Tag: foundation

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation on Belle Belle Beauty

I went on quite the shopping spree at Sephora in San Francisco last week. While I have a Sephora at home, there is something about locations in big cities that offers so many unknowns. Visiting can be a really eye opening experience, discovering “new to me” brands and products. But this visit actually led me to an old favorite. And I am not sure I will ever be without a bottle on my vanity like I have for the past couple of years.

It is odd because when people ask my favorite foundations, I often mention Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation but it hasn’t maintained a presence in my routine. I scoped up a bottle (5.5 was a great match for me), and have worn it every day since.

This lightweight foundation has a translucent finish, but still with polish. The texture is more like a tinted moisturizer. The micro-fit technology leads to a rather thin consistancy that wears weightlessly. But the pigments provide more foundation-like coverage. Just that peek of natural glow allows for a more natural look. Apparently I am not alone: “Quite simply, the best foundation there is.”—Linda Cantello, International Makeup Artist.

Available at Sephora.

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation on Belle Belle Beauty

I usually shy away from powder foundation, but I’ve been following a new supplement routine that has my normally dry skin a little more oily and glowy. So this powder foundation landed on my desk at the perfect time. bareMinerals foundations have always worked well for me. My skin drinks in the mineral formulas. And the shade range is solid in my light to medium tone so it is easy to get a perfect match. I am currently using Natural.

This new powder version is long-wear powered with vitamins and minerals. The pigments work to perfect complexion. And also improve skin clarity over time. I use the BAREPRO Core Coverage Brush and tap the foundation into my skin.

Available at Sephora or take advantage of this offer at bareMinerals through 10/9.

251433_1475168513.png

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 on Belle Belle Beauty

I am all about the glow, so I am a touch surprised by my love of this matte finish tinted moisturizer! But NARS always opens my mind to new and wonderful products. This brand new product is just another notch in NARS belt in lovely foundation and tinted moisturizer. As far as brands go, they really have this segment of beauty nailed.

This oil-free formula provides fairly significant coverage for a “skin tint”. The soft-matte finish has tons of staying power while using optical effects to blur skin imperfections. The powders that provide this effect also provide a soft and touchable finish, making application a breeze.

I’d highly recommend this formula for those with oily skin. It also works against shine and pores. There are 12 shades available. I tried Groenland (light 3), St. Moritz (medium 1) and Cuzco (medium 1.5). My winter skin shade is best suited for St. Moritz.

And one quick note: I do detect a bit of a chemical smell at first. This has dissipated since I opened the tube. And I can’t sense it after it is on my skin. Just wanted to give a heads up for those with a sensitive nose. It wouldn’t deter me in any way from using or recommending the product.

Available at NARScosmetics.com as of 1/15 and hits Sephora and specialty stores on 2/1.

 

Sheer Summer Tinted Moisturizers

Sheer Summer Tinted Moisturizers on Belle Belle Beauty

I struggled with the title of this post. These aren’t technically called “tinted moisturizers” but I thought it got the point across best. If you are anything like me, in the summer months I like a simple wash of bronze-y color with maybe simple mascara and nude lip gloss. That’s it. And these three winners all do the trick. And I even like to go crazy and use two (or all three!!) at the same time. Think natural and warm – even slightly European.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Day Tint SPF 15 – a new tinted version of this colorless original – is what I reach for to achieve hydration and a little bit of coverage. If I am wearing more than one of these moisturizers from this post, I start with this one. The very sheer coverage also provides ceramides to protect skin from drying. And the very slight tint is perfect for the weekend. Note that this only comes in one shade, but works well on my medium skin tone.

Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe in Shade 3 provides slightly more color and coverage but still comes off as super natural. The addition of retinol – especially one that I can wear during the day – helps stimulate collagen cell rejuvenation and elasticity. I can’t believe I wore shade 1 when I first purchased Peau Vierge years ago – this shade for medium to dark skin tones is perfect during the summer and provides even an additional later of SPF. Shade 2 works best for me in the winter.

By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Lumi-Serum in Sunny Flash is absolutely my favorite beauty find from this summer. I have been a long-time fan of the brand as their luxury formulas are always a pleasure to use on my dry and sensitive skin. The effect of this serum is a radiant energy for my skin. The concentrated formula uses light-reflecting technology to add a summer glow. While this is probably too dark for the winter months, the rich bronze is perfect to add a look of vacation (even though I haven’t been near a beach in months). Vitamin E also works against aging free-radicals. Also available in Immaculate Light, Rose Elxir and Apricot Glow (what I have my eye on for the winter).


image here

pr samples and affiliate links may be included in the above post

 

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation on Belle Belle Beauty

I know I get all hot and bothered about foundations frequently… especially those from NARS. But their newest formula is really worth checking out. Think weightless, long-wear and buildable. And just with one little tiny drop of product.

Okay, fine… in the interest of full disclosure, I actually use 2-3 drops but that still is basically nothing especially for this generously sized square vessel of goodness. While I have tried using fingers, sponge, and a flat foundation brush, I really prefer using a stippling brush to apply. I get significantly more coverage than with this other winter favorite, but the finish is still fabulously natural.

How does NARS continue to amaze? Well, apparently it is something about polymers and pigments. All I know is that I can apply NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation basically half asleep and somehow it manages to look amazing all day long. One aspect that I particularly love given my skin type is that the technology works to neutralize redness and dullness – something I deal with all year long. My hyper-pigmentation is even but not appearing too “covered”.

Gold and green pigments work together in a specifically designed ratio to reflect light off the surface of skin to give the look of flawless but luminous skin. And scarlet spiderling root extract (where do they find this stuff?) works against discoloration and dullness.

Thanks again NARS for providing a new favorite – you guys might just be sitting on top of the heap in my book when it comes to giving great Skin!

My winter skin tone matches perfectly with Vallauris (Medium 1.5 – Medium with pink undertone). Available at NARScosmetics.com and coming soon to Sephora.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

 

Glossier

Glossier on Belle Belle Beauty

I am fairly sure nothing could drag me away from my happy life here in Oklahoma. But if there is one thing I occasionally miss, it is the pleasures of a big city. The latest and greatest, trendy food and fashion inspiration come to mind. So when iconic beauty blogger, Emily Weiss, launched a beauty line up in New York City, I immediately hit purchase and a set of her complexion essentials arrived at my doorstep. A little Manhattan in Tulsa.

While Glossier does offer a la carte, I think their Phase One Set is the best value and really what you need to experience the fun and sophisticated brand. And once you do, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and natural look. Phase One comes with a mist, moisturizer, balm and tint, all for $80 which I think is a remarkable price for four luxe products.

The packaging was solid. Not porcelain or anything (but after breaking my Tata Harper mask in the shower, I’ve come to appreciate plastic). I loved the box it arrived in – so much so that I saved it for a month until I realized I was crazy. I did hold onto the adorable bubble zip bags – those are cherished for travel.

Because I ordered right after Thanksgiving, I received a free tote and extra mist. I use both at work – the tote for my lunch and the mist to refresh my makeup. Beware: keep away from the eye area (even with eyes closed) – it can be irritating. That being said, the rosewater spray is a welcome addition to the moisture factor and I use it to prep skin before the moisturizer.

Rather than stand alone hydration, I think the priming moisturizer plays better as a primer for my dry skin this time of year. In the summer, I expect it to be perfect just on its own but for now I need an extra facial oil or cream. The oil-free formula might be perfect for those with oiler or combo skin. The gel texture absorbs quickly and makes the perfect canvas for makeup.

The BalmDotCom is probably the line’s most iconic product. The beeswax based formula is soothing, healing and locks in moisture like a champ. It is my little winter MVP. I have used it on cuticles, elbows, dry spots and lips. And I actually appreciate that it is basically scent-free – perfect for sleep, work or layered. The thick texture takes a while to come out of the tube’s dispenser, but that keeps me from wasting this precious goodness – as my ex would say, haste makes waste.

The final products is Perfecting Skin Tint which, unlike the moisturizer, packs a punch of delicious hydration thanks to glycerin. And ever since the arrival of these serum-like foundations, I adore the way they add slight coverage, improve skin but still look so natural. Make sure to shake. And I need extra concealer for blemishes and under-eye but overall this might be my favorite out of the bunch. I think it will also be ideal in the summer when I am doing the “undone” look more often than not. I ordered a medium and it is perfect. If you need help, there is a graphic to help you decide on the site. Available in Light, Medium and Dark. Keep in mind that coverage is very sheer so you don’t need to fear a huge mismatch unless you are on the edges of the complexion spectrum.

Available at glossier.com.