BB Cream Update: Lust Vs Must

Happy Monday All! For those of you who read my blog, you know that one product I simply cannot live without is BB Cream. Beginning in late 2011 BB Creams burst onto the U.S. scene from their origination point in Korea. Over the last two years I've reviewed these hot button, all-in-one products as new brands have flooded the market. Today I'm giving you the ultimate "cheat sheet" on how to buy for value and finish! (Pictured below, me wearing BB Cream as my principle skincare item).

On my docket we have BB creams and CC creams, (which frankly are more or less the same; Blemish Balm versus Corrective Cream). There are dewy formulas, matte formulas, and healthy, in-between choices.  First up? One of my favorites for camera work. Boscia BB Cream and L'Oreal BB Magic. If you're looking for a great, super mattifying BB, these two brands are my top taskmasters. If your skin is on the pink/peach side, Boscia will provide a somewhat peach/beige, (neutralizing) finish. It's also botanical and oil free. If you're more yellow based, L'Oreal has four shades ranging from fair to dark that will suit any complexion, brighten tone, and stay extremely matte all day.

Lust: Boscia BB Cream: $38

Must: L'Oreal BB Cream: $11

Next up? The super dewy BB's. These brands give the skin a slightly shiny, hydrated, and highlighted appearance. If you're a little more tan/olive, try Philosophy's color range. (If you're a fan of the Hope in a Jar products already, you'll love Philosophy's latest take on BB's). The finish is touted as sheer, but I LOVE the depth of color and healthy glow it adds. If your complexion is pink based, try Urban Decay's Naked Skin BB which has a pearly-Pink tone. And if you want to play with more than one color on a budget, test out a drug store bargain with Rimmel's BB, available in three shades for under 8 bucks apiece!

Lust: Philosophy Hope in a Jar BB Cream: $38

Lust: Urban Decay: $34

Must: Rimmel BB Cream: $7

Somewhere in between the hyper dewy and the very matte there's a happy medium that provides a velvet finish with a hint of sheen. My picks for the middle blend BB's which do a little of both:

Lust: Dr Jart Premium BB Cream: $39

Must: Clio All Day Free BB: $21

And then, there are the CC Creams. They really provide the same features, (coverage, concealer, corrector, primer and sunscreen). The key difference is that CC's purportedly contain ingredients to fight dark spots and wrinkles, and they tend to be slightly lower in SPF. (20 SPF vs the 30+ in BB's). Here are some brands that I like and that come in a wider color range than the first wave of BB's seen two years ago.

Lust: Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream $48.00: 

Must: (For dewy skin) Sephora Skin Perfect CC Cream: $26
Must: (For Matte Skin) L'Oreal Visible Lift CC Cream: $12

There are many, many other brands carrying BB and CC Creams, but hopefully I've de-mystified the process of elimination just a little bit!

With Love!

Noa B

Dip Dye Denim

This week marks the official beginning of fall and I'm kicking it off with some leather.

Saying goodbye to summer is a little sad, but leather shorts make for good transitional options and on a cloudy morning denim is the perfect addition to the mix.

It's always fun to get back to layering. A shawl lapel blazer is an absolute must for the season, and black, (or black and white) is happening right now. This H&M tuxedo jacket is an absolute wardrobe staple, as is a large, statement jewelry piece.

Shorts: Tart, Denim Shirt: BB Dakota, Blazer: H&M, Choker: Kenneth Cole, Boots: Carrini, Clutch: Target

With love,

Noa B

Phillip Lim for Target

It's amazing how quickly a single designer's budget line can sell out at Target. I had put in reminder in my phone last Sunday to check out Phillip Lim's debut, but by the time I got around to shopping the looks they were largely sold out.

Fortunately the main item I wanted was still available. This snazzy, animal print shirt/blazer is a neat twist on fall's leopard trend, but the use of orange and navy adds a little flourish. (I'm picturing throwing this over distressed denim by day, leather minis by night!

Jacket: Phillip Lim for Target, Skirt: BB Dakota, Boots: Old, (similar HERE & HERE) Clutch: Vintage, Necklace & Sunnies: JewelMint 

There's still time to grab your own favorite, Lim/Target piece. Check out the jacket pictured above here!

With Love,

Noa B

Why I love Crossroads

Years ago I discovered Crossroads and the magic of re-sale clothing. At first I bought and traded a LOT but as time went on I learned to be more selective about my purchases. Re-sale is really about hunting for those few "special" brands or really unique items. (Not just the stuff you can buy anywhere and fill your closet with).

I didn't realize it until after the fact, but this whole ensemble, (minus the bag) was bought at Crossroads over a period of a year and half. The Kimono was a purchase made last spring. The dress was found last winter, and the wedge heels were snapped up this past June.

 

I'm a firm believer in shopping strategically. When it comes to re-sale I shoot for brands that I wouldn't normally buy at retail prices. This Black Halo dress still had the $360 tags attached when I snapped it up. The Jeffrey Campbell heels hadn't even been worn yet. Score!

 

 (The Kimono was just one of those items that screamed "Unique", so I didn't concern myself with branding).

My "pop" accent for this outfit was my lipstick choice. Brights like this one require very little else makeup-wise. I opted for an all-over NARS palette, with the new matte lip crayon in "YU", Nars bronzer and blush in the new "Adult Content" palette, and a NARS eye palette in "Ride up to the Moon".

Kimono Top: Moon B, Wedges: Jeffrey Campbell, Dress: Black Halo, Purse: Paul and Joe Sister, (Paris)

Where will you find your next "can't live without it" item?

With Love,

Noa B

Boho by Free People

I'm a flower child at heart. To this day Free People remains one of my favorite brands for hippie chic. The part of me growing up that loved Bedouin pants, shopping in the Tel Aviv markets for sheer, peasant blouses, and old, filigree jewelry is a Boho girl through and through. This line and I were made for one another.

My new favorite, transitional dress for fall is this swing-y, voile midi with the fishtail hem.

It has all my favorite elements; length, casual femininity, flow, and boho style. It's similar to the Peacemaker dress I wore here, but its textured fabric renders it perfect for fall.

 

This oxblood clutch is a spot on match for the embroidered bodice, and I can't resist a sheer, oxblood lipstick too. It's the latest fall element. Not quite raspberry, not quite maroon, but a sheer reddish/brown. I like Becca's Sheer Lip Tint in Milla or their Ultimate Matte Lip in Antoinette. 

Dress: Free People, Booties: Sam Edelman, Earrings: JewelMint, Necklace: Israel, Clutch: Vintage

So easy. So cozy. You can shop this dress on sale here, and you can find similar booties here.

With Love,

Noa B

Leather-ette Trends and Changing by Night

I'm loving all the trends in leather and "pleather" that are once again in season. However, when it comes to leather I prefer to buy vintage, (knowing that a lamb or calf isn't being harmed). Cute pleather or "leatherette" is both fashionable and conscientious, (and it won't break your bank)!

The other benefit of pleather is that it actually breathes more than leather and makes for great working garb. I shot the day with NBC in these leatherette pants and then changed it up ever so slightly for a dinner out with a friend.

I always keep minor clothing changes in my trunk. (I learned this lesson the hard way on night shoots). To this day I keep a jacket/blazer, tights/leggings, a change of heels and flats, and a few scarves or layering items in my car. 

The addition of a tuxedo blazer, a clutch, and heels livens things up for night.

Pants: Vero Moda, Boots: Boutique Find, Heels: Vince Camuto, Bag: Sandro, Blouse: Moon Collection, Choker: JewelMint

With Love,

Noa B