Best of 2012 Roundup - Makeup

Hello, Happy New Year!  I sorted through many makeup products and I have summed up the most amazing short list of products of 2012...

Base

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup was launched in Fall 2012.  It is by far my current favorite and the best foundation from Giorgio Armani cosmetics.  The new Fusion Technology covers imperfections flawlessly with only a thin layer.  It never looks heavy or feel cakey.  My color is 4.5 and it blends beautifully with my skin tone!  Thumbs up!

I have heard about Eve Pearl for over a year before I made my first purchase at IMATS in Los Angeles last year.  I do not why I waited so long, I should have made the plunge earlier.  I got a good price on this palette at IMATS;  I paid $40 less than the regular price.  The Eve Pearl Flawless Face Palette contains all the products you need to perfect your canvas.  The flat palette is great for travel.  The kit includes: 2 Cream Foundation Shades (Light 1, Light 2), 2 Cream Concealers (Fair, Light), 1 Cream Blush (Rosy), 1 Mattifier, 1 Illuminator.  I highly recommend this palette if you have drier skin and want to give Eve Pearl a try.

Bronzer

Guerlain Terracotta Spray Bronzing Powder Mist is my go-to spray bronzing powder for the last few years.  I like the fine mist that gives me an airbrushed and healthy glow any time of the year.  Besides this bronzer, I am a big fan of other Guerlain compact bronzers too!  Love!


Brows

When it comes to brows, I stick to brow pencil and brow gel.  When I want a super natural look, I will use brow gel alone.  Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel does it for me.  It is fantastic in adding a touch of color to the brow hairs and the gel grooms the hairs in place.  Granite is grayish taupe and it looks very natural on my black color brow hairs.  It softens up my natural brow color.

Eyes

For eyeshadows, the following brands are what I reached for the most in 2012.  They are all fabulous in texture, pigmentation, and blendability:

Inglot Freedom System for eyes

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow

Kevyn Aucoin Eye Shadow Duo

  

Blush

I tried many good blushes in 2012, but THE one that I was most impressed with was Illamasqua Powder Blush.  It might be the most pigmented and long lasting blush that I have ever tried.  I was amazed that it can last all day until I took it off.  As you know, the Illamasqua color range is always intriguing and beautiful, I am obsessed with this brand.

Lips

When it comes to lips, I had to choose my favorite texture of the year and a good drugstore find that was surprising smooth and hydrating...

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick

All in all, I was very adventurous in makeup in 2012, I was happy with many products that I got an opportunity to play with.  For the short list mentioned above, I have no doubt that I will re-purchase every single item in the future.  What were your favorites in 2012?

Thanks for looking!  Until next post......

Crimson, Oxblood, Wine Lips

Hello, I am sure you have heard and seen, red lips are big for Fall.  Red is the universal lip color of class and glamour for women around the globe.  

Whether it is in the form of a gloss, glaze, stain, or lipstick, I am head over heels over red lips in any season.

Top to bottom:

Burberry Lip Glow Natural Lip Gloss in No. 13 Hibiscus 

Via Google Images - Burberry Lip Glow No. 13 Hibiscus

Aveda Nourish-Mint Rehydrating Lip Glaze in 366 Cherry Blossom

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 045 Romantic

Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in PCL 23 Fig Creme 

Via Google images

Via Google images

Via Google images

Via Google images

Via Google images

Thanks for reading!  Until next post......

Best of June Roundup - Chanel, Burberry, Oribe

Hello, Happy 4th of July!!  It is that time again, let's jump right into my June favorite products:  

Skin Care - Chanel Le Blanc Skincare

When I visited the Chanel counter at Nordstrom a few months back, I received some samples of Chanel Le Blanc Skincare that had just launched at that time.  It is a line specifically for brightening.  I received the cleanser, brightening moisture lotion, brightening concentrate (serum), and brightening moisturizing cream.  I waited and took the samples with me on my recent trip to Los Angeles and tried everything for about one week.  

I did take a risk in sampling new products on a trip, but everything turned out fine.  In fact, my skin loved this line.  My skin felt moisturized enough, but not overly moisturized.  The line also helped keep my face clear at the same time.  

The cleanser is the foaming type, it lathers and cleanses quite well.  Next, I especially love the moisture lotion which is a toner, it exfoliates the skin and preps it for the serum and moisturizer.  The texture of the brightening concentrate and moisturizing cream are similar, they both have a light gel cream texture to them.   You can use the concentrate and moisturizing cream around the eye area too.  Multi-functional products are a big plus for me.  In fact, there are not too many brightening products out there that you can use both on the face and eye area.  The products have a light floral scent, not heavy.

My initial thoughts are I like this line a lot.  It is good to incorporate a brightening skincare line especially in the summer.  I am currently back to using SK II because I was gifted some items from a relative and want to use up everything first.  I would consider getting the moisture lotion and the moisturizing cream from this line next.

Makeup - Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in No. 22 Pale Barley

I have been really loving Burberry eyeshadows lately.  I currently own three Burberry brown eyeshadows and might acquire more in the future.  Today I will talk about No. 22 Pale Barley, it first launched a few months ago.  I fell in love when I swatched it for the first time, it is a beautiful pale taupe brown with gold shimmer.  It is a wearable color that looks good on many different skin tones.  The Burberry eyeshadows are creamy in texture and the formula is long lasting even if you do not use an eye base.  It has good color payoff as it is buildable.  And the packaging speaks for itself, Burberry chic.  LOVE!

Hair Care - Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

It is a hair texturizer and conditioning treatment in one.  I enjoy using it in the morning on my bed head.  Also, it is great for second day hair if you do not shampoo everyday.  Although I have only used it on dry hair, it can be used on dry or wet hair.  The scent is fruity floral and it is very pleasant, it actually smells like summer to me.  

I bought the travel size spray at Space NK in Bloomingdale's and it was around $19.50.

To my fellow American readers, have a safe holiday!  Until next post......

Random Sightings of Spring 2012 Makeup Displays

Hello, Here we are still in winter, but the Spring 2012 Makeup Collections have already made their way to the stores.  Whether it is soft pastel, neon, or earthy tones, the scene got me very excited about the arrival of Spring in the not too distant future.  I already picked up some goodies from Burberry, Dior, Estee Lauder, Loreal, and Rimmel London to name a few (the Rimmel collections are new in the US, but they were released in Europe in 2011).  I will review many of these products in due course.  In the meantime, here are some iPhone snap shots of a few of my favorite collections for Spring 2012.

Have you checked out any of the Spring 2012 Collections yet?  Until next post......

Rimmel London Kate Moss Lipstick Collection

Rimmel London Glam' Eyes HD Shadows

Estee Lauder Topaz New Pure Color Spring 2012

Burberry Spring/Summer 2012

Guerlain "The Pinks and the Blacks" Collection Spring 2012

MAC Naturally

Dior "Garden Party" Spring Collection

Best of 2011 Roundup - Lips

Hello,  This is the last Best of 2011 Roundup post.  These are four of my favorite lipsticks in 2011:

From left to right:

1)  Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 63 Rebelle - orange red
2)  Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in No. 5 Heather Rose - medium rosy brown
3)  Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipstick in 30 Delight - vibrant pink coral
4)  Aveda Nourish-Mint Sheer Mineral Lip Color in 900 Sheer Petalite - sheer shimmery copper 

Another picture in the sunlight

Until next post......

Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder

Hello, I am back with another Becca makeup review.  I have been using Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder in Bliss since Spring and I am hitting pan with this product.  I do not use it as a foundation, but rather as a setting powder over liquid foundation.  Here are my thoughts on this product:

Color - This product comes in ten shades.  Bliss is a neutral color for fair to light skin tones.  I love this color!  It is neither too yellow or too pink for my skin tone

Texture - Finely milled mineral powder, it goes on very smooth and it feels weightless

Coverage - Sheer and buildable to a light coverage.  This is the reason why I use it as a setting powder over liquid foundation.  If you have really good skin, you can definitely use it on its own on well moisturized skin

Finish - Semi-matte finish, but not flat.  It can look chalky if you use too much. Your skin will look perfect if you use just the right amount

Skin type - All.  If you have dry skin, moisturize your skin well before using it on its own
Price - Retail for $38 for a small compact.  For reference, it comes in a smaller compact compared to their powder blushes
Repurchase? - Maybe.  I am torn.  I really liked the finish on my skin.  But as you can see from the pictures, the product dried up and started cracking in the compact after about 6 months.  From my experience, it seems like other powder foundations can sustain longer.  Final words, the Becca website claims that the product is water resistant, I can say that it is sweat proof because I have worn this in hot weather and it held up well.  Another claim is that you can wear it to bed to mimic smooth and perfect skin while you sleep, interesting?  I haven't tried this because I generally remove all makeup prior to sleeping

Since the Becca mineral powder has become dried and chalky, I will not be using it any longer.  I recently picked up Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder Foundation and Burberry Sheer Luminous Compact Foundation as backup.  I have been trying the D&G powder and I like it so far.  I have high hopes for these powders since I love their cream and liquid foundation counterparts.

Which mineral makeup or powder foundation are you wearing?  Until next post......

Best of August Roundup - Makeup, Body Care, and Fragrance

Hello, Continuing with August Roundup, here are my favorite products for makeup, body care, and fragrance:

Makeup

Burberry Light Glow Blush in Tangerine No. 06 was my go to blush in August, see previous review .  In fact, it was in my purse everyday for most of this summer.  The color is perfect for the office and it was great for me to have it for touch up after work if I was going out.  There is nothing bad I can say about this blush except the price is on the high end.  But you pay for what you get.  The entire Burberry makeup line is classy, no fuss, and good quality products.  It stays true to the branding of the company.

Body Care

McEvoy Ranch 80 Acres Verde Olive Oil Body Balm was one of my favorites last month, see previous review.  This body balm leaves a nice sheen on the skin and provides adequate hydration.  You can wear it in the summer as well as into the fall and winter. 

Fragrance

I picked up the MAC Turquatic fragrance after the re-launch on August 11.  As I mentioned in a previous post, it was the only MAC fragrance I have owned and enjoyed in the past.  The ad campaign displayed beautiful images inspired by the sea and the new decorative bottle is more interesting looking than the old.  It is a crisp, casual, and warm fragrance.  Great for the daytime and not offensive to most noses.  The lasting power is not the best.  It lasted two to maybe three hours on my skin, by then the scent turned faint.

According to the MAC website, Turquatic is a sensual sea spray with notes of Anemone, Lotus, Orris, and Corsican Blue Cedar.  I purchased the 0.68 fl oz. or 20 ml size for $27.50 at Macy's.  It also comes in a 6 ml  rollerball and a 50 ml size bottle.

Until next post......

Burberry Makeup Review - Foundation, Blush, Eyeliner

Hello, I have been eyeing the Burberry Sheer Foundation that has been out on the market for some time now.  Last month I headed to the Burberry Makeup counter at Nordstrom to check it out.  I purchased their lipstick and blush before and they are very good quality products.  The packaging is beautiful with the famous Burberry check and most if not all products are made in Italy.  I knew I was not going to come home empty handed and disappointed.  I ended up purchasing the Sheer Foundation in Trench No. 04, Light Glow Tangerine Blush in No. 06, and Eye Definer in Midnight Blue No.04.

What do I think?

Sheer Foundation

Color - the MUA matched me in shade Trench No. 4.  It is a light neutral shade which is a good match for my light slightly yellow-toned skin.  The foundation color range is for most light to dark medium skin tones
Texture - light, creamy, and it smoothed out my pores
Coverage - Medium and buildable
Finish - Luminous and flawless
Skin type - Normal to Dry
Price - High.  $52 for 1 fl. oz., this is steep!
Lasting Power - 4-5 hours without powder, longer with powder
Repurchase? - Yes

Love the Burberry check on the powder blush and that it came with a brush

Light Glow Blush

Color - Tangerine in No. 06.  The name is deceiving, it is not an orange or coral color. It is a matte pink nude color that looks super natural and gives a hint of flush on light toned skin

Texture - Luxurious, thanks to the finely milled powder

Skin type - Any

Price - High $42

Repurchase?- Maybe.  This is a splurge for me, I think I can find comparable blushes for less

Eye Definer

Color - Midnight Blue No. 04, blue is the new black this fall!  It is a dark navy blue, looks black from a distance

Formula - creamy and smooth, not water resistant, and it smudges easily

Price - High $27

Repurchase ? - No.  I like the color, but I prefer formulas that are longer lasting and water resistant

What do you like in the Burberry Makeup line?  Until next post......

1/20/12 Edit:  For the Sheer Foundation, I have switched to No. 6 which is a truer match to my current skin tone.  No. 4 has become a bit too light for my skin.