Beauty Bits: Natural Nails

News flash: nude colored nails are in! Follow up news flash:  they never left for me!  I was happy to see so much press on the "return of the nude nail" following the past two fashion weeks, thus validating my love for nude nails (and clothing, makeup, furniture.....everything really).  And the best way to share my love of nude nails is to swatch my collection on these little nail wheel thingamabobs - allowing all of you to partake in the fun as well.  I have not yet worn all these shades during my Sunday Nailday posts, but if I have I will link that picture as well so you can see a final look.  Here are the shades on the nail wheel from bottom to top:

1.  Butter London Cuppa

2.  Julep Alyson - Manicure swatch here

3.  Zoya Kennedy

4.  Illamasqua Monogamous - Manicure swatch here

5.  Deborah Lippmann Modern Love - Manicure swatch here

6.  Julep Whitney

Suprisingly there are other color families that I have even more polishes for so I will be swatching those in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned!  Today is the last day to enter my favorite nude lips giveaway! Have you entered?????

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Beauty Bits: Summer Skin Makeup

As we all know, foundation is one of my weaknesses favorite products to buy and use - as evidenced by this Instagram picture.  So naturally as the weather begins to change, so do my makeup choices.  Though I have quite clear skin (thanks to my 7.5 hour cleansing ritual I do each night), I still appreciate foundations that give coverage, as I like to have a more "finished" face rather than just a moisturizer with a tint.  So with each of these choices, my skin gets coverage but with a more lightweight and breathable finish.  

1.  Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua was actually a purchase I made during the winter season but has become a great choice for me in the warmer months.  The finish is more dewy which I tend to dial down a bit with a dusting of my Laura Mercier Translucent powder, but the coverage and feel is subtle and comfortable.

2.  Giorgio Armani Maestro fusion makeup is probably one of the innovative and interesting textures I have ever come across - with the formula being extremely thin and liquid (almost with an oily texture) but drying down immediately to a matte finish on the skin.  Many have described this foundation as "your skin only better" and I couldn't agree more.  I apply with my fingers as the heat of my hand helps the foundation meld right into the skin - and leaves me with a flawless finish.

3.  Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet is often the foundation I reserve for spring/summer nights because it gives buildable coverage, while still maintaining a matte finish. 

4.  Chantecaille Just Skin is labeled as a tinted moisturizer but I find that the coverage is more substantial than other similar products, which is why it quickly became one of my favorites.  Though I may love a natural face, it takes more products than not to create that "natural" look.  And as you can see by the pathetic and almost nonexistent dent I made in the tube, a little goes a long way.  

Have you tried any of the above foundations - what are your thoughts? 

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Sunday Nailday: Jin Soon Choi Coral Peony

Jin Soon Choi "Coral Peony"

Review: Le Metier de Beaute Dark Spot Corrector

Taking care of my skin has become like a second job - with morning and evening regimens requiring multiple products, adequate time and my undivided attention.  But the results are always worth it - glowing, fresh skin with nary a pimple in sight (well sometimes....stupid oily skin...), providing a great canvas to pile on hundreds of makeup products each morning.  That being said, I have still managed to neglect certain areas of my body, failing to give them the utmost attention they deserve.  So when Le Metier de Beaute approached me to try their new Dark Spot Corrector for 28 days - I jumped at the chance and knew exactly what to target - my back.  Still showing signs of last summer's romps in the sun, but forgotten about for the moment because of the 183 layers I have worn this winter - my back is wrought with sun damage.  Tank tops and strapless dresses wait for no product - so taking on this 28 day challenge came just in the knick of time. 

Formulated with ingredients such as Hexylresorcinol, Glyceryl and Ethylhexyl Stearate, this product seeks to "target and reduce spots, marks and signs of aging" (and in my case - sun shenanigans).  The first photo represents my before picture - so many rude spots.  After the first 12 days, I saw a slight fading (represented by the second photo), but it was not until the last few days of the challenge did I really start to see a significant difference in the amount and size of the spots.  The last photo shows results after the month was over and the number of spots had significantly reduced.  But with great fading, comes great responsibility - AKA a super high SPF to prevent any recurrence.  I have continued using the Dark Spot Corrector and am still seeing fading and lightening - and at this rate - I can only hope that my strapless tops, tanks and bathing suits will be forever grateful.  

Having dark spot correction FOMO (that's Fear Of Missing Out - but you guys already knew that...)?  Le Metier de Beaute's Dark Spot Corrector is available anywhere Le Metier de Beaute is sold or you can purchase here.

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Favorite Nude Lip Giveaway!

It's here! It's here!  Giveaway time is back again at ALB and with all the skincare loot I have been gifting to you guys - I felt it was time to switch it up and go back to makeup.  You. Are. Welcome.  These beauties may look familiar as they were 3 of my favorite nude lipsticks seen in this previous post - and now they could be yours!!!!!  The three shades du jour are Hourglass Liquid Lipstick in Canvas, NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita, and Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani in 102 - pretty awesome, huh?  Ok, everyone calm down and breathe - so you can read the rules on how to enter (and then you can go back to gushing): 

 

1.  Follow me on Twitter @alittlebitetc

2.  Leave a comment below this post letting me know your favorite nude lipsticks so I can add to my arsenal!   Please be sure to include you twitter handle for reference.      

3.  The winner must have a valid email address to be contacted.  

4.  The contest ends May 23rd at 11:59PM EST and the winner will be announced on my blog on May 24th, so be sure to check back.

 

Good Luck and thanks for being a loyal ALB reader!!!!  

 

Items featured are not affiliated with any brand, no compensation given and have been purchased by me.  Giveaway open to US residents only, and the winner will be selected at random.  Good Luck!

Sunday Nailday: Chanel Azure

Chanel "Azure"