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.
Laura Mercier is famed for her Flawless Face philosophy, so I wanted to focus on her cult classic powders and a brand new essential that has earned a permanent place on my vanity! Check out the details after the jump xo
Many Holiday offerings have rolled out already, but I wanted to slow down the pace with a few more new releases. Laura Mercier is holding a Friends and Family Sale right now, so I wanted to focus on her latest Candleglow Collectionand trendy take on eyeliner. Check out the swatches of these fall releases after the jump!
Fall is every beauty girl's favorite season, so I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the latest and greatest! Some of this top ten is new for Fall 2015, while others are cult classics. Check out the details and swatches after the jump xo
Laura Mercier's fabulous new Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm lives up to all the hype. I adore the rich, succulent color and glossy finish. These new lipsticks are available in twelve truly delectable shades, so check out the swatches of my top three picks after the jump!
A few years ago (maybe more), I filmed a monolid makeup tutorial video with my sister as the model for the look! This time around, we decided to feature her favorite makeup products and she put them on my face. Even though we are genetically the same person, it is fascinating how different our styles and preferences in application are. This was such a funny and enlightening experience for us, so we hope you'll enjoy watching our antics!
Although I have introduced her to the fantastic worlds of Tom Ford Beauty and Clé de Peau Beauté, she taught me how valuable the itty bitty BeautyBlender Micro.Mini sponge could be. I always wrote it off as unnecessary, but if you have small(er) eyes, this neon green sponge could be your next beauty essential! I can no longer blend my concealer without it. The edges look seamless! My sister also reminded me how much I loved the La Mer Loose Powder when she started working for La Mer. Though she has moved on to a new (and non-beauty related) opportunity, we are both very dedicated to the translucent power because of its supremely creamy texture and soft-focus finish. There were rumors that La Mer planned to discontinue to the powder a couple years ago, and that is why I stopped using it for a while, but it seems that The Loose Powder is here to stay!
Of course we cannot forget to mention the lashes, which always complete our looks. We are both huge fans of Velour Lashes! There's simply no comparison. Velour makes the best lashes for photography and videography, and they are reusable for an average of 6 to 8 outings. My sister and I both enjoy wearing Dollywink on low-key days, Velour Lashes (silk) for a little extra flair, and Velour Lashes (mink) for glamorous drama. Pair with a glossy lip and you'll be set to go!
I can hardly believe we are halfway through 2015!! June was a very stressful month because of the move, but I am glad we survived with all body parts intact. I will look back fondly on that first apartment, because living on my own was my first big girl step and I learned too many things to count! Now, I hope this new apartment will allow me to grow creatively and share with you more beautiful lifestyle inspirations, such as home decor and beauty organization. Plus, expect more pictures of Beau since my new place has more space and light!
I'm still in the process of unpacking and waiting for my furniture orders to arrive, but in the meantime, I wanted to share my latest skin care display. I thought more of you would be curious about the products, but I got an overwhelming response for the tray! It's actually a kitchen server from Crate and Barrel. I loved it immediately because I have a weakness for marble, but I knew it would be perfect for skin care because of the height between the shelves. I had used acrylic organizers from The Container Store for years, but they are too high maintenance and cannot accommodate larger bottles and jars. Now my bathroom (and yours, too) can be clutter-free!
Note: I did not feature any skin care in this episode because I plan to do another skin care video later this month. Would you prefer a current skin care favorites or morning/evening skin care routine? Let me know!
Laura Mercier makes some truly impressive makeup, and today I'll share which of her products I have on heavy rotation this Spring/Summer transitional period. Since I have been drowning in the very complicated and hectic process of moving and unpacking, my makeup has been more minimal than usual. Laura Mercier's efficient yet flawless products allow me to keep my makeup bag light without compromising! All details and swatches can be found after the jump xo
I spend most of my time searching for the latest and greatest in beauty, so today I will present the best of my favorite arrivals to my base makeup wardrobe. A new class of foundation formulas has emerged this Spring season, and I have carefully curated the best five options for you to consider. I will also share which powders they pair best with. All details after the jump!
The color of the season is neutral. I have seen it all over Nordstrom's beauty department, where every beauty ad is featuring minimal makeup in nude, neutral color palettes. That is why I will be sharing the best nudes and pinks to deep rose and soft violet-hued makeup in my collection today! My top 10 picks after the jump xo
Laura Mercier is one of the very first makeup brands I ever experimented with as a teenager, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. The variety of primers and the color range of the famed Tinted Moisturizers have always impressed me, especially because they perform consistently. Though I have been a huge fan of her Silk Creme foundation for years, we will be discussing the new Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation today!
I discovered that the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation, a bi-phase serum texture formula, performs best when layered over the Radiance Primer and Tinted Moisturizer. I loved the Laura Mercier Radiance primer since it was first introduced. Of all the foundation primers I have tried since my skin transitioned from oily/combination to normal/dry, the Radiance still reigns supreme. It keeps my skin hydrated and actually makes a difference in the wear time of my foundations. The Tinted Moisturizer is lovely on low-maintenance days since it evens out my redness. Until recently, I never really reached for tinted moisturizers, but I adore Bisque because it is the perfect color match. The triple combination of the Radiance primer, Tinted Moisturizer, and Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide is ideal for those with normal to dry skin. The foundation looks so natural yet covers so well!
My ideal shade match in the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide is Cashew, but I used Ivory for this review. I love that it blends into the skin easily and only oxidizes slightly during wear. With a slightly deeper powder — Laura Mercier's Mineral Powder in Real Sand — and some well-placed Mineral Bronzer, I was able to adjust the lighter color match to suit my complexion. This is easily achievable with lighter foundations (about one shade down from the natural skin tone), but the same does not apply to darker foundations.
Please watch my video below for all other details regarding the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation! It includes an application demo at 4:19 for those interested.
Since we cannot overlook color entirely, I wanted to share my new favorite Lip Glacé in Orchid. It is moisturizing but not obnoxiously shiny, making it a universally pleasing formula. I own several in my standard day-appropriate nude, pink, and peach ranges, but I decided to show you something different today. Orchid is a flattering berry with the perfect balance of red and purple. Vampy lips are all the rage again but this berry is wearable yet makes a statement. I highly recommend it!
Last but not least, the Caviar Stick Eye Colours are a perennial favorite of mine. They're the kind of eyeshadows you swipe on and blend out with a fingertip. I have been wearing rose gold alone or as an eyeshadow base. The cream formula really helps powders adhere for full coverage and all-day wear, but it is also feels luxuriously luminous and creates a dewy eye look that stays put! I wore them alone to show off the unique finish in my video above.
I treasure my beauty products very much, so I always keep the vast majority with me in my carry on luggage when I fly. I tend to travel with minimal clothing and shoes, but I always pack extra when it comes to skin care and makeup, as you'll see in the video below! I love having options, so I bring just about everything I could possibly want or need.
Now, I learned the hard way that packing my liquids in a Ziploc bag is a horrible idea. That is why I now use a large pouch from my ZÜCA, which is much sturdier and can be wiped down after each trip. You can purchase the pouches individually, so don't feel the pressure to splurge on a Sport or Artist Pro. As far as makeup storage goes, Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier consistently release limited edition cases that are perfect for both home organization and travel. I usually purchase mine around the Holidays!
I own and collect all varieties of base makeup products, but powder compacts are an essential part of my daily routine. I usually wear a sunscreen and powder on the day to day when I am not testing new liquid foundations or filming videos. So today, I will be reviewing one of my favorites — the em michelle phan Love Me for Me compact — and provide shade analyses between em powder compacts and similar shades from popular mainstream brands. I hope the side by side visuals of the em vs. MAC, Lancome, Estee Lauder, and Clinique powder foundations will allow you to find your foundation match within the em cosmetics range! Please refer to the guide 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!
Laura Mercier Fall 2013 Dark Spell collection boasts two repackaged Nail Lacquers. The new look is more sophisticated with added height and thinner glass. The addition of an outer shell to reveal the screw-top brush handle of the nail polish underneath mimics the likes of Chanel and Dior Le Vernis. I was quite fond of the chunkier bottle, but Fall is the perfect time to year to mix things up. Bewitched, a forest green, is the first of Laura Mercier's Dark Spell collection that I purchased ($18 USD). I reach for darker nail polishes most often in the Fall, so I know I will be wearing Bewitched often in the upcoming months. Check out more swatches and comparisons after the jump!
