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Sabrina

Chanel Lips

Chanel Fall 2022 Rouge Allure Lipsticks

August 18, 2022

Chanel Fall 2022 Rouge Allure Lipstick | The Beauty Lookbook

As promised I have a look at the new Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Lip Colors ($45 each) for fall. I have 9 of the 12 new neutrals to share swatches of. As a neutral lip lover I could not be more excited for these! All of the colors are available now online at Chanel.com.

Chanel Fall 2022 Rouge Allure Lipstick | The Beauty Lookbook

 

The Rouge Allure Lipstick is one of my long-time favorite formulas, although a number of my favorite shades were limited-edition or have been discontinued by now. This is a classic lipstick formula with a luminous glow. Glides on beautifully on the lips. Medium buildable coverage with most shades, the bolds being very opaque. These have a very subtle almost skincare scent but it’s barely there.

Lasting power is medium – they have a glossy finish so they’re not super long wearing but they will stay put as long as you don’t have any contact with your lips. It’s a formula I don’t mind re-applying!

Colors for fall are in the neutral range. There are light shades, medium tones and deeper colors. I skipped the brown tones since I rarely end up wearing them. Every single color I tried has a beautiful smooth texture. The lighter shades are smooth and have very good pigment. The deeper tones are also smooth (no streaking or patchy texture).

In indoor natural light:

Chanel Fall 2022 Rouge Allure Lipstick New SHADES | The Beauty Lookbook

I received 5 shades in PR and then ordered some additional shades to review:

  • 194 Sensibilite is a light peachy pink
  • 195 Mise A Nu is a beige
  • 196 A Demi Mot is a neutral medium pink
  • 198 Nuance is a rose pink
  • 199 Inattendu is a muted mauve brown
  • 206 Illusion is a pale beige nude
  • 209 Alter Ego is a soft brown
  • 211 Subtile is a deeper berry
  • 212 Caractere is a medium brown

Chanel Fall 2022 Rouge Allure Lipstick swatches | The Beauty Lookbook

Chanel Fall 2022 Rouge Allure Lipstick | The Beauty Lookbook

Lip swatches below wearing:

Chanel Rouge Allure 194 Sensibilite

Chanel Rouge Allure 195 Mise A Nu

Chanel Rouge Allure 196 A Demi Mot

Chanel Rouge Allure 198 Nuance

Chanel Rouge Allure 199 Inattendu

Chanel Rouge Allure 206 Illusion

Chanel Rouge Allure 209 Alter Ego

Chanel Rouge Allure 211 Subtile

Chanel Rouge Allure 212 Caractere

Chanel Fall 2022 Makeup Launch Rouge Allure and Le Vernis

So many great colors to pick from and I love them all. I cannot pick a favorite although I have been wearing 194 for several days and I also love 196 A Demi Mot and 198 Nuance. Have you checked these out yet? What colors do you have your eye on?

Fall 2022 Le Vernis colors swatched here.

You can find these available now online at Chanel and Nordstrom.

Chanel Nail Polish

New Chanel Fall 2022 Le Vernis Nail Colors

August 17, 2022

Chanel Fall 2022 Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colors

The Chanel Fall 2022 Makeup Collection with new shades of Le Vernis Nail Color and Rouge Allure is here! They launched a beautiful color palette of neutrals and everything is stunning. I’ve split my review into two parts: I have my picks of the Le Vernis today and Rouge Allure Lipsticks swatches will be coming in a separate post. The new lipsticks are phenomenal.

There are 12 new shades of Le Vernis in neutral nude shades. I have 11 of them swatched for you today. All the colors applied smoothly with a full coverage finish except one of the shades (Denude is semi-sheer). I like that they have nudes with different undertones. Some are more beige/yellow/brown and others have a more pink undertone.

Chanel Fall 2022 Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colors

 

New colors I have are below (I’m missing 957 which I’m undecided about purchasing). I received 5 in PR and the others I ordered online. All shades are swatched with 2 coats.

  • 937 Harmonie
  • 939 Singularite
  • 941 Spontane
  • 943 Enigme
  • 945 Emotion
  • 947 Desir
  • 949 Denude
  • 951 Originel
  • 953 Essentiel
  • 955 Inspiration
  • 959 Infinite

Chanel Fall 2022 Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colors

937 Harmonie is my perfect creamy nude, a bit lighter than my skin tone for contrast

Chanel Le Vernis 937 Harmonie swatch

939 Singularite is a pretty pink nude, almost matches my skin tone if it were pink (this is deeper than Organdi)

Chanel Le Vernis 939 Singularite swatch

941 Spontane mid-tone warm pink

Chanel Le Vernis 941 Spontane swatch

943 Enigme is a warm pink, almost looks like a warm pink brown brick color

Chanel Le Vernis 943 Enigme swatch

945 Emotion is a rose berry neutral

Chanel Le Vernis 945 Emotion swatch

947 Desir is a blue-based deep blackened eggplant color

Chanel Le Vernis 947 Desir swatch

949 Denude is a semi-sheer beige

Chanel Le Vernis 949 Denude swatch

951 Originel is a cool-toned light-medium camel brown

Chanel Le Vernis 951 Originel swatch

953 Essentiel is also brown, a bit warmer and deeper than Originel

Chanel Le Vernis 953 Essentiel swatch

955 Inspiration is a gorgeous chestnut brown cream

Chanel Le Vernis 955 Inspiration swatch

959 Infinite is a perfect deep chocolate

Chanel Le Vernis 959 Infinite swatch

Chanel Fall 2022 Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colors

All the colors performed well and I think they are all gorgeous. From a distance Desir and Infinite look almost identical, Desir is deeper and darker, Infinite has a bit more warmth. Based on how much I like Inspiration I think there is a very high chance I’ll also order the 957 color. If I do I’ll add the swatch to this post.

For those who want to know my current hand/nail care routine, it’s pretty much the same as what I have in my Hand and Nail Care Routine Favorites. I’ve also since added the Chanel L’Huile Camelia and Hermes Nail Oil to my routine.

Will you be checking out the new neutrals? What shades catch your eye?

New shades available now online at Chanel.com.

Nordstrom

New Beauty Launches To Put On Your Radar

August 12, 2022

New Beauty Launches from Nordstrom

Happy Friday! New beauty launches for the summer to fall transition have arrived – there’s lots of new beauty at Nordstrom right now – new skincare, fragrance launches, makeup and more. I have a look at some of the things I’ve tried recently and love.

New Hourglass Foundation

Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation and Veil Mineral Primer

Hourglass launched a new foundation called the Ambient Soft Glow Foundation and so many of you asked for a review on this one. Their foundations have been hit or miss for me but this one is a hit. It’s one of the best long-wear full coverage bases I’ve tried. It’s a liquid formula with full opaque coverage. A little goes a long way.

I like it best when applied over the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer and Augustinus Bader The Cream. It looks great when applied with a brush. I love their Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush but also bought their new Ambient Foundation Brush to try and love how soft, dense and plush it is. Foundation has a semi-matte velvety finish but with a light diffusing effect so it’s not completely matte. I wear Shade 9 (medium with warm tones).

NARS Laguna Extensions

NARS Laguna Cream Bronzer 01, 02 and 03

NARS extended the shades of their popular Laguna Cream Bronzer and I think it’s great that they did! It has the Monoi de Tahiti Oil and has that scent to it, but it’s not overpowering and did not irritate my skin. There are 5 shades total now, I have 3 swatched for you. I love Shade 01 as a light contour, but for a regular bronzer to warm up the complexion Shade 02 (the original) is best for me. It’s creamy, easy to blend, matte, and neutral in undertone.

Below wearing the Hourglass Foundation + NARS Cream Bronzer on the complexion, sweater tank here 

NARS Laguna Cream Bronzer 02

NARS Laguna Cream Bronzer 02

Swatched below next to the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Bronzers I have (which are more matte in finish) and the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Creams (a bit warmer in undertone).

NARS Laguna Cream Bronzer swatches vs Charlotte Tilbury and Chanel

Cheek Favorites

For cheeks Laura Mercier added a new cheek formula and I love it. The new Rose Glow Blush Color Infusion shades are a mix of blush and highlighter in one so they give the skin a nice glow without that sharp highlight. I have two of them, Peach Shimmer is a soft diffused peach shimmer and All That Sparkles is a soft pink shimmer. I added a swatch of the Laura Mercier Rose Glow Highlighting Powder in Rose Glow below for comparison.

I’ve been getting so much love from you for Westman Atelier! I will try to do a full feature on what I’ve tried from her line soon. A lot of you wanted to know my favorite shade of blush from her line and right now I love the Baby Cheeks in Petal. I also have and wear Chouchette and Minette often but Petal is the one I reach for the most.

Laura Mercier Rose Glow Blush Color Infusion and Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks

Laura Mercier Rose Glow Blush Color Infusion and Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks

New Charlotte Tilbury

I’m a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadows. I own almost every single color she has launched (Rose Gold and Star Gold are my favorites). She just added three new shades in Golden Eclipse (repromoted from a previous NSALE) which is a shimmery gold, Sunlit Glow (duochrome pink gold peach mix) and Exagger-eyes (shimmery taupe with silver sparkles). I swatched the shade extensions to most of the existing colors. I love these for the creamy emollient texture and beautiful shimmers.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadows

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadows swatches

New Fall Beauty Launches Nordstrom

New Lip Formulas

For lips there is lots to fall in love with this time of year. Armani added new shades to the Lip Power formula and I love Shade 109 for a neutral everyday rose.

Armani Lip Power 109

Armani Lip Power 109

Gucci Gorgeous Flora Glow and Care Shine Lipstick in They Met in Argentina is a new color and I love everything about it from the limited-edition pink floral packaging, shiny glossy finish and warm color. It’s one of the best colors that brightens the face but isn’t so bright it’s bold (if that makes sense).

Gucci Gorgeous Flora Glow and Care Shine Lipstick in They Met in Argentina

Gucci Gorgeous Flora Glow and Care Shine Lipstick in They Met in Argentina

MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Lipsticks are beautiful blurred mattes. I limited myself to try one to see if I liked the formula with Mull It Over (warm spice) and I love it. It’s warmer and bolder than my usual nude or rose pink lip, but I love it. Glides on smoothly, doesn’t look dry even though it’s matte, gives lips a blurred effect. I definitely want to try more shades!

MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Lipstick Mull It Over

MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Lipstick Mull It Over

Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayons are amazing. If you’re a fan of twist up chubby sticks these are gorgeous. They glide on beautifully, hug the lips and the colors are stunning. I’ve swatched two below, I haven’t had a chance to try all the other shades but will soon. Maia is a gorgeous healthy soft pink and Alma is a pink red on me.

Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayons

Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayons Maia

Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayons Alma

Lip Swatches

New Beauty Launches from Nordstrom

That wraps up my mini new beauty roundup! The Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch Foundation and Water-Fresh Blush are finally available at Nordstrom now (love both). New shades of Rouge Allure and Le Vernis have popped up online too. I also have the new Tory Burch Essence of Dreams perfumes on my radar and ordered some of the new Cle de Peau lipsticks in the Satin, Matte and Shine formulas! Lots to look forward to trying in the near future.

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What’s on your radar right now for new beauty?

Many thanks to Nordstrom for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.

Beauty Favorites Home / Interiors

12 Things I’ve Been Loving for the Home

August 9, 2022

Dior Eden-Roc Candle Dioriviera Limited-edition

Rounding up a few new home favorites I’ve been loving lately! A number of you asked me to review the Diptyque La Droguerie collection and Dior Eden-Roc Candle so I have a roundup today!

Dior Eden-Roc Candle Dioriviera Limited-edition

I’ve fallen in love with the Dior Eden-Roc fragrance for a luxurious ocean salty kind of scent (best I can describe is that it has a similar vibe to Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt). The Dioriviera Limited-Edition Candle (1) is just as beautiful with a gorgeous Toile de Jouy motif on the exterior. I love everything about this candle from the porcelain container (design is not a sticker), subtle beige pattern, and aqua blue wax.

It has a strong throw just like the perfume. The limited-edition version with the design is a little more expensive than the regular candle (which is plain white on the exterior) but it’s 100% worth it. I loved it so much I bought another one and may buy a few more before it’s gone for good. It’s just so beautiful!

Diptyque La Droguerie Collection Review

Diptyque launched their La Droguerie Collection and I ordered 3 things to try. Each item has a really nice earthy potent kind of scent, almost with an Aesop skincare. The Diptyque home cleaning line is eco-friendly with ingredients of natural origin. Both the Dishwashing Liquid (2) and Multi-Surface Cleaner (3) come in a sturdy glass jar with refills available for both.

The Dishwashing Liquid has a mix of orange blossom, mandarin and basil. It has an Aesop kind of vibe to the scent. A little goes a long way and I like that it suds up nicely and cleans dishes effectively. I’ll sometimes use it as a soak with 1-2 pumps in warm water although most of our dishes are cleaned in the dishwasher.

The Multi-Surface Cleanser contains vinegar in it but the scent is not too overpowering. The product itself is very potent with mixed notes of lavender, cedar and fig.

The La Droguerie Candle (4) has a green basil kind of vibe meant to be an odor-removing candle. It’s nice after cooking to help remove cooking odors but it’s also calming on its own. It has a green feel to it in the notes. Another great option to combat cooking smells is the Verveine Candle (lemon verbena).

I like all three and am glad I bought them. I don’t use the dishwashing liquid as much for dishes, it smells so nice I will sometimes use it to wash my hands. It is a nice splurge to wash things that can’t go in the dishwasher although I wouldn’t call it a must. Out of the three I’d say I like the multi-surface spray the most.

Diptyque Porcelain Tray Medium (oval pattern)

Diptyque added some new home décor items online although I wish they would sell everything they use to decorate their stores! I bought a few of the trays which I think are cute. I have the Oval Tray (Medium) shown above (5). It’s made of porcelain and I love the oval pattern.

Jo Malone Moonlit Camomile Pillow Mist

Another scented item I love is the Jo Malone Moonlit Camomile Pillow Mist (6). There are two available right now, the other is the Lavender and Moonflower. Out of the two I prefer the Moonlit Camomile which has a very soft musk feel with a mix of chamomille and moonflower. Both are really nice. They’re strong enough to scent your pillows before you go to sleep but not so strong that it keeps you awake. I also still really love the Casper Glow Lights (7) I mentioned a while back (they’re still on sale at Nordstrom).

Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Vanity Mirror

I love the décor from Anthropologie and love that they’ve been adding more sizes and designs to their Gleaming Primrose line. I’ve had the Gleaming Primrose Vanity Mirror (8) for a while now and it keeps selling out. It’s currently on backorder and I highly recommend ordering it now if you’ve had your eye on it. They also have a cute Brodie Tabletop Vanity Mirror and a Triptych Mirror Variation as well.

Lyngby Vases Beauty Lookbook Home

For vases we have a few we rotate in our home and I always get questions about the ribbed glass and porcelain options. I love the Lyngby Vases (9). I have them in both glass and porcelain vases. They come in a wide range of sizes and color variations for the glass. I like that they’re classic, simple and streamlined. I purchased mine from both Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub

For the bathroom, I have a few recent loves. I’ve been on the hunt for some more body scrubs and found two that I love. I wanted something that had a finer texture than what I’ve been using and one that didn’t stick to the skin. Some scrubs are so hard to rinse off! The Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub (10) was high on my radar since I love the face scrub. I really love this one on the body although use with caution if you’ve had a lot of sun exposure.

Biossance Squalane Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub

For a gentle body scrub that melts into the skin but doesn’t leave it oily the Biossance Squalane+ Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub (11) is amazing. It has enough grit to feel the exfoliation but melts into the skin like the Fresh Sugar Face Polish does (just for the body). It softens, smooths, hydrates, doesn’t leave a film and rinses off nicely.

Phlur Missing Person Body Care

I finally tried Phlur Missing Person* and love it (it’s a lovely floral musk). They just added body care to some of their scents in a Body Lotion and Body Wash* (12). Both are on the lighter side scent wise but it’s the perfect strength for me so it doesn’t overpower. The body wash has a gel texture and the lotion has a nicely hydrating finish with a nice drydown (absorbs nicely). They’re available at Phlur and I am I’m hoping they will pop up at Sephora like the perfumes (at this time Phlur doesn’t accept returns).

Last but not least, not technically new but I wanted to let you know two of my favorite trays are back in stock at Pottery Barn. The Square Quartz Stone Catchall is back and I think it’s one of my favorite trays.

The oval Agate Stone Catchall is also another one I love. Mine looks different from the stock image because the stone varies but I think it’s stunning! Glass Match Cloche is from Skeem Design, available at Anthropologie.

Agate Tray Catchall

If you had questions about some of my home favorites I’ve featured recently I hope you found this roundup helpful! Anything you’ve been loving lately for the home?

Shop the Post

 

 

Press samples have a * next to them. All other items purchased by me.

Lips Sephora

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks + Liners

August 4, 2022

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick + Liner

After a few weeks of testing, I finally have a review of the new Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks ($20) and Lip Liners ($15). I tried 6 of the 10 shades and while I love the colors, I have mixed thoughts on the formulas which I’d give a solid B to B+.

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick + Liner

The Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks are creamy mattes. Formula has an almost buttery creamy feel with a matte finish. Pigment is rich and full coverage and hugs the lips. I love the packaging which has a pop-up cap with a flat end so if you lay them on a table they won’t roll off. I think the colors in this launch are beautiful and also love that they are unscented.

I’m not usually a fan of the matte lipsticks on me because they end up looking too dry for my taste. I do love mattes from Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath, and Chanel and I had high hopes for the new formula from Rare Beauty. On my bare lips the Rare Beauty lipsticks look dry. If I prep with a lip primer like the MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer it makes a world of difference for a better smoother application and look. Straight out of the tube I give these a B. With a bit of primer or smoother underneath they’re better.

The color range is stunning, but I really wish they made these in a cream or even glossy finish. I ordered mine sight unseen (they’re all in Sephora stores by now). The online swatches look darker and bolder than in real life. A lot of these will vary depending on your skin and lip tone since they’re neutrals. Since they’re full coverage my natural lip does not show through in any of these. Colors I hauled:

  • Talented is a neutral beige
  • Creative is a medium pale peach nude
  • Worth is a cool toned muted mauve
  • Humble is a rose pink mauve
  • Lively is a warm pink peach
  • Fun is a warm rose

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks Review

I have the similar thoughts about the Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liners. I love the concept of a matching lipstick and liner and like the thoughtful packaging (these are twist ups). These are matte but still glide on the lips with a nice smooth feel. I give these a higher rating than the lipsticks. They’re a tiny bit tacky feeling to the touch once they’re applied on the lips but it does dry down to a smooth matte. I like that they help the lipstick adhere better and stay put longer. Lasting power is very good.

Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liners

In terms of lip liners formula comparisons I think the Huda Beauty and Makeup By Mario formulas are better. They glide on better and don’t look as matte. However the Rare Beauty lip pencils are much better than the Kosas Hotliners which I think are hard as a rock and smell like old Crayola crayons.

Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liners

Rare Beauty Kind Words Lipstick and Lip Liner swatches

Swatches of all the Rare Beauty lip colors on me below. I layered both the liner and lipstick together. I’m also wearing the Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer in 32N, Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder in Light Medium, Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick in Happy Sol, Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Hope + Encourage mixed, Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lips Talented

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lips Creative

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lips Worthy

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lips Humble

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lips Lively

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lips Fun

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks

Bottom line: I love the colors, the packaging, pigment. I don’t love the matte finish because I find them a little dry looking on me, but I shouldn’t dock points off them because they’re designed to be matte. If I could have tried and swatched them all in person I would have skipped Talented and Creative, they pull a little pale on my skin tone, especially since I’m tan right now.

If you like matte lipsticks I think you will like these. If you have dry lips definitely prep with some kind of primer or balm first.

Available now at Sephora.

 

Did you try these yet? What did you think?

Florida Packing Travel

What I Packed for Key West

July 31, 2022

What I Packed for Key West

I’m back with a packing roundup! We took a week off for a mini getaway to Key West. It’s been five years since we’ve visited and this trip we took my in-laws with us. We took the Key West Express from Fort Meyers this time. Overall it was crazy hot and humid during our time but we still had a lot of fun! It was a relaxing trip, we did a lot of walking.

A quick look at the hotel we stayed at. Andrew and I booked a 2 bedroom cottage at The Capitana Key West. It’s one of the newer hotels and we really liked it! Super clean, nice modern design, daily housekeeping, cute pool and lounge area. It is 2 miles outside of downtown so you will definitely need a car or golf cart of some sort as it’s too hot to walk that far. Here’s a quick look. If you want to see the inside, I did a mini room tour on Instagram I’ll post below.

Capitana Key West Hotel

Capitana Key West Hotel

Capitana Key West Hotel

Away Bigger Carry On White

For packing Andrew and I packed up 3 Away Bigger Carry-Ons (there was a size limit for luggage on the ferry). I still really love these suitcases and highly recommend them. The Bigger Carry-On is the perfect size to pack essentials for an extended weekend getaway. I also really love their Packing Cubes – both Andrew and I use these. For longer trips we have and like the Medium Suitcase. Their Accessories selection is pretty good these days too! I bought Andrew the Large Toiletry Case and he approves of the design, material and quality!

What I packed below (each item is clickable to take you directly to shop the item):

I didn’t manage to get photos of every outfit I wore but here are a few snapshots.

Outfit 1: Top Bella Dahl // Shorts Agolde Parker // Bag Loewe Pochette // Sandals Fendi // Sunglasses Celine Triomphe Oval

Vacation Outfit Bella Dahl Top, Agolde Shorts, Loewe Raffia Pochette

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Outfit 2 Poolside: Swimsuit HunzaG Domino // Sunglasses Celine // Lip Balm Makeup by Mario // Tote Loewe Small Basket // Hat Jacquemus

Poolside HunzaG Domino Swimsuit, Celine Sunglasses

_________

Outfit 3: Dress Reformation (older style, similar here) // Sunglasses Celine // Shoes Tory Burch

Reformation Linen Dress

_________

Outfit 4: Top Free People // Shorts Agolde // Sandals Chloe // Bag Bottega

Free People Halter, Agolde Parker Shorts White

_________

Outfit 5: Top Rails Ellis Button Down // Shorts Agolde // Bag Loewe // Sandals Fendi

Rails Ellis, Loewe Raffia Pochette, Agolde Parker Shorts

_________

Outfit 6: Dress Abercrombie // Sandals Tory Burch // Bag Loewe Small Basket

Abercrombie Halter Dress & Loewe Small Basket

_________

I’ve never received so many questions as I have about shoes! Here are the highlights on sizing and comfort:

Vacation Shoes and Sandals

Tory Burch Double T Sport Slide is one of most comfortable sandals I’ve tried. I’ve owned this pair for a couple years now (also seen here and here). They’ve held up really well even though I’m not the most careful with my feet. While it doesn’t have arch support there’s a cushion in the sole which makes them really comfortable on the feet. They run true to size (I’m a 6.5 in most sandals). Comfort is 10 out of 10.

Ancient Greek Sandals Eleftheria Sandal are a recent splurge and I love the minimalist look. They’re very sturdy and I like that they stay on the feet. The straps are not adjustable so it was pure luck that they fit me perfectly. I wish the straps were adjustable though – it seems like having a perfect fit isn’t always going to happen since everyone has different widths for feet, ankles, toes etc. Comfort is 8.5 out of 10 for me. These come in whole sizes and the Size 7 works perfectly for me.

Chloe Woody Slide Sandals are ones I think are super cute, but comfort is a level 7 out of 10 for me. They’re not painful but they’re also not ones I want to walk around all day in. These come in whole sizes only and I wear these in a 37.

Veja Venturi Sneakers are cute for that chunky sneaker trend and I find them very comfortable. They’re very comfortable to walk in around all day. Sizing reviews seem to be mixed (it may depend on color). For these I wear them in a US 6/ EUR37.fendi

Fendi Feel Slides were a splurge and I love them. They’re very comfortable and I had no issues (no break in period). There is a slight arch support inside and the sole has some beveled edges to hug the feet (so there’s no sliding around inside). Even with sweaty feet they stayed on. Sizing is big and wide. I have narrowish feet so I took these in a Size 36. I could have probably gone down to a 35.5 but the 36 is very comfortable. I would recommend going a 1/2 down from your regular size or buy from a retailer that has a good return policy.

Travel Makeup Bags Louis Vuitton Nice BB Calpak Mini

For beauty packing I packed up products in 2 different cases this time. For skincare and haircare I splurged on the Louis Vuitton Nice BB Case and love it. I just bought it so I’ve only been able to use it once on this trip. I’ll be able to share more thoughts as we travel more! Packing Reel sharing what fits inside below.

Louis Vuitton Nice BB

Skincare + Hair Care:

 

For makeup I packed everything in the Calpak Mini Cosmetic Case. This had been sitting in my online shopping cart for many months. I finally decided to order it in Caramel and love it. Super roomy even though it’s the “mini” version. There’s a bigger option available too!

Calpak Clear Makeup Bag Mini Size The Beauty Lookbook

I don’t always pack hair tools but with the humidity in the Keys I wasn’t going to take any chances on the hotel dryer. I packed up the T3 Micro Aireluxe and the ghd Platinum+ Styler. Both were great! I will probably switch up the dryer for a different one next time (this one took up a lot of room) but will 100% travel with the hair straightener. It’s perfect to smooth out the hair in the morning.

Hair Tools T3 Ghd

Last thing I wanted to highlight is how I pack my jewelry. I usually wear my necklaces while traveling since I haven’t found a travel case that works for chains (they always end up getting tangled). But for everything else the Mejuri Travel Case is perfect to store rings, three pairs or earrings and thicker chains. It’s also available in black.

Mejuri Travel Case

Loewe Basket Small

Have you been traveling this summer? We have been itching to travel more but Ollie is not yet ready to go with us (hopefully soon). He’s been in puppy training the past 2 weeks so the timing worked out for us to have someone watch/train him this time. We really wanted to bring him but we’re glad we did not (it was too hot and the ferry ride was too long for him!). He’s learning so much! If you’ve traveled this summer let me know where!

If you want to see the places we visited you can check out my Key West highlights on Instagram @beautylookbook.

Beauty Favorites Skincare Suncare

Summer Sunscreens To Put On Your Radar

July 21, 2022

Best Summer Sunscreens

By popular request I have my summer sunscreen roundup with all the formulas I’ve tried and loved recently! I have mainly used formulas from Supergoop!, Shiseido and Chanel but finally put more formulas to the test. My skin is very sensitive to extreme heat and sunscreen so I test with extreme caution. Here is what I’ve tried and thoughts. Up first are formulas for the body!

Sunscreens for the Body

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion with SPF 50

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion with SPF 50 ($25 to $65, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora, Ulta Beauty)

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3% Sunscreen Homosalate 10.0% Sunscreen Octisalate 5.0% Sunscreen Octocrylene 5.0% Sunscreen

This is my all-time favorite sunscreen for the body. It’s the best I’ve tried that has a velvety dry down, longest lasting even in water and easy to spread even over wet skin (although I recommend applying on dry skin). It also helps protect against heat. It’s also formulated to use on the face but I use this one only on the body, neck, arms, legs. Love this value duo at Sephora.

Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40

Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40 ($42, Sephora, Nordstrom, Supergoop!)

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3% Sunscreen Homosalate 10.0% Sunscreen Octisalate 5.0% Sunscreen Octocrylene 5.0% Sunscreen

I’ve loved and used this formula since the day it launched (have also repurchased numerous times). It has superfine light reflecting particles (it’s smooth, no chunky texture) and adds the prettiest shimmer and to the skin. Love that it’s smooth and hydrating.

Revive Soleil Superiéur SPF 50

Revive Soleil Superiéur SPF 50 ($165, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bluemercury)

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3% Sunscreen Homosalate 10% Sunscreen Octisalate 5% Sunscreen Octocrylene 2.6%

This was one of my latest splurges – for me it was hard to find as it was almost always sold out but seems to be back in stock a few places. It’s one of the most expensive sunscreens I’ve tried and it is pure love. It glides on the skin smoothly. Has an anti-oxidant complex to nourish and hydrate the skin. Has a very subtle sunscreen scent which smells like summer to me. Love that it has a pump applicator. There is also a Soleil Superieur face version which I’ve used and loved before but it’s also quite expensive.

Vacation Inc. Classic Lotion SPF 30

Vacation Inc. Classic Lotion SPF 30 ($18, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Vacation Inc.)

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.5%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (8%)

This formula wins for the best scent. It has a nice smooth application. No pilling. Smells like a fun summer vacation. I love how the formula wears and performs. Two things though: I do wish it had a higher SPF and it doesn’t apply well on wet skin. If you’re in the water or super sweaty you will need to towel off before applying otherwise it doesn’t adhere. It has coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.

Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF 45

Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF 45 ($21, Jack Black, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora, Ulta Beauty)

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3.0%, Zinc Oxide 8%

This formula is Andrew’s favorite and the only body sunscreen he uses. It’s the longest lasting even in water and with sweat. It’s one I order in bulk because Andrew goes through so much. Anytime we have guests in town we give them a bottle of this Jack Black formula (or Supergoop!) to use while they’re here because it’s the best at protecting skin and preventing sunburns.

It’s also available in 3-Pack of Minis at Jack Black. The only downside is that it’s so effective it is very hard to remove at the end of the day. You’ll have to give your body multiple scrubs with a washcloth or sponge. I’ll sometimes have to use a cleansing oil all over and let it sit to break down the formula before using a regular body wash. Andrew’s favorite is the Jack Black Turbo Wash (which I also borrow from time to time). The Big Sir Body and Hair Cleanser is also pretty good.

If you’re looking for the men in your life to up their grooming game, I highly recommend Jack Black. They have some good starter sets. I’ve bought this for Andrew, his brother, my brother, etc.

Sun Care Face Formulas

For the face I have stuck with a very small select group of formulas for the past three years. I am very sensitive to heat and sunscreen. With the wrong formula my face often reacts with red spots and flare ups when exposed to extreme heat. I still get review requests every week to review/test different formulas from you! This year I finally branched out and tried more after careful research and am thrilled to report that I have some new winners.

La Roche-Posay Sunscreens

I’ve loved and used La Roce-Posay for a long time. It’s one that most of you love and use too. Three formulas I started using recently include the following:

The Anthelios Ultra-Light SPF 60* ($30.99) has a lightweight texture and semi-matte finish. It’s a white fluid but has no white cast on my skin. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%.

The Anthelios Mineral Tinted SPF 50* ($34.99) is an excellent mineral formula I actually like and love. I find most mineral formulas don’t work for my skin type with the texture, but this is a really good one with a brown-beige tint. It disappears into the skin. Active Ingredient is Titanium Dioxide 11%.

The Anthelios Melt-In-Milk SPF 60* ($24.99 to $36.99, face & body, chemical sunscreen) is a great formula for the body. 100% recommend. Has a high SPF, melts into the skin, absorbs quickly. Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5% and Octocrylene 7%. See them in action below!

Tatcha Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

Two other mineral formulas that I like are the Tatcha Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 ($60) and the Summer Fridays Shade Drops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36). I bought both from Sephora and absolutely love how they melt into the skin and don’t feel heavy or pill.

The Tatcha formula works under makeup nicely and it has a velvety feel. The packaging could use a bit of work as the product sometimes will squirt out of the top once you open it. I haven’t had any flaking issues that you see online (not yet). This is more fluid in texture compared to their Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35.

Summer Fridays Shade Drops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30

The Summer Fridays formula is a really nice one I found works with me. Reviews seem to be mixed – definitely try a patch test first. I don’t think it’s the best long-wear formula if you’re outside for an extended period of time.

Chanel UV Essential and CC Cream

The Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 ($55) and CC Cream ($55) have been in my top picks for years. I love the ultra lightweight texture of the UV Essentiel and I don’t sweat a lot on my face so this works for me (it didn’t work for Andrew, he sweats more). Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium dioxide 3.8%, Zinc oxide 17.1%.

My most-worn sunscreen is the Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50. It’s a tinted product with medium coverage and wears so well on my skin. Lasts all day. It is on the semi-thick side so application is key. It’s not one I recommend applying with fingers. Use a sponge to work it into the skin and blend. This method works best for me when applying any CC cream. So many of you have told me you have kept referring to my review from 2018!

Active Ingredients: Active ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%, Titanium dioxide 4%, Zinc oxide 15.2%

Best Supergoop Face Sunscreens

Supergoop! is one of my favorite brands for sunscreens in general. I love all of their chemical formulas and one mineral. My recommendation for formula would be based on your skin type and preference. Each one has a different texture and purpose.

Out of all the Supergoop formulas I love the Every.Single.Face Watery Lotion SPF 50* and the CC Screen SPF 50 the most. The CC Screen is an excellent tinted option with pretty good coverage. The Daily Dose Vitamin C SPF 40 is a great option and the Unseen SPF 40 is one of the best matte finish formulas I’ve tried.

Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30* ($30 to 42) was one of the highest rated/most loved formulas from you based on messages I received on social. So many of you love this skincare line and after finally trying it this year I 100% agree. No white cast on me (although there is a very subtle white tint), no pilling, lasts on the skin. Definitely reapply every hour (as with all formulas) but love that it’s not sticky or goopy and it doesn’t have any smell or weird sunscreen scent.

Shiseido Urban Environment

The last two I wanted to highlight are the Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen SPF 42 ($38, Bloomingdale’s) and Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Broad Spectrum SPF 42 Sunscreen ($35, Nordstrom, Sephora).

Both are great formulas for the face. The Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen has a beautiful hydrating feel. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture. Leaves the skin feeling smooth and slightly plump. It has enough moisture that I can use this as a moisturizer.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 5.0%.

The Shiseido Urban Environment Sun Dual Care Oil-Free Sunscreen is also a recent winner. It has a more fluid thin texture with a velvety dry down. Super lightweight, long lasting, has a slight pale peachy pink tint when you apply it on the skin but disappears after blending.

Active Ingredients: Ensulizole 1.0%, Homosalate 15.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Zinc Oxide 15.5%

There is also a Mineral Version of this formula but I have not tried it.

Best Summer Sunscreens Beauty Lookbook

That wraps up my summer sunscreen roundup! I would recommend any of these to anyone. If I had to pick my absolute top favorites, these are my top 6:

  • Best Body Sunscreen: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion tied with Revive Soleil Superier
  • Best Long-Wear Formula: Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard
  • Favorite Sunscreen for the Face (with tint): Chanel CC Cream
  • Favorite Non-Tinted Face Formula: Tatcha
  • Favorite Hydrating Sunscreen for the Face: Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen

What are your go-to sunscreen formulas?

 

 

Press samples have a * next to them. All other formulas purchased and frequently repurchased by me.