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Sabrina

Fragrance

Spring to Summer Fragrance Edit

June 8, 2018

Best Spring Fragrances from Creed, Tom Ford, Byredo and more | The Beauty Look Book

It feels like we skipped spring this year and went straight to summer here in Florida! Today I have a roundup of spring to summer fragrances that are light and fresh. I’ve been thrilled to find that so many of you are die hard fans of Tom Ford Soleil Blanc and Creed Love in White like me. This year both brands have launched new variations of the classics! I know fragrance is so personal so I’d love to hear about your go-to’s. If you’re looking for something new but don’t know where to start I hope this list will give you some ideas of where to start exploring!

Row 1:

  • Creed Love In White for Summer ($335 for 75 ml) is a new variation of their classic Love In White. The original is a crisp white floral with a powdery feel. The new version at first spritz smells almost identical but if you let it sit you’ll notice a softer vibe with a fruity touch. They both have that distinct white floral feel, but the new one is really beautiful! Right now Love in White for Summer is only available in the 75 ml form. I have purchased a few of their Leather Atomizers for travel or my purse. My husband also has a couple for his favorite which is Aventus for Men.
    • Top Notes: Bulgarian roses, Calabrian bergamot, sweet magnolia
    • Middle Notes: Florentine iris, rice, Virginian cedarwood
    • Base Notes: Ambergris, sandalwood, apple, jasmine
  • Louis Vuitton Apogee ($240 for 3.4 ml) is one of the soft earthy florals from Louis Vuitton. To me I notice the magnolia and jasmine notes the most. It’s a natural and earthy kind of floral. One thing I learned at the stores is once you buy the full size bottle you can get them refilled in store for a much lower price than repurchasing another full size bottle. These come in beautiful glass jars. If you cannot decide on one they have a lovely Miniatures Set which contains seven 10 ml bottles.
    • Notes: Lily-of-the-valley accord, Jasmine from Grasse, Magnolia from China, Gaiac wood, Sandalwood essence
  • Byredo La Tulipe ($165 for 50 ml) is another pretty clean floral. It has extremely strong lasting power – even though my nose gets used to it within a few hours, people who walk by notice it many hours later. To me it smells almost like fresh linen + white flowers combined. I also have this in the Hand Cream and Hair Perfume just for fun. In the event you want smaller options, it is available in the La Selection Florale Trio (12 ml vials). Alternatively on the Byredo Website you can order their Discovery Set (they limit 1 per person) and it comes with a voucher that you can use at Byredo Stores on Byredo.com.
    • Top Notes: rhubarb, cyclamen, freesia
    • Middle: tulip
    • Base: blonde woods, vetiver
  • Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt ($135 for 3.4 oz) is one of the best earthy sea salt scents I’ve tried that is so unique. It’s a great light everyday kind of scent one can wear year round, but it’s not a floral or citrus. It seems like most scents that are light need to be either floral or citrus or beachy. This one is none of the above yet it’s not spicy or heavy. I attribute the hint of bergamot to this fact. It’s one I can wear alone but I received the best tip from one of my favorite Jo Malone associates in San Diego to layer this with Wild Blue Bell. The Wood Sage and Sea Salt notes:
    • Top: bergamot, ambrette seeds, buchu leaves
    • Middle: sea salt, mineral accord, dry fruits
    • Base: driftwood accord, guaiac wood, white musk, sage

Row 2:

  • Diptyque Eau de Sens ($95 for 1.7 oz, also now available in a Solid Soap, Cleansing Hand and Body Gel and Hair Mist) is my all time favorite orange blossom. It’s not too citrus and it’s not too floral or powdery. It’s the perfect mix to be orange and floral. Lasting power is not as strong as Tom Ford or Creed on me but I don’t mind reapplying after a few hours as it fades nicely. I have the Hair Mist on my wishlist which I hope to pick up soon.
    • Top Notes: bitter orange, juniper berry.
    • Middle Notes: orange blossom
    • Base Notes: angelica, patchouli
  • Chanel L’Eau No 5 All Over Body Spray ($60 for 150 ml/5 fl oz) is a lighter variation of the L’Eau No. 5 reviewed here. I actually prefer the body spray version because it’s softer and not quite as crisp. It also comes in a Hand Cream option which smells completely different to me but is still lovely.
    • Notes: Lemon, Mandarin and Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Cedar and Musk
    • Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot Radiant Body Oil ($49 for 100 ml/3.3 fl oz) is such a beautiful dry oil. As you might guess from this roundup I’m obsessed with anything that has bergamot in it! This one is a fresh one that has a blend of orange, bergamot and mandarin. It’s very bright and refreshing. The oil absorbs nicely into the skin and gives the body a luminous glow. Scent is very strong for a body oil, I can wear this alone instead of the perfume version. You can find this in other body products in their entire Orange and Bergamot collection.
      • Top Notes: orange, bergamot and mandarin
      • Heart Notes: neroli, cardamom and galbanum
      • Base Notes: musk, ylang-ylang and cedarwood
  • Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc ($122 for 1.7 oz) is new this spring. It’s one of my favorites of the season and I did not think it could get better than the original. It’s really close to the original version but this one is lighter in feel and not quite as rich or deep. It’s more green and a tiny bit more citrus with a brighter feel. I do not think you need both if you are already well stocked on one. I used up my original so decided to buy this one and I’m 100% happy I did.
    • Notes: Vert de Bergamot, Orange Bitter, Petitgrain Bigarde, Ylang-Ylang, Pistachio Accord, Coco de Mer Accord

Row 3:

  • Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Oil ($74 for 8.4 fl oz/250 ml) is my favorite scented body oil. I wish it came with a spritzer but it’s so good I can overlook the packaging. It does come in a Dry Oil Spray Version which I personally did not like very much. For some reason the regular Body Oil works much better for my skin and smells better too.
  • Byredo Mojave Ghost ($165 for 1.7 fl oz) is one of the most unique scents I’ve tried. To me it smells a little fruity and floral with noticeable violet and magnolia notes. There’s a tiny hint of musk and sandalwood with amber to round it out and prevent it from being a full on floral. Lasting power on me is excellent.
    • Top Notes: ambrette, Jamaican nesberry
    • Middle Notes: violet, sandalwood, magnolia
    • Base Notes: chantilly musk, crisp amber, cedarwood
  • Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino ($230 for 1.7 oz/50 ml, also available in the All Over Body Spray which I’ve tried and loved) is a twist on their classic Neroli Portofino. They have several spinoffs of the classic and to me this one is the best because it mixes in floral making it softer, more feminine and well rounded. It smells like the spring to summer transition with crisp citrus and fresh floral notes.
    • Notes: Sicilian Lemon, Bigarade Leaf Absolute, Violet Leaf Absolute Orpur, White Acacia Accord, Jasmine Grandiforum Concrete, Acacia Honey Accord
  • Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is another classic that I’ve used up in the full size. The one shown is from a limited-edition Travel Atomizer which has just launched at Nordstrom! So many of you have said this scent is THE ONE for you. I think it’s a classic sunshine vacation scent in a bottle!
    • Notes: Bergamot, Cardamom Oil Orpur, Pistachio Accord, Ylang Ylang Comores Islands, Benzoin Extract Orpur, Coco De Mer Accord

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My top 3: Creed Love in White for Summer, Byredo Mojave Ghost and Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc.

Creed Love in White for Summer, Byredo Mojave Ghost and Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc

I know perfume is one of those beauty products that is best to shop for in person. I’ve ordered a few blind simply because I did not have a counter near me and it has been both hit or miss. After a couple misses I decided to never do it again. These days I’ve found more and more brands have started to sell sample vials or discovery sets on their websites. You may have to do a bit of searching to find them. Many larger retailers offer samples with beauty purchases, I almost always add one to my cart from Nordstrom. Lucky Scent also sells samples and sample packs of fragrances of their entire store. If you are ever in the Los Angeles area I highly recommend you stop by their store. You can read more in a feature I did here. In some cases you might not find any sample section online even on specific brand websites. I’ve also had luck a couple times e-mailing customer service to see if I could buy or order samples and in two instances they did!

That wraps up my spring to summer perfume favorites. I know it’s quite a lot and some of you stick to 1 or 2 scents but I also know women who rotate on a seasonal basis and like to switch things up like me. As always please share your personal favorites in the comments! I love reading about what you love and wear.

Press samples featured include items from Creed, Molton Brown and Louis Vuitton.

 

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Armani

Armani Neo Nude Collection Review

June 7, 2018

Armani Neo Nude Collection Review and Swatches

The Armani Neo Nude Collection launched earlier this spring exclusive to Nordstrom and Giorgio Armani Beauty. This collection hands down has been the most requested review in my entire blogging life! It’s taken me a while to compile this as pieces sold out so it took me a long time to track enough down for a review. At the time this post is going live everything has restocked at Nordstrom!

The entire collection is focused on creating that no makeup makeup look with a luminous sheer glow. To me the vibe is similar to that of the Chanel Les Beiges 2018 launch. Each has their own unique take on what they wanted to focus on. If you like natural makeup this Armani Neo Nude collection is going to be right up your alley.

What I have been playing with:

A-Line Highlighter + Blush

Up first are the cheek products. The products are called Neo Nude A-Line which Armani calls complexion enhancing watercolor makeup. These are water-based liquid colors that blend seamlessly into the skin for a glowing complexion. I tried the A-Blush and A-Highlighter.

Armani Neo Nude A-Highlighter 11, A-Blush 30 and 50

I tried one A-Highlighter 11 which is a soft champagne for a very natural glow and two A-Blushes 30 is a peach and 50 is a pink. All blend out and sheer out quite a bit for a barely there tint. I’ve done face swatches where I had to layer quite a bit to get the color to show in a photograph with flash. In real life you can see the tint better with just a few dabs and blending. It won’t disrupt powder or foundation if you apply on top. They blend nicely but do not have the texture or finish like a cream blush so these lasted on my skin a lot longer!

Armani Neo Nude A-Highlighter 11, A-Blush 30 and 50 swatches

The highlighter barely shows up on my skin but in person it gives a very natural glow. The blushes give a natural tint of color. Given how much they sheer out I think I would have had no problem ordering the darker ones sight unseen but wanted to play it safe. By comparison the Glossier Cloud Paints give a similar finish in terms of pigment. The NARS Liquid Blush will give a more opaque buildable cheek look. I skipped the contours as I’m not really into contours. Given how these blended I think I may give them another look, but for now I’m sticking with my Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel to contour.

Ecstasy Balm

Next are the Ecstasy Balms which are supposed to enhance your natural lip color. Shades are 1 a light pink, 2 a sheer coral, 3 a soft plum. Color-wise they are very very sheer. Formula wise they feel nicely hydrating without feeling thick or goopy.

Armani Ecstasy Balm review and swatches neo nude collection

On me they didn’t change or alter my lips like the Dior Addict Lip Glows. The Armani Ecstasy Balms are essentially sheer balms with a very tiny bit of tint to them. They feel extremely comfortable and hydrating. If you really want that no makeup makeup look you will like these. I think for summer it’s nice to have one. For more color you might want to opt for the Chanel Les Beiges Balms from this season or the YSL Tint-In-Balms or even the YSL Volupte Liquid Colour Balms.

Swatches below, on the lips they are done on bare lips:

Armani Ecstasy Balm review and swatches neo nude collection

Armani Ecstasy Balm review and swatches neo nude collection

Fusion Powder

Last but definitely not least are the Neo Nude Compact Foundations. Just as an FYI my compacts have these labeled as Neo Nude Fusion Powders so in case you see both names online know they are the same. I ordered shades sight unseen. My Luminous Silk Powder Foundation shade has been #4 for as long as I can remember. The shades in the powder line have gaps and many of them are pink-toned. Since powder and foundation or the combination can oxidize on my skin I often go slightly lighter if I cannot find an exact match because the blending always adjusts the color.

Armani Neo Nude Compact Foundation Fusion Powder

I can get away with all options I ordered in 4, 5.5 and 6.5 all over the face. However 5.5 is the best match even though it does have a slightly pinkish undertone in the compact. It is sheer enough and my tan has enough warmth that it works and blends in seamlessly, but if I could have my pick my best shade match would most likely be 6 which they do not make. The Armani Neo Nude powders are finely milled with a natural luminous sheen similar to that of the Laura Mercier Candleglow Powders (difference is the LM ones are baked and have different undertones). The Neo Nude Powders blur away fine lines and pores and makes my skin look glowing without shine. I have no idea if these are limited edition but they are so nice I’m ordering backups right now.

A closer look at the texture of #4 and then swatches of all the colors I have. These are 2 tiered like the powder foundation, there is a compartment underneath for a brush that you can use for touchups. I prefer to use a regular powder brush to apply all over. My favorites of the moment are the Laura Mercier Blending Brush and MAC 140S.

Armani Neo Nude Compact Foundation Fusion Powder 4

 

Armani Neo Nude Compact Foundation Fusion Powder Review 4, 5.5 and 6.5 swatches

 

Beauty Looks

Two looks with each blush and two different lip combos, wearing:

Armani Neo Nude A-Blush 30 + Ecstasy Balm 1

Look 2 below, same as above, only differences are:

Armani Neo Nude A-Blush 50 + Ecstasy Balm 2

Bottom line love. I really did not think I would love another natural makeup collection as much as I did Chanel Les Beiges but the Armani Neo Nude is really beautiful. Collections are similar but different as they have a different focus and different formulas.

I think every item I tried with the Armani Neo Nude is outstanding. I would say that the Ecstasy Balms are not the most exciting since they are so sheer it’s hard for me to justify the price. Yet I’m still happy with them and think they’re great for a truly effortless tint + shine. Plus they feel nice on the lips. If you already own a lot of tinted balms or want more color, skip these. The Neo Nude Powder is a must-have if you can find a good match. A quick look a the counter showed there were quite a few shade options. They are sheer enough that you don’t need an exact match. The Blushes and Highlighters are perfect although I do think they can be duplicated with other shades from NARS or Glossier. I like the Armani ones because of the finish – the humidity is rising here but I have high hopes since these aren’t creams that they will last through the heat.

You can find the Armani Neo Nude Collection at Nordstrom and Giorgio Armani Beauty. I highly recommend checking the collection out.

All items purchased by me except the A-Highlighter and A-Blushes which were press samples.

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Chanel

Chanel Cruise Collection 2018 Beauty Picks

June 5, 2018

Chanel Beauty Cruise Collection Review 2018 | The Beauty Look Book

Happy Tuesday! I’m back from a week of travel from NYC. Trip recap to follow soon but I have a few beauty reviews to share first. Chanel Cruise 2018 launched a few weeks ago with some limited-edition pieces. I ordered a few items sight unseen and have been playing with them over my trip. Quick take is that the Cruise 2018 Collection has some really beautiful pieces but in general my heart gravitates more towards the colors of the Les Beiges 2018 Collection for a glowing summer look.

Items featured today are from the Cruise Collection along with one lip pencil that’s new but not part of cruise:

Up first are two eye picks including the Les 4 Ombres in Eclat Enigmatique and Le Volume Waterproof Mascara in Gris Voile. The Eclat Enigmatique is a soft sheer but buildable eyeshadow quad with beautiful shimmery colors including a soft ivory, gunmetal shimmer, medium bronze and reddish shimmer. With a brush they can apply on the medium to sheer side so I recommend either using a damp brush or layering on top of a cream shadow for more color. The quad can create a variety of looks depending how much red or gunmetal you use. I found they all layered well together.

Chanel Cruise Les 4 Ombres Eclat Enigmatique review

Le Volume Mascara in Gris Voile below. I’m always a fan of the Le Volume Mascara and was thrilled to find a waterproof version this season. Gris Voile is a greyish color almost with an olive green tint. On my lashes it looks pretty dark, not quite black, but it does look dark enough that it could pass for a light black color. I love this formula because it really does add volume without clumping. The waterproof version doesn’t smudge on me.

Chanel Le Volume Waterproof Mascara Gris Voile

Chanel Cruise Eclat Enigmatique and Gris Voile swatches | The Beauty Look Book

There are three Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colors in Halo which is a baby pink, Legerete a dusty green, and Chicness a medium purple mauve cream. As much as I adore Chanel nail polishes to me these have to be some of the most boring colors I’ve seen. The quality and smoothness is on point and excellent but these colors just don’t excite me. Halo is a really pretty pink but very dupeable, it looks practically identical to some of the OPI Lisbon shades. Legerete and Chicness look like they are just different variations of New Dawn and Horizon Line from Fall-Winter. In all fairness the new colors do wear really well, I think I just expected something a little more fresh and unique.

Chanel Cruise Le Vernis Halo, Legerete and Chicness

Chanel Le Vernis Swatch Halo

Chanel Le Vernis Swatch Legerete

Chanel Le Vernis Swatch in Chicness

 

The L’Eau Tan Chanel Refreshing Self-Tanning Body Mist is an interesting product. It’s a body mist that is supposed to enhance your natural glow. It’s almost like the same concept as Dior Addict Lip Glows but for the body. It has a light fresh floral perfume scent that makes me feel like I’m on vacation mode. It can get a little sticky if you spray too much but within a few minutes skin looks like it has started to develop a natural glow. It’s not quite like a self tanner for me where you see dramatic results. It’s more subtle but this may react differently on you depending on how light or deep your skin is. It is refreshing smelling and feeling. I really like it.

Chanel L'Eau Tan Chanel Spray

Two Cruise Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs are No 17 A La Rose and 19 Au Naturel. I also ordered one of the new neutral shades No 21 Warm Rosewood. In case you’re new to these and missed the first launch reviewed here these are amazing twist up pencils. They’re creamy, opaque, glossy and hydrating. A La Rose is a bright peachy pink, Au Naturel is a nude brown that pulls warm. Warm Rosewood isn’t part of cruise but it’s a gorgeous wearable nude pink.

Chanel Le Rouge Crayon A La Rose, Au Naturel, Warm Rosewood

Chanel Le Rouge Crayon A La Rose, Au Naturel, Warm Rosewood

Swatch comparisons to some other Le Rogue Crayons, Rouge Coco Stylos and the Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist in 19:

Chanel Le Rouge Crayon Lip Swatches Comparisons

Chanel Beauty Cruise Collection Review 2018 | The Beauty Look Book

Overall nice quality pieces that I think are very wearable for the upcoming season but classic enough to take you into fall. Individually the products are gorgeous, easy for me to wear and everything can be worked in with other makeup items from my current stash. However as a collection I don’t really feel like the colors are tied together that much for a cohesive theme but that’s just me. The nail colors were a disappointment for me simply because they look like recycled colors from past seasons. I still think Halo is really pretty, just not that unique.

The highlights for me are the Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs in all three shades with Warm Rosewood being my new favorite everyday neutral pink. The new L’Eau Tan Chanel is really fun and I love the way it smells.

You can find the Chanel Cruise Collection out now. I believe most items are limited-edition. Available at Chanel, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Have you tried any of these pieces yet? What did you think?

 

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L'Occitane

Refreshing Hydration with the L’Occitane Aqua Reotier Collection

June 1, 2018

 

New L’Occitane Aqua Reotier Collection Skincare

As warmer weather approaches I’ve found myself switching things up in skincare with products that will keep skin clean, fresh but also well hydrated. The new L’Occitane Aqua Reotier Collection does just that with five easy-to-use options with a water-based line. The skincare contains three key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and calcium-rich Réotier spring water. I’ve partnered with L’Occitane to put the collection to the test. I have been such a fan of L’Occitane skincare as a whole so was really excited to try their new launch. I even brought everything with me on my recent trip to NYC.

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The Aqua Reotier Water Gel Cleanser is my favorite item in the collection. It’s a foaming gel cleanser that lathers well and cleans the skin without any stripping. I find this perfect after workouts because it leaves the skin feeling calmer and refreshed. There’s no film left but the skin feels well hydrated and clean. It has a gentle aqua fresh scent that is not irritating.

Aqua Reotier Water Gel Cleanser review

 

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The Aqua Reotier Moisture Prep Essence is something they recommend as Step Two in using this line. You can also incorporate it into your regular skincare routine with other products. It’s a plumping essence that helps prepare the skin to absorb moisturizer better. A little goes a very long way so you only need a tiny bit to apply all over the face. This is a step I often neglect in skincare in general but every time I use an essence I always tell myself I should do it more often. Skin is left noticeably softer and moisturizer adheres and absorbs into the skin better.

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Moisture Prep Essence

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Step 3 is a moisturizer and they have two options including the Aqua Reotier Thirst-Quenching Cream or Aqua Reotier Thirst-Quenching Gel. The cream is better for normal to dry skin or if you need extra moisture at night. It’s a softer cream that melts into the skin and leaves a nice veil of moisture all over. My preference is for the gel which contains micro-bubbles that burst once you apply on the skin. It has a nice medium to lightweight feel which has been perfect for humid Florida weather. It also wears well under my foundations.

 

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Cream Moisturizer

Quick look at the texture of the gel vs. cream:

Aqua Reotier Thirst-Quenching Gel vs Cream

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Collection

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I’m one of the biggest suckers for face mists, especially ones with good packaging and the Aqua Reotier Fresh Moisturizing Mist does not disappoint. It spritzes a super fine even mist. The spray can be a quick burst or a little more continuous if you want to cover your whole face. It’s nicely hydrating without feeling heavy and doesn’t leave you looking too dewy.

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Fresh Mist

 

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New L’Occitane Aqua Reotier Collection Skincare

 

Bottom line perfect for the upcoming warmer months. The products are light enough to be suitable for warm temperatures but still have enough moisture to keep skin well hydrated. I don’t think I’ll be able to live without the cleanser or face mist. You can find all the items at L’Occitane and there is a value set available as well. Stay tuned for more on my NY trip including a look at their Flatiron Flagship Store!

Sponsored by L’Occitane.

18 Comments
Eye Makeup

Favorite High-End Mascaras for the Nordstrom Buy 2 Get 1 Free Event

May 26, 2018

Best Luxury Mascaras Chanel, Chantecaille, Tom Ford, Sisley, Bobbi Brown and Stila

For one day only Nordstrom is having their Mascara Event where you can buy two mascaras and get the third one free. If you add any three mascaras to your cart they will deduct the cost of the lowest priced option at checkout, no promo code required. Some exclusions apply: excludes lash primers, serums, enhancers and mascara sets. I’ve done many mascara round ups before but thought I’d do another of my current top high-end mascara picks. (On the nails in the top photo is Smith and Cult Forever Fades Fast.)

From left to right below:

Best Luxury Mascaras Chanel, Chantecaille, Tom Ford, Sisley, Bobbi Brown and Stila

Since I need long-wear or waterproof formulas I find the biggest challenge is removing them at the end of the day. Most bi-phase makeup removers will work but for me it takes quite a bit of soaking and removing with lots of repeat steps required. I’ve gone through a wide range of formulas and had a lot of favorites in the past but I feel like mascara formulas have been developed to be even more long lasting so many no longer work well.

Best Longwear Mascara Removers

What I use now includes the Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover and Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads Longwear and Waterproof Formula. Note, there are two options of pads, the green one with oil is the one I use thanks to reader recs! There is a liquid version which I have also tried and it’s not as good as the pads are (just my two cents). Also since these have an oily residue I will use a cleansing water after to wipe off eye makeup and mascara one more time to help make everything feel less greasy. I like the Bioderam Hydrabio H20 and Sephora Cotton Pads. Lancome’s Eau Fraîche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water has also been a long-time favorite.

Mascara event runs for one day only May 26th at Nordstrom, both online and in store. If you’re shopping online also don’t forget to check their Beauty Gift With Purchase page!

I’m doing this week’s giveaway in this post. One person will be selected to win a selection of Travel Goodies shown in the widget below including the Away Mini Travel Case in Pink, mini of Glossier You, mini Chanel Gabrielle, mini Chanel Le Volume Mascara, Glossier Mascara Full Size, Glossier Lip Gloss Full Size, Sephora Favorites On the Fly Set, mini Ouai Wave Spray, mini Oribe Gold Lust packet duo. Simply enter through the widget below and follow the instructions. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older. Winner will be selected within 72 hours after giveaway ends. Prizes ship within a week. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

91 Comments
By Terry Suncare

By Terry Sun Designer Palettes Hippy Chic + Happy Sun and UV Base Sunscreen Cream SPF 50

May 25, 2018

By Terry Sun Designer Palette Hippy Chic, Happy Sun and UV Base Sunscreen Cream SPF50

There are new launches from By Terry and today I’m rounding up three of them including her two new Sun Designer Palettes in Hippy Chic + Happy Sun ($55 each for 15 g/0.53 oz) along with the new UV Base Sunscreen Cream SPF 50 ($55 for 1 fl oz/30 ml). After a few recent launches I felt were a bit meh, I’m thrilled to report these three items are excellent on all counts.

Up first are the two new Sun Designer Palettes. This is her third launch of these palettes previously reviewed here and here. The two options fall into the medium category – not too pale and not too deep. For me both are perfect for my complexion now and will work well into the summer when I become more tan. I purchased both sight unseen and I think these are easily the best ones she has launched yet. The pigment and color payoff is the same as previous palettes even though the price point has dropped drastically. The formula seems to have changed slightly and the powders have an almost creamy feel. The shimmers are very finely mixed pressed together. Since the pans are all close together it’s going to be nearly impossible to not mix shades – but that is how I apply them for the face. For more detailed color pick-up I use the Laura Mercier Fan Brush or Wayne Goss Air Brush.

By Terry Sun Designer Palette Hippy Chic and Happy Sun

Hippy Chic is the brighter more rosy option. It has a mix of shimmers and mattes.

By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Hippy Chic

Colors include:

  • Shimmering pale pink
  • Shimmering pink gold
  • Pale baby pink
  • Rosy coral matte
  • Shimmering peachy orange
  • Matte cool pink rose

By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Hippy Chic swatches

By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Hippy Chic swatches

Above also wearing Chanel Sublimage Le Teint in 40, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden, Hippy Chic Palette on the cheeks, Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Golden Mink, Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara, Pat McGrath Luxetrance Lipstick in Valetta + LUST: Gloss in Flesh Astral on top. Top from Free People. As you can see the colors can be blended out for a softer look. You can also layer them for more intensity but the overall finish is going to be more natural.

Happy Sun is like my dream neutral palette come true with tan and beige and soft warm gold tones.

By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Happy Sun swatches

Colors include:

  • Shimmery sand champagne
  • Shimmery medium tan
  • Shimmering golden beige
  • Matte brown tan
  • Soft matte pink beige
  • Soft matte warm neutral peach-tan

By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Happy Sun swatches

By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Happy Sun swatches

Some swatch comparisons to two other Sun Designer Palette launches, By Terry Hippy Chic vs. Savannah Love (still available here):

By Terry Hippy Chic vs. Savannah Love

By Terry Happy Sun vs. Light and Tan Vibes:

By Terry Happy Sun vs. Light and Tan Vibes:

Up next is the By Terry UV Base Sunscreen Cream with SPF50. I’ve been testing several face sunscreens this spring and this is one of them. Roundup to follow soon. This is described as an invisible sunscreen primer and it truly is that. It has a white almost gel-like texture and once blended disappears completely into the skin. When brands say their sunscreen is “invisible” I find around half the time they are not. Since I have tan skin most still leave a white cast. This one truly disappears 100%. It has no flash back in photographs. Active Ingredients are Avobenzone 3%, Octinoxate 6.8%, Octisalate 4.5%. Rest of ingredients listed here and here.

By Terry UV Base Sunscreen Cream Review

The sunscreen does have a fragrance to it which is hard to describe but it’s a soft floral non-sunscreen like scent. I want to say it smells a little like a floral almond but I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s fairly strong but not irritating to the nose or skin. As one who is sensitive to sunscreens I found this did not irritate or clog my pores. It layered well over moisturizer without pilling and worked with a wide range of foundations.

Swatches below, left to right is straight from the tube, blended a little, then blended even more:

By Terry UV Base Sunscreen Cream Review

By Terry Sun Designer Palette Hippy Chic, Happy Sun and UV Base Sunscreen Cream SPF50

Items also shown in top photo and rest of the post: Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in 786, Laura Mercier Fan Brush, Wayne Goss Air Brush, Tory Burch Sienna Sandals (I’d recommend going up 1/2 a size from your normal Tory Burch sizing), sunglasses from J.Crew (old style), sun hat from Nordstrom (old style, similar here), By Terry Lash Expert Mascara (review here, I’ve made this work by layering it on top of a waterproof mascara), Byredo Blanche Perfume.

Overall thumbs up on all three new items. I’m happy with both of my palette purchases and was thrilled to get a sample of the new sunscreen. I highly recommend all three.

You can find By Terry online at Nordstrom, Space NK, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys New York, Beautylish.

Sunscreen is a press sample. Palettes purchased by me.

 

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Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Extreme and Lip Lacquer Review

May 23, 2018

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Extreme and Lip Lacquer Review + Swatches

Tom Ford Beauty launched some new lip gloss formulas this year. This first round included Lip Lacquers in three finishes in Mattes, Patents and Metals ($54 each for 0.09 fl oz/2.7 ml). The second round of launches included a very different kind of foiled metallic formula called the Lip Lacquer Extreme ($54 each for 0.09 fl oz/2.7 ml). The formulas are very different in all the finishes but all of the glosses come in a small sleek tube with a sponge tip applicator. First a quick look at all the colors side by side then more details and descriptions below. Left to right: Panty Pink, Cameo, Torch, Slicker, Hot Rod, Pink Sabre, Universal Appeal and Pussycat.

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Extreme and Lip Lacquer Review + Swatches Panty Pink, Cameo, Torch, Slicker, Hot Rod, Pink Sabre, Universal Appeal, Pussycat

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Extreme and Lip Lacquer Review + Swatches Panty Pink, Cameo, Torch, Slicker, Hot Rod, Pink Sabre, Universal Appeal, Pussycat

Lip Lacquer Extreme

Up first are the Lip Lacquer Extremes. These are exclusive to Neiman Marcus along with the rest of the Extreme Collection. The products come in silver packaging. They don’t have a strong scent to them but they do smell like makeup.

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Extreme

These lacquers are very trendy and metallic. There are some purple shades that I received as part of a press package but felt they were too trendy for me so I’m reviewing the ones I think are more wearable. The formula is very thin and dries like a liquid lipstick. The trick to applying these is similar to what I think applying nail polish is – you have to do it in layers letting the first layer dry completely before applying the next. It’s also similar to if you’re painting your house – do it in layers. If you apply like a regular lip product, the brush will pull color from the center. I find two layers gets full smooth coverage, otherwise it will be streaky. Out of all the colors I think Hot Rod is the best – it reminds me of MAC “O” lipstick but a little softer and more rose. Once they set they stay put all day long without budging.

  • Panty Pink is a bright neon pink
  • Cameo is a pale metallic peach
  • Torch is a hot orange neon
  • Slicker is a bright red
  • Hot Rod is a perfect metallic rose

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Extreme swatches

Lip Lacquer

Up next are three of the Lip Lacquers in one Metal Pink Sabre and two Mattes Universal Appeal, Pussycat. So many of you asked me to review these and I wasn’t going to because none of the colors looked neutral enough for everyday. Once I received a dozen DMs and e-mails I decided to investigate picking the ones I felt were most neutral. I did swatch them at the counter as well and love the Patent and Metal finishes. I hope they expand the color range to include lighter shades, if they did a Pink Dusk or Sable Smoke lip stick in gloss form I would be SO happy. The Lip Lacquers smell just like the lipsticks and have a soft vanilla scent.

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Pink Sabre, Universal Appeal and PussycatMy picks:

  • Pink Sabre is a metallic rose with a thick opaque high shine, this one looks darker on my complexion than it looks in the tube
  • Universal Appeal is the perfect nude, it’s sold out almost everywhere I looked so I ordered it online, currently still available at Saks and Bloomingdales, on back order at Neiman Marcus
  • Pussycat is a perfect everyday rose but it does darken on the lips since it’s a matte finish, I wish this came in the patent formula as the color is so perfect but I’m not a fan of mattes

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Pink Sabre, Universal Appeal and Pussycat swatches

Tom Ford Lip Lacquers and Extreme

Overall pros are lasting power and pigment. The Lip Lacquer Extremes are going to be tricky to apply as they’re very metallic and I don’t think they’re everyday kind of colors. I do think the exception is Hot Rod. For the regular Lip Lacquers I think the mattes are going to be great for those who like liquid lipsticks. I find them to be among the better formulas for mattes as they don’t make my lips shrink or look like raisins. The metallic formula is pretty thick although it’s not too tacky, I think it has great color payoff and wear. It’s going to be nice for going out for me, but it’s too thick for everyday especially in hot South Florida weather. In testing all the colors I found that they did not dry out my lips.

Bottom line is there are good things about the glosses but in general I find that I like Tom Ford’s regular lipsticks a whole lot more. For gloss I prefer other formulas like the Becca Glow Lip Gloss or Pat McGrath LUST Glosses although comparing them isn’t really like comparing apples to apples. The formulas are too different.

Still because certain colors are so perfect, I’m giving Hot Rod and Universal Appeal a huge thumbs up.

You can find the Tom Ford Lip Lacquers at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Sephora, Saks Fifth Avenue and other Tom Ford counters. The Lip Lacquer Extreme is a Neiman Marcus exclusive.

Extremes provided courtesy of Tom Ford for review. Lip Lacquers purchased by me.

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