Dolce & Gabbana Shaping Eyebrow Pencil in Mocha Review, Photos, Swatches

This Spring 2014 season, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty is introducing their first brow tool: Shaping Eyebrow Pencil ($45 USD). Conceived to create a tailor-made shape that enhances the wearer's natural look, this brow liner offers dual functionality with thick and thin aspects of the soft tear-shaped tip. Check out the complete details and comparison swatches after the jump!

February 2014 Favorites [Hits & Misses] feat. Eyeshadow Palettes, Brushes, Skin, etc.!

February was such a busy month, and March will only be more hectic! I had to whittle this video down and leave out some skin care products, but I will be sure to cover them individually here on the blog later this month. Instead, I chose to discuss some of the hottest new makeup releases from Smashbox and NARS here in this episode, as well as the Hakuhodo face brushes I have been enjoying for the past few weeks. I hope you enjoy the video! xo

PRODUCTS REVIEWED:

Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette 

Too Faced Glitter Glue Eyeshadow Primer 

NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette 

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Palettes in Cocoa Mirage and Seductive Rose 

Chanel Ombres Contraste Eyeshadow Duo in 70 Rose Majeur
Tom Ford Lip Sheer Lipstick in Summer Fling 

Stila Lip Glazes in Fairy Dust & Apricot 

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Granite 

Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil in Granite

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Ebony 

Hakuhodo S5557 Angled Foundation Brush 

Hakuhodo S103 Pointed Powder Brush 

Hakuhodo S106 Angled Powder Brush   

EM Michelle Phan All Over Face Brush
Make Up Forever 112 Foundation Brush
Sigma Beauty F69 Angled Pixel Concealer Brush 

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay 

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask with Red Clay 

GlamGlow Brightmud Eye Treatment

     *Get 30% Off ALL GlamGlow HERE with Promo Code: RRBM
     **Unfortunately this code was discontinued by the manufacturer. Sorry for any troubles!** 

ENJOY Conditioning Spray & Luxury Conditioner 

     *Get 20% Off ALL Enjoy HERE with Promo Code: RREJ

Orly Won't Chip Top Coat 

Makeup Worn:

Chanel Le Blanc Sheer Illuminating Base 

Chanel Vitalumiere Liquid Foundation in B30 

EM Michelle Phan Concealer Palette in Light 

Koh Gen Do Triple Lighting Powder Foundation in OC-1 

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Terra 

Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil Cartridge in 204 and Holder 

NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette [All About Eve I, Nepal, Ashes to Ashes, Mekon] 

EM Michelle Phan Scribble Eyeliner in Tattoo Black   

Giorgio Armani Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Black 

Hourglass Film Noir Mascara 

Tom Ford Lip Sheer Lipstick in In The Buff 

Velour Lashes in Guilty, Lashaholic 

     *Use promo code RAEVELOUR to receive 15% off your purchase!

Earrings:
House of Harlow White Sunburst Studs

Nails:
Chanel Spring 2014 Tapage

Sweater:
DailyLook

SHOP THE POST

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Benefit Eyebrow Wow Tutorial with Gimme Brow Review + GIVEAWAY

Benefit has always been one of the leading brow authorities, so I was honored when they offered me a complimentary makeover with brow mapping. I discovered at the session that brow tinting is all the rage these days and how natural and gentle it can be! More importantly, I learned how to use the new Gimme Brow volumizing gel, which has since changed my stance on how I fill in my eyebrows. I love using it on the weekend for a very natural but full eyebrow that is water-resistant (perfect for tropical vacations). Since I loved the products so much, I decided to recreate the look the Benefit girls gave me with the same set of products they used. I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

Makeup Used:

Benefit Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation in I'm So Money Honey

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Cream

Benefit Boiing Concealer in 2
Benefit Hello Flawless Powder Foundation in Me Vain

Sigma Extravaganza Powder F95 Brush 18k Gold

Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Deep

Benefit Brow Zing in Light

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light

Benefit High Brow Glow Pencil

Kevyn Aucoin Loose Shimmer Eyeshadow in Rose Quartz

Sigma Extravaganza Eye Blender E25 Brush 18K Gold

Benefit Boxed Powder in Hoola

Sigma Extravaganza Tapered Face F25 Brush 18K Gold

Benefit Boxed Blush in Rockateur

Sigma Extravaganza Angled Blush F40 Brush 18K Gold

Tom Ford Eyeliner Pen in Deeper

Benefit They're Real Mascara

EM Michelle Phan Waterliner Eye Pencil in Sunshine Yellow

Benefit 'Pin Up' False Lashes

Benefit Benetint

Benefit Ultra Plush Lipgloss in Kiss You

Sweater:

Joie Chyanne Sweater in Leopard Grey Print in XS

Nails:

Dior Holiday 2013 Diorific Nail Polish in Minuit

GIVEAWAY: All entries must be submitted through the widget below. Please leave your brow woe in the comment section of the video's YouTube page, not here on the blog. This contest is open internationally, since I wanted to show my appreciation for my viewers from all over the world. Thank you for your support over the years!

The PRIZE:

Gimme Brow

Instant Brow Pencil 

High Brow Pencil

Tweezerman Brow Shaping Brush

Tweezerman Slanted Tweezers

Raising Eyebrow Book

ENTER to WIN the BROW WOW KIT HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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August 2013 Favorites/Hits & Misses: Powders, Pencils, Color, Foundations, Hair

The end of August 2013 has been absolute madness! After Beautycon, I was simply exhausted and my quick trip to Vegas this week to see Boyz II Men only distracted me further from filming. I am back with an epically long Favorites episode, though, so I hope it was worth the wait. I will be working on a full video tutorial + review videos of Chanel and Tom Ford's Fall collections as well as Michelle Phan's new em cosmetics products. Please feel free to share any other video requests in the comments section below!

Products Reviewed:
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder in 30

Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer in Shade 1 [Frais/Cool]

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in Neutral Medium
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Eyeko Curvy Brush Mascara
Miss Hana Eyeliner Pencils
Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Waterproof Eyeliner in Black
     *The pencil is labeled Smooth Silk WP, but the website still refers to it as Eyes to Kill!
em cosmetics Day Life Palette [full review and tutorial coming soon]
Chanel CC Cream in 20
Chanel Mat Lumiere Liquid Foundation in 40
Jouer Matte Moisture Tint in Nude
Hourglass Immaculate Foundation in Nude
YSL Youth Liberator Serum Foundation in B30
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo Anti-Oil Astringent Formula
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Damage & Color Repair Conditioner
 **I ran out of time, but I am really loving my Armani Rouge Ecstasy + Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleaning Oil ♥ Please check out my blog reviews for all details!

Makeup Worn:
Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Powder Foundation in SP30
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer in Shade 1 [Frais/Cool]
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder in 30
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204 + Holder
em cosmetics Day Life Palette [Eyeshadows and Blush]
Eyeko Liquid Metal Eyeliner in Black Onyx
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Waterproof Eyeliner in Black
NARS Larger Than Life Lipgloss in Piree
Velour Lashes in Oops Naughty Me

Nails:
Tom Ford Show Me the Pink [Fall]

Tank:
Theory Len Tubular

Earrings:
Forever 21 [old]

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The Best Makeup for Your Wedding Day -- Top 5 Bridal Beauty Picks

Wedding season is my favorite time of year. I love the aura of whimsy and romance that the bridal industry manages to reinvent seasons after season. After searching for color palettes on my favorite wedding photographer's blog and browsing some of the latest gown trends on DressFirst and The Knot, however, I was inspired to share a list of classic wedding makeup must-haves.

Photo Credit: Jasmine Star, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Stylelist

TOP 5 BRIDAL BEAUTY PICKS

1. BLUSH

Blush does a world of wonder for the bridal party since the stress of wedding planning can drain the color from the cheeks. Not only does blush brighten up the complexion, it makes any face light up with youth and happiness. These Tom Ford and NARS cheek colors are ideal for weddings since pigmented, long lasting color is required. I love Wicked (pictured left) and Flush by Tom Ford, $56, and Orgasm (pictured right) and Taj Mahal by NARS, $29.

2. BROWS

Brow pencils give the most natural brow appearance and are the easiest to use. They also fit into a clutch easily, and my favorite two by Cle de Peau, $25 for cartridge and $35 for holder, and Anastasia, $21, come equipped with soft spoolies for a perfectly blended look. If the bride generally does not wear brow products, there will be a remarkable difference in the photos. Make sure not to focus only on the eyeshadow, for refined and polished brows will frame the eyes better and help bring the entire makeup look together.

Check out my Clé de Peau Eyebrow Tutorial HERE!

3. WATERPROOF MASCARA

Happy tears usually make their appearance at most bridal functions, so waterproof mascara is essential. It is worth the extra effort even as a preventative measure. The Chanel Inimitable WP, $30, and Lancôme Hypnose Star WP, $28, formulas add volume with length and hold curl beautifully without resulting in smudging. I highly recommend eyelash extensions on the day of the wedding because it is a hassle to glue back on strip or individual false eyelashes that have lifted. Instead of regretting wonky eye photos, top lash extensions with waterproof mascara for a lush and fool-proof eye look!

4. BASE MAKEUP PRIMER

To achieve the longest lasting makeup, start with the base. Both of the primers pictured above help foundation photograph flawlessly. The Hourglass No. 28 Serum primer, $65, is ideal for very dry to slightly dry skin because it nourishes and rejuvenates while evening out pores. On the other hand, the Smashbox Photo Finish Blend primer in Apricot, $38, is ideal for prepping and correcting pigmentation issues like sunspots and veins. It is best on normal to combination skin, so try Photo Finish Light on oily skin.

5. BLOTTING SHEETS

I highly recommend touching up with blotting sheets for the most beautiful photo results. Both of the blotting papers pictured above are dusted lightly with powder to help remove excess oil and sweat and refresh the complexion without disrupting makeup. Just press gently into the skin without wiping or pulling the sheet across the face. The Tachta Evening papers in black, $15, are all-natural leaflets sized perfectly for a clutch. The Shisiedo Pureness papers, $18.50, are better for oily skin since the product contains more powerful oil-absorbing ingredients.

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REVIEW: My Top 5 Brow Products + Eyebrow Tutorial

I love brow products. Though I am constantly testing new releases like the Hourglass Arch pencil, I am a creature of habit. I prefer to stick to what I know works best with my features. That is why I have been wearing the Cle de Peau brow pencil in natural black so often. Now that I am growing out my natural hair color, the 204 shade is the perfect fit.. not too warm, not too cool taupe-tinged gray. It does help that my brows have also grown out over the last six months, since the shading process is not nearly as tedious as it once was. Moral of this story: let your eyebrows grow out!

In the past year, I experimented with all sorts of brow trends. I went really thick, then really dark, then really thin. I tried to embrace the increasingly popular cream brow trend. Though it looked better some days than others, it just doesn't work well for fine eyebrows like mine. Pencil is the easiest to master, but it also looks the most natural. Some also love powder for precision, but trying to find the perfect grey eyeshadow is another headache I would rather not chronicle. I managed to find a couple that are wearable, but none are as ideal in color as Cle de Peau or Shu Uemura's pencils.

Brows are all preference, though, so wear them however and with whatever you think suits your face best. These five pencils just happen to work well for me.. all tried and true!

Brow Pencils Reviewed:
1. Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil Cartridge in 204 + Eyebrow Pencil Holder 
                [Review HERE]
2. Shu Uemura Hard 9 Formula Pencil in Stone Grey
3. Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Espresso
                [Review HERE]
4. Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil in Soft Brunette
5. Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette or Medium Ash
*NOTE: The swatches for the majority of these products are within the reviews I have already written, so please reference the linked posts for more information.
**NOTE: I no longer use the Shiseido brow pencil. It is still worth trying if the CdP is out of your budget and if you do not want to order the SU online. I just happen to find the CdP is much more versatile and easier to use on my fine brow hairs.

PRODUCTS USED

Makeup Worn:
Jouer Matte Moisture Tint in Linen
Koh Gen Do Triple Lighting Powder in OC-2
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder Compact in Natural 1
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Concealer in Shade 1
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in Natural Black 204
Giorgio Armani Summer 2013 Palette - Eyeshadows
Inglot Gel Liner in Brown with Red Cherry 747M Lashes
Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Hibiscus

Shirt:
James Perse

Nails:
Dior Destin [Review HERE]

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My Awesome January Favorites + Video Details

We are more than a month into 2013.. where has all the time drained to? I am constantly on the go, and I love the productivity, but I wish I could slow time down. Not even to relax, just to reflect! I hope the first month of this new year has treated you as kindly as it has treated me.. And FYI this is strictly a Favorites month, as I have no misses to share with you, so I hope you do not mind! 

P.S. Feel free to take a peek at the photos from my zoo tour HERE!

Cle De Peau Eyebrow Pencil Review, Photos, Swatches

I announced on Twitter recently that I had discovered a new holy grail eyebrow product. This formula is PERFECTION! So much so that I wrote it in caps. I have very thin, short yet stubborn brow hairs, and it is difficult to find a grey pencil to match the color of my brows as well as work with the texture of my hairs. The only caveat? The price. But look below! My brows look full (nearly impossible to achieve these days) and natural. Continue reading to see why I love this product so...