Holiday Gifting – NARS Vault

Holiday Gifting - NARS Vault on Belle Belle Beauty

I figure we might as well start out Belle Belle’s holiday gifting series with a bang. I am absolutely lusting over this offering from NARS – perfect for the true beauty buff. And I have been meaning to share with you guys how much I love these two new formulas from the brand that both were released earlier this year.

The NARS Vault in a curated collection of Audacious Lipsticks and Nail Polishes. The lipsticks have quickly become a favorite – their creamy texture last forever but don’t dry out lips. Their colors are rich and pigmented – I have been wearing Rita, the perfect cool winter red. And Audacious comes in perfectly developed range of classic shades. This set includes: Raquel, Anita, Jane, Claudia, Michiyo, Grace, Lana, Carmen, Vivien and Sandra.

The nail polish really blew me away – I would be in heaven to have these the shades (Ecume, Ithaque, Orgasm, Trouville, Schiap, Hunger, Dovima, Jungle Red, Purple Rain and Back Room). I can’t get over how perfect their black, Back Room, is on nails – opaque, rich and still classic. Their new brush design in a breeze to use. And I was delighted to find that my manicure lasted a full week – somewhat of a miracle with my nails.

Both collections are housed in a wooden box with the signature NARS soft-touch finish and over-sized interior mirror. Don’t miss out on this true collectors item. I know it is a splurge but this has major wow factor.

Available at narscosmetics.com, Saks and Barneys.

 

Wednesday On The Web

Winter Black and White Wear on Belle Belle Beauty

I’ve mentioned how much I wear black, especially during the winter. I am trying to break out of the rut, but it is so hard! Maybe I can embrace this black and white look to bridge over to more color in the meantime.

Loving these holiday makeup tips – stashing my self-tanner in my travel bag!

So proud of the best of my fellow beauty bloggers, Emily Weiss, on her feature in Forbes covering her new beauty collection.

A winter classic, perfect gift and on sale right here.

I recently pulled this classic out of the closet – forgot how much I love this “beauty water”

Kinda off the subject, but I just bought this for my pups to keep them safe when we are on the road.

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Budget Beauty – Tinted Moisturizer

Budget Beauty - Tinted Moisturizer on Belle Belle Beauty

We work hard to keep our skin looking great with a skin care regime. And when things are going well, we want to show that off, right? Lately, my skin has been looking better than ever. My hyper-pigmentation fades in the winter. And my pores are clear mostly thanks to this guy. So, I don’t want any foundation that is cake-y or heavy.

Thanks to these two new budget buys, my skin looks luminous and natural at a great price. Both Boots No7 CC Cream and L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream are breathable while still improving the look of skin.

First, L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream comes out of the tube in a surprisingly milky white cream. But the formula transforms into a hydrating and light-coverage tinted moisturizer. I get a dewy skin and luminous finish. The blurring effect leaves a perfected and bare look. Available in four shades and made in the USA.

While CC creams usually have more coverage, this Boots No7 version is slightly lighter than other CC creams I’ve tried. The finish is a touch heavier than the L’Oreal. I adore the inclusion of SPF 20 – perfect for winter office days. And the skin care ingredients all work to make skin look even better. The thicker application is nourishing without being heavy.

The Boots No7 is my pick if you’d like slightly more coverage. L’Oreal is a better choice if you want a light, optical blurring effect without a lot of pigment. Both are suited to my drier skin.

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.

PMD Personal Microderm Personal Microderm System

PMD Personal Microderm Personal Microderm System on Belle Belle Beauty

I fell in love with a version of microderm thanks to the amazing talents of a Mr. Gabriel Horn here in Tulsa. There was something about that manual exfoliation that just set skin aglow. But with the new work gig, it is hard to sneak away for facials. And just my luck, a similar tool is now available for at-home use. While I know it isn’t a professional level facial, I love it when I know I need a mid-week refresh.

PMD Personal Microderm Personal Microderm System combines an exfoliating disk with a unique vacuum that can literally suck up dead, dull skin and increase blood flow. This in turn helps stimulate collagen and elastin. Right now, radiant and glowing skin is all the rage (in fact, when is it not aside from the matte phase every now and then?) And this little tool really delivers.

Their patented spinning skin is covered with aluminum oxide crystals. Thanks to these gems, we can avoid all the issues with manual exfoliation. The vacuum suction pulls blood flow to the surface of skin to increase circulation – crucial for anti-aging efforts. This causes a healing process, boosting collagen and elastin.

I was a little concerned that a “professional-grade” tool would cause my skin to become red. But the system comes with three different types of disks, including a training white version so you can make sure you’re using the tool without side effects. Also included with the tool is a facial cap (designed to be used on the face) and cap that adapts the disk to a more active body-appropriate microderm. Last, there is a filter.

If you are like me and need an occasional at-home boost, consider adding this to your tool arsenal. They have done a great job with professional-like efficacy and safe at-home use. Not to mention glowing and exfoliated skin.

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.

Wednesday On The Web

Great Hair, Great Skin on Belle Belle Beauty

I know many of you have seen Rodan + Fields skin care on Facebook these days. Seems like huge handful of my friends are selling these goodies like banshees. I had to reach out and check out the line and the reasons were two-fold. First, it was created by two women who trained at Stanford University (my alma mater). And no shocker that it was my Stanford buddy that piqued my interest.

While admittedly I haven’t used anything long term, I absolute adore the Lip Renewing Serum (how brilliant in its little pods). The Night Renewing Serum also comes in pods (ideal for on-the-go). And the Enhancements Micro-Dermabraison Paste is perfect for a special-occasion holiday glow. Note: I did not receive compensation for sharing my opinion – I really love the products and wanted to share! Christine is fabulous for advice on the product range and I encourage you to reach out to her.

Some of my other favorites from around the web this week:

I’m so inspired by smaller living – I downsized from a three bedroom house to a one-bedroom apartment over the past two years. This is a pretty amazing small space.

Huge cold front just blew through Tulsa yesterday and I am totally craving this throw.

I have my eye on this natural beauty travel kit for my holiday travel.

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