As much as I love a good cream or gel blush, I’ve always been a powder devotee when it comes to my rouge. With warmer temperatures right around the corner, Le Métier de Beauté The Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope has me all giddy for spring. I’ve been alternating daily between these two shades in the scope: Velvet Underground, a pure matte salmon-pink; and Dali, a pure matte classic pink. Both of these shades are primed with a base of pure white (which is why it lays on skin with brightness and clarity). Ondine, is a silky matte beige-nude (a pretty bronze for summer) and Electra, is a sheer gold luminizer. When I’m not in a rush to primp, I like to apply Electra on the tops of my cheeks for a shimmery finish. (Side note: I stumbled upon this really helpful guide on Pinterest on how to apply blush according to your face shape.) If you’re unsure how these shades will look on your complexion, I highly recommend visiting the Le Métier de Beauté counter at Neiman Marcus and spending some quality time with their experts. I always leave with a bevy of samples and a Parisian chic makeup look.
File Under Blushes I Love: Le Métier de Beauté
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My Winter Beauty Essentials
As much as I love snow days, romantic nights by the fire and curling up with a good book, winter can take a toll on my skin. Around the holidays cold weather is nice but post-New Year, I’m ready for spring. We’ve got at least a couple months before it starts to get warm again so in the mean time I thought I’d share my winter beauty essentials. From a new soothing eye gel to a hybrid texturizing and dry shampoo hairspray, I’ve rounded up my skin, makeup and hair products that I can’t live without this season.
Eyes:
Benefit unveiled a new product, Puff Off! (they always come up with such clever names!), a soothing eye gel that de-puffs tired eyes. I’ve been using this with my Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener instantly brightens my under eye area every morning, not to mention hides my dark circles. My once massive mascara wardrobe has dwindled down to two lash stunners: CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extensions and Lancome Grandiose Mascara. The Lancome one definitely adds drama to my limp lashes at night but it is a little clumpy. I don’t care though—it looks like I have babydoll lashes when I use this wand.
Day to Night with Estee Lauder
Are you a “gift with purchase” addict? It’s one of the reasons I love shopping at department store beauty counters. While stocking up on seasonal favorites, you get rewarded with a bevy of deluxe samples and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love free gifts? Neiman Marcus and Estee Lauder partnered with designer Lisa Perry, whose retro-inspired shiny vinyl tote bag design has risen to the top of my GWP wish list. Today, I’m sharing how you can pull off a seamless day to night look using only the products in this Estee Lauder Up Close GWP bag.
I started my day with Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Cream, which goes on like satin to help de-puff eyes and boost natural collagen for a more refreshed complexion. It’s pretty thick in terms of texture, but with frigid temps in full force my face absolutely needs this. I’m very picky about my eyeshadow but these powder Pure Color shadows go on creamy for a smooth application. I also love the versatility of this compact featuring three Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks/Rouge (you’ll have the option when you get your bag to select a Subtle or Bold Deluxe Eyeshadow and Lipstick Compact). For a natural day look, I applied Riviera Rose (satin finish) on my lids and Wild Truffle (matte finish) on my crease. I swiped just one coat of the Sumptuous Extreme Mascara on my top lashes to open up my eyes. My Pure Color Lipstick was the perfect pinky-nude shade so I could wear this during the day. No dry or cracked lips here thanks to this ultra moisturizing formula! AERIN Lilac Path Eau de Parfum has a delicate, crisp scent of lilac, making it perfect to spritz on my writs and neck that would linger all day.
At night, I wanted to amp up my eye look so I swiped Sepia Sand on as a base and used Provocative Plum on my crease. I added a couple more coats of the mascara to my top and bottom lashes for a sultry night look. After I had washed the city off my face, I applied just a few small drops of the Advanced Night Repair, which aids in the appearance of more youthful, firmer skin in just a few days of use. Needless to say, all the deluxe sample goodies that came in my bag totally worked their magic from day to night.
Your $75 Estee Lauder purchase gets you this bag with all the goodies I just mentioned inside (value $225). The beauty event is going on now through January 25th.
As a beauty ambassador for Neiman Marcus, the company provided me with a complimentary tote for review purposes.
L’eau Down: Byredo Bal D’Afrique
The fragrance: Byredo Bal D’Afrique
In three words or less: sweet, sultry, euphoric
The story: Inspired by distinct places, moments in time and works of art, the Stockholm-based line Byredo Fragrances is known for uncluttered notes and its luxury craftsmanship. Bal D’Afrique is a warm and romantic vetvier inspired by Paris in the late ‘20s and its infatuation with African culture, art, music, and dance.
The notes: Top notes of bergamot, lemon, neroli, African marigold, and bucchu. Middle notes include violet, jasmine petals, and cyclamen. Base notes of black amber, musk, vetiver, and Moraccan cedarwood.
My thoughts: I typically gravitate towards floral scents but this blast of sunny citrus with just a punch of spicy marigold makes this fragrance equal parts sweet and bewitching. I love the travel size of the fragrance and the chic leather travel case makes it extra special and unique. I’ll certainly be taking this on my mid-winter weekend getaway to Florida!
Byredo Bal D’Afrique Travel Spray (12mL each) & Byredo Voyage Collection Calf Leather Travel Case
Photography by Kate Ann
As a beauty ambassador for Neiman Marcus, the company provided me with complimentary products for review purposes.
Sisley Phyto Lip Twist + NM Fall Beauty Event
Imagine a tinted lip balm that has the pigment of a lipstick and shine like a gloss. I have to confess, I never expected to fall in love with the Sisley Phyto Lip Twist collection. I received a couple of these in my Neiman Marcus Ambassador Beauty Box and quite frankly, I overlooked them but last month when I attended the Beauty & The Blogger event at Mazza Gallerie, I was treated to a little mini makeover at the Sisley counter and developed a new appreciation for them.
Applied with a single twist, this tinted lip balm moisturizes while adding shine and luminosity to your pout. It’s an XXL pencil that doesn’t need a sharpener and comes in variety of nude and intense colors. I keep #2 in Baby (a light pink) in my handbag at all times for every day wear. I’m also loving #5 in Berry for a simple take on the vampy lip.
You can scoop up these tinted lip balms and all your must-have beauty essentials right now at the Neiman Marcus Fall Beauty Event. Stop by your local Neiman Marcus to receive a complimentary tote and the latest fall beauty samples (think YSL Rouge Eye Cream, Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner, Burberry’s new My Burberry fragrance, Glamglow Facial Set, among other luxe indulgences) with your $125 cosmetics purchase. I have to say, I’m really liking the promo bags they have this season. It’s like they were specifically made for every working Washingtonian.
Neiman Marcus provided me with a complimentary sample for review purposes.
