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April 2016

Diptyque Fragrance Home / Interiors

The Beauty Look Book Diptyque Favorites

April 18, 2016

I’ve been a long-time Diptyque lover and many of you have seen that their candles and fragrances are a huge part of my everyday life. This post has been highly requested as many of you ask me for recommendations on a regular basis. I think fragrance shopping can be overwhelming if you’re new to the line or don’t have in person access to smell their products. When I first discovered Diptyque it was hard to find – only a few stores carried it and they were at least a 2 hour drive away from where I lived. Sometimes it took me several trips that happened over a few months before I could decide to splurge on one. You know the drill – sometimes you have to smell something and think about it before deciding whether or not to buy a scent whether it’s perfume or for the home. In the past 5 years they’ve expanded their offerings to more retailers which I’m thrilled about and have also opened up quite a few new free standing boutiques. I thought it was time I did a roundup of my favorites and a mini guide on the brand in case you’re new to the line and want some ideas of where to start exploring.

For me fragrance is seasonal and home scents are no exception. I’ve tried to include non-seasonal launches that will work for right now (spring to summer). Diptyque occasionally launches limited-edition seasonal options typically in the spring with a rose-theme (the latest one was Rosaviola) and also options during the holiday.

In terms of home fragrance brands in general, my favorite lines of the moment include Diptyque, Henri Bendel and Byredo. I do enjoy items from Malin + Goetz, Cire Trudon, Le Labo and Jo Malone as well – but my most-burned candles are hands down from Diptyque. Fragrance preference is so personal and for me Diptyque remains at the top of my list for adding a special touch to the home. I find the scents to be beautiful and love how well designed the packaging is. I love the way they burn and how the scents can lift one’s mood. I truly think they are worth the splurge.

Standard Candles and Size Options
Up first is a breakdown of the standard scent options and sizes. Shown below from left to right are the standard options you can buy individually.

Colored Glass Candles $90 for 10.2 oz
Estimated Burn Time 90 hours
Available in Baies, Figuier,
Tubereuse, Ambre, Feu de Bois
Standard Glass Jars $62 for 6.5 oz 
Estimated Burn Time 60 hours
Available in the widest range of scents in the line

Large Scented Outdoor Candles $290 for 51.2 oz
(shown repurposed as a flower pot)
Estimated Burn Time 190 hours
Available in Baies, Figuier,
Tubereuse, Feu de Bois

Mini $32 for 3.2 oz
Estimated Burn Time 20 hours
Available in a smaller selection of 15 scents

Standard scents are split into categories like Fruity, Woody, Spicy, Herbal, and Floral. Most of the scents can be easily found at a wide range of retailers. You can also find the Collection 34 options at most retailers too. These come in a slightly different jar that is a matte porcelain jar currently available in 3 options (all shown in this post here, also priced slightly higher than the standard options).

For the standard options my top four picks include:
  • La Prouveresse (from Collection 34) – pulls on the masculine side with notes of fig, cypress and cedarwood with an earthy and raw feel
  • Feuille de Lavande – strong lavender with an earthy feel
  • Baies (black colored version c/o) – mix of blackcurrant and rose
  • Figuier – the best warm fig I’ve ever tried

Boutique Exclusives are scents that are exclusive to Diptyque stores and their website. In my experience their website frequently goes out of stock on a number of these options but they do restock frequently. Stores tend to have more stock compared to their website and although I find ordering online is what I prefer, their boutique have excellent customer service. My top picks on the boutique exclusives include:
  • Cuir – leather and birch bark with a very clean feel
  • Aubepine – hawthorn, powdery floral that has an almond feel
  • Tilleul – sweet linden scent with a hint of lime, floral fresh and green
  • Tomas Maier Palm Beach – mix of citrus and floral, with noticeable hints of jasmine, iris and sea salt with a green touch
Also shown below is a pair of the Wick Trimmers which I’ve found invaluable in trimming and catching burnt wicks. They can be found at all Diptyque retailers.

Photophores are decorative accessories and come in several options. For the most part these are exclusive to the boutiques. Here’s a quick snapshot I took of the glass options lined up in Printemps when I visited Paris last year. They are on the pricey side but they make beautiful decorative accents for the home. In recent holiday seasons they’ve started offering the Large Photophore + Baies or Large Photophore + Feu de Bois as a set (one with straight lines) at multiple retailers.

If you’re curious on which ones I own, I have the Large Full Twist (shown here), Small Full Twist (shown here) and Oiseaux Photophore (shown here).

Perfumes from the line are tricky for me. I adore the way many of them smell but there’s something with my body chemistry that doesn’t work the best with Diptyque perfumes. Others work well as a home fragrance like fig or vanilla but aren’t scents I feel comfortable wearing. Three that I really love:
  • L’Ombre Dans L’Eau is the Baies equivalent in perfume form. It’s a heavier blackcurrant kind of scent that I think is perfect for special occasions. For me it’s not one I can wear everyday although my husband really likes it on me. (I have this one in a couple of the mini vials.)
  • Eau de Sens (c/o) is the newest fragrance from Diptyque. It’s the best orange blossom I’ve found that works with my chemistry. Most turn too sweet or have a bitter dry down, this is just perfect as an in between kind of scent. It has orange blossom, bitter orange, juniper berries, angelica and patchouli.
  • Florabellio (c/o) was last spring’s launch and to this day it’s one of the most unique scents I own. It’s description makes me think it would be the last scent I would ever wear as it has a mix of apple blossoms, apricot, fennel, sea salt, coffee and toasted sesame. It’s sweet and summery.

Room Sprays – I just did a post on the two new ones Gingembre and Fleur D’Oranger (c/o) here so I won’t repeat the review. Figuier and Baies reviewed here. I think they are all really good so I can’t pick a favorite but I would say right now it’s a tie between Baies and Gingembre. Thoughts on the difference between the candles and room sprays in both review posts linked above. (Note the lavender one isn’t available in the US.)

Frequently asked questions:
  • Where is the best place to buy Diptyque? 
    •  You can find these at a wide range of retailers. My preference is to shop in the free-standing stores/boutiques because they have the best customer service in my experience and also have the widest selection. Since I don’t have one near me though I also order online from Nordstrom and Space NK.
  • Do these ever go on sale?
    • I’ve never seen them go on sale, although they do offer occasional gift with purchase minis, these are unfortunately hard to find. Check Nordstrom during their Double or Triple Points Events, Neiman Marcus during their Incircle or Beauty Weeks, individual free standing stores often have promotions too.
  • I’m going to be buying my first Diptyque candle? Which one should I start with?
    • Oooh, tough one! I would say that it really depends on what kinds of scents you like but the three I’ve gifted the most frequently include Baies, Figuier and Roses – I don’t think you could go wrong with any of these. You might want to consider the Mini Candle Trio to start. Some retailers still have the 10 Piece Holiday Candle set from the holiday season too.
  • How long does a candle last?
    • For me a standard candle can lasts months – I don’t know why but it takes me forever to finish burning a candle! Notes on burn time near the top of the post next to each sizing. I haven’t actually timed the burn time from start to finish though.
  • Are there any tips on how to care for candles?
    • Yes, lots of tips in my Candle Care Tips post – be sure to trim the wicks after each burn, also note the timing of the first burn is important to make sure you avoid tunneling.
  • The sides of my candle start burning and turn black with the residual burn, is this normal?
    • Sometimes wicks can migrate so you need to push them back to the center if they start to move. Be sure you trim the wicks before you burn – having long wicks can make them smoke and burn the sides.
  • Is the wick trimmer worth the price?
    • Yes I do think it is. You can use regular scissors or nail clippers or anything sharp to cut the wick too – but it is nice to have a dedicated tool so the wick doesn’t smudge other things you have. The beveled tip also makes it nice to catch the trimmed portion.
  • Is there a difference between shopping at a retailer like Nordstrom or Space NK vs shopping at the individual stores?
    • Yes – individual stores have exclusives, offer beautiful gift wrapping and often have promotions that larger retailers don’t. In my experience the staff at Diptyque stores are very knowledgeable, friendly and I’ve never felt pressure to buy. I’ve done a few stories on boutiques including South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa), Maiden Lane (San Francisco), Larchmont (Los Angeles), 34 Boulevard Saint Germain (Paris).
  • What about their body products? Any thoughts on those?
  • Best way to clean out residual wax once the burn is finished? 
    • There are a number of different ways to remove remaining wax. I have a tutorial in my Diptyque Candle Jars Recycled post. My favorite way is to use warm water and dish soap in repeated steps to soften the wax and help clean the edges. Although others recommend freezing or boiling, I wouldn’t recommend those methods which I find can make the glass prone to cracking or can damage the sticker labels.
  • What do you do with all the empties?
    • I recycle or repurpose most of them! You can use them to store pens, makeup brushes, beauty minis, roller-ball perfumes, q-tips, etc.

I hope you found this round up guide on Diptyque helpful! I’ve been a fan for years and still haven’t tried every scent they have. For me everytime I visit a boutique I learn something new. I’ve tried a lot more than I’ve featured in the recommendations above but as a starting point I wanted to share the ones that were my absolute favorites. I get asked on a weekly basis what my top picks are and I think there is so much to explore and preferences depend on the season, but if I were to narrow down my top five favorites right now, they would include Baies, Figuier, Cuir, Gingembre Room Spray and Tomas Maier Palm Beach.
You can find Diptyque at a wide range of retailers these days. I’m always thrilled when I find they’ve expanded their distribution because it makes it easier for me to find. Available at Nordstrom, Space NK (special TBLB promo code valid through May 1st), Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Net-A-Porter and Diptyque.

Some items featured include press samples indicated with “c/o.”
Most items featured purchased by me.
11 Comments
Uncategorized

Weekend Reads, Links and Loves

April 17, 2016

I hope you’re enjoying the weekend! We have warm spring weather which almost feels like summer, but I’m not complaining! I have a mix of things I’m loving right now. New summer beauty collections are starting to trickle in and I’m excited to see the new releases over the next month. I’m still 100% smitten with the Tom Ford Soleil Bicoastal Cheek Duo (reviewed here) and the Ultra-Rich Lip Color in Revolve Around Me (swatched here). A few of you asked if Bicoastal was too similar to Wicked to justify both. The finish and color is really similar, almost identical so you don’t need both. However Bicoastal has that gorgeous sheen that makes it extra special.

Additional Loves
  • Diptyque Oud is more of a fall kind of scent (reviewed here) but I’m still loving it for right now to burn something different than the traditional spring floral for the home.
  • Lumira Travel Candles are still an obsession of mine. My all time favorite is the Tahitian Coconut – it is truly the best coconut home fragrance I’ve tried because it’s not too sweet.
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty Hi-Shine Enamored Lip Lacquers offer a lush cushiony kind of shine to the lips, above shown is Pretty Thing (all swatched here).
  • Out of all the new lipstick formulas launched this year to date, the best in-between kind of lipstick that isn’t too sheer and isn’t too opaque is the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo. It offers medium to full coverage with a pretty shine. All shades swatched here.
  • I just discovered Muji Gel Pens and am obsessed. I bought a set in black and think I want to order a set of the ones with different colors.
Reads and Link Love
  • Makeup artist Rae Morris just launched a new book called Makeup Masterclass ($55, available via Beautylish). They sent one as a gift and the imagery and photographs are stunning. I’ve been browsing through it for inspiration on some bolder beauty looks. It’s also quite comprehensive on beauty basics for application. I highly recommend it.
  • Porter Magazine just launched their Summer Issue and this one marks the end of my year-long subscription. I’ve really enjoyed their publication and have already renewed for another year. 
  • RaeViewer uploaded a really helpful skincare video on her Favorite Skin Care for Acne + Reducing Scars, I always find her skincare recommendations really helpful!
  • Speaking of Tom Ford Summer, Tamira Jarrel has a gorgeous Tom Ford 2016 Soleil Preview tutorial on her channel which is all kinds of gorgeous in a natural kind of way (Revolve Around Me looks amazing on her and she is a bit deeper in skintone compared to me).
  • I adore get ready with me videos and this Dior Poison Girl Party in Paris via Inthefrow is so beautiful!

New In Beauty / On My Radar

Anything on your beauty radar this weekend? Or new discoveries? I received the last bits of my Sephora VIB Rouge haul last week – I stocked up on the nude beautyblenders, ordered some Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadows, bought some Burberry items I had on my wishlist and finally bought 3 neutral pink Louboutin Lipsticks which I can’t wait to play with. If you want to share your haul(s) – please do in the comments!

P.S. If you have anything from Space NK on your wishlist (they carry Diptyque, Eve Lom, Hourglass, By Terry, Oribe etc.) – don’t forget there’s a special promo code for Beauty Look Book readers through May 1st. Details in this post here.

Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!
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By Terry Highlighters

By Terry Sun Designer Palettes for Spring – Tan and Flash Cruise + Light and Tan Vibes

April 15, 2016

 

By Terry recently launched two new face palettes with bronzer, blush and highlighters cased in a single mirrored compact called the Sun Designer Palette ($82 for 15 g/0.53 oz). There are two options in this launch Tan and Flash Cruise 1 and Light and Tan Vibes 2. Both are simply glorious and well worth the splurge. I ordered both of mine sight unseen last month and the swatches on Beauty Professor’s blog confirmed I made the right choice to splurge. When they arrived in the mail I literally gasped – they took my breath away. Each palette comes cased in a slim mirrored compact with 6 shades of powders for the face (but I’ve also been using them on the eyes). The product description on the box:

 

“This exceptional palette creates an all-over radiant and sun-kissed look on both fair and tanned complexions. It features six elegant and sparkling shades playing the roles of bronzers, blushes and highlighters that enhance the skin’s appearance. Delicate, soft and airy textures in both matte and satin finishes allow to sculpt contours, brighten features, correct or intensify the complexion, all the while revealing the full splendor of the tan.”

 

 

Both palettes have beautifully pigmented powders that have a very soft almost velvety texture. The colors blend flawlessly on the skin in an effortless kind of way. Lasting power is excellent and does not fade. They meld nicely with the surface of the skin and adhere well to last all day long. There’s no chalky finish, no streaking and the colors stay true to what you apply on the face.

 

#1 Tan and Flash Cruise offers the perfect mix for a colorful summery look while #2 Light and Tan Vibes is the perfect your complexion but better kind of palette. It is hard for me to pick a favorite but #2 offers the most amazing mix of colors to give my complexion the kind of naturally glowy tan highlight and contour that I’ve been looking for for ages.

 

 

The only possible downside I find to these is the actual design and layout of the colors. They come in a beautiful embossed zigzag pattern which makes it virtually impossible to dip a cheek brush into just one color – but I suspect this was designed with the purpose of being able to mix and swirl colors together to be able to achieve a look with more dimension, color and glow. When I first put these to the test I thought the mixing of colors was going to be problematic. I’ve been able to dip a brush into 2 colors at a time or take a smaller detail brush to pick up a single color and apply to the eyes or face. I suspect making the palette bigger would have made the price more expensive – part of me wishes the pans were at least 2x taller to make picking up a single color easier. After playing with these for several weeks now I really don’t mind swirling colors together.
A closer look at each palette. Up first is #1 Tan and Flash Cruise which has:
Satiny raspberry pink
Coral peach with a slight sheen
Cool pink with a very soft shimmer
Pale nude matte
Medium warm tan
Soft muted peach

 

 

 

 

A closer look at #2 Light and Tan Vibes which has:
The most perfect golden nude shimmer
Iridescent peach gold shimmer
Pale champagne shimmer frost
Pale vanilla matte cream
Soft light peach pink
Soft nude tan matte

 

 

 

 

Bottom line both winners. I personally would have preferred larger pans that would allow for me to not mix the colors but I’ve found blending the shades to have a really nice effect on the skin. Sometimes swirling darker shades can result in a muddy mess but these blend beautifully together and the quality of the powder texture and pigment is literally to die for.

 

Finish of the brighter option Tan and Flash Cruise is more on the satiny matte side. There is a sheen in each of the colors but it’s in a natural luminous way that melds with the skin. Light and Tan Vibes has a more shimmery finish for the left side but it’s not overly frosty and layers beautifully on the cheeks over other colors or even on the eyes.

 

If I were pressed to pick just one, I would say the lighter one Light and Tan Vibes is my favorite. It has colors that are probably easy to dupe but the colors in this one are simply flawless and work without any extra effort required. It’s pure love.

 

I highly recommend both palettes. I’ve been told they are limited-edition but am not 100% sure. You can find them online at Space NK, Barneys New York, Beautylish and Saks Fifth Avenue. If you’re shopping at Space NK (US) don’t forget to take advantage of the savings offer code available through May 1, 2016 (all the details in this post here).

 

Have you checked out these palettes yet?
17 Comments
GWP Sales

Space NK x The Beauty Look Book Explore Promotion

April 14, 2016

Today I’m thrilled to share a special offer for my readers. Space NK has brought back their explore savings event for spring and Beauty Look Book readers get early access to shop and save before anyone else! Use code BEAUTYLB16 at checkout to save $20 off online orders of $100 or more. The promo code will be valid starting today April 14th and run through May 1st – valid online only at www.spacenk.com/us. I have some reviews and swatches coming up on Kevyn Aucoin, Eve Lom and By Terry items I’ve been testing out – so stay tuned. Also many of you have been asking me to rank my top Diptyque picks so by popular request I’m working on a favorites round up which I will have up on the blog soon.

In the meantime a quick rundown of some beauty items that I’m loving right now:

  • Diptyque Baies is my favorite home scent of the moment for spring which is a blackcurrant and rose. I love it in all forms including the Large Black Colored version (c/o), Mini Candle, and especially the Room Spray. Diptyque is one of those brands that I’ve never seen go on sale so these promos are the perfect time to try something out and save a little.
  • Diptyque Eau de Sens (c/o) is new for spring. I tested a sample and fell head over heels in love with it. Orange blossom is hard for me to wear – I think it often smells so good as a room fragrance, but strong citrus doesn’t always work well with my skin chemistry. This one is very good.
  • Kevyn Aucoin The Lip Gloss in Starlight and Candlelight are pretty layering glosses for spring. Review and swatches of both shades here (Starlight is a must).
  • Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow blushes have been on my radar for a long time and they do not disappoint for a very natural glow. Shadore is the most perfect powdery pink I think I’ve ever tried.
  • Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder (c/o) in Light is a new shade of the sculpting powder that works better on my skin compared to the Medium option which I found too cool-toned on me. Original review + thoughts on Medium here, swatches of Light to follow soon.
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (c/o) in Incandescent Electra is one of the prettiest soft iridescent peachy colors I’ve ever tried. It was originally exclusive to the limited-edition blush palette trio but a little over a year ago they launched it separately and I’m really happy they did.
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Strobe Powder in Euphoric Strobe Light is my favorite option out of all the new strobe powders. Swatches of all 4 shades from Hourglass in this post here.
  • Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lipgloss in Lush (c/o) is a really pretty golden peach shimmer perfect for warmer months.
  • By Terry Terrybly Mascara in Black is quite the splurge but I tried a mini tube and loved it so much I bought several tubes of the full size. It thickens and volumizes lashes. It doesn’t clump or smudge. I really love it.
  • By Terry Sun Designer Palettes are probably the most beautiful palettes I’ve ever owned. each one is simply stunning. I splurged on both about a month ago and even though I was not happy about the high price tag I have no regrets and adore both. Review and swatches to follow soon but they are wonderfully pigmented and blend smoothly on the skin to give the face life.
  • Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50 (c/o) is a new to me sunscreen that dries to a velvety matte finish. It’s suitable for my super sensitive skin and layers really nicely over moisturizer. It does not feel heavy or greasy and foundation looks good on top of it. I love the pump packaging. Full review soon.
You can click the icons on each image below to shop the post through Space NK:


To recap, you can save $20 off online orders of $100 or more by using code BEAUTYLB16 online at Space NK at checkout. Code is valid on the US site only, starts April 14 and runs through May 1, 2016. Terms and conditions apply disclosed here (there are some exclusions such as gift cards and sale items). 

Every time I try something from Eve Lom I’m always impressed. If you have any recs from the line please let me know. Or if you have any other favorites you see online at Space NK you think I should try I’m all ears!

Happy shopping (or saving that is)!

This post is not sponsored but many thanks to the Space NK team for providing this exclusive offer to Beauty Look Book readers. Press samples featured include items with a (c/o).

9 Comments
Lips YSL Beauty

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick

April 13, 2016

 

Earlier this year YSL launched a new lipstick called Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick ($37 each for 4 ml/4.5 g, made in France). These were initially launched as a Nordstrom exclusive (where I ordered mine) for early release but are now available at all retailers. At this time I’m not sure if these are a new formula in the Rouge Volupté line – some retailers list the Oil-In-Stick product in a separate SKU while others have grouped it with the Rouge Volupté Shines. Either way the formula of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick is very smooth and hydrating and has the same amount of pigment and shine as the Rouge Volupté Shines. On my lips they appear to perform exactly the same way. According to YSL these are described as a “revolutionary lipstick that provides luscious color and luminous shine while actually conditioning lips … made with 65% oils, the deeply hydrating texture instantly melts into lips providing a pop of color, instant hydration, and all day comfort.” With regular use lips are supposed to see visible improvement in overall look for a more healthy appearance and nourished feel. They have that signature YSL mango scent. With all the opaque lipstick formulas and liquid lipsticks that have launched recently – many of you have commented that you find brands launch formulas that are too thick or matte for your preference. If that is the case, I think you’ll find the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick fits the bill for the sheer to medium glossy shiny finish lip color that is an effortless kind of product.

 

There are eight shades that I picked up. When I bought mine I ordered them sight unseen. I will say that the online swatches were hit or miss. Some were completely different from what I envisioned but luckily all of them are very wearable. Out of all the sheer glossy lipstick formulas my top two favorites are the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines and YSL Rouge Volupté Shines. The new Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Sticks are super hydrating and add a lush coat of moisture on the lips while adding a nice tint of color. They have noticeable coverage even though the pigment is sheerer than an opaque formula. You can layer for more color but at the end of the day they are still a medium-sheer coverage lipstick. If you like the moisturizing feel, shine and color but want more pigment and coverage I highly recommend you check out the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos instead (all swatched here).

 

The colors and descriptions, all of these have some shimmer in the tube but on the lips (with the exception of the white one) there is no visible shimmer or frost, just a healthy shine:
  • 41 Corail À Porter is a medium bright pink with a bit of coral
  • 42 Baume Midi Minuit is a sheer sparkling white that adds a pale sheen to the lips
  • 43 Rose Rive Gauche is a peachy rose
  • 44 Nude Lavalliere is a light nude pink
  • 47 Beige Blouse is a perfect medium nude pink with a slight hint of warmth
  • 48 Smoking Plum is the prettiest plum that has some brightness to it
  • 51 Rose Saharienne is a cool-toned baby pink
  • 52 Trapeze Pink is a medium cool-toned pink
All apply smoothly on the lips with the exception of 51 Rose Saharienne which was a bit streaky on my lips mainly because the cool and light tones contrast with my natural lip tone. It was easy to blend and smooth but straight from the tube it was a tiny bit streaky.

 

Swatches straight from the tube:

 

 

Swatches applied with a lip brush:

 

 

Swatch comparisons to some other Rouge Volupté Shines that I own shown below. For me shades 7, 8 and 9 have been classic everyday staples that are super easy to wear. Compared to the new options Nude Lavalliere 44 is a light nude pink on my lips while Beige Blouse 47 is a bit deeper but not quite as peach as Nude in Private 9. Beige Blouse 47 looks almost identical to Rose in Wood 23 – I would say that No. 23 is a more more rose/pink in color.

 

 

One last look:

 

I took a quick peek in store at all the shades of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick in store recently and if they are indeed the same as the Rouge Volupté Shines I think that YSL did a nice job expanding the color range. As mentioned at the top I don’t know if the formulas are the same or if the newer shades have a new and improved formula. On my lips I didn’t notice any difference – they have the same texture, scent, finish, shine and hydrating feel. Lasting power is average for a semi-sheer glossy lipstick but this one is a lipstick formula that I don’t mind reapplying 3+ times in a given day. I love the other YSL lipstick formulas and this one is no exception. It performs well and the colors are easy to wear for any occasion. I can’t pick a favorite. I still think 7, 8 and 9 are my absolute favorites, but in the new range I’m smitten with 44 and 48.If you like sheer to medium lipsticks with shine I think you’ll like these. They have similar pigment and texture compared to the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines. As mentioned above if you want more pigment and coverage I highly recommend you check out the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos instead (all swatched here). If you want something more opaque but with a moisturizing feel I recommend the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks (swatched + reviewed here).

 

You can find the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Sticks at all counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and YSL Beauty.

 

Have you tried these yet? Which colors did you check out?
31 Comments
Eye Makeup Sephora

Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes in Neutral Matte and Sultry Muse

April 12, 2016
I’ve been curious about Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes ($80 each for 24 g/0.84 oz, made in France) for quite some time (probably for a few years now) and finally splurged on my first in Sultry Muse and Neutral Matte two last month at The Makeup Show from the Muse Beauty Pro booth (haul + recap of the 2016 show in this post here). I purchased mine at a discount (most booths offer some kind of discount at these shows) and have been thrilled with both. Each palette has 12 eyeshadows which are extremely pigmented and smooth in finish. For quick reference you can find these palettes at a number of retailers online, the main ones I’ve shopped from include Beautylish, Sephora and Muse Beauty.Pro.

It took me a long time to splurge on these because of a few factors. I didn’t have in person access to these and although there are a number of excellent reviews online I wanted to test in person before splurging. I played with them for the first time at IMATS earlier this year but decided to wait and think about them. To date my favorite eyeshadow palettes are the Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palettes for color, pigment and convenience – they have my favorite easy to wear neutrals and I feel they are priced reasonably. The Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes by comparison are a lot more expensive and the color palettes seem to be more for professional use for the pro makeup artist rather than for an everyday consumer like myself. The colors are beautiful but there are a few of the warmer tones I was hesitant about wearing. I decided to give these a chance and have no regrets. They are really quite amazing.


Up first is Viseart Neutral Matte. This has all matte neutrals with the exception of one burnt orange shade. I’m not one to wear anything orange makeup-wise but this particular color does amazing things when layered. I’ve learned from using a few of the Le Metier de Beaute Kaleidoscopes that the colors I consider odd look really amazing when layered over other shades. The shadows in the Netural Matte palette have a slightly harder texture than most other shadows I use but the pigment is excellent and they apply smoothly on the skin and blend flawlessly. By comparison the Urban Decay Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics are a lot softer in texture and are more on the neutral-cool side while the Viseart Neutral Matte. A look at the palette in two different light settings:

In direct sun, no flash:

Indoor natural light:

Descriptions by row, Top Row:

Medium caramel beige
Medium vanilla cream
Light beige with a slight pink tone
Pale white

Middle Row:

Cool bark brown
Burnt sienna orange
Medium warm brown
Neutral cool brown

Bottom Row:

Matte cool toned black
Dove blue grey
Cool grey
Cool-toned taupe

Swatches:

Texture and blendability are excellent – there are a lot of colors to choose from. I’ve been playing with this using 4-5 shades max at any given time. Long time readers know I’m not a fan of matte eyeshadows in general but these perform really well. I’ve found they work well over the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks (I love Rose Gold) or Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base. They aren’t the kind I can use on a bare eye – there has to be some kind of prep or dewy primer to help the colors adhere but that is usually the case with any matte eyeshadow for me. Lasting power is excellent – they stay put from morning to late evening without fading or fall out.

Next up is Sultry Muse. This one has all shimmer eyeshadows – some are a tiny bit glittery while others are more of a frost. There were a few plum and warm pink tones I didn’t think I could pull off but when they are are layered with the other cooler tones the result is really quite pretty. Layering can create a wide range of looks. A look at the palette + descriptions and a quick eye look.

In direct sun + flash you can see the sparkle and glow:

Indoor natural light, no flash you can see the base and undertone better:

Top Row:
Shimmering white pearl
Shimmering medium tan beige
Pale champagne beige with tiny silver glitters
Sandy gold champagne with gold flecks
Middle Row:
Warm pink shimmer
Bronze shimmer
Shimmering orange
Warm plum rose shimmer
Bottom Row:
Sparkling cool silver
Shimmering soft rose
Gunmetal black shimmer
Shimmering soft yellow gold

Since some of these these have complex shimmers – colors can look different depending on how the light reflects. This palette looks different in so many different review posts – I think this shows how incredibly versatile it is because it works with a wide range of skintones to create truly unique looks. I have swatches with flash and without to show the complexity.

With flash:

No flash, natural light:

Quick eye look, no flash, in natural light. Shades used include the four shades in the middle row and the two middle shades from the top row to blend:

I give both of these a thumbs up and even though they have that professional makeup artist feel they are still wearable for everyday. That being said if you find 12 colors in a palette overwhelming or find any of the combinations have a few colors you might not wear at all, you might want to consider trying out the new Viseart Theory Palettes ($45 each) instead (online now at Muse Beauty.Pro, coming soon to Sephora). They have 6-pans each with 3 mattes and 3 shimmers, they come in a slightly different packaging, and the color themes make them more wearable for everyday. I just received mine that I pre-ordered at The Makeup Show and will have a review in the next week or so, but the texture is phenomenal, colors are on point, and they perform really well – but if you want to know right now if I prefer the 6 pan or the 12 pans, I will say right now that I prefer the packaging style of the 12 pans, but for the color selection if I had to pick, I prefer the 6 pans. I still think Sultry Muse is excellent though.
For application I tested a number of brushes and found natural hair brushes work the best, at least for me. Synthetics work on the shimmers if you dip the brush and pat on the lids, but if you apply in sweeping motions the natural hair brushes pick up pigment the best. Ones I really like include the MAC 239, Wayne Goss 18, Wayne Goss 6 and Wayne Goss 30.
Both the Sultry Muse and Neutral Matte offer a good mix of colors to create a wide variety of wearable looks for day or night. If you’re looking for a palette of eyeshadows that aren’t too neutral but at the same time aren’t too bold, these offer a good in-between option. Each offers a good mix of warm and cool shades which I think makes these extremely versatile to wear with a number of lip and cheek combinations. If I had to pick one I would say since I prefer shimmer eyeshadows Sultry Muse wins as my favorite.
You can find the Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes for $80 each at a number of retailers online, including Beautylish, Sephora and Muse Beauty.Pro. Have you tried Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes before? If so which ones have you tried and what did you think?

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Highlighters Urban Decay

Urban Decay UD x Gwen Blush Palette, Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighters and Beached Bronzers

April 11, 2016

Today I have a roundup of several cheek products from Urban Decay including the UD x Gwen Blush Palette ($45), Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighters ($26 each) and Beached Bronzers ($28). All the items are very pretty and give the complexion some life and color in a natural way. The UD x Gwen Blush Palette in my opinion is one of the best blush palettes I’ve ever tried. It has a good mix of cool and warm and also matte and shimmer finishes to give you a lot of options. The colors layer nicely and application is smooth. I do find some similarities between the colors in the palette and the new highlighters/bronzers. You may want to shop your stash too as some of these will probably be duplicates or similar to what you own but more thoughts on each one below.

First a quick look at the cheek, highlighter and bronze items from Urban Decay side by side. I’m trying out a new interactive tool so you can shop the images by clicking on the icons. Let me know what you think!


Swatches on bare skin:

Up first is the UD x Gwen Blush Palette. This comes in a medium-sized mirrored compact similar in style to the UD x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette. The packaging is very sturdy and well made. The colors have medium but buildable pigment and the texture is very soft and smooth. There is quite a bit of powder kick-up when I dip my brush into the powders but it’s easy to clean up and once the product is on the face there isn’t any fall out. Cherry is a soft cool matte pink, Easy is a medium rose with gold shimmer, Angel is a soft champagne gold, Lo-Fi is a medium tan, Hush is a shimmering peachy champagne, OC is an iridescent soft peach that flashes pink.

As you can see from the swatches above near the top of the post, Angel has a similar effect to the Afterglow Highlighter in Sin, Lo-Fi is a more yellow toned version of the bronzers, OC has a similar pinky sheen to the Afterglow Highlighter in Fireball. I would say by comparison the Blush Palette has a softer more natural look on the skin compared to the others. I love this palette because it’s so versatile and goes well with a wide range of looks. That being said the colors are fairly standard and I suspect you can find similar shades from MAC, NARS or other brands. I do really like that Easy Blush is a rose gold that is medium in undertone but doesn’t darken on my skin. So many rose blushes end up darkening and look muddy on my skin while Easy stays true to color. Angel has that pretty warm golden champagne undertone which makes it look soft and diffused on my olive skin. Hush is borderline a highlighter so I mix it with Lo-Fi to add more color on my skin.

Next up are the Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighters. These are designed to be long-lasting and the claim is they last 8 hours. On my normal combination skin I found they did not last on my cheeks for the full 8 hours. I would say color stayed true from morning around 8 am until 2 pm (so for around 6 hours). After that the color faded a bit. It was still visible but there was noticeable fading, at least on me. The colors are very pigmented and intense but are easy to blend and buff out. I’ve swatched them heavy and blended to try and show the difference. The heavier you swatch these the more intense the shimmer and with a heavy hand the colors are lighter in color.

Sin is a pale champagne gold, on my skin it looks very pale, almost like a pale cream. Fireball is an iridescent peach that flashes pink. Aura is a pale pink that flashes slight pink and blue tones.

Shimmer-frost wise I think these are definitely on the more shimmery side but they blend out smoothly on the skin. Sin is the most frosted on me since it has a sharper contrast to my olive skintone. I expected Aura to look really frosty but on the face it gives the skin a pretty glimmer. Fireball has a smooth shimmer that isn’t overly frosted. I didn’t have time to reswatch comparisons, but Fireball is similar to the Anastasia Hard Candy Highlighter reviewed here and Aura compared to the Laura Mercier Highlighters in this post here. Sin is one of the more unique shades I own for highlighters but it has a similar effect to that of MAC Nylon Eyeshadow.

A quick look from the weekend with Lo-Fi and Fireball Highlighter on one side vs just Lo-Fi on the other so you can see how the highlighter adds a bit of a glow and more dimension:

Last up are the two Beached Bronzers. These are matte bronzers that come in round mirrored compacts. I love the packaging – the palm trees add a fun twist with the summer theme. Sun-Kissed is the lighter and warmer option of the two, it has a pinkish undertone which makes it more wearable and natural on my skin. Bronzed is the deeper option and gives my skin a more bronzed brown look. For my medium skin I prefer Sun-Kissed right now – it just looks more natural while Bronzed borderline makes my skin look a bit weathered as it’s more brownish and deep. I love a good bronze but these days try to go a bit easy on it since I’m not as tan as I am in the summer time. They are different enough to justify owning both – I think fairer skins will prefer Sun-Kissed. Deeper skins will probably find Bronzed better for their skin tones. Neither turns orangey and I was relieved to find they did not darken on the skin. The texture is very smooth and the blend nicely on the skin without any streaks. If you’re super fair I’d recommend you opt for either Gold Dust or Terra from Tom Ford instead as those will look more natural on the skin.

In terms of performance all the cheek products work very well. The quality is excellent and I really didn’t know what to expect before hand since the Naked Flushed palettes did not work for my skin type at all (they look super chalky and emphasize pores on me). I think the UD x Gwen Blush palette is the winner and if you’re trying to narrow down your picks, I’d say opt for the palette since it will give you the most options packaged in a single convenient compact. If you like more visible pigment or color for the cheeks you may find the Blush Palette too sheer or natural looking. In that case I’d recommend you opt for the NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette which has more pigment and more color but will also give you a wide range of options.

The highlighters are really pretty but I can’t say any of them are absolute musts. If I were to pick one favorite it would be Fireball – the mix of peach and pink is really pretty although it’s nearly identical to one of the shades in the Anastasia Gleam Glow Kit, the UD one performs exceptionally well.

The Bronzers are nice to have but not musts. That being said I find it rare to find good matte bronzers that are smooth in finish and application that don’t darken. The ones from Urban Decay perform really well – I like Sun-Kissed the best and the packaging is fun for the upcoming warmer weather months. Even though I can probably find similar shades in my collection to all the cheek items featured, I don’t have any regrets purchasing them – the formula works really well to add color or highlight without emphasizing pores.

You can find the Urban Decay cheek palette, bronzer and highlighters at all Urban Decay counters now. Online at Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Ulta Beauty and Urban Decay.
Have you checked out any of the items yet? What did you think?
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