Tag: Summer

NARS Summer 2016 Color Collection

Another season brings another inspired and beautiful collection from NARS. I mean, just look at the shot above. If it doesn’t make you crave sunshine on your face and sand in your toes, I don’t know what could. This summer, NARS partnered with contemporary artist Konstantin Kakanias to channel French Riviera inspiration. The ten-piece collection captures “high fashion moments steeped in exclusivity and ease.”

The first of two products I tried was the Dual-Intensity Blush in Liberation – a light shimmering pink paired with a caramel rose. While these shades look deep, they give a perfect kiss of color, ideal for spring skin. The silky texture applies weightlessly and blends into skin for a natural look. I like a wash of color, but this can be built up for a more editorial look. I use the darker shade under my cheekbones and on my hairline. The pink goes right on the apple of my cheeks. It also can be used wet for a luminous, dewy and translucent look.

The second product I tried was a new NARS formula, Lip Cover, and I adore it. The saturated color is a high-pigment gloss. It comes in four shades and I have been trying out Get Dirty (such a good name) which is a desert rose. The effect is a rich nude that channels Kardashian with class. I get a couple hours of wear and it is ideal with a sheer gloss layered over it.

The Summer 2016 Color Collection is available exclusively at NARS until May 1st when it launches at Sephora.

Last Hours of Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty

Fellow beauty junkies, Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty ends tomorrow :(. So get your shop on. I am lusting after Urban Decay’s new Beached Bronzer. I mean… that packaging is just perfect for summer. The silky powder can be used on the face or body. It doesn’t streak and finishes with a natural glow. The creamy texture is perfect for a more dewy summer glow and those like me with dry skin.

Wednesday On The Web

I’ve had some frustration with my skin this summer and it is mostly my bad habits to blame. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the sun, enjoying my building’s pool. While I am (mostly) good about sunscreen on my face, I have had some redness and clogged pores pop up. Thanks to Frank Body’s new skin care line, my skin is back to looking relatively even again. I am also going to credit one the line’s key ingredients: charcoal. This currently buzzy ingredient cleans my pores, but doesn’t dry or irritate my skin. If you want a drugstore version with the ingredient, make sure to check out some of the fabulous Bioré products.

On that happy note, a couple finds from around the web from this past week:

Helpful expiration dates for kitchen and beauty products.

New items have been added to the Shopbop sale including loads of summer basics!

Fellow Instagram fans will want to see this news – it isn’t just squares anymore.

Drooling over the new Elizabeth and James Nirvana Dry Shampoo.

Totally approve of this foundation, highlighter and contour tutorial.

I get the most compliments on the workwear I’ve picked up from LOFT. They have an extra 40% off sale items and buy one, get one free on tops and sweaters.

image via deathtothestockphoto.com

Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Moisturizer

This week is nuts! I think the moment school starts again, the whole world speeds up a little bit. So apologies for the quick post. Just wanted to share my favorite late-summer body lotion with you today. If you’re like me, you didn’t have a chance to get to a beach this summer. But Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Moisturizer will (kinda) get you there.

The formula is powered with coconut oil and aloe vera – something I always associate with childhood days in the sand. But you don’t get any of that greasy feeling like when using pure coconut oil. The lotion is super fast absorbing but still manages to pack a moisture punch. The scent is subtle enough that you don’t smell like Spring Break at work – but more like a breath of fresh, tropical air.

Available at Amazon.

image here

PR SAMPLES AND AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE POST

Happy Friday and Some July Favorites

Funny thing about routines – they are a comfort. We roll around to another end of a week and a turn of the monthly calendar. I long for autumn days and an upcoming trip to California, but I know I should enjoy the pool weather while I can. I also know this is what makes the years fly by faster and faster but I can’t help myself. So a pause this weekend to just be with family, splash in the pool and read. Happy almost August.

Some favorites from the past month from my online shopping adventures:

image via deathtothestockphoto.com

Sheer Summer Tinted Moisturizers

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).