2018

Best of 2018 Beauty Favorites

December 30, 2018

What a year it has been! I cannot believe that 2018 is nearly over, it flew by so quickly. Today I’m rounding up my Best of 2018 Beauty Favorites with a mix of new discoveries alongside a few staples from previous years. I went through this entire year of blog posts to make sure I didn’t miss anything! Also a number of you have asked for my absolute favorite tried and true staples so I’m going to put together a separate post of beauty things I cannot live without. For this roundup I focused mainly on new products I really loved that I tried this year.

Complexion, Highlighters and Base Products

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in #4 was the best cream glow highlighter, full review here (cheaper dupe from L’Oreal reviewed here)
Armani Neo Nude Powder wins for best all over finishing glow powder, I repurchased 4 and 5.5 after finishing those up, full review here
NARS Highlighting Powder in Fort de France* was the best classic highlighting powder I tried this year, swatches of all colors here
Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Sticks* were the best cream highlighter formula, review here
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Glow Powder * once I figured out how to use this on top of cheeks as a highlighter (not really as a setting powder) was the best natural glow powder I tried this year
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush * in Incandescent Electra and Iridescent Flash were my top 2 blushes (both on the face swatched here), they literally are going to last me forever, even with regular use I’ve barely made a dent, I also ended up really loving the Ambient Lighting Palette Edit Vol 4 (reviewed here)
Natasha Denona Diamond and Blush Palettes* were the most unique options I played with this year, full review here
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 and Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion in Buff* were my top 2 foundations

Best Eye Makeup

L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara was my most-used favorite mascara of the year
Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Gel in Soft Brunette* was the best brow gel I tried this year, review + swatches of all the shade options here
NARS Eyeshadow Quad in Singapore *, it was one of the first two quads launched and sold out almost everywhere but you can still find it now online at NARS Cosmetics, review here
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette ended up being one of the best eyeshadow palettes I tried this year (tied with Pat McGrath), I didn’t review or swatch it but it lives up to the hype 100%
Pat McGrath pretty much won on all counts this year for me, her 6-pan MTHRSHP palettes* were among my favorite (loved ALL of them), the ones I liked the most were Platinum Bronze and Dark Star, spring colors review here and holiday launches review here
Sisley Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof Eyeliners * was my favorite eyeliner formula of the year, I really appreciate that even after months of use it has still not dried out like many other twist up formulas do, full review + swatches of all shades here
Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows were stand outs for sparkly long-lasting shadows I loved to layer or wear alone, all shades I bought swatched here

Favorite Lip Products

Bite Agave Lip Mask was my go-to balm of the year
NARS Orgasm After Glow Lip Balm * was the best luminizing balm I tried, review here
Fenty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow and Fussy were in my top 2 for lip gloss this year, both on the lips here
L’Oreal Color Riche Shine were the best affordable shine lipsticks I tried, just as good as luxury brands in my opinion (better than Chanel and YSL to me), swatches here
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat and Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk were my favorite neutrals
Pat McGrath LUST Gloss* was in my top 2 gloss formulas of the year, I really loved Flesh Astral and Divine Rose, review + swatches here
Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipsticks win for best matte lipstick of all time, swatches here, additional colors that were press samples here, here and here
Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Tinted Balms* are hands down my favorite tinted lip balms I’ve ever tried, review here
NARS Velvet Lip Glides in Swing and Roseland were two of my most-used neutrals (alongside CT Pillow Talk)

Skin Care Loves

I really found myself gravitating to a lot more skincare tries this year compared to makeup. I wasn’t able to review everything as testing often takes so long to truly see results. I’ll do an updated skincare routine post in the new year so if you have any questions please leave them in the comments! My absolute favorites:

Tatcha Water Cream and Sisley Black Rose Cream * remained staples for moisturizer but I did discover a couple new ones I think are really amazing
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream wins for best moisturizer of the year for me, Andrew also loves it, and I saw while in Los Angeles my brother bought this too! I think it’s suitable for any skin type, normal or dry, it’s not irritating, isn’t too heavy and moisturizes perfectly. We are on our second jar, I am going to have to order a third very soon.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Juice Moisturizer was the best lightweight moisturizer I tried, it’s great for those humid months here in Florida but really nice year round too
Farmacy Honey Drop Lighweight Moisturizer * was also another excellent find, non-irritating and not heavy, more loves from this brand in this post
Sisley Black Rose Oil * was the best face oil I tried, I’m trying to use it sparingly because it’s so expensive! review here
Foreo UFO * was the most innovative skincare tool I tried, I really do love it and it makes my skin feel and look better
Glamglow Supermud remains my favorite clarifying mask to clean out pores and clear up the skin

Hair Favorites of the Year

Sisley Precious Hair Oil * wins for best hair oil for me, review here and here
Moroccanoil Treatment is always a classic, I can’t live without this product
Aquis Hair Towels were a great find based on recommendations and reviews I read online, this is another product I never want to be without, after testing the Long Lisse Luxe and Waffle Luxe version I found they both performed well, I prefer the waffle version as I like texture in my towels, I also prefer the longer options
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask With Temporary Coloring in Warm Chestnut was a great find for me after getting highlights earlier this year, it leaves my hair so shiny and soft!
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask * was my favorite try of the year, I finished 2 jars already, I want to buy another but am testing a few other brands out right now (Oribe and Kerastase) – my friends say Kerastase is the best and on a recent Instagram poll many of you said Oribe is better, I’ll keep you posted!
T3 Trio Whirl Trio was the best and only hair tool buy of the year, I relied on my Dyson and Harry Josh Dryers * and they’ve served me well, and I still love my HAI Ceramic Straightener, I decided to only buy one curling tool and have really loved it! If you see any hair posts of me with curled hair like this post or this one and also here I’m using the 1.5 inch wand.
Living Proof Dry Shampoo, Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones and IGK Jet Lag had a 3-way-tie for me in terms of dry shampoos this year, there are actually a lot that I loved this year but if I were forced to pick 3, these would be the ones I’d live off of for the rest of my life

That wraps up my favorites for the year! I hope you found some new loves too. Let me know in the comments what your favorites were! Also I’ve been a little behind on giveaways with my recent travels so I’m doubling up and giving away 2 sets of beauty goodies. Two readers will be selected to win all these items listed below:

1 Away Mini Travel Case (winner can select 1 choice of Pink or the Halo color)
All 3 Fenty Gloss Bombs in Fenty Glow, Diamond Milk and Fussy
Fenty Holiday Duo with lip minis of Spanked and Griselda
1 Beautyblender Original
1 Mini Drunk Elephant Serum
1 Mini Tatcha Watercream
1 Mini Living Proof Dry Shampoo

Open internationally to anyone 18 years or older. Runs through 1/5/2018. Simply enter by completing at least one of the steps in the widget below. Two winners will be selected at random within 72 hour of giveaway end time and will be winner names will be displayed / announced on the widget. I’ll contact winners directly via e-mail. Prizes typically ship within 1 week. Not sponsored or affiliated.

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Press samples featured indicated with a *.

154 Comments

California Travel

Hello from California!

December 26, 2018

I’m a day late but hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I’m writing from San Francisco, California right now. We decided to spend our last week of the year on the West Coast for Christmas to visit family and friends! I was so thrilled to be able to hit up three cities, San Diego (our hometown), Los Angeles and San Francisco. I’ll have a more detailed travel diary up soon but you can follow along on what we are doing on @beautylookbook Instagram Stories. It’s been two years since we left San Diego and my first time back since then. My heart has been filled with so much joy as we’ve been reunited with friends and family. I’ve been trying to live as much as I can in the moment so I haven’t been posting as much but I have some beauty reviews coming up very soon that I’ve been working on so stay tuned!

City guide, packing post, travel beauty picks and more to follow soon. So many of you have asked about our favorite food spots in San Diego and I’ll compile a list of our favorites. We were in town only for a couple days but made it back to Mission Cafe (best one is in Hillcrest), Indigo Grill, Pho on 5th and of course In-n-Out Burger. After being on a very strict healthy diet back home for the past 6 months (mostly chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes or some kind of vegetable) we decided to indulge in a full cheat week with all the amazing food on the West Coast. I’ve been busy getting my fill of bread, dumplings and pastries.

A quick peek at some places we hit up in San Diego – Coronado, Los Angeles and San Francisco. I was also so thrilled to be able to visit my good friend Rachel of @beautyprofessor and finally meet her adorable baby Johanna. This is such a precious age and I’m happy I was able to see her!

All the things I packed to follow in a more detailed post, but above wearing the Everlane Cashmere Crew, 7 For All Mankind b(air) Skinny Jeans, Make and Model Cozy Up Cropped Hoodie in Grey, Loft Cable Knit Sweater, Vince Moto Jacket (old style, similar here), Converse Chuck Low Sneakers. Also been living off the IGK Jet Lag Dry Shampoo for the nights I’ve been too tired to wash my hair. We also put our Away Everywhere Bags to the test for the first time and I can say hands down it’s the best travel bag I have ever used. Andrew was also impressed after testing it!

Hope you all had a great holiday! Sending you lots of love from California right now.

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Loving Right Now Sephora

Three Natural Glowy Makeup Looks for the Holiday

December 21, 2018

I love glowing makeup especially this time of year! There’s nothing quite like combining a good glossy lip with soft shimmering cheeks to brighten up your whole look for the holiday season. Today I’ve partnered with Sephora to share a few glowing holiday makeup looks that I’ve been loving lately. Sephora is truly one of my go-to’s for beauty shopping. They have most of the brands I love and I’ve been a Sephora Beauty Insider for years. The points and perks they offer are among my favorites out of all the beauty rewards programs I’ve signed up for. By popular request I’m doing three looks with each of the three Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizers in Fenty Glow, Diamond Milk and Fussy. So many of you have asked for a review!

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Glowing Look 1: Featuring Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fussy

Holiday Look 1 features the new Fussy Gloss Bomb which is a sheer soft pink shimmer. This one is also on the sheer side but has enough color to give a glowing pink tint to the lips. I like this also layered on top of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner. I mix a blended blush + highlighter from Hourglass which adds the perfect amount of glow. For those who haven’t tried the Gloss Bomb it’s a cushiony smooth gloss without the tacky feel. All three colors have a smooth shimmer to them. They are softly scented like a faint cherry.

Products worn:

Foundation – Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5
Concealer – NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger
Powder – Laura Mercier Translucent Powder Loose
Glow – Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Glow
Brows – Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
Mascara – Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara
Bronzer – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light
Blush – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Iridescent Flash
Lips – Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk with Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fussy on top
Eyeshadow – Anastasia Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette (use the deepest shades as liner!)

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Glowing Look 2: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow + Stunna Lip Paint Fluid in Uncuffed

Look 2 features original color in Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fenty Glow which is a pretty rose shimmer. It’s fairly sheer on its own but makes for the best layering gloss over any other color. I tried this over the Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid in Uncuffed and it’s one of the best liquid lip products I’ve tried. It does have a matte finish but isn’t dry looking.

Wearing same base products as above, added:

Eyeshadow – NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette
Cheeks – Marc Jacobs O! Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan
Blush – Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Sex on Fire
Lips – Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid in Uncuffed + Fenty Glow Lip Gloss on top

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Glowing Look 3: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Diamond Milk (Nude Lips)

Look 3 is with the lightest color Diamond Milk. This adds the prettiest sheen to the lips. It’s also really nice layered over nude lipsticks or peach colors for a more diffused look. Wearing in this look:

Eyeshadow – Hourglass Scattered Light Shadow in Smoke
Liner – Urban Decay 24/7 Zero Eyeliner with the deeper shades of NARS Ignited Palette smoked out
Cheeks – Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Love is the Drug
Highlight – Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Glow (both shades mixed)
Lips – Tom Ford Boys and Girls in Ava with Fenty Gloss Bomb in Diamond Milk on top

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That wraps up three holiday glowing makeup looks! Hope you found these helpful if you’re looking for some lip and cheek combinations. If you’re set on color I think three things that can really make a difference in your routine to give you a fresh glow include the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Glow Powder (I use in place of highlight) and the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow to mix in with any base you have. You can find all the items I featured at Sephora.

What are some of your favorite glow products for eyes, lips or cheeks?

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Foreo UFO Smart Mask Treatment Review + Demo

December 19, 2018

As one of the biggest face mask junkies, I’m excited to share a review of Foreo’s latest innovation called the UFO (short for Ur Future Obsession). This is a smart mask system that combines advanced technology with serum-infused masks to give you a complete facial treatment in just 90 seconds. I’ve partnered with them to put this to the test and think it’s the perfect DIY facial treatment especially for those who are limited on time and need something quick but effective.

The Foreo UFO combines several advanced technologies including thermo-therapy, cryo-therapy, T-sonic pulsations and full spectrum LED. All of these help to push the essence from the masks into your skin, lock in moisture, reduce pore size, massage the face with LED lights therapy to rejuvenate the skin. In testing the UFO I found it really interesting how they’ve created various different treatment combinations depending on what kind of mask your skin needs. A brief overview of each function:

The Thermo-Therapy feature gently warms up the device to activate the mask and opens up the pores to allow product to penetrate the skin. The device becomes noticeably warm but not hot.
T-sonic pulsations massage the face and help push product into the skin further. These are gentle and very soothing.
LED Lights vary depending on mask you use. I have sensitive eyes and have not been able to do many LED light therapy facials even with light blockers on the eyes (that’s how sensitive they are!) so this device is perfect for me! Red lights are designed for anti-aging, it stimulates collagen production. Green lights work to brighten dull skin and evens out the skin tone. Blue lights kill acne causing bacteria and stimulates circulation.
Cryo-Therapy cools down the skin, tightens it and makes pores smaller. You can always repeat the treatment if you feel you need to. I’ve found one treatment sufficient per use.

What you get in the box:

UFO device
charger
mask packet
stand helps protect it during storage and also helps it dry out faster after washing

The device is supposed to last up to 40 uses with a 2.5 hour charge time. It is super easy to use via the Foreo App that you download onto your phone. They ask you to complete a short survey to fill out your profile. It connects via Bluetooth and treatments vary depending on what mask you pick to use. Steps are goof-proof:

Turn on the app and power up device (make sure Bluetooth is enabled)
Pick your mask
Scan the barcode on your mask to activate device and open packet
Place mask onto UFO and secure it with the plastic ring
Follow the diagram and video on the app for placement, mask for 90 seconds
Tap extra essence into skin
Wash the device under the sink (it’s 100% waterproof!)
Place on stand until next use

There are currently 7 mask options all formulated in Korea and I’ve put 5 of them to the test. Each one has a different purpose. With each packet these there is enough serum soaked in the pads to work into the entire face. There will be some leftover residue and essence on your face after the treatment. Depending on what you plan on doing after (ie apply makeup, go to sleep, etc.) you may want to pat down with a towel or rinse excess off:

Make My Day is the best one to use in the mornings, it has red algae and hyaluronic acid, leaves the skin feeling plump, glowing and well hydrated. Red algae helps protect the skin from pollution in the air. This uses both the Red and Green LED Lights, T-Sonic Pulsations and Thermo-Therapy.
Call It A Night has olive oil and ginseng to tone and hydrate skin. This uses the warming Thermo-Therapy, Red LED light and T-Sonic pulses.
Youth Junkie is a collagen renewal formula which reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It makes the skin noticeably more plump. This uses the warming Thermo-Therapy, Red LED light and T-Sonic pulses. This one is my favorite!
Glow Addict is a brightening mask that has pearl extract and niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone. It also has Vitamin E to hydrate and make the skin glow. This uses both the Red and Green LED Lights, T-Sonic Pulsations and Thermo-Therapy. I also really love this one.
Shimmer Freak is an Eye Mask that is caffeine infused. It utilizes the Cryo-Therapy for a cooling sensation to reduce puffiness. It utilizes the Red and Blue LED lights and T-Sonic pulses. This also worked wonders to brighten and waken my tired puffy eyes. The device is a little big for the under eye area but it still works just fine by moving it around the eyes and temples.

I think this is the perfect tool for mask and skincare fans. I do think skincare takes time to see long term results but after each use of the UFO my skin is noticeably more hydrated. With the Youth Junkie and Glow Addict my skin is glowing and plump. We’re in the middle of dry season now here in South Florida and my skin has been noticeably dry and more prone to irritation. These masks are the perfect addition to my routine to rebalance and rejuvenate.

I highly recommend the Foreo UFO. I think it’s a great tool and love how easy it is to use. As much as I love regular masks or sheet masks, they do take extra time. I think being able to mask in 90 seconds is amazing. P.S. I put together my first mini video with the UFO and have a demo going up on my Instagram page @beautylookbook today if you want to check it out!

You can find the Foreo UFO ($279) and Sheet Masks available separately now at Foreo.com. It comes in three fun colors and I love that they have a nice selection of sheet masks to choose from.

Many thanks to Foreo for partnering to sponsor this post.

26 Comments

Fashion Hauls Lifestyle Lips

Best Red Holiday Lips + Cozy Sweater Try On Haul

December 17, 2018

I’m so excited it’s finally sweater weather here! We have hot humid weather almost year round here in Tampa making it too hot to even wear denim jeans most of the time. While I love the sunshine I’m thrilled that it has cooled down enough to haul some cute sweaters. By popular request I’m combining two topics today that many of you have been asking for: best holiday red lips plus a sweater try-on haul.

I’m a neutral lip lover so I was actually really surprised to find how many red lip products I own. I sorted through around 35+ colors and formulas to narrow down my absolute top picks for the best color, pigment, lasting power and a few budget friendly options. I’ll discuss each color with the sweaters I paired below.

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Everlane Cashmere Crew + L’Oreal Color Riche Shine

I did my first Everlane haul and picked three styles to try out. I haven’t tried the line before so I relied on online customer reviews for height and weight to decide on XXS and XS depending on style. I lucked out because I’m really happy with what I ordered. For sizing reference I have been losing weight but also gaining a little bit of muscle with our weight training. I’m 5’3″ and currently 114 pounds. I usually wear XS in most sizes, sometimes XXS because I’m on the shorter side.

It’s been a long time since I’ve invested in anything cashmere (again because it’s simply TOO HOT to wear here) so I can’t compare to current styles of other brands. I have tried J.Crew, Vince and Theory to name a few which I’ve loved in previous years. I think the styles I ordered from Everlane are just as good. For the Everlane Cashmere Crew ($100) I picked Light Oatmeal in XS and it’s a PERFECT fit. This is my favorite one of my purchases. It’s soft, lightweight but not tissue thin. I plan on getting a couple more colors. Denim worn are the Paige Verdugo Ankle (for me ankle jeans are the best because I usually don’t have to hem them!).

I’m wearing the L’Oreal Color Riche Shine in Enamel Red which is one of the best medium glossy lipsticks I’ve ever tried. I swatched all the colors of this formula in this post here.

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Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew + NARS Powermatte Pigment

Up next is the Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew ($145) in Heather Grey in XXS. I would have bought XS but one of the models on the website was wearing that size and quite a bit taller than me. I’m happy with the fit of XXS. This is a nice soft semi thick ribbed sweater. It’s one of the ones I was wearing on stories.

I paird this one with the NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman. There are a lot of reds in this formula this one seems the most classic to me (Vain is warmer, Light My Fire is brighter and there are options with either more blue or deeper tones too). This is one of the nicest liquid matte lipstick formulas that is matte but doesn’t shrink my lips to look like raisins. It has excellent staying power and doesn’t transfer on my teeth. (If you want a neutral option American Woman is the best chestnut neutral rose out there.)

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Leith + Everlane with Tom Ford Dylan

Tom Ford Lips and Boys Dylan isn’t a new color but remains a favorite for a semi-matte finish. It’s a classic bright bold red with a warm undertone. I’m wearing it below with two sweater colors. A soft nude pink fitted Metallic Pullover from Leith ($49, XS is pretty fitted) that I bought at Nordstrom and the Everlane Cashmere Waffle Crew in Black ($150, XXS) which is boxy but I think has a nice hang to the sides. I like the side slit detail too which makes for a little more interesting sweater.

Another look at the Everlane sweater so you can see the neckline, it’s hard to see the detail but check out their website for close ups which you can see better.

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1.State + Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Wild Cherry

In terms of red lips I don’t think it gets better than Pat McGrath. I could have done an entire dedicated post to swoon over all her lipsticks but wanted to give some other brands and formulas some love. If you feel like you can’t wear full on red lips, opt for a sheer gloss or balm. The Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry is a great sheer but buildable red. I reviewed it in this post here.

In looking through my closet I find that I own a lot of white tops and sweaters. It’s funny because in San Diego I used to wear all black and grey, or stripes. Since moving to Florida I’ve suddenly found my closet has changed. So many of you have been asking about all the white tops I’ve been wearing. This is a cute one from 1State Convertible Zip Neckline Sweater ($109). This is an XXS and runs big but slouchy. It’s cute to tuck in or belt. I’m not 100% sure I love this style. The zipper is adjustable which makes it so you can wear this a number of ways. A similar option that I have really liked in a tee form is the Free People Nikala Tee which I find has a better fit.

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Frame + NARS

My favorite purchase is the Frame Stripe Crewneck Merino Wool Blend Sweater ($235) and it’s one of my most expensive sweater splurges in a long time. I’m a huge sucker for anything with stripes, so much so that I tried to ease up on wearing and buying them. This was too cute to pass up. It’s soft, thin and I love the fit. I really love everything I’ve bought from Frame. Prices prevent me from splurging more. I paired it with the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel from the holiday collection from the Riot Lip Pencil set. Unfortunately it’s sold out but Pat McGrath MatteTrance in Elson is close (reviewed here). Denim worn is also from Frame Le Skinny.

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Loft + Pat McGrath

For affordable sweaters that aren’t itchy or scratchy I’ve found some amazing deals from Loft. They have cute cable knit basics. I tried two styles. One is the Loft Textured Button Cuff Sweater in XS ($49.50 but I got mine 50% off, they have online holiday sales so check their site for current code). At $20 it was a steal. This one is a little long for me but on most people I think it will be just the right length. I’m wearing it with the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick in Rebel Red which is one of the most fun sparkly blue red lip colors I’ve tried. Full review here.

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Loft + Em Cosmetics

Another Loft find is the Cable Knit Trim Sweater in Silvered Heather Grey (XS, $49.50). I could have sized down for a shorter fit but this one is super cute and easy to wear as well. I paired this with the Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight which is one of the best red plumping glosses I’ve tried. I need to review this formula for you, I have been sitting on all the colors for a while now. It’s been on my to-do list! They have some cute sets for the holiday I think are worth checking out. I have all the colors individually otherwise I would have ordered one.

Tucked vs. untucked

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BP + MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Lip

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip in It’s Just Candy is a nice blue-based red shimmer. It’s called a liquid lip but is more along the lines of a full pigment gloss. It has great lasting power and a really pretty sheen. Full review on all the colors in this formula here. If you want a matte metallic long-wear version try the Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color in In Retrograde instead.

Sweater worn is the BP Heritage Stitch sweater in XXS. It’s so soft and plush. Unfortunately it just sold out online, but you might want to check in stores to see if they still have some near you. It does run on the large side, I ordered an XXS and it’s very roomy!

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Lipsticks worn/featured in this post (all shades are press samples):

L’Oreal Color Riche Shine in Enamel Red (review here)
Pat McGrath BlitzTrance in Rebel Red (review on lips here)
Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel (swatched here)
Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry (on lips here)
NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman
MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Lip in It’s Just Candy (review here)
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Dylan

Swatches alongside a few other options:

Hourglass Confession Lipstick in My Icon Is (on lips here)
MAC Retro Matte in In Retrograde
NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer in Red District (review here)

Pat McGrath and Tom Ford options swatched next to two of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution colors. I used to think the Charlotte Tilbury formula was the best, I still think it’s very good, but Pat McGrath’s formula wins 100%.

Makeup breakdown worn in all other photos include:

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Honeymoon
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
some photos I tried on the Velour Effortless Lashes in Would I Lie?
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Glow Powder + Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light on cheeks
The best red nail polish I’ve tried is from Christian Louboutin’s Red, although OPI is also a favorite of mine, I just don’t own any reds from them at the moment

I hope you enjoyed this sweater try-on haul and red lip roundup! If you love a good red lip let me know what your favorites are in the comments. I love cozy sweaters and I would haul more if we had cooler weather in Tampa.

I didn’t have time to post yesterday but did not forget my giveaway for the week! One reader will win four Pat McGrath lip products including: Opulence 1995, Opulence Flesh3, winner’s choice of two other lips formulas. Not sponsored or affiliated. Open internationally to those 18 years or older. Simply enter via the widget below. Giveaway runs this week and I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via e-mail.

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I’ve linked all the details in this post above, but you can also shop the post below:

Lip colors featured are press samples. All sweaters purchased by me.

54 Comments

Nordstrom Skincare

Winter Skin Care Savers

December 14, 2018

Winter has brought about cool and dry weather and my skincare routine has changed with the season. Even though south Florida is usually warm it’s been significantly colder in the past month or so. Tampa weather is similar to Southern California weather right now! I’m thrilled to be able to wear sweaters and jackets right now. I’ve teamed up with Nordstrom to share a roundup of my favorite winter skin care savers I think are suitable for any skin type.

At home cozy wear: Thermal henley from PJ Salvage, denim by Paige, sandals from Tory Burch (yes, sandals in winter, probably only in Florida! lol the weather does fluctuate quite a bit still), zip pouch from Truffle

I think some of the best skincare sets you can find to treat yourself are from Fresh Beauty. I love their Rose Skincare line because it’s gentle and nourishing. I’ve been a huge fan of their Fresh Rose Floral Toner which also comes in a mini size perfect for travel and in this season’s Rose Skin Care Set. Exfoliation for the skin is key to keeping it smooth and help the regenerating process, I love their Sugar Face Polish – it’s the best gentle face scrub that exfoliates and gently hydrates without being greasy. It’s also in their Great Escape Face Mask set which I think everyone should try. For body I’ve particularly loved their Black Tea Age Delay Body Cream because it’s lightweight in the drydown but still very moisturizing. It’s lightly scented but in a fresh kind of way so it doesn’t interfere with my perfume too much.

I love trying out hand creams. I usually prefer ones with a velvety finish but this time of year I need something stronger. My three favorites right now include the Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm (also comes in a larger pump bottle size) for an aromatic one, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is probably my favorite strong moisturizing hand cream and anything from L’Occitane is a no-fail option, I love their Holiday Hand Cream Trio with the Rose, Delightful Tea and Shea Butter in their festive packaging.

There are always some nice set options available during this season. They’re perfect to treat yourself or split up as stocking stuffers. A couple others I’ve tried recently include the Lano Coconutter Hand Cream Intense which is indeed very intense and on the thick side. Once you let it dry/set for a minute it doesn’t feel as thick or sticky. I also splurged on the new La Mer Rejuvenating Hand Serum which is the most I’ve spent on hand cream. I need to test it more before I review it but it feels so nice and it’s silky smooth!

My body has felt the most impact with the dry weather. I always have to switch things up this time of year and I’m so thankful for L’Occitane’s Almond Body Care line. It’s probably the best for irritated or dry skin and I know SO many of you swear by their shower oil. I love the L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate because it has an ultra smooth texture that glides on and melts into the skin like a dream. Their Almond Supple Skin Oil is also fantastic. I’ve been living off of minis for a while and decided it was time for the full size again. It comes with a spritzer which I truly appreciate with oils. It makes it so much easier to apply!

The best body creams that have medium to lighter weight finishes to me are the Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Body Cream and the Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm (not shown). For an ultra rich overnight game changer the Kopari Coconut Melt never fails to restore moisture and bounce to the skin.

Lately I’ve found myself reaching for rose skincare a lot. The best face oil I’ve ever tried is the Sisley Paris Black Rose Precious Face Oil. Their moisturizer Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream holy grail material for me. I do think the Laura Mercier skincare line Infusion de Rose is a really nice alternative at a lower price point. It’s gentle, nourishing, non-irritating and feels smooth. The Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil is one I’ve used up entirely before and love this for a nice lightweight oil that isn’t heavy. The Infusion de Rose Moisturizing Glow Mask is one of the prettiest soft masks I’ve tried, it’s a tissue off formula but I usually like to also cleanse off after with a damp washcloth.

For the lips the best luxurious lip balms are from By Terry with her Baume de Rose and Baume de Rose Crystalline (in a tube sponge applicator form). These are 100% worth the splurge but if this is out of your comfort zone for price the Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing Lip Balm is an excellent alternative. Lanolips makes the amazing affordable lip balms with their Multipurpose Ointment and Multi-Use Balms in my experience. I think they’re among the best! I love the Coconut version.

Last but not least are a few of my favorite face mists. I’m a huge face mist junkie and I’ve tried dozens. Even in Florida we need extra moisture year round. Outside is often humid and hot, especially in the summer, but we’re still prone to having our skin dry out with the constant air conditioning indoors. Not to mention it’s on during the night when we sleep too! Face mists help add that little bit of moisture throughout the day without ruining makeup. Four I’m loving right now include the Saturday Skin Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist, Omorovicza Magic Moisture Mist, Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist and the Fresh Rose Floral Toner. All of these have a super fine mist spray and lightweight finish without leaving a film on the skin.

My one favorite is probably the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist but this year they launched a bi-phase version called Magic Moisture that you shake up for more moisture. I think both are equally good. The Fresh option is more of a toner that comes with spray pump but I also use it as a face mist (it’s also alcohol-free).

This wraps up my winter skincare favorites! I picked items I felt would be suitable for a wide range of skin types, even sensitive ones. As always I’d love to hear what your winter favorites are. I know that Florida winter is mild compared to other places so let me know what works best for you! I love reading about the things you use.

You can find all these products at Nordstrom. If you’re shopping online also don’t forget to check out their Gift With Purchase page as they update it regularly. Their Holiday Shipping Deadlines are also listed on their website if you’re doing last minute purchases!

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. Press samples featured include the Sisley Black Rose Oil, Laura Mercier Rose Balm, Laura Mercier Rose Mask, Omorovicza Magic Mist.

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By Terry Holiday Gift Guide

By Terry Gem Glow Holiday Collection Review + Swatches

December 12, 2018

By Terry launched some beautiful pieces for the season with the Gem Glow Holiday Collection. There are a couple new individual products and a number of beauty sets to choose from. Today I have a look at their Gem Glow Trio Highlighter ($65 for 5.5 g/0.19 oz), Gem Glow Brightening CC Serum ($91 for 30 ml/1 fl oz), Mini Baume de Rose ($24 for 3 g). In addition I’ve added swatches of some eye makeup including the Eye Light Palette Terrybly Paris 2 ($49 for 9 g/0.31 oz) that launched earlier in the fall plus some swatches of the Ombre Blackstar Cream Shadows since they usually have a few shades in one of the holiday sets. My thoughts on each product below.

Up first is a look at the Gem Glow Trio Compact Highlighter. It’s a stunning mix of pink, pearl and soft peach shimmers. The little yellow spots are overspray but it’s very soft so what you see in the compact is pretty true to what you will find underneath. I swatched each portion individually and swirled.

By Terry makes some of the most beautiful complexion products but they’re all very expensive. I do really love their Compact Expert Dual Powders (I still do) even though they cost an arm and a leg. This holiday season I found myself truly overwhelmed with all the highlighter options and for the first time in many years I did not review or purchase the holiday ones from Chanel or Tom Ford. After trying the options from NARS, Hourglass and Marc Jacobs combined with the dozens launched this year alone I feel like they’re all starting to look the same. I probably would have not purchased this By Terry Gem Glow Highlighter as I’m really set for life with highlighters in general, but out of all the ones I’ve seen this year this one has the prettiest presentation. Like many of her other face products there is more than one color in the pan with a small divider in the compact. The small spacing makes it virtually impossible to get individual colors which I don’t mind. But you will most likely have to swirl or mix shades with a regular face brush.

The pigment and color payoff are excellent. On my skin this translates into a beautiful pearly glow. It performs well, applies smoothly, stays put and doesn’t emphasize my pores. I find it has enough sparkle to be perfect for holiday. The shimmer is truly stunning on the skin making this a beautiful option I think will suit a wide range of skin tones. I do really love this one but the color can probably be duped.

Next is a look at her Gem Glow Brightening CC Serum. It’s a pearly rose gold that is very sheer. I’ve purchased several of her CC Serums in the past and they are extremely expensive but beautiful. They are sheer enough to use all over the face for a very soft subtle glow. It’s rose scented and it does not irritate my skin.

I do like the way it gives the skin a lit from within glow without any greasy emollient finish. The dry down has a soft almost velvet feel which is nice because any added shine with a shimmer product can often translate into a greasy look. If you’re looking for a liquid highlighter this is not the product for you, it’s too sheer to be used as a highlight. If you want something more glowy or visible I’d recommend Armani Fluid Sheers or a stick cream highlighter like the Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighter sticks.

As beautiful as this product is I think you can get a nearly identical effect with the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow or Brightening Youth Glow Primer for a fraction of the price. I know ingredients aren’t the same so it might not be fair to compare them, but effect is similar. I do think the By Terry Brightening CC Serum is a beautiful product. I love that it comes with a pump and the bottles I owned in past years lasted for a long long time.

Swatched on the hand straight from the pump and then blended out you can see how it just adds a luminous sheen to the skin with barely any color.

For holiday she usually launches a Mini Baume de Rose packaged in a cute ornament form. It took me many years to bring myself to splurge on the full size but it’s 100% worth it. The minis are $24 each which is easier to justify as a splurge even though it’s tiny. I think it’s one of the best treats you can gift yourself. A look at the mini vs full size:

Next are some swatches of her Eye Light Palette Terrybly Paris 2. I haven’t tried any of her shadow palettes before as they’re usually out of my price range. This one retails for $49 and I’ll say up front it doesn’t swatch well on the arm or hand but on the eyes it’s MUCH much better. For those who are tired of the red, orange, pink or glitter palettes that seem to have taken over the beauty world today, you’ll find this one different for the neutral lover. It is very natural but has a nice range of colors for a polished muted classic eye. The colors are soft but they do give a beautiful wash of color you can layer or mix. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I think it would look really nice especially on fair skin tones. They have varying degrees of sparkle but the overall feel is very soft, airy, lightweight and has a subtle sheen.

Last but not least she has some of her Ombre Blackstars in a Trio this year with Blond Opal (shimmery pale champagne gold), Misty Rock (metallic purple) and Bronze Moon (shimmering bronze taupe) for $95. They usually retail for $38 each so you do get a little price break. For some reason I remember these being more expensive individually, I’m not sure when the price changed. Most of her colors have an intense shimmer pearl. These are some of the prettiest cream shadows that stay put on my lids without any issue. I’ve included swatches of a few other colors that I still have.

An easy holiday look wearing:

Primer is the By Terry Brightening CC Serum in Gem Glow
Foundation is Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion in Buff
Powder is La Mer Pressed Powder in Light
Blush is By Terry Compact Expert in Sun Desire
Highlight is By Terry Gem Glow Trio Compact swirled
Eyeshadow is the Eye Light Palette in Terrby Paris
Brows are the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel
Lip Color is Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk, Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk and Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow
Convertible Sweater from Nordstrom 1State

Overall I think these are beautiful quality pieces that are well made. If you splurge I think you’ll be happy with any of these items although I do think there are more affordable alternatives just as good to pick with other brands. The highlighter is such a beautiful piece to look at especially with the design and I think it’s a really pretty color with excellent pigment. Photos cannot do the swatches justice – the sparkle is so gorgeous and mix of colors a sight to behold. I do think you can get a similar effect with other shades though.

You can find the By Terry holiday pieces out now. Everything is limited-edition and you may have to shop around for some of the value sets. By Terry is available at Beautylish, Dermstore, Space NK, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

Have you checked out any of the By Terry holiday items? What has been your favorite holiday launch this year? For those curious additional items featured in the opening image: Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro 8 Inch in Rose Gold, simplehuman Compact Mirror and a Cuyana Vanity Case that I just ordered and will review in the near future.

By Terry Gem Glow Highlighter, CC Serum, Baume de Rose and Eye Palette provided for review. Ombre Blackstars are from my own collection.

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