Sephora Formula X was launched last October which includes a full lineup of nail care, treatment, removers, lacquers and effect nail products. I discovered the Delete Nail Polish Remover several months ago after reading rave reviews which I found to perform extremely well – super effective in removing polish easily (you don’t have to rub a lot) yet gentle enough on the nails and hands (a must since I frequently change and swatch nail polishes).
For those new to the line, you may find the number of options a bit overwhelming. They break down the options into four main categories:
The Colors – there are currently around 100 different nail polish colors in Neutrals and Classic shades, these range from nudes to dark reds to bright edgy options
The Treatments – includes cuticle treatments, ridge fillers, polish remover, base/top coats
The Effects – for the creative types or those looking for layering effects they have a multitude of nail polishes that have unique finishes or colors for layering such as glitters, crystals, transluscents, holograms
The System – four piece starter set with a nail cleanser, base coat and top coat (you get to pick the fourth shade if you purchase the set)
Delete Nail Polish Remover ($10.50 for 160 ml/5.4 fl oz) comes with a convenient no-spill push pump dispenser. The cap twists to lock the top after use. I like that’s compact with a simple easy to use bottle. I read reviews on my phone while in the Sephora store before buying (317 reviews with an average rating is 4.6 out of 5 stars right now). The reasonable price plus rave reviews convinced me to buy. I’ve found it to be everything reviewers have gushed. It’s gentle yet effective. I don’t usually wear a lot of glitters so I can’t comment on how it removes those hard to remove glittery colors. But for regular polish I’ve found it removes all traces of nail color with one to two swipes per nail. If you don’t use a base coat and end up with stained nails from darker shades or intense brights you may need to use a bit more rubbing or soaking, but it’s still very effective but gentle.
Sephora sent their treatment set The System ($32) which is a steal. It includes a 0.4 oz Nail Cleanser, 0.4 oz Base Coat, 0.4 oz Top Coat and a nail color of your choice (both online and in stores). Each item is also available individually.
It’s an easy to use set. I’ve been testing this set with various brands (Chanel, Dior, and Formula X) and the items all work well with other brands. The Nail Cleanser is a good gentle, non-drying product to prep the nails and make sure they are free of any oil or lotion remnants. Per It’s infused with witch hazel extract (a naturally effective ingredient that
purifies the surface of the nail), Vitamin E (to condition nails), and
invigorating cucumber extract. The Base Coat is a shiny sticky base coat designed to help polish adhere longer than regular base coats. It has a smooth finish. The Top Coat is high shine top coat. I found it to be a bit thick so you need a decent amount loaded up on the brush to get an even application but it dries to a high shine smooth finish.
Overall I’ve found The System works really well with Formula X polishes and Dior. For Chanel I prefer to use other top coats such as Chanel, Rescue Beauty Lounge or CND, but the base/cleanse Formula X performed really well. When I’ve used the Formula X System + Color together I’ve had manicures last over five days without any tip wear or chipping.
I’ll show you Push The Limits a bright red tomato cream color. The coverage is phenomenal with two coats you get full opaque rich coverage. I’m on day 5 of the manicure with no signs of tip wear or chipping. Here it is with two coats plus The System products applied.
More on Sephora’s Formula X Line.
Overall a huge thumbs up for Formula X. I’ve been really pleased with the results and find the price points very reasonable. I’m on my second bottle of Delete Nail Polish remover and can see myself repurchasing over and over again. I found the Cleanser and Base Coats to be of excellent quality and I do believe these help extend the wear of nail polish. The Top Coat performed well but since it is on the thicker side, I found it took a bit more work for it to run smoothly over Chanel nail lacquers (which I wear a lot). It’s not uneven or goopy – I just needed to make sure my brush was loaded with more top coat than I’m normally used to and it took a few brush overs to make it apply smoothly.
The Formula X line is exclusive to Sephora online and in stores. If you have time to visit their stores I highly recommend you spend some time playing at their nail stations. They are equipped with clear nail sleeves you can paint to test colors with a layover type of product without having to ruin your current nail polish or make a mess of your fingers.
Have you tried Sephora’s Formula X? What did you think?
Sephora provided The System and Push the Limits for review. Delete Remover purchased on my own. For more information refer to my Disclosures.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid ($45 for 30 ml/1 fl oz) is a tinted cream that comes in a beige squeeze tube. It has been released in several shades similar to the Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Powders. There are currently five shades in the US in 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 (not sure if we will get shade 50). The US version comes with SPF 15 with the active ingredients listed as Octinoxate 2.5% and Titanium Dioxide 6.4%. I swatched both No. 20 and 30 at the counters on my hand and fell somewhere in between. The artist at the counter matched me to the darker end with No. 30 – he described this as a glow product that was designed to give a sheer wash of tinted color to the face to make it look like it has more color.
On my face it did not look impressive upon first application. It has a very sheer coverage and almost disappeared into my skin. However similar to the Sheer Colour Powders, you need to let this sit on the skin for a minute and then you will see it really give your entire face a healthy luminous glow (no shimmer, just glow). I’ve applied with fingers and the Chanel Foundation brush at home this week. My skin isn’t at it’s best right now so I find the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid doesn’t give enough coverage to cover imperfections. It does make a good natural base – I need to layer on concealer or a heavier foundation on the cheeks and chin areas. Once my skin improves I do see this as a good every-day tinted product.
I usually fall within the Chanel 30 range for foundations. Swatching it
compared to other formulas shows that the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid
No. 30 is quite a bit darker than the other No. 30s. The sheer texture
makes this formula more forgiving, blending it on make it match my skin
well. I probably could have gotten away with either 20 or 30, however as
warmer sunny weather approaches, the artist recommended I go with the
30 so I could wear it through summer. I did some photograph testing at
home, the Les Beiges Fluid photographs really well.
Comparing coverage and texture to other foundations, I would say the Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid is most similar to Edward Bess Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector (review here). If you have sensitive skin that can react to Chanel foundations or the SPF but want a good glow evening base or tinted product that isn’t too sheer, go with the Edward Bess.
Compared to other Chanel Foundations, the Les Beiges is more glowy with a more transparent finish. Others provide a lot more coverage and you can probably use this in conjunction with other formulas for layering. I definitely need to add other foundations on top of this for more coverage along with a dusting of powder.
Swatch comparisons to some other foundations I have. I don’t use all right now, some are from winter or earlier months when I was lighter in color. I’ll link previous reviews in case you want to read more about the formulas.
I’ve been testing this since Saturday and so far no reactions or break outs from this. It does have a noticeable fragrance similar to the Les Beiges powders and the Hydramax skincare line. I don’t find the fragrance irritating for my sensitive skin but I know others have mentioned to me that their skins couldn’t handle the formula. Ingredients listed below. (Click for larger viewing.)
If I were to rate this on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the high), I would give this an 8.5. I love the way it gives a good healthy glow. I would have liked it to have a bit more coverage, a bit more olive for my skin or a better match. It does blend out to a flawless finish and the sheer texture makes the color more forgiving. The warmth in this is what helps give the skin a bit of healthy color for that perfect summer glow. Often times I end up purchasing two shades of foundation to mix for a perfect match, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to buy both the 20 and 30 since the coverage is so sheer. At this time I’m still undecided, I’ll investigate when I check out the lighter multi-color powder in person.
If you have near perfect skin or just prefer sheer coverage (but not invisible) this is a good everyday product for you to wear with a sheer dusting of powder. If you’re like me and don’t have perfect skin this is still a good base product to give a healthy glow. Layering this under other foundations will give your face a healthy natural glow from within look without the shimmer or frost that other illuminating products give (I love shimmer but I know many of you do not).
Did you purchase the Les Beiges Healthy Glow fluid or the powders? Do
you find they run dark or close to your normal Chanel shade? If you can
comment on your skin tone matches and experiences that would be awesome for those who can’t get to a counter easily to test in person.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluids retail for $45 each. Available now at Nordstrom, Saks and Neiman Marcus.
This spring-summer Chanel has launched an extension of the original Les Beiges line with two new color options of Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Powder ($65 for 11g/0.39 oz, limited-edition) and five new shades of the Healthy Glow Fluid ($45 for 30 ml/1 fl oz). These launched in Europe first and I’ve been eagerly waiting for the collection’s arrival in the US. I opted for the darker powder shade Les Beiges No. 02.
The new Les Beiges Multi-Color powders come in a three-color stripe compact. Similar to the original Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Color, the new ones come in a beige and black compact with a small domed brush. No. 02 which has three luminous powder colors of a light champagne, medium tan and warmer terracotta bronze. The three shades swirled together make a perfect glowy bronze. It’s visible on my medium olive skin for a subtle contour or bronzer. Although you can probably dust all over the face for warmth I think No. 02 will be too dark for those purposes (I have yet to try the lighter color No. 01). Each stripe is also wide enough for you to fit a smaller detail brush or an eyeshadow brush if you want to use the colors individually on the eyes or for contouring. My favorite way to use this has been to simply swirl a blush brush in all the colors and apply on the face as a blush or bronzer. I find the color pigmented enough and warm enough that I can wear this alone over my powder/foundation. It also layers well with blushes or cream highlighters. I’ve found it to be extremely versatile.
If you have the other original Les Beiges colors you might be wondering if you need the new No. 02. My answer is yes. The Multi-Colour No. 02 is more pigmented and more glowy but still very natural. The regular Sheer Colour Les Beiges have less shimmer but still give that all over natural glow if you buff into the skin. I’ve used both in conjunction with each other, using the Sheer Colour Les Beiges No. 20 as an all over setting powder, then the Multi-Colour No. 02 as a contour or bronzer on top. If you have dry skin you may want to use a sheer cream highlighter or bronzer underneath to help the color adhere better. I’ll show you swatches side by side below. First some more photos and close ups.
No. 20 is used as a regular setting powder since I found the powders to run a bit dark (I’m usually 30 in the Chanel foundation lines), I use it all over the face with a fluffy brush after foundation or tinted moisturizer, I use either the Kabuki Brush or the Touch Up Powder Brush from Chanel (any powder brush will do, I just prefer the Chanel because I find they pick up color well)
No. 30 and No. 40 are used for contouring, they are close in color, you don’t really need both if you’re looking for a darker natural contour see my original review for more thoughts/swatch comparisons, I use any regular blush brush to apply these
No. 02 is used like a regular blush or bronzer (I haven’t tried the lighter option yet, planning to visit the counter this week and see if it will actually show up on my skin, it looked very light), the compact brush is good for touch ups but on the small side, I prefer using the Touch Up Powder Brush or Blush Blush to apply this to the face
Overall love. I really didn’t know what to expect based on promotional photos. Since I already own 20, 30 and 40 I was a bit worried Chanel might have just combined already released colors into one palette. I’m happy to report they did not. Although you can get a similar effect with the darker colors of Sheer Colour Les Beiges, the new No. 02 Multi-Colour Les Beiges option has a softer texture with a much more glowy finish. There’s a bit more warmth and red in the bottom color that helps brighten the complexion (I tend to avoid terracotta for the face but this one is lovely).
The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour powders are listed as limited-edition for $65 each. There are two colors, No. 01 and No. 02. I’m definitely getting a back up of the No. 02.
I’ve been wearing a lot of other nail polish brands lately. YSL, Dior, Sephora Formula X, and Tom Ford have been releasing really impressive formulas lately but my heart still belongs to Chanel. Do you have any particular nail polishes you find yourself gravitating towards?
Have a happy Tuesday! (Review on Les Beiges to follow shortly.)
MAC Alluring Aquatic is available online now at Nordstrom and Macy’s (launches in stores this Thursday), if you missed out on items when it launched on Maccosmetics.com (like I did) you may want to scope out retailers soon
NARS Hot Sand was released a month ago, by the time I decided to get it, all my local counters sold out, I just ordered it from Narscosmetics.com (promo code of two minis of a NARS Orgasm Lipgloss and Super Orgasm Blush with $50+ orders and code MINIS)
Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara is Dior’s latest innovation for eyes (get a mini sample size online at Sephora with code DIORITLASH and any $25 purchase)
Tory Burch keeps releasing the cutest makeup bag prints, this floral print is so gorgeous
Buy the June issue of Glamour Magazine, I found it incredibly inspirational for life/career especially with the articles My Zo-Called Life on Climbing That Ladder by Zosia Mamet and Step Into My Office with Alex Wagner
Love this article #GIRLBOSS: Career Advice That Actually Matters via The Coveteur
Fun video on how to take good instagram photos via Song of Style
I’m living vicariously through Rae with this epic Asia Beauty Exclusives haul video from The RaeViewer
Really good insights and background on How To Get a Job Beauty/Fashion PR, Social Media or Marketing from Zoe London.
Hope you have a good start to the week! P.S. Don’t forget to check out my Ole Henriksen Giveaway, you have two more days to enter!
This weekend one of my besties and I had spent the day in Venice/Beverly Hills. We are both May babies so we celebrated our birthdays with good food, shopping and pedicures. Our girl’s day out included breakfast at Gjelina, pedicures at Olive and June, coffee at the Nespresso Boutique, a quick trip to Barneys New York beauty floor, a stop at Sprinkles, tons of window shopping and people watching. I brought my new Fuji Film Instax Mini 25 for some fun instant print pictures (pink, blue, black, and yellow versions available in the Mini 8 version). If you’re looking for a gift for someone I highly recommend considering the instant print cameras. They are so much fun.
Birthday fun below:
Gjelina on Abbot Kinney is an ultra hip restaurant. It was perfect for breakfast (the bacon is to die for). We went right when they opened so we didn’t have to wait for a table. I can’t wait to try this place for lunch or their takeaway side. If you have recommendations I’m all ears for my next trip. As a bonus for beauty lovers, Caudalie and Aesop are on the same street nearby along with lots of vintage stores.
If you’re looking for an ultra luxurious nail treatment, Olive and June has a multitude of color options from Deborah Lippmann, NARS, OPI, Essie, RGB, Julep and many other brands. We both opted for pink on our toes. I went with a color from NARS. It’s best if you make an appointment in advance. I’ve seen so many fun pictures of this place on Instagram but have never been to it. Many thanks to my friend for picking this out and for making reservations.
I’m a die-hard Nespresso fan. I’ve owned the Pixie and Aeroccino milk frother for several years now and it’s one thing in my kitchen that I cannot live without it. For coffee drinkers Nespresso just released a new coffee Vertuoline machine that you may want to check out. If I had a bigger kitchen I would buy it but our counter space is limited. If you can get to a boutique I highly recommend it. They offer free tastings and demos. The boutiques with cafes have amazing drinks and equally incredible food. My husband happened to be at the Nespresso Boutique in San Francisco at the same time I was at Nespresso in Beverly Hills (what are the odds?) and we found the window displays were the same in each city.
Left: Nespresso San Francisco (hubby) , Right: Nespresso Beverly Hills (me), photos taken at the same time while in different cities (not planned)
We made a quick stop at Barneys (quick so we didn’t do too much damage). I stopped by Surratt Beauty, Make, Chanel and By Terry to check out a few things. More details soon. I also drooled at all the Serge Lutens and L’Artisan fragrances but managed to restrain myself.
One last picture of window shopping at Saint Laurent, Hermes, Celine and Sprinkles fun:
Hope you enjoyed this little snippet from my weekend! If you’re in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, I’d love to hear about your favorite hot spots to visit.
Marc Jacobs Beauty fans, in case you have been searching for some nail lacquers seen in May/June issues of magazines, there are some new Hi-Shine Lacquer Nail Polishes that are exclusive to Marcjacobsbeauty.com. There are five shades in some stunning neutrals in Tootsie, 9 to 5, Klute, Charlie and Julia ($18 each). I just ordered one of each and will report back with thoughts and swatches when they arrive.
Currently $18 each online at Marcjacobsbeauty.com – have you seen these yet or ordered any of the colors? Since the line has launched have you played with the items from the beauty line? Thoughts or favorites?
