Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base in Suede

When I first heard about the new Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base, I was interested but figured I would save my cash for a new lipstick or one of his cream blushes.  The reason being that I am fiercely loyal to my MAC Paint Pot in Indianwood.  Why does no one talk about this Paint Pot? It is a seriously amazing neutral, but illuminating shade for darker skins.  I never thought of my eyelids as particularly oily, but I do need some type of base to keep my shadow looking perfect all day long, as I usually have my makeup on for well over 12 to 14 hours.  Without some type of base, my shadow will definitely fade or crease. Paint Pots have seemed to work well for me. 


After reading many rave reviews, however, I could not hold out on my intrigue any longer! Especially when I was already at Bergdorf's and saw Edward Bess at the counter! I asked him which shade would be good for me, and he recommended the darkest of his three shades, Suede.  For my skin tone, which is around NC40, the other 2 available shades were far too light. 


Suede is pinkish brown with the faintest bit of silver shimmer, that is pretty much undetectable when blended out.  It disappears on to my lids leaving a veil of illumination.  Utterly gorgeous!  Shadows on top of this seem to be more intense, and brought to life! I wore one of my all time favorites, Burberry Pale Barley on top of this primer and it seemed more vibrant, and golden.  Now I am hooked!


In the interest of full disclosure, the first time I wore this primer I did experience creasing after 7 hours.  I was quite surprised since I had heard such wonderful things! After a full week of testing this product, however, including some insanely hot and humid NYC weather this past weekend, I did not have any problems.  I think I did not apply this properly the first day and perhaps used too little product.  Since then I make sure to apply a nice even layer across my lid with the included brush tip, and then use my finger to pat it in rather than rub.  My shadows stay put, and look like I just applied them all day long and well into the night!  

L to R: Applied heavily, blended out

Definitely worth a try. The Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base is definitely on par with the rest of his line, which is well edited perfection.  The Eyeshadow Base is available in 3 shades, and retails for $30. I

Summer Bronzer Series: Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in Sunset (004)

I started the summer season intending to buy only 1 summer powder/ bronzer among all the new releases. Regular readers of my blog will know that I shamefully added yet another bronzer to my collection! The more and more I heard that this release was very similar to last year's infamous Aurora, which I missed, I just could not resist! This gorgeous new powder from Dior is the Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder.  I chose the darker of the two shades, Sunset (004).  


First off the packaging is incredibly more luxurious than I have ever seen from Dior! The compact is a heavy but slim silver round compact with the infamous Dior cannage pattern on front.  It comes in a thick velvet pouch with flap closure.  Also paired with the bronzer is a mini Kabuki brush, housed in it's own mini velvet pouch.  I usually throw out the velvet pouches and brushes, but these feel more expensive and of higher quality than I am used to.  The mini Kabuki is going in my purse for touch ups!


The Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder comes in 2 shades, Sunlight (002) and Sunset (004). Although Aurora from last year was the lighter of the 2 shades offered, Sunlight is considerably lighter than Aurora was, and has more of a pink undertone.  Sunset has more of a peach undertone embedded within the 2 bronze shades.  The "N" and the "E" are a warm peach shade while the "U" and the "D" are a light bronze shade.  There is a very faint golden shimmer within the powder, but it did not pick up in my photos and I don't see it transfer to the skin.  I think that Sunset is perfect for those with warmer complexions and perfect for those with tan and medium-dark skin tones.  For reference, I am around NC40 in MAC, and color is perfect to achieve a true bronze look.  The swatch below is extremely heavy to show the color, but of course on the cheek the effect is much more natural and flawless. It definitely delivers on the tan healthy glow enhancing effect!


The texture of Dior's bronzer is impeccable! Very smooth and silky, and blends well! I have always heard wonderful things about Dior bronzers, but this is my first.  I think I like this more than my Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer! 

This bronzer is stunning.  I think if you only pick up one new bronzer/powder this summer than this should be it. Of course if you were lucky enough to snag Aurora last year (can you tell that I am slightly bitter I missed that?) than you probably don't need this one too! To see swatches of Sunlight, the lighter shade offered, check out Best Things in Beauty.  The Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder retails for $55.  

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 437 Empreinte

Yet another item I picked up from the Chanel summer collection was the Rouge Coco Shine in Empreinte (437). I was drawn to Empreinte because of its golden sparkles.  It is a semi- sheer rosy brown, nude color with the tiniest golden shimmers.  No one does glitter like Chanel!


I find the formula to be semi-sheer because it does tone down the natural pigment of my lips, and add a touch of golden sparkle.  I think the amount that this shade shows up on your lips will depend on the natural color of your lips.  This shade will look different on depending on each person's lips.  By no means is this a pigmented shade.


The Rouge Coco Shine formula is very comfortable on the lips, with a lot of slip.  It is very smooth, with no gritty texture despite the glitter.  Formulas with a lot of slip feel great but they do not last on the lips.  This is more of a throw in your bag lipstick and reapply with no fuss, and is perfect for daytime or work.  I do not find the Rouge Coco Shine formula particularly hydrating, but it is not drying at all either.

Is the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Empreinte a must have? Certainly not, but I will enjoy the ease of this shade throughout the summer months.  The Rouge Coco Shines retail for $32.50 and Empreinte is available now at counters. 

Burberry Sheer Summer Glow

I was really excited about Burberry's Summer limited edition release of the Sheer Summer Glow Powder.  Even considering it may not work on my skin tone, I ordered it sight unseen from Nordstrom given their free shipping and excellent return policy.  When it finally arrived last night I was so excited to use it, but it was too late in the day to take pictures, and so here I am getting this post out before work this morning!


Burberry's Sheer Summer Glow is as advertised, as providing an effortless everyday summer look for all skin tones.  The fours shades can be mixed together for providing an all over summer glow, or the shades can be used individually to sculpt and highlight the face.  The texture of this powder is sublime! If you have ever used any of Burberry's shadows or powders than you know that their formula is among the best. 


Below are swatches of each of the shades individually and the 2 bronze shades together and the 2 highlight shades together.  One feature about this palette that is wonderful is that each of the shades is in a large enough area that it can be used alone.  On my skin tone, I will probably use the 2 bronze shades together for a subtle bronzed effect, and the highlight shades together as a highlight.  Also, all four shades can be blended together for a gorgeous all over summer glow.  This palette is gorgeous!

Each shade individually

L to R: All four shades together, 2 bronze shades, 2 highlight shades

The effect of this palette is subtle, but beautiful.  It delivers on the sheer summer glow! I would highly recommend trying out this product if you have a medium to dark skin tone because the effect is sheer summer perfection! For fairer skin tones, this may work as a true bronzer. The Burberry Sheer Summer Glow retails for $50 and is available now, on Nordtrom's site. 

Le Metier de Beaute Haute House Hues

The latest Neiman's Exclusive created by Ken Downing is the Haute House Hues Lip Creme Duo.  The Duo includes 2 new lip cremes in Two Lips and Mums The Word.  Yet another item that I was totally planning on passing on, until Dustin kindly told me that I would regret it.  


Two Lips is a gorgeous, gorgeous pale peachy pink color with tiny golden shimmers. It is fairly thick and opaque in coverage.  It is fairly nude but I think due to the peachiness is probably flattering on a variety of skin tones.  Mums The Word is a cool toned bright fuchsia pink color, which is also very pigmented.  The lip creme formula by Le Metier de Beaute is an absolute favorite of mine.  It is more a liquid lipstick with a satiny finish rather than a true gloss.  Both shades can be worn to achieve opaque coverage in a single coat, or sheered out for a more muted effect.  The colors are perfect for Spring!


A unique way to wear these glosses is to mix them.  Dustin explained to me that the Duo was designed to be layered as well for an additional look.  The combination is stunning!

L to R: Two Lips, Mums The Word, Combination

Two Lips

Mums The Word

Two Lips and Mums The Word combined

Swatches with The Blush Kaleidoscope

The colors wear perfectly with the Blush Kaleidoscope.  I am so excited to rock these new shades! The Haute House Hues Lip Creme Duo retails for $65 and is available exclusively at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.  Call Dustin at 212-872-8612 to purchase yours today! Tell him Product Doctor sent you!

Le Metier de Beaute Blush Kaleidoscope

I can't remember the last makeup item that when I saw in person literally took my breath away! That is exactly how I felt this afternoon when Dustin showed me this stunning limited edition Blush Kaleidoscope by Le Metier de Beaute.  By now you have likely read many rave reviews on this kaleidoscope so I will be brief.  The bottom line is that if you like blush, this kit will make you love it.  If you are an avid collector of all things Le Metier de Beaute, then you absolutely need this.  


The color that sold me was the first matte, rusty peach shade.  The next is a matte rosy pink shade.  Third is a gold highlight, followed by a frosty, light pale pink.  The beauty of this collection of shades is in all the possibilities of color you can create.  Today I have the first shade layered on top of the Creme Fresh Tint in Coral Nymph, followed by a dust of the second shade just on the apples of my cheeks.  The gold shade was used as a highlight on top of my cheekbones.  My complexion was instantly lifted!


You can mix the shades, layer them and use the shimmery shades to add a glow to an otherwise matte shade. The gold highlight would be gorgeous on top of the matte peach shade to transform it into a shimmering golden peach.  This kit is probably all you will ever need in way of blush!

The Le Metier de Beaute Blush Kaleidoscope is available now, and retails for $95.  It is in limited quantity so act fast! This is not one to miss! There are a few left at Bergdorf Goodman.  Call Dustin at 212-872-8612.  Tell him Product Doctor sent you!

Chanel Le Crayon Kohl Intense Eye Pencil in Peche Cuivre

As is now obvious my resolve to limit my purchases from the Chanel Summer 2012 collection was absent.  I picked up the Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in Peche Cuivre.  Peche Cuivre is a shimmery peach champagne color which can be used in the inner corner or under the eye as a brightener.  I have also tried using this as a base before applying shadows for added dimension. Since I am always looking for ways to brighten my eyes, this pencil was a natural choice.  

Of course a similar effect can be achieved with a shadow, but I find that shadows do not last long on my undereye or inner corner.  I have better luck with a pencil.  The texture of the pencil is a bit hard, and you do need to work with it a bit for the color to transfer with a high degree of pigmentation.  I don't mind this as the color is so unique and coordinates beautifully with the Eye Shadow Duo in Sable-Emouvant as well as all the other pieces I picked up from the collection.

The overall effect is subtle.  It may be difficult to pick up on lighter skin tones.  The pencil retails for $28 and is available now at counters. 

Product Doctor Turns 1!

Inspired by the words and images from my favorite blogs, it was a year ago today that Product Doctor was born! I received so much enjoyment from reading and commenting on the beauty blogosphere that I decided I wanted to have a voice as well! Blogging provides a necessary escape from the stress and seriousness of my career and everyday life. Seriously, makeup is fun!


I must thank all of the incredible blogs out there who have linked and loved Product Doctor to help it launch off the ground! I especially want to thank all of my readers for your comments, enthusiasm and support!