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Hair Rituel by Sisley Review

September 5, 2018

Earlier this year Sisley-Paris launched a luxurious hair care line called Hair Rituel by Sisley designed to nourish the hair and scalp. I fell in love with every single item and have a review of everything launched to date. At this time they have seven pieces in their four step treatment routine:

Step 1: Clean and Detangle with either the Revitalizing Volumizing Shampoo or Revitalizing Smoothing Shampoo, follow with the Restructuring Conditioner
Step 2: Regenerate with the Regenerating Hair Care Mask
Step 3: Fortify with the Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for Scalp
Step 4: Beautify with the Precious Hair Care Oil and or Volumizing Spray

Since moving to Florida I’ve found it challenging to maintain healthy and hydrated hair. Many of my Florida readers experience the same issues with heat, humidity and hard water. Even with a water filter many shampoos don’t lather or rinse quite the same. The Hair Rituel by Sisley has been among the few that I’ve kept using and like so much I’ve repurchased after using up press samples.

To cleanse the hair I really like the Revitalizing Smoothing Shampoo. I’ve gone through multiple bottles and think it is 100% worth the high price tag. It does help smooth the hair without making it feel heavy. It contains macadamia oil which has helped strengthen, nourish and add shine. It has a beautiful gentle scent to it and lathers/foams well. I shampoo daily.

The Restructuring Conditioner is a great gentle daily use kind of rinse out conditioner, although this is a step I don’t use daily. It’s like an instant shot of hydration for the hair and truly helps with detangling. I’ve never had issues with tangling until I moved to Florida. It helps smooth out the ends with a lightweight finish so your hair is not weighed down.

The Regenerating Hair Mask is something I use 1-2x per week. This is one of the best hair masks I’ve tried to add shine but not weight. So many hydrating hair masks won’t rinse out properly or are simply too heavy/rich for humid weather. This one has just the right combination to nourish ends of hair and scalp. It has four main oils Shea, Macadamia, Camellia and Hazelnut.

For the scalp they have a really nice Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for the scalp. This is the first time I’ve used a scalp treatment at home and it does help soothe it. It has an earthy kind of scent, something I’d associate with Aesop’s skincare line. A little can go a long way and I use this 1x per week only at night or as needed. Since I’ve started using the other items I’ve had less scalp issues, but during the dry season here in Florida this helps immensely.

Last but not least are two styling products. The Precious Hair Care Oil is one of the most beautiful elegant hair oils I’ve tried. I think it is my favorite item in the collection and suitable for any hair type. This one is lightly hydrating to add shine and softness to the ends without being heavy. It’s great for me because it’s lightweight and in Florida humidity it won’t weigh it down.

The latest launch is the Volumizing Spray which adds a nice texture throughout the hair. I use it on damp hair, spray at roots and brush it through. I follow with a blow dryer. By the time hair is dried you will notice it has more volume but also some texture. Hair is noticeably thicker with a more piecey look.

In addition to the full size products they’ve also launched a travel set in two variations called the Hair Rituel Smoothing Discovery Set and Volumizing Set. Both of which are a great way to try the items out before splurging on the full sizes. They each contain shampoo (one has the smoothing, one has the volume option), conditioner and hair mask in 1.6 fl oz/50 ml sizes and a hair oil in .33 fl oz/10 ml.

If you are able to visit the store in NYC or their counter at Saks they have the Hair Rituel line along with Yves Durif brushes:

Final thoughts are this line comes at a hefty price tag but everything performs really well. I’ve already repurchased the Smoothing Shampoo a few times over along with the Regenerating Hair Care Mask. I’ve found over the years many of my readers don’t necessarily want to splurge on makeup, but are definitely more willing to splurge on hair care or skin care. If you’re new to the line I think the Discovery Sets are the best way to start. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The shampoos work well to tame frizz and smooth my hair. I really love the mask to help with my ends.

Although I do think every piece is exquisite, my top two absolute favorites are the Regenerating Hair Mask and Precious Hair Oil.

Sisley has been kind enough to do another giveaway with me! One is here on the blog and there’s another one on my Instagram @beautylookbook so there are multiple ways to enter to win! They are giving away Discovery Sets here on the blog for 2 US readers, 18 years or older. Each winner will be able to receive 1 Discovery Set of their choice. To enter for a chance to win simply enter through the widget below. Giveaway will run through September 9, 11:59 PM EST, winners will be selected within 48 hours and contacted by e-mail. Prizes will be shipped directly from Sisley. Note the first two entry options are mandatory, there are also a few bonus entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you tried this line before? If not what are your go-to hair products? Do you have a favorite line or brand? For those curious, full ingredient list below:

Revitalizing Volumizing Shampoo: WATER/EAU (AQUA), SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINTATE, COCO-GLUCOSIDE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PEG-120 METHYL CLUCOSE TRIOLEATE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, PANTHENOL, PENTLENE GLYCOL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), ARGINNE, BISABOOL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZELNUT) SEED OIL, PYRIDOXINE HCL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MANESIUM ASPARATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, HYDROLYZED COTTONSEED PROTEIN, PALMITOYL MYRISTYL SERINATE, COPPER GLUCONATE, BIOTIN, PEG-18 GLYCERYL OLEATE/COCOATE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYQUATERNIUM-47, PEG-8, PROPANEDIOL, STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, DISODIUM EDTA, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, PEG-8/SMDI COPOLYMER, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, BENZOIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE, LIMONENE, CITRAL.

Revitalizing Smoothing Shampoo: WATER/EAU (AQUA), SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE,COCO-GLUCOSIDE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE TRIOLEATE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, PANTHENOL, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) ARGININE, BISABOLOL, MACADAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA SEED OIL, MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, PYRIDOXINE HCL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, HYDROLYZED COTTONSEED PROTEIN, PALMITOYL MYEISTYL SERINATE, COPPER GLUCONATE, BIOTIN, PEG-18 GLYCERYL OLEATE/COCOATE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYQUARWENIUM-22, PEG-8, PROPANEDIOL, STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, POLYQUATERNIUM-47, DISODIUM EDTA, PEG-8/SMDI COPOLYMER, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, BENZOIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE, LIMONENE, CITRAL.

Restructuring Conditioner: WATER/EAU (AQUA), HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH PHOSPHATE, BEGENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, GLYCERIN, C9-12 ALKANE, CETYL ALCOHOL, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, GRAGRANCE (PARFUM), AMINOPROPYL DIMETHICONE, CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZELNUT) SEED OIL, PANTHENOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, HYDROLYZED COTTONSEED PROTEIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PALMITOYL MYRISTYL SERINATE, BIOTIN, DIMETHICONE, POLYQUATERNIUM-22, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, POLYQUATERNIUM-47, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PEG-8, DISODIUM EDTA, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, DIMETHICONOL, CITRIC ACID, PEG-8/SMDI COPOLYMER, SODIUM POLACRYLATE, SORBIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, LIMONENE, CITRAL.

Hair Care Mask: WATER/EAU (AQUA), CETYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERIN, C9-12 ALKANE, HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH PHOSPHATE, BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), PANTHENOL, ARGINNE, BISABOLOL, PYRIDOXINE HCL, HYDROLYZED COTTONSEED PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZELNUT) SEED OIL, MACADAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA SEED OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PALMITOYL MYRISTYL SERINATE, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED LINSEED EXTRACT, BIOTIN, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, COPPER GLUCONATE, COPPER GLUCONATE, AMINOPRPYL DIMETHICONE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, POLYQUATERNIUM-47, PEG-8, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, STEARAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PEG-8/SMDI COPOLYMER, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, SORBIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, LIMONENE, CITRAL.

Revitalizing Fortifying Serum for the Scalp: AQUA/EAU (AQUA), ALCOHOL DENAT, GLYCERIN. PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PANTHENOL, ARGINNE, BISABOLOL, PYRIDOXINE HCL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, SALVIA OFFICINALIS (SAGE) LEAF EXTRACT, COPPER GLUCONATE, HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN, HYDROLYZED LINSEED EXTRACT, BIOTINOYL TRIPETIDE -1, THYMUS MASTICHINA FLOWER OIL, THYMUS VULGARUS (THYME) OIL, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PPG-26-BUTETH-26, YDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, CITRIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA,SODIUM HYSROXIDE, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, CITRAL.

Hair Care Oil: DIMETHICONE, C-9-12 ALKANE, DIMETHICONOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) OIL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM (COTTON) SEED OIL, MORINGA OLEFERA SEED OIL, PASSIFLORA INCARNATA SEED OIL, TOCOPHEROL, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, LIMONENE, CITRAL, EUGENOL, LINALOOL.

Many thanks to the Sisley team for providing the Hair Rituel items for review and also for hosting the giveaway.

54 Comments

Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona Super Glow Highlighter + Camel Eyeshadow Palette Review

August 30, 2018

There are new launches from Natasha Denona including three shades of Super Glow Highlighter ($38 each for 10 g/ .35 oz, made in Italy) and her Camel Eyeshadow Palette ($48 for 2.5 g/ 0.08 oz x 5, made in Italy). All the items are stunning in color, quality, pigment, and texture.

Super Glow Highlighter

At this point in the beauty world I am still surprised the highlighter game is going strong. I do think with all the options I could shop my stash and find similar colors with almost any launch. Natasha Denona’s Super Glow Highlighter has a truly multi-dimensional glow. They’re soft, light weight and smooth without emphasizing pores. I think they’re phenomenal highlighters although I think I could definitely find similar colors in my stash.

There are three colors:

01 Fair is a light icy ivory with a hint of pink
02 Light-Medium is a medium champagne
03 Bronze is a yellow gold (I don’t see any bronze in it)

Close ups, Fair:

Light-Medium 02

Bronze 03

I find the colors of her Glow Face and Body Highlighters very different compared to the Super Glow colors. The Super Glow has a more intense frost. Shimmer-wise I found them similar to the Laura Mercier Face Illuminator but not as sparkly, just more iridescent. The NARS Highlighting Powders have a slightly more subtle sheen to them.

Two sets of swatch comparisons below. First set next to the All Over Face and Body Glow Powders (reviewed here). Also next to a couple of the powders from the Diamond Blush Palette in Darya and Citrus (review here).

Next set next to Laura Mercier Face Illuminators (reviewed here) and NARS Highlighting Powders (reviewed here).

Camel Eyeshadow Palette

Neutral eyeshadows are having their moment and I could not be more excited about this. The Camel Eyeshadow Palette has one shimmer shade, three mattes and one satiny shimmer. This went in my cart the second it popped up online. I was going to buy it but the same day I got a tracking alert that this was headed my way as a press sample. As much as I love her sparkle shadows, sometimes they are too shimmery for me so having a neutral with only 1 sparkle is amazing to me. This is a neutral-warm neutral palette. Pigment is ultra rich and smooth. I love that Copper Stone applies on top of the mattes beautifully with full blendable pigment. NARS Mojave Eyeshadow Quad by comparison pulls more cool in undertone while this Camel is more beige/tan. Chanel Clair Obscur almost looks blue-ish as Camel is warmer in undertone.

The palette colors include:

Arrosto 185 CM a deep matte brown
Dune 186S a soft shimmery ivory
Safari 187 CM a medium cool brown
Copper Stone 188 M a glimmering bronze
Zand 189 CM a medium warm brown

All new colors on the face, also wearing:

Foundation – MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC35
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in 2
Concealer – Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer in 3W* (swatches here)
Eyeshadow – Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rose Gold all over as a base, Natasha Denona Camel Eyeshadow Palette all shades on eyes
Brow – NARS Brow Perfector in Komo* (swatches here)
Mascara – Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara
Eyeliner – Pat McGrath Permagel Eyeliner in Blitz Brown (swatches here)
Highlighter – Natasha Denona Super Glow top to bottom 01, 02 and 03
Lips – Pat McGrath Matte Trance in Christy* (swatches here)

Full look with my favorite Super Glow 02 Light-Medium and added blush in Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure:

Overall excellent products. The quality, texture and lasting power is really good. Everything stayed put on the face from morning well into late afternoon without budging. I do think I could find similar colors for the highlighters, but I’m really drawn to 02 Light Medium for my skintone. I think 03 Bronze confuses me a little because of the name. I don’t really see any bronze, it’s a true yellow gold to my eyes. Alone it’s definitely too yellow for my skin but it does layer nicely with other blushes. Camel is a must-have to me. I think it has perfect undertone that isn’t too cool and has the slightest bit of warmth without any orange to them. The mattes blend perfectly in a way that aren’t muddy on the skin.

You can find the Natasha Denona Super Glow and Camel Eyeshadow Palette out now. Available at Sephora and Beautylish. I highly recommend both. If you’re shopping at Sephora, don’t forget they’re having a Beauty Insider Appreciation event! You can use promo code once online, but you can use it in stores an unlimited amount of times. Valid in both US and Canada:

Rouge Members: 20% off with code YESROUGE, valid 8/24 through 9/3
VIB Members: 15% off with code YESVIB, valid 8/30 through 9/3
Beauty Insiders: 10% off with code YESINSIDER, valid 8/30 through 9/3

Natasha Denona Super Glow + Camel provided for review. Other press samples featured indicated with a star next to the listing.

10 Comments

Eye Makeup Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow Review + Swatches

August 26, 2018

Hourglass Cosmetics launched a new eyeshadow called Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($29 each for .12 oz/3.5 g, made in Korea). I bought all five shades while at Sephora for the Beauty Insider event and every color is amazing. These are pressed pigments with micro-glitter that give the eyes a beautiful glimmer. The word “glitter” had me a little worried which is why I didn’t order them online sight unseen. I love a good sparkle but sometimes glitter can be too much for what I’m comfortable wearing. These aren’t too glittery for me although they are sparkly. You can wear these alone, layered over shadow, layered together or if you apply with a damp brush it will give you a more foiled look. Lasting power is excellent. I’ve only given these a 2 day test since I just bought these but they stayed put for hours without fall out or budging. On Friday night I’m embarrassed to admit I fell asleep with my makeup on. It’s something I tell myself to never do, but it was one of those exhausting weeks. The eyeshadow was still in tact the next morning.

Shopping the shades at Sephora:

There are five shades, two are more glitzy than the others (Foil and Blaze). Shimmer-wise they are indeed shimmery but the glitter is super fine and not chunky. Even on the eyes they have a smooth finish. I like apply with the fingers. They’re easy to smooth and blend out.

Aura is a soft shimmering cool pink sparkle
Reflect is a champagne neutral sparkle (my favorite!)
Foil is a very sparkly yellow gold
Smoke is similar to champagne, but more taupe
Blaze is a sparkling warm copper, glitzy sparkle

On me Foil and Blaze are the most sparkly. I don’t think I can wear them alone everyday, although layered over a powder shadow tones down the sparkle a little. Also if I layer the gold on top of the copper it creates one of the prettiest multi-dimensional looks.

There is an insert inside to keep the shadows pressed and in tact:

A closer look at all the shades:

Beauty look with Reflect which is my favorite color out of the five, also wearing:

Foundation: beautyblender Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation in 3.60 (just hauled! review coming soon)
Powder: La Mer The Loose Powder
Cheeks: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush + Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light
Eyeshadow: Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Reflect
Eyeliner: Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer
Mascara: Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara
Lips: Hourglass Confession Lipsticks in No One Knows and My Favorite mixed together (swatches of all colors here)
Top: Madewell

Close ups and more swatches:

Some swatch comparisons to Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows (now discontinued) in 8, 9 and 5. Also swatched next to the Natasha Denona Crystal Top Coats. The Armani Eyes to Kill had a more metallic finish with less glitter. Natasha Denona’s have more glitter and a sheerer base color. MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid is more like a metallic finish (review soon on these).

Bottom line I love them all. 100% worth the splurge. If I had to narrow down my picks I would pick Reflect and Smoke. They are on the sparkly side but they wear beautifully in a variety of ways. I like that they are easy to apply and that they don’t have fall out on me. I think all the colors are standouts although Foil is a very yellow gold and I usually don’t like gold colors like this but it is pretty when layered with other shades.

You can find the Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadows out now. You may have to shop around as they have sold out on a few sites. Available at Sephora, Beautylish, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, Space NK and Hourglass Cosmetics.

If you’re shopping at Sephora, don’t forget you can use the Beauty Insider Appreciate promo code once online and unlimited times in store. Valid in both US and Canada:

Rouge Members: 20% off with code YESROUGE, valid 8/24 through 9/3
VIB Members: 15% off with code YESVIB, valid 8/30 through 9/3
Beauty Insiders: 10% off with code YESINSIDER, valid 8/30 through 9/3

Did you try these yet? I think they’re phenomenal!

25 Comments

Bronzer + Blush Highlighters Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powders

August 23, 2018

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powders are among my favorites for a soft, smooth and diffused look. This formula has been around for years but I wanted to give it some love with a post as many of you have asked for recommendations on natural looking bronzing powders and I this is what I often recommend. There are four Bronze powder options and one Highlight color. I’ve used the Matte Radiance Baked Powder Bronze 02 the most. Sometimes when I’m tan it almost matches my skintone and I can use it as a cheek finishing product to add warmth. Right now I still use Bronze 02. Compared to this time last year when we were in Florida (as seen here and here) I’m lighter in skintone although I still have a tan. This year I’ve actively spent less time in the sun, pool and ocean so I haven’t tanned quite as much. If you’re looking for a natural bronzer or something to help extend your summer glow in a natural way, the Baked Powders from Laura Mercier are a great powder to look into.

Top Row: Highlight 01, Bronze 01, Bronze 02

Bottom Row: Compact, Bronze 03, Bronze 04

The Matte Radiance Baked Powders are described as an ultra smooth baked powder with a soft matte radiance. This describes it perfectly. The texture is baked and comes in a dome shape. Powders are on the powdery side in the pan but they apply perfectly on the face for a very soft glow. Concept is similar in texture to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, but the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance powders come in matte flesh-like soft tan shades while the Hourglass matte options are really pale in color.

There are four Bronze shades 01, 02, 03 and 04. I feel 01 and 02 are nearly identical with 02 being a little more cool-toned. You can use any brush to apply. I’ve used anything from a fan brush, bronzer brush, powder brush to sweep across the face. The Bronze colors are matte with a tiny bit of glow, but no shimmer. Then there is one Highlight 01 shade which is described as a “golden nude” but to me on my olive complexion it’s more of a pale champagne ivory. You can find this in a mini in a lot of the Sephora Favorites sets. Right now it’s available in the Sephora Favorites Sunkissed Glow. The minis actually last quite a long time. I’ve used mine for years now and just decided to buy the full size. Highlight 01 is definitely shimmery but it melts into the skin for a less-frosty shimmer compared to other highlighters like the Face Illuminators or Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors.

Lasting power is excellent. I think it’s ideal for any climate, in particular with the Florida heat + humidity I’m really impressed how they stay put and stay looking matte for hours.

Bronze 01

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Bronze 02

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Bronze 03

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Bronze 04

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Highlight 01

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Swatches, comparisons and a look at Bronze 02 on the face.

Swatch comparisons of the lighter bronzers 01 and 02 to Becca Sunlit Bronzer in Bali Sands and Capri Coast (both reviewed here). Also a swatch next to Benefit Hoola Lite.

Highlight swatch comparisons to NARS Fort de France (review here), Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight, Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Indiscretion and Devotion, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors in Opal, Moonstone and Pearl (reviewed here).

Beauty look with Highlight 01, also wearing:

Foundation: Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation* in Buff
Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Pressed Powder 02
Cheeks: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Highlight 01
Eyeshadow: Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold + NARS Eyeshadow Quad Mojave* (review here)
Eyeliner: MAC Technakohl Eyeliner in Graphblack
Mascara: Hourglass Caution Extreme Mascara* (review here)
Brows: NARS Brow Perfector in Komo* (swatches of all shades here)
Lips: Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Color in Lychee Parfait + Lip Glace in Bare Baby
Brush shown: Laura Mercier Bronzer Brush*

Beauty look with Bronze 02, everything same as above, just no highlighter, just Bronze 02:

Bottom line I think they’re perfect. I can wear either Bronze 01 and 02 to add a soft glow to the face. They’re really impossible to overdo. I did try out Bronze 03 and 04, they’re both too dark for my complexion right now, but since summer usually lasts until November in Florida there’s a chance I will get more of a tan and need to go up in a color.

You can find the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powders at all counters now. Available online at Laura Mercier, Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.

If you’re interested in sets you can find the Highlight 01 Mini in the Sephora Favorites Sunkissed Glow Set. These sets usually change seasonally. There is also a gorgeous Rose Glow Radiance Collection with a full size of Highlight 01 with a few other beauty items. Have you tried these yet? What’s your favorite natural looking bronzer?

Matte Radiance Bronze 01, 03 and 04 provided courtesy of Laura Mercier for review. Bronze 02 and Highlight 01 purchased by me. Other press samples featured indicated with a *.

119 Comments

NARS

NARS Fall 2018 Color Collection Review + Swatches

August 22, 2018

NARS Fall 2018 features two new eyeshadow quads, a gorgeous lip palette and new brow pencils. The collection launched last month and I’m a little late to review them, but I’ve been working my way through testing the pieces. The products do not disappoint and I think every piece is stunning. The palettes for eyes and lips are limited-edition, in this launch we have:

Quad Eyeshadow Palette in Mojave ($52, made in Canada)
Quad Eyeshadow Palette in Singapore ($52, made in Canada)
7 Deadly Sins Audacious Lipstick Palette ($52, made in USA)
Brow Perfector ($25, eight shades available, made in Korea)

The Quad Eyeshadows in Mojave and Singapore seem to have a new formula in them. Each quad has a mix of textures from matte, satin and a new pressed sparkle shimmer. The shimmer is this pressed formula that reminds me of the ones you find in Asian brands like Lunasol or even some of the sparkles you find from Surratt Beauty. Both quads this launch are just so pretty.

Mojave has perfect neutrals that aren’t too warm or too cool. With most palettes like this I find some of the browns run a little too cool-toned, but this has the perfect mix of warm and cool. If you found the Chanel Clair-Obscur Matte Quad too matte and wanted a little shimmer, NARS Mojave is the way to go. It has a shimmering silvery taupe sparkle, matte brown, soft tan shimmer and a semi-sheer pale champagne.

Singapore is one of the best warm palettes I’ve tried. It has a similar vibe to that of the NARSisisst Wanted Eyeshadow Palette because of the texture and the red, but Singapore has some warmer options I think are so pretty. It’s very rare that I can wear all the shades in a warm-ish palette like this but the shades layered together are perfect!

The 7 Deadly Sins Audacious Lipstick Palette has a mix of classic nudes, pinks, reds and a deep plum. All the colors are creams and are supposed to be the Audacious Lipstick formula. I find them to be a little more glossy and sheer compared to the individual Audacious Lipsticks you find in the full-size tubes, but the palette colors are really good. With all the different finishes, textures and new things we have in the beauty market these days, sometimes it’s nice to find a classic lipstick. This palette has all classics with smooth even medium coverage.

All but one color worked flawlessly on my lips. There is no scent and they have a smooth creamy finish. It does come with a lip brush which is nice. Colors include:

Pride – beige nude cream
Disobedience – pink neutral
Idolatry – medium pink
Foolishness – bright warm red
Greed – muted brick red
Wrath – deep cool red with blue tones
Sloth – plum, this went on patchy for me, but if I apply a liner first and then top it with this it works just fine

Last but not least are the Brow Perfectors. I’ve been a long-time die hard loyal user of the Diorshow Brow Styler in Universal Brown. I feel like I have odd-shaped brows and for me a stiff and semi-sheer pencil I can use to feather in small strokes works best so I don’t overdo it. The NARS Brow Perfector has more pigment and is a little softer so you can create a bolder brow easily. It still has a really fine tip so you can feather in color and build it. Also even though I have nearly black hair, I naturally have a lot of red hair which you can only see in sunlight. Finding a color that isn’t too deep, red or grey is hard for me although I do think brands are doing a better job at launching more options these days. I tried a few of these and felt I could wear either any of the Auburn and Medium Brown colors.

Shown below:

NARS Goma – Blonde Cool
Calimyrna – Blonde Warm
Makassar – Auburn Cool
Moanda – Auburn Warm
Naia – Medium Brown Cool
Komo – Medium Brown Warm
Atacma – Dark Brown Cool
Lava – Dark Brown Warm
Diorshow Brow Styler – Universal Brown
Anastasia Brow Wiz – Medium Brown
By Terry Brow Mascara – #4 Dark Brown

Beauty look below wearing:

Foundation: NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Vanuatu (review + swatches here)
Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger
Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose
Blush: By Terry Compact-Expert in Sun Desire (swatches here)
Eyeshadow: NARS Eyeshadow Quad in Singapore
Eyeliner: MAC Technakohl Liner in Graphblack
Brow: NARS Brow Perfector in Komo
Mascara: Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara
Lipstick: NARS 7 Deadly Sins Palette in Disobedience

Bottom line perfect. I didn’t expect to love the eyeshadow quads as much as I do. Sparkle can be hit or miss for me and even though some of the colors are ultra sparkly they work beautifully on the lids. I feel like both are must-haves. The Lip Palette is nearly perfect (one patchy color). I think every single color is wearable and they pretty much give you all the colors you’d need in a single palette for a classic day to night lip look. I’m hoping that Disobedience is a close dupe for an existing shade. I’m going to try and find a similar one because it’s the perfect pink. I’ve been a long-time fan of the Dior brow pencils, but this new NARS Brow Perfector is really easy to use and gives me more color to play with because it’s creamier. I think they are winners.

You can find the NARS Fall 2018 Color Collection out now. Available at NARS Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York. The eyeshadows and lip palette are limited-edition.

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

NARS Fall provided courtesy of NARS for review.

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Chanel

Chanel Le Mat de Chanel Fall Beauty Picks

August 20, 2018

Chanel fall beauty is all about mattes with their Le Mat de Chanel Collection for fall-winter 2018. I ordered a few items and am thrilled with all except one of my haul picks. In general I’m usually not a fan of matte finish makeup as it ends up looking dry or flat on my skin. These mattes are soft with a diffused finish and look like skin but with a velvety soft blur. The colors at first glance looked a little boring to me online but after playing with them I’m thrilled to report they are excellent classics you can wear everyday. The colors wear really well – I wish there were more options color-wise because the formulas are beautiful! You can see the entire fall Le Mat de Chanel lineup on their site here. It might be hard to see in the photos but everything is packaged in a soft matte packaging which is just beautiful. Still the same classic sleek Chanel design but instead of a glossy black finish everything from compacts to lipstick casing and caps is matte.

My beauty haul picks:

Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Quintessence
Les 4 Ombres in Clair-Obscur
Stylo Ombre et Contour in Contour Clair
Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Mat in Discretion and Impulsion
Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity

The Joues Contraste Powder Blush this season Quintessence is a soft pink rose. It’s sheer to medium in color but buildable. The color has a matte finish and is very natural. I think it gives the skin a perfect soft wash of pink. I’m medium-tan right now so it’s not quite as noticeable as it will be if you have fair skin.

Swatch comparisons below to Chanel Powder Blush in Angelique (discontinued), Chanel Powder Blush in Foschia Rosa (on the face here), By Terry Compact-Expert Dual Powder in Sun Desire (review here), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Iridescent Flash (review here), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Luminous Flush (review here), Tom Ford Sheer Cheek Duo Lavender Lure (blush side, review + on face here), MAC Mineralize Blush in Sweet Enough (review here)

The eye makeup items are my favorite for this collection. I ordered one of the Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quads in Clair-Obscur which has four beige-brown mattes and the Stylo Ombre in Contour Clair a tan brown.

For the Les 4 Ombres quad Clair-Obscur you get ultra smooth shadows for a perfect natural contour eye look. Colors are neutral with a slightly cool undertone. Pigment is perfect and smooth. I found them easy to blend and layer with each other. They almost have a creamy feel. I’ve never loved a fully matte eyeshadow palette like this! The Urban Decay Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics are my current favorites and the colors in Clair-Obscur are very similar so if you don’t want dupes you may want to shop your stash. I don’t mind that there are similarities. Both are excellent in quality and finish. Swatches side by side shows that the Chanel quad has a very subtle luminosity to it vs the Urban Decay which is 100% matte.

Swatch comparisons:

The Stylo Ombre formula has launched in more shades for fall. My previous picks in my New Chanel Eye Makeup Post here. Contour Clair is the perfect medium tan brown that I can use as a base. This one is one I don’t mind that the tip will wear down because I’m just going to use it as a cream shadow base blended. I swatched a bunch of other shades to try and compare but couldn’t find anything like it. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color Mattes are close but none of the colors are close. I suspect that the MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork is similar but lighter. I no longer own it so I can’t compare.

For the lips I have two hits and one miss. I bought two of the Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs and one Rouge Allure Ink.

The Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur pencils are beautiful formulas. They’re matte lip crayons that are ultra creamy and opaque. They glide on smoothly and easily. Lasting power is pretty good – not as good as if you were to line your lips with a regular lip pencil, but better than a traditional lipstick. Discretion is a nude but on my lips it turns peachy. Impulsion looks like a brick red but on my lips it pulls brighter. The Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity is a miss for me formula-wise. I don’t know why I keep buying this formula. I think it’s in part due to the fact that SO many people love these I keep trying to love it. The colors for this formula have been beautiful (Lost reviewed here and Eterea swatched here). I just really don’t like the formula – I think I’ve bought around 5 colors now from past launches and every one has been a formula fail for me. I find them to be sheer, often patchy, and they all disappear from my lips within 30 minutes. The color is a perfect soft rose. If I layer it over a pencil it works, but to me I would rather just have the formula be better. I think the YSL Tatouage Couture Matte Stains are a better buy formula-wise. Swatch comparisons if you scroll down.

Swatch comparisons: Chanel Au Naturel and Warm Rosewood reviewed here, Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist in 19 swatched here, YSL Tatouage Couture Matte Stains reviewed here

A beauty look using the Chanel Le Mat de Chanel picks:

Primer: Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Mattifier
Foundation: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation in Warm Natural 4.5 (swatches of all shades here)
Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose + Chanel Les Beiges No. 20
Brows: Diorshow Browstyler in Universal Brown
Eyeshadow: Chanel Les 4 Ombres Clair-Obscur 308
Mascara: Chanel Le Volume Waterproof
Blush: Chanel Powder Blush in Quintessence 440
Lips: Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity 168
Tank: Madewell

One last look:

Bottom line I love practically everything I hauled. Color-selection wise I do think there could have been a bit more variety with more options, but I think there are some beautiful pieces and I absolutely love the eye makeup. It’s rare that I pass on the nail polishes, I used to be a die hard Chanel Le Vernis collector! However I’ve tried the Velvet Nail Color formula before many holidays ago and I felt like I was putting rubber on my nails so I decided to pass. If the Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity had a better formula it would be perfect as I think the color is gorgeous!

You can find the Le Mat de Chanel Collection out now at all Chanel counters. I ordered my picks from Nordstrom and Chanel. Have you seen the items in person yet? What did you think?

127 Comments

Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance New Fall Shades

August 17, 2018

Pat McGrath Labs has launched ten new shades of MatteTrance Lipstick ($38 each for 4 g/0.14 oz, made in Italy) and every single color is pure perfection. These are full coverage, creamy, smooth opaque lipsticks with a velvety matte finish. The are soft mattes with a perfect finish that don’t look dry. I cannot detect any scent to these. Lasting power is pretty good and they don’t slide off or around. Color transfer will happen if you snack or drink but otherwise they stay put.

The ten new fall colors in this launch include:

Christy – soft pink with a very slight hint of peach
Beautiful Stranger – neutral rose cream
Flesh 5 – muted brown red
Guinevere – brick red
Executive Realness – bright raspberry
Fever Dream – muted coral
Forbidden Love – deep bold bright red
Elson 2 – bright electric orange
Deep Orchid – bold purple cream
Extravaganza – vibrant orchid pink

Swatches below:

A closer look:

Two sets of swatch comparisons to other Pat McGrath MatteTrance, LuxeTrance (lip swatches here and here) and Liquid Lipstick shades (review here) and also a set with some Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Swatches (reviewed here). To me Femmebot and Christy almost look identical, but Christy has a little bit more warmth and is a little bit lighter in color. Attitude and Flesh5 look close, but Attitude is the LuxeTrance formula and a little more brown while Flesh5 is matte and has more red tones.

So many of you have asked for a comparison of formula between the Pat McGrath MatteTrance vs Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks. Both are among my favorites for matte lipsticks. The Pat McGrath is creamier, more opaque, smoother with richer coverage. The Charlotte Tilbury by comparison is still pigmented but not as creamy. Since it’s less creamy you can create a more slightly more natural look. I don’t think one is better than the other, they’re just different.

Previous reviews and swatches of her lipsticks here and here.

Bottom line lots to love. Pat McGrath launched some beautiful shades this round and even though I’m usually a neutral lip lover I think the color range has wearable colors for a classic look. I think Deep Orchid is a stunning purple that I’ll wear for nights out. You can find the new Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance colors out now. Available online at Pat McGrath Labs and Sephora.

Have you tried any Pat McGrath lipsticks or glosses yet? What did you think?

Pat McGrath fall shades provided courtesy of Pat McGrath Labs for review.

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