Belle Belle Beauty

Blinged Out Matte Black Nails

My third installment with Suave^® and Q-tips^® for their awesome ManiCure Pinterest sweepstakes is all about texture! I’m sharing with you one of my favorite hot new finishes, matte, along with a little bling to bring it up a notch. Not only that, but I’ll also be sharing tips on keeping skin moisturized and nails looking clean and healthy.

Up first, a little detail about the ManiCure Pinterest sweepstakes– make sure to head over to the Suave Beauty Pinterest page and pin one of my featured looks (or any other looks by my fellow influencers) and copy the pin URL to the Suave Beauty Facebook page to enter for the chance to win Suave^® Skin Solutions Body Lotions and Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs or $500 for the ultimate day of beauty and style!

Over the past couple of days, I’ve been trying out Suave^® Skin Solutions Soothing Body Lotion with Aloe. I tend to have some redness in my skin, and I am happy to report that this formula works to calm any irritation caused dry skin and frequent hand washing. I can tell my nails and cuticles really do look richer and healthier. After moisturizing, I pushed back my cuticles and prepped nails with a base coat. Before the base coat, I used a little alcohol on a Q-tips^® Precision Tips™ cotton swab to make sure my nail beds were oil-free.

Next, I applied a matte black polish. You can also use a tradition shiny polish with a matte top coat (more on that next week). Particularly with these darker shades, I appreciate the Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs for cleaning up any mistakes on the cuticle and around the nail.

Allow the base matte polish to dry completely. I waited a couple hours to ensure it was totally dry. To add a little interest, I took an opaque white polish and added small graphic areas of shine. Using a nail art brush, I outlined the desired shape with the white polish and then colored in with a larger brush.

To really go Black Tie, glam it up with some rhinestones for a 3D effect. You can find these at any beauty supply story. Pick up the stone with tweezers and lay it onto mostly wet polish. Use a Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swab to press the rhinestone firmly onto the nail.

Generally, you can seal in these rhinestones with a top coat, but since we are going for a matte look, I skipped the top coat all together. I still find I got great staying power with both the polish and stone. And I certainly feel glam and festive!

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer for Suave® and Q-tips^®. Visit www.facebook.com/SuaveBeauty for the chance to win Suave^® Skin Solutions Body Lotions and Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs or $500 for the ultimate day of beauty and style.

Body Care For Fall

I love transitions between seasons. Sifting through makeup, fashion and fragrances, I’ve been rotating in more fall-friendly shades, textures and notes. My fruity perfume was temporarily retired while I returned to my beloved NEST Fragrances Midnight Fleur (and new White Sandlewood – more on that next week!). Sweaters are pulled down from the top shelf. And deeper, richer hues adorn my eyes and lips.

But routines don’t stop changing there. Taking care of your body, skin and health also requires some adjustment. Especially if you live in a part of the country that gets über dry. Read on for my top five body care items for the fall:

The newest scent from Bliss is ‘Grapefruit + Aloe’ which might sound more like Spring, but it is putting a pep in my step. Bliss ‘Grapefruit + Aloe’ Body Butter soothes my easily irritated skin and this long time favorite formula has no greasy feel. It also comes in a body wash and bubble bath.

Caudalie stole my heart when they came out with Divine Oil. The spray body oil has the best scent and is so nourishing for my skin. Now they really outdid themselves with Divine Legs, a perfectly bronze-y tinted lotion that works to improve the look of your legs (or arms or decolletage). Skip the hassle of self-tanner and slather on notes of grapefruit, rose, pink pepper, vanilla, cedar, and white musk.

Tom Ford Black Orchid Hydrating Emulsion is the ultimate in luxe body care. His fragrances are so perfectly unisex and those masculine notes fit with the changing season. This satin-like hydrating treatment has woodsy, spicy and floral notes.

You know me… I can’t resist a good body oil (see above). And Clarins ‘Tonic’ Body Treatment Oil goes above and beyond. This formula works to firm skin and can prevent pregnancy or weight loss related stretch marks. And you can’t beat the scent thanks to natural plant extracts and aromatic essential oils.

And I know I’ve mentioned it before, but this self-tanner takes the cake if you want to prolong that summer glow. Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse is super long-lasting, has great color and is odorless. I like applying with a mitt using Medium, but it is also available in Dark. Bonus for a gluten, cruelty, and oil free formula.

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.

NEW Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

Feeling a little bit sassy at this year’s NYFW, I chose quite the sassy lip to rock over the weekend: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69. And in the meantime I’ve also fallen hard for F-Bomb. But this lipstick isn’t all about naughty names. It is about a stellar formula that makes wearing these deep shades a cinch even with my dry lips.

69 (top) and F-Bomb (bottom)

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick is a version of that buttery, creamy lipstick we are seeing on counters. But Urban Decay really does it right with glide-on smoothness and intense color payoff thanks to Urban Decay’s Pigment Dispersion System™. The finish is shiny and opaque with just one layer. It plays so well with my drier lips thanks to jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. While it is available in 20 shades from nude to deep berry, may I suggest one of these reds above for a fall pop. Check out all the shades here:

Available at Sephora, Macy’s, Ulta and Beauty.com.

Emmy’s 2013 MVP: Michelle Dockery

There was something spellbinding about Michelle Dockery’s custom Prada gown. I loved the two shades of red – crimson and burgundy together. Color blocking and minimalism at its best. The makeup was equally neutral and classic, showing off Michelle’s great skin and killer brows. Jordan Long for Laura Mercier was inspired by watercolors by David Downton that were featured in January’s issue of Vanity Fair.

Get The Look:

Long first prepped the skin with a moisturizer, eye cream and Laura Mercier Lip Balm, ($20).
Next, Long applied a fine layer of Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation in Soft, using a damp sponge. Then she used Ivory, ($45) Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC#1, ($32) to conceal the skin only where needed.
She then brushed Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander, ($24) on the apples of the cheeks. In order to give Dockery a subtle glow, Long mixed Laura Mercier Secret Brightener, ($30) with the cream blush.
Next, she applied a light dusting of Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder, ($35), concentrating solely on the t-zone.
Lastly, Long layered Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander, ($24) on top of the powder, using the Laura Mercier Finishing Brush, ($42).

LIPS: Neutral lips contrasted the star’s bright, red gown

Long applied Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Bellini, ($24) to Dockery’s naturally pigmented lips.

EYES: Strong brows were the focal point of the eyes

First, Long blended Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Fresco, ($23) over the entire lid.
Next, she used the Laura Mercier Eye Crease Travel Brush, ($29) to blend in Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Ballet Pink, ($23) at the center of the lids and into the corner of the eyes, providing a subtle shimmer.
She then applied Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Blanc, ($23) just under the star’s brows.
Long smudged Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Espresso, ($22) very tightly to the lashline and followed with three coats of Laura Mercier Waterproof Mascara in Black, ($20) on the upper and lower lashes. She then added a strip of Laura Mercier Center Faux Eyelashes, ($18) to provide a “fluttery pop.”
To finish the look, Long filled in and slightly extended Dockery’s brows with Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Coffee Ground, ($23) using the Laura Mercier Angled Eye Colour Brush, ($29).

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

I know, I know… I can go on and on about my darned hyperpigmentation. But I am really going after it this fall. Now that I got basking in the sun out of my system (I am NOT doing that next summer), I can really go after the dark spots that have cropped up.

Let’s talk about hyperpigmentation. There are lots of different kinds: sun spots, age spots, darker freckles and a larger area of discoloration. And lots of different reasons behind it including:

Exposure to UV rays: While melanin can be a great asset, it won’t always protect from the harmful rays of the sun.
Heredity: Nearly 30% of African Americans, Asians and Latino Americans are prone to dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
Hormonal Changes: A change in estrogen levels during pregnancy, menopause or birth control pills can cause dark spots on your face and body.
Medications: Sometimes hyperpigmentation may be caused due to side effects of certain medicines, including some antibiotics.
Diet: According to recent studies certain diets with foods like parsley and lime can cause hyperpigmentation because they contain Psolarens which can make your skin more sensitive to sun exposure.

But no matter their cause or type, all hyperpigmentation is treated basically the same. You can start with kojic acid and vitamin C. There is even a mushroom extract that is said to work well. And many lab developed ingredients that are getting rave reviews. But it is actually a 50 year old ingredient that is still the tried and true (albeit controversial) combatant against hyperpigmentation: Hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone is the star of Murad’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum and it promised to make a dent in these dark spots in just one week. I was a bit skeptical since I love my Rx strength 4% Hydroquinone (usually only 2% strength is available over the counter). But, I’ll tell ya, it got this process going in a jiff! I have been using Murad’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum morning and night and I can see clear improvement. I am starting to work my Rx version in a little more at night to see if I can speed it up even more.

Also in the formula is Hexapeptide-2, a powerful skin lightening peptide that blocks future damage by helping prohibit pigment formation. And Glycolic Acid also works to exfoliate and enabling the Hydroquinone to work even more effectively. The gel like texture works well under makeup. And even my sensitive skin isn’t irritated by the active ingredients. I am requiring a little more hydration, but that also could be due to a change in season.

Murad’s Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is available at Sephora, Beauty.com and Murad.

Classic Nude Nails With A Twist!

For my second installment with Suave^® and Q-tips^® for their awesome ManiCure Pinterest sweepstakes, not only am I sharing how to get awesome DIY nail art looks, I’ll also be sharing tips on keeping skin hydrated and nails looking clean and healthy. This week is all about classic nail looks. And today, I am showing off a look inspired by a classic French style manicure. Nude nails with a reverse metallic moon – how’s that for a twist?

After a week of moisturizing with Suave^® Skin Solutions Smoothing Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter & Shea, I can tell my nails and cuticles really do look richer and healthier. I pushed back my cuticles and prepped nails with a base coat. Before the base coat, I used a little alcohol on a Q-tips^® Precision Tips™ cotton swab to make sure my nail beds were oil-free.

Next, I layered a relatively opaque nude in two coats and allowed to dry thoroughly. I love the Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swabs for cleaning up any mistakes on the cuticle and around the nail. They really help me achieve a precise finish without having to be perfect along the way.

Using those re-enforcements from our Trapper Keeper days, lay one on each nail at your desired length above the cuticle to shape where the reverse half-moon will appear. You really want to make sure polish is completely dried before doing this because the adhesive on the stickers can pull off your nude polish if it is the slightest bit wet.

Paint in a metallic polish from the bottom of the nude polish up to the sticker. Make sure the sticker is adhered well for the most defined line. Again, you can use a Q-tips^® Precision Tips^™ cotton swab with a little remover to clean up any mistakes around the cuticle.

Allow to dry a couple of minutes and remove. Voila!