Two New Products from Besame Cosmetics!

Ever since I discovered Besame Cosmetics four years ago, I have been totally hooked on their gorgeous, vintage packaging and amazing product line!  Whether it's their intensely-pigmented lipsticks or their smashing foundation, Besame nailed it when it comes to combining vintage aesthetic with product quality and performance!

http://www.besamecosmetics.com/home.cfm

Besame Cosmetics is based in Glendale, California and is lead by the amazing Gabriela Herandez and her husband, Fergus.  I have had the pleasure of speaking with them both over the phone (questions regarding orders or products) and not only are they very nice, their adoration and dedication to their work is incredible.  Simply put, when it comes to customer service and quality, I cannot recommend Besame Cosmetics enough!

Less than two weeks ago, I received my most recent order from Besame.  I purchased the brand new lipstick shade in "American Beauty" and the re-formulated, re-released Besame Souffle Foundation in the shade "Bisque."

Let's start with the lipstick!  According to the Besame website, the Classic Color Lipstick in "American Beauty" (.12 ounces, $22 USD) is a faithful reproduction of a popular lipstick shade from 1945.  And let me tell you, this lipstick is indeed a 'beauty' of a shade!  It is a vibrant cranberry-red with a pink-blue undertone.  The color itself falls between the bright "Besame Red" and the lush, darker cherry-toned red, "Cherry Red."  Imagine if "Besame Red" and "Cherry Red" had a baby.  The result would be "American Beauty." 

In addition, for those of you familiar with Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in #45 (available at Sephora and Sephora.com for $19 USD), that color and the "American Beauty" are very similar, if not the same shade.  For further reference, MAC's lip pencil in "Cherry" is a perfect match!

And as for all of my other Besame shades, "American Beauty" boasts a strong color payoff with a semi-matte finish that clings to the lips without drying, bleeding, or feathering!

Here is me wearing the lipstick:

As I stated, I also bought the re-issued Besame Souffle Foundation (.56 ounces for $38.00) in shade "Bisque."  "Bisque" is the lightest shade in the range (there are 5 shades total).  For reference, I am a MAC NW15, a Giorgio Armani 02, a Bobbi Brown Porcelain, and in most brands I am considered an "Ivory." I have oily and sensitive skin that is neutral yet leans pink.  This "Bisque" shade is absolutely perfect for my skintone!

Besame had a previous version of this foundation that had a creamy, whipped consistency.  It came is a jar container that was discontinued and then re-released in a squeeze tube.  The tube version of the foundation was phased out and is now back it its original jar form.  This new foundation is a firm, concealer-like texture that is very smooth and pigmented.  A little product goes a long way!  I use a wedge sponge for application and the foundation goes on like a dream.

Further, this foundation is not only different in texture, it features a new, skincare ingredient called "Collageneer."

Besame describes Collageener on its website as follows:

"Collageneer®, a patented active ingredient derived from Lupin seed coatings, has the ability not only to increase the synthesis of type I collagen (the most abundant collagen, which diminishes with age), but also to promote production of a high quality collagen that gives the skin its firmness and elasticity.

This extraordinary foundation provides outstanding coverage with a light and silky smooth texture for a flawless face. Can be used for full coverage as foundation or concealer.

Available in 5 shades, packaged in vintage style cream glass jars. Fragrance-Free, Paraben-Free."

Here is me wearing both the lipstick and foundation:

 I have been wearing the Souffle Foundation daily since I received it and it has not caused any breakouts or irritations!  I use a blot sheets to maintain my look throughout the day and I have not experienced any caking or oxidation (turns orange).  I simply love this stuff!

In addition, today I tried a new method of foundation application I saw on RuPaul's Drag Race last night.  (They are replaying Season 1 on Logo on Monday nights).  Nevertheless, I noticed one of the drag queens using a hair dryer on her potted, full-coverage foundation to sheer it out.  This morning, used my hair dryer on my foundation for 10-15 seconds.  I let the surface get a little shiny and I stopped.  I then applied with a sponge and wow! The result was just smooth, smooth, SMOOTH!!  My skin looks even better!

So, if you are looking for a pretty berry red and/or a new foundation, you have to give Besame's "American Beauty" lipstick and re-released Besame Souffle Foundation a try! 

Besame Lipstick Review: Classic Color Collection In Cherry Red

After updating my makeup kit last week, I realized that I was lacking a deep, cherry-toned red lipstick. Sure, I have several red lipsticks ranging from bright pink-toned shades, vibrant tomato-infused hues to neutral tones. But I needed a rich, sultry cherry shade to make my collection complete! Besides, a darker red is just perfect for fall!

In the last couple of years, I have come to the conclusion that most, mainstream makeup brands (e.g. MAC, Revlon, Make Up For Ever, Chanel, Nars, etc) fall a bit short (some more than others) when it comes to retro red lipstick colors. Moreover, their textures tend to be too dry or too emollient, they fade quickly when worn, tend to bleed, and/or the pigmentation is not quite "right."

Now, please do not get me wrong, I ADORE MAC's "Russian Red" and Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in Satin #42 but I prefer a semi-matte finish paired with bright, intense pigment. With that said, I have discovered 'vintage red lipstick heaven' with Julie Hewett and Besame Cosmetics' lipsticks. Not only are their colors AMAZING, their comfortable semi-matte texture is unbeatable when it comes to comfort and longevity! Even their vintage-inspired gold lipstick packaging is to die for!

I have been contemplating buying Besame's Classic Color Lipstick in Cherry Red ($22.00 USD) for a while and last week, I finally did! My package arrived yesterday and I have been wearing my new lippie ever since! Cherry Red is the forth Besame Classic Color Lipstick I now own. I have Besame Red, Red Velvet, and Carmine.

http://www.besamecosmetics.com/products.cfm/Classic-Color-Lipstick/pID-15

Cherry Red is a deep, rich red with a deep cherry base. The color is really like a fresh plucked cherry.  Now, the first photo shows the lipstick in bullet form. I think my flash brightened the color because the actual color in person looks very similar to MAC's Dubonnet (a deep wine red). However, once the lipstick is applied, the color seems to come alive and looks lit from within! Here is a swatch on the back of my right hand:

Here is me wearing Cherry Red. The color pairs PERFECTLY with MACs lip pencil in Cherry:

I cannot say enough how much I love Besame lipstick! It is my favorite, hands-down! It lasts a long time on my lips (accept for drinking and eating) and the color fades evenly.

So, if you are in the hunt for the perfect 40s/50s red lipstick, give Besame Classic Color Lipsticks a try!

Review of Besame Cosmetics' Classic Color Lipstick in Red Velvet

Last week, I received my order from Besame Cosmetics which included a Cashmere Powder Compact and a new Classic Color Lipstick in Red Velvet ($22.00 USD)


I already own a Classic Color Lipstick in Besame Red (a bright neutral that leans slightly warm). I have several bright-toned reds from various brands and lately I realized I wanted a more deep red. After viewing several swatches of  Besame shades online, I narrowed my choice down to Red Velvet.

Red Velvet is a darker red that reminds me of MAC Russian Red combined with MAC's Viva Glam I. The color is not cool or warm and it seems to have a touch of garnet in it. When I compare Red Velvet to Besame Red, Red Velvet is more subdued yet still dramatic. Basically Besame Red = bright fire engine, candy apple red and Red Velvet = the darker red tone of red velvet cake. Thus, the name "Red Velvet" is fitting.

Here is a swatch of Red Velvet on my hand:

This is me wearing Red Velvet today (I was still in my robe earlier! Lazy Sunday for sure!)

I really like this lipstick because it is different from all the other lipsticks I wear and I adore the garnet hue. I paired MAC lip pencil in Brick with this and it matches perfectly.

So, if you are looking for a darker red that is a neutral with tones of garnet and pomegranate, then give Besame's Red Velvet a try!

Review of Besame Cosmetic's Signature Compact

Upon my return home yesterday afternoon, I noticed UPS left a package on my front porch. It was my Besame Cosmetics order! In this shipment, I received Besame's Signature Compact and a Classic Color Lipstick in Red Velvet.

I have been a huge fan of Besame lipstick but until today, I was not familiar with their famous Cashmere Powder compact. I had been wanting to try out the powder for a while but I was hesitant due to several reviews lamenting the compact's size. One reviewer stated the compact was meant for a doll, not a human being!

Nevertheless, I wanted a vintage-looking and pretty compact for my handbag. I love my MAC Blot Powder but the boring, black plastic compact is, well, boring. I have a vintage 1940s compact that belonged to my husband's bubbe which I usually fill with coty loose powder and rubbing alcohol. Recently, the 'bubbe' compact's clasp has started to loosen and as a result, it won't close properly. Since I prefer vintage, I decided to '"bite the bullet" and buy a Cashmere Compact. It retails for $38.00 USD. Compact refills are $15.00 USD.

After opening the light yellow box above, I pulled out this:

 A red velvet drawstring back with gold string and a goldtone Besame logo.

I opened the bag and pulled out a small, yet heavy-feeling compact:

I love the floral details! So feminine and classic!  Now this is the compact opened. The shade I ordered is the lightest available, Porcelain:

 The refill is magnetized so when you run out of powder, simply insert a tiny screwdriver (like the ones used to repair eyeglasses) or needle into the round notch on the edge of the powder pan and pop it out:

As for the size of the compact itself, here is how it compares to a standard compact (in this case one from MAC):

Here is a view showing the thickness of the powder pan itself:

 When comparing the amount of product Besame gives you to the amount found in MAC, it is obvious that you do get less. So, despite it's "doll size," is Besame Cashmere Powder worth spending $38.00 bucks?

For one, Besame touts this powder as a powder foundation. When I compared the powder opacity to MAC Blot powder, the Cashmere had more coverage while the MAC powder was more like a thin, chalky veil. However, when I compared Dior's Diorskin Forever Compact Foundation to Besame, the Dior was more opaque. Basically, MAC Blot powder is intended to a powder that blots off shine throughout the day. It is just too weak in consistency to be a proper foundation.

The Cashmere Compact is a primarily a sheer coverage foundation. If your skin has flaws or imperfections, this powder is not going to be a good choice because it will not provide enough coverage. So, what is this powder for?

I have been experimenting with it and what I have discovered is that if you use blotting papers and a powder puff, this powder is great for touch ups. The tiny foam puff the powder comes with is pretty useless. It is too small and after a few uses, it seems dirty and worn out. I threw mine out.

Throughout the day, my skin gets very shiny. I blot oil with a couple of blot sheets from Clean and Clear and then using a puff, I lightly apply a small amount of Cashmere powder to my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. If you use this powder without blotting, its thicker consistency will make your skin look cakey and heavy. You need to blot first with oil sheets!

Also, if you want a more sheer coverage, simply apply tinted moisturizer and using a larger puff, apply a light dusting of Cashmere powder to set. Moreover, if you are blessed with tiny pores and flawless skin, this powder as a foundation alone with work for you.

In addition to this powder's different uses, the vintage look makes it worth its price. It looks so pretty on a vanity table and it is perfect for nights out. Imagine pulling that gorgeous compact out of your gold clutch!

I like the fact this compact is re-fillable. The MAC Blot powder is 23.00 USD. When I run out of product, I need to spend another 23.00 dollars. Like I stated before, the Besame compact refill costs 15.00 USD.  I also think the dense-quality of the powder and the fact the pan is small will help me reduce my need to touch up my makeup!

So, if you are if you are looking for an authentic-looking vintage compact along with good-quality powder that has a myriad of uses, then give Besame Cashmere Powder a try!

Vintage Makeup Featuring Ben Nye Fireworks Cream Shadow and Besame Red Lipstick!

This is me, wearing Ben Nye Fireworks Cream shadow in FW1 ($8.95 USD) and Besame Red lipstick ($22.00 USD) by Besame Cosmetics. You can purchase Besame products online at http://www.besamecosmetics.com/index.cfm. You can find Ben Nye cosmetics at various online sites and at Ricky's NYC locations in New York City. (I bought my shadow cream at Ricky's NYC in the East Village during my last trip).

Ben Nye Cosmetics is a theatre/special effects makeup that is just amazing. Most of their products are for the stage but they carry several items that can be used for day-to-day wear. For instance, Ben Nye's line of cream shadows! These little shadow creams come in small clear jars. They remind me of MAC's Paint Pots and Make Up For Ever's Aqua Creams. The level of pigmentation is intense and can be layered. You can also apply these sheer for a more subtle look. When using any type of cream shadow, you will have more long wear and better color pay off if you apply a shadow base like Nars Pro-Prime Smudge-Proof Shadow Primer, Urban Decay Primer Potion, or Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I tried wearing the Ben Nye and/or the MUFE Aqua Creams without a primer and they both had the tendency to crease/slide off the lids!

For my look, I primed my eyelids with a small amount of NARS' primer. Then using MAC's 242 brush, I applied the Ben Nye gold cream shadow to my lids. Then, I put MAC's Gorgeous Gold (a sheer, shimmery gold) on top of the Ben Nye cream shadow. On my crease, I applied MAC's Copperplate eyeshadow (a grayish-matte brown). On my browbone, I applied a sheer wash of MAC's eyeshadow in Vanilla (a creamy, slightly shimmery pale cream). On my lower lash line, I applied Make Up For Ever's Aqua Liner in 9L (a soft, pale shimmery gold). To make the gold liner last longer and to enhance the gold tones, I applied a little Gorgeous Gold on top using a MAC 208 brush.  To finish the look, I applied a super bright, yet light golden yellow frost shadow (MAC's Nylon) on the center of my lids and on the inner corners of my eyes. MAC Opulash Mascara in Black was then applied to lashes.

On my lips, I primed their surface with MAC's Lip Prep and Prime and then applied Besame Red. I lined my lips with Make Up For Ever's Lip pencil in 8C.

I really like using shadow creams for my daily look! They are fun and their creamy texture applies like a dream and makes standard powder shadow even more intense!  Talk about fun!

So, If you want to try cream shadows for yourself, I totally recommend MAC Paint Pots ($16.50 USD), MUFE Aqua Creams ($22.00 USD), and Ben Nye Fireworks ($8.95)!

MAC is available at most Nordstrom locations and they also have free-standing stores. Their website is www.maccosmetics.com. Make Up For Ever (MUFE) is available at all Sephora locations and on their site at www.sephora.com. Ben Nye can be found on various sites, eBay, and at Ricky's NYC locations in New York City.

It's Finally Here! Besame's Classic Color Lipstick!

A month ago, I posted about the new, upcoming line of Classic Color lipsticks from Besame Cosmetics. If you did not read my post, you can view it here:

http://bettysvintagemusings.blogspot.com/2010/11/besame-cosmetics-lipstick-update.html

Nevertheless, now that the new Classic Colors ($22.00 USD) are available for order on Besame's website, I knew I had to get my hands on Besame Red! Besame Red is a bright, classic true vintage red that is a neutral. Meaning, it is neither warm (orange-based) nor cool (pink/blue-based).

I was so excited to come home from work yesterday and find my package on my doorstep! I quickly opened it up and I was stunned with the packaging and vintage details!

After I opened the box (seen above), I pulled out a little red velvet bag with a gold drawstring and golden metal tag adored with the Besame logo:

Here is the tube itself:

Here is the Classic Color tube compared with an Enchanting lipstick tube:

For comparison with standard lipsticks, the Classic Colors contain .12 ounces of lipstick and MAC has .10 ounces.

Here is Besame Red opened:

Here is a swatch on the back of my right hand:

The color is bright and the texture is creamy yet not wet! Besame's lipsticks are not matte but they can be made to look matte by blotting. I like the fact these lipsticks are not matte because unlike MAC's Ruby Woo or Russian Red, Besame colors will not dry out lips! Morever, the Besame formula is super long-lasting!

Here is a side-by-side comparison of Besame Red (on the right) and Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense lipstick in Moulin Rouge/#43 (on the left):

Notice that the Make Up For Ever lipstick is a bit darker in tone. It is also glossier. The Rouge Artist Intense lipsticks are very pigmented but they are also very creamy. Even though the Besame colors are super pigmented, their 'less wet' formula makes them more ideal since the color will not slide off/smear as easily. I used to think the Rouge Artist Intense lipstick (especially #42, #43, and #45) was the best but I have to say that Besame lipstick far surpasses Make Up For Ever in terms of color intensity, formula, and longevity!

Here is me today wearing Besame Red:

I really love this shade! I put it on at 10:00 am and it is now 1:00 pm and the color still looks perfect! I can see myself buying more colors (Red Hot Red, Red Velvet, Cherry Red, and Carmine) for sure! I also want to check out Besame's Masterliner Lip Pencil (dual-ended) in Red & Cerise!

So, if you gals are in the market for vintage-true lipstick cased in pretty, vintage-looking packaging, then you have to give Besame Classic Color lipstick a try!

http://www.besamecosmetics.com/products.cfm/Classic-Color-Lipstick/pID-15