Category: news

Fall Drugstore Beauty

I had the opportunity to try a luxury brand of skincare, but unfortunately my skin reacted poorly.  So, I decided this was an excuse to give drugstore skincare a whirl.  In the past, I have relied on drugstore brands for all or part of my ritual with average results.  But now, there are formulas available that have beauty editors and dermatologists raving, namely Olay Regenerist.  So I picked up the Regenerating Serum and Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum.  They aren’t cheap – each will run you $21.49 at Target.  But they are a far cry from luxury skin care lines at department stores where night cream can be over $500.

But that’s not all… I also picked up some long-time staples including Cetaphil, Lubriderm, and Orly polish.  Going to give the Bonder a try – Eva Chen swares by it. Fifth Ave Fuschia and Revival Red Maybelline lipcolors were irresistible.  Snuck some candy corn in there – it is October after all…

What are your drugstore staples?

Los Angeles Beauty – Part II

Yesterday, I featured skin and hair care products cherished by LA girls to keep their healthy glow and shiny locks.  Today, I am reporting some all-stars from cosmetic bags in Los Angeles.  Liz, my girl on the ground out in LA, says that the look is all about full lips, a bronzed face and dramatic eyes. 

  1. NARS Sheer Blush in Orgasm
  2. Damone Roberts Brow Highlighters
  3. Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour
  4. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
  5. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
  6. Chanel Les Quatre Ombres de Chanel Eye Shadow in Smoky Eye
  7. MAC’s Eye Kohl in Blue Shimmer 
  8. Givenchy Magic Kajal Eye Pencil
  9. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
  10. Dior Diorshow Mascara
  11. Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color
  12. Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick Compact 

For day to day humor and updates on #corporatehell follow Liz on Twitter. And check out her tumblr: Office Chic’s Memo. You won’t regret it!

Los Angeles Beauty – Part I

California girls have this natural, all-American beauty that is hard not to envy with their minimal and healthy look.  With lots of time at the beach and a more laid back lifestyle, West Coasters can rock a more undone and casual approach to fashion and beauty.  But that doesn’t mean it is easy.  I asked Liz to research what Southern California gals turn to for a healthy glow and shiny hair. 

  1. Arcona – The Solution Pads
  2. Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment
  3. Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler
  4. La Prairie – Extrait of Skin Caviar

I’ve always wanted to try La Prairie products, especially after visiting their spa in the Caymans.  The little bottles just look so regal!  And I took Liz’s advice on the Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment – amazing.  The effect wasn’t oily at all and my hair is smooth and incredibly soft.  Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler promises instant effects and can be used under makeup.  Along with Liz’s positive reviews, this is at the top of my list to try.  Arcona has always been a favorite brand of mine, particularly the Toner Tea Bar, so I can’t wait to try something new from the line.

Tomorrow we will look at the makeup products that are popular out West for a natural, clean look.

For day to day humor and updates on #corporatehell follow Liz on Twitter. And check out her tumblr: Office Chic’s Memo. You won’t regret it!

Le Metier de Beaute Fall/Winter Kaleidoscope Eye Kit – GIVEAWAY

We all want to know: “how do I create a smokey eye?” It is the beauty question of the decade.  I’ve searched high and low for kits, palettes and individual shadows and concluded Le Metier de Beaute developed the best kit to achieve the smokey eye.  The colors are stunning, it is goof-proof and translates from day to evening. 

I met with Le Métier de Beauté while I was in New York for Fashion Week for a Fall Trend event.  Mikey Castillo, Le Métier de Beauté’s Director of Color and Education, featured the Fall Silk Road Kaleidoscope.  It has to be noted that these shadows are quadruple-milled – and this basically translates into incredibly fine, blendable shades.  They appear on the eye much less vibrant as they do in the pan.  And I think this is a good thing.  No need to be intimidated by the bold colors – the look is actually quite neutral.

While these shades definitely can be used on their own, I am sold on the Le Métier de Beauté signature eye shadow application technique, “Couches de Couleur”.  “Couches de Couleur” is the layering of color, each hue is selected to evoke one element in a sequence of crescendo: 1. Warm 2. Cool 3. Hot 4. Cold.  I use a flat, small eye shadow brush and press in each color from my lash to crease.  If I want a more “daytime” look, I skip the final color or only use it right along my lash.


Le Métier de Beauté usually releases these Kaleidoscopes each season, and I have yet to be disappointed.  By this Fall’s version is a stunner and by far my favorite.  Fall Silk Road Kaleidoscope was inspired by the silk, satin, spice and jewels of the Silk Road in the Far East.

  • Tapestry—a shimmering, translucent plum.
  • Damask— a polished brass.
  • Ikat—a silk-matte pinot noir.
  • Brocade—a deep chocolate with sequined copper effervescence.

The spread the love, I am giving away one of these kits (retail value $95) to one of my readers.  How can you enter to win this contest?

Leave a comment on this post.  Make sure to include your email address.

To earn extra entries:

1. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers – see sidebar at right) or by subscribing to my newsletter.

2. By tweeting this contest. You must include “@bellebellebeau” (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry.

3. “Like” me on Facebook.

4. Share the contest info on your Facebook Wall.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, October 8, at midnight central time. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere however, I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment.

UPDATE: We have a winner! It is Jenny aka @FashionistaJR. Congrats!

KeratinEarth

A safe and healthy hair straightener you can do at home? And it is only $99?  This is definitely what I want for my Blog Birthday!  This formula is Formaldehyde-free and can keep wavy hair straight for three months.  (The wavier your hair, the less time the treatment will last).  While I am loving my Beach Waves, this treatment would also allow for a sleek look.

The real selling point of this treatment are the safer active ingredients. Urea and sulfite break bonds to straighten hair while wheat and vegetable proteins conditions and softens hair.  The chemicals that KeratinEarth use actually help restore the cuticle, rather than destroy it.  Hair looks and feels softer and healthier. Words is this leads to only a slight odor – which is fabulous.  And you don’t have to wait 48 hours to wash your hair!

KeratinEarth won Allure’s Best of Beauty Breakthrough 2011.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Belle Belle Beauty!  Somehow I missed my blog’s first birthday (9/15) woopsie. Well, after 160 posts, I am still smitten with blogging and look forward to many more reporting on my product junkie finds.

In the upcoming weeks, you can look forward to a new look for Belle Belle Beauty.

Oh, and by the way, have you checked out my fashion blog, Su-perb?