.:: CybeleSays ::.

Sometimes seeing is believing and that is surely the case with NARS’ new Light Reflecting Setting Powder in Translucent Crystal. It looks white in the container but know that it doesn’t show up white when you buff it onto the skin, just transluscent. It contains vitamin E and glycerin, which is supposed to help hold makeup in place, as well as what they call Photochromic Technology to diffuse the light and adjust to new sources of light throughout the day. Speaking of, of course I need to share how long this lasted on my skin but it was hard to tell but I’d put it at about 4 hours.

The powder is so finely milled, probably the most finely these eyes have ever seen. But what I’m most impressed with is the finishing touch it gives to your look and though I don’t have oily skin, I think this will be a great one for those that struggle with excess face oil and they will get a few more hours out of their look. This one also comes in a pressed form. Have you tried either of these yet? $34 @ sephora.com.

Doesn’t it seem that most illuminating face powders are for print work or just look really great in magazines when the light is just perfect? That’s what I think of when I come across these kinds of powders. Just out is HOURGLASS COSMETICS Ambient Lighting Powder ($45 @ hourglasscosmetics.com) and it’s like one of those foundations with the light diffusing properties that blur imperfections. They describe it as, ““photoluminescent technology” - micron-size spherical particles that refract light and create transparent coverage. The only other time I’ve see a powder like this was quite a few years ago here and that reminds me, I should pull it out of the drawer to use it again as I really liked it. Eh, so much makeup, so little time!

Anyway, this one comes in 6 different shades and the one I tried was the Diffused Light, which helps quell redness, and one seems to specialize in bringing out/hiding something existing in your skin. Quite fascinating and worth investigating the other shades and while these don’t look like much in the compact, it’s what it does to the face that’s worth it. Is this something up your alley?

Look at this HUGE palette from IT COSMETICS. It’s their Vitality Face Disc and looks like a discus used in the Olympics, doesn’t it?! This brand is really coming about and is playing with the big boys when it comes to competition. Let’s investigate, shall we?

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I love to give the gift of BARE ESCENTUALS. They really put mineral makeup on the map and I love all their sets they come out with for the holidays. Here are few I’m recommending for the beauty lover on your list.

R.S.V.P. Collection ($54) – this one includes the mother load! It includes: SPF25 Mineral Veil finishing powder, Prime Time Primer Shadow in Golden Peach, After Party Eyecolor (size small), Celebration Blush (size medium), Round the Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 7M (rich brown), Double-Ended Flawless Definition Mascara in Black, Pretty Amazing Lipgloss in Rowdy (glazed plum), Tapered Shadow Brush, Soft Sweep Cheek Brush.

And I’m still a firm believer in their Get Started Kit ($60) for the beauty lover in your life that maybe is interested in mineral makeup but doesn’t know where to start. This one contains all the essentials: two shades of bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation (size medium), Original Mineral Veil (size medium), Warmth All-Over Face Color (size medium), Full Flawless Face Brush, Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush, How-To DVD, Bonus gift of Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo (full size).

Both available @ bareescentuals.com.

There’s a big push on ESTEE LAUDER’s reformulation of their Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator and I have to say I am a fan. This serum is a good one if you are looking to even out your skin’s tone and fade some of those dark spot or other discolorations, without using the controversial ingredient hydroquinone. It uses a blend of ingredients like plant extracts as well as salicylic acid and stabilized vitamin c to do the work. And while I didn’t see it totally remove a spot I have up on my temple, it did seem to improve my overall tone. So I wouldn’t use this one as a hardcore spot fader but instead more as a skin booster. $58/1.7oz @ esteelauder.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

I never thought I’d see CLINIQUE’s Moisture Surge morph into anything else than what it is, so when they came out with this Moisture Surge Tinted Moisture SPF 15, umm wow, ok then. So they just got a little crazy with it and put out 6 new ones that are, as the name states, tinted. 

Warmer climates are on deck so isn’t it time to change up some of your makeup routine to lighter products anyway? Their researchers determined that 82% of women use a facial moisturizer and 67% use a foundation, so they thought, why not combine the two in one of their most popular moisturizers? Know that a little gel goes a long way and be sure to blend it in well right after squeezing it out of the tube.

For some reason, though, there only seems to be two colors of this on the lighter side of the spectrum. I tried shades 3 and 4, which look dark online and outta the tube but seem to work fine on my light/medium olive complexion. $24.50 @ clinique.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

What it is: The ultimate luxury when only the finest will do for the New Year: a cuvee collection that’s cause for celebrations … a Champagne smash, colour and skincare shimmering with all the bubbly optimism & golden glow of the best that’s yet to be.

Wanna see the picks? Click after the jump!

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If The Jewelry Box from TARTE doesn’t illicit a huge wow out of the recipient then I give you permission to take it back and keep it for yourself!! This is a limited edition 5 ½” by 5 ½” by 2 ½” thick … case or box, which contains 32 brand spankin’ new eye shadow colors, eight lip glosses, a bronzer, a brand spankin’ new shimmer powder shade, five eyeliners and check this, a detachable gold and black necklace. Pick this one up for the serious beautista in your life. $52 @ sephora.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

What it is: A modern, flowing and fabulous way with bold, kaleidoscopic colour combined with boho charm and up-to-the-minute catwalk style. Shadows are matte, sans glitter and in the trio format. Creamy lips play perfectly off Mineralize satin-smooth eyes. Turn on and groove out!

Wanna see the product picks? Click the link after the jump!

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Silicone this, silicone that. If you look in the ingredient list of your hair care or facial products, you might see ingredients like Dimethicone, Copolyol, as Cyclomethicone. There is a lot of buzz on these words right now when it comes to beauty as they seem to have a plus and minus to the use of them. Silicones are used in beauty products for a few reasons - skin softeners or lubricants or to provide the slip found in face primers, foundations or defrizz products. You know how smooth your face feels after applying a primer? That’s a silicone at work. 

I’ve read quite a few places that it can cause breakouts for some people because from what I can gather, silicones don’t let the skin breathe so my advice? If you see a product list with one of the above ingredients, try it and see how it does on your skin. It’s certainly not bad for you but can an irritant for some.

If you find your skin doesn’t react well to silicones, the PURPLE LAB line has you covered when it comes to a makeup primer. They have a silicone-free face primer simply called Pearlesque Show Silicone-Free Primer ($30/.7oz @ purplelab.com) and this one goes the extra mile. It contains aloe, grape seed extract and ginkgo biloba to nourish the skin and the formula has a slight tint to it from the pearl powder added to it. Make your foundation or face powder last this summer and use a primer!

This product contains Diazolidinyl Urea in it, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern. Read more here and here. It also contains Propylene Glycol, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern. Read more here.

Read my ingredient disclaimer here.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.