Tag: Spring

Bronzers on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Bronzers on FOX23's Great Day Green Country on Belle Belle Beauty

Can you believe we are already halfway through April? This year is flying by. Before you know it, pool season will be here and its accompanying sun-kissed look. But instead of achieving the look with damaging sun rays, fake a glow with the crop of new bronzers that are better than ever. This morning, I am on Great Day Green Country chatting about the best products and how to use them. I’ll post my segment tomorrow, but for now… here is a summary of what I’ll be chatting about.

This season’s formulas are better performing than ever with lasting power and a natural look. The first rule of thumb is use creams on top of creams and powders on top of powders. If you prefer a liquid tinted moisturizer of foundation, try a cream formula like the new NARS Matte Multiple in Vientiane for darker skin tones or Altai for a softer and rosier glow. CoverGirl truMagic bronzer is a killer cream formula at drugstore prices. Also from the drugstore aisles, Revlon Photoready Skinlights in Peach offers a more subtle and luminous glow.

If you prefer powder foundation, reach for MAC Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze. Not totally matte, there is just a hint of luminous glow with a depth of color that still looks natural. Those with darker skin tones will love bareMinerals READY Bronzer in The High Dive.

There are two techniques to applying bronzer. The first, well known as the “3” method is to sweep color in the shape of a three around the temples, below cheekbones and below the jaw. Reverse the three shape for the other side. This approach lends to a contoured look. Alternatively, apply bronzer to where sun would naturally hit the skin: cheekbones, bridge of the nose and forehead. The outcome is a “just finished a day at the pool” look with a healthy and youthful glow.

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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.

Chantecaille Radiant Fresh Luminous Gloss

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Chantecaille’s new spring lip gloss has been like this little gem of shining light on my vanity. To the point that I almost feel guilty for having not shared this beauty! My preferred shade is Framboise which looks shocking in the tube but is the most wearable, rosy pink on the lips. Framboise appears to be an old shade but with the new and improved formula.

The new formula has a brilliance and shine that is unmatched. My lips get a dose of hydration. I’d say staying power is along the same lines as other glosses, but you won’t mind whipping out this beauty to reapply. I always find I reapply every hour or so anyway with gloss. Therefore, I don’t get too hung up on glosses lasting longer than that. But that might just be me…

The new doe foot gets a perfect amount of product for application and is efficient but still precise.

Also worth noting is another Chantecaille spring goodie – Waterproof Eye Liner Pencil in Storm. At first, I was confused by the low impact of this grey. But upon application, it actually gets darker. This might be just the ticket for an understated spring eye.

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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.

Warm It Up!

Warm It Up! on Belle Belle Beauty

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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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.

Spring Prep Skin Care On FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

spring skin care

We can now officially say spring has sprung and with that comes the reality that swimsuit/shorts/tank top season is just weeks away. Not only am I hitting the gym a little harder, but I am also changing up my skin care game. With a couple tweaks, we can have clear, radiant skin and sandal-ready feet.

First up, make sure to extend your regular skin care routine to hands, neck and decolletage. This goes for year-round but is even more important as the sun rays intensify. My favorite summertime SPF is Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer. It is lightweight and works well from the hairline down the chest. Because it is only SPF 20, make sure to amp up protection if you are spending large amounts of time outside.

Step back on products that are heavy or full of emollients. That rich cream might soothe dry winter skin but isn’t best for warmer months. Perricone MD Chia Serum (covered yesterday here) actually works for light hydration. And it can be used over makeup for that warm, dewy glow.

All those pore clogging sunscreens and sweaty weather don’t only encourage acne on the face. Breakouts on the back and chest can be the worst during pool season. Mario Badescu Special Cleansing Lotion “O” is alcohol-free and soothes sensitive skin. Mild witch hazel formula removes pore clogging debris. Just swipe on post-shower with a cotton ball. The cooling effect is especially pleasant on a hot day.

Not only will exfoliation help with pore-clogging and other breakout causing congestion, but they will also reveal radiant and even skin. For those who look to organic solutions, check out Avalon Organics Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub that uses both fruit enzymes and finely ground walnut shell for a calming exfoliation. New from St. Ives, Even & Bright Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub smells like summer and doesn’t cause redness. I use this as a body wash for a deep clean.

Don’t neglect the tootsies. AmLactin Foot Cream is like regular foot cream on steroids. AHAs help smooth and repair callused and dry skin. Just make sure to use sunscreen on the oft-neglected feet because the active ingredients can make them more susceptible to sun damage. The lotion is quickly absorbed but I still like to apply at night and wear socks to get a deep treatment. There is a very slight medicinal scent.

Shop your spring essentials here:

image here (I can’t seem to find the exact source – if you come across it, please let me know)

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.

Spring Color on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Spring Color on FOX

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:

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