Showing posts with label blush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blush. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2014

summer beauty: Shiseido Makeup Face Color Enhancing Trio


summer always brings new, beautiful products, and the latest from Shiseido is no exception. the Shiseido Makeup Face Color Enhancing Trio is an all-in-one compact that creates a beautiful complexion, replicating the glow that naturally appears when you smile from sheer joy ~ blushing rosy cheeks, increased brightness and elevated facial features.

each trio features a Blushing Color, the warm top shade is soft and rosy, the middle Sculpting Color creates dimension for contouring and shading, and the bottom Highlighting Color matches natural skin tones and blends seamlessly with the other two shades.





the brush in this palette is uber soft and it applies the powders beautifully {thought i also like to use a fan brush to apply it, keeping the color applied more on the sheer side}. swiping all the shades together {vertically} creates a nice color, and the fact that this beauty is shimmer-free is just another reason i know i'll continue to use it, even beyond summer. :)


Shiseido Face Color Enhancing Trio is available in 4 shades:

Apple {RD1} ~ sun-kissed shades of pink, gentle fawn and light peach
Lychee {PK1} ~ pale shades of pink, ivory and cream
Peach {OR1} ~ soft hint of coral, subtle beige, and delicate gold shades
*Plum {RS1, the one i've been using, pictured} ~ vivid rose, rich bronze, and golden beige shades

i love the versatility of this palette, and while i wish each shade were wider {for easier application of the individual shades}, i think this is a product any beauty girl can appreciate.

visit shiseido.com for more info.



product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

spring beauty: NARS Contour Blush


bonjour beauties! 

hope you've been well. i don't know about you, but i've been especially excited about all of the fabulous spring beauty releases {as if i'm ever not excited, hello new products are always exciting! but you know what i mean…} and have just added the new NARS Contouring Blush to the list.

i personally started using a bronzing/contouring-type products year-round a few years ago, but there are so many different types that create different effects and looks. these Contouring Blush duos come in 3 shades: Olympia {ivory/rose}, Paloma {pink beige/deep rose}, and Geinah {honey/amber}.

 the brand graciously sent me Paloma to try for myself.


simply put, this shimmer-free duo does just what it says it will do: create a natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish. the deeper shade enhances definition while the lighter shade illuminates the high points of the face.


 i'm more than pleased to report that Contour Blush is definitely making me a bit more cheerful, and is a fabulous item to have in the beauty arsenal for spring. if you are long-time reader, you may know that i am not a fan of the heat, so as the days are getting warmer, this is a good thing.

:)


i admit, when i first received this particular palette, i was unsure how much of a "contour" i would get considering i have dark skin, and the darker blush shade isn't super deep {the Olympia blush is lighter in color and Geinah features deeper shades}; but, good news, beauties! it didn't disappoint.  i think Paloma will work for a large range of skin tones. for me, Paloma offers a dark enough shade to add the natural looking contour i prefer for my everyday makeup. the lighter highlighting shade is fabulous as well. it makes for a perfect finish over my favorite peachy-pink blushes and even as a contrast {on my brow bone} when i wear more shimmery eyeshadow shades.

NARS Contouring Blush is available at Nordstrom and NARS boutiques. visit narscosmetics.com for more info.


product featured sent to me for review consideration; all thoughts and opinions are my own; pics taken my me :)

Friday, October 18, 2013

my beauty faves...


i share many products that i enjoy and grow to love with you here in BGM. and while i have nothing against this {that's the point of keeping this blog after all}, i've realized that the majority of the recent product reviews have been that of products sent to me by the brands.

one thing i don't want is for you to think is that i never buy anything {so not the case}! i buy many products. in fact, now that my daughter is 13 {and quite the budding makeup and hair aficionado if i do say so myself}, i've discovered and purchased items i wouldn't normally consider {so fun!}. i've also enjoyed introducing her to my classic must-haves.

unfortunately, when it comes to reviews, it's those products that always seem to get put on the back burner! so, i'm making it my goal to share my thoughts about those goodies more often...

:)

all of this is to say, i'm here today to share my love for the products i use every day.

my must-haves.

my i'd-be-devastated-if-they-stopped-making-this items...
you have those, right? of course you do! well...these are mine.

take a look...

St Ives Naturally Indulgent Lotion ~ Coconut Milk & Orchid Extract
a simply splendid lotion; from the smell to the fact that it leaves my skin moisturized beautifully without feeling heavy or sticky, i used this beauty year round.


Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil ~ Soft Brown
i visited the brow salon years ago and was introduced to the range of fabulous products. from tweezers to an amazing brow gel, i love this line. the pencil, however is one i grab most often since it's so easy and the color is perfect. for a natural everyday look it's a great shade for everyone, regardless of hair color.

MAC lip pencil ~ Spice
a makeup bag must-have for many beauty girls, i'm sure. this neutral lip liner is fabulous because it works with any shade of lipstick you want to wear, and is even fine to wear on its own.

MAC Pressed Blot Powder ~ Dark
love, love, love this powder! it's great as a foundation setter, but is at its best when it does its main job ~ combating shine without adding additional color.


Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup ~ 5W1 Bronze
i don't know how to describe my absolute love for this foundation. it will always be the one i go back to. it covers every imperfection, flaw and discoloration with ease, leaving my skin with an amazing finish and it feels like i'm wearing nothing at all.


L'Oreal True Match BlushApricot Kiss
i've been using this amazing peachy-pink shade for years and i haven't grown tired of it it the least. it has just the right amount of shimmer to always gives me a fresh glow and makes me feel so pretty.


Neutrogena Gentle One Step Makeup Cleanser
sensational for removing makeup {even long-wearing products} and is so gentle. no stinging to my eyes and a little goes a long way.

Neutrogena Gentle Makeup Remover Towelettes
i love how effective these towelettes are at taking off my makeup. like the cleanser i've never experienced irritation or eye sting from these.


tell me: what are your go-to, must-haves-no-matter-what-new-product-comes-along products? 


pics taken by me :)

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

beauty review: a beautiful comeback for Jane Cosmetics


if you remember Jane cosmetics, you not only remember a fun, wallet-friendly line of makeup, but you probably were truly bummed when one day your beautiful products were missing from the shelves...

well, beauties, if you hadn't already heard {or seen} the news, Jane is back!

and better than ever if i do say so myself.

the brand has created a fabulous new line of goodies so amazing, i'm beaming as i type this and am beyond thrilled to share what they have to offer with you!

~ filling a niche between value and prestige cosmetics lines, Jane's philosophy that true beauty comes from giving back and that confidence comes in many colors, is emphasised in the new packaging featuring vibrant lomographic imagery, showcasing the faces of "The Friends of Jane"; real, culturally diverse women who are giving back to their communities and changing the world in impactful ways. ~

take a look...



Multi-Colored Bronzing Powder ~ a shimmery bronzer that leaves skin with a beautiful, golden glow. i just love the embossed floral bouquet design!

Multi-Colored Cheek Powder ~ available in 3 gorgeous shades {Pink Bouquet, Peach Bouquet and Berry Bouquet}, these multi-colored cheek powders {also with a pretty floral bouquet design} add a pop of natural-looking color for a healthy flush.




Cream Eye Shadow ~ can be applied with the wand or fingertips; these luminous, cream-to-powder shadows are just fabulous! they dry quickly, are smudge-proof and last all day on lids without any creasing. by the way, they make a great alternative to primer.

Eye Shadows ~ 12 shades available in shimmer {can be applied either wet or dry; when applied wet with a brush, the color and shimmer is greatly intensified} and matte; all beautiful and such a treat to wear.
.

Lip Gloss and Intense Color Lip Gloss ~ all incredibly moisturizing; rich color lasts on my lips with just the right amount of stickiness and yummy flavor {not overpowering in the slightest}.





have you tried any of the new Jane goodies? if not, do so ASAP! you can find them at Ulta. to see every beautiful and happy-making product, be sure to visit janecosmetics.com.


products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

review: Per-fekt Skin & Cheek Perfection Gels

it goes without saying, but multitasking products are a must in every beauty girls' supply. Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel {introduced to me during awards season, and used by celebs like Reese Witherspoon, Blake Lively and Jennifer Love Hewitt} is one of those products. not only does it offer lightweight, skin-enhancing results, but reduces redness and discoloration, keeps skin hydrated, controls shine, and is packed with antioxidants to boot!

Skin Perfection Gel isn't like most foundations. the unique formula is a gel-mousse hybrid of sorts, available in 5 skin-loving shades {4 if you don't count translucent as a shade} with smart color technology. while it's buildable, it doesn't provide completely full coverage. it's also unique in that it is to be applied by patting on rather than rubbing in {the shade i use, by the way, is called rich}. the finish is smooth and matte, which i love, plus water and sweat resistant ~ perfekt {sorry, i couldn't help it} for the warm-weather season! 

after creating a glowing complexion you'll, of course, need a gorgeous compliment of color! the Cheek Perfection Gel {available in 2 shades, blushed, pictured, and bronzed} is an amazing blush that gives cheeks a natural-looking flush. and because it's so concentrated, a very tiny bit goes a long way. simply warm between fingertips, dot onto cheeks and gently pat in for your most flattering color.

if you hadn't already guessed, i love the both the Skin and Cheek Perfection Gels. they're innovative, all-natural and such a lovely treat to use.

visit perfektbeauty.com for more info!



products featured sent to me for reveiw consideration; pics taken by me :)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

green beauty: 100% Pure Color Cosmetics


there's nothing i love better than knowing products i use are natural and good for my skin. while i realize that my fondness obsession love of beauty products means i won't always be using natural ingredients, i am always thrilled when i either find and purchase or am given the opportunity to try new green beauty goodies {in this case, the brand sent me products}.

the items i refer to are from 100% Pure, and let me say darlings, they are yummy, yummy.

i have reviewed the Tinted Moisturizer in the past, and this time i was able to try all the gorgeousness that came along with the luminous primer, fruit pigmented pot rouge {Rosy}, satin eye shadow {Halo} and flawless skin foundation {Toffee}.

by now, you've probably guessed that i am loving these products...

truly, it amazes me that these products are so incredibly pigmented and work as well, if not even better than a lot of chemical-filled products. i love that the primer left my skin feeling silky soft and the foundation is buildable, providing the coverage i wanted, where i wanted it. the shadow is as soft as satin, just at the name suggests and the pot rouge {isn't that such a fabulous, classic word? rouge...love it!} gave my cheeks the perfect flush of color right where i applied it.

another fabulous thing about 100% Pure products is that they're loaded with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients {fruits, teas, vitamins} that help skin on a deeper level, hence the smile on my face! ;)

visit their website, 100percentpure.com, and discover for yourself these, and many other {like their body lotions!!} gems...



pics taken by me :)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Brand Worth Knowing: Illamasqua



when Illamasqua was launched in the UK back in 2008 it became an instant hit. when it (finally) become available here in the states, there was an excitement beyond measure.



the makeup was created to be worn at night and is all about a bold look. of course, that doesn't mean you have to only wear their products at night. i was sent a few products to try out and i have to say, i am loving what i've tried.





their Powder Blusher, pictured above in Kiss, a dusty plum shade (deeper in person than in the pics), is so versatile-- a swipe of my brush over the powder then dusted onto my cheeks gives my them a just-pinched look or i can pump up the volume and really make them stand out by adding more.




the Sheer Gloss (pictured in Soul, an icy champagne) is fabulous. it's surprisingly long lasting for a gloss and not at all sticky. the finish is very pretty and leaves my lips feeling very moisturized.




the Nail Varnish formula is amazing. i was sent a shade called Snap, and as you can see, it's a shimmery grey-- so chic! application was smooth, it dried relatively fast, and i have a feeling i'll be wearing this shade a lot this season. i may even add a few more shades to my collection.

visit Illamasqua.com for more info about the brand-- they have a blog too-- and in the u.s., visit your local Sephora or sephora.com to purchase.

xo
products sent to me for the purpose of review; all pics, except the first, taken by me :)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush



when i attended this year's The Makeup Show in los angeles i bought this gem-- HD Microfinish Blush from Make Up For Ever. i had heard a bit about it before going, and since i am such a fan of the HD Foundation, it was on my radar of must-try items. once i did, well... :)

first, i have to say a little goes a long way. and i don't mean just a pump. i mean like 1/4 of a pump. i mean a don't-even-press-down-for-a-full-pump-or-you'll-have-to-share-with-your-neighbors long way. it's very pigmented but still manages to look sheer and natural when applied.

take a look...




typically, i use this much for both cheeks. really.




i dot, dot (on each cheek), then blend. if more is needed, then i apply a little more to work with. so far, this amount has been sufficient for me.

the texture of HD Microfinish Blush is light, blends beautifully and stays put. it washes off easily and i'm thrilled that it will last me forever (not really, but you know what i mean). p.s., the color i have is #9 In the Spotlight.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush is now available at sephora.com

xo
pics taken by me :)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Beauty Girl TV: Erno Laszlo Bronzer & Blusher



hello beauties! this edition of Beauty Girl TV features my review of Erno Lazslo's Blusher and Bronzer. i have to say, these are both fast becoming my favorite cheek products! i love their multi-colored design, and worn alone or together, each wears beautifully.

watch the video for my review...



visit ernolaszlo.com to take advantage of getting both the blusher and bronzer at a huge discount-- sold separately, each retails for $38. with this web exclusive offer, you can get both for $54! can you say huge discount?

xo

Monday, February 9, 2009

Valentine's Day Gift Idea: NARS Love Set


exclusively at Sephora, the Nars Love Set will help you create the ultimate look for a recipe of pure romance. because whoever said Valentine's Day was all about flowers and chocolates obviously wasn't a beauty lover. i mean, i dont' know about you, but i would rather get this on saturday!
included in this set:



Pillow Talk Lip Gloss
the unique, semi-sheer formulation provides serious shine and imparts a warm azalea pink hue. wear it alone or over any lipstick for a perfectly sexy pout.

Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
combining the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick, this rich, pink-mauve lip pencil provides a matte, creamy finish that will last for hours.

Orgasm Blush
the cult classic makes cheeks blush a perfect pinky-peach flush and subtly highlights with accents of golden shimmer.

Nars Love Set is in Sephora stores and online at sephora.com

xo

Thursday, January 1, 2009

My Favorite Products of 2008

happy new year! how would you say 2008 was for you? good? better or worse than most? i would say, for me, it was a good year overall. i have learned a lot, and grown a lot. i hope 2009 will be even better!

this is my first-annual "favorites of 2008" post, and i have chosen the products i absolutely loved this year, but i have to say, it wasn't easy! but, i had to choose, so here they are...


my favorites of 2008 by beauty girl

favorite cleanser: Philosophy Purity Made Simple-- really i can't say enough about this cleanser except that it is really the best cleanser for removing all traces of dirt and makeup (including mascara)! i love everything from the smell to the texture and i even sometimes use it to clean my makeup brushes! honorable mention: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

favorite eye cream: iQ Derma RestoreEyes Firming Eye Therapy-- this eye cream keeps my eyes looking bright, hydrates wonderfully, and i never have to worry about puffiness when i use it! honorable mention: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum

favorite moisturizer: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion-- to quote myself, "i love this stuff!" honorable mention: Bioelements Beyond Hydration

favorite acne treatment product: Bioelements Amino Mask-- this fabulous mask keeps my skin clear and works great as a spot treatment. honorable mention: iQ Derma Acne Treatment Lotion

favorite spf product: Lisa Hoffman Day Cream SPF 15-- non-greasy and keeps my skin looking healthy! honorable mention: Raw Minerals Active Veil

favorite oil-control product: Cosmedicine Medi-Matte-- controls oil, and contains an spf! honorable mention: MAC Oil Control Lotion

favorite foundation: Redpoint Transformative Dual Foundation- this full coverage foundation goes on smooth, blends easily and never feels heavy. honorable mention: Revlon Custom Creations Foundation

favorite new eyeshadow: L'Oreal HiP Metallic Eyeshadow Duos-- highly pigmented, long-lasting, beautiful colors for a beautiful eye look. honorable mention: Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadows

favorite mascara: Maybelline XXL Extensions Mascara-- gives me long, lush, beautiful lashes that wears all day and removes easily at night. honorable mention: CoverGirl LashBlast mascara

favorite blush: Redpoint Airbrush Effects Blushwhip-- love the beautiful sheer color it gives. honorable mention: The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals Cheek Color

favorite lipgloss: L'Oreal Infalllible Never Fali Lipgloss--the best long-wearing lipgloss that doesn't dry lips out in the slightest. honorable mention: Clinique Superbalm Lipgloss

favorite lipstick: Bobbi Brown Metallic Lipstick in Pretty Pink-- i don't usually like lipstick, but this one is easy to love. honorable mention: NARS Lipstick in Beautiful Liar

favorite body wash: Caress Cream Oil Body Wash really surprised me with how soft and smooth it left my skin! honorable mention: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub

favorite shampoo: Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo-- the most moisturizing shampoo ever! honorable mention: none

favorite conditioner: L'Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner-- a product i didn't expect too much from, but found to be truly amazing! honorable mention: none

favorite hair treatment: Moroccanoil Masque for Hair leaves my hair silky and shiny! a definite must-have! honorable mention: Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco

favorite styling aid: Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode-- a fabulous and unique hairspray! honorable mention: Product

favorite multitasker: Ojon Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser-- cleanses the skin on your face (removes makeup, too!) and body, as well as your hair with good-for-you ingredients. honorable mention: Global Goddess Beauty South Pacific Shimmer

favorite body lotion/cream: Bioelements Vitalization-- leaves skin feeling and smelling fabulous! honorable mention: Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Body Lotion

favorite nail color: NARS Jungle Red-- my perfect red. honorable mention: OPI Baby It's "Coal" Outside

favorite fragrance: Miss Dior Cherie-- an amazingly girly scent that is fun and still sophisticated! honorable mention: John Varvatos for Women

favorite beauty/fashion book: Carmindy's Get Positively Beautiful-- i love the makeup tips and how-to's, but i think it's great that there's so much more to this book than that. honorable mention: Rescue Your Nails by Ji Baek and The One Hundred by Nina Garcia

what were some of your favorite products this year?

happy new year!

xo

Friday, November 7, 2008

my favorite drugstore beauty buys 11.7.08

hello beauties! how was your week?

mine was super-busy, and doesn't show any signs of stopping! on top of that, my poor 5 year-old son isn't feeling well...awww...it breaks my heart when my kids are sick!

so, now i'm going to focus on a topic that doesn't make me sad: fabulous products that don't cost a lot of money!


Almay One Coat Lengthening Nourishing Mascara is a must-have if what you want is natural-looking length! i love the mascara- even a couple of coats gives your lashes a beautiful effect! i of course cannot just stop a couple of coats, so i pile it on, and, thankfully, never have any clumping. it lasts all day without smudging, and washes of easily.




Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush works so brilliantly because it isn't just one color. all of the colors give a sheer wash of color with a hint of pretty shimmer. p.s- use a real blush brush with this. the one that comes with it isn't good at all.




Softlips Lip Protectant with SPF 20 is an all-time favorite and definitely a must-have product. i love it in vanilla, but it also comes in many other "flavors". the moisturizing lasts long enough, but it's mostly the spf i like-- because just like the skin on our face and body, our lips need protection, too!


have a beauty-filled weekend, all!

xo

Monday, October 20, 2008

NARS Video: How to Create a Beautiful Cheek

while i was in LA, i received an email from NARS announcing their new video series! these videos focus on teaching women makeup techniques in an easy, step-by-step manner.

a total of four videos will be put out, and the first two are available to view now; these foolproof beauty videos provide a fabulous guide on achieving flawless skin, rosy cheeks, pouty lips and sultry eyes.

the following video provides a detailed guide on achieving gorgeous, contoured cheeks by NARS International Senior Stylist Uzo.


enjoy!



be sure to click here to read the step-by-step details!

xo

Monday, July 21, 2008

MAC Sonic Chic swatches!

here are my swatches of the new Sonic Chic Collection. i didn't use a flash for any of them, but you'll notice the lighting is different in each picture (i promise my arms don't change color...)




















l to r, Pleasantry, Gentle, Love Thing










l to r, Dainty, Gleeful, Merrily







l to r, Warm Soul, Nuance, Love Joy




these are all fabulous colors, definitely worth checking out!

xo

thank you for clicking here:
Spas of America
photos taken by me :)