a price to match. But when I showed up to lunch sans makeup except for these two yesterday, I was met with “Your skin looks so good! So dewy!” For me, that says quite a bit when I am going relatively bare.

I am both pleasantly surprised but then again not much at all. After all, Le Metier de Beaute was one of the first lines I fell hard for as a new blogger five years ago. But slowly they fell off my radar – still adored but not quite as prevalent on my vanity. All that changed with what I sense is a bit of a revamp from the brand.

As always, they are front and center at Neiman Marcus stores. And it is a beautiful marriage – gorgeous packaging, state-of-the-art skin care and beautiful and timeless shades are all qualities of the brand. Their marquis products are from their Peau Vierge line. Peau Vierge translates to “virgin skin” – I am totally on board.

Previously packaged in a metal container with a pump, Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe is now in a friendly tube – a little less glamorous given the price tag but so much easier to use, especially for travel. This tinted moisturizer is sheer but correcting. But the bright spot is how the formula works to improve skin over the long term. It restores and tightens while providing protection with SPF 18.

For those looking for a gentle retinol, search no further. In all my testing, this formula has been the easiest to use – I avoid all that irritation and redness but still see a clarity after about a week of using. I always had an affinity for Shade Two – a neutral beige. But after using both Two and Three over the last couple of weeks, I like the golden base of Three for much needed warmth on my winter skin. Unfortunately, these shades will only work for those with fair-to-medium skin tones.

I follow up with a “new to me” product by Le Metier: the Lueur Stylo PV Glow Pen Highlighter. While highlighting pens are ubiquitous these days, I really do find this version great for brightening the under eye. It is definitely not a concealer, but the radiant finish corrects without being heavy. I prefer Shade Two while Shade One will be perfect for those with fair skin.

Talk about a New Year’s win-win: I get natural, glowy and dewy skin. Plus I am working in retinol and SPF daily while also improving my skin tone and fine lines. While the duo is a splurge and a little under the radar, my rediscovery of Le Metier proves it still has products for great skin and true pay-off.

Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.

Glossier

I am fairly sure nothing could drag me away from my happy life here in Oklahoma. But if there is one thing I occasionally miss, it is the pleasures of a big city. The latest and greatest, trendy food and fashion inspiration come to mind. So when iconic beauty blogger, Emily Weiss, launched a beauty line up in New York City, I immediately hit purchase and a set of her complexion essentials arrived at my doorstep. A little Manhattan in Tulsa.

While Glossier does offer a la carte, I think their Phase One Set is the best value and really what you need to experience the fun and sophisticated brand. And once you do, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and natural look. Phase One comes with a mist, moisturizer, balm and tint, all for $80 which I think is a remarkable price for four luxe products.

The packaging was solid. Not porcelain or anything (but after breaking my Tata Harper mask in the shower, I’ve come to appreciate plastic). I loved the box it arrived in – so much so that I saved it for a month until I realized I was crazy. I did hold onto the adorable bubble zip bags – those are cherished for travel.

Because I ordered right after Thanksgiving, I received a free tote and extra mist. I use both at work – the tote for my lunch and the mist to refresh my makeup. Beware: keep away from the eye area (even with eyes closed) – it can be irritating. That being said, the rosewater spray is a welcome addition to the moisture factor and I use it to prep skin before the moisturizer.

Rather than stand alone hydration, I think the priming moisturizer plays better as a primer for my dry skin this time of year. In the summer, I expect it to be perfect just on its own but for now I need an extra facial oil or cream. The oil-free formula might be perfect for those with oiler or combo skin. The gel texture absorbs quickly and makes the perfect canvas for makeup.

The BalmDotCom is probably the line’s most iconic product. The beeswax based formula is soothing, healing and locks in moisture like a champ. It is my little winter MVP. I have used it on cuticles, elbows, dry spots and lips. And I actually appreciate that it is basically scent-free – perfect for sleep, work or layered. The thick texture takes a while to come out of the tube’s dispenser, but that keeps me from wasting this precious goodness – as my ex would say, haste makes waste.

The final products is Perfecting Skin Tint which, unlike the moisturizer, packs a punch of delicious hydration thanks to glycerin. And ever since the arrival of these serum-like foundations, I adore the way they add slight coverage, improve skin but still look so natural. Make sure to shake. And I need extra concealer for blemishes and under-eye but overall this might be my favorite out of the bunch. I think it will also be ideal in the summer when I am doing the “undone” look more often than not. I ordered a medium and it is perfect. If you need help, there is a graphic to help you decide on the site. Available in Light, Medium and Dark. Keep in mind that coverage is very sheer so you don’t need to fear a huge mismatch unless you are on the edges of the complexion spectrum.

Available at glossier.com.