Black Friday deals have finally arrived! Here’s a roundup of the best beauty deals I’ve found for this year. There are a couple special launches that occur today that aren’t sales mixed in at the bottom. Note all deals and promos are for U.S. sites. If you know of any more let me know in the comments!
Bare Minerals – Receive a free collection worth $62 (Bare Tutorials Smoky Eye or Bare Tutorials Eyeliner) with any $75 purchase, valid through end of 11/27
Beautylish – Bioderma special bundles for Black Friday here
Bioderma Sensibio H2O and Sebium H2O 500 ml include a complimentary 100m
Pro Packs 2 x 500ml pump bottles of Sensibio H2O or Sebium H2O include a complimentary 250ml
Sebium Pore Refiner includes a complimentary 100ml of Sebium H2O
Hydrabio Serum includes a complimentary 100ml of Sensibio H2O
Birchbox – 25% off orders $35+ online with code BIGDEAL at checkout, includes subscription services, discount is also applicable in their Soho store
Clarisonic – Save 20% on all devices and choose a free brush head, use promo code CYBERWKND (review on Men’s Alphafit and Women’s Aria/Mia 3 here), deal ends 11/27
Clinique – 20% off orders $65+ ends 11/29, no code needed
Diptyque – holiday gift of a baby Baies candle, baby Ambre candle + deluxe fragrance sample with code GIFT at checkout, valid while supplies last through 12/2 (I tested it and it appears to work on orders over $75)
Foreo – 25% off all devices, no code needed, valid 11/27 to 11/30 (I have the Luna Mini and love it, review to follow soon)
Giorgio Armani – 20% off any orders of $75 or more, on Black Friday receive a full size Eye Contour Brush on orders of $150 or more, valid 11/27 only with code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout
Glossier – 25% off sitewide, no promo codes needed
Henri Bendel – 25% off orders $150+, 30% off orders $250+, receive a $50 splurge card with any purchase
Kate Somerville – $25 e-gift card with any $100 purchase, use code BLACK
Free Full-Size DermalQuench with any $150 purchase (no code needed)
Molton Brown – 25% off everything use code MBEVENTUS at checkout, ends 11/30 11:59 pm PST
Moroccanoil – Receive a free hand cream trio with any $100 purchase
NARS Cosmetics – Give and Take sale, 20% off with code TAKE20 through 12/2
Neiman Marcus – Gift of Beauty Event, receive a clutch with samples with any $100 purchase, individual lines also have gifts going on, this Le Metier de Beaute Contour Kaleidoscope GWP looks amazing! good while supplies last through 11/29; receive $50 off purchases $200 or more your select regular-priced qualifying purchase of $200 or more with promo code THANKFUL (including Beauty and Fragrances), expires 11/28 5:30 PM CT
Nordstrom – 80+ beauty gifts with purchase options, while supplies last
Saks Fifth Avenue – Receive a $25 gift card when you spend $100 or more online only with code BEAUTY1 at checkout, valid through 11/27 11:59 pm ET
Sephora – Black Friday $10 deals go live on Friday
Shiseido – 20% off sitewide with code FF2015, valid through 11/30
Shu Uemura USA – Free shipping and 25% of orders $100+ or 20% off orders $50+, use code SHUBF, valid through 11/27 11:59 pm
Smashbox Cosmetics – Take 25% off orders $50 or more with code HOLIDAY15 at checkout, valid through 11/30
Space NK USA – Receive $25 when you spend $125, to redeem at Space NK between December 1-24th, offer valid through 11/29 11:59 pm PST
Tarte – 25% off orders and free shipping on $25+, use code FRIDAY, valid thru 11/27
Tatcha – 20% off all orders with code FF2015 at checkout, valid through 12/6 11:59 pm PST
Temptu – 25% off site wide with code FALLFF at checkout, valid through 12/2
Truffle – 25% off site wide with code GIFTING25 at checkout
Ulta Beauty – Black Friday Beauty Busters, assorted value sets and sales
Urban Decay – 20% off with code CRUSHED, valid through 11/28
YSL Beauty – 20% off $75 or more with complimentary shipping and 2 deluxe samples, spend $150 and receive the YSL Signature Brush Set, valid through 12/6
New beauty launches for Black Friday:
MAC Cosmetics – Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Berry Black Friday, special release
Tom Ford Lips and Boys – 25 new shades of mini Lips and Boys shades launch with 25 repromoted colors, all shades are permanent! I went to the preview launch and ended up with Drake, Jake, Demsey, Ansel, Malik and Eric – I’m waiting on an order to come in before I review + swatch everything
One last mention because I’ve featured this Tory Burch Pouch Duo before and it’s on the pricey side. Right now it’s on sale here (49% off) in three colors while supplies last or until 11/30.
Happy sale shopping! Let me know if you end up hauling anything or if you’re waiting for Cyber Monday. Would love to know what you ended up buying. I have my eye on this Lorac Love, Lust and Lace Eyeshadow Palette (at $12, it’s a steal!). I’m contemplating the Becca Afterglow Palette – but the pans seem tiny – if you have this (or tried it let me know what you think). I just ordered the MAC Patentpolish – so excited for it to arrive.
I’ll have another roundup of Cyber Monday sales and codes so stay tuned.
For Black Friday, Marc Jacobs Beauty has two sets that are one-day exclusives. Both are limited-edition value sets and I highly recommend you put this on your shopping list so you don’t miss out. The first is a three piece brush set called Contour and Glow Brush Collection $105. I already own several of the Marc Jacobs Beauty brushes and they exceeded my expectations. Two foundation brushes that I’ve tested give flawless streak-free foundation coverage.
The brushes priced individually total $151, so the Black Friday set does offer some savings. It includes:
The Shape Contour Brush is a flat-tipped super dense brush with a synthetic blend of white and black bristles. It’s incredibly soft and perfect for contouring powders or creams. It also doubles as a foundation brush for a flawless finish.
The Blush Angled Blush Brush is an angled brush that is soft, but not quite as soft as the duo-fiber brushes from Marc Jacobs. This is perfectly angled for precise blush application but soft enough to blend color nicely. It picks up color really well and applies blush smoothly.
The Bronze Bronzer Brush
Bronze is the bronzer brush of all bronzer brushes. It’s huge! Super soft and tapered to give a diffused look. I like that it’s dense so it’s not floppy but at the same time it’s plush and will lightly dust bronzer across the face.
The second set has three color items. It’s called the Paint it Blacquer Collection, retails for $50 and includes the following:
O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara is one of my most favorite mascaras ever. It volumizes, holds the curl and doesn’t smudge or flake. I like that it’s a true black.
Magic Marc’er Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is another cult classic. I’ve gifted several to a few friends who are liquid liner fanatics and it’s passed their test of approval as one they like and are willing to repurchase. It offers a precise stay-put line and dries to a semi-glossy black.
Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Blacquer is a new color that’s a pure glossy black cream. I’m a fan of the polishes in general and this one, although super dark, does look rather pretty and edgy on the hands. The polishes offer full coverage with two coats, apply super smooth and last at least 5 days without tip wear.
Swatches of the Marc Jacobs Blacquer, two coats:
In case you’re new to Marc Jacobs beauty, I’ve linked a few other previous features for reference. I’ve been a fan since they launched at Sephora. I have liked everything I’ve tried so far which is huge.
You can find both #Blacquerfriday sets exclusively
online at Marc Jacobs Beauty starting tomorrow. The brush trio is a bit
of a splurge but I think it’s worth it as the brushes are very good in
quality and made extremely well.
Do you have any Marc Jacobs Beauty favorites?
Many thanks to Marc Jacobs Beauty for sending me an early preview of the Black Friday Sets.
I’m a bit of a hand cream addict. There’s not a week that I don’t have at least 2 hand creams in my purse not to mention all the drawers in my home that I have little hand cream tubes stashed. The weather has turned in the past few weeks, the air is extremely dry and my skin has really felt it. Extra help with moisture has been essential for me on all fronts. Last year I put together a list of my favorite hand creams that I had in rotation. Today I have a roundup of some new ones that I’ve been putting to the test including three designed more for men (thanks to my husband for testing some too).
When it comes to hand creams, there are three things I look for: good packaging, quick absorption, noticeable hydration. While I don’t mind feeling the moisture, I like treatments don’t have a greasy feel or silicone-like slip in the finish. On scented hand creams, I’m all for a good one with fragrance because it lifts the mood but sometimes I want something fragrance-free so it doesn’t interfere with my perfume. For my husband, he doesn’t like any of the ones I have that have girly scents. He has used and likes the one from Kiehl’s, but it’s pretty emollient and he’s been asking me to find him something that has a quick dry time.
Up first is my favorite hand cream formula ever, L’Occitane. I’ve been hooked on L’Occitane since a family friend gifted me a tube of the regular Shea Butter version to help me with my peeling cuticles and dry hands. The regular Shea Butter is extra gentle and perfect for those with sensitive skin and noses. It’s also thick and ultra hydrating. This one is L’Occitane’s best-seller and comes in a few different size options. There are some value sets which give you a price break, so before you buy, definitely check out the sets like this Hugs & Kisses Duo or this Hand Cream Trio (there are larger value sets too).
I’m super picky when it comes to scented body products so it’s somewhat of a miracle that I’ve loved every single L’Occitane scented hand cream. The options vary in thickness and texture depending on formula, but all are pretty much the same in terms of hydration. There are two whipped formulas in the Shea Butter Whipped* and Melting Honey Whipped* (review here) both have 25% shea butter and have a lighter texture but are very moisturizing.
Amande (Almond) is one of the few that doesn’t have shea butter. It’s made with almond oil and has an emollient and thinner texture. It’s a favorite of mine but the scent is pretty strong. The Collection de Grasse scents (reviewed here) are also stronger in fragrance, many of which are very floral.
By far, my favorite is the Pierre Hermé x L’Occitane collaboration. I’ve stocked up on the Pierre Hermé Hand Cream Trios because you save $7 by purchasing the set, and it also comes packaged in a cute limited-edition tin which makes it perfect for gifting. Pamplemousse Rhubarbe is a warm well rounded grapefruit. You can smell the citrus but the rhubarb makes it softer, warmer and not as sharp as a true grapefruit. Jamine-Immortelle Neroli is a very soft gentle jasmin and citrus mix. I normally don’t like wearing jasmin scents, but this one is very soothing and I adore it. Miel Mandarine is soft orange scented hand cream. It’s got a creamy roundness to the scent because of the honey in it. All three are hydrating but have a quick drydown and leave the hands feeling silky smooth. There’s no greasy feel and it absorbs super quick (quick as in less than 30 seconds).
L’Occitane wins for most fun packaging designs, best formula for sensitive but dry skin, and widest variety of scents and ingredients to suit your preferences and needs.
Next up are the Molton Brown Hand Creams*. I’ve been a fan of the line for a long time (long before most everything was reformulated or scents renamed). Their current line up of their hand creams are just as good as L’Occitane but the Molton Brown has different scents and packaging. There are currently seven scented options, some are called Replenishing Hand Creams and others simply Hand Creams. I tested all the scents and formulas and they perform the same. They have a fast absorbing texture that is not too thin but not too thick. Hands feel moisturized and smooth. With scented body products there’s often a hit or miss, but in this case there’s not a bad one in the entire lineup. Scents are noticeable and last a decent amount of time. My top three favorites are Gingerlily, Pink Pepperpod (also available in this cute holiday cracker) and Ylang-Ylang.
The latest launch is the Alba White Truffle line which consists of a Hand Treatment and Hand Exfoliator. You can buy them individually or in a boxed duo gift set (prices are the same whether you buy separate or together). These are scented with nutmeg, olibanum and vanilla and they smell absolutely delicious without being overpowering or too sweet. The formula of the hand cream is a lot richer than the other ones in the Molton Brown line. It’s very very moisturizing and you can definitely feel the strength of it. It does absorb fast and doesn’t leave a greasy feel although you can feel the moisture. It’s a pampering kind of treatment that I really like. The best part of this line is the Hand Exfoliator. I’ve had scrubs with pedicures before but never on the hands. This is new to me but I’m hooked. The scrub gets rid of all the dead skin and build up and leaves the hands feeling refreshed, moisturized, ultra smooth and just so much better. I would love to use it everyday but that would be overdoing it. I’ve used this 1x per week and my hands feel like dead weight has been lifted off that I didn’t know was there. If you’re looking for a hand duo for someone who already has almost everything this is a good option as it just launched in mid-October and is relatively new.
Next up are some other brands that have one formula or scent of hand cream. Many are either skincare or fragrance lines.
Eve Lom Hand Cream with SPF 10 is one of the most gentle hand creams I’ve tried that’s unscented. If you’re super sensitive to any fragrance or simply don’t like it, this is a good option. The formula is on the thick side so a little goes a long way. It absorbs quickly.
Nuxe Rêve de Miel is the most lightweight in texture that I’ve tried. I’m a fan of all things Nuxe, I bought mine in a duo set from Paris, but you can buy the individual tubes online (currently there’s a sale online at Nuxe). It has a soothing but very soft and gentle honey scent.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and Nirvana White Hand Creams restocked at Sephora.com, both are limited-edition and come in sleek slim tubes perfect to slip into a clutch or small bag. I bought a couple tubes of both since I love the fragrance. The formula is nicely moisturizing and scent is pretty strong.
Ole Henriksen Empower Hydrating Hand Cream* is a new formula from Ole Henriksen. It’s a lightweight super absorbent hand cream that strengthens and protects the skin. It also has Willowbark which is a natural exfoliant (salicylic acid) to sheds dead skin cells and stimulate new cell formation. I like that it absorbs fast and the moisture lasts a long time. Even though it has a natural exfoliant I was relieved to find it didn’t make the skin peel or pill. It has a super lightweight clean scent. It makes the hands look smoother instantly. (Also available at Sephora.)
Leif Kakadu Plum and Macadamia Nut Hand Balm* is a super hydrating emollient hand treatment. It smells really good like macadamia and it’s so good I almost want to eat it. This one is larger than most of the tubes I have but still works to fit inside my purse. I would say it’s as moisturizing as the Kiehl’s but has a thinner texture. I really like the Leif as a cuticle treatment too.
Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream* is hands down my favorite treatment hand cream. The Indigo line is really good for sensitive, dry or itchy skin. It has a lightweight refreshing sakura-like scent to it. I would recommend it to anyone for any skin type. If you don’t want to buy the full size without trying it, Tatcha has it in a smaller Travel Size. It’s also available in a mini in the Soothing Indigo Mini Set. If you want the full size there’s a Aiiro Soothing Duo set that has the hand and body cream.
For men, I’ve been on the hunt for a good basic hand cream designed more for men versus something that is unisex. When it comes to skincare, packaging is key for my husband. It has to look good and have easy to use packaging. He won’t use anything pink or girly-looking. The Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve comes in a small size in the Men’s Starter Set and my husband likes it and uses it daily. It is very hydrating and when it comes to waiting for something to absorb into the skin, my husband (Andrew) wants it to be fast (he doesn’t like waiting). With the Kiehl’s, he will apply it to his hands or feet. Any excess is rubbed off onto his arms or on a towel. I also like it because it’s very good for super dry skin is unscented and even though it’s emollient I find it dries within a few minutes. It’s available in a number of holiday sets and bundles where you can save like this trio.
Andrew’s been a fan of Baxter and Jack Black, so I ordered both for him to try. He’s a fan of the Jack Black Cool Body Moisturizer because it has a nice clean scent and feels refreshing. He says it applies well and absorbs into the skin quickly without feeling greasy. The Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer comes with a lot of high ratings on online reviews. It’s also been recommended by many of my female readers. I had high hopes that my husband would like this one because he’s a fan of the line. After trying this – he felt it too emollient, too thick and he kept wanting to wipe off the excess from his hands. I thought he was in one of his impatient moods and tried it myself. He was right. I also found it very thick in texture and a bit sticky. The benefits of the Jack Black are that it’s very very hydrating. It soothes dry spots instantly. There is a slight menthol scent to it but it fades. I let it sit for as long as I could to see if it would dry down. It never did but I found I could tolerate the texture as an overnight treatment. It makes the hands look visibly smoother and in the morning they look and feel a lot better.
Baxter of California is a men’s grooming line my husband discovered at the Birchbox Roadtrip event earlier this year. He’s been a fan of everything he’s tried so far and has some of the value sets on his holiday wishlist. A couple reviewed in this monthly favorites post here. I ordered the Hydro Salve Hand Cream which is a white cream in a squeeze tube. This one is his favorite because it adds noticeable hydration but dries quickly. It leaves the hands feeling moisturized, fixes dry cracks and soothes the skin without any greasy residue. I tried it as well. On one of the days I had some issues with cuticle dryness (some were starting to crack). Within minutes my hands felt instant relief and by the afternoon, my cuticles were almost healed. The description of this one is “Packed with aloe, shea butter and avocado oil, this unscented moisturizing cream hydrates and helps repair very dry skin. Infused with vitamins E, C and B5, the extra thick cream delivers nutrients to rough and chapped areas.” It’s exactly as described.
Above: Collar Stays from Nordstrom, Travel Case by Tumi (current style here)
There are several I did test in store that had very high ratings online in customer reviews but that I didn’t like enough to purchase. I’ll mention three briefly. Ahava Mineral Hand Cream came highly recommended to me by several readers. I bought this during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and had very high hopes. I couldn’t tolerate the smell and the while formula dried quickly it had an almost silicone-slip to my hands that I couldn’t wait to wash off. Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream also came highly recommended to me. I liked the formula but found the scent overpoweringly sweet. La Mer The Hand Treatment is a cult classic. I actually splurged on a tube many years ago and used it up. I considered repurchasing recently but found the formula overpowering in fragrance. I also found it felt very emollient, almost greasy. I do think it will be good for super dry hands or an overnight treatment.
That wraps up my roundup of hand cream testing for fall to winter. If you’re in the market for a new hand treatment especially in this dry weather, my top picks include:
Most variety and best formula:
L’Occitane and Molton Brown
Best unscented options:
L’Occitane Shea Butter, Eve Lom and Baxter of California
Most intense for super dry skin:
Kiehl’s, Jack Black, Molton Brown Alba White Truffle and Leif
Most lightweight texture:
Nuxe Rêve de Miel
Best for sensitive skin/instant relief:
Tatcha
Personal favorites for scented hand creams:
L’Occitane x Pierre Hermé (all three)
Molton Brown Gingerlily
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black
Leif
Husband’s favorite for men:
Baxter of California
There are a number of really good gift sets this holiday. I can’t get over how good they are this year. You can find the brands above at a number of different retailers but some products and sets are exclusive to the brands own retail website. All the products are linked above in the reviews to where you can buy them so you don’t have to click around to find things. Many times it’s easier to shop at larger retailers but if you’re looking for good deals or savings, I’d recommend researching ones that sound interesting to you, make a list and bookmark websites. A lot of the individual brands will have savings and gift with purchase offers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday – so while it might be a bit of extra work to shop, I do believe it will be worth the effort. I’ll have a roundup of promotions, codes and deals on Friday and Monday so stay tuned.
I think skincare or scented products are often
tricky to gift to people, especially if you don’t know them extremely
well. I think hand creams fall into the more neutral category. I’ve
gifted L’Occitane for years and it’s always well received. There’s been
confirmation in this conclusion since those I’ve gifted the hand creams
have always repurchased what I’ve bought them, they often buy as gifts
for their friends as well.
As usual, I’ve love for you to share what your favorites are. Please let
me know in the comments!
Press samples included in the feature indicated by a *. All others purchased by me.
The Nocturnal Eyeshadows are shimmering luminous eyeshadows that have a multi-dimensional effect. A brush or finger will pick up a lot of pigment, but they apply medium-sheer in pigment on first swipe. What’s nice about these is that they are easy to build for a smokey eye. Over a base or applied wet the color intensifies. Dry, you get a softer shimmering effect on the lids. The shadows come in a small mirrored compact that is pretty sturdy for the size. The mirror is so so tiny though, it’s hard to see anything with it.
The Huntress is a bronzey taupe with a slight khaki sheen on my skin, there’s a bit of silver and gold flecks mixed in so you can see it’s pretty complex
Amber Moon is a deep metallic bronze eyeliner, but the shimmer is very fine and the color is deep
On The Prowl looks similar to The Huntress in the compact, but if the light hits it at the right angle you can see more of a plum base, below you can see the shimmer particles are different in color
Supernova is a bright but deep sparkling plum, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite as pretty
Each duo comes with a mini Rock ‘n’ Kohl Eye Pencil, both of which have a subtle luminosity and have seriously impressive lasting power. I really like the formula and plan on checking out the other shades that come in full sizes. Right now the colors in the duos are only available in the duos. I hope that changes and that Charlotte Tilbury will add them to the permanent lineup.
The two colors I picked with close ups, swatches and comparisons:
On the Prowl + Supernova: an antique Byzantium aubergine flecked with pearl and partnered with a smoky plum liner.
Swatches of the shadow three ways, first is dry (no base), second is over Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base in Suede (this is my holy grail eye base), third is applied wet. Because there is so much shimmer in these it’s a bit hard to tell in photos, but the intensity does increase dramatically when applied over a base or with a damp brush. Supernova Eyeliner is just stunning. It’s bright but deep at the same time.
I’m thrilled with both. I love dark smokey shimmers that aren’t the traditional black or grey color for a smokey eye look. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say I have a very slight preference towards the plum colors which surprises me. The combination is just so so pretty. If you are the kind to try before you buy, definitely visit your closest Charlotte Tilbury counter soon. These are both perfect to add a bit of glow and dimension to your beauty look for the upcoming holiday events but still neutral enough to wear for everyday.
Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite gifts, all under the $50 mark. A couple of these sold out online but finally popped back up – I’m so happy they’ve restocked on a few! A must on my list is the Garance Doré Love x Style x Life. It’s such a fun read. I personally have Mindy Kaling’s latest book on my wishlist. A couple other really pretty options that make great coffee table books are the Kate Spade All in Good Taste and Things We Love (both also under $50).
For the home, Henri Bendel makes some of my favorite affordable home scents. My all time favorites are Vanilla Bean, Fig and Pomegranate. There are some new scents out though. Palm Beach takes me back to the summer and smells like a vacation. Cashmere is a new warm twist on vanilla. Ocean Mist smells like the beach. I could go on and on.
The Too Faced Le Grand Chateau Set is something that’s been on my lust-list ever since it popped up online. At $48 it’s a steal for three palettes. If you’ve tried this let me know – this is one I want to gift myself! It’s sold out on a few places but currently online at Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Too Faced.
There are a lot of good value skincare sets this year – Kiehl’s has a lot of winners, especially this Travel-Ready Delights Sets. Best value lip gloss set goes to Buxom this year. Swatches of the Don’t Miss a Beat 6-piece set here. For holiday nails, I just backed up this sparkly top coat. In my opinion, it is this season’s must-have nail polish. Swatches + here.
Last but not least the Molton Brown Alba White Truffle Hand Exfoliator and Treatment now are packaged in a duo gift set. The price broken down is the same as buying them individually, but the set comes in a beautiful gift box. If you’ve ordered from Molton Brown, you know their packaging presentation is on point. A more detailed review on this soon!
Some deals and sales you can shop today. I’m waiting for Cyber Monday for the deals, but in case you’ve had your eye on something and don’t want to wait for the sales, here are some you can shop right now:
First Aid Beauty – 30% off Friends and Family with code FABFAM15 at checkout (excludes skincare kits and holiday sets), valid through 11/22, free shipping on orders over $50
Unfortunately this excludes sets, but there are still a lot of good individual items, the Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask has been a lifesaver for me this week, my skin freaked out and this helped calm everything down
Giorgio Armani Beauty – 20% off purchases $75 or more plus free standard shipping, valid until 12/8 at 12:00 AM PST
YSL Beauty – 20% off purchases $75 or more plus complimentary shipping and 2 deluxe samples, if you spend $150 or more, you will receive an additional YSL Signature Brush Set
If you haven’t tried the glossy stains, you need to! Swatches of the Pop Water Glossy Stain Lip Colors in this post here
Have a great weekend! If you know of any other good weekend sales, let me know in the comments.
The most stunning lip palette I’ve ever seen arrived from Beautylish earlier this week and of course in the blink of an eye it sold out on their website. The By Terry Gold Jewel Lip Kiss Palette ($118) is quite the splurge but has all the right colors of red, coral and pink to give the perfect glam look this holiday season. It is a limited-edition piece, so once it’s sold out, it’s gone for good. At the time of this post, it’s sold out on Beautylish, but you can still find it Barneys New York, Net-A-Porter and Space NK. If this is something you’ve been eyeing I suggest you act fast. Because it’s too good to not share, I have swatches and photos of the palette. It is a pricey investment but incredibly stunning with high quality long-wearing lipstick colors and the glosses are ultra smooth and hydrating on the lips.
Before I get into the review, a quick note on other By Terry launches this season. She has released several gorgeous luxury pieces for holiday including the Gold Elixir Glacé ($225) an illuminating skin-enhancing and smoothing face product, Gold Baume de Rose Trio ($339) 3 shimmering light special-edition Baume de Rose pots of white, yellow, and rose gold shimmer and a Baume de Rose Parure ($31) shimmering Baume de Dose ornament. Do note they are all limited-edition. I have been really intrigued by the Gold Elixir Glacé but haven’t been to a counter to test in person yet. I hope to check it out this weekend, fingers crossed that it is still in stock somewhere by then.
The Gold Jewel Lip Kiss Palette comes in a plum-brown pouch and a large rectangular mirrored compact. There is a double-sided lip brush in the compact which is actually usable and decent quality. Most lip palettes I’ve tried have brushes that are pretty much useless, so it was nice to see a good on in this kit. There are five high-pigment lipsticks and five lip lacquers that have a balmy feel. The lipsticks are creams while the lacquers have some shimmer.
The top row has lipsticks which are semi-matte in finish. They are super rich in pigment and have a bit of shine when you apply them, but they dry to a velvety finish. Still once dry they don’t look like they are dry, they give the lips a nice healthy glow of color. Being super pigmented they do require precise application. I’m not the best at applying bright or dark lipsticks evenly, if you’re like me you probably want to line and blend lipliner around the edge of your lips first. The colors do have a soft vanilla scent about the same strength as MAC and Tom Ford Lipsticks. It’s noticeable but not strong and after a little bit the scent did fade.
The colors in the top row are lipsticks, shade descriptions from left to right:
Red with a blue-pink undertone
Bright blue-based pink
Bright red with a blue-base
Orange red that pulls very bright
Deep red with neutral-cool undertones
The glosses in the second row are sheer to medium in coverage. They feel ultra plush on the lips. The shimmery ones are smooth in finish. Colors from left to right:
Sheer light beige (goes on my lips clear)
Sheer jelly fushcia (goes on pretty much clear on my lips)
Bright coral red shimmer
Cool-toned pink with silver shimmer
Shimmering neutral beige-tan
Swatches on my Chanel Beige 30/40 skin, you may want to check out the swatches on Beauty Professor as well, she and I are almost identical in skintone, right now she’s a bit more tan than I am, but we usually are around the same shades in foundations:
Two more views of the palette to try and show the difference in undertone for each of the reds, here is the palette without flash and in indoor light:
Palette in outdoor direct sun with flash:
Top row of lipsticks swatched on me:
Bottom row of glosses swatched:
One more shot below:
My overall assessment is that this is indeed a stunning palette, especially for the holiday season. I’m not usually a red-lip wearer but I have been incorporating more color into my daily makeup wear. The best thing about this palette is that it has a diverse range of reds with different undertones. Each lipstick color is distinct enough that you can see the difference between each shade. Having a palette allows you to mix the colors and layer them together to get different depths or shine with the gloss. Lasting power of the lipsticks is quite impressive. They do leave a stain on the lips so when I was swatching these, I was particularity happy to have some of the Bite Beauty Lip Wipes from the Discovery Set on hand.
Another pro is the reds go on exactly the same color you see in the compact. So many reds turn color on me which makes it so hard for me to find good reds (a lot turn fuchsia and look completely different on my lips compared to what I see in the tubes). The lipsticks in the By Terry Gold Jewel Lip Kit are true-to-pan.
I will say that my holy grail perfect red is still the Rouge Louboutin Silky Satin lipstick. There is something magical in that color that makes it perfect and I haven’t found anything close in any other lipstick I’ve tried. A close second is the Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in Miss Scarlet for a bold but true red.
All that being said, I will be getting a lot of use out of this palette with the events of the upcoming holiday season. The colors can be toned down if you blot lightly rather than apply with a brush or fingers. The gloss helps sheer out color as well. If you’re a nude-neutral lip lover, check out my post on Rosy and Red Tinted Lip Balms that are more forgiving and have a more natural finish. One of my favorite red balms is from By Terry which is her Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur in Bloom Berry.
Bottom line stunning.
The By Terry Gold Jewel Lip Kiss Palette retails for $118. Currently available at Barneys New York, Net-A-Porter and Space NK. You may want to keep checking in at Beautylish too in case they restock it. Since it’s limited-edition, I do suggest you track one down sooner than later so you don’t miss out.
The By Terry lip palette was provided as a press sample for review consideration. All opinions my own.
