Edward Bess Archives - Page 12 of 16

A Closer Look at Edward Bess Blush Allure, Demi Buff & Rose Demure Lipsticks

January 3, 2011

It seems there has been much excitement about the new lip items from Edward Bess even if thoughts about the new packaging have been mixed. My first review was completed about a month ago linked here New Lip Items from Edward Bess. Other reviews, swatches and details of these new colors have been posted by other great bloggers:

Café Makeup – Edward Bess, New Lipsticks & Glosses (Swatches)
Best Things in Beauty – Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick . . .
Blogdorf Goodman – Bess is More

As far as I know, each of these lipsticks are available individually for $32 each but were also part of a trio with all three for $75 during Bergdorf Goodman’s last gift card event. Here is a closer look at the new lipsticks in Blush Allure, Demi Buff & Rose Demure.

After testing these for a few weeks, the formula and texture seem to be the same even though the packaging is different. I find that the fig scent is more subtle, but everything else seems to be the same great consistency, coverage and finish as the lipsticks in the older packaging. The new ones are embossed with Edward’s initials (as seen below).

Blush Allure is a pale nude pink. I find it similar in lightness to YSL’s Rouge Volupte #1. The difference is slight, but Blush Allure is slightly darker and the YSL is slightly cooler toned. You can see below it has full creamy coverage, but on me it’s too light and mod-like on my lips. This color is lovely once blotted down and topped with gloss. This will be one of my higher-maintenance nudes. If you can pull off light pinks like MAC Angel, MAC Hue, MAC Faux, YSL Rouge Volupte #1 then you will love Edward Bess’s Blush Allure Lipstick.

Demi Buff is a brown-nude-pink. It leans more brownish on me although you can see bits of pink in it. It’s not as dark on my lips as Bobbi Brown’s Brownie Pink Lipstick but it is similar (see all the way down at the bottom). Compared to BB, the EB lipsticks are creamier and smoother. Bobbi Brown’s are full coverage but slightly more matte with a drier texture, still creamy in my opinion, but without the sheen.

Rose Demure is a pretty cool pink with a tinge of mauve. This is an odd-ball shade. When I put this on last week it turned blueish and almost fuschia. I was sad and thought this would be a shade I’d have to gift away. However, I tried it again this week and it went on a beautiful cool mauve-pink but without the fuschia/blueish cast. I am glad I gave this one a second chance, however I have a feeling this will be a color I cannot pull off every day. My lip color changes from day to day – sometimes they are really pink, other days they look really pale.

These new shades are beautiful neutrals that lean more towards the cool side of the color spectrum. There are a number of similar nude pinks out there – those who have explored those lighter neutrals know it can be hard to find the right one for your skintone. Too pale and you look like a corpse. Too brown and it goes on dark. Blush Allure, Demi Buff & Rose Demure Lipsticks are definitely worth checking out if you can get to a counter (Neimans at Beverly Hills and Houston or Bergdorf Goodman in NY). These have a beautiful and unique undertone that works with one’s natural skintone. That being said, my heart still belongs to a few of his other shades like Forbidden Flower, Pure Impulse and Forever Yours (all previously reviewed within the last year).

Here are the new Edward Bess lipsticks compared to a few other shades. Take note of four things:
1) In the tube they look strikingly similar, my camera isn’t always so great at capturing the differences
2) Swatched on the arm you can see the difference better (only slightly)
3) On the lips, each of these will look different based on how nude-like shades will react with the natural pigment in your lips. For example, Bobbi Brown Brownie Pink and Edward Bess Demi Buff look similar in the tube and on the arm, but on the lips, I get a straight brown with a slight hint of pink with the BB, while the EB shows more pink on me.
4) While these photos may appear to present dupes on your computer screen, I do not think any of these are dupes.

L to R: Bobbi Brown Blush, Bobbi Brown Blondie Pink, Bobbi Brown Brownie Pink, Edward Bess Rose Demure, Edward Bess Demi Buff, Edward Bess Blush Allure, YSL Rouge Volupte 1, YSL Rouge Volupte 23, Tom Ford Pink Dusk (Chanel Ming added in swatches only)

Have any Edward Bess fans tried the new lipsticks? How do you like them?

14 Comments

Uncategorized

New Lip Items From Edward Bess . . .

December 10, 2010

If you’re on the distribution list for the Bergdorf Goodman Catalog then you’ve probably already seen the lovely preview of the new lipsticks and glosses from Edward Bess. Also, Amy from Café Makeup provided us a swatch sneak peek along with the color names here. The new items have finally arrived in-store at BG in two special sets. Trios which are each $75. One has the 3 lipsticks, the other has the 3 glosses. I found these to be a good deal since each lipstick and gloss is $30+.

New Lipsticks L to R: Blush Allure, Demi Buff, Rose Demure
New Glosses L to R: French Lace, First Kiss, Amor

The lipsticks are all natural and neutral. Even though the packaging is different, the scent, textures and formulas all seem to be the same quality. All (as usual with Edward Bess lip products) are a cream finish-formula without any shimmer. At first glance, the lipsticks all look similar, but you’ll see the differences when swatched below. Here are my descriptions:

Blush Allure is a pastel neutral nude-pink, it seems to be a pink version of Pure Impulse
Demi Buff is a neutral pink-brown
Rose Demure is a neutral-cool mauve pink
French Lace is a light grey-beige-pinkish nude
First Kiss is a vibrant healthy pink glow (love this one)
Amor is a deep raspberry almost fuschia reddish color

The lipsticks are full coverage and lipglosses semi-sheer with a high gloss finish. You can read my previous reviews of Edward Bess to get a more detailed idea of his lip products, but overall are high-quality, fig-scented, naturally flattering and beautiful. In this next photo you can see the subtle underlying differences in tone for the lipsticks. Blush Allure is more nudish, Demi Buff is the most brown, Rose Demure is more mauvey.

Now onto the packaging. I have a love/hate relationship with packaging changes. I tend to like it when packaging changes are minimal because I like consistency for storage sake. For Edward Bess, the lipstick packaging is now square and made of a plastic casing. The new case is very sturdy and the benefit is that now there will be less rolling off the table casualties. However, I really loved the sleek metal round tube he used to have. Weight/product wise, the older lipstick tubes were .14 oz/4 g while the new ones are now .13 oz/3.8 g. Not a huge difference so it’s not something I think anyone will make a fuss about.

The lipgloss packaging seems to be virtually the same to me. The old and new are very similar and the differences are slight, but I feel the newer tubes are less angular and have a slightly softer look. The old packaging glosses were .19 oz/5.8 ml if made in Italy or .16 oz/4.4 g if made in the USA. The new packaging glosses are .20 oz/5.9 ml.

Packaging L to R: New, Old, Old, New

Swatches:

Overall I find them very different from the existing EB lipsticks and glosses. This is the first time he has released lighter neutral pinkish colors. The closest ones Tender Love, Pure Impulse and Natural Attraction are all significantly darker/deeper.

Those not familiar with Edward Bess’s line, check out the tag/label below for past reviews and info on where to buy etc. I’ll feel like a broken record if I repeat where the items are found or can be purchased again since I’ve done so numerous times already. Also you can reference the tear-out from the catalog up above 🙂

I haven’t had time to try these on the lips yet so I can’t say for sure how these look on the lips. They literally arrived a couple days ago from Bergdorf Goodman and I haven’t had time to test them fully. Lip swatches to come soon.

16 Comments

Uncategorized

Edward Bess Night Romance Lipstick

November 29, 2010

The focus of this particular review is on Night Romance Lipstick by Edward Bess – a luscious raspberry pink cream. It has a smooth creamy texture that gives full coverage in one swipe. In my opinion, his lipsticks work just like a lipstick should. No tweaking or extra layering required.

Night Romance by Edward Bess was one of my first lipsticks from his line. About a year ago, I ordered the Fall 2009 Lipstick Set which had Night Romance, Forever Yours and Tender Love – a trio of berry pinks. All 3 are classic colors that you can wear year round and can take you from day to night with ease. Each shade from last fall are very similar to each other. Night Romance is the coolest-toned of the three and has the most color. I’d describe it as a cool raspberry color. Forever Yours (reviewed here) is more neutral but close in color. Tender Love has a more reddish undertone. They all look very similar and the difference is in the undertone. You might ask, what’s the difference? It’s hard to put into words, but these links might help you out:

You can see all three lined up here
You can check out Karla Sugar’s swatch line up on her blog, linked here
Also check out Blogdorf Goodman’s feature, linked here

Night Romance:

It’s a sophisticated classic and I love it. I was initially worried that it would be too cool for my skin, but it has the right amount of depth to make it work. It’s brighter on me because I have a lot of natural pink in my lips, so I’ll dab a bit of powder or foundations on my bare lips before applying.

* Chanel Tulip Noire Nail Polish on nails

Many might wonder if these are worth the high price tag of $32? For me they definitely are. The formula is creamy and moisturizing. It’s lightly scented with a soft fig scent. They don’t dry out my lips and they feel amazing. So many of those classic cream-finish colors by MAC and Bobbi Brown are gorgeous in the tube and swatched on my hand, but on my lips turn out to be a different story. I can’t tell you how many times I tried to fall in love with classic colors MAC Spirit, Captive or Twig. For some sad reason, they just don’t work on my lips. Edward Bess’s lipstick selection, while small, has great wearable colors for me.

Onto more swatches. On the back of my hand, you can see the blueish tones make the lipstick look different depending on what angle and lighting the color is in:

Here is a photo of me applying it on the lips. I had blotted my lips down with a bit of foundation (it’s a bit uneven) but you can see how well the Edward Bess Lipstick covers the lip:

In direct sunlight:

With the flash, indoors:

I know many of you will see these swatches and think to yourselves, “this doesn’t look the same on me!” For your reference, I have olive undertones and use Chanel’s Shell and Beige foundations in Teint Innocence and Lift Lumiere. This is the equivalent to what’s in between a MAC NC30 and NC35. Also note that I have pink lips naturally. To get a better feel for what this might look like on you, some other great resources to check out:

The Non-Blonde’s Review of Night Romance, linked here
Modesty Brown’s Review of Night Romance, linked here
Josie’s Review on Pink Sith, linked here

Of course, the girls at the Edward Bess counter at Bergdorf Goodman are amazing at describing colors and can help you narrow down the options better than I can. In the US, Edward Bess Cosmetics can now also be found online at places like Neimanmarcus.com, Bergdorfgoodman.com, EdwardBess.com, instore at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills and Neiman Marcus Houston.

FYI, Bergdorf Goodman has their $25 off $100 event coming soon. I believe in the next week. They have a new lipstick and gloss set out along with a new blush that I am eagerly waiting for. You might want to take advantage of this event to save a bit. I believe there is a GWP but I’m not 100% sure what it is. I recommend calling the girls to check out what they are offering this time.

15 Comments

Uncategorized

True Nude: Edward Bess Sundown Lipstick

August 18, 2010

Everyone has a different definition of “nude.” Even each brand has their own interpretation of what they envision as nude (see various products with the word nude in their name in this article, What’s Your Definition of Nude?) I have been on the quest for the perfect true nude, but now that I have found it, I’m not sure how I feel about it.

Edward Bess Sundown Lipstick ($32) is a true nude in the sense that it is flesh toned beige. It’s more of a slightly greyed beige brown in the tube, but when combined with the pink in my lip, it wears to a straight flesh color. If you like MAC Siss, then you’ll probably like this one too (although Siss was like death on me). Sundown is creamy with full coverage. Makes a good base for glosses whether it’s a sheer sparkle or a bright cherry and it definitely tones down the lip better than concealer (which can sometimes be too dry for the lips). I’m not brave enough to wear it by itself – I think it definitely needs some layering with other colors for me.

For nudes, I prefer Pure Impulse on me which almost looks pink next to Sundown. One of my darker skinned friends bought this recently (Filipino, probably around NC45ish) and it was the perfect nude on her. I wish I could have gotten a picture, it was a perfect contrast to her tanned skin. The other nude Edward Bess has is Nude Lotus which I have not tried yet, although it looks absolutely gorgeous on Jennifer from Edward Bess at Bergdorf Goodman (see it on her on their Facebook page).

Here is Sundown compared to Pure Impulse (see the lip-swatch of Pure Impulse here):

Have you tried any of the nudes from Edward Bess? What are your thoughts?

19 Comments

Uncategorized

Edward Bess Compact Rouge

August 17, 2010

The Compact Rouge ($38) by Edward Bess comes in three shades: After Sunset, Love Affair (coming soon) and Island Rose. It’s a multi-use product for lips and cheeks and comes in a small mirrored compact. I usually find “multi-use” products more suitable for only one of the uses they are intended for. Cream products for lips and cheeks are typically either too pigmented for use on cheeks (more suited for lips) or too creamy for the lips (and more suited for cheeks). Then there are those that are so creamy they end up making your skin look too dewey after a few hours. Not something that deters me from purchasing cream based products, however the Compact Rouges from Edward Bess are amazing in that they work well on both lips and cheeks without giving you a greasy finish.

Rather pricey at the size you get (I admit my jaw dropped at the size when I saw it in person) but I find them extremely versatile and naturally flattering. A little dab goes a long way. The formulas are creamy and easy to blend, but not too emollient so you can use them on the cheeks without worrying about that greasy/oily look as the day wears on. I like that you can control the level of pigment you want with these to get a wide range of finishes from heavy to sheer. I like mine to be applied with a medium hand on both lips and cheeks – I swipe 2 fingers (usually index and middle) across the compact, dot on cheeks in three places and just blend outward.

Compared to other brands, I find it similar in pigment to Bobbi Brown but easier to blend. It’s definitely more pigmented than Paul & Joe and NARS Cream Blushes, but then the Edward Bess is a multi-purpose product for both lips and cheeks (rather than just cheeks). It simply does not compare to MAC Blushcremes or Stila Convertible Colors (in my opinion). The EB is just different. Compared to Le Metier face creams, the Edward Bess is less sticky to the touch, but just as easy to blend. Note these are my own personal opinions, yours may differ based on your experience.

For the swatches below, I have medium skin with yellow tones. Right now the foundations I use are Chanel Shell Teint Innocence Liquid and Armani’s Lasting Silk Foundation in 5.5 + 6.5 mixed together.

The first shade released was Island Rose (a raspberry pink) with his Jet Set Collection last holiday. It was instant love. (Also guest swatched and compared on Karlasugar here.) I use it on a weekly basis. Occasionally they have promotions, the last GWP they had back in April was a free compact rouge with a $125 purchase. I have an extra one I keep in my purse. It’s been a life-saver several times when I had a last minute dinner date and nothing else in my car except my powder foundation and a compact rouge on hand.

After Sunset (described as a burned rose, almost bronzey reddish-brown) was released in April. Photos of the collection here. This is a versatile shade and great for girls who like warmer colors or browns. On me it’s a chameleon-like shade. Sometimes it goes on more neutral (like shown below). Some days it goes on darker and more brown.

Coming up in September, his newest shade Love Affair (a cool watermelon pink) is just as stunning. It is on the cool side. This shade has not officially launched in the US, but is scheduled to be released mid-September.

Here they are all next to each other:

Swatched at two extremes: heavy and super sheer

Note these may look different on you depending on your skintone and how heavy you apply these. I highly recommend checking out other websites such as Café Makeup, The Non-Blonde, Musical Houses. If you’ve tried these, please feel free to chime in your thoughts through the comments. If you’ve swatched/reviewed them, also feel free to link your website/blog for reference purposes.

14 Comments

Uncategorized

Edward Bess Love Affair Compact Rouge

August 16, 2010

I’m so excited to be able to give you a preview of the newest Compact Rouge from Edward Bess in Love Affair ($38) a lovely watermelon pink cream with the slightest hint of fuschia. The new Love Affair Compact Rouge will officially launch in the US at Bergdorf Goodman this September during their $25 off a $100 purchase Gift Card Event (exact dates to be determined, but it’s estimated to occur mid-September).

So why all the excitement? For one, it’s something new from Edward Bess. I love his small well thought out collection, yet I am always eager to see what he has coming out next. They were kind enough to send a complimentary sample to me before the launch date and Love Affair does not disappoint. It works well for both lips and cheeks, but I prefer this one on my cheeks. It’s fairly bright and more cool toned on the lips. On the cheeks, it gives a pretty doll-like pink blush.

I’m also a huge fan of the Compact Rouge from EB. I have already purchased Island Rose (raspberry pink) and After Sunset (browned rose), both of which I get regular use out of. I keep one on me most of the time for those last minute dates when I have to look somewhat presentable but have no time to go home and touch up my makeup. Easy to blend, fig scented, natural finish – these are among my favorite cream blushes. (I will review and compare all three in more detail very soon – they both have been featured on my blog before, it may require a bit of searching.)

Love Affair is a pretty addition to his collection. It’s is gorgeous pink, but better suited for those who can pull off bright pinks or cool pinks. I personally find Island Rose and After Sunset more versatile and universally flattering, but I think Love Affair will work with any of EB’s eyeshadows or eyeshadow trios. (In case you haven’t seen, check out my review on his single eyeshadows Edward Bess Eyeshadow Gorgeousness). On the lips I like it with a touch of gloss to soften the color (like EB Desert Glow, Chanel Bon Bon or Vanilla Aqualumiere Glosses), but it’s pure perfection as a blush for that healthy doll pink glow. If you like lip colors such as NARS Roman Holiday or Schiap, then I think you will adore Love Affair.

Here it is swatched:

L to R (swatched heavy and sheer): After Sunset, Love Affair, Island Rose

Also coming out very soon for fall include the following:

Endless Love Deep Shine Lip Gloss – $30
Sheer Satin Cream Compact Foundation – $60
Moroccan Rose Blush Imperiale Powder Blush – $48
Love Affair Compact Rouge – $38

I am anxious to hear descriptions of Endless Love and Moroccan Rose as the launch date draws near. Edward Bess is available in the US at Bergdorf Goodman (instore) and EdwardBess.com (online). Those not familiar with BG – at least twice per year, they have a $25 off $100 purchase event. Some of the beauty lines have an additional promotion such as a gift with purchase with each line. Past gifts from Edward Bess have been a full sized mascara and a full sized compact rouge (shades are predetermined). Minimum purchase amounts have typically ranged from $100 to $150, at least in my experience.

I don’t have the details on this year’s BG promotion, but I hear the BG counter will be sending out their info cards really soon!

As if news of new products wasn’t exciting enough, Edward Bess is expanding in the US! Not sure if you know, but I hear Edward Bess is launching at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills Sept. 1st and in Houston on Sept. 16th!

This was sample sent to me, courtesy of Edward Bess. At this time I do not have a disclosure policy as this is the first product I have accepted and reviewed. For more information, you may find this article helpful: Yes, No, Maybe.

18 Comments

Uncategorized

Loving Right Now

July 28, 2010

A lot of repeats this month from recent features. Right now I’m loving …

NARS Eyeshadow Duos – here are a few of my favorites that haven’t been depotted yet (which I don’t recommend, but did for the compacts that got too sticky, now stored in my Trish McEvoy planner pages)

Top: India Song, Cordura, Brumes
Middle: Rajasthan, Alhambra, Brousse
Bottom: Silk Road, Tzarine, Bohemian Gold

NARS Nourishing Eye Cream (previously reviewed here)

Urban Decay Naked Palette (previously featured here)

Chanel Teint Innocence Foundation and Natural Finish Loose Powder – No matter how many other foundations I try, I keep coming back to the Teint Innocence. Just recently tried their loose setting powder and love it as well. I use Shell in the foundation and Naturel in the powder.

Chanel Rouge Coco in Chintz & Rose Dentelle – A little bit more delicate than most of my other Chanel lipsticks. These came a bit dinged on the sides but everything else was in tact. They are really close in color, Chintz is more peach, while Rose Dentelle is more pink.

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliners – Rich pigment and longlasting plus no sharpening required! Wish they would re-release that old shade Tweed (a lovely golden taupe).

Black Shimmer & Ebene swatched here
Cassis swatched here
Marine swatched here and here

Edward Bess All Over Seduction Cream Highlighters – Perfectly glowy (previously reviewed and swatched here)

Paul & Joe Lip Lacquers – Great pigment and shine. I had to get almost all of the colors. I’ll get to lip swatches eventually.

Burberry Lipglosses are great . . . but I’m loving everything I purchased (click on the Burberry tag)

Quilted accessories, purses, makeup planners – dreaming of a quilted flap bag

Out of all the Trish planners I have, the quilted ones are my favorite.

Last but not least, my kitty, small but mighty fierce. This is the only photo I could get of him that makes him look non-evil. (I love my puppies too but they won’t sit still for a picture – way too excited about my brother in-law visiting this week after having been gone to the east coast for several months)