Bare Escentuals Holiday 2009
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‘Tis truly the season for me now, not only have I started baking, I also left the safe confines of internet shopping and made my way through the throngs of holiday shoppers to do some shopping! What prompted me (an infamous hermit amongst my friends) to face the crowds during the height of shopping season? Makeup, of course. And not just any makeup, the Los Angeles based members of the wht review team were invited to the Bare Escentuals boutique at the Westfield Century City Mall for an in depth make over and tutorial, as well as a close up look at their famous Holiday Collections for 2009.
This was my first visit to a Bare Escentuals store and I left with a better understanding and bigger appreciation of this line that is so revered by it’s loyal following. From the welcoming staff and brightly lit shelves brimming with dozens of holiday sets, to the row of super comfy bar stools in front of a makeup bar with every single product in the place available for testing; this is a store for everyone – from the makeup novice to the completely obsessed.
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All of the review team received detailed consultations and makeovers (or makeunders, as they call them) with the knowledgeable staff. Check back in the new year when I’ll fill you in on the fabulous tips I picked up to help you achieve that naturally, flawless look you covet for your skin (just like those videos!)
Before the staff worked their magic, the Boutique Manager Brenda gave us a closer look at the astounding array of limited edition holiday collections. As we took the grand tour and during our makeovers (a good two hour visit) we witnessed these coveted sets flying off the shelves! The smarties at Bare Escentuals can put together a mean collection. Many are full of limited edition pieces, fan favorite hues, travel sized tools and discontinued “but so good we had to bring it back” colors, packaged in charming sets and priced to meet any budget. Be warned, once they’re gone, that’s it, and a few popular collections have already sold out – so get your favorite while you can!
We all left the store with the perfect collection (or two or three) tucked into our bags for holiday gifts for friends and family (and maybe even ourselves). Our top picks include:
• One discovery for me was the RareMinerals skincare line. I loved the Renew & Reveal Facial Cleanser that we used to begin our facials. It’s a fine, soft powder that you mix with water to create a creamy lather that thoroughly and gently cleans skin. So I picked up the Rare Minerals Miracle Remedies Kit
, a three-piece starter set containing the cleanser, plus the Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer and the Moisture Burst Facial Mist to calm my winter dry skin. $35
• Satisfy a sweet tooth with the Sweet Obsessions set, a collection of nine eye-popping shades of shadows nestled in a box reminiscent of luxurious chocolates. These good for the skin shadows – all powders are formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes – are decadently named (Cherry Coco Truffle, Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Mousse) but feast away – they contain absolutely no fat! Limited Edition $48
• Shopping on a budget? Searching for a stocking stuffer? Give her Lustworthy Lips and Lashes with this budget friendly set containing a duo of Mini Bare Minerals 100% Natural Lipgloss in Strawberry crème and Mini Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara in black. Two products to highlight holiday eyes and lips for just $15
• Stef’s pick was the Bare Minerals Face Fashion Kit: Classic Glam that can be used to achieve an elegant, dramatic and fashion forward yet still classic style for all of the big holiday parties and events. Centered again on lips and eyes (the big sparklers of the season) this kit contains two eye shadows (Pearl Sateen, a vanilla cream and Parisian Gray, a medieval stone), an eyeliner (Charcoal Lam’e, a metallic bronzed coal), the So Fab Blush (in rose berry) and the 100% natural lip gloss in Pomegranate, a red berry shade. Make sure to check the comments for her thoughts on this set (hint: she’s in love). And if you want it, get to the BE site, as it’s the only place this coveted set is available. $34
Want more? We’ve barely (hee) scratched the surface of dozens of holiday sets available from Bare Escentuals for this year. Set aside some time and go browse all of their special editions. Or maybe you’ve already picked out a few must haves? BE enthusiasts, which holiday sets are making your heart pound this season?
I was one of the lucky WHT members to go to the Bare Escentuals event. I had Emily do my “makeunder” and she was great. So, informative and really showed me exactly how to apply their makeup. Especially eye makeup. First she would put it on one eye then watch you and correct you if you do it wrong on the other eye yourself. A week later (when i finally had to put makeup on) i had no problem replicating exactly what she did in the store. I bought a great shadow liner that’s easy to use and looks great with my eye color and skin tone. If you or someone you know is a Bare Escentuals fan any of their holiday collections would make a fabulous gift this holiday season.
I also went to the event and had a great time – the makeunder (with Brenda herself) was fun, and she showed me where I’d been going wrong in the past (I bought a kit ages ago but barely use it as I was paranoid about my large pores. She told me that less is more!)
I love all the holiday collections! They’re all great value, but I eventually left with a teensy tiny (but gorgeous) Crash Course kit, containing an eye color (Gossip, a smoky black), mini mascara, mini lip gloss in Wild Honey (a peachy orange shade that suits fair skin like mine), plus a cute zippered pouch. All for just $22. Yes, I’m wrapping it – for me, me, me!
I agree with Winnie – any of the kits or sets would make a marvelous gift for anyone – including yourself!
I loved Emily’s makeunder, too. There wasn’t too much about the application that was new to me being the biggest BE fan ever, and I chose my own eyecolors (shades that I meant to try, but never did). The cheek color was one that I already owned, too!
The thrill was (1) the confirmation that I was doing it right (2) the individual attention and (3) that I got to try the fantastic “Prime Time” foundation primer (I used the oil control version that mattifies as well as primes). Emily also told me about the cleansing powder that I didn’t get to try, but now covet.
At the end of the makeunder I chose to buy that “Prime Time” and am so glad I did. Just another BE product for me of which to be enamoured. I also bought my mom (79 this week, and a BE convert of mine) a holiday package consisting of a superfab metallic case which holds a full-sized foundation, mineral veil and warmth. That package was less expensive than buying just the three products on their own; the snazzy case was bonus. Ma will be the hippest almost-octogenerian on her block with that in her purse!
Have I mentioned lately that I love Bare Escentuals? Thanks everybody!
I also love BE! I am heading downstairs to our BE at SCP for a demo and will report back! Thanks for the nudge to go there, i know i’ll be greatful when i leave the store!
‘Tis true, I am the proud new owner of the Classic Glam kit shown above. This was my first visit to a BE boutique, and amazingly, my first BE non-Buxom gloss purchase. I’ve bought more of those then I will admit to (as I matter of fact I bought one this day that the girls tried to pry out of my hands!), but never bought anything from the main line. Crazy, I know. Well, let’s just say-I don’t think it will be my last. This kit is really beautiful. If you are a lover of grey shadows, buy it right now (because it’s LE and you’ll kick yourself later!)
The Pearl Sateen is a creamy vanilla. I’ve got problems with white shadows for their glaring whiteness and this is my cure. It’s white, but a soft white. If it were a paint chip, it would be called eggshell. It has shimmer, but it’s uber fine. It’s a really good staple shadow.
Parisian Gray was what caused me to buy this, a matte grey. Oh my, this in your crease? Forget it, it’s beautiful. And it’s the perfect shade, not too dark, not too light, just right!
The Charcoal Lam’e Liner Shadow description is perfect-metallic bronzed coal. It’s a super sparkly kind of pyrite color. This applied wet is pure glamour.
And you know I’m loving the Pomegranate gloss. Shimmery, red berry (but it’s not too bright for you red-phobes), smells great, feels great.
So Fab blush, for me…not so much. I find it a bit dark. But my love for the other 4 items more than makes up for that.
I gotta say, we had a great day at the boutique! I love my purchases and I look forward to trying more from the line. Go BE!
.-= stef´s last blog ..BeautyTicket.com Giveaway! =-.
I’ve only tried a few B.E. products and have really liked them…the glam kit sure sounds tempting! And it’s LE.. ok I’m buying it now!
Hey, If you’re near a BE boutique stop by any time from now till Dec 24th and register for their latest giveaway (no purchase ness!) There will be 123 winners (one from each location) of $100 worth of items of their choice!
Worth a shot, no?
.-= stef´s last blog ..Crème de la Mer lip balm and holiday ‘09 gifts =-.