Tag: foundation

Winter Makeup Routine

Winter Makeup Routine on Belle Belle Beauty

I know it doesn’t come as a shock that I am always changing things up when it comes to my routine. But this particular combo of goodies has seemed to garner quite the motherload of compliments… if I do say so myself. So here is my step-by-step face makeup routine of late – think glowy and natural but still medium coverage (now if I could just get my hair to look like the above).

1. On top of my unsual moisturizer, add a dose (three drops or so) of Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment and allow to soak in.

2. Using my new favorite FLOWER Ultimate Liquid Foundation Makeup Brush, I apply two small drops of my long-time favorite, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I wear shade 4.5).

3. Touch up with another old favorite, Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Beige – mostly under eye and on the chin. I like to work in using my fingers mostly because I am lazy but I also love this brush.

4. Longevity is all about layers. So I end with a sweep of bareMinerals Mineral Veil – translucent but adds a glow. And bareMinerals READY Bronzer in High Dive to add some warmth to my summer pallor (just a light touch needed!).

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I have a feeling that some of this routine will (happily) be supplanted when my new Glossier Phase 1 set arrives this week – I have heard rave reviews. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on this new line by my fellow beauty blogger.

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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.

Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation

Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation on Belle Belle Beauty

A little over a year ago I was introduced to Shiseido’s foundations. It was the beginning of a love-affair. I love the weightless nature and considerable amount of coverage. Add in the fact that the foundations look natural and luminous and you can understand why I love Shiseido Sheer & Perfect Foundation.

The newest foundation from Shiseido, Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation, is a slightly heavier version that actually comes in a tub. It was designed as part of the Future Solution LX skincare which recently hit shelves – although I haven’t yet had the chance to try it.

I’m one to be drawn towards luminous finishes, so this radiant foundation is my perfect texture. The formula adds vibrance and lifting making it well-suited for more mature skin. And bonus points for the SPF 20 that is plenty of protection during office days in the winter months.

I like scooping out a dime size and using the beauty blender sponge to apply. I also have been mixing it with this NARS luminator for an uber-radiant finish. I skip the powder and embrace a “lit within” look.

Available at Saks and made in USA.

And on a fashion note: Happy Columbus Day Weekend, my little shoppers! For those of us who have to work Monday or those of you who will be online shopping from the comfort of your bed… some sales for you to peruse this Columbus Day Weekend:

  • 50% OFF ENTIRE SITE J. CREW FACTORY through 10/12
  • 20% OFF PIPERLIME WITH CODE: FALL20 through 10/13
  • 30% OFF BANANA REPUBLIC WITH CODE: BRTHANKYOU through tonight
  • 50% OFF LOFT WITH CODE: OURTREAT through tonight
  • 20% OFF OLD NAVY WITH CODE: DEAL through tonight
  • 40% OFF J. CREW WITH CODE: SOSWEET through tonight
  • 30% OFF MADEWELL WITH CODE: OHFALL through 10/13
  • 30% OFF FOREVER21 WITH CODE: TAKE30 through 10/19
  • 30% OFF MACYS WITH CODE: FALL through 10/13

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.

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation

NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation on Belle Belle Beauty

I might sound like a broken record, but I really don’t care. Because everything NARS puts out lately (and frankly pretty much always) is just so darn good. The latest is a powder foundation which usually doesn’t get me very hot and bothered but this one is different.

Rather than a matte or chalky finish, the All Day Luminous Powder Foundation has their exclusive Light Reflecting Complex, making skin look natural, luminous and with an almost transparent finish. The natural look is likely because of the ultra-fine powder which has an almost creamy feel.

This effect on my normal-to-dry skin is supple and renewed. 17 amino acids, Vitamin C, marine fennel and SPF 24 helps improve fine lines and dark spots – something I always consider a bonus with foundation. After all, our goal is to need less the more we use it, right? It plays especially well with my hyper-pigmentation.

I have been layering it over a very sheer BB cream as a sort of second step foundation. But it also works just as well alone or with a primer. I enjoy the ability to spot treat over areas of redness and where I have sun damage. While both the NARS powder puff and included sponge work well, I like buffing in using a flat foundation brush like this one.

Launched 9/20 at NARS Boutiques and narscosmetics.com. I’ve been wearing Santa Fe and Vallauris – I am thrilled with both but I think Vallauris might be a slightly better match on my light-to-medium autumn skin tone.

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.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide on Belle Belle Beauty

Leave it to the queen of a flawless complexion to come up with the newest and greatest foundation. This newness is called Finish Flawless for a reason. Expect a lightweight texture that is so the rage right now. Technology has brought us great coverage without feeling one bit heavy.

What I like most about is is the thin fluid formula that effortlessly blurs hyper-pigmentation and redness. Those with oilier skin will also love that it is oil-free. This also makes it great for hot, summer days. The buildable coverage has a balanced finish – while advertised as “matte” I would call it more middle of the road.

Bottom line, it follows the path of BB Creams with a natural finish. I have been testing out Buff on my light to medium skin tone and I wish it was just a touch darker. But it will be perfect for the winter months. I’ve been applying with my hands but also works great with a buffing brush. I just use it only where I need it for the most natural looking finish.

My only beef is that product has a tendency to escape the tube at a high rate. I’ve tried storing upside down and nothing seems to work. But other than a little bit of product waste, it isn’t a huge problem.

In Sephora now and look for it at Laura Mercier counters next month. 24 available shades (Shell, Crème, Vanillé, Ivory, Ecru, Cashew, Linen, Macadamia, Butterscotch, Dune, Buff, Honey, Dusk, Golden, Suntan, Praline, Maple, Chai, Nutmeg, Pecan, Amber, Chestnut, Truffle, Espresso).

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.

Two New Foundations From tarte and bareMinerals

Cutting Edge Foundations on Belle Belle Beauty

If you are in the market for a new foundation, there are a couple new formulations that have hit the shelves. And they have absolutely blown me away with their look, functionality and finish. But both a very different and I think distinctly suited for two different skin types/preferences.

bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation is a liquid foundation that melts into skin and nourishes with skin care ingredients. tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation is a talc-free powder foundation that offers a flawless, medium coverage finish.

bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation has a silky, ultra-thin texture that allows for buildable coverage. Thanks to skin care properties, over time skin becomes brighter and more even. Lilac plant stem cells offer important antioxidant protection. While I haven’t noticed drastic differences in my own skin tone, the promise keeps me reaching for this little bottle. This foundation is offered in an impressive 20 shades and I have a perfect match with Natural.

A couple notes about the packaging. I love the nimble bottle and twist off cap. Note: shake to make sure you don’t have separation but make sure to do this with the cap on – I had a bit of a messy situation this weekend thinking that the nozzle would keep foundation in even with that cap off (not my brightest moment, I know). Invest in the accompanying brush because it has a specially designed well to store the foundation as you buff it into skin. I get a full day wear out of the bareMinerals with a glowy finish.

On the other hand, tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation is a powder foundation but like bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation it is lightweight and improves that look of skin over time. The formula blends beautifully into skin without settling into lines and has one of the most natural finishes I’ve come across.

I’m most impressed by the waterproof, budge proof properties that absolutely lasted the promised 12-hour wear. Amazonian clay keeps the powder foundation from being matte or “dusky”, even on my dry skin. The mesh cover on the opening keeps the foundation mess and hassle-free – just press your brush into the mesh and swirl and tap. Then buff into skin.

If been using a Kabuki brush but I am a little tempted to order the brush designed to go with the foundation. It is offered in eleven shades and I was fairly surprised that I matched with the fifth shade even though my skin is light to medium toned (Light to Medium Neutral is what I wear). I can imagine those with darker skin tones might have an issue with matching.

Bottom line: if you have drier skin or want a glowy finish, go for the bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation. If you prefer slightly more coverage, prefer powder formulas or have oilier skin, tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation is just the ticket for you!

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.