DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Eye Soufflé

After trying out the DermaDoctor Kakadu C Amethyst Detox Mask, I very recently added the Eye Soufflé ($68; sephora.com) to my skincare routine. Its a light textured eye cream with a bouncy consistency that feels great on the under eye area.

The Kakadu C Eye Soufflé is loaded with Vitamin C, Peptides and Caffeine and claims to help reduce visible dark circles and brighten the under eye area while moisturizing and firming. Its a nice cream for day and night, and while the product does take sometime to completely absorb, it acts as a barrier by protecting skin from dryness. It also is a good one to pat on before applying concealer (just be sure to wipe off the excess), especially ones that cake and get into fine lines. As for it reducing dark circles, I haven’t seen much of a difference with that, but it does deliver a really nice dose of moisture for the under eye area, without the heavy/greasy feeling. My under eye area looks a tad brighter from time to time though after very regular use, which in turn makes me look just a little less tired. I am going to keep using it until I’m done with the whole jar, which I assume might take quite a while, and will report back if I see a drastic change in my persistant dark circles. That apart, its a really nice cream with a beautiful texture, very light consistency, yet moisturizing enough for day and night, formulated sans synthetic fragrances and parabens.

*Press Sample

Lauren B. Beauty Nail Couture

Lauren B. Beauty Nail Couture ($18; net-a-porter.com) is a nail polish brand new to me, a 5-free nail polish brand with a great formula and brush. 

The color selection is great, ranging from sheer nudes to a gorgeous selection of brights. I tried out a couple of colors from the range, a pastel pink creme, City Of Angels and a bright, almost pistachio green #ImJuicing.The formula on both these were easy to work with, drying time was quick and the polishes lasted a good 2-3 days on me with Essie’s new Gel Setter Top Coat. I did find the cap to be a little oddly shaped and that takes a little practice and cleaning up for perfect results. My nails haven’t been looking the best and are just getting back to better shape, so here are a couple of swatches on a nail wheel for now! Overall, I definitely will be checking out more Lauren B polishes- they are great for the price and the fairly opaque formula, (at least from the couple I’ve tried) is very easy to work with. 

*Press Samples

Cargo Limited Edition Gel Lip Colors in Brooklyn and Chelsea

Cargo launched a few new colors of their Gel Lip Colors ($20; shop;nordstrom.com; press sample) as a limited edition launch this summer. These are hydrating lipsticks in a gel-cream formula that are extremely comfortable to wear. The pigmentation is really nice, buildable and the colors are my kind of neutrals.

I tried out two of four colors from the range - Brookyln, a peachy brown nude and Chelsea, a plum pink, both in a cream, shimmer-free formula. The packaging is nice and weightless and the colors are quite flattering on their own with just a little bit of shine that keeps them natural looking. The formula can cling onto dryness if any, so if you have very dry lips, be sure to apply some lip balm. There’s also no strong scent or taste and the lipsticks last a good 3-4 hours before completely fading. If you like a classic creme lipstick in a lightweight, moisturizing formula, you’ll love the Gel Lip Colors by Cargo!

L-R: Cargo Gel Lip Colors in Brooklyn, Chelsea

Wearing the Cargo Gel Lip Color in Chelsea

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Compact in #5.5

Giorgio Armani’s newest launch in beauty is the Luminous Silk Compact ($62; shop,nordstrom.com). Its a sheer-medium coverage pressed powder that can be used as a foundation or as a setting powder. The product comes with a sponge applicator that can be used on either side for sheer or heavy application, but I only plan on using this as a setting powder than a foundation, so I’ve been using it with a fluffy powder brush.

The texture is extremely finely milled and super smooth to the touch. It feels almost like a cream product until you pick it up with brush, which is when there’a a little bit of fallout, but nothing crazy. As for the shades, I ordered mine online, so I went with 5.5 which seemed like a close match (looked a tad grey and darker in the pan, but goes on just fine) and I really like the way it looks on top light bases like the DiorSkin Nude BB Cream (Medium) and the Guerlain Meteorites Baby Glow (Dore). Since I’ve only been using this mostly as a setting powder, I can’t comment on the way it would take care of blemishes or uneven skin tone, but it is a fabulous setting powder, especially on top of BB creams, Tinted Moisturizers and lighter foundations. I just pick up a little bit with a fluffy brush and dust all over or where needed. It can look a little powdery at first, but settles down well to a satin finish that isn’t too matte or too dewy. After a few hours of wear, it can make skin look a teeny bit dewy, so I can’t really vouch for the oil control properties of this one.

While the packaging is practical and nice, it does feel a little plasticky, but is sturdy enough without being overly bulky - I could have done without the extra layer that houses the sponge underneath. That apart, the product itself is something I’m absolutely loving. My other go to pressed powder compact is the DiorSkin Nude Compact (Apricot Beige 33), which is a little more natural looking than the Armani, but I’ve been switching between the two and really like them both as a sheer layer on top of my lighter coverage bases!

Wearing the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Compact 5.5 on top of the Guerlain Meteorites Baby Glow in Dore; NARS Creamy Radiant Concealer in Ginger with YSL Touche Eclat 5.5 to conceal blemishes and under the eyes. 

NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Telesto & Velvet Shadow Stick in Glenan | NARS Fall 2015 Color Collection

NARS’ new fall Color Collection is beautiful with some new and repromotes, with products focussed mostly on the eyes and lips. I tried out a couple of pieces from the collection, the Dual Intensity Eyesahdow in Telesto ($29; narscosmetics.com), a gorgeous, warm bronzy golden brown with very eye-catching shimmer and the Velvet Shadow Stick in Glenan ($29; narscosmetics.com), an almost matte velvet textured navy.

The Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Telesto is in a color family that I always gravitate towards. It looks beautiful wet or dry and the intensity can be built up by using a flat shader brush. Used dry, it blends really well with hardly any fallout and is a perfect warmer nude without going overboard with the shimmer. The Velvet Shadow stick in Glenan is a navy that works for a quick, smudgy smokey eye. It does need a good primer for longevity and the blendability is great. The color does tend to move around a bit in this humid weather and if you have very oily lids, can smudge quite a bit through the day. I would use it over a good primer or pair it with a powder eyeshadow to set. The ease of use is great and the shimmer hardly shows up, which is nice for a quick smokey eye. Overall, of the two, my pick would be the Teleso Dual Intensity Eyeshadow, in fact, that is one of my favorites from the whole collection. I do like the concept behind the Velvet Shadow sticks, but would reserve them for when the weather isn’t so hot and humid. If you like quick and easy, swipe and go kind of products for the eyes though, they’re both really nice to have!

*Press Sample

CHANEL #4 Blush Brush

Chanel redesigned their older blush brush a few years back and came up with a the new #4 Blush Brush ($54; chanel.com), a tapered, slightly fluffy brush made of natural hair. The brush is quite a nice shape and is great for blush, pressed powder and loose powder, especially for a little more precise application for when you don’t need to powder all over.

This brush has gotten a lot of mixed reviews, but I personally love the shape and size. It feels well made, the quality is nice and the handle feels sturdy. The bristles are not the softest, but not scratchy. Since it isn’t too soft, it does pick up a decent amount of product, so perfect with sheer blushes, powders or to set things in place. I’ve washed it a number of times and haven’t had much shedding except a hair or two from the first 2-3 washes. The #4 Blush Brush comes with its own velvet pouch for storage and if you do like the more flattened, tapered shape as opposed to the usual all round fluffy blush brushes, it definitely is worth picking up!

TATCHA Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

I’ve never really tried anything much from Tatcha, the Classic Rice Enzyme Powder ($15 for 0.35 oz; $65 for 2.1oz) being one of my very first skincare products since Sephora now conveniently has the smaller size. Tatcha describes this as a gentle yet effective exfoliator, cleanser & toner for daily use.

The packaging is nice and easy to use. I just take a small amount, add a few drops of water to make a paste and use it like I would with a regular cleanser. I have dry skin and find everyday use a little harsh on my skin type, so I only use it on and off, more like a couple of times a week, like an exfoliator. It leaves skin feeling squeaky clean, washes off easily when used on fairly clean skin or after a makeup remover. The powder is super fine, smooth and not too gritty which makes it lovely to use. While I haven’t had any reactions on my sensitive skin, I do think that it needs to be followed up with a good serum or a rich moisturizer. My skin does feel super soft and very clean, and I do like it a lot more now in the summer than I did a couple of months ago. Overall, its a nice exfoliator that I like to switch up in between my other cleansers/exfoliators, particularly when my skin feels congested and needs some quick brightening, but not one I’d use everyday. I don't think I will splurge on a full size any time soon and depending on how much I like this and if I end up finishing, I may buy the smaller one.

BUXOM Eyeshadow Bar Single Eyeshadows and Customizable Palettes

BUXOM’s new Eyeshadow Bar features primer infused shadows that can be customized into palettes or as singles. Eyeshadow Bar also features pre-built eyeshadow palettes and the choices of colors, especially the singles, are absolutely beautiful. They range from beautiful, sophisticated mattes to duo chrome shimmers and metallics that pop.

I tried, tested a few shadows across various finishes in neutrals, brights and jewel tones and absolutely loved them. The pigmentation is fantastic, the shadows do have a bit of fall out, but it can be controlled when you use a flat shader brush to pat it on, mostly the shimmery finishes. The mattes are very creamy and look stunning on their own or as crease colors. The shimmer in these isn’t over the top and all textures blend really well with no patchiness. I did find that in this hot weather, a primer was needed for extended wear, but they are quite crease proof compared to many other powder eyeshades I’ve tried. The texture is a cross between a cream and a powder with great blendability.  I did have to work a little harder to pull out some singles and insert them back into the pan, but that apart, the packaging is neat. Overall, really amazing eyeshadows, great color payoff, smooth textures and fabulous for the price. 

Pre Built Eyeshadow Palette with 6 Eyeshadows - $40

Single Eyeshadow and Compact - $14

Single Eyeshadow - $12

Available exclusively at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com

*Press Samples