Belle Belle Beauty

Lovely Links: Feeling Fall

I’m loving all the fall beauty and fashion news out there this Labor Day Weekend. Some of my favorites from the last couple of weeks celebrating the change of seasons:

– the sparkle highlights one of my favorite shades for fall: navy

– 312 Beauty has the lowdown on liquid liner

– Atlantic-Pacific has me wanting to wear black and white

– this fringed scarf has my name on it

– samantha has me dying to visit this spot

– make sure to check out my debut column in September’s Oklahoma Magazine!

– check me out on the glossarie talking about my beloved Simple Skincare

And Happy Labor Day Weekend! A little sale news for you shoppers:

Tory Burch is having up to 30% this weekend only with code: LABORDAY. I love this classic coat!
Take an extra 20% off sale items with code TAKE 20 at Bloomingdales.
Cusp has 40-60% off regular prices.
Get an extra 30% off sale items at Madewell with code: BYESUMMER. Love this shrunken blazer.
J.Crew is having 25% off select women’s denim until Sept 2!
New items were just added to the Shopbop Sale.
Nordstrom’s Shoe Sale just launched where you can save up to 40% off.
40% off everything at Express

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Laura Mercier Dark Spell Collection

The coming cooler season calls for dark and moody shades and radiant festive glimmer. The newest collection from Laura Mercier, Dark Spell, is inspired by the magical ways of women, evoking mystery and fantasy. The emphasis is on smoldering and bold eyes and illuminated skin. I’ve been checking out some of the collection and am inspired by the spirited look. And finally rocking some serious smoky eyes.

Laura Mercier ‘Dark Spell Collection’ Baked Eye Color in Mystical uses her esteemed baked technology. You can use this wet or dry. There is quite a bit of shimmer, but it blends well. I like applying with my finger and smudging out for a glistening grey. The effect is almost a wash of color. But this isn’t for the timid – there is quite a bit of shimmer. I get great wear out of this, and it is transfer and crease-free.

Laura Mercier ‘Dark Spirit’ Satin Matte Eyeshadow is for those who don’t want quite as much sparkle. And frankly has been a favorite for me. The eyeshadow has a dreamy creamy texture that applies matte. Also long wearing, Dark Spirit doesn’t dust or fall out. This is the first product I’ve tried where I can get that inky pigmented look without fear, thanks to the ease of application. It also can be used wet or dry. The wet application is perfect for an black, smudgy lined eye. The shade is a true black with very little grey, green or blue.

Laura Mercier ‘Spellbound’ Face Illuminator, the standout beauty of the collection, has tremendous packaging. The rippled hybrid product gives long-wearing illumination. The rosy shimmer is creamy but to the touch, but has a buildable pearl finish. I’ve been dusting it on like a highlighter with a powder brush for a very subtle glow. Using my fingers, I can get a more emphatic highlight. And I also love it layered on the eyes for a rose gold opaque look.

Make sure to check out my reviews of other Dark Spell products, Kohl Liner Extreme and Eye Canvas.

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.

COOLA Mineral Face Sunscreen

I’ve found a new favorite face SPF in COOLA’s new mineral collection. They are formulated with my beloved physical sunblockers, yet have the most transparent application and beautiful finish! These three formulas are all slightly different, each suited for preferences and skin type. And I love that it is a feel-good product; all formulas are vegan friendly, cruelty-free and organic.

First up is the Mineral SPF 30 Cucumber Matte Finish which has a light and natural cucumber scent. The lotion is white but applies transparent. The finish is silky, matte and works well under makeup. It is also made with organic Rose Hip Oil, rich in free radical fighting Vitamin C. Shea Butter smooths and hydrates skin. This is my pick for those who have oilier skin or those who need a gluten-free formula.

COOLA’s Mineral SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint has the same abundant organic ingredients as the Cucumber Matte Finish, but has a very slight tint. Also well suited for oilier skin, this could be worn on its own for very very light coverage. And if you are sensitive to or prefer no scent, this is right up your alley! This one is also gluten-free.

Mineral SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint is my personal favorite. Most like a true CC Cream, this formula provides a little bit of coverage and much needed hydration. Rose, usually not my favorite scent, is very light and actually pleasant – likely because of its organic nature. This one is also zinc-free for those who are sensitive to that ingredient. Organic Acai Oil contains vitamins and Omaga-3s, providing defense against aging. Organic Sunflower Seed Extract and Linseed Oil help with elasticity and redness. And Cucumber Extract helps calm my easily irritated skin.

From transparent to tinted, unscented to roses, you can’t go wrong with these from COOLA. Take your pick at coolasuncare.com.

New From NARS – Blush Palettes and A Swoonworthy Gift Set

For Fall, NARS is launching some pretty iconic blush palettes and a gift set in honor of one of my favorite cities, Los Angeles. First up, these blush palettes are perfect for makeup artists and budding makeup artists alike. Multiple shades can add depth and dimension and these four iconic and top-selling shades in both palettes are sure to be crowd pleasers.

Adult Content (above) has the following shades (clockwise from top left):

Zen: Natural Beige
Miss Liberty: Soft, shimmering peach
Deep Throat: Flirty, sheer peach
Desire: Cotton candy pink

Killing Me Softly (above) has the following shades (clockwise from top left):

Gilda: Perfect coral with a hint of red
Albatross: Luminous glow
Orgasm: Peachy pink with golden shimmer
Outlaw: Soft rose tone with golden shimmer

Available beginning September 1, 2013 at Nordstrom and narscosmetics.com for $49.

I still am lusting over NARS’ last gift set, NARS Hearts NYC so this might be one that I just cannot pass up. Especially since there are a handful of shades and products included that I already know and love. Based on the city’s top-selling shades, this set evokes the glamour of LA. Includes:

Eye and Cheek Palette:

Deep Throat Blush: Flirty, sheer peach
Abyssinia Eyeshadow: Delicate pearl sheen
Étrusque Eyeshadow: Antique
Outremer Eyeshadow: Bright true blue
Bali Eyeshadow: Neutral brown
Laguna Bronzing Powder: Brown with golden shimmer

Nail Polish in Trouville (Seashell pink)

Lip gloss in Turkish Delight (Pink sherbet)

Available September 1, 2013 at Barney’s Beverly Hills, Nordstrom (Topanga, Glendale, Westside, Farmers Market, Santa Anita, Santa Monica) and Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills for $75.

NARS Fall Sneak Peek: Eye Paints

Yet another fun and innovative release from NARS for Fall! These Eye Paints are just in time for that season where our looks get deeper and bolder. These high pigment products are advertised as both eyeliner and eyeshadow. I was sure I would only be using them to line, but I am loving these for a wash of color too!

Unlike other gel liners, these guys are weightless and smooth to apply. I’ve been using the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush to use these as a liner, but NARS is also offering a new Angled Eyeliner Brush #38 that is on my wish list. I use my finger or a fluffy eyeshadow brush like this one to get pigment from my lid to crease. Then blending upwards with a clean finger so there is no harsh line.

Particularly unique is Eye Paints’ genuine staying power. Even along the waterline, I get all-night wear and as a shadow, the pigment stays long and strong. NARS is offering the Eye Paints in 10 colors from classic to modern to edgy. I love Black Valley as a liner and both Mesopotamia and Ubangi make for great shadows.

Available in 10 shades:

Black Valley (black)
Mesopotamia (brown)
Transvaal (gray)
Solomon Islands (turquoise blue)
Mozambique (olive green)
Snake Eyes (black with green shimmer)
Tatar (black with purple shimmer)
Ubangi (black with blue shimmer)
Interstellar (silver)
Iskandar (gold)

The full range of Eye Paints ($25) and the angled eyeliner brush ($26) will be available September 1st at Nordstrom and narscosmetics.com.

Finally Bombshell Hair With Sultra!

My hair is so very stubborn when it comes to curls. I have had some luck with professional help as long as they pin the curls as they cool. But that trick isn’t so easy when you are in DIY mode. And a little time consuming for an everyday look. So I was a little hesitant when the new Sultra The Bombshell 3/4 Inch showed up on my doorstep.

This Friday, pre-Journey concert (what better place to try for Bombshell waves?), I whipped out my new Sultra with little hope. After rough drying my hair and using a paddle brush upside down for the most volume (using this product at the roots), I set in for some curl. The Sultra promises to curl in half the time as other curlers. With the Sultra’s high heat and advanced technology, I got a smooth bouncy curl in just around five seconds.

Holding the rod facing downward (in my right hand for the left side and vice versa for the right side), I wrapped a one inch section down the barrel. Wearing the included protective glove, I aimed to get the end as close to the barrel as possible. For more beachy waves or an undone look, leave a little piece uncurled at the end.

Constantly aware of heat damaging my hair, I try to stay away from using things like irons on an everyday basis. But I don’t feel too guilty about the Sultra as it uses their exclusive ThermaTru™ Ceramic Technology, which generates Far Infrared Rays. This technology can mend and defend hair while using constant 380 °F heat. My hair stayed silky and really smooth despite the styling. Thank you Sultra, for my finally DIY bouncy curls.