I have a roundup of some new holiday palette launches from Becca alongside three Shimmering Skin Perfectors that have been on my wishlist for ages. The items are all shimmering and glowy and in this day I do not think any of us need any more highlighters but new ones continue to pop up everywhere.
For holiday there are two new palettes with the Apres Ski Glow Face Palette ($54 for 15.5 g/0.54 oz, made in USA) and the Eye Lights Palette ($45 for 9.8 g/ 0.35 oz). I think the Glow Face Palette is a hit, but not must-have and the Eye Lights Palette is ok, but also not a must-have.
Up first is a look at the Apres Ski Glow Face Palette which has three highlighters in Rose Quartz (soft iridescent pink), Icicle (pale white aqua), and Opal (classic shimmery champagne). All three highlighters are smooth and soft with sheer to medium pigment for a soft glow. There are also two blushes in Blushed Copper (metallic copper shimmer) and Winter Berry (sheer matte pink). Both are also smooth in texture. Blushed Copper is super pigmented while Winter Berry is sheer. There is also one bronzer in Bronzed Bondi which I find on the sheerer than the individual full-sized one I reviewed here. The overall look and composition of the palette is stunning, however if you have been a Becca fan you probably already own several of the shades. There is the convenience factor but I feel like there are too many repeats of previously launched shades which makes this less unique. Still I think this one is quite stunning.
The Eye Lights Palette has seven shimmering colors for eye highlights. I have mixed feelings about the pigment and texture. The overall feel is sheerer than what you normally see from Becca. Sheer shimmers can be good especially if you are looking for something with a super soft effect rather than a glaring sharp frost. In the palette you have lighter colors that I feel aren’t the most unique and while the medium to deeper colors are beautiful I would have liked to see more pigment in the deeper shades.
These are the shades swatched with a heavy hand below:
In addition there are three Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters that have been a bit hard for me to track down. I am normally a Sephora or Beautylish shopper for Becca and some colors are retailer exclusives so I could not find them there. Two of these in Lilac Geode and Bronzed Amber are both exclusive to Ulta ($38 each for 7 g and 8 g respectively). Smoky Quartz is exclusive to the Becca website ($38 for 8 g). These three are absolutely beautiful, true to the individual Shimmering Skin Perfector texture, pigment and smooth finish. I 100% love them.
Close ups:
Lilac Geode is a unique duo chrome lilac pink gold shimmer. The gold is very soft which I like, sometimes with duo chromes the gold can be too yellow or too sharp. This one is perfect. Bronzed Amber is a soft luminous bronze. The shimmer in this one is on the softer side on my skintone which makes it look like a blush/bronzer a bit more than highlighter. I adore this color on the skin to warm up the complexion in a natural way. Smoky Quartz is just as pretty as it is on the Becca website. It’s a unique pink mauve tan taupe shimmer that has smooth pigmented shimmer. On me it’s a highlighter color, if you are fair this will probably show up more pink/tan.
Overall, palettes can be good, but every once in a while I’m reminded why I pass on them and opt for the individual colors. I really just like picking the shades I like and know I’ll use. The quality and colors of the Becca Apres Ski Palettes are good and whether or not I’d recommend them is going to be based on your color preference and if you already own individual shades. The three individual Shimmering Skin Perfectors are pure love for me. I definitely think they’re worth tracking down.
This post has been months in the works as I’ve been testing some of the most luxurious makeup bases, foundations and powders on the market. Finding a good makeup base has always been important to me and but it can be so tricky to find the right combination for my skin type, skin tone and has just the right amount of coverage. Each season I’ve discovered new formulas that work extremely well. A large number of you have asked for reviews on other luxury bases that have cult-status including foundations, face tints, primers and powders. I’ve been putting many of these to the test for months now to see how they’ve held up in extremely humid weather. I’ve also been able to test these in more normal climates during travels outside of Florida too.
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Before I start reviewing the ones that are new to me, I will say that the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer ($85 for 1 fl oz) has been my favorite and I still think it’s one of the best ones. I’ve used it in San Diego, Dallas, New York City, San Francisco and all over Florida. The formula holds up really well on super humid days at the beach, pool, Orlando theme parks and on various trips. It has perfect buildable coverage that I can build to full without it ever looking cakey or fake. The original review + swatches here. They’re also swatched next to MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundations. I’m anywhere from NC25 to NC37.
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Onto the new ones I’ve been putting to the test. Up first is the Chanel Sublimage Le Teint in 40 Beige ($135 for 1 oz). This is described as a lightweight cream foundation that you can build from light to medium coverage. It has the signature ingredients of their Sublimage skincare line which I have used before and love. Due to the high prices I haven’t repurchased their Texture Fine cream although it’s among the best I’ve tried.
The Sublimage Le Teint comes in a jar with a brush. A little goes a long way and it gives my skin a naturally radiant smooth look. Pores completely vanish and skin is smoothed in a way I’ve never seen with any other cream foundation. The only issue is that it’s not designed for normal, oily or combination skin. I was dissuaded at multiple counters from buying it because the reps said it’s only for those with dry skin. They happily made me a sample though and after using them up I ordered it online. I do find it hydrating but it’s still not too rich. It’s pure love for me, but if you have oily skin though it may be too rich for you.
Next is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer and Foundation with SPF15 ($225 for 1 fl oz for the foundation and .07 oz for the concealer). I featured it on my face in this post here before wearing Satin Nude. This foundation has been raved about by so many, I didn’t know if it was just hype or if it was really that good. I’ve been testing this since August and it’s truly one of the most luxurious bases I’ve tried. The foundation provides full but natural looking coverage. It does have a dewy finish that you absolutely need to set with a powder, but it lasts all day without getting oily or cakey. The concealer has a matte finish. It’s a little bit lighter in color than the liquid/cream but very opaque. This has caviar extracts infused which are designed to lift and firm the skin. I’ve used this on and off since August. I haven’t used it on a daily basis to notice any skincare benefits but they way it looks and makes my skin feel is just amazing. I’ve found that it can settle into fine lines if my skin isn’t prepped well or moisturized enough, but that can be the case with almost any base.
Worn below is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer under the eyes and Foundation all over. I didn’t use any powder to set. Cheeks have a bit of the Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzer, lips are NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara.
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Sisley has been widely raved about from many of you and I’ve been truly impressed with everything I’ve tried from the line. I was sent the Double Tenseur Instant Long-Term Gel ($192 for 1 fl oz) which is a multi-tasking product which I’ve used as a primer but over moisturizer. It does indeed help foundation last longer but I’m not the biggest fan of gel formulas. Still this performs really well and I like the way it feels on the skin. In terms of primers I actually prefer the Instant Eclat Instant Glow Primer. ($90 for 1 fl oz) I ordered this sight unseen and it’s a sheer opal pearl liquid cream. I want to say there must be a less expensive dupe for this but the way it looks and feels on the skin is unlike others I’ve tried. I give this a huge thumbs up as a primer.
Two other items I’ve tried and loved are the Phyto-Cernes Eclat Eye Concealer in #2 ($107 for 15 ml) and the Super Soin Solaire Teinte Tinted Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 in #2 ($170 for 1.3 fl oz/40 ml). There are several different tinted creams or tinted moisturizers from Sisley. The one I tried is a tinted sunscreen which seemed perfect for me in the Florida sunshine and heat. It’s been a staple for natural looking coverage in a sunscreen. The concealer is quite peachy and opaque but it blends out to brighten the under eye and prevents me from looking tired in the morning. It lasts long and doesn’t cake or crease on me. I apply with fingers but it does come with a little brush.
Swatches of the liquid foundations I use along with the ones I’ve featured in this post:
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Many of you have asked about the new La Mer pressed powders. I used to be the biggest fan of their original loose powder and when they reformulated I was so upset I didn’t even want to try the new one. I finally did try The Powder ($95 for 8 g)which is translucent and it’s one of my favorites for a natural looking finish that doesn’t leave a white cast. They recently launched the Sheer Pressed Powder ($95 for 10 g) in a Translucent color and three shades. I tried both Light and Medium as I usually prefer tinted powders for the pressed format, but often times powders darken my foundation even if it looks like it’s an exact match. I can wear both, if they made more shades I would be in between but the finish is sheer enough that’s it’s forgiving. It’s an amazing setting powder and I can’t quite explain how it works, but it’s sheer, lightweight and mattes the face naturally. Even though it is sheer and I can’t detect coverage it does smooth out the skin in a natural way with a blurring effect. Even though the shade selection is very limited I recommend you still give it a try, the sheerness makes the color more forgiving. A less expensive alternative would be the MAC Next to Nothing Powder but the textures are different. I splurged on the Powder Brush ($80) – it’s really one of the most luxurious ones I’ve tried.
I have not tried the Soft Fluid Foundation or Concealer because when they launched I was not able to find a good match. I haven’t tried to look again since then – from what I recall most of the shades are not yellow enough for my skintone. Below is a color comparison of the powders. There’s a big gap between the La Mer Sheer Pressed Powder in Light and Medium. Other ones I use include the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless in #2, MAC Next to Nothing in Medium Plus and Armani Luminous Silk Compact #4.
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A few of the extras rounded up below. When it comes to foundation I still find the beautyblender to be the best tool for application. It gives me smooth even coverage that I can control and is always streak-free. For powders a few of my favorite brushes.
MAC 140s in the full size is my favorite powder brush of all time, this holiday it’s available in a mini with the Snow Ball Face Collection set
Wayne Goss makes some of my favorite high quality brushes, I find that I reach for his brushes more than others, the Brush #11 and the Brush 00 are my favorites for powder
I’m usually a no-primer kind of person as I don’t like extra layers of product on my face, but here are a few that I’ve tried recently that I like, especially for humid weather. I find the best all around primers I’ve tried are from Tarte and MAC, some other ones work better with corresponding branded foundations.
Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Cushion has SPF 50, it can be used a sheer base, but since it has a skincare element to it, I find it works great as a primer for foundation
I know I’ve covered a lot in this roundup – I’ve reviewed a number of bases before but this edit has focused on ones I’d classify as high end / luxury formulas. Overall I’ve found these live up to expectations but my recommendation would depend on your personal preference for formula and your skin type. I was lucky to be able to find a good match in each formula I tried. I’ve put these to the test through extreme heat and humidity. There have been days over the summer and even until the end of September where the weather was so hot my skin started beading and dripping with sweat within 5 minutes of being outside. On those days nothing will really last well. However on days I’m indoors for the most of the time or out of the heat, I found each base lasted all day without sliding off or caking. My thoughts to sum up my testing:
Bases with best lasting power have been the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer and Sisley Tinted Sunscreen Cream.
Best full-coverage foundation that looks natural is Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer.
Best for smoothing pores and giving the skin a radiant but not greasy glow is the Chanel Sublimage Le Teint, although this is probably best for normal to dry skin.
Most natural looking is the Sisley Tinted Sunscreen Cream, but color selection is very limited.
Best loose powder for me right now is the La Mer Loose Translucent hands down.
Do I think the La Mer Pressed Powder is worth it? Absolutely yes, but if I were to do it over again I would have picked either Translucent or just Light. Medium would have worked for me over the summer here, but I’ve been staying out of the sun for weeks now and have lost my tan. As amazing as it is, there are less expensive alternatives I really like such as the MAC Next to Nothing, Armani Luminous Silk and Laura Mercier Candleglow.
Would I recommend the La Mer Loose or Pressed Powder? The Loose for formula and finish, but it’s not really travel-friendly or easy to put in your purse for daytime touch ups.
What’s the best for oily skin? I would say the two bases I’d recommend for oily skin aren’t ones I’ve featured here, I’d recommend the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint or Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion (both reviewed here).
Is the La Prairie worth the splurge? I’m conflicted on this as it’s one of the most expensive foundations on the market and while it’s amazing in every way, I think if you just need a good base you can definitely find one for less. That being said it does have skincare ingredients and also has a concealer built in, so you do get two in one. The packaging design is well made and easy to use. It’s travel friendly and I really have no complaints.
That wraps it up for my luxury base testing. I hope you found this helpful in the event you had your eye on any of these and wanted a comprehensive review. All this being said I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money on a foundation or powder. These days there are so many options you can definitely find one that works for less. With the ones I tested I feel lucky I didn’t find any disappointments as they are extremely expensive.
If you have any questions or need additional recommendations let me know in the comments. Otherwise I’d love to hear about your current foundation, powder or primer favs. It can be luxury or at any price point. Let me know what you’ve been loving!
Press samples featured include the Sisley-Paris Double Tenseur, La Prairie Skin Caviar, Tom Ford Waterproof, MAC Next to Nothing Pressed Powder, MAC 140S brush, NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara.
P.S. I’m running weekly giveaways until the end of the year! Check out the giveaway of the week here.
Natasha Denona’s holiday collection this year focuses on eye makeup with two Eyeshadow Palette 5 shades ($48 each, 5 x 0.08 oz/ 2.26g, made in Italy) and a new eyeshadow formula called Chroma Crystal Top Coat ($28 each, 6 g/0.2 fl oz, made in Italy). Her eyeshadows have been among the bolder options on the market with beautiful textures, shimmers and intense pigment and I’ve been impressed with everything I’ve tried from her line. In general the overall look and feel of her eye makeup is bolder than I normally gravitate towards but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed a lot of her palettes, in particular the Palette 28 in Green Brown (swatched here with two eye looks) and her Star Palette (reviewed here). Her All Over Glow Face Shimmers are some of the prettiest I’ve tried as well (all three swatched here). Even for the conservative makeup wearer there is a lot to explore and have fun with.
Up first are the two Eyeshadow Palette 5 options in Joya and Aeris. Both are just so so pretty. I rarely wear red or wine colored shades on my eyes unless it’s in a palette and there for blending or adding depth the the shadows. I’ve been incorporating a lot of warmer coppery shades into my beauty routine here and there. I still can’t pull off a lot of the reds or oranges but with some blending I’m always surprised how pretty the effect is if you layer shadows. For those not familiar with her shadows the names have numbers and letters in them. The letters indicate the finish. This season she has a new Cream Powder formula CP which is intense and a hybrid of her signature shadow with a new creamy like finish. They’re ultra pigmented, super smooth and are very easy to blend, layer and mix. Natasha Denona shadows are among the very few powder formulas I find adhere and glide onto bare unprimed lids with 100% perfection.
Joya has:
135 DC peach-gold is a sparking peach rose gold shimmer
136 CP fuchsia is a sheer matte creamy pink
137 CP gold is a sparking metallic cream powder gold
138 M red grape is a metallic red
139 CP star bronze is a pigmented metallic bronze shimmer
Aeris has the following shades below, if you mix the blue with a matte red you get a pretty brown shimmer:
140 CP nude is a pigmented nude champagne with silver sparkles
141 K red bronze is a shimmering red bronze with gold shimmers
142 CM burnt terracotta is a sheer matte terracotta
143 CP ice blue is a sparkling cool blue with tons of sparkle
144 CP peach bronze is a sheer peachy bronze glitter
Up next are my favorites which are the Chroma Crystal Top Coats. I’m not a fan of glitter in general because of the chunky texture and fall out. Plus as a conservative makeup wearer I find it can be over the top for many occasions. There have been a couple exceptions. I’ve been a die-hard fan of the Tom Ford Cream Powder Eye Duos and these Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coats have joined the beauty look book glitter approved club. They have a unique creamy finish that has an almost wet feel. I like using the fingers to apply. They’re super soft to the touch and even though there’s visible sparkle chunks there is no chunky feel, very minimal fall out and they’re super easy to apply. I like dabbing them on the lids. You can wear them alone or over other powder shadows. They have impressive lasting power and as the day progressed with these I didn’t experience glitter falling on my cheeks. I cannot pick a favorite as I think they’re all phenomenal, but I do really love Peach.
Colors are:
Nude is a shimmering champagne with cool-silvery sparkles
Bronze is a medium soft peachy bronze
Grey-Brown is a neutral cool grey brown sparkle
Peach is a soft peachy shimmer
Swatches sometimes don’t show the glitter well so I have two sets:
Swatches next to Tom Ford Cream + Powder Eye Duos Golden Peach and Young Adonis. If you simply can’t bring yourself to wear glitter or feel that it’s not suitable for your makeup style or work environment, I’d recommend you check out the Chantecaille Mermaid Eye Colors. I held out on these for a long time because in general I find Chantecaille to be overpriced for what you get, and I’ve been underwhelmed by most of her makeup items. These however are really really good. I’m obsessed with Copper.
A quick eye look with Nude and Bronze, it’s actually a lot more sparkly in real life but this was the best I could do to photograph it on the eyes:
Bottom line lots to love, especially for the upcoming holiday season. I am completely in love with the Chroma Crystal Top Coats and highly recommend you check them out or put them on your wishlist. They’re supposed to be multi-use so you can also add them on top of lipstick as well, I have not tried that, but for now I really love these on the eyes.
You can find the Natasha Denona Holiday 2017 Collection available now at Sephora and Beautylish. Do you have any Natasha Denona favorites?
Holiday collection provided courtesy of Natasha Denona.
Sometimes there are beauty collections that are simply too cute to handle and the Shu Uemura x Super Mario Brothers Collection for holiday is one of them. Many years ago I used to use and buy a lot from Shu Uemura. It was hard to find in the US so I first discovered the items in Asia and UK during my college days. They eventually launched in a few stores like Sephora and Neiman Marcus. When I lived in California I’d sometimes make a long drive from San Diego to their boutique at South Coast Plaza. Unfortunately they decided to pull the brand from all retail stores and they kept it online only. I hope they will bring it back to more places someday! The holiday collection is super cute and speaks to the young at heart.
Color items and makeup come in limited-edition packaging:
Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte in M PK375 ($30) is the first matte lipstick I’ve tried from Shu Uemura and wow is the formula impressive. I’m not a fan of matte lips in general but this formula is smooth and manages to look velvety without that dried up look. Pigment is opaque and smooth, there’s no tugging and lasting power is really phenomenal. It stays put adhering well to the lips. It also leaves a slight stain on the lips so if as it fades or transfers the color pretty much stays put. PK375 is a pinkish berry color.
Rouge Unlimited Sheer Shine in Saved Peach ($30) is one of those sheer glossy peachy colors in the tube but on my lips it turns more pinkish. This has a soft glossy finish with a cushiony feel. Lasting power isn’t as good as the matte but it does feel nice and hydrating on the lips. It has quite a bit of slip and while it looks pretty I’m not the biggest fan of the formula.
Tint in Balm in Fire of Flower ($30) is a lush pigmented balm. The formula is so good with this one and even though the color is a lot brighter than what I normally wear, I think it’s worth checking out if you are in the market for a brighter red. Lasting power with this is also very good, especially for a balm. I definitely plan on checking out the other colors in the regular line.
Drawing Pencil in Matte Black ($24) is a classic rich opaque smooth black eyeliner. It has a soft matte finish and on my eyes it lasted all day without smudging (even in humidity).
The hair care line Shu Uemura Art of Hair is carried on it’s own website, separate from the makeup and skincare items. Each holiday season they usually repromote classics with the holiday packaging so in the event you don’t like the designs you can always buy them with the standard bottles.
Cleansing Oil Shampoo ($57) is a classic shampoo I’ve used up entirely multiple times. With my hair type it’s best as a clarifying one to two times a week kind of formula. I always combine it with the corresponding conditioner and the two together are really good for soft clean hair.
Cleansing Oil Conditioner ($58) is the coordinating conditioner for the Cleansing Oil Shampoo. I actually like this formula a lot better than the shampoo and use this one with other brands of shampoo. I’m one who washes my hair daily. Back in California I didn’t condition it every day because I didn’t need to. In Florida the water is different and while the weather is hot and makes me prone to sweat more, the water dries out my skin and hair (even with filters). I’ve found I need some kind of conditioner daily and this one is definitely a favorite because it’s light enough to add moisture but not so heavy and rich that it makes my scalp oily.
Essence Absolue ($69) is one of their best-sellers and for good reason. It’s a lightweight oil that can be used in a number of ways. I apply it to freshly washed and towel dried hair and it works as a detangler. I also use it pre-heat styling and as a finisher on the ends. It’s consistently in my top picks for hair oils because of the lightweight texture, beautiful scent and great shine it gives my hair without weighing it down. I absolutely love that it comes with a pump dispenser.
Master Wax ($39) is another classic from Shu Uemura but this was the first time I’ve ever used a wax. I had to do some research on how to use and apply it because I usually associate a hair wax with a men’s grooming kind of product. It has a nice lightweight scent but feels thick like a gooey pomade. Instructions say you can use on damp or dry hair – I tried both. A little goes a very long way. With my hair styling I usually do the same thing every day. I just like it down and free flowing unless I’m working out and then tie it up. I rarely use hair spray as it gives my hair that crunchy feel. This wax seems like it would be the perfect styling product if you style your hair and need it to stay in place or get that piecey look all day without stiffness. For the most part I’ve had longer hair, at least slightly past the shoulders. There have been times I cut my hair shorter and found it extremely difficult to maintain and style. Shorter hair means there’s less weight and I found my hair kinda flew around in ways I couldn’t manage. Had I known about hair wax back then I think it would have been a styling savior. For now since I’m very minimal with my hair styling I prefer the Essence Absolue or softer creams.
Beauty, skincare and makeup items are available online at Shu Uemura and Shu Uemura Canada. The team has offered Beauty Look Book readers a special offer for orders. With code BLBXSHU online you will receive 5 free deluxe samples and free shipping on orders $50+. Samples include: a mini laque supreme sample rd01, maxi:hydrability essence-in cream 13 ml, sakura-rose-petal-mask 13 ml, ultime8 sublime cleansing oil 15 ml and nutri:nectar sample 15 ml.
That wraps up my look at some of the holiday pieces from the Shu Uemura x Super Mario Collection! Have you tried anything from Shu Uemura recently? What are your favorites? I’m still working on my skincare routine but I’ll say for now that their Sakura Rose Petal Mask is one of my latest obsessions for hydration and soothing.
Holiday collection items and promo code provided courtesy of the Shu Uemura team.
Happy Thursday everyone! Today I have a roundup of some newer favorites from Chanel. I’ve been a fan of the line for many years. Recent makeup launches to be hit or miss for me but I’ve found some new launches that I’ve truly fallen in love with. A lot of you have asked for a review on the new Gabrielle Chanel Perfume and La Creme Main hand cream – I have those to feature along with some other newer-ish Chanel discoveries today. Up first are two of the newest launches along with a long-time favorite.
Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum is Chanel’s latest for perfume. It’s a bright but warm feminine sweet floral. It has notes of jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, tuberose. To me it’s a delicate and elegant kind of fragrance. Lasting power is quite good and I can detect it on my skin throughout the day by late afternoon. It has a bright feel to it that will lift the mood, but as perfume is so personal, I think this is one you’ll either really love or feel lukewarm about. I love this for fall and for daytime.
La Creme Main is one of the most uniquely packaged hand creams I’ve ever seen. It comes in a squeeze tube shaped like an oval. It has a removable cap that snaps onto the top. It’s described as a moisturizing, brightening and protective hand treatment formulated to absorb quickly. It has a light fresh clean almost linen-like scent and hydrating feel without any greasy residue. The drydown is very soft with a velvety feel.
Les Exclusifs de Chanel Fresh Body Cream is one of my favorite body creams. It comes in a large glass jar and while it’s pretty spendy it does last a very long time. It’s described as having a delicate floral musky whisper and I’d say that about sums it up. It’s a soft lightweight cream that adds a veil of moisture to the body without interfering with your perfume. For me it’s perfect to apply at night before bed because it gives me enough moisture without being sticky so I don’t feel like I’m sticking to the sheets or blankets. I’ve gone through one tub so far and this is my second one. It’s 100% worth the splurge but if you need something super hydrating you may want to opt for something like L’Occitane’s Shea Ultra Rich Body Creams or Kopari’s Coconut Melt instead.
Up next for the eyes:
Ombre Premiere in Ray is a limited-edition shade that is part of the Neon Wave collection, as far as I know it is an online-exclusive, it’s not quite as pale as the stock photo but it does have a pale pearly champagne sheen. To me it’s similar in undertone to Flesh which I already own and love, Ray is a little bit lighter and a lot more shimmery in color. I live for these kinds of champagne shimmer colors!
Les 4 Ombres in City Lights is a color from the fall collection (reviewed + beauty look worn here) and while it’s a pretty basic quad, I’ve found myself reaching for it frequently. A lot of you asked for a comparison to Poesie which has long been discontinued. I was able to dig up a backup and swatched them side by side. As you can see I don’t use the applicators these come with but try to keep them in the compacts just in case. I really prefer to use full-size brushes instead as they are easier to hold and use.
For holiday, there is a new Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Character which is a reddish plum wine color. I really love the Le Volume de Chanel mascara but some of the seasonal colors have been smudgy. This one performed true to the classic formula. It volumizes, holds the curl, doesn’t clump and this one didn’t smudge. The color once on the lashes is pretty dark but I really love playing with the tinted mascaras from Chanel so this was worth the splurge for me. Below is a swatch of the new Character plum wine colored mascara next to the classic Noir:
Last but not least, I’ve really been enjoying the new design of Chanel brushes. I did a review on these when they launched a few months ago. I’ve found they still have held up really well and perform perfectly. Four that I’ve been loving include:
Flat Eyeshadow Brush is a softer version of the original, it’s perfect for all over the lid application
Precision Powder Brush is super soft and plush which is perfect for soft bronzer or contouring
That wraps it up for my 10 things I’m loving right now! There’s actually eleven as I’ve fallen in love with the Sublimage Le Teint (I’m Shade 40) but I’m saving that for my luxury base roundup coming soon. You can find all of these at Chanel.com and at all Chanel counters. Ray, I believe is a limited-edition Chanel.com exclusive (correct me if you’ve spotted it at your local counter).
Do you have any Chanel favorites right now?
Press samples featured include Gabrielle, La Creme Main, Eye Contour Brush, Blending Eyeshadow Brush, and Precision Powder Brush. All other items purchased by me.
There have been a lot of lip launches from Tom Ford Beauty this fall with the Boys and Girls and also 40 new shades of their Lip Color and Lip Color Matte. I ordered a few online sight unseen from Sephora and one turned out to be a lot lighter than the online stock photo. Since these are extremely pricey I waited until these arrived at Neiman Marcus and picked up some more shades. In total I bought six colors. There were a lot of neutrals, light nudes, light pinks and some deeper color options as well. I found the mattes to be very matte so I decided to stick with the regular lip color creams.
For the most part I’ve found the Tom Ford Cream Lip Colors formula to be fuller coverage than the average lipstick. With the new shades I tested I found a few slightly different finishes. Some were sheerer than I’ve normally experienced. If you’ve missed previous reviews on Tom Ford Lip Colors, they are among my favorites for formulas. They have smooth even coverage. They’re super luxurious and don’t dry out my lips like some formulas do from other brands. Lasting power is pretty average. They will stay put as long as you don’t have contact with snacks or drinks, but they don’t stay put all day long. I find I have to reapply within a few hours. They feel comfortable on the lips without being heavy. The creams have a very natural looking sheen to the finish which I adore. My haul picks:
Bad Lieutenant is a medium light neutral beige pink cream, this one has full coverage
Sugar Glider is a gorgeous light mauve, I’m beyond obsessed with this one! Finish with this one is semi-sheer, it’s not as opaque as some of the creams
Autoerotique is a medium peachy tan cream, this has medium coverage
Spiced Honey is a pale nude pink, this has full coverage, the contrast with my natural lip color made it look a tiny bit streaky but it smooths out nicely
Open Kimono is a shimmering light gold beige, this is the first Tom Ford shimmer lipstick I’ve tried that has some texture in the tube, the shimmer has some grit but on the lips there’s no gritty feel, this one is sheer but buildable
Devore is a sheer neutral brown with pink tones
In sunlight with flash:
In sunlight without flash:
Below wearing Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff and La Mer The Powder (loose) to set. All lip swatches done on bare lips. It’s been a while since I’ve swatched Pink Dusk and Sable Smoke. I find both to be classics and still the best two colors in the lineup so I added them in lip swatches below.
For those curious about which colors are the 40 new shades, they are split into 9 color categories according to the Tom Ford look book I received in my e-mail:
Nude Creams: Naked Ambition, Spiced Honey, Erogenous, Bad Lieutenant, All Mine
Nude Mattes: Deceiver, Heavenly Creature
Beige Creams: Open Kimono, Satin Chic, Autoerotique, Devore, Magnetic Attraction
Beige Mattes: Universal Appeal, Wicked Ways
Pink Creams: Paper Doll, Pretty Persuasive
Mauve Creams: Sugar Glider, Night Mauve, Adora
Pop Creams: Playgirl, Foxfire, Stimulant, Electrique, Exotica
Coral Mattes: Age of Consent, The Perfect Kiss
Red Creams: Vermillion-Aire, Dressed to Kill, Jasmin Rouge, Original Sin
Red Mattes: Best Revenge, Night Porter
Burgandy Creams: Dangerous Beauty, Love Crime, Discretion
Noir Creams: Impassioned, Near Dark
Noir Mattes: In Deep, Fetishist
There was a lot to sort through at the counters and with all the new and existing colors mixed together I don’t know that I got a good look at all the new ones. I did have a list with me of what to check out so I think I covered most of the neutrals. The quality and lasting power are still on point for what I’ve experienced with Tom Ford lip colors. I would have probably passed on Spiced Honey (this is a bit pale on me) and Open Kimono (I prefer Guilty Pleasure), but luckily I can make both work with a good lip liner like MAC Boldly Bare, Whirl or Stripdown (swatched here).
My favorite colors are still Pink Dusk and Sable Smoke for everyday neutrals, but I’m really happy with my picks. As one who finds light mauves difficult to wear with my olive complexion, I’m 100% in love with Sugar Glider. For light pinks I was really tempted by Paper Doll but I wanted to limit myself to 6 max for now as holiday is coming up and there is still a lot to cover.
You can find the new shades of Tom Ford Lip Color and Lip Color Matte out now. Available online at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora and all other Tom Ford Beauty counters.
Did you try any of the new shades yet? What did you think?
I’m excited to share a review of the new Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Dryer ($349) which launches exclusively at Dermstore this week. For those who aren’t familiar with the line, Harry Josh is a celebrity stylist who has created a line of hair tools called Harry Josh Pro Tools. His products have a signature soft mint green color which I think is fun and unique. I was sent one to test out and this is my first time using anything from his line. Since I’ve already tried and fallen in love with a number of other great hair dryers including the t3 PROi, ghd Air and DryBar (reviewed here) I did not think this one could be better than what I’ve tested but it is.
For as long as I can remember I’ve blow dried my hair on a regular basis because I find it essential to tame my thick unruly hair with a slight natural wave. If you’ve read some of my packing posts you know that even though I’m a carry on traveler for the most part I still insist on bringing my own hair dryer with me. The two main inconveniences include the fact that they take up a lot of space and also it weighs down the luggage. The Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Dryer is smaller than the average dryer and extremely light weight under 1 pound. A lot of dryers are design to be “lightweight” but this one is noticeably lighter but still feels like it has substance. It’s easy to hold in the hand for an extended period and easy to maneuver.
Even though it is compact, it has a very powerful motor with a speed of 94 mph which makes for super fast drying time. I set my stopwatch to time my hair drying process with this one on 12 different occasions of using this and each time I was able to get completely dried hair in under 6 minutes (usually around 5 minutes and 46 second mark). Most of the dryers I own take around 7 to 10 minutes for me to get completely dried hair.
A quick look at the drying steps from wet towel dried hair to all the way dried hair. Also held and shown for scale. I’ve tested drying with a number of hair products for prep and heat styling. Lately I’ve been alternating between the Christophe Robin Hydrating Leave-In Mist (c/o, it’s lightweight and detangles my hair), Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue (c/o, available in a fun Super Mario packaging version for holiday) or the Moroccanoil Light. The last image shown is without any extra shine or finishing product so I could show you how the dryer performs on its own as much as possible. To finish and smooth the ends I usually add a bit of the Shu Uemura product, Moroccanoil or Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream. Also shown above: The Daily Edited Large Cosmetic Bag (review soon), Drybar Hold Me Hair Clips, Diptyque Berlin Candle (city exclusive).
My drying process includes a quick rough dry all over. Then I section it by parting my hair or by using clips. If I don’t have clips I simply flip over sections and part my hair to separate it.
For brushes I still use a CHI Turbo Small Paddle Brush to do most of my brushing or drying. Then I finish with a bristle brush to smooth everything out. I tried the Harry Josh Pro Round Brush (made of boar and nylon bristles, made in China) and it was surprisingly easy to use and very effective in smoothing out flyaways. I say surprising because even though I know boar/nylon bristle brushes are the best for smoothing out hair I find them difficult for me to use in general just because of my hair type.
I’m not the most savvy when it comes to hair dryer technology, but I do know that I see a difference in results with regards to smoothness, shine and the frizz factor. All three that I had previously reviewed provide excellent results: smooth, sleek, frizz-free finish. The Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Dryer also delivers with ion technology and has two ion settings: off will deliver full voluminous style, on will give a smooth sleek finish. I tried both settings and feel that there is actually a visible difference with the two settings as the booklet describes.
For the settings, there are:
3 temperature control settings
2 ion settings (as mentioned above)
2 settings for speed/air flow
1 cool shot button
2 removable nozzles
removable air filter
9 foot extension cord
For other features it’s relatively less noisy than other dryers but not 100% silent. It is described as being energy efficient with the dual filtration system. The tool is made in France and with the power and settings I was particularly impressed at how fast it dried my hair without making my head feel super hot from the heat like it does with most other dryers.
Size comparison to the T3 PROi (c/o, previously reviewed here):
I didn’t want to fall in love with this pricey hair dryer but I have. As with everything I test regardless of whether it’s a press sample or something I purchased on my own I do assess it for the price point to see if I think it’s worth it and in this case I think it is. Still it is very spendy and you can definitely find great hair dryers for less. This one wins for me on dry time, size, weight and performance. It’s truly exceptional in every way and among the best ones that I’ve tried. If there is one thing I think it’s missing it’s a dust bag or something to carry it in for travel – but that being said most of the dryers I’ve seen don’t come with one either. Performance-wise I still think the t3 PROi and ghd Air are also very good ones. The main difference for me is the weight and dry time.
A lot of you have asked me over the past year if I’ve tried the Dyson Hair Dryer and I have not. However this season there’s a Dyson Blown-A Ouai set available which might push me over the edge to try it out. Let me know if you’ve tried it and what your thoughts are or if you would like to see a review.
Bottom line the Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Dryer gets a huge thumbs up for me. You can find it exclusively at Dermstore. Have you tried anything from Harry Josh yet? If not what’s your current favorite hair dryer? I’d love to hear what you use!
Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Dryer and Round Brush sent by Dermstore without charge for review. Other press samples featured indicated with c/o.
