Rhode added new shades of their Pocket Blush ($25) and Peptide Lip Tints ($20 each) and they’re perfect for spring. As a huge fan of the cream blush I picked up both shades along with the new lip gloss colors to try.
Pocket Blush – new shades
The Rhode Pocket Blushes are probably my two most-worn cream blushes. I love them for that easy pop of color to the cheeks. Colors are flattering and they’re easy to blend. They’ve traveled with me on numerous trips!
Teacup is a mauve raspberry pink and Candy Apple is a bold reddish pink. Both shades pull bold when swatched but since they blend well you can definitely control the pigment for a more natural looking blush. Both new shades are a solid win for me. I think Candy Apple is a really pretty flattering red.
Swatches of the new shades:
Swatches side by side of the Pocket Blushes I own:
Peptide Lip Tints – new shades
I’ve had really mixed feelings about the Peptide Lip Tint. It’s been a while since I’ve used one since I tossed most of mine a year ago when we moved to Miami. I did a substantial de-clutter and found that most of them developed that weird gritty texture to them. Reviews I’ve read say it’s due to temperature fluctuations but just as a precaution I tossed them. I’ve since bought fresh new ones. Newer more recent reviews say this issue has been fixed and so far it seems to be the case!
Time will tell about the formula situation but I really like the new shades. Sweet Pea is a warm sheer pink. I think it’s similar in the vibe color-wise to Patrick Ta’s Major Moisture Smoothing Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Salted Caramel (the Rhode version is more glossy with a glass shine). Rhode describes Sweet Pea as “pearly” but for some reason I don’t see any shimmer or iridescent quality in mine.
Pretzel is a shimmery mauve. This one is described as “warm” but on me it’s definitely not warm. It pulls more neutral or cool toned on my complexion, but it’s still a really pretty one. This one is also on the medium-sheer side but has enough pigment to show up on the lips. I pulled the glosses I have and one from Patrick Ta to swatch side by side below:
Looks wearing two combinations below, also wearing:
Overall love the blushes! New gloss shades are beautiful, but I still need to see how they hold up to any temperature fluctuations. If you have purchased one of the Peptide Lip Tints recently let me know if yours has any developed any gritty particles too!
These balms are ultra smooth, nonsticky and soft, just like a soft balm in gloss form. They have a very slight tingly sensation with some plumping. They feel like a cushion on the lips.
Pigment varies by shade. Out of the three I picked, one is almost clear but the other two have a nice tint.
These give the lips that effortless lips but luxe look. I like the look and feel of these. I think they will also look lovely if layered over a lipliner or any of the Prada lipsticks.
Armani added three new shades of liquid blush to the Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush lineup ($40 each, Sephora). To date this formula is hands down my favorite formula for lasting power in the natural finish. It is one of the few that stays put well on my skin without needing a powder blush on top.
There are two finishes in this formula: natural and shine, I prefer the natural one. It’s matte but doesn’t look flat on the skin. (More details, review + swatches here.) The new shades are all in the natural finish. The finish is very natural looking once blended but you can easily layer for more color without it looking cakey or too heavy.
Below wearing each shade on the cheeks. Also wearing:
12 Rosy Nude is a pale beige nude and on my Luminous Silk Foundation 6.5 skintone, it’s truly a barely there color. Pigment is pretty good but since it matches my skin so closely you can’t really tell there is anything on my skin. I wish they made this in a few more slightly deeper shades as I love a good neutral blush.
63 Rosewood Pink is a neutral rose pink. Swatches show it’s pretty close to 62 Delicate Mauve. The new Rosewood Pink is warmer and I prefer this one because of that.
13 Brick Brown was a pleasant surprise as brown tones can be a bit tricky for me to pull off. Many are either too warm or too cool. This one is just right.
Three new shades available now at Sephora. In case you’re curious about other liquid blush formulas, I did a roundup here with lots of swatches. Let me know if you have any favorite formulas! Or if you prefer a cream or powder.
I’ve been playing with more from Merit and the latest lip launch is beautiful! They launched a lightweight matte lipstick called the Signature Lip Blush ($28 each, Sephora and Merit). It’s a sheer minimalist lip product with a blurred matte finish. Formula is very lightweight as described but still manages to have a balmy feel.
They launched Archival in a set over the holiday (see it reviewed here and in action here) and just recently added 7 more shades to the lineup.
I tried two sent in PR Andie which is the prettiest baby pink and Vendome which is a beautiful beige tan. I love both the colors and think they’re perfect for everyday wear. I also still really like Archival as a pretty mauve that is cool-toned but not so cool-toned that it looks blue. Paired each lip look with the Merit Flush Balm Cream in Le BonBon.
There are a few downsides though. If you’re a fan of seeing color payoff or long wear time, these aren’t going to be the lipstick for you. Pigment on the shades I tried is on the sheer side and while you can swipe and layer for more coverage, they still pull very sheer. Almost like a blotted lip stain but sheer. The lasting power isn’t there for me although I have not tried them over a lip liner. I suspect this is due to the balmy nature. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but I thought I’d mention it since I know a lot of you want something super long wearing that will require maybe 1-2 touch ups throughout the day.
For a matte lip I tend to prefer something with more coverage although I really like the colors I tried. I think the formula is very comfortable and easy to wear. Also love that it is a little bit hydrating in the sense that they don’t dry out my lips.
Sharing an updated base roundup today with my go-to favorites! I love testing new foundations, powers and concealers and lately I’ve been more into glow boosters and complexion enhancers.
Here’s what I’ve been loving. If you’re like me and find that your go-to foundations sometimes feel a little thick, heavy or don’t blend well I have some tricks and tips for you to try!
Foundation
I like my foundation to look like skin but better, but I still need some coverage. I have a lot of sun spots and my skin is prone to redness so I look for formulas that have medium coverage to even out the skin.
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation ($57, Nordstrom) is the best stick foundation I’ve tried. It blends easily, looks very natural, doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and I love the way it looks. The coverage is easy to control. I tried the hack of mixing this with the Rhode Glazing Milk and it is truly 10/10 worth trying. I mix shades as I’m usually in between Dior shades, I’ve tried 2.5N, 2W and 3N. Right now I mix one of the 2s with 3 for my perfect match. In action here.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation ($69, Chanel) has been a go-to for so many years I’ve lost count of how many bottles I’ve repurchased. My best match is BD41 and this golden undertone match is the best skin match I’ve ever tried. Love that they have a good shade range and different undertone options. They most recently started adding BO which is more olive and they’re really good tones without being too green/sallow if that makes sense. This has natural glowy coverage, hydrates, is long-wearing and easy to blend.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($69, Nordstrom and Sephora) in the new formula is tied with the Chanel. Comparing the two I think the new Armani formula feels a little bit lighter (thinner) and the coverage is just a bit sheerer but still medium and glowy. I wear Shade 6.5 in this formula. In action here.
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow ($47, Sephora and Ulta) is the best CC cream I’ve tried. Most CC creams tend to be very thick and this is the thinnest one I’ve tried which makes it easier for my skin to breathe in humid weather. It’s still creamy and somewhat thick compared to other bases, but it’s like the skin tint version of a CC cream. Love that it has SPF 40. It’s perfect for every day, the beach, bike rides, pretty much any occasion.
Concealer
I’ve really been skipping concealer most days, but I still reach for it if I’m going to an event or a special night out. I love testing new formulas and I know a lot of you don’t like to wear a lot of face makeup but just a little bit of concealer on a tinted moisturizer.
Classics like NARS, Hourglass and Tarte are still incredible formulas, but these days I’ve been reaching for YSL, Chanel or Natasha Denona.
The YSL Touche Eclat ($40, Sephora) is still the best undereye brightening concealer. This works for me since I don’t have a lot of dark under eye circles. Sometimes I just want a little bit of brightening and I love the consistency of this one. I wear Shade 3.
Chanel launched a new concealer formula recently called the Ultra Le Teint Correcteur Concealer ($53, Chanel) and this is the first Chanel concealer that has worked for me. I love their foundations but I’ve never really liked their concealers. This one is thin but easy to blend. I tried a few different shades and I like B40 or BD41 the best. For concealers I tend to like them a little more peachy or neutral for eyes. This runs very similar to the Prada formula but I have a slight preference for the Chanel because of the color match on me. You can see it in action here.
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam ($32, Sephora) is the best full coverage creamy concealer that I can wear under the eyes or to spot conceal. It’s creamy, blends well, doesn’t cake and long wearing. 10/10 love this.
Complexion Enhancers/Glow Boosters
I used to think mixing glow products wasn’t necessary for me. These days sometimes a foundation might feel too heavy or thick. Or sometimes my skin is extra dry and foundation doesn’t blend like it should but at the same time I don’t want a heavier moisturizer underneath. I’ve found some incredible complexion mixers or glow boosters.
Armani Fluid Sheer ($43, Nordstrom) is a classic. I don’t really use these as a highlighter as they’re too sheer once blended. I prefer to mix them with a foundation and I love Shade 10 because it’s golden but sheer. It adds a really nice glow to the skin. The only downside is it’s incredibly pricey to mix in with foundation on a regular basis.
One/Size Base Thinner ($36, Sephora) is a recent discovery in the Bronze Pearl shade and I am 100% obsessed. I love the shade and way it adds the perfect amount of glow to the skin. It mixes really well with foundations and the glow is perfect. Not too shimmery, not too emollient, not too sheer – just perfect. I really want to try the Pink Pearl formula too. Skin looks fresh and radiant without being over the top.
L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion ($17.99, Ulta) is a classic and budget friendly. Love that they have different shades. I’ve tried multiple and love them. It’s a really great multi-tasker. You can wear it as a primer under foundation, mix it with your base or use it on top to add a little bit of glow.
Saie Glowy Super Gel ($29, Sephora) is another great multi-purpose illuminator. I’ve tried this a number of ways but my favorite way to wear this is mixing it with foundation. I really love this mixed with the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I’ve tried all the shades and Roseglow is my favorite. I think this is the best for dry skin but it’s not heavy. It has a slightly transparent quality to it with the gel formula which I love.
Sarah Creal Today’s Highlights Peptide Balm Luminizer ($55, Sephora and Sarah Creal) is my favorite cream highlighter of the moment. I know so many of you love the dewy highlighters like ones from Westman Atelier, Chanel and Merit etc. I love the look of so many of these but because I’ve always lived somewhere warm – a few hours of wear time = greasy mess. The Sarah Creal one is more natural looking but the formula is elite! It gives that lit from within glow.
Rhode Glazing Milk ($20-32, Sephora and Rhode) is 10/10 a must for dry skin. I don’t think you need super dry skin to use it. I love this mixed with foundations to help them blend better on the skin whenever they look or feel too heavy.
Contour/Bronzer
After all these years of trying makeup I have to admit I’m still not into contouring. I prefer a subtle cream bronzer with a little bit of warmth as cool tones tend to clash with my skin tone. These are the most natural looking ones I’ve tried.
Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer ($34, Sephora) is my favorite cream bronzer that has an emollient texture and sheer finish. I think it’s a little too creamy to wear on its own so I usually set with a powder blush or bronzer, but I love this to add warmth to the skin. I’ve tried both Medium and Medium Dark. Swatches here.
Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer ($32, Sephora) is the best for super dry skin or if you want something super sheer or balmy. It does pull very sheer once blended but I like the warmth and super natural look it gives the skin.
Dior Forever Skin Bronze Bronzing Stick Balm ($52, Nordstrom) is another great skin-like bronzer. This is probably my favorite bronzing stick that still looks very natural on the skin. I can wear 02, 03 or 04 – I think the shades are pretty easy to wear. It has a satiny finish that looks like skin. I really love that this is a non-dewy option that isn’t too matte. Swatches here.
Powder
Last but not least a quick shoutout to my go-to setting powder right now. I used to be a pressed powder person, but the past few years I’ve almost exclusively used the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powders ($26-$48, Nordstrom) with a puff. The lasting power is much better with a powder and I think hers are the best for looking natural.
Chanel Beauty launched their limited edition Denim Makeup Collection and if you have your eye on anything I recommend checking your local stores or counters ASAP as things are selling out fast. Some pieces can still be found at Chanel.com and Nordstrom right now.
I was lucky to get a press package from Chanel beauty on most of these pieces. I tracked down a couple of the lipsticks so I could swatch them all for you.
Chanel Hand Cream
I think the La Crème Main + Denim Pouch ($85, Chanel and Nordstrom) is beyond cute! I love the denim + pink colors, it’s so fun, I hope Chanel makes more fun accessories like this!
Coco Denim Illuminating Powder Highlighter
The Coco Denim Illuminating Powder Highlighter ($82, Chanel and Nordstrom) is the stand out in the collection for me. It’s a pearlescent blue pink shimmer with a subtle duochrome shift. I would never think to wear blue on the cheeks but it has a very pretty interesting glow if you apply with a light hand. I really love this one on the eyes.
Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Palettes
The two Denim Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Palettes ($90 each) seem to be the items most of you have been most excited about. I’ll be very frank with you, I am not a blue eyeshadow wearer, I don’t think I can pull it off, but the lighter one seems to be wearable for me! These are inspired by different denim washes.
Denim Dream (Chanel and Nordstrom) has an iridescent white gold shimmer, a satiny pink, a silvery baby blue and darker navy with silver flecks. Coco Jean has a denim blue with silver sparkles, a medium silver shimmer, a peach shimmer and satiny brown. I think they’re super fun and for the denim lover or blue eyeshadow lover, they’re perfect.
Noir Allure Mascara
The Noir Allure Mascara ($43) in Indigo was a pleasant surprise for me! I think the mascara in this format is hit or miss, but this one was a huge hit for me. Lengthened and thickened the lashes in a beautiful way. The indigo is a dark blue but adds a fun twist to the lashes.
Rouge Coco Flash
I’m the biggest fan of the Chanel Rouge Coco Flash ($53 at Chanel and Nordstrom) and they have four new shades. I feel like I can only really pull off one of them (washed beige). The others are beautiful, I just don’t think they complement my skintone.
Baby Blue is a pearlescent blue shimmer
Washed Beige is a soft tan beige caramel
Faded Orange is a burnt orange peach
Raw Brown is a cool toned brown
Le Vernis Nail Polish in Legende
Chanel launched a new shade of Le Vernis in Legende ($34). It’s a metallic blue but a smooth one. I can get full coverage with just one coat, but two gives the nails a more intense look.
Online Chanel suggested a layering combo to give a more subdued denim look by layering one coat of Ballerina on top. I think it’s a fun twist.
That wraps up my Chanel Denim Makeup Collection haul! I hope you are able to find the pieces you have your eyes on!
Dior Beauty’s Spring collection has arrived with some fresh and luminous glowing pieces, all perfect for a makeup refresh this year. I picked up a number of pieces including the newly reformulated Addict Lip Glow Oils, Forever Skin Bronze Sticks, several cheek products and Dior’s newest fragrance launch. After spending some time to test everything extensively, I finally have my review today!
Juicy has a glass like shine with a transparent kind of finish + tint
Glaze has more pigment with a soft color payoff
Sparkly has a glittery finish with tiny micro sparkles
These are designed to be pH reactive but most of them stayed true to the tube color on my lips. Sparkly and Juicy colors pull sheer on me while the Glaze formula is more pigmented with medium coverage.
The new formula feels slightly thinner making them easier and more comfortable to wear on my lips. They still have that cushiony oil feel with intense shine. I also find them more hydrating than the original version.
My favorites are Latte, Black Cherry, Cherry, Minty and Fizzy Pink (this one is exclusive to Dior.com).
Dior Addict Eau de Parfum
The new Dior Addict Eau de Parfums ($98 to $120) are bright, fun and youthful. They scents are more like a body splash rather than a super potent perfume, but they still have really good lasting power on my skin. Rosy Glow is hands down my personal favorite (I’ve already used up an entire bottle).
Rosy Glow has rose and lychee. It’s fruity fresh and creamy
Peachy Glow is sweet one like peaches and cream with sweet vanilla notes and jasmine
I picked up four of the cheek products in the collection, all of these appear to be Dior.com exclusives in the US.
I’ve been really loving the Backstage Rosy Glow Blushes ($42 each, Dior.com). The new shades in Ultra Pink and Orange Fizz are both stunning! Ultra Pink is very bright and seems to be more pigmented than the rest of the colors in this formula. This requires a bit more blending for me. Orange Fizz is the softer option. It’s an orange peach but it blends out to a more natural peachy look.
Spring Cheek Colors
Dior Forever Glow Luminizer in Sugar Cane ($55, Dior.com) is one of the most unique highlighters I have ever tried. It’s so unique with a champagne base that flashes pink and blue in an almost duochrome kind of way. I thought it might be a little too trendy for me but I really love the way that shimmer shifts on the skin.
The new shade of Rouge Blush in Candyfloss ($51, Dior.com) is also a winner for me. This has an embossed powder overlay with the Dior logo lettering, but underneath is a soft peach color. The application on my cheeks shows a little bit more glow due to the overspray but the actual powder underneath still has some micro glitter flecks throughout. On my cheeks it looks more satiny/matte than shimmery but the shimmer is noticeable in a very subtle way. I am really glad this shows up on my skin!
Forever Skin Bronze
The Dior Forever Skin Bronze Bronzing Balm Sticks ($52 each, Dior, Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta) are probably the best bronzing sticks I’ve tried. I feel like the warmth in these make them more wearable on my skin tone. I usually wear Shade 03 Light Medium but I am more in my winter skin tone right now. Shade 04 shows up better for a more bronzed look.
The Forever Skin Bronzer is are sheerer than the Dior Contour Sticks so they are easier to blend out for a natural look. I also think the colors are much easier to wear compared to the contour sticks. The packaging is fun with the texturized tube.
Below wearing the Bronze Stick in Shade 4 and Sugar Crush Lips
Sugar Crush Lips
There are two lip colors in a pale shimmery champagne called Sugar Crush in the Dior Addict formula ($48, Dior.com) and Addict Lip Maximizer ($42, Dior.com). I love a good shimmer, but I would say these are a pass due to the sheer finish. The shimmer is noticeable but a little too subtle for my taste.
That wraps up my Dior spring haul! I think this is the best spring launch so far this year. P.S. For those who follow me on Instagram, I’m doing a giveaway that runs now through Saturday evening in this post here!
