Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

Budget Beauty Staples + Summer Haul Picks

June 28, 2019

I have another budget beauty roundup today and a peek at a new shelfie in our new place! I’m still in the process of getting everything organized and setup. I’ll be sure to show you the beauty room/closet as soon as I can. The recent budget beauty roundups have been a hit with so many of you and I’ve written down all of your personal recommendations to add to my shopping list! I’ve partnered with Walmart again to share my budget beauty shelfie with go-to’s and a few things I’ve hauled. I’m always amazed at how much they stock when I go into a store, I always find something new!

My top 6 budget beauty staples I always like to keep in stock in my beauty stash (in other words my most repurchased items):

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel is my go-to for reducing the swelling from acne that is just staring to surface. There are different kinds and stages of acne which require different kinds of ingredients and acids to treat. (More on what we’ve tried coming soon.) This one has 10% benzoyl peroxide but doesn’t leave a red mark on the skin like some other treatments do. Andrew uses this as well! We’ve gone through around a dozen tubes.
Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads for Longwear and Waterproof Makeup is a recommendation thanks to many of you! I had such a hard time removing waterproof mascara, this was the most recommended and it is hands down the best I’ve tried. There is also a larger size but I like to buy the smaller one because it’s more travel friendly.
Dove Body Wash Mousse is one of the most fun shower products I’ve tried and also hydrates dry skin. The winter and spring can be harsh on the skin, even in Florida. The shower creams and gels from Dove never fail me. I like the Rose Oil one the best, but have also tried the Argan Oil and Coconut Oil ones. It has the best foaming action!
philosophy Amazing Grace Shower Gel is an amazing shower gel, but I actually use as a bubble bath. I have used this since my college days. It has such a clean and relaxing scent that melts any and all stress away.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 is always on hand in my beauty cabinet, it never stings or irritates, even on super sensitive skin days.
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara is still the best for me. It holds the curl, lengthens, doesn’t clump and holds up to Florida heat. My bestie asked me recently if I had any other new favorites in the mascara world since I test a lot. This is still my favorite!

Some new beauty haul picks:

Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in Molten Peach is a recent beauty buy. I was so impressed by the Molten Gold I went back to check out the other shades. I haven’t had a chance to open it yet but will keep you posted!
Beautyblender Nude is now carried at Walmart and I could not be more excited. It’s discounted from the full price which is a huge plus for me because I’ve never been able to find a good dupe.
Elf Blending Sponge is something I just bought in hopes of a cheaper beautyblender alternative. Most of the other sponges I’ve tried just aren’t soft or bouncy enough, but this one seems to have a good amount of squish. I’m going to start testing it this weekend.
Real Techniques has been highly recommended so I bought the Everyday Essentials Makeup Set and the brushes feel super soft and plush. I also hauled one of the Powder Brushes and will be trying them out soon.
Essie Speed Setter Ultra Fast Dry Top Coat caught my eye in store. My go-to fast dry top coat has hit near the end of it’s life and has also been discontinued so I’ve been on the hunt for another option. This one does indeed dry the nails fast, but I have to make sure the polish underneath is fully dry/set. I’ve had this one on my fingers since Monday with no chips or tip wear so it’s promising! Will need to test it some more with other formulas.
Milani Strobelight Instant Glow Powder in Sunglow also caught my eye in store. I just played with it a little and it has a super soft texture with a really impressive multi-dimensional glow. For those who’ve been asking for a budget-friendly highlighter option, I think these are great!
Revlon Kiss Coconut Balm because I can’t resist anything coconut scented.

I hope you enjoyed this budget beauty shelfie! I can’t wait to share more of our home as we decorate and get everything setup. Have you found any new budget beauty loves recently? Let me know in the comments!

Sponsored by Walmart. As always all opinions are my own.

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Highlighters Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duos: Moodlight, Flicker + Incandescent

June 27, 2019

Tom Ford launched two new Skin Illuminating Duos ($85 each for .42 oz/12 g) this year in Flicker and Incandescent. The original one Moodlight is probably one of the prettiest candlelight champagne glow highlighters I’ve ever tried and to this day remains a staple. Flicker is the deeper version and easier to find. Incandescent is a little harder to find right now (it sold out on a number of sites quickly) but you can still find it at Sephora and Bloomingdale’s. The two new colors have the same textured pattern, shimmery finish and powder formula to the original for a multi-dimensional glow.

From top clockwise: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent

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Moodlight

For my medium golden skin I find Moodlight is still the best as a skin illuminating duo. It’s the most flattering, isn’t too warm or cool, has the perfect amount of shimmer and glow. It’s smooth, lasts all day, doesn’t emphasize pores and looks good on a wide range of skin tones. I’ve hit pan on this before. I bought a fresh one to shoot for this post.

Swatch comparisons can be found in previous posts here and here.

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Flicker

Flicker has a yellow gold shimmer and deep dark bronze tone with olive undertones. For me this is better for the eyes. On my complexion the colors do not work well on the face, even with soft layering or mixing. The deeper color pulls a little green on my skin and is too deep to wear even as a soft contour. Because it contrasts so sharply with my skin I found the darker color didn’t really apply smoothly with regular highlighting strokes. It required a lot of extra blending to smooth out. On the eyes it applied just fine though.

Swatch comparisons to Maybelline Master Chrome in Molten Gold (one of the best gold highlighters I’ve tried this year), Chanel Duo Bronze Et Lumiere in Medium (review here), Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow in Medium-Dark.

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Incandescent

Incandescent did not disappoint and was worth the extra effort to track down. It looks darker in the pan than I anticipated from online stock photos but swatches light and glowy. There’s a champagne shimmer that’s almost identical to the top shade in Moodlight on my skin (they don’t look the same in the pan though). Incandescent’s top shade pulls a little warmer and more golden. If you’re lighter than me in skin tone the difference will be more noticeable. The bottom shade is a frosty rose, similar to NARS Maldives.

Swatch comparisons to Charlotte Tilbury Sex on Fire, NARS Highlighting Powder in Maldives (review here), Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Duo in Softcore (discontinued).

More swatches of the three Skin Illuminating Duos side by side:

Swatches on the face, also wearing:

Foundation – Tom Ford Soleil Glow Foundation in Shade 6
Concealer – Smashbox Studio Skin Concealer in Light Medium Warm
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder in Shade 2
Brows – Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown
Mascara – L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara
Eyeliner – L’Oreal Infallible Waterproof Eye Pencil in Brown
Lips – Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Rosy Glow
Tee – Reformation Alex Slim Tee

Overall I still like Moodlight the best but I think Incandescent is really lovely too. Flicker isn’t a win for me but it’s mainly because the colors don’t work so well for my complexion, it’s a little too deep for me to wear even with blending. The gold is a little too yellow for my liking. For a contour gold/bronze palette I prefer the Natasha Denona Tan Bronze and Glow Palette or the Chanel Duo Bronze Et Lumiere Compact I reviewed earlier – both are easier for me to wear and more flattering for my medium skin tone.

You can find the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duos out now at all Tom Ford counters. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York and Beautylish.

I’m hoping Incandescent will restock everywhere, I bought mine at Nordstrom but it keeps selling out online, for now it’s available at Sephora and Bloomingdale’s.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

16 Comments

Budget Beauty Skincare

Summer Self-Care Shaving Routine

June 25, 2019

Summer is officially here which means having a good clean shave is essential for swimsuit season. When things in life get busy or hectic for me having a good wind-down relaxation routine at the end of the day makes all the difference. My self-care time is usually in the bath tub in the evenings (I’ve always been a bath person). I’ll do a little spa time whether it’s a face scrub, face mask, bubble bath soak. Once every other week I’ll add in shaving, sometimes more frequently in summer. I have been experimenting more with different razor brands and shaving gels/foams this year. I truly love that there are more options for women! My latest discovery is the Joy razor line available exclusively at Walmart. They reached out and asked me to try their products and I’ve been pleasantly surprised, especially by the shave gel and shave mousse!

There are currently six items available in the lineup. They have two color razor handle options, Pink or Teal, each one comes with two razor cartridges that are the Gillette five-blades. Blades also come in 4-pack or 8-pack refill options. For the shave products they have the Shave Gel and the Shave Mousse.

The razors themselves are super sharp and give a really close shave. I like the size and weight of the handles. They have a nice non-slip material on the handle which makes holding it easier. There is a strip on the tip to help prevent irritation, but as with any razor using a good shaving cream, gel or mousse is essential to lubricate the skin properly to prevent razor burn.

I’ve always been more of a mousse kind of girl for shaving but hate the way most of them smell with the dry down. I love that foaming action but they usually have a chemical scent! For many years I’ve just used a shower gel to shave (or borrowed some of Andrew’s shaving cream products) because I really cannot stand the way most shaving mousses smell. The ones by Joy are so much better! The Shave Foam is called Summer Lily and it has a beautiful summer fresh floral scent. It has a really amazing foam and helps give you a super close shave. The Shave Gel is called Cucumber Aloe (teal) has a nice cucumber aloe scent, a cushiony feel, and hydrating smooth finish. I love the lather of these products, if I had to pick one to try first I’d recommend the gel as it feels a little more hydrating to me, but both are really nice.

The Shave Foam Summer Lily and The Pink Razor

The Shave Gel Cucumber Aloe and the Teal Razor (dispenser for the gel is different from the mousse, but both are well designed)

I ordered a 4-pack of the refill cartridges, so I’m stocked up for a while now!

Overall love this line, especially for the price (these won’t break the bank). The Shave Gel is something I definitely see myself repurchasing in a near future. I like the way it foams and lathers up, plus is smells like a relaxing sweet cucumber. It’s been a nice added step to my bath routine for summer to get a really close shave without irritation. I think the razor handles are really cute and definitely a step up in aesthetic from the basic plastic handle ones that come in bundles. The grip handle comes in handy too.

You can find the Joy Razor line exclusively at Walmart. Have you tried these yet? Or any of the new razor brands that have launched recently? What did you think?

Many thanks to Walmart for partnering to sponsor this post! And special thanks to each of you who shop the brands that help support this blog.

3 Comments

Beauty Tools

Top Makeup Brushes for the Face + Cheeks

June 24, 2019

It’s been a while since I’ve done a makeup brush roundup so I have an updated one for you this week! I’ve always loved trying new brushes and makeup tools, even long before I started this beauty blog. Over the years I’ve tried a wide range of high-end brushes and because of the product testing and swatching I do I’ve acquired more than the average beauty lover. Many brushes can be multi-taskers these days so there is definitely no need to purchase a lot. I’d recommend building your tool set over time. Try a couple from a few brands and see how you like them, then build from there.

I’ve split the ones I use the most by category to help you find the tools best suited to your needs. Over the years many of my tried-and-true lines have revamped their makeup tools and changed materials to synthetics. Since I do take good care of my tools there are a number of older ones that I’ve kept and still use but in today’s roundup I’ve included ones you can still find.

To care for my brushes I’ve tried a number of brush cleaners: liquid, solid, gels, baby shampoo, etc. To this day I find MAC’s Brush Cleaner to be one of the best as it truly cleans the brushes well, doesn’t leave a residue or lingering scent and doesn’t damage the brushes. However with the frequency I have to wash my brushes purchasing and repurchasing it gets really spendy. I tried Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soaps as there were so many positive reviews about how good these were to clean your brushes. I tried the Unscented and Lavender, unfortunately my skin had an allergic reaction to both from residue that was on the brushes (they didn’t rinse out all the way, even with multiple rounds of warm water rinsing under the faucet). These days I rely on the Dawn Dish Soap diluted a with warm water in a bowl or the Dishwashing Foam and this gets my brushes clean without any residue. For sponges I still rely on the beautyblender solid as the best solid cleanser.

Onto my favorite brushes, up first are the ones I love for powder!

Powder Brushes

Above from left to right:

Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush ($38) is one of the softest short-handled brushes I’ve used. It works well to dust any kind of powder evenly all over the face.
MAC 140S ($42) is the best dense powder brush, the fan shape allows you to cover larger areas of your face in fewer stokes.
La Mer Powder Brush ($85) was one of my biggest brush splurges, it’s so soft and plush! Works best for loose powder for me, but can also work with pressed.
Hourglass Veil Powder Brush ($64) has two ends, the larger side is for setting the entire face with loose (or pressed) powder, the smaller is designed for under the eye. I also use the small side for contouring powders. It’s soft and so fluffy.
Laura Mercier Powder Brush* ($52) is one of the nicest flatter wide brushes I’ve tried. A lot of flat/wide brushes I’ve tried in the past aren’t dense enough for my liking and don’t pick up enough product. This one has the perfect density.

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Blush and Highlighters

For me I will use a blush brush for highlighter and vice versa. Some of you may prefer a smaller brush for highlighter and that’s perfectly ok! The first three are ones I reach for the most for cheeks, the last three are smaller and less dense to apply a softer wash of color. Above from left to right:

Wayne Goss 11* ($48) is one he calls a buffing brush, all of his brushes are ultra soft and plush and pick up the perfect amount of product to apply to the face. You can use for powder or cream, I prefer for powder blush for the perfect wash of color.
Laura Mercier Cheek Color Brush* ($46) is a great synthetic cheek brush, it has a classic shape, runs on the flatter side, applies powder really well.
Chanel Blush* ($50) is a super dense and soft plush brush, I love that it’s dense but still flexible.
Laura Mercier Fan Brush* ($32) there are a lot of fan brushes on the market, to me they’re all pretty much the same for the bristles, but the handles are often super skinny and don’t feel hefty enough. Still there are a lot of excellent options to choose but I like Laura Mercier’s the best for dusting highlighter on the cheekbones.
Wayne Goss 14 Cheek Brush* ($33)
Chanel Precision Powder Brush* ($60) is a soft rounded brush perfect for soft contour or highlighting.

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Angled Brushes

Above from left to right:

MAC Angled 168SH and 168 ($35) have been in rotation for as long as I can remember! The short handle one has been discontinued but it comes back every once in a while. You might still be able to find it MAC stores. The current version is called 168S because they’ve changed to synthetics. I have tried the new version and it performs just as well as the originals.
NARS 21 Contour Brush ($42) is the brush I’m asked about the most anytime it’s featured in a blog post, on Instagram or stories. It’s one of the best dense angled brushes I’ve tried. I like that the size is a little wider than most making for easier application. I love a precise brush but sometimes I want something a little bigger for an easier sweeping motion.
Laura Mercier Angled Cheek Contour* ($46) is another great angled brush that’s nice for contouring.

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Skunk Brushes / Blending

These fluffy duo fiber brushes are nice for soft buffing. You can use them for powder or creams. I was surprised to learn you can use these to buff in foundation! Above from left to right:

Laura Mercier Finishing* ($46) is the fluffiest, after washing it fluffs out the most.
MAC 187S* ($42) has changed slightly from the original 187, the S version is more dense vs. fluffy now. It’s still an excellent brush but these days I find it better for foundation or cream bronzers rather than powders.
Chanel Foundation Blending* ($50) I find this to be the best alternative to the original MAC187, it’s soft, fluffy and I prefer it for powders (but you can also use for foundation).

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Miscellaneous

Above from left to right:

Wayne Goss 00 White ($85) is in my top two biggest splurges, next to the La Mer one. This was the first Wayne Goss brush I tried. I bought the black one many years ago and it served me well until I used a new brush cleaner (I can’t remember which one but it was a liquid one I got at a trade show) and it made the black color bleed. Even after it dried it left streaks on my skin. I bought the white one when it came out the next year and it’s one of the softest tapered brushes I own. It is 100% worth the splurge.
Tom Ford Foundation ($72) is also another spendy splurge, I bought this as part of a brush set many many years ago and it’s held up remarkably well. It’s one of the best streak-free brushes I own.
Laura Mercier Bronzer Brush* ($46) is the second most asked about brush I have. Anytime it’s featured dozens of you want to know which brush it is. I’ve gone through so many bronzer brushes and there are a lot of excellent options. My most reached for is this one.
Laura Mercier Blending Brush* ($46) is a smaller denser version of the bronzer option, it’s smaller so better for buffing and blending.
beautyblender Nude ($20) is my favorite foundation tool for any foundation formula. I like the nude the best because the dye never bleeds into the sink. I’ve never had issues with any of the other ones staining the skin, but sometimes with the pink ones you will see pink color run through the sink with the first rinse.

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I hope this roundup with side by side photos helps give you a reference point on size and density! While there is no single brand that has all the tools I want, if I had to pick one brand of face brushes to use for the rest of my life it would either be Wayne Goss or Laura Mercier.

When it comes to travel a lot of you want to know how I pack my brushes. There’s no hard set rule I go by when packing tools. I’ve tried a number of brush pouches like the MustaeV Bloom Pouch, Make Up For Ever Pouch, the Clearly MAC Rectangle etc. For the past few trips I’ve thrown my tools into the Truffle Clarity Jetset Case and it’s perfect for my needs (see it in action here). I fit everything shown below into the pouch without any issue. If you’re worried about the debris getting the case dirty just layer in a little tissue. The plastic cleans easily from powder contact. If you use anything cream based though I recommend you wrap those tools in tissue if you can’t clean it before you pack.

That wraps up my favorite brush tools post! What are your favorite tools?

Press samples have a * next to them. Others purchased by me.

10 Comments

Skincare

Brightening Radiant Skincare with the Best of Volition

June 21, 2019

I’m so excited to share some new skincare that I’ve been using from Volition Beauty. Their products are clean and cruelty-free! I also think it’s so interesting that they create products based on ideas submitted by consumers. Skincare is made based on what real people need and want. You can read more about their Clean Beauty Philosophy on their website (I found it really interesting!). These days I’m all about getting that radiant glow so I was thrilled to give their three best sellers a test because they’re designed for brightening, exfoliating and hydrating. I’ve partnered with them to give you a closer look at The Best of Volition Kit ($64). It’s is an online exclusive with their cult favorites (currently 30% off). It includes:

Turmeric Brightening Polish 4 fl oz / 120 ml
Strawberry-C Serum 1 fl oz / 30 ml
Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Pads 3 pads (individual packets)

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Turmeric Brightening Polish

I love a good scrub to exfoliate and keep the complexion smooth and clear. I feel like out of all the skincare steps this is one of the most important to keep my skin smooth and healthy. The Turmeric Brightening Polish is a gritty scrub that can be used on both the face and body. I gently massage it into wet skin and leave it on for a couple minutes to let it sink in. This one has Turmeric Extract to brighten, Olive and Sesame Oil to hydrate and soften, Sandalwood Extract to reduce inflammation and micronized Walnut Shell to exfoliate. I tried on both the face and body and really love it for the face. It did noticeably reduce some inflammation I had and did an excellent job at making my skin feel smooth afterwards.

Full ingredient list here.

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Strawberry-C Serum

The Strawberry-C Serum is a brightening serum with 20% strawberry Vitamin C. It has ingredients to reduce dark spots over time and minimize pores. I could not detect any heavy scent to it but it smells like a hint of fresh cucumber. Most Vitamin C treatments are too strong for my skin to handle but this one was a pleasant surprise and gentle enough for my skin to tolerate use on a daily basis. It has a gel-like texture and after a few minutes it absorbs into the skin for a smooth finish dry down. I don’t have a lot of dark spots except for a couple of fresh red/brown acne scars from recent breakouts that are healing. I was really surprised to see that they have reduced in color significantly and already started to fade faster than normal with this serum.

This also contains Kakadu Plum to add a glow and reduce redness, Hyaluronic Acid to plump, Cucumber Fruit Water to soothe skin. They recommend using this morning and might and under your regular moisturizer. I tried this alone and applied my regular foundation on top during the day and it worked really well. It helped regulate my oil with the humid weather right now too! I will definitely keep you posted on how this works over the longer term.

Full ingredient list here.

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Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Pads

Last but not least are the Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Peel Pads which are amazing! The Best of Volition Kit comes with 3 or you can also buy 3 separately in their Try-Me Pack. (Also available in a 30 pack). I’ve been reading about incorporating apple cider vinegar into one’s skin care routine as a toner to reduce breakouts and inflammation but wasn’t keen on the idea of applying it straight from the bottle or the potent smell. The Volition ACV Resurfacing Pads are the perfect alternative and they also contain AHAs, Lemon and Orange Extract to remove dead skin, Witch Hazel to remove dirt and excess oil that may still be on the skin even after washing, and Glycolic Acid. The first time I used it I only applied on half my face to see how much of a difference there would be – there was a noticeable difference by morning! These do have an apple cider vinegar scent to the pads but it’s not as overpowering as I anticipated and it dissipates after a few minutes. I do have sensitive skin but these had a very moderate and gentle tingle. Quick note that I haven’t used any other acids, peels, retinols or vitamin C products on my face in a few weeks now so if you have those in your routine your skin may be extra sensitized and you’ll find the tingle a little more intense.

These pads are described as being gentle enough to use daily but I would probably use it 1 to 2 times per week max. Skin is noticeably more toned and it evened out some texture issues I had. I really like the anti-inflammatory properties ACV has to prevent breakouts. I’ve already ordered the full size box (has 30 pads). The packets are super convenient for travel and also keep the pads well soaked/protected but I would also love to see this in a bottle form.

Full ingredient list here.

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First impressions with this brand are that I’m impressed! The Best of Volition Kit is available only online at their website but you can also find their individual products at Sephora. Volition offers free shipping and returns in the US and they’ll also send samples with every purchase for you to try out. I’m really interested in trying out their sunscreen and have their Grab-n-Go Trio in my cart right now (looks super cute).

Have you tried anything from Volition yet? What are some of your favs?

Many thanks to Volition Beauty for partnering to sponsor this post.

11 Comments

Barneys New York GWP

Barneys New York Beauty Bag Event June 18-22

June 18, 2019

Barneys New York is running their Summer Beauty Bag Event from June 18-22 (online only)! With any $200 purchase in cosmetics, skincare, fragrance and grooming you will receive a beauty bag with samples valued at around $360. I’ve teamed up with Barneys New York to share a peek at the gift bag along with a few recommendations plus what’s on my beauty radar. There are also 50+ individual brand gifts available online.

Beauty Bag Event Gift with Purchase

Inside the bag they have over 20 minis:

MMM Replica Under the Lemon Tree 2 ml
Harmonist Magnetic Wood 2 ml
Mila Moursi Refining Lotion 10 ml
MDNA Finishing Cream 0.1 oz
Sisley Phyto Blanc Buff and Wash 10 ml
Starskin Lace Revamping Mask (2 sheets)
Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste 10 ml
Oribe Supershine Cream 15 ml
Harry Josh Carbon Tail Comb
Malin Goetz Stem EDP Vial .75 ml
Shiseido Bio Performance Lift Dynamic Eye Treatment 12 ml
Lab to Beauty CBD Lip Balm .5 oz
The Laundress Wash and Stain Bar Classic
Hourglass Caution Mascara .12 oz
By Terry Mini Baume de Rose 3 g
La Mer Regenerating Serum 5 ml
Byredo Perfume (assorted) 2 ml
Diptyque Eau de Minthe 2 ml
YSL Matte Pore Refiner 5 ml
JINSoon Nail Polish (assorted)
Baxter Skin Concentrate BHA 5 ml
Foria Awaken 1.5 ml

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Top Recommendations / On My Radar

There are so many great brands available at Barneys I don’t think it’s hard to find something good to splurge on. In case you need some recommendations, some things that I love include:

Byredo La Selection Set has six miniature 12 ml perfume vials, it’s perfect to sample a wide range of scents, I also carry these in my purse
Tom Ford Beauty Skin Illuminating Duo in Moodlight is one of the best highlighter duos
Tom Ford Beauty Traceless Foundation Stick is one of the best full coverage foundations, I use this on top of regular foundation as a concealer
Aesop Redemption Body Scrub is the best body scrub I’ve ever tried
Hourglass Confession Lipstick is one of the best formulas even though it’s ridiculously expensive, full lineup swatched here, Barneys appears to have an exclusive called I Hope
Hourglass Unreal Lip Gloss is a really nice formula that’s new, swatches of my picks here
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder is one of the nicest loose formulas I’ve tried, review here and here
Hourglass Arch Brow Gel in Soft Brunette is my go-to for brow gels
Diptyque Baies Candle is my favorite scent of all time
By Terry Lip Expert Shine offers some of the prettiest gloss colors, I love Bare Flirt and Peachy Guilt, swatches here (they are fairly strong in the rose scent)

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The gift with purchase is offered from June 18 to the 22nd while supplies last. Gift will be automatically added to your cart at checkout once you’ve reached the minimum $200 beauty spend. Available online at Barneys.com.

Many thanks to Barneys for partnering to sponsor this post!

15 Comments

MAC

MAC Electric Wonder Collection Review + Swatches

June 17, 2019

MAC launched the perfect color palette of neutrals with their Electric Wonder Collection for summer and it’s truly beautiful! I think everything is stunning from the pink marble electric packaging to the actual product colors. If you’re looking for an updated palette of neutrals with shimmer there are some great value options in this collection. I have most of everything swatched today including:

Lipsticks ($19.50 each) in Feelin’ Sedimental, Let’s Mesa Around, Life in Sepia and Natural Born Leader
Lipglass ($18.50 each) in Marble Faun, Nature Freak, Coral of the Wild and Rock Starz
Ignite Wonder Face Palette ($40.50) with 6 shades
Next to Nothing Bronzer ($30 each) in Canyon Dreamin’ and Sun-Soaked Strip
Iridescent Powder ($36 each) in Serenity Seeker and Into Eternity
Brush 126SE ($43)
Eyeshadow x 12 Desert Lightning ($48) with 12 neutral cool shades
Eyeshadow x 12 Natural Vice ($48) with 12 neutral warm shades

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Eyeshadow Palettes

There are two eyeshadow palettes in a warmer option Natural Vice and a cooler option called Desert Lightning. Both have 12 shades and are offered at a really great value price. 12 pans are hit and miss with some shades being patchy/sheer and others being more pigmented. Both of these seem to be a significant improvement across the board with every color applying with smooth easy to layer pigment. I cannot pick a favorite and I usually gravitate towards the warmer ones, but both are really beautiful. Color adheres well to the lids and pigment is very very good.

Desert Lightning has a mix of matte, satin, shimmers. There are a few repromoted shades but most of the colors are newer.

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Natural Vice is the one I think feels more like a neutral summer palette. It has mattes, shimmers and satiny colors. Everything applies beautifully.

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Lipstick and Lipglass

There are five Lipsticks and five Lipglasses in this launch and I have four of each swatched today. I really love Let’s Mesa Around and Natural Born Leader. The other shades are ok quality-wise but on me require mixing and layering for my skin tone.

Let’s Mesa Around Lustre Lipstick is a glossy mauve semi-sheer (looks deeper on my lips because I have naturally pigmented lips which show through)
Feelin’ Sedimental Satin Lipstick is a pale beige peach
Life in Sepia Matte Lipstick is a cool toned brown
Natural Born Leader Matte Lipstick is a plum
Marble Faun Lipglass is a sparkly white
Nature Freak Lipglass is a sparkly yellow gold
Coral of the Wild Lipglass is a milky pale peach
Rock Starz Lipglass is a shimmery silvery taupe

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Cheek Palette

The Ignite Wonder Cheek Palette has six almost creamy feeling powders. They apply with a natural sheen on the skin if you use a lighter/fluffy brush like the 126 SE brush but you can layer for more color and pigment. I love that these aren’t too frosty on my skin and because they’re almost cream like they adhere to the skin but don’t feel emollient. It’s very glowy and most of the palette is highlighter material, even the deeper shades, rather than blush.

They swatch frosty on the arm but on the face they apply with a more smooth soft and subtle finish. Colors include a pale champagne shimmer, pale ivory gold shimmer, medium peach tan, pale pink shimmer, medium peach and soft metallic rose.

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Bronzer + Highlighter

There are two Next to Nothing Bronzing Powders which feel like smooth skin but better. I’ve loved their regular Next to Nothing Face Powders and am not sure if this is the first time they launched the formula in bronzer form but the texture is lovely. Canyon Dreamin’ is a cooler toned bronze and Sun-Soaked Strip is a warmer matte option. I think these make for lovely contour powders. You only need a soft swipe with these.

There are also two new Iridescent Powders which have a swirled marble finish. Upon swatching these on the fingers and arms I thought both would be glittery messes on the face. They surprised me! They’re a lot more wearable than I anticipated and have this beautiful multi-dimensional sheen. Serenity Seeker is a soft champagne and Into Eternity is a warmer rose shimmer.

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Brush

There are two brushes in a split fiber form with this collection, I received 126 SE as a press sample and it’s so soft it feels like a soft cloud brushing against your skin. I think it’s a beautiful well made brush for soft powder application.

Look below wearing Natural Vice Eyeshadow Palette, Next to Nothing Bronzer in Sun-Soaked Strip, Ignite Wonder Face Palette highlighters in Any Wonder and Girl Wonder, Matte Lipstick in Natural Born Leader.

Overall thoughts: I think the collection is beautiful! Easy to wear pieces with just the right amount of shimmer and glow. Stand outs are the eyeshadow palettes, Next to Nothing Bronzers and the duo fiber brush for me. A number of you have been asking for recommendations on non-shimmer bronzers and I think these Next to Nothing options are beautiful, I love the deeper one. I do wish they came in a couple lighter shade options for light to fair skin tones though.

I’ve been a bit MIA recently because we just moved! I’m so exhausted as we’ve been up packing non-stop but am so excited we’ve moved to St. Pete. We were in the area nearly every weekend and lived in several beach houses when we did our moving around our first year here. We spent the last week packing and moving and did most of it ourselves (eeps!). We are nearly done but it’s been quite intense. I have lots of new beauty posts I’ve been working on in the meantime to share with you soon. Posting was put on hold for a little while as we have been moving furniture and boxes etc. The fur babies are settling in well 🙂

You can find the MAC Electric Wonder at all MAC counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Ulta Beauty, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and MAC Cosmetics.

Have you checked out the collection yet? What did you think?

MAC Electric Wonder provided courtesy of MAC for review.

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