Coquette

Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush

I must admit a secret. I've stopped using my Clarisonic brush for most of this year. Even though I was only using it twice a week, I started feeling that this sort of "deep" cleaning was getting too harsh for my sensitive skin.

While attending a Master Class for Shiseido at Bloomingdales this summer, I had a chance to try the Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush ($25 at Nordstrom). It has the *softest* bristles I've ever used. The bristles are of varying heights and also include larger, thicker silicone bristles that help massage and improve circulation on your face. I've been using it with my Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser around 3 or 4 times a week now. What I love also is that it helps you use less product. Just place a dime-sized amount of your cleanser in the palm of your hand. Place your hand under the faucet and get a bit of water on it. Then, use the brush to gently lather it in your palm. Then massage and cleanse all around your face. The bristles feel amazing and the gentle massage is what you need to get your blood flowing and circulation going all around your face!

I've been using this all summer and it's made a difference in the softness of my skin, including getting my pores clean around my nose area. I've seen my complexion to be much more clear than before. At $25, this brush is probably one of the best beauty items I've bought all year. I'd definitely have to include it in my "must-have" beauty list.

(There's mention on the Shiseido site in a comment that this brush is possibly on the last call list. I'm hoping it's not going to be discontinued, only improved upon.)

Purchase the Shiseido Cleansing Massage Brush at Nordstrom.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Gives You a Soft Focus

I'm new to highlighters but I've been discovering lately how to illuminate my face. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ($45 at Sephora) can give you a glow from any kind of light. It comes in six different shades. What shade you choose depends on what kind of look you want. I took a trip to Sephora and the makeup artist there chose Lumnious Light for me. It's a champagne pearl tone that I can't get enough of right now. I actually think this shade works perfectly with most skin tones and it gives you a wonderful soft focus to your face. The description is that it is like candlelight and it's amazing how it does give you that soft look. I"ve actually used it all over my face as well as in places I want to highlight: under the eyes, bridge of the nose, forehead and chin. It's so subtle at first but after you brush it on, you really notice a beautiful difference.

Here are all the colors and their descriptions:

Ethereal Light: A sheer, cool tone that eliminates shine and mimics a moonlit glow—even in broad daylight.
Diffused Light: A soft, warm, pale yellow that reduces redness, eliminates shine, and gives skin clarity.
Dim Light: A neutral soft beige that provides a perfect balance of warm and cool tones to blur imperfections.
Mood Light: A soft, sheer lavender pink that mimics the softest, most forgiving light and brightens the complexion.
Luminous Light: A champagne pearl that creates a soft, incandescent candlelit glow—day or night.
Radiant Light: A sun-kissed golden beige that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth.

Pick up the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders at Sephora.

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Pressed Powder

I'm in Europe now and I wanted a powder that would just be something light for my face in hot weather. Even though I am loving my Dolce & Gabana powder, the compact feels a bit too precious to be throwing around in my tote bag. The makeup artist at Sephora recommended I try the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pressed Powder 0.35 oz ($30 at Sephora) for it's finely milled powder and translucent finish. It adjusts to any skintone and I liked that it wasn't just a pure white powder. The finish is so smooth and it really does reduce the look of my pores around my nose. I've been wearing it everyday since I bought it, even though it was meant for my trip. (See my July favorites post.) I love that it comes with a little old school powder puff so you can touch yourself up on the go. It reduces shine giving me a perfectly matte face. The plastic compact is not completely my thing, but the powder works so well on my skin, I'm happy to overlook it. In fact, since the packaging is so simple, I can throw it in my bag and not worry about it at all.

Purchase the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pressed Powder 0.35 oz at Sephora.

Jarin K Double Side Pearl Earrings: Dior Dupe

A dupe for the Mise en Dior Tribal Earrings, these Jarin K Double Side Earrings ($150 at Shopbop) are made with sterling silver as opposed to the costume jewelry version by Dior. So stylish and perfect for those with sensitive skin too! Choose from pearl, gray, or turquoise. At $150, you can splurge on more than one pair and interchange the look. You can also just wear the classic smaller front pearl earrings for days you don't feel like going all out.

Related Coquette Post

Must-Have: Mise en Dior Tribal Earrings 7/10/13

Winner of Sally Beauty Givaway

Congratulations to Karen of Alameda, CA for winning the $25 Sally Beauty Gift Card in my recent #SallyBeautyVIP giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered.

Baukjen Fall/Winter Collection 2014

British brand Baukjen launches it's new Fall/Winter Collection and there are so many pieces that are perfect for the work week or an evening out. I am loving skirts for fall and the High-Waisted Pencil Skirt ($155) paired with the Rye Textured Top ($139) looks fantastic for work to after work drinks. I also love the comfort of the Viviana Wrap Skirt ($139) paired with the fun animal print of the Felsted Print Shirt ($195).

Here are more of my favorites from the Baukjen Fall/Winter Collection:

Annan Wrap Dress ($209)

Callington Wrap Sweater ($155)

Kingsbridge Shift Dress ($225)

Ariella Dress ($139)

Drugstore Beauty: Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Just a couple weeks ago, Maybelline launched a new kind of eye shadow palette that drugstores have never seen before. Maybelline The Nudes ($9.99 at Ulta) is not unlike the trend of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. The Nudes palette has much more wearable, everyday shades for a natural-looking eye. For those of us who get overwhelmed by eyeshadows, there's even directions to guide you. See, the palette can be used as a duo, trio or quad based on the layout. I also love the two matte brown and black shadows that are perfect for lining your eyes or creating a smokey out for a night out. The texture is great and I find the shadows on the lighter end of pigmentation. Should you want a more pigmented look, just make sure to wear some eye primer to make the shadows pop more.

Duos:

Trios:

Quads:

If you want to pick them up in person for the lowest price, you can try Ulta or Target (sold out online). I got mine at Target and I found one of the three that were there. You'll have to of course try and avoid the ones that people have opened up and touched. I was lucky I found the one palette that was new.

This is a fantastic palette and for just $10 can't be beat. It's a great starter palette and I like it better than the Naked palettes only because the Naked have way more shimmery eyeshadows for my needs. The metallic shadows in this palette are much softer and more to my liking. This palette is also perfectly compact for travel because you'll have all the colors you need!

Visit the Maybelline The Nudes site to find inspiration on how to apply these beautiful shadows.

July Favorites: Clarins, David Sedaris and Getting Organized

I thought I would start a new monthly post featuring my top 5 favorites from the past month. A sort of quick list of things that I want to share with you lovelies. Some I have posted about before and some I plan on posting more in detail about in the future. Enjoy!

1. Edison Collection from The Container Store (now on sale from $4.99-13.99)
I just got a smaller compact desk for my loft space and spruced up the shelves with these colorful pieces from the Edison collection. I decided to mix and match the colors to make it look more fun. It's been so functional as I have a place for everything which then keeps my desk clutter free.

2. Clarins Lip Balm Crayons - Limited Edition ($20 at Bloomingdales)
These are probably my favorite thing this summer. I pretty have been rotating between my three colors and just bought the coral color last week that I was missing. It's just the right amount of light color on your lips and it keeps them moisturized for hours. I love the crayon shape which makes it so portable in my small cross body bag I use for summer. They are off the Clarins site now but I found that Bloomingdales has all the colors. (Bloomingdales at the SF Westfield just got a shipment at their counters.) See my previous Coquette post.

3. Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pressed Powder ($30 at Sephora)
I wasn't sure if I was ready to shell out a powder by Too Faced but if you look beyond the plastic packaging, the powder is a perfect one for summer. It's so lightweight and it't just keeps you looking smooth. A little goes a long way and I usually dab my powder brush in there once and gently brush over my face. Unlike other powders, this one comes with a little pad which makes this perfect to put in your handbag when you are on the go and want to be shine free.

4. Clarins Shaping Facial Lift ($80 at Clarins)
I really can't stop raving about the new Clarins Shaping Facial Lift. This updated formula helps contour your facial contours, defines cheekbones and visibly lifts the jawline. See my previous Coquette post.

5. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris ($17 paperback, $9.99 Kindle version on Amazon)
It's been a busy summer and I've been trying to read more and watch less Netflix on my iPad. To get me into the reading spirit, I couldn't have jumped back easier than with my old favorite David Sedaris. His blend of humor, wit and unforseen circumstances make his everyday life hilarious to read. You can't miss the first story about going to the dentist in France. The short story format makes it easy to pick up each night. I laughed out loud through most of this book while also annoying my husband in the process.