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Sabrina

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Lancôme Auda[city] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette

September 14, 2015

Lancôme recently launched a 16-pan eyeshadow palette called Auda[city] in Paris ($68 for 16 shadows each x 1.3g/0.45 oz). This palette was designed by Lisa Eldridge and inspired by the streets of Paris. It’s Lancôme’s first multi-palette with light neutrals, taupes, purples, smokey greys and darker browns. It comes cased in a large mirrored compact and double-ended eyeshadow brush. The eyeshadows have different textures including matte, satin and metallic.

There are mixed reviews on this palette – I’ve been playing with this one for a few days now to put it to the test. Overall I would say it’s a good neutral palette that has a wide range of colors to create a multitude of looks. I like that each color is distinct from each other so there aren’t any repeats within the same palette. The look and feel of the shadows is very natural with a sheer to medium finish. Most of the colors are buildable in pigment – by using a denser brush or dampening it you will get more pigment. Texture is soft and sheer – the shimmers have a lot of powdery kickup and when applying on the eyes I experienced a lot of fall out onto the cheeks. It was easy to clean up though and I usually have some sort of fall out with powder shadows whenever I blend and swipe (creams excluded). Once on the lids – lasting power was pretty good. I tried with and without a base – a base definitely helps, my favorite is Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base or a cream shadow stick like NARS Velvet Shadow Sticks or Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks.

The finish of each color in this palette is either hit or miss. Some are sheerer than others. A couple of the darker shades are best applied with a detailed brush damp and then smoked out – if you use a fluffy brush for some of the deeper colors you will see uneven application. The nice thing about the darker shades being sheer though is that they are easy to build slowly. If you’re a smokey eye novice and worried about overdoing it – this is a good starter palette.

  • Filigree is a light ivory gold shimmer, pigment is medium
  • Choquette is a matte cream peach, pigment is medium
  • Parfait is a light matte cool pink, pigment is sheer to meidum
  • Joie is a frosted champagne shimmer, pigment is medium-full
  • Voyage a warm matte terracotta tan, pigment is sheer to medium but easy to blend
  • Santé is a soft matte brown, sheer to medium pigment, this is a good blending shade to soften harsh edges and finish the eye look by adding warmth
  • Kitten Heel a metallic duo chrome pink gold copper, pigment is medium with a lot of fallout, but on the lids it stays put
  • Tenacity is a glorious metallic taupe, it’s frosty but so so pretty on the lids
_______________________

  • Exhibition is an orchid shimmer, finish is very sheer, this is my least favorite in the palette
  • Zip Me Up is a deeper orchid purple shimmer, also sheer in finish, my second least favorite
  • Volcano is a shimmery grey, finish is sheer to medium
  • Audacious is a satiny smokey brown shimmer, pigment is medium
  • Couture is a soft semi-sheer dark matte brow, color is really soft unless you apply with a damp detail brush or small smudge brush
  • It List is a satiny black with tiny bits of silver shimmer flecks, pigment is medium
  • Clock Strikes 12 is a metallic grey that is very sheer, but buildable if you pack it on
  • Nuit is a cool-toned metallic black gunmetal, pigment is medium
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Quick eye swatch with a super natural look:

One last shot:

My overall take on the Lancôme Auda[city] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette is that it’s a decent palette. If I were to rate this on a scale, I’d give this a B rating. I think it’s a good wearable palette that will take you from day to night looks without any other shadows required. The variety makes it versatile and will allow for a number of different looks. If you’re new to eyeshadow and want the convenience of a palette, this is a good starter palette. There are a number of women I know who don’t wear much eyeshadow – if you want color but want a natural palette that’s fun to experiment with this is a good option.

Compared to other palettes, I do think there are better options out there for richer more vibrant color/pigment. That being said the Lancome Palette does appear to be designed for a natural look versus bold rich color. I’m not a huge fan of the brush it comes with – one is a synthetic small brush that seems better suited for creams. The other side is a larger fluffy side which is good for pigmented shadows, since this palette is sheer to medium it doesn’t pick up color well. It is a really good blending brush though.

In terms of larger palettes, the Urban Decay Naked series still rules them all as the best ones for the price of $54 each (at least in my opinion). Based on feedback I’ve received from previous reviews I’ve posted I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. I like Urban Decay because of the soft textures, rich pigment, gorgeous shimmers, wearable metallics – for many the palettes are just too much in terms of frost/shimmer. For others, some can’t get over the look of the packaging. The MAC x15 Naturals Palettes are also good if you’re looking for variety but come at a much higher price tag of $85.

If you want a softer palette with shimmers but ones that have more subtle shimmers I’d recommend this Lancôme Auda[city] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette or the Dior Eye Reviver (reviewed here and here). Given how many eyeshadows I’ve tested and own, I can’t call this one a must-have, although for the price it’s nice to have – the quality is good and shadows blend/build nicely on the lids.
Overall a good wearable and versatile palette that’s nice to have, or nice to start out with if you’re building a makeup collection. The overall look and feel is extremely beautiful – it’s a palette you can wear for a number of occasions. You can find the Lancôme Auda[city] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette available now at Lancôme counters. Online at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and all other Lancôme retailers.
Have you tried this palette yet? What’s your favorite large eyeshadow palette?
This palette was provided courtesy of Lancôme for review consideration.
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Weekend Link Love

September 13, 2015

I hope everyone has been enjoying the weekend! We are having a heat wave in Southern California with temperatures in the high 80s, it’s hard to imagine what fall will feel like with all this warmth. I’m working my way through some new products. I’m really excited to try the new Edward Bess Illusion Foundation and Longwear Lip & Cheek Stains. Also on my testing list have been the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks, Lancome Audacity Eyeshadow Palette and the Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Collection. I’ll have reviews up soon.

Several of you have asked for thoughts on the latest from Marc Jacobs Beauty, including the Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer and Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate. I bought the primer and acquired four mini samples of the foundation from my local Sephora. I’m still putting them to the test. I like the primer, still undecided about the foundation. Right now my preference is still for the Genius Gel Super–Charged Oil–Free Foundation (reviewed here) over the new one, but I want to give it a thorough test before I have a review posted.

A few links I’ve been loving this weekend:

What are you loving right now? Did you end up ordering anything from the recent beauty events from Neiman Marcus, Barney’s or Space NK? I’m still waiting on a couple orders – unfortunately they didn’t arrive in time to post before the events ended – but I’ll start testing things soon as they arrive (I ordered some new items from By Terry and Le Metier de Beaute).

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
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Lips Tom Ford Beauty

New Tom Ford Lip Colors for Fall 2015

September 11, 2015

 

Tom Ford added 16 new Lip Colors to his permanent beauty lineup. He launched three shades that were previously Asia Exclusives and also launched eight lipsticks in full-size form that were formerly in the small Lips & Boys size. I ordered several a few weeks ago – I’m a huge fan of Tom Ford Lipsticks (all his formulas) even though these come with a high price tag of $52 each, the formula is rich, creamy, pigmented, non-irritating and non-drying (they made it into my top three picks of favorite lipsticks). I have a review of 6 shades I picked out plus swatches of 15 of the 16 colors that I swatched at the counter (I missed one that I couldn’t locate at the counter). The new colors that just launched include:

 

  • Bare Peach is a medium peach silver shimmer
  • Casino (formerly Blake from Lips & Boys) is a metallic plum-brown with gold frost
  • Dark & Stormy (formerly Pavlos from Lips & Boys) is a dark brown with a hint of red
  • Flash of Pink (formerly John from Lips & Boys) is the color I couldn’t locate at the counter
  • Guilty Pleasure (formerly William from Lips & Boys) is a warm metallic peach gold
  • Lilac Nymph is a cool-toned lilac cream
  • Misbehaved is a medium peach cream
  • Naked Coral is a shimmering soft coral
  • Seventh Sin is a metallic copper gold
  • Showgirl (formerly Francesco from Lips & Boys) is a vibrant hot pink cream
  • So Vain is a mauve plum with a slight hint of gold shimmer
  • Something Wild is a medium warm hot pink
  • Sunset Boulevard (formerly Tomas from Lips & Boys) is a hot orange cream
  • Sweet Mystery (formerly Peter from Lips & Boys) is a shimmering champagne nude
  • Virgin Rose is a cool-toned baby pink
The colors I picked out are all neutrals of course. When I bought mine I ordered sight unseen and I did not know that some were repromotes of Lips & Boys. After seeing the other colors at the counter I was tempted by Virgin Rose but suspect it will be too cool-toned for my skin. Casino is gorgeous but looks identical Blake which I already own so I passed.

 

My picks include Naked Coral, Forbidden Pink, Sweet Mystery, Bare Peach, Guilty Pleasure and So Vain. All performed true to what I’m used to with other Tom Ford Lip Colors. They glide on the lips nicely. The shimmering colors are on the frosty side which emphasized lip lines – although I will say that my lips have been a bit dry lately. These days I prep my lips with Charlotte Tilbury Lip Magic or MAC Prep + Prime Lips and let it set for a minute before applying lip color. Both give the lips a nice smooth base with some hydration. They are good bases for lipstick because they have just the right amount of moisture and aren’t too emollient which is a must – otherwise the lip color can tend to slide off.

 

Colors in different lighting, indoors without flash:

 

 

Swatches side by side, note most of the colors I picked had some kind of shimmer in them. Naked Coral, Forbidden Pink and So Vain are the ones with the least shimmer but the formula still has a very slight glossy sheen which makes them glow:

 

 

Close up and lip swatches. On my skin Naked Coral and Forbidden Pink are very close. My lips tend to make anything with a slightly bright base turn a bit so you will probably see more of a distinction on your lips versus mine. I have a very slight preference for Forbidden Pink because it has a warm pink base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I pulled a few other Tom Ford lipsticks to compare and see if a couple were truly dupes of the Lips & Boys. The ones I looked at are 90%+ identical, there are very slight differences. There are still a few of the Lips & Boys available online at Neiman Marcus. Reviews of previous reviews linked below:

 

One last shot of the new colors lined up side by side:

 

I definitely have dupes with Sweet Mystery and Guilty Pleasure. If you have either Peter or William you don’t need the repromotes unless you love it, are running low and want to replenish. Naked Coral and Forbidden Pink are very close on me. I have a slight preference for Forbidden Pink although if you like lighter colors I’d recommend you opt for Naked Coral instead – it has a brighter look. Bare Peach is pure love although the shimmer in it requires lip prep so it doesn’t emphasize lip lines. So Vain is a good cool-toned mauve plum that will be perfect for a fall transition color.
All the new lip colors are supposed to be permanent additions to the Tom Ford Lip Color line. I’m still tempted by Virgin Rose but I know it will almost certainly be too cool in color for my skin. Also with the other lipstick launches from other lines this fall, there are plenty of other colors and formulas to choose from.
The Tom Ford Lip Colors retail for $52 each. Available now at Tom Ford Beauty counters. Online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Selfridges.

 

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GWP

Space NK USA Autumn Beauty Edit Gift With Purchase Event – September 12, 2015

September 10, 2015
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September is a popular month for beauty events and gift with purchase offers. Space NK offers one of the best gift bags – if you’ve shopped their events in past years you know they are extremely generous with the samples. This Saturday, September 12th, Space NK USA will host their Autumn Beauty Edit event across all 23 US locations. During this one-day-only shopping event, you can shop the latest in fall trends and looks from their Timeless Beauty FW15 Campaign. Each store will have different specialists, makeover appointments and experts on site. Full list of their US locations here.

Exclusively for the event, and while supplies last, with any purchase of $250 or more you will receive a huge gift bag with a sampling of must-haves from 33 of our featured brands (deluxe, travel and full-size items). Each year this event is extremely popular and gifts always sell out. It’s recommended you call your local store to reserve a gift in advance or order early online on the 12th – if you’re interested and have a store near you I recommend calling today. A sneak peek at what’s inside the gift bag:

Contents of the gift bag courtesy of Space NK:

  • Space NK Limited Edition Cosmetics Bag 
  • Bumble & Bumble Repair Blow Dry (15ml) 
  • By Terry Mascara Terrybly in Black Parti-Pris (4g) 
  • Cane + Austin Miracle Pad (x 5) 
  • Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara in Black (4g) 
  • Darphin Stimulskin Plus Reshaping Divine Serum (3ml) 
  • Diptyque Eau de Parfum (assorted, 12ml) 
  • Eve Lom Cleanser (20ml plus muslin cloth) 
  • Goldfaden MD Fresh A Peel (5ml) 
  • Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Hydrating Aloe (30ml) 
  • Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipstick in Icon (0.85g) 
  • James Read Tan Accelerator (25ml) 
  • Juara Candlenut Body Crème (44 ml) 
  • Kate Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum (7ml) 
  • Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Bloodroses (0.68g) 
  • Lancer Intensive Night Treatment (7.5ml) 
  • Leif Kakadu Plum and Macadamia Nut Hand Balm (75ml) 
  • Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencil (assorted, 3.1g) 
  • Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Facial Moisturizer (30ml) 
  • Mila Moursi Cryo Serum Ice Cube Infusion (5ml) 
  • Mio The Activist Firming Active Body Oil (30 ml) 
  • Miriam Quevedo Extreme Caviar Restructuring Luxe Serum (50ml) 
  • Natura Bissé Tensolift Neck Cream (5ml) 
  • Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream (15ml) 
  • Original & Mineral Atonic Thickening Spritz (50ml) 
  • Philip B. Nordic Wood Hair & Body Shampoo (15ml) 
  • R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo (2.25oz) 
  • Radical Skincare Eye Revive Crème (5ml) 
  • Ren Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial (10ml) 
  • Rodial Pink Diamond Instant Lifting Serum (5ml) 
  • Roloxin Lift Revitalizing Facial Treatment (0.07oz x 2) 
  • Sunday Riley Good Genes (10ml) 
  • Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser (15ml)
Will you be shopping for this Space NK event this fall? Or have you budgeted for other fall beauty events? Would love to hear about what you have on your wishlist or any new beauty finds you’ve discovered.

To recap, the Space NK USA Autumn Beauty Edit Event is one day on September 12th, in stores and online while supplies last. Full store listing of all 23 US locations here. Do note the gifts usually sell out fairly quickly – if you’re interested I’d recommend calling your store soon to reserve one in advance.

Many thanks to Space NK for sending the gift as a preview teaser for their event!

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Sara Happ Lip Scrubs, The Lip Slip One Luxe Balm and One Luxe Glosses

September 9, 2015

I first tried Sara Happ’s line a couple of months ago when I ordered the Sparkling Pink Lip Set from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (it’s still available online). One of my BFFs raves about and swears by The Lip Slip One Luxe Clear Shine Lip Gloss – she wears it over her lipstick or alone for a soft glossy shine. I usually don’t wear clear gloss so I opted for the Pink Lip gloss along with the Grapefruit Lip Scrub since it came in a set – both are really fun to use. I’ve since been able to play with a few more of the items from Sara Happ’s line. Today I have a review on some of The Lip Scrubs, The Lip Slip One Luxe Balm and her One Luxe Gloss in The Pink Slip and The Nude Slip (they all retail at $24 each).

The Sara Happ Lip Scrubs have been on my radar for a long time but the concept of a scrub on the lips sounded a bit harsh for my super sensitive skin. The packaging can’t be beat with these though – they come packaged in a small square box with a white little bow. These make the cutest little gifts and you don’t have to do any wrapping to make them look special. These are gritty and have texture but have an emollient feel so they glide easily on the lips. They do get a bit messy, as you can expect with a scrub. The instructions say to apply on the lips and massage in a circular motion, then wipe off with a tissue. I tried each of these several time and each time I think I applied too much (although maybe it’s because they taste amazing). Using a tissue wasn’t enough to remove it from my lips. I had to wipe it off with a slightly damp towel as well. These leave the lips feeling super soft – it does help remove dry patches and flakes. These are paraben free and made with natural ingredients. Ingredients vary slightly per flavor. I’ve been playing with several flavors for a few weeks now:

  • Peony is a limited-edition flavor, it resembles the floral scent that the lip glosses and lip balm have, it’s not my favorite but if you like soft florals this one is really good, it’s not bad tasting – it’s just the sweeter ones are amazing by comparison
  • Vanilla Bean is a brown-colored scrub, it smells and tastes like vanilla bean without being too sweet or sugary
  • Confetti Cake is another limited-edition one, it tastes and smells similar to Vanilla Bean, but softer and more like a sugar cookie or white cake
  • Sparkling Pink Grapefruit (not shown) smells exactly like grapefruit, if you like citrusy fruity scents this one is really fun

Ingredients of The Luxe Lip Balm (above) and Vanilla Bean Lip Scrub (bottom):

The Lip Slip One Luxe Balm is a floral scented milky pink balm that has tiny bits of silver shimmer mixed in. On my lips it’s pretty clear in color although the milky pink tint does make my lips look a bit pale. It’s on the thick side for a lip balm – a little goes a very long way. This is the closest thing I’ve ever tried that compares to the By Terry Baume de Rose in terms of look and feel. Of course the two aren’t identical, but the Sara Happ Luxe Balm has a similar milky light pink tint and a thick texture with a floral scent. My preference is still for the By Terry, but the Sara Happ does a really good job at hydrating the lips – my only hesitation in keeping this one in my purse for daily use is that it’s very thick in texture and a bit too heavy for day. I suspect once fall/winter rolls around I will be loving the texture more, right now for summer in high 80-100 degree weather, it’s too much.

The One Luxe Glosses come in four colors. Below are two of them in The Pink Slip and The Nude Slip. Both come in a tube with a large sponge applicator. The glosses are fairly thick in texture and have a sticky tacky feel to them. They feel really nourishing on the lips. The Nude Slip is lighter than my natural lip color and took some blending to apply smoothly – it’s a nude color but doesn’t wash out the complexion. I’m a huge lover of nude lips but this one was a bit too pale for my skintone. The Pink Slip on the other hand is a lovely baby pink that has enough color to give the face a glow. It’s on the cool-toned side on my skin but looking at the tube I would call it more in the neutral territory (not too warm and not too cool). It makes the lips look very healthy. Lasting power is pretty good with these since they have that thick tacky feel. If you’re not a fan of thick sticky formulas though you may want to skip.

Swatches of all three:

Bottom line, fun lip products to play with for grown ups. The packaging makes these really special even though you will probably end up throwing away the boxes. It gives them a unique feel that you don’t see with other brands. I’m obsessed with The Pink Slip Lip Gloss as it gives the lips a healthy glow. The Nude Slip is a good nude but too light for me. I like the way the Lip Slip Luxe Balm performs – it hydrates the lips really well, but the texture is thick and a bit too heavy for the hot weather we have right now.

In terms of the Lip Scrubs, I think Vanilla Bean and Confetti Cake are musts. I’m super picky when it comes to sweet scents in lip products – these have just the right amount of sweetness without being over the top. I was skeptical about how useful these would be but after trying them, I really don’t know what took me so long to try one.

Have you tried anything from Sara Happ before? What are your favorites? Occasionally you can see some sets available for sale that give a slight price break. You can find Sara Happ at Nordstrom, Beautyhabit, Blue Mercury, and Selfridges.
Confetti Cake, Vanilla Bean, Peony and The Nude Slip were provided as press samples for review consideration. Other items purchased by me.

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Uncategorized

On My Radar / New in Beauty

September 8, 2015

Fall beauty is here in full swing. This month is a big one for beauty events and gift with purchase offers – if you have had items on your wishlist, you may want to wait and shop for the gifts coming up. I’ll have more details soon on some of the gifts, but for now a quick overview:
  • Space NK has their Autumn Beauty Edit starting September 12th with any $250 purchase you will receive a huge gift bag of deluxe sized samples
  • Barneys New York Beauty Event starts September 9th, with any $200 purchase you have the option of a large beauty bag with deluxe sized samples (option for man and an option for women)
  • Neiman Marcus Beauty Week starts September 10th, there is a store gift and each line with have individual gift with purchase options, some lines will have step ups
Many of the gifts are tempting as there are a lot of good gift with purchases this year. I’m making a list trying to sort and prioritize purchases for this month. In the meantime some new items that are on my beauty radar right now (from top left clockwise):
  • By Terry has four new duos out. There are two Terrybly Densiliss Blush Contouring Duos and two Terrybly Densiliss Compact Contouring Duos. These are extremely pricey at $95 each, but in my experience, the By Terry powders are usually very pigmented and extremely soft in texture. I hope to check these out in person soon. I have high hopes for these.
  • NARS has launched their NARS Pro Palettes. This is their first refillable palette launch. There are two size options and over 64 refill shades of eyeshadows, blushes, bronzer, and pressed powders. These are exclusive to NARS Boutiques and online at narscosmetics.com. Prices/options are as follows:
    • Large Palette is $18, Small Palette is $14
    • Refills are priced at $18 for Single Eyeshadows, $25 for Duo Eyeshadows, $25 for Pressed Powder Refills, $30 for Contour Duos, $27 for Bronzing Powder and $21 for blushes
  • Bumble and Bumble has launched a new haircare line called Full Potential. I tried the Hair Preserving Shampoo ($31) and Conditioner ($34) from Sephora.com by ordering samples (get 5 shampoo and conditioner samples and a deluxe Booster Spray, free with $25 purchase using code POTENTIAL at checkout). I was so impressed by day 3 I ordered the full size. The products in the line smells incredible. My hair feels soft and bouncy and stronger. It has a more masculine smell to it but it’s something I really love. If you can try the samples I highly recommend it.
  • Le Metier de Beaute is launching some new kaleidoscope kits for fall. At the top of my list is Full Stream and Lift Off. Both kits contain a pressed translucent powder, highlighter, blush and eyeshadow. They retail for $95 each – I can’t wait to see them in person.
  • New plum lip colors are always something I look forward to in fall. Even though I’m a nude/peach kind of lip girl, I love a good plum. Three on my list to check out are Fresh Sugar Fig, Buxom Big and Sexy Bold Gel in Voodoo Spice and Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Glastonberry.
  • Dior has launched four new Dior Vernis Nail Colours $27 each with their Addict Lipstick relaunch. In my experience Dior makes some of the best nail polishes in terms of formula and wear. Almost nothing glides on the nails as good as Dior and the colors are usually flawless. The four new colors are Smile, Wonderful, Be Dior and Tribale.
  • As the season transitions to fall I start to look into new primers and foundations my skin reacts to weather changes. Right now I’m focused on maintaining radiance and extending foundation wear without adding too many layers. I’ve been testing the Becca Backlight Priming Filter and Tom Ford Complexion Enhancing Primers for a few weeks. I’ll have a report soon. Also on my radar is the Eve Lom Radiance Lift Cream.
  • Last but not least, I’m obsessed with mini sampler sets that give you items to try out. The Sephora Give me Some Lip Set looks like the perfect pick-me-up for $25. I already have 2 of the 6 lip colors so I didn’t jump to buy it when I saw it in store. It was really tempting though and oh so cute.
What’s on your beauty radar this week? Are you shopping any of the beauty events this month? The gifts from Barneys and Space NK are usually so good – although I do wish they didn’t all occur in the same month. It would be nice to spread them out over a few months to help with budgeting and decisions!
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Base Makeup

Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ in Tan Gold

September 4, 2015

I’ve been interested in cushion compacts for quite some time but never took the jump to test one until recently. I was researching and shopping for sunscreens in Sephora a few months ago and one of the associates recommended the Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compacts ($60 for 0.52 oz/15 g, plus one full-sized refill) because it had a high SPF, natural coverage and was also one of their best sellers in store. She tried two shades on me, Tan Gold 204 and Amber Gold 208. It was hard to tell with in store lighting which color was best because they both seemed to adjust to the skin and it was early summer so I wasn’t sure how much of a tan I would get. I decided to wait and luckily the Amore Pacific team reached out and offered to send one for me to test. Based on my skintone description they sent Tan Gold 204 for me to try. I’ve been playing with it for a month and am really pleased with it.

One reason why I’ve been hesitant to try cushion compacts for so long is most seem to be pink in undertone. I have distinct olive/yellow undertones so I’ve avoided them for a long time. Amore Pacific’s Color Control Cushion Compact has a limited shade selection but they have two with pink undertones and two with yellow undertones. In testing the four shades at Sephora in store, it was easy to see the difference in undertone.

Tan Gold 204 applies to a perfect match for my skin. It has very natural coverage but manages to conceal uneven areas and redness on the face. The sponge is very thin and absorbs the perfect amount of product to apply to the skin. You have to test it really see how beautifully it performs – you press it into the skin and then blend with the sponge. The finish looks like your skin but so much better. It isn’t like tinted moisturizers or like other CC or BB creams (I find most disappear into my skin). The one from Amore Pacific covers completely but still manages to look natural.
The color starts out a bit light on my skin but it oxidizes to match my skin. It only darkens within the first few minutes but stays the same color throughout the day. I was really impressed with how well it holds up to the humidity and heat (it lasts all day when set with powder through 90 degree weather). When I use it pores disappear and fine lines no longer look like they are visible. There is a noticeable floral scent but it’s not overpowering or irritating on the skin (for reference, it has the same strength as By Terry Rose products but is more powdery smelling compared to a straight rose).

The compact is very well designed. It comes with a mirror and a spot for the sponge. The insert is easy to pop out to replace with the extra refill. The product is in a cushion form, the foundation is soaked in a cushiony sponge. To apply, simply press the sponge into the compact and then apply to your face.

Here’s a look at the compact with the insert removed:

Swatches:

Swatches to a few other Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact shades (I had a sample pack of the pink tones from a previous GWP) and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Groenland and St. Moritz (right now I’m a perfect match to St. Moritz):

Ingredients:

-Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate: 7%
-Titanium Dioxide: 4.15% 
-Zinc Oxide: 9.8% 

Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Alcohol, Arbutin, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Disodium Edta, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Water, Silica, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camillia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, Ci 77491, Ci77499).

Given the limited shade selection I’m surprised but really happy to have found a good color match. I’m thoroughly impressed with how natural it looks – it’s like your skin but so so much better. After testing it for about a month now I am pleased to report it evens out the skin, gives the skin a natural glow, is easy to build and lasts all day. Aside from the initial darkening/adjusting which occurs within the first 5 minutes, the color stays put and doesn’t darken with sweat or heat. I love how it feels weightless and like skin on the face. I do set with a powder to make it stay put better – but I set everything with powder. I have sensitive skin but this one did not irritate my face or cause any breakouts. The price of $60 is on point and seems very reasonable especially since it comes with a full-sized refill.

Have you tried anything from Amore Pacific before? Based on the reviews online, most everything in the line seems to be very well received by beauty lovers. I’m new to the line – would love recommendations if you have any favorites! If not – do you have any favorite cushion compacts?

You can find the Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact online at Amore Pacific, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Sephora and Neiman Marcus.

The Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact was provided courtesy of Amore Pacific for review consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

 

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