Perfect Contour and Highlight with Kevyn Aucoin

I think most people reading this blog fall into the category of self-proclaimed beauty addict, and in the words of Rachel Zoe, as beauty addicts we need options.  Bronzer options, highlighter options, lip color options.  Matte, satin, shimmer, dark, light, golden, champagne...you get my drift.  Well on my latest quest to find the perfect contour and highlight shades to create a sculpted face a la Kim Kardashian, I found the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium and Celestial Powder in Candlelight.  

The Sculpting Powder comes in one shade, medium.  Medium is a dark gray brown which is the ideal shade for adding definition and creating shadows on the face for contouring.  I think there is a bit of a learning curve with this product because I was used to contouring with bronzer, which has a much different look.  I was not sure how this color would translate in the everyday world and look natural.  The powder is incredibly soft and fine, which means that it blends easily, but that a light hand is needed.  I find the best way to use this is to powder my foundation first to create a smooth non sticky surface, and then I use the tip of a paddle shaped blush brush or my MAC 109 contour brush to place the product in the hollows of my cheeks.  For a more natural effect, I mix this powder with a light bronzer such as Lisa Eldridge did in her highlighting and contouring video.  I find this the best way to wear this during the day.  The shade is quite buildable so I think it does work for most skin tones. 

The Celestial Powder in Candlelight is a shimmery, champagne colored highlighter.  Again, the powder is very soft, so blends easily.  This product is extremely pigmented- a very light hand is needed.  In fact, because the powder is so soft I find that even with a quick dip of my brush too much product is picked up.  If you use a brush then you need to tap off the excess on the back of your hand, or just use your fingers to place the product where you want it.  It does blend out nicely for a nice effect.  On my darker skin I prefer to use a shade like this for highlighting in the cooler months. 

Heavy swatches to show color

I preformed surgery on my Candlelight compact and depotted the pan and placed it in the Sculpting powder compact so that I would have my own highlighting/ contour kit!  There was a minor complication with the highlighter suffering a dent but acceptable!  The Sculpting Powder comes with a sponge which I do not understand at all (why would anyone apply a contour shade with a sponge?) and the highlighting powder comes with a brush, which is more useful than the sponge but also fairly useless.I think this is incredibly convenient and I am much more likely to use these products and take them with me when traveling as well.  

The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium retails for $42 and the Celestial Powder in Candlelight retails for $42 and available at Nordstrom. Both are gorgeous products likely to be loved by any beauty addict or contouring aficionado.  

Don't forget to enter my Le Metier de Beaute Giveaway!!! 

CLOSED Giveaway! Le Metier de Beaute Bella Bronze and Traviata Duo

I received this wonderful gift set from Le Metier de Beaute which includes the Bella Bronze and Traviata Duo. As a way to say thank you to my followers, I have decided to give away this amazing gift to one lucky person!  

I am going to keep this giveaway as simple as possible.  To be eligible for this giveaway, you must follow publicly via GFC.  Secondly, you must leave a comment to this post telling me your favorite bronzer and your email address/ GFC name so I can verify that you are a follower.  This giveaway is open to everyone, including international followers!  Only one entry per person.

This giveaway will close on October 11, 2012 at 11:59 pm.  I will select a winner at random and notify you by email, as well posting the winner on my blog.  The winner will have 48 hours to contact me after which time they will forfeit and a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck, and thank you for all your comments and support!

Man Repelling Beauty Trends

I recently came across a site Man Repeller  which features Leandra Medine and her hilarious but incredibly smart take on fashion.  The term Man Repeller epitomizes the notion that often times the fashion trends that women love, men truly don't like or understand!  I was inspired to look into some man repelling beauty trends which I personally adore and can't wait to rock.  That being said I save these looks for a night out with the girls rather than for a night I plan on trolling for men.  These are definitely not date looks!

My favorite fall trend which seems to come and go every year is the vampy lip, a la Camille Belle at this year's Met Gala.  The sultry dark wine lip combined with luminous skin is gorgeous!  While I see this look as goth gone glam, I think men might see it as simply goth.  

No one rocks a red lip like Gwen Stefani.  And lets be real- Gwen Stefani can do no wrong!  However, unless you are Gwen Stefani or at least somewhat as cool (which I am not) I'm not sure men really get this look. While I see it as very French and uber chic, I think a man might think too much makeup or high maintenance!

Speaking of high maintenance, Kim Kardashian is the queen of nude lips!  I personally think Kim is stunning, even in this picture where she is sporting concealer lips.  I would definitely not try this one out for happy hour.  I wonder what Kanye thinks?

Alright, alright I know what you are thinking: What is wrong with this picture?  Nothing really, but heavy, dramatic winged cat eyeliner while sexy on the future Mrs. Jolie- Pitt is another look I have heard men could do without.  On ordinary gals like myself I think men might see this look as trying to hard or it might just make them wonder, why?  And since I am still trying to snag myself some Mr. Pitt I'll leave the cat liner to the felines when I'm out on the hunt.

Those folks at Burberry really know what they are doing.  Cara Delevingne is a refreshing, natural beauty.  Full brows are all over the runway every season it seems, but this heavy brow look doesn't translate as well in (my) real life.  When I see brows like these I think, "Wait I had those!" - when I was in the sixth grade along with a perm and can of Aqua Net. I'm definitely not brave enough to wear this look as strong and fashion forward as it is.  And in my experience, men don't get fashion forward.

What do you think of these beauty trends?  I personally will be wearing my Tom Ford Black Orchid lipstick this season along with a lot of these other looks, men be damned!  I'm not suggesting you should dress or makeup to impress a man, but when you are out in the jungle all predators pull out their best tricks to catch their prey! Do you know a man in your life who loves these looks?  If so, leave a comment and let me know where I can find him! 
  

A Match Made in Heaven

Leopard print and red lipstick- a match made in glamour heaven!  I spotted these leopard print slippers at Zara the other day (pun intended) and immediately pounced (bad, bad pun intended).  I had been looking for a pair of leopard print loafer style shoes but didn't want to break the bank on them since I wasn't sure how often I would wear them.  Now that I've taken these out for a spin, I can say with the utmost certainty that they will be attached to my feet for many, many months to come.

These shoes are flat, comfy and add a bit of edgy glamour to an otherwise boring outfit.  There is a pony hair texture to them which is nice. I paired them with skinny boyfriend jeans, a black tee and black blazer.  Very casual but the shoes definitely took it up a notch. In fact, I think this was the first day I wasn't in my TKEES in a long time.  Temperature drops will do that to a girl. Enter Tom Ford Wild Ginger lipstick (which I still cannot get enough of) and I felt the utmost of cool, when in reality I am a girl who is lazy and wears flip flops as footwear.

Because this is still a blog about makeup I thought it only right to report that I pulled out my Tom Ford Quad in Cognac Sable today.  After putting this on I am not sure why this ever left my makeup bag.  I think I was starting to get a bit frightened that some of the shades had startling dips in them!  I can't bear the thought of spending another $75 on it!  This quad is every bit as stunning as everyone says it is.  The colors are neutral and a satin-matte finish but the copper shade adds a bit of sparkle.  Unfortunately for my wallet, that Mr. Ford really does know what he is doing.  

Swoon!

The Zara leopard print loafers are available here. 

Products For Perfect Brows

Now before you all start to think I am crazy, I don't use all of these products everyday!  Lately I have been receiving a few compliments on my brows and comments that I look more awake!  Who doesn't love that? Since I know that I haven't been getting anymore sleep I decided to take a closer look at what products I was using and what has been different as of late.  I thought I would share some of my tricks!

Filling in my brows is a relatively new thing for me.  All my life I have just been shaping them on my own with tweezers.  I've had waxing and threading done in the past, but frankly I'm just too scared of letting someone else near them!  Right now I have been playing with a dramatic arch.  I really think it helps lift the face which is important when you get older!  The first thing I do is use YSL Touche Eclat on the brow bone and above the arch.  A lighter concealer would probably work just as well, but I think this step is crucial.  It is the most natural way to highlight the brow bone and give it that lifted look.  On most days when I am in a rush I use a brow pencil to fill in the gaps.  I love Chanel's Crayon Sourcils in Brun Cendre, which is an ashy brown.  I then run Anastasia Clear Brow Gel through to keep the hairs in place.  This brow gel is amazing because it holds the hairs in place without leaving them  hard or crunchy.  (For any novice folks out there: crunchy brows are not good.)  My favorite brow highlight du jour is the Burberry Eye Shadow in Trench.  This is the perfect matte, skin colored shade that highlights the brow bone in the most natural way.  This baby has reached holy grail status for me!  I find the best way to apply this is with a pencil brush because then I can place the product right under the arch where I want it, and I just blend out with my finger.

The newest brow product I purchased is the Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in Number 15.  I have been intrigued by this product because it is a cream and is waterproof.  I squeeze a bit of this on the back of my hand and use an angled brush to work it in to the brows.  Sephora has 3 available shades with 15 being the middle shade, an ashy brown.  Make Up For Ever does have 6 available shades so if none of the shades at Sephora work for you, look there.  I love the natural look of this product, and it also keeps the hairs in place so there is no need for brow gel.  Plus it lasts all day without fading or smudging!  This might be too much for me to use everyday or when I am in a rush, but I do love the look of it.  I prefer this to shadow.  

What are some of your tricks for achieving the perfect brow?  

A Peek Inside My Makeup Collection

I am by no means a master of the art of organization, but I thought I would give you all a peek inside my makeup collection! I get a lot of requests for this type of post but I have always been hesitant showing my stash!  I have pared down my collection A LOT through my blog sales and giving stuff to my sister.  I think I still have way too much makeup and I will probably do another clean out soon! 

I store my collection in MUJI acrylic drawers.  I have 1 set of the large acrylic 2 drawer case with lid and 1 set of the 5 drawer case.  I stacked the larger drawers on top of the shallower drawers, and removed the lid so that the top drawer was open.  I found this was the best way to store larger items and foundations. The larger drawers are deeper and store bulkier items. The 5 drawer case is shallow, and perfect for lining with items in a single row.  I find these drawers to be sturdy, excellent quality and easy to keep clean.  Another great thing about the MUJI drawers is that the stack easily on top of each other so you can adjust to your collection accordingly.  I started with the 5 drawer set but found that certain items like foundations, paint pots and kaleidoscopes didn't fit comfortably so I added the deeper drawers later.  I think this is a great, affordable alternative to the Clear Cube. I store this case on top of my dresser and pull items that I am currently using for my makeup bag.

The first part stores all my foundations, tinted moisturizers and powders.  I also keep other larger items here.  The second drawer has my Le Metier de Beaute Kaleidoscopes, eye shadow palettes, single shadows and eye liners.  Since this drawer is deeper I try to take advantage of all the extra space!  The next drawer also has more eye shadows and some mini mascara samples.  You can see the MUJI drawers slide open and close easily!  

The following 2 drawers have cheek products: blushes, highlighters and bronzers.  For an idea of the depth of these drawers, I can stack 2 Kevin Aucoin compacts, but nothing on top of the Dior Amber Diamond.  Of course wherever there is extra space I put any other loose items which will fit!  The last 2 drawers have my lip products.  Lipsticks in one and glosses in the other.  

I keep my brushes in a cotton jar I found at The Container Store.  I like it because the depth is perfect for my shorter handled brushes from Le Metier de Beaute and Shiseido.  If I ever fins something prettier that is of similar depth I will be all over it!  My makeup bag has all the items I am using on a daily basis. I have been rotating some of the items in my makeup bag with items from my collection so that everything gets a bit of love and no treasures forgotten!  I have a few things scattered here and there like my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette which I keep with my traveling stuff because that is primarily when I use it and glosses and lipsticks in various purses and pockets!    

How do you store your makeup collection?  I would love to hear your tips and tricks!  I could name a few Bloggers whose makeup collections I am dying to peak in!

What's In My (New) Bag!

I have been lusting after the Alexander Wang Rocco Bag ever since it first came out...years ago!  I knew that I had to make it mine as soon as I saw that it came with rose gold hardware, on Alex from HRH Collection!  You could put studs on a pair of Keds and I would buy them.  Make the studs rose gold, and I'll buy two!

I figured what better way to show off my new baby than by doing a "What's In My Bag" post!  I absolutely love these posts/ videos!  What better way to snoop in to someone's life by seeing what they carry around with them!  

First a bit about the bag:  The Rose Gold Rocco is fairly large, roomy and made of a very soft pebbled black leather with rose gold detailing.  It does come with a shoulder strap which is quite handy because the bag itself is fairly heavy!  After a long day of shopping or walking around the city this bag definitely starts to take a toll on my arm.  I try to keep the contents minimal because of the weight.  For size reference, it does fit my IPad nicely.

Inside I have my Dita Sunglasses, Miu Miu wallet, some healthy nourishment, and the usual IPhone and keys. In terms of makeup, I have many, many lip products!  Right now I have Mac lipstick in Salute! from the Hey Sailor! collection, Tom Ford Wild Ginger, Chanel Glossimer in Bon Bon and my Le Metier de Beaute retractable lip brush.  In my makeup bag I try to keep it to the essentials: contact case and rewetting drops, hand cream, hand sanitizer, Fresh Sugar lip balm, Nars lipstick in Barbarella, Shiseido Blotting papers, Dolce and Gabbana Powder Foundation, Mac Studiofinish concealer, Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Camel, Jane Iredale Undereye Active Light concealer, and a Jo Malone fragrance sample.  Every girl needs options!  The Mac lipstick is very nude, the Tom Ford very bright, and the Nars the most sheer and natural!  Mac Studiofinish is perfect for heavy duty concealing and the Jane Iredale gorgeous for brightening and concealing at the same time!  Truth be told I am not much of a touch up person, but I do touch up my concealer on occasion and of course my lips.  

What's in your bag? 

Midweek Treat

I picked up a few items this past weekend and this afternoon during a stroll through the renovated Sephora at Columbus Circle.  This Sephora was completely redone, having moved to a much larger space and now carrying brands like Giorgio Armani, Edward Bess and Nude Skincare.  It was so much fun to have a play through the aisles but I did restrain myself!

I picked up the new Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup at Bloomingdale's this past weekend, and so far I am really, really impressed!  There are so many great reviews out already so I probably won't do a full review on it but I do love it!

My Sephora purchases included a NARS Laguna Bronzer, which is a repurchase for me.  I just really love the texture and color of this bronzer.  I think it is perfect for the cooler months.  I also picked up the Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum, the Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer, and Aqua Brow.  I just finished my Chanel Corrector Perfection concealer so this purchase was justified!  I am really curious to try the Aqua Brow, I have heard great things about it so I'll let you know how it goes!

What have you been picking up lately? If you're looking for a bargain check out my Blog Sale by clicking on the link here!

My Chantecaille Facial at Bloomingdale's

I have received countless makeovers at beauty counters and by national artists at beauty events, but today was my first experience having a facial.  A few weeks ago a Chantecaille sales associate asked me if I wanted to receive a complimentary facial as their esthetician was in town.  I asked if there was a minimum purchase and he told me that the suggested purchase was $150.  I have been using the Chantecaille skin care for over a year now and I needed to replenish most of my products so I thought, why not!?

I was a bit skeptical at first and assumed this would be more of a face wash and apply lotion "experience."  I was wrong!  The facial lasted a complete hour!  First the lovely esthetician cleansed my skin with the Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser, which I already use and love.  She then analyzed my skin and put on the steam. I have combination skin which can get a bit oily in the T zone but otherwise dry on the cheeks.  She then exfoliated my skin with the Fruit and Flower Acids Mask by massaging the product on to my skin for several minutes and wiping away with a warm cloth.  Next was the real, unexpected treat!  She massaged my face, neck and shoulders for 15 or 20 minutes while the steam was softening my skin.  It felt like heaven!  I was so relaxed and her touch was incredibly soothing!  She then applied the Detox Clay Mask and let that sit for 5 to 10 minutes.  This clay mask is incredible in that it contains Rosemary and Honey, and is the only clay mask that I have ever used that does not dry out the skin or leave that "tight" feeling. She wiped that away with a warm cloth, and then began the hydration!  My skin was spritzed with the Pure Rosewater, and patted into the skin.  She then applied the Nano Gold Eye Serum to my eyes followed by the Nano Gold Eye Cream.  She used the Biodynamic Serum on my face, followed by the Biodynamic Lifting Cream for the face and the Biodynamic Neck Cream for the neck.  By the end, my skin was glowing!

I purchased the Flower Infused Cleansing Milk for morning cleansing, and the Pure Rosewater for use as a toner.  I follow this with the Vital Essence Serum, and the Flower Harmonizing Cream.  In the evening I use the Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser with my Clarisonic, followed by the Pure Rosewater, Retin-A and moisturizer.  I also purchased the Fruit and Flower Acids Mask for an exfoliating mask 1-2 times per week.  All the items I am using and purchased are repurchases.  I currently have samples of the Biodynamic Serum and the Biodynamic Lifting Cream which I have been using at night.  I also have the Stress Repair Concentrate for eyes.  I find the Biodynamic Lifting Cream to be a little too heavy for daily use, but incredibly hydrating.  The Stress Repair Concentrate is nice, but not one of my favorite eye creams.  

I do plan to repurchase the Flower Harmonizing Cream once I use up some of these samples.  I do love the Biodynamic and Nano Gold Lines but they are just too expensive for me to justify at this point and I am not sure how much I really believe in "anti-aging" products.    Overall, however, I am a huge lover of the Chantecaille skin care and really believe in these products!  I have been using the line for over a year and really feel the condition of my skin has improved as a result!  I find the products to be gentle, soothing and to decrease the inflammation in my skin.  This was definitely a wonderful experience and completely worth it since I needed to replenish my products anyway!  

Have you ever had a facial at a beauty counter?  What was your experience?  

Don't forget to check out my Blog Sale here!  

Gray Day: Chanel Le Vernis in Frenzy (559)

I've had this little baby in my nail polish box for over a month now, having picked it up at the height of summer when Chanel's Fall 2012 collection launched!  The weather has been gray and muggy in NYC for the past couple days so what better opportunity to break out the new Chanel Nail Colour in Frenzy.  Frenzy is the most perfect neutral "greige" that compliments my skin tone like nothing else.  I find it a much more chic and sophisticated version of neutral.  Far more interesting than sheer pink, but it is just as appropriate for daily wear.  Even better is that the polish applied perfectly in 2 coats with no streaks and opaque coverage.

I only have a back up of one other Chanel nail polish and that is Black Pearl.  I love this color so much that I am contemplating getting another bottle for when I know I will run out.  It is that good! 

Check out my Blog Sale by clicking on the link here! I have a Dior Waterlilly which I am letting go of!  

Overnight Trip: Makeup Bag Essentials and Favorites

Like most of us, I leave packing until the last possible minute! This past Labor Day Weekend, I had an overnight trip planned and I quickly had to get my makeup bag together with some essentials.  I wanted to take the bare minimum- after all, I was arriving with a full face of makeup so just needed some options to take my daytime look to night, and the basics for brunch in the morning before heading home.  I managed to fit everything in a very small makeup bag.  Surprisingly, it was very easy for me to decide what to take!

Base: Without a second thought I went with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua which is the perfect summer foundation.  I currently mix B50 and B60 so both were essential.  For under eye concealing I brought my Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in Peach (a holy grail item for me) and my Cle de Peau concealer in honey (unfortunately another holy grail item).  For other imperfections I love the Chanel Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer in 40.

Eyes: I never go without my MAC Paint Pot in Indianwood, which I use as a base.  I am still loving my Chanel Duo in Sable-Emouvant.  I just add a bit more of the darker shade in the outer corner and under the eye to take my daytime look into a smokey evening look.  I brought my Le Metier de Beaute Precision Liquid Liner in Noir for my upper lash line, and my Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Ebene for tightlining and lower lash line for a smokey look. I'm currently loving the Maybelline Falsies Waterproof Mascara for summer because it doesn't smudge.  

Brows: I am currently relying on the Chanel Crayon Sourcils in Brun Cendre for filling in my brows, and the Anastasia Clear Brow Gel for hold (another holy grail item).  

Face: My bronzer du jour is the Chantecaille Compact Soleil in St. Barth's.  Blush is the Burberry Sheer Glow in Tangerine, and for highlight the Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Sunlight.  

Lips: I absolutely love the Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Natural, and this is something I will never be without.  It is the perfect neutral pink for any lip color.  I also love the MAC lipstick in Salute, from the Hey Sailor! collection, which is a peachy nude.  For gloss I brought the Cle de Peau Gloss in #2 because it is perfect for layering or alone, and has decent lasting power.  I also brought my Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Peche Creme for an easy daytime lip.  

Brushes:  I kept these to the bare minimum.  Le Metier de Beaute's brushes are perfect for traveling.  I brought the Eye Shadow, Eye Crease and Blush Brushes with me.  For foundation I brought the Shiseido Foundation Brush because it is my favorite!

I think I did pretty well!  I used everything, and it was easy and versatile.  I could have pared things down even further by choosing a foundation that did not require mixing of two shades, and eliminating one of the glosses and choosing a smaller blush!  I could also have applied the foundation with my fingers, which I often do, and chose one concealer instead of packing two.  This type of post shows you what I truly use on a day to day basis, and my current favorites! 

What are your makeup bag essentials?  What do you pack for an overnight trip? Don't forget to check out my Blog Sale by clicking on this link!  There are still items from Tom Ford, Le Metier de Beaute, Sunday Riley, Koh Gen Do and more!  

Update:  PRICES REDUCED!!!