Belle Belle Beauty

On The Road

I’ve been on a bit of a traveling hiatus these last couple of months. I can’t believe I haven’t been on an airplane since January – that’s unheard of for me! But I have a couple fun trips coming up, mostly to celebrate the big 3-5 birthday with friends. And Stephanie Johnson has me outfitted in style for hitting the road.

I prefer more of a neutral palette, so I was immediately drawn to Laguna Buff. The snake-like print has just a bit of shimmer, looks sophisticated and is super soft. To add a pop of interest, I am accompanying it with a Medium Flat Pouch in Mumbai Buff. Might I add this is ideal for carrying lipsticks.

While I have amassed quite a collection of my beloved Stephanie Johnson bags, I had never tried out the Grace Brush Case. After one too many trips with bent and ruined brushes, this guy is my new must have. I love that it will hold all my makeup and five brushes easily. And of course, you can’t go wrong with the Laura Large Trapezoid. Larger bottles can be stood upright. A Mason Pearson brush fits in a snap.

Which Stephanie Johnson collection jumps out to you for summer travel?

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.

Viktor & Rolf’s New Fragrance BONBON Launches at Saks Fifth Avenue

Today, Viktor & Rolf’s newest fragrance hits shelves at Saks. Following up the wildly popular Flowerbomb, the newest, BONBON, is sure to be a huge hit. The New York store is celebrating with a personal appearance by designers Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren. Other stores around the country have festivities as well! If you are a local here in Tulsa, our store will have sweet treats and champagne this Saturday – how can you say no to that!?

A little more about the scent: I’ve been testing this guy out for a couple days and find it unique, flirty and uplifting. Notes include mandarin, orange, caramel, peach and jasmine. Gaïc and cedar woods combined with my beloved sandalwood smooth out the more uplifting top notes.

The raspberry-toned glass bottle is shaped into a bow reflecting the playfulness of the scent. Craftsman Pochet du Courval achieved the challenging design with a paten process and added pink tones into the contour of the bow.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

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.

Wednesdays On The Web

I have really been embracing the idea of looking forward – not back – lately. Naturally breeding a more positive attitude, I think I become more motivated and creative. Instead of beating myself up for a missed workout or putting my foot in my mouth, I just know that tomorrow is the opportunity for a bigger and better day.

Speaking of workouts, I am striving to step up my game. Pool time is serious with my group of friends and I’d like to get in better shape. While I do frequent cardio, I know I could add runs and weight bearing exercises. I’m also working on my diet. Those who have read this blog know I lost 40 pounds on Nutrisystem last year. While I am still at my all time low weight, I know I need to introduce more whole foods, veggies and fruits. Not to mention, when I eat this foods my skin also looks better than ever! So, that’s where my head is these days. And of course playing and testing so many skin care and makeup goodies.

Some finds from around the web:

Speaking of diet, this is fascinating: what 100 calories really look like

Love this series by Kara – battle of drugstore mascaras – first up is Lengthening

Tempted to invest in this updated classic

Love this how-to, adorable video featuring Estee Lauder products

Earn double InCircle points on beauty online and in stores through Sunday at Neiman Marcus

One of my favorites, Perricone MD, is having their Friends & Family Event. Save 20% on all purchases with code FF2014 through 4/15.

Get 25% off at J.Crew on dressed-up styles with code SPRINGISHERE through 11:59 p.m. PDT tonight

Sale for insiders is happening at Sephora: Beauty Insiders can use code TICKET online through tomorrow and VIB and VIB Rouge members can use code VIBTICKET and ROUGETICKET online through 4/11

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Chantecaille Radiant Fresh Luminous Gloss

Chantecaille’s new spring lip gloss has been like this little gem of shining light on my vanity. To the point that I almost feel guilty for having not shared this beauty! My preferred shade is Framboise which looks shocking in the tube but is the most wearable, rosy pink on the lips. Framboise appears to be an old shade but with the new and improved formula.

The new formula has a brilliance and shine that is unmatched. My lips get a dose of hydration. I’d say staying power is along the same lines as other glosses, but you won’t mind whipping out this beauty to reapply. I always find I reapply every hour or so anyway with gloss. Therefore, I don’t get too hung up on glosses lasting longer than that. But that might just be me…

The new doe foot gets a perfect amount of product for application and is efficient but still precise.

Also worth noting is another Chantecaille spring goodie – Waterproof Eye Liner Pencil in Storm. At first, I was confused by the low impact of this grey. But upon application, it actually gets darker. This might be just the ticket for an understated spring eye.

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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.

Caress Body Wash and Soap

File this under drugstore find of the month (or maybe year): Caress body wash – once a relic of silly old 80s commercials – smells amazing. Why haven’t I snapped these up earlier? Their Fine Fragrance line has sophisticated and uplifting scents that have transformed my shower. I’ve been using Emerald Rush, Aqua Sparkle and Juicy Escape for the last several weeks. Emerald Rush stole my heart, but I honestly love all three. Caress offers a total of eleven scents. And at under six bucks – you’ll want to try them all. The soap lathers but doesn’t leave skin stripped. And my skin has just a hint of scent after shower so don’t worry about it playing with your favorite fragrance.

Available at drugstore.com. Do you love caress? Let me know on twitter with hashtag #CaressMe.

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.

Three Perfecting Primers

It wasn’t but just a short couple of years ago that I dismissed primers as an extra unnecessary step. So often they felt like spackle or were full of hard-to-work-with silicon. But today’s primers are a totally different story. Not only do they perfect skin as a canvas for foundation. They can be worn along for ultra-light coverage. Many contain all important sunscreen. And can enhance or alter the look of a tinted moisturizer. My three recent favorites are:

MAKE Face Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

I’ve been super enthusiastic about this amazing brand. Now carried in Barneys, MAKE donates 10% of retail sales to We See Beauty Foundation, which benefits women-run, worker-owned cooperative businesses – a true “look good, feel good” brand. While I love a couple of their primers, this SPF powered version has been the one I reach for most. The formula contains light-diffusing micro-spheres that can perfect fine lines. Squalane adds nourishing moisture while the SPF disappears into the skin with no whitish cast. I’d recommend this for all skin types. Also note that it is cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer

A long time favorite, this primer is a star on its own. I use medium along for a “barely there” coverage. But it also is my pick under foundation for when I need fuller coverage for my TV appearances. The thin liquid has the perfect balance of radiance and texture. The oxygen-packed formula plumps skin. And other ingredients work over long term with anti-aging benefits. While all skin types would love this primer, I think it is particularly well-suited for those with oily to normal skin.

Dior Glow Maximizer Light Boosting Primer

There is a reason that women have preferred rose colored light for decades. Red-based light is the most flattering around. Glow Maximizer has a luminous, rose gold base to add a youthful radiance. This also can be worn alone or mixed with foundation for a more luminous look. Plus, it smells amazing – no wonder since it is made in France. This rich formula is perfect for those with drier skin.

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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.