Hi all!
No trip to London would be complete without a visit to one of my favourite stores ever – Space NK Apothecary. Located in the cool Covent Garden area, Space NK is a beauty boutique/concept store featuring amazing, sometimes hard-to-find brands such as Tata Harper, by Terry and Colbert MD (apparently this line boasts the best eye cream for under eye dark circles).
As my friend Jen had a consultation to find her own perfect blush, I poked around the Kevyn Aucoin counter. I was thrilled to finally play around with this makeup line as it is not sold where I live.
I was a huge fan of the late Kevyn Aucoin. His Face Forward and Making Faces books are two of my favourites – lovingly dog-eared from years of constantly poring over them. To me, he transformed the makeup industry with his focus on natural makeup, nude colours for all skin tones and was one of the first makeup artists to develop a line of makeup for women of all colours, instead of a separate line for white women, and another for women of colour. He was also known for developing foundations featuring a yellow undertone, instead of the prevailing pink and peach undertones (who to me, suit no one). His lipsticks, blushes and eyeshadows were all brown-based neutral tones, devoid of sparkly, vivid colours.
As I scanned the Kevyn Aucoin counter determined to buy everything I saw (I have a makeup issue), I decided to be good and treat myself to one item. That item was The Celestial Powder in Starlight. Starlight is a gorgeous, shimmery powder highlighter that is suitable for all skin tones. I would describe it as a warm, golden apricot/champagne colour. It is a perfect highlighter for my medium-dark skin, and would be fantastic also on those with a tan or olive skin. For the fairer skinned ladies, this powder could substitute beautifully as a blush. What I also noticed is the powder blurs out minor imperfections – bonus! I have a couple of dark spots (ghosts of acne past), which the powder seems to greatly diminish.
This powder has a light, pretty shimmer (not glittery at all), is fairly translucent so it blends easily and gives me the perfect glow. I used a little on my décolleté this weekend, and it gave me a warm, subtle shimmer. Absolutely love it.
I paid £35 for this highlighter at Space NK Apothecary, but it can also be purchased at Sephora for $53.
Have any of you tried this powder yet? What are your thoughts? What are your favourite highlighters? Please share in the comments section!
xo,
Dom
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
I have the celestial powder in Candlelight and it is STUNNING, I would wear it every day if it didn’t cost so much lol !
Author
YEAH!!! I was on a food/champagne high while at the store, and just bought it without asking the price. Imagine my shock when I found out the price doing research for this post. YOWZA.
You look absolutely gorgeous! I love Kevyn Aucoin highlighters.xo
Author
Thank you so much, Sandy! I’m really enjoying it too!
Yes, why is it that beauty firms think that women of colour want bright garish colours. One of my close friends wears beautiful, natural shades and looks very classy. You look great too by the way. xx Great post and insight into a man who sadly is no longer with us.
Author
Thank you so much!! Luckily in this day and age, there is so much to choose from and something for everyone….
You are such a stunning and gorgeous women! Love this post!
Author
WOW! Thank you for such a nice compliment! Argh – these selfies always stress me out and make me feel foolish. Thanks for the note of confidence and for checking out my post!
Don’t feel foolish. You look ahhh-mazing!!
Author
Haha! Thanks so much, Denise. I can really use the encouragement every now and then. Lol! xo
Your skin looks so healthy with it!
Author
Thank you! Finally! I went through such a terrible bout of acne over the winter. Sigh.
Winter destroys my skin as well!
Gorgeous! I’ve not tried any KA products and they all seem to deliver on the claims. This one looks amazing on you – gives you both a pop of colour and an ethereal glow. Great pick.
Author
Thank you soooo much!!!! Loving this powder! xoxoxo
I’ve nominated you for the Creative Blogger Award!!! Im sure you might have already won it but just in case…lookin flawless btw >< https://cutekitt3n.wordpress.com/2015/05/12/creative-blogger-award-cutekitt3n/
Author
Thank you so much on both counts! Yes – I’ve already been nominated, but flattered nonetheless!
Can you please send me a link so I can read it =D
Author
The Creative Blogger Award! | Style Domination
http://styledomination.com/2015/04/09/the-creative-blogger-award/
Candlelight is so beautiful one of my favs.
Author
So nice! So flattering! xo
Beautiful look, you look amazing! x
http://www.thestylishcupcake.com
Author
Thank you, Anita!!!
space NK is where all my money goes…great review!! Love your blog would be great if you could check mine out!xxx
Author
OMG! All of my money went there too during my last trip to London – along with the Selfridge’s cosmetics department! Discovered Aesop – so amazing! Will def check out your blog. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh gosh selfridges! I could spend all day in that shop!! Hahaha. I need to try Aesop!
Author
Aesop is amazing. I got their eye makeup remover and it’s fantastic, along with their Chamomile Anti-Acne Mask. The line is pricey though. Sigh.
Damn! I’ll have to put it on the wish list x
Author
I’ll have to also when I need more. Sigh!
That powder is gorgeous. Their packaging is so sleek, I love it! I love MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle and theBalm’s luminizers. I’ve heard great things of Becca’s highlighters but haven’t tried them yet. I never knew you could purchase Kevin Aucoin online at Sephora, that is great!!
Author
Me neither!! Was so happy to find it! Thanks for the MAC and theBalm tips. Love the Becca highlighters! They are great! Becca also sells this awesome wide brush which is perfect for applying highlighter on your body. Greatest brush ever – also sold at Sephora… xoxox
Oooooh awesome, I’ll have to check out the brush!
Hey lovely I tagged you in the lipstick tag!! https://ravishingroses.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/the-lipstick-tag/
Would love to see your answers :)xxx
This looks great on you, Dominique! I have always been a fan of Kevyn Aucoin. He was such a true master at his art.
Author
He really was!!! It really is too bad. I bought all of his books, along with most of Bobbi Brown’s – another MUA that I just love, and feel truly loves her work.
Yes, love Bobbi’s work as well.
Really stunning ! Even in the day light, thanx for sharing 🙂
http://www.leblogdecopine.com
Author
You’re welcome!
Have you heard of this makeup artist? Stumbled on this article and was in shock. Quite dramatic!
http://artstyle.sfglobe.com/2015/03/05/jIX/?src=share_fb_new_36753
Author
OMG. His work is spectacular. What dramatic changes!!! Thanks for sharing!