Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers

August 15, 2023

Chanel added a new product to their No 1 de Chanel skincare line with three shades of the No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers ($60 each for 1 fl oz). These are radiant illuminators that combine skincare and tint in one. The No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers contain the Red Camellia Extract and Red Camellia Oil which are supposed to help revive and protect the skin.

These can be worn on their own all over or as a primer underneath foundation. The three shades have a medium texture consistency – not liquid/fluid but not super thick like a cream. They do have a hydrating feel and a little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot.

I’ve played with these a few ways. The shimmer is fine enough that I can apply all over the face in place of foundation for an all over glow. If I set with a good medium coverage powder on top like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder or Chantecaille Compact Makeup the result is a naturally radiant glow from within kind of look, almost like fresh skin that is softly powdered.

I also like using as a primer underneath foundation or mixed in with foundation for a little more glow.

There are three shades, Soft Pink is a pearly soft peachy pink, Medium Coral is a peachy shade, Intense Amber is a very warm golden amber shimmer. On my skin tone which is a Chanel B40/BD41/B50/BD51 I can use either Soft Pink or Medium Coral on their own. I also like the two mixed.

Formula is easy to blend and work into the skin with fingers. One pump is more than enough for me to cover my entire face. These are natural in finish but have more coverage with a thicker texture than the Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid or Fluid Enlumineur.

Swatch comparisons:

Below Soft Pink and Medium Coral swiped on bare skin

Applied all over

Full beauty look wearing:

Base – No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancer in Soft Pink and Medium Coral mixed
Foundation – No 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation in BD41 (swatches also here)
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium
Brows – Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
Eyeshadow – Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Candeur Et Experience
Eyeliner – Stylo Yeux Eyeliner in Espresso
Bronzer – Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream Shade 392
Blush – Joues Contraste Rose Initiale
Lips – Rouge Coco Baume in Pink Delight + Rouge Coco Gloss in Rose Naif
Nail Polish – Static Nails Liquid Glass Nail Lacquer in Coconut
Top – Reformation

There are lots of complexion enhancers out right now and for a similar finish, I would say the Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter is the most similar in the way it looks on the skin. Of course the formulas and shades are completely different, but for a glow product I can wear all over the face on its own without looking like a disco ball, I feel these are similar. The Elf product is primarily makeup and the shades are closer to skin tone shades while the Chanel is noticeably more hydrating and the colors work to almost brighten the skin with the pink and peach tones.

Bottom line: love. I didn’t expect to love these as much as I do since I already am a die-hard fan of the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Both of those come in skin tones so I wasn’t sure I would like the No 1 de Chanel Skin Enhancers since the colors aren’t really skin tones.

The Chanel has a beautiful luxurious feel and adds a soft radiance to the skin. The tint in the base adds more life to the skin by adding some warmth. I will say that if you have super oily skin these may be too hydrating for you.

I did a review of the No 1 de Chanel beauty line a while ago here in case you’re wondering what other items I tried from the line. See the Enhancers in action here.

You can find these at Chanel and Ulta Beauty.

Have you tried these? What’s your favorite complexion enhancer these days?

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Hauls Sephora

New Rare Beauty Launches + Haul

August 11, 2023

I hauled a few of the new Rare Beauty launches recently and have a review + lots of swatches today. I picked up the All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Sticks, Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner and the Fresh & Dewy Lip Cheek Duo.

I did a full look wearing:

Foundation – Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer 32N
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium
Brows – Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel
Bronzer – Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick in Always Sunny
Blush – Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush in Happy
Eyeshadows – Patrick Ta Major Dimension Palette (matte brown shades)
- Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadows in Growth, Contentment + Well Being
Lips – Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner + Lipstick in Humble + Gloss in Nearly Petal
Tank – Reformation (wearing a Medium)

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A post shared by Sabrina Shorb (@beautylookbook)

Fresh & Dewy Lip Cheek Duo

The Fresh & Dewy Lip Cheek Duo ($28) is a super cute set with a full size Stay Vunerable Glossy Lip Balm in Nearly Petal and mini Soft Pinch Blush in Happy. The Nearly Petal shade is a light peachy pink that’s very sheer and barely has any color payoff by itself. I like it layered on top of a liner or lipstick, but by itself I think it’s pretty much the same as a clear lip balm (at least on me).

The Soft Pinch Blush in Happy is a super mini. It’s very tiny but since the blushes are ultra pigmented I don’t mind the small size. It’s cute, I love the color, and the pink is really flattering for a healthy pink flush.

Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner

The reviews for the Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner ($19) are overwhelmingly positive but I was pretty disappointed in this formula. It glides on beautifully on the hand, but on the eyes it drags and the pigment is not smooth or intense for the Cocoa shade. I felt like it disappeared on my skin within minutes. For a pencil liner in a twist up format I prefer the Tarte Quick Sticks or Sisley Phyto-Kohl Eyeliners by far.

I liked the Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara ($20) from a previous haul so I restocked on another tube. This time however I’m just not really a fan of the formula. I think since I first bought it there have been so many other great launches, this one is just ok. Adds nice definition on me, but doesn’t really volumize and absolutely does not hold the curl.

All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Sticks

Last but not least we have a look at the All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Sticks ($22). This is another product I have mixed thoughts about. I think they’re much better than the Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Sticks (reviewed here) but I don’t think they are the best out there. Perhaps the formula is just not for my skin type/preference though. The Rare Beauty Eyeshadow sticks are long-wearing but they set really fast so you need to blend quickly. On bare lids they emphasize fine lines I did not know where there giving me almost a wrinkly dried out look. If I load up on eye cream and apply the shadows as a topper on top of a powder shadow I get a better result.

I did a demo with 3 shades on Instagram reels. I think the colors are beautiful. Formula is kinda high maintenance for me, although I don’t mind layering. I just see myself reaching for something creamier that doesn’t set as fast like the Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks (wish they would launch new colors) or the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks.

Overall I had fun trying some new launches. I don’t think I would call any of them must-haves although I do really like the eyeshadow sticks in Contentment and Growth. From the Rare Beauty line I still think the best thing I’ve tried is the Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer.

Have you tried any of these Rare Beauty launches? What did you think?

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I bought mine from Sephora.

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Base Makeup Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint + Powder

August 8, 2023

Bobbi Brown just added new items to their Vitamin Enriched line with a new Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint ($46) and Pressed Finishing Powder ($48). I’ve been testing both for a few days now and I think they are definitely worth checking out!

The Vitamin Enriched Face Base has been one of my favorites for a long time. It’s one of the best multi-tasking primer-moisturizers in one. It works well with a wide range of foundation formulas and by now I’ve lost track of how many I’ve used up. I like that it hydrates and really sinks into the skin (while most primers seem to sit on top). It is scented with geranium and grapefruit but I haven’t had any issues with the fragrance on my skin.

The Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint is a tinted face base with SPF 15. It is very hydrating and semi-thick but blends out easily with a sponge. I did a demo applying with a brush on Instagram Reels and it blends out nicely, but the best way is to blend and dab with a sponge.

I applied it on top of the Face Base Moisturizer. Swatches below of Medium 1 and Medium 2.

A little goes a long way and it gives very natural sheer coverage. If you need more coverage your best option it layer concealer on top, the formula of the base itself will be too thick if you try to layer it for more coverage.

I was sent Medium 2 which was too dark when I tried it last week. I ordered Medium 1 which was a better match, but we spent the weekend outdoors including a day on the boat so my skin tanned and now Medium 2 works. I feel like I’m forever having to purchase multiple shades since I tan so easily.

So far I really like the way it feels and makes my skin look. Since I have combination skin I 100% recommend setting with a powder.

I also tried the new tint with the new Vitamin Enriched Pressed Finishing Powder in Neutral. It has a soft blur/pressed formula similar to the Sisley Blur Expert and Chantecaille Perfect Blur Powder.

Formula of the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Pressed Finishing Powder is pretty good when you first apply but it does not last long enough for me. It’s lightweight, blurs, sets and is sheer enough that your skin shows through. I was sent the Neutral color which is a good match. It’s sheer enough that it’s forgiving so you don’t need an exact match, but the formula looks a little too powdery on my skin.

If I apply with a lighter hand for sheerer application I can’t get enough product onto my skin. I think this isn’t the powder for my skin type but I can definitely see it working better for normal/dry skin types. For me the base is best when set with other powders like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder or Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder.

Bare Skin vs the Tint

Just the Tint

Full look wearing:

Base – Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint in Medium 2
Concealer – Bobbi Brown Full Cover Concealer in Natural
Powder – Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Powder in Neutral
Bronzer – Gucci Powder Bronzer in Shade 3
Blush – Bobbi Brown Illuminating Powder in Maui
Eyeshadow – Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Cinnamon + Too Faced Born This Way Sunset Strip Palette
Mascara – Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Lip Combo – Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick in Almost Bare + Crushed Oi-Infused Gloss in Free Spirit
Tank – Reformation (tank is very fitted, recommend sizing up, I’m wearing a Medium)

Overall I love the new tint. I think it will be even better for me when the weather cools down (which won’t be for a while). If you have dry skin I think you will love it. For me it performs better than the Hourglass Veil Tint. If you have normal, combo or oily skin I think you may find it too thick or hydrating for your skin type in which case I’d recommend the YSL Nu Bare Look Tint or Too Faced Born This Way Healthy Glow Skin Tint.

I think the powder is nice, just not for my skin type. But if you’re looking for a hydrating blurring formula I highly recommend checking it out.

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Available now at Bobbi Brown and Sephora.

Vitamin Enriched collection gifted by Bobbi Brown for review consideration.

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Beauty Favorites Loving Right Now

Recent Buys and Loves

August 4, 2023

Happy Friday! Wanted to share some things I bought and loved recently. I’ve posted a lot of these on Instagram but know some of you mainly read the blog (or may have missed my stories).

Marble 2-Tier Tower

I love repurposing home decor trays and marble cheese boards for beauty displays. I spotted this Marble and Brass 2-Tier Stand and thought it would be perfect to display perfume and products I reach for frequently. It’s reasonably priced especially for the hefty marble slabs it comes with.

It is very sturdy but very heavy so I recommend finding a more permanent place for it because it is not easy to move. Mine did not come with feet protectors and I think the stand could potentially scratch your table or counter if you move it. I plan on ordering a few felt or rubber stick-ons for the bottom.

Storage ideas in action here!

Jewelry Cleaner

I have been cleaning my jewelry with a tiny soft brush and jewelry cleaner for years. I spotted this Ultra Sonic Jewelry Cleaner on TikTok and ordered it immediately. I love it. I don’t know if it’s the best one out there as I didn’t do much research on the options out there. I love that it’s compact and doesn’t take up a lot of storage or counter space. It’s super easy to use.

Simply put warm water (I put in hot water, but not boiling) in it and push the button and it does it’s thing. Jewelry looks super sparkly. I was really surprised how much debris was at the bottom. You can also put in glasses, sunglasses etc. I put in some hair clips and they had so much residue from product and my fingers in the grooves. They came out perfectly clean.

Acrylic Round Organizer

I shared these spinning organizers before but just ordered a couple more from Target. I like them for mascara, pencils, those Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lips (my collection is out of control), brushes, etc.

Hair Clips

You girls know I love those Balmain Hair Couture Clips. I think they’re really well made, streamlined and the quality is SO much better than the average clip but they’re very expensive!

My bestie messaged me and asked if I had any from Emi Jay. I did not but she said I needed them so I ordered a few. The quality is exceptionally good. I do wish they had more small or medium sizes available as most of the clips are in the Big Effing Claw Clips Size but I think they’re really well made.

I also ordered some Machete Clips to try. I love the clips although they’re not all the same thickness/quality. The Midi, Grande or Twin Heirlooms are really well made and thick/sturdy. I love the size of the Minis but they’re thinner which is still very good but not as good as the others.

Tissue Box / Tray

These two aren’t new but I get asked so often about them I thought I’d link them again. I love these simple Tissue Box Covers to elevate the look of your home. I have them in the white and grey and think they’re really well made.

This Quartz Catchall is one of the most beautiful trays I own. We have several around the home (night stands, living room, my office). Anytime I share something on stories I get dozens of messages asking for a link.

Sunglasses

I’ve been meaning to do a sunglasses roundup but haven’t gotten around to it. I still really love the ones from Tom Ford I bought from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The Alistair 56 mm Gradient Sunglasses in the Red Havana are my favorite. The Milla 59 mm Gradient Aviators are the ones you girls have loved the most (I bought them in the brown and blue lens). Sale ends on the 6th.

For designer sunglasses the Celine Triomphe 52 mm Oval Sunglasses in the Black and Brown are my most-worn sunnies. For a more classic look I splurged on the Celine 3 Bold Dots Style 50 mm size and really love them. If you want a bigger lens they also have it in a 54 mm size but I have not seen/tried those in person for comparison.

Favorite Shoes Right Now

It seems like it’s always sandal season in Florida but this year I haven’t really been wearing sandals that much. I’ve been living in sneakers – probably because of walkies with Ollie. They’re more comfortable and it’s easier to walk in grass or the dog park with sneakers vs open toe shoes.

I tried to find a dupe for the Celine Low Top Trainers and the New Balance 480s are pretty good (they run TTS). They’re not as cushiony or comfortable in the sole but for the price they’re great. (For me they are definitely walking shoes and not running shoes.)

I also shared a few other styles a few weeks ago and thought I’d post them here.

Top Row: New Balance 327 (runs TTS), Dior Walk N Dior (runs TTS), Veja Venturi (go a 1/2 size down)
Middle Row: Celine Low Top Trainers (I went with a 36 and am a true 36.5/37), New Balance 574 (runs TTS), APL Techloom Breeze (I go a 1/2 size bigger for a 7)
Bottom: New Balance 480 (runs TTS)

Lash Combo Primer + Mascara

One last shout out for recent buys is a beauty find. I have tried so many mascara primers which are great for thickening and volume, but I haven’t found one that holds the curl until now. I bought the Too Faced Better than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer and I love it. It’s a thinner formula so you only need a thin coat but it really helps mascara adhere and holds the curl. I’ve been pairing it with the YSL Lash Clash Mascara.

July Beauty Favorites

Last but not least, I did not have time to blog my July Beauty Favorites but I did a roundup with everything linked here including my favorite base, favorite concealer and more. Everything is also linked here.

What have you been loving lately?

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Ask Sabrina

Ask Sabrina | August

August 2, 2023

Sharing another roundup of frequently asked questions in this week’s Ask Sabrina series!

1. What’s your favorite bag right now?

I’ve been really loving my Loewe Small Puzzle. It’s the perfect size for me – not mini but not too big. Love that the shoulder strap is adjustable. I have a couple of the Mini Puzzle Bags and love those too, but the Small is a lot more practical! There are a few different formats in the puzzle, for material they have grained and smooth. So far I’ve only tried the grained which I like for the finish. They have softened quite a bit since I got them for a slightly more slouchy look.

Top: Reformation, Shorts: Agolde, Bag: Loewe Small Puzzle Sand (grained), Sunglasses: Celine

I’ve also seen on a few YouTube videos that Loewe is going to phase out the current puzzle style and start making them all the Puzzle Edge like this one. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I just searched for the styles/colors I have and they are pretty hard to find now (at least online).

I really love all things from Loewe, I’m considering a Small Puzzle Edge or Compact Hammock for my next splurge.

2. Best raffia bag?

I have quite a few by now and love them all. Each one serves a different purpose (ie size/shape/color). The two I’ve used the most are the Loewe Shell Basket (small) which I think may be discontinued now and Square Raffia Basket.

3. What is your favorite movie?

It’s hard to pick just one! My favorite movie of all time is Elf. I could probably watch it every week and laugh until I cry every single time. I also love all the Harry Potter movies, When Harry Met Sally, Love Actually and Notting Hill. We recently re-watched all the Bridget Jones movies and I thought they were hilarious.

4. TV show recommendations?

This is a follow up from my poll from you! I’m really happy to hear a lot of you watch the same British crime dramas we watch. I have to confess they are really more Andrew’s favorites but I have slowly become addicted. Popular picks from you have been Line of Duty, Midsomer Murders, Happy Valley, Bay (we watched those too!).

We are currently watching The Tower Season 2 and tonight we will probably finish Hijack. We are also working our way watching re-runs of 30 Rock.

Recent shows I’ve really enjoyed: Ted Lasso, Silo, Night Sky, Queen’s Gambit, Only Murders, Hijack, White Lotus (Season 1 was better than Season 2). Black Mirror is pretty good although some episodes are a bit too disturbing.

Older shows I loved: The Office, Fleabag, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Yellowstone (although we did not finish the last season), Modern Love, Movies That Made Us and I thought Severance was pretty good. I know I’m forgetting tons of great shows on this list.

The Top 10 Shows you recommended (in order of popularity): The Bear, Succession, Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Suits, Silo, Beef, And Just Like That, Jack Ryan and Black Mirror. (I really wanted to love And Just Like That but I couldn’t even finish the first episode.)

5. You mentioned you’re not a reader but like podcasts. What podcasts do you listen to?

I am still exploring and I haven’t found a series that I like every single episode yet. A lot of the podcasts I have bookmarked are over an hour long so it takes me a while to finish them. I think there are quite a few I’ve started but never finished. Two I’ve been really enjoying are the All-In Podcast and Diary of a CEO.

6. Best wedding lipstick follow-up – your responses surprised me!

Another follow-up from my poll and your responses surprised me! About 1/3 of the responses were “not married or not married yet” and another 1/3 said “didn’t have a wedding.” For the longest time I have felt like I was the only one who did not have a wedding ceremony. Both Andrew and I feel truly lucky to have found each other and we are very happy, but a huge part of me feels like we missed out by not having a wedding. Hearing that a lot of you also skipped the wedding makes me feel so much better.

From the remaining 1/3 who responded most of you did not remember what lipstick you wore on your wedding day. For those who did the top 3 brands were Charlotte Tilbury, Tom Ford and MAC. These were the most worn colors according to you

Charlotte Tilbury Very Victoria, Nude Kate, Pillow Talk
MAC Sweetie, Twig, Velvet Teddy, Whirl
Tom Ford Indian Rose, First Time, Blush Nude, Sugar Glider

7. Best shampoo and conditioner follow-up – your responses/feedback!

Hundreds of you responded and your favorite brand is Oribe by a huge landslide! There are lots of different formulas among your favorites but the Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner seemed to be the most popular as I think it should be! It’s hands down my favorite and the one I repurchase the most. The Gold Lust Set ($102) is still available for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale thru the 6th at the sale price. I just bought one to stock up.

8. Do you think you’ll ever stop blogging and just do social media?

I’ve thought about this for years. A lot of you have asked if I’ll move to YouTube versus the blog too. I really don’t know! I’m always evolving and changing and I hope to continue to do so! The Beauty Lookbook has been a labor of love and something I enjoy but it takes a lot of time. I really do love that I own my website and all the content I produce is my own. I would love to just focus on one platform but they are all so different. I’ve blogged for so long I don’t see myself giving it up any time soon, but who knows?! I’d love to do YouTube. However creating video content is still really challenging for me and it takes a lot of time to create/edit. I don’t know that I can.

9. Are you doing any other anti-aging cosmetic treatments outside of Botox? Which cosmetic procedure are you considering next?

I’m currently not doing any cosmetic procedures other than the Botox treatment from May. I’m the biggest chicken when it comes to any level of pain or discomfort. I can’t even look at a needle on TV without feeling like I’m going to faint. I would like to get a peel but it’s so hot and the sun is so intense, I don’t think my skin can handle it right now. Based on what I’ve read I don’t think I’ll ever get filler, it sounds too painful.

10. One last thing, not really an answer to any question, but Kitty turns 11 today! He’s been with us so long and we love him so much.

RIP Jake and Lucy xoxo

That wraps up this week’s Ask Sabrina roundup! Stay tuned for the next one in a couple of weeks!

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Beauty Favorites Fragrance

Best Scents of Summer

July 31, 2023

Rounding up the best summer perfumes I’ve been loving this year. I love a good citrus perfume and often wear it year round. My go-to’s are still from Chanel and Creed, but I have some new favorites this year!

Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz and Paris-Riviera

Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz and Paris-Riviera Eau de Toilette Sprays ($98 to $142, Chanel.com) still remain at the top of my list for my most-worn fragrances. They’re fresh, bright and come in both full size and travel sizes (perfect for my bag).

RIVIERA NOTES: Sicilian orange, Petitgrain, Jasmine, Neroli, Sandalwood and Musk

Biarritz pulls a little softer while Riviera has a sharper more crisp feel.

BIARRITZ NOTES: Grapefruit, Mandarin, Lily of the valley accord, Vetiver and White Musk

Celine Parade

NOTES: Bergamot, Neroli, Vetiver, Musk, Oak Moss

Celine Parade Eau de Parfum ($280 to $410 at Celine) is one I discovered over Christmas and it’s my favorite of all the Celine perfumes. Full review of all the scents here. This one could definitely be considered unisex. To me it’s like a dressier more edgy variation of the Chanel Les Eaux perfumes I love.

Sample sizes are not available in this one they offer a Discovery Coffret ($385).

Dior Dioriviera

NOTES: Rose and Fig

I bought Dioriviera Eau de Parfum ($150 to $450 at Dior) without testing it as I do not have a Dior counter near me that carries the La Collection Privee scents. I watched a few videos on this before buying and based on their descriptions it was very difficult for me to be able to tell if I would like this or not.

Based on the name I expected a citrus sunshine kind of scent but it’s very different. It’s a lush mix of fig and rose. Sweet and bright – it smells like the scent you would smell in a very expensive five-star luxury hotel. I was very happy that I ended up loving it.

If you’re like me are unsure about this, if you order online at Dior they offer samples at checkout with orders which change often. They have Dioriviera as one of the samples right now.

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc and Eau de Soleil Blanc

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc ($295 for 1.7 fl oz) and Eau de Soleil Blanc ($155 for 1.7 fl oz) are also two long-time favorites. I cannot pick a favorite between the two. They both smell really close to me for that white flower coco de mer mix. Both are available in a smaller 50 ml travel size formats if you want to try/test a smaller option before committing to a full-size bottle.

Soleil Blanc Notes: Coco de Mer, Cardamom, Ylang Ylang

Eau de Soleil Blanc Notes: Coco de Mer, Ylang Ylang from Comores Island, Bergamot Flower

Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Eclectic

I currently own both of the Loewe Paula’s Ibiza perfumes and my favorite is Eclectic Eau de Toilette ($110 for the full size, $42 for the travel mini). It’s one of the most unique summery woody floral scents I own. I don’t think it will be everyone’s cup of tea as it’s very complex but I find it very different and I love it. If you like sandalwood scents I think you will like this one. I think it can also be worn in fall.

NOTES: orange flower absolute, jasmine sambac, Madagascan mandari, black pepper, incense essential oil, frankincense, coconut, vanilla, ylang ylang, musk and sandalwood

Creed Virgin Island Water

NOTES: Lime, Bergamot, Tropical Fruits, Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, Jasmine, White Flowers, Tonka Bean and White Musk

If I could only wear 1 perfume for summer Creed Virgin Island Water ($345 to $1,205) would be it. It’s a luxurious summer vacation in a bottle and to me nothing else compares. It makes you feel like you’re on a tropical cruise vacation. Has an aquatic vibe with tropical sweetness mixed in.

If you do not have a Creed counter or boutique near you they offer Customizable Sampler Sets online at Creed along with some pre-made sampler sets too.

Vacation Eau de Toilette

NOTES: Petitgrain essence, Coconut water, Coconut milk, Bergamot, Solar Musk, Banana, Pineapple, Pool Water, Swimsuit Lycra, Sea Salt

The Vacation Inc Eau de Toilette ($60, on sale at Ulta Beauty for $39 right now) has a classic pool like scent. Like pool water, sunscreen and salt mixed together. It’s light but fresh. Reminds me of childhood summers.

Diptyque L’Eau Papier

NOTES: White musks, Mimosa, Blonde woods accord, Rice steam accord

Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette ($125 – $175) was a new splurge for me and very different from most Diptyque perfumes I’ve tried. It has a natural skin like vibe, like fresh clean linen but cozy and crisp at the same time. Has a soft skin musk like feel. The scent feels really nice in the summer heat.

Byredo Loves

I’m a die hard Byredo fan. My favorites are the ones I feel like can be worn year-round. You can find lots of Discovery Set Trios or Sampler Sets available if you do not have a counter near you. Bal D’Afrique is one of the most unique creamy scents. It’s lush and sweet and has very long lasting power.

NOTES: Bergamot, African marigold, Bucchu, Violet, Cyclamen, Vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood

I also really love Mojave Ghost which has a fresh summery crisp feel to it.

NOTES: Ambrette, Jamaican nesberry, Violet, Sandalwood, Magnolia, Chantilly musk, Crisp Amber, Cedarwood

Phlur

Phlur is my second-most worn perfume line and I feel like I’ve fallen in love with so many of their scents. They have an updated Discovery Set with 10 scents online at Phlur. You can also find the perfume line at Sephora. Missing Person is still my favorite for a nice skin-like floral musk you can wear year round.

MISSING PERSON NOTES: Skin Musk, Bergamot Nectar, Sheer Jasmine, Fresh Cyclamen, Neroli Blossom, Orange Flower, Sandalwood Australia Oil, Blonde Wood, White Musk

Solar Power was launched in the spring and I love it for the floral sunny vibe it has. It’s like sunshine in a bottle. I feel like this one was made for me!

SOLAR POWER NOTES: Italian Red Mandarin, Sun-Drenched Bergamot, Jasmine Absolute, Neroli, Orange Flower, Driftwood, Solar Musk, Sea Salt

Their latest launch was a pleasant surprise, Father Figure is a beautiful fig. It is very rare that I can wear fig scents – I almost always love them for the home, but they usually turn on my skin. I love that this one isn’t too sweet on my skin. Feels like a fresh juicy burst of fig + summer.

NOTES: Waterlily, Lush Fig, Cassis Buds, Orris Root, Iris Flower, Jasmine Dew, Skin Musks, Vanilla Madagascar, Patchouli Leaf, Sandalwood

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What have been your favorite scents this season?

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Hourglass Cosmetics

New Launches from Hourglass

July 26, 2023

Hourglass launched a few new items this summer and I have a closer look today! Today’s post covers the new Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation ($49), new shade of Veil Translucent Setting Powder ($49) and four new Phantom Glossy Lip Balms ($36 each). I ordered mine from Sephora.

Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation

The Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation is a balmy tint with a hydrating feel but nice dry down. It has very sheer coverage that is barely there. I didn’t know what to expect because hydrating tints usually feel thick or heavy on my skin – but the concept was really interesting to me so I ordered it sight unseen. It does have a semi-thick texture but blends out easily with a sponge. Once set with powder it has very good lasting power – it stayed put all day without any touch ups required.

For shade matching, I ordered Shade 8 based on their shade chart. I am a match to Shade 8 in the Ambient Soft Glow Foundation formula (which runs very olive). Shade 8 in the Skin Tint ended up being too light and peachy/pink so I ordered Shade 9 which is a better match but still a bit light. Since the formula is sheer it’s forgiving and I can make it work.

A few of you messaged me on Stories saying you’re a Shade 8 in Ambient Glow and found Shade 10 to be a good match in the Hydrating Skin Tint.

Formula-wise I think it’s surprisingly good, especially since most Hourglass foundations don’t work well for me color-wise or formula-wise. It makes my skin look pretty good! You can see the transformation here (I’m having a bad skin week and I think it smoothed out the skin nicely).

I still prefer something with more coverage like the Too Faced Healthy Glow Moisturizing Skin Tint or Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch. But if you want a hydrating tint with very natural sheer coverage, the Hydrating Veil Tint is definitely worth checking out.

Veil Translucent Setting Powder

The Veil Translucent Setting Powder was one I really loved a while ago. I used it up and never repurchased but they added tinted shades in Medium and Deep which I think are great. It’s lightweight and very natural looking. In terms of a blurring effect the Givenchy Prisme Libre is still the better option for an almost airbrushed look, but the Hourglass powder is still very good.

Phantom Glossy Lip Balms (New Shades)

Last but not least we have a look at the four new shades of Phantom Volumising Glossy Lip Balms. All four shades are really beautiful, naturally flattering and easy to wear. It’s been a while since I have worn these even though I own a bunch of colors. I forgot how soft and almost melty the texture is and I’m not sure how I feel about them in this heat. I for sure love these in cooler temperatures. Right now they feel like they will almost slide off the lips in heat. The good news is they seem to stay put pretty well, but adding a liner underneath does help extend the wear.