NEW! CHANEL LES INTEMPORELS DE CHANEL COLLECTION - NOW AVAILABLE

Gabrielle Chanel created the 2.55 bag, iconic to the House of Chanel, in February 1955. Inspired by the leather-braided chain of the 2.55, the Chanel Makeup Creation Studio debuts a limited-edition collection firmly anchored in the codes of the House. Exclusive Creation L'INTEMPOREL DE CHANEL offers an eye palette of five shades delicately connected by an embossed chain design, while LE VERNIS in Intemporel reinterprets the glimmer of the inimitable metal chain.

L'INTEMPOREL DE CHANEL EYESHADOW PALETTE - $80.00 USD

A striking harmony of five luminous eyeshadows, elegantly embossed to reflect the leather-braided chain of the iconic 2.55 bag. The rich palette features an absolute black to define the eyes, brilliant green and plum shades to enhance, and silver-white and gold tones to highlight.

LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR - $27.00 USD

INTEMPOREL -

A glimmering silver shade, inspired by the reflections cast from the metal chain of the iconic 2.55 bag.

Availability: Chanel

M536 MILK TEA MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTIST SHADOW - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

I recently purchased several more of the Make Up For Ever Artist shadows from Sephora. There is a current discounted pricing structure in place when purchasing more than one but if purchased separately they each retail for $21.00 USD. Over the next few weeks I will try to post swatches and a brief review for each one. Basically though, the formula, pigmentation, texture and over-all performance has been top-notch. The best of the best and I have yet to find a single "dud". The only gripe I have with them is: availability and storage. To be honest it has nothing to do with the quality of the eyeshadow but more about Sephora stores and their website. I'll explain more in depth below...

M536 Milk Tea is a matte medium tan eyeshadow. I plan on using it as an eyeshadow base for my lid or as an inner corner shade.

Availability: The more popular eyeshadows are almost always sold out. Prime example is M928 Eggplant. I went to five different Sephora stores in two different states searching for this eyeshadow and it wasn't in stock. Before you ask, I checked the Sephora website and all five locations "supposedly" had it in stock. Haha! Nope, sold out.

Storage: I hate that I have to purchase three eyeshadows and an empty single, double or triple palette just to receive the discounted pricing. It would be nice if Sephora included the Make Up For Ever XL metal palette that is available only online as one of the storage options. Then again, it would require Sephora to actually have the empty XL metal palette in stock. HAHA!!! It has been out of stock since the beginning of November which is ridiculous!

Sorry for the mini rant! I think I'm having a "Case of the Mondays"!

Availability: Sephora
Price: $21.00 USD

OLYMPIA NARS CONTOUR BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

The latest craze is contouring - whether one should use a cream or powder and what is the best placement. In my opinion it really depends on personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. For myself I prefer a powder and here is why. On a daily basis I apply enough cream-based products: toners, serums, moisturizers, face primers and foundations to my face that I don't want to add even more to what could potentially be a greasy mess. I allow for each of the above mentioned products to dry before applying the next layer but sometimes humidity and oxidation occur. Let's face it - sometimes Mother Nature's sick and twisted humor throws us a curve ball. Humidity is not a term relegated to the weather outside. It can and does occur in the most inconvenient of places especially when you have an important event to attend. And don't get me started on oxidation! It isn't something that just occurs to those with an oily complexion. I should know, I have extremely dry skin and I have had my foundation oxidize on me horribly on more than one occasion. So enough drama already!

The Nars Olympia Contour blush is a natural looking contour powder. It comes in three shades: Olympia, Paloma and Gienah. It currently retails for $42.00 USD, contains .28 oz of product and is available at many high end retailers such as Nordstrom, Nars and Sephora. The Olympia palette houses both a contour and highlight shade with the latter being a great deal smaller. Which is my only gripe with this palette. It should have contained equal amounts of both but other than the size disproportion this is a "Must Buy" recommendation. The Olympia contour blush imparts a soft matte finish with no sparkle or shimmer. The powder formula is lightweight and finely milled which allows for a smooth and flawless application. It doesn't look overly done or caked on which is nice.

Most contouring guides will tell you to start near the top of your forehead along the hairline with your contour powder then work your way down to underneath the cheekbone and finish up along the jawline. Which is fine but it is not what works best for me. I like to start underneath my cheekbone then sweep upwards toward my temple along the edges of my hairline. Then I sweep back down underneath the cheekbone and along the jawline to blend everything out. Next, because I'm so pale and to add a touch of warmth to my face, I will apply a slight dusting of the contour powder along the bridge of my nose, just a smidge on my chin and along my hairline at the top of my forehead. With the highlight shade I apply it to the tops of my cheekbones, above and below my eyebrows and another smidge at the top of my cupids bow. My best advice is to find what works for you and practice. I'm constantly practicing my application and placement techniques to see what works and what doesn't because there is always room for improvement!  

Availability: Nordstrom, Nars and Sephora
Price: $42.00 USD

GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY SAVINGS ALERT: 15% OFF EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING PASS WITH YOUR $75 OR MORE PURCHASE

An exclusive private shopping event for Giorgio Armani Subscribers. For a limited time enter code: EVENT15 to receive 15% off your $75 or more purchase with complimentary shipping. Offer expires on 02/24/15.

Subscribe here Giorgio Armani Beauty to take part in this private event and to receive future exclusive offers.

NEW! LA PERLE DE CHANEL COLLECTION - NOW AVAILABLE

Inspired by the graceful world of ballet, this delicate makeup collection features rosy tones and glimmering metallics in beautiful balance. Taking center stage: a limited-edition five-shade palette featuring romantic lipsticks and glosses to choreograph a colourful lip look.

Availability: Chanel

Eyeshadow redefined. The new LES 4 OMBRES features a vibrant, pigment-rich formula in palettes inspired by threads of Chanel tweed. Each easy-to-wear compact offers endless possibilities, with two medium tones to colour and contour, a deep shadow to intensify and a light shade to highlight.

LES 4 OMBRES MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW - $61.00 USD

248 TISSÉ RHAPSODIE -

204 TISSÉ VENDÔME - repromote (see swatches here)

This intensely shimmering long-wear eyeshadow offers true versatility. An innovative gel texture that is both soft and cushiony allows it to be worn as eyeshadow or eyeliner. Includes a specially designed shadow/liner brush, developed specifically for this unique formula.

ILLUSION D'OMBRE LONG WEAR LUMINOUS EYESHADOW - $36.00 USD

102 MYSTERIO -

Waterproof, smudge-proof eyeliner delivers long-lasting definition with a twist of the wrist: Colour winds up when you need it, winds down when you don't. Gentle, soft, silicone-enriched formula delivers smooth, even lining. A built-in sharpener at the opposite end detaches for quick refreshes.

STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF LONG-LASTING EYELINER - $32.00 USD

916 PERLE DE LUNE -

This powder blush, available in a variety of limited-edition shades, offers seamless colour in a silky, delicate texture. Buildable coverage allows for tailored effects, from natural to dramatic, and imparts a radiant glow, beautifully suited to the season. Applied high on the cheekbones or near to the eyes, it instantly “lifts” and softens the face for a more youthful look.

JOUES CONTRASTE POWDER BLUSH - $45.00 USD

250 CRESCENDO -

89 CANAILLE - repromote(see swatches here)

Inspired by the ethereal world of ballet, the versatile ‘Arabesque’ palette features five rosy-toned shades for multiple effects. Three vibrant lipsticks and two shimmering glosses can be worn alone or layered. Presented with a custom mini lip brush for application on the go.

HARMONIE LÈVRES LIP PALETTE - $55.00 USD

ARABESQUE -

This gleaming gloss takes a playful turn on lips, delivering sheer colour, high shine and comfort. The supple, precise artistry brush defines lips with ease.

ROUGE ALLURE INTENSE LONG-WEAR LIP COLOUR - $36.00 USD

158 VIREVOLTANTE -

This gleaming gloss takes a playful turn on lips, delivering sheer colour, high shine and comfort. The supple, precise artistry brush defines lips with ease.

AQUALUMIÈRE GLOSS HIGH SHINE SHEER CONCENTRATE - $30.00 USD

91 TUTU -

92 CORSET -

NEW! TORY BURCH CAT'S MEOW LIMITED EDIITION EYESHADOW PALETTE - NOW AVAILABLE

Tory Burch Cat's Meow Eyeshadow palette channels easy glamour with radiant taupes, deep greys and inky blue-violets that create the perfect soft, smoky eye for day or evening. Each eyeshadow is formulated with an ultrafine powder that feels exceptionally smooth and applies seamlessly to the eye with the included double-ended eyeshadow brush. The shades are long-wearing, easily blended and provide moderate to full coverage. Also included in the palette is a how-to sheet with detailed instructions on how to create two different looks

Shades include:
- Hint (luminous tan camel)
- Smoking Slipper (golden espresso brown)
- Midnight (deep navy)
- Tawny (radiant taupe)
- Stone Cold (shimmering gray carbon)
- Magpie (iridescent blue-violet)

Availability: Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's
Price: $60.00 USD

NEW! PRETTY IN PINK STILA LIMITED EDITION BLUSH - NOW AVAILABLE

Just in time for Valentine's Day the stila Pretty in Pink Blush is a limited-edition shade of petal pink curated with a blend of flattering pink hues to create the perfect just-pinched flush.

Availability: Nordstrom
Price: $18.00 USD

NEW! TORY BURCH CATCH EYESHADOW PALETTE - NOW AVAILABLE

Catch Eyeshadow Palette by Tory Burch is a feminine palette with muted floral-inspired shapes. Delicate peachy pinks, soft mauves and a vibrant pop of blue look pretty and polished while the ultra-fine powder feels exceptionally smooth and applies seamlessly to your eyes with the included dual-ended brush. The long-wearing shapes blend easily and provide full coverage. Also included in the palette is a how-to sheet with detailed instructions on how to create two different looks.

Shades include:
- Wild Card (golden aubergine)
- Folly (matte rust brown)
- Blushing (luminous pale nude pink)
- Little Bit (shimmering pale peachy pink)
- Morning Glory (iridescent lavender)
- Evil Eye (matte vibrant blue)

Availability: Nordstrom
Price: $60.00 USD

NEW! TORY BURCH PAS DU TOUT EYESHADOW PALETTE - NOW AVAILABLE

Tory Burch Pas du Tout Eyeshadow Palette is a universally flattering compact of warm neutrals, bronzes and pinks for a classic, tomboy-chic look. The ultrafine powder feels exceptionally smooth and applies seamlessly to your eyes with the help of the included dual-ended eyeshadow brush. Each shade is long-wearing, easily blended and provides moderate to full coverage. Also included in the palette is a how-to sheet with detailed instructions on how to create two different looks.

Shades include:
- Gamine (matte natural ivory)
- Menagerie (copper pink)
- Beau (golden violet)
- Paillette (metallic bronze)
- Jolie Laide (shimmering dark chocolate brown)
- Au Contraire (matte black)

Availability: Nordstrom
Price: $60.00