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Sabrina

Dior Highlighters

Dior Spring 2018 Glow Addict Collection Picks

January 12, 2018

Dior Spring 2018 Glow Addict Makeup | The Beauty Look Book

Dior Spring 2018 is here with a beautiful collection of feminine pinks called Glow Addict. A handful of items have made their way to counters at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue etc. but a number of things appear to be exclusive online to Dior.com. You may have to do a bit of shopping around to find all the pieces if you’re in the US. International countries often get slightly different variations. Today’s post is Part 1 of Dior Spring. I’ll have a separate post on the new Addict Lip Glows.

What I hauled from the Dior Spring 2018 Glow Addict Collection. Everything swatched in today’s post is limited-edition:

Up first are the two new Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Glow Addict highlighters. I’m obsessed with the four other Nude Air Luminizers and the holiday Precious Rocks version is pretty as well. Nothing would have stopped me from getting both of the new ones. A few of you expressed a bit of concern about the “holographic” quality but I assure you these aren’t really like true holographic shimmers. They’re Dior’s version of the holographic trend and to me they’re very wearable and un-unicorn like compared to the trendy ones. Both Holo Pink and Holo Gold have highly reflective particles making them more sparkly than the regular ones (which are more metallic).

Dior Nude Air Luminizers Glow Addict Holo Pink and Holo Gold | The Beauty Look Book

Holo Pink is a cool shimmering pink. Holo Gold is more glitzy with bigger chunks of sparkle and more iridescent with a pretty gold peach pink opal-like sheen. I prefer Holo Pink for everyday wear as it has a more finely milled shimmer. Holo Gold is a lot more sparkly with more visible chunks of shimmer, to me this is a bit much for everyday but that’s just my take.

Dior Nude Air Luminizers Glow Addict Holo Pink and Holo Gold swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Swatch comparisons to the Nude Air Luminizers, Holiday Precious Rocks, Bobbi Brown Sunrise Glow and Laura Mercier Indiscretion:

Dior Nude Air Luminizer Swatch Comparisons | The Beauty Look Book

Next is the 5 Couleurs Glow Addict Eyeshadow Palette in Flirt. There are two options and I picked the one I thought would be less pink, but it’s still on the pink side. Pigment is medium but buildable and finish of the shadows have a natural sheen. Quality overall is very good and if you like these kinds of colors then it’s a great pick. I broke my palette buying rule as this one had 2 shades I didn’t think I’d wear but thought I could still make it work. For me it’s still too pink so it will probably be regifted to a friend. Lasting power is good over an eyeshadow base, finish is smooth and easy to blend.

Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Spring 2018 in Flirt | The Beauty Look Book

I ordered one of the Rouge Dior Lipsticks in Idyllic Matte 641 which is a velvety medium but bright matte pink coral. This one I added on accident as I meant to order the nude one Poetic Matte 525. These appear to be Dior.com exclusives as I haven’t seen them anywhere else so there’s no place to test in person. As far as matte lipsticks go it’s very comfortable, non-drying and has a smooth velvety finish without making the lips look like prunes or raisins. Lasting power is like a regular lipstick, there will be transfer and it will fade after a few hours but with the Dior lipsticks I really don’t mind reapplying.

Rouge Dior Lipstick Idyllic Matte Spring 2018 | The Beauty Look Book

Dior Spring 2018 Swatches

Quick look featuring:

Dior Spring Look Holo Pink

Last but not least are the four Dior Vernis Scented Nail Lacquers which also appear to be exclusive to Dior.com. They’re supposed to be scented with a floral fragrance but to me they smell just like regular nail polish and once they’ve dried I can’t detect any smell. All four are opaque. You do need two coats with each shade but application is smooth and flawless and I think each one is perfect. Love is a bright warm pink, Desire is a cool-toned pink mauve, Thrill has a semi-sheer finish but still has full coverage with two coats, this one is a muted purple mauve, Flirt is a pretty deep shimmering purple (it’s deep but doesn’t look black on the nails, you can still tell it’s purple). The colors don’t appear to be the most unique that I’ve seen but they have the right mix of pink and purple to look really pretty and the formula is one of the best that I’ve tried in terms of application, shine and lasting power.

Dior Spring 2018 Nail Polishes, Love, Desire, Thrill and Flirt | The Beauty Look Book

Dior Spring 2018 Nail Polishes, Love, Desire, Thrill and Flirt | The Beauty Look Book

Overall after testing these for a few weeks now I 100% love Holo Pink and the four nail polishes. The other items are exceptional in terms of quality and pigment but not quite must-haves for my personal taste. Holo Gold is a bit too glitzy, Flirt is definitely too pink and the lipstick is pretty but I’ll probably feel more in the mood for brighter coral pinks once the sunshine returns and weather warms up. Addict Lip Glows to be posted soon!

You can find the entire Dior Spring 2018 Glow Addict Collection online at Dior.com. Select pieces also available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Have you checked out the collection yet? What did you think?

 

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Diptyque Home / Interiors

Diptyque Rose Delight Candles and Scented Oval

January 11, 2018

Diptyque Rose Delight | The Beauty Look Book

There’s a new beautiful limited-edition rose collection from Diptyque called Rose Delight. I’ve been collecting their special edition releases for a few years now and each spring I look forward to their new creation. I missed out many years ago on Rose Duet and have regretted it ever since so now I don’t hesitate to buy them as soon as they launch. This year’s Diptyque Rose Delight comes in a few different forms: a Standard 6.5 oz size ($68), a Small 2.4 oz size ($35) and a Scented Oval ($50). It’s also available in a Scented Drawer Liner box that’s exclusive to their stores and websites but appears to have already sold out online. I’ll say up front that I think the full size candle is the best buy. If you like soft feminine kinds of scents you will love this year’s version.

Rose Delight is a sweet soft rose that smells like honey with a bit of a well rounded powdery vibe. It smells like candy to me, inspired by Turkish Delight and it does have that kind of feel to it. I’m always surprised how many variations of rose scents there are. This one is supposed to have a bit of honey with lemon zest and I can definitely detect the sweetness in the jar and when it is burning. The throw is really good with this one!

Diptyque Rose Delight Candle | The Beauty Look Book

The mini ones have launched for the third time in row this year. I think they make for the cutest gifts for girlfriends or to treat yourself. The small sizes usually sell out the fastest so if it’s on your list I’d recommend you buy very soon. Below is the mini Rose Delight held for scale.

Diptyque Rose Delight Candle Small Size | The Beauty Look Book

The Scented Ovals make nice gifts as well. They last longer than a candle but over time they do fade. They’re supposed to last for a minimum of 3 months. I wish I could report on how long they actually last but I’ve broken a few on accident by dropping or knocking them over on concrete floors. I did have them approximately 2 months each and the scent does linger and progressively fades over time. I love that this year’s Diptyque Rose Delight Scented Oval version has a pretty pink patterned loop at the end to hang it. The regular ones have the standard black ribbon.

Diptyque Rose Delight Candle Scented oval | The Beauty Look Book

To compare a few others, Roses is the classic more traditional kind of rose. Baies is more of a berry blackcurrant kind of scent mixed with some rose. For previous limited-edition releases Rosaviola is less sweet and a bit warmer with cedar and musk. Rosamundi has a more green vibe with Damask Rose and Centifolia combined with a bit of currant, bergamot, lychee and geranium.

I cannot pick a favorite, although the Rosaviola x Olympia Le Tan had the best packaging and Rosamundi is one I like anytime it’s re-released. Rose Delight has a sticker exterior design that feels quite substantial but it has a matte almost thick paper-like finish. It’s not like the glossy labels their standard candles have – the only thing I wish it did have because if I recycle them, I don’t have to worry about getting the label wet or ruining it when I clean out the wax. A quick look at the previous years’ limited-editions in the small sizes. I buy backups each year.

Below: Diptyque Rosaviola (discontinued), Rosamundi (discontinued) and Rose Delight

Diptyque Limited-Editions, Rosaviola, Rosamundi and Rose Delight | The Beauty Look Book

As a Diptyque lover I think Rose Delight is a must. I don’t like all variations of rose scents because some have a really strong powdery vibe. Diptyque always makes ones that are beautiful and this one is amazing. Quick apology that I’ve been MIA for a week now but we been moving! We moved out of our last vacation home on the 30th of December into a temporary Airbnb while we continued our search for a more permanent place to live. After literally months of searching we finally found a place and moved again, but are thrilled to finally be able to settle down for at least the next year! At the moment we are waiting on furniture deliveries (I had forgotten how long it takes!) but in the meantime there’s nothing like burning a good Diptyque candle to make a place feel more like home.

For those who love the Diptyque rose line, they’ve also re-launched their Eau de Rose in a few other products including an Eau de Toilette, Eau de Toilette-Roll On, Soap, Shower Foam, Hair Mist, Hand and Body Lotion and Hand Cream. I bought the hand cream many years ago and loved it. I’m not sure if I’ll buy this year’s version as I have a few other formulas I want to use up. For now I’m smitten with the candles.

You can find the Diptyque Rose Delight Collection now at Diptyque stores and online. Also available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Space NK, while supplies last and they usually sell out every year.

Have you smelled Rose Delight yet? What did you think?

Based on positive feedback I’m continuing weekly giveaways for at least the first quarter of 2018. You can check my Weekly Giveaway Page for the latest giveaway. They’ll be different each week! For example sometimes they will be on a specific blog post, other times on social or for newsletter subscribers. The first one of the year is going to be on this blog post!

I’m giving away 3 limited-edition Diptyque small candles from my backup stash in Rosaviola, Rosamundi and Rose Delight. One winner will be selected to receive all three. It’s open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter. Simply enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. I’ll pick a winner within 72 hours after the giveaway ends and contact them via e-mail. I typically ship prizes within a week. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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On My Radar

On My Radar / New in Beauty

January 4, 2018

New Spring Beauty Launches 2018

Spring launches are trickling in and I’m so excited to see what will be launching in the next few weeks! A few new spring items that have caught my eye – highlighters still make my heart sing. I will have reviews of everything in this roundup in the upcoming weeks.

What’s on your radar this new year?

 

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Skincare

Quick Dry Skin Fixes

January 3, 2018

Best Dry Skin Fixes | The Beauty Look Book

If you’ve been experiencing extra dry skin since winter arrived I have a roundup of skincare I’ve tried in search for some quick fixes. There are hits and misses for me and I hope this might help you find something to try for instant relief. I’ve suddenly had a renewed obsession with trying all kinds of face mists (full dedicated post on that soon). I’ve also finally tried a few beauty oils that have cult status – oils are always tricky for me as I have sensitive skin and some can cause an allergic reaction on my skin.

Face Oils

Face oils are great for instant relief of dry skin but I prefer to wear them on weekends or evenings when I don’t have a lot of makeup on. There are so many beauty oils on the market that I want to try but they tend to make me a bit nervous because I have sensitive skin. I finally tried a couple of Rodin face oils. The Jasmin and Neroli Oil is the original classic version which is the richest out of the two that I tried but too heavy in finish and fragrance for my skin type and preference. Geranium and Orange Blossom was better suited for my skin with a slightly lighter feel to it and beautiful scent. There’s also a Lavender version for calming which I have yet to test. These oils are very expensive running at $170 for 1 fl oz, but they also have a smaller version of .5 fl oz for $89. If you’re unsure of splurging this much on an oil and don’t have a counter near you to try, there is a Couture Kit which is a sampler for $60. I just ordered it and am in the process of trying each item. Let me know if you want a more detailed review.

Darphin has some amazing body oils so I ordered the holiday Essential Elixir Set for the face. The holiday version came with four miniatures of the 8 Flower Nectar Oil, Jasmine Aromatic Care, Chamomile Aromatic Care and Tangerine Aromatic Care. These are miniature oils which I think are the perfect size for sampling. I’ve only had a chance to sample them for three weeks but Tangerine and Chamomile feel the best on my skin, 8 Flower Nectar is the most aromatic and emollient, Jasmine has the most pleasant smell for a jasmine-based oil (usually it’s way too strong). My favorite is Tangerine. Their holiday set is now sold out, but you can find another one with different options here.

Bottom line, I still like my Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate, Kate Somerville Dilo Oil, L’Occitane Divine Youth Oil best. I have also had the Sisley Black Rose Oil on my wishlist as it’s the best oil I’ve tried. I’m waiting for a good gift with purchase to purchase it. For the most sensitive skin days the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream works better compared to oils for me.

Face Mists

I’ve always liked face mists but had a renewed love for them this year. The best ones I tried were the Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist, the Sublimage La Brume and Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist. All three have enough moisture but aren’t heavy. They also have really well designed mist dispensers so your face doesn’t get drenched or splotchy. They dispense a really fine mist! L’Occitane’s Immortelle Precious Mist has always been an affordable favorite, I stopped by the store back in November and discovered they actually have other options! I bought all of them in the Reine Blanche Illuminating Mist, Peony Perfecting Mist and the Shea Butter Comfort Mist. My favorites are Immortelle and Reine Blanche and I definitely want to try more of the brightening line now!

A sad miss for me was the Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol spray. I really love all things Aesop but this was disappointing. The spritzer didn’t dispense a fine mist and it left my face feeling covered with a thick somewhat sticky feel. It felt hydrating but not in a good way. The best thing is the scent but for the face the formula didn’t work out for me. A quick look at the ingredients shows that this one has the bad kind of alcohol too.

I’ve been testing quite a few – a comprehensive roundup to follow once I’ve finished the testing process. A sneak peek is that I’ll be including Chanel, REN, L’Occitane, La Mer, Omorovicza, Saturday Skin, SK-II to name a few – if there are any others you want me to try or thin I should add let me know in the comments!

Body Oils and Hand Creams

I love a good body oil and unfortunately my favorite from Nuxe is no longer carried in the US. I received a gorgeous gift of the the Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Body Oil over the holiday and it’s amazing! It’s way better than the Dry Oil Spray I tried earlier this year (perhaps the only thing I do not like from Tom Ford). If you love the Soleil Blanc scent like I do this is the perfect layering oil to use with the perfume. It’s hydrating, non greasy after a few minutes (you have to give it a little time to absorb) and the smell is to die for!

I already mentioned my love for the Chanel La Creme Main for the best velvety hand cream in my best of 2017 post. Other favorites include the Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm and By Terry Baume de Rose Hand Cream. Kiehl’s is always a classic as well, my husband swears by the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve and I love the scented ones, right now they’re still available in this limited-edition Disney x Kiehl’s Hand Cream Trio. I didn’t have them to shoot for the post as everything is packed up in boxes again and we are house hunting this week.

Lip Treatments

This year I’ve really loved the Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Balms and Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade (review and swatches of Pink, Coral, Lilac and Berry here). I’m so excited there are tons of new shades this year including holographic ones. Review to follow soon. The By Terry Baume de Rose in the pot and tube have both been in constant rotation. Later in the year I decided to splurge on the Sisley Confort Extreme Nutritive Lip Balm. It’s more expensive than the By Terry but really really good! If you don’t like the rose scent or want something that isn’t quite as thick, the Sisley is a one well worth the splurge that I’ve found very hydrating and smooth on the lips.

What are your dry skin fixes? Any tips on beauty oils or favorite face mists you want to share?

Press samples include the Rodin Oils, Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Body Oil.

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Florida

Happy New Year! Hello 2018

January 1, 2018

New Year's Eve | The Beauty Look Book

Happy New Year from Florida! We had a few days of sunshine the last week of the year and today I woke up to rain and cold weather. A first for us since moving to Tampa Bay! I wrote months ago wondering if I was ever going to wear a leather jacket again and here I am wearing layers, jackets and more. The past year I have been all over the place (literally) and my one true constant has been this beauty blog. Thank you for following along on my weekly beauty discoveries and testings. Being able to share what I love and having your support means more than I could ever express. A few highlights I wanted to share from the past year and some thoughts looking forward for 2018.

Your Favorite Blog Posts

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution and Valentine KISSING Lipstick Review | The Beauty Look Book

The top five posts of the year were about bases and lips:

  1. Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation
  2. NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer vs Radiant Creamy Concealer
  3. Chanel Le Rouge Crayon de Couler Jumbo Longwear Lip Crayon
  4. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution and Valentine KISSING Lipsticks
  5. Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss Review + Swatches

I’m currently testing a few new bases that many of you have been e-mailing me about. It’s quite a process to test these but I’ll have them up as soon as possible! Stay tuned for reviews on Estee Lauder, Dior, Erborian, Tarte and more.

Your Favorite Instagram Posts

You girls went nuts over my #shelfies! I had no idea these would be so popular. I hope once we find a more permanent place to live that I’ll be able to do a beauty setup and organization post. The past few months I’ve been living out of bankers boxes and suitcases. I was lucky to have a good shelf in our last place.

Moving and Travel

Tampa Bay Home

This has been the year of moving and it’s been very stressful for me. In August we no longer had a home and since then we still haven’t found one. Details why we moved so much in my Six Months in Florida post and yes I’ve had a couple melt downs in the process. Since August we’ve made a move every month and this year we moved a total of six times. We had no idea how BIG Florida was! Each area has it’s own unique character, pros and cons. The beach areas are very different from the places closer to city center. Then there are suburban places which are quite dense with huge homes but traffic is pretty bad. We’re not quite ready to buy as we have plans to travel and possibly move again in the next year so finding a place to rent has been a huge challenge. We have pets and the areas we would like to live places go really fast. We’ve come close to finding a place several times but others have beat us to it! Right now we are in a temporary place (yet again) and hope to find a more permanent place soon. Fingers crossed! For those who have asked, our moves this year:

San Diego Home

Modern California Loft | The Beauty Look Book

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Apollo Beach

In Florida we first stayed at our in-law’s home in Apollo Beach. They bought their home to retire in within 1-2 years and asked us to rent it so they wouldn’t have to find strangers to rent. We thought we’d have plenty of time to settle in, explore and find our own place. They changed their plans, decided to retire early in July of this year and gave us a week’s notice that they were moving. This is one of the Apollo Beach neighborhoods – in a canal district where houses all have their own dock!

Apollo Beach Florida Neighborhood

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St. Pete Beach – such a cute beach house with pool and near the beach! We found all our places on VRBO and Airbnb. In general we had better luck finding places with VRBO although for the beach areas there are a lot of added fees which can add up. We also used a property manager to rent one of the places below and we will probably never do that again. The process was such a hassle and they had an inconvenient application process even though we paid everything up front.

St Pete Beach House

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St. Petersburg Cottage – the smallest place we’ve ever stayed at with only 740 sq ft, surprised we survived in this with out pets but it was so well put together and super cute! The location was so good, our favorite restaurants and coffee shops are all in Saint Petersburg!

Beach Cottage Vacation Florida

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St. Pete Beach – house on the water which was SO amazing, we would have stayed here permanently but it was booked solid for months! We were lucky to find it when we did. The owner of the property was so nice, she restocked us the day we moved in with all the basic living essentials. New towels, sheets, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, laundry detergent etc. With some of the vacation rentals they will have living essentials stocked, others are on the more sparse side as it’s really meant for short term like a vacation or getaway.

St Pete Beach

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The last house of the year was a cute beach house, also in St. Pete Beach – beach house away from the water but still central to everything in the beach town. We stayed here for a couple of months.

St Pete Beach House

This year alone from the time we left our home in San Diego we went from San Diego, California to Tuscon, Arizona to El Paso + Houston, Texas, Pensacola, Florida. Once in Florida we were in Apollo Beach for a few months, then moved to St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg and South Tampa. For travel I did trips to Dallas, NYC, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Miami and Los Angeles. When we evacuated we made stops in Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Perhaps this isn’t a lot for those who travel, but it’s the most I’ve ever traveled in a single year!

Most Impressed By

Venus Et Fleur Beauty Look Book

The most impressive thing this year has been the box of Venus Et Fleur roses Andrew gifted me on Valentine’s Day. They’re supposed to last an entire year (and yes they stay IN the box – details are all on their website). I’ve been documenting how they held up and they still smell fragrant and look incredible. They lasted the entire road trip in the back of a hot moving truck from San Diego to Tampa. Starting in the fall I haven’t been photographing them as they’ve been in storage with all of our other belongings. I just checked on them and they’re still good!

Best Beauty Finds of the Year: Sunscreen

Best Sunscreen | The Beauty Look Book

I’ve never been as diligent with sunscreen as I have this year and it’s all due to the Florida sun. I should have been better in San Diego but the climate is mild and I felt like I stayed indoors so much. Even indoors I know we still need it. I am excited to test more this year. Body Sunscreen Testing here. Face Sunscreen Testing here. My favorite sunscreen brand review on Supergoop! here.

Most Disappointing Beauty Buys

Diptyque Un Air de Diptyque Car Diffuser | The Beauty Look Book

I’ve been a long time die hard Diptyque addict and this was a very disappointing buy. They came out with a car diffuser called Diptyque Un Air de Diptyque. I was so excited I ordered it immediately. For me it was a total fail. For one it comes with just the case for $60 and you have to buy the scented refills separately for $38 each. I tried two scents in Baies and 34. Lasting power is probably good for only a week at best . The back has a rubber grip to insert into your vents and it warped into an odd shape so it would not hold it’s grip. I do understand the Florida heat can be intense but there are many things inside the car part of the actual design that do not melt, I felt Diptyque should have made a better grip. Ranked second biggest fail was the Jouer High Pigment Lip Gloss. These are so popular on the web, if you like these keep on loving them. For me I had such high hopes but they were all pretty much streaky with really bad lasting power.

Looking Forward

Miami Beach | The Beauty Look Book

I’m looking forward to the new year. I’m personally glad 2017 is over because it was the most exhausting year of my life. Looking forward I hope to start video this year. Let me know in the comments what you’d like to see more of! I tried to mix it up this year – focusing still on beauty and skincare, but also adding some more of my life and travels.

Happy New Year to you! New beauty posts and reviews to resume very soon!

 

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Beauty Favorites Beauty Tools

Best Beauty Tools and Accessories 2017

December 31, 2017

Best Beauty Tools and Accessories | Beauty Look Book

This is the last post of the 2017 where I round up my best beauty tools and accessory finds of the year. Ideally I’d love to find just one brush line that has all the tools I need but I have yet to find one. These are my favorites from this year. Press samples listed with a *.

Best Beauty Tools and Accessories 2017

  • The Daily Edited Large Cosmetic Bag –  Taupe shown, I also have it in Black (shown here and here). This is one of my best makeup bag buys. I reviewed it in more depth with my Travel Beauty Cases post and mentioned that while it’s super functional and sturdy the quality isn’t 100%. I still find that for the price, the shape and size is really good and both have served me well this year.
  • Away Mini Suitcase * – These came back this year and sold out super fast! I tried to review as soon as they came out and hope you were able to buy one! It’s not really intended for just beauty, but you can carry pretty much anything small inside. Review and interior shown here. I really hope they bring this back permanently!
  • Glamcor Riki Skinny Vanity Mirror from Beautylish – This mirror is one of the best things I’ve tried, it lights up with adjustable brightness. It also comes with a stand to prop up and the center is magnetized to hold a magnifying mirror and cell phone holder to do lit selfies. I’ve been a longtime fan of simplehuman sensor mirrors, but with the round ones you have to get up close to see your face and often times you can’t see your entire face. This one from Glamcor doesn’t have the same quality magnification as simplehuman, but sometimes all you need is a larger mirror with lights to do your makeup. It’s portable enough that I’ve been taking it with me each move.
  • Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Best hairdryer splurge ever. My review here and yes 100% worth every penny.
  • Tatcha Original Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers – The only blotting papers I use as they absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup. Also love that there’s no powder on it like some others so it won’t leave the face looking dusty or white. In San Diego one would do the trick. In Florida sometimes I needed 3, but even when soaked with sweat they don’t fall apart or disintegrate.
  • Glamboxes Glamboard Tray – This isn’t new to me this year but I’ve found it great to hold beauty essentials that I need in the moment. Sometimes I just want a tray that can hold what I need for a full face and this does the trick. Any small tray will do but this has pull out drawers that can expand across a sink if you do your makeup in the bathroom and don’t want things rolling around your counter.
  • MAC Full Lash Curler – The best lash curler I’ve used for a long time since my favorite one from Chanel was discontinued. The MAC ones perform well without pinching the sides of my eyes.
  • beautyblender original and beautyblender nude – These are the best makeup sponges and I find that they work better than any foundation brush. You can find a better value in their Gold Mine Set which is limited-edition. They often have value sets or packs so I’d recommend you opt for those instead since they can be spendy.
  • Wayne Goss Makeup Brushes * are available exclusively at Beautylish. I’ve been so impressed with every single one I’ve tried. The quality is excellent, they’re super soft, there is never any poking on the face. The sets are expensive but every single brush is well made and very functional for flawless makeup application. They really do perform better than your average brush. Also if you buy brushes from any line individually they’re going to add up in price so if you break it down they’re actually very reasonably priced.
  • Chanel Makeup Brushes * were redesigned this year. I was really impressed with the new sleek design and quality. my favorite three are the Precision Powder Brush, Flat Eyeshadow Brush and Eye Contouring Brush. Full review of the lineup here.
  • MAC Brush 239 (now 239S) – The 239 is a classic but has recently been discontinued. All the brushes are being redesigned/relaunched in a Synthetic Version. Online at MAC the product says “coming soon” but you may be able to find them in MAC stores now. It’s where I found mine and it performs the same as the original version. This is the classic eyeshadow brush for me because of the shape and density!
  • MAC Brush 140S – Best large flat powder brush I tried this year.
  • La Mer The Powder Brush – Best loose powder brush I’ve ever tried as well, worth the splurge to me because it’s sooooo soft and plush!
  • Last but not least, this isn’t really a beauty tool or accessory but I had to include it, the Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Throw was the best splurge of the year and a lot of their items are on sale for 20% off right now at Nordstrom (not sure how long this is going on). It’s the softest and warmest blanket I’ve ever bought and so cozy.

That wraps up my Best Beauty Tools and Accessories 2017 roundup for the year! I’m doing one last giveaway for the year, I’m picking 5 people to win one $75 eGift Card to Sephora (US). Enter through the widget below! Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify for an entry. I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after the giveaway ends by e-mail. I usually ship prizes within a week. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Beauty Favorites Skincare

Best Skincare of 2017

December 29, 2017

Best Skincare 2017

Rounding up my top picks in skincare this year! I attribute the biggest improvements for my skin to lifestyle changes more than my skincare routine. I’ve made a conscious effort to take better care of my body with more exercise and better eating habits. This year I stopped drinking soy lattes (opting for almond or coconut milk instead in and smaller doses). I also reduced my coffee significantly intake as it was contributing to irregular heartbeats (don’t worry I got checked out and I’m completely ok). I switched to green tea, reduced sugar in everything, cut back on eating bread and over time I saw some pretty amazing changes from the inside out.

Skincare testing has still been a huge part of my life this year – especially as I age I’ve become more conscious of protecting my skin. The strong Florida sun can be brutal and the heat intense even if you’re not in direct sun. Finding good sunscreen and skincare has been essential otherwise I’d be completely fried.

This is a pretty extensive list as I switched things up quite a bit over the year. We’ve traveled from coast to coast and experienced climate changes. As many of you have advised me when I moved here, even though Florida is hot, there is a fairly lengthy dry season. That combined with the water conditions here (plus with swimming in the ocean and pools) has kinda messed with my skin. The weather can change daily! Then there are the late spring to summer months where the humidity is almost unreal and everything feels like it could slide off your face the second you step outside. Finding a routine and re-balancing my skin has been a process and I’m really thankful I’ve found quite a few really great products. You can see my bare skin here and here. Press samples have a * next to them.

Shelf 1, left to right:

  • Sisley-Paris Express Flower Gel Mask * – Best gently hydrating mask for dry or tired-looking skin but without the over emollient feel that some moisture masks have, 100% worth the splurge and I bought a backup tube because I don’t want to be without it.
  • Sisley-Paris Radiant Glow Express Mask – A gentle cleansing glow mask with red clay to remove impurities without drying out the skin, leaves skin feeling super soft.
  • Tatcha The Water Cream – I’d rank this in my top 3 moisturizers of the year, Tatcha seems to have been the first to develop a water cream which is a truly lightweight moisturizer that feels like a refreshing burst of water, it’s been perfect in humid climate, I’m on my second one.
  • Eve Lom Brightening Cream * – A long-time favorite for a soft lightweight cream that over time does improve the brightness of the complexion, it contains anti-oxidants that correct hyperpigmentation and smooth skin, also available in the holiday Perfecting Ritual Set.
  • Tatcha The Water Gel – I’m one who actually hates skincare gels because they’re sticky and don’t typically work with my foundations, this one is just perfect in every way.
  • Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil – Out of all the cleansing oils I tried this one turned out to be my favorite for the year for super soft skin.
  • Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen – This is my ULTIMATE go to for body sunscreen, it was the most effective for me without any scent or sticky feel which is super important to me, it held up well in the Florida humidity without making me feel greasy and even with regular re-application it absorbs well (I’ve also converted my husband to using this one although he still prefers Kiehl’s).
  • Supergoop! Hand Cream – I often forget the hands when it comes to sun protection and I don’t realize how much the sun hits the hands especially when driving, this has been essential and comes in a small size that I can throw in my bag.
  • Sisley-Paris Black Rose Skin Cream * – Best lightweight cream almost feels like a water cream, moisturizes and refreshes the skin lightly in the most amazing way.
  • Shu Uemura Sakura Rose Petal Mask * – Best plumping moisturizing mask that soothes skin, Beauty Look Book readers a special promo of deluxe samples + free shipping on orders $50+ with code BLBXSHU. Deluxe samples include: mini laque supreme sample rd01, maxi:hydrability essence-in cream 13 ml, sakura-rose-petal-mask 13 ml and nutri:nectar sample 15 ml. Valid online at both Shu Uemura US and Shu Uemura Canada.
  • Kate Somerville Exfolikate Gentle – My favorite weekly face scrub to purify and decongest the skin.

Shelf 2, left to right:

Shelf 3, left to right:

  • Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate – Probably my favorite face oil of the year to hydrate dry skin.
  • Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil – One I use at night to maintain elasticity and moisture, I noticed my skin sometimes feels dry with the water here after I wash it at night, this doesn’t feel greasy although it is emollient.
  • 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil * – One of the most amazing night treatments I’ve tried, it has 1% pure retinol so I use this every other night or every 2 nights because I have sensitive skin, it’s still gentle enough to not burn my skin like many retinol products do, it helps diminish fine lines and spots.
  • Kopari Coconut Melt (mini) – The best body moisturizers for days when my body is so dry, especially since winter hit Florida, I apply it on the body at night before I go to bed. Especially good to restore moisture if skin is dried from summer heat.
  • Sisley-Paris Beauty Subscription Program*  – The only beauty subscription I’ve kept this year, full review here – it’s available in 3, 6 or 12 months options.
  • Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder – Best gentle cleanser that I use as an exfoliator to help get rid of dead skin and polish the face.
  • Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment – In my top 2 for fixing problem skin if I have breakouts.
  • Sisley-Paris Confort Extreme Nutritive Lip Balm – An amazing non-scented and less thick version of the classic By Terry Baume de Rose, moisturizing and works like a charm for dry lips.
  • By Terry Baume de Rose – Always a classic for the thickest rose scented lip treatment.
  • Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist – New to me this year, but it has the finest mist out of the face mists I’ve tried! Beautifully hydrating in a light way which is just how I like it.

Shelf 4, left to right:

  • Caudalie Glow Activating Trio (eye cream not shown because I’ve packed it up) – Truly impressed with this line, I bought it from Sephora this year and like the way it really makes the skin glow and moisturize the skin without feeling heavy, I’m purchasing the eye cream after I use up some others, I feel like the serum + moisturizer have started to really help with fine lines I have on my forehead.
  • Darphin Hydraskin Light – One of the most impressive lightweight creams I tried this year!
  • Fresh Mask Wardrobe from the holiday set, Sugar Face Polish and Rose Mask have become two Fresh staples that I know I’ll have to replenish very soon.
  • MAC Fix+ Lavender – MAC came out with scented Fix+ in Coconut, Rose and Lavender, I’m obsessed with these, I stocked up on so many because they’re so nice to use mid-day and refresh the skin.
  • Kate Somerville Dermal Quench (mini) – This was something I discovered a while back after getting a facial at the Kate Somerville Clinic, the entire line has changed my life in terms of improving my skin, this was the biggest game changer in improving texture and reducing fine lines.

One more shelfie because these couldn’t fit in the photo above:

Best Skincare of 2017 | The Beauty Look Book

Left to right

  • Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist – One of my favorite most repurchased mists even though I really hate the price tag, it dispenses a very fine veil of moisture on the face.
  • Chanel Sublimage La Brume Intense Revitalizing Mist – I’m obsessed with the Sublimage line although I can’t bring myself to repurchase the creams or eye treatments (so I try to find mini samples when I can), I bought the mist because it comes with three refills which seemed to justify the price more to me, this is a super hydrating mist but has a very fine mist – the dispenser is well designed, I love how it revitalizes the skin.
  • 111Skin Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask – This is my ride or die sheet mask, it surpasses all other sheet masks I’ve tried for hydration, plumping and smoothing the skin making it feel like it’s completely new (comes in a pack of 5). I was sent a couple sheets for review, but have since splurged on 3 boxes.
  • Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Cushion with SPF50, this doubles as a light makeup base and lasts all day.
  • 111Skin Space Defense Bright Eye Lift Gel * – The only eye gel I’ve used that doesn’t leave a sticky residue, it makes this compatible with my foundation/concealer and eye makeup, it’s lightweight but you can still feel it on the skin, keeps the eye area hydrated without any greasy feel.
  • L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eyes * – I love this line for the smooth hydrating feel it gives, I like this at night for a soothing hydrating veil of moisture.
  • Chanel La Creme Main * – This has one of the best dry-downs for a velvety feel while still adding moisture, I love the cute packaging on this as well.

That wraps up my list of the Best Skincare 2017. I realize this is a very long list of favorites. Obviously I don’t recommend using all of this at once – I’ve spent months testing and rotating depending on location, season and skin needs. I moved from San Diego to Tampa Bay. I’ve also done quite a bit of traveling back to California, to New York, Texas, further south to Miami Beach and even north up to Georgia and Kentucky. Because I know many of you will ask, here are my ABSOLUTE top picks by category:

  • Best cleanser: Kate Somerville anything
  • Best moisturizer: four-way tie between Darphin Tatcha Water Cream, Sisley Black Rose Cream and Eve Lom Brightening Cream
  • Best night treatment: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil
  • Best toner: Sisley Floral Toner
  • Best exfoliator: weekly is Kate Somerville, daily is the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder
  • Best purifying mask: Glamglow Supermud and Aesop Parsley Seet Mask
  • Best moisture mask: Sisley-Paris Express Flower Gel Mask and 111Skin Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask
  • Best face mist: tough pick, but tie between Chanel Sublimage and Omorovicza Queen of Hungary
  • Best sunscreen for the face: Diorskin Cushion
  • Best sunscreen for the body: Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen
  • Best eye treatment: still searching for THE one
  • Best body moisturizer: Kopari Coconut Melt
  • If you splurge on 3 things, I’d recommend: Sisley Beauty Subscription, 111Skin Sheet Masks and stock up on Supergoop! Sunscreen
  • My best skincare tips: Double cleanse at a minimum if you wear makeup or triple cleanse to add an exfoliator on a regular basis.

I’m doing another giveaway! One person will be selected through the widget below to win::

  1. Fresh Mask Wardrobe (includes Sugar Face Polish, Rose Face Mask, Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy Boosting Mask – all 1 oz)
  2. Nude Lips Duo
  3. Deluxe sampler pack that I got as a GWP.
  4. Full Size Sugar Cream Lip Treatment in Blush

Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway will run through January the 6th. I’ll pick someone within 48 hours after it ends. I usually ship prizes within a week. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What were your skincare favorites of the year?

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