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June 2014

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Friday Inspiration / Link Love

June 20, 2014

I’m relieved it is Friday. I’m hoping for a sunny weekend and plan on making a quick stop to Neimans and Nordstrom to check out Chanel Fall and replenish my facial cotton as well. Some inspirational reads I’m loving right now:
Some deals I’ve spotted if you have any weekend shopping plans, if you see any other good shopping deals please share in the comments!
  • Shu Uemura is offering 3 travel sized cleansing oils with any $50+ purchase using code SWEETSUMMER (this weekend while supplies last)
  • Giorgio Armani has a Friends and Family 20% Discount on any purchase of $75 or more using code FAMILY14 valid through June 30, 2014 
  • YSL Beauty also has their Friends and Family 20% Discount on any purchase of $75 or more with code FAMILY14 
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty is offering a complimentary deluxe-size Lust for Lacquer Sheer Lip Vinyl in Kissability and free shipping with $75 order on MarcJacobsBeauty.com with code KISS at checkout, valid through June 30, 2014 while supplies last 
  • Caudalie is offering a cosmetic case and 30 ml Hand and Nail Cream with any $50 purchase with code GiftDuo at checkout, offer available through June 25, 2014
Have a great Friday!

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Eye Makeup NARS

NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow | Andromeda and Europa

June 19, 2014
There’s been a lot of buzz about the new Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows ($29 each) from NARS. There will be twelve shades launching July 1st on narscosmetics.com (update, these launched this morning). These are a new dual-application formula where you can apply them dry for a sheer wash of color for a luminous glow or apply with a damp brush for more intense color. You can see all the shades listed at The Non-Blonde and swatched on Temptalia. There is a diverse range of options from natural barely-there colors to dramatic navy and black. I have half a dozen on my wishlist to check out when they officially launch. Today I have two of the neutral romantic shades to share with you, Andromeda and Europa.
Both of these shades are on the lighter neutral side. They have a lovely glowy sheen rather than an intense shimmer or sparkle. The texture is slightly creamy but they act more like a dry powder shadow. I found lasting power to be very good without any eye base. The dry finish helps these adhere well to the lids.

Andromeda is a pale ivory pink with golden shimmer. It has a lovely sheen in the shimmer which gives a really lovely all over wash to the lids. I suspect this one will go nicely with any of the darker shades. Pigment is easy to control, I was able to apply with my fingers and a brush for a nice soft wash of color. For my light-medium skin it gives a nice neutral wash of color giving the lids a nice highlighted glow. When you  hold this in the sunlight you can see how there is a slight multi-chrome finish to the shimmer which gives your lids some depth in the glow.

Europa is a medium neutral-warm peach pink with a pearl sheen. I’m at the right skintone where this one looks like a barely-there color. I can definitely see the color on the lids but it’s very natural making it a soft no-makeup kind of eyeshadow. It gives a hint of color to the lids and makes the eye glow. On either paler or deeper skintones this will be more visible. My skintone almost matches this one. Applying this with a damp brush intensified the color with more pink, but it’s still very natural looking. This one also has a good mix of cool and warm in it. I would say the base is a warmer pink-peach while the pearl has a cool-toned sheen. It’s not a pure duo-chrome but the combination of the base and shimmer gives it a very subtle duo-chrome effect.

Swatches applied with a damp brush and dry with my fingers:

I’ve been playing with these the past week. I like to layer them together, the pale Andromeda color first, then applying the darker Europa on top with a dense brush and packing it onto the lids. Add a simple black eyeliner and mascara and you have a super polished glowy lid to go with a dramatic bronzer or lip.

What I like about these is that they are not the typical high-frost pale shimmers. If you’re in want of dramatic color you might find yourself wanting more. The good news is that the Dual-Intensity line will have plenty of other dramatic shades to choose from. I personally love these for that no-makeup look for a no-fuss easy swipe and go application that gives the eyes a nice polished look.

A few comparisons to some other light pink neutral shimmers:
NARS Nepal Eyeshadow (one of my favorites)
Tom Ford Pink Haze Cream Color for Eyes (discontinued, swatched here)

One last photo, left is Andromeda, right is Europa:

First impressions are a thumbs up for this neutral makeup lover. I can’t wait until July 1st because there are so many other pretty dramatic shades that I can’t wait to check out. Update as of June 20th, the shadows are now available for purchase on narscosmetics.com, Lord & Taylor and Beauty.com. Have you been able to swatch or see the NARS Dual-Intensity Eye Shadows yet? Do you have any on your wishlist?

The Dual-Intensity Eye Shadows were provided courtesy of NARS for review consideration. For more information see my Disclosures.

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On My Radar / New in Beauty

June 19, 2014

I hope everyone is having a great week so far. Some new things in beauty on my radar.

There will be nine limited edition shades of nail polish in a 3.1 Phillip Lim for NARS Nail Collection. One of the shades, Insidious, will be a NARS Boutique exclusive. In addition a canvas nail pochette will be released. These will be available July 15, 2014 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com; August 1, 2014 at Sephora and Dept./Specialty stores.

Bobbi Brown has a second summer release called Surf and Sand, some items have started to trickle in online. There are two eyeshadow palettes in Surf (aqua and pastels) and Sand (earthy neutrals), two Long-Wear Eye Pencils, two Brightening Blushes, three Sheer Lip Colors.

Frédéric Malle and Carlos Benaïm have created a new fragrance Eau de Magnolia that launches this month. I haven’t checked it out yet but I’m hoping to soon. It sounds absolutely divine. Some details on Kafkaesque Blog.

Chanel Fall Beauty has arrived online Chanel.com and Bloomingdales. I have yet to check out the collection in person but reports on Twitter and Instagram indicate it has arrived at some counters. I ordered the three nail polishes in Secret, Orage and Atmosphere online and expect them this week. I’m eyeing the glossimer and liquid eye liners but undecided on most of the collection. Several have e-mailed me that this is a see-before-you-buy kind of collection. If you’ve checked it out, please share in the comments.

Burberry has two new eyeshadows out in Storm Grey No. 27 and Graphite No. 28. Thanks to Café Makeup for letting me know about these. I called the counter in San Francisco and found they aren’t with any full collection but were two new colors released. I’ll have a review soon. In the meantime check out the swatches on Gummy Vision.

NudeStix is a new line of natural and nude pencils, exclusive to Space NK (or Space NK via Bloomingdales). All the products are in pencil/stick form. The Eye Pencils look like they have quite a few lovely neutral shimmers. The Lip and Cheek Pencils have a wider range of colors from light to dramatic. I think a trip to Space NK is in order soon.
What’s on your radar this week?
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Serums In Rotation: Chanel Le Jour de Chanel and Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum

June 18, 2014

I’ve started to explore more in skincare the past couple of years. Through my 20’s I had pretty good skin that didn’t need much treatment other than a basic cleanser or moisturizer. As I transition into my early 30’s I’ve found my skin in need of more. So many have told me about the benefits of using a serum under moisturizer, but I have sensitive skin. Several serums I’ve tried at the counter or at make over events have ended up being too rich and heavy-feeling so I avoided them for a long time. In the past I’ve tested mini samples of several serums, I’ve found many feel nice but didn’t didn’t really seem to make a difference in my overall skin appearance.

Three serums have changed my outlook on serums in general. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum is amazing in terms of maintaining a good glow for the skin. I find it’s good if you have minor imperfections and need an extra boost of moisture (more details in my review here). Two other serums I have in rotation that I wanted to share with you are Chanel Le Jour de Chanel and Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum. 

Both serums come in a convenient pump dispenser bottle. The serum textures are on the thin side with a slight gel-like finish but blend easily onto clean skin. Chanel Le Jour de Chanel is clear while Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum has a subtle pearly finish that contains 24k gold.

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First up is the Chanel Le Jour de Chanel ($85 for 50 ml/1.7 fl oz). I’ve been using this for a year since it was first released as a Nordstrom exclusive. This one has Salicylic Acid which helps exfoliate the skin gently and clears up any clogged pores and small blemishes over time (but doesn’t make the skin peel). It claims to tighten pores and reduce the size. I have small pores but I found it does improve the look of the skin and make pores smaller. It layers well under moisturizer to make the skin feel hydrated, smooth and slightly more radiant. I wouldn’t recommend using this if your skin is irritated or has any open or healing blemishes. This one is best for unbroken skin and if you’re not extremely sensitive.
I made the mistake of using this alone as a moisturizer when I first received a mini sample in the mail. The artists at the Chanel counter explained to me that I was using it incorrectly and it was not sufficient to be used alone. Adding this under your moisturizer helps improve the T-zone area and extends the wear of your foundation throughout the day as it helps to draw in your moisturizer to the skin. 
A quick tip on application – if you feel that it stings the skin, make sure your skin is completely dry after you cleanse and tone before you apply this. I’ve found that applying items to a wet face can sometimes make moisturizers or serums sting. I’ve used this in conjunction with a number of moisturizers, my current favorites to use this with are the Chanel Le Blanc Moisturizing Cream, Chanel Sublimage La Creme Texture Fine and Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Cream.
Chanel Le Jour de Chanel ingredient list here

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If you’ve shopped online with Tatcha you know that their orders come with generous samples and often have good promotion codes to try new items. My first order with them came with their Deep Hydration Firming Mask which is amazing. They’ve recently expanded their Water Collection with the Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum ($95 for 30 ml/1.0 fl oz). They kindly sent me a sample to try and I’ve been thrilled with it. Several readers have already raved to me about this one before I had the chance to try it. Many have said it’s worked wonders on their dry skin so I was worried this might be too strong for my skin but I found the Deep Hydration Firming Mask to be amazing on my skin so I had high hopes. I am really happy to find that even though it’s super hydrating that it isn’t too strong.

This serum has a hydrating blend of Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid to soothe and firm skin – and the it does just that. The 24k gold shimmer isn’t overpowering but gives that glow from within kind of luminosity. I’ve been using this for a week and already have noticed a difference in the overall look of the skin. It appears more radiant and it has soothed my skin which has been acting up for the past month. I’ve been using this during the day under regular moisturizers but I’ve read many like to also use this at night (which I haven’t tried yet).
If you’re unsure about purchasing the full size, Tatcha now has a selection of mini travel sized skin care items. The Deep Hydration Firming Serum comes in a $33 mini travel size option nicely priced proportionally to the full size.

Full ingredient list here
 
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I like to alternate serums weekly depending on what my skin feels like. On normal skin days I find the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum to be a good everyday kind of serum suitable for all skin types (even sensitive ones). When my skin is in need of some texture improvement the Chanel Le Jour de Chanel works wonders to clear up the skin. I wouldn’t recommend this for super sensitive skin but it is gentle enough for me. For extra hydration and soothing of irritated skin I like to use Tatcha Deep Hydration Firming Serum.
What do you currently use for a serum? Or do you skip it entirely? I’d love to hear what you’ve tried, what you loved or what didn’t work for you.
This post contains a press sample sent by Tatcha for review consideration. For more information refer to my disclosures.
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Surratt Beauty Lip Lustre in Soigné, Lipsliques in Gamine and Hevyn (Barneys New York Exclusive)

June 17, 2014

Troy Surratt’s beauty line has been on my radar for quite some time. Every time a Barneys New York beauty catalog arrives in the mail, I make a reminder to myself to check out the line the next time I am at a Barneys store. If you’re like me and don’t have easy access to the line in person, you will find blog reviews and swatches immensely helpful. I’ve used the Surratt features on the Beauty Professor as a pre-shopping guide. On my last day trip to Beverly Hills I stopped by the Surratt Beauty counter at Barneys. I picked out three items to try as a first run with the line, all focused on lips:

The Lipsliques ($34 each for 0.05oz/1.6g) are a twist up lipstick in a skinny tube. These are sheerish but buildable in pigment. The formula is extremely hydrating with a slight glossy finish. The texture is slightly thick so it stays put on the lips. I was really impressed with the coverage, texture and lasting power. The two colors I picked are natural. Gamine is a peachy color with a slight hint of pink. Hevyn is a natural rose. Both look more like creams on the lips. They apply with a flawless finish. No lipliner needed. Also no tweaking required. The Lipsliques are extremely pricey for the size and amount of product provided in the tube (for reference, a YSL Rouge Volupte Shine is 0.15oz/4.5g priced at $35). That being said the formula is phenomenal and pretty close to perfect.

The Lip Lustres ($32 each for 0.2 oz/6g) are a high shine gloss with a thick finish. These come with a flexible flat sponge tip applicator. I tested a few at the counter and settled on Soigné a stunning rose pink sparkle. It has a warmish-toned base with a cool-toned shimmer making this unique and naturally flattering because it has both warm/cool colors. The lasting power is quite good although the texture is a bit tackier/stickier than most glosses I use (think similar to MAC Clear Lipglass).

One last snapshot of Gamine (peach lipstick), Hevyn (rose lipstick) and Soigné (gloss):

Based on my first visit to the Surratt counter at Barneys, it appears there is lots to fall in love with. The price points seem to be a bit high with their palette system but I’ve heard so many good things about the blushes and eyeshadows, I will be checking them out on my next visit. My personal favorite out of the three items I picked is Gamine. It brightens the face in a natural way.

I’m really pleased with the three lip items I purchased. The formula, coverage and texture are phenomenal and worth the high price point. The Surratt beauty line is available at Barneys New York in the US and now at Sephora. In the UK, the line is available at Liberty London. If you’ve checked out the line or tried anything I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m always looking for recommendations.

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Diptyque Fragrance Home / Interiors

Diptyque Oyédo Candle

June 17, 2014

Each time I visit the Diptyque boutique or counter I discover something new. I discovered Diptyque Oyédo Candle ($60 for 6.5 oz) several months ago but just started burning it this past week. Oyédo is a light and citrus scent that smells like a sweet blend of grapefruit and mandarin oranges. It is significantly sweeter and lighter than most Diptyque candles I’ve tested but I like that it’s not too sweet. The scent itself seems on the subtle side once it burns but it is definitely noticeable and has decent throw. There is a refreshing uplifting feel to this one. It’s supposed to have an awakening feel due to the citrus notes, I find that it’s a more subtle citrus making it soothing. It’s very different from other Diptyque candles in the sense there is no earthy, herbal or spicey feel to it. Just straight citrus.

If you like subtle sweeter citrus scents that aren’t overpowering or too
sweet this one is a good one to check out. I’ve been loving it this
week and think it will be perfect for warmer summer weather.
At this time I’m not sure if it’s discontinued or just simply just one of those hard-to-find scents. I saw it several times at local counters but haven’t seen it in a while. It’s currently out of stock on the Diptyque website. I know you can still find it in boutiques and online at Saks, Lucky Scent and SpaceNK (UK).
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Color Focus | Bronze and Metallic Nail Lacquers

June 16, 2014

This time of year my favorite colors for beauty are the bronzey metallics for well, everything: lips, nails and cheeks. For nails there have been quite a few lovely releases from early spring that I wanted to highlight.

  • Dior Vibrato 618 Gel Shine Nail Lacquer ($25) is a new color that was released with the reformulation of Dior nail polishes. This one is a bit harder to find in the US. You can order it from the Dior Boutiques (I ordered mine from Las Vegas Palazzo) or online at Dior.com or Selfridges. It’s a stunning metallic loaded with tons of different colors of sparkles. It has the complexity of Chanel Graphite but with a gold bronze base and with much better coverage. I found this to be a one-coat wonder but prefer two.
  • Tom Ford Incandescent ($32) was part of the Spring 2014 Collection and was highlighted back in February (here). It’s miraculously still available for purchase. If you haven’t looked at it yet, I highly recommend it. It’s a stunning rose gold bronze nail polish.
  • Bobbi Brown Raw Sugar Nail Lacquer ($15) was released with the Raw Sugar Collection (Shimmer Brick Eye Palette featured here), it’s a beautiful cool bronze metallic. I had to go to several counters before I found one that still had this in stock but it’s definitely still out there for purchase. You can still find it at Bloomingdales, Barneys and Bobbi Brown.
  • Bobbi Brown Bronze Nail Lacquer ($15) was released earlier this spring (swatches here). It’s still available for purchase at Saks and Bobbi Brown. I like that this is a good shimmer that doesn’t show brush strokes.
  • Burberry Metallic Khaki #202 ($21) is a dark bronze khaki gold shimmer. I like this one because it’s dark but not so dark that the shimmer doesn’t show through. In sunlight it’s really pretty. The texture is really smooth with the first coat being slightly transparent/jelly like. The second coat is what makes this one perfect.
  • YSL Bronze Aztec #28 ($25) is a dark metallic deep blackened bronze with gold shimmer. It has really good coverage with two thin coats and dries quickly.

Close ups and swatches, Dior Vibrato and Tom Ford Incandescent:

Bobbi Brown Raw Sugar vs Bronze:

Bronze:

Raw Sugar:

Burberry Metallic Khaki and YSL Bronze Aztec:

Comparison swatches below to some other bronzey metallic nail polishes: Chanel Delight (still at Chanel.com), Chanel Golden Sand (discontinued, similar Gold Shimmer in this Le Vernis Trio), Tom Ford Burnt Topaz (still available at Saks)

My current favorites are tied between Bobbi Brown Raw Sugar and Dior Vibrato. What’s your favorite bronzey metallic nail polish?
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