Category: news

Sophie from Angel Food Style

This past September, I met Sophie of Angle Food Style at New York Fashion Week and have been hooked on her fashion blog ever since. I love her fresh, classic and Southern California looks that always are so polished. I loved visiting Los Angeles when I lived in the Bay Area and her gorgous photos take me right back there. Doesn’t hurt that she is one of the most genuine and nicest women I have met in the blogging world. And loves Maltese puppies as much as I do (that is a saying A LOT).

Besides a perfectly polished outfit, I noticed Sophie’s makeup always looked natural and finished without being overdone…(not to mention her “hard to ignore” natural beauty). With our endless chats on Twitter and Instagram, I knew she was a girl after my own heart – a true beauty junkie. If we meet up again, you will find us in Sephora undoubtedly.

Angel Food Style on Belle Belle Beauty Two

So… I am so excited to have her on Belle Belle today to talk about her day-to-day look with a couple extra touches to make it holiday-ready. This everyday face has a “bit more oomph than the summer-appropriate mascara/bronzer/lip gloss situation”.

Here are the products Sophie is wearing:

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5.25 (can’t get enough)
Nars Bronzer in Laguna under cheekbones, on temples, chin
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in shade 10 “beige” on apples of cheeks
Giorgio Armani Eye Quad in Bourdoir– I mixed the 4 nude shades together and concentrated the darkest shade in the outer corner
Tarte Amazonian Clay Liner in Black on inside bottom waterline, Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Liner to line eyelids (I would die without this liquid liner- use it everyday)
Bare Escentuals Buxom Mascara in black
Anastasia Beverly Hills “Brow Wiz” pencil in Ash Blonde
Nars lip gloss in “sweet revenge”– the perfect nude/pink every day shade

Like me, Sophie is a huge Armani fan. Their foundation, we both agree, is a best of breed. Sophie points out their high quality, “especially in the shadows – the pigments are so luxe and last all day”. Anastasia is a great resource for brow tools – I love her clear brow gel. And I have a Sephora package en route with NARS Laguna – can’t wait to try one of her “staples”.

Make sure to follow Sophie on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!

Get The Look Video: Rich Lips and Winged Eyeliner

So excited to feature the second video from Sara and Rebecca in our “Get The Look” series. (Check out the first one here) Like Holiday Luxe, Sara and Rebecca used natural makeup products to achieve the look, including one of my favorite lines, Youngblood.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrYe-WEPWmo]

“While mixing too many trends can make you look overdone sometimes two looks are better than one! Winged eyeliner paired with a deep red lip creates a slightly retro look that somehow feels perfectly of the moment!”

The final look!

Makeup used:

images by Mia MacDonald

Dear Santa, I am a Have to Have Featured Blogger!

Have to Have, a cool shopping site, is featuring a blogger every day until Christmas and today is my day! Naturally, my “Dear Santa: Daily Holiday Style & Gift Guide” is a little more beauty oriented – shocker. So… inquiring minds want to know what you think of my selections. Which of these goodies are to tempting to pass up? Use the widget below to click through all 12 items and vote.

As an incentive… you might have a chance to win a $500 shopping spree! If my Dear Santa collection features the most popular item and you added from my list, both of us will get $500 to spend! Do I smell a shopping spree?

Get The Look Video: Holiday Luxe

I was so excited to stumble upon Clean, Pure and Simple – a blog about Manhattan, Whole Living lifestyle. The editor, Sara Jane Mercer, does it all – cooks, coaches (she’s a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach) and writes both on the blog and also for Whole Living Magazine. Her attitude towards wellness is friendly, approachable and inspiring – definitely has become one of my daily reads.

And being the beauty junkie I am… I automaticlly zeroed in on her great knowlege of natural skincare and makeup lines like Tata Harper, Jane Iredale and Ilia Beauty. So, after a little chatting, we decided to debut a series of beauty videos created by Sara and her makeup artist, Rebecca Casciano, on Belle Belle! Over the next couple of days, you will find several Get The Look short films featured. To get us started… Holiday Luxe. Hope you enjoy as much as I do.

“Holiday makeup should be all about shimmer and shine! For holiday parties and New Year’s Eve I like a bold eye with a slight metallic feel to it. When emphasizing your eyes make sure to keep the rest of your face subtle and neutral or you risk looking overdone!”

The final look:

Links for brands used:

image by Mia MacDonald

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!

Holiday Gift Guide Part 2

Back in November, I highlighted some initial picks for holiday gifting. There is just so much good stuff to put on your list, I am going to do a second installment. Enjoy!

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