TGIF everyone! I hope you had a good week and have some down time to relax this weekend. I’m looking forward to meeting up with a few friends, a trip to Barneys and plan on taking lots of photos for upcoming reviews.
Inside my makeup bag this week (way too many lip products stuffed in here):
Diptyque 34 L’Eau du Trent-Quatre Eau de Toilette mini (full size here), seriously considering the full size but I already have 3 other perfumes on my wish list
Guerlain Healthy Glow Terracotta Bronzer (discontinued from holiday, review here)
NARS Mini Blush Brush (from a GWP many years ago)
Chanel Les Beiges No 2 in the darker shade for summer (review soon, original ones in 20, 30 and 40 here)
NARS Angelika Lipgloss is a gorgeous pink color (P.S. Sephora has a super cute 100 beauty insider reward option of a mini NARS lipgloss, it was completely gone from all the stores near me but you can still find it online while it lasts)
Aerin Rose Lip Balm in Pretty, a classic staple nude pink (review and swatches)
MAC Viva Glam VI lipstick, my favorite darker rose brown color (wish they made this in lipglass form too, more VG swatches here)
Caudalie Lip Conditioner from the Favorites Set (feature here)
Dior Diorshow Brow Styler in Universal Brown, this is one of three brow pencils I’ve been testing out, the super fine tip makes application easy and I like the packaging which is super convenient and easy to use
Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Canvas (review here)
I need to start using smaller makeup bags so I don’t end up carrying around so much stuff. Things tend to pile up each day. What’s been in your makeup bag this past week?
Bobbi Brown has a new bronzy Raw Sugar Collection out for spring-to-summer. The Raw Sugar Shimmer Brick Eye Palette ($48, limited-edition) has been on my radar for over a month. I finally tracked one down in person – it’s quite a bit different in real life compared to the promotional photos online. From the ads I expected a neutral-cool mix of bronze, champagne and taupe. In real life Raw Sugar is quite a bit warmer with no taupe. I still found the mix to be quite lovely.
The Raw Sugar Shimmer Brick Eye Palette is similar to the Shimmer Bricks for the face. The one for eyes is quite a bit smaller in size measuring about 4 x 1.5 inches. The colors are all neutral earthy tones ranging from pale gold to a medium bronze. The pigment is quite good and easy to control. It is on the shimmery side but I don’t find it overly frosty. The texture is soft and easy to apply and they adhere well to the lids (as long as your lids aren’t dry, I recommend using a base or a cream shadow first).
I’ve been using this one by swiping a fluffy shadow brush like MAC 217 (see my brush essentials here) across the left side mixing multiple colors and applying all over the lids, then taking a smaller contour brush like MAC 226 on the right side over the darkest three browns and applying on top near the lash lines. You can control intensity of color and shimmer depending on how much you apply to the eyes and what brushes you use. A denser brush will pick up more color. You can also use a slightly damp brush to intensify the frost/shimmer.
For those who have previous Shimmer Brick Eye Palettes, Raw Sugar is definitely very different from the others. I only have Sequin which is significantly cooler in tone. I couldn’t fit both palettes on one arm to show you how they look side by side but see my review and swatches here. (Sequin was also limited-edition but you can still find it at Barneys right now.)
I’m really happy with the palette even though it looks completely different than the promo photos. It’s warm but not too warm. Also although it is on the shimmery side I find the warmth makes it wearable and not too frosty. For my olive skin I find cooler toned shimmers can look frosty on my skin because of the contrast.
Bobbi Brown Raw Sugar Shimmer Brick Eye Palette is limited-edition. Several stores near me sold out of this one because they had events so it took me a bit of hunting to find it. You can find it online now at Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Bobbi Brown.
Did you check out anything from the Raw Sugar collection? There are some new bronzers, nail colors and tinted lip balms that I passed on but looked lovely.
Dolce & Gabbana Oleandro Nail Lacquer ($25 for 11 ml/.037 fl oz) is a shimmery medium-light pink. It was released almost a year ago with the Dolce & Gabbana Love in Taormina collection (see the details on Makeup and Beauty Blog) but the colors are part of the permanent line. Oleandro is a lovely light pink that has a good mix of color and shimmer. It applies smoothly with rich color with just two coats. I found it to last quite well when used with CND Sticky Base Coat and Top Coat. I was able to get 5 days of wear without any tip wear (no chipping at all).
For those new to Dolce & Gabbana Nail polishes, here’s a snapshot of the brush. The gold caps are removeable. The brush is thin enough to apply easily on the nails.
Here it is swatched with two coats. I like that the pink base is a medium pink and that it’s infused with some lighter shimmer particles. It gives the color some pop. It leans towards being a baby pink without being too pale or pastel.
Bottom line love. It’s a lovely delicate pink that still has enough color in it to prevent it from looking like your traditional super pale pink. I’ve had some hit/miss experiences with some of the Dolce & Gabbana shades. Some of the sheer ones are super sheer with a jelly finish. Even though they are designed to be sheerish some (like Pearl Grey, Anise and Pink) I still prefer a bit more coverage. Oleandro on the other hand is rich in pigment and smooth in application. The formula is flawless.
Dolce & Gabbana Nail Lacquers retail for $27 each. I found mine online and also purchase the other shades in store at Saks. For some reason it’s not listed everywhere online, but you can find it now at Sephora.
Hourglass has released three new shades of Extreme Sheen High Shine Lipgloss ($28 each for 0.17 oz/5g) in Canvas (dusty nude pink), Ballet (bright pink) and Muse (bright coral). These are slightly different from the existing Extreme Sheens in that the new ones are high impact glosses with super rich pigment. Those who are looking for a glossy liquid lipstick will love these. Hourglass sent two for me to try in Canvas and Ballet. I’ve been wearing these for the past week and have been thoroughly impressed with the natural shine, rich pigment and long lasting power.
These come with a thin sponge tip applicator. They have a texture similar to that of a liquid lipstick but have a non-drying feel. The shine in the formula prevents these from looking flat like most other liquid lipsticks. They have a richer more pigmented look compared to Dior’s new Addict Fluid Sticks but are similar in concept.
Ballet is a rich pink that is very bright on my lips. It’s not quite neon so I can actually wear the color. It covers the lip entirely. Canvas is a nude pink rose also with full coverage. I like that it’s a natural color with rich pigment that doesn’t wash out the skin.
Swatches:
Comparison swatches show how pigmented and rich in color Canvas and Ballet are, left to right: Hourglass Femme Nude 6 (swatched here), NARS Riekugen Satin Lip Pencil. Tom Ford Tawny Pink Lipgloss, Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Kiss Me (on lips here), NARS Isola Bella Satin Lip Pencil, Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Rieuse (on lips here), Tom Ford Sugar Pink Lipgloss, Burberry Pink Sweet Pea Lip Gloss (swatched here), Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Imaginaire
Bottom line love. Canvas is an easy one to fall in love with. Who doesn’t love a good nude pink that doesn’t wash them out? However in an effort to wear more color (per many reader requests), I’ve been pushing myself to go outside of my comfort zone and wear Ballet on multiple occasions. For me it’s definitely bright, but friends and family have all given positive feedback. Both shades will be available in stores starting June.
Back in January of this year I was lucky to meet the Ole Henriksen team and discovered their products for the first time. I received some samples and fell in love with items from The Works Set ($48 boxed set) which includes five of their best selling items in mini trial-sized versions. I usually proceed with extreme caution before trying new skincare items. I have very sensitive skin that reacts easily to many skincare products. Reactions usually happen within minutes and take at least a week for my skin to calm down and return to its normal state. This set proved to be the perfect size and mix to sample five staple items to see if they really worked for me. I also found it priced at a reasonable range given the size of each item. More brands should follow with these trial/value/introductory sets – skincare can be costly and it takes time to try items to see if you really like them. I really like that it comes with easy to follow instructions and that the steps to use these items are very simple.
The Works Set contains:
1 African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser 1.5oz/45ml
1 Truth Serum Collagen Booster 0.5oz/15ml
1 Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 0.5oz/15ml
1 Sheer Transformation 0.5oz/15ml
1 Lemon Strip Flash Peel .5oz/15ml
Easy to follow 5-step regimen:
My thoughts on each item below, individual products linked to Ole Henriksen for more information and ingredient references. For quick reference – I’ve been using these items and alternating with other skincare items, but all of these have lasted several months. I’ve already used up the Foaming Cleanser and Truth Serum from the set and repurchased.
African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser is creamy foaming face wash that is designed to melt away dirt and makeup without stripping skin. It has African Red Tea and essential fatty acids to nourish and soothe. I found this to be an effective cleanser without stripping the skin. It’s designed for both morning and evening use, I found that I liked to use this most in the evening (I like to use other creamy cleansers such as Dior or SK-II in the morning). It has a soft citrus scent and has a dispenser that foams the cleanser. My husband and I share skincare cleansers, he did not like this one, he felt it left a residue on his face even after rinsing. I on the other hand liked it enough to buy the full size for the home and another small trial sized version for travel.
Truth Serum Collagen Booster is one of the most-raved about products from Ole Henriksen. The reps mentioned it’s their number one seller and the most-returned to product that their customers keep repurchasing. I’ve always been very skeptical of serums and usually don’t like using them in conjunction with moisturizers because I feel like it results in too many layers of product on my face. The Truth Serum has completely changed my outlook on serums. It’s extremely lightweight and a lottle goes a very long way. I’ve been using one small pump and applying all over the face (after cleansing and toning). It has a thin clearish orange formula like a thin gel. You can feel it on the skin after application but layering moisturizer over it results in a weightless feel. What I liked about this the most was that it really brightened my skin and also helped my foundation last longer. It’s not really an oil control product but using this with the Sheer Transformation moisturizer worked wonders for me.
Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil is a Rose Hips Seed Oil that repairs and replenishes with essential fatty acids, vitamin A, and C for youthful radiance. It’s recommended for evening use to be layered over the Truth Serum to maximize brightening. This is the one product from the set that I have mixed feelings about. In trying a number of face oils, I’ve found there are only a couple that I have been able to stand the smell of. The Ole Henriksen oil is not one of them. It has a sharp citrus herbal cleansing smell which I’m not a fan of. It does fade a bit after application but I’m not a fan. The formula on the other hand is very hydrating and does calm the skin. I found it a bit heavy to use every night but in general I feel most face oils are too heavy for my preference. It does absorb into the skin after 15 minutes or so and I can’t feel it on my face unless I touch it. When used at night I find I wake up with refreshed hydrated skin with a more brightened complexion. I really just need to get over the scent because it makes the skin feel extremely soft and supple.
Sheer Transformation is one of my new favorite moisturizers. It’s a lightweight cream moisturizer infused with Actiwhite™, licorice and botanical AHA’s to help fade dark spots and soften skin. Vitamin C Stimulates collagen production, fruit acids retexturizes and soothes lines and sandalwood, geranium, licorice and chamomile soothes, replenishes, balances and purifies the skin. My skin has gone through several freak-outs this year after two really bad colds (the first one lasted a couple months). I’ve had some break outs on the face that resulted in some acne scars. This cream combined with some other items has really helped bring my skin back to its normal state. There’s no detectable scent and I like the way it moisturizes the skin without feeling heavy. Huge thumbs up.
Lemon Strip Flash Peel is a powerful peel with a 20% AHA complex of glycolic, lactic & fruit acids to accelerate cell turnover and resurface for luminous, smooth skin in a flash. This one made me a bit nervous to try since I was told it is a resurfacing product. Any skincare product with the word “peel” makes me nervous in general especially with my super sensitive skin. I gave this a try and found that it was gentle enough to not cause a huge reaction for my skin. It helped to improve the surface of my skin tremendously. If you have a lot of healing acne, raw peeling skin or any open wounds I would proceed with caution on using this (it will sting if you use it on any picked-at skin areas), but you don’t have to apply it all over the face. I found that it tingled a little but did not sting.
After months of testing these items I’ve been very pleased. My top two picks are the Truth Serum and Sheer Transformation cream. You can find The Works Set at Ole Henriksen for $48 or find each item individually. I really like that they have a wide range of small-sized items available for travel or to try out. For more on the brand be sure to follow Ole Henriksen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and their Blog.
What are your favorite Ole Henriksen products? If you have anything you’ve been using for a while or just discovered I’d love to hear your recommendations for what to try next.
I’ve fallen in love with this set so much that I’m going to giveaway two of them (many thanks to Ole Henriksen for providing two giveaway sets for The Beauty Look Book). Two individuals will be selected to win one set each.
To qualify you must use the Rafflecopter widget below, be a US resident (due to shipping restrictions on liquids), 18 years or older and like The Beauty Look Book on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. Giveaway entries begin today on May 12, 2014 and ends May 22, 2014 at 12:00 AM PST. Winners will be contacted by e-mail or Twitter by The Beauty Look Book within three days after the giveaway entries end. See terms in conditions in the widget.
This post contains items received in a sample from Ole Henriksen along with items repurchased by The Beauty Look Book. All opinions are my own. Two sets were also provided by Ole Henriksen for The Beauty Look Book giveaway for US residents.
Chanel Tutti Frutti and Mirabella Le Vernis ($27 each) are my favorite two shades out of the Reflets D’Été de Chanel Summer Collection. Tutti Frutti is a watermelon coral pink with a hint of gold shimmer and Mirabella is an orange. Both are gorgeous brights for summer. They just arrived recently at counters for spring/summer. I highly recommend both shades.
Chanel Tutti Frutti applies smoothly with full coverage. It’s the perfect mix between pink and coral. The color is bright and summery. I applied it here with two coats:
Chanel Mirabella is a vibrant orange cream. It’s a very orangey orange (if that makes sense). I usually worry about oranges making my skin look sallow, this one is warm enough that it works.
Chanel Mirabella is closest to Dior Sunnies (Chanel is more opaque and slightly richer in coverage). Chanel Tutti Frutti is a more coral version of Dior Wonderland.
Bottom line love. I think they are both must- haves. They wear very well with around 5 days of wear without any chipping or tip wear. I usually use Deborah Lippmann Rehydrating Base Coat with Chanel Top Coat. Mirabella is listed as limited-editon while Tutti Frutti is listed as permanent. Both are available now. I purchased mine from Nordstrom.
Did you pick up anything from the summer collection? What were your favorites?
Chanel Pink Tonic #619 Le Vernis ($27, limited-edition) is a rich deep pink rose cream. The fuchsia tones give Pink Tonic a lovely brightness without making it looking electric. Unfortunately with any flash or sunlight the color was very hard to photograph. If you have any of Chanel’s other pinks like Riviera (discontinued), Rose Exhuberant, or Rose Insolent (discontinued) note that this summer’s Pink Tonic is very similar just more pigmented, darker in color and slightly more blue.
I found it applied very smoothly without any streaks or bubbles. You do need two coats for full coverage. I wore this on the toes and on the tips (on separate occasions) and loved it.
Pink Tonic is a lovely bright rose fuchsia pink rose perfect for summer. As with many classic pinks, it does have a similar vibe and look to other colors. The difference is very slight but it is cooler-toned and darker than most other Chanels but is still a bright shade. You many not need it if you want to avoid duplicates or similar colors but I really like it. It’s listed as limited-edition.
