Both formulas have a soft super soft creamy texture in a twist up format. They’re creamy with a satin texture and have a skin like finish. Pigment is medium to sheer and easy to blend out. Once they set on the skin they have a very subtle minimal glow so they’re not too emollient but at the same time they’re not powdery in the dry down.
So Soft Blush
The So Soft Blush sticks are available in six colors, all are creams without shimmer:
Baby is a pale pink
Lychee is a soft melon
Pearl Tea is a neutral tan brown nude
Venetian Rose is a rose
Passion is an orange shade
Bitten is a plum berry
Swatches:
Below wearing a few of the colors on the face, for my skin tone Baby is a bit too pale, but I can make it work. My favorites are Lychee and Pearl Tea. Also wearing the EM Cosmetics Lip Cushion in Magic Hour with Baby and Lychee. Pearl Tea blush on cheeks and lips. With the Passion Blush I’m wearing the Lip Cushion in Faded Clementine.
So Soft Multi Faceplay
The So Soft Multi Faceplay sticks are truly multi-taskers. You can use these as a bronzer or contour and the color range includes two very deep tones. I tried the lightest Summer on my face and it works perfectly to warm up my medium tan complexion.
Summer is a caramel brown
Terra is a cool brown (similar to Westman Atelier Biscuit)
Lasting power is pretty good for a cream product although if you have oily skin you may need to layer on a matching powder blush shade on top to make it set or last a bit longer. Pigment overall blends out to a very natural finish but you can layer for more color.
I’m still a powder blush person at heart but I do really like the formula of the So Soft sticks. In case you missed the previous roundup you can see my EM Cosmetics overview + review of other products here.
You can find these out now at EM Cosmetics. Have you tried these yet? What kind of blush do you prefer? Cream or powder?
The CozyChic Leopard Pet Bed is also available in both colors in the Medium Size (on sale $98.90). I own the large for our pets but just ordered a second in the Medium Size before the sale is over. They’re both obsessed!
Jo Malone Scent Surround Diffuser in Lime Basil and Mandarin ($100) is a full-priced item and I decided to give their diffusers another try. I remember trying them many years ago and thought they were just ok, but so many have been asking for diffuser recommendations (over candles and sprays) I decided to try them. It will take a few hours for the fragrance to fill the reed sticks but I am so impressed. It’s strong enough to fill our kitchen and living room area.
Nest Bamboo and Grapefruit Diffuser Set ($67 on sale, $100 value) is another brand that has been highly recommended. I love their candles (especially during the holiday) but never really looked into the diffusers. These caught Andrew’s eye in store because of the Nest Gray Malin Collaboration (the glass jars come in different colored stripes). They were sold out of the one we wanted in store so we decided to try the Nordstrom Sale Set with Bamboo and Grapefruit.
These are even stronger and more potent than the ones from Jo Malone and both are really pleasant and fresh. The glass jar is very sturdy and large. I found it also took about an hour or two before the oil was soaked up into the reeds.
For the Body
Chanel L’Huile Vanille Body Massage Oil ($230) is quite the splurge for the body but one of the best ones I’ve tried. I love the soft vanilla scent and it smells just like the Sublimage skincare line. It is a fluid lightweight oil and feels super luxurious on the skin. I do wish it came with a dropper or had a stopper at the top for easier application but I think the formula is really nice. I’ve been tempted to try the other scents too but the bottle is so large it will take me a long time to use it up so I’m sticking with one for now.
Diptyque Do Son is another unique favorite for me right now. I love the Do Son Hand Cream ($45) as it comes with a pump dispenser in a sleek tube. I also really love the Do Son Eau de Toilette Hair Mist Travel Size Duo ($90 on sale at Nordstrom). It’s a unique floral scent with a mix of tuberose, jasmine and orange blossom.
Eye Makeup Neutrals
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($48) is officially my favorite matte eyeshadow palette now. I initially thought it was over-hyped and to be frank the colors in the pan looked a little boring to me. After trying it for several weeks though I am really impressed. It’s so versatile and the colors are perfect for a wide range of looks. Texture is smooth, application is easy, lasting power is excellent.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks ($30 each) have been something I’ve used on and off for many years now. I’ve always gravitated towards the shimmer shades but they just added some more cream neutrals that are perfect for priming or evening out the lids. If you’re like me you’ve probably used a creamy concealer to even out the lids. If looking for a cream shadow with longer lasting power, I highly recommend checking out the newer shades. I like either Cashew or Sand Dune for my lids/skin tone.
Lip Balm
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($22) has finally been repackaged into a more user-friendly tube and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The original packaging always seemed to ooze product out with the metal tube. It’s now a squeezable plastic. They have the original one (clear) and also added a tinted beige pink called Vanilla Beige. I highly recommend checking it out, available at Sephora and Summer Fridays.
Gucci Nail Polish
Gucci Nail Polish in Annabel Rose ($30) last but not least a number of you have been asking how the Gucci Nail Polish has held up. My latest love is Annabel Rose which is a neutral beige with a hint of pink. I’m pretty impressed! Two coats gives full coverage and it has held up with no chips or tip wear by Day 7. I used the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat on top. Colors seem to be selling out at a number of places but at the time of this post it’s available at Nordstrom and Gucci.
What have you been loving lately?
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More soon including a look at some newness from Chanel, current hair care favorites and some more items I’ve hauled recently that I’ve been loving.
I have a look at the Laura Mercier Rose Glow Collection today. The new Caviar Stick Eye Colors (6 shades, $29 each) and Highlighting Powder ($30) launched earlier in the summer and there are some really pretty options if you like shimmer or rose tones! I’m late to review this as it launched several weeks ago but I thought I’d add some comparison swatches in case you still haven’t had a chance to check it out.
Rose Glow Caviar Stick Eye Colors
There are six new shades of Caviar Stick Eye Color and they are all in a pink rose or plum tone theme. The shimmer is pretty high with these so if you feel like you can’t wear shimmery tones on your lids these may be too much for you. I still think you can use the deeper tones or layer 1-2 with your other shades without having it look too frosty. I really love that they did eye look swatches with all the shades on multiple skin tones and eye colors for their promotional photos (all available side by side on Lauramercier.com). I think these are so helpful!
I found these to have a little bit more shimmer than colors like Copper or Rose Gold. Similar to what I see in the Caviar Stick Eye Color in Sugar Frost. They’re easy to blend but they do set quickly and lasting power is excellent once it sets.
Some colors have sold out on different retail websites but I’ve seen them restock. You can still find all the shades at Laura Mercier, others also available at Nordstrom, Saks, Ulta, Bloomingdale’s. Colors include:
Wild Rose is a shimmery champagne rose
Kiss From A Rose is a soft pink shimmer
Bed of Roses is a mauve shimmer
Strike a Rose medium soft plum rose
Forbidden Rose copper rose
Rose Thorn deep plum shimmer
I did a look layering 3 shades including Wild Rose, Bed of Roses, Forbidden Rose + the Makeup By Mario Master Mattes. Also wearing:
Comparisons below to Bobbi Brown, By Terry, Charlotte Tilbury and a few other Laura Mercier colors
Highlighting Powder in Rose Glow
The new Highlighting Powder in Rose Glow is a soft shimmery pale rose. It has a beautiful soft texture but the highlight is quite intense on my medium tan skin tone because it’s paler than my natural skin tone. Shimmer wise it’s smooth but for me it requires a light hand. I prefer it mixed with a regular satin or matte blush for a softer diffused look.
Below wearing Highlighting Powder in Rose Glow on top of Blush in Strawberry
I love the texture of the powder but color wise I have a lot of similar colors so I wouldn’t call it super unique for my skin tone. Performance wise it’s excellent and I do think it’s a beautiful highlighter.
Happy Friday! I have a look at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale x Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Exclusives and think there some great options this year. Nordstrom launched a new Instant Look Palette for the sale along with some good value sets to try out. I have a closer look with more swatches today.
Collagen Lip Bath Set
The Collagen Lip Bath formula is one of my all time favorites. The colors Refresh Rose and Pillow Talk have been staples in my routine for an effortless look. They give the lips a plump lush shine without the strong stinging or tingle sensation (huge plus for me). Pillow Talk is the one that gives me the most compliments and I’ve gifted it to pretty much every single friend and family member close to me. Formula is comfortable and hydrating. There is peppermint which gives it a slight cooling sensation but it’s a pleasant one.
The Face and Eye Palette Set includes one of her Instant Look Palettes called Sunset Dreamscape. It also includes a mini mascara. The palette has a good mix of everyday wearbale rose tones. On my medium skin tone it gives me a neutral rose bronze shade without being too pink or rosy.
Eyeshadows include a soft champagne, warm peachy copper shimmer, matte plum. For the face there is a nice soft light tan matte bronzer (neutral tones), two blushes in warm rose tones and a pale sheer highlighter.
Overall pigment level is medium but buildable. Lasting power is excellent for wear time and I love the colors!
Skin Care
A couple other mentions I wanted to include are some of her skincare items. There are two value sets including the Setting Spray and Magic Cream Set ($75 on sale, $113 value) and also the Magic Cream Set ($160 on sale, $240 value). I’m a huge fan of her Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and Magic Cream so I think if you’re looking to try her skincare these are some nice sets available with some good price savings.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to the public today! In case you missed it you can see my Beauty Haul with swatches of my picks from Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS and more here. My Hair Care and Fragrance picks from Diptyque, Jo Malone, Oribe here.
Today I have a closer look at the three sets from NARS I hauled and after playing with them I think they are my favorites and definitely worth looking into!
The NARS Pleasure Trip Cheek Palette ($45 sale, $87 value) is a trio with one highlighter (Wanderlust), one shimmery brush (Lucky Star) and a soft matte bronzer (Wild at Heart). The palette shows up pretty well on my medium tan skin for a bronzed rose look. Colors are smooth and the shimmers aren’t too shimmery. Pigment is on the medium-high side but can be easily sheered out. The texture is that finely milled pressed texture similar to the older Banc de Sable or the more recent NARS Orgasm on the Beach – just not as glowy/shimmery on my skin.
AFTERGLOW LIP SHINE SET
The NARS Afterglow Lip Shine Set ($45 sale, $78 value) is really nice, especially if you like smooth texture lip glosses. Pigment is sheer but still visible on the lips. I like them alone but they also layer beautifully with lipsticks or lip liners. Lasting power is pretty good for a gloss. The shimmery ones have no texture even with the sparkles.
Broken Glass is a clear base loaded with silver and pale gold shimmers.
Orgasm is a medium pink shimmer.
Laguna is a warm coppery bronze with a subtle shimmer.
AFTERGLOW MINI LIP BALM DUO
Last but not least lip swatches of the NARS Afterglow Mini Lip Balm Duo ($22) in Deep Throat and Fast Lane. The lip balms in this duo are super mini, but it makes for a nice sampler size to give you a sense of how they will perform on your lips. Also makes a super cute gift. I think the full-size Afterglow Lip Balms ($28 each) are 100% worth the splurge. Love these for the soft wash of color + shine.
“Receive deluxe samples of Bronzing Powder in Laguna (0.04 oz.), Lipstick in Rosecliff (0.06 oz.), Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (0.09 oz.) and Climax Mascara (0.06 oz.) with your $100 NARS purchase. Online and in U.S. stores.*”
There is also another gift available online with any purchase in Beauty and Fragrance with $150 purchases (sample pack).
I’ve been on a baby pink nail polish kick lately and have a few favorites I love I wanted to share! So many of my favorite light pinks have been discontinued from Chanel and Dior. Rescue Beauty Lounge also used to make some of the best pale pinks (so sad they’re no longer around!). Here are my favorites right now!
Olive and June Pink Sands ($8, available at Olive and June) – This one is super creamy pale and opaque white-based pink, apply 2 thin coats for full coverage. (If you want something with a little less white base try Olive and June SE.)
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OPI Bubble Bath ($10-$10.50, Target and Ulta) – This is one I rediscovered early summer, I remember not liking it before thinking it was sooo sheer it was difficult to get the color to show up. I tried it again and if I apply 2-3 coats I find I get the perfect pale pink manicure.
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Gucci Beauty Ellen Blush ($30, Nordstrom, Sephora, Gucci) – I just ordered a few of the newly repackaged nail polishes from Gucci. This one has full opaque coverage with one stroke but I still prefer to apply 2. Ellen Blush is the perfect medium light pink to me.
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Essie Fiji ($8.99 at Target) – This will be hit or miss depending on your skin tone or undertone, it’s a cool-toned blue based pale pink with full coverage. It has the tiny skinny brush which I wish they would update. I do think it’s a classic pale pink on me though.
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Essie Muchi Muchi ($8.99 Target) – Muchi Muchi is a medium pale pink on me. It’s not quite as pale as most lighter pinks which makes it more fun for me.
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Essie Gel Couture Polished and Poised ($11.50, Ulta) – A newer to me discovery, love that this is a really pretty light medium neutral warm pink that has full coverage but doesn’t have too much white in it.
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For those who want a closer look at the brush applicators:
My latest love is the new By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Balm ($38, available at By Terry). By Terry created six perfect neutrals for lips in a tinted balm formula and every single color is perfect. The team kindly sent 2 and after seeing a few previews online I immediately ordered the other 4. I have all 6 swatched today. I think they’re great everyday kind of colors – basic staples without being boring.
The Hyaluronic Hydra-Balms are creamy and have a moisturizing feel without too much slip. Pigment is pretty good in coverage with medium level opacity. Formula-wise they have hyaluronic acid to add moisture and give the lips a full plump look. She also added a water gloss complex to give it a naturally glossy look. They do have a perfumed powdery rose scent but on me I feel like it fades within a few minutes (or my nose gets used to it).
Lasting power is similar to the Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom or YSL Rouge Volupte Shines. You will need to reapply every few hours but if you add a lipliner underneath lasting power is better.
I really love the colors she launched. I would love to see her add more shades to the line in the future too though! Maybe some more pink browns or toffee shades!
Shade 1 Sexy Nude is a light cool-toned nude, I thought this would be too pale but it’s really pretty on
Shade 2 Nudissimo is a light pink with coral tones, this is the only one I felt too pale for my skin tone, but if I layer it with a lip liner or another lipstick it’s perfect
Shade 3 Tea Time* is the perfect tan beige
Shade 4 Dare to Bare* is a pretty soft berry neutral
Shade 5 Secret Kiss is a brown pink (love this one)
Shade 6 is a berry red nude
Swatches below:
Sexy Nude, Nudissimo, Tea Time on the lips also wearing:
100% love and the formula is comfortable, hydrating, not too heavy or thick. I also think the colors are perfect for everyday. Highly recommend. You can find them online at By Terry.
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Press samples have a * next to them. All other items purchased by me.
