Get the Armani Prive Makeup Look with One Product

Paris is the place to be right now, but I'm happily writing from LA. Fall 2014 couture shows are taking place in the romantic city and the makeup color palette alone from Armani Prive show is enough to impress. Makeup Artist Linda Cantello created "a monochromatic effect using only black and white" and predominately with one product.  Yes, even in that lip.  Here's the breakdown and info on the product to look out for.

Lids

Launching in September, Cantello, applied Eye & Brow Maestro in shade #1 (Jet Black) close to the lashes to draw a thick line and extended it on the outer corner of the eye.  Then, blended slightly for a smudged effect.

Brows

Using the same product, Eye & Brow Maestro, in a matching tone of the models natural hair color, Cantello applied it softly create the look of straight, thick, elongated brows.

Lips

This was the most surprising part.  Cantello mixed thin layer of Rouge Ecstasy shade #201 mixed with a hint of Eye & Brow Maestro in shade #1 (Jet Black), and dabbed it onto the models lips.

With many uses for one product backstage, you know it's going to be a good one! Look out for it in stores and on giorgioarmanibeauty.com in September and here are images from the Armani Prive Fall 2014 Couture.  Of course you're interested!

Liquid Bronzer: The Only Makeup You Need

Have you ever thought about putting your bronzer on without using your oversized kabuki brush?  Believe it or not, it's no so out-of-the box to use your fingers (think cream based bronzers – blend!).  This summer however, a new crop of the must-have makeup has shown up to impress – liquid bronzer.  It's lighter than cream and seamlessly seeps into your skin like serum leaving you with the most healthy looking, natural glow – ever.  The trick is all in how you apply it.  Here are my tips, plus a recommendation.

Just like with regular bronzer, you want to apply it only where the sun would naturally hit your face.  My favorite, Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer, $35, comes in a small glass bottle with a dropper.  I place two small drops in the palm of my hand, rub my hands together and then rub them  over my cheekbones from the inner corners of my eyes up to my temples.  To customize the color, you can add more drops or blend to your liking.  I then dip my pointer finger in the excess and go around my hairline on my forehead and dab a bit on my chin.

Liquid bronzer not only gives the most natural sun kissed look, but it's also foolproof to work with.  Many other brands like Revlon, Stila and Armani have versions at different price points, but remember, application is key!

Repetto Eau de Toilette

Whether you're a former ballerina, still practice or just love following those en pointe on Instagram, you'll appreciate for the new Repetto Eau de Toilette. So much so, that yes, you'll want to own it.  As I was reading through the press materials for the pointe shoe company's first fragrance, I realized how carefully crafted it actually was and fell in love before I even smelled it.  I blame it on my former days with the satin ribbon tied around my ankles.  Yes, I once wore Repetto's famous pointe shoes and tutus myself – back in the day.

Even though rose and orange are the strength of the fragrance, what stood out to me most was powder, which is the base.  It dries down with vanilla pod, and amber wood, creating an interesting feminine combination.  Refreshing and light, it's something a sophisticated, graceful woman would wear.  "A musky powdered rose, real quintessence of feminity," perfumer Olivier Polge explains. The way he captured rose makes it wearable for everyone but your grandmother, which is unique.

I don't normally review the packaging on of beauty products, because it's what's inside that really counts, but let's just say I have a weakness for this fragrance. Blame it on my former ballerina days, but I get it's careful construction and again, appreciate it.  If you dance or danced, you will too.  The edging of the bottle is powder pink, the same shade of a Repetto pointe shoe and has a satin ribbon around it's neck, which needs no explanation.  What's really interesting though, is the way the bottle is carved, "as if it's in perpetual motion like a choreographed body."  Beautiful.

You can find Repetto Eau de Toilette at Sephora for $55.

5 things worth checking out this week

Want to show your 4th of July spirit? Check out these totally do-able nail art pics! [Beauty High]

Looking for an easy way to stay cool this summer? Beat the heat with these great popsicle recipes! [The Glitter Guide]

We all know fast food is awful for you, but just which ones are the worst? [The Luxury Spot]

Did you hear? Your all-green diet might not actually tip the scale [Total Beauty]

This Apricot Crostini recipe is definitely both delicious and BBQ approved [The College Prepster]

Cooling Beauty Products for Summer

In between my trips to Italy and Aruba I came home to countless packages containing new beauty launches and was excited to find anything labeled "cooling" as Aruba gets brutally hot.  Let's just say that half of the product I packed were my daily essentials and the other half was considered "work" – you know, cooling beauty products, the ones I planned on putting to the test in dead heat.  (I had to pay because my suitcase was overweight!  Tax write off?)  Out of all of the ones I brought, two are standouts. 

Jergens Soothing Aloe Refreshing Moisturizer

Slathered in SPF 45 daily, of course I've been taking in the sunshine and when it comes time to shower and get ready for the nighttime, this lotion has been a treat.  I obsessively moisturize as soon as I get out of the shower and my parched skin soaks in the extra relief from the aloe.  Even though I'm not sunburned, I have color and my body is hot. The cooling, soothing essence of the aloe acts like a treatment to my skin.

L'Occitane Ice Gel for Legs & Feet

When I opened this cooling beauty product from L'Occitane I was surprised, because every time I tried something similar it was normally from a sporty company.  This one seemed luxe.  Each morning here I did sprints before hitting the beach and since I'm not used to running, (a total barre babe), boy was I sore!  Especially my calves, so putting this one to the test was also a natural fit.  It has a rollerball application, which was great for a minor massage and invigorates my muscles, while cooling and relieving them.  I'm kind of obsessed.  And I don't see why you can't use it elsewhere.

3 Elements to A Good Facial

When Jeannine sent me for my first facial with celebrity facialist Cecilia Wong, my skin was so soft I had to restrain myself from continuously petting it. Yes, petting it.  I controlled myself of course, but my fresh skin was proof she would be the perfect expert to guide us through the key elements that every facial should contain. 

3 Key Elements of a Facial

When going for a facial, the first thing your facialist should do is look closely at your skin and create a facial customized to your skin type. Wong explains that your facialist should ask you certain questions to customize products accordingly. “Having a facial tailored to you and your skin needs will help you achieve the very best results,” explains Wong.

Another key step to every facial – extractions— the removing and softening of clogged pores and blackheads. “This benefits all skin types, especially those with oily or acne prone skin,” Wong explains. “Extractions will help to refine pores and prevent enlarging, while also allowing the products you use to be absorbed quicker and more effectively into the skin.”

Exfoliation is another crucial step. Why is this key for all skin type? “Those with dry skin will see a decrease in dead skin cells and flakiness,” explains Wong, “And those with oily or acne prone skin will benefit from the balance in oil production and prevention of future breakouts.”

Cecilia Wong can be found at Cecilia Wong Skincare in NYC and offers many different types of facials.

Carthusia Perfumery in Capri, Italy

When exploring the Amalfi Coast last week, I kept seeing bath and body products made by Carthusia, a perfumery in Capri.  Then, when Joe and I got to Capri, our hotel, Capri Tiberio Palace, supplied their products in the bathroom and had fragrance diffusers throughout the lobby, which were incredibly luxurious.  So of course, I had to pop into the original store and learn more one sniff at a time.

In 1948, a chemist from Torino, created the smallest fragrance laboratory in the world in Capri, Carthusia.  Each scent created is inspired by the island, which is why it's so special and why I found it so intriguing.  Capri is currently my favorite place in the world! The essence from rosemary picked on Monte Solaro is used in men's products, while the that of Capri wild carnation is used in women's fragrances. However, the line expands way beyond eau de toilettes.

I wasn't allowed to take pictures, but obviously snapped a few anyway.  The Capri Tiberio Palace even had pool side refreshing water spritzers that were lightly fragranced by Carthusia (first photo).  That, my friends, was the icing on the cake. The essence of Capri and all of it's energy was in full force.

Don't worry, I'm not raving to you about something you don't have access to unless you visit Capri!  You can check out the Carthusia line online and make purchases.  My favorite things are actually the home diffusers and candles.  Who wouldn't want their home to smell like Capri?

Just Married!

Ciao!  Or maybe I should say Bon Bini!  After two weeks, I'm back from my honeymoon in Italy and in Aruba with my new husband and family.  We're officially Mr. & Mrs. and still on a complete high from our wedding.  I can't wait to give you guys the 411 on everything beauty from the big day, but am waiting for the pics!

5 things worth checking out this week

Workout classes are brutal...here are 17 reasons why [Elite Daily]

Here are the only tips you need to get the perfect smile [Honestly Jamie]

Summer is here, and you're only a good workout away from a flat tummy [Lauren Conrad]

Have you seen Karlie Kloss's new 'do? Ob-sessed! [Bella Sugar]

No man? No problem! These makeup tricks will score you a "swipe" or two on Tinder [The Luxury Spot]

Burt's Bees Brightening Collection with Daisy Extract

What's your biggest skincare concern? Me? Dark spots and an uneven skintone. I'm so anal about keeping my skin from getting any new dark spots that I even wear a sun hat when I work on my balcony to help shade my skin from the sun. When it comes to getting rid of the unwanted pigment, I've tried it all from potent hydroquinone to laser treatments and you know what? After all of that, I found a natural brightening ingredient that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation – daisy extract – in the Burt's Bees Brightening Collection.

Deemed by the company as "Nature's Retoucher," the Burt's Bees Brightening Collection* is clinically proven to visibly brighten skin in just four weeks. Burt's Bees collects wild, white daisies from the mountains of Macedonia, because their extract is proven to be a natural skin brightening agent. Combined with a Multi-Fruit Complex, the formula offers a more even looking skin tone.

*The Burt's Bees Brightening Collection includes a Daily Cleanser, Brightening Eye Treatment, Dark Spot Corrector, Refining Tonic and Even-Tone Moisturizing Cream.

The Dark Spot Corrector is super impressive, because after eight weeks of use, 100% of test subjects in clinical studies showed brighter skin and 80% of women showed diminished dark spots. I use the collection as a whole regimen, but this is the product that I apply on specific spots to help fade them over time.

Check out Burt's Bees on Facebook and Twitter to learn more and for coupons.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Burt's Bees via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.