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

It Cosmetics' Your Most Beautiful You Collection

I love discovering indie brands, it's like discovering buried treasure. Before lines like Bare Escentuals & Kate Somerville were well recognized brands I had been working with the products for years. It Cosmetics is one of those brands to watch- if you're not familiar with them, you soon will be. Having met the founder & president, Jamie Kern a few times makes me happy for her- as she's a doll. This Saturday they're unveiling a new lipgloss launch(& my Beauties know how I love some lipgloss) which is included in their TSV for QVC.

The kit includes one of the two cult favorite products that first landed It Cosmetics on the map, Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer. It's a full coverage, yet non cakey under eye concealer that boasts some serious skin care benefits. You only need a tiny bit of Bye Bye Under Eye its coverage is so good- the jumbo sized tube in this kit will last you eons. 

The other product that help build their brand was their original universal brow pencil. Well meet the upgrade- their YBBB Brow Pencil (Your Brows But Better.) This one actually is formulated to condition the hair & stay put.  I love the super skinny pencil which helps mimic actual strands of hair for natural looking coverage.

This TSV marks the debut of It Cosmetics' Vitality LipFlush Hydrating Gloss Stain. In the tube, the Je Ne Sais Quoi looks milky white & very light. When swiped on it gains intensity.

On super lazy days, I always tell clients as long as your skin is good condition & brows are groomed you can get out of the house with lipgloss & mascara. LipFlush develops into a lovely pink on my pucker that wakes up my entire face without being overpowering. Unlike some stains that feel drying or even crumbly in texture, this is a hybrid gloss stain infused with 9 types of butters & oils that feels very moisturizing on throughout the day.

Hello Light Anti-Aging Creme Luminzer rounds out the stellar line-up of products. I dab this highlighter above the bow of my mouth & the outer corners of my lower lip for some lift. It looks lovely on the collarbones, as well. For brightening & concealing of my hyperpigmentation on my cheek bones- I sometimes blend the Bye Bye Under Eye & Hello Light using the Heavenly Luxe Airbrush Foundation/Concealer Brush to apply. Speaking of heavenly- if you haven't tried It Cosmetics brushes- they're divine. As a professional make-up artist, I have some brushes in my kit that cost close to $100 on their own. TWO amazing tools of the trade are included in this collection. Hop over to QVC tomorrow & ask for item no. A235134- it will be at a one day price of $59.96. Happy weekend Lovelies.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Benefit's Bathina

Since I shun the sun & am currently at the beach- I'm blindingly pale. I've accepted that & tell myself that I'll be the youngest looking 75 year old around when I get older. I often reach for a luminizer of some sort to at least give my arms & legs a pearly gleam.   

This weekend I packed Benefits' Bathina. I scooped it up after a girls weekend in NYC, where my friend Heidi went on & on about her love for it when we were at Bendel's. The retro tin is admittedly adorable, though a bit bulky for packing.

Though not very sparkly or intensely shimmery, the solid balm gives a lovely sheen to the skin & isn't greasy. Plus it's scented with Benefit's signature white blossom notes. I detect a little Lily of the Valley- which is delicious.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.