Tag: mascara

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!

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.

Five Tips for Holiday Makeup from Neutrogena

Amy Oresman, celebrity makeup artist from Neutrogena, shares some of her tips using for holiday makeup. I’ve been test driving these items too over the past couple of weeks and am also sharing my thoughts on these drugstore buys.

1. During the holidays when you’re running from one event to the next, your makeup can take a beating. To help you look picture perfect, it’s important to start with a good base. The Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 instantly smoothes skin imperfections so makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer.

Editor’s note: I LOVE, I mean love, this primer. It evens skin just on its own while cooling and hydrating. I love the SPF (non-irritating at that). And there is no balling and sliding under makeup.

2. Between parties, shopping and cooking, the holidays can leave many women feeling and looking rundown, often showing up as bags and dark circles under the eyes. Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector is a do-it-all product that not only brightens and conceals but is clinically proven to de-puff and treat dark under eye circles. Formulated with optical eye brighteners, this silky formula instantly boosts radiance and lightens shadows around the eye area, leaving skin looking refreshed and more even-toned, so you’re close-up ready!

Editor’s note: I’ve had one of these in the rotation for a couple months. This is not an illuminator pen – it really conceals with a radiant and moderate-coverage finish. I love using it around my eyes and down the sides of my nose.

3. Often times, the photo flash can make your look washed out. To really make your eyes pop, eyeliner is a girl’s best friend. Nourishing Eyeliner contains a specialized blend of light-reflecting pearls that help make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while the rich color instantly brightens and defines eyes. What’s more, the formula is enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients including olive oil, rainforest shea butter and Vitamin E to help nourish the delicate skin at the base of the lashes.

Editor’s note: This creamy liner is easy to use and especially great for a smudgy look (there is a smudging sponge at the other end). I love the in-cap sharpener and addition of vitamins and conditioners for delicate skin. This sadly doesn’t work on a water-line, but could be great in conjunction with your favorite eye kohl (remember: layering liners makes them stay longer).

4. My must-have accessory for any holiday look is mascara! My personal preference is HEALTHY VOLUME® Mascara because it builds lash volume by 400% with the triple benefits of olive extract, Meadowfoam seed and sweet almond for fuller, more conditioned lashes. The exclusive super sized Visible Volume brush quickly coats and builds every single lash, without clumping, smudging or flaking, resulting in beautifully defined lashes that are conditioned from the inside out.

Editor’s note: This mascara not only conditions and improves your lashes, but boosts volume in a major way. The large brush is my preferred tool and adequately coats each last for more length and fullness. There is no dry, crispy feeling (hate when that happens).

5. No holiday look is complete without the perfect pout to round off the picture perfect look! Every woman wants soft, luxurious lips, but achieving them isn’t always so easy since many products can leave lips feeling dry, especially during the winter months. Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is formulated with with ion₂complex™ Technology that offers a surge of moisture and improves lips’ overall appearance. In just one week, this sheer tinted balm is clinically proven to improve the texture of lips while restoring lips’ rosiness.

Editor’s note: It is hard for me to not love a good balm. These did not disappoint They really are hydrating with a fruity flavor. I love “Sheer Shimmer” for an easy translucent lip and “Petal Glow” gives a subtle hint of rose, both leaving my lips super shiny.

The CHANEL Eye

I haven’t ever really fallen for CHANEL cosmetics. I understand and respect that some people are devotees, but for some reason, none of their products really jumped into my “must have” category… until NOW. I had a chance to experience one of their national makeup artists and a whole new world opened.

The foundation was a little heavy and the lip was a little clunky… but the eye makeup was some of the best I have ever experienced. I purchased and have been wearing the Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense, Beauté Des Cils Nourishing Mascara Base and Inimitable Intense Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel Sophistique in Noir (these product names slay me).

The creamy Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner applies smoothly to both the waterline and right on top of the lashes. The waterproof formula dries with a shiny, opaque finish and stays all day long. The Beauté Des Cils Nourishing Mascara Base, at first, seemed like a excessive step. But this white, nourishing formula builds and heals the lashes, prepping to plump fluffy lashes ready for a coat of mascara. You can also use this as a treatment at night. Inimitable Intense Mascara has a classic brush shape with stiff brisles that manages to coat every last lash.

If you are looking for a modern yet simple, long wear eye that can go from casual to black tie, these three products get the Belle Belle seal of approval. Wearing them every day makes the luxury splurge worth it. And dare I say they all might be in the holy grail category? Perhaps, yes. Also, worth mentioninng… I use the CHANEL Eye Lash Curler and love it.

Shop the items here:

Le Métier de Beauté introduces The Beauty Vault for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

My adoration of Le Métier de Beauté is no secret. I think the boutique cosmetic brand continues to chrun out innovative and well-made makeup that channels cutting edge technology. But all that science ratchets up the price point. Now, there is a great opprotunity for newcomers to the brand to try out the cult classics without breaking the bank. This whole set is only $49!!!

To celebrate the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Le Métier de Beauté is offering a collection with travel sized:

Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer (Shade 2)
Precision Liquid Liner
Anamorphic Lash Mascara

The Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer works like a tinted moisturizer, letting the skin show through but blending away imperfections. It is on the sheer side of coverage. The formula combines the anti-aging benefits of retinol with the innovative Syntoc Actif delivery system to effectively plump and smooth wrinkles from the inside out for soft, beautiful skin.

Precision Liquid Liner in Noir, perhaps my all time favorite eyeliner, has a Mont Blanc crafted pen. What makes it unique is the calligraphic precision. This is perfect for that precise cat-eye that we are seeing everywhere for fall.

Anamorphic Lash Mascara mini in Black is made with beeswax and has a full brush. The effect is lashes full of volume that isn’t a total pain to remove.

The Beauty Vault is available, as a set only, at select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com from July 22 to August 1, 2012 (but I hear it is already on counters and I found it online here).

Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara

Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara is for the ladies who, like me, want a mascara that gives massive length but doesn’t go overboard on thick lashes (@lovelylanvin, this one is for you). I like the dimension that long, separated lashes give to my relatively large eyes. The black color is not matte, but glossy. I haven’t had any fall out, smudging or flaking.

But Eyeko goes above and beyond. While my lashes are healthy, I am always up for more nourishment. Eyeko includes pro-vitamin B and natural oils to strengthen the fine hairs. And I love the guitar pick-like tool that is included. Hold this shield behind your lashes when applying to get complete coverage. The tube is innovative, allowing you to get out every last drop of product.

And I would be remiss to not mention a little singer named Adele uses this stuff on her magnificent lashes.

Just a note about this review:

This product was purchased for review. But Belle Belle does receive sample products for consideration by PR. We never do paid reviews or guarantee reviews and are committed to remain truthful and honest to our readers.

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Diorshow New Look Mascara

Christian Dior established himself with a feminine and rich collection that revolutionized fashion in 1947. His clothes quickly became known as the “New Look.” Dior channeled this revolutionary tenor with the launch of Diorshow New Look mascara.

The most unusual feature of this new mascara is the nano brush. Unlike the huge brush on the original Diorshow mascara, the nano brush is more nimble and precisce, allowing for maximum coverage.

I’m not sure how thickening this mascara is, but I love the lengthening and definition. My lashes are long, but thin and blond at the end. Using New Look, my lashes were emphasized, lengthened and stretched. Dior’s exclusive 3D effect, Dior Black Glass pigment, makes the black version super inky and shiny.

There are long term benefits to this mascara as well. Royal jelly extract works to repair damaged parts of the lash fiber. Diorshow New Look reacts to body heat, allowing the serum to release its potent active ingredients as close as possible to the lash line. My lashes have been more resiliant and I can’t wait to see what even longer term use will provide.

If you somehow missed the Dior mascara craze over the past 10 years, here’s some mandatory reading:

In 2002, Dior introduced Diorshow, the first Dior mascara directly inspired by professional makeup artist’s techniques. Backstage at fashion shows, artists would use a toothbrush to create a dramatic, voluminous lash look. With its one-of-a-kind XL brush, Diorshow created explosive volume for a stunning catwalk look and has since become a cult favorite.