Since my skin is currently healing from my chemical peel, which I shared on my Instagram story, here is a preview of my upcoming Acne Covering tutorial with the five concealers I will be showing in action. Again, I apologize for the delays with that video because I've had every audio and lighting issue imaginable which is why I've re-filmed it four times already! Instead of dwelling on that, however, I wanted to share why these are the best concealers for my normal/dry acne-prone skin.
Terry de Gunzburg is the genius behind the critically acclaimed and best-selling YSL Touche Eclat. Ever since I randomly stumbled across her own makeup line a few years ago, I have been hooked! This review is dedicated to one of her new and limited edition Eye Designer Palettes — finally back in stock at Beautylish — so check out all the swatches after the jump!
March has been a fabulous month on all counts! I'm steadily maintaing my weight of 105 pounds, hitting the gym 3x a week and eating as healthy as possible. I only eat red meat 2x a week or less and fill up on seafood and brown rice and zucchini noodles. I am truly enjoying the lifestyle change and am optimistic for my progress this year. Oftentimes, however, I find myself wishing for more hours in a day because my puppy Beau is growing up too fast. I posted more photos of him on Instagram, and he actually made a cameo in one of my videos earlier this month! I'm also creeping nearer and nearer to my 26th birthday, which feels nerve-racking yet exciting all at once. I was told time after time that the mid to late-twenties years would fly by, but I never anticipated how true that would be! Anyway, I hope you will enjoy discovering new products with this Hits & Misses episode because there are so many incredible releases to discuss.
Beautylish brought in the phenomenal Saikoho white goat Takumi brush series, and it may very well become my favorite collection for daily use. If you are a working professional in the beauty industry often, the Takumi series is a must-have! They're also ideal for those who travel a lot. I only reviewed my top 3 picks from the lineup, but I will work on a comprehensive blog review in the next couple weeks. Since the episode was getting a little too long, I had to cut out the MAC x Nordstrom Naturals Eyeshadow Palette (worn below), Shu Uemura Blanc Chroma Cleansing Oil and the Marc by Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème, but I will be sure to include the latter two in my April Haul video! Have fun but stay out of trouble on April Fool's! xo
It has been over a year since my last Top 5 Foundations Review, so I figured it was time for an update! I received plenty of requests in the past couple months, but I held off on filming until I had tested as many Fall 2014 foundations releases as possible. The five foundations featured in this episode are all ideal options for normal to dry skin, as that is my current skin situation, but combination skin types that enjoy a luminous complexion should try them as well. Please refer to the individual reviews and additional recommendations by each skin type after the jump!
I was inspired by all the 'romantic makeup' photos I saw on Instagram and Pinterest recently to create a tutorial dedicated to this new trend! My interpretation of the look is perfect for date night, especially if it is a special occasion. Your eyes will sparkle as much as your personality!
I had been flooded with requests to use the Tom Ford Seductive Rose eyeshadows in a tutorial since featuring it in my Fleur Fantasty pictorial here, so I took advantage of this video to showcase the beautiful glitter textures. I used brushes for application, but try using the pads of your clean fingertips to avoid fall out. I also featured a slew of Cle de Peau, since it is one of my favorite brands but haven't previously featured much color. Cle de Peau eyeshadows are very soft and subtle, so they are excellent for those who struggle with blending or for those who work in conservative/professional settings.
Last but not least, Velour Lashes recently released two brand new styles. I chose to "You're My Wing Woman" because it is the more natural of the two. Most of my readers and viewers know that I love flared lashes so these updated styles are right up my alley! I highly recommend both.
1) HAIR: For perfectly tousled beach hair, try the Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray! I like to spritz this into the lengths of my hair and tease the roots for an effortlessly sultry look. Since the spray adds so much texture and body, you can also throw your hair into a big bun or French Twist if you want it off your shoulders!
2) BODY: To protect your body from sunburns, try the Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray SPF 30! It can also be sprayed onto your hair to protect your color and your scalp from dryness. I love that it dries down quickly while adding a gorgeous glow to the limbs.
3) SELF-TANNER: For the most even and long-lasting tan possible, try the St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse! Despite dabbling with other brands, I still think St. Tropez is the best. There is also a Self Tan Dark version for those who like to look extra tan!
4) SUNSCREEN: To protect yourself from wrinkles as well as unsightly dark spots, always use sunscreen! I highly recommend the Sulwhasoo Age Veil UV Protection Cream SPF 30 for every day use or the Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum BB with SPF 50 for those who prefer a tinted product that can also be used as a primer/base. I absolutely love both of them, and sometimes, I'll even use the Age Veil under the Serum BB!
5) POWDER: To prevent overly shiny T-Zones this summer, use powders with sunscreen protection to set your base makeup and touch up your skin throughout the day! I recommend the Shisiedo UV Protection Powder SPF 36 for those who like a little extra coverage (ideal for oily to combination skin) and the Chantecaille Protection Naturale SPF 46 for those who prefer sheer, undetectable loose powders (ideal for dry to combination skin).
6) NEON NAIL POLISH: Bright nails are always an easy way to brighten up your summer! Try the new Dior Vernis Gel Shine formula since it is so glossy and long-wearing. I have been wearing Wonderland, a deep pink, for a couple weeks. For a true neon shade, however, I recommend Essie's Funky Limelight with a white base to help the color pop. OCC's Radiate is another good neon pick!
7) BRONZER: To balance out self-tanner on the body and also give the face some color, try the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder! Use it to set your sunscreen and/or base makeup, and dust an extra layer on your jawline, cheekbones, and hair line for a truly sun-kissed look!
8) MASCARA: A little mascara will go a long way in opening up your eyes and adding a bit of polish to your casual beach attire! Use a waterproof formula, like Guerlain's Maxi Lash WP to give your lashes the perfect, most enviable fringe. It holds curl, separates, and adds volume!
9) LIP BALM: The heat of the summer sun can cause lips to peel. Try By Terry's Baume de Rose for hydrated, plump lips with a hint of pretty pale pink color! It also has SPF 15 for added protection whether your are poolside or at the beach.
10) DEODORANT: This one is a no-brainer, but deodorant is especially important in the summer! My favorite is the Kiehl's Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant Cream. It does not interfere with your perfume, and it has a formula that softens underarm hair, which results in a smoother shave!
This Favorites episode is jam-packed with amazing products, all highly requested for review! I wish I had more time to update the blog with swatch posts, but I hope these video updates will suffice for now. I covered new discoveries as well as fresh releases for the season, like the hyped Estee Lauder lipsticks as well as the amazing Tom Ford Palette, which I saved for last! Hope you enjoy the video xo
Welcome back to The RAEviewer! So many of you have requested a skin care application demonstration that I decided to create a 'Prep and Prime' tutorial. I will review and share how to layer my SK-II skin care products and then apply my favorite foundation primer of the moment. And since I recently released my Giorgio Armani Foundation Guide, I decided to follow up with my Armani liquid foundations and powder. Whether you prefer sheer or full coverage, properly hydrating your skin and allowing products to set will yield the most flawless complexion results possible! Hope you enjoy xo
March was a long yet productive month, and as usual, was full of beauty discoveries! I did my best to include as many fresh and brand new releases as possible, but I included some classics like Armani's Luminous Silk as well as St. Tropez's tanning products for good measure. Also, I included a couple more makeup brushes at the end of the video since the reviews are so highly requested! I realize that many of you are waiting on a Hakuhodo brush guide, but I am planning to hold off until I purchase the rest of the brushes on my wish list. My SUQQU Face Brush was finally delivered from Selfridge's after a few months of sitting on the wait list, so you can look forward to seeing a feature here on the blog in April's Favorites video! If you have any other review requests, please feel free to list them in the comment section below xo
The "Aegyo Sal" makeup trend began in Korea but has become all the rage throughout Asia in the past couple years. This puffy, cheerful-eyed look creates a more youthful appearance by enhancing the tiny pouches of fat and muscles directly below lash lines yet above dark circles. You can see some examples of Korean celebrities below with and without (using Photoshop) aegyosal to demonstrate how much of a difference it can make on the face. When executed properly, the aegyo sal trend achieves a cute and sprightly look that is perfect for Spring — enlarging the eyes and brightening the face. As stated in the video, I layered powder on top of cream eyeshadows to enhance the effect. For a more subtle everyday take, use either cream or powder eyeshadows and skip the layering step!
As many of you are aware by now, I have incredibly sensitive lips. If my lips are not scrubbed and exfoliated at least twice a week, they will crack, dry, and/or peel. This means I am extremely particular about which lip colors, and more importantly, which lip balms I use. In the past six months, I have expanded my horizons and tried just about every popular and praised lip balm on the market. I will be sharing the most memorable ten here in this post. Check out my favorites after the jump!
By Terry has become one of my go-to brands over the years. I love how the creamy and velvety textures are consistent throughout the brand, and the shades offered are all designed to be supremely wearable and flattering. Since I do get regular requests for By Terry recommendations, I figured it would be best to create a comprehensive brand overview. The video is naturally on the longer side since I discuss a dozen products, but I decided to include even more details regarding my favorite By Terry products here. Check out the photos and swatches after the jump!
Today's feature is a Holiday look that I cannot get enough of! My favorite color is mint green, so I wanted to incorporate my newly discovered NARS eyeliner in Barrow Street. The intense pigmentation and very creamy texture make Barrow Street a top notch pencil. It, however, looks quite 'mod' since it has a cool white base and matte finish. To soften the graphic attitude of Barrow Street, I layered By Terry's Ombré Blackstar eyeshadow stick in Fizzy Jade on top. The mix creates a warmer mint green that is supremely more flattering against the yellow tones in my skin, and it stays vibrant, opaque, and budge-proof for twelve hours! I could wear this bright pastel eye combination every day.
I used three Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in this tutorial, and they are consistently amazing and worthy of the hype they receive. I already own Diffused and Dim, but Ethereal is perfect as a setting powder over liquid foundation since it is not not as shimmery as Diffused. I used Luminous on the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. The champagne pearl provides a soft highlight that is gorgeous in any light. Dim is lovely as a highlighter as well, but Luminous is a more traditional highlighting color! Radiant was used as a bronzer to complete the complexion here, and I love it so much more than I expected to. It is now my Holy Grail bronzer for the winter months since it does not accentuate dryness whatsoever. My best friend Tammy said my skin was positively glowing!
By Terry recently launched a new base product, Terrybly Densiliss, which I featured in the tutorial. The 7 Golden Beige shade is the ideal match for my skin color, so I will be using this foundation for the rest of the winter. I do have to moisturize and prep with primer to achieve the best results, but Terrybly Densiliss is a fantastic serum foundation. I chose to veil the lips in a neutral rosy pink, a 'My Lips But Better' lipstick. The By Terry Rouge Terrybly has such a fabulously comforting, moisturizing formula. I topped with a sheer baby pink lip gloss to add some shine and extra dimension. I did not want to take away from the colorful eyes, which is why I decided to use products that made my lips simply feel healthier and look plumper.
Now, I have not mentioned the brand much here, but Diptyque's legendary candles and fragrances are my obsession of 2013. I am dedicated to the matching Baies (candle) and L'Ombre Dans L'Eau (fragrance), but I decided to branch out and try the Philosykos scent. The sweet fig is balanced by a sensual cedar base. The wood notes are very apparent in the dry down on my skin, but I still have been enjoying it as a winter fragrance. I ordered the Oyedo EdT, a citrus, earlier this week so I'll review all three of these unique scents in a separate review post next month. Diptyque's Eau de Parfums or Eau de Toilettes are a luxurious finishing touch to any makeup look or outfit!
This "All That Glitters" beauty routine is perfect for Holiday gatherings and of course, New Year's Eve festivities! It also photographs beautifully due to the Hourglass powders, so give this brightening neutral bright party look a try!
