Get The Look Video: Holiday Luxe

Holiday Luxe by Sara Jane Mercer on Belle Belle Beauty

I was so excited to stumble upon Clean, Pure and Simple – a blog about Manhattan, Whole Living lifestyle. The editor, Sara Jane Mercer, does it all – cooks, coaches (she’s a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach) and writes both on the blog and also for Whole Living Magazine. Her attitude towards wellness is friendly, approachable and inspiring – definitely has become one of my daily reads.

And being the beauty junkie I am… I automaticlly zeroed in on her great knowlege of natural skincare and makeup lines like Tata Harper, Jane Iredale and Ilia Beauty. So, after a little chatting, we decided to debut a series of beauty videos created by Sara and her makeup artist, Rebecca Casciano, on Belle Belle! Over the next couple of days, you will find several Get The Look short films featured. To get us started… Holiday Luxe. Hope you enjoy as much as I do.


“Holiday makeup should be all about shimmer and shine! For holiday parties and New Year’s Eve I like a bold eye with a slight metallic feel to it. When emphasizing your eyes make sure to keep the rest of your face subtle and neutral or you risk looking overdone!”

The final look:

SJM's Final Holiday Luxe Look on Belle Belle Beauty

Links for brands used:

image by Mia MacDonald 

Holiday Shopping Makeup – An Afternoon Out

holiday shopping makeup on Belle Belle Beauty

I got a touch overwhelmed with work yesterday. You know that point when you approach complete lack of productivity? Yeah, I hit that. So, I put on some winter makeup and headed out for some holiday shopping. I took the opportunity to use some odds and ends in the makeup drawer and want to highlight some favorites:

  • Laura Mercier ‘Art Deco Muse Collection’ Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge: I got so many compliments on this shade. It was balanced – not too warm and not too cool. The finish was ultra-shiny, it was easy to apply and I got a couple hours of wear out of it.
  • stila ‘all over shimmer’ liquid luminizer  (sample from birchbox): Highlighter can approach too disco on me, but this version is blendable and fairly sheer. I love it on my cheekbones.
  • Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow in Black: This liner applies like a gel and is super long-wear. The best part is the ultra-fine brush it comes with for a perfectly precise line.
  • CARGO Blu_ray Pressed Powder: This oil-free powder uses photochromatic pigments to automatically color correct make-up. It is micro-fine so lines are filled and imperfections are camoflauged. This is a great addition to tinted moisturizer or BB Cream when you just need a touch more.
  • NARS Illuminator Orgasm: I’m just not a fan of Orgasm blush on me, but this Illuminator is a different story. The sheer nature keeps it from being too orange. I love the subtle color on my cheeks when I am more fair during the winter months.

While I was out, I stopped at the local Le Métier de Beauté counter to check out their newest eye kit – it is a beauty! 

Shades include (from top to bottom):

  • Axiom: sublime bronzed umber
  • Graphic: silver liquid metal
  • Crucible: rich pomegranate
  • Genre: deep gun metal  

Loads of new and fabulous things are happening at Belle Belle for the holiday season and new year. The aforementioned overwhelming feeling was completely born from fabulous projects and partnerships – all on a happy note. Speaking of happy… I am thrilled to report I reached 10,000 Pinterest followers yesterday! Thank you followers – and for those of you who aren’t… link here. Cheers!

Belle Belle Beauty on Pinterest

Nest Passiflora Eau De Parfum

Nest Passiflora Eau De Parfum on Belle Belle Beauty

You guys might already know that NEST Fragrances is my preferred home fragrance brand. I currently have their holiday candle burning away. So, I was on the edge of my seat to try their first foray into personal scent. If it goes half as well as their personal care collection, it is a winner.

I’ve been (happily) testing the Passiflora version for the past couple of days. My first reaction was: “how unusual! It is unlike anything I have ever worn.” On me, the lush green notes dominate. It is a fresh, clean, organic kind of smell. There are notes of passion flower, water hyacinth and lily of the valley that peek through.

The second reaction was to the stunning bottle. But, NEST Fragrances has always been a packaging master. The artwork is inspired by 18th Century artist Mrs. Delany. And the artwork even inspired the scent: the company worked with master perfumers to compose complex and exquisite fine fragrances that best represent Mrs. Delany’s unique and meticulous artwork. And the matte black bottle looks so sleek, it deserves to be displayed.

It could be said that this is more of a spring scent, but it is on the heavier side. And I think the green notes work great with holiday cheer. Now I’m dying to try Midnight Fleur now because we all know I am an amber freak! Hear that, Santa?

mark All Lit Up Lemon Sugar Scented Candle

Mark Lemon Sugar Candle on Belle Belle Beauty

This mark Lemon Sugar candle is burning up a storm at chez Belle Belle. You probably know from this post that I am a huge lemon fan (lemon sugar is the perfect balance between sweet and fresh). I love the change of pace from all the cinnamon, alpine and fir business of holiday candles. Pick up some lemon sugar for yourself 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.

Prescriptives Live Chat Custom Blend

One of my first memories of makeup is the iconic Presciptives counter. I loved the scientific look of the jars along with the familiar scent of Calyx. I was surprised in 2010 when the brand promptly shuttered their counters given so many people were devoted (note: the brand was still available online). In particular, people loved the custom blended foundation and powders. Turns out it was pretty expensive to have those highly trained master blenders at every counter.

After months of calls from distressed customers hankering for their custom blend, the brand launched a video chat to bring the service to a new generation of women. Last month, they officially launched Live Chat Custom Blend, offering “Color Printing” to customers everywhere there was an internet connection.

Prescriptives Powder on Belle Belle Beauty

Always at the cutting edge, Presciptives now has the latest in digital innovation. I booked an appointment on prescriptives.com and pretty soon, Nikki and I were chatting face to face about what I wanted in a foundation. She asked me about current favorite brands and shades – and what I would change if I could about those formulas. We talked how my skin tended to behave (hello, redness). I uploaded photos of my bare face. I also sent over a shot of my bare face with my two favorite foundations striped on my cheek. She was able to tweak coverage, skin care elements, corrective color and desired finish.

Prescriptives Custom Blend on Belle Belle Beauty

While you can send back your initial recipie for correction, very few people require this step. I certainly didn’t. It might be hard for me to go back to any other brand (even my beloved Armani) because this matches my skin exactly. Exactly. Nikki’s formula for me was sheer, but buildable with a “breathable hyaluronic acid” for moisture and a touch of luminescence. And while I like powder, it wasn’t in the daily rotation – it is now. I love the perfectly toned finish and the way it sets my foundation and concealer. Nikki advised me on a touch bronzier shade of powder (which is almost undetectable) but it warms up my complexion beautifully.

Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder on Belle Belle Beauty

And for those of you who already have your recipie, you are all set to go. Although the video chat is such a fun experience, you might want to do it anyway! And the site also has a ton of great “how to” videos here.

Still Christmas shopping? May I suggest a Prescriptives Gift Card?

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.

images here, here, here and here

NARS The Multiple in Palm Beach

NARS Multiple Palm Beach on Belle Belle Beauty

François Nars was pretty genius coming up with “The Multiple” – the original multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. The cream to powder formula is perfectly sheer, transforming skin to bronze, golden, peach or shimmer.

Right now I am all gaga over The Multiple in Palm Beach. I love using it as a bronzer/contour below my cheekbones and on my temples. I swipe a little on my lids for a bronzy red wash of color. And a little on the lips for a tint. Perfect for easy weekend wear. And all just with your fingers! There is also a little skin care bonus: The Multiple is enriched with Vitamin E and açai oil for antioxidant benefit.