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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

615 SWEET LILAC CHANEL LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


615 Sweet Lilac is a semi-sheer light purple glossy Chanel nail polish. It is part of the Chanel 2014 Summer collection - REFLETS D’ÉTÉ DE CHANEL. For more information about the collection and what I have reviewed so far I'll post links below. There were five nail polishes with the collection and I purchased all five. I will try to review them all this week if time permits. The Chanel nailpolishes currently retail for $27.00 USD and they contain .4 fl oz. of product.

Sweet Lilac nail polish took two applications for it to be opaque and even then it still showed a few streaks. It has a semi-glossy finish and a wear time of about two to three days with minor chipping.

Check out the whole Chanel Summer collection here: REFLETS D’ÉTÉ DE CHANEL 2014 SUMMER COLLECTION

Check out Utopia here: 96 UTOPIA CHANEL ILLUSION D'OMBRE EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


Check out Mirage here: 95 MIRAGE CHANEL ILLUSION D'OMBRE EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

 

575 WONDERLAND DIOR VERNIS GEL SHINE NAIL LACQUER - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


Dior 575 Wonderland is a long wearing gel shine coral nail polish. The formula for this polish is so much better than the original. Even with the wide applicator brush the nail polish applies so much easier and maintains its glossy shine for the majority of the wear time. Speaking of wear time, the Wonderland nail polish wore for about five days with only minor chipping at the tips. The new Dior polish features a gel shine and long wearing formula that is the first couture gel-effect nail polish. With this special formula it provides a glass-like shine and an extended wear time that is beyond amazing.

The Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer currently retails for $25.00 USD and contains .33 fl oz of product. The Dior polish is available online and in store at Nordstrom and Sephora.


7 ROSE INFINITE YVES SAINT LAURENT ROUGE VOLUPTE SHINE - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


I recently purchased #7 Rose Infinite a YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick. It is described as a shady pink taupe - it seemed like a warm rose brown to me. The lipstick has a slight fruity scent and a semi-sheer finish that can be layered to attain a more pigmented look. Rose Infinite contains miniscule flecks of glitter that are barely noticeable, applies really smooth with no tugging or pulling and has a semi-glossy finish. It wore for about three to four hours before fading but seemed to keep my lips moisturized the majority of the wear time.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks are currently priced at $35.00 USD for .15 oz of product. It can be purchased in store or online at Nordstrom or Sephora.



ROSE BOBBI BROWN SHIMMER BRICK - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


When applying the Bobbi Brown Shimmer bricks I like to use the Marc Jacobs Face I makeup brush for an all over application. For a more concentrated look or flush of color for specific areas of the face then I like to use the Sephora #45 Mineral Powder brush. The Bobbi Brown Shimmer bricks are currently priced at $42.00 USD for .4 oz of product.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose gives the skin a nice flush of pale pink with loads of sparkle. When swatched separately the colors are a beautiful collection of soft pinks and pale rose that can be worn over top of blush. However, when blended together, the rose-y pink flush is lost and the whole application process is somewhat messy. Honestly, there really wasn't any shimmer - it was just so much sparkle. I found I had better results using each of the colors separately. Normally I am a fan of the Shimmer Bricks (I own several such as Wild Rose, Rose Gold and Pink Quartz just to name a few) but with the Rose Shimmer Brick I would definitely not recommend purchasing it unless you can get past the extreme fall out and sparkle.




Monday, May 26, 2014

TERRE EXOTIQUE GIVENCHY HEALTHY GLOW POWDER - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


The Givenchy Terre Exotique healthy glow powder is a limited edition bronzer. It has a sun-kissed bronze glow that doesn't look muddy. It gives a nice, neutral and natural healthy glow that is suitable for all ages. When worn it enhances the contours and angles of the face all the while giving a glowing bronze look to the skin. I was seriously impressed with this powder. It wasn't overly shimmering or glittery - it just had a beautiful sheen. It wore for about ten hours before slight fading but reapplication wasn't necessary because it still looked great.

The Terre Exotique bronzing powder is housed in a large elegant looking black case, is talc free and is adorned with a gorgeous design. The bronzing powder currently retails for $66.00 USD and contains .56 oz of product - which is a generous amount when compared to other brands. It is available for purchase online at Sephora.com.






95 MIRAGE CHANEL ILLUSION D'OMBRE EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


95 Mirage is a beautiful shimmery warm toned bronze Chanel Illusion D'Ombre cream to powder eyeshadow. It is part of the Chanel 2014 Summer collection - REFLETS D’ÉTÉ DE CHANEL. For more information about the collection and what I have reviewed so far I'll post links below. The formula for Mirage seemed drier and less creamy than previous Chanel cream eyeshadows. It still applied nicely but it seemed like I had to warm it up to make it more pliable. The bronze eyeshadow has really strong yellow undertones that make this perfect for warm toned complexions. For those with pink undertones like myself, it wasn't very flattering. The wear time for Mirage when worn over eyeshadow was a little under ten hours with creasing occurring all over and significant fading. 

95 Mirage currently retails for $36.00 USD and it contains .14 oz of product. It is available for purchase online and in store at most major department stores.

Check out the whole Chanel Summer collection here: REFLETS D’ÉTÉ DE CHANEL 2014 SUMMER COLLECTION

Check out Utopia here: 96 UTOPIA CHANEL ILLUSION D'OMBRE EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW




Saturday, May 24, 2014

PINK GLOW LAURA MERCIER BONNE MINE STICK FACE COLOR - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Stick Face color is a sheer but build-able stick blush. There are four shades to choose from: Pink Glow, Peach Glow, Coral Glow and Bronze Glow. Each currently retails for $32.00 USD and contains .4 oz of product. They are available for purchase at Nordstrom and Belk and are a part of the Sun-Kissed Healthy Glow collection which consists of a baked bronzer, a bronzer brush, and the four stick blushes.

The concept of a stick blush isn't new - we've seen Nars, Bobbi Brown, Maybelline, Josie Maran, NYX and many other brands who have previously launched a version quite similar to the Laura Mercier one. However, what makes the Laura Mercier stick face color blush so different from the other brands: the quality, the pigmentation and the matte finish. The Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Stick Face blushes will work for any skin type - dry, oily or normal it doesn't matter and they aren't just for the cheeks. They can be used anywhere a flush of color or a healthy glow is needed.

The creamy stick formula applies easily and blends into the skin leaving behind a beautiful flush of color with a matte finish. No more greasy patches on the cheeks or face and the stick blush has a wear time of eight hours before slightly fading. For best results apply the blush in light layers and blend into the skin. If a more intense look is desired then apply with a heavier hand and don't blend into the cheeks as much. 





Give your skin a boost with a radiant, healthy glow thanks to Bonne Mine Stick Face Color by Laura Mercier. The sheer, blendable formula gives you that no-makeup radiance with a natural, soft and sun-kissed look.

How to use: Apply to skin where a healthy glow is desired. Touch onto apples of cheeks then softly blend color up your cheekbones and toward temples until desired coverage is achieved.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

N°20 CHANEL LES BEIGES MULTI-ACTION ALL-IN-ONE HEALTHY GLOW FLUID - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


The Les Beiges Multi-Action All-In-One Healthy Glow fluid in N°20 is part of the Chanel Les Beiges Collection. Check out the links below to see some of the other products from the collection. There are six shades with 10 being the lightest and more compatible with pink undertones. The remaining four shades 20 through 60 are varying warm shades of tan with yellow and peach undertones. My Chanel counter at Belk only had live product in the shades of 20 and 30 available. I've heard that Nordstrom already has all five shades so I might stop there later this week to pick up shade 10. Shade 20 which is pictured below is a tad too yellow for my skintone for right now. I try to stay out of the sun but for those times that I do get a tan / burn then this will work. 

The creamy formula dries nicely to a powder finish but it can look cake-y and overdone if applied too heavily. To get the best results make sure the skin is hydrated beforehand and apply in thin layers. It has a nice sheen (no sparkle or glitter) that leaves the skin with a slight radiance / glow. This product can be worn as an all-over color boost to warm up the face or it can be applied to create contours to lend the face more definition. It does come with a protective seal which I love - it lets me know I'm getting fresh product and not something that has already been used. It currently retails for $45.00 USD and it contains 1 fl. oz. of product. It does have a slight scent (similar to Chanel's Hydra skincare products) but with a touch of coco butter mixed in. Don't worry though for those who hate scented anything the scent doesn't linger and quickly fades within 15 to 20 minutes.

Check out the entire collection here: CHANEL LES BEIGES COLLECTION SUMMER 2014

Check out some of the individual pieces here:

No. 01 CHANEL LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW MULTI-COLOUR - SWATCHES AND REVIEW 

No. 02 CHANEL LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW MULTI-COLOUR - SWATCHES AND REVIEW




Wednesday, May 21, 2014

GUERLAIN TERRACOTTA SUN CELEBRATION BRONZER / BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


Guerlain celebrated the 30th Anniversary of their most coveted and iconic bronzing product with the release of the Terracotta Sun Celebration. This beautiful compact houses a combo bronzer and blush. This multi-tasking and lightweight powder gives the face an all over sun-kissed glow or a nice healthy flush to the cheeks. The Terracotta Sun celebration compact currently retails for $78.00 USD (which is quite expensive) but it contains .56 oz of product so you are definitely getting more product for your money. It can be purchased online or in store at Nordstrom and Sephora.

This is definitely one of those splurge-worthy items to get for the summer. The lightweight powder has build-able coverage with a wear time of seven to eight hours before minimal fading. The compact is not overly chalky, it doesn't enhance the pores and it even works beautifully on dry skin as well. Overall the Terracotta Sun celebration is a good investment piece for your makeup collection.




Tuesday, May 13, 2014

SOMETHING ABOUT BERRY TOO FACED SWEETHEARTS PERFECT FLUSH BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


I had previously purchased the Too Face baked blush in Candy Glow (see the link below to check out my review) and decided to purchase Something About Berry. What can I say, I'm a sucker for pink blushes especially berry colored ones. Something About Berry is a tri-colored shimmer-fest of berry pinks (shimmering mauve pink/ golden peach/ shimmering magenta pink). Although if you peel up the label it says this blush is called Passion Pink??? Hm, I'm sensing a cover up! LOL

The Too Faced blushes are so cute and the packaging, they come in a heart-shaped box, is so adorable! The wear time for this super pigmented blush, Something About Berry, was eight hours before I noticed minor fading. The color still looked bright and intense but was somewhat muted. The Too Faced Sweethearts blushes currently retail for $30.00 USD and contain .19 oz of product. They can be purchased in store or online at Sephora and Ulta.

Check out my review of Candy Glow here: CANDY GLOW TOO FACED SWEETHEARTS PERFECT FLUSH BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW



Monday, May 12, 2014

CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW COLLECTION - NOW AVAILABLE ON CHANEL.COM


This next collection consists of eight new CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES eyeshadow quads inspired by the house’s famous tweed fabric. Along with the release of the eyeshadow quads there will be four new complimenting eyeliners released that will enhance the eyes when used in conjunction with the quads. Chanel will discontinue many of the existing quads and replace them with these eight new quads shown below. The new quads have an updated formula that makes them so much softer, they will last a lot longer and they will no longer contain talc, a common ingredient found in many Chanel products. The majority of the new quads will feature a satin to shimmery finish or a satin to metallic finish.

The quads have already been released (I believe in March) in Canada and Europe. Hopefully they will make their way to the states soon but so far I am hearing it will be later this year (in the Fall) before we will get them. Although I have also heard from other sources that we may not get them at all - which I hope is not true! I would love to get my hands on several of these.

Two points of discussion:

1. Whether or not the states will get the same exact quads as Canada and Europe or a different reformulated version. Currently when Chanel releases new eyeshadow quads or blushes to the states we typically receive a powder eyeshadow quad or powder blush while Canada and Europe receive a baked version.

--UPDATE--
These will have the same formula globally!

2. Currently Chanel eyeshadow quads are priced at $59.00 USD which is an increase of only $1.00 from last year. However, with the release of these eight new quads this Fall, will we see a significant price increase from $59 to $65.00 for each of them?

--UPDATE--
These will cost $61.00 USD so that's a two dollar (significant) increase considering the price increase we just had with the quads in January (look for the quads to hit $65 by next year).

I will be sure to update this post as more information becomes available.

Check out Tisse Cambon here: 228 TISSE CAMBON CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Check out Tisse Vendome here: 204 TISSE VENDOME CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Check out Poesie here: 234 POESIE CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Check out Tisse Camelia here: 202 TISSE CAMELIA CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Check out Tisse Rivoli here: 226 TISSE RIVOLI CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW


A palette of four eyeshadows that features the most advanced innovation to enhance creativity. Its optimized formula unites softness and easy application to express maximum colour: consistent, luminous and even all day long. The shades come in a variety of effects: matte, satiny, iridescent or metallic.


A practical and portable black lacquered case with a large mirror.

Result: The four eyeshadows blend endlessly to define natural, intense, sophisticated or smoky eyes.
A formula that enhances colour and makeup effects.

• An exceptional concentration of long-lasting pure pigments for a wider range of effects and intensities
• A jellifying system and a blend of polymers and spherical powders for:
  • a soft, creamy, glide-on texture
  • shades that blend together perfectly
  • an even makeup result
• A new manufacturing process for easy application and immediately intense coverage
• A total absence of talc for heightened colour radiance and luminosity
• Synthetic mica to ensure consistency between the colours in the case and the makeup result on the eyelids

Each harmony is composed of:

• two medium shades to blend together or apply in contrast,
• one dark shade to intensify, sculpt and add depth,
• one light shade to illuminate and give the eyes a wide-open effect.

Each function has its own place in the case.

To help you during the first applications, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio suggests four ways to apply LES 4 OMBRES: natural chic, sophisticated, seductive or smoky eyes to create with the eight new colour harmonies.

Ophthalmologist tested and suitable for contact lens wearers.


LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT EYESHADOW QUADS

202 TISSÉ CAMÉLIA

Consists of a greyish light purple, a iridescent white, a darkened eggplant and a pale pink.


204 TISSÉ VENDÔME

A sparkling tweed that reflects the City of Lights

Open this palette as you would a jewelry box and step into the Paris of Gabrielle Chanel, where the sparkling Place Vendôme awaits you. A deep beige, a beige peach, a grayish brown and an intense apricot reveal a passionate selection of shades in this harmony.


208 TISSÉ GABRIELLE

A tweed that borrows its grays from a stormy sky

With this harmony, rediscover the audacity of a woman who successfully freed herself from conventions and redefined those of French elegance. Like her unisex first name, the Tissé Gabrielle harmony mixes androgynous shades. A palette of revisited classics for an unmatched smoky effect. Show off smoky eyes by applying a subtle blend of delicate gray and velvet black gray, an iridescent white gold and a grayish mauve.


214 TISSÉ MADEMOISELLE

A tweed in the colours of dawn

A woman's freedom, as envisioned by Gabrielle Chanel, filled her creations with elegance, simplicity and eternal youth. The beige and brown tones of this palette highlight your natural beauty. Luminous beige and intense beige, satiny yellow and khaki brown blend together and become one to give your eyes a very fashionable nude style.


224 TISSÉ RIVIERA

A tweed with hints of southern France

In the early 1930s, Coco Chanel chose the south of France as her home. Colours and their endless reflections have taken over this palette to echo the beauty of the French Riviera. Metallic blue, light pink, matte black and dove gray with pink shimmers embody an elegant state of mind.


226 TISSÉ RIVOLI

Consists of a golden taupe, a rosy tan, reddish brown, and a rose golden beige


228 TISSÉ CAMBON

A very feminine tweed that accentuates the style of CHANEL

Vintage pinks are all the rage today. The rue Cambon, the realm of Gabrielle Chanel, offers radiant and singular femininity in this palette that is emblematic of the House. The colour palette unveils subtle, soft and luminous tones, from an iridescent mauve and a velvet blackcurrant to a bluish pale pink and an intense pink.


232 TISSÉ VÉNITIEN

A tweed that reveals the mysteries of Venice

During an initiatory journey through the canals of Venice, Gabrielle Chanel drew inspiration from the enchanting colour combinations she saw in the City of the Doges. A hypnotic partition composed around green. From a delicate silver pink, a bluish green and an intense green to a platinum khaki, the palette floods your eyes with luminosity rivaled only by water itself.


STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF LONG LASTING EYELINER - $32.00 USD

This new waterproof eyeliner formula delivers long-lasting definition with a twist of the wrist: Colour winds up when you need it, winds down when you don't. A built-in sharpener at the opposite end detaches for quick refreshes.

905 SMOKY GREY - gray green

906 MARRON GLACÉ - warm brown

908 IRIS - bright violet blue

909 BLEU METALLIQUE - electric teal blue