It’s finally April (March felt like the longest, no?) and, with hope and optimism in the midst of uncertainty, I am starting off this month off with a cornucopia of new spring beauty. So, from a glorious foundation formula and glowing eyes and cheeks to a concealer of iconic lineage and more lip color than I swatched in a very long time, this post is positively brimming color that inspires me to cast a hopeful look forward into our future.
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of everything in action as well as sales I’m shopping and the Bottom Line…
Face Forward: Spring Launches from BY TERRY, SUQQU, Armani, Jouer, and Kevyn Aucoin
The foundation that has been on my face most in the past two weeks is the brilliant *SUQQU Nude Wear EX Liquid Foundation. This recently reformulated wonder feature a buildable coverage and it’s lightweight fluid texture. It’s breathtakingly beautiful skin finish that lasts the entire day without the slightest need for touch ups. What kind of alchemy produces such a result?!
I have found good shade matches in both 035 (@NC 25-27) and 230 (@N 25-27). However, I have been reaching for the more olive toned 035 regularly as it is positively seamless on my skin. Just a few drops transforms uneven skin into a perfected canvas that simply looks like really good skin. Also, it is always the unequivocal foundation goal. Because of its light liquid texture, it can be blended on to the skin with one’s finger tips. So, you can a beauty sponge with equal efficacy; on most days, I prefer to do a combination approach (see this video tutorial HERE for a look at my approach) to achieve medium coverage.
Nonetheless, espite having approximate 4524890 foundations, I am compelled to state that there is something extra special about this formula. Also, it feels like nothing on the skin (as evidenced by the images in direct sunlight at the end of this post) yet produces massive perfecting results and it is fragrance free with exemplary ingredients and SPF 25 to boot!
It is for these reasons and more that I earnestly and wholeheartedly recommend the *SUQQU Nude Wear EX Liquid Foundation. So, try it and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
SUQQU’s Nude Wear Liquid Ex foundation glides on the skin and gives instant illumination. Yep, it’s packed with the beauty buff’s “Complexion Powder” and gives the illusion of a bare face while leaving it feeling smooth to the touch. Oh, and it’s blended with five Japanese natural extracts, too – we’re talking Olive Leaf, Angelica Keiskei Leaf, Alpina Speciosa Leaf, Phytohyalon and Camellia Sinensis Leaf. Also, it gives a fresh glow that lasts all day is definitely on the cards here.
Next, I am beyond excited to show you a glimpse at some key summer launches from BY TERRY. Terry always approaches summer products with genius and aplomb, infusing sunny energy and golden radiance into each and every piece. So. let’s begin with the inspired *BY TERRY Brightening CC Palette. The ornate rose gold palette houses four delicate rose embossedpowders to highlight, blush and bronze one’s complexion while effectively blurring pores and fine lines…it’s like a customizable filter for the face. Each of the four shades can be applied sheerly for a soft color-infused glow. However, can also be built up to medium opacity for a more intense effect.
The pale champagne beige makes a perfect highlight and under eye setting powder. Also, the baby pink is a gorgeous highlight and blush. Also, the raspberry pink instantly brightens cheeks with a glowing and natural flush. It also has a tan brown sculpt while adding warmth for a definition and a sun kissed look. Moreover, I love that I can do a full face with the entire palette in under a minute. It’s so utilitarian and beautiful that I may need to order a back up.
BY TERRY Ombre Blackstar
For eyes, the *BY TERRY Ombre Blackstarformula has been an absolute favorite since the early days of Beauty Professor. Simply type “Bronze Moon” into the search bar and you’ll see what I mean. That being said, I could hardly contain my excitement at the launch of three limited edition summer shades in exactly the hues I reach for frequently: a warm champagne called Immaculate Light, a effervescent pink called Rose Elixir and a stunning gold-meets-bronze called Sunny Flash. All three work together in perfect harmony (see the images at the end of the post for an example) and are well worth the pursuit. The formula glides on like silk, reflects light without being glittery, resists creasing and remains essentially waterproof until removed. It is an undisputed modern classic for a reason and these three new shades have made me fall in love with *BY TERRY Ombre Blackstarall over again!
Swatches of BY TERRY Summer 2020 in direct sunlight.
Attention lip color lovers, the recently launched *Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstickcomes in 18 shades and 3 different finishes for a lipstick wardrobe update of epic proportions.
The Shine formula performs like a pigmented and glossy balm
The Cream formula offers medium opacity and lush reflective sheen
The Matte formula is velvety full coverage with a brilliant level of hydration.
The sleek purple tubes feature a slender lip color bullet for precise application and each of the three formulas boast fantastic comfort and lasting power. From pale nudes and pinks and roses to deep neutrals and intense aubergines, this range has a color (or 7!) for everyone.
Keep reading for sunlit swatches of each formula…
From L-R, Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Shine Lipsticks in: Suspicious, Roserin, Bell of the Ball, Enigma, Poisonberry and Fatal.
Swatches of the Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Shine Lipsticks in direct sunlight.
From L-R, Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Cream Lipsticks in Immaculate, Thelmadora, Modern Love, Legendary, Wild Orchid and Bloodroses.
Swatches of the Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Cream Lipsticks in direct sunlight.
From L-R: Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Cream Lipsticks in Uninterrupted, Explicit, Infinite, Devastating, Confidential and Bloodroses Noir.
Swatches of the Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Matte Lipsticks in direct sunlight.
I also had a chance to try two shades of the new *Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lip Definer: the pinky nude Undressed and neutral beige nude Divine. Both are creamy, smooth and long wearing with significant color payoff…Undressed has become a regular member of my makeup bag!
To prepare the look found at the end of this post, I applied *Jouer Blush’s Bouquet in Passionwith my Surratt Cheek Brush as a bronzer, mixing both the russet tan and radiant copper tones together and focusing application on the hollows of my cheeks and perimeters of my face. This blush duo has color payoff galore and is invaluable in my collection…it’s a shade pairing that–when applied in varying levels of intensity–benefits and flatters all skin tones.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer in 6.5
I then dotted the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer in 6.5along my orbital region and blended it out with a beauty sponge. This new formula has been on my radar for awhile now and I am glad I finally took the plunge with two shades (both 6.5 and 6 work well with my skin tone). It’s lightweight, buildable and blends like a veritable dream, seamlessly melding into the skin to cover imperfections while resisting creasing. I am duly impressed with this long-awaited formula know it will continue to be a key member in my complexion routine.
For a preternatural highlight, I used my ring finger to gently apply the exquisite *Tower 28 SuperDew Highlight Balmalong the high points of my face including my upper cheek bones, center of forehead, bridge of nose and Cupid’s bow. This non-sticky, completelyshimmer-free formula is rife with clean ingredients that produce a bouncy sheen on the skin that looks equal parts healthy and highly hydrated. This is the first of many Tower 28 products I am testing and subsequently loving…stay tuned for more on BP soon ; )
For the lip look at the end of this post, I primed my pout with the luxe and cushiony Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Jellyfish (on my lips multiple times a week…it’s one of the best treatment’s I’ve encountered to date) and followed with the pinky nude *Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lip Definer in Undressed. I finalized the mix with a healthy dose of the *Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstickin Modern Love, which is a my lips but better pinky mauve shade with magnificent opacity, guaranteed to flatter a spectrum of skin tones.
Lip mix swatches in direct sunlight.
A skincare trifecta to consider.
Skincare Products to Consider
Typically, I open with skincare. But to change things up, I’ll close with three transformative formulas. These have been on my face constantly as of late. The first is the illustrious *Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream and, after 4 bottles used in succession over the past couple of years, I can confidently state that nothing makes my skin look better. For glow that looks fresh and healthy, I love a dropper full of the *111SKIN Rose Gold Radiance Booster. It imparts an incandescence that looks incredible by itself or under foundation for increased illumination. Finally, I am in love with the portable *Sisley-Paris Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid. It features a remarkably cool ceramic tip that dispenses a firming, lifting, line banishing, de-puffing and brightening elixir. The fluid yields noticeable results. I keep it on my beside at night and add more in the morning to combat signs of fatigue…it’s a gem, indeed.
I purchased this dress right before we all received the “stay at home” order with intents of wearing it in the classroom. Although that might not be happening this semester, the dress is still getting plenty of wear as it’s roomy. I’m wearing a medium. It’s relaxed and a nice change up from sweatpants and leggings. When I wear it, I kind of feel like Elaine Benes from Seinfeld in all the best ways.
// SHOPPING SIDEBAR // Outside of grocery procurement, online shopping seems to be the only way these days and I have been embracing the plethora of sales that abound. Here of some that I recommend:
FORME
Technically not a sale but definitely a small business discovery, I am changed with *FORME(also available on Amazon), which is the only shoe stretcher I’ve encountered that is designed to effectively make room in high heels and other shoes with a pointier toe (like these vintage Escada loafers from that were just a half size too snug for my feet). Sleek design gently stretches shoes while maintaining the overall shape, allowing our once cramped toes to celebrate.
Nordstrom is in the midst of its Spring Sale, featuring 40% off a lot, including this perfectly oversized cardigan (I have it in 3 colors…runs large), this beautifully minimalist MCM cross body bag (a stunning deal…for when we have a need to carry purses again) and this Reformation midi fit and flair dress (also own in 2 colors), these iconic Stan Smith Adidas tennis shoes and this pair of Ray Bans (wish they were this price when I got my pair in Paris). Oh look, I just made an outfit ; )
I hope you enjoyed this look at spring launches (foundation! cheek palette! concealer! lipstick!) I’m loving and would love to know what caught your eye…do tell!
Good things ahead, including more tutorials, spring releases and a host of new product procurements; I cannot wait to share.
Also, please know that I am endlessly grateful for each of you in the Beauty Professor community. In this heaviest of times, am praying more than ever for our country and our world.
Stay strong, stay hopeful, stay inside and take good care,
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