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| Dark beauty. |
As the temperatures drop, the deeper tones of autumn beauty begin to become abundant. From rich noir elements to cool and color saturated hues, this story is dedicated to the dark lushness of autumn and features newness from Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, 37 Actives, MAC and Stila.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the products in action as well as the Bottom Line…
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| McQueen. |
I received the *Alexander McQueen Eau de Parfum a week or two ago and have since been entranced by its unique take on a sensual floral. Designed by Sarah Burton, this juice captures the essence of night-blooming flowers–including Sambac Jasmine and Tuberose–while carrying a base of warm musk for a heady skin scent that wears well from day to night. As one who gravitates towards dark, complex and mysterious notes, this fragrance is a find, indeed.
Official details, courtesy of Saks:
EXCLUSIVELY AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE. “I wanted this fragrance to come from night flowers, the kind that exude an eternal freshness once the day is gone.” — Sarah Burton McQueen
Eau de Parfum takes a vintage spirit and gives it a stunningly modern architecture. Its unique scent is made from the precious essence of three night-blooming flowers: Sambac Jasmine for its power, Tuberose for its sensuality and Ylang Ylang for its mystery. A timeless shape, tactile and beautiful in the hand the bottle expresses the beauty of the opposites melting traditional grace and modern flair. 1.6 oz. Made in UK.
Eau de Parfum takes a vintage spirit and gives it a stunningly modern architecture. Its unique scent is made from the precious essence of three night-blooming flowers: Sambac Jasmine for its power, Tuberose for its sensuality and Ylang Ylang for its mystery. A timeless shape, tactile and beautiful in the hand the bottle expresses the beauty of the opposites melting traditional grace and modern flair. 1.6 oz. Made in UK.
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| Complex yet singular in its approach. |
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| Marc Jacobs Beauty Collector’s Editions + an element of my great grandmother’s vintage mantilla. |
Next, it may be fair to say that no one does noir better than Marc Jacobs Beauty; with the ubiquity of his obsidian-luxe blacquer hue, the brand takes a shade that embodies the very absence of color and channels rich, glossy life into it.
Recently, the line launched three different collector’s editions with a noir theme involving lip color, eyeliner and, of course, its lauded Velvet Noir Mascara (reviewed HERE).
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| Le Marc Lip Creme in Blacquer. |
Ever present on the willowy models of the runway, black lipstick poses a particular challenge for the rest of us striving for a more natural, everyday look. Imagine this nude lip devotee’s reservations, then, when giving the intensely pigmented *Marc Jacobs Beauty Collector’s Edition Le Marc Lip Creme in Blacquer a try! One swipe of this creamy, hydrating, slightly shiny formula creates spectacular opacity and nearly full coverage…one more coat, and my lips are the darkest they have ever been (see images at the end of this post for more on this pout transformation).
I coupled my new look with minimal makeup and a luminous golden eye and found that the lipstick, while clearly out of my comfort zone, was more wearable than I initially imagined. Although I won’t be wearing black lipstick daily, I find Blacquer to be a great option when instant drama is required and, seasonally-speaking, it resonates with the darker mood of autumn.
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| A swatch (only a single pass to illustrate the immense opacity of the formula) in direct sunlight. |
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| Smoldering eyes. |
Furthering the obsession with onxy is the *Epic Noir Mascara and Gel Eyeliner Collector’s Edition Set. This genius pairing features a full-sized mascara–which volumizes and lengthens like crazy–and a mini eyeliner in Blacquer, the likes of which I have repurchased twice in the past few years. Two coats of the mascara create a nearly false lash effect that doesn’t smudge over the course of wear and the retractable gel liner works so well on the water line to define eyes for hours.
Also, the *Collector’s Edition Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Taboo is an updated take on the Highliner; this intense black is emblazoned with a festive silver micro-sparkle for an incandescent take on a smoky eye.
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| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
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| For the face. |
In terms of a balanced canvas, I employed the following complexion perfectors:
- *Sisley-Paris Double Tenseur Primer (reviewed HERE)
- *Natasha Denona Face Glow Foundation in #30 (reviewed HERE)
- *Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush in Flesh & Fantasy (also available at Neiman Marcus and extensively reviewed HERE) applied with the *Chikuhodo GSN 04 Brush (reviewed HERE)to lightly contour and add warmth.
- *Victoria Beckham x Estee Lauder Morning Aura (reviewed HERE) applied to high points of the face.
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| Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush. |
To delve deeper, the *Marc Jacobs Air Blush (also available at Neiman Marcus and extensively reviewed HERE) comes in five face-flattering and ultra-blendable shades:
- #500 Lush & Libido: Petal pink/orchid pink…great for those seeking a cool toned blush. I wear this on the apples of my cheeks when I want an instant pop of color that isn’t overpowering.
- #502 Lines & Last Night: Creamsicle/deep tangerine…plush and creamy, this peachy combination looks great on golden skin.
- #504 Kinks & Kisses: Pale petal/peachy rose…an easy, classic warm toned light pink, this shade is sure to flatter a spectrum of skin tones.
- #506 Flesh & Fantasy: Ivory shimmer/goddess bronze…my go-to as of late, this neutral
- #508 Night Fever & Hot Stuff: Cherry/deep plum…
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| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
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| Swatches of the Natasha Denona 5 Palette in 04…peerless for creating a warm golden eye. |
To finish the eyes, I used the resplendent Natasha Denona 5 Palette in 04 (reviewed HERE)…this collection of five shades (25M Aura 31M Cool Bronze 63M Oxide 70P Cool Plum * 59M Moonstone) possesses stupendous color payoff and a velvety finish that resists creasing and fallout, thereby demonstrating why Natasha Denona’s shadows are one of the most ardently-loved formulas in the industry!
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| Eye look close up. |
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| *Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in Auburn, Medium Warm and Light Ash. |
The final step for eyes involves the *Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color. Unlike most brow products utilizing a pencil or cream medium, these felt-tipped pens feature a liquid formula with a water color transparency and waterproof performance. Medium Warm is a befitting match for my dark taupe brows; just a few strokes adds definition and polish and while filling in any sparse areas and I love how natural the result is!
Official details:
Draw on perfect-looking brows with this unique, waterproof liquid brow formula. It is specially-designed with marker-like brush tip to create dramatic definition, and it leaves your arches looking fuller, lusher and perfectly polished. Enriched with skin-conditioning honey, aloe leaf and chamomile extracts, this brow pen offers easy-to-apply, lasting color that glides on evenly to achieve the look of precisely groomed brows.
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| Swatches of all three new shades in direct sunlight…the shades are sheer (for the most natural effect) and incredibly long lasting. |
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| The latest from 37 Actives. |
Last month, I reviewed the glorious 37 Actives Foundation and this month, I am excited to have had the chance to try the line’s latest release. The *37 Actives High Performance Anti-Aging and Filler Lip Treatment is a potent lip formula that imparts instant hydration and volume (which increases with long-term use) while employing the use of exemplary ingredients. Marvelous as a lipstick base, I am addicted to applying this soothing rollerball day and night for the plumpest pout possible and can’t wait to continue monitoring results on the long term…will report back in a month!
Official details:
This product offers a combination of highly active and natural anti-aging and filling ingredients in a results-driven lip treatment to rejuvenate, soften and plump lips. It is specially formulated with over 20 anti-aging actives including high-concentrations of volumizing hyaluronic acid and peptides that help fight the appearance of wrinkles while targeting, filling, and treating the delicate lip area. “In my dermatology practice I noticed that the lip area is the most neglected in skin care and also the most resistant to in-office rejuvenating procedures. While injectable filler does work when done discreetly, we have all seen many cases where it does not look natural,” says Dr. Macrene. “As a result, I set out to create a daily topical treatment that fills and rejuvenates the lips gradually and naturally. I am proud to present my new patent-pending lip formula containing plant-based actives and anti-aging ingredients to transform wrinkled and chapped lips to soft, plump and youthful lips over time.” EASY TO APPLY Fragrance-free & Paraben-free Non-sticky Glides on for a natural finish Can be worn under or over any lipstick Primer for the lips All products are paraben-free, fragrance-free, propylene glycol-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, and free of animal or human-derived ingredients. No animal testing. Packaged in recyclable glass. MADE IN USA.
- Ingredients: Dipalmitoyl hyroxyproline, Ceramide NG, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil (P), Squalane (P)*, Camellia japonica Seed Oil (P), Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables (P), Echium plantagineum Seed Oil (P), Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Butter (P) *, Mentha arvensis Leaf Oil (P), Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables (P) *, Canola Oil (P), Sesamum indicum Seed Extract (P), Tocopherol (P), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract (P), Glycine soja (Soybean) Oil (P), Cnidium monnieri Fruit Extract (P), Solidago virgaurea (Goldenrod) Extract (P), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate P=plant-based*=Ecocert/USDA-certified.
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| Lip trio. |
For moments when black lipstick may not be realistic, I finished this story’s look with a pairing of pastel neutrals with excellent color payoff. The new MAC Liptensity in Medium Rare and Driftwood offer a creamy, color-packed formula that bathes lips in a decadent wash of pigment. Medium Rare is a mid-toned warm pink (love the name) and Driftwood is a taupey nude with slightly pink undertones. Worn alone and each have enough personality to carry their own; mixed together and the pair creates a stunning pinky nude taupe of which I, as of late, cannot get enough!
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| Swatches in direct sunlight. |
The following images reflect all products in action…similar striped blouse from SSENSE + A.Golden.Ram hat from Wardrobe Department LA:
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| Wearing Le Marc Lip Creme in Blacquer. |
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| Wearing MAC Liptensity in a mixture of Medium Rare and Driftwood. |
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| Two different lip colors, two different looks. |
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| Last look. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed this noir-centric color story featuring fresh launches from from Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, 37 Actives, MAC and Stila and would love to hear what may have caught YOUR eye!
Good things ahead, including a video, a haircare update and a host of new 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 (2)
Hi Rachel! I may be an older gal but that black lip color is fabulous! Love it on you! I might have to have it for Halloween! Finally someone came out with a waterproof eyebrow option. I am curious about the lasting power! You always have the cutting edge products. Love the post
Love your reviews. I really love that palette. I have been on the fence about having to try one of Natasha's but now I think I will. Your eyes look so beautiful!