My Valentino Beauty Picks and Skincare, Beauty and Style for the Seasonal Transition

With just ten days left in August (how, even, did that happen?!), I am actively working to transition my routine for fall with new selections from Valentino Beauty (available now at Nordstrom) and some fresh skincare, makeup and style discoveries. I can’t believe that I’ll be back to teaching seven college classes online at the end of the month!

Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of everything in action as well as the Bottom Line…

// VALENTINO BEAUTY //

Before writing this story, I received many requests from you guys for a review of the newly launched Valentino Beauty line. I am excited to share the three products that called my name while browsing the Nordstrom site. The packaging is truly next-level opulence and the formulations are equally magnificent.

Foundation

Ever a foundation-phile, the Valentino Very Valentino 24-Hour Wear Liquid Foundation in MA4: was of great interest. I used the swatches online to color match myself to Medium Amber 4 (approximately NC 35) and it is spot on! This super smooth foundation imparts medium to full coverage in a single pump. After testing it while running errands for 6+ hours on a very humid day, I was stunned by the results. My skin looked absolutely flawless without the slightest hint of creasing or pooling. The natural matte finish had morphed into a slightly satin finish that never required a touchup.  I have had a consistently positive experience each and every time that I wear it. Also, while I haven’t worn it for a full 24 hours, the long-wear claims are substantiated.

Powder Foundation

Because I often use cheek color on my eyes in a pinch, I was duly intrigued by the Valentino Eye2Cheek in 09 Poudre. This cream to powder formulation features silky color payoff in an array of hues that can be used on. As its moniker implies, both the eyes and cheeks. Poudre appeared to be a pale peach in the swatches I viewed online. However, it has more of a soft salmon pink energy in person. I’ve been blending it on my eyelids with my finger tips. I use the excess on the apples of my cheeks for a luminous flush that looks entirely effortless. I can’t wait to try other shades in this formula!

Lipstick

For lips, the Valentino Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick in 101A Hot Beige is divine. More pink than beige, this creamy shade is a lovely mix of rose, peach and nude. It has an intense wash of color that somehow feels weightless. I have been wearing this lipstick nonstop for the past couple of weeks and highly recommend it as an initial foray into the world of Valentino Beauty…you won’t regret it.

// SKINCARE + MORE //

While I’ve been diligent with my sunscreen application this summer (the barely there yet extremely high-performance *Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 has been invaluable for me the last month), I always exit the season with a few extra freckles and dark spots and the fall is the ideal time to proactively banish them. The new peptide rich *Sisley-Paris L’Integral Anti-Age Radiance Anti-Dark Spot Serum coupled with the *Sisley-Paris L’Integral Anti-Age Cream work in tandem to brighten and refine. Love the weightless gel-serum texture while adding a masterful dose of anti-aging moisture. Adds to the glowing a radiant complexion that only gets better with regular use. I’m also fond of the multitasking *Sisley-Paris L’Integral Anti-Age Eye and Lip Contour Cream which I’ve been using steadily for years. The gold and ceramic rolling massage tool adds a beautiful self-care dimension. These effectively work to de-puff while enhance absorption of the cream itself.

Cleansing Foam

To cleanse, I’ve been embracing the *Clé de Peau Beauté Softening Cleansing Foam (reviewed HERE). It starts as a thick cream and morphs into a gentle foam once mixed with water. It removes every last trace of makeup without stripping and my skin feels so soft and balanced. I also adore the extra nourishing Agent Nateur Holi Glow Ageless Eye Serum. This botanical-rich gel adds the most bouncy and ethereal glow to the orbital area. But it also can be applied anywhere on the face for additional illumination. I love it so much that I actually care one in my handbag!

Highlighter

Speaking of glow, the *Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist creates the most beautiful highlights on medium and light brown hair. I’ve been using it all summer (pro tip: spray it on when you know you’re going to be outside in the sun for awhile) and love that it contains no peroxide or bleach. So, the blending effect is subtle and not the slightest bit damaging. I also combat damage by using a Slip Silk Pillowcase every single night…the difference that this makes in terms of reducing tangles and breakage is noteworthy and the experience of sleeping on silk is so luxurious.

Cream

For body I find myself reaching for the *Sisley-Paris Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion Hydrating Satin Body Veil as it is a perfect hybrid of my heavier and lighter creams; it instantly absorbed and leaves my skin feeling silky and smelling incredible. While on the topic of scents, I keep mine at bay with the brilliant Agent Nateur Uni Sex No. 5 Deodorant, which has a fresh yet sensual smell and 100% clean ingredients that wholly work. To usher in the cooler months ahead, I find that the *Parfums de Marly Pegasus Exclusif is a divine option.  The crisp yet warm bergamot, lavender, oud and amber juice has that fall is in the air feeling while remaining dynamically modern (read: no common autumnal spice notes).

// SUMMER-to-FALL MAKEUP //

In addition to the Valentino Very Valentino 24-Hour Wear Liquid Foundation, I’ve been wearing a lot of two other foundations for these transitional times. The Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Cream Foundation O50 is easily in my top five foundations. Just a pea sized amount yields smoothing medium coverage that lasts the day without need for touch ups (SO very good, you guys) and the BY TERRY Hyaluronic Hydra-Foundation 400N is a–you guessed it–hyaluronic acid-rich formula that plays well with all skin types including dry skin.

Concealer

To conceal, just a touch of the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer 6 (reviewed HERE) takes care of business and the new *Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light Catcher in Honey Star is utterly resplendent for setting makeup, blurring pores and adding a flashback-free gorgeous warm glow. In the images at the end of this post, I also used the *Kosas Color and Light Blush in Contrachroma (my absolute favorite of these beautiful clean blush/highlight duos) which can take the place of bronzer and the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand (just opened up a new one!) for a lit-from-within radiance on the high points of my face.

Lipstick

For eyes, I always have the Dior 24-Hour Style Eyeliner in Matte Green in my bag (also on my waterline in the images that follow) and love that it is retractable, just like the *Lancome Le Crayon Contouring Lip Crayon in Rosy, which is a creamy mauve pink that works with a spectrum of lip color shades. I paired with all three lipstick looks in this post including Valentino Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick in 101A Hot Beige (of course) as well as Sisley-Paris Beige Manhattan, which is a lush and sophisticated medium to deep rosy brown nude and the new MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Thanks It’s MAC which is a shiny pinky nude mauve that will look good on absolutely everyone (get this…you’ll love it). 

Swatches of some of my summer-to-fall makeup recommendations in natural indoor lighting.

The following images reflect everything in action…

// STYLE NOTES 01 //

 

For days when it’s cool but not cold and warm yet not hot, this off the shoulder number in a flattering waffle weave hits just right. I paired it with some of my favorite shorts of life…the Alix NYC Shorts (reviewed HERE) which are made of lightweight faux leather and feature a stretchy high waist and flouncy cut around the legs that is endlessly comfortable and flattering. Toss on a gold choker and some chic Gucci sandals (a genius way to instantly elevate your look) and this outfit is transitional dressing at its most effortless.

// STYLE NOTES 02 //

For fancier occasions, this Alice and Olivia Jacquard Dress feels like a homage to Clueless with a dash of grown up class. The thick embroidered fabric allows one to skip a bra and I dressed it down with a gloriously oversized denim trucker jacket (I wear this one in a size medium multiple times a week) in a faded wash that matches everything. The Gucci sandals seamlessly work with this combination, too…I know I’ll be getting a lot of wear out of this pair!

 

–Shop the Post–

Bottom Line:

I hope you enjoyed this look at my key Valentino Beauty picks as well as some of my skincare, beauty and style favorites for the seasonal transition and would love to know what caught your eye!

Good things ahead, including a fresh video on my channel. Also, a host of new product procurements for fall…cannot wait to share.

Stay strong, seek wisdom, much love and more soon,

xx

–The Beauty Professor

 

**Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. Press samples indicated by asterisk. As always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own.  © 2012-21 Beauty Professor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.