Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer

March 9, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shown left to right:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Base Makeup Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation Review + Swatches

March 7, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Terry

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

March 6, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Suncare What's In My Bag

Touch-Up Beauty Essentials

March 4, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Touch-Up Essentials at Home, shown below:

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

Quick touch-ups for lips, hair and face:

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

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

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

Thanks to Supergoop! for partnering to sponsor this post.

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Empties Roundup Skincare

Empties

March 2, 2018

I’m starting a new series on empties which I’ll be doing every 2-3 months. As a beauty blogger, I test a lot of product and it’s pretty much impossible to use up everything. A lot of you have asked what I do with all the stuff I review or receive. I have favorites I use on a regular basis, I have tried-and-true products I don’t always feature on repeat because they’ve sold out or are limited-edition. Some items I keep on hand for comparisons. I also share a lot with friends, family and readers too! And of course as much as I’d hate to admit this, often times product expires before it gets used up so it gets tossed.

Things I use up or toss on a regular basis such as mascara, liquid eyeliner, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. that I probably won’t share unless you’re interested. In today’s post I’m showing you most of what I used up in January and February of this year. I say “most” because I actually did a huge purge of near empties when we moved. Andrew rescued some of these from our bathroom trash bin and said I should save them for an empties post because he was sure a lot of readers would want to know what I’ve used up. Press samples have a * next to them.

Part 1: Cleansers and Removers

I am obsessed with cleansing waters. I often use them as part of a multi-step process to clean my skin or to remove makeup in between swatches.

Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads are pretty much the only makeup remover that will remove my waterproof mascara – thanks to all my readers who recommended this to me via Instagram, also if you buy these in store note there are two variations, the one with the oil is the one you want to get!
La Roche Posay Micellar Water for Sensitive Skin – there are several variations of this, I think mine is an older version because the current ones are called Micellar Water Ultra – you can find at a wide range of locations like Target and Ulta, I ordered mine direct from their website
Elemis White Flowers Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover is something I used up but won’t repurchase, it takes at least 3 soaked pads for me to remove my waterproof mascara (I have to soak, press onto lids for a few seconds and remove, then repeat)
Deborah Lippmann The Stripper Polish Remover is my favorite nail polish remover that won’t dry out the nails or make them peel, it’s gentle enough for me to use frequently especially when I’m swatching nail product
MAC Brush Cleanser is something I go through a lot of, and yes you can use baby shampoo, but I actually don’t like it because it always leaves a film on my brushes
Bioderma Sensibio Lotion is a gentle toner that I love, I also have the larger size but keep minis on hand for travel
Bioderma Sebium H20 is one of my favorite cleansing waters, it won’t remove waterproof makeup but is great for the face (this one still has a tiny bit of product left, probably about 1/2 inch which is why you still see liquid inside)
Sephora Collection The Cleanse Daily Brush Cleanser is something I use for a quick clean when I’m swatching, it’s also great for travel if you just need something to do a surface clean
MAC Gently Off Wipes + Micellar Water * is gentle to multiple times over when I’m lip swatching or face swatching
beautyblender cleanser solid is pretty much the best thing to clean beautyblender sponges

Part 2: Hair Products

Some hair styling products I’ve used up:

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo is one of my favorites, I am obsessed with the way it smells!
Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray is another favorite I leave in damp hair and let it air dry for a natural wave
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones is another great option that doesn’t leave my dark hair pasty white
Christophe Robin Hydrating Leave In with Aloe Vera * works wonders as a detangler that won’t leave the hair sticky

Part 3: Bath and Shower

I go through a lot of bath and shower products. I would say that it’s this category that is missing a lot of my empties because I threw out a ton of used up product a couple weeks ago.

Fresh Sugar Lychee Sugar Bath Cubes are my favorite to make the bath smell amazing, these are spendy and the rate I use these up is pretty expensive, but I love them!
Verb Ghost Shampoo (large size) I love this shampoo, it’s hard to find product that works well in Florida water! I also bought the conditioner but I don’t condition as much as I shampoo so they always last at least twice as long
Le Labo Shampoo and Conditioner are both ones I have mixed feelings on, I like the way they perform and the smell is amazing, but they’re not sulfate free, I don’t know if this is necessarily a bad thing, in Florida I think it’s almost essential to make things lather, the water here is very different from other parts of the US! My husband loves this formula though
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is a thin formula for body wash but very gentle on the skin
Sisley Phyto Blanc Lightening Foam Cleanser * has ingredients to lighten the skin, but I didn’t see much change in my skin, I find it gentle and brightening but not really lightening if that makes sense
Jack Black Face Buff is the best face scrub of all time according to Andrew, we both use this so we go through it pretty fast
Saturday Skin Rise + Shine Purifying Cleanser is a soft foaming cleanser that is good at removing excess oil without stripping the skin
Glamglow Supercleanse Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is one of Andrew’s favorites as well, I like and use it a lot, I prefer the original version but this is more gentle and I can use it daily or just on oily skin days

Part 4: More Skincare

More face and body products that were used up:

Glamglow Gravity Mud Firming Treatment (sample size) is a firming peel off mask, I did have the full size at some point and used it up, it’s suggested you leave on for 20-30 minutes for it to dry and work it’s magic, I don’t usually have that kind of patience but it does work well to firm the skin
Glamglow Supermud is the best mask to clear out clogged pores and reduce excess oil, I have lost count of how many I used up
Tatcha Pore Perfecting Water Gel is the only face gel I’ve liked, most are too sticky or tacky, I’ve since switched to the Water Cream * which is more lightweight and thinner in texture
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Sunscreen is one Andrew likes for the fluid texture
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel UV Guard SPF is Andrew’s favorite face sunscreen, it’s thin and liquid so it absorbs into the skin and doesn’t feel greasy
Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen minis I always keep on hand, in the purse and in the car – it’s my favorite body sunscreen that I can reapply regularly without it ever feeling greasy

Part 5: Makeup

A few makeup empties I kept and one almost there! I throw out mascara every month. There were some lip balms I used up recently as well but I didn’t keep the tubes.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine #9 (swatched here)
Tatcha Japanese Blotting Papers are in my top 2 for blotting papers, I go through packs frequently (there are 30 per pack)
L‘Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara is one of my favs
Saturday Skin All Aglow Cushion is the best full coverage cushion I’ve tried, the only downside is there are 3 shades which is a huge bummer, this was something I ordered sight unseen in 2 shades and I was lucky both of them match me (one for winter, one for summer) – it comes with a refill which is nice
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow is almost used up, I’ve hit pan!
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder Medium 2 (not shown) is my favorite setting powder, it blurs away imperfections and I threw it out before I thought to save it for an empties post

Part 6: Fragrance

I burn candles on a regular basis and often keep them to recycle for storage. At some point I accumulate too many so I’ve given away quite a few. In February I finished Diptyque Tomas Maier Palm Beach and Baies. I also used up a ton of the miniatures but didn’t keep those.

Creed is a favorite in our house these days. Much to my wallet’s dismay though, Andrew loves Aventus so much he has used up 3 bottles since we discovered it last year. I ended up buying him the flacons for Valentine’s Day and he has a black leather atomizer that he refills. I used up Virgin Island Water in the small size a few months ago but kept the bottle, I think it’s just so pretty I want to keep it!

I also used up Tom Ford Soleil Blanc in the small 5o ml size. Rather than repurchase it I bought the Travel Set (it comes with 3 vials) so I can carry it around with me in my purse. I have the new Eau de Soleil Blanc on my wishlist as well.

That wraps up my empties! Will do another one in a couple of months and I’ve made a mental note to keep all things I use up and not toss so I can share for the next post.

Do you use up beauty products frequently? What did you use up in the last month that you can remember? Hope you have a wonderful weekend! I’m going to try and go through all the comments and answer your questions. New post on Sunday!

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Eye Makeup

The Natural Brow Part 1: Best Tinted Brow Gels

March 1, 2018

This two-part series has been months in the works. I initially drafted one roundup of my most-used brow products then all of a sudden more came on my radar and I decided to split this into two parts. I’m not an expert when it comes to brows, I actually often neglect them. The process of applying pencil or powder had been so intimidating to me for years! After reading through several comments and numerous reader e-mails I’ve been thrilled to find many of you are just like me. One of things I love most about this blog is finding other beauty lovers who get me, you too want a groomed but natural looking brow.

The three biggest challenges I’ve had with brow products include: my brow shape, finding a good color and also finding a formula that isn’t too dramatic. At first glance it looks like I have black hair but also woven in is a natural red and brown undertone. Traditional black or deep browns often either look to harsh or too red. Also my brow shape is just odd. The hairs aren’t really evenly distributed and the lengths are different. My husband has amazing brows and lashes, it kills me that he doesn’t even care about them and I wish I had ones like he did, lol!

Two brow products changed my life: Diorshow Brow Styler in Universal Brown and the By Terry Tinted Eyebrow Mascara. To this day those two are still ones I consider classics. I’ve used up and repurchased both numerous times. They’re easy to use and always look natural.

Part 1 covers brow gels. If you’re a brow novice or just want something to groom the brows a little, a tinted brow gel is the best way to start. Clear brow gels are great too, my favorite has been the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. But sometimes with powder and foundation application – the brows can get a little washed out if your brush goes over them. These days there so many amazing brow gel formulas that have fibers blended in to help fill them in more than just tinting.

First three include ones from By Terry, Tom Ford and Dior. I use different variations of taupe and brown. Sometimes taupe shades can look like in the tube but they will dry down to a darker finish. This gives a more natural looking brow compared to a deeper shade.

Thoughts on these three, also some places you can purchase for reference:

By Terry Eyebrow Mascara in Dark Brown ($38, available at Barneys, Beautylish, Nordstrom and Space NK) – this is actually the first By Terry product I tried. I wandered up to the counter at Barneys and was instantly drawn to their shadow sticks but when I discovered the price almost fainted. The girl asked if I had tried anything from the line before, I said no. She said her favorite thing in the entire line was the Eyebrow Mascara. A quick demo had me impressed and so I bought it. I’ve loved it ever since. Out of all the brow gels I’ve tried this is the easiest to wear and also one of the most natural ones.
Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel in Espresso ($49, I buy mine from Nordstrom) is in my top picks. I reviewed this a while ago here. It has easily become a regular staple for me especially when I travel. I’ve repurchased it twice. It adds volume, defines and Espresso is the perfect shade for me. It’s darker but not too dark.
Diorshow Bold Brow Mascara ($27, available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sephora) is one I had high hopes for since I really love the Diorshow Brow Styler pencil. The shades in this lineup are very limited. This one works nicely to groom and tint the brows while filling them in. I will use it to the end but most likely will not repurchase.

Swatches:

Next is the Glossier Boy Brow ($16). It comes in clear and three tinted shades Blond, Brown and Black. This has been such a popular brow product and I find Brown is the shade for me. It has the tiniest end to really get a detailed application. I think this one is good but it’s not my favorite. It grooms and thickens nicely and lasts all day, but it doesn’t hold my stubborn brows in place and the brush is so tiny I often get product on my face. I do think it’s decently priced to justify trying. It is a really good product, it’s great that it’s compact and goof-proof. I use it often, I just have others I prefer.

My love for Sisley continues. I tried their Phyto-Sourcils Fix Thickening and Setting Brow Gel ($52) in Miami during the store opening. My husband watched as the artist applied it and said, “WOW you have brows now. You definitely need to get that.” These also have very tiny brushes which takes a bit of a learning curve to apply. The product is loaded with tiny nylon fibers though so they fill in the sparse areas. Use tiny strokes to fill in the brow. The colors are limited to two options and surprisingly #2 darkens enough to work well for my hair color. Scroll down to the bottom and you’ll see how it looks applied. Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Beautylish, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sisley.

Hourglass Cosmetics launched their Arch Brow Collection with pencils and a Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel ($28). It comes in six shades shown below. My matches are either Warm Brunette or Soft Brunette. Dark Brunette matches my hair exactly but for me it’s a little too bold and dramatic. Having a bit of brown softens the look more. There is also a Clear Version. This formula is in my top picks for brow gels. The brush is styled in a way that has both short and long bristles so you can control application. I like the longer side and apply in a sweeping motion. There are micro fibers to fill in brows and the formula is strong enough to hold them in place.

Last but not least is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel ($22, available at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, Anastasia Beverly Hills). These are so unique to me because of the wide range of shades and also due to the fact that these have shimmer in them. It doesn’t show up like shimmer on the brows but you do get more dimension. My best shade is Espresso. Chocolate is the one that dries the darkest. It appears also they have since changed the brushes to be more along the lines of the style Hourglass has. Two of mine have the newer brush while the rest have the traditional one shown below. I actually like the older style better, but both work well.

The best thing about Anastasia’s line is her color range. She probably has the widest range out of all the beauty brands. At Ulta in stores there is usually a chart somewhere to help you find the best color match. You can see it online here. I found it immensely helpful as when you’re looking at dozens of brown pencils, they all kinda look the same!

My bare brows and then three shown below including:

Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel in Warm Brunette
Sisley Phyto-Sourcils in Shade #2
By Terry Eyebrow Mascara in Dark Brown #4
Foundation is Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade 6 + 7 mixed (reviewed here)
For added coverage Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Shade 4 applied all over
Powder is La Mer Pressed Powder in Light
Blush is Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Lines and Last Night (reviewed here)
Lip Color is Cle de Peau Radiant Rouge in #11
Nail Polish is OPI Lisbon Wants Moor OPI
Top is by Cooper and Ella

That rounds up the best natural Tinted Brow products I’ve tried and found! My top four include: By Terry (easiest to use), Tom Ford (best all around for volume, definition and filling in), Hourglass (for the brush and color range) and Sisley-Paris (best fibers). Part 2 to follow next week with my favorite pencils, powders and tools. I hope this helps give you an idea of what to look at if you’re in the market for a new brow gel. In terms of lasting power, all of them last all day on me and hold brows in place (with the exception of the Glossier).

P.S. A lot of you have asked about the Charlotte Tilbury Brow Gel. I did a review a long time ago on The Supermodel Brow Lift Kit here. Her products are amazing and I’m a huge fan. I used mine up and was happy with it. Over the years I’ve found I like different combinations a lot better, and my brows prefer the Tom Ford and other brands.

If you have any favorites let me know in the comments! Would love to hear about what you use 🙂

Don’t forget to check out this week’s blog giveaway here.

Press samples include the products from Hourglass, Sisley-Paris, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Marc Jacobs Blush, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation.

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Florida Home / Interiors Lifestyle

Instagram Roundup

February 27, 2018

Rounding up some FAQs from my Instagram feed! The sunshine is finally back in South Florida and everything is starting to warm up. I’ve been so lucky to live in a city that has warm weather but from New Year’s Eve through a couple weeks ago we had some low temperatures down to the mid 40s. I finally got to wear my leather jackets again! Now that we are back to warm weather I’ve been shopping around for new sandals and spring weather clothes.

Two weekends ago we drove to Miami for the day to see the Miami Boat Show. We’ve now been in Florida for almost a year and with all the water, keys and beaches around us are looking to buy a boat. I’m not familiar with boats at all so it was really incredible to see all the different models, sizes, types and designs. We did not buy anything but had the best time taking the day to browse and explore. We were in Miami last December for Art Basel and it was so packed and busy we were not able to see everything I wanted to. This trip I made sure we had some time to see the Bal Harbour Shops so I could visit the Diptyque store there. This was hands down the most luxurious shopping center I’ve ever seen in the US. I bought several of the Miami Candle (you can buy them in the two Diptyque Miami stores, the other is at Brickell City Center). They will also ship if you order over the phone.

So many of you asked questions about my outfits from Instagram stories. For reference on sizing I’m 5’3″ – top is from O’Neill (XS, true to size), shorts are from STS Blue (Size 25, shorts in general run big on me, I usually wear a 26 or 27 in denim), sandals are the Tory Burch Millers (true to size, I wear 6 1/2). Tote is the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM which is the medium size. Straps have a lot of patina since it’s been exposed to a lot of humidity, oil and rain. It holds a lot of items and is quite sturdy.

This past weekend we had family in town so we rented a boat for the day. We also wanted to get a feel for what a small boat would feel like. We rented a small 20 foot motor boat and WOW when boats are in the water they look and feel so much smaller compared to what they look like when they’re above ground. Four of us took the boat for a spin around Tampa Bay. It was my first time driving a boat in open water.

What I packed with me included: Straw Tote Bag from Revolve, miniature R+Co Dry Shampoo, Supergoop! Mousse Sunscreen, new Invincible Setting Powder * (review soon), Everyday Sunscreen * (my favorite), Sisley Phtyo-Lip Twist in Shade#11, Tory Burch Foldable Sunglasses, Defense Refresh Spray + other minis from this Meet the Minis set. Leica Sofort Instant Print Camera, same Tory Burch sandals I wear almost all the time.

The boat had a cover but we were in the sun a good portion of the day. I touched up once while we were out and got a little color but no burn, yay! Some of you asked why I had so many sunscreens with me. When I’m out and about I bring more than one kind of sunscreen because everyone I’m with usually has different preferences for what formula and finish they like. My husband has his fav and I have mine too. I try to buy the smaller travel sizes so it doesn’t weigh down my bag.

Outfit details: top is from LA Made Aria Top, shorts are from O’Neill (size 3)

A few snippets from home. I found this simple bath tray from Amazon. We have a really wide tub and this was one of the few that would expand wide enough to fit. It comes with a removable book stand as well but I’m never in the bath long enough to read. I searched through dozens of options and reviews. I’m pretty happy with the quality and sturdiness of this one!

Also shown includes the Kate Somerville Exfolikate Face Scrub (I use this once a week because it’s pretty strong), the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask (a great five minute soothing, cooling and refreshing face mask), Shu Uemura POREfinist Cleansing Oil (all formulas reviewed here), Glossier Shower Oil (yes I know it’s for the shower, but I still use it in the bath), Aesop Geranium Body Cleanser from the Sway Set (I usually get the larger size with the pump) and Herbivore Botanicals Calm Bath Salts.

For those who don’t know you can always tap my Instagam photos for brand tags. I still received so many questions about this clothes rack. I bought several different options from Ikea to test them out. This one is Rigga Clothes Rack and it was only $12.99! It was very easy to put together and is fairly sturdy. I also bought a few of the Mackapar Coat Racks to try out. I’m still putting everything together so I’ll do a more detailed review and room tour later.

Bench is from Wayfair, rug is from Pottery Barn, mirror is from Anthropologie.

Details about some of the shoes I had on display as well. My most-worn shoes are the Hermes Oran Sandals and Tory Burch Millers. I tend to find a couple styles I love and buy all the colors. Details below and some notes on sizing in case you’re ordering online. Sometimes if I can’t try in person I’ll buy two sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit. Most places are good about returns as long as you don’t wear them or ruin the soles. I make sure to always test on a rug!

Top row from left to right: Splendid Knotted Sandals in White Leather 6.5, Hermes Oran Sandals in 36 1/2, Tory Burch Millers in 6.5, Avec Les Files in size 6, Splendid Knotted Sandals in Dark Blush Suede 6.5

Bottom row: Stuart Weitzman Nearlynude Ankle Strap Sandals in Size 6, the best comfortable heels I’ve tried with no break in period and no pain for me!

Another look below at the Avec Les Files sandals in white. On me they run similar in size to the Stuart Weitzman (which is big). They have a slight cushion sole which makes them comfortable to wear. Other items shown include OPI Lisbon Wants Moor OPI, Byredo Eau de Parfum in Mojave Ghost, NARS Lip Cover in Embrasse Moi* (review here), Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation in Y320*, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray mini size, Chanel La Creme Main * (review here), Sisley Brow Gel * (review soon), Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Glow Stick (review soon).

So many of you ask what my favorite Byredo is. It changes with each season but my top two are Mojave Ghost and La Tulipe. I think most of us can agree that perfume is something we should all smell in person first before buying, but some brands aren’t easily accessible for us all. You can purchase the 6-Piece Discovery Set at a number of retailers with 12 ml vials. This runs at $220 for 6. There are also trios available. This is still very spendy and online at Byredo they have a Small Discovery Service Set set for $20 with six 2 ml spritzers which I think all perfume brands should have.

I posted a snapshot of my vanity and everyone had two questions:

What Nail Color is shown – it’s Chanel Organdi Le Vernis (swatched and reviewed here)
My thoughts on the Lawless Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick – shades I bought include George, Leo and Brad, I’ll have a separate review but first impressions are they are super soft, they have a whipped lightweight texture, lasting power is pretty good and there’s a fruity scent to them. They don’t dry out the lips or leave them looking like raisins but the finish is definitely matte.

Last but not least, every time my fur babies make an appearance I get questions of how I deal with the fur and keep everything so clean. First, my husband Andrew is OCD with cleaning. Second our house require constant vacuuming + Swiffers. Third, our clothes require that we keep a stockpile of lint rollers. We have three pets with white fur – it wasn’t intentional, it just happened. They do shed quite a bit especially with the warm weather. Every time we rented an Airbnb or VRBO home over the last year, we spent the last two-three days of our stay vacuuming and cleaning every nook and corner. The cat leaves a poof of fur everywhere he goes. When we lived in San Diego we had a Roomba 980, but with regular daily use multiple times a day it died. We haven’t bought another one since since the ones that work best for us are of course the most expensive ones. I love the fur babies like crazy but I wish they didn’t shed so much!

Hope this covers all the questions I’ve received! I do my best to answer Direct Messages but I get so many I can’t always get to all of them. Press samples featured indicated with a *. Stay tuned for more beauty reviews to follow!

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