Edward Bess Moroccan Rose Blush Imperiale

Moroccan Rose scared me when I first saw it a couple of months ago. It's such an assertive and pigmented color, and I live in fear of having 80s cheeks. Eventually I was convinced to try (Edward and his team are always right), and another love was born. Moroccan Rose is the darkest and plummiest of in Edward Bess' Blush Imperiale line (these are powder blushes. The three cream ones are Compact Rouge). Still, it has the finest sheer texture that gives you control over the level of pigmentation and works with every good brush I tried, from the superb Edward Bess Face Brush to Chanel #7, Nars Yachio and several duo-fiber brushes.

The color is on the warm side, at least when applied to my skin- it's very pigmented but still lets skin shine through, which is what makes this blush so unique- Edward Bess creates makeup that enhances and defines your features but not covers you up with unnecessary paint.

The texture of Blush Imperiale is as soft and smooth as one would want, and while it's matte, there is still a level of radiance- no shimmer or shiny particles, just some sort of natural glow that might be the result of the way this blush melds and blends with your foundation and the skin underneath. The swatch you can see above was done with the little brush that came in the compact and is not blended or sheered. You can play it up or down according to your own skin tone.

My guess would be that Blush Imperiale in Moroccan Rose would work for most who have light/medium and up skin. If you're very fair you might want to check the other two shades. Next week I'll show and review the one in Desert Bloom. In the meantime you can see Charlsestongirl's review and swatches of this interesting blush on Best Things In Beauty.

Bottom Line: Exquisite.

Edward Bess Blush Imperiale ($48) is available from Bergdorf Goodman, select Neiman Marcus locations (also online) and edwardbess.com.

All photos are mine (and Sophie's).

Edward Bess Sheer Satin Cream Compact Foundation (03 Nude)

I have several Edward Bess goodies to talk about- new shades of lip colors and his gorgeous blushes. But before we go there I must talk about this little wonder- the Edward Bess Sheer Satin Cream Compact Foundation. I've been using it just about every other day for the last couple of months, especially when I need to get ready quickly. The advantage of this compact foundation is that it already contains a silicone base, which means two things: 1) no need to use a silicone primer underneath, and, 2) application is the easiest thing in the universe.

I admit that when I'm not in a hurry  I like to apply a brightening non-silicone primer (like the ones from Cle de Peau or Shiseido) underneath the Edward Bess foundation, but it's not really necessary. Thanks to the formula my makeup holds for at least 8 hours even without one. I'm just a primer fiend.

I apply the foundation with a sponge- usually slightly damp (the one in the compact is quite decent, by the way). The Sheer Satin foundation gives medium coverage and looks beautifully natural on skin- the finish is flawless, smooth and soft, and since Node #3 is perhaps the most perfect match for my skin I've seen in a while, it looks like I'm just having a good skin day.

Bottom Line: Perfection. As always.

Edward Bess Sheer Satin Cream Compact Foundation ($60) is available from Bergdorf Goodman and select Neiman Marcus locations as well as online.

All photos are mine. Model: Sophie.

Edward Bess Platinum Concealer (Soft Beige)

I'm very much a liquid/cream concealer fan. My skin can get very dry very fast, so I'm wary of textures that might cake, flake or look scaly, especially if I'm already trying to hide something. But I trust Edward Bess with my face and was happy to discover his Platinum Concealer that only comes in a solid stick formula is actually creamy, easy to blend and very dry skin-friendly.

I apply Platinum Concealer with various brushes- from a precision point concealer brush to flat ones for wider areas and even a foundation brush when using it under my eyes. The Edward Bess formula gives excellent coverage while melting seamlessly into any foundation or tinted moisturizer and allowing for easy blending. It never makes my skin look dry and doesn't flake.

Soft Beige is one of four available colors. It was easy to pick it as the right shade for me- it has just enough yellow and no muddy or ruddy tones. I used quite a bit of product for the photos, but in normal use you only need a tiny amount-it gives an excellent coverage with a very natural look, so that's another huge advantage of this Edward Bess concealer.

Note to self: Venture out of your comfort zone more often.

Edward Bess Platinum Concealer ($38) is available at Bergdorf Goodman, select Neiman Marcus location (as well as online) and edwardbess.com

All photos are mine. Models: Buffy, Giselle and Josephine.

Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush

A couple of months ago I held an open thread about makeup brushes and one reader commented that the Luxury Eye Brush from Edward Bess' line is so good it makes a drugstore eye shadow look like a million dollar. I know what she meant. The thickness, density and shape of this brush coerces even the most questionably-textured eye shadows (Lancome, in my case) to spread and apply evenly. It's excellent for smooth blending that looks professional and for doing a wash of color over the lid.

This brush is made of natural bristles, so it's intended for powder eye shadows. It's as soft as they come and feels great against delicate skin in the eye area. The thick and round head is too big for contouring or for delicate crease work, so I'd be delighted if Edward Bess comes up with a second eye brush in a smaller size/tapered shape. But since no brush can do it all, the Luxury Eye Brush is among the most fabulous options out there. It comes in a sleek and sturdy box, making it a great gift idea (and easy to wrap!). Just keep it out of your pets reach- my Josephine was quite certain it's a small furry animal that should come and play with her.

Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush ($40) is available from Bergdorf Goodman in store and online, select Neiman Marcus locations as well as their online store and edwardbess.com.

All photos and kittens are mine.

Edward Bess Night Romance Ultra Sleek Lipstick

As promised, here are the photos and comparisons of Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick in Night Romance. This is the more pink twin of Forever Yours, and I love its rosy beauty just as much. They are similar and some might find having both an overkill, but they're so pretty and wearable I find myself reaching for them very often, and I usually have one or the other in purse for touch ups.

Edward Bess Ultra Sleek Lipsticks ($32) are available from Bergdorf Goodman, select stores worldwide and edwardbess.com.

All photos are mine.

Edward Bess Midnight Bloom Ultra Sleek Lipstick

Today we have more Edward Bess lipstick goodness. There are only a couple of reds in Edward Bess' Ultra Sleek lipstick line, and the other one, Eternal Passion, while also a cool red is too bright for me. Midnight Bloom, on the other hand, is just perfect.

Midnight Bloom is the kind of red you want to wear when doing the French thing- you know, black eyeliner, pale and minimalist everything else, perfect skin, black or navy little dress with an exquisite scarf and no toe cleavage. Like all the other Edward Bess lipsticks, Midnight Bloom is creamy, has a beautiful lively finish, lots of pigment and decent staying power. It wears comfortably and feels luxurious even if one is not too crazy for the fruity scent.

You can see my reviews of Forever Yours and Tender Love (Night Romance is coming soon). KarlaSugar has swatches of the entire line.

Edward Bess Ultra Sleek Lipsticks ($32) are available exclusively from Bergdorf Goodman and edwardbess.com.

All  photos are mine.

Edward Bess Forever Yours Ultra Sleek Lipstick

My constant companion these days is Edward Bess Ultra Sleek Lipstick in Forever Yours. This richly pigmented red based pink that is about one shade darker than my natural lip color offers full coverage, creamy texture and perfect finish that's just shiny enough without any actual shimmer. It stays put through a quick snack or a drink and always looks appropriate.

Forever Yours is half a shade darker and has a little more brown in the base than its closely-related sibling Night Romance. I'll show more photos of Night Romance next week, but for now here's a comparison swatch:

The Ultra Sleek lipstick range is small and carefully edited. There are only 13 colors, which seems a bit limited. But it actually shows Edward Bess' keen eye and perfectionism. Out of the 13, there are four colors I love and wear regularly. If I weren't addicted and obsessed with makeup and beauty blogging I could have (theoretically, of course) lived with just those four. That says a lot.

Bottom Line: Perfect.

Edward Bess Ultra Sleek Lipsticks ($32) are available exclusively from Bergdorf Goodman and edwardbess.com. I'd suggest (urge you, actually) to ignore the tiny color samples on Edward's website and check out my own reviews (more to come) as well as those by Sabrina on the Beauty Look Book and KarlaSugar.

All photos are mine.

Edward Bess Lipsticks 40% Off. Just tell them Oprah sent you.

Oprah has outdone herself this month. Using the code OPRAH would not only give you the 25% discount at beautyhabit.com (valid until August 13th), but also a fabulous 40% off Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick on edwardbess.com today only (until 11:59 PM eastern time). I couldn't help it and ordered a couple more. I'm sure you can guess which colors.

You can read my review of the lipstick (and gloss, which isn't included in the sale) here. Also, check out the undisputed queen of swatches, KarlaSugar, to see all the colors.

As you probably know, I'm not affiliated with beautyhabit, Edward Bess or Oprah, though I wouldn't mind if Oprah adopted me and Edward moved in with me (not so much the other way around).

Photo of Edward Bess Tender Love lipstick by me.

Edward Bess Cream Blush Compact Rouge For Lips And Cheeks (After Sunset)

Edward Bess keeps showing his talent for creating makeup elegant items that enhance and compliment the face and natural coloring without stealing the show. His colors often appear deceivingly demure but upon application you see how rich and flattering they are. The cream blush (called "Compact Rouge For Lips and Cheeks") is such an item. It comes in two shades, Island Rose (a cool-toned pink) and my choice- After Sunset- a warm pink with mild brown undertones that can go on sheer and light for the naturally pale or be built up for a summery sun-kissed glow. The texture is not greasynot greasy or shiny and looks very natural on the face.

I use just a little either on the apples of the cheeks or when I'm in the mood to go for a more defined cheekbone look. The blush blends easily and seamlessly either with one's fingers or a synthetic face brush (synthetic fibers don't absorb cream and liquid products). I tried using this rouge on the lips, but the texture is not quite as creamy as I would have liked and the color is too sheer to show (my lips are naturally a dark rose color). So for me this Edward Bess blush is a cheek-only, but I'm perfectly fine with it. It's quick and easy to apply and very foolproof- I can put it on when in a hurry and not worry about messing it up. The slim compact in its little sueded pouch is also great on the go and doesn't take up much space (I just wish it was easier to open without endangering my nails).

Bottom line: An instant classic.

Edward Bess Cream Blush Compact Rouge For Lips And Cheeks ($38) is available exclusively from Bergdorf Goodman (in-store only) and edwardbess.com.

All photos are mine.

Edward Bess & Chanel Natural Lip Definers

We all know that the secret to a truly polished lipstick application is using a lip liner. The right liner, that is. It's even more crucial now when full coverage lipsticks are back big time, and even light and nude color lipstick have a more grownup and sophisticated finish. The trick is to find good lip liners that will not be obvious or visible. It used to be much harder. For some reason, nude colors were often unnatural looking with too much beige, brown or even orange. I kept a specimen or two of this trend from the mid-nineties until our recent move, and was always amazed to see these colors were ever considered "natural". I don't know about you, but I've never come across a person with a natural orange pigment in their lips.

Thankfully, we've all learned a thing or two since then. I've shown several pink-based favorites in the past, so today I'm tackling two warmer options by Chanel and Edward Bess.

Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Mordore Nude (05) is not really a nude color, even by my darker than most standard. It's more of a muted warm(ish) red. It's a great base and liner for some of the Rouge Coco lipsticks and I use it occasionally with several bold red lipsticks because it is completely invisible under them. But if your lips are naturally pale I'd advise you to be very careful with this color.

Edward Bess Natural Defining Lip Stylo is as universal as such a product can be. There will always be someone whose coloring requires something completely different, but Edward Bess has managed to produce a natural nude with a very wide appeal here. His stylo pencil works with my lip color and I've seen it on two much paler faces, working well with several shades of Bess' own lipsticks. I use it often, especially when I'm rushing to do my makeup. It's a no hassle, no fuss color.

Both lip liners are of great quality. Firm enough to deliver precise results and creamy enough to glide comfortably and not pull the skin. They stay on with no bleeding or migrating, feel comfortable when used to fill the lip surface and provide excellent grab for whatever lip color you use over them.

Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Mordore Nude ($28) is available from chanel.com and some Chanel counters. I got it as GWP late last year. Edward Bess Natural Defining Lip Stylo ($29) is exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman (where I bought it) and edwardbess.com.

All photos are mine.