Belle Belle Beauty

Radiant’s ‘Kiss Slavery Goodbye Lipstick’

Did you know January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month? Just like last year, Radiant Cosmetics is raising awarness with their ‘Kiss Slavery Goodbye Lipstick’ campaign. To show my support, I’ve been wearing Daphne and Moscow. Daphne is a creamy, shocking pink. Moscow is more of a wine-stain. Interested in helping? Here is how you can pitch in:

1. On top of the usual 20% of profits donated, every lipstick purchase during the month of January will be matched and we’ll donate one to a survivor or current victim of human trafficking.

2. Post a Picture – Print out and hold the #KissSlaveryGoodbye sign, wear your favorite Radiant Lipstick and take a picture.

3. Share the campaign via Social Media – Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

5. Change your Facebook and Twitter Cover – You can find these on Radiant’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream

It is a new year. The calendar page has turned. And anti-aging just got real. I’m 33 but have been using quality skin care for years. My skin is on the dry side, so most products I pick are for more mature skin, filled with anti-aging benefits. It has paid off. But as I enter the stage where fine lines are bound to crop up, I am going to step up my game.

Just in the nick of time, Kiehl’s recently released their Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream. It takes a whole new approach to tackling fine lines and wrinkles, going after elasticity. Elasticity starts its decline in the 20s (yikes) when elastin and collegen fibers start to weaken and decrease. Key ingredients like Copper PCA and Calcium PCA and Apricot Kernal Oil strengthen skin’s fiber network, improving texture moisture and elasticity. Boom… younger looking skin.

In addition to strengthening and forming elastin, Copper is also an antioxidant, improving the barrier function of skin and protecting from oxidative stress. Calcium also helps with skin barrier function. Lastly, the dose of hydration immediately improves skin texture, looking plump and buoyant.

The formula is designed for all ages. While it is adequately hydrating for my drier skin, it isn’t heavy or pore-clogging so no fear if you happen to be more combination. It does have a slight metallic smell which I actually find quite pleasing. The light cream blends easily and works well under makeup. Also, available with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and as an eye cream.

NARS Spring Color 2013

Today marks the day! NARS Spring Color Collection is available now on shelves. I have been wearing three peices of the collection for a week or so. All three have a sort of subtle punk glamour. However, the whole collection is more assertive:

Fresh and fierce, strong and sexy; the Spring 2013 Color Collection introduces a vibrant, ‘90s-esquepalette that sets the tone for a season of audaciously feminine looks.

Cythère Velvet Lip Gloss is a soft, metallic rose. I’m a long time fan of these pencils (see review here) which are glossy and hydrating while still uncannily long-wearing. The rose slants slightly more brown than pink, making it an almost nude and really feminine – a great shade to balance so many of the bolder shades in the collection. It does have that suggestion of frost a la 90’s but not in a cliche way.

I was new to the Soft Touchshadow Pencils. They are a relatively new product designed for smooth, long wear color. I’d like to note: these shades look really brillant in the package. I was slightly intimidated to wear these. (I still hadn’t worn Aigle Noir, part of the holiday collection). So, I grabbed Corcavado, a true 24 karat gold and part of Spring 2013 Color, and Aigle Noir and started playing.

These pencils give just a wash of color making them so much more wearable than I expected. I suppose you could layer for a full, opaque color, but I love using Corcavado for a wash of gold. Aigle Noir is perfect for the lower last line when you have a smokier, sultry eye. The shimmer is a festive level, but not adolescent I’m treasuring these for priming or layering under other looks to add some oomph.

Lastly, I’ve been rocking Disco Inferno Nail Polish. I was hoping this would be slightly more opaque. But I am so smitten with the shade, I’ll let it slide. This is three coats and I am almost tempted to add a fourth. That was the case with Desperado and Space Odyssey, reviewed here and here. It has the perfect iridescence reminiscent of holograms seen all over the runways, like this clutch from Proenza Schouler.

Shop the post here:

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.

MAC Paint Pot

Much like my obsession with MAC ‘Mineralize Volcanic Ash’ Exfoliator, I just can’t live without the MAC Paint Pot. I’d seen it on blogs, heard makeup artists rave about it and even tried it out at counters. But I never pulled the trigger until a gift card landed in my lap. Painterly was the shade of choice, although I am quite certain I would take every single shade.

I apply using my fingers. While the formula looks like a paste, it is creamy and slightly slippery. The opaque, highly pigmented color in Painterly makes for a great “blank canvas” and primer for other looks. I also just like it alone for a neutral, natural eye. For a while, I tried to embrace my darker lids, but I will always prefer neutralizing the purplish undertones, even if I am not wearing shadows on top.

The formula blends evenly without any tugging to a creaseless, seemless layer. And lasts all day long. I’ve been mixing the Paint Pot successfully with powder shadows, cream shadows and liners from just about any line. Rubenesque, Blackground and Bare Study are at the top of the list to add to my collection. Add another “can’t live without” to the books!

Get The Golden Globe Look – Belle Belle’s Top Five

Katharine McPhee went the daring route with a plunging neckline and classic black. The twitterverse was split on the dress, but you can’t deny that Katherine looks beautiful. Artist Jake Bailey adds “Katharine’s dress looks like it belongs in a Helmut Newton photograph, so I thought the makeup should be strong and sultry…the kind of eye makeup that would be in one of those photographs. It’s an eye look for sure – a smoky eye with a beautiful nude skin palette.” All makeup used was NARS.

FACE:

Radiant Creamy Concealer (New for Spring 2013)
Light Reflecting Setting Powder – Pressed (New for Spring 2013)

EYES:

LIPS:

Biscayne Park Satin Lip Pencil (New for Spring 2013)

Makeup Artist Stephen Sollitto complimented Amy Adams’ “ballet pink” Marchesa gown with soft, but sophisticated makeup. Flawless complexion was played up by her eyes and natural, luxe lips.

FACE:

Sollitto prepped Adams’ skin using RèVive Moisture Serum Extreme to ensure the star’s skin remain moisturized throughout the red carpet and award show.
Next, he applied Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – Oil Free to give the skin a sheer hint of colour.
To complete her flawless face and create a natural-looking glow, he applied Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Canyon to Amy’s cheek bones, followed by Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander to the apples of her cheeks.

EYES:

Sollitto applied Laura Mercier Secret Concealer around Adams’ eye area to conceal imperfections.
Next, he applied Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour in Sandstone to add a hint of natural colour.
He then applied Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colour in Twinkling Star to create depth and definition.
Next, he blended Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour in Sable onto the top of her lids and under her bottom lashes.
Sollitto lined Adams’ eyes using Dior Style Liner and applied Dior DiorShow Backstage Makeup Mascara to elongate her lashes.

LIPS:

Sollitto applied Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Plum Orchid to the star’s lips, and then completed the look by applying Laura Mercier Lip Glacè in Raspberry.

Celebrity makeup artist, Jeannia Robinette, was inspired by Salma Hayek’s midnight blue dress and balanced the glamourous dress with youthful and fresh makeup. “The eyes are very luminescent – we lightened them up with coppers and silvery peach, then gave them depth with eggplant and plum. With a bright lip, the look was trendy, young, and modern.” All makeup used was NARS.

FACE:

Radiant Creamy Concealer (New for Spring 2013)
Light Reflecting Powder – Pressed (New for Spring 2013)

EYES:

Skorpios Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
Bouthan Duo Eyeshadow (New for Spring 2013)
Copcacabana Multiple

LIPS:

Red Square Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Lodhi Satin Lip Pencil (New for Spring 2013)

Celebrity Makeup Artist Fiona Stiles went for modern Hollywood Glamour for Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s look. I like that it is slightly more bold than my other picks. That pink lip is one of my favorites of the night.

FACE:

”I dusted Burberry’s Warm Glow Summer Glow no.4 Bronzer on Rosie’s cheekbones and forehead for a healthy, fresh glow. Rosie is so incredibly gorgeous and a bit of sun-kissed glow really suits her.”

Foundation: Burberry Velvet Foundation “Trench no. 207”
Concealer: Laura Mercier Secret Concealer #3
Luminizer: Benefit “Sun Beam”
Powder: Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre #30

EYES:

“I kept Rosie’s eyes very simple; a soft wash of neutral color and a bit of definition in the socket. I elongated the eye with a brown pencil, and softened the line with mark I-Mark Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Tabac. I love using brown because it’s so sexy but maintains a soft look. Next, I applied two coats of mark Lash All You Want High-Volume Mascara in Black to Rosie’s top lashes and one coat of mark Lash All You Want High-Volume Mascarain Brown/Black to her bottom lashes. I groomed her brows using Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash, lightly sculpting them with pencil to create the perfect frame for her face.”

Eyeshadow: Burberry “Trench no. 2” and Burberry “Almond no. 6”
Eyeliner: Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in “brown Copper”

LIPS:

“I applied mark Lipclick Full Color Lipstick in Cha Cha for a gorgeous Hollywood finish. A red lip creams glamour, but I matted down the finish and made the edges soft and undefined, patting it on with my finger for a less overpowering look.”

And my award for best hair goes to Kate Hudson – soft, shiny but full and smooth hair. Celebrity hairstylist, David Babaii remarks “Kate is my generation’s Brigitte Bardot showing off soft voluptuous hair that is touchable, glamorous and now Kate’s very own signature look.” note: IT&LY is found in salons.

David started with IT&LY’s Pure Water Drops Serum before blow drying.
Next, he added IT&LY’s Pure Style Mousse Strong and used a medium round brush at the root area to add volume then switching to a large round brush to smooth and create soft rounded edges.
After drying, David created a natural side part spritzing IT&LY’s Pure Volumizing Eco at the base for added lift and down the shaft for more piecey definition.
For her sexy fringe he wrapped the bang area around a medium round brush spraying a small amount of IT&LY’s Pure Volumizing Eco again. With the blow dryer temperature on high, he directed heat on the brush followed by a quick blast of cool air to set. Gently he removed the brush to release the fringe.
With his fingers he combed through and allowed the hair to fall naturally into place.
To finish, he misted the hair with IT&LY Pure Definition Hair Spray for soft touchable hair with memory hold.

I’d love to hear your favorite looks of the evening in the comments below!

Katherine McPhee photo by Just Jared and Salma Hayek photo by Getty

Brand Spotlight: Amarté Skin Care

I love reviewing skin care systems that embrace regimen approach. When products are designed to work together, I feel my skin gets a re-boot – almost like a cleanse for the face. The system is comprised of four components: cleansing, moisturization, rejuvenation and protection. The Heart & Seoul Collection, the set I tried out, encompasses all these steps in one easy package.

Amarté views cleansing as a fundamental part of skin care, maintaining integrity and skin barrier function. The Daily Wonder Cleansing Foam has that creamy formula which plays so nice with my dry skin. At the same time, I love foaming action to really get my skin clean.

Amarté has a two-step approach to moisture. At first, I was confused how to layer and use these two products: Aqua Veil and HydroLift. But after I was instructed to use Aqua Veil first, followed by HydroLift, I found my dry skin uniquely quenched. The hydration was “sealed in” with the second, richer application. The Aqua Veil is a cucumber-infused moisturizer on the light side. It might be just perfect for the warm summer months. I love the fresh, nourishing feel without any heaviness. The heavier HydroLift works agains fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol works on tone and texture while caviar extract and acacia collagen deeply hydrate to plump the skin.

Restoration comes next with the Eyeconic Eye Cream, coupled with an applicator like I’ve never seen before. The formula contains 3.8% stabilized retinol, while remaining gentle and elegant. I experience zero irritation and am thrilled to find an eye cream turbo charged with retinol.

The Heart & Seoul Collection also included two travel size containers for their Natural Finish BB Cream. My friend, Amber, reviewed a full size of the BB Cream here and I share in her enthusiasm. It is truly a best of breed with great coverage, natural finish and rigorous skin care. The SPF 36 is up to my standards and the consistancy is rich and smooth. The formula contains antioxidants and complexion enhancers

If you feel the New Year is bringing a need for a little re-set, I highly recommend the Heart & Seoul Collection. The portions are generous and it is a great way to expose yourself to the brand. At the very least, check out the BB Cream. The collection can be found at www.amartecosmetics.com.

A little about the brand: The Amarté Skin Care has deep roots in Korea, but was discovered by an American dermatologist, Dr. Kraffert, and introduced to the West. The line is developed at a Bio Regional Innovation Center using leading science, maintaining its roots in luxurious and results-oriented skin care.