Four Products to Update Your Look for Summer!

Above (clockwise from top left): By Terry Rouge Terrybly in Love Me Tender, Bobbi Brown Shadow Stick in Golden Pink,  Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Concealer in #4 and Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Mystique.

With summertime in the air, my approach to makeup has taken a trip to the lighter side...sheer sheen, pale pinks and glowing skin are in order!  In light of this temperate weather, I've been using four products with greater frequency...I consider them my "summertime edits" due to the fact their inclusion effortlessly brings an air of warmth and radiance to my usual cosmetic choices.

1. By Terry Rouge Terrybly Shimmer in #800 Love Me Tender: Retailing for $49, this shimmering light apricot offers medium coverage, endless hydration and a multidimensional flushed glow that leaves lips polished and subtly bright.  I bought this late last year but have been wearing it nonstop this month!

2. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Creamy Shadow Stick in Golden Pink (not "Pink Gold" as mis-labeled in my pics!): Retailing for $28, these shadow sticks are nearly commensurate to the By Terry Ombre Blackstar eye shadow sticks and are at a much more affordable price point.  While the By Terry Ombre Blackstars are a bit silkier upon application, the overall effect of both options are similar and the lasting power is formidable!  I like to wear Golden Pink in the inner and outer corners of my eyes and along my brow bone to create light and glow.  I also have this formula in Golden Bronze and will review it soon! 

3. Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Concealer in #4: Retailing for $40, this concealer is thin enough to blend thoroughly yet pigmented enough to cover the darkest imperfections.  I love using this as an eyeshadow base and also add a bit of this over a lighter foundation to add invisible extra coverage.  On my skin it lasts the entire day...#4 is a suitable shade for light beige skin in the NC20-27 range!  Swatches of all the shades can be found on my blog HERE.

4.  Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint for Lip and Cheeks in Mystique: I have previously reviewed this beautiful creme blush HERE.  Retailing for $28, this pale lavender pink adds a luminous flush to the apples of the cheeks; I prefer to apply this with a stippling brush for maximum impact and lasting power.  The glow this product creates is otherworldly and its sheer texture and build ability will flatter most skin tones...love!

Above: Swatches of all four products in indoor lighting with a flash (to showcase their glowing nature).

Above: All four products in natural indoor light.

Above and below: All four products on the face (along with Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Foundation in Natural Beige and Guerlain Le 2 Mascara).

Bottom Line: The arrival of a new season doesn't necessitate a completely cosmetics overhaul!  Rather, the inclusion of a few choice items may be all you need to update your existing stash.  I love the fact that all four of these products are a part of their respective lines' permanent collections, thereby making them endlessly easy to obtain and embrace.  What are some of YOUR favorite edits for summertime?  

**This post contains affiliate links; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.

Thursday FOTD Featuring Dior, Guerlain, NARS and By Terry...

I've had a wretched head cold for the past week but serendipitously managed a FOTD with some of my favorite products as of late.  Between tallying final grades at the college and incessantly blowing my nose, this was no easy feat!  Thankfully, it seems I am finally on the mend as I type this post!

Products Used: 

• Dior Airflash in Linen #201 (review of this newly-released shade forthcoming...it is a perfect match for NC 23-25 skin!) applied with a damp Beauty Blender
• Kevyn Aucoin Shade and Illuminate #01 applied on cheekbones for contour and warmth
• Guerlain Four Seasons Terracotta Bronzer in Nude 00 on cheeks for a pale, rosy flush
• By Terry Ombre Blackstar shadow in Bronze Moon on lids and lower lash line
• Rouge Bunny Rouge Feline Gaze eyeliner in Salome (a rich and glossy black) applied to my lower waterline
• Two coats of Guerlain Le 2 Mascara on upper and lower lashes
• NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder buffed lightly over entire face with Hourglass Retractable Foundation Brush to set makeup.  This is the first totally translucent powder I have utterly loved in awhile...it is invisible, yet completely refining (review soon!!)
• One coat of MAC Up the Amp lip color (a bright, creamy violet) mixed with a single coat of Tom Ford Nude Vanille lip color...this creates the quintessential violet nude lip.
• Copious amounts of green tea, Kombucha, Vitamin C, Sudafed, Mucinex, herbal sinus tea and Afrin nose spray to function...lovely, indeed. 

Above (clockwise from top left): Dior Airflash in #201 Linen, MAC Up the Amp lipstick, Rouge Bunny Rouge Feline Gaze Eyeliner in Salome, Guerlain Four Seasons Terracotta Bronzer in Nude 00, NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder, Tom Ford lip color in Nude Vanille and Guerlain Le 2 Mascara.

I hope you are having a happy and healthy week!

Have you tried any of the products in my FOTD?  Thoughts?! 

xoxo,

--The Beauty Professor

**This post contains affiliate links; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.

African Botanics Marula Botanical Eye Serum Review

Above: The Marula Botanical Eye Serum in all its simple and streamlined glory.

My eye area has been of grave concern as of late...many years of sun exposure (and subsequent squinting) and contact lens applications have worked in tandem with the years to cultivate fine lines that, let's face it, aren't going anywhere on their own.  In turn, I have been testing eye creams like crazy, hoping to find one (or two!) to combat this invasion.  

While nothing can beat the efficacy of a retinol-saturated serum (RoC, here's looking at you...more on this later), my desire to balance and hydrate the eye area, coupled with my intent to find something unmitigatedly natural just might have been fulfilled thanks to  the African Botanics Marula Botanical Eye Serum, which I recently had the chance to try.  

The ingredients list of this product is remarkably brief (scroll on for details) and the brightening, hydrating, line-releasing and puffiness-reducing properties to flow from this tiny bottle are encouraging!

Above: Retailing for $85, the Marula Botanical Eye Serum comes in a .96 fl oz. bottle.

Ingredients: Sclerocarya birrea (Maurla Essential Oil), De-ionized Water, Clycerine BP, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rose Otto (Rosa Damascena), Calendula Officnalis (Calendula flower) Extract, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin, D. Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

**Formulated with NO Parabens, mineral oils, BPA, petrochemicals, synthetic emulsifiers, toxic preservatives, phthlates, DEA, TEA, synthetic colors or fragrances.  100% Vegan and never tested on animals!

Above: Since I only use two pumps a day, I envision this bottle lasting nearly a year with regular use.

According to the African Botanics website:

Marula Botanical Eye Serum is formulated to immediately lift, firm & smooth the delicate eye contour area while imparting radiance & long lasting hydration. Corrects the signs of aging - puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles & lack of firmness.

• Marula Oil is Africa’s miracle oil. Hand harvested by women in village collectives from the exotic fruit seed kernels of bio-dynamic Marula trees, indigenous to Southern Africa. Rich in Vitamins C + E & Oleic Acid. Heals skin tissue, reduces redness & transepidermal water loss, improves skin’s elasticity & firmness. Marula Oil helps nourish, moisturize and soften dry skin, while providing antioxidant protection.
• Soy Protein – is a Plant Peptide. The building blocks of proteins, peptides have become an essential ingredient in anti-aging skin care. Peptides are a string of amino acids that are held together by bonds of nitrogen and carbon. Short chain peptides are able to penetrate the epidermis and send signals to cells, informing them how to function. Soy Protein has a tightening effect on skin. Retains moisture, stimulates collagen synthesis & encourages cell turnover to ensure smoother, firmer and more radiant skin.
• Rose Otto – hydro distilled at low temperature from majestic freshly picked Damascus roses. Rose Otto, with its complex chemical profile of at least 275 compounds, possesses a vast number of therapeutic applications. Topically applied, Rose Otto beautifully supports skin’s health and radiance. A rejuvenating oil, Rose helps restore moisture balance and is used, both in massage and inhalation therapy, to enhance circulation, deeply nourish the tissues and to promote a healthy inflammatory response. Astringent effect on capillaries just below the skin surface – useful to diminish redness caused by enlarged capillaries. Also promotes collagen.
• Calendula Flower Extract – Repairs skin on cellular level – can soothe and heal dry and/or damaged skin. It is often compared to Neosporin. Loaded with powerful healing substances, has been used for centuries to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. Calendula also promotes blood circulation.
• Vitamin E (D- tocopherol) – acts as an anti-oxidant
• Soothe tired, puffy eyes with this light yet powerful serum.
• Intensely boosts skin’s ability to repair, accelerating recovery.
• Restore skin elasticity, firmness & improve skin tone.
• Reduce dark circles, crows feet, fine lines & wrinkles.
• Rejuvenates and refreshes tired eyes.
• Corrects sun damage in the delicate eye area.
• Anti-pollution, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits.

The amount of beautifully-articulated information regarding this product was such that I couldn't do anything to improve the clarity of the explanations...I appreciate how African Botanics thoroughly elaborates on the purpose of each ingredient in terms that any skin care enthusiast can process.

Above: The serum in the sunshine...it is clear and watery in texture and is absorbed into the skin instantly. 

Just two pumps, twice a day has helped to reduce my AM puffiness and fine lines; since using this serum, I've also noticed that the skin around my orbital area has brightened and looks more refreshed!

The serum itself is silky and almost watery (as opposed to being dense and viscose) in nature and has a very light floral scent (that is due to the ingredients in the serum, rather than being an added element) that dissipates quickly upon application.  

I apply it after cleansing and right before my Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge and find that it hasn't irritated my sensitive skin whatsoever...in fact, it is quite cooling and revitalizing!  

Above: My eyes after a week of nightly and daily applications of the Marula Botanical Eye Serum.   I feel brighter and more balanced in the orbital area and can't wait for the long-term benefits!

Bottom Line:  Like many, I am gravitating towards using as many natural, non-chemical (yet, effective) skincare and beauty products as I can.  From its succinct ingredients list to its soothing and smoothing results, the African Botanics Marula Botanical Eye Serum is fulfilling my quest beautifully... a truly delightful discovery.  I've also been experimenting with the African Botanics Pure Marula Oil (as a moisturizer) and will be reporting back soon to discuss my thoughts...first impressions...it's divine!

**PR sample provided for review, however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own

Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup for the Week Ending 5/19/13

The latest and greatest from beauty blogs everywhere...enjoy your Sunday reading time!

xoxo,

--The Beauty Professor

Mama Fashionista: Learn how Quinn plans to maintain her new red hair color with L'Occitane!

Advice Sisters Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle website: Kiehls has developed a unique skincare product that actually can help reduce the signs of stress and perhaps, prevent them

BeautyTidbits : Find out why Harshleen can't stop raving about her latest SPF discovery - Neova DNA Damage Control Everyday SPF 44

My Highest Self: See the before and after photos when Tina reviews the new Revlon Luxurious Colorsilk Buttercream Hair Color!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Maybelline Colorsensational Lipcolor in Born With It No. 015 is a stunning must-have for those ever on the lookout for the perfect pinky nude lipstick, and it's budget friendly!

Painted Ladies: Sheila is glad you she purchased Physicans Formula Custom Shimmer Strips Kajal ... so you don't have to!

TheFabZilla: TheFabZilla spills why Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lipstick is worth the bite

D.G.S.Beauty: Looking for a new BB cream? Try the Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream!

Beauty Professor: Ever an alluringly elusive line, the Beauty Professor adores Serge Lutens beauty. This week, she shares swatches and a video review of his famed Teint Si Fin foundation powder!

Beauty by Arielle: Review of Real Purity's Cream Blush

Lipgloss Break: Check out Zoya nail polish Stunning Collection - a must for summer!

Blushing Noir: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour makes a quick eye look golden!

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--The Beauty Professor
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