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The Beauty Look Book Diptyque Favorites

April 18, 2016

I’ve been a long-time Diptyque lover and many of you have seen that their candles and fragrances are a huge part of my everyday life. This post has been highly requested as many of you ask me for recommendations on a regular basis. I think fragrance shopping can be overwhelming if you’re new to the line or don’t have in person access to smell their products. When I first discovered Diptyque it was hard to find – only a few stores carried it and they were at least a 2 hour drive away from where I lived. Sometimes it took me several trips that happened over a few months before I could decide to splurge on one. You know the drill – sometimes you have to smell something and think about it before deciding whether or not to buy a scent whether it’s perfume or for the home. In the past 5 years they’ve expanded their offerings to more retailers which I’m thrilled about and have also opened up quite a few new free standing boutiques. I thought it was time I did a roundup of my favorites and a mini guide on the brand in case you’re new to the line and want some ideas of where to start exploring.

For me fragrance is seasonal and home scents are no exception. I’ve tried to include non-seasonal launches that will work for right now (spring to summer). Diptyque occasionally launches limited-edition seasonal options typically in the spring with a rose-theme (the latest one was Rosaviola) and also options during the holiday.

In terms of home fragrance brands in general, my favorite lines of the moment include Diptyque, Henri Bendel and Byredo. I do enjoy items from Malin + Goetz, Cire Trudon, Le Labo and Jo Malone as well – but my most-burned candles are hands down from Diptyque. Fragrance preference is so personal and for me Diptyque remains at the top of my list for adding a special touch to the home. I find the scents to be beautiful and love how well designed the packaging is. I love the way they burn and how the scents can lift one’s mood. I truly think they are worth the splurge.

Standard Candles and Size Options
Up first is a breakdown of the standard scent options and sizes. Shown below from left to right are the standard options you can buy individually.

Colored Glass Candles $90 for 10.2 oz
Estimated Burn Time 90 hours
Available in Baies, Figuier,
Tubereuse, Ambre, Feu de Bois
Standard Glass Jars $62 for 6.5 oz 
Estimated Burn Time 60 hours
Available in the widest range of scents in the line

Large Scented Outdoor Candles $290 for 51.2 oz
(shown repurposed as a flower pot)
Estimated Burn Time 190 hours
Available in Baies, Figuier,
Tubereuse, Feu de Bois

Mini $32 for 3.2 oz
Estimated Burn Time 20 hours
Available in a smaller selection of 15 scents

Standard scents are split into categories like Fruity, Woody, Spicy, Herbal, and Floral. Most of the scents can be easily found at a wide range of retailers. You can also find the Collection 34 options at most retailers too. These come in a slightly different jar that is a matte porcelain jar currently available in 3 options (all shown in this post here, also priced slightly higher than the standard options).

For the standard options my top four picks include:
  • La Prouveresse (from Collection 34) – pulls on the masculine side with notes of fig, cypress and cedarwood with an earthy and raw feel
  • Feuille de Lavande – strong lavender with an earthy feel
  • Baies (black colored version c/o) – mix of blackcurrant and rose
  • Figuier – the best warm fig I’ve ever tried

Boutique Exclusives are scents that are exclusive to Diptyque stores and their website. In my experience their website frequently goes out of stock on a number of these options but they do restock frequently. Stores tend to have more stock compared to their website and although I find ordering online is what I prefer, their boutique have excellent customer service. My top picks on the boutique exclusives include:
  • Cuir – leather and birch bark with a very clean feel
  • Aubepine – hawthorn, powdery floral that has an almond feel
  • Tilleul – sweet linden scent with a hint of lime, floral fresh and green
  • Tomas Maier Palm Beach – mix of citrus and floral, with noticeable hints of jasmine, iris and sea salt with a green touch
Also shown below is a pair of the Wick Trimmers which I’ve found invaluable in trimming and catching burnt wicks. They can be found at all Diptyque retailers.

Photophores are decorative accessories and come in several options. For the most part these are exclusive to the boutiques. Here’s a quick snapshot I took of the glass options lined up in Printemps when I visited Paris last year. They are on the pricey side but they make beautiful decorative accents for the home. In recent holiday seasons they’ve started offering the Large Photophore + Baies or Large Photophore + Feu de Bois as a set (one with straight lines) at multiple retailers.

If you’re curious on which ones I own, I have the Large Full Twist (shown here), Small Full Twist (shown here) and Oiseaux Photophore (shown here).

Perfumes from the line are tricky for me. I adore the way many of them smell but there’s something with my body chemistry that doesn’t work the best with Diptyque perfumes. Others work well as a home fragrance like fig or vanilla but aren’t scents I feel comfortable wearing. Three that I really love:
  • L’Ombre Dans L’Eau is the Baies equivalent in perfume form. It’s a heavier blackcurrant kind of scent that I think is perfect for special occasions. For me it’s not one I can wear everyday although my husband really likes it on me. (I have this one in a couple of the mini vials.)
  • Eau de Sens (c/o) is the newest fragrance from Diptyque. It’s the best orange blossom I’ve found that works with my chemistry. Most turn too sweet or have a bitter dry down, this is just perfect as an in between kind of scent. It has orange blossom, bitter orange, juniper berries, angelica and patchouli.
  • Florabellio (c/o) was last spring’s launch and to this day it’s one of the most unique scents I own. It’s description makes me think it would be the last scent I would ever wear as it has a mix of apple blossoms, apricot, fennel, sea salt, coffee and toasted sesame. It’s sweet and summery.

Room Sprays – I just did a post on the two new ones Gingembre and Fleur D’Oranger (c/o) here so I won’t repeat the review. Figuier and Baies reviewed here. I think they are all really good so I can’t pick a favorite but I would say right now it’s a tie between Baies and Gingembre. Thoughts on the difference between the candles and room sprays in both review posts linked above. (Note the lavender one isn’t available in the US.)

Frequently asked questions:
  • Where is the best place to buy Diptyque? 
    •  You can find these at a wide range of retailers. My preference is to shop in the free-standing stores/boutiques because they have the best customer service in my experience and also have the widest selection. Since I don’t have one near me though I also order online from Nordstrom and Space NK.
  • Do these ever go on sale?
    • I’ve never seen them go on sale, although they do offer occasional gift with purchase minis, these are unfortunately hard to find. Check Nordstrom during their Double or Triple Points Events, Neiman Marcus during their Incircle or Beauty Weeks, individual free standing stores often have promotions too.
  • I’m going to be buying my first Diptyque candle? Which one should I start with?
    • Oooh, tough one! I would say that it really depends on what kinds of scents you like but the three I’ve gifted the most frequently include Baies, Figuier and Roses – I don’t think you could go wrong with any of these. You might want to consider the Mini Candle Trio to start. Some retailers still have the 10 Piece Holiday Candle set from the holiday season too.
  • How long does a candle last?
    • For me a standard candle can lasts months – I don’t know why but it takes me forever to finish burning a candle! Notes on burn time near the top of the post next to each sizing. I haven’t actually timed the burn time from start to finish though.
  • Are there any tips on how to care for candles?
    • Yes, lots of tips in my Candle Care Tips post – be sure to trim the wicks after each burn, also note the timing of the first burn is important to make sure you avoid tunneling.
  • The sides of my candle start burning and turn black with the residual burn, is this normal?
    • Sometimes wicks can migrate so you need to push them back to the center if they start to move. Be sure you trim the wicks before you burn – having long wicks can make them smoke and burn the sides.
  • Is the wick trimmer worth the price?
    • Yes I do think it is. You can use regular scissors or nail clippers or anything sharp to cut the wick too – but it is nice to have a dedicated tool so the wick doesn’t smudge other things you have. The beveled tip also makes it nice to catch the trimmed portion.
  • Is there a difference between shopping at a retailer like Nordstrom or Space NK vs shopping at the individual stores?
    • Yes – individual stores have exclusives, offer beautiful gift wrapping and often have promotions that larger retailers don’t. In my experience the staff at Diptyque stores are very knowledgeable, friendly and I’ve never felt pressure to buy. I’ve done a few stories on boutiques including South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa), Maiden Lane (San Francisco), Larchmont (Los Angeles), 34 Boulevard Saint Germain (Paris).
  • What about their body products? Any thoughts on those?
  • Best way to clean out residual wax once the burn is finished? 
    • There are a number of different ways to remove remaining wax. I have a tutorial in my Diptyque Candle Jars Recycled post. My favorite way is to use warm water and dish soap in repeated steps to soften the wax and help clean the edges. Although others recommend freezing or boiling, I wouldn’t recommend those methods which I find can make the glass prone to cracking or can damage the sticker labels.
  • What do you do with all the empties?
    • I recycle or repurpose most of them! You can use them to store pens, makeup brushes, beauty minis, roller-ball perfumes, q-tips, etc.

I hope you found this round up guide on Diptyque helpful! I’ve been a fan for years and still haven’t tried every scent they have. For me everytime I visit a boutique I learn something new. I’ve tried a lot more than I’ve featured in the recommendations above but as a starting point I wanted to share the ones that were my absolute favorites. I get asked on a weekly basis what my top picks are and I think there is so much to explore and preferences depend on the season, but if I were to narrow down my top five favorites right now, they would include Baies, Figuier, Cuir, Gingembre Room Spray and Tomas Maier Palm Beach.
You can find Diptyque at a wide range of retailers these days. I’m always thrilled when I find they’ve expanded their distribution because it makes it easier for me to find. Available at Nordstrom, Space NK (special TBLB promo code valid through May 1st), Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Net-A-Porter and Diptyque.

Some items featured include press samples indicated with “c/o.”
Most items featured purchased by me.
11 Comments
By Terry Highlighters

By Terry Sun Designer Palettes for Spring – Tan and Flash Cruise + Light and Tan Vibes

April 15, 2016

 

By Terry recently launched two new face palettes with bronzer, blush and highlighters cased in a single mirrored compact called the Sun Designer Palette ($82 for 15 g/0.53 oz). There are two options in this launch Tan and Flash Cruise 1 and Light and Tan Vibes 2. Both are simply glorious and well worth the splurge. I ordered both of mine sight unseen last month and the swatches on Beauty Professor’s blog confirmed I made the right choice to splurge. When they arrived in the mail I literally gasped – they took my breath away. Each palette comes cased in a slim mirrored compact with 6 shades of powders for the face (but I’ve also been using them on the eyes). The product description on the box:

 

“This exceptional palette creates an all-over radiant and sun-kissed look on both fair and tanned complexions. It features six elegant and sparkling shades playing the roles of bronzers, blushes and highlighters that enhance the skin’s appearance. Delicate, soft and airy textures in both matte and satin finishes allow to sculpt contours, brighten features, correct or intensify the complexion, all the while revealing the full splendor of the tan.”

 

 

Both palettes have beautifully pigmented powders that have a very soft almost velvety texture. The colors blend flawlessly on the skin in an effortless kind of way. Lasting power is excellent and does not fade. They meld nicely with the surface of the skin and adhere well to last all day long. There’s no chalky finish, no streaking and the colors stay true to what you apply on the face.

 

#1 Tan and Flash Cruise offers the perfect mix for a colorful summery look while #2 Light and Tan Vibes is the perfect your complexion but better kind of palette. It is hard for me to pick a favorite but #2 offers the most amazing mix of colors to give my complexion the kind of naturally glowy tan highlight and contour that I’ve been looking for for ages.

 

 

The only possible downside I find to these is the actual design and layout of the colors. They come in a beautiful embossed zigzag pattern which makes it virtually impossible to dip a cheek brush into just one color – but I suspect this was designed with the purpose of being able to mix and swirl colors together to be able to achieve a look with more dimension, color and glow. When I first put these to the test I thought the mixing of colors was going to be problematic. I’ve been able to dip a brush into 2 colors at a time or take a smaller detail brush to pick up a single color and apply to the eyes or face. I suspect making the palette bigger would have made the price more expensive – part of me wishes the pans were at least 2x taller to make picking up a single color easier. After playing with these for several weeks now I really don’t mind swirling colors together.
A closer look at each palette. Up first is #1 Tan and Flash Cruise which has:
Satiny raspberry pink
Coral peach with a slight sheen
Cool pink with a very soft shimmer
Pale nude matte
Medium warm tan
Soft muted peach

 

 

 

 

A closer look at #2 Light and Tan Vibes which has:
The most perfect golden nude shimmer
Iridescent peach gold shimmer
Pale champagne shimmer frost
Pale vanilla matte cream
Soft light peach pink
Soft nude tan matte

 

 

 

 

Bottom line both winners. I personally would have preferred larger pans that would allow for me to not mix the colors but I’ve found blending the shades to have a really nice effect on the skin. Sometimes swirling darker shades can result in a muddy mess but these blend beautifully together and the quality of the powder texture and pigment is literally to die for.

 

Finish of the brighter option Tan and Flash Cruise is more on the satiny matte side. There is a sheen in each of the colors but it’s in a natural luminous way that melds with the skin. Light and Tan Vibes has a more shimmery finish for the left side but it’s not overly frosty and layers beautifully on the cheeks over other colors or even on the eyes.

 

If I were pressed to pick just one, I would say the lighter one Light and Tan Vibes is my favorite. It has colors that are probably easy to dupe but the colors in this one are simply flawless and work without any extra effort required. It’s pure love.

 

I highly recommend both palettes. I’ve been told they are limited-edition but am not 100% sure. You can find them online at Space NK, Barneys New York, Beautylish and Saks Fifth Avenue. If you’re shopping at Space NK (US) don’t forget to take advantage of the savings offer code available through May 1, 2016 (all the details in this post here).

 

Have you checked out these palettes yet?
17 Comments
Lips YSL Beauty

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick

April 13, 2016

 

Earlier this year YSL launched a new lipstick called Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick ($37 each for 4 ml/4.5 g, made in France). These were initially launched as a Nordstrom exclusive (where I ordered mine) for early release but are now available at all retailers. At this time I’m not sure if these are a new formula in the Rouge Volupté line – some retailers list the Oil-In-Stick product in a separate SKU while others have grouped it with the Rouge Volupté Shines. Either way the formula of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick is very smooth and hydrating and has the same amount of pigment and shine as the Rouge Volupté Shines. On my lips they appear to perform exactly the same way. According to YSL these are described as a “revolutionary lipstick that provides luscious color and luminous shine while actually conditioning lips … made with 65% oils, the deeply hydrating texture instantly melts into lips providing a pop of color, instant hydration, and all day comfort.” With regular use lips are supposed to see visible improvement in overall look for a more healthy appearance and nourished feel. They have that signature YSL mango scent. With all the opaque lipstick formulas and liquid lipsticks that have launched recently – many of you have commented that you find brands launch formulas that are too thick or matte for your preference. If that is the case, I think you’ll find the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick fits the bill for the sheer to medium glossy shiny finish lip color that is an effortless kind of product.

 

There are eight shades that I picked up. When I bought mine I ordered them sight unseen. I will say that the online swatches were hit or miss. Some were completely different from what I envisioned but luckily all of them are very wearable. Out of all the sheer glossy lipstick formulas my top two favorites are the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines and YSL Rouge Volupté Shines. The new Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Sticks are super hydrating and add a lush coat of moisture on the lips while adding a nice tint of color. They have noticeable coverage even though the pigment is sheerer than an opaque formula. You can layer for more color but at the end of the day they are still a medium-sheer coverage lipstick. If you like the moisturizing feel, shine and color but want more pigment and coverage I highly recommend you check out the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos instead (all swatched here).

 

The colors and descriptions, all of these have some shimmer in the tube but on the lips (with the exception of the white one) there is no visible shimmer or frost, just a healthy shine:
  • 41 Corail À Porter is a medium bright pink with a bit of coral
  • 42 Baume Midi Minuit is a sheer sparkling white that adds a pale sheen to the lips
  • 43 Rose Rive Gauche is a peachy rose
  • 44 Nude Lavalliere is a light nude pink
  • 47 Beige Blouse is a perfect medium nude pink with a slight hint of warmth
  • 48 Smoking Plum is the prettiest plum that has some brightness to it
  • 51 Rose Saharienne is a cool-toned baby pink
  • 52 Trapeze Pink is a medium cool-toned pink
All apply smoothly on the lips with the exception of 51 Rose Saharienne which was a bit streaky on my lips mainly because the cool and light tones contrast with my natural lip tone. It was easy to blend and smooth but straight from the tube it was a tiny bit streaky.

 

Swatches straight from the tube:

 

 

Swatches applied with a lip brush:

 

 

Swatch comparisons to some other Rouge Volupté Shines that I own shown below. For me shades 7, 8 and 9 have been classic everyday staples that are super easy to wear. Compared to the new options Nude Lavalliere 44 is a light nude pink on my lips while Beige Blouse 47 is a bit deeper but not quite as peach as Nude in Private 9. Beige Blouse 47 looks almost identical to Rose in Wood 23 – I would say that No. 23 is a more more rose/pink in color.

 

 

One last look:

 

I took a quick peek in store at all the shades of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick in store recently and if they are indeed the same as the Rouge Volupté Shines I think that YSL did a nice job expanding the color range. As mentioned at the top I don’t know if the formulas are the same or if the newer shades have a new and improved formula. On my lips I didn’t notice any difference – they have the same texture, scent, finish, shine and hydrating feel. Lasting power is average for a semi-sheer glossy lipstick but this one is a lipstick formula that I don’t mind reapplying 3+ times in a given day. I love the other YSL lipstick formulas and this one is no exception. It performs well and the colors are easy to wear for any occasion. I can’t pick a favorite. I still think 7, 8 and 9 are my absolute favorites, but in the new range I’m smitten with 44 and 48.If you like sheer to medium lipsticks with shine I think you’ll like these. They have similar pigment and texture compared to the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines. As mentioned above if you want more pigment and coverage I highly recommend you check out the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos instead (all swatched here). If you want something more opaque but with a moisturizing feel I recommend the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks (swatched + reviewed here).

 

You can find the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Sticks at all counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and YSL Beauty.

 

Have you tried these yet? Which colors did you check out?
31 Comments
Highlighters Urban Decay

Urban Decay UD x Gwen Blush Palette, Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighters and Beached Bronzers

April 11, 2016

Today I have a roundup of several cheek products from Urban Decay including the UD x Gwen Blush Palette ($45), Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighters ($26 each) and Beached Bronzers ($28). All the items are very pretty and give the complexion some life and color in a natural way. The UD x Gwen Blush Palette in my opinion is one of the best blush palettes I’ve ever tried. It has a good mix of cool and warm and also matte and shimmer finishes to give you a lot of options. The colors layer nicely and application is smooth. I do find some similarities between the colors in the palette and the new highlighters/bronzers. You may want to shop your stash too as some of these will probably be duplicates or similar to what you own but more thoughts on each one below.

First a quick look at the cheek, highlighter and bronze items from Urban Decay side by side. I’m trying out a new interactive tool so you can shop the images by clicking on the icons. Let me know what you think!


Swatches on bare skin:

Up first is the UD x Gwen Blush Palette. This comes in a medium-sized mirrored compact similar in style to the UD x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette. The packaging is very sturdy and well made. The colors have medium but buildable pigment and the texture is very soft and smooth. There is quite a bit of powder kick-up when I dip my brush into the powders but it’s easy to clean up and once the product is on the face there isn’t any fall out. Cherry is a soft cool matte pink, Easy is a medium rose with gold shimmer, Angel is a soft champagne gold, Lo-Fi is a medium tan, Hush is a shimmering peachy champagne, OC is an iridescent soft peach that flashes pink.

As you can see from the swatches above near the top of the post, Angel has a similar effect to the Afterglow Highlighter in Sin, Lo-Fi is a more yellow toned version of the bronzers, OC has a similar pinky sheen to the Afterglow Highlighter in Fireball. I would say by comparison the Blush Palette has a softer more natural look on the skin compared to the others. I love this palette because it’s so versatile and goes well with a wide range of looks. That being said the colors are fairly standard and I suspect you can find similar shades from MAC, NARS or other brands. I do really like that Easy Blush is a rose gold that is medium in undertone but doesn’t darken on my skin. So many rose blushes end up darkening and look muddy on my skin while Easy stays true to color. Angel has that pretty warm golden champagne undertone which makes it look soft and diffused on my olive skin. Hush is borderline a highlighter so I mix it with Lo-Fi to add more color on my skin.

Next up are the Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighters. These are designed to be long-lasting and the claim is they last 8 hours. On my normal combination skin I found they did not last on my cheeks for the full 8 hours. I would say color stayed true from morning around 8 am until 2 pm (so for around 6 hours). After that the color faded a bit. It was still visible but there was noticeable fading, at least on me. The colors are very pigmented and intense but are easy to blend and buff out. I’ve swatched them heavy and blended to try and show the difference. The heavier you swatch these the more intense the shimmer and with a heavy hand the colors are lighter in color.

Sin is a pale champagne gold, on my skin it looks very pale, almost like a pale cream. Fireball is an iridescent peach that flashes pink. Aura is a pale pink that flashes slight pink and blue tones.

Shimmer-frost wise I think these are definitely on the more shimmery side but they blend out smoothly on the skin. Sin is the most frosted on me since it has a sharper contrast to my olive skintone. I expected Aura to look really frosty but on the face it gives the skin a pretty glimmer. Fireball has a smooth shimmer that isn’t overly frosted. I didn’t have time to reswatch comparisons, but Fireball is similar to the Anastasia Hard Candy Highlighter reviewed here and Aura compared to the Laura Mercier Highlighters in this post here. Sin is one of the more unique shades I own for highlighters but it has a similar effect to that of MAC Nylon Eyeshadow.

A quick look from the weekend with Lo-Fi and Fireball Highlighter on one side vs just Lo-Fi on the other so you can see how the highlighter adds a bit of a glow and more dimension:

Last up are the two Beached Bronzers. These are matte bronzers that come in round mirrored compacts. I love the packaging – the palm trees add a fun twist with the summer theme. Sun-Kissed is the lighter and warmer option of the two, it has a pinkish undertone which makes it more wearable and natural on my skin. Bronzed is the deeper option and gives my skin a more bronzed brown look. For my medium skin I prefer Sun-Kissed right now – it just looks more natural while Bronzed borderline makes my skin look a bit weathered as it’s more brownish and deep. I love a good bronze but these days try to go a bit easy on it since I’m not as tan as I am in the summer time. They are different enough to justify owning both – I think fairer skins will prefer Sun-Kissed. Deeper skins will probably find Bronzed better for their skin tones. Neither turns orangey and I was relieved to find they did not darken on the skin. The texture is very smooth and the blend nicely on the skin without any streaks. If you’re super fair I’d recommend you opt for either Gold Dust or Terra from Tom Ford instead as those will look more natural on the skin.

In terms of performance all the cheek products work very well. The quality is excellent and I really didn’t know what to expect before hand since the Naked Flushed palettes did not work for my skin type at all (they look super chalky and emphasize pores on me). I think the UD x Gwen Blush palette is the winner and if you’re trying to narrow down your picks, I’d say opt for the palette since it will give you the most options packaged in a single convenient compact. If you like more visible pigment or color for the cheeks you may find the Blush Palette too sheer or natural looking. In that case I’d recommend you opt for the NARSissist Cheek Studio Palette which has more pigment and more color but will also give you a wide range of options.

The highlighters are really pretty but I can’t say any of them are absolute musts. If I were to pick one favorite it would be Fireball – the mix of peach and pink is really pretty although it’s nearly identical to one of the shades in the Anastasia Gleam Glow Kit, the UD one performs exceptionally well.

The Bronzers are nice to have but not musts. That being said I find it rare to find good matte bronzers that are smooth in finish and application that don’t darken. The ones from Urban Decay perform really well – I like Sun-Kissed the best and the packaging is fun for the upcoming warmer weather months. Even though I can probably find similar shades in my collection to all the cheek items featured, I don’t have any regrets purchasing them – the formula works really well to add color or highlight without emphasizing pores.

You can find the Urban Decay cheek palette, bronzer and highlighters at all Urban Decay counters now. Online at Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Ulta Beauty and Urban Decay.
Have you checked out any of the items yet? What did you think?
12 Comments
Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighters Sephora

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits in That Glow and Gleam

April 6, 2016

I picked up the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits ($40 each) earlier this year and have been completely obsessed with these for months. After playing with both kits for some time I will say that they are on the high shimmer side and give the cheeks or eyes a luminous glow. The colors are very smooth and easy to blend. Shimmer is on the more dramatic side similar to that of MAC Mineralize Skin Finishes but are very wearable for everyday as long as you blend these well or use a loose fluffy brush. For shimmer/frost reference the most frosted highlighters I think I’ve ever tried are the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits are not as frosted as the Bobbi Brown ones in my opinion, but are definitely more shimmery than say the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. The Glow Kits are designed to be face highlighters but I also like to use them on the eyes as eyeshadows.

There are two kit options: That Glow has warmer golden tones and Gleam has cooler pink tones. On my medium olive skin I think the warmer gold option is more naturally flattering while the cooler pink one is more dramatic but still very wearable. Both kits come in a magnetized cardboard box and the pans in each kit are removeable. I’m not the biggest fan of the packaging but it is very sturdy so for me it’s not a deal breaker. I bought mine at IMATS Los Angeles earlier this year where they had a slight discount (they basically did not charge sales tax) but you can find them now at Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Macy’s.

A look at both kits without flash, in indirect natural light, you can see the colors still glow:

Swatched on my medium-olive skin most of the shades are clearly highlighters. If you have lighter skin these will show more color as you can see in The Non-Blonde and A Little Bit Etc. If you have deeper or darker skin these will most likely look lighter and more contrasted on your skin. Anastasia Beverly Hills has both kits swatched on 3 skintones here and here.

____________________

That Glow has warm gold tones with the following shades:
Sunburst is a pale yellow gold shimmer
Golden Bronze is a warm coppery golden bronze shimmer
Bubbly is a shimmering soft champagne
Dripping in Gold is a shimmering champagne gold

Each shade shown below with photographed close ups:

Note these are swatched with a heavy hand to show the pigment and color. You can blend easily for a more subtle and less frosted look.

Some swatch comparisons below to:
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne (discontinued)
Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Brilliant Strobe Light (review here)
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop (review here)
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in So Ceylon (discontinued)

____________________

Gleam has cool and neutral shimmers:
Hard Candy looks like a peachy coral in the pan, but it goes on an almost duo-chrome cool pink pearl
Mimosa is a shimmering light peach
Starburst is a shimmering pale frosted pink
Crushed Pearl is a shimmering pale champagne that almost looks white on my skin

Swatch comparisons to:
Tom Ford Cream Cheek Color in Pink Sand (review here)
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Starlight (review here)
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose (discontinued)
Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Euphoric Strobe Light (review here)
Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light (review here)

I’m one who loves to have glowing skin and these are both pure love for me. I found these went on the face smoothly and did not emphasize pores or fine lines. The pigment is medium but blendable. Because these are so pigmented I do think these can be easy to overdo so for me the key to application is to apply with a light hand. Any regular blush brush works to apply or a skunk brush too. I’ve been using the Chanel Blush Brush or MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush to apply these. Lasting power is excellent – they stay put and do not budge from morning to night.

For me these get a thumbs up. If I had to pick just one it would be a tough call for me. Gleam has colors I find more unique compared to other highlighters I own, but That Glow is more natural on my skintone and I prefer the warmer tones for my complexion.
You can find the Anastasia Glow Kits for $40 each at Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Macy’s.
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Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil Collection – Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner, Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal + Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust

April 5, 2016

Today’s post is the last feature on the Tom Ford Soleil color collection for this summer. There are three products for the face including the Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner ($108), Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal ($78) and Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust ($65). Two of the items are new which include the Contouring Cheek Trio and Sheer Blush Duo and one is a repromote which is the Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust. All three will provide a summery look with glow from within kind of feel. Each product has some shimmer in it without being too frosty or overly shimmery.

Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner ($108) has three colors of highlighter, blush and bronzer in one large mirrored compact. The texture of the items is similar to that of the Moodlight Skin Illuminating Duo. It has a powder finish but an almost creamy feel to it. The surface is embossed with a cross-hatch pattern. Application for this is smooth and easy to build. It does not emphasize pores which is a plus. Pigment is medium but easy to sheer out or layer for more color. The colors include a warm golden ivory shimmer, a peachy coral pink satin and a warm bronze matte. Overall this pulled very warm on my skin. It’s not too warm that it turns orange but it is warmer than I expected. Lasting power is very good – I found it stayed put on the cheeks from early morning into late afternoon without fading or darkening.
Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal ($78) is my favorite item in the entire Soleil Collection. This has a similar finish and texture to The Afternooner, but Bicoastal has a bit more shimmer and sheen compared to the trio, but it’s not as frosty as the NARS Dual Intensity Blushes. The colors pull neutral to cool on my skin but brighten the complexion with a soft rosy pink glow. Right now this one is a bit hard to find as it has not yet arrived at most counters yet (at least at the time of this post), but I highly recommend you put this on your list.
Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust ($65) is a repromote. If you missed out on it in previous seasons I recommend you give it a try. It is on the pricey side but one bottle will last you a long time as a little goes a long way. This is a sheer peachy illuminator that I like to use mixed in with foundation or as a subtle highlight on top of powders. It does sheer out a lot so it won’t give the skin a lot of color but it has the prettiest sheen that I find flattering on the skin. On warmer days and in the summer I find my skin gets a bit on the oily side and this is one of the few liquid illuminators I can wear that won’t get too shiny by mid-day.

Close ups of each and lots of comparisons, Soleil Contouring Compact in The Afternooner:

Comparison Set 1 shows how finely milled the shimmer in The Afternooner Trio is. By swatch comparing it to other highlighters, blushes and bronzers hopefully you can see it has a satiny sheen that isn’t overly frosty or overly matte.
Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Highlighter (reviewed here)
MAC Ellie Goulding Blush Bronzer Duo I’ll Hold My Breath (reviewed here)
MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Powder
Tom Ford Blush in Flush
Tom Ford Bronzer in Gold Dust (swatched here)

Comparison Set 2:
Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Moodlight (reviewed here)
Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Duo in Stroked (reviewed here, discontinued)
Urban Decay Naked Flushed Trio in Streak (reviewed here)

Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Las Salinas (reviewed here)
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Liquid in Starlight (reviewed here)
NARS Dual Intensity Blushes in Adoration and Fervor
Tom Ford Blush in Wicked

Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust has a lot of dupes from other lines and brands that will give you a similar effect. The best thing I find about the Tom Ford is the texture – it’s smooth and non-greasy and has the best feel overall but in terms of color there are a lot of less expensive alternatives.

Swatches straight from the tube and then blended (same colors in each set):

Armani Fluid Sheer #5 (reviewed here)
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Skin Liquid Candlelight and Starlight  (reviewed here)
NARS Illuminator in Orgasm
MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel and Barbados Girl

One last look:

Overall all three perform really well in terms of pigment and how smooth they look on the skin. If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative of The Afternooner you may want to look into the Urban Decay Naked Flushed face trios. In my previous review I’ve mentioned the colors are really good but they emphasize my pores and look chalky on my skin – however I am in the minority with my opinion. The trios work well for most people. I do believe that while the texture and finish of The Afternooner is superior to other face/cheek compacts, the colors can be easily duped so you may want to shop your stash before buying. Having all three in a single compact does make it more convenient and I like that it’s large in size so you don’t have to worry about mixing colors with a brush if you want to layer separately.

The Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal isn’t really sheer like the name implies but the texture is soft and easy to blend which makes it easy to sheer out. I really love the look and finish of this one – the colors are similar to the NARS Dual Intensity Blush in Adoration but the shimmer in the Tom Ford duo is softer and less harsh. Texture of Bicoastal is softer which makes it easier to blend.

Fire Lust is a must in my makeup collection but it is on the sheer side so your mileage may vary on this depending on what kind of pigment or color you are looking for.

In summary I give these a thumbs up – they are easy to use and applying them is pretty much goof-proof. The colors are versatile and will go with a wide variety of looks and can take your beauty look from day to night for that summery natural healthy glow. My opinion is that Bicoastal is the most unique and the highlight of the collection. Had I been able to play with The Afternooner in person before purchasing I would have skipped because I already own a lot of colors similar to the items in the palette. However that being said – if you love Tom Ford beauty products I will say the colors don’t really replicate items individual items in the current Tom Ford line.

You can find the Tom Ford Soleil Collection at all Tom Ford Beauty counters now. Online at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tom Ford.

Have you checked out any of these yet? What did you think?
Fire Lust and Bicoastal provided courtesy of Tom Ford for review. The Afternooner purchased by me.
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Bronzer + Blush Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil Collection – Terra and Bronze Age Bronzing Powders and Pieno Sole Cream Cheek Color

April 4, 2016

For the bronzers in this year’s Tom Ford Soleil Collection, there are a couple repromotes and a few new shades for cheeks. This summer they’ve relaunched the Small Bronzing Powder ($68 each) version along with the Large Bronzing Powder ($98 each) in three shades: Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age. This year’s version has the letters TF embossed in the bronzer which adds a nice luxurious touch to the overall look. For the Cream Cheek Color ($68 each) they’ve brought back Pink Sand (reviewed here) and introduced a new color called Pieno Sole.

In case you’re new to the Tom Ford Bronzers in general, I’ve swatched all three shades of the powder bronzer in Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age alongside the new Pieno Sole for reference. I did not rephotograph the Gold Dust Bronzer or the small versus large compacts but you can see a quick shot of the small and large Gold Dust in this post here.

Descriptions and thoughts on all the shades:

  • Gold Dust Bronzing Powder is a classic medium bronze with a hint of golden shimmer, it gives the skin a luminous glow without being too shimmery or frosty, for a comparison reference, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzers are a lot more luminous compared to Tom Ford Gold Dust. Gold Dust is warm but not orangey on the skin.
  • Terra is a semi-sheer cool-toned matte bronzer. When I tried this one last year the artists actually recommended I skip this because they said it would too sheer on my medium skintone. I bought it anyways in the large size (not shown) and found this to be more like a soft contouring powder. If you’re looking for a cooler-toned bronzer this one is a good one to check out. Do note that it’s not as pigmented as other bronzers so your mileage may vary if you are tan to deep in skintone. On me it does show up but it gives a very natural look.
  • Bronze Age is a new shade this season, it’s deeper and more golden than the other bronzers. This one is matte and has medium pigment. It applies smoothly and is easy to build. On my skin this looks very golden but not orangey. If you are super fair this will probably look more dramatic and warm on your skin. I think this one will be better suited for medium to deeper skintones unless you don’t mind a dramatic bronze.
  • Pieno Sole is a Cream Cheek Color but I’ve grouped it with the bronzers since it’s a golden shimmer color. I had very high hopes for this as a cream blush since I’m beyond in love with Pink Sand. I’m at the exact skintone where this one almost matches by skin color and looks like my skin but with shimmer. Since it matches my skin, as a cream cheek color it’s almost invisible. For me it works better as a highlighter which I think is very pretty but more subtle than I expected. Not necessarily a bad thing as it goes on the skin smoothly and doesn’t emphasize pores. 
First a quick look at Terra, Bronze Age and Pieno Sole in direct sunlight (lip color is Le Mepris):

Swatches of Powder Bronzers in Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age alongside the new Pieno Sole Cream Cheek Color:

Powder Bronzers in Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age applied on the face – they all look very similar when applied with a light hand, I hope you can tell that Bronze Age is the darkest/deepest color and Terra is the sheerest/most natural. Gold Dust is somewhere in between. I tried to photograph a cheek swatch of Pieno Sole but it just looked invisible so I didn’t publish it.

On the lips Tom Ford Moisturecore Lip Color in Carriacou:

Some comparison swatch sets:

Set 1:
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light

Set 2:
Edward Bess Bronzer in Daydream

Set 3:
MAC Powder Blush in Trace Gold
MAC Cream Color Base in Desert Roadtrip (d/c)
MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Magnetic Appeal (d/c, review here)
Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Afterglow (review here)

I own more bronzer than I know what to do with (probably multiple lifetimes worth) but out of all the powder bronzers I’ve tried I can say that the Gold Dust is one I reach for frequently. It’s a no-fuss kind of bronzer that adds warmth and glow to the face without looking too orangey or overdone. Terra is one of the sheerest bronzers I’ve tried and probably one of the few I’ve tested that have a cool undertone without looking too cool. Both are on the steep side for price but they go on smoothly and flawlessly every time and do not emphasize pores (huge plus for me) or look chalky. Another plus is the colors do not darken or oxidize on the skin even on oily skin days so I don’t have to worry about looking like an Oompa Loompa with these (even though I do like a good bronze tan look). I personally like the look of Bronze Age – I don’t own anything as golden in color. Bottom line is I think these are well worth the high price tag (I’ve purchased them in previous seasons and have no regrets). If these aren’t in your budget you might want to check out the MAC Powder Bronzers as a less expensive alternative – they are also very good in quality and come in a wide range of options/finishes. I would say the main difference is I find the MAC less pigmented and more sheer in finish but they are easy to layer.

I have mixed feelings about Pieno Sole – my first impressions left me wanting more color or more pigment, but the more I play with it, the more I like it. On me it’s still more like a highlighter than a cream blush but the golden color is really pretty. The finish is similar to that of Armani Fluid Sheers on my skin but Tom Ford Pieno Sole does have more pigment/coverage by comparison. I like using this as a base for bronzer to enhance the color or as a subtle cream highlight on the cheeks. If you’re on the hunt for something similar in color but in powder form, I recommend checking out MAC Trace Gold Powder Blush which is a pretty golden color. 

You can find the bronzers and cream cheek colors from the Tom Ford Soleil Collection at Tom Ford counters and stores now. Online at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tom Ford.

Have you checked these out yet? Or do you already own some shades from previous seasons? What’s your current favorite bronzer?
Terra and Bronze Age were provided as press samples for review consideration. Pieno Sole purchased by me.

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