Browsing Category

Brand

Hourglass Cosmetics

New Hourglass Scattered Light Shadows + Nordstrom Eye and Lip Duo

July 22, 2019

Hourglass Haul New Scattered Light and Nordstrom Eye/Lip Duo Spark | The beauty look book

There are some new items from Hourglass that just launched! I hauled three of the four new Scattered Light Eye Shadows ($29 each) in Ray, Rapture and Burnish along with the Nordstrom Eye and Lip Duo ($48, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale exclusive).

_________________

New Scattered Light Eye Shadows

Hourglass Scattered Light Rapture, Burnish and Ray

I’ve been such a huge fan of the Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows. I bought all five original colors reviewed here and use them on a weekly basis. They make for the prettiest shadow toppers to add some pop and dimension. Sometimes I’ll mix a couple together or just layer on top of powder shadows. In case you missed the original review, these are glittery pigments that adhere well to the lids. They’re ultra sparkly I was beyond excited to see new shades make their appearance online. I bought three of the four (skipped the green one):

  • Rapture is a cranberry with gold shimmer
  • Burnish is a shimmery gold bronze
  • Ray is a medium smokey bronze champagne with loads of glitter

Out of the three Ray is the most sparkly and glittery. Rapture and Burnish seem to have smaller finer sparkles, even smaller compared to the original five shades. I tested all three and absolutely love them. There are similarities between some of the original shades. Burnish is less yellow than Foil. Rapture is more red/pink than Blaze.

Hourglass Scattered Light Rapture, Burnish and Ray swatches

New Hourglass Scattered Light Ray, Burnish and Rapture

Swatches of all the scattered light eye shadows I own. 100% worth the splurge.

Hourglass Scattered Light Eye Shadow Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

_________________

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Eye and Lip Duo

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019

The Nordstrom x Hourglass 2019 Anniversary Sale Set has an exclusive lip gloss called Spark and I was really interested to see what it looked like (my Nordstrom did not have this in store). It’s a pale milky peachy pink cream that’s high maintenance for my pigmented lips. If you’re light or fair skinned or can wear ultra light colors you’ll have no issue with this. Since I have a darker natural lip this ended up being super streaky on me. It will blend out and smooth out with a pencil underneath or mixed. I feel like this one would have been amazing had it been a shimmery color (kinda along the lines of Impact or Cosmic). For me Sublime is easier to pull off without the streaks.

I tried the Caution Extreme Mascara again and this round find that I really like it. I wasn’t 100% thrilled with it when I first tried it a year ago. I feel like it’s working a lot better for me this try.

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019 Swatches Spark and Caution Mascara

For foundation reference I’m wearing Armani Luminous Silk in Shade 7. For the Hourglass Foundations I’m in between shades, closest match in the Vanish Seamless Liquid is Beige (review here). Spark is swatched below on bare lips.

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019 Swatches Spark lip gloss

If I could do this over I would have passed on this set and just bought the mascara. The gloss is too pale for me and too similar to Sublime/Child in the same formula and for me the best neutral nude in this color family is still Pat McGrath LUST Gloss in Faux Real or Bobbi Brown Lychee Baby.

Comparisons below:

Nude Lip Gloss Swatches

_________________

Hourglass Haul Picks new Scattered Light and Spark Lip Gloss

Overall love the new Scattered Light Eyeshadows and hope more come out. The Spark Lip Gloss is a pass for me. It’s one of those shades that will streak after I apply if I touch my lips together or drink from a cup. I am willing to try to make it work with lip liner and extra blending, but for me I think there are easier to wear colors that are similar.

The new Scattered Light Eye Shadows should be available at all Hourglass counters soon. Available now at Nordstrom, Sephora and Hourglass Cosmetics. The Eye Lip Duo is exclusive to Nordstrom for the Anniversary Sale.

 

 

Did you check out either of these new launches?

 

Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit + Easy Smokey Eye Palette

July 17, 2019

Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives

Charlotte Tilbury has two limited-edition sets for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I posted quick swatches here but have a more detailed look at both today. There’s a Pillow Talk Full Size Lip Kit ($60) and an Easy Smokey Eye Palette Mini ($55 for 6 shades). Both are beautiful and I highly recommend them!

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Trio and Easy Smokey Eye Palette

Above wearing the Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Eye Palette, Pillow Talk Lip Kit (all 3 layered), Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Blush, Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade 7, camisole from Leith

Pillow Talk Lip Kit

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit Nordstrom

The Pillow Talk Lip Kit has three full size colors of her Lip Cheat Lip Liner, Matte Revolution Lipstick and a Lip Lustre Lip Gloss all in her cult classic shade Pillow Talk. I’ve been a huge fan of her lip pencil and lipstick! I’ve reviewed and featured them many times before and wear both often. Anytime I gift something to a close friend who’s new to luxury beauty or wants a good everyday lip, I give them the lipstick and gloss. It’s universally flattering in my opinion and although it will look different on different skin tones it’s easy to wear for a good everyday rose pink.

The Lip Lustre Gloss is currently only part of this set, I’m hoping it will launch separately eventually. The color matches the lipstick and liner in undertone, but on my skin it pulls about 1/2 to 1 shade lighter compared to the lipstick. It’s still a good neutral that doesn’t wash me out, but since I’m tan now with the summer sun, it’s a lighter nude pink. Coverage of this gloss is opaque full coverage with a high shine finish, yet does not feel thick. It has a slightly tacky feel like many glosses do, but it’s not the stickiest I’ve tried. If you can’t do traditional gloss the smoothest cushiony shines are still going to be the ones from Marc Jacobs or Pat McGrath.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit Nordstrom

I was 100% certain I’d find a dupe, I could not. Swatches of some neutrals I was able to dig out of my boxes while I still unpack below including:

Swatch comparisons neutral lip glosses

Easy Smokey Eye Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Eye Palette Mini Nordstrom Review

The Easy Smokey Eye Palette has six colors in warm rose tones. There’s a mix of matte and shimmer and the pigment is phenomenal. It has an ivory shimmer, rose gold shimmer, matte rose, shimmery rose copper, matte warm terracotta, soft matte warm brown.

Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Eye Palette Mini Nordstrom Review

I compared it to the Holiday 2018 Stars in Your Eyes here and I don’t think you need the one from Nordstrom if you already own the holiday version. They are not identical but are similar.

Charlotte Tilbury Nordstrom x6 Eye vs Holiday 2018 Palette

A few of you asked how this compares to her Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Quad reviewed here. I think I’m one of the few who did not like her Pillow Talk quad – the colors give me a horrible pink-eye look, it’s worse in real life! I was truly surprised to find the Nordstrom Easy Smokey Eye Palette works because it pulls warmer, but I think it’s the variation in undertone that makes it easier to wear. I love mini 6 pan palettes like this one because it has enough for a full eye look while still being compact and easy to store or travel with. Pigment of the Nordstrom version is a million times better too.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk vs Nordstrom Eye Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Trio and Easy Smokey Eye Palette

Overall I think both are beautiful sets to own. Quality is great, colors are easy to wear, both are solid winners. You can find them available as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Beauty Exclusives offerings while they last. If you’re shopping online don’t forget to check out the Gift With Purchases page.

 

Have you tried either yet? What did you think?

Nordstrom Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford x Nordstrom Eye and Mini Lip Set 2019

July 15, 2019

Tom Ford x Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Set 2019 White Suede | The Beauty Look Book

This year I picked up one of the Tom Ford x Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives in the Eye & Mini Lip Set ($88 on sale, $126 value) which has the White Suede Eye Color Quad and two miniature Lip Colors in Paper Doll and Autoerotique. There is also variation with the same quad but with two full size eye products + mini lip called the Eye and Lip Set ($155 on sale). I opted for the less expensive version with the neutral/lighter lips.

The Eye & Mini Lip Set comes in a silver box, there’s a separator/insert inside to keep everything in place:

Tom Ford x Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Set 2019 White Suede Set | The Beauty Look Book

Eye Color Quad White Suede

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad White Suede | The Beauty Look Book

The Tom Ford White Suede Eye Color Quad from Nordstrom is slightly different from the one launched last year from Neiman Marcus, but both have a very similar vibe and effect. I don’t think you need both. I swatched them side by side here. The Nordstrom White Suede has a glittery pale pink, a sandy beige shimmer, a warm bronze satin shimmer and a blue-dove-grey silvery color. Layered together I get a soft smokey eye. I really like the look and effect. It’s neutral cool which is a nice alternative to the super warm eye trend that’s been going on for a while.

Lasting power is excellent and true to Tom Ford style. Colors pull with medium pigment on me, I’ve found in the Tom Ford line that other quads have stronger more intense pigment (like these three reviewed here). White Suede colors do layer nicely though.

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad White Suede | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad White Suede | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad White Suede | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad White Suede swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Reposting my swatches of the White Suede Neimans (white compact) vs White Suede Nordstrom (brown compact):

Tom Ford White Suede Neimans vs Nordstrom swatches

Mini Lip Colors

Tom Ford Nordstrom Mini Lip Paper Doll Autoerotique | The Beauty Look Book

For the lip colors you will get two minis in Paper Doll (baby pink) and Autoerotique (pink-nude peach). Both are creams with full creamy coverage and a soft shine finish. They’re ultra small and bound to be used up at 0.03 oz/1 g each. I found both to have a nice high quality texture: smooth, creamy, non-drying and long lasting.

Tom Ford Nordstrom Mini Lip Paper Doll Autoerotique swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Nordstrom Mini Lip Paper Doll Autoerotique swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Nordstrom Mini Lip Paper Doll Autoerotique swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Full look wearing:

Tom Ford x Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Set

Overall love. I’ve bought the Tom Ford x Nordstrom Anniversary sets for the past three years and think they’re all phenomenal. If you already own White Suede from last year in the white compact I don’t think you need this one unless you’re a die-hard fan. I do think though if you’re lighter in skin tone compared to me I think you’ll see a more noticeable difference on your eyes. There are a few other Tom Ford sets available for the sale this year. I’ve linked them below in case you’re interested. Everything is limited-edition for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, while they last.

I’m really happy with my purchase and I highly recommend.

 

More swatches and review of my haul picks coming tomorrow!

Charlotte Tilbury Lips

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 + Tinted Collagen Lip Bath

July 11, 2019

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 and Collagen Lip Bath Tinted Shades Review | The Beauty Look Book

By popular request I hauled some of the Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 Lipsticks ($37 each, 3.5 g/0.12 oz) + the new Collagen Lip Baths in the tinted Peachy Plump and Rosy Glow ($35 each, 7.9 ml/0.26 fl oz). The formulas and colors do not disappoint, I found all the colors flattering and easy to wear. I think they’ll especially nice for those with medium to deep skin tones, I think you’ll find a lot of neutrals that will be flattering and won’t wash out your complexion. For skin tone reference I wear her foundations in shade 6 and 7 mixed (MAC NC35 equivalent).

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 and Collagen Lip Bath Tinted Shades Review | The Beauty Look Book

______________

Hot Lips 2.0

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 | The Beauty Look Book

The Hot Lips 2 Lipsticks this round are refillable. The lipsticks themselves currently run at $37 each and the refills are $25. Formula has a mix of cream and mattes. I picked up all the neutrals and a couple of the berry colors. There are oranges and reds along with a clear balm. Based on what I’ve seen on a few other blogs the neutrals may pull really warm if you have fair to light skin with pink undertones. I’m already a shade darker than I normally am with the summer sun and would consider myself medium-tan. Color I picked out:

  • JK Magic is a perfect neutral beige nude cream
  • Dance Floor Princess is light neutral pink (probably the coolest-toned of the neutrals)
  • In Love With Olivia is a pretty peach with a hint of pink
  • Angel Alesandra is a beige with warm undertones
  • Glowing Jen is a medium warm peachy pink-brown
  • Viva La Vergara is a matte plum
  • Amazing Amal is a matte berry rose

On my lips the creams have full creamy smooth coverage with a soft shine. They are semi-thick in coverage, are not drying and stay put for hours without budging or sliding around. The mattes have a soft almost airy feel, they’re nice, but the Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipsticks are superior in my opinion (they have better coverage and lasting power). The Charlotte Tilbury mattes I tried for this formula almost feel like they give the lips a muted stain. There’s a very slight hint of a soft vanilla scent, but I barely notice it after a few minutes.

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2.0 in JK Magic, Dance Floor Princess, In Love With Olivia, Glowing Jen, Viva La Vergara, Amazing Amal

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2.0 in JK Magic, Dance Floor Princess, In Love With Olivia, Glowing Jen, Viva La Vergara, Amazing Amal swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips JK Magic Swatch

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Dance Floor Princess

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips In Love With Olivia

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Angel Alesandra

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Glowing Jen

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Viva La Vergara

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Amazing Amal

Comparison swatches, all shades are Charlotte Tilbury unless specified:

Top Photo: Charlotte Tilbury Kim KW, Penelope Pink, Bitch Perfect, Hepburn Honey, Angel Alessandra, MAC Patisserie, MAC Velvet Teddy, Chanel Rouge Allure Extreme in Modern (swatch here), Charlotte Tilbury Super Cindy, Tom Ford Sable Smoke

Middle Photo: MAC Faux, Charlotte Tilbury JK Magic, Dance Floor Princess, In Love With Olivia, Super Cindy, Pillow Talk, Very Victoria, Chanel Rouge Allure Extreme in Eternel (swatch here), Pat McGrath She’s Heaven, Sextrology and Christy (here and here).

Bottom Photo: Pat McGrath Blitztrance Flesh3 (here), Charlotte Tilbury Stoned Rose, Glowing Jen, Walk of Shame, Secret Salma, Love Liberty, Viva La Vergara, Amazing Amal, Hel’s Bells.

Comparison Swatches

______________

Collagen Lip Bath

Charlotte Collagen Lip Bath Peachy Plump and Rosy Glow

She also launched two new shades of her Collagen Lip Bath and increased the size. I reviewed the clear one in Refresh Rose sometime last year and loved the formula, but not for the price and size. The new ones are an improvement and have that same plumping lush finish with a hint of shimmer. Peachy Plump has a little more sparkle and it’s a sheer-medium golden peach. I think Rosy Glow is the prettier option with a finely milled rose shimmer. Right now the tinted options appear to be exclusive to Charlotte Tilbury’s website.

Charlotte Collagen Lip Bath Peachy Plump and Rosy Glow swatches

Charlotte Collagen Lip Bath Peachy Plump swatches

Charlotte Collagen Lip Bath Rosy Glow swatches

All side by side:

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 and Collagen Lip Bath Tinted Shades Review | The Beauty Look Book

Overall some solid winners with the Hot Lips 2 and Tinted Collagen Lip Baths. I think every color I tried works for my skin tone, my favorite is probably In Love With Olivia. If you’re fair or cool toned and find the neutrals pull too warm, I’d recommend you check out the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance shades that just launched. Granted it’s not really comparing similar formulas since the Pat McGrath colors have shimmer and the Hot Lips are creams, but in terms of neutral shades there are a lot of cooler-tones or true neutrals that are easier to wear.

You can find the Hot Lips 2 at all Charlotte Tilbury counters, I bought mine from Nordstrom. The Tinted Collagen Lip Baths are available now online at Charlotte Tilbury, but I’m hoping they will launch at other stores eventually.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

 

Eye Makeup Lips NARS

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints (New Shades) + Wanted Mini Eyeshadow Palette

July 2, 2019

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints Primal Instinct, High Security, Disco Infernal and Mini Wanted

NARS launched a few new products at Sephora with new shades of the Oil-Infused Lip Tints ($26 each 0.17 oz/5.7 ml) and a pocket-sized eyeshadow palette called the Wanted Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25 for 6 colors 0.02 oz/.7 g x 6). I have swatches plus thoughts on all the new launches. Per the NARS team everything is limited-edition.

___________

Oil-Infused Lip Tints

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints Primal Instinct, High Security, Disco Infernal review

I’ve been a huge fan of the Orgasm Oil-Infused Lip Tint and Orgasm Afterglow Balm so I was excited to try the new lip oil shades. There are three colors and they have the same emollient feel and packaging as the Orgasm oil: hydrating, smooth, not sticky, comforting and offer just a slight hint of color. On me pigment is barely there and sheer. I don’t get a shift on the lips in color like I did with the Orgasm color (review here). They are formulated with raspberry seed oil and pomegranate extracts to hydrate and protect.

  • Primal Instinct is a sheer beige
  • High Security is a fuchsia
  • Disco Infernal is a purple berry

For me I think Orgasm is the best color as it transforms to a healthy soft pink on me. The new ones are nice if you can’t do the color-shifting lip products. I know some of you find they turn into a super unflattering bright pink – these look different on everyone. The new ones are so sheer and have a similar vibe on me, I’d recommend opting for just one if you want to try them. Even though they look practically the same on me, I’ve still been loving the formula for the beach or warm weather days. I wore the beige one out kayaking with my niece and nephew who were visiting in town last week. It stayed put for 5 hours straight without budging or sliding. Lips felt good the entire time.

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints Primal Instinct, High Security, Disco Infernal swatches

Swatches are done on bare lips:

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints Primal Instinct, High Security, Disco Infernal swatches

___________

Mini Wanted

NARS Mini Wanted Eyeshadow Palette

NARS launched a pocket size version of one of their best selling palettes Wanted in a super mini version called the Wanted Eyeshadow Mini Palette (originally reviewed here). The mini has 6 shades while the full size has 12. I think the full-size is the better buy and you get more color options for a complete eye look. The mini is one of the smallest palettes I think I’ve ever seen. Quality of the mini is the same as the full large option you can still find at Ulta or Macy’s. Colors applied smoothly without any issue and layer beautifully. The customer reviews online are pretty bad but to me it seems it’s all based on the size and price. I think it’s all based on the packaging presentation – one look at this in person and it’s fairly unimpressive just based on the size. The Natasha Denona Mini Eye Palettes are the same price $25 and are also similar in weight per pan for the shadows but seems to have more positive reviews even though it’s tiny too. Also by comparison the NARS Voyageur Eyeshadow Palettes have 6 shades just like the Mini Wanted, is priced higher at $32 yet has less product (pans are .6 g each). The packaging and presentation looks so much better even though these are small pans as well.

I think the Mini Wanted might be nice if you want to gift something at that $25 or under price point and still have it be from a luxury brand. I do think there are better options out there, but a quick price filter just on Sephora alone shows that most of them will be over the $25 mark.

NARS Mini Wanted Eyeshadow Palette review via the beauty look book

NARS Mini Wanted Eyeshadow Palette swatches

___________

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints Primal Instinct, High Security, Disco Infernal and Mini Wanted review and swatchesQuality-wise everything performs well. The eyeshadows are smooth, nicely pigmented, layer beautifully for a soft rosy eye look. They stay put and don’t have a lot of fall out and blend well. The palette is too small for my taste even though I do love a good mini. I think the full size is a lot better  for the price and more versatile.

The Oil-Infused Lip Tints are lovely for that smooth hydrating feel and soft wash of color to tint the lips. They do make the lips look lush and glossy in a really pretty way, but I’m still partial to the first one they launched in Orgasm.

You can find these new launches available now at Sephora.

 

 

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

NARS items featured provided courtesy of NARS for review.

Highlighters Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duos: Moodlight, Flicker + Incandescent

June 27, 2019

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent

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

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent

___________

Moodlight

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in 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.

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Moodlight

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

___________

Flicker

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in 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.

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Flicker

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.

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Flicker swatch comparisons

___________

Incandescent

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Flicker

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.

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Flicker

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

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Incandescent swatch comparisons

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent

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

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent swatches

Swatches on the face, also wearing:

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent makeup looks face swatches

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?

MAC

MAC Electric Wonder Collection Review + Swatches

June 17, 2019

MAC Electric Wonder Collection Review and Swatches for Summer | The Beauty Look Book

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:

___________

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.

MAC Electric Wonder Eyeshadow Desert Lightning Palette Review | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Electric Wonder Eyeshadow Desert Lightning Palette swatches | The Beauty Look Book

___________

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

MAC Electric Wonder Natural Vice Eyeshadow Palette | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Electric Wonder Natural Vice Eyeshadow Palette swatches | The Beauty Look Book

___________

Lipstick and Lipglass

MAC Electric Wonder Lipstick and Lipglass Review

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

MAC Electric Wonder Lipstick and Lipglass swatches

MAC Electric Wonder Lipstick and Lipglass lip swatches

___________

Cheek Palette

MAC Ignite Wonder 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.

MAC Ignite Wonder Cheek Palette swatches

___________

Bronzer + Highlighter

MAC Electric Wonder Next to Nothing Bronzer and Iridescent Powder

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.

MAC Electric Wonder Next to Nothing Bronzer and Iridescent Powder swatches

___________

Brush

MAC Electric Wonder 126 SE 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.

MAC look electric wonder

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.