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Caudalie Gradual Self-Tanner For The Face

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I had the most low-key, sleep-filled weekend and it was glorious. I was actually happy to turn the calendar page, put the holidays behind us and brave 2015. Which I know has so much good in store. It just called for a bit of rest, relaxation and reading. Speaking of reading, I just set a goal of 50 books in 2015. I have already finished two (fine I cheated a little because I started both in December). If you are on Goodreads, pop over and check out my reading list here.

In between my bouts of cooking warm soups, reading and naps, I was reevaluating my skin care routine. I have been sensing a look of sallowness in my complexion, which is odd because I tend toward redness. This prompted me to break out my Caudalie Gradual Self-Tanner For The Face.

I absolutely adore the radiance that sets in after about 12 hours. It made a world of difference. While this is gradual, take care. I did overdo it slightly. But that “little to bronze” glow abated by this morning. The formula also delivers antioxidants – something the Caudalie line is known for, adding in a youthfulness. There is negligible scent, no stickiness and the effect is gradual enough that you don’t have to worry about your normal makeup routine having to be altered.

I apply a thin layer. Proceed with moisturizer. Don’t forget to wash your hands. I think a little natural glow is the perfect way to welcome the first full week of 2015. Available at us.caudalie.com or your Caudalie boutique.

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.

Holiday Gifting: Affordable Beauty From FLOWER

I remember hearing about Drew Barrymore’s new makeup line when it first came out. Lucky for me, I had met the makeup artist who Drew worked with developing the line and was able to get info from her about the new products. One thing that resonated was that she truly believed and emphasized that this was luxury level formulas at Wal-Mart prices.

It was almost too good to believe. But low and behold… every product I’ve tried from FLOWER has been just that – luxury, functional, beautiful and effective. And at great prices. Goes without saying their gift lineup makes for perfect holiday gifts for those on your list (even if you are on a budget like me!).

I’ve tried out several of the gift sets and here are my favorites:

FLOWER Brushes: I particularly love the foundation brush, but each is made from soft, man-made hair. The hefty handles are a breeze to use. Offerings include:

Ultimate Powder Brush
Liquid Foundation Brush
Eyeliner Brush
Eye Shadow Brush
Ultimate Lip/Concealer Brush

FLOWER Cosmetic Bags: These new additions come in every size and are styled perfectly for travel. Offerings include:

Small Cosmetic Bag
Double Zip Foldover
Cosmetic Clutch
Train Case

FLOWER Fragrance Collection: This set of three is designed around moods and time of day. I have been wearing Cherished and the powdery musk is perfect for cozy winter days. The three scents:

Cherished (white bottle) – Lemon, Iris, Vanilla, Sandalwood and Musk
Radiant (pink bottle) – Fresh, green, Magnolia and Amber
Sultry (purple bottle) – Pepper, Jasmine, Musk and Patchouli

FLOWER COLOR IN THE LINES Mini Chubby Beauty Set: Drew does chubbies right. These lip and eye versions are self-sharpening and come in wearable and bold shades.

Available at Walmart.com

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.

Holiday Gifting: bareMinerals Complexion Superstars

I posted yesterday about my winter beauty routine. A couple of products are included in this set so it goes without saying that I love this for a gift idea. In fact, bareMinerals pretty much nails it on great value beauty gifts (like this one here).

These shades are wearable for a large segment of complexions and skin types. I find the formulas both sheer and buildable. And as the name suggests, this is pretty much the best of the best as far it comes to bareMinerals offerings. These are their best-sellers after all.

Included are the following:

Vintage Peach Blush
Mini sizes of the READY pressed powder
Mini sizes of the READY bronzer
Mineral Veil finishing powder
Bare Radiance All-Over Face Color face powder
An angled face brush

The sizes are perfect for stashing in your purse or holiday clutch. And I will never get tired of singing praises for the lock-and-go system, keeping loose powder from becoming a mess. bareMinerals Complexion Superstars is sure to get you hooked on the full-size year-round. Available at Sephora.

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.

image via bareMinerals UK

Winter Makeup Routine

I know it doesn’t come as a shock that I am always changing things up when it comes to my routine. But this particular combo of goodies has seemed to garner quite the motherload of compliments… if I do say so myself. So here is my step-by-step face makeup routine of late – think glowy and natural but still medium coverage (now if I could just get my hair to look like the above).

1. On top of my unsual moisturizer, add a dose (three drops or so) of Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment and allow to soak in.

2. Using my new favorite FLOWER Ultimate Liquid Foundation Makeup Brush, I apply two small drops of my long-time favorite, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I wear shade 4.5).

3. Touch up with another old favorite, Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Beige – mostly under eye and on the chin. I like to work in using my fingers mostly because I am lazy but I also love this brush.

4. Longevity is all about layers. So I end with a sweep of bareMinerals Mineral Veil – translucent but adds a glow. And bareMinerals READY Bronzer in High Dive to add some warmth to my summer pallor (just a light touch needed!).

Shop The Post:

I have a feeling that some of this routine will (happily) be supplanted when my new Glossier Phase 1 set arrives this week – I have heard rave reviews. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on this new line by my fellow beauty blogger.

image here

Holiday Gifting – bareMinerals Main Attraction

Happy Cyber Monday – hope you all are having fun getting your shop on. Some amazing deals I posted on Friday are still going on so make sure to check out this post before you hit “BUY”. Speaking of holiday shopping, I have another gift idea to share with you today:

I continue to be blown away when it comes to the value in bareMinerals gift sets. They are truly an awesome deal – flawless in delivery of quality products and formulas that are certainly crowd-pleasers. It can be tricky buying makeup for someone else, but their concoctions seem to always suit a wide range of complexions and skin types.

This technically is a set to create a “screen siren look” but I find the contents are more like a fabulous, neutral everyday look. The eye shadows are a shimmery light pinky gold and deeper chocolate. I like wearing the lighter Matinee all over lids for a quick and easy look. The set instructs Opening Night, the darker brown, in the crease and along the lower lash line but it is a little dramatic for me. I tend to limit just a wash of Opening Night in the center of my lids.

The Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliner in Absolute Black is an all-day workhorse. I only really wear black eyeliner but this one isn’t so intense and I like the less inky look for daytime. And a favorite is always the Lash Domination 10-in-one Volumizing mascara with its wacky brush and conditioning formula.

Typically, I am not a huge blush fan but Flair is fairly sheer and can be built into a deeper shade. On me, it is a true winter glow. Marvelous Moxie lipstick in Make Your Move might just be the nude lipstick I have forever been searching for. I know nude lipstick is super personal, but if you have light-to-medium skin tone like me, this might just be your golden ticket.

Marvelous Moxie lip gloss in Leading Lady is also a nude shade but with a punch of shimmer. I get fairly good staying power and hydration from this formula. But my favorite part is the minty tingle.

Major bonus points for a super high-quality tapered brush included. bareMinerals brushes are all I use any more for bronzer and blush – they just seem to have gotten it spot on.

All in all, this set has wearable, great shades and formulas that I know I treasure as staples of my makeup drawer. For the beauty buff on your list, you can’t go wrong with bareMinerals. Available at Sephora.

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.

Budget Beauty – Tinted Moisturizer

We work hard to keep our skin looking great with a skin care regime. And when things are going well, we want to show that off, right? Lately, my skin has been looking better than ever. My hyper-pigmentation fades in the winter. And my pores are clear mostly thanks to this guy. So, I don’t want any foundation that is cake-y or heavy.

Thanks to these two new budget buys, my skin looks luminous and natural at a great price. Both Boots No7 CC Cream and L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream are breathable while still improving the look of skin.

First, L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream comes out of the tube in a surprisingly milky white cream. But the formula transforms into a hydrating and light-coverage tinted moisturizer. I get a dewy skin and luminous finish. The blurring effect leaves a perfected and bare look. Available in four shades and made in the USA.

While CC creams usually have more coverage, this Boots No7 version is slightly lighter than other CC creams I’ve tried. The finish is a touch heavier than the L’Oreal. I adore the inclusion of SPF 20 – perfect for winter office days. And the skin care ingredients all work to make skin look even better. The thicker application is nourishing without being heavy.

The Boots No7 is my pick if you’d like slightly more coverage. L’Oreal is a better choice if you want a light, optical blurring effect without a lot of pigment. Both are suited to my drier skin.

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.