I hope this tail end of February finds you well, my friends! After a whirlwind two weeks of teaching and travel, I am finally back home (at least for a bit) and working my way through the process of catching up (laundry, blog posts, email, the usual!). This post, specifically, is dedicated to my streamlined skincare routine while traveling in London last week as well as a neutral-charged look and swatch-heavy overview of the latest Burberry Beauty releases...an inventive lip contour creation that defines and beautifies in mere seconds. I also integrated a few on-location shopping in London shots that illustrate both the look and my style choices for that particular day.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the products in action as well as the Bottom Line...
Skincare etc.
// SKINCARE ETC. //
*Erasa EXP 30(initially reviewed HERE): I am still enthralled with the efficacy and performance of this anti-aging formula; one pump, applied upon cleansing, noticeably smooths and brightens my face and my skin feels ultra soft and velvety for hours. I am also noting the reduction in fine lines and discoloration and, therefore, will continue to use Erasa for a couple more weeks before weighing back with a final (likely very positive) verdict.
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge #2 (reviewed HERE): This tinted primer, moisturizer, anti-aging and illuminator has been a near-daily part of my routine for almost four years; I can't imagine my beauty regimen without it.
*Clé de Peau Beauté Concentrated Body Brightening Serum: A brand new product in my life, I am loving how bright and healthy this serum makes my skin, especially my décolleté, which, if I am being honest, has sustained a decent (yet regrettable) dose of sun damage over the years. It instantly smooths on contact and, with continued use, improves the look and feel of skin at a deeper level.
*Sisley-Paris Double Tenseur (reviewed HERE): By this point in my trip, I was severely sleep deprived and my skin needed extra reinforcements. This primer of sorts tightens, lifts and refreshes on contact and I relied upon it heavily to mimic a more rested appearance. It's a travel must.
*Erborian Glow Creme: A recent discovery, this incandescent formula has a pearly and iridescent quality that moisturizes while establishing a gorgeous glow. Although it can be used as an all-over primer, I used just a touch on the high points of my face for a natural radiance.
Oribe Apres Beach Waves and Shine Spray: Outside of shampoo and conditioner, this was the only hair product I brought on my trip...once my hair is dry, just a few spritzes of this divinely scented styling spray adds weightless texture and shine, which ultimately results in greater volume for my straight and heavy hair.
Base + face.
// BASE + FACE //
*Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Foundation in Beige: I was reintroduced to this ethereal base while in London and am so happy to reintegrate it into my foundation rotation. With buildable light to medium coverage and a stalwart lasting power (8+ hours on my skin), it truly imparts a restrained luminosity that makes skin look hydrated and healthy without resorting to obvious forms of shimmer. Simply lovely!
*Burberry Cashmere Concealer in Honey: This concealer is not new but it is new to me and am duly intrigued. Creamy and opaque, it covers like a dream while remaining crease-free for hours and Honey is a great match for my NC 25 skin.
*Burberry Face Contour #1: This thin cream stick allows for precision application, ensuring that the hollows and perimeters of the face are aptly defined.
*Sisley-Paris Phyto-Touch Sun Glow Powder in Peach Doree: A brand new release from Sisley, this triad of coordinating powders warm up the face with a stunning matte glow that can be applied sheerly or built up for impact. I adore the functionality of the shades (which work well on fair, light and medium skin tones) and will be doing a swatch-laden closeup of both available versions soon!
*Chikuhodo GSN 04 Brush (reviewed HERE): My constant go-to for bronzer products, I think I should order a new one soon...it's been a couple years and I use it that much.
*Surratt Beauty Artistique Highlight Brush (reviewed HERE): Extremely soft yet masterfully effective, I used the tapered tip to pick up and apply the blush strip in the Sun Glow Powder.
Swatches in natural light.
Eyes and lips.
// EYES + LIPS //
MAC Mythology Eyeshadow(reviewed HERE): This radiant and rosy neutral is perennially in my makeup bag; the satin finish is velvety smooth and endlessly flattering and, I daresay, the shade is universally flattering.
*Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner in Marigold (reviewed HERE): A luminous golden peach tone with an indelible finish, this eyeliner really brightens up the orbital area, especially when swept along the lower lash line.
*Burberry Lip Color Contour #01 Fair (also available at Burberry): This latest release from Burberry features slim, retractable bullet in a creamy nude shade designed to subtly define the contours of the lips, adding fullness and dimension in seconds. The formula is hydrating and long wearing and extremely utilitarian for instantly creating a perfected pout; it is an innovation, indeed. Close up swatches of both available shades below!
*Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Liquid Rouge in #11 Lingerie (reviewed HERE): A forever favorite, this peachy nude (with just enough pink to work in every situation) added shine and radiance to the Lip Contour. It's simply a beauty essential in my book.
Swatches in natural light.
The Burberry Lip Color Contour in Fair and Medium.
Swatches of the Burberry Lip Color Contour in Fair and Medium.
Swatches of the Burberry Lip Color Contours in Fair and Medium.
The following images reflect all products in action in natural sunlight...
The eye look.
// STYLE NOTES // For a day spent shopping (and walking 7+ miles in partial rain, I might add!), I embraced a fitted shirt and relaxed jeans, topped with my favorite reversible coat as of late (also discussed HERE but this time worn on the navy side).
American Apparel Carmen Top...I now have this timelessly flattering top in 4 colors and cannot believe it's currently $17 with 40% off! For reference, I am wearing a medium.
FRAME Le Original Jeans(also available at Bloomingdales)...I have two pairs of these jeans (in a size 25) and love their higher rise (great with smaller tops), relaxed leg and slightly cropped appeal. Dress them down with sneakers or up with a heel...so versatile!
Kork-Ease Bootie: Although the one's I am wearing are from last season, I was able to find a current model of these extremely comfortable boots with a wedge heel (linked in the product title) and cannot recommend them enough for their chic wearability.
Vince Reversible Wool Cashmere Coat(also featured HERE): Majorly on sale and still available at Shopbop, this coat is pure genius and I love that I have now worn both the black and the navy sides with ease. Get it whilst you can!
Barbour Waxed Baseball Cap: I purchased this in London to combat the intermittent rain of the day and couldn't be happier with it; easier than toting an umbrella, the honey toned waxed cotton is completely waterproof and I know I'll be reaching for it year round.
// TRAVEL NOTES// On day three of my London adventure, we indulged in a bit of shopping...this involved requisite trips to the breathtaking Liberty London, Carnaby Street, Soho and, of course, Selfridges. More on what I purchased forthcoming!
In front of the illustrious Burberry Flagship store.
The expansively charming Liberty London.
Inside Liberty London...I could have spent 10 hours exploring this historical gem.
Carnaby Street in the rain.
Well, hello, Selfridges.
Soho.
Last look.
--Shop the Post--
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed this post and would love to know which products caught YOUR eye...do tell!
Good things ahead including a final recap of my London trip, a new video tutorial, a round of QVC beauty discoveries and a interview, featuring the latest releases from Sisley-Paris. I am also in the midst of responding to your latest batch of emails and comments; thank you, as always, for your patience as I endeavor to catch up ; )
Greetings from London! I am honored to have been included in a string of Burberry Beauty events during London Fashion Week (more on this forthcoming) and am having a ball exploring a city that is rife with history, incredible architecture and brilliant style. After a full day with Burberry, we now still have two more days to pack in as much sightseeing as humanly possible!
In the meanwhile, I wanted to share the beauty look I've been embracing while abroad...pared down, long lasting and oh so easy to create (in less than 7 minutes I might add), it utilizes some favorite beauty products as well as a couple new key discoveries; I also include a glimpse at key style elements I'm wearing as we run all over town.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the products in action as well as a nod to style and the Bottom Line...
Ingredients for the look.
// Product Breakdown // As always, I am opting for an effortless, neutrals-drenched look that lasts the ENTIRE day.
*Surratt Beauty Surreal Real Skin Foundation #6 (reviewed HERE): This foundation goes on like a dream, lasts for 10+ hours and looks like really good skin...I'm still impressed nearly a year after its launch. #6 is a great match for my winter skin as it is more neutral than pink (as the shade description might imply).
La Mer Concealer in Medium (reviewed HERE): An excellent asset for brightening the under eye region, it performs without creasing.
Sisley-Paris Phyto-Poudre Loose Powder Compact in #4 Sable: I am IN LOVE with this loose powder; it applies like velvet, sets my makeup and is the perfect warm light beige for olive skin. Oh, and it has a mirror and is completely purse friendly...beyond brilliant.
*Girlactik Face Veil in See Through (reviewed HERE): This highlighter still ranks amongst my favorites as the warm pearl tone has immense radiance while still looking complete natural on the skin.
*Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Prismatic Amethyst: I am in awe of the beauty of this new launch from Becca...when applied with a light hand, it imparts a cool pink glow that works--in my experience--very well to brighten up the apples of the cheeks. It's such a unique product!
Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel in Taupe (reviewed HERE): I just purchased a fresh tube of this gem...nothing--and I mean nothing--tames, grooms, fills in and polishes my brows as effectively.
Sisley-Paris So Intense Mascara(mentioned HERE): A newer find for me, the close-cropped comb wand and nourishing formula create marvelous volume and length that stays in place all day.
*Burberry My Burberry Black Rollerball (reviewed HERE): So apropos for my current travels, I find this particular scent--rife with warm musk and fruit notes--absolutely intoxicating and the reviews I've read on this juice seem to wholly concur!
Window-lit swatches.
A swatch of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Prismatic Amethyst.
The following images reflect all products in action in indoor window lighting...
Capturing Buckingham Palace.
As we traverse the breathtaking city of London, you can basically be guaranteed to find me in the pose above...there is simply too much to capture so my phone is essentially glued to my hand!
With my travel partner and photographer for this excursion (Big Ben in the background)...my husband!
At a building adjacent to Westminster Abbey.
// STYLE // During this entire week in town, I am opting for a casual yet polished uniform of denim, silk, booties and a classic coat.
Vince Reversible Wool Cashmere Coat(also available at Shopbop and mentioned HERE)...now on MAJOR sale at $243, this lightweight, super soft coat has classic lines and a timeless appeal that will carry me through the spring months with ease.
Gucci Liza Booties...I've worn these consistently for a year and am seriously considering a backup; they work well with jeans and dresses alike and are ever so comfortable. A worthy splurge, indeed.
Last look.
--Shop the Post--
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed this FOTD on location and would love to hear which products caught your eye! What are your must-haves when traveling? Do tell!
Good things ahead, including the second installment of my London travel diary (including some major newness from Burberry Beauty...in the meanwhile, keep abreast on my Instagram where I am posting multiple times a day!), an up close look at the latest from Sisley-Paris and a fresh video (that I am currently in the midst of editing).
The Clé de Peau Beauté Spring/Summer 2017 Collection (also available at CdPB, Neiman Marcus and Barney's NY) has arrived, delivering a brilliant wash of radiant color in carefree shades that will flatter a spectrum of skin tones. I am excited to share a swatch-saturated overview of the new releases as well as a pictorial summary of my most recent beauty event at Neiman Marcus Scottsdale and a quick breakdown of some holiday weekend sales!
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the collection in action as well as the Bottom Line...
#238: A creamy warm apricot pink **worn in the images at the end of this post
#239: A bold pomegranate pink
Boasting intense moisture and a color-drenched shiny finish, these buttery lip treatments have an opulent feel on the lips and gorgeous vibrant opacity for a luminous lip that is effortless to create.
Enriched Lip Luminizer by Clé de Peau Beauté is a suberbly soft and silky formula that melts onto your lips, giving them a wash of pure, elegant, sheer color.
The *Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Blush (also available at Clé de Peau Beauté, Neiman Marcus and Barney's NY) features a revolutionary texture that simultaneously imparts glow and flush in a single swipe. The blush, which comes in four shades, is deliciously buildable, creamy and shimmer free; significantly, it lasts all day on my normal to combination skin. Subtle and sophisticated, this is a stunning cream blush execution!
#01 Cranberry: A "just pinched" rosy berry.
#02 Pale Fig: A soft natural pink.
#03 Persimmon: A bright coral glow.
#04 Perfect Peach: A lush and dusky neutral that even doubles as a light contour.
From L-R: Cranberry, Pale Fig, Persimmon and Perfect Peach.
What it is: A luxuriously moisturizing cream blush formulated with argan oil that leaves your cheeks beautifully flush with the perfect touch of sheer luminous color.
What it does: Its unique and comfortable texture feels sublimely smooth while spreading easily to create a soft contour, fitting smoothly and firmly against your skin. It's formulated with a blend of three oils—low viscosity oil, medium viscosity oil and volatile oil—to deliver a smooth look to your cheeks for beautifully translucent color. An Illuminating Hydro-Wrap Complex delivers moisture to your skin for a soft, supple look and feel while light diffusing powder and pure chromatic pigment create a natural-looking finish with vivid color. It has a signature rose scent, too.
Finally, the *Clé de Peau Beauté Eyeshadow Duos (also available at Clé de Peau Beauté, Neiman Marcus and Barney's NY) combine two coordinating eye color shades in modern tones that resonate with the warmer months. Silky, blendable and resistant to creasing, these eyeshadow pairings are pigmented yet entirely wearable, creating a perfectly polished eye in seconds.
#101 Grounded: Rich bronzy brown and champagne beige.
#102 Calm: Soft neutral salmon pink and tender pearl beige.
#103 Harmony: Lush forest green and pale luminous green.
#104 Purity: Satiny thistle mauve and radiant grey.
#105 Serenity: Deep indigo blue and glowing translucent taupe.
What it is: A pair of silky powder eyeshadows in captivating shades for dazzling eyes.
What it does: Formulated with luxurious argan oil, these semi-matte and soft shimmer hues are sized to fit into your Eye Color Quad (sold separately). Each contains an Illuminating Hydro-Wrap Complex to give skin a soft feel, while light diffusing powder creates a beautiful gradation of color to give your eyes an exquisite look. Each shade even features the brand's signature rose scent.
*CdPB Radiance Stick Foundation in Ivory, Beige, Ocher and Mocha.
The final component of the Clé de Peau Beauté Spring/Summer Collection is the *Radiance Stick Foundation (also available at CdPB). Although I extensively swatched and reviewed the formula HERE, I wanted to include reference to it once again in this story. Excellent for weightless, buildable coverage (sheer to medium), it is a marvelous formula for "no makeup makeup" days and also works well as a mid-day touch up component atop other CdPB liquid foundation formulas.
Swatches of all four shades in outdoor sunlight.
Skincare finds.
Skincare Break...I recently have been experimenting with these three skincare innovations:
*Lancer Radiance Awakening Mask Intense: This overnight mask revitalizes skin while one sleeps; it's perfect for moments when your canvas needs a boost and I am consistently impressed by how fresh and bright my skin is upon waking.
*Erasa EXP 30: I have been testing this anti-aging serum for nearly three weeks now and am fundamentally pleased with the way my skin has responded. Endorsed by supermodel Linda Evangelista (who claims she was compelled to stop using Botox once she tried Erasa), I will admit that I was skeptical that this peptide rich formula would visibly transform my skin. That being said, there is something very unique about Erasa; just two pumps both morning and night has made my skin smoother, softer, clearer, brighter and firmer, diminishing fine lines along the way. I will continue to test this and weigh back after six weeks!
*Cane + Austin Glycolic Treatment Eye Cream: Harnessing the power of glycolic acid, this gentle yet effective eye cream targets fine line and slack skin to lift and illuminate the delicate orbital area...and the clean ingredients are top notch.
As aforementioned, I participated on a panel of beauty experts for the Beauty Buzz event at Neiman Marcus Scottsdale yesterday and had such a lovely time talking all things beauty with Neiman Marcus VP of Beauty Kelly St. John, President of Kiehls Chris Salgardo, Clé de Peau Beauté Celebrity Makeup Artist Matthew Arbogast, Le Metier de Beaute Vice President of Sales Monica Gallegos and Neiman Marcus Beauty Buyer Sarah McCallum. Here are a few snapshots from the event...
A view from the Mid-Century Modern gem Hotel Valley Ho where we stayed.
Make sure to swing by the new Neiman Marcus beauty department the next time you're in Scottsdale.
The panel in action.
With the entire panel.
With Neiman Marcus VP of Beauty Kelly St. John...her warmth, grace and knowledge are undeniable.
He said his 16 year old daughter reads Beauty Professor regularly!
With Presidents Day on Monday, the Internet is rife with sales and to streamline the process, here are my curated Holiday Weekend Shopping Suggestions:
I am headed off to London tomorrow with Burberry Beauty and cannot wait to share my week via Instagram and, later, on BP. Any suggestions for what we must do while in the city? Please share!
