Tuesday, January 31, 2017

L'Oreal Micellar Cleansing Water




The New Year is bringing  a lot of great new releases from L'Oreal and one is their own Micellar Cleansing Water.

It comes in three types,  Normal to Oily for me.  It's a great Micellar ; works fast, really cleans including waterproof mascara and into pores , doesn't irritate  and even though this one is for oilier skins it stills feels soothing on skin and leaves behind a bit of moisture so skin doesn't feel tight.


The three varieties are : Normal/Dry , Normal/Oily and Waterproof Makeup/All Skin Types.

L'Oreal Micellar Cleansing Water  is sugg. retail $ 9.99  for a 13.5 oz bottle and is available now.





Sunday, January 29, 2017

It Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact Solid Serum Foundation



Confidence in a Cream is top seller for It Cosmetics  and now the company has incorporated it into a creamy solid foundation .

Confidence in a Compact comes in a sharp looking silver compact with a separate compartment for the included sponge and makeup. The top of the compact is a full mirror.It's very similar to Cushion Compacts.


While called a foundation this acts more like  a BB or CC Cream. It has nice  coverage but more light to medium, somewhat sheer,  than full and doesn't cover like a full coverage foundation would.  It applies easily with a sponge , fingers or their new Heavenly Skin- Skin Smoothing brush. If you do the use the brush, you'll need to make sure to pick up a  lot of product with it. Just swirling it in and over the cream a little  didn't pick up enough  at first. I prefer using a sponge to grab more product but it all works.  If you have deep redness, or dark spots you'll probably still need some concealer but once this sets skin looks smooth and more even with pores pretty well filled in.


While this is moisturizing , it feels light on skin leaving a slightly dewy finish.  The formula uses the brand's  proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Regenerative Concentrate and ingredients include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, tea tree leaf, avocado and grape seed seed oils , colloidal oatmeal and squalene . All  good skin helpers usually found in skincare not color products.

The SPF 50 is broad spectrum using titanium and zinc oxide physical sunscreens.

It Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact Solid Serum Foundation comes in six shades (Fair is shown.  They tend to look deeper in the pan than on skin )  and is $ 38 .

New Heavenly Skin - Skin Smoothing  Complexion Brush is $ 48.

Available in February at Ulta and online now at www.itcosmetics.com


Thursday, January 26, 2017

Shiseido Wetforce Sports BB SPF 50+


  
Shiseido is adding to their WetForce SPF line with a tinted BB. 

Wetforce is a formula that becomes more effective when exposed to perspiration or water for 30 minutes. So it's perfect for active endeavors but  every day is an adventure too. 


This leaves a dewy finish with light to medium coverage. I was impressed with the coverage here , it's very  good for a BB and can easily be worn on it's own.  It covers pores well ( something I have a huge issue with ) and also smoothes and perfects  skin a little.   Unlike many BBs this is thin,  and you don't need a lot to blend it out. 



While this might seem like something you need for Summer, if you do winter sports like skiing or snowboarding you'll need plenty of SPF  or if you run or walk outside  every day.  ** Edit July-  the wear time is long in the heat.  After hours  in and outdoors  and even by the pool, it didn't budge** With it's high SPF and durability even with perspiration it's great to tuck in the weekend trip bag. 

The SPF is both physical and chemical with  Octinoxate 4.9% and Titanium Dioxide 15% .


There are three shades available, I have Medium which is just right for my fairly pale skin. Shiseido face products tend to run very light so if you are super pale you'll be good with the light shade. 

Shiseido Wetforce BB SPF 50+ is $ 38 for 1 oz. 









Tuesday, January 24, 2017

MAC Scrubtious



Have you checked out MAC's new Scrubtious yet?

This little pot of deliciousness is the brand's new lip scrub and it is as the names suggests, scrumptious. If you loved their Tendertones from years back, these are very reminiscent of those but with scrub particles added.


You get a slight tint of color , I have Candied Nectar here,  with a lot of moisture,  just a small amount of scrub particles and slight shine. This is not gritty at all but has just enough in there to smooth lips . It also has a great fruity scent and taste . Candied Nectar has just a slight peach tint with a peach/ strawberry sort of flavor.

The exfoliating  is sugar based and shea butter and grape seed oil add the moisture .  For Winter ,  it's pretty perfect.

MAC Scrubtious comes in five flavors , is $ 16  and permanent.




Monday, January 23, 2017

Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Foundation




The first Shiseido Synchro Skin foundation was, and is, a good one.  Shiseido is building on that with their new  Synchro Skin Glow.

This new formula is also a winner and  I am almost liking it more than the original. I have been using it almost every day for the past  week. Possibly because my skin is a bit drier come Wintertime and this is less matte than Synchro Skin  , which is great when it's 95 degrees out.


Synchro Skin Glow is a radiant fluid formula , it doesn't have shimmer  but it does luminize skin, giving it a bit of a glow and brightens.  It's lightly hydrating but is not overly dewy or heavy and has a weightless, easy feel on skin.

The coverage here is medium, somewhat buildable and it seemed to work best leaving it sets a bit between layers. It is a thinner formula and blends out easily.  Once on, skin looks bright and healthy with a natural but covered finish. Wear time is good, with a touch up needed on my always oily T Zone at noon and again at 5 .    Note  it is not oil free with both Argan Oil and Cranberry Seed Oil in the ingredients for hydration. 


This  SPF 20 using Octinoxate and Titanium Dioxide.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Foundation  comes in 13 shades ( shown is Neutral 2)  and is $ 45 .








Sunday, January 22, 2017

10 yr Blogversary

Dick Page @ Band Of Outsiders

 Yesterday marked 10 years of The Beauty Alchemist. It's hard to believe but at the same time it seems like it's always been there. I look at time often as pre-blog or after I started. It's such a huge part of my life. One I am incredibly thankful for.

MAC x Richard Phillips Launch

I can't believe the wonderful gifts doing this blog has given me.  Things that were long held dreams I didn't expect to realize like attending fashion week, meeting Duran Duran (My 15 yr old self would never have imagined and my adult self was floating  all month.) and hanging out watching makeup artists like Dick Page, James Kaliardos, Tom Pecheux and more work their magic backstage.

Lady Gaga
These  makeup artists and hairstylists who I'd been reading about in magazines for so long were standing in front of me. Speaking to me , letting me in  a little on their process and putting up with my gaping (and once knocking over a stool nearby).

DURAN DURAN

The highlights are many and I'm sharing a few throwbacks here  and special memories here including that time I met Lady Gaga .

Peter Som w/ makeup by Tom Pecheux 2009

Then there are  the lovely ladies ( and a few men) who are fellow bloggers and PR reps.  I've met so many wonderful people, many of whom I can call friend .

Kim Ovitz Show 2009

And to readers, THANK YOU for stopping by or hitting up my Twitter or IG feeds.  I truly enjoy sharing my love of beauty and hope you enjoy reading about it.

Let's keep it going.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

MAC Crystal Glaze Gloss - It's A Great Feeling- Kabuki Magic



I think this is the star product in the   MAC Makeup Art Cosemtics line created with three makeup artist masters.

Crystal Glaze Gloss is from Kabuki and I couldn't love this more. It looks  fabulous just in the pot all  swirly, shiny red . Then you put it on and get a sheer orange-y red color loaded with shine and a little shimmer on your lips. I love it as is, but it will make a great lipstick top coat too.


Like many glosses it doesn't last super long on but it is very moisturizing and the moisture stays along with a little color.

MAC Crystal Glaze Gloss ( it comes in one other color-Ice Follies , a sheer pearl) is LE and $ 21.

The collection will be available online and in store today.




Tuesday, January 17, 2017

MAC Today We Live Blush Duo- Kabuki MagicCollection



 
The Makeup Art Cosmetics collection designed by three top makeup artists is a huge one. I have only tried some of it, and from what I've seen there is a lot to love.


Today We Live is a blush duo by Kabuki. One side is a bright, rich  peachy coral with pearl shimmer and the other a   matte medium tan/brown .  Swirled together they make a shimmery light bronze shade .  Both have  very good pigment but they also have  fallout, especially the coral shade so tap your brush off before use.

It's a beautiful  combo to get ready for Summer no matter what the thermometer says  and if you happen to be taking a Caribbean vacay , tuck this in your bag and you're set.


MAC Today We Live Blush Duo by Kabuki is $ 33 and LE.

The collection is available online and in store January 19th - February 16th.

Monday, January 16, 2017

MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection on Insta

I won't get a  full post up today on the pretty fab Makeup Art Cosmetics collection done with the three top makeup artists but if you hit up my Instagram page you'll get a look at Kabuki's Crystal  Glaze Gloss ( LOVE) .


Next up  there will be a peek at James Kaliardos lippies and face compact.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Emjoi eRase e60 Epilator


 Over the past month I gave a try to to my first ever electronic hair remover.  It's something I always wanted to test out but had never actually tried one.  Since I am seeing more  hairs pop out in places like my chin where I don't want hair, it seemed like a good idea. 

The Emjoi eRase e60 is a compact unit but one that gets the job done pretty easily. It has  60 tweezer action discs  so it can  remove hair from the root. There is also a sensitive skin shield that covers part of the tweezer discs and that's what I used.  It's worked well and my skin after feels fine. 

The discomfort is minimal.  You feel a slight , quick pinch and that's it. It works fast and once hair is out, skin feels smooth and the hair is gone. Not much too it I am happy to say. . 


You glide the unit back and forth gently over skin or you can use it in a circular motion while holding skin taut. It's also best if skin is clean and just out of the shower for less sting. Just don't go over the same area more than once, that's the only time I did have a tiny bit of leftover sting.  A lesson from my trial and error
  


The eRase e60  is a smaller unit that fits in the palm of your hand. It also comes with a storage pouch for easy transport if traveling or storing away  and  comes in the pretty floral pattern . 

You can grab yours at https://emjoi.com/AP-14EB/emjoi-erase-e60 or on QVC for 79.95




Wednesday, January 11, 2017

NARS Asphalt Jungle & Aragon Lipgloss




NARS Spring line, Wildfire, is heavy with  rich browns, burnt reds and bronzes . These are my colors so this whole collection has my name on it.

The two new lipglosses feel like they were made for me so if you also lean towards these shades , you'll love them . Both have medium pigment and are a comfortable not overly tacky gloss.


Asphalt Jungle could not be more perfect. It reminds of  a favorite lipshade I had years ( and years ago aka a teenager)  that I wore  all the time .  A medium bronzy brown shot through with shimmer , or Shimmering Sangria per NARS ( spot on description)  it gleams on lips.  This works now in the cold temps and come warm weather will look so good against a tan or bronzer.

Aragon is a creme  reddish chestnut brown . A '90s throwback but with more dimension. It's very wearable and will pop against our camel wool coats or black puffers. There are two eyeshadow duos in this collection  and one, the turquoise/copper Chaing Mai , is the perfect complement to this shade.



NARS Asphalt Jungle and Aragon Lipglosses are $ 26 and available now at NARS.com, January 15 at Sephora and February 1 at department stores.





Monday, January 9, 2017

NARS Bumpy Ride Blush-Spring 2017



NARS is at again , bringing it with a hot new blush color for Spring.

Bumpy Ride is anything but , it's a smooth beauty of  orange/ coral bound to brighten  us up.  NARS calls this color "shimmering candy pink", but to my eye it's far more of a peachy orange .  It reminds a little of Torrid but is lighter and not as deep coral .


There is light shimmer, nothing overdone but enough to give you  a little bit of glow. The color payoff, as usual with most NARS blushes, is good with medium to full pigment and it is buildable and blends out well. My swatch is three  quick light layers. I'm going to be honest here , my top picture does not do the color justice, the swatch is more on point.

This is one of those colors that instantly gives your face "pop" but at the same time it's not really bold making it easily worn . It's going right into the rotation over here. Winter pallor begone.

NARS Bumpy Ride Blush is $ 30 and available now at NARS.com, January 15 at Sephora and February 1 at department stores.





Sunday, January 8, 2017

Algenist Elevate Firming & Lifting Contouring Serum/ Eye Cream



We'll call this a dynamic duo. Just in time for me to work seriously on my skin as I usually do in Winter, come these two new from Algenist .

 As I get older , I see more of a need for lifting and firming. I know no cream is going to change my skin dramatically and suddenly lift everything where it was 10 years ago but I also know that good skincare is a step in the right direction and can help. So I have been applying the Elevate Serum almost every night for weeks.


Both eye cream and serum have  Alguronic Acid and ProPeptide3 along with gold and apple extract, all things we have been told are tops for skin.  I like that  it's lightly moisturizing, just right for my normal  skin and not heavy.  I can add a moisturizer over it if needed, but for me , just this is  usually  enough. It has a light feel  and sinks in well. 

I feel like my skin looks more clarified and smoother so far.  I am especially into putting this alongside my mouth , those darn marionette lines, that I have just started to notice.   They seem a bit better and I'll take it. 


The one odd thing here is that the serum does some tiny shimmer to it. I use it mainly at night and I need no shimmer then but for day it would be ok. It is very subtle. 

The eye cream  has a lot of moisture but also feels  light on. It's great for these cold  temps to use day and night to soothe  and smooth eye area skin as well as add some firming.

Algenist Elevate Firming & Lifting Contouring Serum is $ 108
Algenist Elevate Firming & Lifting Contouring Eye Cream is $ 72





Wednesday, January 4, 2017

NARS Soft Matte Concealer



Available the first of this month , in time to cover  all the fun from the holiday weekend is NARS newest concealer- Soft Matte Complete.

Their Radiant Creamy Concealer is a staple here , it's a good one and I am loving this new matte one which NARS claims is their highest coverage yet.


Having an oil free matte concealer is great for those with oily skin but also when just want something natural looking without heaviness that simply covers. This adds medium to full coverage , is creamy and blends easily with no drag but  it's not overly emollient.  It's matte but not dry or masky  and works great under eye as well as other areas. I don't find this settles into any lines under eye , it smoothes and conceals well but without a heavy concealed look. It sets well once on and blurs out spots and imperfections nicely.

 So far in my  testing it has lasted well and it said to be long wear.   As usual with NARS there is a wide shade range so most skintones should find a match .

Shown are Honey -Light 3 and Cannelle- Light 2.75. These fall in the mid range of lighter shades.


Ingredients include peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants along with Optimal Diffusion Powder for the blur effect.

NARS Soft Matte Concealer is $ 30

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Maybelline Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer

 

Among the New Year launches from Maybelline is a top notch concealer.

New Brightening Creamy Concealer comes in a stick formula that glides on easily,is creamy and blends well . It's not super creamy however, it doesn't feel heavy on or have a lot of slip. This makes it nice for  all skin types including oily. I know I don't like a greasy concealer on already shiny skin.


It has natural look  but offers medium to full coverage and it sets fast once on. Under eyes the extra brightening ( the company says ingredients include light reflecting pearls) is always a plus but it can be used anywhere.

 At the price point, this is a great find. I passed one on to my 70 yr old Aunt at Christmas and she loves it as much as I do.

Maybelline Brightening Creamy Concealer comes in 6 shades and retail is $ 7.99