CHANEL LES SAUTOIRS DE COCO COLLECTION - NOW AVAILABLE AT NORDSTROM!

I absolutely adore the Les Sautoirs de Coco collection from Chanel! Typically Chanel will release a few select pieces from their Asia exclusive spring collection, such as this, for purchase online only. Then during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale the items will be available in-stores. However I just checked the Nordstrom website and the highlight powder is available online. Hopefully we will see this collection in store at Nordstrom beauty counters real soon but if you can't wait and you are a "must see in person before you buy" then two Chanel Boutiques (Chicago and New York) did receive the entire collection. So you might want to plan a quick trip there if you are in the area.

P.S. The gorgeous highlight powder (which is calling my name) is "FINALLY" back in stock and available for purchase.

Availability: Nordstrom, Chanel

"Inspired by Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s love of pearls, a new makeup collection glimmers with iridescent and luminous shades of white, pink and soft grey, while classic black elements bring an unexpected contrast to the soft colour range."

This exclusive palette lights up the complexion with delicate pink and luminous white shades. An embossed design resembles stands of pearls.

PERLES ET FANTAISIES HIGHLIGHTER - $70.00 USD

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

258 TISSÉ OMBRE DE LUNE

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

112 IRIDESCENT

STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF LONG-LASTING EYELINER - $33.00 USD

912 ARDOISE

ROUGE ALLURE VELVET INTENSE LONG-WEAR LIP COLOUR - $37.00 USD

55 LA DÉLICATE

ROUGE ALLURE INTENSE LONG-WEAR LIP COLOUR - $37.00 USD

166 INDÉMODABLE

LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES GLOSSIMER - $30.00 USD

215 BABIOLE

214 PINCTADA

216 CLARTÉ

GLOSS VOLUME PLUMPING LIPGLOSS - $30.00 USD

MY PARISIAN SHIMMER CUBE LANCOME SPRING 2016 COLOR COLLECTION - NOW AVAILABLE

Spring 2016 Color Collection – From Lancome With Love

This spring, the collection is inspired by Playfulness. More than an ephemeral attitude, it is a state of mind, the art of twisting the use of an object to create something completely new and surprising!

Lancôme 'My Parisian' Shimmer Cube - $59.00 USD

This smart yet glamorous palette inspired by a Rubik's Cube contains nine shimmering pastels in removable cubes that can be used individually or blended together with a brush to highlight and illuminate your facial features for an effortlessly French-chic look. Each shade can be used as an eyeshadow, blush or highlighter.

How to use:

• For face makeup, use a flat brush and take the formula from each horizontal line to correct, blush and highlight.
• When using as an eyeshadow, take each cube individually and apply the formula directly with your fingers on your eyelids for a beautiful shimmery finish.
• When using on your lips, tap a cube directly on the heart of your lips for a trendy, velvety, shimmering finish.

Available: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Lancome

MOODLIGHT TOM FORD SKIN ILLUMINATING POWDER DUO - NEW / FALL 2015

New for Fall is the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating powder duo Moodlight. The compact houses two shades: a lighter soft white shade and a warmer golden shade. The shades can be worn individually on the face or swirled together to create a multi-dimensional glow.

Unfortunately I don't have a local Tom Ford counter I can visit for swatches and to purchase products. Mainly I have to rely on the internet and the occasional rogue swatches that pop up on Instagram. So when Moodlight first came available online I pre-ordered it almost immediately. Even though I wasn't sure then if either of the shades would work for my really pale skin I knew if I waited too long it would probably sell out. As of today it is wait list only on the Tom Ford website and several department stores have it listed as unavailable on their websites. Moodlight will probably be the "Must Have" Fall item for 2015 so I would suggest calling your local Tom Ford counter to set one aside for you. Mine should arrive within the next few days so I will try to post swatches and a quick review for you all.

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo Moodlight - $80.00 USD

"Tom Ford created this highlighting and illuminating powder duo to capture the two most flattering types of natural light on the skin—a soft white shade is like the luminous glow of daylight and a radiant golden shade is like the romantic illusion of candlelight. These lightly shimmering shades can be applied individually or layered together to create a multidimensional glow."

0.42 oz.

Available now: Nordstrom and Nemain Marcus

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.

01 MARINIERE LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW MULTI COLOUR BROAD SPECTRUM SPF15 SUNSCREEN - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

Chanel recently launched their Les Beiges collection (read here). A natural looking collection with a healthy dose of color to enhance and brighten the complexion for summer. Sounds promising so I jumped on board and purchased one of two Les Beiges healthy glow powders in 01 Mariniere. The other, 02 Mariniere, was nice but a tad too dark / orange for my really pale skin tone so I passed on it. Both Chanel Mariniere powders are housed in a really nice luxurious looking cream colored mirrored compact. The Healthy glow powders offer skin protection from the sun with an SPF 15 and can be used as a highlighter, bronzer, blush, sculpting powder or face powder. They are on the price-y side at $65 each (.39 oz) but considering this is not your typical face powder and they are a multi-purpose powder with SPF 15 sunscreen protection that is to be expected. On me I'm pale enough that 01 Mariniere works best on me as a blush, a highlight and as an all-over face powder. It didn't look overly powdery on my already dry skin and it seemed to brighten ever so slightly the areas on my face once it was applied. Application with the enclosed fan brush was okay but it tended to make things a tad powdery. I achieved better results using the Chanel 7 blending foundation make up brush. This brush is similar to the MAC duo fiber face brushes but in my opinion the Chanel brush is more compact and the duo fiber bristles are less uniform so it allows for better coverage. Either brush will work but I achieved better results with my Chanel brush. Wear time with the Mariniere powders is more a matter of personal preference. Since it's also meant to be worn outdoors then depending on the person's activity level reapplication may be necessary after just a few hours. Or it could wear longer if physical activity is kept to a minimum. Either way, in my opinion these multi-purpose healthy glow powders are a good investment piece to have in your collection.

Availability: Nordstrom, Chanel

NEW! LES BEIGES DE CHANEL 2015 - NOW AVAILABLE

Healthy Glow Sheer Colour

Natural beauty glows on with a versatile, lightweight makeup collection that effortlessly creates healthy colour. Multi-shade compacts enhance the complexion, while creamy colour sticks brighten and contour cheeks.

With the release of the limited edition LES BEIGES DE CHANEL 2015 collection the brand sought to expand on their wonderful and ever popular Healthy Glow products. These Healthy Glow products are perfect for Summer and are a "MUST HAVE" staple for the beach or vacation! This collection features nudes and healthy glow products to keep you safe while out in the sun all the while looking fresh and beautiful with healthy glowing skin!

Official launch: Worldwide June 2015

Availability: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, Chanel.com

HEALTHY GLOW MULTI-COLOR BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 15 SUNSCREEN - $65.00 USD

Lightweight, multi-colour powder offers a palette of effortless effects. Acts as a highlighter, sculpting powder, bronzer and blush - all with a sheer, natural finish and broad-spectrum sun protection. Contains .39 oz of product.

N 01 MARINIERE (limited edition)

N 02 MARINIERE (limited edition)

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HEALTHY GLOW SHEER COLOUR SPF 15 - $58.00 USD

With an effortless touch, this innovative, versatile powder makeup enhances, brightens or bronzes the complexion for a custom glow. On its own, it heightens skin's natural beauty; over foundation, provides a sheer, luminous finish. Advanced technology protects against skin-dulling environmental stressors, while White Rose and Cotton Flower offer absolute comfort for even the most sensitive complexions. In seven no-fail shades; each, with its own sculpted half-moon brush.

HEALTHY GLOW SHEER COLOR STICK - $45.00 USD

Creamy formula blends seamlessly with skin to enhance, brighten and contour. Healthy-glow shades help sculpt cheekbones or refresh the complexion with a vibrant, velvet finish. Presented in a sleek, portable black case with beige 'CC' monogram. Contains .28 oz of product.

N 20 (limited edition)

N 21 (limited edition)

N 22 (limited edition)

LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES GLOSSIMER - $30.00 USD

204 ROSE TENDRE

206 BEIGE STAR

HEALTHY GLOW HYDRATING LIP BALM - $36.00 USD

Comforting balm veils lips in sheer matte colour, while softening and smoothing. Presented in a sleek, portable black case with beige 'CC' monogram. Contains 0.1 oz product.

N 10

LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR - $27.00 USD

Classic and trend-defining shades in an exclusive formula that strengthens and moisturizes nails as it delivers high-shine colour. Applies evenly without streaking. All Chanel nail products are formaldehyde-free, toluene-free and DBP-free.

Using built-in brush applicator, lightly apply colour to nails. Let dry and reapply colour until desired intensity is achieved.

655 Beige Rose

659 Beige Pur

661 Precious Beige

663 Lovely Beige

BERRY BOBBI BROWN CHEEK PALETTE - SWATCHES AND REVIEW

The new Bobbi Brown Hot collection features three unique cheek palettes: Pink, Berry and Calypso which are so gorgeous! Each cheek palette currently retails for $45.00 USD, contains .16 oz of product and is available for purchase online at Sephora and Nordstrom. The cheek palette houses two blush colors and a middle highlight color. Right away I knew I wanted the Pink Cheek palette but after taking a closer look I realized I already had both of the blush colors featured in the palette, UGH! So I settled for the Berry Cheek palette instead. The two blushes housed in this palette are Plum and French Pink with a Berry highlight shade. The Plum shade is a reddish pink color, while French Pink is a bright pink and the Berry highlight shade is a coppery pink with rose gold undertones. Plum felt really matte to the touch, French Pink was really powdery and even though Berry had a metallic sheen the finish was more of a satin. All three were extremely pigmented, gave good color payoff and blended quite well. It is important to note that none of the blushes housed in the cheek palette are removable. Previous blush palettes I've purchased all had removable blushes so you could interchange / customize them but that is missing with these which is a shame.

Mini rant here:
I love Bobbi Brown products because the quality is almost always on point. The only gripe I have with the brand is their constant need to keep re-promoting the same colors. I have several of their products, mainly their eyeshadow palettes, and over half of the colors are exactly the same. Which is fine if you are new to the brand but it would be nice to feature some newer / different colors for a change.

Availability: Sephora, Nordstrom
Price: $45.00 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

GIVENCHY BEAUTY PRISME LIBRE POWDERS - *NEW*

Encapsulated behind a mesh screen and combining four shades to create nude tones the loose powder, Prisme Libre leaves cheeks smooth and velvety and complexion even and matte.

These five gorgeous Prisme Libre powders are now available for purchase online at Barneys.com and Sephora.com.

Due to the atomization technology used in the formula, pigments are of equal size and glide evenly for an ultra-natural peachy-soft skin effect. A proclamation of simplicity and sophistication.

GIVENCHY BEAUTY PRISME LIBRE POWDERS - each retails for $53.00 USD and contains .42 oz of product.

1 Mousseline Pastel

Sugar-coated colors, which correct and reduce imperfections for a natural opal effect.

2 Taffetas Beige

A cocktail of beiges, apricot and yellow, which delivers a healthy glow in just one stroke of a brush.

3 Organza Caramel

Cream, peach, cappuccino—a dessert selection for the skin providing dreamy tanning. Perfectly sexy without excess.

5 Satin Blanc (exclusive to Barneys)

7 Voile Rose

Sensual and voluptuous with a mingling of pinks and mother-of-pearl, this shade creates a halo of light and radiance.

A mattifying and color-correcting loose powder for the face combining four shades into one perfect harmony. This sheer and luminous powder mattifies, provides color-correction, and sets makeup to last longer. The pigments are lightweight, refreshing, and soften the complexion to perfection, while the veil of powder delivers a breath of radiance and luminosity. The secret to the formulation is in its pigments, which are treated with atomization technology making them extremely fine to glide on evenly for an ultra-natural, peachy-soft skin effect. The featherweight powder also boasts an exquisite fragrance trail featuring lilac and white musk. Each case includes a white microfiber powder puff for optimal gentleness on the skin—the epitome of refinement.

The formula and the pigments are treated with an exclusive technological atomization process guaranteeing a perfect and reproducible micrometric dimension in order to create a perfectly uniform, impalpable texture and a natural result.

NEW! BOBBI BROWN SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS 2014 HOLIDAY COLLECTION

Warm, glowing skin. Rich, sultry eyes. Statement lips. Bobbi's Scotch on the Rocks Collection is a gorgeous combination of sexy, strong and confident. Featuring a luxurious eye palette, a range of party-ready lip colors and glosses, and other Limited Edition products to get you through the holiday season in high style.

This gorgeous collection has a little something for everyone no matter your income. Pieces from this collection will range from $75 for the eyeshadow palette to $15 for a nail polish. The entire collection is available on Macys.com and they offer free shipping for orders $50 and over. Also don't forget to use Ebates to earn an additional 3% back from your purchase as well.