Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Not too long ago, Sephora offered a five-use sample of Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil ($105) for selection in a customer's three free samples. I was intrigued, but I saw that it contained "the next generation retinoid oil." That concerned me, given the terrible reactions I've had to retinol in the past. My dermatologist advised me to avoid it - forever.

Then, a couple of years ago, Le Métier de Beauté introduced retinol-based products that incorporated a unique, patented form of retinol encased in vitamin E to deliver the retinol into the skin and past my ultra-sensitive outer layer of skin. I could use them! It was a first. I figured that if they could do it, perhaps another company could too. Besides, my trial was free. I knew that I could withstand a day of redness if the first night went poorly.

Marketed as a next-generation retinoid oil that improves the skin's plumpness and helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly clearer, younger-looking skin, Luna certainly had appeal. Luna works throughout the night to deliver more visibly youthful, luminous, even-toned skin in the morning. "A trans-retinoic acid ester complex reduces the appearance of pores and wrinkles, while visibly improving the signs of premature aging: fine lines, uneven texture, age spots, dryness, and dullness."

The oil contains a complex high in azulene (blue tansy, German chamomile, and cape chamomile) helps to lower the irritation associated with retinol to leave the skin calm and soothed. Cold-pressed avocado, chia (source of Omega 3), and concord grape seed oils sink in deeply for quick absorption of actives while boosting radiance. It's rich in vitamins B, C, D, E, and A and has a high sterolin content. Advanced trans-retinoid acid ester mixed with potent botanicals produce the ultimate transformative sleeping night oil. It's true!

There is a warning on the box that the first use or two may produce redness and peeling for a few days. It's temporary. I was the perfect candidate for those side effects, and I experienced nothing except mild redness on the third day of use. I skipped a night, and my face returned to normal - only better.

The effects of the ingredients?

• Helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity
• Focuses on damage caused by the sun, time, pollution, lifestyle, and stress
• Helps address the effects of skin damage with strong anti-inflammatory properties and helpful with eczema and dermatitis
• Great for plumping fine lines
• Believed to encourage a healthy inflammatory response and support the skin's ability to regulate sebum

Here are Sunday Riley's test results. I do not know their sample size.
After an independent consumer testing panel used Luna Sleeping Night Oil for four weeks...

• 100% felt the product absorbed well into the skin
• 96% of women felt their skin looked brighter and more radiant 
• 96% of women felt their skin looked healthier and revitalized
• 92% of women felt their skin tone looked more even, calmer, smoother
• 92% would recommend Luna to a family member or friend
• 88% felt their pores looked smaller
• 85% felt their fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead were visibly improved

What did I experience? In only a few days, my skin was smoother; my small pores were even smaller; and I could swear my sun spots were lighter. My skin tone was even. I looked younger. Seriously!

Needless to say, I spent the $105 and bought Luna. It is a little tricky to use. I learned from the sample pack that you apply only a few drops each evening. It's hard for me to apply only a few drops. My skin is so dry, it slurps the oil before I can get it spread evenly over my entire face. So I probably use more than Sunday Riley intended. Given the fabulous effects, I can live with that.

I apply my moisturizer over it before bed. You don't have to. I've tried it both ways, with and without moisturizer, and I've found my skin to be equally improved.

I highly recommend Luna. From my perspective, it's a revolutionary product. Have you tried it yet? It's available at Sephora. By the way, it's cruelty-free and free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalate.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Sunday Riley Blush Giveaway Contest

Sunday Riley's Blush ($30) is a universally flattering blush that will leave your cheeks with a sun-kissed radiance. I have one to give away in the shade Blushing, a light dusty rose.

This blush contains round-shaped pigments that (apparently) have a silky feel and diffuse light for natural, luminous cheek color. It's paraben-free too. Beyond that, I can tell you that Sunday Riley Blush applies beautifully and layers seamlessly, becoming one with the skin. The compacts are classier than the eye color compacts. The compacts have average heft in the hand, the Sunday Riley logo and name in gold on the cover, and nice mirrors inside the flip-up cover. They even come with a luxury, signature velveteen pouch.

One thing you'll find with this line is minimal hype. I have Honest and Intimate - love them - and I think I purchased Blushing to try it when Sephora first started carrying the line. Realizing this week that it was still waiting to be tried, I decided to give one of you that opportunity.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

You can earn a fourth entry if you have posted a comment here in the last two weeks. Don't worry about telling me. I'll know.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, May 4, 2013, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Colors - The Darker Shades

I should love Sunday Riley's Prismasilk Eye Colors ($26) in Fool's Gold (at left above) and Burnt Eggplant (at right above). I don't. I've thought about the reasons for months. I bought them in February, and every so often, I've picked them up to play.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the quality of these shadows. For me, with my fair skin and conservative look, they are simply too dark, too saturated, too too. These shades are difficult for me to apply (dry), even with the right brush and a very light hand. More often than not, I end up with too much color, and I must work blend it out. More on that below.

Sunday Riley's multifunctional wet or dry formula can be used as a traditional eyeshadow or as a precision eye liner. The ultra-fine, long-wear formulation is air-milled for exquisite texture and rich, stay-true color. Micronized spherical pigment particles impart effortless blendability and instantly satisfying color payoff.

The Prismasilk Eye Shadows are offered in a range of finishes, from matte to satin to illuminating shimmers. I am always drawn to shimmer shadows, and both of these shades offer me the shimmer I like. Fool's Gold on my skin is the bolder of these shades for the shimmer factor, offering a sparkling finish.

The texture of Sunday Riley eye shadows is nice and creamy for a powder. It applies evenly and easily, despite a small amount of powdery fall-out around the compact (a feature of many powder eye shadows). I apply the shadows with a brush, and they apply and layer well. If there's a little debris from application, it cleans up easily with a dab of a moist Q-Tip. Once applied, the color lasts for a long time.

I adore Giorgio Armani, Chantecaille, and Le Métier de Beauté powder eye shadows because the colors are usually sheer and buildable. I can control the intensity. Even when I use a very loose shadow brush, picking up a minimal amount of pigment from these Sunday Riley dark shades, I end up with a deep evening look. My life is pretty boring. I don't go out often, so evening makeup doesn't suit my lifestyle.

I swatched these two shades using a sponge-tipped applicator, which makes them look bolder than they would have looked had I used a brush. I did not swatch heavily. My photos show one pass with the applicator. The photos were taken in full sun.

The color of Fool's Gold at the top of my arm is gorgeous. It's a grey-brown hybrid with sparkle and sass. Burnt Eggplant is well named. It is a deep burgundy brown - never one of my best shades, but I had been assured by the Sunday Riley sales representative at Barneys that it didn't look red on the skin. Well, it looks a bit too red on me, although you can't really see that in these photos.

Had I seen them in person before I purchased them, I would have bought Fool's Gold to have it for occasional use, but not Burnt Eggplant. It doesn't flatter me. I don't care for the black-eye look - one I often get from richly pigmented eye shadows.

So, I've given you my very personal perspective on two Sunday Riley eye shadows, a view skewed by my preferences and skin tone more than the shadows themselves. Anyone who loves saturated eye shadows needs at least one of Sunday Riley's darker shades. Anyone who can wear bold color should definitely investigate these shades. If you are like me and want a tamer look, these are probably not your best choice, particularly for this time of year. If you'd like to see these shades at another blog, hop over to The Non-Blonde or The Beauty Look Book.

You can purchase Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Colors at Barneys New York, where I purchased these. You can purchase online or call for help.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Color in Moon Dust Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Dovey!

Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Colors ($26) are hard to find. I bought mine at Barneys in New York. It was designed to be a base or highlighting shade, and I knew from talking to Matthew at Sunday Riley at Barneys that it would work with my coloring. Perhaps yours? He told me it's very popular.

Sunday Riley's multifunctional wet or dry formula can be used as a traditional eyeshadow or as a precision eye liner. The ultra-fine, long-wear formulation is air-milled for exquisite texture and rich, stay-true color. Micronized spherical pigment particles impart effortless blendability and instantly satisfying color payoff.

I have one Sunday Riley Moon Dust to give away. Somehow, I managed to buy two of them; I guess I got a little excited about the shade. How can you enter to win this contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, April 14, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Sunday Riley Blush in Intimate and Honest

Sunday Riley makes beautiful blushes! Why did I wait so long to show you the two I purchased earlier this year? I bought Intimate and Honest long before Barneys New York had the Beauty Bag Event, and I can't explain my forgetfulness. I've been using these blushes, so I don't have an "out of sight, out of mind" excuse.

I know that some of you had read about them on other blogs, so I'll use that as my excuse for holding out on you. Now, perhaps the subject of Sunday Riley's Blush ($30) will be fresher. It's a great time to consider these blushes for spring and summer.

Honest is shown at left in my photo directly above, and Intimate is shown at right. I wanted two appeared to be polar opposites. Honest (#104) is warm - a blend of peach and pink that translates on my skin as a beautiful nude peach with a hint of pink. Intimate (#105) is popping rose pink.

I took swatch photos of both shades in full sun (it must have been cold outside because there were patches of icy snow on the ground). In both photos, I followed my usual swatching routine. I applied the blush heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm, and I applied it more moderately with a dense blush brush below. In all cases, the blushes were applied more heavily than any of us would apply them normally.

Swatches of Honest are shown above. Hopefully, you can see the warm, golden blend of peach and pink. I suspect that your own skin tone will affect how Honest looks on you. It does shimmer, although not excessively in my opinion. If you look carefully after application, you'll see tiny little sparklies on your skin. They tend to fall off with time, leaving a radiant blush that stays with me all day.

Rose lovers will find Intimate a must-buy blush. The color is luscious and intense. Like Honest, it's lightly shimmering. Intimate is much richer than Honest. Intimate packs a punch if I apply it too heavily. Applied with a light hand, I'm smitten each time I look in a mirror. It's uniquely flattering.

Sunday Riley Blush compacts are classier than the eye color compacts. The compacts have average heft in the hand, the Sunday Riley logo and name in gold on the cover, and nice mirrors inside the flip-up cover. They even come with the luxury-signature velveteen pouch, which you'll probably set aside, as I do. The price is right, so I'm going to purchase at least one more Sunday Riley Blush. Gaia at The Non-Blonde tempted me to buy Blushing, a pale, dusty rose that I know will be perfect for me. I'm curious about Dimples, a plum rose, but I'd love to try it before I buy. There's nowhere in the DC area for me to do that.

Sunday Riley Cosmetics were launched last fall. When the eco-conscious skin-care guru decided to create her collection of perfectly pigmented cosmetics, she looked to such traditional American botanicals as aloe and orchid. “I wanted breathable formulas that give a luminous, polished look,” she explained to W. Given my experience with the eye shadows, lip glosses, and blushes, I think she succeeded. I've never tried her skin care. I may have to remedy that.

Sunday Riley's color line is available at Barneys New York locations and online. Hopefully, we'll have more options sometime soon. I'd love to see a boutique pop up at Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's.

Photo at top courtesy of Barneys; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Color in Moon Dust and Leprechaun

Right after Barneys New York had the Beauty Bag Event, the full selection of Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Colors ($26) was restocked. I ordered six of them. Today, I'd like to show you two that I had planned to wear together. I'm pleased that my plans worked.

Sunday Riley's multifunctional wet or dry formula can be used as a traditional eyeshadow or as a precision eye liner. The ultra-fine, long-wear formulation is air-milled for exquisite texture and rich, stay-true color. Micronized spherical pigment particles impart effortless blendability and instantly satisfying color payoff.

The Prismasilk Eye Shadows are offered in a range of finishes, from matte to satin to illuminating shimmers. I am always drawn to shimmer shadows, but with Moon Dust and Leprechaun, I selected two of the "tamer" shades. I'd describe Moon Dust as gleaming, but not shimmery, and Leprechaun as lightly shimmering.

You can barely see Moon Dust at the top of my arm in these swatch photos. It is supposed to be a base or highlighting shades, and I knew from talking to Matthew at Sunday Riley at Barneys that it would be perfect for my coloring. He highly recommended it. Leprechaun is a gorgeous grey. When I first saw it, I went running for Edward Bess's Storm to compare the shades. Storm is much lighter, but the same hue.

I applied my swatches with a sponge-tipped applicator and took my photos in late-afternoon sunlight. I couldn't resist including the daffodils as a backdrop, even though my veins were popping for that photo. The flowers were so cheerful. Leprechaun is a gorgeous grey. It shimmers lightly, but is still daytime-appropriate. I love it! I think Moon Dust and Leprechaun look lovely together. I just cover the lid and beyond with Moon Dust and apply Leprechaun from the midline of my lid outward, smudging at the crease and over the the iris so that the color is a whisper at the centerline, but has some impact at the outer corner of my lid.

I think Moon Dust and Leprechaun are fabulous neutrals and a perfect pair. I am so happy that I bought them, sight unseen. My friends at Barneys "did good," talking me through all the options for a base color.

The texture of Sunday Riley eye shadows is nice and creamy for a powder. It applies evenly and easily, despite a small amount of powdery fall-out around the compact (a feature of many powder eye shadows). I apply the shadows with a brush, and they apply and layer well. If there's a little debris from application, it cleans up easily with a dab of a moist Q-Tip. If you use a slightly damp brush to apply the shadows, there's no fall-out. Once applied, the color lasts all day.

The first shade of Sunday Riley's Prismasilk Eye Color I tried was Pot of Gold. Check it out here. With a little luck and some sunshine, I hope to show you the rest of my new eye shadows later this week.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sunday Riley Crème Gloss Sheer Impact Lip Color in Chameleon

In my sweep through Sunday Riley at Barneys online, I saw Chameleon, a sheer mauve lip Crème Gloss Sheer Impact Lip Color ($28) shade that looked like a duplicate for one of my long-time Dior favorites. The not-quite-plum, not-quite-rose, not-really brown shade is a hybrid color that always looks good on me. It popped right into my bag - no hesitation!

Sunday Riley's super-conditioning Crème Gloss formula is billed as achieving something that is next to impossible: non-tacky, long-wearing, high-gloss sheen. I think that may be an exaggeration, given that we all have and love lip glosses that offer non-tacky, long-wearing, shiny color. Still, they got the buzz words right.

A true one-stroke color application that offers superior shine in universally flattering shades, ranging from semi-translucent to shimmery to intense pops of vibrant color. Can be worn alone or layered over lip color to create endlessly customizable shades.

Chameleon arrived. I drew a breath when I looked at the tube. I was sure it was going to be a new favorite. I applied it to my lips. I tasted a flavor that I can't describe. The flavor is fleeting, though, so I won't hold that against it.

I took a few swatch photos one morning so that I could show you the sheer mauve shade. While it's very sheer, the color is a pretty addition to my lips. I can see some color when the gloss is layered over my natural lip color. I didn't need another Chelsea!

Look at the shine in direct sunlight! The tube appears to contain tiny bits of light that must contribute to the brilliant shine on the lips. You should be able to see the shimmer in my photo of the tube above.

I can't tell you that Sunday Riley Crème Gloss Sheer Impact Lip Color is long-wearing. It lasts about as long as any good lip gloss lasts on me. I have a talent for absorbing lip glosses. Plus, I talk, eat, and drink. Perhaps my standards for wear are lower than they should be, but I've adapted to frequent re-application of my lip glosses.

I ordered two more shades. I'll let you know when they arrive. I have no idea what stock Barneys may still have available. Apparently, there was a run on Sunday Riley during their gift bag event. I'd recommend that you call to order, rather than try to order online. The store can tell you what they definitely have in stock.

Photo at top courtesy of Barneys; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Shadow in Pot of Gold

The Non-Blonde and The Beauty Look Book have both featured Sunday Riley Prismasilk Eye Shadows ($26) recently. They left me more than curious - interested enough that I've placed two orders with Barneys New York. I received Pot of Gold Prismasilk Eye Shadow with my first order.

I was notified a day after I ordered that other shades I selected were back-ordered. That was a bummer. I ended up with only one eye shadow. Fortunately, I ordered other Sunday Riley makeup to try. At least I received one eye shadow to "discover."

Sunday Riley's multifunctional wet or dry formula can be used as a traditional eyeshadow or as a precision eye liner. The ultra-fine, long-wear formulation is air-milled for exquisite texture and rich, stay-true color. Micronized spherical pigment particles impart effortless blendability and instantly satisfying color payoff.

The Prismasilk Eye Shadows are offered in a range of finishes, from matte to satin to illuminating shimmers. I am always drawn to shimmer shadows, and Pot of Gold (#112) looked perfect for me (as much as one can tell with online swatches).

I took my swatch photos in full sun - and cold, dry wind that kept blowing specs of "stuff" onto me and the products I was photographing. Despite all that, I think my swatches show the stunning gold of the well-named Pot of Gold pretty well. It's not bright yellow gold, but it's not antique gold either. I think it's a blend of those two shades - a blend that I love and a color I will wear frequently.

The texture of this Sunday Riley eye shadow is nice and creamy for a powder. It applies evenly and easily, despite the powdery fall-out around the compact (a feature of many powder eye shadows). I applied it for my photos with a sponge-tipped applicator, and there was virtually no debris. I've tested it with a brush, and it applied well, but with a little debris that I cleaned up easily. If you use a slightly damp brush, there's no fall-out. Once applied, the gleaming (not glittery) color lasts for a full day.

When I first unwrapped Pot of Gold, my reaction to the packaging wasn't positive. I thought the clear plastic top on the compact, embossed with "SR," looked cheap. After I thought about it, I realized that it would be useful for easy identification if I had a handful of Sunday Riley eye shadows - a goal. The price is reasonable, so I got over it quickly.

I have a list of shades I'd think I'd enjoy next. Once Barneys restocks after its gift bag event, I'll order more. I think I'd like to have some of the shades Gaia and Sabrina bought next. They are variations of neutral shades that are in my comfort zone. When I have more shades, those clear plastic tops will come in handy.

Have you tried Prismasilk Eye Shadow? What do you think?

Photo at top courtesy of Barneys; other photos by Best Things in Beauty