Bravon Beauty Review

When I find a celebrity whose makeup I love, I social media stalk them until I find out who does their makeup. For her awesome combination of brains and beauty, I adore Kimberly Guilfoyle - attorney, former model, and co-host of the hit TV news show The Five. Her makeup artist is Vincenza Carovillano (@makeupvincenza), and the particular lip I loved was a combination of lip glosses by Bravon Beauty. Bravon Beauty was founded by Bravon Pascua. He's also a former model and was the International Makeup Artist and Trainer for Bare Escentuals - so if you like that line, this brand has a similar price range and feel, but, in my humble opinion, has much higher-quality products (I didn't do an ingredients comparison, I am basing this claim off of the feel and wear of the products).

I ordered the gloss combo and, when it arrived, I was thrilled that Bravon Beauty graciously included some incredible samples (thank you!!). With these products, I  created an easy summer look that wore all day and was extremely comfortable even in 90 degrees + humidity.

Pictured below are the non-Bravon products and tools I used, with the exception of my mascaras and lash curler (L'Oreal Voluminous primer and Maybelline The Colossal Big Shot/ Kevyn Aucoin lash curler). From left to right: e.l.f. powder brush, Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen (great stuff - here's 20% off of your first purchase), Anastastia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Soft Brown and Clear Brow Gel, and Urban Decay 24/7 eye liner in Empire.

To start, I mixed Bravon Smooth Start Perfecting Foundation Primer in Clear with the Glossier sunscreen. This serum-like primer has a great slip (meaning makeup slides over it), an extremely light texture, and contains antioxidants to protect the skin - plus it helps makeup stay in place all day without touch ups. Next, I tapped the Hydrating Dual Action Concealer in Light 2 around my entire eye as both a corrector and lid primer since it is slightly orange. I was most impressed with this product since it canceled out my dark circles and hydrated my under-eye area.

For the skin, I pressed Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation in Soft Beige around my face's perimeter, Alabaster under eyes and the center of my face, then blended both products together to create dimension and subtle contouring. This gorgeous, every day foundation is hydrating without being greasy, conditions the skin, and is oil-free. This would be excellent for mature skin where some makeup can settle into wrinkles, or as a medium coverage foundation with a very light feel. When layered over the primer mentioned above, it's also long-wearing!

I then set the foundation with a light dusting of The Eraser Tinted Diffusion Powder in Natural Light. This like like an Instagram filter for your face, and simply using this over the primer would be a a beautiful option for those who don't want to wear foundation every day but still want some coverage.

I lined my eyes, then, with my finger, pressed the Magnetic Eyes Shadow Solo/Satin in Mystic Mauve on my lids and up into the crease. This has a light sheen, but nothing sparkly or metallic. I prefer something with more pigment, but this is lovely for those who just want a sheer wash of color. Side note - this isn't actually loose when you purchase the shadow, they just scraped some out for me.

I added some warmth with the Dual Nature Contouring Bronzer in 60 Degrees and Sunny (great name!). Again, the actual product is pressed, and I enjoyed how this color seemed like a blush/bronze hybrid.

The Illuminat Contouring Highlighter in Twilight Glow was the one product I wasn't in love with since I feel that for a highlighter, it's a bit opaque. Still, I swirled this over the bronzer as I would a blush and it added a nice, luminous effect to my cheeks.

I lined my lips with the Lip Prefix Primer Liner in Nutmeg and y'all, this is so good. This neutral lip liner is slightly waxy, which serves two purposes: it slides over your lips unlike a traditional pencil, which can be drying and drag, and it grips onto your lips so it lasts forever.

Next, I mixed the Bullet Balm Lip Tint in Strawberry Jello (pictured on top) with the Bullet Balm Lip Shimmer in Caramel Sundae (bottom) and tapped them onto my lips. Like the eye shadow, I prefer something more pigmented, but this is perfect for someone who just wants to swipe a little color on the go.

Finally, I mixed the Lip Spa Aqua Gloss in Champagne (top) and Cherry Cosmo (bottom) - final result in the center - and blended that with my finger from the center of my lips outward. I love, love, love these glosses as they aren't sticky and, somehow, are extremely long-wearing. I love this peachy color combo for summer, and these are just beautiful wearing, looking and feeling glosses.

Here's the final look in natural light, with no editing or filters:

In Conclusion...

If you like Clinique or Bare Minerals/Escentuals, you will love this line. So much. I'm super impressed with a few of the products, and I am so grateful to have learned about this wonderful makeup line.

Keep in touch by following along on Instagram @ElectraLane, and please don't forget to subscribe...I don't want you to miss any makeup artist-inspired tips or tricks that will teach you to Be Your Own Makeup Artist. See you next time! - JY

Game-Changing Skincare

For all the alleged negatives surrounding social media, all that face time has made many people up their skincare and makeup games, which has forced skincare and makeup companies to create phenomenal products. Additionally, there's a demand for social consciousness - sustainability, giving back, superior ingredients and humane testing practices - so if your company can crack that code, it will set itself apart in a beyond saturated industry.

Especially when it comes to skincare, I think there's added pressure because, since we now are so aware that skin is our largest organ, folks are willing to pay a premium price for the good stuff. Not to sound hyperbolic, but

I have found the all-around, perfect skincare.

When I worked for La Mer, the vast majority of my clients are what I referred to as the "teachers and soccer moms" demographic - super hard-working women who had a ton of responsibility, not a ton of disposable income, and wanted to take excellent care of their skin by purchasing the best anti-ageing skincare they possibly could. So, they would purchase one ounce of La Mer and stretch it as long as they could; and their skin - and confidence - improved.

There's plenty of conspiracy surrounding La Mer, but as a devotee for nearly seven years, nothing else works as well for my skin. Still, I realize it's not for everyone, and I also realize this area isn't where many want to spend their money. So, all things considered, I would like to introduce you to a beautiful company that checks all the boxes. Meet LXMI.

Derived from the pit of a nut from a plant that grows in the Nile Valley called Nilotica, this relative of shea butter has incredible restorative, healing and hydrating properties. LXMI (pronounced luxe-me) offers two moisturizing formulas - the Pure Nilotica Melt, a buttery "balm-to-oil" that sinks into skin without feeling greasy, and the Creme du Nil, aka Cream of the Nile, which is a lighter formula containing Nilotica and other delicious ingredients.

I've tried both products by purchasing travel sizes, and I ended up buying the full-size Creme du Nil to seal in my serums and potions at night. I'll get the Pure Nilotica Melt for the cooler months as it's marketed as a sleeping mask, but it's a bit too heavy for me right now.

You might be thinking, "If this is so great, how come it isn't widely available?" According to the website, Nilotica needs to be sourced in a sustainable matter (and that's expensive), plus, it's a newer company. The genius behind the brand is that they take care of the sourcing issue, as well as giving back to that community, by employing local women to harvest the Nilotica. I mean...LXMI's official hashtag is #BeautyforHumanity. Wow.

So how much will it cost you?

$300? No. $100? Nope. For 1oz of the Pure Nilotica Melt, it's $48; 1.2oz of the Creme du Nil is $58. It's available through the LXMI website, as well as Sephora. I highly recommend stopping by the website, though, and read all about this brand, how great it is for your skin, and all of the good that it does for the women of Uganda.

In conclusion...

If you're looking to elevate your skincare routine with a whole product that is good for your skin, good for the planet, and one that supports and empowers women, take the leap into LXMI.

Enjoy your weekend!  JY

Images c/o Author, quickmeme.com, and LXMI.com

#QuickNEasy || Product Review

Sooo as a PR/Marketing person, I need to take a moment to say that maybe the whole campaign slogan,

"Are you a #QuickNEasy girl?"

has some...inappropriate...connotations, am I right? Like, I don't think I would have gone with that one. But that's the only negative I have about this line because it's awesome.

I love solution-based products, and the Quick 'N' Easy Makeup kits from Charlotte Tilbury are just that. For $75, you get 4-5 deluxe sample and full-sized products and a cute makeup bag. I'll give you a quick rundown of the kits, then share my take.

Natural Glow

The Natural Glow kit is the best value because you get five products, three of which are full-size. Add some concealer and brows, and this is a perfect everyday look for most skin tones.

Daytime Chic

Not really sure the purpose of this kit since it's basically the same tones as Natural Glow, but you don't get a lipstick (even though the beach stick is good for eyes/lips/cheeks), you only get two full-sized products (worth $67), and it's the same price. I'd say skip this one.

Red Carpet Party

Another three full-sized products, but no mascara. Still a decent value because the lipstick, lip liner and eye pencil are $76 on their own.

Smokey Eye Evening

With three full-sized products worth $81, this is the second-best value, and it's a great "desk to disco" kit, as Charlotte calls it.

My Thoughts

The true value of these kits is that they eliminate your need to think about what products to use, and the corresponding YouTube videos show you how to apply the products. These kits are a great intro to the line and, if you have some Christmas cash to burn, I would definitely take the Natural Glow kit. That said, while I adore Charlotte Tilbury products for the great ingredients and very high quality, you would still be in great shape viewing the videos and creating your own kits with products you already have.

Another option (that I own!) is the limited-edition Instant Look In a Palette. Also for $75, you get three eye shadows, two blushes, a bronzer and illuminator.

This is my go-to palette when I travel, and word on the street is she's coming out with more shades.

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Head over to Facebook to let me know what other products you would like reviewed, and have a great week!