How To Pronounce Those French Brand Names

As a French speaker, I have to admit to the occasional wince when watching beauty youtube videos. French is a difficult language to master, so the butchered pronunciation is not unexpected. However, names can be learned phonetically, so when I came across this set of videos from the lovely LifeInColors55, I thought they were perfect and deserved to be shared.

Estée Lauder Shimmering Sands Illuminating Powder Gelée

I purchased a few things from the Bronze Goddess Capri collection, but let me start with the star of the show.

By now the Illuminating Powder Gelées from Estée Lauder are an auto-buy for me. Having missed out on Modern Mercury and having adored Topaz Chameleon, I snatched Shimmering Sands up faster than you can believe.

And it's freakin' gorgeous. Not quite as bling-tastic as TC with its reptilian print, but pretty lush all the same.

I won't go into too much detail about the particular texture of the Gelée, as I elaborated on it in the review for Topaz Chameleon. Suffice it to say that the texture is the same, though this is a shimmer rather than metallic. The pigmentation on this is almost as strong. It can be used as an eyeshadow, blush, bronzer or highlighter, depending on your skin tone and application technique.

Indirect natural light.

Artificial light.

I think Shimmering Sands pairs beautifully with a basic bronzer applied first for contour and depth, and then this swept on the top of the cheeks, at the outer planes of the forehead, and on the eyelids. The combination gives a burnished, deep-summer tan effect, like those luscious St.Tropez ads from the early 90s.

As an eyeshadow it's lovely for a light wash, or for warming up the crease of a smoky eye.

As a blush, the shimmer finish might prove a little challenging to the frost-phobic. In those cases, I would recommend using a matte shade as a base, and then buffing this in overtop for a gorgeous glow. 

Like Topaz Chameleon, it can be used with a fluffy synthetic brush for a more delicate application. Because of the deeper color, it won't work as a traditional highlighter on paler skin tones, but applied lightly it lends a beautiful radiance while adding a bit of color. The rose-amber tone could potentially be incredibly flattering on deeper skin.

Indirect natural light.

Artificial light.

Availability: On the www.esteelauder.com website (the Canadian version is now more complete and offers free shipping over 50$!) and counters at department store like The Bay and Sears. Price is 50$ CAD.

Pros: Knockout style and design, great pigmentation, unique color, versatile application possibilities.

Cons: Pigmentation, shade undertone and shimmer might make it a challenge to use as highlighter, bronzer or blush with some skin tones. (But for me personally I think the versatility outweighs the limitations.)

(I purchased this item at the EL counter at The Bay.)

Quickie - OPI Planks A Lot

This incredibly lovely Spring teaser weekend had me digging into the stash for an appropriate nail polish.

OPI Planks A Lot, from last year's Pirates of the Caribbean collection. In my opinion, a vastly under-loved series of dusty pastels and neutrals.