BEST OF | Fall/Winter 2016 Mascara Haul + Comprehensive Review, Photos

Although many of you heard before that I've found my Holy Grail mascara in Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Wet Waterproof, I discovered several others worth trying. I visited all the counters at Nordstrom the past few weeks to explore different wand shapes and learn about new formulas, so here is a round up of those that made the cut!

BEST OF | My Top 10 Face Masks and Skin Care Treatments Review

As much as I adore skin care basics and skin care layering, my latest obsession has been with masks! I truly find that using sheet masks and treatments like peels can boost the results of my standard skin care regimen, so today I will share my favorites from Nordstrom. Some of these are more budget friendly and others are substantial splurges, but all of them are true gems. All details after the jump!

Best of 2014 | Top 14 Picks, Skin Care Edition

2014 was undoubtedly the most tumultuous skin care year of my life, but it taught me a lot about the resilience of our body's largest organ. As painful (aka miserable) as my cystic acne experience was, it was incredibly valuable and truly eye-opening. I am constantly working on reducing the minor scarring left behind, but at least I know first-hand what acne products actually do work! I hope my recommendations from my skin journey entry have given you a better idea of what to try first, but today, I wanted to focus on the Best Skin Care discoveries of 2014! Hope you enjoy the lineup and look forward to the makeup edition next week! xo

Products Reviewed

1. TATCHA Cleansing Oil

2. La Mer Cleansing Gel

3. Clé de Peau Gentle Cleansing Foam

dry skin, try the cleansing cream + oily skin, try the refreshing cleansing foam

4. FOREO Luna (Sensitive/Normal)

5. EVE LOM Daily Protection SPF 50

6. Sulwhasoo Brightening Snowise Mask

7. SK-II Brightening Derm Mask

8. Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel

9. SK-II Cellumination Aurabright

10. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

11. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Cream

12. BAKEL Cool Eyes Eye Cream

13. SK-II Signature Eye Cream

14. Clé de Peau Lip Balm

14. Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm

re: my Top 10 lip balms review

Also Mentioned:

Dior DiorShow Lash Maximizer

SK-II Cellumination Day Surge UV SPF 30

Lancôme UV Expert XL-Shield SPF 50

Makeup Worn:

Clé de Peau Foundation in O20

Clé de Peau Concealer in Beige

Koh Gen Do Powders in OC-1 + OC-2

Clé de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204

Dolce & Gabbana Blush in Tan

Clé de Peau Highlighter in Delicate Pink

SUQQU Eyeshadow in Kinshiseki

em cosmetics eyeliner in Tattoo Black

Clé de Peau Perfect Lash Mascara

Dolce & Gabbana Monica Lipstick in Natural

Velour Lashes in Oops Naughty Me

*Get 15% OFF with code RAEVELOUR

Earrings:

Prudence C Crystals

Sweater:

Jcrew Ribbed Merino

Nails:

Chanel Spring 2015 Tenderly

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Sisley Phyto-Lip Twists Review, Photos, Swatches (6 Shades)

I love all kinds of lipstick, but I especially love tinted lip balms. Believe it or not, it is much easier to find a fabulous full-pigment lipstick than a quality tinted lip balm. I have tried just about every single one offered from Sephora, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus, but the search always continues for the best. Though I only got around to trying these recently, Sisley launched the Phyto-Lip Twists earlier this year, and they may very well earn my Holy Grail Award. Check out more details and swatches after the jump!

UPDATE: Top 5 Foundations Review + More Recommendations by Skin Type

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!

September 2014 Favorites [Hits & Misses] feat. Gucci, Charlotte Tilbury, Louboutin, Tom Ford, etc.

September has been a whirlwind of a month! I visited London for the very first time, and I was so busy testing new product launches that I barely had time to reach for old faithfuls. I know lots of you have been curious about Charlotte Tilbury and Gucci, so I focused heavily on those two brands, but I also wanted to include new skin care goodies and updates on recently launched foundations. I know it's a bit of information overload, so I threw in a health and wellness tidbit with my new food obsession — juicing! I have been trying to lose weight slowly and efficiently without sacrificing my sanity, which is why I am loving Pressed Juicery. Last but not least, we can't forget my favorite new nail polishes from Christian Louboutin! I'll be placing an order for more soon, so you can expect swatches in October xo

Products Reviewed:

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palettes in The Sophisticate + The Dolce Vita

Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift Pencil in Cara D

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in High Society

Gucci Vibrant Lip Lacquer in Exposure

Gucci Moisture-Rich Lipstick in Exposure

Gucci Moisture-Rich Lipstick in Cipria [nude]

Gucci Luxe Finishing Powder in O20

Gucci Shadow Mono in Iconic Copper

FOREO Luna Mini in Turquoise

Equitance Brightening Toning Lotion
Sisley Phyto-Teint Foundation

Eve Lom SPF 50 Sunscreen

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide [Tutorial HERE]

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation

Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation

Pressed Juicery Juice Cleanses + Juices

Louboutin Nail Colors in Lova and Batignolles

MAKEUP WORN:

Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation

Gucci Luxe Finishing Powder in O20

Burberry Effortless Brow Pencil in Ash Brown

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow

EM Michelle Phan Scribble Eyeliner in Tattoo Black

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara

Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palettes in The Sophisticate and The Dolce Vita

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in High Society

Velour Lashes in Extra Oomph

*Use code RAEVELOUR to get 15% OFF!

Earrings:

Pearl & Stone Branch

Nail Polish:

Gucci Siam Red

Gucci Rosette

Jacket and Tee:

Lululemon Athletica

Hair:

Natural

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Sisley Phyto-Teint Expert Foundation Review, Photos + Giveaway

Sisley skin care and makeup is ultra luxe, but the new Phyto-Teint Expert redefines all expectations of a luxury foundation. This new skin care formula delivers on all fronts. I have not been so thoroughly impressed by a liquid-to-powder foundation before! This all-day long, flawless formula enhances the surface of my skin and provides a smoother, more even-toned complexion. Find out more after the jump!

Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil Review, Photos + Giveaway

If a celebrated makeup artist like Charlotte Tilbury keeps Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask in her arsenal, it must live up to its legendary reputation. As much as I love the way the velvety mask revives my dehydrated skin, I have been enjoying the new Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil even more! This nourishing anti-aging formula is a magic one-step potion, which is ideal for evenings when I have absolutely no energy for my usual skin care regimen (which seems to be the norm these days). I have used this dry oil diligently for the last week and have since fallen in love!

My TOP 5 SUNSCREENS | Natura Bissē, Sisley, Clé de Peau, Eve Lom, and Equitance

Most of my readers and viewers are aware that I am wholly dedicated to sunscreen. I have been fairly diligent about wearing it daily since my university days, but now I will wear sunscreen even when I do not plan on leaving the house at all! A good broad-spectrum sunscreen is the best step toward the anti-aging campaign since it will protect you from wrinkles and sun spots as well as prevent any acne scars from darkening. I have tested so many sunscreens in the past year that I have lost count, but I am finally ready to share my top 5 picks!

THE TEN: Best of Lip Balms Edition — My Holy Grail & Recommendations

[Hover over above image to learn more]

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!