Tom Ford Shimmer Shot in Spin Spin Sugar

Tom Ford's anticipated Shimmer Shot ($45) launched last week. Available in two shades, Spin Spin Sugar and Lust for Life, it's a gorgeous liquid illuminator. Ordinarily, I would have purchased both shades, but in my new frugalality, I bought only Spin Spin Sugar.

From Tom Ford, slightly edited...
Polished radiance is essential to the Tom Ford face. The lightweight, liquid texture can be used on any skin tone to create ultimate luminosity. Pearlescent glow highlights and defines bone structure, creating perfectly balanced symmetry. Blends flawlessly onto the skin for instant glow. Blends perfectly into your foundation for a contoured look. Light is softened and diffused for a smooth finish. Packaged in an easy-to-use piston pump [which I like]. Apply on the bridge of the nose, highpoints of cheeks, on the chin, and under the eyebrow arch - really anywhere you want to draw light.

The other shade, Lust for Life, looked very tan, and I would need to see it before purchasing. It is expected to arrive at Neiman Marcus in days. I ordered from the Tom Ford Web site.

I took a few swatch photos in full, late-afternoon sunshine, selecting the best. I tried to apply a dot at the top of my arm, with a slightly blended swatch below, but it ran before I could get outside. So my swatch was finger blended, but heavier at the top than below.

The color of Spin Spin Sugar is going to be slightly different on different skin tones. On me, it's a pearly ivory with an ever-so-slight touch of pink. Is it revolutionary? No, but it sure is nice. It applies easily and dries quickly.

I'd be glad to answer any questions. There's not much more I can tell you. I would purchase it again. I'm already fond of it, especially its pearly glow. If you'd like to order from Neiman Marcus, give Debbie O'Malley a call at The Tom Ford counter at (202) 966-9700. She's a great helper.

Photo at top courtesy of Tom Ford; swatch photo by Best Things in Beauty

Edward Bess Threads of Silk Multi-Use Powder

Perhaps you missed it too. Edward Bess's Threads of Silk Multi-Use Powder ($45) was introduced when my mother was very ill. I was not on top of my game this spring. Fortunately, Edward Bess introduces makeup with staying power. If it's great, he doesn't leave it online for a month and then yank it, like some beauty companies do to give the illusion of exclusivity.

This skin-perfecting marvel is available in two shades, Bellissima (shown above) and Ciao (shown immediately below). I purchased Bellissima. It is a finely milled complexion enhancer, blush, or highlighter - however you want to use it - with silk fibers to infuse the skin with a luster, leaving it radiant and glowing.

Exquisitely crafted in the northern region of Italy, this satiny-smooth powder is as soft and luxurious as silk, one of the finest fabrics we wear. Woven with actual silk fibers, this multitasking powder adds warmth and dimension to the face and eyes, allowing our features to exhibit a new vitality.

Optical light reflectors mimicking those found in silk threads deflect light to blur imperfections and bestow a silk-like luster on the skin.

I took my photos of Bellissima in full, early afternoon sunshine. I ran a sponge-tipped applicator across all of the patchwork shades, yielding a surprising golden, bronze sheen. Would you have anticipated that after looking at the pink, ivory, and taupe shades in the compact?

I think the blended shade is gorgeous, and I'm so happy I purchased it. Now, despite the fact that it's not brand new (only a few months old), I want Ciao! I'll bet the blended shade is nowhere near as peachy as what I expect from its photo. I saw swatch photos at The Beauty Look Book, but Sabrina's skin tone is so different from mine, I was startled by the difference in our swatches. She takes great photos.

You can wear these powders if you choose as eye shadows, either by blending the colors and applying them as a wash over the entire lid, or by individually selecting shades with a small brush and applying them individually.

I remember that you told me a few months ago that you wanted to see makeup that wasn't brand new as long as it is available. The good news is that you can find Edward's beautiful Threads of Silk Multi-Use Powders at the Edward Bess Web site, Bergdorf Goodman, and a few Neiman Marcus Stores. I have about 50 pounds of makeup I haven't featured yet, so I wanted to show you this beauty before I move on to holiday collections.

Photos at top courtesy of Edward Bess; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Coming Attraction: Tom Ford Shimmer Shot for Fall 2016

I must apologize for the quality of the photos in this feature. I took them from a Tom Ford Training Manual. I must have been quite a sight, sitting outdoors on a staircase in the city, drawing attention as I snapped photos of each page.

Tom Ford's Shimmer Shot reminds me of Giorgio Armani's Fluid Sheer, and that's why I'm excited to get my hands on it. It is a lightweight liquid that can be used on any skin tone to create luminosity or a fine luster. Its pearlescent glow highlights and defines the bone structure, creating a perfectly balanced symmetry or strobing (that new term I find laughable).

Shimmer Shot blends flawlessly into the skin for an instant glow. It can also be mixed with your foundation to make your face glow - just like Fluid Sheer. On the skin, it softens and diffuses light for a smooth finish.

Unlike Fluid Sheer, which is available in many shades, it will be available in two shades this fall: Spin Spin Sugar and Lust for Life. Both of these glow on the skin - no sparkle, just a beautiful gleam.

It will be a limited edition, so don't waste time if you are interested in purchasing it. I'm sure Debbie O'Malley will put you on her waiting list. I'm on it. You can reach her at (202) 966-9700. Ask for her at Tom Ford Cosmetics.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlight in Champagne Pop

I have to admit that I am not a fan of YouTube videos about beauty or makeup application. I find most of them time-consuming. I can read quickly, but I can't fast forward on videos and "get the message." That's why I had no idea who Jaclyn Hill was when her Collection for BECCA was suddenly "everywhere" on Sephora. I was intrigued, not because of Jaclyn Hill, but rather because the products looked gorgeous. To see the entire collection, hop over to this link.

Apparently, BECCA and Sephora noticed that Ms. Hill is not only popular but also a big fan of BECCA's Shimmering Skin Perfector, and they asked her if she would like to collaborate in creating a highlighter that would work for everyone. The result? Champagne Pop, a universal shade that works with both warm and cool tones.

I purchased several pieces from the collection and still haven't made the time to photograph them and feature them here. However, the newest piece is the Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlight ($28), so I decided to start by featuring it. Considered a celebratory extension of the earliest items in the Champagne Collection, it's intended to allow you to sculpt your favorite features with layers of light and color for the perfect, customized glow in a peachy white gold shade.

Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlight is a targeted wand that’s perfect for precision highlighting to achieve the iconic BECCA glow on the go. The cream formula highlights and brightens specific areas of the face with a subtle luminosity. Use it anywhere you would use a highlighter: at the top of your cheekbones, on the inner corner of your eyelids, down the center line of your nose, in the cupid's bow of your lips - anywhere you want to brighten your face. The wand makes application fast and easy.

It is handy to throw into your makeup bag if you find you need a pick-up mid-day. I use it at home, and its radiance lasts all day.

I took my photos in full, mid-day sun. It was very bright outside, and because the Champagne Pop shade is light, it was hard to get a photo that showed its true color. The picture below was my best.

I remember reading in Allure (I think) about a year ago that highlighters were on their way out. Makeup artists were using moisturizers - under and over makeup - to give the skin a glow. They do that; it's not a new concept. However, highlighters are more popular than ever. I like this one and its sister products. BECCA and Jaclyn Hill clearly hit the spot with their collaboration.

You can purchase it at Sephora.

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

Milk Makeup Highlighter in Radiant Finish

Ever since a friend went to work for Milk Makeup, I've been curious about it. I decided to check it out on Sephora and order a few pieces. He was excited, and excitement was contagious.

Driven by creativity and designed by industry insiders, Milk Makeup is inspired by its home: Milk. A cultural hub in NY and LA, that sits at the crossroads of fashion, music, photography, art, and film. A place where trends are born and a platform for the next generation. Milk Makeup is fun, eco-conscious, and cool. Their multifunctional, high-tech formulas are built for the girl on the go.

The Milk Makeup team includes Milk co-founder Mazdack Rassi, seasoned Milk Girl and creative director Georgie Greville, beauty and fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi, product developer and COO Dianna Ruth, and makeup artist, Frank B. All aspects of the line are developed in-house at Milk's downtown NYC home. Never heard of them? Me either, but it doesn't matter. No one has an exclusive on good ideas.

I selected Milk's Highlighter in Radiant Finish ($24), a universal highlighter to brighten up the skin.  Milk Makeup’s Highlighter features a blendable micro-shimmer with natural oils for added hydration. Infused with mango butter, peach nectar, and avocado, and combined with Milk Melt Technology, it absorbs instantly on contact with body heat, leaving the skin with a glowing appearance.

Milk Makeup is a paraben-free, eco-conscious, innovative product line made of the best possible ingredients. They see beauty in originality, authenticity, and design multi-use products for self-expression. This product is vegan and cruelty-free.

I took my own photos in full, mid-day sunshine. I applied the highlighter to my arm, directly from the container.

I was impressed. The color is subtle and beautiful - truly radiant. It adds life to my skin, and it makes me look young again. It can be worn with makeup of any color scheme. The flesh-toned glow it adds is gorgeous on my cheekbones and brow bones, the only places to which I have applied it so far.

The Milk products are inexpensive, and there appears to be something for everyone. This will not be my last purchase! You can find Milk Makeup at Sephora or Milk's own Web site.

Photos at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Clinique Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette

Clinique's new online-exclusive Clinique Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette ($33) comes in six color coordinated shades. I had a hard time narrowing my choice, but I am happy with it. I selected Defining Roses.

Each is a versatile cheek sculpting compact with natural-looking shades that blend and build beautifully. Use each separately to color, contour, or highlight. Or swirl them together for a quick easy glow. Use the mid-toned shade as a blush, the deep-toned shade to contour, and the lightest shade to highlight. For a quick, easy glow swirl brush over entire palette and dust over apples of cheeks. The powder color is long-wearing and oil-free.

I took my own photos in full, mid-day sun. You can see some sparkle in the shades above, but that sparkle doesn't translate on the face into a glitter bomb.

I swatched all shades using a sponge-tipped applicator. The stripe swatch at the top of my arm is a blend of all shades combined. It gleams! I love the color. Under that swatch, I applied the lightest color (almost undetectable on my arm, but look for a very light pink), the "top" shade next down, and the lower right shade at the bottom of my arm. I really like all of the colors and will use them alone and blended.

You can order this beauty or one of the other colorways at Clinique's Web site. I'm thinking of purchasing a second one.

I have had trouble getting my blogging routine back in gear. The guy who copied my files onto this new computer did not copy Snag-It, a program I use all the time. I tried out the Windows 10 feature for photos, and it put a black border around Clinique's photo at the top of this feature. I hated that, so I fooled around with Paint and got what I wanted. I must get this and other problems resolved.

P.S. I had ordered Defining Nectars from Clinique. They sent Defining Roses. I'm happy with their mistake.

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

Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powders from the Sunset Pink Collection for Summer 2016

Bobbi Brown's Sunset Pink Highlighting Powders ($46) are gorgeous. They are available in three shades. Inspired by the golden pink hues of a Telluride sunset, this light-reflective powder delivers high-impact, buildable radiance. Each comes in a limited-edition mirrored compact.

I purchased them online the moment I saw them. My only quandary was whether to order two or all three. I exercised some restraint and ordered Afternoon Glow and Sunset Glow. I decided Telluride was too similar to other light golds I already own.

The photo directly above shows Afternoon Glow on the left and Sunset Glow on the right. My photos were taken in full, mid-day sun. The grungy look on Afternoon Glow's compact is actually the sun's reflection. I can't figure out why Bobbi Brown's photo at the top of this feature shows the compacts as having a gold border around the powder. Mine are black.

I applied both Highlighting Powders heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. Had I swatched with a powder brush, the impact of the shades would be much more subtle. Formulated with highly reflective pearl pigments, these Highlighting Powders create a luminous, natural-looking glow. They gleam; they do not sparkle.

Bobbi Brown suggests you use a Sheer Powder Brush (sold separately) to dust Highlighting Powder high on the cheeks, over blush. Finish with a touch on the center of the face - the forehead, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow.

Afternoon Glow is shown at the top of my arm, with Sunset Glow below. I think both of these shades are heavenly. I have used them as highlighters, on my eyes, and in the case of Sunset Glow as a blush. They are definitely multipurpose makeup.

You can purchase these highlighters at Bobbi Brown's Web site and all Bobbi Brown counters. I purchased mine from Bobbi Brown online.

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

Lancôme Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter

I saw Lancôme's Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30) at Sephora online and knew I had to try it. This photo of Glowing Lights, described as Gold Mine, did it. There are five shades, so I sprang for two. Glowing Lights was the only one that had a mix of shades, which looked intriguing.

This buildable cream highlighter with light diffusing particles is said to deliver a natural-looking, soft-focused glow. Glow Subtil's silky cream highlighter gives a delicate, refined glow to the skin that highlights and illuminates your natural skin tone.

The highlighter allows for a vibrant, luminous color that adds a touch of radiance or can be layered for an intense glow so you can create a custom, soft-focused glow without a chalky or glitter-packed finish. It gleams. Enriched with a unique blend of skin-conditioning agents and light-diffusing particles, this easy-to-apply cream formula melts into your skin while remaining non-greasy and non-tacky.

Lancôme says this highlighter is infused with film formers and light diffusing ingredients that allow for superior color adherence and a flawless, soft focus finish. A special blend of dispersed elastomer and pigments work together to give the formula its bouncy spring. Indeed it has a bouncy spring in the pot.

Unfortunately, either Sephora sent me a flawed Gold Mine or UPS beat the heck out of it on the way to my house. That's Glowing Lights on the left and Rosegold Lights on the right. I thought briefly about exchanging Glowing Lights for an undamaged one, but then it hit me. With the product broken up, I could show you how very thin the actual product is in the deep pot. Look carefully,  and you will see the bottom of the pan a tiny fraction of an inch under the biggest break. You sure don't get much for your $30. I don't have a ruler handy, but I'd guess the pot stands an inch tall.

Here is a close-up in case you can't see just how shallow the product is. I think that's pretty chintzy. I didn't notice that the weight is 0.14 of an ounce. Regardless, it's a beautiful highlighter, so I kept it. I found I could mend the breaks partially with a sponge-tipped applicator by putting pressure on the fissures - one of which is as deep as the pitifully thin product.

I took my photos in full, mid-day sunshine on Saturday and used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply the highlighters relatively heavily. Aren't the colors gorgeous? Glowing Lights is shown at the top of my arm, with Rosegold Lights below. I think both shades are exquisite.

You can apply them lightly for a soft-focus glow or more heavily to taste. I would apply Rosegold heavily and use it as a blush. It's beautiful that way. If you choose to try that, use Gold Mine or any other gold highlighter above your blush at or slightly above the peak of your cheekbones.

There are some swatches shown on both light and dark skins on the Sephora site. They are not accurate. You can see that by comparing my two swatches to theirs. Why do they bother?

Here is my wrap up on Lancôme Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter. It's a lovely highlighter with a reasonable price - until you find out just how little you get for your $30. If you can stand that, I'd recommend you try at least one. What are the chances that Sephora or UPS will break yours too?

I purchased mine at Sephora. I would assume you can also buy it from Lancôme, but I didn't find it online. I will check out the counter next time I pop into Neiman Marcus.

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

Chanel Summer 2016 Collection Dans la Lumière de L'Été - Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour

Two gorgeous color combinations, at least one for everyone! Chanel's Summer 2016 Collection Dans la Lumière de L'Été Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour ($65) palettes create a desert-rose glow with either shade. These limited-edition duos are versatile, lightweight powders with two shades in each to offer a contouring or highlighting effect with a sheer, natural finish.

I'm lucky to have both palettes. I purchased one at Neiman Marcus. The other was a gift from Chanel. I can go pink and pretty or tan and summery, depending on my mood and wardrobe for the day.

Each compact comes with a plastic lift-out brush pan holding a nice brush as shown above. I took my photos in full, mid-day sunshine.

Duo N°02 is shown at left directly above. It's a warm pink blush with a light pink highlighter. Duo N°01, shown t right above, is peach and tan. The duos offer different levels of pigmentation, and you'd be wise to choose your applicator based on the duo you select.

To show you maximum pigmentation, I applied all four shades with a sponge-tipped applicator. I started with Duo N°02. You can see that the light shade is a highlighter - perfect for brighten your cheekbones or eyes. Buff it into your skin, and you will glow. The warm pink - some might say coral - is a beauty. When applied with a blush brush, it's a stunning, cheerful color.

The two brown-toned shades in Duo N°01 provide an instant, believable touch of sun-kissed color. I love the slight peach tint in the lighter color, and the darker brown shade is absolutely perfect for sculpting or contouring your cheekbones. You can also blend the shades (or use them individually) and sweep them over your temples, across your cheekbones and down the hairline to the outer jaw line for a bronze look. I've had fun playing with Duo N°01 in the short time I've had with it.

Want to get Chanel's summer look and application tips for using these treats? Check out Chanel's video at this link.

I purchased the one I bought from Rahman Malik at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. You can also find these new Healthy Glow Multi-Colours at Chanel's Web site or any Chanel counter.

Photos at top courtesy of Chanel; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

I shouldn't be swayed by InStyle. After all, they are compensated to feature beauty products. I thought this time I would give an Urban Decay product a whirl. The daughter of a Facebook friend wrote the piece, and she praised this product to new heights. It's too bad that the Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter ($26) isn't as nice as I had expected. Live and learn - over and over again.

I selected two of the three shades. Fireball, shown at left above, is described as a peach with a pink shift. OK. That had potential. Sin, shown at right above, is described as champagne. Aura, the one I didn't select, looked like a ghastly lavender-pink online.

Urban Decay describes Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter as a super-soft, long-wearing, blendable powder highlighter for "strobing." I am already tired of the new term "strobing" used in place of highlighting.

Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter is finely-milled to perfection for a lightweight (yet luxurious) result with an ultra-soft, creamy texture. It goes on sheer and blends in easily so that you can apply just a little or a lot. The wearable formula applies seamlessly, no matter how much you build it, and it has shades that are suitable for any skin tone. It creates a radiant, strobed effect that lasts all day - and never leaves just a powdery dusting of shimmer. Infused with light-diffusing pigments, it enhances and perfects the skin.

That could be true, depending on your skin and its moisture level. I took my swatch photo in full sun. I applied the highlighters heavily for maximum color with a sponge-tipped applicator. Unfortunately, my swatch photo does not show the true horror of Fireball - a shade that had so much pretty peach potential when I saw the photos.

On my skin in the photo above, Fireball looks peachy - except where the sun hits it directly. There its true nature - so "un-peach" - shows. Look at the blue pink in the center of the swatch. The color is way too blue to be pretty on most of us. The Sin color is fine, champagne as described. It's nice enough, but not special. How many champagne highlighters do we need?

The texture is these highlighters is nice. It is creamy for a powder. The price is certainly attractive at $26. However, I am disappointed. The one that I wanted the most, Fireball, is a blue pink on my face, and I don't find that an attractive highlighting color on me.

Here is another swatch photo. I don't like the blue tone. I should have picked up on its description: "peach with a pink shift." It certainly is a pink shift. Blue pink, and not at all attractive. On my skin, it looks like I had expected Aura to look. I even wondered if it was mislabeled, but the compact does show a peach shade.

I would not recommend that you try Urban Decay's Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter, unless you want to select Sin for its price and light champagne color. There are plenty of other highlighters on the market that are more worthy of your money - no matter what InStyle says.

You can purchase these highlighters at Sephora if you are curious.

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

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Multi-Palette for Summer 2016

When I saw Estée Lauder's Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Multi-Palette ($50) online, it looked pretty. I see that it is now sold out on Estée Lauder's Web site. That doesn't mean the stores don't have it in stock. These Bronze Goddess items always sell quickly.

Here is how it is advertised...
Illuminate. Contour. Blush.
Radiant, sun-kissed color for face, cheeks, and eyes. Use each shade on its own to sculpt and define, or blend shades together for a natural-looking, all-over glow. Let the sun worship you.

Sounded good and looked good to me, but I'm not thrilled with it. There may be two reasons, and only time will tell if the powder is light on pigmentation or whether there was some kind of coating (not an overspray that's easy to break through) on the surface of the three shades that made it hard for me to pick up enough pigment, even with a sponge-tipped applicator. When I run my fingers over the shades, I can get decent color from the highlighter and blush. The contour (bronzer) is very light, but that's good for those with fair skin.

I took my photos in full, mid-day sunshine. I swatched from left to right as I moved down my arm. The shade at the top is the highlighter; the blush is in the middle, and the contour/bronzer is at the bottom in the photo below.

I worked to get even swatches. The highlighter shines like a beacon in full sun. The blush is a very light rose, a nice everyday shade. The bronzer is a tad muddy on my skin. I think I would want to blend the bronzer and blush together. I have not worn these shades yet, mostly because I had little time to experiment before I left for work last week. I fear that these shades will not have enough pigment when applied with a brush. I plan to try to rough up the diamond-like surfaces before I apply them with a brush. It may be the points of the design that are denying me good color payoff.

I'm surprised that 100% of nine reviewers on Estée Lauder's site recommended this product - actually gave it enthusiastic reviews. I can only give it a qualified recommendation. If I partially destroy the surface, I may end up enjoying the highlighter and blush. I doubt I'll wear the bronzer.

I'm sure that some Estée Lauder counters will still have the Glow Multi-Palette. Call first.

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

Tom Ford Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal from the Soleil Color Collection for Summer 2016

This week, I have many Tom Ford treasures to show you. I know some of you have already purchased and that these features may be old hat to you. I hung back, so I am late to the party. I wanted to see and try the new items with Debbie O'Malley, Tom Ford Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie, before I purchased anything. I finally got that chance. I have many Tom Ford items to show you, plus Laura Mercier and Le Métier de Beauté. I'm not sure how I'm going to fit all that in this week.

I had a choice between this Sheer Cheek Duo Palette in Bicoastal ($78) and the Soleil Contouring Compact; I chose this one. Why? It's a bit different and doesn't necessarily repeat palettes, compacts, or colors I already have.

Tom Ford Beauty describes Bicoastal this way...
Cheeks go both ways with Bocoastal, a pair of petal-perfect pinks that give a light-reflective finish to bronzed summer skin. A soft pink highlighter and a bold rose blush can be applied wet for a soft veil of color or dry for a sweeping pop of vibrancy. Use the shades alone or together [or mixed] for long-lasting color that blends easily. Embossed with the Tom Ford logo.

I haven't tried to apply the shades with a wet brush yet. I find it interesting that they are described as being more sheer that way (a "soft veil of color").

The photo above shows the palette, taken in full, blazing, mid-day sun at my house. You can even see me reflected in the gold compact. I swatched the palette at the same time, using a sponge-tipped applicator to apply them dry and posed in front of a pretty dogwood.

The light pink blush/highlighter is exquisite. I love the gleaming look on my skin. The rose blush, applied heavily on my arm, looks dark, but is very pretty on my fair skin when applied lightly with a fluffy blush or powder brush.

Here's a closer look above. I think both shades are beautiful, and I can't wait to try them with a wet brush, given the Tom Ford description. I may do that tonight.

Tom Ford Beauty is sold online and at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Blomingdale's, and Sephora. If you need help, I highly recommend Debbie O'Malley. She's a pro. You can reach her at (202) 966-9700, extension 2253.

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

Giorgio Armani Beauty Sepia Highlighting Palette for Spring/Summer 2016

Giorgio Armani Beauty recently introduced Sepia, the new Spring/Summer 2016 collection, inspired by the sepia photographs of the past. Its highlighting and contouring palette, lipstick, and nail polish shades revisit warm, earthy tones said to be suited to all skin types.

The beautiful multi-purpose palette in the collection is called Sepia Highlighting Palette ($88). The Sepia Palette, featuring a "highlighting-contouring powder," envelops the skin in a veil of subtle light and smooths out imperfections, while delivering the signature Armani glow in a texture that is silky smooth, light, and soft. The powder boosts the adherence of the pigments and brightens the complexion with a soft, sepia touch.

Being an Armani devotee, I had to have it. It arrived a few days ago, and I was able to get photographs in full sun. We are having lovely weather.

How does Armani suggest you use it? For a natural look, brush over the palette to blend both shades together. Apply over the face with downward strokes for a natural glow with an allover application. For a more sculpted look, use each shade to contour features. Use the lighter shade on upper cheekbones, brow bone, and along the nose, and the deeper shade along the nose, jawline, and under cheekbones. The latter is almost impossible to do, given the thin stripes of the darker shade. So, I'm using it as a bronzer built for blondes (or those with fair skin), and it's perfect!

I took swatch photos in full afternoon sun. I applied the powder fairly heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, blending the two shades together. I selected two photos to show you. The first is posed in front of a Japanese maple, which is showing its lovely sepia color before it turns red.

This powder is not sparkly, despite the way the sun shines on my arm. I'd call the finish silky (maybe lustrous), with a very slight sheen. It is a great shade to wear during the day. I like to apply it with a blush or bronzer brush, using the "double-three" method, sweeping it over my temples, across the lower part of my cheekbones, down the hairline, and across the outer third of my jaw line on each side of my face. It looks so natural on me because it is light.

Here is a second photo, a close-up taken in front of a holly tree. My arm isn't as shiny because I held it at a different angle to the sun. This is probably the more true of the two photos of the same swatch.

I am not sure why Giorgio Armani Beauty chose to call this powder a highlighter and refer to it for contouring. I can use it for contouring, but I think it will disappear as a contouring shade on anyone with a medium or dark complexion. Naturally, the shade darkens if you can manage to get more of the sepia shade on your applicator, perhaps by running it down the center of the palette from top to bottom. If you do have a medium or dark complexion and try it, I'd love to know if it looks like a highlighting shade. It might.

I have to qualify my recommendation for the Sepia Palette. It's beautiful, particularly for those with fair skin. If you are darker, I suggest you try before you buy.

Top photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Rouge Bunny Rouge LOVE LIGHTS Highlighting Powder - Reformulated and Re-introduced

I first told you about Rouge Bunny Rouge's LOVE LIGHTS Highlighting Powder ($48) in 2011. These highlighting powders were fabulous then, and they are even better now. They have been reformulated with triple anti-aging benefits, and Rouge Bunny Rouge has added a new black, high-luster case with a magnetic lid. The compacts come with an applicator, shown in my photo above. They weren't as beautifully embossed in their first incarnation.

When Rouge Bunny Rouge sent me these highlighting powders with other new introductions for review, I had a moment of déjà vu. I figured out why very quickly with a quick blog search. I had featured them in June of 2011.

Rouge Bunny Rouge said, "We interpreted the sublimely haunting beauty of this powder and released it here for you. Feather-light and creamy, to softly stroke your skin with pearly velvet light from dusk 'til dawn. A natural, even, and radiant look is yours, while the tiny dazzling micro-particles add teasingly shimmering twinkles. Let the firelight in to accentuate cheeks, arms, legs...anywhere you dare to bare. With such a bewitching halo about you, those who lay their head upon your warm lap may not want it back."

This radiant powder, enriched with exquisite anti-aging benefits for a firmer and healthier skin, feels like a gossamer sweep of creamy silk. The powder’s miraculous “blurring” finish and smoothing effect will instantly transform your complexion - your personal secret to perfect, clear, porcelain-like skin.

New-generation pigments create a lasting flawless, luminous coverage and a unique blendability. State-of-the-art technologies in powder treatment and coating make for the superb smoothing properties, and delightful skin feel. An exclusive Aglianico Grape Marc Extract is added to boost natural anti-aging and healing processes, such as detoxification and synthesis of hyaluronic acid and type I and type III collagen. These powders are free from parabens, fragrance, and D5.

The new packaging is even more elegant and practical. Inside the tall matte box with a glossy floral print, a foam inserts cradles a high-luster, piano black case with a magnetic lid. All of Rouge Bunny Rouge's packaging is inspired.

You can see the two shades in the photos above. Goddess is a satin-finish, very light cream with pink undertones. Sweet to Touch also offers a satin-finish; it's a medium amber with a golden glow effect.

Like all of Rouge Bunny Rouge's products, LOVE LIGHTS comes with a story. When night falls in the Enchanted Garden and soft moonlight bathes the resplendent beaches of the Grand Moon Seas, nymphs will emerge and dance and whirl weightlessly around a fire. The secret of their weightlessness lies in the starlight powder coating the beach - every night the nymphs luxuriate in it to sustain the magic of their skin and grace of their movement.

I've joined the nymphs in their dance around the night's fire. I took swatch photos of the powders in full, mid-day sunshine, though, not around the fire. I used a sponge-tipped applicator and applied them heavily so that you might see them on my arm. They are beautiful and subtle finishing powders when applied normally, with a fluffy blush or powder brush. When applied with a more dense brush, you can build the coverage on your skin wherever you want light to be reflected.

Goddess is shown at the top of my arm. It is a very light pink, one that will add a touch of color to your skin with a subtlety that is radiant, but conservative - a glow. Instead, it looks makes my skin appear lit from within. That's worth every cent of the price.

Sweet to Touch adds more color, leaving an amber-tinted gold on my complexion. It warms my skin, making me look less bland than I do after a winter without much sunshine. Both shades add a fresh, healthy look to the skin.

These powders really don't sparkle much, despite those "teasingly shimmering twinkles." That makes them perfectly wearable during the day. I'll use both and probably select a shade based on what I'm wearing. I'd have a hard time choosing between them, so I'm excited that Rouge Bunny Rouge sent me both shades.

If you go to this link, you can find a brochure on these lovely powders. Definitely worth a download!

These re-introduced highlighting powders are being launched on Friday, April 1. You can order them from Rouge Bunny Rouge, or wait a short time for them to be available at Beautyhabit.

Update: There is a GWP!  Special offer until April 11, 2016: Buy any Highlighting Powder and receive a Sheer Lipstick Jasmine-weighted Air as a gift. Buy any Highlighting Powder plus any Highlighting Liquid and receive a Face Contour Brush 012 as a gift. Find all you need to Read more...

 

Photos by Best Things in Beauty or courtesy of Rouge Bunny Rouge

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Not too long ago, Hourglass introduced a collection of four Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders ($38), illuminating strobing powders designed to sculpt the face with light, creating depth and dimension for a refined, natural-looking highlight.

These powders are formulated in a sheer base that’s infused with concentrated, ultra-fine mico-pearl particles in a number of sizes and refraction levels for natural-looking luminescence - without leaving a heavy metallic finish. Developed with "Photoluminescent Technology," it captures, diffuses, and softens surrounding light to refine the appearance of the skin. Use it wet or dry for different levels of intensity, taking you from an everyday strobe highlight to a dramatic evening strobe highlight.

These universally flattering shades are perfect for all skin tones, and they’re designed to be used with the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor (sold separately) for the most effortless application.

How are these powders different from the original Ambient Lighting Powders? Designed to emulate the way in which strobe lights capture and reflect light on the face, Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders contain a more concentrated level of micro-pearl particles in varying sizes and refraction levels. Combined with a sheerer base, the powders impart a highlight to the face in its purest form without masking the skin beneath it. They are very sheer, as you can see below on my arm.

"Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders give off the most amazing glow to your skin without being overpowering. I love using them with the Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor when I want a more reflective highlight." - Carisa Janes, Hourglass Founder

I couldn't decide among the colors, so I ended up with all four of them, thanks to  sweet friend who works for Hourglass.  Brilliant is shown above at top left, and Euphoric is shown at top right. On the bottom row, Incandescent is shown at left, with Iridescent at right. I sure hope I got that right. I swatched in the order listed here.

I tried to apply them dry and heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, and I took my photo in full sun. Nevertheless, the sheerness of these powders made them disappear into my skin. I can see the stripes of subtle color and a bit of sparkle, but little else. Euphoric shows up pretty well; it's the golden tone second down on my arm. Did I need all four of them? Nope.

How does Hourglass recommend that you apply Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders? By using their Ambient Strobe Light Sculptor  - wet or dry to achieve varying levels of intensity, taking you from day to night.

• To broaden a narrow forehead, gently dab the angled side of the Sculptor to the middle of the forehead.
• To give height to the nose, sweep the tip of the Sculptor down the bridge of nose. Add more to the tip of the nose for a lifted effect.
• To accentuate the cheekbones and lift the brows, sweep the angled side of the Sculptor along the tops of the cheekbones, up towards the top of the brow in a “crescent moon” shape.
• To open up the eye area, dab the tip of the Sculptor under the brow bone and in the inner corners of the eyes.
• To create the look of fuller lips, dab the tip of the Sculptor on the Cupid’s bow.
• Use the flocked side of the Sculptor to blend and diffuse any harsh edges. Powder can be layered, gradually building up to your desired intensity.

The idea of strobing has tickled me. Young makeup artists are all excited about this new method. They aren't old enough to know that highlighting, strobing, or whatever you want to call it is old - very old. It's often used with contouring, also an old method, to highlight the areas of the face you want to bring forward and darken the areas you want to recede.

I think of these Hourglass powders as highlighting powders. They do sparkle, so you may want to limit their use to nightime occasions. If you are comfortable with micro-glitter, you can use them during the day.

Have you tried them? You can find them at Sephora and Hourglass.

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