Category: lips

Holiday Shopping Makeup – An Afternoon Out

I got a touch overwhelmed with work yesterday. You know that point when you approach complete lack of productivity? Yeah, I hit that. So, I put on some winter makeup and headed out for some holiday shopping. I took the opportunity to use some odds and ends in the makeup drawer and want to highlight some favorites:

Laura Mercier ‘Art Deco Muse Collection’ Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge: I got so many compliments on this shade. It was balanced – not too warm and not too cool. The finish was ultra-shiny, it was easy to apply and I got a couple hours of wear out of it.
stila ‘all over shimmer’ liquid luminizer (sample from birchbox): Highlighter can approach too disco on me, but this version is blendable and fairly sheer. I love it on my cheekbones.
Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow in Black: This liner applies like a gel and is super long-wear. The best part is the ultra-fine brush it comes with for a perfectly precise line.
CARGO Blu_ray Pressed Powder: This oil-free powder uses photochromatic pigments to automatically color correct make-up. It is micro-fine so lines are filled and imperfections are camoflauged. This is a great addition to tinted moisturizer or BB Cream when you just need a touch more.
NARS Illuminator Orgasm: I’m just not a fan of Orgasm blush on me, but this Illuminator is a different story. The sheer nature keeps it from being too orange. I love the subtle color on my cheeks when I am more fair during the winter months.

While I was out, I stopped at the local Le Métier de Beauté counter to check out their newest eye kit – it is a beauty!

Shades include (from top to bottom):

Axiom: sublime bronzed umber
Graphic: silver liquid metal
Crucible: rich pomegranate
Genre: deep gun metal

Loads of new and fabulous things are happening at Belle Belle for the holiday season and new year. The aforementioned overwhelming feeling was completely born from fabulous projects and partnerships – all on a happy note. Speaking of happy… I am thrilled to report I reached 10,000 Pinterest followers yesterday! Thank you followers – and for those of you who aren’t… link here. Cheers!

Pure Illumination Light Up Lip Gloss

I love a gadget. Any gadget. My iPad is basically a family member. So when tech and beauty meet, I notice. And this one is truly a midwest discovery. Pure Illumination was created out of a quest to cure dry lips. But as the developed their product, they came up with the genius idea to afix a LED light in the applicator and the side mirror on the tube. I happened to be a dark dinner with my blond bombshell friend when she whipped out her beacon of beauty. No light or mirror necessary – she had that lipgloss reapplied perfectly and was back to sipping wine in no time. So many of my Tulsa friends were pulling out these futuristic, lighted lip balms, that I had to track one down.

I’ve been rocking a nude lip and inky black eyes lately, so I was keen to pick up Pure Illumination in Hillbilly Rockstar (told you this was a midwest discovery). The shiny shimmer shade is a mocha nude with a peppermint scent. The finish is shiny and wet with normal gloss staying power. Jojoba oil, almond oil and vitamin E hydrate and moisturize.

I also have been trying out their Lip Plumper (also has the LED light) in clear. Like other lip plumpers, this uses a vasodilator, causing a little tingling while it increases blood flow to the area. While it is a little odd, it isn’t irritating or uncomfortable in the least. The plumper also contains Jojoba Oil or Vitamin E. This moisturizing duo is effective for improving hydration and obtaining soft lips.

And in true midwest fashion, made in the U.S.A.. You can purchase the lip gloss and lip plumper at purecosmetics.com.

Rescue Dry Winter Lips

I’ve been fielding loads of questions about caring for dry, chapped winter lips. I battle dry lips year round, so I am in even more of a pickle when the humidity plummets. Here are my favorites to have on hand over the colder months:

1. By Terry Baume de Rose: I was a little weary of a rose scented balm, but this rich formula melts into a glossy, nourishing treatment. I wore it over red lipstick yesterday and the effect was a blended, shiny pigment with loads of hydration. This also doubles as a great cuticle cream.

2. La Mer ‘The Lip Balm’: If mint is more your thing, this other luxury option is more of a solid balm with still the same nourishing hydration. The balm contains La Mer’s famous Miracle Broth™ with marine extracts, botanicals and vitamins to regenerate the delicate lip skin.

3. bliss fabulips sugar lip scrub: There are a couple different lip scrubs that are often repeated as “favorites”. I’ll tell you why I love this one: it is gentle while removing flaky mess and leaves behind Shea and Cocoa butters to soften and heal.

4. Kate Somerville ‘Quench & Correct’ Plumping Lip Gloss & Restorative Lip Treatment: This option is packed with skin care to help improve the appearance of your lips. The Correct end of the pen contains Hydra8™, boosting collagen renewal and eliminating dryness. On the other side, Quench, adds moisture and plumps. See Kate’s Winter Skin Care Tips here.

5. ChapStick Cooling & Soothing Lip Balm: I couldn’t be more tickled with the latest flavor of ChapStick: Peppermint. The same healing formula now has a cooling feel that seals in moisture while you brave the elements. I can’t think of a more festive lip balm.

image here

Lipstick Queen Dancing Queen Set

I’m feeling pretty festive this year – my tree is trimmed and decorations abound in my home. The resounding theme is that magical, fluttering shimmer that screams holiday. Legendary lipstick maven, Poppy King feels the same way. “This season I was so inspired by the magical glamour and exuberance of the dance floor! When I think dance floor, I think Studio 54” says Poppy. I’m not much of a dancer, but I like the way she thinks.

The Dancing Queen Set is perfect for the holiday season with her exclusive ‘sheer matte shimmer’ formula. The texture and look is balanced and translucent, reflecting one of fashion’s biggest trends: iridescence. The formula is hydrating and comfortable to wear. And no need for precision – I apply these just like a balm.

Set includes:

CHA CHA shimmering, sheer wine
ELECTRIC SLIDE shimmering, deep rose
THE HUSTLE shimmering nude

Lipstick Queen Dancing Queen Set Swatches on Belle Belle Beauty

While they are all sheer, there is something perfectly nude and understated festive about The Hustle. Cha Cha and Electric Slide just give a wash of color. I’d say this would make a great gift, but you’ll want this for yourself to wear to all your holiday festivities.

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 Light Show

Here’s another bareMinerals holiday offering that was just too good not to highlight on it’s own. Light Show covers cheeks, eyes and lips in a golden palette along with a gold clutch. The clutch is pretty cute for a special occassion or a festive makeup bag. The palette feels little fragile – it is plastic – but looks amazing with its golden casing.

Included:

bareMinerals READY® Eyeshadow in Spotlight, Flash, Flicker, and Dazzle (opalescent cream, matte purple clay, antique bronze, midnight teal)
Round the Clock™ Waterproof Eyeliner in 10 PM (burnished mocha – a great alternative to black) This eyeliner is creamy and long-wearing.
bareMinerals READY® Blush in The Limelight (soft peach)
bareMinerals READY® Bronzer in The High Dive (tan) – I will always treasure a bareMinerals bronzer – I love the way they feel on the skin.
Marvelous Moxie™ Lipgloss in Super Power (soft peach nude) Minty and has the prettiest pink, nude finish
A great tutorial for two different looks

bareMinerals Light Show Bag and Tutorial

bareMinerals fans and beauty junkies would love to find this under their tree.

Favorites from the NARS Andy Warhol Collection

I can’t really remember a collection being met with such fanfare as the NARS Andy Warhol collection. The iconic imagery makes for some pretty darn cool gifts, but I wasn’t too sure how wearable the actual products are. Alas, I found some great gems for those who prefer a more subtle, neutral look.

NARS ‘Andy Warhol’ Self Portrait Eyeshadow Palette Self Portrait 2 is straight forward black, ivory and silver. A wash of silver makes for a pretty, festive lid, while black makes a great liner. I have been using the ivory in the corners of my eyes to illuminate. Note: the black pigment on his face is a thin layer. Black will only remain in the background on the left.

NARS ‘Any Warhol’ Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Silver Factory is slightly edgier. When I wear a glitter/sparkly eye, I usually reach for gold. This silver is such a flattering alternative – I think I am hooked. The smooth pencil glides easily on the delicate eye. The creamy formula blends nicely. And I love using this as a festive primer and letting just a bit of metallic peek through.

NARS ‘Andy Warhol’ Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Viva already has a special place in my heart. I cannot believe I haven’t tried the Larger Than Life Lip Gloss. The finish is ultra shiny, but it doesn’t feel thick. It hydrates my poor dry lips. And has great staying power for a gloss. The shorter brush makes for a little extra work, but I like the precision it offers. Note: this actually looks like a rosy nude on – not sure why it looks so bright in both pictures.

NARS Andy Warhol Swatches from Belle Belle Beauty

Shop these and other favorites from the NARS Andy Warhol collection: