Monthly Archives

November 2014

Uncategorized

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lovemarc Lip Gel in Have We Met? and Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl Sheer in Pink Diamond

November 10, 2014

I have two Marc Jacobs Beauty lip products to share today that I’ve been obsessed with for a few weeks now. The Lovemarc Lip Gel in Have We Met? ($30 for 3.6 g / 0.12 oz) is a medium rose pink with a bit of gold shimmer. The formula of the Lovemarc Lip Gel is really nice and smooth. It’s become a favorite lipstick formula of mine, I think they are highly under-rated. The lipsticks are a unique gel formula with a slightly glossy finish. The shades I’ve tested adhere well to my lips and give medium to full coverage. (Other reviews on blog on Role Play, Serevine and Cabaret.) The Lip Gels have a slight vanilla scent but it is very soft and subdued making it wearable for me even though I have a super sensitive nose.

There are several new shades of the Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl Sheers and I ordered Pink Diamond online sight unseen ($28 for 0.15 oz). It’s a soft sheer pink gold with a super smooth shimmer. It is on the sheer side like most of the other Marc Jacobs Lip Glosses I’ve tried. Alone it gives a soft pink glow to the lips, but I did find the gold shimmer seemed to emphasize lip lines as it settled into the creases a bit. I like this one layered over a lip pencil or lipstick better than wearing it alone. It has a slightly minty tingle to it but it doesn’t numb the lips.

Swatches on lips:

I give the Love Marc Lip Gel in Have We Met? a huge thumbs up. It’s smooth, feels moisturizing, has decent medium lasting power and is a medium bright pink that has enough color to show up on the lips but still natural enough that it isn’t fuchsia. The Lust for Lacquer in Pink Diamond is something I think will be either hit or miss. I have some of the glosses that I really like in this formula, but there are some shades that tend to be just too sheer and settle into lip lines. That being said, I do really like the way it feels and if you have a smoother lip surface you shouldn’t have issues with it settling. It does wear really nicely over other lipsticks.

You can find both items online and instore at Sephora and Marc Jacobs Beauty.

P.S. The Sephora VIB Rouge and VIB 20% off promotion ends today at 11:59 PM PST, if you shop in store you can use the coupon they mailed to you or they should be able to look up your Beauty Insider account. If you’re ordering online, use code GIFTROUGE at checkout for the discount if you have VIB Rouge status. If you’re a VIB member you can use the code GIFTVIB at checkout. Be sure to check the terms and conditions on your mailer or e-mail coupon.
10 Comments
Uncategorized

R29 + Rescue Beauty Lounge

November 10, 2014

Rescue Beauty Lounge has partnered with Refinery29 to release a stunning collection of seven new nail lacquers this month. The colors in this collection were inspired by the seven teams at Refinery29, each of which put together color inspirational boards to create their dream color of nail polish for Ji to mix up and create. I’m thrilled to share the colors with you today. They are available for purchase now online at Rescue Beauty Lounge, all are limited-edition. The seven shades include:
  • Elvis in the Cloud (inspired by the R29 technology team)
  • All About Yves (inspired by the R29 fashion group)
  • Sunny Skies (inspired by the R29 health and wellness team)
  • Better Than Boyfriend Jeans (inspired by the R29 shopping team)
  • Pretty Gritty (inspired by the R29 beauty team)
  • Bubblegum Punk (inspired by the R29 news team)
  • Galaxy Glue (inspired by R29)

Elvis in the Cloud is like a red sunset. It has a mix of orange, iridescent purple, gold and some green in it. This is a metallic but applies smoothly and the brush strokes are minimal. The texture is really beautiful with a slight transparent quality. Two coats will give you full coverage. It has a complex mix of colors making it very unique. I normally don’t like orangey nail polishes (unless they are creams) but this one has completely changed my outlook on orange colors.

All About Yves is a bold blue cream with a high gloss finish. You get full coverage with two coats and the texture is phenomenal. It’s quite bright – almost electric but it’s still deep in color. If you want a statement nail color, this is it. Even though it is opaque, there is a slight jelly quality to it giving it a cushiony look and feel.

Sunny Skies is a richly pigmented sea green + teal mix. This one applies smoothly on the nails as well with two coats for full coverage. This one will be fun to wear on the toes. These kinds of colors can be hard to pull off without looking too pastel or chalky sometimes. Rescue Beauty Lounge always has the best sea-green/teal colors.

Better Than Boyfriend Jeans is a baby blue cream. I love this one for the name. Most pastel blues tend to be sheer in formula on the nails and this one is no exception. I need three thin coats for full coverage with this shade. It will take a bit more time with application but it is worth the wait. Baby blues are also difficult for me to pull off but this one is just perfect. It has the right mix of white and blue to be very flattering on medium skin tone.

Pretty Gritty is an orchid purple base with gold shimmer mixed in. It’s a really pretty color, one I find is well executed with the mix of purple and gold. It applies smoothly with two coats. The gold is very fine so there are no visible brush strokes with this one. The way it’s mixed in is impressive. It gives the effect of a soft veil of gold dust on the nails.

Bubblegum Punk reminds me of bubbles. I also like the name of this one. It’s a sparkling color that has tiny micro sparkles of clear iridescent glitters but it’s not a glitter nail polish. This one looks good alone with two coats but it’s also nice as a layering color. The shimmer particles are visible like micro glitters but the formula is very smooth and not chunky at all.

Galaxy Glue is a beautiful sea green iridescent mix. It has a mermaid-like feel and the colors change as the light hits the nail. In some light it looks more green, while in others it has more blue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nail polish as pretty as this one. I am going to need a backup.

All the R29 + Rescue Beauty Lounge shades lined up:

The R29 + Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polishes are available for purchase now online exclusively at Rescue Beauty Lounge ($20 each). All the shares are limited-edition and in my mind each color is a stunner. All winners in my book. If you asked me to pick a favorite, it would be impossible. I love them all, but my top three picks are Bubblegum Punk, Galaxy Glue and Better Than Boyfriend Jeans.

For more swatches, you can check out these awesome bloggers who have also featured the collection today, some with comparison swatches too:

You can read more about Ji’s inspiration on the Rescue Beauty Lounge Blog and get the 411 on the the inspiration from each team also at Refinery29.

Thank you Rescue Beauty Lounge for sending me a preview of these shades to share with you.
24 Comments
Base Makeup

Concealers In Rotation

November 9, 2014

For years I’ve stuck to concealers from two lines: Clé de Peau Beauté and By Terry. I’ve never had much need for concealer but my skin changed this year. These slightly dark circles under the eyes started to appear and I’ve needed a lot more coverage in certain areas of the face with scars and blemishes. Both of my go-to concealers still work really well for me, but I’ve been experimenting more with other brands and products. I thought I’d share a round up of the ones I have in rotation right now plus what tools I use.

My personal preference for blending concealer is for rounded brushes made of synthetic materials. My most reached-for tools include the MAC 252, Chanel Concealer Brush #10 and Trish McEvoy Medium Laydown #40. All of them are about the same medium size which works best for me. I’ve tried smaller detail brushes during makeovers and while they are good for precise application, I usually find larger brushes for cream products work better for me. They blend concealers well and also double as cream shadow brushes. Some days I will use fingers or a sponge, but my preference these days is for the brush.

Concealers I use right now:

  • Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer in Almond is my current skin tone match. The Cle de Peau Beaute concealer is the best stick formula I’ve tried. It covers the skin very well but looks natural. It works well under the eye area when dabbed on with fingers to warm up the product and doesn’t look cakey. The color selection is limited but they recently added two shades (all shades swatched here). This is one of the best I’ve tried, it’s pricey but performs well and a tube will last you a very long time.
  • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard and Ginger are new discoveries for me. I’ve had several of the older formulas in gift with purchase compacts in the past but wasn’t impressed with the formula so I never thought to try the new formulas. A NARS artist recommended I try this during a makeover when I asked for a foundation with full coverage. She suggested the Radiant Creamy Concealer and it really does cover incredibly well and blends out to have a soft velvety looking finish. It comes with a sponge wand tip. I use both Custard and Ginger and mix them depending on what area of the face I am trying to cover. I’ve found this to live up to all the hype.
  • Edward Bess Extreme Cover Cream is a full coverage creamy concealer in a pot. This one is definitely the most creamy that I’ve tried. It’s also the most pigmented but blends nicely to cover areas completely. Since the pigment is really intense, I recommend using only a tiny bit, otherwise it will be too heavy. The container is tiny but the formula packs a punch so it will last a very long time. All the shades swatched and review here. The color selection is a bit limited, but Medium is a good match for me. This one has a slightly dewy finish but does not get oily as the day wears on.
  • By Terry Touche Veloutée in Beige #3 is a highlighting concealer in a click pen type of packaging. This one gives a brightening effect even though the color Beige matches my skin tone exactly. I like it best under the eyes to cover dark circles and brighten the skin. It’s also good on days you have a bit of redness around the nose. This one has a smooth medium coverage and dries to a semi-matte but natural finish.
Swatches of the shades below (with Clé de Peau Beige for reference):

If you ask me to recommend just one concealer, I would say that I think picking a good one depends on where you want to use it and what you want it to do: eyes, spots, cover completely or brighten? For me, a concealer for under the eye won’t necessarily be suitable for spot coverage along the jawline or cheeks.

For under the under eye area, I look for colors that either brighten or have a bit of warmth. Many artists want to go lighter than my skintone to “brighten” the area, but it really just ends up looking ashy if it’s too pale. If they insist on using one that is 1-2x lighter than I think they should I usually ask them to try 2 shades on me just to make sure I can see it for myself. I think all the concealers I listed above will work for under the eyes because they have a good blendable formula, but my favorite for under the eye area is the By Terry Touche Veloutee. It has a slightly sheerer coverage compared to the others which prevents the area from looking flat.

For cover up on spots or acne scars, the Edward Bess will give the most opaque coverage followed by the NARS and then Clé de Peau Beauté.

My top two picks include the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Clé de Peau Beauté, but there are a few downsides. If you test the NARS concealers at the counter or store, you may find it difficult to find an exact match and might be in between colors (like myself). When it comes to foundations, powders and concealers I want to find an exact match, but it’s not always possible. There are times I have to buy two shades to mix which can get pricey. If I can’t find a almost exact match for concealer, I will skip it all together, but I’ve made an exception for the NARS. I found the price of the NARS reasonable and the formula is really amazing so I did not mind splurging on 2 tubes to mix colors. The downside for the Clé de Peau Beauté is also a limited color selection and price of $70 is very steep. That being said, I do think if you can find a good match I do think formula is well worth the price. A tube should last well over a year even if you use it on a regular basis as a spot cover. 

I hope you found this round up helpful! Do you have a favorite concealer?
19 Comments
Uncategorized

NARS Laced With Edge Lip Gloss for Holiday 2014 | Soleil D’Orient, Corsica and Burning Love

November 7, 2014

For the holiday Laced With Edge Collection, NARS has three new Lip Glosses in Soleil D’Orient, Corsica and Burning Love ($26 each for .18 oz/6 ml, limited-edition). All the items in the holiday collection have a unique twist on the packaging design. Each item adapts architectural designer Chris Kabatsi’s digitally-rendered Nebula print with a black gloss embossing. It represents a modern take on lace.

The three glosses have a perfect holiday vibe.

  • Soleil D’Orient is a sparkling cool-pink champagne
  • Corsica is a warm pink raspberry with a slight hint of shimmer
  • Burning Love is a deep but bright ruby cream, it also has a slight hint of shimmer

The glosses come with a beveled sponge tip applicator which is sturdy but still soft to the touch. The angled tip allows for precise application. Views of the top, side and base:

While these glosses might seem familiar in color to many other shades, there is a multi-dimensional feel to each color. The swatches below will show how the base shifts depending on light. Soleil D’Orient has cool-toned shimmer mixed in with warmer champagne sparkles which prevents it from looking like white frost on the lips. Corsica is both warm and cool, it’s a pigmented pink with visible color but still soft. Burning Love is both deep and bright. There is a slight hint of sparkle in it but on the lips it’s mostly a cream. 

Lip swatches on bare lips, for skin tone reference I’m wearing Dolce & Gabbana Caramel Perfect Reveal Lift Foundation 110 with the Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation in Warm 100.

A few comparison swatches below:

I already own quite a bit of lip gloss. The one that is most unique for me is Burning Love because it’s a brighter color than what I normally wear. Reds are still fun for the holiday season and I am continuously getting requests to review bolder colors for lips on the blog. Soleil D’Orient is my personal favorite because it’s a warm and cool champagne. Many lip items this color are extremely cool on my lips/skintone and end up looking like white frost. Soleil D’Orient has enough warmth in it, I wish it came in eyeshadow format too.

All the colors are limited-edition. You can find them now at all NARS counters and boutiques. Have you checked out the NARS holiday collection yet? I haven’t been to the counters in a couple weeks, but am hoping to have time soon to see all the holiday offerings this year in person.

Corsica was sent by NARS for review consideration. I purchased Soleil D’Orient and Burning Love.

20 Comments
Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No. 7 | The Enigma #216

November 6, 2014

Marc Jacobs Beauty has released several new eyeshadow palette colors in their Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow format for fall/holiday. I ordered The Enigma #216 ($59 for 0.24 oz) back in late September but never managed to post a review. I have photos and swatches for you today. I’ve eyed several of the Marc Jacobs Beauty palettes ever since the line launched in August 2013, but with eyeshadow palettes that have more than 5 shades, it’s hard for me to justify a purchase if I don’t love all the colors. The Enigma is the first one I decided to splurge on and it’s a lovely palette with a mix of deep and pale colors.

There are seven colors included in this one:

Matte black
Shimmering sterling grey
Soft shimmering grey-sage
Shimmery cool-pink
Satin-matte soft pink
Sparkling warm taupe brown
Frosty champagne

Overall the palette pulls more cool-toned on me, but it’s still neutral. I like that the pink shimmers have a visible soft rose-colored base but don’t give me a pink-eye look. All the shades are well pigmented. The shimmers have a softer more pigmented texture but the satiny-mattes also go on the lids nicely. I’ve played with this a number of ways using 3-4 shades with any given eye look.

Here is one with the frosted pink, frosted taupe, shimmering champagne, gunmetal and matte black. All the colors are blended for a gradient finish. The photo below shows the color a bit washed out, but the color in real life really shows up well on the skin.

Close ups of each shade in The Enigma Palette below and swatches:

The Enigma Palette is a winner in my book. I like that this palette has distinct shades. It has a good mix of colors making it a classic but edgy neutral. I found lasting power to be quite good with an eye base (I like Edward Bess’s, other favorites here). The shadow lasted all day from early morning until late evening without moving or smudging.

You can find the Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow Palettes online at Sephora and Marc Jacobs Beauty. Most of the palettes are also available in stores, but the last time I was at a Sephora store (a couple weeks ago) I did not yet see this one on the tester unit. If you’ve seen it please share in the comments.

Have you tried any of the Marc Jacobs Beauty eyeshadows? What are your favorites?

16 Comments
Uncategorized

Net-A-Porter Beauty Holiday Kit

November 6, 2014

Net-A-Porter Beauty has launched a limited-edition set called The Holiday Kit ($100). It contains 14 selected Net-A-Porter favorites including their must-have skincare, makeup and hair products for this season. It comes beautifully packaged in a black box and is a great sampler option for those looking to try something new or for the friend who likes surprise options. The Net-A-Porter team was kind to send me one to share with you today, it was quite an unexpected surprise. Note quantities are limited.

Inside the kit include a mix of sample and full-sized items:

  • Tata Harper’s Rejuvenating Serum (15ml/0.5oz.)
  • Erno Laszlo’s soothing Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil and cult-favorite Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar (15ml/0.5oz.)
  • Verso’s Retinol 8-infused Day Cream (15ml/0.51oz.)
  • Susanne Kaufmann’s multitasking Shower/Shampoo treatment (50ml/1.7oz.) 
  • SHOW Beauty’s Divine Thickening Lotion (150ml/5.1oz.)
  • Sleep Plus Pillow Spray (5ml/0.17oz.)
  • Renouve’s No.1 collagen-boosting, skin-regenerating Anti-Aging Everyday Defense Hand-Sanitizer (30ml/1oz.)
  • De Mamiel’s Rosehip and Coconut-enriched Salvation Body Oil (30ml/1oz.)
  • B the Eyebrow Experts’ Clear Brow Gel (5ml/0.17oz.)
  • Malin + Goetz Vitamin b5 Body Moisturizer (29ml/1oz.)
  • Earth tu Face’s Face Balm (25ml/0.9oz.)
  • Ilia’s nourishing Bang Bang Lip Conditioner (4ml/0.14oz.)
  • Chantecaille’s Liquid Lumiere Anti-Aging Face illuminator in Sheen (23ml/0.8oz.)

I haven’t had a chance to try everything yet, but immediately dove in to try the Malin + Goetz Body Moisturizer (it has a refreshing scent and lightweight feel). The Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere has been on my list for AGES to try, but I keep forgetting to check it out at the counters, Sheen has a lovely pink-pearl finish. The Susanne Kaufmann Shampoo/Shower Gel smells absolutely amazing. The Salvation Body Oil has this soothing therapeutic scent that smells like a spa.
This set has a lovely mix of items that gives you plenty to discover. I am looking forward to testing the other items in the upcoming weeks. If you have friends who are hard to shop for, this is a great sampler set.
The Limited-Edition Net-A-Porter Holiday Kit ($100) is available exclusively through Net-A-Porter, while supplies last.
Many thanks to the Net-A-Porter team for sending me this kit.
10 Comments
Uncategorized

Sephora VIB Rouge and VIB 20% Off Sale Event

November 5, 2014

The Sephora VIB Rouge and VIB 20% off promotional event starts this week! For VIB Rouge Members, the event starts today online with promo code GIFTROUGE. It’s valid through November 10, 2014 11:59 PM PST. The promotion will also available in stores. VIB Rouge Members should have received a mailer with the voucher and event details, there is an early-access instore shopping event tonight (the 5th) for VIB Rouge Members but you need to RSVP to your store (hours vary per store).

If you’re a VIB Member, the promotion starts tomorrow November 6, also valid through November 10, 2014 11:59 PM PST. You can shop in store with the voucher you received in the mail, or online with code GIFTVIB.

For both qualifying VIB Rouge and VIB shoppers, you should have also received an additional coupon in the mail to bring a friend with you in store (you need to be present with them in order for them to be able to get the 20% off discount as well.)

If you’re in need of ideas, Sephora has great ideas by price point, recipient, and all different kinds of categories. I think sets or palettes can be hit or miss, but this year all the brands have really good offerings and value sets. Some ideas and inspiration below.

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8  /  9  /  10  /  11  /  12


For reference, you can see my previous reviews on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette, Simple Human Sensor Mirror and Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black (full size & mini).



https://thebeautylookbook.com/2014/10/hourglass-ambient-lighting-blush-palette.html

https://thebeautylookbook.com/2014/08/simplehuman-sensor-mirror.html



https://thebeautylookbook.com/2014/08/elizabeth-and-james-nirvana-black.html



The fine print I received with my VIB Rouge e-mail. If you’re a VIB or VIB Rouge Member, be sure to check your mailer or the e-mail Sephora sent you for terms and conditions.
Online, use promo code GIFTROUGE. VALID NOVEMBER 5, 2014 THROUGH NOVEMBER 10, 2014, AT 11:59 PM PST. May be used in Sephora stores, in Sephora inside JCPenney stores, and online with any merchandise purchase. Offer limited to Sephora VIB Rouge members only. Voucher must be presented at time of redemption when used in store. No minimum purchase required. May not be combined with any other promotions or employee discounts. Not valid on previous purchases, purchases of eGift certificates or gift cards, or with orders shipping outside of the U.S. or Canada. May not be sold or otherwise transferred. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Not responsible for lost or stolen promotion codes. This offer is subject to change, alteration, or termination by Sephora in its sole discretion at any time. Not valid for Sephora employees.

Free Sephora Limited-Edition Tote (13.5″ x 11.5″ x 3.5″) and Shashi Jewelry bracelet available in stores with any merchandise purchase on November 5, 2014 from 7-9pm or while supplies last. Must be a VIB Rouge or guest of a VIB Rouge member to redeem. Not valid on previous purchases, or purchases of eGift certificates or gift cards. This offer is subject to change, alteration, or termination by Sephora in its sole discretion at any time.

4 Comments