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October 2014

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Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powders

October 27, 2014

I’ve fallen in love with the Tatcha Classic Rice Enzyme Powder ($65 for 60 g/ 2.1 oz) ever since I ordered it back in July. It’s a unique water-activated enzyme powder cleanser and exfoliator in one product. This is a great alternative to traditional scrubs which I find can be too harsh for my sensitive skin. The Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powders are designed to be used on skin without makeup. I find it’s effective even with makeup on, but prefer to remove makeup at the end of the day with a Cleansing Oil first (favorites here). After I purchased the full size, Tatcha released a Travel Size version ($15 for 10 g/ 0.35 oz) which they kindly sent to me to feature alongside the full size option.

These cleansing powders are really easy to use. Pour a small amount into wet hands and add a tiny bit of water to lather up the product into a creamy foam. Apply on the face and massage like a regular cleanser for about 20 seconds and rinse.

The packaging is designed really well – it has a clever opening on the top with a small push back cap for the product. The small opening at the top prevents you from over pouring powder into your hand and also seals the packaging shut making these ideal for travel. There’s no worrying about liquids or creams leaking and the size of both the full size and travel options are compact enough to carry with you in a small bag. One of the things that keeps impressing me with Tatcha is that the packaging design of the travel sizes matches the same quality as the full size.

On the nails, Formula X Wonderous

More packaging details, travel size versus full size shows similar packaging design:

Both have the same cap design with the clever push back cap opening:

I bought the Classic Rice Enzyme Powder version (and love it) but Tatcha has also released two additional options for different skin types. There is the Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (pink powder) and Deep Rice Enzyme Powder (green powder) – both also available in the Travel/Trial sizes. With any online Tatcha order you have the option of selecting samples, these powders are often in the lineup. These packets have also been featured in several special edition kits they’ve released.

Tatcha sent samples of the Gentle and Deep versions for me to put to the test. Aside from the color difference, the formulas are all equally gentle but I could definitely feel the difference between each option. The Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder is designed for dry sensitive skins. After using this one, my skin felt noticeably more moisturized. The Deep Rice Enzyme Powder is recommended for oily skin and does make the skin feel more clean. I wish I had discovered this one earlier in the summer when we had really hot humid weather, it would have been perfect when my skin was more oily. After testing each, I still prefer the Classic Rice Enzyme Powder for my combination skin type.

Classic Rice Enzyme Powder ingredients: Talc, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Myristate, Polyethylene*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Papain (Papaya Extract), Dextrin, Red Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin (Pearl) Protein,  Phenoxyethanol.

Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder ingredients: Talc, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Myristate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Papain, Dextrin, Red Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cl 73360, Iron Oxides (Cl 77492).

Deep Rice Enzyme Powder ingredients: Talc, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Myristate, Polyethylene*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Papain, Dextrin, Red Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract (Dokudami), Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ultramarines, Iron Oxides (Cl 77492)

I highly recommend these. My personal favorite is the Classic Rice Enzyme Powder option. I use it in a double cleanse method (cleansing oil first, then rice enzyme powder. The powder is a gentle but effective cleanser and helps to improve skin texture for those with sensitive skins. It’s suitable for everyday use but I tend to alternate cleansers on a regular basis and use this 2-3 times per week. These work well to clean and gently exfoliate. They are non-irritating and don’t dry out the skin either.

The Travel Sized options are perfect to put these to the test before committing to the full size which I find is on the pricey side. The full size is fairly large though and a little goes a long way so it will last you a long time. If you’re new to Tatcha you may also want to look into the Ritual Discovery Kit ($59 each) which comes in Normal, Oily, Sensitive and Dry Skintype options. These are really nice starter kits with enough product to give you a two-week trial introduction to the line. Another useful tool is the Tatcha Online Personal Skin Consultation which is a questionnaire designed to help you pick items that suit your skin type.
You can find Tatcha products online at Tatcha.com and Barneys New York, stockists listed here. I  highly recommend ordering from their website. Tatcha takes great care in their packaging and sample offerings, everything is delivered beautifully wrapped.

P.S. Right now there is a promo code for a complimentary deluxe sample of the Tatcha eye cream (valued at $45) with any Tatcha.com purchase – use code EYECREAM at checkout, it expires on 10/31.

Tatcha sent the mini powder and sample packets courtesy for review. The full size purchased by me.

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What's In My Bag

Inside My Bag: MAC Clear Bag Set

October 26, 2014

I’ve received lots of requests about clear makeup bags ever since I featured a clear Bobbi Brown cosmetic bag in a few of my inside my bag posts. Unfortunately it was a gift with purchase a few years ago and was never released for purchase which is too bad because it was well made and compact enough to fit into most of my smaller purses. I’ve been on the hunt for something similar but haven’t found anything quite like it. The Truffle Clarity Clutches are a favorite for their sleek look, high quality material and functional design but some have asked for other recommendations. I spotted these new MAC Clear Bag Sets ($25) and immediately went to my MAC counter to investigate. Size dimensions weren’t disclosed online so I wasn’t sure how small or large these were.

The MAC Clear Bag Set ($25) is a set of two sealable rectangular pouches. One side of each pouch is clear with a black back. They are sleek and compact and the set comes with two different sizes. The zipper glides nicely in a plastic format. Below shows what I was able to fit into each:

The Large Pouch measures approximately 9.4 inches by 5.75 inches. It fits quite a bit inside. I like my flat makeup bags to remain relatively flat so I didn’t pack it full. I was able to get the following inside the pouch:

The Small Pouch measures approximately 9.4 inches by 3.1 inches, this one is ideal for smaller sized items like small brushes, pencils, skinny objects or minis. What I was able to fit into the smaller clear front pouch:

Revlon Tweezers

They are both fairly compact in size. The flat design makes them fit easily into your purse and keep everything compact. The material is just ok. It’s nicely made but not the best quality. It’s not as good as the material used on my Bobbi Brown case or Truffle Pouch. The design of the MAC Clear Bag Set is basic and simple with a no-fuss look, but it lacks a hard backing and the trim is very minimal around the edges which makes it easy to bend. I had one corner folded (accidentally) after putting it inside my purse. It didn’t crease completely, but it did get mashed up a bit. The bag isn’t ruined and it will probably go back to its original shape if I lay it flat for a short while. I find these functional but in the past I have had issues with other brands of pouches and bags that have the plastic zipper seal – I’ve found they aren’t always the sturdiest and often become misaligned and the pouches stop sealing all together. Only time will tell with these, but so far they do seem to be pretty well made.

I’ve used these for a couple of weeks and they have held up pretty well although they aren’t the sturdiest makeup bags I’ve tried so I don’t know how long they will hold up. I like that the design is simple and sleek. They keep everything compact and having one clear side is nice so you don’t have to go digging through your makeup bag to find things. The simplicity in the design has a slight downside in the sense the trim is almost non-exisiting so it is very easy to bend. With thinner plastic material I do sometimes worry about it stretching if things don’t stay flat inside making the shape distorted.
Overall I think they are nice. I wouldn’t call them must-haves simply because I would have preferred something with a sturdier design. Still, they are functional and I find the price is reasonable for a set of two pouches. These would certainly be a good storage option for brushes if you are looking for something to store them on-the-go.
I purchased the MAC Clear Bag Set for $25 from Nordstrom. It’s also available at Macy’s and Maccosmetics.com. Do you have a favorite clear makeup bag?

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Tom Ford Nude Dip Eyeshadow Quad Giveaway

October 25, 2014

The Tom Ford Nude Dip Eyeshadow Quad sold out in a blink of an eye (review here for reference), I know many of you might have not been able to find one in time so I have an extra one I bought that I’m giving away. You can enter for a chance to win via the Rafflecopter widget below. It’s open to internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Entries will be collected through October 31, 2014 until 11:45 PM PST. Follow the instructions in the widget and refer to the terms and conditions below. To qualify for entries you must enter through the widget. The winner will be selected and announced via the Rafflecopter. I’ll contact the winner via e-mail within a week after the giveaway ends.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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beautyblender sponges – my new favorite beauty tool

October 24, 2014

Beautyblenders are one of the most raved-about makeup tools I’ve read about. I’ve looked at them in Sephora stores numerous times but couldn’t bring myself to spend nearly $20 on a sponge that I would have to end up throwing away within a couple of months. I finally caved and decided to give beautyblenders a try during the Sephora VIB Summer Surge event back in August. I purchased the Original Beautyblender version ($19.95) and have been really impressed. If you’re late to the game with these (like me), Beautyblenders are an egg-shaped sponge with what they call “an open cell structure.” It’s a porous sponge that fills with small amounts of water and expands to about 1.5x in size when damp. The sponge provides amazingly flawless foundation application that I’ve found to be streak-free. You can use it with primers, foundations, powders, cream blushes, concealers and any other complexion product. I can’t believe it took me so long to try these.

The sponge comes in a small plastic case with easy to use instructions. It works best when slightly damp. I run it through water entirely and then squeeze out the excess. The texture of the sponge is very cushy with a bouncy feel. I usually pour foundation onto the back of my hand first and then tap the sponge into the product before applying onto the face. Just tap and bounce and it blends in foundation perfectly. It also works wonders to blend out concealer.

dry Beautyblender Pro vs. damp Beautyblender Original

After featuring some of the sponges on the blog, several of my readers have asked what I use to clean the sponges. I can usually get 2-3 uses before I need to clean by using different areas of the sponge. I read reviews online at numerous message boards and customer reviews on retailer websites and decided to try the Beautycleanser Solid and Beautycleanser Liquid. I expected to like the liquid version better but the Solid does a much better job at cleaning the sponge all the way through. I’ll use the liquid one up, it works ok, but won’t be repurchasing. The solid is something I’ll keep repurchasing though. It’s like a solid soap – just get the beauty blender wet and rub it into the soap to lather up the cleanser. Rinse and repeat.

There are a number of different beautyblender options. I also checked out the Pure and Pro versions. Bottom line is the Original one performs the best for me. A quick rundown of the differences and my thoughts:
  • Original beautyblender (pink) is the smallest in size when dry although they are all pretty similar in size once damp and expanded. This one gives the best even coverage with liquids and has the most cushiony bounce, the first time you wash it, you will see pink dye run through the water. I’ve never had pink transfer from the sponge onto my skin though and it doesn’t seem to stain white countertops.
  • Pure beautyblender (white) is designed for super sensitive skins. It’s dye-free and colorless so those who might have a reaction to the pink dye in the original might want to opt for this one. I didn’t have any reaction to the pink one and the white sponge performs almost as well, it has a very similar texture but not quite as much bounce, it blends foundation smoothly, but for some reason the original still does a blending job the best.
  • Pro beautyblender (black) is designed for darker products that might stain the pink or white sponges. I noticed a visible difference in texture and the first couple times I used it, tiny bits of sponge went all over my face and countertop. It’s more porous compared to the others and the while the material is still soft, it seems a bit rougher in texture. It made about 1/2 of the foundations I’ve tried with it go on streaky although it did work nicely for powder foundation. I probably won’t be repurchasing this one.

I’ve used the MAC Blending Sponge for years (even back when their older version was a pale beige color). I also really like smaller ones from my local Japanese supermarket. None of the ones I’ve tested compare to the beautyblenders in way they blend liquid foundations or concealers on the skin. Since August I’ve used up and thrown away 1 beautyblender. You do have to be somewhat delicate when washing them or else you might see parts of the sponge tear in areas.

I give these a huge thumbs up. I will definitely keep repurchasing the original version. It applies foundation really well without soaking up too much product. I love how it helps blend concealer too (especially on the under eye area). If you are new to beautyblenders or need to replace one, you might want to consider their sets like this Sponge + Solid Cleanser duo (you get a slight price break). 

I’ve purchased my beautyblenders at Sephora and Nordstrom. Have you tried these sponges? If so what did you think? Do you have any other favorite foundation/concealer tools?

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Thursday Link Love

October 23, 2014

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope you have been having a great week. I can’t believe it’s almost the end of October, time is literally flying in front of my eyes. Thank you everyone for your kind words and sending sweet notes via e-mail and comments over the past few weeks. My husband and I recently moved and the whole process is kicking me in the ***. We are starting from scratch for most of our furniture with the new place and we had no idea everything would take so long to make and ship – even items that don’t seem like they are custom pieces of furniture. Luckily we found some pieces that work for now and are slowly getting everything put together. In a way, it’s a bit like a blank canvas which makes it fun.

A few links I’m loving this week:

  • Brunch and Art from Egg Canvas is perfection (and her photos are amazing too)
  • Loving Lipstick With Some Sunshine’s Autumn Makeup Bag picks
  • This Bite Beauty Best Bite Remix set on Temptalia is adorable
  • Lucky girl Beauty Professor met Lipstick Queen founder Poppy King (check out her interview)
  • The Non-Blonde’s secret beauty weapon is Vincent Longo Flamenco (and I need it)
  • Amelia Liana shares her special event contouring and highlighting tips
  • Emoji talk on Garance Doré (happy I’m not the only one who likes to talk in emoji)
  • Tatcha has launched their Personal Skincare Consultation online that provides personalized recommendations if you’re not sure where to start
  • Many thanks to Elle Quebec for featuring me in their October Issue! I’m beyond thrilled 🙂
 Have a great Thursday!

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Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss Picks | Sensuel, Affriolant, Sensible, Séduction and Distinction

October 22, 2014

Chanel Rouge Allure Glosses have finally arrived in the US in ten different colors ($34 each for 6 ml/0.20 fl oz). The newly released lipglosses are a color and shine lip product packaged in a long clickable tube similar to the Rouge Allure Lipsticks. I’ve been a huge fan of Chanel glosses in general and the new Rouge Allure Gloss does not disappoint. (These are replacing the Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss formulas). I picked out five different shades:

  • Sensuel 11 is a perfect medium beige nude
  • Affriolant 13 is a hot warm pink
  • Sensible 15 is a softer warm baby pink
  • Séduction 18 is a stunning soft red
  • Distinction 21 is a gorgeous deep plum

The Rouge Allure Glosses are truly phenomenal. The formula is thick but smooth. There is a slight tacky feeling when you apply which makes them adhere to the lips well but at the same time they aren’t sticky. The new Rouge Allure Glosses come with a sponge tip applicator which is almost identical the  older Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss formula. The difference is that the new ones have slightly better pigment. The Rouge Allure Gloss has a really nice feel on the lips – it helps smooth them, plump them and add just the right amount of shine and color. They also stay put well (as in they don’t bleed around the edges of the lip and don’t disappear after 10 minutes).

Truffle Clutch in Blush, Bracelets by Celine and Tiffany

The colors I tested are easy to apply and blend. A couple swipes is all you need for medium coverage but they are definitely layerable for more color. The sponge tip applies to the lips perfectly – no lip brush or finger blending needed. The tip has a slight point at the tip so you can get precise application around the edges while the wider base allows you to glide across larger areas of your lip.

A closer look at the packaging shows that Chanel once again was able to revamp one of their classic products with an updated modern look while still retaining the classic Chanel feel, old Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss vs new Rouge Allure Gloss:

Packaging of the new Rouge Allure Glosses have a clickable cap/applicator tip:

All the glosses at the Chanel Boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills:

Close up and swatches:

Swatched on the lips, most of these shown below are with two swipes. You can definitely add one more swipe to layer each shade for more coverage and color.

It’s pure love for these. In my mind these glosses have everything I want in a lip gloss: smooth coverage, soothing hydrating feel, medium shine, layerable color with good pigment. They just feel incredible on the lips. I give these a huge thumbs up. I’m sad to see the older Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss formula go, but the new Rouge Allure Glosses are really amazing. There’s a slight hint of shimmer in each color I have but it doesn’t really show up on the lips. I love that the colors are classics with a modern feel and that they also have depth. For me these fall into the “need” and I think you really need to try at least one. They are a luxurious splurge but worth every penny.

The Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss retails for $34 each. You can find them now at all Chanel stores and counters. Online now at Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdales and Chanel.com.
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On My Radar / New in Beauty

October 21, 2014

A few new items on my beauty radar this week:

Jo Malone has released the Cologne Intense Mini Collection (1) in a set for the first time this holiday. It has Tuberose Angelica, Velvet Rose and Oud, Saffron, Dark Amber and Ginger Lily and Oud and Bergamot. I was almost ready to purchase but have never smelled Saffron before. Have you? What do you think?

Edward Bess has released four new shades of Lasting Kiss Lip Stain (2). I will have swatches to share with you very soon but first impressions are they are to die for.

Tom Ford Beauty has re-released two of the Cream Color for Eyes (3) in Platinum and Spice. Those who missed out before will be happy to know you can purchase them now with the holiday collection (but take note they are limited-edition again).

L’Occitane never fails to get me with their Shea Butter Hand Cream releases (4). With the holiday season approaching, I’m excited to see what sets they will release this year. Three new ones on my radar are the Rose Heart, Vanilla Bouquet and Whipped Shea Butter.

NARS has several holiday gifting sets out this year. This Virtual Domination Cheek Palette (5) looks like it could be the perfect compact size to slip into your purse for touchups or application on-the-go.

I’ve been getting lots of e-mails about the new Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss (6). Chanel.com released three shades as a preview, but all the colors have finally arrived at Nordstrom in case you have been looking. I have five I’ll be swatching and reviewing.

Diptyque has some amazing holiday offerings this year. The packaging on their holiday candles are breathtakingly beautiful. There will be candle sets available as well. For the first time they will have one of their photophores available for purchase outside of Diptyque Boutiques in a Limited Edition Set with a Candle Holder + Feu de Bois, 6.5 oz. (7).

Dior Holiday is also stunning. There are two limited-edition quints in Golden Shock and Golden Reflection (8). (P.S. for a limited time, Nordstrom.com has these on sale with 10% off for their price matching, check out the Sale Section on their website under Beauty to see what else is on a discount.)
What’s on your beauty radar this week?
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