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Sabrina

Chanel

Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018

May 4, 2018

Chanel Les Beiges Collection Review 2018

The Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018 has finally arrived and I’m thrilled to be able to give you a look at everything from this year’s launch. This is one collection I look forward to each year for natural glowing makeup. I’ve used the original Les Beiges Powders in No 20 and 30 for as long as I can remember! They usually launch some of the prettiest bronzers and this year they have Luminous Multi-Colour Powders with stripes of different colors mixed in. There are also new shades for eyes and lips. Covered today:

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Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint

Up first is a look at the Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint which comes in 6 colors: Light, Medium Light, Medium, Medium Plus, Light Deep and Deep. These are sheer tints that have SPF 30 and have enough coverage to even out the skin for a truly luminous glow.

Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 review and swatches

I tested these twice on separate beach days and also at home. I love these for the beach! They add just the right amount of sheer coverage so skin looks natural. They are very dewy so I absolutely need to set with a powder. I tested this with the Les Beiges Powder No 20 and Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Powder #2 and it stayed put all day. I did need a few touchups at the beach and it actually lasted well through a swim in the ocean. If you have very oily skin this is not the product for you. I have normal combination skin and found these worked for my skin type. It has a similar finish and coverage to that of the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfectors and is slightly more opaque/thicker and more gel-like compared to the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizers (which I find super sheer and thin). For me best application was with a damp beautyblender.

Swatches below. The color is very forgiving so I can get away with Medium or Medium Plus.

Chanel Les Beiges swatches Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Light, Medium Light, Medium, Medium Plus, Light Deep and Deep

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Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder

I always look forward to the new Les Beiges powders! Sometimes they’ve done striped versions of light or bronze shades. Last year’s were a total fail for me as I couldn’t get the texture to work with my skin. This year’s formula has improved significantly in texture and I’m 100% obsessed. The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder comes in 3 shades that look like your skin but better in a glowing way. These were nearly impossible to capture on the face as they have a subtle glow. They powders are striped with different colors mixed in and when swirled you get the prettiest PERFECT soft luminous glow.

They are somewhere in between highlighters, finishing powders and bronzers (at least for Medium and Light). For my skin they’re a bit too luminous to use all over the face but I love them in place of where I’d use highlighter or a soft bronzer. In this beauty world we are bombarded with extra glow which I love, but sometimes it’s really nice to have something more natural and easier to wear for everyday.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder Light, Medium and Deep

Light is more of a highlighter on my skin, Medium is my perfect match, Deep is the prettiest subtle bronze. I’ve collected every limited-edition Les Beiges powder over the years and this year’s are the best ones I’ve tried.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder Light, Medium and Deep

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Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick

For the Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick this year they have 1 new color No 25. It looks scary bright in the tube but it sheers out to the perfect watermelon flush. It has a waxy feel so it’s not dewy and dries to a soft semi-matte finish. I was able to apply on top of powder and foundation without it disrupting my base.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick No 25

Swatches compared to last year’s launches (which are still available):

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick No 24, 23 and 25

Three looks:

  • Look 1 I’m wearing :
    • Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint in Medium Plus
    • Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Light
  • Look 2 I’m wearing:
    • Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Medium Plus
    • Les Beiges Powder No 20 to set
    • Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder in Deep
    • Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Deep
    • Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Medium
  • Look 3 I’m wearing
    • Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Medium Plus
    • Les Beiges Powder No 20 to set
    • Healthy Glow Sheer Color Stick No 25
    • Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Deep
    • Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Medium
  • On the nails is Le Vernis in Camelia

Chanel Les Beiges 2018

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Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette

There are two new Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palettes in Light and Deep. Light has a mix of cool pink, purples and plums with a soft iridescent sheen to them. Pigment is really good and this reminds me of one of the older 5 pan palettes Chanel launched years ago. Deep has a mix of satin and sparkle shades. The mattes are brown based and the shimmers are golds. I’d recommend using a super dense cream shadow brush or fingers to apply the gold colors – otherwise you’ll get sparkle everywhere! I still think Medium is the best option for classic mattes (review here).

Chanel Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette Light and Deep

Chanel Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette Light and Deep swatches

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Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balms

Last but not least are the three Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balms in Light, Medium and Deep. These give the lips that perfect effortless flush of color for summer!

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm Light, Medium and Deep

At first glance I have to admit I thought they looked extremely boring. Swatched on the hand or arm you barely see color. Give them a chance because they are perfect on the lips. I think these are much like the Rouge Coco Shines where they apply better on the lips than arm swatches! Light is a pretty bright soft pink, Medium is a rosy pink, Deep is the perfect flushed plum pink. They are hydrating, soft, feel nice on the lips and don’t slide around. You will need to reapply after a few hours but I like the finish. They are very good for a tinted balm.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm Light, Medium and Deep swatches

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm Light, Medium and Deep swatches

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One last look, Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018:

Chanel Les Beiges Collection Review 2018

Overall I think the Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018 is perfect. The Chanel team was amazing to send everything for review but by the time I received it I had already bought the three powders. I’m really happy to have backups now because they are some of the prettiest luminous powders I’ve seen in a long time. They are somewhere in between highlighters, finishing powders and bronzers (at least for Medium and Light)!

I can’t pick a favorite in the collection but I highly recommend the Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Powders, Healthy Glow Lip Balms and the new Cream Blush stick. The tints are going to be hit or miss depending on your skin type and coverage preference. I really like them but I don’t think they’re going to be good if you need coverage or if you have very oily skin. The eyeshadow palettes are stunning, I love Deep but I love the shimmers of Light. My recommendation for the palettes are going to be based on your color preference as I know palettes can be tricky if you don’t love all the colors.

Overall a huge thumbs up. I’ll be wearing the powders in Medium and Deep all summer long.

You can find the Chanel Les Beiges collection at Chanel.com now. Also available at all counters by now. As I’m finishing this post I’ve noticed their beautiful Cruise Collection just popped up online too!

I hope to have more reviews soon but I have a lot to work through in testing and swatching!

Les Beiges kindly sent from Chanel for review.

 

Empties Haircare Men's Grooming Skincare

Beauty Empties

May 2, 2018

Beauty Empties - What I Used Up | The Beauty Look Book

As promised I have another round of beauty empties of things Andrew and I have used up in the last couple months! (Round 1 here.) As usual most of our empties are skincare-related but I have a mix of everything from makeup, hair care, skincare and men’s grooming. If you have any recent empties let me know in the comments!

Skincare

Beauty Empties Skincare Makeup Wipes, Cleansers, Masks

I’ve been experimenting more with makeup wipes but at the end of the day my favorites are still the Koh Gen Do and MAC Gently Off. Skincare I used up in March and April:

Andrew’s Empties

Men's Grooming Empties

Andrew’s empties from the last couple months include:

  • Aesop Mouthwash – This is his second bottle and he put it on his list to repurchase a third one this week.
  • Baxter Grooming Cream – A gentle and not overly greasy grooming cream for the hair.
  • Jack Black Turbo Wash (not shown) – This is his favorite body wash + shampoo in one with a good lather and cleanses the skin well. (I often borrow it.) We buy the largest size with a pump. I think I might have purchased this over 50 times since we discovered this.
  • Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve – This is his favorite hand cream because it’s the most moisturizing one he’s used and he likes that it’s not really scented.
  • L’Occitane L’Occitan Roll-On Deodorant – He just went through 2 of these and we just stopped by L’Occitane today and bought him two more, he likes that it doesn’t irritate his sensitive under arms and lasts all day. He loves the natural way the L’Occitan line for men smells (they also have shower gels, cologne etc.).
  • Le Labo Shower Gel Mandarin – He discovered the Le Labo shower gels that I ordered and is obsessed with the scent, it’s really strong in the shower or bath, he thinks Hinoki and Mandarin are the best ones. Note these are the newer ones which I think smell a lot stronger and better than the ones that coincide with the perfumes.
  • Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen – Our favorite, but if you read this blog you already know that!

Home

Diptyque Empties, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Detergent, Boy Smells

Home candles I burned up and a fancy detergent I’ve become obsessed with:

  • Boy Smells Candle in Gardener – Most of these come in the black jar, I found the white jar as a limited-edition release sometime last year, this smells like a fresh garden that isn’t too floral or too green, it’s the perfect in between of sweet and fresh.
  • Diptyque Baies Candle – Always a favorite! Burned up another full size and small size.
  • Diptyque Tomas Maier Palm Beach – Smells of a tropical vacation with iris, jasmine, lemon, salt and grass (Diptyque boutique exclusive). Aside from Baies this is probably the one I’ve burned the second most. I stocked up the last time I was at boutique!
  • Diptyque Holiday 2017 Incense Tears Phoenix – Limited-edition release, previously reviewed here, I have plenty of other candles to explore but wish I had bought a backup of this one!
  • Diptyque Miami Candle – Another great fresh tropical scent that smells of lime, magnolia, citrus and a hint of vanilla (available only in Miami boutiques).
  • Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Laundry Detergent – This comes in three forms that are currently exclusive to Neiman Marcus, there is one for light clothes, dark clothes and a fabric softener, the detergent smells like a more fresh grown up version of the perfume, it has enough strength to be noticeable on the clothes and sheets, we can smell it on our sheets for several days before it fades, I used up the Light version first and immediately bought it again along with the other two. I highly recommend these.

A Little Bit of Everything Else

Empties Oribe, L'Occitane, Sisley Rituel, Maybelline Mascara, HUM Hair Sweet Hair

Other items:

  • Drybar On The Rocks Shampoo and Conditioner – I really loved both of these for a clarifying shampoo and gentle conditioner, I’m considering buying again but currently experimenting with other formulas and brands.
  • Oribe Cleansing Crème for Moisture and Control – One of my favorite cleansing creams to re-hydrate dry hair, I’ve gone through so many bottles I’ve lost count!
  • Sisley Hair Rituel Regenerating Hair Care Mask – Full review on Sisley Hair Rituel soon, but this is the best hair mask I’ve ever tried, it’s designed to nourish both the scalp and hair, it leaves hair soft and tangle free and shiny!
  • Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold (mini) – My most-used cream shadow base for an all over wash or base for powder shadows.
  • L’Occitane Lavande Lavender Foaming Bath – Creates the best bath bubbles EVER! Also love the relaxing scent.
  • Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara Regular and the Total Temptation Mascara Waterproof – I was really underwhelmed by both of these, I had really high hopes they would work but they fell short of my expectations. The waterproof version is decent and makes for a great layering mascara, but I feel there are much better ones out there on the market for me.
  • Beautyblender Liquid Beautycleanser – I need to find this in a supersize version or cheaper alternative because I go through this way too fast. I know so many of you like baby shampoo, I don’t like using it because it always leaves a film on the brushes no matter how much I rinse.
  • HUM Hair Sweet Hair Gummies – When I bought these in March they were a Sephora exclusive, but now they’re available elsewhere like Nordstrom, I found they tasted AMAZING but results were just ok. My hair did grow a little over 2 inches within 1 month and I noticed it was stronger with less breakage. However I don’t typically measure my hair growth so I don’t know if this was more than usual. I didn’t see any added shine or bounce so I’ve now switched to trying Nature’s Bounty (will report once those are finished).

Beauty Empties Used Up Products | The Beauty Look Book

That wraps it up for the last couple months of empties! As usual let me know what you’ve used up recently, would love to know what you’re using! Do you use any biotin supplements that you love or have any favorite hair masks/face wipes?

The only press sample featured is the Sisley Hair Rituel mask. All other items purchased by me.

Highlighters MAC

New MAC Launches: Strobe Collection, Mineralize Blush and Galactic Glitter

April 30, 2018

MAC Roundup Strobe Collection, Mineralize Collection, Galatic Glitter Launch

I’m catching up on some recent new MAC launches – there are so many I feel like you can literally blink and miss them! Today I’ve rounded up three launches with the Strobe Collection, Mineralize Blush and Galactic Glitter.

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Strobe Collection

MAC Strobe Collection Review and Swatches

Up first is the Strobe Collection which brings us new ways to glow. MAC is truly one of the leading trendsetters – I feel like they were the first to launch amazing highlighters and glow creams! In this collection we have:

  • Strobe Body Lotion in Opalite ($33 for 3.4 fl oz/100 ml) is a soft thin lotion with a beautiful pink iridescent gleam. If you’re looking for something that has a more natural sheen versus glitter/sparkle this is the one for you! It has the prettiest soft pink glow without being overdone. It’s also lightweight and not sticky which is going to be a plus for me in Florida heat.
  • Prep + Prime Fix+ Shimmer in Pinklite and Goldlite ($26 each for 3.4 fl oz/100 ml) is the Prep + Prime mist with shimmer added! There are little metal balls in the bottles to stir up the shimmer since it settles. These add a very natural sparkle to the face when you set. On me it’s very very natural, Pinklite has pink flecks while Goldlite has a warm gold sheen.
  • Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt and Show Gold ($34 each) are both repromotes, I feel like Whisper of Gilt is the classic soft gold champagne everyone needs to try! Show Gold has a duochrome sheen and is more glitzy on the skin. The formula in general has a high shine shimmer frost finish.

I have all the other Extra Dimension Skinfinishes so I swatched them below in case you haven’t seen them before. Left to right: Whisper of Gilt, Show Gold, Beaming Blush, Double Gleam, Glow With It, Oh Darling, Soft Frost, Superb.

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish Highlighter Swatches

Strobe Lotion swatches were hard to capture. Once you blend it disappears into the skin to give the most beautiful gleam! I swatched it straight out of the tube along with the Strobe Creams (for the face):

MAC Strobe Body Lotion in Opalite vs Strobe Cream

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Mineralize Blush Matte

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Nuanced and Mineralize Matte Blushes

The Mineralize line has been a favorite of mine for their highlighters and powders. Mineralize Skinfinishes in Global Glow and Lightscapade are my favorites in the shimmer finish and I use the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus and Medium Golden to set makeup. I’ve collected a number of the blushes over the years but this launch they added a matte version. They are on the sheer side and are very natural. If you want a natural blush these are amazing! There are also four highlighters each with 4 shades in the pan. I picked up one. The MAC highlighters usually last all day long on me, the blushes are sheer and faded by afternoon. I still like them for the natural look – they are easy to touch up without looking muddy.

  • Mineralize Skinfinish in Nuanced ($34 for 8 g/0.28 oz) is a soft quad with neutral pink tones, when swirled it gives a soft pink sheen to the skin, it is on the shimmery side but on me it did not emphasize pores or texture (your mileage will vary depending on your skin type)
  • Mineralize Blush Matte ($29 for 4g / 0.14 oz)
    • Humour Me is a dusty brown neutral
    • Naturally Flawless is a soft nude peach
    • Hey Coral Hey is a soft coral pink, I initially thought this would be a dupe for Chanel’s Foschia Rosa, but the MAC one is a lot sheerer and lighter
    • Like Me Love Me is a light medium peach
    • Sweet Enough is a mauve pink neutral

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Nuanced and Mineralize Matte Blushes

Two beauty looks with the Mineralize Skinfinish in Nuanced (left) and Mineralize Matte Blush in Hey Coral Hey (right). Base worn is Sunday Riley The Influencer Foundation 190, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus, Hourglass Arch Brow Gel in Soft Brunette, Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Quad in Transformeyes.

MAC MSF Nuanced and Matte Blush Hey Coral Hey

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Galatic Glitter – New Lipglass Shades

MAC Lipglass Very Go Lightly, Mystic Powers, Elemental Forces, Good Juju, All Things Magical, Magically Delightful, Soar

I almost skipped the Galactic Glitter launch just because of the word “glitter.” There are new glitters in the small pigment glitter jars which I don’t wear, but what caught eye were the new Lipglass shades ($ for)! There are a number of new colors along with a few repromotes. If you’re new to MAC lipglasses they have a wide range of colors. Last year they redid the packaging to what you see above. My original haul and picks here. They are semi-thick with a high shine and slightly sticky. This makes them last a long time on me and they don’t budge. If gloss is prone to sliding around on you, I’d recommend adding a liner first. New ones I bought:

  • Very Go Lightly is a sparkling pale champagne
  • Mystic Powers is an iridescent pink opal glow
  • Elemental Forces is a warm beige
  • Good Juju is a pretty warm pink shimmer
  • All Things Magical is a perfect mauve pink shimmer
  • Magically Delightful is a medium-warm pink
  • Soar is a classic mauve (repromote in this collection but it was always sold out when I stopped by the counters near me!)

MAC Lipglass Swatches Very Go Lightly, Mystic Powers, Elemental Forces, Good Juju, All Things Magical, Magically Delightful, Soar

MAC Lipglass Swatches Very Go Lightly, Mystic Powers, Elemental Forces, Good Juju, All Things Magical, Magically Delightful, Soar

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MAC Roundup Strobe Collection, Mineralize Collection, Galatic Glitter Launch

Overall lots to love with MAC. I can always find something new that catches my eye. Since I’ve been collecting MAC since my high school days I’ve accumulated a lot of their products so it’s only natural that one begins to see similarities between launches.

If you’re a MAC junkie like me and already own a lot, I’d say my top picks to check out are the Strobe Body Lotion, Nuanced Mineralize Skinfinish and Matte Mineralize Blushes. I’m obsessed with Lipglasses in general and am happy with all the new shades. My top 3 favorites are Elemental Forces, All Things Magical and Magically Delightful.

One last thing that I wanted to mention is that the MAC Gently Off Wipes + Micellar Water are now available in the small travel size. This makes them more travel-friendly as the full size is HUGE! I bought two of these the last time I was at the store. They’re not as emollient as the Regular Wipes.

You can find the MAC launches out now. I usually purchase mine in store or online at MAC Cosmetics or Nordstrom.

Press samples include the MAC Strobe Collection. All other items purchased by me.

Charlotte Tilbury Eye Makeup

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Filter Collection Bigger Brighter Eyes

April 28, 2018

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Filter Exaggereyes and Transformeyes Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

Charlotte Tilbury has a new Beauty Filter Collection with her Bigger Brighter Eyes launch. In this collection she has two new limited-edition eyeshadow palettes called Exaggereyes and Transformeyes ($53 each for 5.2 g/0.18 oz) and a new mascara called Legendary Lashes Volume 2 in Black Vinyl ($32 for 8 ml/0.27 fl oz). The items launched early online at Charlotte Tilbury but are now available at Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman. I ordered everything sight unseen and when I opened the boxes my heart sank a little. Even though I’m a neutral shadow lover, the colors looked very boring and fairly basic to me, but I’m happy to report that upon swatching and testing – the palettes turned out to be a lot prettier on the eyes than I had anticipated!

The two eyeshadow quads are part of her Beauty Filters collection because the palettes have been designed to create the illusion of wider and brighter looking eyes. I was skeptical that the shades could be that good but they do just that. At first glance the colors look really dupeable. I think they can be, but the undertone, texture and pigment have the perfect amount of neutral + warmth to naturally enhance the eyes. It’s rare that a quad has all colors covered for me – I usually need to add at least one shade to warm up the look or add depth. These do everything I need for an eye look with the exception of liner + mascara.

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Palettes in Exaggereyes and Transformeyes | The Beauty Look Book

Exaggereyes is the more neutral rose gold option. It swatched a lot warmer than I thought it would based on what I saw in the pan. It’s warm but not too warm. Colors include a pale warm champagne, shimmering tan rose, sheer sparkling silver mauve and warm tan rose brown.

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Filter Exaggereyes Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

Transformeyes has a warm gold shimmer, warm copper, matte warm red brown and matte deep brown. I thought this would be way too warm for my complexion but it’s a lot more wearable than it looks in the pan.

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Filter Transformeyes Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

Swatches:

Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes and Transformeyes Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

Eye look with the Exaggereyes Palette. Also wearing:

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Filter Exaggereyes Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

A few sets of swatch comparisons, first to Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quads in Seductive Rose, Orchid Haze and Honeymoon:

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad Seductive Rose, Orchid Haze, Honeymoon, Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes and Transformeyes

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad Orchid Haze, Seductive Rose, Honeymoon, Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes and Transformeyes swatches

I didn’t have time to photograph all the palettes below but did do some more swatching to compare. Transformeyes also next to Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat Eyeshadow Palette (review here), Pat McGrath Bronze Ambition (also reviewed here):

Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat, Charlotte Tilbury Transformeyes, Pat McGrath Labs Bronze Ambition swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Glow Palette (eyes, look on the face here) vs. Charlotte Tilbury The Dolce Vita vs. a custom made Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Quad with Sateen, Amber, Golden Copper and Chocolate:

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Glow, Exaggereyes, The Dolce Vita, Anastasia Sateen, Amber, Golden Copper and Chocolate swatches

The Legendary Lashes Volume 2 is the best mascara she has launched to date. I’ve liked both of her formulas for the color, but they didn’t hold the curl. This one thickens and volumizes and holds the curl a little bit better. It’s still not as good as some others like Stila Huge Lash, L’Oreal Lash Paradise, Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme or Chantecaille’s Faux Cils but I think it’s good because it didn’t smudge or flake on me.

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Mascara Volume2

Overall lots of love. Lasting power is excellent, pigment is smooth and easy to build, colors are perfect for everyday wear. They’re also versatile enough to wear with any lip/cheek combination! You may want to shop your stash if you already own a lot of neutrals. The colors are similar to other brands out there. Still I find them excellent just as they are. No tweaking required for me. I rarely do backups anymore, but both of these are so perfect for me I just ordered backups.

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Filter Exaggereyes and Transformeyes Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

You can find the collection available now online at Charlotte Tilbury, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman. Everything is limited-edition. There is also supposed to be a Part 2 of her Beauty Filters Collection focused on lips and cheeks coming out later in the spring. Will keep you posted as I find out more!

Are these on your radar? What’s your current go-to neutral everyday eyeshadow palette?

 

Skincare

Night Time Skin Treatments, Sleep Masks and More

April 26, 2018

Best Night Time Skincare, Sleeping Masks and Oils | The Beauty Look Book

I have typically had a low maintenance skincare routine for night but in the last few years I’ve tried to up my game for night time treatments. As I’ve aged I’ve found my skin needs an added boost of moisture whether it’s for the face, lips or body. When we sleep we lose moisture and if you add a heater or air conditioner to the mix skin can become extra dry. I prefer lightweight products so they don’t get sticky or feel heavy. In the past my favorite night treatments were the Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift +Retinol and her RetAsphere 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream. I used them religiously and used up multiple bottles but eventually decided to try new things.

In the last year I’ve become really interested in sleep masks and oils. After months of testing I have a roundup of things I’ve tried in the last year. Some I’ve used up entirely while others I’ve been testing for a few months. In terms of skin type, I’m normal combination but in recent months it has been dry due to the weather and water in Florida is kinda harsh! My preference for night time skincare is something that feels weightless but adds enough moisture to remove any dry or tight feeling. Scents are also really important to me as some smells can interfere with my sleep.

Sleeping Masks

Best Sleep Masks Kiehl's Ginger Leaf and Hibiscus Firming Mask, Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Memory Sleep Mask, Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask, Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask, Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

For the longest time I thought “sleep masks” were a fancy name for night cream/lotion but they really are different in texture and feel. There are a wide range of sleep masks that will do different things. The ones I’ve tried have a lighter weight feel compared to a cream. A lot of the ones I’ve tested have a gel or jelly like texture which has a less emollient finish so it doesn’t get all over your pillow or hair while you sleep. With all the sleeping masks I’ve tried I find a little goes a very long way. They usually come with a spatula to apply and some I feel like I can use every night regularly and barely make a dent even after several months. Some brands recommend you stir or mix before applying as the ingredients can separate or settle naturally.

  • Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask * ($45 for 2.7 oz/80 ml) – This is my favorite sleeping mask that I’ve tried to add bounce and moisture to the skin. I loved it so much I’ve probably bought at least a dozen in the mini size to give to my friends and also a few to giveaway here! They call it radiance in a jar and I think it’s just that. For me it’s lightweight but hydrating. Smells delicious. Has hyaluronic acid, AHAs and watermelon extract. It softens and hydrates the skin overnight.
    • Ingredients listed at here
  • Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Memory Sleep Mask * ($90 for 40 ml/1.35 fl oz) – This is one I found a little too rich for me. If you have normal to dry skin or don’t mind something a tad bit sticky this one is great. It’s a memory sleep mask that I found works to calm redness, remove dry patches and smooth the skin. I’m super picky with any kind of texture and it feels like a mask on the skin when I fall asleep. However when I wake up, skin is refreshed, more plump/firm and ultra smooth. This has prickly pear extract, green ginger extract and kelp extract.
    • Ingredients listed at here
  • Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask ($125 for 1.7 oz) – This is a brightening mask and it does give the skin a really fresh glow when you use it overnight. I found this super lightweight – you only need to apply a thin layer and it almost feels like water. I haven’t noticed any of my sunspots or discoloration disappear with this, but in general the face looks brighter. The active ingredients are sand lily and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the skin overnight. After using this I wake up feeling like the skin is truly rebalanced – not oily or dry. It’s very expensive but a little goes a VERY long way.
    • Ingredients list here
  • Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf and Hibiscus Firming Mask ($54 for 3.4 oz/100 ml) – This is one of the newest masks from Kiehl’s. It’s an overnight mask that has a cream texture with a velvelty finish. The hibiscus flowers close at night and this is in the mask to help preserve moisture. The ginger leaf softens the skin and fine lines. I’ve started to develop more noticeable lines on my forehead and this mask definitely helps to soften them. The wrinkles are something I feel like botox could help, but I’m really scared of needles and worry that once I start it’s something I’ll have to keep doing to maintain. I will probably try it eventually, but for now this mask has really helped to plump and firm the skin. In terms of moisture I’d say it’s moderate. If you only need a lightweight product and not a huge amount of moisture this is a great one to try.
    • Ingredients listed at here
  • Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask ($26 for 15 g) – Hands down one of my favorite night lip treatments. I’ve used up several tubes of the clear one. Right now I have the tinted options in Champagne and Maple. It hugs the lips and hydrates unlike any other balm.

As you can see below these look barely used but I assure you I have been using them for months (with the exception of the Kiehl’s mask because it just launched recently). A little truly goes a very long way – especially if you use the spatulas that come with the masks.

Best Sleep Masks Kiehl's Ginger Leaf and Hibiscus Firming Mask, Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Memory Sleep Mask, Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask, Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask, Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

Night Cream and Oils

Night Treatments Caudalie Vinoperfect Overnight Renewal Cream, 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and L'Occitane Immortelle Divine Youth Oil

Night Creams and Oils are what I’ve traditionally gravitated towards in the past. All of the ones listed below I’ve used up entirely. Notes on which ones worked best for me and whether or not I’ll repurchase.

  • 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil * ($230 for 1 oz/30 ml) – This is an oil I received as a press sample a year ago. It’s one of the most expensive oils I’ve tried and has 1% pure retinol oil. I usually can’t tolerate retinol products. This and the ones from Kate Somerville are the only ones I’ve been able to use. This one from 111Skin really works to help the skin speed up the resurfacing process, reduce fine lines and wrinkles. They recommend starting up to 3 times per week and increase frequency to every other night. I kept this at 2-3 times per week until I used it up. It lasted a very long time for me. I loved this because it absorbed nicely, smoothed the skin, reduced breakouts and added a glow. I’m not sure I will purchase a second tube.
    • Ingredients listed here
  • Caudalie Vinoperfect Overnight Renewal Cream * ($59 for 1.3 oz/40 ml) – I also received this as a press sample a little over a year ago. I feel like I neglect Caudalie because of all the other things I want to try, but I’ve been such a huge fan of their skincare and body care. This is the best gentle night cream I’ve used. It has glycolic acid to also help brighten and retexturize the skin but it’s very gentle and non-irritating. This is supposed to help with sunspots and melasma – it did work for me to gently reduce sunspot darkness. I will be repurchasing this week.
    • Ingredients listed at here
  • Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($47 to $73) – Probably my favorite night oil. I’ve used up several bottles as it’s a great oil to use at night to help replenish the skin. It helps to rebalance and hydrate the skin in the most amazing way I’ve ever tried. I’m trying to get my husband to start using it at night. I will always be repurchasing this.
    • Ingredients listed at here
  • L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Oil * ($99 for 1 fl oz) – This has been a favorite for years. It’s not technically designed for night but I use it occasionally at night because it hydrates the skin, adds a beautiful glow and smells lovely.
    • Ingredients listed here

Miscellaneous

Night Time Treatments La Mer Eye Concentrate, Kiehl's Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment, L'Occitane Immortelle Divine Eye Balm, Fresh Black Tea Body Cream, Chanel Fresh Body Cream, Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil

A few other items I love to use at night. For body or hands I’ve always been more consistent about using product. I feel like my hands are prone to getting dry. Some of the things I’ve had in rotation:

  • L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eye Balm * ($94 for 15 ml) – This is a gentle eye treatment that doesn’t creep into my eyes. It’s emollient and instantly refreshes the skin around the eye area. I’ve normally used the Immortelle Precious Eye Balm and Immortelle Divine Eyes from L’Occitane but this is one I’ve had in rotation for a little over a month now. I’ll do a more detailed report once I’ve used it up, but I love the way it feels.
  • La Mer Eye Concentrate ($205 for 15 ml) – I bought this during the Sephora sale so I’ve only used it 3x so far. I will have to use it more to give a proper review but so far no irritation, no stinging and it has a very smooth feel. Will review sometime in the future.
    • Ingredients listed here
  • Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($29 for 0.5 oz) – This is a super creamy and thick eye treatment that feels like a mask for the eyes. It’s one of the most hydrating creams I’ve tried and has a thick feel but doesn’t feel super greasy. Since it’s on the rich side I’ve used this at night. It does a good job at moisturizing. I used this up all the way, I’m not sure it’s something I will repurchase, but I love that it’s a very affordable option that works.
    • Ingredients listed here
  • Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Body Cream * ($69 for 200 ml/6.7 fl oz) – This is the newest from Fresh Beauty and I’m 100% obsessed. I’ve used it for around 3 weeks now and love the fresh black tea and cucumber scent that it has. I’ve noticed with exposure to heat, sun and Florida air my legs get dried out more easily. This is a nice smooth cream that instantly comforts itchy dry skin and adds life back into the body. It’s moisturizing but not heavy and has a nice dry down so I don’t stick to my sheets at night.
    • Ingredients listed here
  • Chanel Fresh Body Cream ($130 for 150 g) – This is my favorite night cream for the body because it’s lightweight, feels cool on the skin and has the freshest clean scent. If you have super dry skin you will need something heavier. This works for me day or night – it layers nicely with any fragrance too. For me I often only need a light veil of moisture on the arms and legs and this does just that. This is my third tub. For hands I also love the La Creme Main because it has a velvety non-sticky finish. They just launched a No 5 L’Eau version which I’m so exited to try.
  • Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil ($20 for 0.5 oz) – This has been something I’ve used since the before my blogging days. It has pure white jojoba oil, vitamin E and coconut oil. I love using this at night on the cuticles, I don’t use it everyday although I should. You can see my full hand and nail care routine here.

If you’re looking for some night treatments whether it’s an oil or sleep mask I hope this roundup helped you! If you have any favorite skincare you swear by or love for night let me know in the comments!

Press samples have a * next to them. Other items purchased by me.

 

Base Makeup Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation Review + Swatches

April 25, 2018

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Review and Swatches

Today I have a review and swatches of all the shades in the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation ($46 for 1 fl oz/30 ml). It’s been a while since I’ve tried Bobbi Brown foundations. I remember using her original Foundation Stick and Oil Free Foundation many years ago. I loved her color range and the fact that she had so many yellow-based tones which were perfect for me. She reformulated her foundations a number of times and there was an ingredient that caused me to have an allergic reaction in many of them. Over the years there have been quite a few new base launches and I simply felt overwhelmed by all the options. The Bobbi Brown team sent the newest base for me to try. Her Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation has SPF 15 and is a full-coverage natural matte base that still allows skin to breathe. It comes in 30 shades and the shade range is quite impressive. I have swatches of all the colors to share today along with thoughts on testing this base.

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Review and Swatches

Quick take is that this is an excellent full-coverage base. I was very relieved to find it did not irritate my skin, clog pores or streak. I’m even more impressed they were able to guess my shades from online photos! I received full sizes of Natural 4, Natural Tan 4.25, Warm Natural 4.5 and Golden Natural 4.75. The one I’ve been testing is Natural Tan 4.25. This is one of the few foundations I’ve tried that does not oxidize at all. I usually pick something that looks a tiny bit lighter because most foundations warm up or darken as they set. This one stays 100% true to color. The sun and warmth has arrived back in Florida and I’ve already started to get my tan back. I suspect I will be going up a shade soon.

The foundation is formulated with Marine Sugar Cane and mineral powders to help combat shine. It also has Vitamin E, C and Shea Butter to add hydration. Formula to me seems almost gel-like. It blends in seamlessly into the skin with their Full Coverage Face Brush or a beautyblender. I find it rare that bases blend in this seamlessly with a brush. This one has impressive application. A little goes a long way. To me I feel like it has a gel-like feel because it is just the slightest bit thick and if you don’t blend quickly or add too much it does not feel weightless. I hesitate saying this because it it isn’t thick at all, just in comparison to some other bases I’ve tested recently in this post, I don’t feel like the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation is weightless in feel. Still it is natural, it’s not heavy and has impressive lasting power. On me it has a slightly semi-dewy-looking finish so I recommend setting with powder.

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Review and Swatches Natural Tan 4.25 and Full Coverage Face Brush

The foundation is described as full coverage. I would say it’s medium full, but not 100% opaque. It did cover enough that I did not need any concealer and most of my freckles were covered well. I liked that it was crease-free on me around my smile lines. It’s recommended you use this with their cult-favorite Vitamin Enriched Face Base and Full Coverage Face Brush. This is my first time testing both and I was really impressed. The Vitamin Enriched Face Base is something I’ve used in place of moisturizer and it has a smoothing and hydrating effect on the skin. I resisted trying this for a long time because the word “enriched” made me think it was going to way too rich or heavy for me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s quite lovely! The brush is very soft without any poking feel – it does feel like synthetic material and blends and buffs the foundation into the skin flawlessly.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base and Full Coverage Face Brush Review via The Beauty Look Book

My bare skin vs an application of the shade Natural Tan 4.25 (no concealer or powder). Also added in the after picture is Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in Tendresse, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Incandescent Electra Blush. Photos were taken with a flash, even though the Skin Long-Wear Foundation has SPF 15 I didn’t see any flash back.

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Review and Swatches Natural Tan 4.25 swatches

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Review and Swatches Shelfie

Swatches of all 30 colors below:

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Swatches All Shades

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Swatches Alabaster 00, Porcelain 0, Ivory .75, Warm Ivory 1, Cool Ivory 1.25, Sand 2, Cool Sand 2.25, Warm Sand 2.5, Beige 3 and Warm Beige 3.5

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Swatches Alabaster, Porcelain, Ivory, Warm Ivory, Cool Ivory, Sand, Cool Sand, Warm Sand, Beige and Warm Beige

Natural 4, Natural Tan 4.25, Warm Natural 4.5, Golden Natural 4.75, Honey 5, Cool Honey 5.25, Warm Honey 5.5, Golden Honey 5.75, Golden 6, Cool Golden 6.25

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation swatches Natural 4, Natural Tan 4.25, Warm Natural 4.5, Golden Natural 4.75, Honey 5, Cool Honey 5.25, Warm Honey 5.5, Golden Honey 5.75, Golden 6, Cool Golden 6.25

Warm Almond 6.5, Golden Almond 6.75, Almond 7, Cool Almond 7.25, Warm Walnut 7.5, Walnut 8, Cool Walnut 8.25, Chestnut 9, Espresso 10, Cool Espresso 10.25

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation swatches Warm Almond 6.5, Golden Almond 6.75, Almond 7, Cool Almond 7.25, Warm Walnut 7.5, Walnut 8, Cool Walnut 8.25, Chestnut 9, Espresso 10, Cool Espresso 10.25

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation Review and Swatches

Overall thoughts: I had a positive experience with this base. It does look like skin even though it has rich coverage. I’m not sure I’d describe it as “weightless” but it’s not heavy. Lasting power is really good and was crease free on me. I do 100% recommend you set with a powder. I suspect it will work with a wide range of skin types although if you’re looking for a matte finish this may not be the base for you. A little goes a long way – it’s not a base I would layer on generously as it can get a bit sticky feeling if you layer too much. The brush is excellent but I still prefer my damp beautyblender method of application. Best parts include the fact that it did not oxidize and that it did not crease on me. Also a huge plus that they seem to have removed the ingredients that irritated my skin.

If you can get to a Bobbi Brown counter I highly recommend giving this a try. If you have to order online I hope these swatches helped you. Also give her Skin Long-Wear Foundation website page a look as she has some of the best face swatches I’ve seen to give you a better sense of what your best match might be.

You can find the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation at all counters now. Online at Bobbi Brown, Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue. Have you tried this one yet? What did you think? If not do you use any Bobbi Brown foundations? What formulas do you recommend?

Skin Long-Wear Foundation, Vitamin Enriched Base and Full Coverage Face Brush provided as press samples courtesy of Bobbi Brown for review.

 

Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm, La Beija, Femmebot, Venus in Furs, Vendetta + Full Blooded Lipsticks

April 23, 2018

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Lip Balm, La Beija, Femmebot, Venus in Furs, Vendetta, Full Bodied

I have another round of Pat McGrath Labs lip products to review today including her Lip Fetish Lip Balm ($38) and more shades of her LuxeTrance and Matte Trance Lipsticks ($38 each, available at Pat McGrath and Sephora). I discovered her lip products last holiday and reviewed nine of her lipsticks in this post here. I think her lipsticks are among the best I have ever tried for the creamy texture, rich pigment, smooth application and color selection. If you haven’t tried them I highly recommend you do.

Since my initial review, I purchased two more lipsticks and her lip balm. She has also launched new shades and I received three shades as press samples. Everything is excellent in quality, pigment, and lasting power. They do run on the high side price-wise but I think her products are 100% worth the splurge. Update: The shade I labeled Full Bodied is actually called Full Blooded. Sorry for the typo!

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Lip Balm, La Beija, Femmebot, Venus in Furs, Vendetta, Full Bodied

Thoughts, swatches and lip swatches below.

  • Lip Fetish Lip Balm is something exclusive to her website and it keeps selling out. It has restocked a couple times it since the initial launch and I admit I did not have high expectations for this. $38 for a lip balm is steep although I do own more expensive options. I have been completely impressed with this formula. It’s smooth, nicely hydrating and feels amazing. I wish I had kept the box so I could share the ingredients with you, but unfortunately I did not.
  • La Beija (LuxeTrance formula) is a peachy beige, this one was constantly sold out at my local Sephora. I snapped it up as soon as I saw it back in stock and like it for a peachy color. It can run a little dark for my taste, I think Vendetta or Donatella have a more neutral undertone which make them both easier for me to wear.
  • Femmebot (MatteTrance formula) is medium pink with blue tones, it’s not too blue on my skin so it’s very wearable for me. Sextrology is a bit more neutral. It has a soft sheen to it even though it has a matte finish. It’s more of a modern matte to me.
  • Venus in Furs (MatteTrance formula) is a neutral-cool rose, to me this pulls almost grey on my lips. It has a similar vibe to the NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Paradise Garage. On my lips, Venus in Furs is a darker version of 1995.
  • Vendetta (MatteTrance) is a bold matte red. I’ve said that the Christian Louboutin Rouge is the best classic red I’ve tried. I think Vendetta comes in very close behind. This one has a more glossy finish in the lip swatch because at this point in lip swatching and wiping my lips were dry so I had to apply balm underneath.
  • Full Blooded (MatteTrance) is one of the prettiest bold plums I’ve ever seen.

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Lip Balm, La Beija, Femmebot, Venus in Furs, Vendetta, Full Bodied swatches

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Lip Balm, La Beija, Femmebot, Venus in Furs, Vendetta, Full Bodied lip swatches

A few swatch comparisons. You can see these reviewed in my original Pat McGrath Labs LuxeTrance, MatteTrance, Permagel Eye and Lip Pencil Review. I’m missing Sextrology because I forgot to add it in the swatch lineup. I’ve added Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk for reference as it’s one of my favorite everyday neutrals.

Pat McGrath Lipstick Swatches

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Lip Balm, La Beija, Femmebot, Venus in Furs, Vendetta, Full Bodied

Overall thumbs up on everything. I gravitate towards neutrals and she has a lot of amazing colors for neutral lip lovers. There is a nice range of different undertones to suit every skin color. They do have a soft vanilla scent but I love it. Lip products are full coverage but have a smooth finish. Long-time readers know I don’t like matte finish lipsticks in general. Her MatteTrance lipsticks have a velvety matte that doesn’t look flat or dry. They feel comfortable on the lips and last a long time. Her Lip Fetish Lip Balm was definitely worth the splurge for me. I’m not sure it’s something I’ll repurchase once I use up, but I do really like it and find it’s nice to have a balm in a twist up form that is dense enough that it doesn’t break at the base.

Out of all the new shades, my favorites are Femmebot and Full Blooded. In terms of her best neutrals for me I still like Realness and Sextrology the most. Bottom line there is a lot to love, formula and color-wise. I was really intrigued by Peep Show at Sephora but I swatched it on my hand and felt it was going to be a little too pale for me (Valletta is the best light-neutral for me in her lineup).

You can find Pat McGrath Labs products at Pat McGrath and Sephora. Have you tried any of her lip products? What did you think?

 

Venus in Furs, Vendetta and Full Bodied are press samples. All others purchased by me.