Coquette

Clarins Fall Eyeshadows + Double Fix Mascara

Clarins makeup is one of my favorites because if you don't know already, this famous French brand of skincare also puts their wonderful plant-based ingredients in their makeup too! I am loving the new Clarins 4-Colour Eyeshadow Palette ($43 at Clarins USA). These palettes are luxurious and the colors last all day. I have two of the palettes: Nude and Rosewood. (There is also a perfect neutral Brown palette.) Rosewood has all the colors I've been loving from the summer and remind me of the Ombre Iridescente Eyeshadows from spring (see post here) that I have been wearing a lot these last few months. Now I have the perfect eye look in a portable and travel friendly palette.

The eye quad comes with a luxurious red velvet pouch and also has a small card inside on how to apply the colors.

The colors are really soft and buildable and I love the shades for both of these eye palettes. I see myself using these on rotation in the coming months and they will be perfect for my travel bag when I go to France this Christmas.

Here are the colors for Nude in natural sunlight by the window.

Here are the colors for Rosewood in natural sunlight by the window.

Now onto something really cool! Now for fall, Clarins has updated their formula for their Double Fix Mascara ($25 at Clarins USA). I didn't know that I needed this in my life, until I started to use it. This is a clear gel formula that works double duty as a topcoat for your mascara to make it waterproof. It also is perfect for your brows to keep those brows tamed and looking good! I have been loving this for my eyebrows -- it's something I have needed for ages it feels like! Now I never have to worry about some of my longer brows getting unruly.

Purchase the 4-Colour Eyeshadow Palette and the Double Fix Mascara at clarinsusa.com.

Review products provided by Clarins

Shiseido Rouge Rouge Lipsticks

The new Shiseido Rouge Rouge ($28 each) is a new lipstick line from Shiseido. These creamy lipsticks feature sixteen shades of red and pinks using Shiseido's exclusive Vibrant Red Technology featuring the most flattering shades. You are sure to fine the best red for your skin tone! I love the sleek black case and the cap has magnets so it always clicks into place when you close it.

I don't say this often but I can see myself wearing all the shades of colors in this line. The colors go from muted mauve to deep reds and the shades in between are just wonderful with notches of pink hues or brown tones. I typically go for more muted nudes in the day, but I have been wearing Liaison a deep red pink non-stop for the last few days and it's brightened up my complexion. I really love how the color gives my lips a pop but it's not an overwhelming bright red. It's just perfect!

I've been a long time fan of Shiseido lipsticks and this one really tops them all. I love the creamy texture that is really moisturizing. I also love how the color really lasts! I have three shades (top to bottom): Liaison (RD306), Coral Shore (RD 309), and Red Queen (RD 716). Here are the swatches in cloudy SF daylight.

If you love Shiseido skincare, there are also two new skincare products. Bio-Performance LiftDynamic Cream ($110 for 50ml, $132 for 75ml) and Bio-Performance LiftDynamic Eye Treatment ($70). Bio-Performance is an ew anti-aging skincare line that helps restore skin and keeps it hydrated for 24 hours. I haven't tried them yet but am looking forward to checking them out at the Shiseido counter.

Shop for the new Shiseido Rouge Rouge at Nordstrom.

Review products provided by Shiseido

Clarins New Extra-Firming Mask + Skin Boosters

The Extra-Firming line from Clarins is one of my favorites so I jumped at the chance to try the new Clarins Extra-Firming Mask ($75 at Clarins USA). Clarins does an amazing job at finding natural plant-based elements to help your skin. In this mask formula, organic green banana is used for it's healing properties as well as lemon thyme which sounds amazing for a chicken dish, actually helps prevent skin slackening.

I love the pretty lavender jar and the mask itself is a soft lavender color. It comes with a spatula so you can get the right amount of the mask cream without dipping your fingers in the jar. It's important when you apply to follow the Clarins Pressure Point Application Method. Trust me, it doesn't take long and it's only five easy steps. This helps to relieve the tension in your face and will improve circulation.

(via Clarins)

You can use the mask 1-2 times a week. I feel like it's made such a difference in refreshing my skin and firming it.

Now onto the new Clarins Boosters ($39 at Clarins USA). These little bottles add extra skin care benefits to your existing moisturizer. It's not a serum as you do not apply this directly to the skin. A booster is linked to your lifestyle. You can add it to your moisturizer, serum, mask, or foundation when you feel like your skin needs a particular boost. You can use it for just a day, a week -- however long and often as you like.

Choose from three Boosters:

Energy Booster: Uses the Chinese plant Ginseng for it's stimulating properties. Helps tone and re-engize, minimizes signs of fatigue, revives radiance.

Repair Booster: Uses the Mayan plant Mimosa Tenuiflora for it's soothing properties. Helps reduce feelings of discomfort, optimizes skin recovery, minimizes the appearance of redness.

Detox Booster: Uses the Green Coffee plan to detoxify. Helps revive radiance of a dull complexion, plumps the skin.

If you aren't sure which Booster is for you, you can check out the Clarins Booster page to figure out which one will help your lifestyle or particular situation, from jet lag to too little sleep.

I have two of the Boosters Energy and Detox. I have used them not only with my Clarins' moisturizer but other brands as well. I like this freedom. All you need to do is mix 3-5 drops of the Booster of your choice in the palm of your hand with your moisturizer. I have been loving how Energy gave my skin a good pick me up after coming back home from vacation and an afternoon of flying on a plane. Detox also works wonders for me living in a big city. It helps relieve the stress pollution is causing on my skin.

Shop for the new Clarins Extra-Firming Mask and the Clarins Boosters at clarinsusa.com.

Review products provided by Clarins

La Mer The Cleansing Micellar Water

I used to have to stock up on micellar water whenever we would go back home to France to visit family. These last couple of years, I've skipped this step because the micellar water trend has hopped on over here to the States and I'm so glad that micellar water has become so popular!

Just launched and new to the micellar water scene is La Mer's The Cleansing Micellar Water ($90) that takes plain o' micellar water to the next level. Infused with La Mer's famous marine nutrients and the healing benefits of Miracle Broth -- this bottle of micellar water not only helps clean your skin, it's good for your skin.

Micellar water is cleansing water that will take off all the day's makeup, dirt and oil on your face without you having to rinse your face with water. La Mer's Micellar Water feels denser to me and my skin feels so much softer after I cleanse with it. There is a wonderful soft scent to it too. To use, place a few drops of The Cleansing Micellar Water on a soft, cotton pad and wipe over your face. (I like to use the super soft Shiseido facial cotton pads -- post here.) I start with my face first and then finish with my eyes since that has the most makeup I'm removing. I fold the cotton pad at the end into quarters and use the corner of the pad to remove my eyeliner.

It's definitely a spluge but the tall bottle will surely last you a long time. I have been using it every night for over a month and my bottle still looks relatively full. This is the first summer I'm not suffering from extremely dry skin and I believe it's due to in no small part to the La Mer products I've been using.

Purchase the La Mer The Cleansing Micellar Water at cremedelamer.com.

Review product provided by La Mer

Clinique Pep-Start Skin Care

Clinique has been doing an amazing job at rolling out new skin care products that I love. The Clinique Pep-Start line is one of my new favorites. It started with their pop of color orange tube Pep-Start Eye Cream ($26.50, review post here) and now there are three more products in the line that I am absolutely loving and have been using in my daily routine.

Clinique Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser ($19.50)

This exfoliating cleanser is one of my scrubbing favorites. It's a cleanser and exfoliator in one so for those of you that are short on time and love double duty products -- this one is for you. What I love the most about this product is that the scrubbing "bits" are really fine (almost like sugar) so it feels so gentle on your skin while you exfoliate. After I rinse off the cleanser, I can immediately feel how soft my skin is. It is really gentle so I use this every other day. It's helping me to keep my skin soft.

Clinique Pep-Start Quick Cleansing Swipes ($14)

These wipes are great to remove excess oil and dirt on the skin of your face to give yourself a quick refresh. I don't really cleanse my face in the mornings so I use this as a quick way to get my face prepped for makeup. Clinique says you can also use it on your neck, chest, upper arms and back so it's a nice sized pack of 50 wipes you can keep in your gym bag or for travel.

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer ($29.50)

Last but not least, this is definitely my new favorite daily moisturizer! I can't stop using this everyday because I love the light texture. It works perfectly with my normal to dry skin and I love how it makes my skin look. It's a moisturizer and primer in one and gives you a nice blur filter so it's perfect for summer days when your not wearing a lot of makeup! My skin looks great with it.

As you can see I'm a huge fan of the new Clinique Pep-Start line. Again, the products follow all of Clinique's products in that they are hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free. I can't wait to see what they add next to the line as everything I have been using so far has been working wonderfully for my skin.

Purchase the Clinique Pep-Start skin care products at clinique.com.

NARS Fall Color Collection 2016 + Sephora Exclusives!

Each season I squeal inside everytime NARS comes out with their new collection. This fall is no different. The NARS Fall 2016 Color Collection features a gorgeous collection of pretty shades that will take you into colder temps.

They own the blush market as far as I am concerned and I love their the new shades of Contour Blushes. There are two new ones for fall, Melina and Talia. I have the Contour Blush in Talia ($42) which features a Light Caramel color for highlight and a Nutmeg color for shading. It's the perfect sculpting tool of my skin tone.

There are three new Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow shades ($29 each) in Antares (iridescent white), Rigel (rose gold), and Arcturs (deep indigo). I have it in the Rigel rose gold and I love the really soft, shimmery finish. I love how small and compact these shadows are so they pack nicely in your makeup bag when you are on the go.

There are two new Velvet Matte Lip Pencils ($26 each) in Infatuated Red (garnet -- limited edition) and Consuming Red (bordeaux). I adore NARS lip pencils -- one tip is to definitely get the $6 NARS sharpener (review here) which works so perfectly with these pencils.

There are nine new Velvet Eyeliners ($24 each) where the standouts are the rich colorful shades of blue, including my favorite color teal. NARS eyeliners always glide on really easy and I love the color lasting power. The colors are: Curaçao (Turquoise Blue), Blue Lotus (Periwinkle), Las Pozas (White Pearl), Darklight (Navy), Black Moon (black), Last Frontier (Espresso), London (Stormy Grey), Mambo (Rich Hazelnut) and Kalisté (Teal).

To see the entire NARS Fall Color Collection 2016, visit narscosmetics.com.

But wait there's more! I love it when NARS has their Sephora exclusives. Love their multiple stick? There is now a new NARS Sculpting Multiple Duo ($39 at Sephora). There are three shades: Copacabana/Sidari Beach (shimmering pink silver, rose bronze), Hot Sand/Laguna (peach champagne, bronzed brown) and Playa Flamenco/Oahu (sparkling soft gold, deep bronze).

There's also a new NARS Hardwired Eyeshadow Collection ($25 each) featuring six sparkling shades of metal hues.

I have it in Earthshine, a really cool looking iridescent pink lilac. The color blends in easily into my eyelids and I love the sparkle for a night out!

Review products provided by NARS

GLOV On-The-Go: A Magical Makeup Remover

I recently came back from a short four day trip to San Diego. I brought my skincare, some makeup and no cleanser. That's right. All I brought was the Glov On-The-Go ($12.99 at Ulta). GLOV products are made from a unique fabric made with microtechnology that will absorb all makeup from your skin like a magnet. Just moisten the GLOV with water and remove the makeup all over your face. I really couldn't believe it was true until I tried it for the first time.

The GLOV fabric feels extra soft on my skin. It turns out that th fibers that make up GLOV are 30 times thinner than a cotton pad and 100 times thinner than human hair. You get really soft coverage when removing your makeup, softer than any towel, wipe or cotton pad. The hand shape of the GLOV makes it really easy to use. Just wet it first with water. Then slip it on your hand to start using. I begin with my both my eyes and it removes my eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. (I don't use waterproof.) It also removes all of the makeup on my face too. After I'm done, I can see all the makeup buildup on the GLOV. Just wash it by hand with a bar of soap and hang it to dry with this handy hanger.e

The GLOV lasts for 3 months and is hypoallergenic -- perfect for sensitive skin. I really like that it makes travel a breeze because I didn't have to bring a bottle of cleanser with me or a pack of wipes. It's also a great way to promote circulation and exfoliate your skin while removing all of your makeup.

Visit the GLOV site to see some of their other products. They also have the GLOV On-The-Go in some fun colors. These things are like magic and a great way to easily remove makeup. Just think of all the money you'll save on not having to buy cleanser!

Purchase Glov On-The-Go at Ulta Beauty.

Function of Beauty: Personalized Shampoo + Conditioner

While I've maintained my skin from becoming dry this summer, my hair on the other hand has not been so lucky. It's been dry, limp and I have started to get dry scalp as well. Enter Function of Beauty, a new personalized hair care company that creates a shampoo and conditioner that's just exactly what you need. There are over 450 million different possible variations of their shampoos and conditioners and all of their products are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan. The company was founded by two MIT grads backed by Y combinator. (Read the TechCruch article.)

You start the process by taking a short hair quiz. My hair is straight, fine and dry. My goals are to strengthen, soothe scalp, shine, volumes and deep condition. I also chose the grapefruit hibiscus scent which is really refreshing. (Other scents to choose from are: essential oils, cucumber mint, sandalwood violet, white tea jasmine and passion fruit papaya.) The whole ordering process was very easy online and I received my order within four days. Right now there's free shipping in the USA.

You can also choose your size combinations of bottle size. For an 8 oz shampoo and 8 oz conditioner it's only $26. I also love that you can get a bigger bottle of shampoo (16oz) and an smaller bottle of conditioner (8 oz) for $32. I also love the bottle pumps for the shower that make it all so easy to use. This is so much affordable for me than running to Space NK and spending over $50 on two small bottles. I also love the added ability to customize and name your own bottles. How cool to have your own shampoo and conditioner?!

But how do the products work, you ask? Fabulously! I have been using it for a week and a half now and my hair is regaining back it's shine and luster. Right after the first time I used it, my hair felt squeaky clean. There's no excess residue left in your hair. I like that you can tweak and customize your shampoo and conditioner as the seasons change so you'll always get the exact hair care you need throughout the year. I'm loving Function of Beauty for saving my hair this summer and for being free of harsh chemicals!

Visit Function of Beauty to find your perfect shampoo and conditioner.

Review products provided by Function of Beauty