B is for Beauty

How gorgeous does Lara Stone look in Tom Ford’s new beauty line? I’ve seen an array of campaign images from Ford’s latest line, but this is by far my favorite. I love the idea of using similar shades of nude on the eyes, cheeks and lips, with a wash of sparkle. It is subtle, yet sophisticated.  I can’t wait to get my hands on some of the products used for this look: Cognac Sable eye quad, Coco Ravish Lipstick, and Ravish blush (which appears to work well as a contour color). The line should land in the states around November 1st, according to Into the Gloss (thanks, Emily!) Which products are you most looking forward to trying?

How gorgeous does Lara Stone look in Tom Ford’s new beauty line? I’ve seen an array of campaign images from Ford’s latest line, but this is by far my favorite. I love the idea of using similar shades of nude on the eyes, cheeks and lips, with a wash of sparkle. It is subtle, yet sophisticated. 

I can’t wait to get my hands on some of the products used for this look: Cognac Sable eye quad, Coco Ravish Lipstick, and Ravish blush (which appears to work well as a contour color). The line should land in the states around November 1st, according to Into the Gloss (thanks, Emily!)

Which products are you most looking forward to trying?

For fall 2011 lips are looking gorgeous in dark reds, berries, and satin nudes. I’d say I’m more partial to the nude lip look because of it’s versatility; a nude lip looks gorgeous during the day paired with a neutral shadow and black liner, as well as at night with a darker smokey eye. 

Two nude colors that I find perfect for this season are YSL Hazelnut (#147), and Estee Lauder Nude Velvet. I’ve had Hazelnut for about a year, and by the looks of the worn down tip it’s apparent how fond I’ve been of it. I think it looks gorgeous with any color shadow, as well as with any cheek color. It’s a bit more hydrating than Nude Velvet, so I don’t find it necessary to apply a balm before slicking it on. 

Nude Velvet is a beautiful, matte lip color. This lipstick is perfect for this season since matte lips were a big trend on the runways for fall/winter 2011. Nude Velvet can be a bit drying, so I’d suggest applying a balm - I love Dior’s rose balm. It’s a bit pricey, but it works wonders on chapped lips! It’s also quite thick, so you won’t have to keep reapplying. For more of a glossy finish, I like to apply MAC Ample Pink gloss or Nars Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Piree right on top. 

Now, layer on the coziest cardigan you can find, pull up a pair of up-to-the-knee boots, and grab a cup of pumpkin spiced coffee!

So this post isn’t about a lipstick, lip balm or lip gloss - but it is so fabulous that I had to write about it. “Just another black eyeliner,” I thought as I visited the Guerlain counter at my local Nordstroms department store; though I was intrigued by the unusual casing and structure of the pencil. “It’s meant to be drawn on the waterline,” exclaimed the representative. “It glides on easily and won’t irritate the eyes.” The eyeliner also claims to be “full of Eastern promise.” I was hooked. After perusing the rest of Guerlain’s summer 2011 collection I decided on the Kohl liner and one of the gorgeous Terracotta lip glosses in 02, a light beige with beautiful gold flecks (review coming soon!). I tried the liner on as soon as I returned home. The verdict: she was right. The liner is creamy and glides on the waterline with ease. My eyes tend to water when I apply liner to my waterline; but nope, not with Kohl Kajal. The liner also has an undeniably sexy, bedroom-eye effect - Think Alessandra Ambrosia in a Victoria’s Secret campaign. All in all, I definitely recommend this liner if you’re used to wearing pencil on your waterline, or even if you haven’t and you want to try something new and effortlessly sexy! 

So this post isn’t about a lipstick, lip balm or lip gloss - but it is so fabulous that I had to write about it.

“Just another black eyeliner,” I thought as I visited the Guerlain counter at my local Nordstroms department store; though I was intrigued by the unusual casing and structure of the pencil. “It’s meant to be drawn on the waterline,” exclaimed the representative. “It glides on easily and won’t irritate the eyes.” The eyeliner also claims to be “full of Eastern promise.”

I was hooked.

After perusing the rest of Guerlain’s summer 2011 collection I decided on the Kohl liner and one of the gorgeous Terracotta lip glosses in 02, a light beige with beautiful gold flecks (review coming soon!). I tried the liner on as soon as I returned home. The verdict: she was right. The liner is creamy and glides on the waterline with ease.

My eyes tend to water when I apply liner to my waterline; but nope, not with Kohl Kajal. The liner also has an undeniably sexy, bedroom-eye effect - Think Alessandra Ambrosia in a Victoria’s Secret campaign. All in all, I definitely recommend this liner if you’re used to wearing pencil on your waterline, or even if you haven’t and you want to try something new and effortlessly sexy! 

A few days ago I picked up two “Gloss Balms” from CoverGirls latest line NatureLuxe. On the CoverGirl site these balms are described as being luxurious, sheer with a hint of shine, and having the lightweight feel of a balm. As an added bonus, they have SPF 15.  Before heading to CVS, I visited the site to get colormatched so that I could choose colors based on my complexion (fair skin, blonde hair, brown eyes). I decided on Tulip, a semi-sheer baby pink, and Anemone, a sheer bright red/coral. Tulip looked the same on my lips as it did in the tube, however Anemone was not nearly as bright on my lips. Anemone is definitely my favorite of the two - when I put it on it brightened my entire face. I’m sure I’ll be taking Anemone to the beach this summer for an SPF balm with a sheer pop of color.  Overall, these balms are good for everyday use if you are looking for something moisturizing with a sheer tint of color. The balm lasted for about an hour, and the tint stayed on my lips for another half hour. I’m not sure I would say these are the most ‘luxurious’ balms I’ve ever used, and I don’t know why they are advertised as a ‘gloss balm’ when they do not look or feel like glosses. If you want an above average balm with some color, definitely pick one, or a few of these up at your local drug store for $6. Stay tuned… swatches to come!

A few days ago I picked up two “Gloss Balms” from CoverGirls latest line NatureLuxe. On the CoverGirl site these balms are described as being luxurious, sheer with a hint of shine, and having the lightweight feel of a balm. As an added bonus, they have SPF 15. 

Before heading to CVS, I visited the site to get colormatched so that I could choose colors based on my complexion (fair skin, blonde hair, brown eyes). I decided on Tulip, a semi-sheer baby pink, and Anemone, a sheer bright red/coral. Tulip looked the same on my lips as it did in the tube, however Anemone was not nearly as bright on my lips. Anemone is definitely my favorite of the two - when I put it on it brightened my entire face. I’m sure I’ll be taking Anemone to the beach this summer for an SPF balm with a sheer pop of color. 

Overall, these balms are good for everyday use if you are looking for something moisturizing with a sheer tint of color. The balm lasted for about an hour, and the tint stayed on my lips for another half hour. I’m not sure I would say these are the most ‘luxurious’ balms I’ve ever used, and I don’t know why they are advertised as a ‘gloss balm’ when they do not look or feel like glosses. If you want an above average balm with some color, definitely pick one, or a few of these up at your local drug store for $6.

Stay tuned… swatches to come!

Get Up and Go

When I wake up late I feel too self-conscious to roll out of bed and run out of my house without a stitch of makeup on. But sometimes, there’s no time to hop in the shower, put on a full face of makeup and blow dry my hair. 

Here’s my quick fix to feeling refreshed and confident when you walk out your door:

  1. Spray TRESemme Dry Shampoo on roots, let sit for 1 minute, and then brush out for a fresh, just-washed look
  2. Apply Smith’s Rosebud Lip Salve to eyelids, cheeks and lips for an ethereal glow
  3. Apply Maybelline Falsies Black Drama Mascara for gorgeous, wide-awake eyes

What’s even sweeter about this quick beauty fix? You can purchase all 3 products for $19. That’s less than the cost of 1 Nars lipgloss!

I am loving the look Nars created for the Marc Jacobs AW11 Runway Show - blushed cheeks, defined upper eyes and a muted lip.  To achieve this look use the following key products: Face - Lokoum Cream Blush Eyes - Loukom Cream Blush - Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil - Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara Lips - Greta Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment

I am loving the look Nars created for the Marc Jacobs AW11 Runway Show - blushed cheeks, defined upper eyes and a muted lip. 

To achieve this look use the following key products:

Face

- Lokoum Cream Blush

Eyes

- Loukom Cream Blush

- Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil

- Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara

Lips

- Greta Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment





Lipstick Queen: I am officially obsessed

A few months ago I saw a post on Nylon Mag’s website about Lipstick Queen’s Big Bang glosses. I consider myself somewhat of a beauty junkie, so I was surprised to read about a makeup brand I had never heard of. What’s unique about this brand, is that it is specific to lips - products include lipsticks, lipliners, lipglosses, and chunky lipgloss crayons. 

After further investigating this brand, I decided I had to give it a try. This brand is only sold in a select few places, so I had to venture to Barney’s to make my purchases.

I wound up choosing Big Bang Theory lipgloss in Creation and Jean Queen Lipstick. Creation is a gorgeous light rose/pink that glides on the lips and leaves ZERO sticky texture. The other interesting thing about these glosses is that they do give the illusion of fuller lips. Lipstick Queen’s creator Poppy King found a way to incorporate micro shimmer to give the full-pout effect. A lot of brands may claim that they have non-sticky glosses, but so far, this is the only gloss I’ve found that is 100% smooth and non-sticky. I am looking forward to picking up more of these glosses!

Poppy did indeed create the perfect color to wear with denim with Jean Queen. I feel like this color is the perfect natural pink I’ve been searching for. Even though the color is natural, I thought that my whole face appeared brighter after I swiped it on. 

This past week I ordered two lipsticks from the Lipstick Queen site - Coral Sinner and Nude Sinner. Stay tuned for reviews, swatches, and more about Poppy’s Saint and Sinner lipstick formula!