Tag: palette

LORAC Wild For TANtalizer® Collection

For my recent trip to Los Angeles for LuckyFABB, I brought along this summer kit by Lorac. I knew for a conference that was held literally at the shore, I needed a summer look that was still natural.

The set contains:

The bronzer is on the darker side but still worked for my light-medium skin. I used it under my cheekbones, forehead and neck. It would also look great on the collarbone and décolleté. This is on the shimmery side of bronzers and gave a very healthy glow. The eyeshadows were a subtle range of shimmery taupe. The lightest (Fierce) is a great highlighter. Both middle shades work on the lid, and the darkest (Saber) makes a great, natural liner. I love the gloss – nurturing and perfectly nude. It does have a slight cake batter smell. Wish they had gone with a more tropical coconut or vanilla flavor, but I don’t mind the baking scent.

Edward Bess Monte Carlo Quad Royale

Edward Bess is making its debut on Belle Belle Beauty. And it is about time. I am a big fan of the brand, and the Monte Carlo Quad Royale doesn’t disappoint.

This palette is nimble and well-made. I love the ability to mix-and-match portions of the palette to highlight cheeks and eyes. Or use all four colors blended together for a sun-kissed look. Using the colors for both eyes and cheeks gives a beautiful beach-bunny and natural look. Perfect for a casual evening with lip gloss and mascara.

The powder is creamy and soft. The effect is fairly sheer but still radiant. And I’ve found the pigment is easily buildable. The color in the upper left corner is a very sheer, iridescent peach. Top right is a silvery peach that is moderately opaque. Bottom left is a sheer, metallic apricot. Bottom right is a more opaque peachy pink shimmer.

The palette also comes in Summer in Capri (and beige pink) and South of France (a silvery beige). Monte Carlo is by far my favorite, being universally flattering and making for the best bronzer.

Chantecaille The Coral Reefs Palette

I’ve always thought the Chantecaille palettes were beautiful. But couldn’t justify the high price tag ($79). I can’t wait to tell you why I think this one is different. First, these shades are utterly wearable. But we will get to the beautiful colors in a bit. Second, the palette is refillable (I never knew this). Third, the mirror is HUGE and great to have on hand. Fourth, five percent of the proceeds benefit the Marine Conservation Institute in an effort to protect 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020. This seems like a small percentage, but it helps with the sticker shock. And last, this is a well-built, inclusive palette that would be so perfect for travelling.

So, now for the actual product. These shadows are blendable, soft and nicely pigmented. The gold shade on the corals is just a thin layer and comes off in the first use. Pity because it is so pretty, but you’ll be so excited about using the palette, it won’t matter.

The Pink Pearl (top left) mades a great eyeshadow base, all the way up to the brow. I also use it for highlighting. The Reef (top right) is a perfect crease color. You can also use Driftwood (bottom left) for a dramatic eye, but I like it for liner, smudged along the lashes. And what makes this palette different is that it includes a cheek color. Coral (bottom right) is a slighly peachy, sheer pink. Overall, these shades would love fab on a variety of skin tones. And when you break it down, the cost is slightly more palatable.

NARS ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ Eyeshadow Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Guys, if you are near a Nordstrom, this is worth a trip.  This NARS palette is outstanding – if I sounds really enthusastic, good.  I am positively giddy over this. I actually was planning on checking out some of the summer trios: Okinawa and Cap Ferrat, which are both gorgeous. 

But the Bright Lights, Big City is sophisticated, timeless and so wearable and captured my heart. I am shy with darker colors but I literally dove into Night Clubbing to my crease and it is HOT. I adore Cyprus on the brow bone and Fathom in corners.  Finally, I used Night Breed as a liner – just a small amount of sparkle literally luminates my lashes.

For a day look, I love Biarritz all over the lid with Coconut Grove as liner or blended in the crease.  If you want darker liner, Night Clubbing would be a perfect tight line. 

These colors are all available as single eyeshadows for $23.  I would literally buy every single one, so for all six (albeit a smaller quantity) for $55 is a steal.

Top Row (left to right): Cyprus, Biarritz, Fathom

Bottom Row (left to right): Night Clubbing, Coconut Grove and Night Breed

Jouer The Weekender Collection

This is almost too good to be true.  And in perfect time for packing for those summer getaways.  This palette has the absolute best in neutral shades that can be layered for varying looks.  I really can’t imagine too many skin tones this wouldn’t work for.  If you have dark skin, the mattifying powder could be too light, but I found it to be very translucent.  All of the products, I think, would look fabulous from pale to very dark. The palette contains:

  • Powder Eyeshadow Trio – satin matte charcoal, satin matte taupe, and matte vanilla cream
  • Face Duo – Translucent Mattifying Powder and Mattifying Powder Bronzer in matte honey
  • Tint & Highlighter Duo – Champagne Highlighter in shimmering pink and Cinnamon Tint in creamy deep rose
  • Ginger Lip Gloss – shimmering copper (very sheer and light)

The individual pieces slide apart so if you only want to carry bring a few or throw one into a clutch, easy! I use my fingers for most of these items, but theoretically you would need a powder, bronzer , eyeshadow and liner brushes.  It can be difficult to get only the bronzer or powder on the brush so I ended up mixing them and really liked the effect.  It was much easier for me to use my fingers on the eye palette then blend with a brush once it was applied.  Order from Birchbox. Right now they have free shipping on this item! ($58)