Pat McGrath added four new shades of the Divine Cream Blush Legendary Glow Color Balm ($29). The team sent 2 of the new ones alongside 2 previously launched shades for me to try. I have swatches to share today. New shades are currently available at Pat McGrath and Selfridges.
These are dewy balms for lips and cheeks. These have the same level of glow as the Chanel Baume Essentiels. They have a dewy finish that stays dewy (they have no dry down) and a glossy look. I know a lot of you are all about the dewy look and love these. For me they are really too dewy for the cheeks. I do really love the texture on the lips though! Pigment is on the sheer side, especially once you blend it out on the cheeks.
The four shades swatched in this post:
Alluring Nude (new) is a soft neutral nude beige
Divine Rose Glow (new) is a medium rose
Peach Lotus is a soft peach
Sunkissed Seduction is a terracotta brown
More swatches from last year in this post here. The original Divine Rose is a bit lighter in color compared to the new Divine Rose Glow. Both are very pretty soft rose colors, I like the newer one better because it’s slightly darker and shows up better on my skin.
Overall really beautiful colors. I do think they wear well on the lips. For the cheeks they’re great if you like a dewy look for the blush, for me they are too dewy to wear comfortably on the face. If you want to see them in action I’ve linked the video below!
The Luminous Silk Creamy Bronzing Powder is currently available in 4 shades and comes in a large mirrored compact. I love the large size of these and the formula is really nice. It’s described as “ultra creamy” but to me it feels more like a silky soft smooth powder with any creamy feel to it.
These have a luminous glow to them with noticeable shimmer particles. On the skin they don’t appear shimmery though, it’s more of a subtle glow on the skin.
I picked Shade 100 and 110 since I wear their Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 (recommendation for Medium to Tan skin 5.5 to 8). I like Shade 100 best on me right now. 110 is a little too dark and pulls a little reddish on me. Overall I really like the texture, undertone, finish and how they blend. I give these a solid A+.
Armani also launched a new gloss formula called the Prisma Glass High Shine Lip Gloss. There are 6 shades plus a clear option. They’re a smooth non-sticky kind of gloss with a super high shine and sheer pigment. You can layer it for the color to show up without it being too thick but overall pigment level is pretty sheer. You also have to do some serious wand pumping to get product onto the applicator. I would have loved it if the colors showed up better, but I really love the color and finish.
They do have a subtle plumping effect on my lips. It’s not a full tingle or numbing effect but it does feel like your lips become fuller after a few minutes.
Overall, very pretty and I get tons of compliments with this gloss, but it’s a bit high maintenance in the application, pretty spendy for the amount you get and the applicator doesn’t pick up enough product on its own.
There is a soft pearlescent quality to some of the shades I tried but on the lips it’s really not noticeable.
03 Honey Gleam is a pretty nude honey orange
02 Candy Halo is a warm fresh pink
05 Berry Beam is a cooler-toned rose pink (almost lilac)
04 Cherry Glaze is a bright but very sheer cherry red
Overall some really nice fresh makeup launches I think are very wearable and pretty for a polished but still natural look. For a smooth gloss I still think the Pat McGrath LUST Gloss and Dior Addict Lip Maximizers are better for formula + pigment, but I am still really enjoying the new glosses from Armani.
Rare Beauty launched a new blush called the Soft Pinch Luminous Blush ($26 each at Sephora) and they’re so beautiful. They’re shimmery blushes with the softest silky texture I’ve ever felt. I bought 4 of them to try but also ordered the other 2 (coming in the mail).
Cheer is a pale pink
Happy is a cool pink
Joy is a soft peach
Hope is an iridescent rose
I shared a Reel applying these last week. I really love these alone or layered on top of a cream blush, but I want to preface this by saying I love a good shimmer in blushes. I was chatting about these with a friend last week and her first question was “does it emphasize the pore situation?” and my answer is “yes it can, but it’s not as pore emphasizing as some powder highlighters I have (like the ones from Hermes, Becca or Benefit)”.
The texture is super smooth and the shimmers are UNREAL! These truly feel lightweight like there’s nothing on the skin. They have a beautiful finish and the shimmer is very soft and glowy without being frosty. This makes me want to try the Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighters although I am pretty shopped out with everything I hauled from the Sephora sale.
If you have a lot of texture and large pores I do think this could emphasize it. I do not have perfect skin but I don’t have large pores (except my nose area). These went on smooth for me and I had no issues. If you’re conservative on the glow in blushes then I’d recommend the Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic which have a more subtle shimmer to them.
I really love these. I think the colors are fun, youthful looking but not too trendy. I am 42 for a few more weeks and I think they are wearable for any age. The only downside is they do seem a little delicate/fragile.
You can still take advantage of some savings with the Sephora Savings Event using YAYSAVE (20% off for Rouge, 15% for VIBs and 10% off for Insiders, with 30% off all Sephora Collection).
I don’t know that I will have time to post my full haul here before the sale ends, I will try to round up everything by Monday. If you want to see my IN-STORE SEPHORA HAUL you can check it out here. I’ve saved some snippets to my SEPHORA RECOMMENDATIONS highlights on Instagram too @beautylookbook.
Guerlain launched their Terracotta Le Teint Foundation last year (reviewed here). This year they’ve added a Terracotta Concealer ($47) to the lineup and it has a beautiful formula. It’s what I would call a classic concealer formula – not too creamy, not too thick, not too matte, not too radiant. Formula is just right.
I used their shade chart to order Shade 3N since I use 3N and 3.5N in the foundation. It’s a good match but I wish I had purchased 2.5N for more brightening under the eyes. There is added fragrance and it’s pretty strong just like the foundation but it didn’t irritate my skin and seemed to wear just fine without any issues.
Below the 3N Le Teint foundation all over blended with the 3N Concealer
The only downside is applicator is difficult to pull out of the container. On one hand the design seems to ensure product will not leak. But it is difficult to pull out and takes some tugging (I have to be careful otherwise product goes flying everywhere).
I shared a quick look on my Instagram stories and had a number of questions about this and how it compares to other formulas. This is a classic formula with a satin finish and very good coverage and blendability. It doesn’t cake or crease. A little goes a long way and it’s easy to work with. Formula is VERY good in my opinion, but I still prefer the Natasha Denona concealer formula which is creamier, has better packaging and better for multi-tasking. This one also has fragrance in it but it’s not noticeable to me.
Comparison swatches below which I know are all over the place in terms of color. I am still in my winter skin tone so most of my matches look orangey on my skin but in a few weeks I will have my tan back and most of these will match better:
Terracotta Powder Blush
Guerlain also launched a new cheek product called the Terracotta Powder Blush ($55). These are soft silky satin blushes in beautiful colors. They have a soft texture with a little bit of a glow. I picked out two to try in 01 Rose Clair/Light Pink which is a soft pink and 02 Corail Clair/Light Coral a soft peach. Both show up well even on my medium skin tone.
They do not swatch the best on the arm or hand so I did not include arm swatches but they apply beautifully on the skin. They meld into the skin beautifully, last long. Colors are easy to build up pigment wise without looking cakey or powdery. If you like their bronzers I think you will like these.
They are heavily fragranced and while the colors are beautiful and very wearable (at least for the 2 I bought) I do think they can be easily duped from other brands like the ones from Gucci or Armani. That being said I do think the lasting power of these Guerlain ones is better.
KissKiss Bee Glow Oil
Guerlain launched lip oils and I am 100% in love with these. The KissKiss Bee Glow Oil ($40) comes in six shades and they have a color-reviving formula. They swatch sheer but once on the lips transform into a soft tint.
These are heavily scented with a strong honey scent but it’s pleasant to me and I love them. They’re thick and smoothing and give the lips a beautiful glazed look. On me they feel slightly plumping and they feel very hydrating.
Colors will most likely look a little different on everyone since they react to your pH. Lasting power is pretty good. They feel thick for an oil but it’s comfortable and adheres well to the lips.
The question so many of you have asked is how the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Oil compares to the Dior Lip Glow Oil and I have to say I have not really been a HUGE fan of the Dior ones. I think the Dior Lip Oil is a nice formula but in my experience all the colors look identical on my lips (clear). For me they just did not live up to the hype and the Dior formula feels like something that is going to slide off my lips (even though it is thick) and they feel sticky.
The Guerlain oils feel thicker and more cushiony but the texture isn’t tacky feeling. They also don’t feel like they’re sliding off my lips – it’s like a glossy hydrating cushion that stays put. The color reviving quality is stronger so more of a tint shows up on my lips with the Guerlain oils.
Last I have a quick look at the KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balms ($40 each). These are color reviving balms with a sheer wash of color but transform on your lips. I did quick swatches of these on my arm since the way they will look on my lips most likely won’t be the same for everyone. These are highly under-rated. I think the Guerlain KissKiss Be Glow balms rival the Dior Addict Lip Glow in formulas for hydration and color. I love both formulas. If you’re looking to try something new I highly recommend checking out the ones from Guerlain for better hydration (I think Honey Glow is my favorite).
I think the balm + oils layered in coordinating colors create a really pretty combination!
That wraps up my Guerlain roundup! Absolutely obsessed with the new Lip Oils and I will be keeping one of the balms in my purse at all times. Concealer and blushes are nice but not must-haves. I do think the formulas and colors are excellent, I am just not sure I would call them game changers or super unique.
I have a mini review today featuring two things I bought recently. Valentino Beauty launched a few items in white and gold limited-edition packaging and I picked them up over the past few months. I picked up the Rosso Valentino Satin Lipstick in 100R Roman Grace ($45) and Eye2Cheek Blush + Shadow in 03 Rosa Emozione ($52). Both shades are part of the permanent lineup so if you can’t find the white packaging edition know they are still available in the classic red + gold.
Eye2Cheek Blush
It’s been a while since I’ve played with Valentino Beauty (review + swatches from several years ago when the line first launched here). Over the holiday I started playing with some of the Eye2Cheek shades in 04 and 08 which many of you really loved. I forgot how silky smooth they are! You can use them on both the eyes and cheeks, but since I have mostly pink and coral shades I’ve been using them as blush.
These have a very fine soft powdery texture. They’re so soft and silky they almost feel creamy to the touch. Finish has a very fine pearl sheen to most of them, but a few have a more noticeable shimmer. Shade 03 Rosa Emozione is a beautiful baby pink with gold shimmer. It can double as a highlighter since it’s shimmery. I think it’s beautiful!
I bought the Rosso Valentino Satin Lipstick in 100R (shade in permanent packaging here) a few months ago while traveling and it’s the perfect neutral nude mauve pink for me. It has a satin finish so it has a little bit of a sheen to it. I think I tried this in a mini several years ago and I’m not sure why I didn’t wear it more often. I really love it now. The case is refillable for both the red and white packaging.
I did a few swatch comparisons below which I will say look a little off but I suspect it’s because my body has completely lost its tan. These rose mauve lips all look so darker on lighter skin tones because of any brown or mauve undertone they may have. On my face/lips they don’t look as dark.
Overall really love. I think the Valentino Beauty line is really under-rated and I suspect it’s because of the packaging. So may of you have told me the packaging colors are a bit clashy looking and the plastic has a cheap look and feel. I have to say I agree. The packaging is actually well-constructed and sturdy but there’s something about the plastic in red that makes it kinda unappealing. The white plastic is the same material but somehow looks more elevated. That being said the actual products perform really well.
You can also customize the palette combination of the compact + palette inside on the Hourglass website (they have an exclusive Owl design) although I ordered the palettes as they are named/pre-designed. There are repeats in each palette but Hourglass gave us quite a few new shades this year.
Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Jellyfish
The Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Jellyfish is probably my favorite although I’m not thrilled about the finishing powder repeats. They are nice to have and work well to set or blur, but I think the vast majority of us already own the setting powder and are craving all new shades.
Lunar Bronze swatches warm on my arm but it’s actually more neutral. The pink blushes are neutral and the new highlighter pulls cool-toned on me. I am currently in between MAC NC30 and NC35 (I’m wearing NC35 in the new MAC Studio Radiance Serum Foundation) and this one surprisingly shows up on me. At first glance I thought there could be a chance it would be too light but it works for me!
Diffused Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
Rose Fusion Blush (new)
Opal Strobe Light Strobe Powder (new)
Bronzer Lunar Bronze (new)
Diffused Heat Blush (repeat, available individually)
Ethereal Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
The Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Leopard Palette seems the most versatile to me but it has a lot of repeats in it. I do think if you’re new to Hourglass or makeup and want a good mix of shades that you can wear with almost any lip, this is it.
Dim Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
Celestial Strobe Light Strobe Powder (repeat from Holiday 2022 Butterfly Palette and 2023 Blush & Glow Palette)
Mood Exposure Blush (repeat, available individually)
Iridescent Rose Blush (repeat from Holiday 2019 Ghost)
Ethereal Flush (new)
Lustrous Bronze Light Bronzer (repeat from Holiday 2022 Elephant)
The Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked – Snake is the most unique as it has almost all new shades. It pulls very warm and reminds me of the Holiday 2022 Tiger Palette, but isn’t as orangey. This year’s Snake Palette has more pink tones but still pulls warm.
Radiant Light Finishing Powder (repeat, available individually)
I tried to get the same camera and lighting settings as last year to do side by side swatches. I think they’re close enough to give you an idea of how different/similar they are. Full review of Holiday 2022 here.
Holiday 2023 vs Holiday 2022 Palettes
Overall I think the Holiday 2023 palettes are really beautiful. For me they were worth the splurge even though they’re incredibly expensive. Are any of them must-haves? I think it depends on how many other Hourglass palettes you own, but I do think this year’s palettes are among the prettiest ones I’ve tried.
Based on the feedback from many of you, opinions seem mixed. A good portion of you are like me: love these and collect them every year, even if there are duplicates and similarities. Then there are quite a few who passed on the last year’s palettes and aren’t quite sure about this year’s because you own one or two from several years ago and either never used them or think there are too many similarities to justify another one.
With the holiday season approaching (sets come out earlier and earlier every year), I think there will definitely be some upcoming sales like Friends and Family discounts or gift card events etc. You might want to bookmark these or add these to your wishlists for those times.
Currently available at Hourglass Cosmetics. Customization options are exclusive to Hourglass. Pre-designed palettes will be launching at all retailers starting September 22.
What do you think about these palettes? Did you order any of these yet?
I’ve been really loving Givenchy Beauty these days and thought I’d do a roundup review featuring some things I’ve tried and loved from the Prisme Libre line for the complexion.
The Prisme Libre Glow Foundation has a lightweight texture that is easy to blend with medium coverage. It’s similar in concept to the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation but the Givenchy’s texture is not as thick making it easier to blend with a more comfortable feel and finish. There is a very slight amount of oxidation on this as it sets but it pretty much stays true to color from when you first apply.
The Prisme Libre Hydrating Radiant Creamy Concealer is pure love. I swatched a few in store and could have used a few different shades but C305 works for my under eye area to brighten and even out the skin. It has a creamy feel and is really easy to blend. I like that it doesn’t settle into fine lines. It doesn’t cake or crease on me. The applicator is cushiony and picks up a good amount of product so you don’t need to keep pumping the tube.
Setting Powder
For setting the Prisme Libre Loose Setting Powder is one of the best loose powders I’ve tried. It’s finely milled and sets to blurred perfection. I’ve tried 3 shades based on your requests. I first picked up Shade 4 Mousseline Acidulee which is described as best for medium skin tones. It works well even though the green and lilac color correcting shades can be a bit intimidating. I don’t personally need color correcting but it’s the only shade right now for medium skin tones.
I also tried Shade 3 Voile Rose and Shade 5 Popeline Mimosa. I can make them work depending on what base I’m using. I think in the winter months I can definitely use Voile Rose without it looking too light. Most of the time Popeline Mimosa is a bit too dark/tan but I tan easily.
Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blush
Saved the best for last! I think the Prisme Libre Loose Powder Blushes are so fun. They will definitely take a bit more effort to apply compared to a compact powder blush but I don’t mind at all. These come with a little puff that you can dab onto the cheeks. I prefer using a brush since it mixes the colors better when you swirl and apply. The puff is workable but with the way the loose pigments disperse into the lid sometimes I end up getting uneven application and patches of some colors show up a bit blotchy.
I posted a video demo on Reels to show the color in action. I would say pigment varies depending on how dry/oily your skin is and if you have a cream blush underneath.
When I have a fully powdered matte face the powders pull a bit lighter. When there is even just a slight amount of oil or cream on my skin the colors darken a bit and more pigment shows up. You can probably see the slight oxidation/darkening of Shade 2 on my reel a bit better.
I am wearing different lips to match each blush, but the rest of the look breakdown includes:
I don’t have much to report on the lips from Givenchy. I used a number of lipstick shades in the past but I think a lot of the formulas have since been reformulated or discontinued. I did try a few of the Rose Perfecto Tinted Liquid Balms but was a bit underwhelmed. They’re nice but not extraordinary (in my opinion). They just launched the Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet Lipstick which I have ordered and will review.
If you have any favorites please let me know in the comments!
