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June 2014

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Chanel Intime #93 and Confident #94 Rouge Coco Shines | Fall 2014

June 29, 2014

I picked up two of the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines in Intime #93 and Confident #94 ($35 each) from the Collection États Poétiques. Both are subdued feminine colors that give a very conservative natural polished look. Intime #93 is a soft cool-toned pink. Confident #94 is a darker mauve pink. Both are on the cool-tone side but still have enough warmth for my olive skin tone that they don’t wash me out. I found the pigment of both to be quite good with more color than most Rouge Coco Shines that I have. There is a variance in pigment depending how you apply these. Straight from the tube will give a more sheer shine. If you apply with a brush you will get more color. Both shades have a slightly glossy finish. Lasting power is average, short-to-medium as is the case with most glossy sheer lipsticks.

Both shades swatched side by side, one swipe straight from the tube, another with a brush:

Swatched on the lips straight from the tubes:

I pulled a few other lipsticks to compare, no dupes from what I could see but there are definitely similar colors:

Chanel Secret Rouge Coco Shine
Chanel Fetiche Rouge Coco Shine
Chanel Boy Rouge Coco Shine
Chanel Bel Ami Rouge Coco Shine
MAC Viva Glam VI Lipstick
MAC Naked Paris Lipstick
Chanel Culte Rouge Coco (discontinued)

Overall pleased with the wearability of these two Rouge Coco Shines. They are easy swipe and go lipsticks that require no additional work to make them work (if that makes sense). I swatched the other shades on my hand at the counter but at $35 each I found them a bit pricey. I limited myself to two since I had my eye on the blush and glossimers. 

Both shades should be available at Chanel counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Saks and Chanel.com.

Did you get any of the lipsticks or glosses from the fall collection? What did you think?

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GWP

Tatcha Summer Essentials Gift With Purchase

June 29, 2014

Deal alert: Tatcha is having a special summer gift with purchase. Enjoy a complimentary limited-edition “Summer Essentials” ($100 value), our gift to you with any purchase of $75 or more. Your kit includes a full-size Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, a Deep Hydration Lifting Mask, a Deep Hydration Revitalizing Eye Mask and Original Aburatorigami Beauty Papers.

To redeem, simply enter the code SUMMERFUN14 at checkout.
While supplies last, limited-time offer, expires Thursday, July 3, 2014.

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Chanel Rose Rêvé #189 and Songe #191 Glossimers | Fall 2014 Collection États Poétiques

June 27, 2014

There are two new Chanel Glossimers in Rose Rêvé #189 and Songe #191 for fall. Both are very light and sheer. Rose Rêvé #189 is a pale sheer cool pink that is very similar but cooler version of Plaisir #164. On my lips this one goes on milky and with my pigmented lips showing through. I like this one better over lipsticks rather than by itself. Songe #191 is a shimmering iridescent oyster that flashes violet and pink. Although it’s on the sheer side it gives a pink brightening effect to the lips on its own. I really like this one.

Here they are swatched on the lips:

Out of the two, I prefer Songe #191 for the shimmer and glossy shine. It has a lovely iridescent quality that makes the color change depending on how the light hits the color. For some comparisons, two views so you can see how different lighting impacts the color with the pretty shimmers:

Chanel Aragonite  #151 Glossimer (discontinued)
MAC Clear Water Lipglass (limited-edition)

I can’t say either are must-haves since they are so sheer but I like the way Songe wears. It looks much better in person than it does in photographs. It has a pretty shimmer you can’t really capture with the camera. Both are available at Chanel counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Saks and Chanel.com.

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Chanel Secret #625, Atmosphère #629 and Orage #631 Le Vernis | Collection États Poétiques for Fall 2014

June 27, 2014
For the Chanel Collection États Poétiques there are three new Le Vernis Nail Colors in Secret #625 Atmosphère #629 and Orage #631 ($27 each for 13 ml/0.4 fl oz, made in France). All three colors are newly released shades. I was the most excited about Atmosphère but after playing with these for a few days, it turns out my favorite is Secret.
I get really excited when I find a good nude nail polish. Secret #625 is a perfect nude with a slight hint of pink. It definitely needs a good base coat underneath. The first coat will be slightly uneven in finish but the second coat levels out the texture and gives full coverage. It’s has enough color for my skin so it doesn’t give me corpse-like hands.

Atmosphère #629 is a unique pearly duo-chrome pink pearl with violet shimmer. It changes color as the light shifts. With one coat it’s more pink/lilac. With a second and third coat it becomes more like a pearl. I wanted to love this but find it looks odd against my skin tone making my hands look a bit sallow. I’m not sure if it’s just the fact that it’s summer and I’m craving bright colors right now that is contributing to my “eh” feelings about this one. I don’t hate it, but I’m not a huge fan. Perhaps it will grow on me. Some have suggested using this as a layering color. I’m not a huge fan of layering but this one does look nice over other colors.

Orage #631 is an indigo grey blue. It has a very slight hint of silver shimmer in the tube if you hold it against the light. On the nails you can see the sparkle in the sunlight but it acts more like a cream. Two coats almost gives full coverage. On me I found it still to be slightly transparent with two thin coats. On the hands it’s dark shade but not quite black. There is enough blue in this one to soften the color and prevent it from looking too harsh.

Some comparisons below. Orage is the only one I could find close alternatives to.

Swatched above:
Tom Ford Sugar Dune (discontinued)
Dior Icy Dew (discontinued)
Guerlain Stardust (discontinued)
Chanel Island (discontinued)
Dior Perfecto (discontinued)
Chanel Steel (discontinued)
Chanel Atmosphere layered over Secret and Orage
Close ups of the comparisons:

Overall three lovely shades for fall … but it’s not fall yet which is probably why I’m not over the moon in love with these. I think they will grow on me. Secret is another perfect nude nail polish I’ll be wearing a lot (going to try it on the toes this weekend). The other two are nice but for me not must-haves. That being said, Atmosphere is very unique and Orage is a nice dramatic dark shade that isn’t too dark.
These are part of the fall collection and should be available at all counters now. Online at Nordstrom,  Bloomingdales, Saks and Chanel.com.
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Chanel Collection États Poétiques | Fall 2014 Picks

June 26, 2014
Chanel Collection États Poétiques for Fall 2014 has arrived online and in stores. The ordered the nail polishes online and then checked out the entire collection in stores last week. The items I picked out include:
I’ll be reviewing the items in the next few days, I have the nail polishes swatched already and will be uploading pics as soon as I can 🙂

Did you pick up anything from the Fall collection? What are your thoughts?
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What's In My Bag

Inside My Makeup Bag

June 26, 2014

Here is a peek at what I’ve had inside my makeup bag this week. The clear makeup bag is from Bobbi Brown which I found as a gift with purchase several years ago during a Neiman Marcus beauty event (for those looking for a clear makeup bag, a few other alternatives from MAC, Make Up For Ever, Sephora, Lulu).
  1. Chanel Les Beiges No. 20 for mid-day touch ups
  2. MAC Sharon Osbourne Refresh Mineralize Skinfinish Duo (still available at Macy’s)
  3. Chanel Hydra Beauty Lip Balm (new for me, review soon)
  4. Jo Malone Grapefruit Cologne (mini from a gift with purchase)
  5. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock which I works alone on the lids, it’s a medium pink shade with plum shimmer, I swipe directly from tube onto lids and then blend with the fingers
  6. Tom Ford Paradiso Lip Color Sheer (sold out most places, but still on tomford.com)
  7. Burberry Lip Glow Balm in Pink Peony
  8. MAC Brush #168SH (mini size discontinued)
  9. Marc Jacobs Overprotected Lust for Lacquer (love the tingle)
  10. YSL Kiss and Blush #3 Rose Libre still testing these out and figuring out to use these, I like them on the cheeks, for the lips, I’m still undecided
  11. Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm is a staple, love the clear finish, decent price and the unique scent of this one (see Malin + Goetz Los Angeles store feature here)
  12. Guerlain Maxi Lash Waterproof Mascara I rarely touch up with mascara in the middle of the day, but I sometimes carry one with me because in the mornings I typically am running out the door and have missed a few makeup steps before I leave the house, mascara and lips are usually the last two items I apply
  13. Diptyque Geranium Odorata is such a pretty soft floral, the roller ball tip makes it easy to apply quickly, I keep it in the velvet pouch it comes with (not shown above)
  14. NARS Andromeda Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow accidentally made it into the makeup bag this week, but I’m not complaining
To see the full contents of what has been in my bag most of this week, check out the post on Styled Notes. Hope you have a great Thursday! 
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Eye Makeup Roundup

Neutral Creamy Shimmer Wash Eye Shadows | NARS, By Terry, Laura Mercier, RMS and Chanel

June 25, 2014
Lately I’ve been a fan of these swipe and go shimmery wash eyeshadows. I like a creamy texture so there’s no extra base needed for good pigment and blending. I like neutrals but have discovered a few non-nude shadows I find good for color, dimension and glow. Just add a simple black or bronze liner and mascara and you’re good to go (for lazy makeup days). I also find them good for touch ups if you’re transitioning from day to night to add a bit of depth to the eyes. The creamy textures mean you apply straight from the tube if it’s a twist up stick or right from the compact with your fingers and smudge/blend easily. My current favorite neutrals:
  • NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Iraklion ($25) is a mauve rose quartz taupe fawn shimmer. It blends out to a sheer finish but nicely contours the lids. You can layer for more color and it also works well as a base for powder shadows but won’t change the color.
  • Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rose Gold ($26) is a shimmery gold with a slight hint of pink tones, on me it pulls more champagne gold but the pink prevents it from being a pure yellow gold. It’s on the creamy side so if you have oily lids you may need a matte base underneath.
  • By Terry Ombre Blackstar ($43 each) in Ombre Mercure (interesting oyster that flashes gold and a bit of green sparkle), Frozen Quartz (cool medium pink sparkle) and Misty Rock (plum pink) are all intense creamy shadows, I adore each of them alone on the lid with a simple liner. They are on the pricey side but the quality, texture and lasting power make these worth every penny.
  • RMS Cream Eyeshadow in Solar ($28) is something I use on a weekly basis, alone or as a base, there’s something so pretty about a rich gold shimmer for the eyes that warms up the complexion (review here)
  • Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Emerville ($36) is a classic champagne peach shimmer. I think it’s one neutral shimmer everyone should have in their beauty collection. It makes a lovely wash all over the lids.
  • NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows ($29 each) in Europa and Andromeda (reviews here) are nice when layered together for that simple polished glow look for the eyes. 

Swatched side by side you can see they look intense when swatched straight from the tube, the pigment is good and textures are super easy to blend and layer. They aren’t quite as frosty when you blend them out. My assessment for shimmer levels:
  • Most shimmery are the By Terry Ombre Blackstar sticks but if you’ve tried these you know they blend out really nicely but maintain the color. RMS Solar is on the shimmery side as well but the gold base blends well with my natural skintone almost like a contour.
  • Medium shimmers are Laura Mercier Rose Gold and Chanel Emerville.
  • Sheer shimmers are NARS Iraklion and Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows in Europa and Andromeda (most in this formula are intense, but I have the softest ones).

What are your favorite creamy shimmer shadows for an all over wash? Do you have any swipe and go kind of shadows you love? Or are you one who usually prefers to layer more color on the eyes?

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