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On My Radar / New in Beauty

August 19, 2014

A few new items on my radar this week:

  1. Truffle Privacy Clutches have just launched in 4 colors Dove Grey, Blush, White and Seaglass
  2. Edward Bess has designed a new Ultra Slick Lipstick in Betty named for personal shopper Betty Halbreich, an emblem of style at Bergdorf Goodman since 1976
  3. Urban Decay Naked Basics2 just launched today on Urbandecay.com (it will be available at other retailers later this fall)
  4. Make Up For Ever launched their new Artist Shadows (over 200 shades), I quickly swatched a few in-store a couple days ago but didn’t have time to look in detail, the texture seems super soft and pigmented
  5. Guerlain Les Sables Four Pan Palette is one of three Guerlain eye palettes to launch early fall
  6. Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick is a new formula that comes in over 20 shades, there are a number of stunning soft rose pinks, I have my eye on Fall in Rose, Baby Rose, and Golden Girl
  7. MAC Prep + Prime Finishing Mist is supposed to be the regular Fix+ in upgraded packaging, I’ve been a huge fan of the regular Fix+, I hope the formula didn’t change too much (or at all really), if you’ve seen this, do you think it’s the same?
  8. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate is Shiseido’s latest for anti-aging and skin smoothing, it claims to give your skin the ultimate glow in just one week, I’ll have to investigate and see if I can find a small sample
  9. Bobbi Brown has a new limited-edition Smoky Nudes Eye Shadow Palette, I’ve found these to be hit or miss in the past with formulas, the colors look stunning from stock photos
  10. Bobbi Brown Sandstone Shimmerbrick is a repromote with the Smoky Nudes collection, it is one of my favorites of all the Shimmerbricks, if you missed out before I highly recommend you check this one out
  11. Bobbi Brown has four new Creamy Matte Lip Colors in Nude, Warm Nude, Soft Nude and Pink Nude, all of these colors look like they are right up my alley, although I’m not a fan of matte lips, I might make an exception if the colors are naturally flattering
What’s on your fall beauty radar?

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On Instagram / Weekend Reads

August 17, 2014

I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekend! I took a couple days off blogging to run errands,  spend time with out-of-town guests, and took a trip to Beverly Hills to check out the new NARS Audacious Lipsticks (they are incredible). I also made a quick stop to the Edward Bess counter at Neiman Marcus and left with a couple goodies I’ve had on my to-buy list for ages. A few quick snapshots from Instagram over the past week or so, you can follow me @beautylookbook.

Some weekend reads and beauty news I’m loving:

  • Edward Bess will be launching his Hair Hero on QVC starting September 5th – Harper’s Bazaar
  • Digital Art Director at Barneys Erica Choi from @eggcanvas on Instagram launched an amazing blog, follow her! – Egg Canvas
  • A first look + swatches of the stunning Tom Ford Nude Dip Eye Color Quad – Temptalia 
  • NARS Audacious Lipstick swatches of the nudes/neutrals in Jane, Julie, Anna, Barbara, Anita, Raquel, Brigitte and Vanessa – Makeup and Beauty Blog
  • New lips products with the Rouge Dior Baume Collection – British Beauty Blogger
  • Monthly beauty favorites roundup and new hair color – The RaeViewer 
  • Quick peek at Chanel Holiday Makeup Collection – Rouge Deluxe 
Have you discovered any new beauty loves this weekend? I can’t wait to share my NARS and Edward Bess picks with you!
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Marc Jacobs Beauty Magic and Superstar Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyls

August 14, 2014

Marc Jacobs Beauty has two new Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyls (Sheer) in Magic and Superstar ($28 each for 5 ml/0.16 fl oz). Magic is a sheer champagne gold nude shimmer and Superstar is a sparkling mauve pink with silvery shimmers. Both are very sheer like other shades in the same formula (reviews of Kissability, Heart Shaped and Overprotected). In case you haven’t seen the previous reviews and are new to Marc Jacobs lip glosses, the Lip Vinyl Sheers have a flexible sponge tip. There is a soft vanilla-cake scent to these but they have a slight cooling sensation and plump the lips. I found them gentle enough for my sensitive lips. The texture is smooth and shiny.

Magic applies virtually clear on my lips adding shine. I was hoping there would be a visible golden iridescent glow on the lips but on me it’s almost invisible. I expected Superstar to be really frosty based on what it looks like in the tube but it’s actually not. It’s a less frosted version of Chanel Blizzard Glossimer (which is a classic but very shimmery). I was surprised how pretty this one was.

Close ups and lip swatch of Magic, it’s a sheer gloss that will be nice to top lipsticks, but if you’re anything like me, you probably have plenty of sheer glosses in your arsenal:

Close up and lip swatch of Superstar:

Swatch comparisons to NARS Greek Holiday, NARS Gold Digger, Chanel Arlequin Glossimer (discontinued), Chanel Blizzard Glossimer, MAC Dazzleglass in Roman Holiday, Chanel Wild Rose Glossimer:

I expected to fall in love with Magic but ended up liking Superstar much more. Even though these are intended to be sheer glosses I can’t help but wish they had more pigment. Still, I’m loving the look of Superstar on the lips.

Both are currently available now at Sephora for $28 each. Have you tried any of the Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinlys? What were your thoughts? Any favorites?

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Truffle Clarity Clutches

August 14, 2014

I have an obsession with clear makeup pouches and flat clutches, so when I discovered a brand called Truffle that combined the two into one product I was beyond thrilled. I fell in love with this clear one by Bobbi Brown which was part of a GWP one year, I haven’t been able to find anything similar that I liked enough to purchase (Make Up For Ever
has similar ones but you can’t buy them online). The Truffle pouches
come pretty close but with a different design twist which I love. Truffle carries a number of different flat pouches that range in size, design, color and shape. I was particularly smitten with the shape and size of the Small Clarity Clutch ($42). It measures 7 1/2” tall X 9 1/2” wide and is designed with a luxe textured leather trim and gold plated hardware, and it’s size is TSA approved making it the perfect companion for any carry-on. Truffle kindly sent a white one for review, I loved it so much I bought another one in grey.

The small Clarity Clutches are compact enough to fit the essentials for makeup: compact, mini hand cream, lipgloss, eyeshadow stick, eyeliner, mini perfume and a lipstick. The plastic case is well made so it’s thick and sturdy yet flexible. The leather trim is well designed, it has a textured surface that is also extremely sturdy and holds the shape of the bag well. I’ve found these really good for organizing accessories and makeup. The small size helps me keep a well edited makeup bag. Those who have seen past Inside My Bag posts know I tend to have an overpacked makeup bag (even on the go).

When it comes to my purses or totes, I like bags that are flat so they slip in easily and don’t bulk up my bag. I like that these keep everything slim and compact. Here’s the Small Clarity Clutch next to my Prada Saffiano Tote which measures approximately 8 1/2″H x 13″W x 5″D for size comparison with makeup essentials stored inside:

Above shown includes: Small business cards
Chanel Glossimer Wild Rose
NARS Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday
By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Frozen Quartz
YSL Volupté Candy No. 14 Belle Cannelle
Hermes and Celine Bracelets
These are also great for the pool or beach to carry a few things with you. The clear pouch makes it easy to find things in your bag. Below is the Small White Clarity Clutch with beach and pool essentials tucked inside. For the beach the larger size would be more ideal to carry larger sunscreens, hair ties, a small comb etc.

J.crew Summer Straw Hat (similar)
Purex Hand Sanitizer mini
Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers

Overall a huge thumbs up. Even though the $42 price tag seems a bit steep for a small makeup bag, they are extremely well made clutches – the quality is definitely there in the material and design. The leather is thick and sturdy and the hardware is also very good. You can find out more about Truffle on their website www.onetruffle.com. Also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for new on the latest releases, occasional promo codes and Truffle inspiration. There are a number of different pouch and clutch options to suit your personal taste.

I’d love to hear what your favorite makeup bags are. Do you have any favorites that are clear?

 
One clutch courtesy of Truffle for review consideration, the other clutch was purchased by me. For more information see my Disclosures.

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Lumira + Beauty Look Book Giveaway

August 13, 2014
http://www.atelierlumira.com/

I have exciting news for The Beauty Look Book readers. Lumira is offering a giveaway of a glass and travel candle of choice to one lucky winner. You can enter the contest via the Rafflecopter widget below. There will be up to four ways to enter (some entries will give you more entry points).

No Purchase is necessary to win.

Promotion Description: This is a Beauty Look Book Giveaway of 1 Lumira Signature Candle and 1 Travel Candle. One winner will be selected at random via the Rafflecopter widget. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Giveaway entries begin today August 13th and ends August 20th, 11:59 PM PST.

Eligibility: Open to entrants 18 years old or older. Open to entrants internationally.

There are up to four ways to enter, see terms and conditions in widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more information on Lumira and their candle collections, you can check out their website www.atelierlumira.com (my personal favorites are Tahitian Coconut and Persian Rose). Many thanks to Lumira for this kind offer 🙂 Good luck!
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Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick | Insatiable Ivory and Intense Nude

August 12, 2014

Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks ($30 each) launched several months ago and I just got around to checking them out at my local counters. Swatches and looks kept surfacing showing beautifully pigmented rich colors. There is a diverse range of color options with this new lipstick formula. I’ve avoided Estee Lauder lipsticks for a long time due to the super strong fig scent which I could not tolerate. I’m happy to report the new Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks have no detectable scent and that they come in a sleek modern-looking navy and gold tube.

These are described as a high-intensity sculpting lipstick that comes in statement classic colors. I found the ones I tested to be very creamy and highly pigmented in color. They applied smoothly and the color did stay put quite long, however on my bare lips, the formula seemed to appear a bit thick and dry in texture emphasizing my lip lines (although right now I do have lips that are a bit more dry than they normally are). I added a bit of By Terry Baume de Rose underneath and this fixed all texture issues. Of course I picked out two natural shades. Insatiable Ivory is a peachy nude beige and Intense Nude is a medium rose brown with pinkish tones.

Swatches and close ups:

Insatiable Ivory pulls more peachy on my skin. It’s a good nude shade that doesn’t wash out the complexion. You get full coverage with two swipes:

Intense Nude isn’t really nude (at least not to me). Some call shades like MAC Twig or Spirit nudes, but to me they’re really rose colors with different variations of brown. I find Estee Lauder Intense Nude to be a more pinky rose brown rather than a true nude.

Some comparison swatches:

NARS Dolce Vita Lipgloss (swatches)

I like these lipsticks but feel they are on the steep side for Estee Lauder. For some reason I feel these should be more in the mid $20ish range, but that’s just me. The quality is there but the colors, although classic statement colors, seem a bit basic for me. They do have a sculpting/defining quality which I attribute to the thicker (but smooth) texture. On me, I prefer something not quite as sculpting since I already have full lips, but I could see a difference with these as they made the lips more defined.

Bottom line, they are good basics and there are a lot of wearable colors. I like that the colors seemed to just work, no lipliner or gloss needed to tweak the colors, although it was a bit dry on its own for me. Since I haven’t tried much from Estee Lauder lately, I thought I’d try something new from the line. It’s like, but not love. I’ll still be reaching for my Burberry, Tom Ford, Edward Bess, YSL lipsticks.

I purchased my Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks ($30 each) from Nordstrom. There are currently 25 colors to choose from.
Did you try any of these lipsticks? What did you think?
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Sneak Peek, Reviews Soon: NARS, Clé de Peau Beauté, Elizabeth and James, One Truffle, YSL, Chanel and more …

August 12, 2014

A quick sneak peek at reviews to be posted soon, some things I’ve been testing now for a couple weeks, others I’m working my way through swatches as fast as I can:

Stay tuned!
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