The Luxe List: Smashbox

When I bought this Master Class II Palette from Smashbox during Sephora's VIB November sale, my full intention was for it to live in my professional kit for bridal parties. Of course when it arrived I wanted to test it out personally!

 Kits are often a great way of experiencing a multitude of offerings from a particular line. That being said, in the past I've bought some palettes before that had a few shades I rarely used or worse found the pigments in some far less quality than single shadows in a line.

This palette doesn't disappoint in terms of quality & is jam packed with product. Four of their best selling cream liners, 28 shadows, 2 highlighting powders & 6 blushes!

Too many shades to swatch! Some of my favorites:
Anchor(L), Amethyst(M) & Rose (R)

Ultramarine(L), Serpent (M) & Peacock(R)
I find this palette coming home with me almost every weekend so I can play with it. It's a great value at $59 & a great holiday gift. Though I realize it is over $50 in terms of pricepoint, you really get a complete make-up wardrobe.  This would be an awesome starter palette for a teen or granddaughter. However, if you've gotten your VIB coupon recently in the mail- I say scoop it up for yourself!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

The Luxe List: Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Palette

 

When Oprah's talk show was on the air, it was known among insiders that her lighting budget was the most expensive in the industry. Every make-up artist knows the importance of bringing light to the face. When done properly- everything looks better! Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder has become a cult favorite since they launched last year.

 For holiday & all the good little girls this year, they introduced the swoon worthy Ambient Lighting Palette ($58) with their 2 best selling shades + a limited edition shade. You know you want to see the inside....

Tadaaa! The palette features 3 shades: (L) Dim Light, (M) Limited Edition Incandescent Light & (R) Radiant Light. As an oily skinned girl, I ran from any type of face with sheen in my 20's. But the key is all in where it's applied. As we get older, where drooping occurs due to losing volume- shadow results.  Bringing light to the area brightens & gives the illusion of lift.  I consider these powders, glow powders. They're incredibly soft- enough to use all over the face, which is why I don't want people to shy away from them that are afraid of traditional highlighters.

As you can see - even when finger swatched, the colors are all very sheer. Colors from- (L) Radiant Light, (M) Incandescent Light & (R) Dim Light.

I always highlight on the cheekbone & down the bridge of the nose- here I used Incandescent for those areas. I then built the Radiant Shade into a blush for my cheeks.  This is a gorgeous palette that really could suit all ages- the light reflective pigments really help diffuse any imperfections like hyperpigmentation. Because isn't this the season to be merry & bright?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
* gifted for review

Jouer Cosmetics

Henri Bendel's has a crack like effect on me. Major addiction. I seriously cannot go into the flagship store in NYC without making something mine.  This go around I decided to try Jouer, a cosmetics company known for the ability to connect their individual compacts into customizable palettes.

I picked up the limited edition Blushing Beauty Palette, which consists of the Whisper Tint/ Feather Highlighter duo, Chocolate/Peach Eyeshadow duo, Sheer Matte Touch Powder & Bronzer duo + Cherish Lipgloss. In this picture all of the pieces are actually connected. Worth mentioning- I think I got a lot of prestige product for the price of $58.

Here I am sporting the shadows, powder/bronzer duo & gloss. The colors are neutral classics.  I could see a lot of brides sporting this collection for the summer wedding season now upon us. Though it's listed currently as out of stock on Jouer's website, I would call Bendel's & see if they can ship it to you. It's pure loveliness!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday

Run, do not walk to scoop these up girleens! Maybelline's Limited Edition blushes are to die for. I, of course, couldn't resist picking 2 up when I spotted them in Rite Aid!

When I pull this Bobbi Brown blush in Pale Pink (left)out of my kit, clients get a smidge nervous. It does look a bit obnoxious, but it gives the most gorgeous cool toned rosy glow to my brides. They are always won over & it's obvious I love it, as I've hit pan. When I spotted Pressworthy Pink, I did a little dance due to how similar a shade it is while being a steal at $9 vs. Bobbi Brown's at $24! The pink is almost an exact match, with the Maybelline version pulling a little bit more pigmented than Bobbi Brown's.
Here Pressworthy Pink is on the apples of my cheeks, with a little dollop of Stage Glow on either side of my nose to get a little bit of that 'Mandy Moore' dewy cheek look. I've been using Stage Glow all over as a highlighter, as well as an overall shadow. Love them! Grab them while you can.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M