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Sabrina

Chanel Skincare

Chanel Cleansing Collection Review

May 15, 2018

Chanel Cleansing Collection Review

Chanel just launched a collection of six new cleansers, toners and make up removers in The Chanel Cleansing Collection. Each item is designed to be suitable for all skin types in multiple formula options. I was lucky to get an early sneak peek and have been testing these over the last month. As a cleanser fanatic I was really excited to try these and think there are some really lovely options in this launch.

The new skincare is designed to be used with a few different combinations for fresh clean skin. They’re quite versatile so you can mix and match however you want or simply just incorporate one into your routine if you have other skincare you use. After a few weeks of testing I have my favorites. With all the cleansers I found they were thorough without being stripping. They leave the skin feeling very refreshed and clean and soft. The one thing that impressed me the most was the packaging. I’m a huge sucker for good packaging even if it’s simple, the cleansers come with a really well designed pump and the size of the bottles are very generous. I also like that they are sized to fit easily in my small hand.

L’Huile Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil

Up first is my favorite item in the launch which is the L’Huile Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil. It’s a silky-smooth cleansing oil which has a soft feel. I’m a huge fan of testing cleansing oils and love the ones that feel ultra silky smooth like the SK-II Facial Treatment Oil or Tom Ford Cleansing Oil. The Chanel has a very light scent to it that did not irritate my skin. If I compare it to other Chanel skincare it has a refreshing smell similar to the Hydramax line but isn’t as potent. It leaves the skin makeup-free and smooth. If you love the Le Blanc Brightening Tri-Phase Makeup Remover which is a cleanser that transforms from a gel to oil to lotion and rinses off to remove makeup you will also love the new L’Huile. The cleansing oil is more fluid while the Le Blanc is thicker so it doesn’t run into the eyes. The Le Blanc line also has brightening ingredients while the L’Huile is your standard cleansing oil.

Chanel L'Huile Cleansing Oil Review

Chanel L'Huile Cleansing Oil Review

Chanel La Mousse Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream-to-Foam

Next is the Chanel La Mousse Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream-to-Foam. I’ve tried several of Chanel’s foaming cleansers from past formulations and liked them but did not love them as I typically find mousse cleansers too stripping for the skin. This one is perfect though and especially with the humid weather returning this leaves my skin extra clean. All the cleansers in this collection have what Chanel calls “depolluting blue micro-algae and fortifying marine salicornia extract.” After regular use I do feel like my skin is cleaner and less congested. This is a purifying cleanser that feels like it cleans out all the junk in my pores. If you have normal to oily skin that is acne-prone I think this will be a great option for you. I didn’t use this one morning and night as my skin is fairly decent these days. In general I use different cleansers for morning vs night or after a workout. This one for me is great after a sweating workout or at the end of the day to really cleanse the skin.

Chanel La Mousse Cleansing Cream-To-Foam Cleanser Review

Chanel La Mousse Cleansing Cream-To-Foam Cleanser Review

Le Tonique Anti-Pollution Invigorating Toner

I haven’t explored much in the Chanel toner world. I did use the Le Blanc Brightening Lotion for a while in place of toner and loved it. I used up several bottles but eventually explored other options as it was more of a moisturizing toner rather than a balancing one. The new Le Tonique Anti-Pollution Invigorating Toner is an alcohol free toner and makes sure your skin is fully clean after you wash with a regular cleanser. I feel like I’m very thorough with my cleansing routine but there are times I don’t get all the dirt or makeup off. This is evident by using a toner afterwards on a soaked cotton pad (Chanel’s Le Coton is among my favorite) and wiping my face. There are times I see remnants of makeup on the pad. In the morning this almost wakes up the skin because of the refreshing feel and at night it will ensure all traces of makeup are gone after you cleanse.

Chanel Le Tonique Anti-Pollution Invigorating Toner

Cleansing Milks

Next are three types of cleansing milks. I have not been much of a cleansing milk fan, I typically prefer for gel, liquid, or foaming cleansers since I have normal combination skin. If you’ve ever had a Chanel makeover you have probably tried one of the milks before. They massage it into dry skin and remove with a damp cotton pad or one soaked with one of their toners. It leaves the skin feeling well hydrated and supple. Over the past year I have experimented more with cleansing milks from other brands as they’re great if you have dry skin. It’s almost like it’s a double-duty product in the sense that it cleanses and moisturizes at the same time. Chanel has 3 different cleansing milks with different textures. The Le Lait Anti-Pollution Cleansing Milk is a traditional one in the sense that it is a milky smooth cleanser. To use these in the morning you can apply on dry skin, massage and then remove with a toner-soaked cotton pad. If you use this at night I’d recommend removing your face makeup first with a cleansing water on a cotton pad so it’s less messy. This one feels the most hydrating to me with skin left very moisturized after removal.

Le Lait Anti-Pollution Cleansing Milk

Le Lait Anti-Pollution Cleansing Milk

Cleansing Milk-to-Water

Le Lait Fraicher D’Eau Anti-Pollution Cleansing Milk-To-Water has a lighter and less dense texture as you can see in the swatch below. It has the lightest feel out of the 3 cleansing milks. This was my favorite of the three. It leaves the skin feeling very smooth and ultra soft.

Chanel Cleansing Milk-To-Water

Chanel Cleansing Milk-To-Water

Cleansing Milk-to-Oil

Le Lait Doucer D’Huile Anti-Pollution Cleansing Milk-To-Oil has a slightly thicker texture than the Milk-to-Water but isn’t as dense as the Cleansing Milk. This transforms into an oil once you massage it into the skin. They recommend you remove with just a cotton pad but I’d recommend soaking it with a toner or cleansing water to help remove it.

Chanel Cleansing Milk to Oil Review

Chanel Cleansing Milk to Oil Review

Ingredients from the boxes:

Chanel Cleansing Collection Ingredients

Chanel Cleansing Collection Ingredients

My favorite three items are the new Le Tonique, L’Huile and the Cleansing Cream-to-Foam and have already started incorporating them into my daily skin care routine. If you try one item I’d recommend you try the L’Huile Cleansing Oil as it’s really lovely! I think the three cleansing milk formulas are really interesting and unique based on the different textures. I’m still not sure that I’m a cleansing milk kind of person but they do leave the skin feeling very soft and hydrated. If you haven’t tried the Chanel Coton I recommend you do, it’s pricey but has been my favorite face cotton for as long as I can remember.

Chanel Cleansing Collection Review

The Chanel Cleansing Collection is available now at Chanel.com and all Chanel counters.

Cleanser Collection provided courtesy of Chanel for review.

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Haul: Star Gold, Rose Gold, The Duchess, English Beauty and American Sweetheart

May 13, 2018

Charlotte Tilbury Haul Star Gold, Rose Gold, The Duchess, English Beauty, American Sweetheart, Bitch Perfect Lipstick

I did another Charlotte Tilbury haul and ordered a few items that are online exclusives. Many of you have been asking about some of the limited-edition lipstick exclusives and I resisted for months but finally caved. I’m still loving the Beauty Filters Collection for Eyes very much but as a fan of her Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadows I knew I had to buy the new Star Gold and Rose Gold Shades even if it was going to be sight unseen. What I hauled:

The new Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadows in Star Gold and Rose Gold do not disappoint. Star Gold is the prettiest warm coppery bronze shade. In case you haven’t tried these (they’ve been out for a few years now), the formula is creamy and emollient with pretty shimmers. I find the pigment, texture and lasting power to be really good on my lids. I like to wear them alone, 2 shades layered together or as a base for any powder eyeshadow.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadows in Star Gold and Rose Gold Review + Swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadows in Star Gold and Rose Gold Review + Swatches

To compare them to other brands they are most similar to the Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes. Chanel Ombre Premieres are not as emollient with a drier texture and they have a more opaque base. Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks are a little bit more emollient, but the Charlotte Tilbury cream shadows have more buildable pigment.

I use her shades Bette and Marie Antoinette on a weekly basis. I was really excited to find she launched more. For comparisons Star Gold is a true coppery gold which I find unique in my collection of cream shadows. Rose Gold is almost identical to Tom Ford’s Pink Haze. The difference is noticeable with Charlotte Tilbury’s being a bit warmer and Tom Ford’s a little more pink, but once blended I think they are really close. Shown below:

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Shadows in Star Gold and Rose Gold Review + Swatches compared to Tom Ford, Chantecaille and Laura Mercier

There are several online exclusives for lipsticks. I ordered the K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula in The Duchess which is a medium cool-toned mauve rose, Matte Revolution in English Beauty which is a perfect nude pink, and K.I.S.S.I.N.G in American Sweetheart which is a warm peachy neutral rose. I also repurchased K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect which used to be more pinkish on me and to my surprise my tan has now made it where this is a lighter neutral peachy pink rather than a medium pink. I still had remnants from an older tube to compare and made sure the color is indeed the same, my 2-3 shades deeper skintone compared to when I was in San Diego makes a difference with lighter lipsticks!

I was a little bit prepared to not love the three online exclusives. I did search online but couldn’t find swatches that would tell me what they’d look like on my lips. The reason why is that the colors look almost identical in the tubes, on the arm they swatch warm and dark, but on the lips they look a lot better and aren’t as dark as arm swatches go. I’m relieved to report that my money was well spent. All three are perfect. The Duchess is a gorgeous creamy pink. English Beauty is my perfect nude for my medium tan skintone right now. It’s a bit more neutral compared to Pillow Talk which was my previous favorite. American Sweetheart is nice, but if I had to skip one it would be this, it’s warmer which isn’t a bad thing, just on me more peachy and I already own a ton of peachy lip colors.

For those who have missed my previous reviews on the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick formula, her K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick is creamy and opaque with full coverage. They have a nice shine finish but aren’t glossy. Lasting power is excellent although they sometimes get on my teeth because they are so creamy. Her Matte Revolution Lipstick is among the few matte lipstick formulas I actually like because in general I hate matte lipsticks (they make my lips look shriveled like raisins!). Her mattes are modern mattes with a velvety finish but soft sheen. It’s hard to describe but they are amazing.

Charlotte Tilbury Online Exclusives The Duchess, English Beauty, American Sweetheart, Bitch Perfect Review + Swatches Swatches:

Charlotte Tilbury Online Exclusives The Duchess, English Beauty, American Sweetheart, Bitch Perfect Review + Swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Online Exclusives The Duchess, English Beauty, American Sweetheart, Bitch Perfect Review + Swatches

Comparison swatches below to:

Charlotte Tilbury Online Exclusives The Duchess, English Beauty, American Sweetheart, Bitch Perfect swatch comparisons

Charlotte Tilbury Haul Star Gold, Rose Gold, The Duchess, English Beauty, American Sweetheart, Bitch Perfect Lipstick

Bottom line this was a very happy haul. I’m 100% happy with everything, the lipstick colors are perfect and quality/pigment is excellent. If you already own Tom Ford Golden Peach Duo or Pink Haze, you can probably skip Charlotte Tilbury’s Rose Gold if you want to avoid dupes.

Right now Star Gold, Rose Gold, The Duchess, English Beauty and American Sweetheart are all exclusive online at Charlotte Tilbury. I’m not sure if they will launch elsewhere eventually, I know the lipsticks have been out for some time and haven’t popped up anywhere else (they are limited-edition). K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect can be found at all other Charlotte Tilbury retailers like Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman and Net-A-Porter.

Have you tried any of these online exclusives? What did you think?

 

 

Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Review + Swatches

May 10, 2018

Pat McGrath Labs LUST Gloss Review and Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

Today Pat McGrath launches a new lip formula in her makeup line called LUST: Lip Gloss ($28 each for .15 fl oz/4.5 ml). These are high shine glosses with a cushiony feel. They are super smooth with a glossy balm feel that doesn’t have any tacky or sticky and feel. The glosses are really comfortable and they have a nourishing feel. With the Lust Gloss my lips look full and plump without the tingle. There are 14 shades total with this launch and I was tickled with excitement to be able to get an early sneak peek at 7 of them. I have swatches and some first impressions of the neutrals as I just received these a few days ago. Based on my first round of testing I can’t wait to see the rest of the colors. Scroll down further for the full Pat McGrath LUST: Lip Gloss review.

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Review

These glosses come in a tube with a sponge tip applicator. There is a very soft vanilla scent to them which disappears almost immediately after I apply them on the lips. The final look is shiny with all the colors with three different finishes which include creams, sparkles, and soft shimmers. Every one is smooth and chunky-free regardless of how much sparkle there is. Pigment of these glosses is on the soft side which I’d describe as sheer to medium. I can only speak to the neutrals, but with some I can build color without layering too much. I’d say if you like the Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss or Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquers, you will love these. The Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss is cushiony and shiny like the Marc Jacobs glosses but with more a bit more visible pigment. They also have that pretty shine and color the Chanel ones have but aren’t as thick in texture.

If you are one who needs more color and pigment for lip glosses these are going to bee too sheer for you in which I’d recommend you check out the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipsticks, Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme or Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses.

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Swatches Neutrals

Descriptions

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss neutrals I have include:

  • Aliengelic is a duochrome pink and white pearl, clear base with sparkles, sheer
  • Dare to Bare is a sheer milky pink gold duo chrome shimmer, sheer to medium pigment
  • Flesh Astral is a tan base with gold shimmer, medium pigment
  • Pale Fire Nectar is a duo chrome pink peach pearl, it swatches on the arm almost clear but the sparkles show up more on the lips with a reflective quality that adds color, sheer
  • Aphrodisiac is the perfect warm baby pink cream, coverage is medium
  • Flesh Fantasy is a warm neutral tan with a hint of pink, coverage is medium
  • Divine Rose is a perfect lush rose with fine shimmer, pigment is sheer medium

Swatches

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Swatches Neutrals

Another set in direct sunlight so you can see how the shimmer shifts a little:

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Swatches Neutrals

Lip Swatches:

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Aliengelic, Dare to Bare, Flesh Astral, Pale Fire Nectar, Aphrodisiac, Flesh Fantasy, Divine Rose

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Applicator

Close Ups

Close ups of each shade as some of you have asked for bigger lip swatch photos. Note I have naturally pigmented lips. If you see something that looks like a dark line around the edges, it’s not lip liner, it’s just my natural lip color showing through as the finish of these is slightly transparent. Aliengelic:

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Aliengelic

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss swatch

Dare to Bare

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Dare to Bare

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Dare to Bare swatch

Flesh Astral

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Flesh Astral

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Flesh Astral Swatch

Pale Fire Nectar

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Pale Fire Nectar

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Pale Fire Nectar Swatch

Aphrodisiac

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Aphrodisiac

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Aphrodisiac Swatch

Flesh Fantasy

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Flesh Fantasy

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Flesh Fantasy Swatch

Divine Rose

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Divine Rose Swatch

Pat McGrath LUST: Gloss Divine Rose Swatch

A beauty look below with Aphrodisiac LUST Gloss, also wearing:

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Gloss Aphrodisiac and Bronze Ambition Eyeshadow Palette

One more added from yesterday, same base + eyes as above, different items used: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Iridescent Flash + Mood Exposure mixed, Divine Rose LUST Gloss on the lips.

PMG Divine Rose

Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss review and swatches

Lasting power is pretty good for a cushiony gloss. They stay put for a few hours and don’t slide around for a long time. They aren’t transfer proof if you eat or drink, but that’s expected. I don’t mind reapplying. The sparkles are very pretty and super wearable. As a gloss lover I’m thrilled. Packaging is sleek and no-fuss with the sponge applicator. The colors are soft and pretty, easy to wear alone or on top of a liner. If you love ultra pigmented gloss or lip products you will find these too sheer but I personally love these. I cannot pick a favorite – all the colors are ones I would wear every single day, but I do have a soft spot for Aphrodisiac, Divine Rose, Pale Fire Nectar. Bottom line love.

These glosses will launch today online at Pat McGrath Labs. They retail for $28 each individually but there are sets available that will give you a nice price break for buying the bundles.

More Pat McGrath love below:

Luxe Trance, Matte Trance and Permagel Eye and Lip Pencil Review
LiquiLUST 007 Skin Show
Lip Fetish Balm, Femmenot, Venus in Furs …
MTHRSHP Eyeshadow Palettes and Liquid Liner Review

 

LUST: Gloss sent by the Pat McGrath team for review.

 

Bronzer + Blush

La Mer Summer 2018 Color Collection: The Bronzing Powder + Lip & Cheek Glows

May 9, 2018

La Mer Summer 2018 The Bronzing Powder and Lip and Cheek Glow Review + Swatches

This summer La Mer has three new limited-edition color pieces including The Bronzing Powder ($85 for 13 g/0.43 oz) and Lip and Cheek Glows in Coral Glow 01 and Pink Sands 02 ($55 each for 7 g /0.24 oz). This is the first time I’ve tried their summer color items. La Mer has released several limited-edition bronzers in the past but I never splurged. This year I did. The whole look and feel of these colors are sheer and light. If you like that subtle undone glow you will love these. If you crave more pigment and noticeable color you might want to pass.

Up first is The Bronzing Powder. There are several colors swirled into a beautiful wave pattern of champagne shimmer, soft pink shimmer and warm tan matte. Swirled you get a luminous bronze that is very soft with a natural glow. Pigment is medium but natural looking and for this one the tones are close to my skin so it almost blends in with my skin. It is scented with this amazing beachy resort-like scent in a subtle way. I would love it if they bottled a stronger version of it in a body lotion or oil.

La Mer Bronzing Powder 2018 Review + Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

If you are light or fair and find most bronzers turn orangey on you, I highly urge you to check this one out. It will be subtle and light enough in color to give your skin a soft sunkissed glow. If you’re my skintone it will look almost like skin, just a subtle warm shimmer. If you’re darker than me this may look more light a soft highlighter. To me this is similar to the Chanel Les Beiges Multi-Colour in Medium that launched this year, the La Mer is just a slightly touch more bronzey.

La Mer Bronzing Powder 2018 Review + Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

Swatches of the individual shades vs. swirled:

La Mer Bronzing Powder 2018 Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

Swatch comparisons below to:

  • Becca Sunlit Bronzers in Bali Sands and Capri Coast (reviewed and face swatched here)
  • Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour 2018 Light, Medium and Deep (review here)
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer Luminous Bronze Light (review here)

La Mer Bronzing Powder 2018 Swatch Comparisons via The Beauty Look Book

Next there are the two Lip and Cheek Glows for which I have very mixed feelings. As one with normal/combination skin I find these too dewy and too sheer for the cheeks. It will indeed add a glow, but it’s a very glossy glow which I don’t really want on my face. Add hot humid climate and it’s a no-go. That being said it does give the skin a fresh glow just like the name implies. On the lips these are very sheer but I can get the color to show up with a few swipes. I like the way these look on the lips – they make the lips look healthy with a tint of color, but I can’t help but feel these are just super expensive sheer lip balms. They do nourish the lips and although I know you’re not supposed to taste test these, I did lick my lips while testing these and they taste amazing. Like a delicious sweet mint. So I like these for the lips, I don’t think they are worth the price for how sheer they are. With some layering you’ll see color.

Coral Glow 01 is a soft coral, on my skin once blended it almost disappears. Pink Sands is also extremely sheer but has a little bit more color. On my cheeks all I see is a dewy shine with a VERY SLIGHT hint of color. On my lips these show up. Your mileage will vary depending on your skin tone, but to sum these sticks up in two words I’d say these are sheer and glowy.

La Mer Lip and Cheek Glow Review Swatches

On the nails, Chanel Resplendissant

La Mer Summer 2018 Swatches, all three items swatched with a heavy hand. Once blended the color is very sheer!

La Mer Lip and Cheek Glow Coral Glow and Pink Sands and The Bronzing Powder Swatches

On bare lips, swiped back and forth in layers around 3-4 times:

La Mer Lip and Cheek Glow Coral Glow and Pink Sands swatches

Swatch comparisons:

  • NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm (review here)
  • Chanel Les Beiges Blush in No 23 (review here)
  • NARS Liquid Blush in Luster (review here)
  • Sisley Phyt0-Blush Twist in Papaya (review here)
  • Tom Ford Cream Blush in Pink Sand (discontinued)
  • Sisley Phyto-Blush Twist in Petal (review here)
  • Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff (more swatches here)

La Mer Lip Cheek Glow Swatch comparisons

On the face:

La Mer Summer 2018 review

Also wearing:

One last note, a lot of you had asked about my pink sunglasses. Most of the time I’ve shown old pairs, in particular one of my favorites are these pink Gucci sunglasses from several years ago. It’s almost always impossible for me to find smaller frames, but I’ve since found an almost identical pair by Kate Spade for a fraction of the price. They aren’t 100% the same but close enough for me!

Pink Sunglasses Gucci vs Kate Spade

One last look:

La Mer Summer 2018 Collection Review and Swatches

Bottom line: a hefty dent to my wallet. I simply couldn’t resist the pretty pearly packaging and the swirl pattern on the bronzer is gorgeous! The La Mer Bronzing Powder this year is beautiful and so natural, but it’s similar to others I have I’m not sure I’d call it a must-have. As you can see from the above swatches, it’s going to look slightly different in swatches depending on how much pink vs. champagne vs. matte tan you swirl onto the brush. On my skin it’s very very natural, which isn’t a bad thing. I love a good natural bronzer! In a month’s time I’m going to be a lot darker and this will probably match my skin tone.

The La Mer Lip and Cheek Glows are going to be hit or miss. I suspect it is going to be similar to the Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Blush in concept, better for lips, ok for the cheeks. I really love the Pink Sands color for a soft baby pink. Still these are really pricey and very sheer. I’m kinda luke-warm on my feelings for these.

You can find the La Mer summer collection out now. Items are limited-edition. Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s.

 

Bronzer + Blush Eye Makeup Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Coconut Fantasy Collection

May 7, 2018

Marc Jacobs Coconut Fantasy Collection Review

Marc Jacobs Beauty has launched a new Coconut Fantasy Collection this year to continue the coconut theme. There are three new items and one repromote, everything is selling out quickly. A few restocks have occurred online at Sephora and Marc Jacobs Beauty but if you have your eye on anything and see it, I recommend grabbing it fast. The Coconut Bronzer was hard to find last year as it went quickly, this year it also seemed to go fast. I’m hoping it will restock as it’s such a great bronzer (last year’s review here). Today I have a review of the three new items that launched. You can find these at Marc Jacobs Beauty, Sephora, Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter.

Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter in Fantasy

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter – Coconut Fantasy Collection

Above: Fantasy vs Dew You? Sunglasses from Nordstrom

My favorite item is the Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter in Fantasy and the good thing is that this is the one item that is still relatively easy to find. Fantasy is a rose gold shimmer, it looks bronzey in the frosted bottle but once I blend on my skin I see more rose tones. If you missed last year’s champagne gold shimmer in Dew You? you can still find it available. Formula remains the same – shimmer finish with a gel texture that is easy to build, dries down to semi-matte finish but retains the shimmer. The dry down makes this highlighter last a long time on the skin, once it sets it is pretty much budge-proof. It has the most wonderful coconut scent. 100% worth the purchase.

Swatches:

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Swatches Coconut Gel Highlighter in Fantasy vs Dew You?

Swatch comparisons:

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Fantasy Swatch Comparisons

Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder

Marc Jacobs Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder

Next is the Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder which also has an amazing coconut scent. This is a setting powder that sets foundation or tinted moisturizer to matte finish. It has a mesh interior to help dispense just the right amount of product to the brush. I found this to give a very matte finish, but in a soft and natural way. It’s translucent and even on my tan skin has no white cast. If you have super dry skin or prefer matte finish foundations you may want to give your face a quick mist with something like MAC Prep+Prime Fix+ first. I found that this over a very matte finish foundation made my face look too matte. It did work on all my other bases that have a soft finish or slightly dewy finish. It does last a long time keeping the makeup on my face from morning to late afternoon. If you’re a coconut fan I’d recommend layering the MAC Prep and Prime Fix+ Scented in Coconut for extra coconut goodness 🙂

Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette

Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette – Coconut Fantasy Collection - Fantascene

Last but not least is the Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Fantascene (sold out most places, but still available at Marc Jacobs Beauty). The shadows in this palette have a super soft pigmented texture. There is a mix of mattes, sparkles and shimmers which layer together beautifully. For me they apply well with or without a base. The colors overall are very warm with a soft cream matte, soft warn grey matte, soft rose matte, shimmering pink, sparkly copper, matte plum brown and coral satin. I love shades like these in the pan, on my complexion the overall feel is a little too warm for my coloring. I find Scandalust more wearable for me. Still Fantascene is a gorgeous palette, just one I’ll need to cool-down with a bit of mixing with other neutrals.

Swatches + close ups:

Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Eyeshadow Fantascene

Close up 1:

Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Eyeshadow Fantascene

Close up 2:

Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Eyeshadow Fantascene

Close up 3:

Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Eyeshadow Fantascene

Fantascene vs Scandalust:

Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Eyeshadow Palette swatches Fantascene vs. Scandalust

Two looks wearing:

TBLB MJ Fantasy + Kinks Kisses Blush

Overall perfect for summer! I think the Fantasy Dew Drops is a must, it has a pretty soft shimmering rose gold gleam that isn’t overly frosty. I think the Setting Powder is going to be perfect for hot summer days when you need a long-lasting matte powder that won’t caked. The palette isn’t for me color-wise but I can make it work with some blending. If you’re like me and can’t wear warm shades easily, I’d recommend you opt for Marc Jacobs Scandalust, NARSissist Wanted or NARSissist Loaded instead.

You can find Marc Jacobs Beauty at Marc Jacobs Beauty, Sephora, Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter. The eyeshadow palette, bronzer and dew drops are listed as limited-edition.

Have you bought anything from this year’s Coconut Fantasy Collection? What did you think?

 

Chanel

Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018

May 4, 2018

Chanel Les Beiges Collection Review 2018

The Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018 has finally arrived and I’m thrilled to be able to give you a look at everything from this year’s launch. This is one collection I look forward to each year for natural glowing makeup. I’ve used the original Les Beiges Powders in No 20 and 30 for as long as I can remember! They usually launch some of the prettiest bronzers and this year they have Luminous Multi-Colour Powders with stripes of different colors mixed in. There are also new shades for eyes and lips. Covered today:

_____________________

Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint

Up first is a look at the Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint which comes in 6 colors: Light, Medium Light, Medium, Medium Plus, Light Deep and Deep. These are sheer tints that have SPF 30 and have enough coverage to even out the skin for a truly luminous glow.

Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 review and swatches

I tested these twice on separate beach days and also at home. I love these for the beach! They add just the right amount of sheer coverage so skin looks natural. They are very dewy so I absolutely need to set with a powder. I tested this with the Les Beiges Powder No 20 and Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Powder #2 and it stayed put all day. I did need a few touchups at the beach and it actually lasted well through a swim in the ocean. If you have very oily skin this is not the product for you. I have normal combination skin and found these worked for my skin type. It has a similar finish and coverage to that of the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfectors and is slightly more opaque/thicker and more gel-like compared to the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizers (which I find super sheer and thin). For me best application was with a damp beautyblender.

Swatches below. The color is very forgiving so I can get away with Medium or Medium Plus.

Chanel Les Beiges swatches Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Light, Medium Light, Medium, Medium Plus, Light Deep and Deep

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Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder

I always look forward to the new Les Beiges powders! Sometimes they’ve done striped versions of light or bronze shades. Last year’s were a total fail for me as I couldn’t get the texture to work with my skin. This year’s formula has improved significantly in texture and I’m 100% obsessed. The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder comes in 3 shades that look like your skin but better in a glowing way. These were nearly impossible to capture on the face as they have a subtle glow. They powders are striped with different colors mixed in and when swirled you get the prettiest PERFECT soft luminous glow.

They are somewhere in between highlighters, finishing powders and bronzers (at least for Medium and Light). For my skin they’re a bit too luminous to use all over the face but I love them in place of where I’d use highlighter or a soft bronzer. In this beauty world we are bombarded with extra glow which I love, but sometimes it’s really nice to have something more natural and easier to wear for everyday.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder Light, Medium and Deep

Light is more of a highlighter on my skin, Medium is my perfect match, Deep is the prettiest subtle bronze. I’ve collected every limited-edition Les Beiges powder over the years and this year’s are the best ones I’ve tried.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder Light, Medium and Deep

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Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick

For the Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick this year they have 1 new color No 25. It looks scary bright in the tube but it sheers out to the perfect watermelon flush. It has a waxy feel so it’s not dewy and dries to a soft semi-matte finish. I was able to apply on top of powder and foundation without it disrupting my base.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick No 25

Swatches compared to last year’s launches (which are still available):

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick No 24, 23 and 25

Three looks:

  • Look 1 I’m wearing :
    • Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint in Medium Plus
    • Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Light
  • Look 2 I’m wearing:
    • Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Medium Plus
    • Les Beiges Powder No 20 to set
    • Healthy Glow Luminous Multi-Colour Powder in Deep
    • Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Deep
    • Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Medium
  • Look 3 I’m wearing
    • Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint Medium Plus
    • Les Beiges Powder No 20 to set
    • Healthy Glow Sheer Color Stick No 25
    • Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Deep
    • Healthy Glow Lip Balm in Medium
  • On the nails is Le Vernis in Camelia

Chanel Les Beiges 2018

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Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette

There are two new Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palettes in Light and Deep. Light has a mix of cool pink, purples and plums with a soft iridescent sheen to them. Pigment is really good and this reminds me of one of the older 5 pan palettes Chanel launched years ago. Deep has a mix of satin and sparkle shades. The mattes are brown based and the shimmers are golds. I’d recommend using a super dense cream shadow brush or fingers to apply the gold colors – otherwise you’ll get sparkle everywhere! I still think Medium is the best option for classic mattes (review here).

Chanel Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette Light and Deep

Chanel Les Beiges Health Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette Light and Deep swatches

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Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balms

Last but not least are the three Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balms in Light, Medium and Deep. These give the lips that perfect effortless flush of color for summer!

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm Light, Medium and Deep

At first glance I have to admit I thought they looked extremely boring. Swatched on the hand or arm you barely see color. Give them a chance because they are perfect on the lips. I think these are much like the Rouge Coco Shines where they apply better on the lips than arm swatches! Light is a pretty bright soft pink, Medium is a rosy pink, Deep is the perfect flushed plum pink. They are hydrating, soft, feel nice on the lips and don’t slide around. You will need to reapply after a few hours but I like the finish. They are very good for a tinted balm.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm Light, Medium and Deep swatches

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm Light, Medium and Deep swatches

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One last look, Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018:

Chanel Les Beiges Collection Review 2018

Overall I think the Chanel Les Beiges Collection 2018 is perfect. The Chanel team was amazing to send everything for review but by the time I received it I had already bought the three powders. I’m really happy to have backups now because they are some of the prettiest luminous powders I’ve seen in a long time. They are somewhere in between highlighters, finishing powders and bronzers (at least for Medium and Light)!

I can’t pick a favorite in the collection but I highly recommend the Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Powders, Healthy Glow Lip Balms and the new Cream Blush stick. The tints are going to be hit or miss depending on your skin type and coverage preference. I really like them but I don’t think they’re going to be good if you need coverage or if you have very oily skin. The eyeshadow palettes are stunning, I love Deep but I love the shimmers of Light. My recommendation for the palettes are going to be based on your color preference as I know palettes can be tricky if you don’t love all the colors.

Overall a huge thumbs up. I’ll be wearing the powders in Medium and Deep all summer long.

You can find the Chanel Les Beiges collection at Chanel.com now. Also available at all counters by now. As I’m finishing this post I’ve noticed their beautiful Cruise Collection just popped up online too!

I hope to have more reviews soon but I have a lot to work through in testing and swatching!

Les Beiges kindly sent from Chanel for review.

 

Empties Haircare Men's Grooming Skincare

Beauty Empties

May 2, 2018

Beauty Empties - What I Used Up | The Beauty Look Book

As promised I have another round of beauty empties of things Andrew and I have used up in the last couple months! (Round 1 here.) As usual most of our empties are skincare-related but I have a mix of everything from makeup, hair care, skincare and men’s grooming. If you have any recent empties let me know in the comments!

Skincare

Beauty Empties Skincare Makeup Wipes, Cleansers, Masks

I’ve been experimenting more with makeup wipes but at the end of the day my favorites are still the Koh Gen Do and MAC Gently Off. Skincare I used up in March and April:

Andrew’s Empties

Men's Grooming Empties

Andrew’s empties from the last couple months include:

  • Aesop Mouthwash – This is his second bottle and he put it on his list to repurchase a third one this week.
  • Baxter Grooming Cream – A gentle and not overly greasy grooming cream for the hair.
  • Jack Black Turbo Wash (not shown) – This is his favorite body wash + shampoo in one with a good lather and cleanses the skin well. (I often borrow it.) We buy the largest size with a pump. I think I might have purchased this over 50 times since we discovered this.
  • Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve – This is his favorite hand cream because it’s the most moisturizing one he’s used and he likes that it’s not really scented.
  • L’Occitane L’Occitan Roll-On Deodorant – He just went through 2 of these and we just stopped by L’Occitane today and bought him two more, he likes that it doesn’t irritate his sensitive under arms and lasts all day. He loves the natural way the L’Occitan line for men smells (they also have shower gels, cologne etc.).
  • Le Labo Shower Gel Mandarin – He discovered the Le Labo shower gels that I ordered and is obsessed with the scent, it’s really strong in the shower or bath, he thinks Hinoki and Mandarin are the best ones. Note these are the newer ones which I think smell a lot stronger and better than the ones that coincide with the perfumes.
  • Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen – Our favorite, but if you read this blog you already know that!

Home

Diptyque Empties, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Detergent, Boy Smells

Home candles I burned up and a fancy detergent I’ve become obsessed with:

  • Boy Smells Candle in Gardener – Most of these come in the black jar, I found the white jar as a limited-edition release sometime last year, this smells like a fresh garden that isn’t too floral or too green, it’s the perfect in between of sweet and fresh.
  • Diptyque Baies Candle – Always a favorite! Burned up another full size and small size.
  • Diptyque Tomas Maier Palm Beach – Smells of a tropical vacation with iris, jasmine, lemon, salt and grass (Diptyque boutique exclusive). Aside from Baies this is probably the one I’ve burned the second most. I stocked up the last time I was at boutique!
  • Diptyque Holiday 2017 Incense Tears Phoenix – Limited-edition release, previously reviewed here, I have plenty of other candles to explore but wish I had bought a backup of this one!
  • Diptyque Miami Candle – Another great fresh tropical scent that smells of lime, magnolia, citrus and a hint of vanilla (available only in Miami boutiques).
  • Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Laundry Detergent – This comes in three forms that are currently exclusive to Neiman Marcus, there is one for light clothes, dark clothes and a fabric softener, the detergent smells like a more fresh grown up version of the perfume, it has enough strength to be noticeable on the clothes and sheets, we can smell it on our sheets for several days before it fades, I used up the Light version first and immediately bought it again along with the other two. I highly recommend these.

A Little Bit of Everything Else

Empties Oribe, L'Occitane, Sisley Rituel, Maybelline Mascara, HUM Hair Sweet Hair

Other items:

  • Drybar On The Rocks Shampoo and Conditioner – I really loved both of these for a clarifying shampoo and gentle conditioner, I’m considering buying again but currently experimenting with other formulas and brands.
  • Oribe Cleansing Crème for Moisture and Control – One of my favorite cleansing creams to re-hydrate dry hair, I’ve gone through so many bottles I’ve lost count!
  • Sisley Hair Rituel Regenerating Hair Care Mask – Full review on Sisley Hair Rituel soon, but this is the best hair mask I’ve ever tried, it’s designed to nourish both the scalp and hair, it leaves hair soft and tangle free and shiny!
  • Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rosegold (mini) – My most-used cream shadow base for an all over wash or base for powder shadows.
  • L’Occitane Lavande Lavender Foaming Bath – Creates the best bath bubbles EVER! Also love the relaxing scent.
  • Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara Regular and the Total Temptation Mascara Waterproof – I was really underwhelmed by both of these, I had really high hopes they would work but they fell short of my expectations. The waterproof version is decent and makes for a great layering mascara, but I feel there are much better ones out there on the market for me.
  • Beautyblender Liquid Beautycleanser – I need to find this in a supersize version or cheaper alternative because I go through this way too fast. I know so many of you like baby shampoo, I don’t like using it because it always leaves a film on the brushes no matter how much I rinse.
  • HUM Hair Sweet Hair Gummies – When I bought these in March they were a Sephora exclusive, but now they’re available elsewhere like Nordstrom, I found they tasted AMAZING but results were just ok. My hair did grow a little over 2 inches within 1 month and I noticed it was stronger with less breakage. However I don’t typically measure my hair growth so I don’t know if this was more than usual. I didn’t see any added shine or bounce so I’ve now switched to trying Nature’s Bounty (will report once those are finished).

Beauty Empties Used Up Products | The Beauty Look Book

That wraps it up for the last couple months of empties! As usual let me know what you’ve used up recently, would love to know what you’re using! Do you use any biotin supplements that you love or have any favorite hair masks/face wipes?

The only press sample featured is the Sisley Hair Rituel mask. All other items purchased by me.