Currently catching up on all my favorite blog reads, instagram feeds and tweets from last week. Also busy swatching some of the latest nail polishes for fall from Dior and YSL. Check out my Instagram feed @beautylookbook to get early sneak peeks.
Jo Malone Vitamine E Lip Conditioner is hands down the best lip balm I’ve tried, smooth luxurious feel, soft sweet honey scent (very subtle), fixes dry lips like no other
Aerin Rose Hand and Body Cream is my new favorite hand cream, I bought one for my mother on mother’s day and gave a mini to my friend for her birthday, both love the way it smells, it has a soft rose scent without being too floral
NARS Light Reflecting Loose Powder is a staple setting powder that doesn’t make the skin look ashy or pale even though it’s a white powder, it evens out the skin in a subtle way, check out the effects on Café Makeup and Temptalia
A few things I’m loving right now include these cute little prints from Printstagr.am (love this site to print your Instagram photos), Chanel Lilis 647 Le Vernis, skincare from SK-II (more to come soon) and all of Armani summer. This week’s loves:
I’m currently loving fresh-cut flowers, Dior Spring Ball #343 Nail Polish/Lipgloss/Lipstick (review to come next week), luxury candles, printed Instagram photos via printstagr.am, lacquered trays from West Elm. Weekend loves:
The Non-Blonde – previews of new goodies from Edward Bess
My late-week (mid-week, didn’t realize the week is already almost over) lust list includes a mix of tried and true staples along with some new items that are extremely tempting. My resolve is weakening, especially because of Nordstrom’s Triple Points event going on now until the 24th (I have some Dior and NARS items waiting in store from pre-sales that I need to pick up soon).
Diptyque Candles ($28 to $60 for the clear jars) are among my favorite candles. I’ve burned through Baies and Figuier several times over and the jars are easily recyclable into beautiful brush or pen holders. These days I’m always have a candle burning while I’m at home whether it’s Diptyque, Henri Bendel, Jo Malone or something else new. I’ve never tried the Wick Trimer yet, but figured it’s about time I purchase one. Do any of you have experiences with candle trimmers?
Chanel Top Coat ($26) is a staple glossy must-have that extends the life of my manicures that doesn’t cause shrinkage. Mine lasted several years but just started to thicken (I think I didn’t close the lid tightly enough with the last few uses). I need to replenish.
Dior has re-vamped their Addict Glosses ($29.50) once again. I need Nuit Boreale because it looked so gorgeous on Makeup and Beauty Blog (although it’s probably an existing shade re-incarnated with a different name).
NARS Satin Lip Pencils ($25 each) have been all the rage. I love how they look on Café Makeup and Temptalia. I already own Isola Bella, a gorgeous nude-pink and love it. I need a few more of the neutrals. These look like an easy goof-proof throw-it-on kind of pencil.
Did you buy anything for Triple Points? I’ve love to live vicariously through your picks 🙂
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There is a long list of new discoveries I’ve fallen in love with this year. Many were thanks to other bloggers (thank you for your inspiration). It’s been a challenging year for me in my non-blogging work life. Thanks to many of you for keeping me inspired and for your never ending support. For my top picks, this year’s favorites include the following:
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No. 1 – Best Splurge – Tom Ford Beauty Brushes
After reading numerous raves, I decided to purchase the Tom Ford Brush Set. It was a hefty investment but the brushes are well designed with an ultra-soft luxurious feel. The performance is simply amazing with makeup application. You have to try it to believe it. I have a detailed review on the Eye Contour Brush #12. The two others eye brushes I’ve acquired since then are equally amazing and while they were insanely expensive, the performance of these cannot be matched. I would say start with the Eye Shadow Brush #11, Eye Contour Brush #12 and Blush Brush #06 if you’re new to his brush line.
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No. 2 Best Beauty Collection – Tom Ford Fall 2012
Since Tom Ford launched his beauty line, I mainly fell in love with his lipsticks and blushes. I felt the rest of the line was just ok. The quads were either too glitzy or glittery, nail polishes were thin and inconsistent in formula/pigment, liners seemed basic. However something happened with the fall line. I saw a significant improvement in texture and pigment with the metallic nail polishes in Dominatrix and Minx along with the Enchanted quad. Narcissist blush was as amazing as expected – a gorgeous hot pink.
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No. 3 Best Cheek Products – Chanel Rose Initiale and Lumière d’Artifices Beiges
The prettiest neutrals for cheeks this year (for me) came from Chanel’s Fall 2012 collection. Rose Initiale is a soft yet healthy neutral pink. The Beiges highlighter gave my complexion a natural glow. A more detailed review linked here.
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No. 4 Best Lipsticks – Burberry Beauty
The best and most-used lipsticks for me this year were from Burberry Beauty. They have the most naturally flattering colors. It’s nearly impossible for me to pick out favorites as I adore most of the colors. My top three most-used were Rosewood, Cameo Pink and Field Rose (a few swatches here and here). I also tried a few of their lip velvets but did not have time to review. The colors are richly pigmented and texture is smooth but not dry like the name “velvet” might imply. (Great swatches on Café Makeup and Kais Obsessions.)
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No. 5 Best Eye Base – Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base
I was lucky to test a prototype of Edward’s Eye Base at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills in April 2011. I waited a year before I was able to buy the actual product. Edward Bess’s Illuminating Eye Base is by far the best eye base I’ve tried. I alternate between two shades in Dune (lighter matte) and Suede (a darker satiny color). They help shadows stay put. They even out the lids. And the best for me is that they don’t dry my lids like most other bases do. They are swatched here.
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No. 6 Favorite Palettes – Le Métier de Beauté
As time goes by, I fall more and more in love with Le Métier de Beauté’s Eyeshadow Formula. Their Eye Kaleidoscopes are just breathtaking and the color combinations pure genius. I love the smooth pigmented formula that layers and blends so well. Nouvelle Vague is unique and the delicate pink shades combined with the darkest black creates a sultry eye. Bauhaus is yet another beauty that I love. I hope more kits come out and that they are made more widely available.
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No. 7 Favorite Home Fragrance – Diptyque Candles
There a number of candles I love, but this year Diptyque won my heart. I love that their candles double as lovely brush or pen holders once finished. See them here too.
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No. 8 Favorite Color Theme – Coral
The most-frequently worn color for me this year was coral. My favorite coral was Chanel Distraction. See the color focus series here.
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No. 9 Nail Polishes – Chanel
Chanel still wins best nail polish category for me in terms of color selection, pigment, consistency and quality. My favorite colors this year (swatches linked): Island, Distraction, Malice, Accessoire and Delight.
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No. 10 Top Three Favorite Staples – NARS, Dolce and Gabbana and Edward Bess
The top three beauty things I couldn’t live without this year: Edward Bess’s Daydream Bronzing Powder (the original one, already hit pan on one), Dolce and Gabbana’s Powder Foundation in Warm 100, and NARS Volumizing Mascara. These are things I’ve repurchased.
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In addition, a few reflections I’ve enjoyed reading that I wanted to share:
