Category: news

Emmy’s 2013 MVP: Allison Williams

Well, it is hardly a secret that I am an Allison Williams superfan. I love her classic, elegant and all-American style. Not to mention we both work with my beloved Simple Skincare. So when watching the red carpet on Sunday night, I wasn’t shocked that she jumped to the top of my list right when I spotted her.

Doesn’t hurt that her makeup was by one of my most beloved brands, CARGO. I have some many products from their line that I constantly reach for (Cargo Essential Lip Color and Cargo TexasLiner Liquid Eye Liner at the top of my list). Julie Harris, the artist, was also inspired by Allison’s all-American beauty. Allison wore classic American designer, Ralph Lauren’s blue dress and amethyst jewelry. And can we talk about that amazing hair?

The hair was created by Dove Stylist Mark Townsend created this loose yet classic look. Here’s how he achieved it:

“I started by applying a large dollop of the Dove Whipped Cream Mousse to her damp hair and blow-dried with a medium round brush to get lots of volume and keep her hair smooth. Next, I took 3 to 4 inch sections of hair and curled them with a 1 inch curling iron away from the face. To break up the curls, I scrunched the hair while spraying Oribe Après Beach spray all over. For a little piecey-ness on the ends, I sprayed Sally Hershberger Glam Waves on my hands and then raked my fingers through the ends. Just before Allison left for the red carpet, I sprayed Dove Extra Hold Hairspray all over to keep the hair full and shiny without looking stiff.”

Here is Julie’s step-by-step guide to Allison’s clean and natural makeup look (I really need to start doing eyes first – always seems like that is how the pros do it):

Step 1: Prep the skin with Simple Skincare Hydrating Light Moisturizer ($8.99) followed by CARGO_HD Picture Perfect Pore Refining Primer ($32) to keep the foundation lasting through the red carpet

Step 2: Start with the eyes – dab CARGO_HD Picture Perfect Eye Shadow Primer ($19) then apply FLOWER Color Play Crème Eyeshadow in Orchid-Ing Around ($7.98) on the lids and under the lower lash line to achieve a soft Smokey eye then set it with Cargo Eye Shadow in Pasadena ($16)

Step 3: Apply a light coat of Cargo OneBase in #02 ($28) to conceal dark areas to give the skin a subtle glow and warmth; conceal the under eyes with Cargo Jet Lag ($30) to brighten and open the eyes

Step 4: Highlight the inner corners, brow bone and cheekbone with Cargo ColorStick in Champagne ($28) to give a dewy freshness to the skin

Step 5: Apply a very thin black line of Cargo TexasLiner Liquid Eye Liner ($20) close to the lash line to make lashes pop, then apply two generous coats of Cargo TexasLash Mascara ($20) on the top and bottom lashes

Step 6: Apply CARGO_HD Picture Perfect CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($39) all over the face and set with CARGO _HD Picture Perfect Pressed Powder ($32)

Step 7: With a small powder brush, lightly dust Cargo Bronzing Powder in Matte Medium ($29) to high points of the forehead, cheekbones and down the neck for a natural glow, then apply a hint of Cargo Blush in Catalina ($26) to the apples of the cheeks for a fresh and natural flush

Step 8: Keep the lips looking soft and supple by blending Cargo Essential Lip Color in Dubai and Las Vegas ($22) and dabbing on the lips, then top with Cargo Lip Gloss in Las Vegas Strip ($14)

Emmy’s 2013 Makeup MVP – Christina Hendricks in Elizabeth Arden

Okay… so a little bit of a delay there. But after sifting through all the beautiful looks from Sunday night’s 2013 Emmy’s, I have boiled it down to two favorites. First up, Christina Hendricks by artist, Vanessa Scali for Elizabeth Arden (no surprise – she was a favorite of mine last year). I was surprised that Christina’s looks were by a line I don’t turn to often. It made me want to change my tune and stop by a Elizabeth Arden counter, stat!

Vanessa and Christina have been working together for years, so not surprising the end result was effortless beauty. Christina was wearing a black black Christian Siriano gown with newly blond hair. “We could have really gone in any direction with the makeup: bold lips, smoky eyes, fresh and pretty… In the end, we went for a fresh face and a warm, red lip.” Get the Look:

Step 1: On days you need extra staying power, skip the heavy moisturizers and use a serum instead. Prep face with Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules ($72) – they make a great primer. They are packed with treatment and thoroughly penetrate the skin leaving it a clean, even canvas for your foundation.

Step 2: Apply Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Sponge-On Cream Makeup ($36.50) to give it a soft, luminous glow. Swipe foundation along the bridge of nose, cheeks, chin and forehead and use the sponge to blend the color to the outer edges of the face

Step 3: Dab Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Concealer ($19.50) under the eyes and on the inner hollow (on the nose) just beside the inner corner of the eyes

Step 4: For a pop of color, use Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush in Pink ($24) to flush the cheeks. This makes the skin look fresh and lit from within.

Step 5: Using very little, swipe the darker shade in the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Duo in Precious Metals ($28.50) from the lash line of the eyelid to the crease, and under the lower lashes as well. Blend it into the skin so there is no border. The subtle shading gives the eye definition in a soft and sexy way.

Step 6: Apply Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Smoky Eyes Pencil in Smoky Black ($18) on the upper lid, starting with a thin line on the inner corner of the eyes and becoming progressively thicker toward the outer corners of the eyes. Using a small tapered brush, smudge a touch of it into the lower lashes under the eyes.

Step 7: Curl the lashes well and apply a few generous coats of Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lash Enhancing Mascara in Black ($24) on the top lashes, with one coat on the bottom.

Step 8: Enhance brows with Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Brow Shaper & Eyeliner in Soft Blonde ($22).

Step 9: Apply Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick (12 hour formula) in Power Red ($25). This warm red looks bold and elegant.

Lovely Links – Hello Fall!

Finally, we can say fall is officially here tomorrow. It is by far my favorite season. I love the pace, clothes and football. And while summer was a blast, I am enjoying getting back into a routine. Here are some of my finds from around the web this week:

– excellent tutorial on how to apply concealer.

– loving this new collaboration at gorjana.

– if you need to catch up on NYFW beauty, check out this fashion week beauty recap.

– i basically want everything from meg’s new shop.

– i can’t believe I watched this about a woman who didn’t wash her face for a month – but talk about a motivation to wash every night.

– stock up on fall goodies: J.Crew is offering 25% off your entire order! With code SHOPFALL.

– Theory is having a Friends and Family sale – get 25% off your order with code THEORYFRIENDS.

– i adore this shift dress and now it is 25% off (along with everything else at French Connection with code W13FF).

And if you are in the Tulsa area, mark your calendars for an event I’m hosting next week at Saks Fifth Avenue. Champagne, fashion and beauty…. you can’t resist!

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Lovely Links – Enjoy Every Moment

I found this image on Pinterest and felt it was a nice reminder to, even when filled with stress and rushing through life, to step back and realize, each moment is worth savoring. I really feel like so many bloggers, friends and colleagues today are remarking how they are trying to slow down. Are we entering a different era, away from the go-go-go speed? I think we might. I also have been reflecting on this article Lauren shared with me about expectations common in our generation. Speaking of taking a moment, here are some of my favorite spots from around the web that I’ve come across this week:

– benefit cosmetics are coming to airports!

– love these tips on updating your Pinterest board covers.

– this is a great tutorial on lashes and highlights the exact false lashes I use myself!

– love this intro to resources for new bloggers on the bar.

– as a lover of naps, i found this WSJ article enlightening and encouraging

– thank you for all the great comments on this post about finding your passion.

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Avon At Elizabeth & James Spring 2014

Okay guys… one more NYFW round up. I feel like these can sometimes get a little old, but if there is a particular look I fall for, I can’t help but sharing. Even more so when it is used at a presentation for a clothing line I love and wear. Let’s be honest, I would wear The Row 24/7 if I had an unlimited budget. So, Elizabeth & James offers that same quality with a little bit of casual breeziness. When I invest in an Elizabeth & James piece, I wear it for years.

The look created by Lauren Andersen is modern yet classic so it is no wonder it all is achieved with the iconic American brand, Avon. The minimalist tone includes glowy complexions and just a hint of color. Not to mention, some serious eyebrows (I’m currently letting mine just grow wild and I am loving it). Andersen describes the looks as “fresh yet sophisticated” and compliments the “relaxed, casual vibe of the spring collection.”

To get the clean natural look:

Prep skin. Using a foundation brush and your finger, apply a thin layer of Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation only on areas that need coverage. To create a natural dewiness, go back over the foundation with a wet sponge. (I love the idea of going over already applied foundation with a wet sponge rather than using a wet sponge to apply)
Highlight cheeks, brow bone and nose by swiping these areas with Avon Smooth Minerals Powder Foundation in Transparent Glow.
To keep cheeks looking dewy and fresh, apply Avon Ultra Color Lipstick in Carnation, a blushing pink shade, on the apples of cheeks. (I can’t help but get giddy when artists use a product for another purpose than as it was intended)
On the eyes, use a light wash of shadow with Avon True Color Eye Shadow Duo in Healthy Glow. Apply the lighter shade to the inner eyes and across the lid. Blend the darker shade very lightly along the lash line. (I have been really impressed with Avon’s shadows – they are creamy and super pigmented thanks to a special process used while being made)
Lightly line eyes for a “just-defined look” with Avon’s Kohl Eye Liner in Intense Brown.
Give lashes volume and definition with Avon Mega Effects Mascara. (This stuff is seriously the bomb – see my review here.)
Finish the look by matching lip color to the shade used on cheeks. Apply Avon Ultra Color Lipstick in Carnation to the center of the lips with your finger and then blot it out to give the pout a natural-yet-noticeable stain effect.

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.

Ignite Your Passion – Why I Chose Beauty

This blog was set out to be purely about beauty… what works, what doesn’t. What products I love and how to use them. I frankly didn’t think it was personal. But as Belle Belle has evolved (after three years and 815 posts), particularly through my journey on Nutrisystem, I’ve discovered blogs are intensely personal. I’ve made dear friends – some of whom I count as best confidants – via blogging. And what I write about reflects me. Every day, my tone, my subject is defined by where I am in my life.

So, charged with writing about what “ignites my passion” leads me to a point of self-reflection. Someone once gave me advice that your hobbies are hobbies and work is work. I beg to differ. While I am far from an makeup artist… beauty and skin care and the science behind it lights a fire in my belly. I love working, researching and discovering in this little industry of ours – well, let’s be honest… beauty is actually a huge industry. It marries so well with wellness, health and nutrition which recently have been so important to me. My career journey has been a bit twisted with engineering, finance and law. But the real sweetness is finding that it all can come together, writing about technology in skin care, running a business and managing my very own LLC.

While blogging full time is not always a cake walk, I can say sharing trends and wonderful developments brings joy to me. And with that, I am happily celebrating my third visit to New York Fashion Week. In fact, I am on my flight this very moment to the Big Apple. I’ll be covering the latest looks for Spring 2014. But even more importantly, I’ll be in the city that defines American brands, innovation and culture. And in this information and digital age, I will relish meeting with people I work with so closely (albeit remotely) for meetings, brainstorms and dare I say a cocktail.

So cheers to those who are searching for their passion, those who have found it and those who succeed at it. I know I am doing everything I can to work within my hobby, my passion, my interests. I’m reluctant, but will say it… because it is just so true: You Only Live Once. #YOLO

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“Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nissan via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nissan.”