Hey everyone! Do you like my DVD prop? No? Haha, I thought so. Today, I’ve got Le Métier de Beauté Blushing Bronzed Duet in Romeo & Juliet, which I got a couple of months ago via the LMdB Beauty Vault VIP subscription, the unboxing post is this-a-way. The awesome folks at LMdB actually sent me a replacement after my first compact arrived broken.
Product Description
Sublime blush meets the perfect bronze. The Blushing Bronzed Duet embraces the incomparable pairing of Le Métier de Beauté’s signature Radiance Powder Rouges and sheer, lightly pigmented bronzers, which have been individually heralded for their universally flattering and natural-looking tones. These beautiful and balanced combinations create the quintessential glow with ease and grace.
These duets (duos?) retail for $65 each (!!!) for 0.49oz or 12.89g of product. I think the more popular, warmer shade is Traviata, but I am completely smitten with Romeo and Juliet, adding it to my list of favorites last month.
Swatched, L-R: Romeo and Juliet blush, Romeo and Juliet bronzer, Romeo and Juliet blush and bronzer mixed together
The blush is a very cool pink with a smattering of fine, but visible, silver specks. The bronzer is a warm tan, with a slightly orange undertone. I don’t think I would wear either on their own, but mixed together, gives a rather beautiful mid-tone coral pink that is perfect for spring/summer. This has been a go-to blush for days that I didn’t really know what to wear.
The pans are big enough to use by themselves, though. Upon application of the two colors mixed together, the specks of silver somehow dissipate, and you’re left with a rather nice warm glow. Here are two looks in which I’ve worn beautiful Romeo and Juliet:
I’ve never bought any of the LMdB cheek products by choice (I just get them in subscription boxes), and I tend to reserve my lusty thoughts for the creme fresh tints (y’all shall be mine!) but I’ve actually had a really great experience with the LMdB cheek products thus far. Romeo & Juliet, in particular, has been a memorable and satisfying product for me.
Introducing my first major makeup purchase of the year: the NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette! This came out a few months ago and I haven’t been able to shake it off my brain. It’s a beaut, that’s for sure. Read More
The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils aren’t really new to me, but now I’ve got this shade, Train Bleu to add to my meager collection of three. Prior to Train Bleu, I already had Bahama, Dolce Vita, and Damned, and I absolutely loved the formula of these. They are, as the name suggests, quite matte and it can feel a little drying on the lips. These will emphasize dry areas on your lips, so just a caveat. Read More
The April offerings of Le Métier de Beauté Beauty Vault VIP left a lot to be desired. At least, for me. Seeing as I stalk the Makeuptalk thread for this subscription service, I already knew that I wouldn’t really like the box that was coming my way. For one thing, it had two nail lacquers and a—excuse my French—pretty gross baby blue eyeshadow. Based on what I have read, a lot of subscribers received Cocoa Cabana, something I had already received in February 2014. A no-repeat of products was guaranteed, which is part of why I signed up for it for a second round. I contacted PR/customer service and have yet to receive a reply, which is pretty unlike my previous experiences with LMdB.
I don’t mind repeat products if I love them; I just don’t particularly care for nail varnish, much less this color I’m ambivalent about that I also already have. Read More
A few months ago, I did an ILIA Roundup, in which I spoke a bit about the ILIA products I have, up until that point, tried. I started thinking about what videos I could make and thought it would be somewhat helpful to do a try-on sort of video in which I wear the ILIA lip products I have to demonstrate how they look on my face.
If you’re not familiar with ILIA, it’s a Canadian beauty brand founded in 2011 that specializes in organic lip products, “dedicated to creating the purest products possible. The ethical-sustainable approach embodied in each piece is filled with certified organic bio-active botanicals that nourish and rejuvenate the skin.” Says its founder, Sasha Plavsic:
“Somebody once said to me, that because its organic its good for you, and it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work as well as the mainstream stuff – I intend to change their mind.”
Plavsic has a background in design and aesthetics, having worked with brands like Oliver Peoples, Chrome Hearts, and Cartier, which probably explains the modern slant of ILIA, especially when compared to a majority of the more available and accessible organic and natural brands.
Like I mentioned in the video, I have items from 4 of their lip ranges. I don’t have any of their complexion products (though I’m super tempted to try out the tinted moisturizer), but I’ve tried and loved their mascara.
Multi-Stick
ILIA Multi-Sticks combine organic ingredients with the healing properties of Vitamin E and Shea Butter. Apply to cheeks, lips and eyes for a sheer blush of color. I personally haven’t tried it as an eye color, but I don’t think it’ll hold up well to my oily lids. I love this as a cheek product, but it works well as a lip product, too! $34.
All of Me is described as a “warm watermelon hue perfect for just about any skin tone” and it “embraces functionality as a base.” Whatever that last part means.
Lipstick Crayon
“ILIA Lipstick Crayon is packed with healing oils of sesame, rose hip, and papaya.” $24.
Dress You Up is one of my most favorite shades. It’s ILIA’s “first true mauve that will suite most skin tones. This rose-berry hue is just enough color to take your lips from a day to night look.”
Tinted Lip Conditioner
“ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner combines organic ingredients to soothe and condition the lips. Each shade carries a sheer touch of color that increases in intensity when applied liberally. Mix with other ILIA colors to create your own personalized shade.” $26.
Blossomy Lady is a “muted shade of pink, and a top seller. Blossom Lady’s soft tones contain an innocence that all of us can relate to at one time or another in our lives.” Like I said in the video, I don’t wear this out too often since it sometimes looks like a grey-pink on me, aka too cool. I do like it right now, though, for some reason.
Dizzy is a shade I bought primarily to layer over Shell Shock. It’s a “shade of melon marks lips with a hint of expression, ready for any adventure. Don’t be fooled by the cool orange tones, this shade will warm up to a coral hue upon application.” It’s really honestly super flattering on the lips, even for a medium-skin girl like me.
Shell Shock is a “soft, bright pop of color” and a “warm weather favorite [that is] a great introductory shade to those who may shy away from our bolder brights. Pairs beautifully when layered with Dizzy.” I love Shell Shock. It’s definitely a good gateway to brights, if you’re not comfortable wearing them.
Crimson & Clover was a limited edition long wear shade. It’s a “vibrant red shade” and is “the perfect kick to liven any look. This red hue has long wear and will leave a beautiful stain in its place.”
Bang Bang is ILIA’s best-selling red, and a great “stepping stone” towards a full red lip. It’s a statement lip, but not super intense or bold.
Lipstick
“ILIA Lipstick combines organic ingredients with contemporary colors blended into a creamy semi-matte finish. Mix with ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioners to moisten lips and revive colors and in between re-application.” $26.
(I have nail paint on one nail because I was testing it out… HEH.)
Funnel of Love is a “soft nude with peachy undertones. Our inspiration hails from the much sought after look of Brigitte Bardot, a true beauty and forerunner in expressing sensuality.” Mmm.
Ink Pot was a limited edition shade. It’s a “violent, violet hue that leans itself away from the rest, standing out on its own as a bold, unique shade. Ink Pot can be worn at full throttle for an rich intense hue, or lightly for a berry stain.”
Femme Fatale is a mix of berry and burgundy shades.
Aside from being a mostly organic brand, with products made with USDA certified organic ingredients, ILIA is also Leaping Bunny certified and gluten-free certified. More on that here.
Phew, that was long. I guess I just wanted to make this post as sort of proof that you can find beautiful cruelty-free and green beauty products, and as an encouragement to try and find brands that you are drawn to. I’m not 100% there yet, but it’s fun when you find a brand that speaks to you on many levels. Anyway, I hope this post was helpful for you. Thank you for reading. 🙂
Not too long ago, I received quite the regal package (haha) from the local distributors of K-Palette. For the last few years, K-Palette has been my liquid eyeliner and eyebrow product of choice—something not to be taken lightly, given how fickle of a human being I am. But I digress. Inside the box were two shades of the new Best Ever K-Palette Real-Lasting Eyeliner 24H WP*, which is a mouthful but admittedly very descriptive! Read More
I had to search my Gmail inbox to get the backstory on my mysterious Lydia purchase. I mean, I didn’t forget buying it, but I wasn’t sure what the circumstances were or why it took me so long to review it. After remembering why I got it (Black Friday sale—$12.80 instead of $16), I began writing this review. Read More
Softly Sometimes 