Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

Tatcha Holiday 2018 Lip Sets Review + Swatches

November 15, 2018

Tatcha always has the prettiest Holiday Gift Sets and today I have a review of three lip sets. They have a number of skincare bundles which are always priced at a good value but the lip sets are the ones that caught my eye. Today 11/15 is the last day of their Friends and Family Event, you can get 20% off sitewide with code FRIENDS18 at checkout. I’m thrilled the lip sets have not yet sold out as every year they usually do. The three sets I hauled:

Kyoto Kisses Mini Silk Lipstick Trio ($60)
Japanese Blossoms Mini Silk Lipstick Trio ($60)
Blushing Lips Duo ($68)

I’ve reviewed their lipsticks over the years including Kyoto Red, Sunrise: A Plum Blossom, and Twilight: A Cherry Blossom. The packaging, presentation and formula of every color is exquisite. The full size options are on the expensive side but they are truly special. Sometime last year they launched a purple berry color Beautyberry in a Trio Set with lipstick, liner and balm form which many of you asked me to review. I don’t typically wear blue-based colors and thought it would be too blue so I passed until now because it’s available in one of the mini sets!

There are two mini lipstick sets, they come in small bullets 1.3 g/0.04 oz each, made in Japan. The lipstick pigment and color appears to be the same as the full size options I tried and review, but to me the formula in the trios seem to be a tiny bit glossier in finish (except for the red). The difference is not too noticeable, could just be me. The Mini Silk Lipstick Trios come packaged in a beautiful box and there is a holder inside which I really appreciate. It holds them in place perfectly so when shipped there shouldn’t be any rolling around in the box. Both sets are beautiful. I can’t pick a favorite.

Japanese Blossoms Mini Silk Lipstick Trio has Sunrise: A Plum Blossom (medium rose pink), Twilight: A cherry blossom (pale soft pink) and Beautyberry (a cool plum berry). In the tube Beautyberry looks like it has the slightest hint of iridescent shimmer, on my lips I don’t see the shimmer as much. Given the fact that most blue-based lipsticks make me look sallow because of my skintone I was really pleasantly surprised to find Beautyberry wearable for my olive complexion. I don’t know that I love it enough to buy the full size options though.

Lip swatches on bare lips, foundation I’m wearing for skintone reference is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5:

Kyoto Kisses has Sunrise: A Plum Blossom (medium rose pink), a new shade Peony Blossom (sheer glossy pink coral), and Kyoto Red (bold bright matte red). I think the new Peony Blossom is their best shade yet, but I’m really partial to peachy pink coral shades. The peach and pink shades have sheer to medium coverage with one swipe, but you can layer for full coverage. Lip swatches below show they covered my entire lip well. Kyoto Red is one of the most intense bold reds I’ve ever tried. It’s a matte although in my swatches you might see a tiny bit of shine because of the flash I use.

Lip swatches on bare lips:

All swatched side by side:

I’ve saved my favorite for last which is the Blushing Lips Duo. It has a full size Kissu Lip Mask (9 g/ 0.32 oz, made in Japan) and a full size Peony Blossom Silk Lipstick (3.4 g/0.1 oz).

The Kissu Lip Mask was available individually but kept selling out and I never managed to check out in time to buy it. I’m really happy I got it in this set because it’s such a pretty smooth lip balm. I like it MUCH more than their regular Camellia Lip Balm and that is one I still consider to be very good. The Kissu Lip Mask has a soft cushiony feel, it’s hydrating and smooth. No sticky or tacky feel. It’s clear but the color has a slight pink tint in the pot. There’s a small gold applicator you can use to apply which is cute, but I wish the cap had a holder like the Water Cream or Silk Cream because I always lose applicators!

Peony Silk Blossom Lipstick is such a pretty natural coral pink. It’s medium in coverage but you can layer for more. It has a soft sheen like the other silk lipsticks. Lasting power is average for a glossy lipstick but these fade nicely since there is some shine to it. If this came in a lip liner or balm I would totally jump to buy it as well. Scroll up to see the swatch of this on the lips (it’s also in the mini in the Kyoto Kisses Set).

All the lips swatched side by side:

Because the sale event is happening and also because I haven’t written about Tatcha in a while, I wanted to highlight my top 5 picks of the moment. I’ve used them for many years since the brand’s early days (I just looked at my order history and it was back in 2013 when I first started using their skincare!). There hasn’t been a product I didn’t like. Their skincare is nice and I like that they have lots of options for either sensitive or dry skin. My top 5:

Kissu Lip Mask is now a favorite! I hope it’s permanent
Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is one of the nicest hydrating face mists, during the hot humid times of the year in Florida it’s a little too heavy for me, but right now we’re going into dry season and it’s perfect, when I lived in San Diego I used it a lot all year round
Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil is a classic staple
The Silk Canvas Primer is one of my favorite primers when I wear a primer, review here
The Water Cream is my go-to light moisturizer, also reviewed here

LOVE love love that they carry travel sizes you can buy. They are perfect for travel or on-the-go. If you’re new to the brand I highly recommend you try one of their starter sets because it’s the best way to try the minis. I also really loved their Rice Enzyme Powders for cleansers and soft gentle exfoliation. This year they reformulated them though and I’m still working my way through the older ones and have not tried the new ones yet.

I think all three sets I hauled are excellent. If I had to pick one it would be the Blushing Lips Duo because I like the lip mask. I use it as a regular lip balm, but I did leave it on overnight last night and it left lips feeling soft and smooth. I do think I prefer the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask more but they’ve got a different texture and finish. Plus I can never have enough lip balms.

You can find these Tatcha holiday sets online at Tatcha. Their Friend and Family Sale Event ends today 11/15 with code FRIENDS18 at checkout for 20% off sitewide.

You can also find Tatcha products at other retailers like Sephora, Barney’s New York and QVC. Each retailer has their own gift set selection for the holidays as well in case you want to check out more options!

P.S. Side note – I’m going to be adding a few things to my blog sale page @stylednotes in case you’re interested in shopping my closet!

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Holiday Gift Guide Packing Travel

Away Mini Suitcases + Holiday Gift Sets

November 13, 2018

I’m thrilled to announce the Away Mini Suitcases are back! They are available for a limited run during the holiday season individually or in a few gift set options. This year the Mini is available in 9 core colors, 2 limited-edition winter colors Halo and Aurora, plus the Aluminum Edition. Last year I ordered lots of these to give as gifts. I think they’re perfect for anyone! Available online at Away Travel or in any one of their stores in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin or London.

You can order individually (empty), add a gift card, or pick one of their pre-filled sets. The options and pricing this year are as follows:

The Mini ($35 each)
The Mini Aluminum Edition ($55 each)
Three Gift Set Options:
- The Essential Set ($45) or The Essential Set Aluminum Edition ($65)
- The Beauty Set ($75) or The Beauty Set Aluminum Edition ($95)
- The Grooming Set ($75) or The Grooming Set Set Aluminum Edition ($95)

Today I have a detailed review of two of the sets in The Grooming and The Beauty Set, plus a look at The Aluminum Edition and the new color Halo (which also comes in the suitcases as part of their Solstice Collection). I ordered quite a few of the colors over the years and have used them many times. They’ve held up really well! I love that they have a hard exterior case to protect things you don’t want to get squished like sunglasses or squeezable tubes etc.

Dimensions of all the minis are 7 inches tall, 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep. The regular colors have a zip around closure with two zippers. The Aluminum Edition has a clasp snap closure. Interior is the same in both, it’s an open compartment with one mesh pocket. You can mix and match any of the set contents with color of your choice. I love that they also have empty ones so you can fill them with your own travel favorites. Below is a look at Halo which is a glossy ice white, it’s really pretty!

The Grooming Set

The Grooming Set has Maapilim Lip Balm Grapefruit and Lavender (.5 fl oz), Haeckles Seaweed Geranium Hand Balm (1.7 fl oz), Grown Alchemist Gentle Facial Cleanser (1.69 fl oz), Baxter Exfoliating Soap Full-Size and a Kent’s Folding Comb. Shown above stuffed into one of the Away Everywhere Bags which I really like for travel. They’re the perfect size for carry ons and have a flap in the back you can slip onto the handle of the suitcases! I wish they would keep the leather as a permanent part of the collection, but the nylon ones are also really nice.

The Beauty Set

The Beauty Set has five cute beauty minis including a Tata Harper Skincare Serum (10 ml), Caudalie Beauty Elixir (30 ml/1 fl oz), Klorane Dry Shampoo (50 ml/1 oz), Nuori Copenhagen Lip Treat (15 ml/0.5 fl oz), and a Mount Lai Mini Jade Roller. I think the face roller is the cutest! I did a quick search online for individual items and found them all separately except for the Tata Harper. The Gift Set is priced at a better value than buying the items individually, but you can always fill them with your own picks 🙂

This one shown above is the Blush Mini inside the limited-edition Dawn Everywhere Bag. It’s a satin fabric material that’s an iridescent pink with leather trim. I have yet to use this as I just received it – first impressions are that it softens nicely as it moves. Since it’s a fabric material I do think it won’t be quite as sturdy/stain resistant as the nylon or leather but I can review it in a separate post if you’re interested.

A look at the regular Away Mini vs The Aluminum Edition Mini. Both are the same dimensions. Differences are the material, closures and the Aluminum one opens up wider. The two Solstice Colors Halo and Aurora this season have a glossy finish, but all the colors in the regular lineup (like Black, Sand, Blush, etc.) have a textured finish. If you go to their website you’ll see the texture better on the stock images.

Inside is an open compartment with a mesh flap:

Side closures differences, regular ones have a zipper while the Aluminum has a clasp:

I’ve used these on flights and on road trips. They’re nice to keep essentials handy for quick access. I also put sunglasses inside sometimes! Everytime I fly and snap one of these on Instagram I’m flooded with questions about liquids and TSA restrictions. I always put everything in a quart size bag at home to make sure it fits first, if it all fits I pack it into a mini case. I bring an extra empty zip lock bag with me just in case they ask me to take all the contents out at security, but so far the airlines I’ve flown have taken a look at the case (this one or the Anya Hindmarch one I use) and given it the ok based on an eyeball estimate. It really depends on the airline and country you’re traveling to but if you’re carrying a lot of liquids the best option is to just check it with your luggage. If you want to keep your liquids in the clear bag until you pass through security that’s also an option.

One example of some beauty items I fit inside. If you want to know what I travel with you can see any of my Packing Posts by clicking on the tag.

Overall LOVE! I’ve loved these for years now and am excited every time they are launched for the holiday. I think they make the perfect stocking stuffers for anyone. I ordered so many last year and everyone loved them. This is the first time they’ve offered the Aluminum Edition and I’ve eyed (actually drooled over) the beautiful silver suitcases every time I’ve been in an Away store. Based on my lifestyle and preference I think the regular versions of the suitcases and minis are my preference. The Aluminum ones are beautiful, I’d just be afraid about denting or scratching it! That being said with travel and checking bags one really does need to get over the scratches because they’re bound to happen!

Quick peek at some other colors from last year’s post in case you’re wondering what they look like for scale. They still have the Brick (reddish color) and Asphalt (grey) as part of their core lineup:

I’m in the process of putting together a dedicated suitcase luggage review for you on the different size options. I have reviewed and featured the Carry On and Bigger Carry On in multiple Travel Posts which you can refer back to for now. I really love the Bigger Carry On out of all the sizes I’ve tried. We did recently get a Medium Size which seems more practical for week long trips. On a few vacations we ended up taking 3 Bigger Carry-On Suitcases with us because Andrew’s shoes are so big and I like to bring things home from travel (we did check them).

I hope this review gives you all the details you need if you don’t have an Away store near you! I highly recommend them. I really love everything from Away and am so thrilled to be one of their Collective Ambassadors for the year. You can find The Minis online at Away Travel for a limited-time this holiday and at any one of their free-standing stores.

Away minis + bags provided for review.

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Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick Review + Swatches

November 12, 2018

Continuing holiday beauty reviews with a look at the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipsticks ($38 each for 3.9 g/0.13 oz, made in USA). Pat McGrath continues to launch innovative colors and formulas in a way that makes me want to go beyond my usual conservative makeup comfort zone and try new things. These BlitzTrance Lipsticks have intense sparkle and pigment. They’re described as an “iridescent lipstick that releases a full-coverage blast of explosive color with multidimensional, high-shine effects” and I could not describe it better. They’re opaque, ultra-reflective, explosive in color pigment and luminous.

These lipsticks are very sparkly but the sparkle and glitter varies per shade. I’ll describe them in more detail next to each shade description. There is a little bit of texture from the sparkle with a couple of these but it’s not a harsh texture and once on the lips I barely notice it. Lasting power is really good – the color base is emollient and has a hydrating feel so it helps the glitter adhere and it doesn’t migrate. Only Pat McGrath can make me want to wear sparkle this intense. I was prepared to tell you that they are way too sparkly and intense for me based on the online swatches I saw, but some of the colors are really wearable and I think the bolds are going to be particularly beautiful for holiday parties or dinners.

There are currently 7 shades available. I received 6 of these as press samples and then picked up the 7th color from my local Sephora. There is another 8th shade listed online as “coming soon.”

Nude Romantique is a refined peachy pink shimmer, it has lots of sparkle but this is one of the more subtle sparkles
Flesh Fatale is a medium bronze nude shimmer, also has softer shimmer
Fuchsia Perfect is an intense cool-toned bright blue based pink sparkle
Cyber Orchid is a bright cool-toned purple pink sparkle (it’s similar to Fuchsia Perfect, Cyber Orchid just has more blue tones)
Rebel Red is the most stunning metallic red I’ve ever seen, sparkle is chunkier in this one with a noticeable texture
Club Kiss is an intense plum-red shimmer, sparkle is also very metallic and bold
Blitz Gold is a yellow 24K gold metallic, it’s smoother in shimmer, but very foiled
Electra is listed as “coming soon”

I’d recommend looking at the @patmcgrathreal Instagram page for live swatch videos to get a better sense of the sparkle. The ones I have don’t capture the sparkle quality quite as intense as I see in real life. Although I do think the studio lights used on social emphasize the sparkle and glitz a little more intensely than they actually appear.

Close ups of each color below, Nude Romantique:

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Flesh Fatale:

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Fuchsia Perfect:

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Cyber Orchid:

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Rebel Red:

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Club Kiss:

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Blitz Gold:

For me the only two colors I did not like are Cyber Orchid (it’s really blue on me) and also Blitz Gold (I just don’t like really yellow golds) – but this is just a matter of color preference. If you don’t like sparkle or glitter in your lip color I think it’s going to be a safe pass for you. If you like bold colors and don’t mind some shimmer and glitz I think they’re really worth checking out. Out of all the shades Nude Romantique and Flesh Fatale are the most conservative in color and shimmer.

I think these have the perfect festive holiday feel. For me they’re a little too sparkly for everyday wear but I do think the neutrals Nude Romantique and Flesh Fatale are ones I can wear without feeling too sparkly. Rebel Red and Club Kiss are my favorites out of the entire collection. I always feel like bold reds and plums draw so much attention to my already full lips – but these two are so stunning and festive I think they’re going to be fun for holiday. No detectable scent or taste with these! Lasting power is really nice.

You can find the Pat McGrath Labs BlitzTrance Lipsticks out now online at Pat McGrath. Available at $38 each or in various bundles and sets on her website.

6 shades provided for review. Fuchsia Perfect purchased by me.

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Fashion Lifestyle What's In My Bag

Senreve Mini Maestra Review

November 11, 2018

Happy Sunday! I have another fun bag review today featuring a detailed look at the Senreve Mini Maestra in Sand ($695). This is a relatively newer brand and I love the entire look and aesthetic of their edited line. As a petite person it can be challenging to find purses proportional to my height and the Mini Maestra is perfect for me. It’s small enough to fit my petite frame but also roomy enough inside to hold day-to-day essentials. When they reached out and asked to work together on a feature I was thrilled to put one to the test. Not having seen these in person yet I did not know what to expect but after trying it out I can say that it exceeded all of my expectations. Their line is primarily available on their Senreve website but they do have a few pop-ups. However, if you’re like me and don’t have a location near you, I think you can safely rely on their website descriptions and photos to give you an accurate shopping guide.

Wearing: Senreve Mini Maestra in Sand (c/o), BP Rib Knit Henley, 7 For All Mankind b(air) High Waist Skinny Jeans, Hermes Oran Sandals (similar budget alternative here), for height reference, I’m 5’3″

The Mini Maestra comes in a wide range of colors and finishes. Prices depend on material and color. The one I have is Sand which is a beige tan nude color. This one comes in the Pebbled finish which is a stiffer and very durable finish. It’s supposed to be scratch-resistant and so far it does seem to be very sturdy and structured. I truly appreciate their detailed descriptions of all their finishes on their website. It makes the decision process of picking one so much easier!

The bag is small enough to not overwhelm my frame but roomy enough inside to hold a lot of things. The design is really versatile and you can wear it in a number of ways: over the shoulder, over your arm, as a crossbody and even as a backpack. Dimensions:

Width at base: 8.625”
Width at top: 11.875”
Height: 7.5
Drop handle: 1.75”
Adjustable straps: 18-23”
Depth: 7.25”
Weight: 1.8 lbs (2-3 pounds lighter than similar bags)
Central compartment fits iPad

Worn as a backpack:

A closer look at the details. These bags are made of genuine Italian leather and the quality and craftsmanship are truly excellent! The front has a magnetic clasp which you slip through a loop to close – double closure to secure everything. The interior design is what I’d consider the BEST part of this bag. They’ve included pockets that are actually functional and I am beyond obsessed! There’s room enough for my phone, phone charger, sunglasses, card cases, perfumes, small items, etc. There is even a loop with a key holder inside. Front:

Side:

Back:

Base come with little feet:

Details:

What I can fit inside with room to spare below. Interior is made of micro-suede, it’s soft and really pretty inside!

For those who don’t want lipstick + gloss floating around, there is enough space inside to hold a smaller makeup pouch. I can easily fit a couple of the Truffle Mini Clarity Clutches inside. Also shown below (press samples have a *):

Sunglasses, iPhone, Away Charger (from one of my suitcases), Gucci Card Case
Lipglosses: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sparkling*, Lawless Matte Liquid Lipstick, NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Roseland (review here), Dior Addict Lip Glow (swatches here), Cle de Peau Radiant Lip Gloss (review here), Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips (my picks here), Pat McGrath Lip Fetish* (swatches here)
Other makeup: Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel (review here), Chanel Hand Cream (review here), Byredo Travel Atomizer*, Supergoop! Sunscreen Spray, Byredo Mini Perfume Vial in Blanche, MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC35, IGK Dry Shampoo Mini

Another look at the detailing – they have clasps and closures to help keep the straps in place after you adjust them. This is something I don’t often see in a lot of purses.

Shown how I’ve been wearing it a few more ways:

Overall I’m really impressed. The mini is perfect for me although the same design comes in two larger size options in the Maestra and Midi Maestra for those who prefer bigger purses. Quality is excellent and I highly recommend it! So many of you asked me on Instagram how it compares to the Celine Belt Bags. I do think it has a similar shape to the Celine Belt Bag that I used to own. When I bought mine years ago I had the smallest size option called the Mini Belt Bag (reviewed here). One photo of me wearing it in this post here. It was still on the big side for me, but I really did love them! A few years later they came out with smaller options called the Micro and Nano. I’ve been wanting to buy one for a while now but wanted to buy them in person and just haven’t had a chance to go to a store yet (there aren’t any near me!). As soon as I decided I wanted to smaller ones I decided to sell both my Black and Light Taupe via a few blog sales so I no longer have them to compare. Off the top of my head, other than size and design difference, the Senreve is more structured and square-like while the Celine had a material that was softer and thinner, shape was also not quite as square. I want to say the grained finish is similar but since I don’t have the Celine anymore I can’t do a side by side. If I still end up buying the Nano or Micro I can do a comparison if you’re interested.

A few other notes and thoughts. A lot of you want to know about color transfer. Living in Florida the weather is HOT! I can count the number of times I’ve worn dark jeans and pants on one hand this year. Most of my denim has been washed several times over so I have not experienced any staining or color transfer even though Sand is on the lighter side. That being said I have not tested it against brand new dark denim.

On shape/structure with other bags, if you add product inside it can be prone to sagging a little. The Senreve has enough structure and stitching to keep its shape. No sagging with this one! At least not yet.

I hope you found this review helpful! I’ve really been enjoying the Senreve Mini Maestra. Even Andrew approves and he doesn’t always like my taste in handbags (he did not like the way the Celine looked on me because of the size, but that did not stop me from loving them, lol). If you’ve been wondering about these bags but aren’t able to see in person I hope this gives you a good idea of size, shape, how to wear etc. The quality is really really well made. Let me know if you have any questions!

You can find these available online at Senreve. There are so many colors to choose from!

Many thanks to Senreve for sending a bag for review.

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Hauls Sephora

Sephora Haul Picks + First Impressions

November 9, 2018

As promised I have my Sephora Beauty Insider Event haul and a giveaway! I shopped both online and in store during the days for Rouge savings. If you’re a VIB Member the good news is that this weekend is your weekend to shop the event! You can save 20% off your purchases in store and online from 11/9-11/12 with code VIBBONUS at checkout.

In case you missed my roundup recommendations, you can find my top makeup picks and top skin/hair and body picks detailed with links to previous reviews and swatches where applicable. I had so much on my wishlist that I wanted to stock up on but tried to limit myself to a few newer things that I have been wanting to try. I highly recommend browsing online first even if you’re heading to the store. Some things are online only and there are some better value sets online as well. I haven’t had a chance to try everything but I do have some first impressions on things I have tried.

Makeup Picks

Three of these things I picked up before the sale. I hauled some Too Faced items because I caved to the hype. I asked many of you on Instagram if you thought these lived up to all the raves and it was a 50/50 split. What I bought:

Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Spray (mini) – I haven’t had a chance to test this on the face, according to feedback from you it’s a hydrating spray but not the best as a makeup setting spray
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer – I tried this a couple times and can’t really tell if it makes a difference, it has a pleasant coconut-like scent to it and does have a hydrating feel, it is silicone-free so I’m trying to test it with silicone-free foundations
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara had really mixed reviews, based on a poll I did on Instagram, a handful told me it was your holy grail, but most did not like it. I tried the Waterproof version and it clumped like crazy I’ve decided to try the original.
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation looked nice when I swatched it in store, I haven’t had a chance to give it a proper test yet, but I did love their Ultra HD line, so I have high hopes. I bought shade Y375.
Marc Jacobs Shine a Light Gloss and See-Quins Shadows for holiday have already been reviewed and swatched here.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Diamond Milk is such a pretty white pearl, I bought and tried the original Fenty Glow but couldn’t stand the scent. I decided to try it again in the newer white color (it smells the same) and love the way it looks, undecided about the scent.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in Rose Gold is a Sephora exclusive. I knew I had to have it. I’ve tried it and think it’s pretty. It’s one of the more sparkly ones. It didn’t really shift in color after applying it like the other shades do. Just a lot of sparkle but finish is smooth (no gritty finish from the shimmer).

Skincare Picks Part 1

REN CARE Gift Set has some calming product I’ve been wanting to try including the Evercalm Day Cream, Rescue Mask and Firming Beauty Shot. As we go into the colder dry season my skin is prone to irritation. I have high hopes as the day cream has been highly recommended by so many.
Shiseido Facial Cotton was a restock as the Sephora Collection Cotton Pads were out of stock online when I ordered (they’ve since restocked).
Fresh Rose Toner Mini was something I picked up at checkout. I’m always a sucker for minis and since I love the Rose Floral Toner Spray version decided to try this one.

Drunk Elephant Mega Haul

I hauled quite a bit of Drunk Elephant. I’ve loved their Baby Facial and Protini Polypeptide Cream. I even have Andrew using these! He’s obsessed and told me to restock on those. There are a lot of great sets with minis to try, some are online only. So many of you have asked for more Drunk Elephant reviews so I’m going to put what I purchased to the test and let you know.

Inspector Drunk Night Kit (top left) has five items for night skincare:
- full-size TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
- mini Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Lala Retro Whipped Cream
- mini C-Tango multivitamin eye cream
Agent Ellie Day Kit (bottom) comes with five items:
- full-size C-Firma Day Serum
- mini Shaba Complex Eye Serum
- mini Umbra Tint Physical Daily Defense SPF 30
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Protini Polypeptide Cream
TLC Sukari Baby Facial (middle) is the full-size individual version, but it also now comes in a mini size for $28 (versus the $80)
The Big Reveal Kit (right side hexagon box) comes with:
- full-size TLC Baby Facial and Lippe Balm
- mini Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser
- mini B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
- mini Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

A few thoughts on what I’ve tested and what to buy. If you’re interested at all in the Baby Facial, I’d recommend just getting The Big Reveal Kit (online only). The Lippe Balm is a lot nicer than I anticipated! I’m wearing it right now as I type up this post. It’s hydrating, doesn’t really have a scent, feels nice 🙂 My skin loves the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum. I’m currently recovering from a skin flare up (due to 1 of 3 possible things I’m almost certain I’ve narrowed it down, but need to do some more testing on my face to be sure). The serum instantly relieved redness and soothed my skin.

I’ve tried the cleanser and think it’s nice but need to do more testing. Andrew is not a fan of the tinted sunscreen, but since he doesn’t really seem to be a fan of physical sunscreens it did not surprise me. We have a lot of testing to do, will keep you posted!

Hair Care Picks

Hair care picks include a few more Aquis Waffle Luxe Towels for workouts and so I have extra ones for my hair. I’ve been in search of a hair spray that is just a hair spray. These days there are so many added things in sprays like texture, volume, shine, etc. I think that’s great, but sometimes I just want something simple. The girls in the Sephora store recommended Living Proof so I picked up the Flex Spray in the mini size. A large number of you confirmed on Instagram stories that this is your favorite so I have high hopes!

For tools I ordered the T3 Whirl Trio before the sale but wanted to give it a mention. It’s always nice to be able to save on more expensive things like curling wands. I have dryers and straighteners I love but didn’t have a curling iron. This one has three interchangeable wands without the clips. I’ve played with it for a few weeks now and really love it. It heats up quickly and also comes with a glove to protect your hand so you don’t burn your fingers.

I also ordered a mini packet of the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care Nutritive Mask with Temporary Coloring in Warm Chestnut. I tried it last night and left it on for only 5 minutes. I’m almost at the 3 week mark post highlights and color is starting to fade. Since my hair was lifted it’s now getting a little lighter. The mask darkened my highlights in a subtle but noticeable way from honey to a slightly chestnut red brown. I think I could have left it on a little longer for a deeper effect but so far I like it! Hair is softer since it is a mask. I used up 1/2 the mini packet since I have a lot of hair and it is long. It’s supposed to last 3-5 washes. I’ll keep you updated on this. I really love all the things I’ve tried from Christophe Robin.

For masks I restocked on the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Mask. It also comes in this cute Mystical Minis Revive and Repair duo set if you want to try it in a smaller size. I had a chat with a friend about hair care the other day on shampoos and hair treatments for colored hair. Based on reader recommendations I bought the Oribe Color Safe Shampoo and Conditioner, but many of you also recommended the Kerastase Reflection Chromatique line. My friend swears by the same Kerastase (she said the one in the bright pink tubes) which is available at Sephora now. I wish I had ordered them during the Rouge event days! I might still place an order as I go through shampoo really fast anyways and will probably use up the Oribe very soon.

That wraps up my Sephora haul! I have a never ending list of things I want to try and I’m sure you do too! If you’re shopping the Sephora Beauty Insider Event for VIB, uou can save 20% off your purchases in store and online from 11/9-11/12 with code VIBBONUS. There are exclusions and restrictions on their website so make sure you check the details. You can shop the post here:

I’m hosting another giveaway! I’m going through my beauty vault and picked out some Tom Ford Beauty items including a few harder to find items to giveaway to 1 winner. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Items I’m giving away include brand new full sizes of 7 items including: Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara, Lip Slick in Spiked Chery, Moisturecore Lipstick in Pipa, Eyeshadow Duo in AW16, Lips + Boys Cooper, Lips + Boys Jagger and Duo Blush in Lavender Lure.

To enter for a chance to win simply enter through the widget below with at least one of the steps.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway runs through 11/13/2018 11:59 PM EST. One winner will be picked within 48 hours and contacted by e-mail. They must respond within 24 hours or another winner will be selected in their place. Not sponsored or affiliated.

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Base Makeup

Concealer Roundup: Cle de Peau Beaute, MAC, First Aid Beauty, Cover FX + Sisley

November 8, 2018

I have a concealer roundup today on some newer formulas I’ve been testing from a number of brands. Today I’m covering concealers from Cle de Peau Beaute, MAC, First Aid Beauty, Cover FX, Sisley plus another look at Charlotte Tilbury. There are so many different types of concealers on the market and each formula has a different purpose. Finding one that works for you truly depends on where you want to use it, how much coverage you want and also your skin type. Your moisturizer and foundation routine are also important in finding formulas that are right for you depending on whether or not they contain silicone, if they’re oil-free or not, etc. I’ll be giving you my thoughts on each formula and how I think they work the best. At the end I’ll give my recommendations by coverage/type.

I do want to mention briefly that I appreciate the discussions these days about expanding shade ranges and inclusion. Many brands still have a long way to go including some of the ones I’m featuring today. I know readers who are very fair or very deep have challenges finding options they can wear when color ranges are so limited. I think bringing awareness to brands about color gaps will help them learn more about where they need to expand. We’ve seen some brands take the feedback to heart and expand their ranges!

First is a look at the First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Bendy Avocado Concealer ($22 for 0.17 oz/4.8 g). This is one of the few I feel rivals my favorite NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. In general I like a creamy concealer that has a medium coverage. I don’t usually do spot cover-ups – usually under the eyes or around the nose/mouth where I have redness. For the most part my foundation does most of the covering I need. The First Aid Beauty Hello Fab concealer has a luminous finish that is weightless and glides onto the skin. I like that it’s been compatible with all the foundations I’ve tried. It doesn’t drag, cake or crease. It blends in well with the skin. I like Shade 3 the best for brightening. It comes with a soft flexible sponge tip applicator which I like the best. Available in 7 shades at Sephora and First Aid Beauty.

MAC Studio Fix 24 Hour Liquid Concealer ($22 for 7 ml) is another great option that’s multi-purpose. It has medium to full coverage on me. It’s creamy and blends in easily with the skin. I can use it to brighten or spot conceal and it does last on me all day without budging. It has more coverage compared to the First Aid Beauty and NARS options with a slightly more opaque feel. It comes in 33 shades in both warm and cool undertones. I found the colors ran a little bit lighter than the other MAC concealers I’ve tried. I use NC35 in the Pro Longwear Concealer (full coverage and thick). In the Studio Fix 24 Hour version I found NC38 and 40 to be a better match. I haven’t tested it for a full 24 hours but it did last all day on me. Under the eyes it can pull a bit heavy especially if you have dry skin in which case I’d recommend you just make sure your under eye is primed with a good serum or opt for something more creamy or emollient like the First Aid Beauty or NARS options. Available at MAC, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty.

Cle de Peau Beaute is a brand I try to stay away from because I’m always afraid I’ll fall in love with something but don’t want to because of the high price points. The quality cannot be beat in many of their products. Their Concealer was a go-to for a long time for opaque full coverage. I used to use the colors Beige and Almond. Since moving to Florida I have darkened and am more tan so Ocher is the color I use now. They reformulated the Concealer with SPF 25 ($70 for 5g/0.17 oz) and I found it to perform the same as the original. It’s very opaque and a little goes a long way. Since it is very opaque if you’re using it under eyes I find the best way for me to apply is by warming up a little on the finger then dabbing it under the eyes and blend. A number of you asked for a review on the Radiant Corrector for Eyes ($65 for 2.2 ml/0.08 oz). This is easier to use under the eyes for me. It comes in a click applicator with brush. It has enough coverage and pigment to cover some darkness. It is more emollient and creamier so it does not have a flat matte finish like the stick. Even though I consider myself a die-hard NARS fan I find myself reaching for this one a lot for under the eyes. Color-wise the Concealer Stick in Ocher has always been slightly too olive for me but it does work once blended. The Radiant Corrector for Eyes in Ocher has a little bit more gold which is perfect for me right now. I also did look at Almond which on my tan skin looked a little pink. When it comes to under eyes I don’t need an exact match – sometimes having a little peach or pink can really help to counter darkness. I could have gone either way, but picked Ocher since I tan really easily. Both are available at multiple retailers, I usually purchase my items direct from Cle de Peau, Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus.

I re-swatched all the Cle de Peau stick concealers below from a sampler card I got as a GWP. I only have 1 swatch for the Radiant Corrector in Ocher which is the one I bought.

Sisley Stylo Lumiere Radiance Booster Pen ($65 each) comes in 4 shades and is a highlighting pen I like to use in place of concealer under the eyes. This really does give the complexion a brightened radiant look and to me performs better than the cult classic YSL Touche Eclat. Coverage is medium and natural. I simply twist click the product into the sponge and apply directly on the face in a few dots under the eyes – usually 3 per eye. Then I blend with fingers and set with powder. It stays put on me all day long. I use Shade 3 and really wish it came in more color options for others – the formula is really good! Available at Sisley-Paris, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Beautylish.

Cover FX Power Play Concealer ($30 for 10 ml) is a full coverage concealer. It’s one of the best full-coverage concealers I’ve tried for spot coverage. They also say you can use to highlight and contour – I’ve tried both and for me the coverage is really opaque and intense so using it for either works only if my base is slightly dewy. If I use a tinted moisturizer or glowy base I can add the Power Play on top to add more coverage, highlight or correct under the eyes. If I use a full coverage base underneath this concealer can be prone to dragging because it does have a semi-matte finish. The good things about this formula: it has smooth full coverage, comes in a wide shade range, stays put and doesn’t crease. They have a useful chart to help you find your shades. I use G40 and G50 mixed in the Power Play foundation (reviewed here). I found the colors G Medium 1 or 2 worked best for me.

I do not think this will work for you if you have super dry skin or use a super matte foundation. I do think dry skin can be adjusted by making sure you are well moisturized and primed, but if you have a lot of fine lines or creases this may emphasize them. Your best bet is to go to a Sephora or Ulta and try in person. I do think the Cover FX line is great for the variety of undertones they have. I struggle to find yellow/golden colors and they have the G range which is great for me. They also have the G+ range which is more olive than I can wear, but great for those who are truly olive.

For spot coverage this is a win. For under eyes/highlighting I have other favorites as this one is very opaque and I prefer more creamy/sheer for those areas.

Last but not least I wanted to give the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away another look since it’s newer and thought it would be helpful to put in the roundup. I still really like this for a full coverage concealer and for me it does work under the eyes. I find it compatible with the Charlotte Tilbury foundations which are natural in finish. A large number of you have messaged me on social that you had challenges with this formula to which I have a few thoughts. One is a little goes a very long way – you just need a tiny bit! Two is the applicator can be problematic when applying and blending. I use the applicator to dot on areas I want to apply then blend with a separate sponge. Three is that since it’s so opaque and full coverage it probably will not be good under the eyes if you have dry skin. I’d recommend priming the area with a nice emollient serum or any of her glow products. My full review here.

Based on all the new product testing I think there are some nice options for concealing whether you’re looking for a spot concealer or under eye brightener. Thoughts on which formulas I think are best:

For under the eyes my top picks are the First Aid Beauty, Sisley Stylo Lumiere and Cle de Peau Radiant Corrector for Eyes
For spot concealing I think the Cle de Peau, Cover FX and Charlotte Tilbury are the best
Best versatile formulas are the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and MAC 24-Hour
Best highlighting formula is the NARS and First Aid Beauty formulas
Favorite formula is still the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

That wraps up my concealer roundup review! I hope you found this helpful. I didn’t mention about setting but I always set everything with a powder to make it last. My favorite powders in this post here. If you’ve tried any of these let me know in the comments what worked or what didn’t!

Update: I’ve been getting a lot of questions about other formulas. These aren’t all the ones I’ve tried, this roundup just covers the newer more recent launches. A few other reviews you may find helpful:

Press samples include the MAC 24-Hour Concealer, Cover FX Power Play, Sisley Stylo Lumiere and First Aid Beauty Hello Fab.

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Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty Holiday 2018

November 7, 2018

I picked up a few of the holiday items from Marc Jacobs Beauty this year and think all the pieces are beautiful! They describe this as being a high-glam collection with glittering jewel tones for eyes and gold glam highlights for lips and cheeks. Everything is listed as limited-edition but I hope they will keep the highlighter as a permanent item. What I bought:

O! Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer in Gilty ($49 for 10 g/0.35 oz, made in Canada)
Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss in Shine a Light ($28 for .16 fl oz/ 5 mL, made in USA)
See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in Gleam Girl, Topaz Flash and Copperazzi ($28 each for 3.5 g/0.12 oz, made in USA)

The entire vibe of the collection is indeed shimmering and glam. I think the lip gloss and cheek highlighter are glowing but conservative enough for the natural makeup wearer while the eye shadows are full out glitz and glam. Swatches and thoughts on each piece starting with the O! Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer in Gilty which is a stunning gold.

This one is described as a warm peachy gold but I find it more complex than that. It’s not quite as sharp as a duo chrome shimmer but as I move my arm or hand in the light I can definitely see a shift in color depending on the angle. It has a warm gold shimmer and a soft peach base with a hint of rose-gold on my olive skin. I think this one is going to suit a wide range of skin tones, on me it’s definitely highlighter material but not a pale one. If you have fair skin this will look deeper perhaps a little bronzey gold on your skin. I think this will look amazing on deeper skin tones too. Shimmer is visible but it’s smooth and does not emphasize lines. It’s not a glaring frost with one swipe but you can layer for more intensity. A look at how the color glows depending on whether direct sunlight hits the pan below.

Swatches heavy vs light/blended:

The Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer in Shine A Light looks like a yellowed multi-chrome gold with pink and green flashes in the tube. On the lips it’s a lot prettier than what I see in the tube which I’d describe as a multi-shimmer deeper nude gold with pink flashes. I love a pretty gold shimmer for holiday, this one is pretty alone or layered! It’s true to Marc Jacobs gloss formula – smooth, no sticky tacky feel, cushiony and comes with a flexible sponge applicator. Even though it’s loaded with sparkle there’s no gritty feel or texture.

On bare lips, photos don’t do it justice:

Also a few swatch comparisons to a few similar looking colors, NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquers in At First Sight and Cape Town, Marc Jacobs Cream and Sugar, Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss 712, Becca Glow Gloss in Champagne Creme. I’ve linked the previous reviews if you want to see colors on my lips.

The See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadows are full out glam party shadows. They’re pressed pigments and come with an insert to keep everything in place. The glitter and shimmer is quite intense but pretty for holiday. I’m not sure I could wear them for everyday looks, but I found the color Topaz Flash to be the most conservative for my skin tone. Gleam Girl is a glistening champagne beige sparkle, Topaz Flash is a complex bronze taupe smoke, Copperazzi is a warm orangey copper sparkle. I did not have an easy time using a brush to apply these, for me fingers were the best option for control, less fallout and better color payoff. If you use a brush I’d recommend a dense synthetic one like the MAC 242S or something similar. Once on the eyes if you don’t touch them there’s no fall out and they stayed put all day. If you touch your eyes there will be some sparkle transfer.

By comparison the Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coats have a sheerer base and more conservative sparkle (and those are still intense!). The Hourglass Scattered Light shadows are more refined in sparkle with less chunky glitter. If you want shine and shimmer but no glitter the new Armani Eyes to Kill Stellar are beautiful sheerer options without glitter. I swatched them at the counter and want them all but have not caved to buy yet.

I can’t say one is better than the other in this case. My recommendation would be based on how much you like or dislike glitter. I think Topaz Flash is my favorite. Since it’s a little deeper it makes for a pretty smokey eye on my complexion.

Below a look with three pieces from the collection, also wearing:

Armani Power Fabric Foundation in 6.5
Marc Jacobs Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder * to set
Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette *
Marc Jacobs See-Quins Shadow in Topaz Flash all over lids
Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Flesh and Fantasy * on cheeks
Marc Jacobs O!Mega Glaze Luminizer in Gilty to highlight
Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss in Shine a Light on Lips
brush shown is the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Buffer Brush *

Overall pretty and glowing! In this world of highlighter overload Marc Jacobs has managed to launch one that I think is unique enough to justify owning even though I already have so many other options. Gold with any yellow tones can be hard for me to wear because I have yellow/olive undertones but Gilty has enough warmth with a shift in the shimmer to prevent it from being full on 24K yellow on my skin. I definitely wouldn’t call this a NEED simply because I have so many highlighters already, but I do really love it.

I really like the way Shine A Light looks on the lips. In the tube I was a little worries about the yellow-greenish flashes of shimmer but once on the lips I don’t see any green. It’s ultra smooth without any tacky feel. It does have a slight minty taste but no tingle (at least not on me). It has a transparent quality to it which allows your natural lip color to show through.

The See-Quins Glam Glitter Shadows are going to be hit or miss for many of you. They are very glitzy pressed pigments and they are intense. Definitely fun for the holiday season and I think the quality, color payoff and pigment are excellent. But if you’re more conservative makeup wearer I’d suggest trying in person before buying to be safe. I bought the most neutral options but there’s a really phenomenal purple color with some other shades you might want to check out. If you are conservative and want to go a little bolder with the eyes I still think the Pat McGrath Opulence Collection Palettes are the way to go. They have enough shimmer and glam to give you a bolder look but aren’t too crazy with the sparkle.

You can find the Marc Jacobs Beauty Holiday 2018 collection out now. Everything is limited-edition. I bought mine from Sephora and Neiman Marcus. Also available at Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Have you checked out the collection yet? What did you think? If not – what’s your favorite gold colored highlighter?

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Concealer Roundup: Cle de Peau Beaute, MAC, First Aid Beauty, Cover FX + Sisley

Marc Jacobs Beauty Holiday 2018

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