Category: eyes

Glossier Boy Brow

Glossier Boy Brow on Belle Belle Beauty

There isn’t a Glossier product I have heard more hype about than Boy Brow. It seems that everyone raves, from makeup artists to bloggers. I resisted for quite a while, loyal to my Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel and CHANEL Stylo Sourcils Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil. But in an effort to clean out my makeup drawer, I decided to try something new.

This tiny wand does it all. It thickens strands, fills in, and (most importantly for me) it grooms stray hairs. My brows stay put all day while looking natural. The formula comes in four shades: Clear, Blond, Brown and Black. I use Brown since I have some spots that need filling in, but Clear also appeals for a natural, but tidy look.

CHANEL Le Volume de CHANEL

CHANEL is a makeup brand that I admire, but don’t frequently use. I am not one to shy away from luxury makeup, so I am not quite sure why this is the case. Here in Tulsa, one of the best known makeup artists works at the local CHANEL counter at Saks and a recent project has me collaborating with artists. So in getting to know her, I’ve fallen for Chanel makeup and incorporated a couple items into my routine.

Most surprisingly, my addiction to waterproof mascara might have been cured. The women in Saks recommended Chanel’s newest mascara, Le Volume de CHANEL and, because I am a volume fanatic, I gave it a whirl. The formula is incredibly lush and glossy. Their proprietary brush (Snowflakes) has both long and short bristles to plump the whole lash line. The ultimate test was last week, on my way back to the hotel with some work friends, when we were laughing so hard we cried. That non-waterproof mascara didn’t budge. Plus, its made in Italy – totally justifying the splurge.

MAC In Extreme Dimension Waterproof Mascara

MAC In Extreme Dimension Waterproof Mascara on Belle Belle Beauty

I am falling all over again for MAC Cosmetics after a long break. For a while, the brand felt heavy, not that natural and maybe a bit too young. But after trying out Strobe Cream (thank you, Birchbox), Studio Face & Body Foundation and Complete Comfort Cream, I am back.

I know mascara is personal. But for me, I prefer waterproof. I suffer from terrible allergies. I am known to tear up at every single episode of This Is Us (and the Olympics) and I suffer from terrible fallout. If you are like me, check out MAC In Extreme Dimension Waterproof Mascara.

On a layover in the Houston airport and in need looking way more awake before a business meeting, I was introduced to this mascara. It provides a slight curl, giving that rested look. The whipped formula is totally weightless. It doesn’t budge one bit. And the brush is brilliant, allowing for full application from root to tip without looking heavy or clump.

I think the Complete Comfort Cream calls for a follow up, so more details on that to come. Such a great price and really helps with redness. For now, my current MAC favorites:

Urban Decay Naked Vault Volume IV

Urban Decay Naked Vault Volume IV on Belle Belle Beauty

Just this last week, I was talking to a co-worker about the wonder of Naked palettes by Urban Decay. The original arrived on shelves years ago, but it still is a best-seller. And Urban Decay continues to introduce variations of it that sell like crazy. So if you have a serious makeup aficionado on your holiday, shopping list, allow me to suggest the Naked Vault Volume IV.

You couldn’t ask for a more comprehensive and wearable collection of eye shadows and lipsticks. The three neutral palettes (Naked, Naked2 and Naked3) has rich and velvety shadows and a pro-quality brush. Each palette has three coordinating Vice Lipsticks. These are seriously long wearing, packed with pigment.

Available at Nordstrom.

My Summertime Makeup Routine

Summertime Makeup Routine on Belle Belle Beauty

My mornings are always rushed. When will I ever learn? But one thing I have mastered is a quick makeup routine. I’ve been so pleased with this set of products that I couldn’t resist sharing. And not to mention this whole thing takes me less than five minutes (4:26 minutes this AM thanks to my handy Apple Watch stopwatch).

  • After using my favorite Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (which is oddly moisturizing), I apply Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Warm Radiance, a medium peach beige/ for medium complexions with pink undertones. It camouflages my hyper-pigmentation without a heavy or cake-y looking coverage. I just apply with my fingers, but a beauty blending sponge would also work well. 
  • Next, I brighten under my eyes with NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Honey. Normally I don’t care for matte finish but this works nicely with the illuminating tinted moisturizer and it has great staying power. Sometimes I use a brush to blend this in, but usually I apply just with my fingers. I also do some spot coverage on blemishes if necessary if the tinted moisturizer doesn’t cut it on its own.
  • One of my favorite new products of the season is the Laura Mercier J’adore Le Soleil Sunrise Highlighter Crayon. I apply two stripes under my cheek bones and blend upward for just a wash of color – very sun-kissed and natural. Also, a little on the eyelids adds a touch of color.
  • Another favorite find of the summer is BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème Highlighter in Moonstone. I tap a little bit of this under my eyes, down my nose and above my cupid’s bow. It also adds a nice touch under the brow. The cream consistency allows for such a natural and “grown up” highlighter application.
  • I’ve really embraced a bold brow lately and have been using two products to get the look. First, I use the brush end of Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil in Universal Shade to tame any unruly, rogue hairs. Next, I use the pencil to fill in any sparse spots. Lastly, I set the shape and add color with LASHFOOD BROWFOOD Tinted Brow Enhancing Gelfix in Brunette. It has a peptide blend promises to deliver fuller, stronger brows. While I have only been using it for a couple weeks, I am hopeful about some of my sparse spots getting some growth. Will keep you posted.
  • I am still hooked on Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper. Nothing has quite the precision and staying power. I apply a quick and thin line right against my lashes. I did try the brown shade, Mad Max Brown. But it had no where close the pigment and ultimately went into the trash can.
  • Last but not least, I use Lancôme DÉFINICILS WATERPROOF High Definition Mascara in Black. I am a waterproof mascara devotee – I just get way too much fallout with regular mascara. I make every effort to get the brush right against the lashes at the root for the best effect.

 

Lastly, I got a peel today by the fabulous Gabriel Horn here in Tulsa. It promises no downtime which I love in the middle of the work week. I will pop back in and share results in a couple of days.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara on Belle Belle Beauty

I promise I am not prudish, but I hesitated for years to buy the fan-favorite Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara because of the name. It just sounds weird to me. But I finally pulled the trigger and wanted to share my thoughts on this cult-classic. But as a spin, I tried the waterproof version. As a matter of preference, I just gravitate towards waterproof formulas because I don’t want to think about fallout or streaking, especially during these allergy-prone months.

First, the shade – I love this rich, black pigment. The inky black coats my lashes making them full and defined. The high-performance and water-resistant polymers make this mascara absolutely waterproof, sweat-proof, and allergy-proof. I have zero fallout or streaking until I wash my face.

Now, the brush and it’s hourglass-shape. I am not a fan. For some reason, I get product accumulating on the tip of the brush and can have clumps if I don’t regularly clean the wand of product. Which I find just wasteful. The bristles aren’t as stiff as advertised and I wish there was a tapered end of the brush to reach those corner lashes that often desperately need pigment.

Overall, I get a pigmented and long-wearing, voluminous finish. And my lashes have appeared more conditioned since I started using this mascara. I find the brush less than desirable, but a great formula that makes it worth it. Available at Sephora.