GIORGIO ARMANI LUXE IS MORE PALETTE and POUCH - NEIMAN MARCUS EXCLUSIVE / FALL 2015

New for Fall is the Neiman Marcus Exclusive Giorgio Armani Luxe is More Palette and Pouch. This huge compact palette houses ten eyeshadows in the top layer and two highlight powders and two contouring creams in the bottom layer. Included in the compact are two eye applicators for the shadows and sponges for the powders and creams. This gorgeous palette comes wrapped in a luxe velvet pouch.

NM Exclusive Giorgio Armani Luxe is More Palette and Pouch - $140.00 USD

Drawing inspiration from old Hollywood glamour the 10 neutral eyeshadows in varying textures allow the wearer to create a variety of glamorous looks. Also included is a mini travel size version of the Ecstasy Lip Lacquer in shade 402.

Available: Neiman Marcus

Pre-order now - expected to ship on or before October 22, 2015.

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

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.

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

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.

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

These, the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow multi-colour powders in No 01 and No 02, were just delivered to me late last night. I played around with them some last night before I went to bed and today I am off from work so I can really see how they perform. Each currently retails for $65 USD and contains .39 oz of product. They are part of the Les Beiges Summer collection and are available on the Chanel.com website and I have seen them in store at Nordstrom as well.

Read more about the entire collection here: CHANEL LES BEIGES COLLECTION SUMMER 2014

Read more about Les Beiges No 01 here: No. 01 CHANEL LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW MULTI-COLOUR - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Both Les Beiges powders are marketed as a dual sunscreen protector with an SPF 15 and as a highlight, contour, bronzer or blush. The powder is to be applied before going out in the sun and then reapplied every two hours. It is not safe for the eyes and must be kept out of reach of children as directed - this is especially true when using most any sunscreen protection product. 

The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour in No 02 is a tricolored collection of warm browns. The top color is a warm tan with miniscule flecks of sparkle, the middle shade is a muted brown with hints of peach and the bottom shade is a burnt brownish orange. All three shades housed in the compact have a buttery smooth texture and great pigmentation but this one gave me the most trouble. It is extremely powdery and was the messiest of the two. Yes, I would still repurchase it because as a whole this works really well for me even though the individual colors when worn alone are a bit much. These are definitely a splurge-worthy purchase.

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

These, the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow multi-colour powders in No 01 and No 02, were just delivered to me late last night. I played around with them some before I went to bed and so far I am liking them a lot. Each currently retails for $65 USD and contains .39 oz of product. They are part of the Les Beiges Summer collection and are available on the Chanel.com website and I have seen them in store at Nordstrom as well. You can read more about the entire collection here: CHANEL LES BEIGES COLLECTION SUMMER 2014

The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour in No 01 is a tricolored collection of soft peaches. The top color is a sparkle-y warm vanilla, the second color is a golden peach and the bottom color is a warm peach with a hint of pink. The formula is a little powdery but each strip of color housed in the compact is nicely pigmented and the compact itself is large enough each color can be used separately or altogether. Included inside each compact, is a flat fan shaped brush when used in a swirling motion, gives the best results especially when trying to achieve an all-over highlight, contour, or bronzed look. Just take care when exerting pressure with the enclosed brush, mine started to shed a little.

Even though a lot of you may think this compact is way too light for your skintone the No 01 compact is really versatile. Many can wear it as a highlight, contour, or even a blush. For those who are really pale like myself, the No 01 compact is perfect for warming up the entire face with a nice flush of color. Or, depending on the intensity, it can be used to soften up the features as well. So if you are unsure it will work for you, then I suggest a visit to your local Chanel counter or nearest department store that carries Chanel. That way you can check it out in person to see how truly amazing these powders perform. You might be surprised at how well the No 01 compact works for just about everybody.

88 VIVACITE AND 89 CANAILLE CHANEL JOUES CONTRASTE BLUSHES - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

In April Chanel will launch the Perfection Lumiere Velvet smooth-effect makeup along with two Joues Contraste baked blushes: 88 Vivacite and 89 Canaille. Currently the whole collection is available in store at Nordstrom but I have yet to see it online. Both blushes are currently priced at $45.00 USD and they both contain .14 oz of product. 

I had the opportunity to swatch both blushes (see pics below) and I must say they are extremely pigmented. Although the color can be blended down if it seems a tad too much. One thing I have noticed with the baked blushes is the rose scent is much stronger with them than the US version. If you can get past the really strong rose scent these are definitely worth the money. I loved both blushes but I only purchased 88 Vivacite. The other blush, Canaille, was just too muddy looking for my really fair skin but it should work beautifully for those with a warmer skintone. 

500 GIORGIO ARMANI MAESTRO FUSION BLUSH - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

In April Giorgio Armani will be releasing their newest creation the Maestro Fusion Blush (It is currently available online at Nordstrom). The intensity of the Italian sun was used as inspiration in the creation of the Maestro Fusion blushes (there are a total of three). Their purpose is to give the face and body the appearance of a natural sun-kissed look. The liquid blushes have a lightweight formula that luminates and highlights the cheeks. They can be used as a blush, bronzer or one can mix, blend or layer for a custom-made result.

"The secret of this iconic Maestro formula is no water or white powder. Instead, it contains five non-comedogenic oils, including white lotus oil, which gradually evaporate upon application and leave you with a “no makeup feel.” The ultra-fine oil-pigments suspension enhances the skin and is enriched with finely milled micro-pearls for liquid summer bronzer and essential concentrated pigments for fusion blush. For optimal results, use a single drop of the highly pigmented blush formula."

The Fusion liquid blushes come in three colors: 300 is coral, 400 is berry and 500 is a warm mauve. I purchased both the 400 and 500 blushes. A lot of the basic information that I posted on this review today is similar to what I have already posted about the liquid blush in 400. The link for my review on 400 will be listed below. Anyway, fusion liquid blush in 500 is more like a warm mauve with a strong brown undertone. It is super pigmented and lasts all day - so no worries about wear time and fading and because these are super pigmented not much product is needed. Take care when using them - they are very messy!

Check out my review of 400 here: 400 GIORGIO ARMANI MAESTRO FUSION BLUSH

ALTAI NARS MATTE MULTIPLE - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

ALTAI is one of the new recently launched NARS Matte Multiples. There are a total of seven and they are available at Nars.com and at Sephora. They can be worn wet for a more sheer look or dry for a more pigmented look. They are safe for lips and cheeks and come in a variety of colors. Altai is described as a rose bronze cream blush. It has a creamy texture and blends easily into the skin. The formula contains miniscule flecks of micro-glitter that are hardly visible to the eye. If you are a fan of the original Nars Multiples then you will immediately see a difference in the new Matte Multiples. The new ones are half the size (.26 oz of product) versus the original (.50 oz of product) and both cost the same (they each retail for $39.00 USD each).

Read more about the entire collection here: NARS MATTE MULTIPLES

Check out my review of ALTIA here: ALTIA NARS MATTE MULTIPLE SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Check out my review of LAOS here: LAOS NARS MATTE MULTIPLE SWATCHES AND REVIEW

My thoughts:

I was most excited for Altai based on it's rose bronze color description. However, as soon as I swatched it I knew I was going to return it immediately. The color is not a rose bronze - its more like a warm yellow based orange brown. In other words, its an ugly muddy brown almost like the color of Georgia clay and it looks as though I was wallowing in the mud when I tried to wear it. Sure it has a smooth texture, applies easily and is extremely pigmented but I just can't get past the color! It really doesn't work for me as a blush and it is way too yellow / orange for my skintone to work as a contour color. On my lips it looks even worse so this is definitely going back to Sephora.

NARS MATTE MULTIPLES - NOW AVAILABLE

 In passing I had heard about the new Nars Matte multiples but I didn't really think that much about them. I had seen and tried the regular Nars multiples but they never really worked for me. So I figured these would be something similar. Then today I got an e-mail advertisement from Sephora and I was just blown away by the gorgeous promo pic of them. I immediately clicked on the "shop now" and I was heartbroken to see they were already sold out! How could I have missed these; I didn't think they were even available for another week!

I kept checking the Sephora website all day today and I was overjoyed to finally see six of the seven matte multiples are now available for purchase (see promo pics below). I guess Sephora just hadn't had time to update their website before the e-mail ad was sent out. Anyway, I want at least three of them maybe four. I'm still on the fence about Siam - does it lean more orange/red or pink/red. I mean it is a beautiful red but I'm not sure if it will work for me. I will be sure to post swatches, pics and my review of them as soon as I've tried them so check back or leave me your thoughts / review on them below in the comments section. I'd love to hear how it works out for you!

NARS Matte Multiple - $39.00 USD for .26 oz of product


Check out my review of ALTIA here: ALTIA NARS MATTE MULTIPLE SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Check out my review of LAOS here: LAOS NARS MATTE MULTIPLE SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Available here on Sephora and there are seven shades but as of today only six are available for purchase:

• Anguilla (ginger pink)
• Exumas (pink apricot)
• Laos (rose coral)
• Siam (poppy red)
• Altai (rose bronze)
• Vientiane (copper bronze)
• Cappadoce (golden bronze) - at this time not available on the Sephora website

The Matte Multiple is safe to use wet or dry on the lips and cheeks.

1. Use dry for a vibrant flush of color.
2. Use wet for a melt into the skin appearance

“Matte Multiples give new possibilities and versatility. There’s no rules no right way or wrong way.” —François Nars

Anguilla - ginger pink

Exumas - pink apricot

Laos - rose coral

Siam - poppy red

Altai - rose bronze

Vientiane - copper bronze

NOTORIOUS CHANEL OMBRE CONTRASTE SCULPTING VEIL FOR EYES AND CHEEKS - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

CONTRASTES ESSENTIELS DE CHANEL

Featuring the limited-edition OMBRE CONTRASTE in Notorious.

This unique powder acts as a sculpting veil for eyes and face, subtly defining features for a sophisticated, stylishly contoured effect. Part of the limited-edition CONTRASTES ESSENTIELLES Collection.

CHANEL NOTORIOUS SCULPTING VEIL is a gorgeous plummy- taupe grise color. I'm so overjoyed to have finally gotten my hands on this product. I have been stalking the Chanel website for months in anticipation of it's launch.

Now, keep in mind I just got the sculpting veil late last night so I haven't had a chance to test it out. However, over the next few days I'll try to incorporate it into my everyday makeup routine to see exactly how it performs. I'm hoping that even if it doesn't perform well on my face that maybe it will redeem itself as an eyeshadow but you will have to check back to find out!

The Notorious sculpting veil is available on the Chanel.com website and it's currently priced at $43.00 USD for .14oz.