{Beauty Bloom} Defining Eye Shadow Palettes & Bronzers/Powders

 

Yes, spring is there, thank our good God, and yes soft colors and hues are begging to be worn! I'm in love with just about every spring collection most of my fave brands have rolled out. I've yet to try a single one, but when I do, I'll make sure to clue you in. But I'm also a fan of non-conventional approach to beauty and trends. While everyone else is rocking pastels and neutrals, I'm still looking at bolder, more pigmented colors. I mean, we all still have fiestas and dates to go on, right!? 

And, while the sun is still hiding but around the corner, we could all use a bit of brightening in a sexy way. Bronzers are the easy and much cheaper way to accomplish that. No fake tanning, no unhealthy baking in the sun and much more of a natural look. I've been swearing by Laura Mercier's Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 02 so much, I've gone through two in 3 months. It's sheer, clean, super light, but has a beautifully natural shimmered color with decent coverage. Used on top of my L'Oreal true match concealer creates a perfect day look. A bit of light can hit your face and you can easily feel like you're having that J. Lo glow!

But, I'm digressing! Here are some recently new palettes and bronzers/powders I'm lusting this spring for evening looks and a more sultry day look. 

Tory Burch D'Ombres a Paupiers. Love the color scheme and silky feel of the shadows in this "Catch" box. They've not creased and blend so well with each other. Not to mention the casing is just too pretty with the floral pattern. Try Wild Card and Morning Glory together! Check out the "Cat's Meow" box which I think is even better with golden espresso notes; you know me! Anything that reads espresso makes my heart flutter.

Laura Mercier Radiance Baked Body Bronzer. This is everything. Just everything. If you want to extend the pretty, sexy feel beyond your already lovely face, go with this (using their bronzer blush which I need to share, too!) to apply to your shoulders and décolletage. The gold shimmers are noticeable and last a long time. You can't go wrong this one.

Urban Decay "Smoked" Palette. This was made for haute MUAs and travelers. I've been taking this with me on recent long trips but haven't played with it enough to figure out which combination works best. Though, if you're a cult UD fan, then you know this will work. I'm feeling Loaded and Asphalt a whole lot.

Lancome Color Design Illuminatrice du Regard is for the classy lady that doesn't really have time to figure out color combinations.  These mini 3 in 1 are great for learning. The Rosy Flush and Jacaranda Bloom are fabulous colors for transition from day to night. Save the neutral palettes for really hot, steamy days when you don't even want to think about makeup!

COURRÈGES/ Estée Lauder Illuminations Face Powder. Who knew the popular beauty brand, once led by a protége of the Spanish power house, Balenciaga, would make a come back and partner up with Estée Lauder, using Kendall Jenner as their muse. Their new capsule collection "Pop-timistic" embodies a futuristic aesthetic with some 3-d elements. I'm digging the face powder --- not to wash me out like the white eyeliner may do -- rather to equalize and brighten up some of my sleepless night look I'm experiencing lately. There's a fix for everything, I swear! I'll report back on the other yumminess from this all white collection -- especially on the kabuki brush.

All are available on counters now. If not, order online is always an options.

* This an editorial in which I was provided samples to write this. All opinions are my own, true and honest! I only write about things I truly do love and think you should know about! ;) 

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Radiant Orchid: The Color of the Year

“This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium. While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations.”

~ Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

Not quite 'Radiant Orchid,' but a pink hue within the palette. My neighbor's weeping cherry blossom. Via my Instagram. 

L'Oreal's 'Violet Vixen' at home mani c/o Sunsweet.  See more my Instragram.

Love, love the global, eclectic sexy vibe to this room. 

These are the things about the fashion industry I love. It has a voice that dictates so much of how consumers behave. Not sure if I'm really for that kind of subliminal power, but here I am highlighting the lovely color of the year: Radiant Orchid. Though it's mid-April, it's never too late to enjoy elements made up in the beautiful hue. 

It also just so happens that orchids are one of my top 3 favorite flowers ever. There's something extremely evocative about them. If I had a huge, lavish bathroom, it'd be laced in orchids of all color, mostly white and yellow-hued ones, interwoven with this pretty purple color. 

Of all the beauty and fashion products out this year and coated in this purplish, pinkish, color, I found a select few I'm particularly loving. I've tried most, lusting some, and just think I need to own it, no matter how impractical --- like the purple KitchenAid mixer. While every single cook (like myself) is required to own of these babies, this gorgeous purple one just doesn't go with anything in my kitchen. But isn't it sweet?! 

But those plush velvet vintage like lounge chairs in that color have me swooning. I love, love them. I envision an even bigger dressing room where I can cuddle in one of them, reading a good book after a taxing week of work. 

So on to the goodies I've tried.

Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvintating Elixir is everything you need for a short term treatment to damaged hair. While I'm still using 100% natural products during my journey to full restructure, this is perfect for when I travel. It's a bit thicker than an oil based elixir, but it penetrates the scalp pretty well. It's meant to strengthen and combat 8 visible signs of aging hair. I'm not quite at that stage yet, but it's good to be ready. The bottle's color fits the Pantone palette. Don't worry-- it's not the actual elixir. 

Lancome's Rouge in Love matte lipstick is my latest lip color obsession. I recently featured it in this post, but this 'Violet Valentine' color is right in the middle of orchid hue. It'll stay on about 6 hours. It's that perfect. Don't dab clear lip gloss on it. You want that strong matte effect to do its job!

Lieber Moment 214 is the latest scent by luxe scent house Krigler. With its lavender notes, this luxurious perfume is for the discerning woman that just knows what attracts anyone around her. She's confident and bold, yet graceful and gentle. Find it in NY and online. It's that exclusive.

Nails Inc., London has just launched a gel line! Yes! I hate getting a gel manicure done because I just don't like sitting there for so long. With these new bottles, you can do it a home and still have the same effect. And of course, they'd be out of the loop if they didn't come out with a color for the year. Their 'Summer Lilac' from the Lexington Gardens line is really pretty. And it's matte.

Laura Mercier's caviar stik in 'Orchid' is the softest thing I've applied on my eyes since Estée Lauder's creme shadows from two years ago. It's so easy to use and carry around. Light shimmer makes it perfect for evening, too, though the color is really soft.

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In collage: Dress by Colin Cowie Weddings; Hunter violet boots via Hunter website.
Other images: Interior design originally found on Pinterest; purple KitchenAid originally found on Zullily.

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