YSL's Touche Éclat Lives Up To The Fame

I've been meaning to find out why everyone is so in love with YSL's Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Luminizer but it wasn't until Sephora finally started carrying the brand (in select stores and online) that I had the impetus to buy it. Well, now I get it. It is an AWESOME highlighter and concealer. It really knocks the socks off any other under eye concealer I've tried. I LOOOOVE the bottom click gold pen. It is so glamorous and yet so practical. I can throw it in my mini makeup bag in my purse and have it available anywhere.

I purchased the lightest shade, Luminous Radiance, which works well for me to hide dark shadows and light blemishes. I might try the next shade darker as well, Luminous Ivory, for other areas of my face like my nose and chin. A professional makeup artist (who did not work for YSL) told me she didn't use foundation personally, only two shades of Touche Éclat to hide imperfections and highlight her features subtly. And she certainly looked radiant, and foundation free.

I highly recommend trying the Touch Éclat, even if it is pricey ($40). It is a piece of luxury, the only one you might be able to budget in during these crazy times of economic turmoil. At least we have makeup, right?! Argh. Well, if you are losing sleep over money worries, at least this will hide the shadows!

Radiant Lovely!

Anastasia's Brow Duality

A well known trick used by makeup artists is highlighting the inner corners of the eyes to make you look more awake and your eyes look bigger and brighter. I've used varies different highlighting pencils over the years, but Anastasia's are my new favorites. They have a new set out called Brow Duality in two shades so that everyone can get the highlighting they want, whatever your skin tones.

The Brow Duality pencils are dual ended (hence the name) and they come two tones. You can get either Sand/Camille, pink tones of matte and shimmer highlighters, or Lace/Shell, tan tones of matte and shimmer highlighters. Personally, I used the matte end under my brows, to give them definition without adding any darkness to the actual brows. Then I use the shimmer end on the inner corner of my eye and under my bottom lashes a bit. The effect is a beautiful subtle glow. But you could use either side anywhere really. It's all about what your are trying to highlight and how much you want things to pop!

So try one out, which ever will go with your skin tones the best or sounds like the color tones you usually use. I like the Sand/Camille most of the time but the Lace/Shell looks nice if I'm doing a golden glowy look on my eyes. The matte end may not work for all darker skin tones but I think the shimmers could compliment anyone. Brow Duality will be available at Sephora stores starting around October 23 for $23.

Highlight Lovely!

My First MAC Mineralized Skinfinish

I finally got my MAC package in the mail yesterday and I am in LOVE with the Mineralized Skinfinish in Light Flush from the N Collection (the one pictured is Warmth, a golden bronze with light yellow gold veining, but Light Flush is a soft pastel pink with deep bronze veining). It is incredibly divine and absolutely stunning.

Ok, I'm using a bit of hyperbole here, but it’s just so PRETTY! I have friends who love their mineralized skinfinishes, but I never understood what the big deal was... now I do. I put it over my favorite powder blush, MAC Springsheen, and it just makes me feel like I'm glowing, without looking cheesy or overly made up. This is definitely going to be a regular addition to my makeup routine.

Glow Lovely!

Highlight This!

A favorite product of mine right now is highlighter. With the winter months upon us, skin can tend to get sallow and dead looking without proper sun. They bring a little much needed glam to your eyes and cheeks. Highlighters add a bit of shine and life to your features, without any fake-looking tan color. A little swipe on top of your cheekbone or under your eyebrow can make your features POP! It also photographs really well. So rock those wintry pale complexions, with one of my picks for highlighters this season:

Bare Escentual's i.d. bareMinerals All-Over Face Color in True is a glimmering loose powder that can be used all over the face to create a subtle coraly-pink glow.


Benefit's High Beam is a classic liquid highlighter. It creates a soft, subtle glow wherever you brush it on and blend it in. You can even mix it with your liquid foundation to create an all over subtle glow.

For a more sparkly, holiday look, try Givency's Prisme Solitaire All-Over Diamond-Effect Powder. This limited edition compact can be used on the eyes, cheeks, lips and even your shoulders and neckline, to create a subtle yet stunning glow. It comes in a leather ring box with a brush, as part of Givency's Holiday 2007 collection.

MAC has some beautiful options for highlighters, one being their Iridescent Pressed Powder in Belightful. This finely milled powder contains Mica and other pigments to give you a soft, subtle glow. It can be worn alone or with foundation.

Shine Lovely!

A Perfect 10

Who doesn't want to be a perfect 10? And be able to do it with as little work as possible? Well, one of my hometown favorite brands has a product that will help you do just that! I fell in love with Benefit Cosmetics long ago at a makeup counter in Bloomie's on my first trip to New York. But seeing as they are based in my lovely city of San Francisco, they now hold a special place in my heart.

Benefit seems to come out with new products every week. I can't keep track or atempt to try them all. Awhile ago, I was browsing through my Sephora downtown where the Benefit display is right in front of the door, and I discovered 10.

It is a flawless way to get your bronzer and highlighter applied in "One Sexy Sweep." I love the colors on my fair skin, although it may not work for darker skinned ladies. :( Sometimes I use just the highlighter for some glow on top my blush, but together they really make my cheek bones pop, not that they need much help! So check it out and check out all the other new things Benefit is coming up with.

Sweep Lovely!