PINK BOBBI BROWN BRIGHTENING BRICK - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

More subtle than the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick but with the same overall brightening effect of the finishing powder, this formula creates a lit-from-within glow plus a hint of pretty pink. Use it just on the cheeks for a soft blush or all over the face for veil-like luminosity. The best part: this pink pairs perfectly with the season's nude and navy shades.

Note: If you want to softly illuminate skin without adding color, choose a Brightening Finishing Powder.

About Bobbi Brown:
Based on the philosophy that beauty should be real, approachable, and simple, Bobbi Brown launched her eponymous collection in 1991. Bobbi Brown herself became a household name and in high demand as a celebrity make-up artist, and the Bobbi Brown line today includes not only cosmetics and brushes but also fragrances and skincare treatments that are loved worldwide.

I love Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks but sometimes I prefer a more subtle look so I thought I would try the new Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick in Pink. It contains lots of glitter flecks which at first can be overwhelming. Once blended with the varying pink shades it adds a soft highlight to the face. It is important to note that after a few uses the intensity of the glitter flecks does lessen somewhat which makes this powder more wearable.

The staying power of the brightening powder isn't as great as I had expected. I thought it would wear at least 4-6 hours but by the three hour mark there was excessive fading. This is definitely one of those powders that requires a few touch ups throughout the day. Overall though, I really love how this powder gives my face a really nice healthy glow.

I purchased the brightening brick from the Bobbi Brown website but it is also available at Nordstrom as well. It currently retails at $45.00 for .23 oz.

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NUDES BOBBI BROWN BRIGHTENING FINISHING POWDER - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Brightening Finishing Powder - Nudes

This all-over powder instantly illuminates and gives skin a healthy-looking glow. It's infused with a skin brightening blend of Mulberry, Grape and Scutellaria Extracts, as well as Sodium Hyaluronate to help keep skin fresh and smooth looking. Palette includes a mirror for perfect application. Featured on Elle.com as a "full-face-pick-me-up." (May 2013)

Bobbi Brown has some of the best makeup products; especially if you love a natural makeup look. Normally, my every day go-to look is similar to that - a natural look with just a hint of color on my face. That is how I want my makeup to look - effortless but yet noticeable. So you can always count on Bobbi Brown products to enhance a woman's natural beauty (or mine for that matter) with just a touch of color.

During the summer months, I have been reaching for tinted moisturizers because we spend a good portion of our weekends with our boys at Carowinds. Carowinds is a huge amusement park similar to Kings Island and Six Flags. So basically what that translates into is an all-day adventure outside in the hot sun and trying to wear a full face of makeup is pretty pointless - hence the tinted moisturizer.

One of the drawbacks of wearing tinted moisturizers is sometimes they make the face appear oily or greasy so I like to apply a light dusting of face powder. The Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes finishing powder is perfect for lessening the shine while adding a nice healthy glow at the same time. This powder is currently priced at $50.00 for .23 oz. and can be purchased from the Bobbi Brown website, Sephora  or at Nordstrom.

204 THE STARLET MARC JACOBS BEAUTY STYLE EYE-CON NO 7 PLUSH EYESHADOW PALETTE

Sephora.com recently offered their VIB members the opportunity to purchase a few select pre-sale items from the MARC JACOBS BEAUTY line. The full collection will be launching on August 9th so if you missed out on the pre-sale you will have another opportunity to make a purchase when it launches.

During the pre-sale there were two Style eye-con No 7 eyeshadow palettes available: The Starlet 204 and The Tease 202. I went with The Starlet 204 because it seemed to have a more diverse color range than The Tease 202. The latter housed a range of purple eyeshadows which were nice but not very appealing to me. With the Starlet 204 palette the color ranges are so diverse they will work for just about everyone.

The staying power and the pigmentation for these shadows are among the best. The shadows are a powder formula but felt creamy to the touch. When swatching I barely touched the shadows and the color intensity was insane. All the shadows kept their vibrant color when applied to the lid and all wore for a solid 6-8 hours with little to no creasing during that time. After about 12 hours I noticed minimal fading and slight creasing but nothing too significant.   

Please note:
Not pictured is a single sponge applicator that is supposed to come with this palette but I checked all the packaging and mine was missing. Also, the net total weight for the eyeshadows is .24 oz. 

Read more about the pre-sale collection here: MARC JACOBS BEAUTY SEPHORA VIB PRESALE

The Starlet 204 -
metallic muted lilac, metallic champagne pink, metallic dark copper brown, metallic bright copper, metallic gold, metallic bluish silver, metallic gunmetal gray

STYLE EYE-CON NO. 7 PLUSH EYESHADOW - $59.00 USD

What it is:
A super skinny, sleek palette of seven eye shadows that harmoniously marry with a creamy, sumptuous finish.

What it does:
A super skinny and sleek design will instantly make these seven harmonized shadows become your eye essentials. Each palette of shimmery metallics, buttery mattes, and lustrous sheens are made with advanced pigments that allow true, instant color payoff, and long-lasting plush performance. Marc invites you to play and become your own Style Eye-Con.

(L to R) metallic muted lilac, metallic champagne pink, metallic dark copper brown, metallic bright copper, metallic gold, metallic bluish silver, metallic gunmetal gray

63 REVELATION LE BLUSH CREME DE CHANEL

An innovative powder-cream formula offers an enticing new way to blush with sheer yet vibrant pigments for instant luminosity. The silky texture offers a long-wear satin finish—soft and comfortable for every skin type—and is simple to apply with fingertips or brush.

LE BLUSH CRÈME DE CHANEL - $38.00 USD (.09 oz.)

63 REVELATION - soft warm pink

Read more about the blushes here: LE BLUSH CREME DE CHANEL.

Read more about the Chanel Fall collection here: CHANEL FALL 2013 SUPERSTITION COLLECTION.

I purchased 63 Revelation from Nordstrom because my local Chanel counter at Belk never got the tester in. I wasn't sure I would like it but so far it is working out really great. It is described as a soft warm pink blush and I can definitely see the warm peachy tones throughout it. For application I use either my ring finger or a stippling brush to apply and blend it in. The lasting power of 63 Revelation is similar to 66 Fantastic - a solid six to eight hours of wear time with some slight fading after the six hour mark.

I also purchased 65 AFFINITE and I'll post swatches and my thoughts on it later this week so check back for it.

Check out my review and swatches of 66 FANTASTIC.

ALLURE FALL 2013 BEAUTY BOX - TODAY @ 12:01 PM est.

GET READY! On JULY 23rd at 12:01PM EST the ALLURE FALL BEAUTY BOX will go on sale!

You will receive over $350 worth of "FALL ESSENTIAL" beauty products for the low cost of only $39.99 with an additional $10 for shipping and handling. So the total cost is $49.99 plus tax. Typically $5 of the purchase price goes towards a charity of their choosing. This year it is "Cancer and Careers".

I've purchased the beauty boxes in the past (check out the 2012 Fall box here and here) and I am always surprised by all the great products included in them. Check out the 2013 Summer Beauty Box here. There is always something for everyone in them and there is plenty to share with others too. If you want to be alerted for when they go on sale again you can sign up to be a beauty enthusiast here. There is not cost to be a member and there are a lot of great opportunities to receive free samples or deals on many new and old beauty products.

I'll be sure to update this post with the link for the 2013 Allure Fall Beauty Box once it has become active. The link for the beauty boxes will be active until all quantities have been sold. So when the sale first starts you may experience some slow down with the web page but it quickly passes. However, if the link quits working or fails to load then you know the beauty boxes are sold out. In the past it has taken 24-48 hours to sell out but the Summer Beauty Box took less than 10 minute. So you might want to jump on this ASAP.

Here is the link:: ALLURE BEAUTY BOX Just click on the image once the link is activated (@ 12:01 PM est.) and it will take you to the order form.

PRIVATE INVITATION: MARC JACOBS BEAUTY (SEPHORA VIB)

SEPHORA VIB's get early access to the new MARC JACOBS BEAUTY collection. This collection will not be available again until August 9th. So hurry and get your SHOP ON!

Please note: This is only a portion of the beauty collection that is available for sale right now! There will be loads more of gorgeous beauty items to come on August 9th.

Here is the link and happy shopping! - MARC JACOBS BEAUTY

THE 48-HOUR EARLY ACCESS STARTS NOW
Online only Friday 7/19 to Saturday 7/20 11:59 PM PDT

BE THE FIRST TO EXPERIENCE MARC JACOBS BEAUTY
Only at Sephora. Only for VIBs. Only 48 Hours.

STYLE EYE-CON NO. 3 PLUSH SHADOW - $42.00 USD

What it is:
A petite set of three plush eye shadows that harmoniously marry with a creamy, sumptuous finish.

What it does:
Each mini palette of shimmery metallics, buttery mattes, and lustrous sheens are made with advanced pigments that allow true, instant color payoff and long-lasting, plush performance. Shades are cleverly sized to suit your eye shadow needs. Marc invites you to play and become your own Style Eye-Con.

The Glam 108 - warm cream/metallic bronze with gold shimmer/peachy copper sheen

The Mod 112 - eggshell white/black with iridescent shimmer/light grayish taupe

STYLE EYE-CON NO. 7 PLUSH EYESHADOW - $59.00 USD 

What it is:
A super skinny, sleek palette of seven eye shadows that harmoniously marry with a creamy, sumptuous finish.

What it does:
A super skinny and sleek design will instantly make these seven harmonized shadows become your eye essentials. Each palette of shimmery metallics, buttery mattes, and lustrous sheens are made with advanced pigments that allow true, instant color payoff, and long-lasting plush performance. Marc invites you to play and become your own Style Eye-Con.

The Starlet 204 -
metallic muted lilac, metallic champagne pink, metallic dark copper brown, metallic bright copper, metallic gold, metallic bluish silver, metallic gunmetal gray

The Tease 202 -
purple sheen, matte grayish purple, matte pale pink, iridescent champagne sheen, metallic pastel pink w/gold shimmer, matte bright aubergine, deep aubergine w/iridescent shimmer

MAGIC MARC'ER PRECISION PEN - $30.00 USD

What it is:
A liquid eyeliner inspired by the classic calligraphy pen for drawing the finest lines and achieving perfect definition.

What it does:
This waterproof liquid eyeliner pen features a calligraphy-inspired proprietary capillary system that draws thick and thin lines for accentuating the lash line or building a bolder look. This never-seen-before shade was developed in Japan to create the shiniest and blackest black on the market. The fast-working, no-transfer, no-fade formula lasts all day. This sleek liner begs to be held and is suitable for the boardroom.

Blacquer

LUST FOR LACQUER SHEER LIP VINYL- $28.00 USD

What it is:
A champagne grape-infused lip vinyl with a shimmery wash of lust-worthy, sheer-coverage color.

What it does:
Satisfy your lip gloss craving with Marc’s lighthearted, champagne grape-infused lip vinyl. This lightly pigmented, plumping formula is infused with antioxidants, essential oils, and a hint of effervescence for a perfect pout with the highest shine. The patented, pillowed applicator glides on the lip vinyl for precise application with a shimmery, lust-worthy finish.

304 Overprotected - shimmering pastel pink | New

308 Heart Shaped - shimmering baby pink | New

302 Kissability - shimmering lilac pink | New

310 Studded Kiss - shimmering berry lavender | New

312 Lust For Life - shimmering reddish raspberry | New

Lip Lock Moisture Balm - $24.00 USD

What it is:
A buttery, rich lip balm with SPF 18 that locks in hydration.

What it does:
Meet the ultimate makeout accessory—the addictive and refreshing minty flavor will keep you coming back for more. With nature’s best exotic oils and butters like andiroba, buriti, shea, and avocado, this moisture balm is too good not to share. Indulge. Hydrate. Repeat.

What else you need to know:
Broad spectrum SPF 18 protects lips from harmful UV rays which are the number one cause of premature skin aging, leading to skin discoloration, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of fine lines.

MYTH LAURA MERCIER ROUGE NOUVEAU LIPSTICK - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colour

Laura re-invents lipstick with this 100% wax-free lip colour that delivers pure, long-lasting breathable colour and comforts with lip-nourishing hydration. The light-as-air formula feels completely weightless on lips. The secret is a unique wax-free base that allows pigments to deliver true custom colour impact.

They are available here: Laura Mercier

Available in 15 colour-true shades and three unique finishes: Sheer for naturally stained lips, Matte for velvety lips, and Crème for luminous, creamy lips. Shade names begin with the same letter as their finish, so they are easy to remember (Coy is Crème, Moi is Matte and Shy is Sheer).

From this new collection I decided to purchase Myth, a matte lipstick. Myth is described as plum rose in color and retails at $24.00 for .06 oz. The lipstick applied smoothly and was light-weight on my lips. I noticed a slight settling into the lip lines but it was hardly noticeable. Normally, I don't wear a matte lip. I typically wear a lipgloss or a semi sheer lipstick so I am used to having to reapply my lip products throughout the day. However, with this lipstick it took some getting used too. It wore so well I didn't need to reapply and it seemed as though my lips were bare even though they weren't.

Overall this product performed better than what I expected especially for a matte lipstick. Total wear time was at least five to six hours before I noticed any fading of color.

SEPHORA VIB ROUGE STATUS

NEW! Spend a $1,000 in a calendar year to qualify for Sephora's new VIB ROUGE status.

When I first heard about this concept of a VIB Rouge membership from my local Sephora I was really skeptical and thought for sure it was just a rumor. Then I saw on Twitter today, several people discussing this same thing. So I contacted a Sephora customer service rep and asked about the program. At first the Rep denied any knowledge of the program. When I pressed even further by offering up details she relented and stated that there is indeed such a program in the works.

Just last week Sephora's Marketing department notified their Customer Service department about this new marketing ploy - VIB Rouge. The concept behind VIB Rouge is to encourage consumers to spend even more than the $350 threshold that is required for the regular VIB status. With VIB Rouge, if you spend at least a $1,000 or more in a calendar year you will receive all the perks of the regular VIB status, unlimited access to the beauty studio, free shipping on ALL orders, exclusive invites to Rouge Events, and special surprise gifts.

Personally, I think this is a smart move on Sephora's part. This year I had managed to attain VIB Beauty status by April (read my post here) and I had stopped spending at Sephora. Instead, I had focused my efforts (and money) on Sephora's competitors beauty rewards programs. However, now I can redouble my efforts to try and attain VIB Rouge status at Sephora. So far this year I have spent about $641 so I still have a way to go but I'm pretty confident that I will be able to attain it. Even if I only qualify for one year it would still be nice to experience this status just to see what it is all about.

Read more about this new status here: SEPHORA VIB ROUGE

589 ELIXIR CHANEL LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

CHANEL 589 ELIXIR is one of those polishes that is nice to have in your collection. It is from the CHANEL FALL SUPERSTITION collection (read more about the entire collection here). This creamy pink polish is opaque with one coat. The formula didn't leave streaks and the application was smooth and applied evenly. The wear time with this polish was just under three days before I saw minor chipping at the nail tips. Even though the wear time wasn't as great as what I have experienced with other Chanel polishes it was better than most.

I purchased this polish a few weeks ago from the Nordstrom.com website but it is now available at all major department stores. However, as of this posting, it still isn't available on Chanel.com just yet. It currently retails for $27.00 USD for .4 fl. oz of product.