Belle Belle Beauty

Holiday Gifting – bareMinerals Main Attraction

Happy Cyber Monday – hope you all are having fun getting your shop on. Some amazing deals I posted on Friday are still going on so make sure to check out this post before you hit “BUY”. Speaking of holiday shopping, I have another gift idea to share with you today:

I continue to be blown away when it comes to the value in bareMinerals gift sets. They are truly an awesome deal – flawless in delivery of quality products and formulas that are certainly crowd-pleasers. It can be tricky buying makeup for someone else, but their concoctions seem to always suit a wide range of complexions and skin types.

This technically is a set to create a “screen siren look” but I find the contents are more like a fabulous, neutral everyday look. The eye shadows are a shimmery light pinky gold and deeper chocolate. I like wearing the lighter Matinee all over lids for a quick and easy look. The set instructs Opening Night, the darker brown, in the crease and along the lower lash line but it is a little dramatic for me. I tend to limit just a wash of Opening Night in the center of my lids.

The Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliner in Absolute Black is an all-day workhorse. I only really wear black eyeliner but this one isn’t so intense and I like the less inky look for daytime. And a favorite is always the Lash Domination 10-in-one Volumizing mascara with its wacky brush and conditioning formula.

Typically, I am not a huge blush fan but Flair is fairly sheer and can be built into a deeper shade. On me, it is a true winter glow. Marvelous Moxie lipstick in Make Your Move might just be the nude lipstick I have forever been searching for. I know nude lipstick is super personal, but if you have light-to-medium skin tone like me, this might just be your golden ticket.

Marvelous Moxie lip gloss in Leading Lady is also a nude shade but with a punch of shimmer. I get fairly good staying power and hydration from this formula. But my favorite part is the minty tingle.

Major bonus points for a super high-quality tapered brush included. bareMinerals brushes are all I use any more for bronzer and blush – they just seem to have gotten it spot on.

All in all, this set has wearable, great shades and formulas that I know I treasure as staples of my makeup drawer. For the beauty buff on your list, you can’t go wrong with bareMinerals. Available at Sephora.

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November Favorites

I seriously am starting to realize that the years go by faster the older you get. Where in the heck did 2014 go? I cannot believe it is already winter and December is upon us. Tomorrow a huge cold front (with some potential ice) blows in so it appears that Oklahoma weather finally got the memo it is winter – it was 75 here today.

I am looking forward to some busy couple of weeks getting ready for a quiet Christmas. While I don’t really have any events scheduled where I would need a dramatic makeup look, I do love this holiday face above. The red lips are so spot on. And a slightly thicker cat eye compliments it simply and perfectly.

Some of my finds from trolling the Internet over the past month:

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Black Friday Sales

Okay… we are official now. Don’t tell anyone that my tree has literally been up for weeks. Granted, it is totally bare Charlie Brown as it currently stands, but I can fully admit to already being fully in the holiday spirit. I am hoping to transform it into this amazing tree featured on Glitter Guide – perfectly simple and twinkly.

While I savor the low-pressure gratefulness of Thanksgiving, there is something so joyful about Christmas. Together, they are certainly my most favorite time of year. Today, I am nesting with the pups, relaxing with this Christmas candle and potting my online shopping. On that note…

Wow – there are tons of beauty steals on this Black Friday! Pardon the extensiveness of today’s post, but I wanted to be thorough. Enjoy your post-Turkey coma and shopping from the comfort of your own bed (the only way I personally do it) with these amazing deals:

NARS: Sign up for 20% off here through 12/2

B-Glowing: 10% off orders – code GIVINGTEN

BeautyBar: $15 off $75, $35 off $150, and $65 off $250 thru 12/9 – code BBCYBER14

Collen Rothschild Beauty: 30% off your entire order – code CYBER30

Target: Receive a $5 gift card with the purchase of three Essie products (+ free shipping)

Birchbox: Free Birchbox with every $60 you spend on subscriptions – code BOXME and 25% off products: code FRIDAY25

Too Faced: Buy one Better Than Sex mascara, get the product of your choice for 50% off

Ulta: Loads of goodies and deals to snag

And for you fashion buffs:

Old Navy – 50% off everything

Otte New York (love their dresses) 40% off sale – code: BLACKFRIDAYEA

Ann Taylor: 50% off through 12/3 (3PM EST)

ASOS: 30% off through 11/30 – code: TGIBF

BaubleBar: 15% off 2 items – code: FRIDAY15

Gap: 50 % off site-wide – code: BLKFRIDAY

J. Crew: 30% off full-price & additional 40% off sale – code: HOLIDAY

Madewell: 25% off entire purchase – code: GIFTON

Piperlime: 25% off site-wide – code: IHEARTNYC

All Saints (I cannot stop drooling over their leather): 20% off – code: THANKS

Shopbop: up to 25% off through 12/1 – code: GOBIG14

West Elm (maybe not fashion, but fab home gear – and holiday decorations) up to 25% off – code: SUPERSALE

Holiday Sales

I am so glad to have Thanksgiving week upon us! I love this holiday – the food, the cozy weather and the lack of pressure for presents! Some people enjoy taking this week off, but I actually like working. The office has a festive environment and the days seem to fly by. I am planning on being close to home with the pups and watching an insane amount of football. Maybe a couple jigsaw puzzles with the parents throw in – I know… I am so wild and crazy.

For the big day, I am going after this look above – adore the blanket scarf and warm wine shade. Plus, an over-sized sweater is so perfect for what I am sure will be a healthy serving of delicious turkey. I secretly love the irreverence of a somewhat clashing red nail.

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the online shopping holiday hoopla. Make sure to check out a sneak peek of some of my gift picks over on Meg’s lovely blog. And find some sales from my favorite stores below:

NARS: Sign up for 20% off starting Friday here.

Kate Sommerville has a 25% off friends and family sale through 12/1 with code FRIENDS2014.

Chomping for some fashion? Save up to 25% off at Shopbop through 12/1 with code GOBIG14 (love this line for holiday travel).

20% off almost everything at Dermstore (great for French pharmacy goodies) with code HOLIDAY14 through 11/30.

Get 30% off at Supergoop.com through 12/1 with code CYBER2014.

The Giorgio Armani Friends and Family Sale is offering 20% off all orders over $75 through 12/7 with code FAMILY14.

Bliss is giving us 20% off product purchases and free stocking stuffers with $100+ purchases through 11/30.

June Jacobs, a fabulous botanical spa line, is 25% off site-wide through 11/28 and free shipping on all orders.

The clinical anti-aging line StriVectin is offering 20% off through 11/30 with code FFNOV14.

Shuuemura-usa.com is offering 20% off and free shipping on $50 orders & 25% off and free shipping on $100 orders.

30% off Everything – talk about affordable fashion! – at Old Navy.

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mark. All Time Eye Hook Up Longwear Shadow

Well let’s just call it a trifecta. I have been loving the eye makeup offerings from mark lately like this one and this one. The latest eye goodie from mark that I’ve been testing is no different. mark. All Time Eye Hook Up Longwear Shadow, like the others, is long-lasting, natural looking and easy to wear (not to mention super budget-friendly).

This ultra-rich and pigmented liquid shadow as simple as a swipe. I like using one shade for a wash of color. I just swish on some color (not much) and blend with my ring finger. I get a full days wear and no creasing and – you know me… I am that girl that loves neutral shadows. So no wonder that Tender Love is my favorite with its golden glisten. The metallic finish is festive but not over the top.

Plus, I also happen to be that girl that still misses 4PM Oprah. So no wonder that I am also enthralled that this shadow is a 2014 Oprah Fall Makeup O-Wards Winner. What can I say? I share her great taste.

Holiday Hair With Alterna And Oribe

I admit I still haven’t mastered my hair. It is fine and wavy but somewhat confused. The front is bone straight. And while the texture is fine, there is loads of it. And the back just keeps getting wavier and wavier but not in a controlable way. It is more “ugly frizz” than “beachy waves.”

But while I haven’t “mastered” my hair, I have managed to find a couple products that allow me to rough dry my hair and look mildly presentable and not like 100% crazy person during the work week. While these products are luxury, I find I am washing my hair less often these days. So I am willing to splurge a bit to keep my routine at its shortest possible.

First up, shampoo and conditioner. I absolutely adore Oribe – there is something so polished and luxe about the line. Stylist Oribe Canales has been around since the 1970s but his hair care line is going stronger than ever. He uses technology and amazing fragrances (powered by French perfumes) to balance looks, scent and performance.

The Gold Lust line is ideal to strengthen my weakened strands – I wear my hair up a lot! The formula is powered with healing cypress, argan and maracuja oils and the bio-restorative complex works on strands and scalp. Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo has that satisfying lather but still leaves hair luscious. This also would be ideal for someone who colors or styles their hair to the point of damage. Color safe, formulated without parabens, sulfates or sodium chloride and vegan & cruelty/gluten-free.

The Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner leaves skin insanely shiny. Also using oils, the formula works on damage. It provides moisture without leaving hair heavy. Also color safe and free of parabens, sulfates or sodium chloride. I cannot find if this one is specifically vegan & cruelty/gluten-free (if you know… please feel free to let me know via twitter or in the comments).

I try to let my hair air dry for a while before styling. But if truth be told, I love the snooze button and I am usually in a massive rush. So I’ll rough dry (I like this brand) and finish with Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Perfect Texture Finishing Spray. It gives texture and volume without taking away movement. I can’t stand stiff hair. Plus it smells amazing! The spray action that Alterna uses is perfected so you get a continuous, even stream from 8 inches away from the head. I like to use both on my roots and ends.

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Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.