2018

Pat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP Eyeshadow Palettes and Liquid Eyeliner

March 15, 2018

Pat McGrath Labs has three new stunning MTHRSHP Eyeshadow Palettes ($55 for 12 g/0.42 oz each) and a new Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner ($28 for 1.2 ml/0.41 fl oz) for spring. Everything is really quite beautiful and these palettes are the first I’ve felt I could truly wear from her line as there are no glitter shades.

First a look at the Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner. I don’t get excited about liquid liner in general, but when I find a good one I do. I’m more of a pencil or dark shadow kind of person for lining as it’s softer and I can get a more diffused look. The liquid liner is really good. There’s no bleeding and it’s very easy to apply. Color is a rich black and it stays put all day long.

The three eyeshadow palettes literally took my breath away the moment I opened them. They come in sturdy magnetic packaging with a mirror. There’s an elastic string to hold the lids shut but they aren’t really necessary because the magnet is pretty strong. They’re quite sturdy even though it appears that they aren’t hard plastic. The colors are ultra pigmented and smooth with different finishes and textures. I think the quality and finish are exceptional.

Pat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP Sublime Bronze Ambition

Pat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP Sublime Bronze Ambition is the warm option with stunning bronzey colors. The colors in the palette have names on a plastic insert (removed below). The only shade that isn’t super pigmented is the matte brown. It swatches patchy on the arm but it’s one of those colors that applies much better on the eyes as a deepening shade.

Top Row:

Gilt Trip is a shimmering warm champagne gold
Bronze Struck is a sparkling golden bronze
Copperized is a copper orange shimmer

Bottom Row:

Illicit is a perfect deep brown with gold flecks
Throwing Shade is a matte terracotta
Gold Rush is a sparkling gold

MTHRSHP Subversive La Vie en Rose

MTHRSHP Subversive La Vie en Rose is the most trendy option of the three but still stunning. Long time readers know I’m not the biggest fan of purple or pinks, still this one when layered is really quite stunning. It’s definitely not in neutral territory but still has wearable colors. Again, I had issues with the one matte shade in the palette. It swatches horribly on the hand or arm. When I applied with a brush I had no issue, but it’s not going to be a high-impact color like the rest of the palette. It’s best used to add depth in a sweeping motion or with a dense detail brush as a liner.

Top Row

Pale Fire is a shimmering peachy pink seashell (LOVE this color)
Purple Reign is a bright deep purple sparkle
Gold Nectar is the most sparkly shade out of all the palettes, it’s borderline glitter in a warm gold shade

Bottom Row:

Paranormal is a dusty matte purple brown
Rose Risque is a shimmering sheer hot pink
Euphoria is a lavender shimmer

MTHRSHP Subliminal Platinum Bronze

MTHRSHP Subliminal Platinum Bronze is my favorite out of the three. It has the prettiest wearable neutrals that I feel like I could wear for everyday. It has a very earthy vibe to it.

Top Row:

Platinize is a shimmery greige
Smoke and Mirrors shimmery taupe brown
Telepathic Taupe shimmering light khaki platinum

Bottom Row:

Deep Velvet soft brown suede
Ritualistic shimmering plum mauve
Sextrovert sparkling brass-bronze

I’ve been testing these for several days now and find the palettes really work for me. The pigment is really good with the exception of a couple of mattes, but even those are still wearable as blending shades. I ordered Platinum Bronze the day it launched online at Sephora but the entire collection was also sent for review. Turns out this one is still my favorite. Since these are powders and some shades are quite sparkly there will be a powdery texture and some fall out with application, but it’s just like other normal powder shadows. Some fallout is bound to happen. Lasting power is quite good. The colors layer nicely and stayed on the eyes from morning to night without fading. Whether or not these are for you depends on how many of the colors you like in each palette. I find both Bronze Ambition and Platinum Bronze more wearable for everyday but La Vie en Rose is a really pretty option for spring. If you’re in the market for a new liquid liner, I do think the one from Pat McGrath is worth checking out.

You can find the Pat McGrath Labs Spring Collection out now at Pat McGrath Labs and Sephora. The eyeshadow palettes are limited-edition.

Have you checked out the palettes yet? What did you think? If not do you have any Pat McGrath Labs favorites? I love her lipsticks!

Spring collection provided for review. Platinum Bronze and Perma Precision Liquid Liner also purchased by me.

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Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil Summer 2018 Picks

March 13, 2018

Tom Ford Soleil Summer 2018 has launched with some beautiful fresh colors for eyes, lips and cheeks. I did a mega-haul and purchased all the items I’m reviewing today. I have been thrilled with everything! I’ve received a lot of questions about the cheek products in this season’s launch and how they compare to previous launches. There are some similarities between pans and I’ve swatched them below and will add some thoughts below. What I picked out:

Soleil Contouring Compact in Nude Glow ($110)
Sheer Cheek Duo in Exotica Flora ($80)
Shade and Illuminate Glow Stick in Sunstruck ($55)
Lumiere Lip Baume in Lumiere ($54)
Ultra Shine Lip Color in Delectable, Nubile, Luscious, Lavish and Decadent ($54)
Lip Color Sheer in Nudiste ($54)

Cheek products: Sunstruck, Nude Glow and Exotica Flora

There is a new double-ended product called Shade and Illuminate Glow Stick called Sunstruck with a shimmering gold and bold apricot cream. The colors are creamy and quite pigmented but blend beautifully on the skin. You can swipe them on the face and blend on top of foundation without it disrupting your base. Swatches on the arm and hand will show that it’s dewy just like the pan compact Shade and Illuminate, but once you blend it it’s not too dewy and actually has decent lasting power for a cream product.

There is a new shade of the Soleil Contouring Compact in Nude Glow. The shades in this palette are a soft powdery gold champagne, soft peach and pale pink glow. If you remember The Afternooner from a few years ago I’d say the top shade of Nude Glow is almost identical to the Afternooner, and the middle shade of Nude Glow is darker and deeper and the bottom shade is completely different as the Afternooner had a bronzer and Nude Glow has a pale pink shimmer. In the pans Nude Glow has an almost faded look because of the pale shades. I thought these might not show up on my skin but they do! When layered together they all have a very soft glow. Texture is smooth and powdery but they blend seamlessly on the skin. If you need a lot of pigment and color I’d recommend you opt for the NARS Easy Glowing Palette in Reve Sale instead. The Tom Ford Soleil Contouring Compact in Nude Glow will give a significantly softer look.

Then there is a new Sheer Cheek Duo in Exotica Flora. This has the same formula as the other sheer cheek duos which is a unique powder that almost has a creamy feeling. It’s like a hybrid cheek product that doesn’t get powdery or creamy and lasts a long time on the face. If you swatch this at the counter on your hand or arm be prepared to see sheer color. They don’t swatch well on the arms with a brush, so I swatched with fingers. Once applied on the face color does show up in a natural buildable way. This has a medium pink and orange. The colors are very similar to ones from Bicoastal and Paradise Lust. The differences are slight though. The orange in Exotica Flora has more yellow and orange while Paradise Lust is more coral. The pink shade in Exotica Flora is warmer than either Bicoastal or Lavender Lure. On the skin the effect is similar though.

Swatched with a heavy hand to show color. Once blended on the face the colors are a lot softer, but I wanted to show how much you could build. I love that the colors don’t disappear once you blend.

Comparison swatches to previously launched Tom Ford colors including the Sheer Cheek Duos in Paradise Lust, Bicoastal and Lavender Lure

Two Beauty Looks

Two looks below with the Soleil Contouring Compact on the left and Exotica Flora on the right:

Foundation is Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation in Bisque with Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter #4
Powder is Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Finish Powder #2
Eyeshadows are Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize in Bette + Tom Ford Cream Powder Eye Duo in Paradiso
Brow color worn is Sisley Phyto-Sourcils Fiber Brow Gel in #2
Left lip + cheek is Soleil Contouring Compact in Nude Glow and Ultra Shine Lip Color in Delectable
Right lip + cheek is Sheer Cheek Duo Exotica Flora and Ultra Shine Lip Color in Lavish
Top by Flynn Skye

Soleil Summer Lips

Next are the lips. There are three formulas in this season’s collection. Lumiere Lip Baume, Ultra Shine Lip Color and Lip Color Sheers.

There’s a new product called the Lumiere Lip Baume which is a lip color transformer with hyaluronic acid to plum the lips and change to your pH levels. They launched on color in Lumiere which looks orange in the tube but applies clear much like Dior’s Addict Lip Glow in Coral. On me it transforms lips into a very natural peachy glow.

There are also new Ultra Shine Lip Colors. Tom Ford had a number of colors in this same product name but it does appear the new ones have a new formula along with the new packaging. I don’t have any of the older ones anymore except Quiver, but from what I remember, the older formula had a lot of shimmer shades, had more gloss/shine and was sheerer. The new ones this season are all creams (no shimmer) and have more pigment. Two shade names were familiar in Bare and Nubile, both look different from what I remember the originals to be. Bare looked paler without shimmer, I didn’t buy it. Nubile appears to be a lot warmer and peachier. These new Ultra Shine Lip Colors feel hydrating and smooth on the lips with coverage that is quite impressive for a glossy formula.

Colors I picked:

Delectable is a pale creamy pink
Nubile is a warm nude
Luscious is a perfect mauve
Lavish is a light but bright peach
Decadent is a deep wine plum

I swatched all but one of the Ulta Shine Lip Colors shades at the counter, swatch missing is Ravenous which is a bright pink (wasn’t on the display at counter):

Last there is are two new shades of Lip Color Sheer, I opted for Nudiste a shimmering warm seashell nude. It reminded me of Pink Dune from years ago but this one Nudiste is warmer and more shimmery. I am hoping one day they will re-launch the exact same Pink Dune again. There’s also a stunning plum shade called Bambou. After swatching it at the counter I thought looked very cool-toned borderline brownish so I passed as those tend to make me look corpse-like. I may give it another go later.

My picks:

Swatches on the lips:

I’m 100% in love with everything. Even the cheek shades that have similar colors to previous launches. I always look forward to the soleil collection launches from Tom Ford and this year’s options are gorgeous. If you are looking for something unique and different though I’d say you can probably pass on the cheek products if you already own and still have previous launches from Tom Ford. The cheek compacts are on the extra spendy side so if you are one who takes forever to use up your blush and already have a lot of Paradise Lust or Bicoastal left, you can probably skip Exotica Flora. Same goes for the Nude Glow if you still own The Afternooner, although Nude Glow does have that pretty pale pink glow color.

For the lip colors, I’m really happy with all my picks. The one color I might have skipped if I could do over is Nubile because it pulls warm on me and it’s not the most unique shade. I should have skipped that one and opted for a red or brighter pink instead, but it’s a great everyday neutral. (I don’t test lip products at the counter on my lips unless it’s a brand new tester.)

I did pass on the eye products. There are two new shades of Cream and Powder Duo in Azure Sun (champagne silver glitter + teal cream) and Emerald Isles (gold glitter + emerald cream). I was really tempted by Azure Sun as both shades are really quite stunning, but I rarely wear teal shades on the eyes so decided to pass. There are also two Shade and Illuminate Kohls in Lavventura and Soleil Blanc, also both have shades I don’t see myself wearing very often. There is also the new Eau de Soleil Blanc perfume which is on my wishlist. I got a mini sample to test out and after wearing it a few days have decided I need it. It has more citrus and less powder than the original Soleil Blanc.

You can find the Tom Ford Soleil Summer 2018 collection out now. Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Beautylish and Tom Ford Beauty.

Did you pick up anything from the collection yet? What did you think?

57 Comments

Loving Right Now Roundup

10 Things I’m Loving Right Now

March 12, 2018

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend. Starting the week with a highlight of 10 things that I’ve been loving in the beauty world. There are a lot of spring launches I’ll be covering soon. So many pretty palettes for cheeks and eyes that I’m really excited about and swatching this week. In the meantime a few things in skin, hair and makeup I think are worth checking out right now.

Shown above from left to right:

Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow Primer ($55) is an ultra smooth glow primer with a soft pearlescent sheen. It’s designed to be color-correcting and help with redness. I find it on the sheer side so for me it doesn’t quite color correct but it does noticeably brighten the skin and prepare it better for foundation application. I’ve also been experimenting with her Hollywood Flawless Filter in a few shades. I’ve worn her Magic Foundation in Shades 5, 6 and 7 depending on how tan I am. I ordered her Hollywood Flawless Filter in 3 and 4. Review soon, but I’ve been loving how versatile it is underneath or on top of foundation.
Marc Jacobs Cream and Sugar Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer ($28) in Cream and Sugar is now available in the full size. Review and swatches of the lipgloss, lipstick and liner in this post.
Armani Lip Magnet in 508 ($38) launched late last year, a few new shades were added to the line. I fell in love with 508 which is the lightest option in the formula and a light neutral nude pink. I also really liked 510 which is a pink plum but found it similar to 507 which I already own and reviewed so passed on that color. I’ve added swatches to the Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stains in the nude shades I own below (review here).
I’ve always been a bronze eyeliner fanatic. I find it more interesting than basic browns but still falls in the neutral territory. Three I’ve been obsessed with that don’t smudge, tug or feel dry include:
- NARS Kohliner in Altiplano ($26) because it’s creamy, pigmented and the prettiest shimmering brown.
- Hourglass 1.5 MM Mechanical Eyeliner in Bronze ($18) these are pretty spendy for the amount of product you get, but these are have the finest point for a liner that I’ve ever tried, I also like Canyon which is the regular brown version.
- Sisley Phyto-Khol Star in Sparkling Brown ($55) perhaps my favorite formula of sparkly eyeliner that I’ve tried. Review and swatches of all Sisley Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof liners here.

________________________________

Shown above:

Lanolips has been a favorite for a long time for an affordable lip balm that is super hydrating. My favorite has been the Lips 101 Ointment Strawberry Multi-Balm and as the ultimate coconut lover, I went nuts when I learned they launched a Coconutter Multi-Balm version and ordered 3. You can find it at Nordstrom and Ulta Beauty. It’s been in my top 3 lip treatments this past month (the other two loves are Sisley and By Terry). The Lanolips gives instant relief, has a thick enough texture to really hydrate and stay on the lips but doesn’t feel goopy or thick. I haven’t tried the Coconut Hand Cream version yet but I am really tempted to.
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Double Serum ($38) is a leave-in conditioner spray. It’s bi-phase so you have to shake it to mix the two serums. I’ve rediscovered this (I used it a few years ago and loved it and used it up). I’ve found this to be really good to add moisture, shine and help detangle the hair. I can use it as a pre-heat treatment or just spray and let it air dry.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask ($45) is something I feel 100% lives up to all the hype. It has the best fresh watermelon scent that is very natural smelling and isn’t overly sweet. I’m super picky about what I put on my face at night because I don’t like feeling or smelling product. I feel like it interferes with my sleep, but I still do use night time skincare. The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask feels amazing on the skin. Hydrating but still lightweight. It’s a truly breathable sleeping mask that has soothing watermelon extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs. I do wake up with noticeably smoother and balanced skin. It’s something I think everyone should check out. They have the cutest Mini Size ($22 for 1 oz) I plan on taking with me whenever I travel.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer ($39) is the latest from Glow Recipe. It’s an ultra lightweight moisturizer for oily to combination skin. For me it has just the right amount of moisture but if you’re dry they recommend using it as a serum to layer on before your regular moisturizer. It has a bouncy gel texture which feels really nice and smooth on the face (I usually do not like gels because they’re sticky). It softens and calms my skin.
Also this one makes for favorite #11 but I get so many questions about the large cosmetic pouches I have. The one above is by The Daily Edited, it’s the Large Cosmetic Case. I bought two of mine with the Blind Monogram Initials (which means they just emboss it with letters but there’s no gold foil). I’ve also featured my pouches in these posts Best Travel Beauty Cases, San Francisco Travel Packing and Sisley September Subscription Highlights.

That wraps up 10 things I’m loving right now! More to come this week featuring new spring makeup launches. What are you loving right now? P.S. I am going to resume weekly giveaways this week. For the month of March, they will be announced weekly to blog newsletter subscribers only. Make sure you’re subscribed to stay in the loop!

Press samples include Glow Recipe Skincare + Sisley Eyeliner.

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Base Makeup Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer

March 9, 2018

Laura Mercier launched a new concealer formula called the Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer ($28 for 0.23 oz/ 7 mL). This a medium to full coverage concealer that is described as weightless, perfecting, hydrating and blurring with up to 12 hours of crease-resistant wear. I received all the shades to review (twelve total) and have been putting these to the test for a couple weeks now. My best matches are shade 2W and 3W depending on the effect I’m going for. Coverage is indeed medium to full and very easy to build. For me a little goes a long way so I only need a tiny bit and then buff everything out with a damp sponge.

I give this formula a thumbs up, although I usually prefer something a little less opaque. I do find that even once you blend it is weightless and melds well with the skin and does not look cakey. Skin does need to be well prepped with a hydrating or somewhat creamy base, but this is going to be the case with any super opaque base so it will blend into to the skin better. I swipe and blend with a damp sponge and set with a loose or pressed translucent powder. It stayed put on multiple occasions from early morning until night without budging. This claims to have 12 hour wear. I did not try this for a full 12 hours, but I did find it stayed put for around 8 hours without any sliding or budging. I did experience some creasing on a couple days when I didn’t have enough moisturizer on – but my skin under the eyes is usually very dry compared to the rest of my face. With this formula I really liked any of the Laura Mercier primers, right now I’ve been loving her Oil-Free version.

The Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer comes with a flexible sponge tip applicator. I like the design as it’s sleek, functional and the cap is designed so product doesn’t seem like it will ooze out even if you pump the wand. Color range includes three different undertones: C for Cool Tones, N for Neutral and W for Warm. There are some gaps in the color range for super light shades and there’s a big jump from 3 to 4 in the medium tones. I feel like there’s a pretty big gap between 6N and 6W as well. At the moment not every shade number is offered in every undertone. I’m thankful to have a few shades that will work for me now. Hopefully more shades will be added in the future.

I can work with 2W, 3N and 3W for my skintone right now.

For this review I’ve added swatches under three different lighting scenarios. I do try my best for color accuracy but there are so many different variables. I hope the lighting gives you a better idea:

A few comparison swatches to other concealers I rotate between depending on how light or tan I am.

Shown left to right:

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion 2C and 2W
Laura Mercier Candleglow Concealer 2 and 3
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion 3C and 3W
Estee Lauder Doublewear Concealer Light Medium Warm and Medium Warm
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Light Medium and Medium
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Macadamia and Ginger
Urban Decay All Nighter Concealer in Medium

For me my favorite concealers are still the Estee Lauder Doublewear and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. These are my favorite because I find them to be the creamiest. Matte finish concealers for some reason don’t meld well with my skin all the time. The Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion is slightly thicker and more opaque than the Estee Lauder and NARS but I’d say similar in the way it blends.

I have been testing the ones from Urban Decay and Tarte for a while and I’ll have a separate post on that. Both of those have more coverage.

Below I’m wearing the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation in Buff with the Flawless Fusion Concealer in 3W. I previously reviewed the foundation in this Summer Base Edit post here wearing Dusk. Right now Buff is a little bit lighter and less olive which is a better match for me. On the brows is the Sisley Phyto-Sourcils Fiber Brow Gel in 2. Lip Gloss is the Lacquer Up Acrylick Lip Varnish in Free Spirit (blotted).

Concealer is blended under the eye area to brighten. It blends in pretty seamlessly and there’s no flashback. It’s shown without powder but I 100% recommend you set with a powder.

Overall a solid win for me. It is a little more opaque than I’m used to, but it’s not cakey and easy to smooth so it works for me. I is very easy to blend out with a sponge for a more natural look. I like that this one is easy to layer without it getting cakey looking. The lasting power is great as long as I set it with powder. I have high hopes come summer this will stay put on my face better than most. I like that it’s creamy and melds nicely with the skin. Ease of application and streamlined packaging is a plus. I do hope more shades will be added. I usually try to match concealers more closely to my skin tone. With this formula I like that there is little to no oxidizing in color on me. As you can see from the swatches there’s a big gap between 3 and 4. I feel like there I’m in the middle a lot. I’m in between Estee Lauder shades and also for NARS in the summer. I keep waiting for them to launch colors in between Ginger and Biscuit.

You can find the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer out now. Available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Laura Mercier and all Laura Mercier other counters.

Have you tried this one yet? What did you think? If not, what’s your current go-to concealer?

Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealers provided courtesy of Laura Mercier for review.

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Base Makeup Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation Review + Swatches

March 7, 2018

The foundation I have been the most excited about this season is the new Marc Jacobs Shameless Youthful-Look 24 Hour Foundation ($46 for 1.08 fl oz/32 ml). I was thrilled and thankful to receive a few samples to test in R310, Y320 and Y360. It comes in a wide range of shades with 29 options and different undertones. After trying this I found the samples didn’t match me. Y320 was too light and Y360 too dark/yellow. Anything with an R would definitely be too pink. I ordered Y340 hoping it would be the perfect in-between. I also have their new The Seamless Brush ($38) to review. After testing this for quite some time now I have a luke-warm review on this formula. More thoughts below.

First some notes about the Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation. It’s a medium natural looking foundation that comes in the cutest squeeze tube packaging. I find it gives enough coverage to make dark spots and freckles disappear in a natural way. There’s no detectable scent. The SPF in the product is 25 but there is no flashback in photographs with a flash (full application below). I like that on these bottles they list the expiration date because so many times I can’t keep track of how long I’ve had a foundation or skincare product. I know that often times the 12 month, 24 month or whatever time period expiration is based on when you open the product, but sometimes having a date is nice.

I had issues with application. I couldn’t get it consistently smooth without the patchy finish. I tried a number of moisturizers and primers and since I know some foundation formulas are not compatible with all kinds of primers, I decided to try this the most with the Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Face Primer. As much as I’d love to have 1 universal primer, sometimes it’s just best to use the same brand of primer/foundation because they usually design them with their entire line in mind.

If you have any kind of dry skin, I’d say this is not a base for you. I have normal combination skin but due to the weather right now I’m slightly dry. I found the Shameless Foundation worked best over the Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Face Primer and applied with a damp beautyblender. I do really like the new Seamless Brush for other cream products like cream highlighter or blush, but for me it made this foundation streak.

Color-wise the Ys are very very yellow. Most of the time I cannot find bases yellow enough. These are borderline too yellow for me. My best match is Y340, as you can see below Y360 is VERY yellow. I added the Estee Lauder Doublewear 3W1 (also my match) below so you can see that even though that shade is yellow it’s still a little bit more neutral.

The pros of this foundation are the natural looking coverage, lasting power and after it sets it does look nice. It photographs extremely well. The cons are the application – it just never set 100% well on my skin probably because I have some dry spots. All this being said since Florida is about to get hot and humid in a couple of months I’m going to set these aside and revisit in the spring.

The brush is something I really like, just not for foundation. It’s very smooth and soft and perfect for cream highlighters or blushes. For foundation I just really prefer sponges for a seamless blended finish. The size is really perfect – I find most cream brushes too small.

Wearing Marc Jacobs Shameless in Y340 all over the face below, The Seamless Brush held up for scale (although I prefer using a beautyblender to apply). No powder or concealer. Brows are Diorshow Browstyler in Universal Brown. Lipstick is Sonic Truth. Photo is taken with a flash, you can see without any setting powder the foundation has no flash back. I’d still 100% recommend a setting powder for this though. As you can see below I think it photographs pretty well. An up close and personal look in real life would show you this base just sat on my skin, it never really blended 100% to my preference.

Bottom line this formula doesn’t work for me right now. If you have dry skin I think it definitely is best you try something else. Given that my skin will change once Florida gets hot again I have high hopes this will work in the spring. There are things I like and things I dislike about this formula. For now I can’t say I love it. I do love the new brush though.

You can find the Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation out now. Available at Marc Jacobs Beauty, Sephora, Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter.

Have you tried this? What kind of skin do you have and what were your thoughts?

Many thanks to Marc Jacobs Beauty for sending this to review. Y340 purchased by me.

3 Comments

By Terry

By Terry Baume de Rose Le Stick + Hand Cream, Lash-Expert and Glow-Expert Review

March 6, 2018

I picked up a few new items from By Terry and after testing them for a few weeks have found some hits and misses. The latest launches include the Baume de Rose Le Stick, Lash-Expert Twist Brush Double Effect Mascara and new shades of Glow-Expert Duo Stick. It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed the classic Baume de Rose so I thought I’d do a comparison of all 3 formulas and add some thoughts on the Baume de Rose Hand Cream. To round things up, I also wanted to review swatch one of the older shades of Glow Expert that I’ve had sitting in my stash for a while.

Up first is the new Lash-Expert Twist Brush Mascara ($30 for 8.3 g). This has a unique rubber wand with a twist function on the cap so you can have the tip straight or twisted for different effects.

Straight gives a lengthening effect and twisted gives a volumized effect. For my ultra straight can’t-hold-the-curl wimpy lashes I found the best application was with the straight wand. The twisted wand gave my lashes a very clumpy look. Formula though is quite good with ultra rich black pigment, it’s definitely volumizing and lengthening. I was extremely impressed to find it had zero smudging. The only downside for me is that it simply did not hold the curl. But the fact that it still stayed on all day without smudging makes it a win for me. Some readers have told me they layer their mascaras. I used to do this but found it too high maintenance, I’d rather find one formula that does the trick. With this one, I did like the volume, color and length so I tried layering it over the Maybelline Total Temptation Waterproof and the curl stayed!

I have the worst natural lashes ever so I think this will work for most people and it’s worth looking into.

Next are the Glow-Expert Duo Sticks ($48 for 7.3 g) in Amber Light #1 and Beach Glow #5. I think these are both hit and miss. These each have two colors in one stick so you can highlight and contour. The formula is creamy with the most beautiful smooth pearl finish. Even though it feels slightly emollient it didn’t get oily or greasy on my skin all day. The miss parts for me are all about the design. There are two shades which are supposed to give you a two-in-one product, but the stick is so small I find it almost impossible to apply just 1 single color. As much as I loved her Sun Designer Palettes and Compact-Expert Powders, this is the one of small pans or closely positioned colors is what I find most challenging about application. The size brushes I use or the way I apply makeup makes it hard for me to get just one color. Not a deal breaker for me as I like to swirl and mix the shades. There is a small brush at the end of these Glow-Expert Sticks. Even after some breaking in I find them extremely stiff and hard. It’s designed to blend the product on your cheek but for me any sweeping on the skin pulls product off the face.

All this said, I think if you’re ok with swirled or mixed colors then I think these are a hit formula-wise. If you have oily or greasy skin you may find them too emollient in which case I’d recommend the NARS Easy Glowing Palettes (powder formula) or the Hourglass Vanish Flash Sticks (better suited for oily skin).

Swatches below, Amber Light is more neutral golden, Beach Glow is a pinky peachy blend.

Beauty look below with Amber Light Glow-Expert on the face and eyes below. Also wearing Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation in Y340, La Mer Pressed Powder in Light, Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Cocoa Mirage, By Terry Lash-Expert Mascara, Diorshow Brow Styler in Universal Brown, Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist in Shade #11, Tee from Madewell, Nail Color is Chanel Nuvola Rosa.

Last is a look at the Baume de Rose Le Stick ($34 for 2.3 g) and the Baume de Rose Hand Cream (mine is a mini from holiday which you can still find here, full size is $50 for 75 g).

I’ve been a long-time fan of the classic Baume de Rose ($60 for 10 g) in the large round pot. It’s thick, lush, hydrating and lasts a long time. I also love the Baume de Rose Crystalline ($53 for 7 ml) in the tube with the wand because it’s easier for application on-the-go and doesn’t require you get your fingers messy as it has a sponge tip applicator. This one has a lighter weight feel to it but still just as hydrating. Based on great results from trying the By Terry balms, I was super excited to try the Baume de Rose Le Stick version. Huge plus that it’s priced lower and comes in a twist up version! I am so sad to report that this was a miss for me. I was left extremely disappointed. Regular with the stick use only gives immediate hydration, moisture is not long-lasting. With the others formulas, my dry lips are left lush, soft and well hydrated within 1 day. With regular daily use of the stick, my lips are still dry with no improvement. All this said, we are in the driest months here in Tampa. I remember when we moved here a year ago everything (face, hands, skin, hair) felt very much dried out. I thought it was the water (it was a contributing factor) but many other Floridians informed me that this was the dry season. So right now I’m extra dry. I am going to keep this balm and revisit later because in 1 to 2 months the humidity and heat is going to pick back up and this might have enough moisture to work during hot humid months.

I’m ending this roundup with a hit. I love a good hand cream but the high price point of the full size Baume de Rose Hand Cream was too pricey for me to justify as I’m not the biggest fan of pure rose-scented body products. I usually need some kind of a blend in the scent. I bought the mini in a holiday set which you can still find at some places online like Dermstore and Barneys New York. The Baume de Rose Hand Cream is indeed very rosy smelling but the formula is incredibly hydrating. It also has some kind of ingredient that smooths the look of the hands and after application skin looks remarkably smoother with a youthful effect. I think it’s an excellent hand cream and would purchase the full size in a heart beat if I didn’t already have a lot of other ones on hand.

Overall, I think the Lash-Expert Mascara and Baume de Rose Hand Cream are the two items I’d definitely recommend checking out. The Glow-Expert Cheek Sticks are so close to being perfect, I would have rather it been double ended in product with one color on each side because the brush didn’t work for me. I do like the color and formula though so will be using them regularly as I love the effect. The Baume de Rose Le Stick is not working for me now but I’ll revisit in a couple months. For now if you’ve been interested in trying the lip balms I’d recommend you opt for the classic round pot version as it’s truly phenomenal.

You can find By Terry products at Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Dermstore, Space NK, Beautylish, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

Do you have any By Terry favorites? If you tried anything I reviewed today let me know what you thought!

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Suncare What's In My Bag

Touch-Up Beauty Essentials

March 4, 2018

Today I’m sharing a look at some of my touch-up beauty essentials for when I’m on the go. Living in Florida where the sun is strong and shining almost every day, sunscreen is an essential part of my regular routine. Finding a workable sunscreen has been a challenge for years. I typically hate the smell, find they have flashback, are thick and sticky and really not fun to re-apply. Supergoop! has been my go-to as they’ve developed a number of formulas that have taken care of all those issues I’ve used as excuses. I’ve used and loved their line for years and am excited to share a look at a new and improved formula of their powder called the Invincible Setting Powder. It’s truly the perfect product to incorporate into one’s makeup routine as it’s a setting powder with mineral sunscreen. It works as the last step to set makeup and is another solution to re-apply your SPF without ruining your makeup mid-day. I’ve teamed up with Supergoop! to share a look at the new powder along with some other on-the-go touch-up beauty essentials I use on a regular basis.

Five things I’m almost always carrying with me to touch-up: sunscreens, lip treatment, blotting papers, dry shampoo and some kind of hand cream. My favorites in each category below!

First a look at the new 100% Mineral Invincible Setting Powder with SPF 45. The original version came in one option which was a universal Translucent shade. They’ve now added three tinted shades in Light, Medium and Deep with a sheer soft matte finish. They’ve made the packaging slimmer and more compact but given us more product (original had 2.5 g, new version has 4.25 g). The brush is removable so you can wash it and it’s also retractable with a cap so you can carry anywhere and keep it clean. The base is also refillable do you don’t have to repurchase the whole thing once it’s used up.

The formula is 100% mineral and works best over a base. They recommend you apply over your regular sunscreen. I like either the City Sunscreen Serum or Unseen Sunscreen for the face. Once you have the powder on top skin looks smooth and blurred with a soft matte finish. A closer look at the packaging and swatches, finish is sheer which makes the color forgiving. There is also no flashback! Shade-wise I can work with both Light and Medium.

Other on-the-go essentials are lip products. My bag is always overflowing with lip gloss and balms. Lately my go-to lip tints include the Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist and the YSL Volupte Tint in Balms. These are products I can apply without a mirror and touch-up on the go for a nice healthy sheen. Lip treatment favorites include the By Terry Baume de Rose and Glossier Coconut Balm Dot Com. Both offer hydration without feeling thick or goopy.

Dry shampoo is another category I’ve found to be essential. I haven’t always been a dry shampoo fan. Many leave a white cast on my dark hair making it look dusty and ashy. I wash my hair daily but sometimes with the Florida humidity my hair goes flat with the heat and sweat. A good dry shampoo has become part of my regular routine for a refresh mid-day. My favorites include the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones, R+Co Death Valley works the best for me to absorb oil and also add volume, Sachajuan Dry Powder Shampoo smells the best to me but has the most mild effect, Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is a classic and the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day is also another staple that works and smells amazing.

Last but not least are hand creams and blotting papers. Sometimes I just wear regular sunscreen on my hands, but having a dedicated hand cream with SPF is always a plus. The hands are often exposed to the sun a lot more than you realize, especially if you are on the road a lot. The Supergoop! Forever Young Hand Cream has SPF 40 and absorbs nicely into the skin without any greasy feel. Another favorite of mine is pretty much anything from L’Occitane. They have a limited-edition Whipped Shea Butter which offers a bit more lightweight finish which is nice for warm weather seasons.

I also need to keep blotting papers on hand to absorb oil. Two brands I swear by include Shiseido and Tatcha. I’m thrilled that now I have another touch-up alternative with the Supergoop! Invincible Mineral Powder to blot out the shine throughout the day. Having the SPF 45 is an added bonus.

Touch-Up Essentials at Home, shown below:

Top Shelf – Unseen Sunscreen with SPF 40, City Sunscreen Serum with SPF 30, Invincible Mineral Setting Powder with SPF 45 showing Translucent, Light, Medium and Deep
Bottom Shelf – But First, Sunscreen Mini Trio Kit, Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil with SPF 50 (mini), Everyday Sunscreen with SPF 50 (mini), Forever Young Hand Cream with SPF 40 (mini), 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick with SPF 45

Quick touch-ups for lips, hair and face:

In my medium bucket bag for on-the-go touch-ups:

That wraps up my favorite on-the-go touch up essentials! Often times I tend to carry a lot in my purse but there are times when I want to streamline my beauty bag. I can narrow it down to a select few to bring with me where ever I go. Travel sizes come in super handy for me and I love that Supergoop! carries most of their products in sizes that will fit into any bag. I’ve used their products for years starting with their Sunscreen Oil. I’m always excited to see what they have coming out next. My personal favorite is the Everyday Sunscreen for the body and I’m thrilled to have a tinted version of the Setting Powder to work better with my tan skin. They’ve truly changed my outlook on sunscreen with their formulas.

Do you have any favorite touch-up beauty items you keep in your purse at all times? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks to Supergoop! for partnering to sponsor this post.

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