The summer’s end is imminent; in fact, this weekend is my last before heading back to the classroom next week. In honor of the changing season, I am loving mixing new Fall releases with classic favorites and today’s swatch-heavy beauty story is no exception! From the latest shades from Surratt Beauty and an innovative primer to a fresh cheek combination and a just-launched juicy lip, prepare to fall for Fall.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the products in action as well as the Bottom Line…
Up first, the *Surratt Smoky Eye Batons (also available at Spring and Net-A-Porter) now come in four new shades for infinite color combinations that yield a smoky eye apropos for both day and night.
I’ve been fan of this eye shadow/liner combination (discussed HERE) since the initial launch of the line (which, incidentally, ranks amongst my favorite beauty brands of all time); one one side is a creamy, color-saturated eyeliner that works well around the perimeter of the eye and the other is a coordinating pigmented eyeshadow that blends with the liner to intensify the color scheme for a smoky look that is infinitely flattering. The new shades include warm neutrals and cool metallics that define and brighten the eye in a sophisticate manner. Truly exquisite! Keep reading for my three favorite and how I like to apply them…
No details have been spared…even the end of the baton has a lovely translucent colored disc to showcase the shade inside.
What it is: A double-sided pencil with creamy eyeliner and matching eyeshadow to create an edgy ombré look.
What it does: Create smoky eyes this elegant, all-in-one Eye Baton. One end is a twist-up mechanical eye pencil for defining the lash line, and just untwist the cap on the other end for easy-to-diffuse eyeshadow that smolders—without a mess or fallout.
What else you need to know: Retract the cream liner before replacing the cap to avoid breakage. Surratt Beauty is dedicated to the Japanese tradition of minimal elegance; the space-saving packaging is designed to be lightweight and secure, and is recyclable.
“The modern smoky eye is how a French girl would wear it—a bit lived in, with pigment tight along the inner rim and perimeter of the upper lash line.”—Troy Surratt, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of Surratt Beauty
Next, designed to hydrate, smooth and brighten one’s canvas prior to foundation application, the *Becca Velvet Blurring Primer Perfecting Baseis a brilliant way to perfect the skin. The delicate apricot tone creates a soft velvet matte finish that reduces unwanted shine while still letting skin reflect true skin finish. It’s an intriguing thin and lightweight formula that disappears into skin on contact while, somehow, taking one’s face to the next level. In sum, it must be tried to be understood!
I am loving the way *Becca Velvet Blurring Primer Perfecting Basesubtly brightens without the usage of obvious shimmer and, when combined with the medium-to-full coverage *Becca Ultimate Coverage Foundation in Olive (an insanely good match for my current skin tone…not new, but new to me), it guarantees that my base lasts the entire day, even in hot and humid end of August weather. I have been embracing this duo all week and am thrilled with the outcome.
A liquid-to-powder blurring primer that instantly diminishes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and imperfections to leave skin porcelain smooth with an airbrushed finish.
Solutions for: – Pores – Dullness and uneven texture
If you want to know more… This is the ultimate primer for a long-lasting, airbrushed complexion. The brightening, feather-light, apricot-hued formula is infused with pore-blurring powders that float over skin to diffuse light for a velvety smooth, soft focus finish. Oil-free yet hydrating, the primer helps absorb the appearance of excess oil and extend the wear of makeup, keeping your look fresh and flawless throughout the day. This formula turns from lightweight liquid to powdered perfection in seconds.
What it is formulated WITHOUT: – Parabens – Sulfates – Phthalates
What else you need to know: This product is infused with sodium hyaluronate to help keep skin hydrated, antioxidant rich vitamin C and E, and soft-focus blurring powders to help absorb the appearance of excess oil. It works on all skin tones and skin types.
I recently received the most gorgeous press mailing featuring the *Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Shine Lipstick (also available at Neiman Marcus). Housed in a vivid red tube with a satisfying magnetic closure, this new formula is a stunning wash of cellophane color boasting the hydration of a balm and the shine of a gloss. Buttery and smooth, the lip color feels sensational on the lips and provides magnificent color payoff (especially for a sheer formula) and significant lasting power.
This forgivingly fuss-free formula can be applied on the go (sans mirror), resulting in effortlessly juicy lips in Fall’s greatest hues. I am most in love with the fresh nude #100, the candy pink #500 and the rich aubergine #602….keep reading for swatches!
The red case and magnetic closure is a stylistic achievement, resonate with the Armani aesthetic.
What it is: A lipstick with a high-shine, balm-like texture that gives you intense color with a single swipe. What it does: This vibrant lipstick moisturizes like a balm while applying weightless, bold, vibrant color with the shine of a gloss. It provides hydration for up to eight hours and is two times as soft as a traditional lipstick.
How to use: Apply directly from the stick, sweeping over your lips to spread. To better define your lip look, apply concealer around your natural lip contour. Line your lip shade with a complementary shade of lip pencil.
The Complete Look: A combination of effortless sunlit skin and bolder fall eyes and lips, this look is the embodiment of summer-to-fall seasonal transition.
*Smith & Cult Book of Sun Chapter #2 Golden Rage: I used my *Surratt Beauty Artistique Cheek Brush to apply the bronzer to the hollows of my cheeks and perimeter of my face and then focused the cool rose toned blush on the apples of my cheeks. The powders are finely milled, have excellent color payoff and are beautifully buildable; these two shades are marvelous for medium and dark skin tones, though lighter canvas could use them too, as long as a light hand is employed.
*Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand (reviewed HERE): A couple of dabs along my upper cheek bones imparts intense luminosity that stays in place…one of my favorite products, hands down, from the Hollywood Collection!
*Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder #7 Voile Rose: A demure harmony of sheer loose powders in tender pink tones, I blended all four hues a lightly dusted it over my face to set the look. The powder formula diffuses imperfections and imparts a soft filter to features for the best-looking skin possible.
*Surratt Smoky Eye Batons (also available at Spring and Net-A-Porter) in Cendres, Entincelle and Canons de Beaute to create a warm neutral eye. The glowing taupe, tender copper and rich burgundy shades blend together like a dream for an entirely cohesive eye look that stays in place without creasing all day.
*Smith & Cult Lash Dance Mascara: Two coats of this innovative formula gives my lashes a deep black tint, impressive length and lush volume…definitely worth checking out!
*Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Shine Lipstick (also available at Neiman Marcus ) in #100, #500 and #602. In nude, bright pink and deep aubergine, this trio of shades is an excellent representative of the versatility of this new formula’s color range.
Ragdoll LA Perfume Oil Amber: With notes of cotton, musk and amber-infused honey, this skin scent is marvelous for warm days and cooler nights.
Swatches in direct sunlight.
The following images reflect all products in action in afternoon sunlight…
Ragdoll LA Vintage Tee in Bone White: A new favorite in my style routine, this buttery smooth cotton tee is the perfect off white; seriously considering a backup as I’ve already worn it 3 times since purchasing last week! In my opinion, no one makes cotton crew neck tees better than Ragdoll!
Frame Denim Le High Skinny Jeans: I generally wear a size 25 in this cut, which has a higher waist without corset-like discomfort. The denim is super soft and can be effortlessly dressed up or down.
Ragdoll LA Ribbed Tee in Rose: 100% cotton in a delicate nude blush tone, this ribbed tee works well alone while thin enough to be layered to the hilt.
L’Agence Slim Fit Denim Jacket: An easy way to wear denim on denim, this light wash number has body-conscious lines for an interesting update on a classic cut.
Good things ahead, including an on-location story, a couple of top seven (foundation! lip color!) lists a video tutorial and a host of new product procurements…stay tuned and have a beautiful end of the month.
Comment (1)
Beautiful. Thank you for this Beauty Professor!