I can hardly contain my ebullience as I share some of my latest beauty discoveries! From an opulent lip gloss to a trio of products that mimic a lit-from-within glow, this image-laden story is a visual feast.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the products in action as well as the Bottom Line…
When they launched last August, I reviewed my three shade selections from the Christian Louboutin lip color line (full review HERE). Nearly a year later, I am happy to report that I have used the lipsticks extensively (as evidenced in this post) and have no regrets about the investment as the lip color boasts one of the creamiest, moistuizing and most pigmented formulas I’ve encountered to date.
Consequently, the recent debut of the Christian Louboutin Loubilaque lip glosses (also available at Neiman Marcus) compelled me to select yet another trio to try…although this luxurious liquid lip color features eight shades, I–of course–remained in pink and nude territory and instantly gravitated towards Akenana, Bikini and Altareva.
The lip gloss is housed in an amulet vial with feather detailing and since this the vial is constructed of a sturdy lucite-like material, it is much lighter (in the best possible way) than the metal-shrouded lip color. I appreciate the velvet-flocked doe foot applicator and find it to be the perfect size to distribute the gloss evenly and precisely.
The formula is smooth and hydrating and, due to its slight stickiness, has an impressive lasting power (I get 4-5 hours of wear…especially with Bikini). More like a light-reflecting liquid lipstick than a true lip gloss, Loubilaque is tremendously color saturated for nearly full opacity in a single coat.
This gloss does have a fragrance; I don’t find it the slightest bit bothersome, but those who are adverse to scent might want to test it first. I am completely smitten with my three choices (color descriptions and swatches to follow) and am entirely happy to have splurged on the Christian Louboutin Loubilaques!
Official details, courtesy of Nordstrom:
When Christian Louboutin captured the essence of his iconic Red Sole with Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour, he introduced to the world a new universe of beauty. With his innate sense of allure, playfulness and theatricality, his vision is to unveil women’s femininity and amplify their assets, not to correct their imperfections.
Patent leather, with its brilliant finish, is the source of inspiration for Loubilaque as it bottles the esprit of its attention-commanding shine. Offering full coverage and radiant shine, this Lip Lacquer is the antithesis of the current matte trend coveted by the makeup industry. With a high concentration of pigments, it gives arresting color specially formulated to reflect light, as opposed to the gloss of liquid formulas.
Each Lip Lacquer is infused with a subtle scent evocative of the feminine and glamorous qualities of a woman who enjoys cosmetic products. The vial is designed with solid clear walls carved in a mermaid tail motif and is topped with an ornate metallic crown. Available in a range of colors inspired by iconic Louboutin shoes and handbags, the Lip Lacquer is sold with a black silk ribbon that turns the lipstick into a pendant necklace and is enclosed in a black, lacquer-like effect reusable jewelry box.
Although all in the pink and nude family and easily the lightest shades in the spectrum, I find Akenana, Bikini and Altareva to be delightfully different from one another:
- Akenana 712L: Creamy peach nude with very subtle shimmer. This is the sheerest of the three I selected but I can’t wait to wear it with nude lip liner for a bit more impact. It’s gorgeous for a “barely there” look, however.
- Bikini 120L: A lush light-medium cool toned pink with intense color-payoff. This shade is very similar to the Louboutin Silky Satin Lip Color in Bikini and I appreciate the continuity. This is my favorite shade of the three that I purchased.
- Altareva 702L: A medium rosy nude with golden shimmer. I envision this “my lips but better” shade being universally flattering on a spectrum of skin tones and, in turn, predict that it will sell out first!
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| Swatches in direct sunlight…each swatch is a single coat, demonstrating the opacity of the formula. |
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| The Edward Bess Threads of Silk Powder in Bellissima paired with the Surratt Beauty Artistique Sculpting Brush (reviewed HERE) and Wayne Goss Air-Brush (reviewed HERE)…two favorites for a softly defined cheek. |
With one of the most stunning embossments a powder could possess, the *Edward Bess Threads of Silk Powder in Bellissima is as beautiful as its moniker implies. Infused with real silk, this beauty powder smooths skin, blurs imperfections and imparts a flattering incandescence (read: glowing, not shimmery) that warms and brightens the face.
The powder shades include a soft shimmering ivory, a radiant rose gold and a muted tan for warmth and flush on the go. Swirling all the shades together offers a wash of color that instantly delivers life to the face, making it excellent as both a beautifying setting powder and mid day pick-me-up.
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| A closeup of this powder is a must, no? |
Official details, courtesy of Neiman Marcus:
Meet a skin perfecting marvel – a finely milled complexion enhancer woven with silk fibers to infuse the skin with luster and leave it more radiant that ever before. Exquisitely crafted in the northern region of Italy, this satiny smooth powder is as soft and luxurious as silk, one of the finest and most highly cultivated fabrics in the world. Woven with actual silk fibers, this multi-tasker adds warmth and dimension to the face and eyes, allowing features to take on a new vitality. Optical light reflectors mimicking those found in silk threads deflect light to blur away imperfections and bestow luster for skin that rivals real silk.
Equally lovely is the *Edward Bess Expert Eye Shadow in Violet Obsession. This trio of matte shades works well to deliver depth and punctuation to the eyes. Pigmented and buttery smooth the eyeshadows glide on with ease and blend like a dream; additionally, they wear well without creasing or migrating as the day progresses. As one who generally prefers a single wash of color rather than a veritable rainbow of eyeshadows, I appreciate the curated and restrained nature of this palette.
Like everything in the Edward Bess line, this palette reflects a minimalist aesthetic for natural and polished beauty that is never fussy or overdone. The warm ivory, rich thistle-meets-violet and deep aubergine black work together to create a muted, slightly smoky look that is particular flattering for green and hazel eyes. Violet Obsession is a truly marvelous palette!
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| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
Official details, courtesy of Neiman Marcus:
Your complete eye look expertly edited in a trio of harmonious hues. Dress the eyes in classic, rich matte color designed to flatter and enhance. The superfine, long-wearing shadow sweeps on velvety smooth without fading or creasing. Layer colors to create a range of effects from sheer to dramatic. Quite simply—you won’t believe your eyes.
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| Ellis Faas Glow Up in Satin Glow. |
For one of the most natural facial glows possible, meet the highly-rated Ellis Faas Glow Up in Satin Glow. I treat this finely-milled powder the same way I would a traditional powder highlighter, however, I find that the radiance is much more subtle than my beloved Becca Shimmering Skin Pefector, making Glow Up great both for the high points of the face as well as a diffusing shade for the entire canvas.
Satin Glow is the second shade in a line up of three; it has a warm undertone that straddles the line between golden and pale tan and I would recommend it as an enhancer for light-medium and medium skin tones.
All in all, I am absolutely smitten with this powder and can’t wait to try the other two shades (I’ll use one for bronzing and the other for a paler highlight) as this formula is exceptional.
Official details, courtesy of Beautylish:
Playing with light is one of the best tricks in makeup. Light emphasizes shape and glow. Attracting light to certain parts of your face will illuminate it and bring it to life. The best way to attract light to your face is with the soft focus properties of the reflective pearls in Glow Up. These finely milled particles provide radiance with a soft subtle shimmer. It leaves you with a delicate glow that helps to mask any imperfections, adding a satin-soft and porcelain finish.
Apply the luminous powder to parts of the skin on which light falls first: your upper cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the Cupid bow of your lip, and collarbone. Playing with light creates a seductive emphasis on bone structure, and enhances your healthy and youthful appearance.
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| Bare Blush and Gleam Glow. |
For an ethereal and incandescent orbital area, consider the *Estee Lauder Genuine Glow Eyelighting Creme for Eyes and Face in Gleam Glow and Bare Blush. This weightless cream yields a wash of luminosity that is especially comely in the orbital zone. With a gossamer texture that melds with skin upon contact, I find that the clever sponge tip applicator masterfully applies and blends the formula for a seamless finish. I was able to try two of the three shades:
- Bare Blush is a pale pink with platinum radiance (great for light and medium skin tones)
- Gleam Glow is a
In the images at the end of this story, I applied and blended Bare Blush just above the crease (after blending the *Edward Bess Expert Eye Shadow in Violet Obsession along my lid) and buffed it up towards my brow bone and the outer perimeters of my eyes (towards my temples) for a radiant and rested finish. Tres magnifique!
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| Swatches from L-R: Bare Blush and Gleam Glow. |
Offical details, courtesy of Blue Mercury:
A wash of highlighting color.
Air-light formula for a quick, on-the-go, long-lasting kiss of light on lids and cheeks.
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| Although not technically new to me, I also used the fabulous Sisley Tinted Sunscreen Cream (reviewed HERE) and the Maybelline Spider Lash Effect Mascara (reviewed HERE). |
// STYLE //
This harem jumpsuit is the utter embodiment of effortless summer dressing. With a forgiving cut and fluid lines, it can be dressed up or down with a strategic footwear choice. I paired it one of my favorite pairs of flat sandals (also featured HERE and HERE).
The following images reflect all products in action with a specific look at the Loubilaque in Akenana, Bikini and Altareva…
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| Louboutin Loubilaque Akenana. |
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| Louboutin Loubilaque Akenana. |
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| Akenana. |
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| Louboutin Loubilaque Bikini. |
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| Bikini. |
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| Bikini. |
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| Louboutin Loubilaque Altareva. |
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| Altareva. |
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| Altareva. |
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| Last look. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: I hope you found this new beauty intensive helpful and insightful…will you be picking up any of the Christian Louboutin Loubilaques? Additionally, one can never go wrong with a dash of Edward Bess (the Bellissima Threads of Silk will be in my purse nonstop) and a dash of glow from the iconic Estee Lauder and cutting-edge Ellis Faas.
Good things ahead, including a mid-summer favorites story, a new lip color feature, a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2016 Shopping Guide (what are your preliminary picks?) and yet another round of recent product procurements…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
** PR samples provided for review denoted by an asterisk (the rest purchased by me), however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own. © 2012-16 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
Comments (6)
Hi Rachel. Love the Edward Bess shadows! I recently purchased the Wayne Goss airbrush and his #5. They are both fabulous. From the moment the airbrush touched my face, it was instant love. There are so many applications for this amazing brush. Great review on new products. Love your look. As always, you look gorgeous!
Hi Debi!
Aren't the EB shadows incredible?! So glad you got the Airbrush before it sold out…I hope they bring it back. It is such an exquisite creation!
Thanks for the kind words, my friend…much love to you!
xx
–The Beauty Professor
Love it all and you look so great these days!
Thank you so much, Hildegerd!
XO,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi!
How do you find the staying power of those Estee Lauder glow stick things?
Hello Ame!
I have found them to have great lasting power…wearing it again today ; )
xx
–The Beauty Professor