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Paul & Joe Holiday Event from Guest Writer Lakshmi

December 14, 2009

Guest Writer Lakshmi brings us a detailed account of her recent makeover at Bergdorf Goodman with the Paul & Joe team for their holiday event along with lovely photos of her amazing haul (credit to go to her friend Dhruv for taking these photos)! It looks like the Mesmerize Holiday Palette is a big hit this season – want to know how to use this and what products to coordinate with it? Read on for her experience . . .

L to R: Nail Polish 06, Lip Lacquer 07, Lip Lacquer 10

Intrigued by rave articles on Paul & Joe, I decided to go in for a makeover at Bergdorf Goodman and had Caroline do my make-up which was just wonderful, the whole experience was totally fun! Here’s what she used on me:

Skin Prep
Caroline started by cleansing my face with the Cleansing Milk N, followed by the Refreshing Toner. Since my skin is very dry at the moment she followed it up with a richer toner that you just press into the skin instead of applying with a cotton pad. All these skin products have an orange blossom fragrance that is very soothing. She then applied some moisture cream, which was a little too heavy, so she blotted away the excess moisturizer and followed with an application of their Protective Foundation Primer.

Foundation
After the skin-prep, Caroline then proceeded with an application of the Protective Fluid Foundation. I am Indian with deeper skintones (MAC NC43) and unfortunately they did not have a perfect match for concealer so she opted for a Shu Uemura concealer from the neighboring counter as an alternative! She set my foundation with some loose face powder.

Eyes
* Step 1) Eyes were first prepped with a layer of their eye primer
* Step 2) She then applied the lightest shade (lilac) from the Mesmerize palette all over the lid
* Step 3) The medium shade from the same palette was blended in the crease to warm up my eyes, because the lilac was a little too cool toned for my skin
* Step 4) The next thing she did which was my favorite part of the entire makeover – she took the darkest shade in the palette (the black sparkly one) and lined my eyes extending it into the outer V, while smudging this to make it look diffused and soft.
* Step 5) She then deepened this eyeliner effect with Pearl Powder in 001 (smokey black shimmer) and lined my eyes with a black pencil liner.
* Step 6) Finishing touches – just to give some sparkle she used the Pearl Powder 03 on the center of my lid, applied and blended lightly with a finger.

While seemingly complicated, this combination of products gave my eyes a soft smokey look with a wonderful gradient effect from the darkest black color at the lashline slowly blending upward and outward. She then applied their mascara in black, the brush is quite thick and the formula seems glossy and volumizing, so can’t wait to try that. Since she applied it with a disposable wand, I have yet to see the effect of application with the brush.

Cheeks
I had already seen so many things I wanted to buy and we couldn’t really decide on a face color that was suitable, so she just applied the darker shade of their bronzer as a blush. I think that this shade is very comparable to MAC’s Refined Golden bronzer.

Lips
She applied a lipliner (don’t remember the number but it was a brick colored one) filled in lips with a brick reddish-brown lipstick (not limited edition packaging), followed by Lip Lacquer #10. We also tried Lip Lacquer #07 which complimented the rest of the look perfectly too!

What I ended up going home with:

  • Pearl Powders in 001, 002 and 03
  • Lash Mascara in 01 (black)
  • Lip Lacquers in 07 and 10 – they are unlike anything I’ve tried and have an amazing finish…
  • Nail Enamel in 06


The gift with purchase was a beautiful Paul & Joe notebook in purple to match their holiday collection packaging!

Pearl Powders: 03 (top), 002 (front left), 001 (front right)

Mascara

Nail Polish 06

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Holiday Jet Set from Edward Bess

December 11, 2009

The highly anticipated Jet Set collection from Edward Bess finally arrived at my front door! Krista from Bergdorf Goodman was kind enough to tell me about this set a few months ago and put me on the wait list. Luckily it arrived just in time for their $25 off $100 event!

The set is exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman and retails for $125 but you can also purchase the items individually. Inside the kit:

  • Island Escape Eyeshadow Trio – Comes with an ivory shimmer, a matte medium brown, a matte smokey brown. Great pigment and easily blendable.
  • Island Rose Compact Rouge for Lips & Cheeks – This is a bright watermelon almost-fuschia pink cream with no detectable shimmer in the pot. Even though it looks and swatches bright, it wears very natural and gives a nice pink glow. The texture is creamy and easily blendable.
  • Natural Lipliner – A creamy twist-up neutral pinky-brown.

I’m doing a tag-team post with the FABULOUSLY AMAZING KarlaSugar for the Edward Bess Jet Set. She brought all of us a Sneak Peak of the Jet Set with details and prices (items can be purchased individually) last month. Just posted today, check out her blog for the Swatches of the Holiday Jet Set with comparisons too!

Close up:


This was the look I did today with the kit and it lasted pretty much all day with the exception of the lips after I had my lunch.

Face:
Edward Bess Island Rose on cheeks

Eyes:
Laura Mercier Platinum Metallic Cream Eyeshadow
Edward Bess Island Escape Trio: pale ivory on lid, medium 1/2 way up lid blended, dark as a smokey liner (so it was a gradual dark at lash line to lighter up the lid)
Le Metier Tamarack Eyeliner
D&G Mascara

Lips:
Edward Bess Natural Lipliner
Chanel Formentera Aqualumiere
Edward Bess Sweet Dreams Lipgloss

Overall thoughts – My readers know I’m a fan of Edward Bess products as great line for wearable classic neutrals. For this kit, I have mixed feelings mainly because of the high price tag. The quality and pigment of this kit is just as good as everything else I’ve tried from his line, and I know I will get a lot of use out of each product from this kit because the colors are very wearable and give a natural and pretty polished look.

For me, the winner in the kit is the Island Rose Compact. It looks very bright in the pot and swatched, but blends out to give a perfect natural pink blush. It’s similar to Bobbi Brown’s Raspberry Pink Pot Rouge but warmer and slightly more dewy. (Check karla’s blog for swatch comparisons.)

I like the eyeshadow trio and lipliner for the quality and convenience for a no-fail everyday look, but I feel like the colors can be easily duplicated with other brands. That being said, I do like everything, but if I had seen/tested them in person, I think I would have probably splurged on some more lipsticks from the line.

Anyone else get the Jet Set? What are your thoughts and how are you coordinating the products with your current makeup stash?

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Edward Bess Eyeshadow Gorgeousness

December 9, 2009

It was love at first sight for the Intimate & Dusk Eyeshadows from Edward Bess. I had read about the line before but never really paid much attention until I started receiving the Bergdorf Goodman catalog in the mail. I have Leanne (aka Artbabe) to thank for enabling me – she described Intimate as the taupe “you can’t go wrong with.” I was immediately sold!

I’ve since discovered a few other Edward Bess fans, Alexa (aka Nekochama), Robin (aka Applepark) and Leslie (aka LeslieCZ) to name a few. Thanks to their expertise and glowing reviews have pushed me over the edge to collect all the single eyeshadows he has created.


They are pricey at $29 each but I have to say they are worth every penny if you love neutrals. At first glance, the eyeshadows may seem very ordinary, but when you look closer and swipe them with your finger, you will realize how incredibly gorgeous each shade is. I find the mirrored compact design is refreshingly clean and simple. I will do my best to describe each color:

* Nude – pale buttercream with a very slight luster
* Intimate – a light luminescent warm tan/taupe, hard to describe, but LOVE
* Dusk – a gorgeous complex grey-brown-taupe shimmer that has a bit of gold and khaki
* Escape – warm coppery shimmer
* Mystery – complex dusty coffee brown with slight shimmer
* Night – matte charcoal-black with a satin finish

Nude


Intimate

Dusk

Escape


Mystery

Night


Swatches – these really do not do the colors justice!

With flash:

No flash:


I have to admit at times cannot believe I spent $29 on a single eyeshadow (or all 6 for that matter). But I really love the colors and quality. My favorites are Intimate, Dusk and Mystery. You can see a look I put together using Dusk in A Week of Looks I’m Loving Right Now: Day 1.

While I like Nude and Night, I think they can be easily duplicated with other brands so to me, if I had seen and tested them in person first, I probably wouldn’t have bought these 2.

I like these because they are neutral but not boring. They are timeless and appropriate for any age. There’s just enough sparkle/glow to each shade to give a luminescent glow, but not overly so which will make these work for ladies who avoid shimmer/frost like the plague.

One more view:
* Top Row – Nude, Intimate, Dusk
* Bottom Row – Escape, Mystery, Night


These were all purchased from Bergdorf Goodman. Krista the Brand Manager there for the line has been super helpful in describing colors to me. Love that she is friendly, knowledgeable, and not at all pushy. She actually tried to talk me out of Nude since I was getting the Jet Set (more on this set soon) and told me that the pale shade in the palette was similar to Nude. Also great there with Edward Bess is Susan – super friendly and helpful as well.

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Neiman Marcus Holiday Exclusives for Bobbi Brown: Mini Shimmer Bricks & Lipsticks

November 23, 2009

The Bobbi Brown Neiman Marcus exclusives have arrived in-store which include 3 mini shimmer bricks in Nectar, Plum and Sandstone along with the exclusive lipsticks in Pink Nectar and Sand.

The colors are stunning and the packaging is gorgeous, but the bad news is that there is no set price as thought by my SA and price is steep at $45 each. They are extremely tiny and encased in a heavy magnetized metal compact with a velvet pouch. The lipsticks are regular price $22 and come in the same special packaging as the chrome lipsticks in Sand (nude beige) and Pink Nectar (coral-pink). They are also repromoting Port from the Chrome Collection.


There are three ways to get a better deal on these:

* Starting the 22nd until the 29th, you can save 10% off a purchase of $200 or more at Neiman Marcus
* Neiman Marcus will have their Incircle event starting December 7th – there will be a GWP
* Wait for Bergdorf Goodman’s $25 off $100 event starting December 2nd (however do note quantities may be limited)

The Neimans near me said they only received 3 of each shimmer brick and a limited quantity of the lipsticks. I was on the wait list, so my SA called me as soon as they came in.

The colors are indeed stunning but at $45 each, I feel they should have at least been the full size or come with a brush.

Close up of Plum & Nectar:


Size comparison:


Lipstick and lipgloss comparisons:


The Paul & Joe series will be continued tomorrow.

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First Look at Paul & Joe Holiday from Guest Writer Joey

October 11, 2009

Paul & Joe has released some really cute items for the holiday including new pearl powders, face colors, eyeliners, eyeshadow palettes, lip lacquers and some new body items. Check out the collection details on their 2009 Smoke & Mirrors Winter Creation Collection on the Paul & Joe Beaute Website or on the Paul & Joe Facebook Fan Page. Joey was sweet enough to bring us a first look at the collection and share her makeover from the Bergdorf Goodman event she attended this weekend!

Left to right: Lip Gloss #10, Lip Lacquer #10, Lipstick #002

Top to bottom: Pearl Powder #002 and Eye Gloss #5

Left to right: Eye Gloss #5 and Pearl Powder #002

I am so thrilled to be writing a guest review for The Beauty Look Book, so I thought it’d be wonderful to feature a brand that both Lina and I have an obsession over: Paul and Joe Beaute!

I (un)luckily live and work nearby Bergdorf Goodman in NYC and today the Paul and Joe counter was having a makeover event to debut the Holiday collection. Of course, I booked myself an appointment with one of the global artists (Jocelyn from L.A.), and since I had already placed my Holiday order, all I had to do was sit and relax.

Jocelyn started by giving me a mini facial, removing my makeup with the Light Cleansing Milk and Refreshing Skin Toner (which I know Lina loves, as do I!). She then massaged my face with the Moisturizing Facial Mask, this luxurious wipe off mask. My skin was finished with a light application of the Moisture Lotion N and Moisture Gel for my undereyes. While I was being treated to that lovely mini-facial, another artist demoed the new Treatment Peel-Off Mask on my left hand. There was a significant different in the texture and feel of my left hand, but I have a sample of the mask at home to try on my face before I buy a full-size.

What I really appreciated about Jocelyn was that she incorporated products I already owned into my look, and did not pressure me to buy anything (it already helped that I had my order placed previous to my makeover). Also, she stopped after every step to show me her progress and obtain my approval before moving on.

For my face, she used the Creamy Powder Compact foundation (my HG!) in shade #40, the new Under Eye Concealer in shade #02, the Holiday Highlighting Powder (the pinker shade) under my eyes and across my cheekbones, and Face Colour #12 (which I have and love) on the apples of my cheeks.

My eyes had a simple gold-brown look. The new warm-brown toned Holiday trio was used (lightest shade allover, middle shade in crease, and darkest in outer corner). Also, Eye Gloss #4 (a pale pink) was used in the center of my lid, and Pearl Powder #002 from the Holiday collection (a reddish taupe) was placed on top of that. The purple-gray eyeliner pencil from Holiday was used to line my lids, and over that went an application of the other Holiday Pearl Powder (a sooty gray) mixed with Fluid Eye Liner (a black) for a sparkly effect. My lashes were Mascara Duo N #1 (black) mixed with that gray Pearl Powder for a sparkly effect.

My lips were Lip Liner #06 (a brick red), topped with Lipstick #063 from the Spring collection (which is what I was wearing when I went for the makeover – Jocelyn loved it and refused to remove it) and the new Lip Lacquer #10, a reddish-plum-brown shade.

To say I was pleased was an understatement! I looked dramatic but sophisticated. I ended up purchasing Pearl Powder #002 and Lip Lacquer #10 from Holiday, Lipstick L #002 from the Summer collection (a sheer vivid hot pink), Lip Gloss N #10 (a pretty sparkly rust shade that I thought would be perfect with NARS Toundra Velvet Matte Pencil), and Eye Gloss N #5, a gorgeous shimmery taupe. Also, I received a gorgeous GWP that included a notebook, a little soap dish, and four generous skincare samples! All in all, it was a wonderful experience; Paul and Joe is a makeup and skincare line to fall deeply in love with, right Lina?

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Edward Bess Product Swatches

October 3, 2009

I received these swatches in the mail from Krista from the Edward Bess counter at Bergdorfs today. Those interested in Edward Bess’s line but aren’t near NYC to check out his colors in person, I hope this post will help you!

Huge hugs and kisses to the ladies at Edward Bess. I love everything and thank you so much for these swatches.

FYI, a few notes and disclaimers:
* The glosses have tape over the swatches to prevent bleeding
* In the top photo, the first gloss Desert Glow (pale flesh beige) has bled into Soft Whisper (nude-beige) – so please click on the photo for larger viewing
* I am not affiliated with Bergdorf Goodman or Edward Bess – just a very happy customer
* Please note these swatches may vary on your screen compared to what I see

Other tips:
* Check Makeupalley.com for awesome product reviews
* There are additional swatches at Edwardbess.com
* Check out THIS LINK for other resources (Blogdorfgoodman, The Non-Blonde & The Beauty Alchemist)

I will be posting photos and swatches of the lipsticks I bought in the next week!

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Edward Bess Daydream Ultra Luminous Bronzer

October 3, 2009

I am excited to feature more pictures and swatches of Edward Bess products in the next few days. My feelings for his line have grown from intrigue to anticipation to pure adoration for his high quality and richly pigmented classic colors. For face products, Edward Bess currently has two shades of his Ultra Luminous Bronzer and for my skintone I was recommended Daydream.

Daydream is a satiny soft bronze color that is somewhere in between matte and shimmery. One thing I love about many of the Edward Bess products is that at first glance, the colors look basic and ordinary, but if you look closely at the bronzer and eyeshadows you can see a soft glowy-ness with gorgeous shimmers that give it a natural depth once applied to the skin.

Here is Daydream compared to some other neutral bronzers I have: Becca Duende, MAC Golden, Bobbi Brown Bali Brown, Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania #5 and Chanel Sierra (discontinued). My swatches ended up looking muddy, but to help compare Edward Bess Daydream to the other shades, it is the truest-tan brown, without any hints of orange, more pigmented and darker than MAC Golden, similar to Bobbi Brown Bali Brown minus the shimmer and a bit more tan.

I think this would work well with medium-tones. The price of this bronzer is $48 which I felt was steep, but I know it will give me the tanned glow I love without having to worry about too much shimmer or looking too flat.

Overall thoughts: The products in his line are priced on the higher side than the average high-end luxury brand with prices along the lines of Armani, Chanel and YSL. Even so, I want more of his products and wish he made blushes! Hopefully he will release some in the future at a reasonable price.

FYI, according to Fabulous Over Forty’s article Edward Bess: The Latest of Color and Class, expect to see a cream blush out for the holidays around November!)

I look forward to trying out more of his products, perhaps visiting New York to see the entire line in person, and hope his line will see the same success as Bobbi Brown who also started her line at Bergdorf Goodman with 10 classic lipsticks (of course in his own unique personal way). For pictures of more Edward Bess items I have, check out First Look at Edward Bess: Naturally Chic.

Stay tuned for more posts about the lipsticks and glosses!

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