Posts Tagged Dior
Top 5 Dior Foundations
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on January 6th, 2010
Hooray! We’ve reached the end! Here’s the final post in my “top 5″ foundation series. The following are the Top 5 Dior Foundations, based on the reviews at Sephora.com and Makeupalley.com:
1= Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup ($45)
Average Sephora.com Rating = 4.4/5; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4.4/5
Product Description from Nordstrom.com: “Discover the beauty of your complexion, Nude. Ultra-lightweight loose powder naturally hydrates. Skin radiates a natural and fresh glow. A unique blend of 100% natural mineral pigments and Dior’s innovative Mineralized Water delivers an energizing cocktail for your complexion. Over time, your skin looks more beautiful, with and without makeup!”
*Fans on Sephora.com loved how evenly this went on, as well as how light it felt on the face. Many reviewers also emphasized how it didn’t feel “chalky” and left a very soft and silky feeling on the skin. The negative reviews were split between those who felt it didn’t provide enough coverage and those who thought it felt heavy and looked “mask”-like.
2= Diorskin Forever Flawless & Moist Extreme Wear Makeup SPF 25 ($44)
Average Sephora.com Rating = 4.5/5; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4.1/5
Product Description from Nordstrom.com: “Extreme wear for extreme beauty. This compact foundation with sponge stays flawlessly smooth and looks naturally perfect in every environment. Dior takes smoothing, wear and comfort to the ultimate extreme of beauty.”
*Fans on Sephora.com loved that it is natural-looking and lasts all day. There were a variety of application methods mentioned — some used the sponge that was included, while others preferred using a powder or kabuki brush. Those who left negative reviews often felt that this foundation was too drying.
3= Dior Capture Totale Foundation SPF 15 ($75)
Average Sephora.com Rating = 4.4/5; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4.1/5
Product Description from Nordstrom.com: “A unique blend of Capture Totale anti-aging ingredients (Alpha Longoza™ and Centuline™), optical correctors and HD Liquid Crystal Pigments™, this revolutionary serum foundation gives skin radiant ‘high definition’ perfection in every dimension. Thanks to a broader band of multi-toned pigments more subtle, real and natural than the four (red, yellow, white, black) usually used in foundation. Treats all the signs of aging. Boosts collagen, nourishes, replenishes, re-plumps.”
*Positive reviewers loved the dewy and illuminating finish of this foundation. Because this foundation includes Dior’s Capture Totale anti-aging ingredients, many of the reviewers tend to be in the 45-54 or 54+ age category. Those who wrote negative reviews mentioned the narrow color selection and the foundation’s ability to look “masklike” as limiting factors.
4= Diorskin Airflash Spray Makeup ($60)
Average Sephora.com Rating = 4.4/5; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4/5
Product Description from Nordstrom.com: “For gorgeous skin, start with Airflash. You’ll look luminous and radiant in seconds and touch-ups are quick and easy for a night out. A quick spray, and you’re on your way! You’ll feel an airy-light, fresh sensation. You’ll see a more even skin texture, fewer fine lines—a softly radiant, airbrush perfection that lasts all day.”
*Sephora reviewers listed a variety of application methods — using a dampened sponge, applying with a stippling brush, and spraying it directly on the face and blending with a foundation brush. Positive reviewers liked how it went on smooth and even and provided a nice amount of coverage. Negative reviewers felt the shade range was limiting and a little to dark, and a few reviewers felt that it tended to slide in to fine lines and wrinkles as the day went on.
5= Diorskin Sculpt Foundation ($53)
Average Sephora.com Rating = 4.4/5; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4/5
Product Description from Nordstrom.com: “A revolutionary, line-smoothing, firming makeup that instantly fills in fine lines and wrinkles, boosts skin elasticity and turns up your natural radiance. It’s like a mini face-lift. In nine shades that match skin to perfection.”
*Sephora.com reviewers loved that this foundation went on smoothly and minimized fine lines. However, some reviewers felt that it was a little too heavy.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with these rankings?
New Dior Mascara! Introducing DiorShow Extase Mascara
Posted by Wendy in Makeup Collections/Launches on December 18th, 2009
If you’re like me and fall in love with every mascara that Dior comes out with, you’ll be thrilled to hear of their latest launch — DiorShow Extase Mascara ($28). Right now, it is listed as Beauty Insider Exclusive at Sephora, but I’m guessing it will probably be widely available in department stores in Spring.
Here’s the description on Sephora.com: “DiorShow Extase provides built-in treatment benefits and high-impact lashes in a single stroke! The spherical-shaped Black Pearl Pigments create a 3D volume effect and the exclusive Metamorphosis Powders expand in size by up to 50% after application. Also, SR38 Patented Ceramid brings additional care, reconstructing damaged lashes and promoting stronger and fuller lashes. The Extase mascara features a “Tiered Brush” that is inspired by the “tiered” couture dresses created by the House of Dior. The brush is designed for performance and contains an Exclusive Duo of Fibers: The Black Elastomer Fibers brush out and define the lashes for panoramic fringe and the Gold Nylon Fibers hold and deposit formula, generously coating each lash for outstanding volume.”
It currently has 11 reviews on Sephora.com, with the average rating being 4.6/5. The consensus seems to be that it does a fantastic job of thickening and defining; however, a few reviewers have commented that they had problems with “clumping” and “tarantula lashes.”
I can’t wait to give it a try! What about you? Have to tried Diorshow Extase yet? What did you think?
Top 10 (ok, maybe 12) Bridal Makeup Products
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists, Weddings-101 on July 29th, 2009
Primers:
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer or Photo Finish Light – I love primers because they not only smooth out your pores and fine lines, but they also allow your makeup to last much, much longer!
2. Laura Mercier Regular Primer or Oil-Free Primer
3. Urban Day Primer Potion (eyeshadow primer — your eyeshadow will not budge!)
Foundations:
4. MAC Face and Body Foundation – a fantastic, water-based foundation that gives a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, but looks just as luminous
Cream Blush:
5. Stila Convertible Color in “Gerbera” or “Lillium” – a consistent award-winner, these convertible colors provide a natural flush
Powder Blush:
6. NARS powder blush in “Orgasm” – a dozen magazine editors can’t be wrong
7. MAC powder blush in “Pink Swoon” (women with cool undertones) or “Peachykeen” (women with warm undertones)
Highlighters:
8. MAC Cream Color Base in “Pearl” – blend on your cheekbones with fingertips, and voila, hollywood cheekbones
9. Benefit “High Beam” highlighter -Benefit didn’t nickname this highlighter “Supermodel in a bottle” for nothing – dab a few dots on your cheekbones with the applicator and blend with fingertips for super chiseled cheekbones
Gel Eyeliners:
10. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner – this eyeliner continues to rack up the awards. Apply with the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush to achieve a thick or thin line.
11. MAC Fluidline – apply with a small-angle brush, such as MAC #263 or #266
Waterproof Eyeshadow:
12. Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
-Images from maccosmetics.com and sephora.com
Avoid Wedding Day Meltdown — How to Make Your Makeup Last
Posted by Wendy in How to..., Weddings-101 on July 29th, 2009
Ah, ’tis the season of bridal bliss. At last count, one of my friends was in 6 weddings this summer. Living in Chicago, one of the most frequent questions I receive is, “How can I make my makeup last on my wedding day?” I’m pretty sure only Texas is more humid. In any case, never fear! Here are a few of my basic tips:
–Prime! Take the time to prime your face and eyelids. This will not only smooth out your pores and fine lines, but it will also help your makeup last as long as possible. If you know you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, you might want to opt for an oil-free or lighter-weight primer, such as Smashbox Photo Finish Light or Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer.
–Layer! Instead of applying one layer of powder blush, try applying a thin layer of a cream blush. After you set your makeup with face powder, add a second (thin) layer of your powder blush. The same idea can be used for your eye shadow. After your eyelid primer (I love Urban Decay’s Primer Potion), apply a thin layer of a cream eyeshadow, followed by your regular powder eyeshadow. For lips, an old trick is to apply your lipstick, gently blot a thin layer of face powder on your lips, followed by another thin layer of lipstick. If you stick to thin layers, you will still achieve a flawless, natural look, only it will last much longer 
–Use a gel eyeliner or a transformer! Gel eyeliners (such as Bobbi Brown’s Gel Eyeliner or MAC Fluidline) have a great lasting power. However, if you really want eyeliner insurance, try mixing a transformer/sealer with your eyeliner. I usually put one or two drops of Make Up For Ever Eye Seal on a small-angle brush and then dip it into my MAC Carbon eyeshadow. (*Note: The transformer/sealer will change the texture of your eyeshadow, so you might want to buy one black eyeshadow just for this purpose).
–Try waterproof mascara! We used to be cautioned that waterproof mascara would dry out our lashes or give us a “spider-leg” look, but with all the innovations that have been made over the years, there are countless waterproof mascaras that work beautifully. I’m a big fan of DiorShow Waterproof Mascara myself
-Images from sephora.com, bobbibrown.com and nordstrom.com
Make Your Beauty List Now! – Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Starts Friday, July 17!
Posted by Wendy in Latest Obsessions on June 28th, 2009
Get a pad of paper and start making your list and checking it twice — the Nordstrom Anniversary sale runs Friday, July 17 — Sunday, August 2, which means dozens of makeup collections offered exclusively at Nordstrom. A few of the collections I’m looking forward to?
MAC ‘Look in a Box’ ($59.40) – You have your choice of 3 “looks” — (1) Seductress for a “modern, seductive look”, (2) Sun Siren for a “shine-filled bronzed look”, or (3) Sweet Tease for a “minimalist, lightly sexy look”. Each “look” comes with 2 eyeshadows, lip gloss or lipstick, promo-sized Zoom Lash, and a beauty powder. Holy cow!
Bobbi Brown ‘Best of Bobbi’ Set ($75) — A collection of Bobbi’s most popular makeup products, including: (1) seven-well lip palette with lip brush (featuring Italian Rose Creamy Lip Color, Nude Pink Lip Color, Heather Buff Creamy Lip Color, Uber Pink Creamy Lip Color, Baby Peach Metallic Creamy Lip Color, Dusk Metallic Lip Color and Kir Metallic Lip Color), (2) two-pan eyeshadow palette (featuring Nude Beach Metallic Eye Shadow and Hot Stone Eye Shadow), (3) full-size Espresso Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, (4) mini black Everything Mascara and (4) new mini dual-ended eyeshadow/ultra-fine eyeliner brush.
Dior ‘Jazz Club’ Eye Palette ($65) — Six Dior eye products to create a perfectly sultry, smokey purple eye: (1) Dior Liner, (2) Sourcils Eyebrow, (3) Fard Matte Eyeshadow, (4) Fard Iridescent Eyeshadow, (5) Fard Iridescent Eyeshadow, (6) and a topcoat.
**** Pssst! Don’t forget! The Anniversary Sale is always a great time to stock up on MAC brushes! This year they are offering 2 sets of 5 brushes — (1) ‘Shape & Perfect’ featuring brushes #168SE, 187SE, 194SE, 212SE and 275SE and (2) ‘Define and Blend’ featuring brushes #129SE, 190SE, 209SE, 219SE and 252SE. At $49.50 per set, it breaks down to $1o per brush. Fabulous!
-Images from Nordstrom.com
