I'm starting a new on-going feature called "5 Favorite ... " where I list my 5 current favorite products in a particular category. So this week, I've chosen Pantone's Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid. 

It’s almost like they picked it just because it’s such a great color when it comes to makeup! Here are my favorites when it comes to this color. Are you wearing any radiant orchid these days on your features?

THE BODY SHOP Bunch of Violets Shimmer Cubes Palette #23 ($22 @ thebodyshop.com) – this quad is great for creating an overall orchid-colored eye look. The cube shades are: Orchid Purple, Candy Pink, Pearly White and Velvet Plum. Use wet or dry and apply with brush or your finger and blend, blend, blend.

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Shameless Bold Blush in #212 Outspoken ($30 @ sephora.com) – blend in  this surprisingly workable shade on cheeks. So unexpectedly fun.

DOLCE & GABBANA The Nail Lacquer in Passione ($24 @ saks.com) – along with the Beauty Addicts, this one is a spot on perfect shade of the trending color. Gorg!

BEAUTY ADDICTS Lip Addiction in Seduce Fierce ($17 @ beautyaddicts.com) – I think this shade perfectly describes the shade. The coverage is sheer to medium depending how much you apply.

KANEBO Sensai Rouge Everlasting Colour in #115 Iwatsutsuji ($40 @ sensai-cosmetics.com) – this one is just a smidge more purple so if you want your trending shade more on that side, this would be a good one to try. And these lippies are really smooth and last quite a few hours.  

So I brought up bronzers yesterday and I admit I used to be quite scared of them and avoided them for quite a few years. It’s hard to know exactly what to look for in a good one but at the end of the day, it all comes down to what kind of look you are going after.

Kanebo Sensai Designing Duo Bronzing Powder

One trait this next one brought up was, when it comes to bronzer, shimmer or no shimmer? I have long liked no shimmer but this one has given me some experience with a shimmer version. KANEBO Sensai Collection Designing Duo Bronze Powder ($45 @ amazon.com) is more luxurious than your average bronzers. It contains pearl particles, Koishimaru Silk Extracts, which is used for its moisturizing properties, macadamia nut oil, rice extract, among others.

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I got my hands on two more of The Lipsticks from the KANEBO line. Yes, they are on the expensive side but what you are paying for a truly a great quality with skincare-grade ingredients inside. If your lips get dried out from most lipsticks, these are a great one to try.

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It’s been hotter than hot in most parts of the country so why not give a mist a shot? I can’t think of a better way to give yourself an instant cool down and all three of these are over-the-makeup approved.

 

SKINDINAVIA Summer Moisturizer SPF8 (39/4oz @ skindinavia.com) – made especially for the summer months (the SPF could be higher, no?), this one contains hygroscopic moisturizer that mimics the skins own hydrating elements and is great for those with oily/combo skin.

KANEBO Hydrachange Mist ($75/3.4oz @ sensai-cosmetics.com) – From the Sensai Collection, this one contains their Hydrachange Complex to moisturize the skin and their Aqua Floral fragrance.

SKYN ICELAND Arctic Face Mist ($29/3.99oz @ skyniceland.com) – The name of this just sounds refreshing! Spray on some of the Multivitamin Complex with vitamins like A, B, C and E amongst others to nourish the skin.

LUSH Breath of Fresh Air ($8.95/3.3oz @ lush.com) – Never have to worry about bad ingredients inside any Lush products! Be like New Edition and Cool It Down with aloe vera gel, fresh sea water and rose oil, among others.

A tip for all of these - keep them in the frig so when you spray, instant cooling relief.

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes. Some I bought.