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2011

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Inside My Miu Miu + A Few Things In The Works

January 20, 2011

Featuring right now: my Miu Miu Bow Satchel, from the first generation of bow satchels made in 2007. It’s been a whirlwind of a week. I’m backlogged on everything in my non-work life at the moment so new product reviews will have to take a break for a while. I will, however, be covering a few frequently asked questions in the near future:
  1. Since there are rumors that Chanel’s Teint Innocence will be soon discontinued in the US, have I found a holy grail foundation replacement?
  2. What are my must-have eye makeup brushes?
  3. Can I feature my collection of leather goods/accessories?
  4. Do I have a holy-grail-products-of-all-time list?
  5. How do I coordinate/pick out my nail polish colors for tips and toes?
In the meantime, here is what I’ve been carrying inside my Miu Miu Bow Satchel. It’s the small size but it’s still very roomy. When the bow satchel was first released, there were two sizes: small and large. Mine measures 6½”H X 12½L X 4½W.



Wearing: Cole Haan Black Carma Pumps, Theory Pencil Skirt, Banana Republic Top, J.Crew Sweater

As you can see, it fits quite a bit, and there is still more room inside for more. Inside = everything I need to take me from day-time-office to touch ups for night:

LV Alexandra Wallet, Gucci Sunglasses, J.Crew Calendar, iPhone, Candy, Keys, Paul & Joe Makeup Bag with Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss #54 and #55, Rouge Allure Incognito, Paul & Joe dual lipliner, mini brushes, Armani Eyes to Kill Excess, NARS South Beach Multiple, Bobbi Brown Sand Castle Cream Eyeshadow, MAC Athma Eyeshadow Quad, MAC mini strobe cream


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Tocca Bianca Eau de Parfum

January 14, 2011


Every now and then I receive a special request to write about fragrances. This is an area I have not explored very much so I must refer you to two fragrance connoisseurs (my go-to resources) for exquisite perfume photographs and beautiful detailed descriptions: The Non-Blonde and Nathan Branch. Both have lists of fragrance and perfume resources on their sidebars which I find tremendously helpful. I have only reviewed one fragrance before, Chloé Eau de Fleurs in Lavande, but today I bring another review of Tocca’s Eau de Parfum in Bianca (1.7 fl oz/ 50 ml, $68).

For perfumes, I always look at the packaging first. If the scent is bottled in a beautiful container then I am more likely to pick it up and smell it. Tocca’s Eau de Parfums come in the prettiest round vintage-like bottles making them beautiful eye candy for my dresser. The box packaging is just as exquisite and has a beautiful inscription inside. The little details make opening it all the more enjoyable.



According to Tocca, this scent is “inspired by Tea time in Italy” with the following notes:

  • Top notes: Bergamot, Lavender, Mandarin and Lemon Orpur
  • Middle notes: Rose Petals, Jasmine and Green Tea
  • Bottom notes: Musk, Sugar
It’s fascinating how fragrances react with one’s natural body chemistry. On the little spray cards Bianca smells very clean and fresh, while on my wrists it smells like soft roses and jasmine. I normally avoid strong floral scents but this one is soft and subtle.

In case you are wondering what my fragrance preferences are, I am the type of person who prefers scented shower gels like Molton Brown Coco de Mer and Fresh Sugar Lychee rather than perfumes, so when it comes to fragrances I look for ones that are very subtle. All of Tocca’s scents fit the bill for soft and pretty. I have my eye on Giulietta next. For more descriptions, check out Karen’s review at Makeup and Beauty Blog.

My two fragrances:

As a side note, in my last survey I asked readers to share their favorite fragrance picks. I received over 500 recommendations, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I have made a list of scents to check out which will keep me busy over the next few months testing a few here and there every time I pass by all the pretty bottles.

I bought my Tocca at Sephora. You can find where Tocca is carried through the Tocca Store Locator on their website (linked for your convenience).

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Guerlain Spring 2011 Picks: Série Noire Blush G, Rouge G & Ombré Éclat

January 10, 2011

I’m venturing into newer territory with Guerlain this spring. I haven’t tried much from the line except a few seasonal items here and there over the past years. I’ve loved everything I have (quads, singles, rouge g) but for some reason still find their high prices and glitzy packaging a bit intimidating at times. However take the Twitter buzz and excitement from @naturalNchicmak and @CafeMakeup and combine it with the beautiful swatches from Yuki’s Lazy Channel and the cause-effect outcome is that I had to check it out.

Série Noire Blush G, Rose Desir Rouge G, Ombré Éclat in L’instant D’une Ondee 186 & L’instant D’une Soupir 187

The most highly-anticipated item of this collection is the new Blush G, Série Noire ($67), which is labeled on the compact as the “Secret to a Healthy Glow.” It is indeed glowy with four layers of embossed shimmers. NaturalNChicMakeup has lovely swatches on her blog as well and really captures the shimmers in great detail (see her review here). She also has a great feature on the packaging.

So does it really give a healthy glow? Yes, but it’s almost too glowy. When all shades are swirled together it creates a vibrant golden-pink blush but at the same time it applies cool on my cheeks (even if it swatches warm on my arm). To me, this is like a cool-pink version of NARS Orgasm blush. It also applies similar in the sense that it’s very easy to go one swipe too heavy and end up looking sunburned. The pigment is a difficult thing to describe – the texture is finely milled and very soft which allows you to build up layers to suit your preference. I had a difficult time playing with it today, it either looked too sheer or too fake. I have a similar experience with Chanel Fresque which is a lovely light peach, but one stroke too many leaves me looking like a clown.

I personally prefer something a tad bit warmer on the skin like Bobbi Brown’s Antigua Illuminating Shimmer Powder, but the Guerlain Série Noire is unique and beautiful. I will simply need more practice and experiment with different blush brushes to see which one will give the best application.

All the lipsticks from the Guerlain Spring Collection are beautiful. Due to the high price tag, I decided to limit myself to just one, Rose Desir #71 ($47). It’s very sparkly on the back of the hand, but on the lips it sheers out and you get a healthy pink tint. Those concerned that these might be too sheer to show up need not worry. They definitely show up! They just have a glossy shine with has a soft texture. I couldn’t detect a scent and it feels nice on the lips. The packaging this spring is still the metal mirrored tube but this season’s color is black. I like it much better than the silver ones which tarnish easily.


The last items I wanted to feature include two of the new eyeshadow singles, Ombré Éclat in L’instant D’une Ondee 186 & L’instant D’une Soupir 187 ($36 each).


I’ve found the Guerlain single shadows to be hit and miss. Some are simply too sheer, but the ones that do have a good soft texture show up better. #186 is a cool dove-grey with very subtle shimmer. #187 is a high frost bronzey taupe.

Overall thoughts: This collection has the most beautiful packaging this season. My interest in Guerlain is growing as I start to explore their primers and foundations. Still the high price tag prevents me from putting this brand at the top of my list of things to check out. I personally have avoided the Guerlain counter (like the Cle de Peau counter) simply because I find the price points intimidating, but easy to justify with an eager sales associate there to help push you along. Still, the quality is excellent and formula/textures beautiful. The packaging is a true work of art down to the little details of the embossed powders and clever mirrored lipstick.
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Dior Vernis Gris City Collection Review Part 2: Details & Comparisons

January 6, 2011

Here is Part 2 featuring a more detailed review of the Dior Gris City Collection. Up first is Gris Montaigne. As mentioned in my Dior Spring feature, I don’t have many cream finish grey colors. The formula is on par with RBL in the sense that you get full smooth application with 2 coats. The color is similar to RBL Stormy, only the Dior is slightly darker and more neutral (RBL’s stormy is cooler in undertone). The NARS and Butter London have sheerer formulas and require three coats for full coverage for me.

L to R: Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy, Dior Gris Montaigne, Dior Silver Pearl, Butter London Chimney Sweep and NARS Full Metal Jacket


Bond Street is a beautiful deep blue. Compared to the other shades below you can see that it does seem to have a unique undertone that prevents it from being a straight navy or pure teal. I love it. I find that it’s closest to Rescue Beauty Lounge Teal in depth/darkness, but the color is different since Bond Street is not really teal. Note how interesting it is that the MAC Blue India looks darker in the bottle but on the nails is significantly lighter than the other blues. All shades here featured with 2 coats.

L to R: Chanel Blue Satin, Dior Bond Street, MAC Blue India, Rescue Beauty Lounge Teal, Rescue Beauty Lounge Under the Stars


Finally, below you will see why I described Dior NY57th as a true gunmetal. Compared to other steely blacks and greys, Dior NY57th is one of those deeper silvery gunmetals that really shows up as a “gunmetal” on the nails. It’s nice to add to your collection if you want a dark shade but don’t want something too dark. You can see the contrast to the bottle photos to what you get on the nails. NY57th is lighter than Chanel Steel but darker than NARS Full Metal Jacket. If you think Essie Over the Top is a dupe, the Essie required 5 coats for the same coverage that Dior got with only 2. Also the Essie has more visible silver shimmers in real life.

L to R: NARS Full Metal Jacket, Dior NY57th, Dior Black Sequins, Chanel Steel, Essie Over the Top


Overall I’m very pleased with these colors. Looking at other web photos and blogs were extremely helpful but I still wasn’t sure that these were must-haves. As I discussed with a few blogger friends, I wasn’t convinced that spending $68 (included tax) on three colors I might have dupes for would be justified. But my curiosity got the better of me. If you’re a Chanel or Dior collector, definitely get these while they are available. They are listed as Limited Edition but I am not sure how limited they really are. If you already have a lot of similar shades you definitely won’t find these to be must-haves. However, do note the undertones may be different than your current stash. I really like the formula and hope Dior continues to release more!
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Dior Vernis Gris City Collection: Gris Montaigne, Bond Street & NY57th

January 6, 2011


The Dior Vernis Gris City Collection has finally been released on Dior.com. Each shade was inspired by the three greatest fashion capitals in the world, Paris, London and New York. As far as I know the Gris City Collection has been released in very limited supply. In the US, the Dior Gris City colors are exclusive to the NY boutique and Dior.com. They were released in NY for the Dior Boutique re-opening, but I did have several women tell me they were unable to place phone orders. They were told the colors were reserved for sale only for those who attended the event. However, one told me she was persistent and was able to find a sales associate who did a phone-order. I haven’t tried myself. Check out this link here on Chic Profile for additional availability information.

The limited edition collection contains the following shades (L to R in photo directly above and below):

  • Gris Montaigne – inspired by the color theme of the Dior Boutique on Avenue Montaigne in Paris (also part of the Spring 2011 collection, reviewed here)
  • Bond Street – inspired by the chic & urban style of London
  • NY57th – designed for the grand re-opening of the New York Dior Boutique on 57th Street

The nail colors by Dior have been revamped in a strengthening formula. I haven’t tried them long enough to notice a difference in the hardness of my nails, but I am impressed with the formulas of these shades. They do require two coats, but the application is flawless, smooth and fast drying. I’m not usually a fan of revamps, but I like the direction Dior is going with their product innovations and newer formulas.


Many have asked me what I think about the new tapered brush. Two different manicurists I go to did not like the brush. They applied it with the skinny side on the nail, instead of flat and wide. I’ve tried application on my own now about 6 times and I am slowly getting used to it, however, I find the pointy tip makes it a bit challenging to get the color even along the cuticles. It’s perfect for my pinky because it just happens to be the same size as my little finger. For the others it definitely takes practice.

I’m going to split my review up into two parts. Part 1 will feature the Dior Gris City Nail Polishes. Part 2 will feature comparisons. I felt like putting everything into one single post would be overwhelming for you.

I featured Gris Montaigne a few days ago (here) but here are a few more photos. I really love this color, it’s a perfect straight neutral gray.


Bond Street is a deep blue with the slightest hint of teal. It’s not so dark that it looks navy, but it’s close to navy. It’s cream-finish perfection. You’ll see it compared to RBL Teal, Chanel Blue Satin and a few others in Part 2 (coming soon).




NY57th is a steel gunmetal frost with silver pearl. Even though it’s a frost, the brush strokes aren’t too visible which is definitely a plus. Not quite silver and not quite black. This is a true gunmetal color.




Each color retails for $21 each and are listed as limited edition. I bought mine on Dior.com in the US. Gris Montaigne is part of the Spring 2011 collection and I found that color at Nordstrom instore. Are these must haves? Are there dupes? Wait for my Part 2 to see, it will be up very soon so check back around 10:00 am PST.

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Loving Right Now

January 5, 2011

In the new year, I’m currently loving right now . . .

Customer appreciation, more on this to come soon!

Chanel Regard Perlé for Spring 2011, reviewed here

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis, also shown here

Plum accents

Small Pottery Barn pill box (sold out online, but check your local stores)

Another cure for down days, giggles from the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie children’s book series

My real cure for everything, puppy love from Lucy

I’m loving nail polish in general, but especially the Dior Gris City Limited Edition Colors in Gris Montaigne, Bond Street and NY57th (review to come soon)

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