Tag: eyeshadow

bareMinerals The Power Neutrals

I’m going to apologize in advance for my enthusiasm and euphoria because this new collection from bareMinerals has me quite excited. I’m a huge fan of neutrals – it is how I wear my makeup every day. And this five piece collection captured neutrals in the most perfect and modern way.

I’ve long been a fan of the bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow formula packed with minerals, cold-pressed borage oil, caffeine, and cucumber to improve the look of your eye area while you wear color – genius! But it is with this eight shade palette that I’ve really fallen. The balance between matte and shimmer is just about perfect. The matte green, Moneymaker, is a surprising new favorite with lots of pigment. And the peachy shimmer top left, Boss Lady, is the perfect brow bone highlighter. I’ve been blending and mixing it up with all shades and have found so much variety in looks!

The READY Color Boost The Adrenaline Rush is also packed with nourishing ingredients to make for a flawless wear. I’ve been swirling all three colors together for a subtle flush. You can use a smaller brush if you’d like to use the shades for contouring, but I prefer the natural blending of a brush swirl. Lara had another fabulous idea – use this palette on your eyes!

I’ve been wearing Marvelous Moxie Lipstick In Take Charge kind of like a lip balm – it is that easy to wear and amazing nourishing. The Nude Rose color gives just enough color while still finishing with that creamy satin. A moisture-loaded complex is keeping my “always dry lips” looking better with every wear. And vitamin A, C and E provide that oh so important in the summer antioxidant defense.

While I love Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Game Changer for my on air segments, Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Super Power is the one I am turning to for every day. The soft peachy nude has just enough shine with a super smooth finish and minty fragrance. Naturally-derived Shea, Avocado and Murumuru butters help to deeply hydrate. PS – it looks amazing over Marvelous Moxie Lipstick In Take Charge.

I keep grabbing for my Lash Domination 10-In-1 Volumizing Mascara. While I have lots of voluminizing mascaras in my arsenal, I love the way this wand has unique spiraled bristles that curve around the wand, covering each lash at all angles with color. It is easy to use and doesn’t take a lot of maneuvering to get great and even coverage. I’ve been locking in the mascara with Locked & Coated Waterproof Lash Topcoat, making it slightly harder to remove. But I’ll take it with its super powered lasting ability even during long days at the pool. What a brilliant idea! Mascara topcoat!

Honestly, all five items in this collection are on my list of winners for the season. If I had to pick one, I’d go for the eyeshadow. While it looks similar to Urban Decay NAKED2, I like the slightly more adventurous shades. Plus, the size is a little more nimble for me. If you are a nude lip fan, don’t miss this Marvelous Moxie duo.

Available at bareMinerals.com, Sephora, and Nordstrom

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.

Brand Spotlight: Manna Kadar

Did you know about Manna Kadar? I didn’t until about a week ago. The brand has even been featured in my beloved Birchbox and I just missed it! Well, this little brand packs quite the punch. I have been wearing two of their signature items and certainly won’t stop anytime soon.

First up is the sheer glo – fans of Armani’s Fluid Sheer, pay attention. I adore Fluid Sheer but always love recommending a more affordable option. Sheer glo is that same iridescent liquid that can be worn alone or mixed with your foundation. What sets it apart is its hydrating formula, making it work really well my drier skin. I also have been swiping it on my collar bones and down my shins for a little body glow!

Prime Time is very similar to the MAC Paint Pot I reviewed last week here, albiet in a much lighter shade than Painterly. At first, I thought it was too light. But it completely neutralizes any coloring before you apply eyeshadow. I’ve found that it transforms my metallic shades. And, as a primer should, it prevents smudging and creasing. If you have a big event or a photo shoot, try it as a lip primer. It will keep dark, deep shades from feathering and give a purity of color.

Next up on my list, is this amazing palette – Gold Digger Contouring Palette. How cool does that look??

You can find Manna Kadar products on their web page or at Birchbox.

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.

MAC Paint Pot

Much like my obsession with MAC ‘Mineralize Volcanic Ash’ Exfoliator, I just can’t live without the MAC Paint Pot. I’d seen it on blogs, heard makeup artists rave about it and even tried it out at counters. But I never pulled the trigger until a gift card landed in my lap. Painterly was the shade of choice, although I am quite certain I would take every single shade.

I apply using my fingers. While the formula looks like a paste, it is creamy and slightly slippery. The opaque, highly pigmented color in Painterly makes for a great “blank canvas” and primer for other looks. I also just like it alone for a neutral, natural eye. For a while, I tried to embrace my darker lids, but I will always prefer neutralizing the purplish undertones, even if I am not wearing shadows on top.

The formula blends evenly without any tugging to a creaseless, seemless layer. And lasts all day long. I’ve been mixing the Paint Pot successfully with powder shadows, cream shadows and liners from just about any line. Rubenesque, Blackground and Bare Study are at the top of the list to add to my collection. Add another “can’t live without” to the books!

Matte Eyeshadow Palettes: Urban Decay BASICS and Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage

I must have a thing for matte shadows lately. Somehow these similar palettes have snuck onto my vanity and I can’t stop reaching for them. Both have their pros and both have their cons. But each is such a universal and wearable set, that they are both winners in my book. Here is the rundown:

Total amount of product: Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage ($75) .35 ounces vs Urban Decay BASICS ($27) .30 ounces
Range of shades: both cover a spectrum but Urban Decay BASICS has more options
Blendability: Tom Ford takes the cake here – the shadows go on with even color and blend beautifully
Formula: I prefer the slightly creamer powder of the Urban Decay BASICS and both have outstanding staying powder with no fall out
Packaging: Tom Ford comes with applicators but I find those worthless anyway – Tom Ford still wins with a beautifully made palette
Exclusivity and “Cool Factor”: Tie – Tom Ford gets credit for being an iconic brand and Urban Decay wins for being such an iconic product (and probably brand in my humble option too)
Travel: Both are slim and nimble for lots of looks, but the Urban Decay BASICS has Crave (black at far right) which can be used as an eyeliner and W.O.S. (third from left) which can be used to set concealer

Hope you guys enjoyed this face off. Bottom line, Urban Decay BASICS wins. The smooth, satin formula, range of shades and price point make it a a classic. But frankly, I love having them both.

I purchased both of these products: Tom Ford from Neiman Marcus and Urban Decay from Sephora.

bareMinerals Remix Collection

Here’s a little holiday sneak peek for you! bareMinerals is releasing a new Remix collection in January and I’ve been test driving some of the products. The 11 piece color collection, despite the vibrant appearance above, is actually very wearable and fresh. The cool shades work great now in winter, but would be fabulous for spring as well.

There are some old favorites in the collection including Warmth (a bronzing finishing powder) and Secret Radiance (also found here). The bronzer gives a nice finish to my winter complexion while Secret Radiance is a beautiful shimmery highlighting powder.

bareMinerals Remix Collection Loud & Clear Lip Sheers // Belle Belle Beauty

The highlight for me might be these sheer, glossy balms – aka Loud & Clear Lip Sheers. I love the way these shades give a great wash of color without being too bold, but giving such a great lip tint. Tangerine Trance, Berry Remix and Amped Pink will be in my purse for the foreseeable future. The fruity scent and hydrating formula make these such a pleasure to use.

bareMinerals Remix Collection READY Eyeshadow // Belle Belle Beauty

Shame on me for not reviewing the bareMineral’s eyeshadows sooner. I’ve been hooked on these for months and the new versions don’t disappoint. I was immediately drawn to The Next Big Thing (right). I wore these shades on Christmas Eve and loved the festive shimmer effect. One thing to note about these formulas: the powder is creamy and super blendable in to a buildable but initially sheer color. So while the shades can look dark, they are quite neutral unless you build them. Don’t discount my love for The Wild Thing (left)! The bottom left shade is a beautiful shimmery taupe. Layered with the top right makes for a golden shade that looks great with the ice blue. Bottom line, these shadows are perfect to play around with and are more neutral than they appear. The creamy powder formula makes for a real treat.

Why yes, that is an aqua mascara. I hadn’t used Flawless Definition Mascara and was very pleased with the volume and length I achieved. The wearability was superb with zero fall out. Blue mascara is something you either are drawn to or you aren’t. I understand. But it is worth a try. The slight blue effect brightens eyes and is actually a great way to soften a look. I’ve been wearing it on bottom lashes for just a suggestion of blue to play off my hazel eyes – trust.

The bareMinerals READY Blush in The Natural High is a high shimmer pink – I’m into radiance these days so I love it. Beware, it is far from matte. Lastly (not pictured), bareMinerals Round The Clock Eyeliner is a creamy, easy-to-use, waterproof eyeliner that I love to recommend. All in all, bravo, bareMinerals on a great collection!

Favorites from the NARS Andy Warhol Collection

I can’t really remember a collection being met with such fanfare as the NARS Andy Warhol collection. The iconic imagery makes for some pretty darn cool gifts, but I wasn’t too sure how wearable the actual products are. Alas, I found some great gems for those who prefer a more subtle, neutral look.

NARS ‘Andy Warhol’ Self Portrait Eyeshadow Palette Self Portrait 2 is straight forward black, ivory and silver. A wash of silver makes for a pretty, festive lid, while black makes a great liner. I have been using the ivory in the corners of my eyes to illuminate. Note: the black pigment on his face is a thin layer. Black will only remain in the background on the left.

NARS ‘Any Warhol’ Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Silver Factory is slightly edgier. When I wear a glitter/sparkly eye, I usually reach for gold. This silver is such a flattering alternative – I think I am hooked. The smooth pencil glides easily on the delicate eye. The creamy formula blends nicely. And I love using this as a festive primer and letting just a bit of metallic peek through.

NARS ‘Andy Warhol’ Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Viva already has a special place in my heart. I cannot believe I haven’t tried the Larger Than Life Lip Gloss. The finish is ultra shiny, but it doesn’t feel thick. It hydrates my poor dry lips. And has great staying power for a gloss. The shorter brush makes for a little extra work, but I like the precision it offers. Note: this actually looks like a rosy nude on – not sure why it looks so bright in both pictures.

NARS Andy Warhol Swatches from Belle Belle Beauty

Shop these and other favorites from the NARS Andy Warhol collection: