Tag Archives: Tom Ford

The Fall Beauty Wardrobe Reveal

Planning my first fall beauty wardrobe has been almost as fun as thinking about wearing sweaters again. I didn’t start planning out my fall beauty wardrobe until almost the end of August. I knew I craved the return of black liquid liner but wasn’t as intentional about the next steps as I was with summer. Right before Labor Day, after a cleaning binge, I went through my makeup and selected items that were exciting me and that I missed. There were quite a few “yessss, I have this already,” moments that almost felt like I was shopping. You all know that ‘new new’ high that comes when you buy something. Satisfying but gone in a flash. This was decidedly better. My plan to “trick” myself may actually be working well. But, I did buy a few things also that I’ll point out.

Fall fell into place after a cozy weekend at home after what felt like back to back travel. Ultimately, it’s a return to classics. The makeup I know and love with a luxurious twist. A beauty wardrobe that will be reliable on sleepy mornings (it is so dark right now when my alarm goes off!) and also makes me feel really amazing on those nights I take myself out, as I plan on doing often the next several months. And, obviously, the kind of makeup that complements the prelude to cozy sweaters.

I decided organizing by product type was a capital B bore, so I’m filtering it by mood. This is what my fall beauty wardrobe looks like on my counter. A perfect balance of classic, autumnal and luxe.

CLASSICS

L-R, top to bottom:
Dusk / Skin Tint / barePro / Wowder / Haloscope / Stretch Concealer / Easy Baked Eyeshadow / Smudgeproof Eye Base / Paint Pot / Grain Eyeshadow / Boy Brow / Trestique / Sheer Lipstick

These are the workhorses of my makeup bag. My NARS smudgeproof eye primer, brows and wear everyday eyeshadows.

No surprise, there is also a ton of Glossier in here. Skin Tint and Wowder will be in every beauty wardrobe, as will Boy Brow and Haloscope. I also included Cloud Paint in Dusk—couldn’t get enough of it in summer—and Stretch Concealer. These truly are my favorite beauty products, and I’m so not saying that just because I’m a Glossier rep.

I’m also testing out the new barePro Performance Wear Liquid – bareMinerals is an instant classic when it comes to complexion. This is a new launch and I’m so excited to see how it wears. I’ve tried it a few times and first impressions are positive.

I also have a tiny nub of one of my fav lip colors of all time: Armani Rouge Sheer in 502. I think I’ve been holding on to it but now is the time to use it. Why do I have a habit of using a lipstick almost all the way and then clinging to it for (not even joking) years. Candidly, this may be past the point of expiration but I’m not throwing it away. It doesn’t have a funk sooooo… yeah.

I learned a lesson during the summer: I like a simple eye. No palettes in sight here. I’m planning on a heavy rotation of MAC’s Soft Ochre Paint Pot, which is great on its own, and Urban Decay’s best eyeshadow color, Easy Baked. You know Half Baked that is in so many of the Naked palettes? This is its less brassy sister shadow. Also carried over MAC Grain because it was a summer necessity.

FALL FALL FALL !

L-R, top to bottom:
RMS Content / NARS Dolomites / Rockateur / Multistick in Cerise / Gen G Jam

My color story for fall is quintessential fall. Berries all the way. Is there another way to be? I’m most excited about my RMS Lip Shine in Content. This was one of those “yesss” moments when I was looking through my beauty drawers. It flexes as a cheek color, too. Reminds me of a glass of wine. I also brought back a combo I loved a few years ago at this time of year: NARS Dolomite Eyeshadow Duo and Benefit Rockateur Blush. Sadly, Dolomite is limited edition so I don’t think you can get it anywhere now. Also, I tossed all of my old Benefit blushes in the great purge of spring 2017 and this was the only one left standing. Here’s to seeing if I still love it as much as I used to.

A LOT OF LUXE

L-R, top to bottom:
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar / Onomie A.C.E. / Chanel Bronzing Base / Tom Ford Eyeliner / Nars Soft Matte Concealer / Onomie Bright Concealing Elixir / Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim Lipstick / Surratt Eyelash Curler / Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara / Glossier Rose Balm dot Com / Dior Dreamskin Cushion / Bite Beauty The Lip Pencil / Luminous Silk Foundation / Juice Illuminating Serum  / Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner

Ahhh, a touch of luxury.  This is about 45% of my beauty wardrobe, so perhaps more than a touch. I’ve got quite a few complexion products in here. Allow me to explain, as it may seem counterintuitive to my less is more mantra. I have been intentionally wearing less face makeup but I like different options depending on my mood. This is entirely reasonable to me – sometimes I’m in the mood for a cushion compact and other times mixing up a liquid concoction. When Emily Ferber (darling beauty editor at Into The Gloss) shared her summer beauty routine, I was struck by how perfect her skin appeared and noted that she was using NARS Soft Matte Concealer (an early fav of mine this year) and Dior’s Dreamskin Cushion. So, I picked up the Dior and have to say it is every bit as perfect with the NARS Soft Matte as she explained.  I’m also testing out, c/o the brand, Onomie’s Bright Concealing Elixir and the A.C.E. Illuminating Treatment which is kind of a highlighter, kind of a concealer. In the short time I’ve been in my fall beauty wardrobe, I’m having so much fun playing with different combinations.

I included the Juice Illuminating Primer. I struggled to use this the summer because it felt like extra weight on the skin. It’s not heavy by any means but I really didn’t do any form of priming in the heat. Now, I use a flat foundation brush to apply before my makeup and I can’t imagine not including in my routine. It really shines under that Dior compact, let me tell you.

I also included two rose scented lip balms because what is more luxurious than rose. Glossier’s Rose Balm Dot Com makes me feel fancy. They pair particularly well with a bit of Bite Beauty’s Lip Pencil in 10, which is just slightly mauvier than my natural lip color.

There’s quite a few newbies making their debut. There’s Chanel Soleil Tan Bronzing Makeup Base, which is as large as a compact disc. It’s the only bronzer I included. I wanted a departure from my Laguna for fall since that felt so summery to me. Also, the reformulated Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara. I picked this up from my friend Lauren who is a Beautycounter rep. I really liked this when it launched the first time so am curious how this version will fare – supposedly less smudging, thought that was never a problem with me the first go around. And, the SEXIEST lipstick ever:  Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick. It has a vintage feel and I couldn’t not try it in my favorite color: a rosey nude, obviously. And, last, for my return to black liquid liner I decided to reenter in the most over the top way: Tom Ford. Here’s hoping it’s as good as everyone says.

I’m so excited to keep experimenting and will share updates along the way. Anything you’d like to see more of?

I’ve been sharing all of my beauty wardrobes on Instagram – I would LOVE if you’d join with me. #FallBeautyWardrobe on Instagram is ours for the taking.  Show me your fall beauty!

Everyday Makeup Look

I think the clouds stuck over Chicago are mirroring what it feels like to be a citizen in the U.S. right now. We are experiencing the cloudiest spell in 25 years. Since our world changed so dramatically, the only sliver of sun in Chicago appeared the day of the Women’s March – when it was also almost 60 degrees in Chicago. In January. If you believe in signs that will give you pause.

This week, I backed off my brighter lips and dusted off some of my favorite neutrals. It’s an everyday makeup look I’ll wear for work, the resistance, weekends, etc. You know. I started this year off all about the lip but I’m having a moment with this TOM FORD QUAD. I can’t get enough and it just looks so good with a pinky nude lip. It’s not that the colors are unique, but the formula makes it so special and luxurious. It’s like silk pajamas for your eyelids. The two lighter shades are so glowy and have that wet look when you apply and the lower left taupe is everything I’ve ever wanted in a crease color. I use the darkest shade as a lower lash eyeliner (as Emily suggested) and it rounds out the look. Because I like more definition for all day wear, I layer liquid liner on my upper lash. I used to only wear black but I’m into the slightly more subdued but still saturating Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in brown.

Something that also has me in an all-caps mood: FLAT IRON WAVES! As in, I think I’ve finally figured out how to do it on my hair. It really is all in the flick of the wrist (not to be confused with flicka da wrist). Lately, I’m all waves and this makeup look. And, chances are, this Everlane sweatshirt that I still wear nonstop.

Did you see that almost the entire RMS line is now sold at Sephora? It’s pretty cool to see organic ranges joining the ranks. I’ve been using the Lip 2 Cheek in Spell a lot recently – perfection in a pot.

Lashes by way of Maybelline. The Colossal Big Shot is as volumizing as it is lengthening. I like that it is easier to remove than my usual go-to mascara. I think Maybelline’s on a roll so far this year. I’ve been been raving on Instagram all week about Maybelline’s Dream Cushion compact foundation. It’s not just a great drugstore foundation; it’s a great foundation.

I also got a mini sample of Cover FX’s new setting powder. It’s the smartest sample packaging – there are holes so it’s not just one giant tub and it even has a protective cover in between the filter and the lid. That detail did not go unnoticed. I appreciate a good testing experience with minis. I really like the powder but jury’s still out if I would replace my RMS UnPowder.

Let’s hope this week brings not only sun but also courage. Looking at you rational leaders of America quietly standing by and watching an agenda of hate and fear plow over all of us.

Tom Ford Beauty Inspiration

Tom-Ford-Summer-2013

I think bronzer season started this weekend, on the official. Probably the warmest temps and most sunshine Chicago has seen in almost six months. We so needed that. I soaked up my fair shine of Vitamin D and ate as many meals outdoors as I possibly could – even Betty enjoyed herself a bit more than usual.  Over brunch on Sunday, with a few of my favorite fellow Chi blogger girls, Lauren, Lindsay and Lenka, we had the obligatory beauty chat (par for the course when dining with me!) Turns out, we’re all feeling the natural look for summer. I am also majorly feeling the Tom Ford Summer 2013 collection, in all of its glowy glory.

Tom-Ford-Summer-2013-Collection

It just oozes sexy, right? Naturally, anything Tom Ford does is sexy. And expensive. Did I mention that? Oh, incredibly expensive but oh so pretty.  While it’s yet to be determined if I’ll make a splurge (of the most intense #treatyoself variety), I’m definitely taking note from the model with the illuminated skin, glossed eyelids, golden pink lips and bronzer in exactly the right places. And, I’ve already determined the perfect white nail polish to create the Tom Ford look.

For those looking for more on Tom Ford’s take on summer, I suggest visiting The Beauty Look Book. She shared some pretty pics on Instagram this week, so I imagine she’ll weigh in on the collection soon! It officially launches on May 1, but is available online now.