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MAC Magnetic Nude – The Beauty Look Book Picks

December 27, 2013
MAC’s Magnetic Nude Collection was just released a couple days ago (in stores today). Thanks to other bloggers with early access and amazing swatches, I was able to pick out a few items the day before Christmas and order online to avoid the crowds. I’ve been a huge fan of the Extra Dimension products (unique shimmery items that are not quite creams yet not quite powders). Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish (from 2012) has been at the top of my list even though the frost is quite intense. Those who missed out before will be happy to learn it’s made another appearance in the Magnetic Nude collection this year. The items are selling out online fast, you may have to order from multiple sources if you opt for online ordering. I hope these swatches and reviews will help if you can’t get to a store or counter. My picks:
The Extra Dimension Skinfinishes in Magnetic Appeal and Fairly Precious are both stunning shimmery colors. I do think both are must-haves. They are more glowy versions of Tom Ford’s Illuminating Highlighter Sticks (limited release from May, now discontinued). What I like about these is that there is more pigment than frost (even though they are very shimmery). They give the skin a glow with color rather than just a pale frost. Magnetic Appeal is a soft tan gold while Fairly Precious is a lovely warm light pink. Superb has been re-released. It’s paler and significantly more frosted. Right now all are available online at Nordstrom and Maccosmetics.com.

The Extra Dimension Eye Shadows have quite a few repromoted shades. I didn’t double check my stash to see that I already had Sweet Heat (in the larger size from 2012) so I have a duplicate now. Sweet Heat is a frosted champagne. Silver Dawn is every taupe-lover’s dream. It’s a metallic taupe silver. Both shades are layerable and the pigment is easy to control. A light swipe will give a sheer wash. Use a denser brush or your fingers for more coverage. For these I actually prefer using my fingers to apply by smudging on the lids. Sweet Heat is online Nordstrom. Right now Silver Dawn is still at Maccosmetics.com.

For the lips, I narrowed down my pick to just one lipglass in Oh My Darling, a light shimmery pink pearl, and Morning Rose Cremesheen Lipstick, a soft cool pink. Both are fairly safe feminine neutrals. I like the cremesheens for their high pigment and full coverage with a non-matte finish. Oh My Darling Lipglass is semi-sheer. You can definitely see a light pink pearl on the lips but it doesn’t wash out the face. Morning Rose is available at Nordstrom. Oh My Darling is available at Maccosmetics.com.

All the items I picked out swatched on one arm:

I’m really happy with all my picks. Even happier I managed to pick out a few things before the entire collection sold out. If I had to limit myself to three items, I would pick the Skinfinish Highlighters in Magnetic Appeal and Fairly Precious along with the Morning Rose Lipstick. I haven’t had a chance to compare the other items, but they are pretty basic colors – knowing the volume MAC releases, there’s a good chance there are similar items (which is a good thing if you miss out on their fast-selling limited items).

Did you check out the Magnetic Nude collection? What did you think? Any highlights or loves?
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Bobbi Brown Sequin Shimmer Brick Eye Palette | Holiday 2013

December 1, 2013
This holiday Bobbi Brown has introduced a new version of her Shimmer Brick Eye Palette in Sequin ($48.50 for .14oz/4g, limited-edition). This palette packs in 10 different high shimmers in pale colors. It’s probably the smallest palette I own at a little over 4 inches long. The pigment is excellent for these shades similar to her regular-sized shimmer bricks. I never purchased her prior shimmer brick palettes for eyes since they either sold out instantly or were a bit heavy on the aqua colors (light greens tend to make my olive skin look too yellow). I was happy to find this holiday’s version contained more neutral colors better suited or my skintone.

The colors apply quite shimmery on the lids. I usually don’t like frosts but find Bobbi Brown shimmers, metallics and sparkles are very wearable for everyday (sparkles are ok for me with a very light hand). Shades from left to right include a pale cool pink, a tan gold brown, bright baby pink, soft mauve, golden oyster, mauve pink rose, platinum blue, mauve purple, silver taupe and cool silver beige. Close ups of each side.
Left side:

Right side:

Application tips I’ve received include swiping your fingers or brush over multiple colors and blending over the lid or picking 2-3 individual shades and layer them one by one. Since each bar of shimmer is very tiny (brushes shown below for size comparison) I find it hard to take a regular sized fluffy brush and only get one color on. I’ve been experimenting with this for a few weeks now and love using 1-2 shades individually or mixing any number of colors. Since most of the colors are neutral you really can’t go wrong with any combination.
Sizing:
 On the nails, Tom Ford Black Sugar (reviewed here)

For size reference to brushes you can see that some of my smaller brushes can barely fit into each block of shimmer. MAC #219 is a pencil defining brush which I usually like to use for smudging darker colors. You can use this one to highlight corners as well. MAC #239 is one of my holy grail basic shadow brushes. The width is bigger than the blocks but you can still fit into one color by tipping it to the side or at an angle. Trish McEvoy’s Smudge Brush is another one of my tiny brushes (shown for size reference).

Swatches below. Note the combination of sunlight with flash and shimmer highlights the frost.

This one shows the color a bit better:

Overall a huge thumbs up. It’s such a pretty petite palette. Although pricey I love the combinations of colors in this set. It’s small but once you open the compact you can’t help but gasp at all the gorgeous sparkles. It’s neutral enough for everyday wear or to add a bit of shimmer to your look.
I bought mine in store at a recent trend show – it should be available at all Bobbi Brown locations now (while supplies last since it’s limited-edition). You can also find it online at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Sephora.

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GIorgio Armani Eccentrico Face Palette | Holiday 2013

November 8, 2013

Giorgio Armani’s star product for the holiday is the Eccentrico Face Palette ($88 for 8g/0.27) a limited-edition highlighter palette. The palette has one tier of powder with a silvery overspray and small flat face brush underneath. The powder below the overspray is a mix of pinks, orange and a cool white shimmer. Mixed together you get a beautiful pink glow. Although this is called a face palette, I think this is best used as a cheek blush or highlighter. The quality of the powder is excellent – it’s finely milled and the shimmer is very refined and natural making the skin glow. It’s dark enough for me to wear as blush alone. My feelings about this are a bit mixed mainly because of the price. At $88, most other Armani palettes in this range have a cheek product plus three eyeshadows. I do realize this comes with a little brush encased inside, but I still think this one is definitely overpriced. Armani does have discount promotions through their own beauty side occasionally (most I’ve seen is 20%) which could bring the price down to the $70ish range. Still I think this should have been priced in the same range as their eyeshadow quads at $59 (even if it is a luxury holiday and limited-edition product).

The packaging:

With overspray:

Partial overspray:

Most of the overspray removed:

Swatched:

Comparisons show that Eccentrico has a soft quality that makes the skin glow. The shimmer is finely milled versus a high shine frost. Comparisons below to shades that have unfortunately all been limited or discontinued, but I hope this helps to gauge the level of pigment and shimmer:

Overall a lovely blush palette with exquisite packaging. However it’s one I just can’t get really excited about – especially with other palettes this holiday like ones from Hourglass and Chanel which are more affordable and still unique and creative (in my mind). I will get a lot of use out of Armani Eccentrico – it’s a lovely wearable pink that is safe. As usual your mileage may vary with this. I know some who absolutely love it. I agree that it’s lovely – for me at $88 I expected more. I tried tracking this down at counters but couldn’t find it anywhere in store. Others have had better luck though.

Armani Eccentrico is limited-edition. It retails for $88. You can find it online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com.

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Guerlain Crazy Pearls Meteorites | Holiday 2013

October 22, 2013

Guerlain Crazy Paris Meteorites Pearls for holiday ($58 for 30g/1.05oz, limited-edition) is a hybrid Illuminating/Finishing Powder. It is very sheer but glowy on my medium olive tone skin. There are multi-colored pearls of powder in this year’s holiday meteorites. There is a white pearl, matte peach, bright pink and some gold. I haven’t had much experience with Guerlain Meteorites in the past. Most shades I’ve tested were barely visible on my skin and while I know they are designed to be finishing powders, I found them too sheer for my taste to purchase in the past. My preference in the past for the perfect glowy finishing powder was for the Chanel Poudre Douce powders (now discontinued). The Guerlain Crazy Paris Powder is more sheer and glowy with visible shimmers compared to Chanel Les Beiges (which is best used more like an all over sheer soft setting powder). The Guerlain is also significantly sheerer and more sparkly than Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders (which I feel are more user-friendly for all over the face).
The Crazy Pearls Meteorites this year are visible on my skin to give that glow from within. I tested at the counter where the artist dusted this all over the face. For me this would be more of a special-occasion product to use all over the face. It’s a tad too glowy for me to use all over for everyday. My preference is to use it to highlight the cheeks (over bronzer or blush) and temples to add that soft glow. If you layer this more you will see a bit more pink on the skin. It’s still extremely subtle. If you want something more visible I would suggest you opt for one of the Hourglass Ambient Light powders (the best shade will depend entirely on your skintone, the holiday palette is a nice way to try three shades).

More photos and swatches:

It gives a glow from within kind of glow. The sparkles are visible on the skin but not glittery. Even though the pink shows up well on my skin it’s too sheer to use as a blush. It makes a lovely finishing product. I highly recommend you read the review and reader comments at Best Things in Beauty – there are many Guerlain fans that have chimed in on their thoughts and comparisons.
Is it a must-have? I’m not sure I can say yes or no. Those who are familiar with Guerlain Meterorites Pearls will most likely say yes. The Guerlain Meteorites have a unique finish compared to any other highlighter – one that is sheer but meant to be applied all over the face. I would say test before you buy. I am very happy with these – I find the finish is more visible compared to past Meteorites I’ve tested.
The Guerlain Crazy Paris Meteorite Pearls are limited edition. The collection is now at all Guerlain counters. You can find it online at Nordstrom and other online locations.

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Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

October 16, 2013

Hourglass’s latest release is the new Ambient Lighting Palette ($58 for 0.35 oz/9.9g, limited-edition). It’s a travel-sized trio of Ambient Lighting Powders in Dim Light, Incandescent Light (new) and Radiant Light. The trio also comes with a small sample of their Mineral Veil Primer (see review here). Hourglass says this palette is just like having your own personal lighting technician. I couldn’t describe this better.  Being a huge fan of Luminous Light, I was very excited about the release of this palette.
I love everything about this palette. The pans are smaller than the regular Ambient Lighting Powders but large enough to easily dip a fluffy brush into to apply to the face. It’s perfect for travel and arrived just at the right time for me. I brought it with me on my recent trip. It was the only highlighter I brought which was perfect because it provided three options in one palette. I wore this every evening out and felt it gave that perfect glow by mixing the three shades.

The Ambient Lighting Palette featured below:

Here you can see how they glow in the sunlight, colors left to right: Dim, Incandescent and Radiant

Here you can see the softness of the powders:

The three shades:

Dim Light is an existing shade in the regular full-sized line but is new to me. It’s described as a neutral peach beige and is supposed to blur imperfections and highlight the skin. I think the effect will vary depending on your skintone. I am a bit too tan to wear this all over as a setting powder, but it makes an amazing under-eye highlight and over the cheeks blending color. There is a subtle luminous quality – but very subtle. If you’re afraid of any kind of shimmer – this is the highlighter for you.

Incandescent Light is a new shade and currently only available in this palette. It’s a pearlescent pearly color. In the pan it resembles Luminous Light (my holy grail highlighter, see review here) however Incandescent Light is slightly paler in color and not as shimmery. Luminous Light by comparison is almost peachy when swatched next to Incandescent Light.

Radiant Light is another existing shade which I also own. It’s the sheerest bronze powder I have that adds a warm golden glow without being brownish like a traditional bronzer. It has tiny gold sparkle particles but doesn’t look glittery.

The application tips are endless with this palette. I wear Chanel B30, NARS Groenland Tinted Moisturizer, Dolce and Gabbana Warm 100 Powder Foundation and Tom Ford Foundation Stick #5 and I used all three shades every time I’ve worn it to date. My favorite way:
  • Use Dim Light as a soft dusting powder in the center of the face and on the cheeks to blend out edges of your blush or bronzer.
  • Use Incandescent Light as an all over highlight on the eyes, top of cheek bones.
  • Apply Radiant Light directly on the cheeks or as a contour along outer edges in a 3 shape to add warmth and a soft glow, also works well to add warmth to the eyes by dusting a soft layer over your shadows and blending very softly
 Swatches:

Comparisons to Luminous Light:

Size comparison to MAC and Armani Blushes. It fit perfectly in my travel case:
I highly recommend this palette. The price is higher than the individual sizes (and slightly more expensive per oz) but this is a great way to try three shades in one palette rather than purchasing individual colors. If you’re more a fan of shimmery highlighters you may find this too subtle but I do find the shimmer is visible enough on the skin to be able to tell that there is a glow.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: USD $58 | CAD $67
AVAILABLE AT: Sephora, Sephora.com, Barneys New York (beauty bag event until the 19th), Bergdorf Goodman and Space NK

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Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Highlighting Powders: Nude Radiance and Golden Radiance

September 23, 2013

Burberry Beauty released two new powders in their Fresh Glow formula in Nude Radiance 01 and Warm Radiance 02 ($48 each for 10 g/.35 oz, made in Italy). These were part of a small collection for summer which included a new bronze version of their liquid Fresh Glow ($48), two Eye Trios ($47 each) and the two new powders. I’m late to the party with this release – was waiting to test in person but never made it to my nearest counter. I ordered the two Fresh Glow Luminous Highlighting Powders online sight unseen.

The Fresh Glow powders are designed to be alternates to the Fresh Glow liquid. I had tested the liquid version when it was released but the foundation along with the liquid both have some ingredient that caused an allergic reaction all over my face. I was disappointed since both products wear really well on the skin in terms of how they make the skin look. I was excited and hopeful that the powders would really be similar to the liquids.

The product description:  Whisperlight texture gives instant radiance and healthy glow while gently protecting skin from the natural elements Ultra-fine illuminators for natural radiance. Compact alternative to Fresh Glow Fluid, for those who prefer a powder texture. Soothing rosa canina fruit extracts Microscopic rose shaped particles absorb oil and intensify light diffusion.

I found Nude Radiance to be a frosted white with a hint of pearl. It looks chalky on my skintone and is rather unflattering. There is a wide brush that comes with these powders which I found quite good at applying the powders to the face. This one however deposits a bit too much pigment to the skin. Even when using a sheer fluffy brush there is just too much chalky frost that applies to the skin. Right now I have olive-medium skin, Chanel B30. 

Golden Radiance was also extremely frosty. It applies lighter than what you see in the compact primarily because there is so much frost. This one was a bit darker but emphasized pores and looked metallic on the cheeks. No amount of blending would make it look good.

I did test these on the eyes though and found they make stunning eye colors. The pigment and shimmer are more forgiving on the eyes and much more flattering. I’ve been looking for a frosted nude for quite some time for the eyes – Golden Radiance just might be my holy grail nude shimmer (although expensive for just one eyeshadow color).

Here they are swatched:

Compared to last spring’s Sheer Summer Glow Powder (limited, but still might be available in stores).

Swatched next to Hourglass Luminous Light, Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel, Hourglass Radiant Light and Guerlain Terracotta Blondes 02.

Overall thoughts: Overall thoughts: My feelings/thoughts about the powders are mixed. The two new powders from Burberry don’t really fit my ideal for something that is luminous or glowy. While the pigment, texture, blendability are amazing, I found these to be overly frosty/shimmery which resulted in emphasized pores and for the pale one a chalky finish on the face. I tried layering over other colors and under bronzer to sheer out the frost. It was still a bit too frosty for my taste. I was hoping for a slightly more pigmented version of the Sheer Summer face quad. I really wanted to love these! I’m normally fine with larger amounts of shimmer on the face, for reference I can easily and comfortably wear most of MAC’s MSFs and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. That being said – I do find they work as shadows. I prefer the Golden shade since it’s not as pale/chalky on me. But in general for highlighters these are not among my top picks.

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Highlighting Powders in Nude Radiance and Golden Radiance retail for $48 each. Available now at Burberry Beauty counters and online at Nordstrom and Saks.

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Laura Mercier Spellbound Face Illuminator

July 7, 2013
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Laura Mercier’s Dark Spell Collection for fall features a stunning glowy Face Illuminator in Spellbound ($42 for 10g/0.35 oz). Run immediately to your closest Laura Mercier counter to pick this one up. You may remember Rose Rendezvous (released back in 2011) sold out instantly. I suspect this one will be a fast seller as well.
Spellbound is a stunning rose-gold highlighter. It has incredible pigment that is visible on the skin even when brushed and blended. The shimmer is highly visible but it’s not quite as frosty as MAC’s Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighters or Estee Lauder’s Gelee Highlighters. I’ve worn Spellbound over and under blush or bronzer and also as a highlight for the eyes. This is just so so gorgeous, words cannot describe this one. Lasting power is quite good and doesn’t turn your face into a glowy mess. I love that this one doesn’t emphasize pores like some metallics can. The application is quite smooth and lightweight.

Compared to other highlighters below. I find it most similar to Chanel Mouche de Beauté minus the glitter/sparkle and with a bit more finely milled shimmer/pigment. You can see that the shimmer isn’t quite as sharp as with some of the other highlighters. Pigment is hard to show because it blends in with my skintone but the pigment is very good with Spellbound.

Bottom line: back-up worthy. Be sure to check out the lovely reviews and swatches on The Non-Blonde and Best Things in Beauty.
Laura Mercier’s Dark Spell Collection has arrived in stores now. You can find Spellbound now online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Lauramercier.com. It’s listed as limited-edition so I suggest you order sooner than later so you don’t miss out.

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