Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

By Terry Gem Glow Holiday Collection Review + Swatches

December 12, 2018

By Terry launched some beautiful pieces for the season with the Gem Glow Holiday Collection. There are a couple new individual products and a number of beauty sets to choose from. Today I have a look at their Gem Glow Trio Highlighter ($65 for 5.5 g/0.19 oz), Gem Glow Brightening CC Serum ($91 for 30 ml/1 fl oz), Mini Baume de Rose ($24 for 3 g). In addition I’ve added swatches of some eye makeup including the Eye Light Palette Terrybly Paris 2 ($49 for 9 g/0.31 oz) that launched earlier in the fall plus some swatches of the Ombre Blackstar Cream Shadows since they usually have a few shades in one of the holiday sets. My thoughts on each product below.

Up first is a look at the Gem Glow Trio Compact Highlighter. It’s a stunning mix of pink, pearl and soft peach shimmers. The little yellow spots are overspray but it’s very soft so what you see in the compact is pretty true to what you will find underneath. I swatched each portion individually and swirled.

By Terry makes some of the most beautiful complexion products but they’re all very expensive. I do really love their Compact Expert Dual Powders (I still do) even though they cost an arm and a leg. This holiday season I found myself truly overwhelmed with all the highlighter options and for the first time in many years I did not review or purchase the holiday ones from Chanel or Tom Ford. After trying the options from NARS, Hourglass and Marc Jacobs combined with the dozens launched this year alone I feel like they’re all starting to look the same. I probably would have not purchased this By Terry Gem Glow Highlighter as I’m really set for life with highlighters in general, but out of all the ones I’ve seen this year this one has the prettiest presentation. Like many of her other face products there is more than one color in the pan with a small divider in the compact. The small spacing makes it virtually impossible to get individual colors which I don’t mind. But you will most likely have to swirl or mix shades with a regular face brush.

The pigment and color payoff are excellent. On my skin this translates into a beautiful pearly glow. It performs well, applies smoothly, stays put and doesn’t emphasize my pores. I find it has enough sparkle to be perfect for holiday. The shimmer is truly stunning on the skin making this a beautiful option I think will suit a wide range of skin tones. I do really love this one but the color can probably be duped.

Next is a look at her Gem Glow Brightening CC Serum. It’s a pearly rose gold that is very sheer. I’ve purchased several of her CC Serums in the past and they are extremely expensive but beautiful. They are sheer enough to use all over the face for a very soft subtle glow. It’s rose scented and it does not irritate my skin.

I do like the way it gives the skin a lit from within glow without any greasy emollient finish. The dry down has a soft almost velvet feel which is nice because any added shine with a shimmer product can often translate into a greasy look. If you’re looking for a liquid highlighter this is not the product for you, it’s too sheer to be used as a highlight. If you want something more glowy or visible I’d recommend Armani Fluid Sheers or a stick cream highlighter like the Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighter sticks.

As beautiful as this product is I think you can get a nearly identical effect with the Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow or Brightening Youth Glow Primer for a fraction of the price. I know ingredients aren’t the same so it might not be fair to compare them, but effect is similar. I do think the By Terry Brightening CC Serum is a beautiful product. I love that it comes with a pump and the bottles I owned in past years lasted for a long long time.

Swatched on the hand straight from the pump and then blended out you can see how it just adds a luminous sheen to the skin with barely any color.

For holiday she usually launches a Mini Baume de Rose packaged in a cute ornament form. It took me many years to bring myself to splurge on the full size but it’s 100% worth it. The minis are $24 each which is easier to justify as a splurge even though it’s tiny. I think it’s one of the best treats you can gift yourself. A look at the mini vs full size:

Next are some swatches of her Eye Light Palette Terrybly Paris 2. I haven’t tried any of her shadow palettes before as they’re usually out of my price range. This one retails for $49 and I’ll say up front it doesn’t swatch well on the arm or hand but on the eyes it’s MUCH much better. For those who are tired of the red, orange, pink or glitter palettes that seem to have taken over the beauty world today, you’ll find this one different for the neutral lover. It is very natural but has a nice range of colors for a polished muted classic eye. The colors are soft but they do give a beautiful wash of color you can layer or mix. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I think it would look really nice especially on fair skin tones. They have varying degrees of sparkle but the overall feel is very soft, airy, lightweight and has a subtle sheen.

Last but not least she has some of her Ombre Blackstars in a Trio this year with Blond Opal (shimmery pale champagne gold), Misty Rock (metallic purple) and Bronze Moon (shimmering bronze taupe) for $95. They usually retail for $38 each so you do get a little price break. For some reason I remember these being more expensive individually, I’m not sure when the price changed. Most of her colors have an intense shimmer pearl. These are some of the prettiest cream shadows that stay put on my lids without any issue. I’ve included swatches of a few other colors that I still have.

An easy holiday look wearing:

Primer is the By Terry Brightening CC Serum in Gem Glow
Foundation is Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion in Buff
Powder is La Mer Pressed Powder in Light
Blush is By Terry Compact Expert in Sun Desire
Highlight is By Terry Gem Glow Trio Compact swirled
Eyeshadow is the Eye Light Palette in Terrby Paris
Brows are the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel
Lip Color is Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk, Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk and Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow
Convertible Sweater from Nordstrom 1State

Overall I think these are beautiful quality pieces that are well made. If you splurge I think you’ll be happy with any of these items although I do think there are more affordable alternatives just as good to pick with other brands. The highlighter is such a beautiful piece to look at especially with the design and I think it’s a really pretty color with excellent pigment. Photos cannot do the swatches justice – the sparkle is so gorgeous and mix of colors a sight to behold. I do think you can get a similar effect with other shades though.

You can find the By Terry holiday pieces out now. Everything is limited-edition and you may have to shop around for some of the value sets. By Terry is available at Beautylish, Dermstore, Space NK, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

Have you checked out any of the By Terry holiday items? What has been your favorite holiday launch this year? For those curious additional items featured in the opening image: Simplehuman Sensor Mirror Pro 8 Inch in Rose Gold, simplehuman Compact Mirror and a Cuyana Vanity Case that I just ordered and will review in the near future.

By Terry Gem Glow Highlighter, CC Serum, Baume de Rose and Eye Palette provided for review. Ombre Blackstars are from my own collection.

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Holiday Gift Guide Skincare

Holiday Gifting with the Molton Brown Muddled Plum Collection

December 11, 2018

Every year around the holiday season, I always gift Molton Brown. For me it’s a no brainer because there is always something for everyone – even those that are hard to shop for!

I’m the biggest fan of their Bath & Shower Gels which have the most refreshing scents. Each year Molton Brown launches a limited-edition scent for the holiday season. This year they introduced the new Muddled Plum Collection which is perfect for those who want something different from the traditional spice or pine scent. I’m thrilled to partner with the brand to give you a peek!

Muddled Plum is a warm and cozy scent with a fruity feel that mixes rum, saffron and plum into one delicious fragrance. They describe it as “a celebratory aroma featuring rich notes of oak-aged rum, saffron and plum” which couldn’t be more perfect because I love anything with sandalwood during this time of year.

Top notes: orange, saffron and elemi.
Heart notes: plum, davana and oak-aged rum.
Base notes: sandalwood, benzoin and musk.

The Muddled Plum Collection is composed of 6 different products, all great for gifting. Everything is beautifully packaged that looks like a gift in itself. The collection includes Body Lotion ($44 for 10 fl oz) and Bath & Shower Gel ($35 for 10 fl oz). I prefer to use the shower gel as my bubble bath after a long day as it lathers nicely, has a strong scent and leaves my skin feeling soft. The Body Lotion is perfect to apply after a long bath and leaves your skin feeling deeply hydrated.

A perfect stocking stuffer is the Festive Body Wash Bauble ($15 each). This item is shaped like an ornament so you can also hang it from your tree!

The collection also includes an Eau de Toilette ($65 for 1.7 fl oz) which has really good lasting power on the skin. This one makes for a nice warm fall scent with the mix of sweet and a little bit of spice.

My ultimate fave product from the collection has to be the Scented Glitter ($45) which I’ve never seen before! This is such a cute idea – you can sprinkle it on your tree, gifts, your dinner table or letters you send. It’s purple and silver to match the festive plum color theme.

Lastly, from the collection we have the Single Wick Candle ($50). It burns beautifully and fills the entire room within minutes. It has a soft mellow burn so it’s not overpowering.

There are so many gift options for the holidays at multiple price points! The new Muddled Plum Collection is a great option if you’re shopping for the person who already has everything as there’s a good chance they haven’t tried it yet! I typically buy their Hand Creams or one of their Holiday Crackers to give away, but this year they also have an amazing Opulent Infusions Advent Calendar as well!

You can find the Molton Brown Holiday gift sets and Muddled Plum Collection at MoltonBrown.com. The collection is limited-edition for the season and can also be purchased with gorgeous gift box options.

Sponsored by Molton Brown.

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Holiday Gift Guide Men's Grooming

Holiday Gift Guide: Best Gifts for the Guys

December 10, 2018

Happy Monday! I have a roundup of gift ideas for the guys in your life including some of Andrew’s favorite things I’ve gifted him. We’re in the process of putting together our best of skincare posts which I hope to have up soon, but for now here are some things we both think would make great gifts for any of the guys in your life.

1 Body Spray / 2 Best Body Wash / 3 Best Face Cleanser + Mask in one / 4 Travel Atomizer / 5 Best Wireless Earphones for Running / 6 Roll-on Deodorant / 7 Yeti Tumbler / 8 Creed Aventus Flacon / 9 Best Sunscreen / 10 Shave Tonic / 11 Best Body Scrub / 12 Everyday Moisturizer / 13 Apple Watch / 14 Classic Sunglasses / 15 Best Exfoliating Soap / 16 Best Compact Speakers (ours are the old version, current one here) / 17 Shaving Brush / 18 Best Hand Cream / 19 Best Starter Skincare Set

Jack Black makes some of the best skincare options and sets for guys. I think these are no-fail sets for anyone regardless of age. I even borrow some of the products from the line as well. Andrew thinks it’s best to buy individual items to pick and choose the best, but since everyone has different skin types I think the sampler sets are the nice way to start. His top picks are the Turbo Wash (only body wash he swears by), Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser (leave it on a few minutes and it doubles as a mask), Face Buff (is his go-to face scrub).

He’s been trying some other things in skincare and has been really impressed with the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream and Baby Facial. He also uses the Kate Somerville Eradikate line almost as religiously as I do. We both think those are no-fail options for a wide range of skin types. I think everyone we know has to deal with breakouts every now and then, the Eradikate Cleanser is one of the best ones to help with preventing acne.

For body care, aside from almost exclusively using the Jack Black Turbo Wash, Andrew also swears by the Aesop Redemption Body Scrub and their hand washes. There are a number of Aesop Gift Sets that are great unisex gifts regardless of age and skin type. After trying my Aquis Hair Towels he looked more into the line and found some things on Amazon. He bought the Aquis Exfoliating Back Scrubber and says it’s one of the best ones he’s tried.

Fragrance is something I think can be tricky and very personal, but the best scent we’ve ever smelled for men is Creed Aventus. After going through several bottles very quickly I bought him one of the Flacons last year. It was such a splurge but buying it saved me so much money as it lasted him an entire year (it’s down to the last drop now). If you’re unsure of what scent to buy you can always opt for a refillable atomizer. I’ve gifted Andrew a couple and he uses them all the time. Other nice options include Chanel Bleu de Chanel or Dior Sauvage which are nice, fresh and modern.

Shaving gifts are always great. The Art of Shaving makes some of the best gift sets at all price points. Andrew’s Safety Razor Stand is from their line along with his favorite Shaving Brush.

For the sporty guy in your life you truly cannot go wrong with an Apple Watch, sport headphones or anything from Yeti. Andrew’s two “can’t live without” things are his Yeti Tumbler and his Jaybird True Wireless Headphones. The headphones are the one item he bought himself after doing a lot of research. They’re small enough that they fit inside the ear, they’re truly wireless and work best even through a sweaty run.

Since Andrew already owns everything here I’m putting together my gift list for him. Apple came out with a new version of the Nike Watch and we plan on trading his current one in for a newer one (love how they will give you some store credit for trade ins!). Louis Vuitton’s L’Immensite has been on my list for a few months after smelling it in store, but he would probably be happy with another bottle of Creed Aventus. He’s a big fan of Cole Haan shoes and Nike running shoes too so I’m browsing through the newer options this season. Since we’re more active with weight lifting and running he’s been more into active wear so Lululemon is also something on his wishlist.

Hope you found this men’s gift guide helpful! One of my girl friends was telling me her hubby seriously needed to up his grooming game and she couldn’t convince him to use better skincare. When it comes to the guys in my life I think the best way to have them try new things is to buy it for them and put it on their counter or send it in a cool looking package. So if the guys in your life need some help in the grooming or skin care department, I hope this gives you some ideas!

I’m wrapping up gift guides this week but in case you missed the previous ones:

Holiday Gift Ideas $50 and Under
Best Luxury Candles for Holiday
Ideas for the Girls Who Have Everything
Holiday Home Decor + Gift Wrap Ideas

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Holiday Gift Guide Home / Interiors Lifestyle

Christmas Home Decor + Cute Gift Wrap Finds

December 9, 2018

I’m sharing something a little different today with a look at some of our home decor pieces for the holiday along with some fun gifting accessories. An overwhelming number you requested a home decor post in a recent poll and so I have a peek at a few things we’ve done to make our place a little more cozy. We have one holiday themed corner in our living room to get in the spirit and everything is fairly simple and minimalist. I do love the beautiful elaborate wreaths and garlands I see everywhere else and maybe when we find our forever home someday we will go all out. For now I’m really just happy to keep things simple with a few key accents. Fur babies are included below. Our two Jack Russells Jake and Lucy are 13 years old this year! Kitty turned 6 in August.

Our tree is a 7.5 foot Flocked Tree we bought at Home Depot. We considered getting a real tree but after some thought we opted for an artificial one and I love it! It’s pre-decorated so it already has lights and pine cones. The tips are flocked which give it a festive feel. I particularly love that we don’t have to water it and we can use it again in the future!

We did add some ornaments to it. Over the years we’ve found some pretty ones from Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and other places but when we moved a couple years ago we didn’t bring a lot of our little things (we gave a lot away). This year we stopped by Target to get some wrapping paper and I was so thrilled to find a wide range of beautiful affordable ornaments. They have a wide range of colors for the ornament balls. We also stopped by Michael’s which I find has even more affordable budget options, for the quality and price Target has better ones.

Left Silver, Clear, White, Blue set (42 pieces) from Target, middle silver ornaments from Michaels, right red and gold mini ornaments from Target. 20 mm silver bells from Michaels. String star twinkle lights are Philips Lights from Target. Throw from West Elm.

As much as I love beautiful wrapping paper for gifts I feel like it can often times be so wasteful as it always gets thrown out! Target had some really nice budget options from their Wondershop and their Sugar Paper line. Ribbons and string are also from Target and Michael’s. If you need a specific color of ribbon Michael’s literally has every thickness, material and color you can imagine. Most of them were on sale for the holiday too.

Wrapping paper rolls, bows, string and scissors are from Target. Gold ribbons and bells are from Michael’s. I’ll link everything below.

For the gifts we are putting together ourselves that require a box we found some nice sturdy simple options at Michael’s. They come in a wide range of colors including the basic brown tan which can be easily dressed up with a simple ribbon, gift topper or cute gift tag. Target Sugar Paper has some nicer pre-decorated options as well. I can’t find the cute North Pole gift tags online but I did find them in store at Target.

Other fun things include these Gold Jingle Bells from the Sugar Paper Line. I found some cute take-out boxes also at Target which you can fill with candies or use to send guest home with baked goods.

Perhaps the easiest and simplest way to add some holiday cheer to the home is with candles. My favorite holiday ones already rounded up in my Favorite Luxury Candles for the Holiday post. I was able to buy the full-size Diptyque Carousel when it restocked, but it sold out again. The small one is still available in the Carousel and Candle Set with Baies + Tubereuse.

Shown above: mini tree, white copper string lights, tray, coffee table, throw

I’ve really been loving Byredo as their scents are so unique and the candles have amazing throw. Chai is new this season, I don’t know if it’s limited-edition or not but it smells just like chai tea and it’s so cozy! I think Woods and Tree House are also amazing options for Christmas but versatile enough to burn year round as well.

Other details shown below linked: mistletoe, mini burlap wrapped tree (also available in flocked version), small lights, round globe lights, mirrored tray, gold photophore is an older style from Diptyque (boutique exclusive, other options here)

I hope you enjoyed a peek into our holiday decor! If you’re still in the process of picking up things to decorate a quick tip is to always check online for items first, even if you’re going in store. So many places like Target and Michael’s have a store stock locator option which is so helpful! Sometimes you can reserve online to pick up in store. Other times if you just want to go in yourself but want to check to see if they have things in stock it will tell you which aisle items are located. It’s super handy so you don’t end up driving all over the place searching for things!

The Christmas countdown is on and my goal is to have everything wrapped by tomorrow. I do think the best and most efficient way to shop for gifts is to simply order online and have things shipped directly. But if you have gifts you’re giving in person I hope you found these ideas helpful!

Do you decorate your home for the holiday season? Any tips or tricks or traditions you want to share? Let me know in the comments! Two notes:

I’ve started up Instagram giveaways again are announced every Wednesday on stories. In case you missed the announcement last week this week’s giveaway is a Diptyque Miami + Vanille Candle. All you have to do is follow me @beautylookbook, comment on at least 2 posts during the week and like my posts! Super easy 🙂 I announce winners and contact via DM on Instagram.

I’ve also decided to start up my blog giveaways again. Every Sunday on the blog I’ll announce a new one. For the blog this week I’m giving away two Diptyque Candles to one reader! Simple enter through the widget below and one person will be selected on next Saturday to receive one Miami City Candle and one Tomas Maier WDR candle (both purchased by me). Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Christian Louboutin Eye Makeup

Christian Louboutin Tape a l’Oeil Metallic + Matte Nude Eye Colour

December 7, 2018

Christian Louboutin launched new eye shadows in two finishes called the Tape a l’Oeil Metallic Eye Colour and Matte Nude Eye Colour ($50 each for 7 ml/0.23 fl oz). These are eye colors with intense pigment color payoff. I received four colors to test and also purchased two additional shades to review.

Above from left to right: Lola, Zefira, Carnelian, Andalusite, Morganite and Pyrite

The Matte Nude Eye Colour shades come with an oil-based gel formula which goes on like a fluid, dries and sets quickly to a matte finish. I have Lola which is a pale pink peach nude and Zefira which is a deeper brown. These are intended to be skin-matching or contrasted for a brightening or contour effect. I will be frank to say I had low expectations for the matte shades as most fluid or cream mattes tend to look very flat on my skin, but Lola is the best all over base I’ve ever tried. It sets quickly but I only need to dab a little and blend all over the lid for a perfect canvas. Since it is matte I do need to make sure that whatever I layer on top isn’t too dry, slightly creamy powders or shimmers layer nicely on top. These are very opaque and since they dry quickly I recommend blending with a small brush quickly after you dab it on the eyes. Zefira is a deeper brown which I can use as a liner or a soft smokey eye. Since it’s really intense I can blend it out but I have to do so in sheer layers and move quickly. I would like to see if there is a shade one shade darker than Lola, it’s hard to tell online but I have these on my list to check out the next time I’m at a counter.

The Metallic Eye Colours are also excellent. These are intense pigments that have a mix of water and metallic color for a reflective finish. I tried four of the colors which vary slightly in finish. Three of them are more smoother metallics while one has more intense sparkle. Andalusite is a smokey metallic olive green, Carnelian is a beautiful metallic red, Pyrite is the most perfect medium tan gold. The sparkly one is Morganite which I love, it’s a warm pink sparkle. Like the mattes, the metallics also dry quickly so blending fast is key. I can dab and brush with the applicator for Pyrite and Morganite and since they’re lighter in color I can also blend with fingers. The deeper ones require a little more precision so I use the brush applicator and a separate detail brush to blend.

The deeper colors I tested are so beautiful but just not my vibe. I find anything olive or green challenging for me to wear, so Andalusite requires a smokey black or deep brown liner to make it work. Carnelian is one of those stunning reds I cannot pull off, but the color and pigment is really nice though.

A closer look and swatches:

Aside from the steep price the only other downside I see is that the packaging is not super convenient for putting in your everyday makeup bag or for travel. The long spikes are typical of the Louboutin design – ornate like a lavish piece of art or ornament. The long handle is nice to have with application and it felt comfortable in the hand in the width and length. The brush applicator is decent. I like it a lot more than I would have if it were a sponge applicator, but I have individual brushes that I prefer using instead. Still it is slim so it won’t take up too much room if you want to take it with you on a trip.

Out of the colors my favorites are the two I purchased, Morganite and Pyrite. Up first a look at Morganite worn below. Also wearing the Laura Mercier Flawless Foundation in Buff, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder, Lip Color is Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in First Time.

Pyrite with some added mascara and liner in the bottom photo:

Left side is blended, right side has more layered. You can layer more for more pigment and even combine the different colors together for a different (or more complete) look. I try to swatch colors alone so you can get a sense of what they look like by themselves.

Overall I think Louboutin has created some excellent formulas for eye color. They exceeded my expectations formula-wise. Based on the fact that I did not like their mascara that much I though I might have luke-warm feelings towards the eyeshadows as well, but I really like them. I do think that Pyrite has a vibe to other golden tan shades like Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize in Bette or Marie Antoinette and Morganite looks like Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Cream Shadow in Golden Pink on me, but the Louboutin formula is different. Since it’s more of a fluid with metallic pigments it stays put on the skin significantly longer on me. Once it sets and dries I feel like it’s budge-proof on me. The shimmer is also a little more intense without being too glitzy. For the holiday season I think long-wear makeup you don’t have to worry about moving through long parties or events is a must which make both of them worth the splurge for me.

Performance and quality wise I give these a solid A+ but I do think you can get a similar effect with other cream shadows out there. Granted they might not be the same formula-wise as I do think the fluid texture is unique. I do think some of the colors can be duped – maybe not the red one, it does seem rather unique to me for a cream/fluid product.

You can find the Christian Louboutin Tape a l’Oeil Metallic + Matte Nude Eye Colour available now. There are six metallics and six mattes to choose from. Available at Christian Louboutin, Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Lola, Zefira, Carnelian and Andalusite gifted. Morganite and Pyrite purchased by me.

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Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for the Girls Who Have Everything

December 4, 2018

1 oribe set / 2 compact light up mirror / 3 chic hand trio / 4 cozy throw / 5 bubble bath / 6 best mask set / 7 dry shampoo / 8 bougie candle / 9 best body care set ever / 10 face roller / 11 lip mask / 12 sweet treats / 13 le labo set / 14 aquis x ouai / 15 most comfy slides / 16 mini candle set / 17 luxury la mer duo

By popular request I have my holiday gift guide with ideas for the girls who have everything. I’m “that person” in my circle of friends and family and most of the time people think I’m hard to shop for. It’s actually not the case at all! If you have someone in your life who seems like they have the latest and greatest of everything there are plenty of gift options you can pick from. Restock them on their favorite things they’ll for sure use up like sheet masks, lip balm, hand cream or dry shampoo. Sweet treats are a no-fail option and I’m going to list my favorites below. There are also lots of practical things you can buy like a cozy throw or something nice for the home.

Universal Gifts for Any Age and Skin Type

The top brands I think have the best and most universal to gift are L’Occitane, Molton Brown and Fresh Beauty. They have such a wide range of things to choose from. L’Occitane and Molton Brown make the best affordable stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank with plenty to pick from the $25 and under mark. They also have the luxury sets if you want to splurge. In my opinion Fresh makes the Best Face Mask Set for the holidays (also love this Rose Set) – it’s one of those things you don’t have to worry if someone says “I already have that” because you really can never have too many of these. I sent my brother a few masks and he has super sensitive skin but loves them. He told me, “I feel like a brand new person” after using one of the Black Tea masks. L’Occitane has the cutest hand creams and ornament sets. You can’t go wrong with Molton Brown’s hand wash, lotions or shower gels. They’re among the best!

Best of Aesop

Aesop is a favorite at our home for body care so it gets its own category! Any single item would be a perfect gift. They have beautiful sets during the holiday season including the classic 4-piece Jet Set Travel Kit, Contours of Discovery Kit (my favorite items are in this set!), Resurrection Hand Wash and Balm Duo and much more. Our top five favorite items are the Redemption Body Scrub, Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, Parsley Seed Mask, Geranium Leaf Body Balm and Rose By Any Other Name Body Wash. Andrew is also obsessed with their Mouth Wash. I’ve linked them all below as well.

Best Body Care and Hand Care Sets

Other sets I love for body and hands are from Kiehl’s, Le Labo and Chanel. There are a number of cute options this season. The Le Labo Hinoki scent is one of the most unique and best ones I’ve tried. We have their hand wash in one of our bathrooms and it’s always so nice to use. The best base and top coats I’ve tried are from Chanel so their Perfectly Polished Manicure Set is super luxe and chic for gifting.

I think the best bubble baths are the L’Occitane and Laura Mercier. The L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath is something I wish I could buy by the gallon. Laura Mercier makes some of the most sweet fancy bath soaks you can find. Other stand outs are from REN Skincare and anything from Susanne Kaufman (her hand cream is amazing!).

Best of Home Scents

All of my favorite candles for the holiday rounded up in this post here. Giving a beautiful candle set or a single luxury candle is a no-fail gift for the person who has everything. If you’re really dead set on gifting something they don’t have, there’s a pretty good chance they don’t have Byredo Chai because it’s new this season. There are also some pretty stunning candles by Overose Paris including a brand new purple wax candle (you’ll most likely have to order online because they’re a bit hard to find).

Cozy and Fun Gift Ideas

The best thing I’ve ever bought for the home was the Barefoot Dreams Throw last year. It was meant to be a gift but it was so plush and soft I kept it for myself. Andrew nearly fainted when I told him the price, but when I started sleeping with it at night he noticed how soft it was and tried to share it with me. The one I bought isn’t big enough for two so I bought him his own lol. We both love them, it regulates body temperature in the most perfect way ever so you’re just the right amount of cozy. If Barefoot Dreams isn’t within your budget UGG also makes some really amazing throws at lower price points. West Elm also has some super affordable throws (many are on sale!) that are chic and super soft. For things that are fun or practical, you can’t go wrong with simplehuman. Their soap dispenser is a must for hands-free application. It’s so useful in the kitchen! I plan on getting one for my mother-in-law. The Compact Mirror is also a really nice item I think would make an amazing gift.

For sweets the best holiday candies, hot chocolates and marshmallows are hands down from Williams-Sonoma. I used to work there many years ago while I was in grad school. The Peppermint Bark is for sure one of the best classic holiday treats. They have a lot of other options too if peppermint isn’t your thing. I’m also a huge fan of Sugarfina for cute candies.

Best in Skincare

There are so many great skincare sets to choose from! I might do a separate gift guide on the best skincare sets. I know it might seem overwhelming to pick one because everyone has different skin types. I’ve linked a few I think are great regardless of skin type. I still think the Drunk Elephant Big Reveal set I bought during the Sephora sale is one of the best finds this year (it’s online only). You can also never go wrong with a face mist or sheet masks – everyone I can think of can benefit from this!

Hair Styling Products

Last but not least you can’t go wrong with a mini dry shampoo or set of hair care products. Every single one of my friends loves dry shampoo and they’re always looking to try ANYTHING! A few that I’ve tried plus some great sets linked below. I also still really think the Aquis Hair towels are great!

I hope this roundup gives you lots of ideas for those who are hard to shop for! Maybe some ideas to hint for yourself too 🙂 I tried to include a little from every category because I know everyone has different tastes and favorites!

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Cle de Peau Beaute

Cle de Peau Beaute Haul: Radiant Cushion Foundation, Highlighters + Lips

December 3, 2018

I have a Cle de Peau Beaute haul roundup today with some hits and misses on what I’ve been testing. I’ve been a long time fan of their Concealer Stick (both original and new formula) and some of their lip products but this is a brand I haven’t explored much recently. Much of the makeup I’ve purchased over the years has been reformulated over the years including the twist up click lipsticks, some eyeshadows, foundations etc. With all the other launches and new brands popping up I haven’t kept up with this line although I really did like their Radiant Lip Gloss and splurged on all the colors at the beginning of the year. In today’s haul roundup:

Radiant Cushion Foundation in O30 ($90 for 12 g/0.42 oz)
Radiant Corrector for Eyes in Ocher ($65 for 2.2 ml/0.08 oz)
Luminizing Face Enhancer in 15, 16 and 17 ($95 each for 10 g/0.35 oz)
Stick Highlighter (Holiday) in Light Me ($70 for 4 g/0.14 oz)
Lipstick Cashmere in 504 Follow Me (holiday, $65 for 4 g/0.14 oz, sold out everywhere)
Lipstick Cashmere in 101 Pouty, 102 Song Bird ($65 for 4 g/0.14 oz)
Lip Glorifier ($40 for 0.1 oz, also sold out everywhere)

Up first is a look at two of the Cle de Peau Beaute bases, the Radiant Cushion Foundation and the Radiant Corrector for Eyes. I give both of these a thumbs up, I think these are probably the only two items I hauled I think are truly worth the splurge.

The Radiant Cushion Foundation is a beautiful medium coverage cushion with a natural slightly luminous finish. It’s lightweight but has a hydrating feel. Coverage is perfect for me: medium and dewy but not greasy looking. There is a puff that comes with the compact designed to apply just the right amount of product, but I still prefer using a beautyblender. I was thrilled to find a match with O30 because the shade range is limited to just 6 colors. It does pull a little more on the neutral side and I’m more olive, but it works for my skin right now without any adjusting needed. It oxidizes slightly which actually works in my favor right now. I’m quickly losing my tan this winter but I still have some color.

Below with one layer of the cushion foundation applied all over the face with a beautyblender sponge. It lasts for hours on me, I do need to touch up with some powder mid-day but I didn’t notice any separating on my normal skin. I have not tried any of the other Cle de Peau foundation formulas in years so I cannot compare the cushion. It’s very lightly scented but did not irritate my skin (AmorePacific and Sulwhasoo by comparison are heavily fragranced).

I already featured the Radiant Corrector for Eyes in Ocher in my recent Concealer Roundup but wanted to mention it again because I think it’s an excellent formula for concealing and brightening. It’s not as opaque or matte as the Stick Concealer which makes it more ideal for under eye concealing. I highly recommend it!

Up next are the Luminizing Face Enhancers. I had some shades from years ago but I believe they are now discontinued. I splurged on a few more (all at different times). 15 Golden Apricot is a light peach, 16 Almond is a mix of champagne and soft light brown, 17 Lavender is a cool-toned mix of pale ivory, lavender, pale pink and mint. I have such mixed feelings about these because they’re so sheer and natural looking, I can barely see them on my skin. They meld nicely with the skin and once applied skin truly looks radiant in the most natural way possible. For the price of $95 per compact I don’t think these are worth the price. I do understand they’re meant to be natural and enhancing, but for me $95 for sheer and barely visible just isn’t worth it to me. I don’t know why I talked myself into buying again because I originally thought they were too expensive when I first bought these.

For holiday they launched a Stick Highlighter in Light Me. I ordered it sight unseen because the packaging looked so beautiful! This is a similar concept to the RMS Living Luminizer which I am not a fan of (I might be the only one on the planet who doesn’t like it). The Cle de Peau Stick Highlighter gives a very natural luminous sheen. It’s light and sheer and makes the skin glow, but once you blend out with the fingers the color pretty much disappears. The price is also steep. I think I might just be too tan/dark in skin tone to be able to wear this one. If you have fair skin I can see it being more visible or flattering on. If you have this on your wishlist I’d recommend ordering soon, it’s sold out almost everywhere but still available at Bloomingdale’s and Cle de Peau.

For the lips I tried the new Holiday Lipstick Cashmere in Follow Me #504 and two of the regular Lipstick Cashmere colors in #101 Pouty and #102 Song Bird along with the Lip Glorifier which is pretty much sold out everywhere and a little hard to find. I have two semi-hits and two misses with these.

The Holiday Lipstick Cashmere in Follow Me is also sold out pretty much everywhere, but I hope I can ease your mind if you really wanted it and missed out. It’s a gorgeous peachy pink neutral with a creamy velvety feel but it was semi streaky. The color did not last long on me at all and since it sold out I did try to dupe it. I found quite a few similar options which I’ve swatched below. Lasting power was pretty mediocre with this color – I kept it on while arm swatching other products and in 30 minutes it had already faded noticeably and started to separate. Not ok for a $65 lipstick!

The good news is that the regular Lipstick Cashmere lineup is better for lasting power and finish. #101 Pouty is a pretty neutral nude pink and #102 Song Bird is the perfect medium rose. Both glide onto the lips smoothly like soft velvet and they have a semi matte finish. If I had not tried Pat McGrath’s MatteTrance Lipsticks I would have given the Cle de Peau lipsticks an A rating, however Pat McGrath has set the bar so high for me – I don’t think it gets better than her mattes for pigment, texture and lasting power. The formula between Cle De Peau and Pat McGrath aren’t quite the same though so I don’t know that a comparison is fair. I do think hands down you should save your budget for anything Pat McGrath because the quality of her line is phenomenal and she’s also having a sitewide sale on her website. Because her lipsticks are so good I feel like almost everything else I’ve tried ranks a B to B- or lower by comparison.

Last but not least is the Lip Glorifier. It’s marketed as next level amazing but I think it’s just ok. It’s good but has a very similar concept to the Dior Addict Lip Glow. It’s a light pink balm that has a slight tingle and slightly pink tint. It adds a pink glow and color to the lips but in a very natural way. It made my lips full and smooth and lush. I do think the Dior Lip Glow is a classic that can’t be beat, if you’re going to find a color transforming balm Dior is the best one I’ve tried. Cle de Peau’s is also very nice but for the price and size Dior wins hands down. I give this a semi-miss because of the super small size and the fact that I don’t think it’s quite as revolutionary or unique as I expected.

For those who like Follow me and are bummed it’s sold out, swatch comparisons below to a few similar options. The finish isn’t going to be the same because the Lipstick Cashmere is velvety, but you can get a similar color by trying any of these options:

Charlotte Tilbury KISSING Lipstick in Bitch Perfect
Tom Ford Boys and Girls in River (swatched here)
Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink
Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in First Time
Pat McGrath LuxeTrance in Valleta (review here)
MAC Lipstick in Patisserie
MAC Powder Kiss in Sweet, No Sugar and Scattered Petals (swatched here, press samples)

Two looks wearing the Cushion Foundation and other pieces I hauled, full breakdown listed below:

Left photo wearing:

Foundation is Cle de Peau Radiant Cushion Foundation in O30
Powder is Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
Cheeks have the Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer in 15 + Highlighting Stick on cheekbones
Eyes have the Louboutin Tape A L’Oeil in Pyrite (review soon!)
Brows are the By Terry Brow Mascara 4
Mascara is By Terry Lash Expert Mascara
Lipstick is the Holiday Lipstick Cashmere 504 Follow Me

Right photo wearing:

Same base + eyes
Cheeks have the NARS Hot Tryst Cheek Palette blush in Adrenaline (review here, press sample)
Highlight is Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer in 17
Lipstick is the Lipstick Cashmere in 102 Sweet Song

Button cuff sweater worn from Loft (runs true to size).

Overall I do think Cle de Peau offers some beautiful high quality products. I know many fans are die hard loyal to the products and skincare so I hope I don’t offend fans with my less than stellar review. I think there are definitely good solid items to choose from. I think their Facial Cotton and Face Puff are excellent and worth the splurge even though there are cheaper alternatives that are just as good. I found prices for this line too high for me and I do not feel this haul was not worth what I spent. I’ve happily purchased and splurged on many things to review for this blog but in this case I feel the $800+ cost would have been better MUCH spent on things like the simplehuman large pro wide sensor mirror or Diptyque Advent Calendar instead. Or even the Dyson Air Wrap Styler that many of you have been asking me to review (however it seems to be sold out everywhere).

The Cushion Foundation was my favorite out of all the things I tested but the extremely limited shade range is so disappointing, not to mention the fact that it doesn’t even come with a refill. There are other brands that have expensive cushions but I do appreciate that some of them come with a refill which makes the splurge feel a little better. I think the Radiant Corrector for Eyes is excellent but also think the shade range could be improved.

I had high hopes for the lipsticks and while they’re not bad, I think there are superior formulas out there at lower price points. Same goes for the highlighting powders and highlighter stick. I’m going to keep trying with the highlighter stick – I keep reading so many good reviews on it, I’m determined to make it work for me. All this said I do think they offer some good pieces perfect for the beauty lover who wants something very understated and naturally glowy. I know not everyone wants super bold or intense shimmer, sometimes it’s nice to have more natural options. I’m all about natural but found these too natural even for me.

If you love the brand I’d love to hear about your favorites! It’s been a while since I’ve looked into the new launches so if there’s anything you think is an absolute must let me know in the comments.

You can find Cle de Peau Beaute at a wide range of retailers. I bought my items from Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. Also available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney’s New York and Cle de Peau Beaute. If you’re shopping a lot of Cle de Peau there’s a GWP going on right now at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom you might want to check out!

All Cle de Peau items featured purchased by me.

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