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NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions + Multi-Use Gloss for Spring

February 20, 2019

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions and Multi-Use Gloss | The Beauty Look Book

For spring NARS has launched 9 new shades of their classic Lip Gloss ($26 each) formula alongside 5 shades of a new gloss called Multi-Use Gloss ($26 each). These launch soon on February 24th at NARS Boutiques and online at NARS, and will also be available at all other NARS retailers later this spring (current backorder date at Neiman Marcus is 03/07/2019).

Lip Gloss Shade Extensions

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions Review and Swatches

The NARS Lip Gloss formula has been a long time favorite of mine even with several reformulations. It’s a classic medium coverage lightweight formula that has a wide range of finishes. There’s no detectable scent or taste. Nothing fancy or extra added, just your classic kind of gloss you can wear for any occasion. The new shade extensions are almost all creams with one sparkle. They come with a sponge tip applicator for precise color application. Some of the lighter shades need a little more blending to smooth out but in my testing every single color is amazing.

  • Sexual Content is a bright fresh warm pink
  • No Regrets is a medium caramel brown
  • Pulsion is a light nude pink cream
  • Outrage is a light milky orange peach, can be a little streaky, but blending creates the prettiest baby peach
  • Fever Beat is a plum rose cream
  • Love Me Do is a pastel baby pink
  • Mythic Red is a soft pink mauve (no red like the name might imply)
  • Color Me is a milky lavender, also a little streaky, extra blending required
  • Sexy Time is a gold sparkle

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions Review and Swatches

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions Swatches

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions, Sexual Content, No Regrets, Pulsion, Outrage, Fever Beat, Love Me Do, Mythic Red, Color Me and Sexy Time

Close ups of each color, lasting power is fairly good for a lip gloss. They stay put for hours as long as you don’t touch them to a cup or snack. Otherwise you’ll have to reapply as there will be transfer, but this is expected with any gloss.

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Sexual Content

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch No Regrets

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Pulsion

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Outrage

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Fever Beat

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Love Me Do

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Mythic Red

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Color Me

NARS Lip Gloss Swatch Sexy Time

NARS Multi-Use Gloss

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

The Multi-Use Glosses come with a spatula applicator. These are meant to be worn on eyes, lips and cheeks. As with any other gloss product I have not been able to bring myself to wear them anywhere except the lips. These have a clear base loaded with different sparkles. The formula is a unique super smooth gloss with a lot of slip to them. They’re very sheer on my lips, almost clear – depending on the light you can see various flashes of sparkle and shine. I like these alone or on top of a lip pencil. For a more visible sparkle though I think Pat McGrath’s Lust Gloss in Aliengelic or Pale Fire Nectar are more my thing. Lasting power is average, it will stay on my lips but isn’t transfer proof and fades after a few hours.

  • Starbabe is a sheer white gold glitter
  • First Time is a silvery glitter
  • Relentless is a iridescent pink sparkle
  • Redemption is a light pink gold glitter
  • Working Girl is a sparkling gold

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Review and Swatches

Closer up swatches, note I take my swatch photos with a flash which washes out the sparkle a little bit.

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Starbabe

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch First Time

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Relentless

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Redemption

NARS Multi-Use Gloss Swatch Working Girl

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions and Multi-Use Gloss | The Beauty Look Book

I really cannot express how happy I am that gloss and shine is back in for lips! I think this launch gives us a lot of fresh beautiful colors to brighten the complexion. The colors have a nice range from neutral to brighter options, every single one is wearable. My top 3 picks are Sexual Content, Mythic Red and Pulsion. I am undecided about the Multi-Use gloss. I like the concept and quality is there, I just don’t feel like they’re something I’d use a lot. I think it’s nice to have one of the pink ones for layering on top of other lip colors, but for eyes and cheeks I just can’t bring myself to put gloss on my cheeks.

There are a few more formulas I’m still working my way through testing from other brands. I do think you should put these on your radar for when they officially launch in stores and online. I have a hard time finding bright fresh pinks like Sexual Content – most are too bright, too fuchsia or too cool but this one is just perfect. Bright but not too bright for me.

The new NARS Lip Gloss and Multi-Use Glosses are expected to launch soon. Original launch date was listed as 2/14 but I confirmed with the team there was a slight delay and their new anticipated launch date is 2/24 for NARScosmetics.com.

You can find NARS at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York and NARS.

New launches featured are press samples from NARS.

 

Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Eye Color Quads New Shades Review + Swatches

February 18, 2019

Tom Ford Eye Color Quads New Shades | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Beauty launched seven new Eye Color Quads ($88 each) late last year. I apologize this has taken me so long to post. I felt overwhelmed with all the options but finally have a roundup with thoughts on each one for you today. I’ve been a huge fan of the eyeshadows since they first launched. The new color additions offer some beautiful more trendy options for you to create more unique beauty looks. I’ll say up front that I still think the best ones are previously launched colors including Nude Dip, Honeymoon, Golden Mink and Seductive Rose. The new ones offer a more diverse color range outside of neutral territory. I bought three of them in Supernouveau, Leopard Sun and Virgin Orchid. The Tom Ford Beauty team then sent more as press samples so I have all seven swatched for you today.

For those not familiar with the Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quads I’ll give a little overview. These are among the most expensive that I’ve tried and I think as long as you love the colors in each palette they’re 100% worth the splurge. There are different finishes and textures in their palettes. Quads like Honeymoon and Nude Dip have a pressed metallic finish different from all the other quads. This round Virgin Orchid and Daydream have the same texture. For the other quads there are mattes, glitters, shimmers and satin formulas. In my experience everything has really good pigment, colors are easy to layer, lasting power is very good, glitters apply best when pat on the lid with a finger.

Thoughts on the new shades plus swatches, Top Row: African Violet, Leopard Sun, Supernouveau and Virgin Orchid. Bottom Row: Photosynthesex, Daydream, Pretty Baby.

Tom Ford Eye Color Quads New Shades via The Beauty look Book. Photosynthesex, Pretty Baby, Virgin Orchid, Leopard Sun, Supernouveau, Daydream, African Violet

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Leopard Sun is my favorite out of all the colors. This has a very warm mix of colors so it surprised me that I found this one the most wearable for me. It has a sparkling glitter gold, a yellow warm gold shimmer, a rust shimmer and a medium brown shimmer. When layered together it creates a sunset looking eye.

Tom Ford Leopard Sun Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look BookTom Ford Leopard Sun Eyeshadow Quad swatches | The Beauty Look Book

This is the only one I photographed a makeup look for. I did test each one separately on the face but didn’t take photos since it was over a long period of time. If you want more looks with others let me know. Below wearing:

Tom Ford Leopard Sun Eyeshadow Quad makeup look | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Leopard Sun Eyeshadow Quad eye look | The Beauty Look Book

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African Violet has such an interesting mix of colors. It has a sheer satiny bright violet, copper glitter, warm shimmery bronze and soft orange. The violet and orange are on the sheer side but it works out in my favor as blending and layering them with other shades from other quads helps to add warmth and life. You can definitely layer for more intensity as seen in the swatches below.

Tom Ford African Violet Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford x Eyeshadow Quad swatches | The Beauty Look Book

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Supernouveau is a neutral cool tone quad with a warm shimmery champagne, steel dove grey blue silver shimmer, mauve satin and washed out black. This one gives a nice alternative to the black/grey/white smokey eye. It’s very cool-toned on me. I need a creamy base to make colors adhere and stand out on my skin.

Tom Ford Supernouveau Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Supernouveau Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

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Pretty Baby is one I thought I’d love the most but I have a hard time pulling off this much purple in one eye look. For me it requires a bit of mixing with warmer or neutral shades. It has the most beautiful mauve pink shimmer, a lilac satin shimmer, a duo chrome glitter violet-blue-pink and a deep shimmery smokey brown.

Tom Ford Pretty Baby Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Pretty Baby Eyeshadow Quad swatches | The Beauty Look Book

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Photosynthesex is another super unique quad I thought would be hard to wear but when the colors are layered together it makes for a really pretty night out kind of look. I like finishing this one with the green glitter on top and the dark matte green can be deepened in color with a damp brush. This has a yellow shimmer, a glittering duo chrome green brown, a deep warm brown shimmer and bold emerald matte.

Tom Ford Photosynthesex Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Photosynthesex Eyeshadow Quad swatches | The Beauty Look Book

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Virgin Orchid is a cool-toned quad of metallic white, shimmering golden pink, mauve satin and deep plum shimmer. I love the formula of this quad but found it too cool-toned and too pale for my skin tone for a single eye look. Quality is excellent, I do think it needs more colors added for me to make it work on my complexion. The mauve shade is what makes it too cool, but I simply take the color from another quad like Nude Dip or Honeymoon and it warms it up for me. Alternatively I can use the mauve in this one to neutral out palettes that are a little too warm for my liking.

Tom Ford Virgin Orchid Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Virgin Orchid Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

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Daydream is the only one I had performance issues with. It has the most beautiful shimmer finish but if you blend at all, color disappears as it sheers out so much it almost looks like it’s being pulled off. If you layer color on top of color it’s best to apply in more of a patting motion and softly blend. I also don’t wear blues or violets like this so color scheme isn’t really my thing for this one.

Tom Ford Daydream Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

Tom Ford Daydream Eyeshadow Quad Review | The Beauty Look Book

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Tom Ford Eye Color Quads New Shades review and swatches

Overall my favorites are Leopard Sun and African Violet – surprising to me as I’m a neutral eyeshadow lover but find myself gravitating towards warmer shades these days. Each palette as with all Tom Ford Beauty products are very expensive and quite the splurge. If these are within your budget I’d recommend buying if you think you’ll use or love the colors. I think these are on the more edgy and bold side, but the color scheme is unique and very different from everything else you see on the market today. This is what I feel makes his quads special. In the case with most of his quads I mix and match a lot of them together. If you’re new to his line and want to know which one to try first, I still think the ones I listed above at the beginning of this post are his best ones. I cannot pick just one, but my most-used two are Nude Dip and Honeymoon.

You can find the new Tom Ford Eye Color Quads out now. I bought mine from Nordstrom and Sephora. Also available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s and all other Tom Ford Beauty counters. Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

 

Supernouveau, Leopard Sun and Virgin Orchid purchased by me. Others are press samples.

 

Diptyque Fragrance Home / Interiors

Diptyque Roses Collection: Centifolia + Damascena Candles

February 11, 2019

Diptyque Valentine's Day Roses Candles Centifolia and Damascena Review

Every year I look forward to the Diptyque Roses Collection they launch for Valentine’s Day. This year they launched two new limited-edition candles called Centifolia and Damascena, available in a few different forms:

  • Individually in the full size ($72 each for 6.7 oz)
  • Individually in the small sizes ($36 each for 2.46 oz)
  • Also in a Small Candle Duo Set ($72)

The jars are frosted tinted glass with the prettiest rose patterns on the exterior. Nothing would have stopped me from buying these and I bought these sight unseen just for the packaging.

Diptyque 2019 Roses Candles Centifolia and Damascena Review

As much as I love Diptyque I don’t consider myself a pure rose fragrance lover. I do really like the rose notes when it’s blended with other notes like it is in their Baies candle. Same goes for many perfumes that I love and wear. For me rose is best when it’s blended with something other than floral notes. If you love all things floral and true pure rose then these will be perfect for you. Alone I found these very strong, floral and powdery. I do think they are beautiful but they’re not my favorite. The Mini Duo Set seems to be sold out most places but this morning I still saw it in stock at Barney’s New York. You can still buy the mini sizes individually.

Diptyque Roses Candles Centifolia and Damascena Review via The Beauty Look Book

Centifolia is the softer variation and out of the two, I like this scent the most. It has the tiniest bit of spice to it and I found it really interesting to read more about the flower itself, per Diptyque, the flower is from the “Grasse region of France since the 16th century, the Centifolia rose is also called the May rose for the month in which it is harvested. It comes by its Latin name (centum=one hundred + folio=leaf) because of its profusion of petals, said to number one hundred.”

The Beauty Look Book Diptyque Valentine's Day Roses Candles Centifolia Review

Damascena has a beautiful color combination of the bright pink and orange. This one is very potent, floral, powdery and sweet. I found it a little too overwhelming for my taste. If you love pure rose scents you will absolutely adore this!

The Beauty Look Book Diptyque Valentine's Day Roses Candle Damascena Review

Top from Abercrombie, Nail Polish is Opi Rice Rice Baby

Diptyque Valentine's Day Roses Candles Centifolia and Damascena Review

I have no regrets purchasing both. I will burn them to the end but will most likely combine with another scent like Baies or something woodsy like Byredo Tree House. Compared to previous limited-edition rose candles Diptyque has launched I find these two to be more of a pure powdery floral rose while previous years seem to be a little bit sweeter and softer.

The jars will be used to recycle for me as well. A quick note on the frosted glass jars if you’re new to recycling them – I’ve owned a few others in the white frosted glass and the finish can be a little delicate. I’d definitely recommend you take care with the exterior when cleaning as they can wear off or scratch off if you use a stiff sponge. It’s not so delicate that you have to baby it, but if you want to recycle, after your first burn, make sure you trim your wicks with a Wick Trimmer before you burn to avoid burning the sides or tops.

To clean them and recycle after they’re done burning I take a small butter knife and remove the metal circle that’s at the base if it hasn’t popped out already. To clean the sides I soak hot water and dish soap and wipe out with a paper towel. I repeat until wax is completely gone. Don’t use boiling water as it can crack the glass. Hot water from the tap works just fine to soften any residue and the soap helps clean the sides. Anytime I recommend this method someone without fail tells me freezing them is the better method but it has never worked for me.

Bottom line beautiful and romantic! I just think some scents are best when layered or blended with other notes, with these I prefer them when burned with something else. I still think they’re gorgeous, they’re just not my absolute favorites.

The Diptyque Roses Collection is limited-edition. They have other options including the scented ovals, scented liners and more. You can find Diptyque Centifolia and Damascena candles out now while they last. I bought mine from Nordstrom. Also available at Diptyque, Space NK, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Barney’s New York and all other Diptyque retailers.

P.S. Right now there’s a cute GWP available at Diptyque, I’m not sure how long it will be available but just wanted to let you know. Also Space NK’s beauty bag event is coming up soon!

 

 

Have you tried these yet? What did you think? Do you love rose notes or prefer it blended with something else?

 

Natasha Denona

New From Natasha Denona: Mini Nude Palette, Transformatte Foundation + Matte Liquid Lips

February 7, 2019

Natasha Denona Transformatte Foundation, Mini Nude Palette, Matte Liquid Lipstick Review

A few new items have launched from Natasha Denona including a new eyeshadow palette, foundation and liquid lipsticks and I have a roundup review today! I also revisited a few of her Blush Duos (shopped my stash) and had been wearing them recently. I got so many compliments on how natural but fresh my complexion looked I thought I’d add them to this review. After some testing I have some hits and misses. What’s covered today:

Mini Nude Palette

Natasha Denona Mini Nude Palette

I’m starting off with my favorite item in the launch which is her Mini Nude Palette. This actually isn’t something I’d call nude, it pulls a lot warmer but it’s still beautiful. It has a mix of mattes with her pressed pigment metallics. Pigment is really good, texture is easy to blend, colors stay put on the eyes. There will be some fallout with application because of the finish of the shimmers/powders but it’s easy to clean up. Colors layer beautifully:

  • Bronzage is a shimmery warm light copper sparkle
  • Quoin is a matte camel beige
  • Lumino is a metallic sparkle ivory
  • Sienna is a duo chrome bronze silvery taupe
  • Soil is a deep warm matte reddish brown

Natasha Denona Mini Nude Palette swatches

Quick close up look of eye makeup with flash:

Natasha Denona Mini Nude Palette

Transformatte Pore Vanishing Matte Foundation

Natasha Denona Transformatte Foundation Review

Her Transformatte Pore Vanishing Matte Foundation is a really good one. It comes in a pump tube. This is a medium coverage soft matte finish foundation. Her team sent over a selection of shades to try and my match right now is 30W. There are 35 shades to choose from with different undertones. I tried this back in the summer when this launched and got a few samples. My shade back then was a mix between 31W and 42NY. Colors do oxidize slightly on the skin once it sets, but once it sets color stays consistent. On me it has a blurring effect that has good coverage but still lets the skin look like skin. It’s matte but not flat. I think it does noticeably smooth out my pores but I think I should note that both Andrew and my brother informed me that even when looking at my bare face, they do not think I have any. I know for a fact I do have them and I can see them.

Lasting power is really good. I tested my samples over the summer and it held up well. Right now the weather is very mild for Florida. By the end of the week sweater weather might be over for a bit. For me this is another hit.

Bare skin vs. one layer of the foundation applied. It smooths out the skin, covers redness, and covers most of my sun spots and freckles. 30W applied below (no powder or concealer, just the foundation).

Natasha Denona Transformatte Foundation Review 30W

Mark Your Liquid Lips Matte Liquid Lipstick

Natasha Denona Mark Your Liquid Lips Matte Liquid Lipstick

Up next are her new liquid lipsticks called the Mark Your Liquid Lips Matte Liquid Lips. I had a solid feeling these would be a miss for me as I do not like liquid lipsticks and for the most part they don’t suit my preferences. After testing I can say that these are not for me. They’re not bad, I just don’t like liquid lipsticks. They have a similar vibe to the Anastasia Liquid Lipsticks and Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. The formula of the Natasha Denona ones is pretty much the same – high pigment, full coverage, very matte and budge proof. I tested Giselle first and left it on the entire day. Lasting power was AMAZING. It lasted through snacks, lunch, drinks, coffee and did not even transfer when I tried to wipe it off with a tissue. The best thing about these is the lasting power – no transfer to teeth or anything. I received a handful of colors and Giselle was the only one I could wear. All the others dried down to a darker and almost grey finish. Definitely not true to what you see in the tube, but this is the case for all liquid lipsticks I’ve tried (ABH and KVD included).

The dry-down color change is most apparent with Shoko Kiss, in the tube it’s a caramel brown. Once dried it’s a grey taupe.

  • 2 Meltedonce dried is a greyed beige nude
  • 3 Shoko Kiss is a caramel brown taupe
  • 4 Ebony dries to a deep grey brown matte
  • 8 Au Naturale is a pale peachy nude
  • 9 Giselle is a warm rose pink
  • 24 Dahlia is a deep rose

I do really like the color of Giselle on my lips which dried down even further to more of a neutral-cool color rather than the warm peachy pink you see arm swatched below. I have a makeup look wearing Giselle further down. I still don’t like matte looking lips so for me these were a miss.

Natasha Denona Mark Your Liquid Lips Matte Liquid Lipstick swatches

Blush Duos

The Natasha Denona Blush Duo’s aren’t new but I think they’re really nice. They are so under-rated. I’ve had them for a long time and used them on and off but completely forgot I had them! I started using one of the pink ones recently and received so many compliments about my complexion I thought I should use them more. These are powder duos with a soft sheen. There are several variations and the only downside is that she repeats one of the colors #02 Toutou in quite a few of them so if you are interested in more than one color, there might be a good chance you’ll get Toutou multiple times. There are a few pink ones available. Different options are available at Beautylish and Sephora.

Pigment is smooth and super easy to blend or layer. Finish is soft and diffused. The pink one applies sheer on the arm but it looks a lot better on the face.

Natasha Denona Blush Duo Review and Swatches

Natasha Denona Blush Duo Review and Swatches

Makeup look below wearing:

Natasha Denona Makeup Look Mini Nude Palette, Transformatte 30W, Giselle Lipstick

Natasha Denona Transformatte Foundation, Mini Nude Palette, Matte Liquid Lipstick Review

I really love the Mini Nude Palette although I keep waiting for a truly neutral or neutral cool palette from her. If you already own a lot of warmer shades you can probably shop your stash. Pretty much nothing would have stopped me from buying it as I like more of her eyeshadows. Transformatte is a win for me. Blush duos are wins, although I do think it’s a little odd she repeats shades in so many of the colors. Liquid lipsticks are a miss as I don’t like how liquid lipsticks perform, darken once they dry down or look super matte.

You can find all the Natasha Denona items I featured today at Sephora. Some of the items are also available at Beautylish. Have you tried any of these before? What did you think?

 

Press samples include the Transformatte Foundation and Liquid Lipstick. Eyeshadow Palette and Blush Duos purchased by me.

Bobbi Brown Lips

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Review

February 4, 2019

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review and Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Bobbi Brown launched a new lip formula called the Crushed Liquid Lip Balm ($26 each for 6 ml/.2 fl oz). These are saturated balm-like colors with a liquid lipstick kind of vibe. There are 14 color options with neutrals, bolds and brights. They’re very comfortable on the lips with a moisturizing but lightweight feel. The Crushed Liquid Lips are scented just like her regular lipsticks – it’s a little fruity with a lipstick scent mixed together. Finish has a soft shine cream with medium to full coverage. Everything applies smoothly and all the colors are very wearable for any kind of occasion or mood. There were only two shades I felt was a little streaky because of the contrast to my lip but it smooths out with a little extra blending. Lychee Baby and Cool Beets needed a little more blending but they weren’t too high maintenance.

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review and Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review and Lychee Baby and Juicy Date | The Beauty Look Book

I love everything about these. I love the packaging where you can see the actual color from the tube. The applicators are really cute too with a beveled tip sponge – it’s not your typical sponge tip, I think the design is really well made.

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review and Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Colors and swatches below. I feel like the reds look really similar on me:

  • Lychee Baby is a soft peachy nude, this one requires a little blending but you’ll see in the lip swatches it smooths out, I thought it would be too pale for me but it’s not!
  • Hippy Shake is a pale cool mauve pink
  • Juicy Date is the perfect pinky brown cream
  • Give A Fig is a pinkish fig pink
  • Peach and Quiet is a medium bright pink peach
  • Mango Mood is a bright coral red
  • Main Squeeze is a bright pinkish red
  • Cherry Crush is a bold deep red cherry
  • Big Apple is a bright red
  • Bitter Sweet is a mauve plum with blue tones
  • In A Jam is a berry mauve plum with neutral tones
  • Smoothie Move is a brown pink
  • Haute Cocoa is a cocoa brown
  • Cool Beets is a dark purple in the tube, it applies more like a berry stain, this one also requires a little blending, I think it would be flawless over a matching lip liner pencil

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

All swatched on bare lips, the colors cover the lip entirely. They don’t bleed or migrate.

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

I tried hard to find one downside and was hard pressed to find any. Lasting power isn’t like a liquid lipstick since it has a balmy feel. You will have to reapply but I found they stayed put well for a few hours. They adhere better to the lips compared to a stick balm like the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines or YSL Volupte Shines. I think these have a solid A+. I mixed Lychee Baby and Juicy Date together for a perfect neutral. I’m not sure that I could pick a favorite, but when I tested these I started from light to deep. I was impressed with every single color.

Below wearing Lychee Baby with new hair highlights! It’s been three months since my first appointment and I went in for something different and a little bit lighter. Makeup worn:

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Lychee Baby Makeup Look

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Balm Review Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

You can find the Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Color Balms out now. There are 14 colors available and they retail for $26 each. Available at Bobbi Brown, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora, Neiman Marcus and all other Bobbi Brown counters.

 

 

Crushed Liquid Lip provided by Bobbi Brown for review.

Becca Highlighters

Becca BFFs Collection Review + Swatches

January 29, 2019

Becca BFF Made with Love by Khloe and Malika Collection Review | The Beauty Look Book

Becca just launched a cute BFFs Collection called Made With Love by Khloe and Malika. This collection was created in collaboration with Khloe Kardashian and her BFF Malika Haqq. There are new highlighting palettes, a new lipstick formula and mini X and O shaped highlighter. I think the concept is super cute with two sets of color options. I’m a huge fan of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors and their Be a Light Palettes. I had high hopes for this launch. In the collection we have:

 

Becca BFF Made with Love by Khloe and Malika Collection Review | The Beauty Look Book

 

Glow Letters

Up first is a look at the Glow Letters Highlighter. This is a shimmery bronze and champagne mix of X and O shaped pressed highlighter shapes. I love the color and finish – it gives a beautiful glow without being overly frosty. The golden color is SO so pretty. I just hate the cardboard box packaging and presentation. I think this would have been better if it had been a pressed powder like their Shimmering Skin Perfectors. I give the product itself a solid A+ rating so I can overlook the box it comes in. I think I am just being really picky with this one.

Becca BFF Glow Letters Highlighter | The Beauty Look Book

Swatches also next to the two palettes side by side.

Becca BFF Glow Letters Highlighter swatches | The Beauty Look Book

 

Made with Love by Khloe Collection

 

Becca BFF Made with Love by Khloe | The Beauty Look Book

The Made by Khloe Collection has one Bronze, Blush and Glow Palette and two Ultimate Lipstick Love lipsticks in Cupid’s Kiss and Hot Tamale. The palette is generously sized in a large mirrored compact.

The colors are really pretty but I had a hard time getting into the palette. Becca launched a Bronze, Blush and Glow Palette with highlighting palette similar in concept to the Be a Light finish and shape. The Khloe Palette has:

  • Soft Focus Highlighter in Glow Up which is a shimmery champagne vanilla
  • Radiant Blush in Fierce a shimmery pale peach
  • Radiant Blush in Fabulosity which is a more coral peach shimmer
  • Satin Matte Bronzer in Koko Bronze which is a very soft sheer tan matte bronzer

The palette to me feels like three highlighters + one bronzer. On my skin tone I felt the colors looked too frosty when I wore 3 or all 4 of the colors layered. If I blended a lot or used with a super light hand I could wear this. It’s not a bad palette. I think the quality is excellent. Finish of the powders is smooth and super pigmented. I just couldn’t wear them all together easily like I could the Becca x Chrissy Palette which I still really love.

There are two lipsticks are new formulas which are ultra pigmented creams. They’re scented with a sweet almost coconut like scent and vanilla cream. At first swipe I felt they were super thick. The formula is smooth and long lasting though. As long as you don’t swipe on too much it’s not too thick. Cupid’s Kiss is toasted almond nude, Hot Tamale is a hot bright red.

Becca BFF Made with Love by Khloe swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Becca BFF Made with Love by Khloe swatches makeup looks | The Beauty Look Book

Above wearing:

 

Made with Love by Malika

Becca BFF Made with Love by Malika | The Beauty Look Book

For the Made with Love By Malika colors you have the same products with a variation in colors. She has her Made with Love by Malika Bronze, Blush and Glow Palette and two Ultimate Lipstick Love lip colors in Yours Truly and Brave. I prefer the Malika product color scheme.

The Made with Love by Malika Bronze Blush and Glow Palette has the same products, I find the palette to be equally glowy but the deeper colors make it easier for me to pull off. Pigment is ultra rich and smooth and easy to blend/layer. Colors include:

  • Soft Focus Highlighter in Dusted is a peachy pink champagne
  • Radiant Blush in Yes Girl! is a warm bright coral shimmer
  • Radiant Blush in Make Me Blush is a shimmering pink rose
  • Satin Matte Bronzer in Bestie Bronze is a medium deep warm bronze satin matte

True to Becca’s style this palette is still very glowy. Finish is lightweight in feeling so it’s not heavy but it’s still very pigmented. Lipsticks have a similar vibe to Khloe’s while the Malika colors have a different undertone. Yours Truly is a warmer peachy nude. Brave is a classic true red that is neutral-cool.

Becca BFF Made with Love by Malika swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Becca BFF Made with Love by Malika Makeup look | The Beauty Look Book

Same beauty breakdown as above but with the Malika collection colors. Left is Yours Truly for the lips. Right is Brave for the lips. For skin tone reference I’m in between a MAC NC30 and NC35 right now.

Becca BFF Made with Love by Khloe and Malika Collection Review and Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Overall thoughts is that this is a beautiful collection and all the items are well made with great color payoff, lasting power, pigment and textures. I think the palettes are well priced and true to Becca’s classic signature glow style. I still love highlighters and will probably look forward to any new ones but at this point I’m finding it challenging to get SUPER excited about them. I have too many, there have been too many launches, most of it has started to look all the same. The only thing I didn’t like was the Glow Letters packaging.

The Khloe palette was a little too glowy for my skin tone right now. To clarify, it’s too glowy to wear ALL the colors in one look. If I mix in a matte blush or just use the bronzer with one other shade it’s very wearable and pretty. I find it interesting that the Malika palette has the same glow finish but with the deeper colors I find them a lot more wearable.

Lipsticks are ok. I think they’re nice but a little thick. I understand they’re super opaque with rich color payoff so it makes sense they’re really creamy. I’m going to check my Sephora to see if there are other colors out yet in store and will let you know if I pick any more up. Price seem a little steep to me, but the product is also nicely sized and has super intense pigment.

You can find the Becca BFFs collection out now. Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Becca Cosmetics.

 

Becca BFF collection provided by Becca for review.

 

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette + Cheek to Chic Blush Review

January 24, 2019

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow and Cheek to Chic Blush Makeup Look Swatches Review | The Beauty Look Book

Charlotte Tilbury finally relaunched her Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette and Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Blush at Nordstrom and online Charlotte Tilbury. If you’re like me you probably blinked and missed out a few times as it sold out very quickly. I finally hauled the eyeshadow quad, I’ve tested both the blush and shadow and have a review today with lots of swatches.

The Pillow Talk Lip Cheat Lip Pencil has been a favorite since I first swatched it. She launched her Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick in 2017 and it’s been one of my daily go-to’s. Both are the perfect pink rose nude lip colors for me. The coordinating Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Quad and Blush go nicely with the lips but are significantly warmer on my skin tone.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow and Cheek to Chic Blush Review | The Beauty Look Book

Pillow Talk Luxury Eyeshadow Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette Review | The Beauty Look Book

The Pillow Talk Luxury Eyeshadow Palette has four shades, a soft shimmery rose pink champagne, a matte warm pink brown, a rose gold glitter and a warm matte brown. The quad gives a very nice pink brown eye look with a rose-gold kind of vibe. Alone it doesn’t have enough colors to complete a full eye look for me, the deepest shade isn’t dark enough to define the eyes. This isn’t a deal breaker – I just add a pencil liner. Pigment is smooth with medium coverage. They layer nicely without any fall out. I definitely need a creamy shadow base like her Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadows first to help the color pop a little more. They’re muted and I think it is intended to be muted, but for a little more pigment a cream base helps. It’s a nice palette but not life changing for me. To me this was a little over-hyped especially since it sold out so quickly multiple times. I have no regrets purchasing it but it looks a lot warmer on my skintone than what I see in the palette/compact. For my complexion/skintone I prefer her Exagger-Eyes Palette because it’s not as pink.

Quality/lasting power is true to all her quads. I had no issues with application. It stayed put on eyes without migrating all day long. Glitter adheres best when used as a top coat applied with fingers in a pressing/dabbing motion.

Swatches:

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Comparison to Exagger-Eyes (reviewed here):

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Swatches Exaggereyes vs Pillow Talk

 

Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Blush

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Blush Review

The Pillow Talk Cheek to Chic Blush is one of her more shimmery blushes. Most have a satiny glow, this one has a lot more visible shimmer but it’s not frosty. Swirled together you get a soft warm peach brown with a slight pink undertone. I really love this color and formula. Her Cheek to Chic Blushes are among my favorites (tied with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes) because they make the complexion glow without looking overdone. I own all of hers except one color (The Climax) and think they’re a must-have for those who want a pretty blush that always looks fresh, doesn’t oxidize or darken and isn’t too flat or too shimmery. Lasting power is excellent. I truly appreciate these don’t oxidize especially in humid weather conditions. Swatch comparisons below:

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic swatches

Pillow Talk Makeup look below wearing her Pillow Talk colors plus a few other things:

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Makeup Look

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk makeup look swatches

Pillow Talk Swatches:

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk swatches

One last look:

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow and Cheek to Chic Blush Review | The Beauty Look Book

Overall I think the Pillow Talk blush is a solid winner. I’m lukewarm about the Pillow Talk eyeshadow palette because the colors pull very warm/pink on me. The best wearable pinkish eyeshadow palette for me has been the Urban Decay Naked3. I still have yet to find one that tops either of those.

You can find the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette and Cheek to Chic Blush available now at Nordstrom and Charlotte Tilbury. If you’ve tried these let me know what you thought!