Here is the second installment of the Bobbi Brown & Tibi collaboration, new for spring 2011. We got our first sneak peek with an exclusive set from Neimans Preview Set (reviewed here). I finally had a chance to see the other items in the Python & Peony Collection and fell in love with the new eyeshadow palette, Lilac lipstick and Pale Peony gloss.
Lilac Rich Lip Color has previously been reviewed and swatched here. To recap, it’s a lovely lilac-pinkish cream color. It’s on the neutral-cool side, but not too cool. Beautiful full coverage, soft lightweight but creamy texture, long lasting. Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss is a sheerish cream pink – compared to other colors in this formula I found Pale Peony on the sheer side, but it still gives a noticeable coverage. There is a slight mint scent. Texture is not as sticky as her regular glosses. Here they are compared to the Pink Lilac Brightening Gloss so you can gauge how cool/lavender/pink these are.
Pale Peony lip-swatched by itself (no liner or lipstick underneath):
I was going to pass on the Python & Peony Eyeshadow Palette mainly because I wasn’t too keen on the packaging. The zip closure is a bit difficult to handle for me (not to mention a bit difficult to hold while applying). However I was smitten with the color palette – I do wish these were available in individual pan form (would have passed on Cool Ivory, Plum Orchid and Eclipse). Opal is a pale cool greyish cream, Lavender is a cool pinkish lilac, Cool Ivory is a grey beige, Cobra is a metallic steel grey, Plum Orchid is a sheer plum, Eclipse is a sheer black. I found the matte colors chalky by themselves, but liked the way they layered over her gel liner or applied with a slightly damp brush.
Over the weekend, I applied Laura Mercier’s Gold Metallic Creme shadow on the lids and topped with Opal 1/2 way up the lid, layered Cobra on top mixed with the Plum Orchid & Eclipse over a dark black liner smudged and then blended.
Today for work, I applied UD’s Sin Primer Potion all over the lids, applied Opal as a wash with Lavender on the center of lids and blended softly upwards. Then I mixed Cobra with Eclipse together as a smokey liner over her Caviar Ink Gel Liner.
Swatched on the arm:
I do think the Lavender in the palette can look a bit too cool if applied with a heavy hand by itself. I’m one who loves light purples but often times in saturated doses it can look very dated. I personally think it looks best when combined with the other colors in the palette. Layering it over a sheer gold cream shadow (not something I think most think of) like Laura Mercier’s Gold Metallic Creme shadow can help balance out the pink/cool tones. If you are finding it too cool – play around with it and layer it on top of other shades or add a smokey silver on top and blend together.
Overall love but I do hope Bobbi Brown slows down with the palettes. I like to pick out my own colors =)
I’ve prepped for tomorrow (the night before) so I can get a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning. Here’s what I’m wearing on Tuesday plus what’s inside my Balenciaga First in Anthracite from S/S 2007 (everything except the Jo Malone Colognes fit):
Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer, Sunlight Highlighter
Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Blush (her original packaging), Python & Peony Palette, Lilac Rich Lip Color, Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss
Laura Mercier Lilac Lip Glace
Chanel Cassis Eyeliner, Star Glossimer, Tender Bisque Powder Foundation
Mini Brushes, iPhone, Wallet, Jo Malone Vitamin E Lip Balm sample
The items I’ll wear tomorrow
(look replicated from this past weekend):
Reviews on Bobbi Brown Python & Peony Palette along with the Pale Peony Rich Color Lip Gloss to come soon. Lilac has been previously swatched here.
A manicure & pedicure was the perfect way to end the week. I’m so happy it’s Saturday but I fear the day will go by too fast. I picked out two newly released shades Dior Beige Lotus 211 (first featured here) and Butter London No More Waity Katie.
Dior Beige Lotus 211 ($21 from Dior.com) is a warm neutral caramel-nude infused with tiny silver micro sparkles. The shimmer is refined and so pretty to look at. Why can’t there be a shadow that exists like this one? (Most beige sparkles I’ve seen are a lot lighter.) With two coats you get full coverage but the shade is so close to my skin tone it looks like a true mannequin hand. Like but will love it more when I’m more tanned (hopefully soon).
Butter London No More Waity Katie ($14 from ButterLondon.com) is a sheer lavender jelly-like base with chunky silver and lavender glitter. I wonder why most of us were expecting a lavender version of Buttter London’s All Hail McQueen (reviewed here)? I had to apply three coats to get it to show up but decided it was a bit too chunky for my fingers. I put it on the toes. London Makeup Girl shows you how it looks with fewer coats versus three coats. Lipglossipping also has a lovely feature. What do I think? Hmmm … it doesn’t seem like a grown-up-princess type of color, the glitter is super chunky, the base is really sheer, but with three coats it does show up. I’m still undecided.
Comparisons + Swatches:
L to R: Chanel Inattendu, Chanel Sahara Beige, Dior Beige Lotus, Chanel Delice, Paul & Joe 005 Mirage
L to R: Chanel Rodeo Drive, Chanel Lilac Sky, Chanel Paradoxal, Butter London No More Waity, Katie*, OPI Parlez-Vous OPI?
Many have expressed interest in Bobbi Brown’s new Rich Lip Color in Heather Pink, a pretty neutral rosey-brown, wondering how it compares to a few of her existing classics like Brownie and Brownie Pink. (A few shades reviewed here.) I don’t have her Brownie Lipstick, although if I remember correctly, it’s a neutral brown with a slight tinge of pink. I have picked two other shades to compare for you: Brownie Pink and Blondie Pink.
What’s the difference? Well, they all have different descriptions on Bobbi Brown’s website. However, I can barely tell the difference between these three. If you have swatched tested these to compare, please share your thoughts! The difference is so slight it’s barely noticeable. I had to look at these in different lighting and I had to hold my swatched arm at different angles see the difference. My photos and swatches will most likely all look the same to many of you so I will supplement with descriptions of what I personally observe.
Color Descriptions
Blondie Pink Lip Color – medium natural pink, the lightest out of the three (if you like this one but want something paler, but still pink, check out her Blush Lipstick, it’s a gorgeous color!)
Brownie Pink Lip Color – medium brown pink, has the most brownish tone
Heather Pink Rich Lip Color SPF 12 – medium rose-pink-brown, most rosey
Lip Color vs. Rich Lip Color SPF 12
Lip Color formula has a semi-matte finish with fuller more opaque coverage
Rich Lip Color SPF 12 has a sharp rich color but with a lightweight smoother texture and less matte looking finish, has a noticeable SPF/sunscreen scent
Is one better than the other? I think there are benefits of both formulas. Bobbi Brown’s regular formula has a semi-matte texture which lasts longer than the average lipstick on me, especially when layered over a blended lip liner. The texture is sometimes too heavy for my preference. The new Rich Lip Color is super smooth and lightweight but delivers full sharp color.
I must admit when I first heard there was yet another lipstick formula coming out from Bobbi Brown (in addition to her Regular Lip Color, Creamy Lip Color, Metallic Lip Color, Rich Color Gloss, Treatment Lip Shine and Lip Crayon) I rolled my eyes thinking it was confusing to have so many formulas and options. However after trying a few I have been pleasantly surprised. She has a diverse range of colors in this new line although I would have liked to see a soft watermelon pink or a true mauve plum. Her new formula is excellent for a full coverage lipstick and feels really nice on the lips. I cannot gush enough about how happy I am that she priced these at $22. I find this a reasonable price for a good quality product – something I have to say I was very relieved about in a day & age when every designer brand thinks charging $30+ is ok for a “new” lipstick formula. They are definitely worth checking out!
Here they are lip swatched on me. Note that I do think they all look very much the same on me and on my arm. The differences are so slight I don’t know that I can really tell the difference unless I look really closely. Even after looking really closely, it’s a stretch to see how they differ. I think on fairer skin tones you will be able to notice the difference more. Blondie Pink is the lightest, Brownie Pink has the most brown, Heather Pink has the most rose.
Chanel has officially released the new Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 ($45) in the US to replace their Teint Innocence Naturally Luminous Fluid Makeup SPF 12 ($47). Long-time readers know that Teint Innocence is my holy grail of foundations and much to my dismay, I discovered it was soon to be discontinued earlier this year.
I completed an extensive foundation review last month in search for a holy grail replacement (linked below at the bottom of this post). After testing a few sample packets of the Vitalumière Aqua, I crowned it as one of my holy grail replacements, but did not have an update on my color selection since counters did not yet have the product in stock. After further testing, here are my thoughts:
Color Selection – I am normally a Chanel Shell 30 in Teint Innocence but am slightly lighter in skin color, although not quite fair enough to be a Cameo 1.0. My best match right now is Chanel’s Lift Lumiere in Cendre 30 (which runs a bit lighter than Teint Innocence). For the Vitalumière Aqua, I tested B20 Beige Tendre and B30 Beige Sable. I could have gone with either shade, but decided on the B20 Beige Tendre shade. The colors with BR have more pink, while the B shades have yellow undertones. I’ve swatched the shades I use below, note that while they are all different swatched heavily, the different formulas blend differently on the skin. Also note, I mix the two Armani shades to get a custom-matched color (so many times I’m in between shades).
* Also note, my forearm is paler than the rest of my sun-exposed areas
Texture – Vitalumière Aqua is thinner and more liquidy while the Teint Innocence is thicker but still very fluid. It is recommended that you always shake your Vitalumière Aqua bottle just like the Base Lumière (also by Chanel).
Product Packaging, Amount, Size – The packaging is a bit deceiving because at first glance, one would assume that Teint Innocence contains a lot more product. However, both contain the same amount of 30 ml/1 fl oz. Vitalumière Aqua comes in a plastic container that requires shaking. The difference can be seen below. I do believe ALL the Vitalumière Aqua shades have the same beige color for the packaging – at the counter, I could not see any difference in the plastic container for the lighter or darker shades (but it could have been something I just did not notice). While the Vitalumière Aqua is more compact and sleek, I prefer the Teint Innocence glass bottle.
Finish – Vitalumière Aqua has a quick setting formula with a slightly matte finish. I find that it needs to be blended with short quick strokes because it dries quickly and can darken in spots if not blended evenly. Teint Innocence is more dewy and more moisturizing.
Coverage – Both have super natural but noticeable coverage, however I find the Teint Innocence more forgiving and a bit more transparent with a more natural look. Neither are as sheer as a tinted moisturizer and both provide decent coverage. I like to apply both with a sponge (just my personal preference). I always set with a powder.
Overall Thoughts – Chanel’s Vitalumière Aqua is a beautiful foundation, but it’s still no replacement for Teint Innocence which will always have my heart. I have purchased 3 back up bottles, although I don’t know the exact shelf life of an unopened bottle of foundation. I know my sister has several back ups accumulated by now. About a dozen women have e-mailed me with cries of despair that their favorite holy grail foundation is now gone. To sum up my thoughts: Vitalumière Aqua is thinner and has a semi-matte finish that’s less see thru, Teint Innocence is not as thin and more dewy with a slightly transparent finish. If you liked TI you will most likely like VA.
Recommendations – If you’re still pining over Teint Innocence, BACK UP NOW! My local Nordstroms only carry two shades at the counters now, all others have been pulled and sent back to who-knows-where. If you’re interested in Vitalumière Aqua and are exact match to Chanel Shell 30, I think your match will be B30 Beige Sable. If you’re slightly lighter than Shell but not quite Cameo, B20 Beige Tendre will be a good match. I do recommend getting a few sample packets to test if you can (Nordstrom counters should have plenty now) and let it sit on the skin to see how it wears after a few minutes. If you’ve tried this foundation and it looks ashy on you, you’ve been matched to the wrong color!
Amy from Café Makeup and Karlasugar have swatched the colors on their skin, both are lighter than me, and I believe I am more olive/yellow than both of them.
Recap & links for your reference below …
Foundation Search Part 1: Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15, Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation, Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Luminous Matte Fluid Makeup, Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Invisible Skin Foundation
Foundation Search Part 2: Chanel Pro Lumiere, Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10, Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation, Laura Mercier Crème Smooth, Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment, Make Up Forever Face & Body Liquid Makeup & Chanel Vitalumière Aqua
Dior has been revamping their nail polish formula and brushes for a while, but apparently on stealth mode as I have not seen or read any press releases communicating the new changes. I heard about the changes word of mouth from another Dior/Chanel nail polish friend who emailed me that Saks had an exclusive to release new colors first (you can see some on saks.com). I ordered City of Gold some months ago and ever since purchasing the Gris City colors online (see my reviews here), I have been checking in on Dior.com to see if anything new would show up.
Those of you who have been dying over Nude Chic (seen here), good news, it’s been re-released under a new name 219 Safari Beige on Dior.com. At this time I do not know if or when these will be released on counter (with the exception of City of Gold from Saks).
What I ordered left to right: 453 Flapper Pink, 428 Sienna, 211 Beige Lotus, 563 Cabaret Pink, 668 City of Gold (Saks)
Updated with thoughts & descriptions: Overall love the formula and finish. All the swatches were applied with 2 thin coats and went on the nails without any issues. These all have the tapered brush, which I am getting the hang of for application. Descriptions:
