Tag: face

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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Three Must-See Favorites

Hey… because it is almost Friday – three superstars I had to share with you. Click on the items in the image for more shopping information.

BeautyADDICTS Face2Face Cream to Powder Foundation

This indie brand isn’t widely available but it should be. While I usually don’t care for cream foundations, this one works to improve skin while it covers flaws. The formula contains vitamins A and E and green tea to heal and protect skin. Special ingredients work to hydrate so the powder finish looks luminious and flawless, not cakey or overly matte. This is my pick to throw in my purse for on-the-go. I recently learned those plastic covers that I previously thought were part of packaging and threw away actually help protect and preserve product. This version has a flip lid attached so no need to keep track of a translucent (elusive) slip of plastic.

Nest Vanilla Orchid & Almond Scented Candle

I can’t really say there is a NEST fragrance I don’t love. But their newest marries my beloved oriental with a rich and sultry gourmand vanilla/almond mix. Patchouli and musk keep it from being overly sweet while Mediterranean almond and white orchid soften the scent into a romantic deliciousness. Orchid and Almond is the perfect fragrance to bridge seasons and usher in warmer months.

Kanebo Sensai Collection Silky Bronze Self Tanning Gel for Face

Before this gem, I had not found a self-tanner for the face that I love. Finally, just in time for spring, this gel from Japan provides both hydration and a bronzy glow. The smoothing gel works beautifully under makeup and other skin care. I’ve been using 1-2 times a week for a subtle glow but plan to up my frequency to every other day so I can skip makeup and bronzer and still look sun-kissed.

Warm It Up!

Well, hello there April. While it is cold and rainy here today, I’d like to officially mark this day as the beginning of spring. I know technically it was back in March, but I have a dirty secret for you. I absolutely hate April Fool’s Day. I fall for some prank every single time. On a more serious note, the ever popular “I’m pregnant” Facebook update really offends me as there are so many people in the world that struggle with infertility. So instead of Fool’s Day, April 1st will always mark spring in my book! Anyway… back to beauty.

Spring means a more natural, undone and bronzed look in my world. I just got a fresh hair cut, so I am enjoying my natural waves and letting my hair air dry. I’m skipping darker lips and eyes in favor of glowing, luminous skin. Behind the scenes here at Belle Belle, I’ve been test driving some goodies, and now I am happy to present my favorites to warm up the complexion:

1. benefit Dallas is a natural and plum-based bronzer that is on the matte side. Because it is so sheer, it works well for a wide range of fairer skin tones. Used all over, it can banish dullness or layered where the sun hits gives a vibrant glow.

2. NARS New Contour Blush Duos are also on the matte side and add that perfectly balanced warmth. Despite the “Blush” name, I find the darker shade of the duo works best under the cheekbones and around the temples. I’ve played around with the lighter shade and surprisingly love it under the eyes and down the center of the nose. It also doubles as a luminous face powder on the go. I tested both Olympia (perfect for the most fair to light skin) and Paloma (my pick for my light to medium skin tone).

3. CoverGirl TruMagic The Sunkisser has to be my most favorite drugstore find in the past couple months. What looks like a dark bronze cream transforms into a subtle, layerable glow on the skin. While you can use this to contour, I like using it liberally around the outside of my face, sides of my nose and even on my lids for a true “sunkissed” look.

4. jane iredale In Touch Highlighter in Comfort perfectly offsets bronzed areas with a pink glisten. The pale pink adds radiance and the cream formula lends to a more subtle glow. I like to apply directly from the stick to tops of cheekbones, brow bone and the bridge of the nose and then blend with my fingers.

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Estée Lauder Lilly Pulitzer GWP and Skincare & Foundation Calculators

Looking for a perfect match? And an excuse to shop? Look no further than Macy’s with their current Gift With Purchase and new Estée Lauder interactive tools to find a perfect match. The Estée Lauder Skincare Finder and Estée Lauder Foundation Finder are both exclusive to Macy’s. The short quizzes can help narrow down their wide range of products to what is particularly suited to you.

And now with any $35 Estée Lauder purchase through Macys.com, get free makeup valued at $120 and a one-of-a-kind Lilly Pulitzer cosmetic bag until March 23. Included:

Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II
Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black (10-day supply)
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion (deluxe travel size)
Exclusive Cosmetic Bag in an Original Lilly Pulitzer Print
Choice of deluxe size Moisturizer: DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 OR Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme SPF 15
Choice of Makeup:

Subtle: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Sugar Honey (full-size) and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Sugar Biscuit, Nude Fresco, Hot Cinnamon and Lavish Mink

Bold: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Pink Parfait (full-size) and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Tranquil Moon, Iridescent Violet, Tempting Mocha and Amethyst Spark

And get an additional bonus gift with any purchase over $70.

Double-Ended Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer (choose Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Deep or Deep) and Pure Color Gloss in Magnificent Mauve
Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea (full-size)
Lip Conditioner (full-size)
Lilly Pulitzer Print Travel Mirror

Spring Color on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

It is Friday and you know what that means… I’m back on Great Day Green Country and it is time to ring in spring. After a frigid and icy weekend, we have 60s and 70s for the next four or five days (yes, there is a patio in my near future – likely around happy hour today). And what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than some spring shades. Today, I am rounding up the six products to warm things up on your vanity:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

How does Hourglass possibly follow up the widely acclaimed release of Ambient Lighting Powder? Or the incredibly popular Ambient Lighting Palette? Needless to say… this was bound to be a difficult task. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush recently hit shelves and while the reception was mixed, I’ve found the powders to be unique and almost as special as the powders.

The primary hurdle for most bloggers I know who have tried the product is that “blush” might not be the best name. I’ve been testing Ethereal Glow (a cool pink blush with a moonlit luminosity) which, on me, plays much more like a highlighter and not that different than my beloved Ethereal Light Ambient Lighting Powder.

Each blush is a hybrid of an Ambient Lighting Powder and a classic blush shade:

Dim Infusion (Subdued coral blush fused with Dim Light to add warmth)
Diffused Heat (Vibrant poppy blush combined with Diffused Light for a subtle halo effect)
Luminous Flush (Champagne rose blush fused with Luminous Light to evoke a candlelit glimmer)
Radiant Magenta (Golden fuchsia blush combined with Radiant Light for a summer glow)
Mood Exposure (Soft plum blush fused with Mood Light to brighten the complexion)

While I haven’t experienced the other shades in person, I understand that the pigment is can be subtle across the board (although it certainly doesn’t look like it online). The shades are buildable, but I find Ethereal Glow to be perfect with a subtle touch for highlighting and an on-the-go touch up powder. My friend, Maree, has a gorgeous swatch of Radiant Magenta here that can demonstrate potential pigmentation.

The distinctive attribute of this blush is the inclusion of Photoluminescent Technology to enhance and provide depth and dimension. The handcrafted blushes are mixed using the Italian miscelare technique meaning no two blushes will look alike. Designed to be used with Ambient Lighting Powder, the Blush can create “multidimensional luminescence”.

My takeaway is that these blushes do add a natural and dynamic finish. The other shades might work well as a blush given that they are buildable. While Ethereal Glow isn’t necessarily a “blush” in my book and might be a duplicate of Ethereal Light, I appreciate the smaller palette for my clutch and the slight cool pink shimmer that works beautifully as a highlighter.

Fragrance, talc and gluten free. Not tested on animals.