Belle Belle Beauty

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner

The love affair with Net-a-Porter’s new beauty department continues. They have continued to add brands that are unique and luxe, curating a collection that is distinctive and irresistible. While I have heard of many of the brands – By Terry, Josie Maran and Tata Harper – some are new to me. I dove into Ilia by checking out their lip conditioners – and I’m smitten.

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner is that hybrid lip product that is oh-so-hot right now. The buttery texture and just a little tint make it easy to use and healing for your lips. I’ve been wearing Nobody’s Baby which is a very sheer nude. But if you want a little more pigment: Blossom Lady (softer pink), Bang Bang (hot pink), or Desert Angel (a darker mauve). And for those who want zero color: Balmy Days.

The formula gets its nourishing properties from Cocoa Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E. Jasmine and Orange oils give it a pleasant, spa-like scent. While you are hydrating, Pomegranate Seed Extract works as an anti-aging anti-oxidant. Better looking lips over the short and long term!

New SimpleSense Tool from Simple Skincare

I am a total sucker for personalization. If your skin is anything like mine, it doesn’t just fall cleanly into one category. It can be dry, sensitive and even break out. Beyond that, I’ve come to focus more and more on routines like nutrition, sleep and exercise – outside of products – and how they affect my complexion.

Simple Skincare must have heard my tune, because their newest tool looks not only at your skincare regimen, but also your diet, exercise, lifestyle and stress levels to determine a routine for better skin. The Simple Sense questionnaire only takes about five minutes, but is a great way to take inventory of how you are treating your skin.

After answering questions, I had an ah-ha moment. Of the three focus areas Simple suggested I hone into, one was sleep. It really needs to be more of a priority for me. Another was “Polish”, so important for that radiant skin I crave. Swing by the Simple Skincare website and take Simple Sense and let me know in the comments if you had any ah-ha moments with your results!

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Top Five for May

I’m loving all this silky, healing goodness for the start of the spring. While I am whipping my body into shape for some swimwear, I am also working on my skin and hair, wanting it hydrated and still natural looking. So for you today: a little top five round up of what is rocking my world lately.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Skin Therapy Oil is from one of those iconic drugstore brands but totally revamped to make me fall in love all over again. This oil helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks or just regular ole dry skin. My uneven and ultra-dry legs have been loving this stuff right out of the shower. The Rapidermal® Absorption Systeme® means just a short wait before you can throw on clothes. Also know this can be used on the face or as a bath oil. Made in USA.

Flower Face the World Tinted Moisturizer is part of Drew Barrymore’s new makeup line exclusively at Wal-Mart. I was tripping over myself to try out the collection, particularly when I heard how it performs luxe at drugstore prices. The tinted moisturizer, available in 11 shades, is a light-coverage, luminous cream. It hides perfections and smooths with out cakey heaviness. Even my dry skin gets plenty of moisture. I can honestly say I have been reaching exclusively for this as my BB Cream/Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer since it landed in my hot little hands.

Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser, another gem from Net-a-Porter’s new beauty section, is a ultra-high quality foaming cleanser. The A-list isn’t shy about signing the praises of this cleanser. It gently exfoliates and prevents breakouts while aromatherapy works to relax and recharge. Its namesake ayurvedic anti-aging Amla Extract is rich in Vitamin C while Hawaiian Green Papaya enzymes exfoliate.

POE Pumpkin Perfecter Enzyme Mask might smell very fall but those active pumpkin enzymes are perfect to embrace all year round. The anti-oxidant rich pure pumpkin promotes cellular turnover. The gentle formula would work for more sensitive skin types and can be used up to three times a week.

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm promises to repairs a year of damage in one use – sign me UP! Even though I don’t chemically treat my hair, I have seen some more damage around the ends over the past year. The luxurious balm works to instantly improve the appearance of split ends, rough ends, weakness and dullness. After one use my hair was silkier and shiner. One of the biggest bonuses? My hair wasn’t weighted down. It was still bouncy and full.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS 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.

Blake Lively and NARS at Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala 2013

After sifting through some beautiful and other more “interesting” looks from last night’s Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala, I am left with a true respect for artistry. While some of the looks I found frankly unattractive, I appreciated the punk theme inspired by the Met’s newest exhibit, PUNK: Chaos to Couture. Makeup artists were really allowed to show creativity and unique styles, albeit some not really great for everyday wear. One look I wouldn’t hesitate to try for an evening out is is Blake Lively’s.

NARS and celebrity makeup artist Elaine Offers was first inspired by “Blake’s signature approach: luminous beautiful skin.” The more dramatic and serious eye was a “nod to the punk theme”. Thanks to her layered and gauzy skirt, the overall look is “both glamorous and edgy.”

Key items used:

Mesopotamia Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Bali Single Eyeshadow) | Ubangi Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil) | Black Valley Eye Paint (NEW for Fall 2013; for now try Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner) | Floralies Satin Lip Pencil

images: here and here

Pierre Hardy for NARS

A couple weeks back, I filled you guys in on the entire collection created by Pierre Hardy for NARS. Now that I’ve had a chance to try out some of the products, I wanted to share my thoughts.

Rotonde is a unqiue and vibrant blush palette. At first, I thought the coral/apricot color was to vivid for my skin tone. But after a blending session, my skin looked enlivened and summer-like. And of course it has that iconic silky texture like all of the NARS blushes. Pierre Hardy’s iconic avant-garde print is only a gold overlay, so I will be sad to see it go. But for now, it is oh so pretty.

The nail duo I snatched up was Sharks. I was plesantly surprised how flattering the lavender was on my skin tone. And the accent of the yellow gave a cheerful spring look. The duos are packaged in an adorable “shoebox” including even a dust bag for storage.

Like other NARS polishes, I get a shiny finish. It isn’t as long wear as other brands but I got a decent run out of this manicure. NARS polishes also include UV protection to prevent polish discoloration and are 3-FREE (Toluene, formaldehyde and DBP free).

Melanoma Monday

In honor of Melanoma Monday, I encourage everyone to use this helpful guide from the American Academy of Dermotology. The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98%, so be sure to check your skin regularly, don’t use tanning beds and make sure to wear sunscreen everyday.