I was getting ready for a night out the other day with a friend (who happens to be a serious bareMinerals buff). I couldn’t help but think that I was testing out what would be the perfect stocking stuff for her. While basically everything she applied was bareMinerals, I knew that there were a couple complexion products that I loved and she needs (well, maybe not needs but I know would love!).
I’m pretty sure Hourglass Ambient Powders hit the beauty blogger / beauty editor world with an epic splash (don’t miss the review here). A little beauty blogger meet-up this last September in New York City (hi, Maree!) actually consisted of about 15 minutes of love for this revolutionary face powder / highlighter / bronzer / blush. I think we all issued a collective gasp when hourglass announced they were releasing a limited edition palette with two shades of their ambient powder along with a new limited edition Incandescent Light.
While it is painfully clear how much I love all things NARS, I had never had one of their palettes in my possession. Sure, I can stock a Sephora with my eye shadows and blushes, but a one-stop shop palette? That wasn’t on my vanity. Until now…
I snagged this little gem in a gift bag at NYFW and never could imagine how much I would come to cherish my LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette! While I had my eye on the LORAC Pro Palette for months, I actually am more thrilled with this travel friendly and nimble version.
Not only does it have everything you need for loads of looks. The LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek does it well. Powders are finely milled, blendable, natural-looking and long-lasting. Plus the packaging is well made. The sturdy exterior solidly closes via magnet. The included brushes, one small eyeshadow and one eyeliner/brow, are high quality albeit a little short.
On the eye side, there are two rows of three shadows – one matte and one shimmer. The base shades are generously sized. A matte black works perfectly as a liner. And the darker brown works well on my brows. On the cheek side, three wearable shades are nicely spaced with large wells of pigment. The coral has a little bit of shimmer. Pink is decidedly cooler and on the matte side. And the bronzer is perfect for contouring with its matte finish and rich pigment.
Specifically designed by Lorac Creator Carol Shaw to keep celebrity clients looking fabulous, I love this for regular folks just like us. It is an amazing value at $38. Available at Sephora.
For Fall, NARS is launching some pretty iconic blush palettes and a gift set in honor of one of my favorite cities, Los Angeles. First up, these blush palettes are perfect for makeup artists and budding makeup artists alike. Multiple shades can add depth and dimension and these four iconic and top-selling shades in both palettes are sure to be crowd pleasers.
Adult Content (above) has the following shades (clockwise from top left):
Killing Me Softly (above) has the following shades (clockwise from top left):
Available beginning September 1, 2013 at Nordstrom and narscosmetics.com for $49.
I still am lusting over NARS’ last gift set, NARS Hearts NYC so this might be one that I just cannot pass up. Especially since there are a handful of shades and products included that I already know and love. Based on the city’s top-selling shades, this set evokes the glamour of LA. Includes:
Eye and Cheek Palette:
Nail Polish in Trouville (Seashell pink)
Lip gloss in Turkish Delight (Pink sherbet)
Available September 1, 2013 at Barney’s Beverly Hills, Nordstrom (Topanga, Glendale, Westside, Farmers Market, Santa Anita, Santa Monica) and Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills for $75.
Trolling the beauty section of Neiman Marcus not long ago, I came across these little delicate papers. I thought they were oil blotting papers, but in actuality they were that and much much more. Mai Couture has been in the back of my mind ever since. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when I got a chance to try out some of their latest launches. They have some new shades and sets for the fall beyond their basic foundation and oil-blotting offerings. I’ve been testing them out and am so impressed by their unique approach and travel-friendly packaging.
Crystal Cove Highlighter Papier is a new shade of highlighter and my new favorite way to amp up the glow on the go. You can even use it on the body – perfect for on your shins and collar bones pre-cocktail event. Just lightly press the colored side of the paper to desired areas (I like cheekbones, chins, cupid’s bow, nose and brows). The formula comes off surprisingly evenly and each sheet tears easily and cleanly.
Studio City and Montecito Blush Papier work in a similar way. At first I was concerned about the precision required for blush. But using your hands opposite the colored side of the paper gives the perfect, smudgy (in a good way) rosiness. I love how it layers with the highlighting papers and the formula is paraben and talc free. The Studio City shade is my favorite – radiant without too much drama. Apply using a semi-circular motion on your apples. There is plenty of pigment on each sheet should you want to double up for more depth.
Like A Diamond Trio Pack is a brilliant collection, perfect for a long trip or a girl constantly on the go. Can you imagine bronzer, highlighter and blush all in a little credit card sized package? This pack contains:
One sheet is enough for a single application so you get 20 days of makeup out of this collection. Start with a mattifying bronzer, follow with a blush around the apples of your cheeks and then highlight as desired. I feel like this just screams honeymoon or European vacation. A similar product, Mai Couture Glow-geous Trio, has been on my wish list at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom for ages.
Mai Couture’s retailers include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Beauty.com. Fall launches should be available around October at these retailers but you can find them now at MaiCouture.com.
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