The holidays are among us and it’s a perfect time to add a little extra glam to your look. It might sound a bit silly – but even to this day I still get a bit excited about planning my holiday makeup. Granted, my look isn’t anything too glamorous, but I am wearing a selection of new products that I’ve been loving. These days I’ve been really drawn to rose-golds and blush tones and this is a nod to that.
Here is a ‘summer-ready’ look I created with the new SummerGlo Palette from Lorac.
See my last post for a review and color reference.
Wearing shades 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10
Wearing shade #3 on lid/crease and #2 applied to crease and lower lash line. I lightly applied shade 9 on to the outer edge of the crease and end of lower lash line. Added shade #4 on outer end of lid and #10 on the brow bone. I finished off by adding the white shade #1 into the inner corner of eyes, and #6 on the middle of the lower lash line. Also wearing the new LORAC 3D Lustre Liner in Pewter/Black Slate. Bronzer is LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer and lipstick is LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in Girl Next Door.
LORAC SummerGlo Eye Shadow Palette $24
The Dior Addict Glosses have been revamped, reformulated and re-released in a selection of 24 new shades for Spring. The new glosses are formulated to create a “plumping” effect. They contain hyaluronic spheres to help to keep lips moisturized. The glosses are available in three finishes, shimmer (iredescent sparkle), pearl (micro-shimmer) and pure (cream).
The Dior Addict glosses are lightweight without any tacky feel. The comfortable and moisturizing formula has a faint sweet scent that is barely detectable once applied. If you’re looking for bold color, you wont find it here. I have found most shades to be quite sheer with slight variations of opacity. Though it is a ‘plumping’ formula you will not experience any tingling sensation. I can’t personally determine whether or not this gloss creates a fuller look, though any gloss in general will create the illusion of a fuller lip. The shimmering particles help to add to this effect.
Délice is a sheer peach shade with gold shimmer. The gold shimmer is utterly dazzling in person and without it, the shade would be quite ordinary. My photos could not quite capture just how lovely it is. The micro-shimmer particles are not gritty on the lips, the gloss is soft and smoothe.
I have paired Dior Addict Lip Gloss in Delice along with Dior Vernis in Delice. The sheer quality of the gloss doesnt create a perfect match between the two, although they are created to be layered. Dior Addict Lipstick in Delice would create a perfect match when layered with the gloss. (A review of Dior Addict Lipstick in Diablotine coming soon.)
Dior Addict Lip Gloss in Delice and Dior Vernis in Delice
Dior ‘Addict’ Gloss $29.50 (nordstrom.com)
Have you tried the new glosses from Dior? Thoughts?
Laura Mercier recently released eight new shades of their cult classic Caviar Stick Eye Colour for spring. Orchid is one of the new shades released along with grey pearl, rosegold, mint snow, sand glow, sugar frost, and seashell.
Since recently discovering the Caviar Eye Colour Sticks from Laura Mercier, I have been absolutely smitten. The shadow sticks make application a breeze, just a few swipes gives you bold color. You can easily blend them using your fingertip, or a synthetic eyeshadow brush creating a look in seconds. Darker shades can be used to create the perfect smokey eye, or you can simply just use it as a liner. The creamy formula provides exceptional wear.
Orchid is a lavender shade that’s heavy on the shimmer. In some lighting, it appears more mauve and in other a more cool-toned blue. This shade is a bit of a deviation from my standard. I must admit though, I find it incredibly wearable. It also looks lovely paired with amethyst, I’ll just pop some on the center of my lid for some added dimension.
I kept everything else simple and just added some lashes and a swipe of mascara in the below look. Orchid also looks stunning paired with a contrasting shade of coral on the lips or cheeks.
In this look:
Face
Eyes
Lips
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour $24 (here)
Have you tried the Caviar Eye Colour Sticks?
My introduction to Burberry Cosmetics began with their Light Glow Blush in Peony and I knew that it wouldn’t be my last. The Burberry Sheer blushes are among the finest that I’ve come across. There is no doubting that the formula is truly exquisite.
Burberry Sheer Glow Blushes are embossed with Burberry’s iconic check pattern. You will see the pattern embossed on the compact, engraved on the powder and on the included velvet pouch. The brush that you will find in the compact it is not my first choice to use in application, but is incredibly soft and surprisingly functional. The blush, like most of Burberry’s line, has the scent of roses. While many people enjoy this it is not to my taste and has been the only reason I have been at all hesitant about making further Burberry purchases. Fortunately the scent does not linger long and in the end I am just too crazy for this formula to do without.
The Sheer glow blushes are incredibly finely milled. It is a matte formula blush that creates a healthy looking glow. The soft powder has a creamy quality that just works so beautifully on the skin. The blush just seems to have the ability to melt into your complexion.. One swipe of the brush brings a great amount of pigment. The blush layers beautifully to create a more defined look.
Earthy is a medium-tan brown with mauve tones. Earthy is the perfect contour shade for light to medium complexions. I use it both as a contour paired with another shade, or as a blush. When using it as a contour I apply it underneath my cheekbones and add another shade to the apples of my cheeks. I find many shades work well paired along with it. When wearing it as a blush I start by applying it as a contour and slightly blend it upwards. I will also wear is in place of bronzer. The Sheer Glow blush wears incredibly well and lasts all day.
You can see just how pigmented one swipe is in the above image. I am also hoping that my photo helps to show just how buttery smooth this formula is. I am wearing several layers in the below image on top of foundation and setting powder. Earthy has become my go-to contour shade in replacement of NYX Taupe. I also love it as an everyday blush. It is the perfect shade to pair along with other bold makeup. I am already considering my third, Tangerine has been on my radar.
Burberry Sheer Blush $42 (burberrybeauty.com)
Have you tried the Burberry Sheer Glow Blushes? Do you use a contour? Which one?
The Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow collection ranges from “classic trench coat-inspired shades to smokey-metals” and are said to “adapt to all skin tones.” I have been wanting to further explore the Burberry Beauty brand since trying and loving their Sheer Glow Blush. The stunning selection of neutrals eye shadows has captured my attention for some time, particularly Midnight Brown, Rosewood and Almond, which I have here.
The Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow contains a hefty 2.5 grams of product housed inside a metal case. The compact is engraved with Burberry’s iconic plaid and is very sturdy with a fair amount of weight to it. The shadow inside is embossed with a plaid design as well. The mirror under the lid stays surprisingly clean because there is zero fall-out with this formula.
Almond is a medium brown with some warm golden tones. The finish is matte, although it contains the finest amount of shimmer that lends the shadow a lovely sheen. The texture is truly marvelous. The powder is intensely creamy and blends into the skin beautifully. While some powders sit on top of the skin, Burberry’s seem to melt into the skin allowing a luminous finish. I think the name ‘sheer’ comes from the idea that the shadow, while still providing ample color, allows your skin to naturally shine through.
I’ve layered the shadow in the image above about three times. The shadow works beautifully as a sheer wash of color and layers well for a more defined look. I found that because the shadow blends so easily into the skin I had to concentrate a bit more on my application. The lovely texture doesn’t settle into any lines or creases and wears exceptionally well. Once applied, the shadow does not budge and is by far one of the longest lasting I have come across. Almond appears warmer in the pan and on my arm than when applied to my eye, where it leans a bit more taupe.
wearing Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Almond
I am quite smitten with Almond which I have been wearing daily. It’s a perfect neutral to wear alone of layered with other shadows. While I think that $30 is a bit of a splurge for a single eye shadow, the amount provided is certainly ample and will last me for a long time to come.
Have you tried Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow’s? Any thoughts?
The concept of Valentine’s Day and the history of such a holiday is logically a bit silly to me. Love and romance should certainly be exercised on the regular and not on a day when the price of a rose is double. Now, with that being said I must admit that I cannot help but be swept up in the idea of a little added tlc. I might put a little more time into my routine, have a go at cooking dinner, or leave a silly little note for my loved one.
Now that I have affirmed just how crazy I am about Valentines Day, I share with you some suggestions for making your day just a little more special. Don’t forget to show yourself some love with a little extra pampering.
the mood:
the beauty:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
