NARS Sweet Disposition

 Blush, Bronzers, Highlighter, NARS  6 Responses »
Oct 252010
 

NARS Sweet Disposition ($40/Nordstrom) is a set of three mini-multiples for eyes, lips and cheeks:  Malibu, Orgasm and Luxor.  At .14 ounces each, these mini’s make an adorable, gift-able way to play.  I was so excited when these arrived that I couldn’t wait to open the box.  First, they are mini’s and therefore automatically adorable beyond belief.  Second, these are products that I’ve always wanted to play with, but could never commit to just one.  Sweet Disposition gives me three options–a deep shade (Malibu), a medium shade (Orgasm) and a light shade (Luxor).  How could I not love this set?

I assume that this set is limited edition for Holiday 2010. If you prefer, each of these colors is available in a full sized version (.50 oz.) for $38 each.  One thing that I love about NARS is that their use of limited editions are very restrained. There is no tricky hook shade in this collection that is only in this set and then it is gone forever, leaving you with a lingering feeling that you needed to buy the whole set or be forever haunted that you didn’t.  Instead, NARS played it straight and thereby earns my undying loyalty (once again!).

The above picture shows the difference in size between the three mini’s in Sweet Disposition compared to the larger Cadaques Multiple Tint reviewed here.  The mini’s are packaged in similar matte black packaging as their larger sisters, although the smaller ones do not have the same rubberized cushiony feel.

Continue reading »

Five Things I’m Loving Right Now

 Bronzers, Brushes and Tools, Burberry, Chanel, Edward Bess, Lipgloss, Nail Polish  6 Responses »
Aug 312010
 

I’ve noticed a tradition of some beauty bloggers, who do a month-end wrap of “10 Things I’m Loving Right Now,” to let readers know which products are getting the most use.  In some ways, I find those posts the most valuable because it helps me understand which products have taken center stage, and so worth checking out for myself.  As August nears its close, I thought that I’d give this format a try:

1.   Chanel Flat Powder Brush (European)– Reviewed here. Used with Caron powder, this brush gives me a perfect airbrush finish.  Amazing, soft feel and very natural application.  A great investment.  If you can’t get this one soon, perhaps look at the MAC equivalent–which I haven’t tried but which seems to be a similar shape.

2.  Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer– Reviewed here.  I love this on a train, I love this in the rain, I love this in a boat or when wearing a coat…you get the picture.  Always looks amazingly natural and beautiful.  The Perfect Bronzer.  Times ten.

3.  Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Confidence–  Reviewed here.  Can you bottle confidence?  No, but you can put it in a heavy glass tube with a doe-foot applicator.  Always looks wonderful.  Here it is worn by January Jones at the 2010 Emmys:

4.  Burberry Foundation–  Love the finish and ease of using this foundation.  It lasts all day, although it is a very lightweight foundation.  This can be layered for extra coverage where needed.  Well worth investigating.  Swatches are here.

5. Butter London All Hail McQueen– reviewed here.  I’m the last person to ever expect to enjoy wearing a holographic polish.  But I’m going to have to buy a second one of these soon.  The color is so on-trend, it’s a very light taupe/griege.  Indoors, the holographic quality doesn’t show, it’s only when the nail is hit by light that it turns magical.  Easy, perfect application.

So tell us what you are loving right now?

Guerlain Terracotta Light Bronzer in Blondes Hâlées: The Reformulation

 Bobbi Brown, Bronzers, Guerlain  3 Responses »
Jun 242010
 

Guerlain’s Terracotta Light Summer Bronzing Powder in Blondes Hâlées ($50) is a reformulation of its formerly-released Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder.  Although the products look similar at first glance, the formula, color and tone of the products are quite different.

As both versions are still being sold, and it is worth a pause so that we can tell the difference.

The packaging of both is nearly identical.  There are two differences to look for:  First, the older versions are called “Blondes” and “Brunettes.”  The new versions are called “Blondes Hâlées” and “Brunettes Hâlées.”   Second, the limited edition version for Summer 201 uses the phrase “Summer Bronzing Powder” on the packaging and compact.  The older version does not.  Also, the new Hâlées have a slight pebbled look to the ornate embedded logo on the compact.  The older version is simpler, without the dotted texture that surrounds the swirling, embedded “G’s.”

This review focuses on Blondes Hâlées, which I recently purchased and compared to my former Blondes.

The primary differences are:

  • The texture of Blondes Hâlées is much softer and easier to pick up on the brush.  The older Blondes seems quite hard by comparison.
  • Blondes Hâlées is a deeper, darker color.
  • Blondes Hâlées is a more intense, more dramatic bronzer.
  • Blondes Hâlées has redder undertones, which is more akin to a tiny pink-red that looks more like sun-exposed “tan with a touch of red”.
  • The older Blondes has a sheerer golden tone.

Hare side-by-side swatches:

I prefer the new formulation.  Blondes Hâlées has a beautiful natural tone with a pretty golden shimmer.  I had to beat the pigment out of the former Blondes to get sheer coverage. Blondes Hâlées gives a more natural look and is much easier to work with.

Here is a comparison — on the left, no bronzer.  On the right, Blondes Hâlées:

Although Guerlain Blondes Hâlées is a deeper color tone, I find the effect quite natural.  Her skin takes on a pink tone, without any trace of orange.

Below, Liz added a pop of pink blush (Bobbi Brown French Pink) on top of Blondes Hâlées:

So, between the Edward Bess Daydream that I reviewed last and the Guerlain, which do you prefer?

 

 

Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer – Daydream

 Bronzers, Edward Bess  6 Responses »
Jun 222010
 

For summer, I’m taking a look at Edward Bess’ Ultra Luminous Bronzer in Daydream ($48 for 0.3 oz.)), a soft, natural bronzer. This bronzer has an understated elegance that I can easily and confidently wear.

It’s impossible to over-do it.  Unlike some bronzers I’ve tried (I’m looking at you, Giorgio Armani!), Daydream does not give the faintest hint of orange or cakey build-up when densely applied.  Yet, Daydream is not too subtle.  Unlike Guerlain Blondes, which can sometimes look a little beige even on my pale skin, Edward Bess’ Daydream is soft and easily picked up by the brush.  Daydream is an easy bronzer, even for those normally reluctant to add a little glow.

Daydream is sold in a large round compact with a mirrored lid.  The compact is very slim and easy to pack for travel.

This bronzer is very soft and natural—arm swatches simply do not do this product justice.  I asked my daughter Liz to pose for one picture without bronzer (on the left), then to add Daydream for a second picture (on the right):

Liz applied this product with a Sephora Bronzer Brush, added the color nearly everywhere, but more heavily on the chin, cheeks and forehead. As you can see, Liz’s picture on the left is her normal pale NC15/20 (Chanel Cameo in Tient Innocence Fluid) skin tone.  Adding Daydream for the picture on the right, Daydream’s almost-matte texture gives Liz a “your skin but better” glow.  The powder is very easy to work with, and seems to take away any oil-glow from being outdoors in summer.

  • Tutorial:   Bronzers can be used to sculpt and contour by focusing on the forehead, chin and cheeks.  Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge has done a lovely bronzer tutorial at her site.

Liz finished her makeup by adding a blush, here Nars Lovejoy, to finish her look:

Overall, I like Edward Bess’ Daydream bronzer for an everyday, subtle and sophisticated look.  It’s very appropriate for work or for a formal outdoor event where I want a bit of glow.  For example, if I were attending a wedding, business meeting or a formal lunch, this is the bronzer that I would reach for.  I can see myself purchasing Desert Sun, Edward Bess’ darker bronzer, for a more dramatic look and to add variety.

Stay tuned–this week, I am hoping to post a review for the newly reformulated Guerlain Blondes bronzer for a comparison.

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder -Maui and Antigua

 Blush, Bobbi Brown, Bronzers, Highlighter  2 Responses »
May 212010
 

When is a bronzer, not a bronzer?  Answer–> When it is a Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder!  Both Maui and Antigua ($33 each) are two “bronzers” in Bobbi Brown’s bronzer line that are indisputably more like a highlighter/blush than anything that will give a tan effect.  Nonetheless, I find that I’ve fallen hard for one of them, and can’t wait to dig into the other.

The typical bronzer comes in shades from beige, gold, dusty browns and pink-tans that usually darken the skin.  Both Maui and Antigua are lighter colors that add a pop of natural blush that can be worn over a bronzer to keep you looking alive and pretty.  Sometimes wearing a bronzer can deaden the skin, adding a veil of tan-brown.  You can add a touch of blush for a pop of color, then a highlighter for added illumination.  Bobbi Brown’s Maui and Antigua combine the last two steps–pop of color and highlighter–into one.  And both colors are beautiful choices that seem to work well with bronzers.  Also, you get a good size pan of color for $33–this is about the diameter of a Cargo blush, which is certainly very reasonable for the quality and look.

As you can see, my Antigua pan has that “well-loved” look. If you looked very close you’d see the concentric circles that signify that I’m getting close to hitting the pan on this one.  I absolutely love this pink on my MAC NC15 skintone.  I’ll be replacing that soon.  The coral-pink Maui is new and unused in this picture:

Comparison swatches:

If you are considering Antigua keep in mind that Bobbi Brown is releasing an Antigua palette this summer at Bloomingdale’s.  You can see reviews and swatches of the palette at The Beauty Look Book at this link.

I’m going to pass on getting the Antigua palette, although it’s probably time for me to think about replacing my Antigua.  First, I do not enjoy palettes with lip products exposed to powder products.  Second, I’m not sure Antigua is pigmented enough to wear as a stand-alone blush unless heavily applied.  So I’m not sure that the Antigua palette will work as a go-to travel palette for me.

Page 8 of 10 1 2 … 6 7 8 9 10