It’s that time of year again for the Sephora Beauty Insider Sale! The 20% off sale starts today November 3rd and runs through the 6th for Rouge Members online and in store. If you’re shopping online use code 20FORROUGE. In addition there’s a bonus weekend for Rouge Members to shop the sale for a second round from November 10th to the 15th. My top recommendations and a few things on my wishlist:
Tom Ford Lip Colors ($54 each) have launched in a wide range of new colors (my picks swatched here), there are also the clutch-sized Boys and Girls ($36 each) in new colors this season (girls swatched here)
Rag & Bone launched fragrances a while ago and it looks like they just launched online at Sephora! I have and love Bergamot, they have a Fine Fragrance Collection Sampler ($99 for 8 3.5 ml vials), I’m debating this set or more of the Atelier Cologne Sets as I really love their fragrances (I’ve only bought Bois Blonds so far but have tried a number of samples)
Dyson Blown-A-Ouai Set ($399) is something that was on my wishlist but I hauled last week, I had hoped to receive it in time to test and review before today but it ships ground due to the contents so I didn’t get it in the mail yet, I will try to test and review ASAP but it looks like a pretty good value with the extras you get
Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coats ($28 each, not shown in the collage) are so pretty for the upcoming holiday season, they’re super glitzy but still really pretty (swatches and review here)
Rouge – November 3rd – 6th and 10th – 15th, 20% off with code 20FORROUGE
VIB – November 10th – 15th, 20% off (will list code as soon as I get it)
Beauty Insiders – November 10th – 15th, 15% off (will list code as soon as I get it)
I’m hosting a giveaway for the sale! It’s open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter and qualify. I’m giving away FIVE $75 e-gift cards to Sephora. Simply enter through the widget below. Giveaway is not sponsored and will run through November 8th. I’ll pick five separate winners through the widget and e-mail them by the 9th just in time for the second round. Please note you will need to respond within 24 hours or another person will be selected in your place. E-gift cards will be sent to the selected winners within 24 hours after I receive a response confirmation.
I recently did a massive Pat McGrath Labs beauty haul from Sephora. A large number of you have asked me for a review on the MatteTrance Lipsticks ($38 each for 0.14 oz/ 4 g) and since I’ve never really been big on matte lips I did not plan on looking into these. I don’t think I’ve ever received so many review requests on a single product so once I saw that she launched a creamy formula called LuxeTrance Lipstick ($38 each for 0.14 oz/ 4 g) I ordered a handful online sight unseen. I also added some of the MatteLuxe Lipsticks, Permagel Ultra Lip Pencils ($25 each for 1.2 g/ 0.042 oz) and one shade of the Permagel Ultra Glide Eyeliner ($25 each for 1.2 g/ 0.042 oz) to my cart to try out. A couple days ago I finally saw the line in person at my local store and everything is just stunning! Since I just received my order recently this is more of a first impressions rather than a detailed review.
A look at the stunning display in store:
First can we talk about the box packaging? I know super pretty boxes and packaging can be a waste, but the presentation is just so pretty. Opening any of the lipsticks or pencils is like opening a present. I don’t know if the gold embossed icons on the front have any meaning but everything is so artistic and creative.
The Permagel Ultra Lip Pencils and Permagel Ultra Glide Eyeliners are super smooth and creamy. They glide onto the skin and are waterproof. They have about the same smoothness as the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On pencils (which last long but aren’t budge-proof on me). The Pat McGrath Labs pencils have VERY impressive lasting power. I swatched them on the hand and they would not come off easily. On the lips they stay put all day long. The liner on the eyes does not smudge all day. They have enough of an emollient smooth gel-like quality that you can apply and blend it out a little before it dries and sets. But once it sets it stays put. Pigment is ultra rich, there’s no tugging with application, it feels comfortable and performs well.
Colors I bought:
Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Buff is a medium neutral pink
Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Done Undone is a lighter pink nude with a hint of pearl
Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Bare Rose is a pretty soft rose with a slight sheen
Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Suburbia is a deeper rose pink
Permagel Ultra Glide Eyeliner in Blitz Brown is a deep bronze with shimmer
At the store I also looked at Supernatural and Contour. Both were more brown without any pink tones, along the lines of MAC Lip Pencil in Stripdown. I didn’t buy any more as I had already hauled quite a few. I don’t typically wear brown lipliners with the exception of MAC Stripdown and Oak so I felt the pinks and neutrals were my best bet. I do think I’ll consider other shades of the Permagel Ultra Glide Eyeliner but for now I love the one I have. All the pencils come with a sharpener.
Comparison swatches below to NARS Man Ray Velvet Eye Pencil in Santiago, Marc Jacobs Matte Highliner in Earthquake, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude and Pillow Talk, MAC Lip Pencils in Boldly Bare, Whirl, Dervish, Spice and Soar.
Next are the lipsticks which are mind blowing good. It was pretty risky for me to order so many colors in a new-to-me formula sight unseen. The last time I did that with a brand I hadn’t tried before, it was total a fail. These Pat McGrath LuxeTrance and MatteTrance Lipsticks do not disappoint and they are easily among the best I’ve tried. I would say the matte formula tops all other matte formulas I’ve tried with the exception of the Louboutin Mattes. I’ve said that Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks (also swatched here) have been in my favorites list. That was before I tried Pat McGrath’s.
The lipsticks come in a sleek metal black and gold tube. Both formulas have the same packaging. They have a cute gold embossed/raised lip which I think could have been really tacky to be frank, but they managed to make it look sleek and luxe. There is a good weight to the tube so it feels solid. They are well designed in every way.
LuxeTrance of course is my formula of choice. It’s a creamy opaque lipstick with full coverage. All the shades are creams without shimmer. They’re one-swipe wonders and make the lips look full. They glide onto the lips, feel super smooth, have a comforting feel and have impressive lasting power. I would say you get similar coverage with the Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim Lipsticks. They are also just as opaque as the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche formula but more creamy with a bit more slip. The LuxeTrance isn’t super thick but it does have substance and when you wear it, it looks like you are definitely wearing lipstick. Colors I picked:
Donatella is a pale nude, it pulls pinkish on me
Sextrology is a light salmon pink
Realness is a perfect peachy nude
Valletta is a light peachy pink
She’s Heaven is a neutral brown-pink
Beautiful Creature is a stunning plum
Attitude is a neutral brown
For other nudes, I also saw La Beija in store. The online swatch made me think it might be too dark/brown so I did not order it. In real life it’s a lot lighter than the stock swatch. It’s a pretty light-medium peachy beige and I would have bought it but they were sold out.
The MatteTrance Lipstick formula has a unique almost whipped like feel. They glide onto the lips and have a nice sheen even though they are clearly matte. They don’t make the lips look dried out or flat. They didn’t dry out my lips and lasted a decent amount of time. The texture of the lipstick in the tube looks almost like they took a sponge to make an imprint on the exterior. There is no texture when you apply though – it’s 100% smooth.
1995 is a stunning light neutral pink nude
Omi is the perfect rose pink
As far as I can tell there’s no detectable scent with these.
Bottom line pure love and lots to explore. There are a lot of bold shades in all the formulas. I did take a look at the Eyeshadow Palettes which are quite impressive in size and color selection. Each one had quite a few glitzy shades or at least 2 shades in each palette I didn’t think I’d use so for now I’ve passed. I do hope they launch more palettes or singles so you’d be able to pick and choose. For now I’m more than happy with my lip picks and eyeliner.
I have a roundup of some new holiday palette launches from Becca alongside three Shimmering Skin Perfectors that have been on my wishlist for ages. The items are all shimmering and glowy and in this day I do not think any of us need any more highlighters but new ones continue to pop up everywhere.
For holiday there are two new palettes with the Apres Ski Glow Face Palette ($54 for 15.5 g/0.54 oz, made in USA) and the Eye Lights Palette ($45 for 9.8 g/ 0.35 oz). I think the Glow Face Palette is a hit, but not must-have and the Eye Lights Palette is ok, but also not a must-have.
Up first is a look at the Apres Ski Glow Face Palette which has three highlighters in Rose Quartz (soft iridescent pink), Icicle (pale white aqua), and Opal (classic shimmery champagne). All three highlighters are smooth and soft with sheer to medium pigment for a soft glow. There are also two blushes in Blushed Copper (metallic copper shimmer) and Winter Berry (sheer matte pink). Both are also smooth in texture. Blushed Copper is super pigmented while Winter Berry is sheer. There is also one bronzer in Bronzed Bondi which I find on the sheerer than the individual full-sized one I reviewed here. The overall look and composition of the palette is stunning, however if you have been a Becca fan you probably already own several of the shades. There is the convenience factor but I feel like there are too many repeats of previously launched shades which makes this less unique. Still I think this one is quite stunning.
The Eye Lights Palette has seven shimmering colors for eye highlights. I have mixed feelings about the pigment and texture. The overall feel is sheerer than what you normally see from Becca. Sheer shimmers can be good especially if you are looking for something with a super soft effect rather than a glaring sharp frost. In the palette you have lighter colors that I feel aren’t the most unique and while the medium to deeper colors are beautiful I would have liked to see more pigment in the deeper shades.
These are the shades swatched with a heavy hand below:
In addition there are three Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters that have been a bit hard for me to track down. I am normally a Sephora or Beautylish shopper for Becca and some colors are retailer exclusives so I could not find them there. Two of these in Lilac Geode and Bronzed Amber are both exclusive to Ulta ($38 each for 7 g and 8 g respectively). Smoky Quartz is exclusive to the Becca website ($38 for 8 g). These three are absolutely beautiful, true to the individual Shimmering Skin Perfector texture, pigment and smooth finish. I 100% love them.
Close ups:
Lilac Geode is a unique duo chrome lilac pink gold shimmer. The gold is very soft which I like, sometimes with duo chromes the gold can be too yellow or too sharp. This one is perfect. Bronzed Amber is a soft luminous bronze. The shimmer in this one is on the softer side on my skintone which makes it look like a blush/bronzer a bit more than highlighter. I adore this color on the skin to warm up the complexion in a natural way. Smoky Quartz is just as pretty as it is on the Becca website. It’s a unique pink mauve tan taupe shimmer that has smooth pigmented shimmer. On me it’s a highlighter color, if you are fair this will probably show up more pink/tan.
Overall, palettes can be good, but every once in a while I’m reminded why I pass on them and opt for the individual colors. I really just like picking the shades I like and know I’ll use. The quality and colors of the Becca Apres Ski Palettes are good and whether or not I’d recommend them is going to be based on your color preference and if you already own individual shades. The three individual Shimmering Skin Perfectors are pure love for me. I definitely think they’re worth tracking down.
This post has been months in the works as I’ve been testing some of the most luxurious makeup bases, foundations and powders on the market. Finding a good makeup base has always been important to me and but it can be so tricky to find the right combination for my skin type, skin tone and has just the right amount of coverage. Each season I’ve discovered new formulas that work extremely well. A large number of you have asked for reviews on other luxury bases that have cult-status including foundations, face tints, primers and powders. I’ve been putting many of these to the test for months now to see how they’ve held up in extremely humid weather. I’ve also been able to test these in more normal climates during travels outside of Florida too.
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Before I start reviewing the ones that are new to me, I will say that the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer ($85 for 1 fl oz) has been my favorite and I still think it’s one of the best ones. I’ve used it in San Diego, Dallas, New York City, San Francisco and all over Florida. The formula holds up really well on super humid days at the beach, pool, Orlando theme parks and on various trips. It has perfect buildable coverage that I can build to full without it ever looking cakey or fake. The original review + swatches here. They’re also swatched next to MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundations. I’m anywhere from NC25 to NC37.
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Onto the new ones I’ve been putting to the test. Up first is the Chanel Sublimage Le Teint in 40 Beige ($135 for 1 oz). This is described as a lightweight cream foundation that you can build from light to medium coverage. It has the signature ingredients of their Sublimage skincare line which I have used before and love. Due to the high prices I haven’t repurchased their Texture Fine cream although it’s among the best I’ve tried.
The Sublimage Le Teint comes in a jar with a brush. A little goes a long way and it gives my skin a naturally radiant smooth look. Pores completely vanish and skin is smoothed in a way I’ve never seen with any other cream foundation. The only issue is that it’s not designed for normal, oily or combination skin. I was dissuaded at multiple counters from buying it because the reps said it’s only for those with dry skin. They happily made me a sample though and after using them up I ordered it online. I do find it hydrating but it’s still not too rich. It’s pure love for me, but if you have oily skin though it may be too rich for you.
Next is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer and Foundation with SPF15 ($225 for 1 fl oz for the foundation and .07 oz for the concealer). I featured it on my face in this post here before wearing Satin Nude. This foundation has been raved about by so many, I didn’t know if it was just hype or if it was really that good. I’ve been testing this since August and it’s truly one of the most luxurious bases I’ve tried. The foundation provides full but natural looking coverage. It does have a dewy finish that you absolutely need to set with a powder, but it lasts all day without getting oily or cakey. The concealer has a matte finish. It’s a little bit lighter in color than the liquid/cream but very opaque. This has caviar extracts infused which are designed to lift and firm the skin. I’ve used this on and off since August. I haven’t used it on a daily basis to notice any skincare benefits but they way it looks and makes my skin feel is just amazing. I’ve found that it can settle into fine lines if my skin isn’t prepped well or moisturized enough, but that can be the case with almost any base.
Worn below is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer under the eyes and Foundation all over. I didn’t use any powder to set. Cheeks have a bit of the Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzer, lips are NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara.
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Sisley has been widely raved about from many of you and I’ve been truly impressed with everything I’ve tried from the line. I was sent the Double Tenseur Instant Long-Term Gel ($192 for 1 fl oz) which is a multi-tasking product which I’ve used as a primer but over moisturizer. It does indeed help foundation last longer but I’m not the biggest fan of gel formulas. Still this performs really well and I like the way it feels on the skin. In terms of primers I actually prefer the Instant Eclat Instant Glow Primer. ($90 for 1 fl oz) I ordered this sight unseen and it’s a sheer opal pearl liquid cream. I want to say there must be a less expensive dupe for this but the way it looks and feels on the skin is unlike others I’ve tried. I give this a huge thumbs up as a primer.
Two other items I’ve tried and loved are the Phyto-Cernes Eclat Eye Concealer in #2 ($107 for 15 ml) and the Super Soin Solaire Teinte Tinted Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 in #2 ($170 for 1.3 fl oz/40 ml). There are several different tinted creams or tinted moisturizers from Sisley. The one I tried is a tinted sunscreen which seemed perfect for me in the Florida sunshine and heat. It’s been a staple for natural looking coverage in a sunscreen. The concealer is quite peachy and opaque but it blends out to brighten the under eye and prevents me from looking tired in the morning. It lasts long and doesn’t cake or crease on me. I apply with fingers but it does come with a little brush.
Swatches of the liquid foundations I use along with the ones I’ve featured in this post:
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Many of you have asked about the new La Mer pressed powders. I used to be the biggest fan of their original loose powder and when they reformulated I was so upset I didn’t even want to try the new one. I finally did try The Powder ($95 for 8 g)which is translucent and it’s one of my favorites for a natural looking finish that doesn’t leave a white cast. They recently launched the Sheer Pressed Powder ($95 for 10 g) in a Translucent color and three shades. I tried both Light and Medium as I usually prefer tinted powders for the pressed format, but often times powders darken my foundation even if it looks like it’s an exact match. I can wear both, if they made more shades I would be in between but the finish is sheer enough that’s it’s forgiving. It’s an amazing setting powder and I can’t quite explain how it works, but it’s sheer, lightweight and mattes the face naturally. Even though it is sheer and I can’t detect coverage it does smooth out the skin in a natural way with a blurring effect. Even though the shade selection is very limited I recommend you still give it a try, the sheerness makes the color more forgiving. A less expensive alternative would be the MAC Next to Nothing Powder but the textures are different. I splurged on the Powder Brush ($80) – it’s really one of the most luxurious ones I’ve tried.
I have not tried the Soft Fluid Foundation or Concealer because when they launched I was not able to find a good match. I haven’t tried to look again since then – from what I recall most of the shades are not yellow enough for my skintone. Below is a color comparison of the powders. There’s a big gap between the La Mer Sheer Pressed Powder in Light and Medium. Other ones I use include the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless in #2, MAC Next to Nothing in Medium Plus and Armani Luminous Silk Compact #4.
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A few of the extras rounded up below. When it comes to foundation I still find the beautyblender to be the best tool for application. It gives me smooth even coverage that I can control and is always streak-free. For powders a few of my favorite brushes.
MAC 140s in the full size is my favorite powder brush of all time, this holiday it’s available in a mini with the Snow Ball Face Collection set
Wayne Goss makes some of my favorite high quality brushes, I find that I reach for his brushes more than others, the Brush #11 and the Brush 00 are my favorites for powder
I’m usually a no-primer kind of person as I don’t like extra layers of product on my face, but here are a few that I’ve tried recently that I like, especially for humid weather. I find the best all around primers I’ve tried are from Tarte and MAC, some other ones work better with corresponding branded foundations.
Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Cushion has SPF 50, it can be used a sheer base, but since it has a skincare element to it, I find it works great as a primer for foundation
I know I’ve covered a lot in this roundup – I’ve reviewed a number of bases before but this edit has focused on ones I’d classify as high end / luxury formulas. Overall I’ve found these live up to expectations but my recommendation would depend on your personal preference for formula and your skin type. I was lucky to be able to find a good match in each formula I tried. I’ve put these to the test through extreme heat and humidity. There have been days over the summer and even until the end of September where the weather was so hot my skin started beading and dripping with sweat within 5 minutes of being outside. On those days nothing will really last well. However on days I’m indoors for the most of the time or out of the heat, I found each base lasted all day without sliding off or caking. My thoughts to sum up my testing:
Bases with best lasting power have been the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer and Sisley Tinted Sunscreen Cream.
Best full-coverage foundation that looks natural is Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer.
Best for smoothing pores and giving the skin a radiant but not greasy glow is the Chanel Sublimage Le Teint, although this is probably best for normal to dry skin.
Most natural looking is the Sisley Tinted Sunscreen Cream, but color selection is very limited.
Best loose powder for me right now is the La Mer Loose Translucent hands down.
Do I think the La Mer Pressed Powder is worth it? Absolutely yes, but if I were to do it over again I would have picked either Translucent or just Light. Medium would have worked for me over the summer here, but I’ve been staying out of the sun for weeks now and have lost my tan. As amazing as it is, there are less expensive alternatives I really like such as the MAC Next to Nothing, Armani Luminous Silk and Laura Mercier Candleglow.
Would I recommend the La Mer Loose or Pressed Powder? The Loose for formula and finish, but it’s not really travel-friendly or easy to put in your purse for daytime touch ups.
What’s the best for oily skin? I would say the two bases I’d recommend for oily skin aren’t ones I’ve featured here, I’d recommend the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint or Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion (both reviewed here).
Is the La Prairie worth the splurge? I’m conflicted on this as it’s one of the most expensive foundations on the market and while it’s amazing in every way, I think if you just need a good base you can definitely find one for less. That being said it does have skincare ingredients and also has a concealer built in, so you do get two in one. The packaging design is well made and easy to use. It’s travel friendly and I really have no complaints.
That wraps it up for my luxury base testing. I hope you found this helpful in the event you had your eye on any of these and wanted a comprehensive review. All this being said I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money on a foundation or powder. These days there are so many options you can definitely find one that works for less. With the ones I tested I feel lucky I didn’t find any disappointments as they are extremely expensive.
If you have any questions or need additional recommendations let me know in the comments. Otherwise I’d love to hear about your current foundation, powder or primer favs. It can be luxury or at any price point. Let me know what you’ve been loving!
Press samples featured include the Sisley-Paris Double Tenseur, La Prairie Skin Caviar, Tom Ford Waterproof, MAC Next to Nothing Pressed Powder, MAC 140S brush, NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara.
P.S. I’m running weekly giveaways until the end of the year! Check out the giveaway of the week here.
Natasha Denona’s holiday collection this year focuses on eye makeup with two Eyeshadow Palette 5 shades ($48 each, 5 x 0.08 oz/ 2.26g, made in Italy) and a new eyeshadow formula called Chroma Crystal Top Coat ($28 each, 6 g/0.2 fl oz, made in Italy). Her eyeshadows have been among the bolder options on the market with beautiful textures, shimmers and intense pigment and I’ve been impressed with everything I’ve tried from her line. In general the overall look and feel of her eye makeup is bolder than I normally gravitate towards but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed a lot of her palettes, in particular the Palette 28 in Green Brown (swatched here with two eye looks) and her Star Palette (reviewed here). Her All Over Glow Face Shimmers are some of the prettiest I’ve tried as well (all three swatched here). Even for the conservative makeup wearer there is a lot to explore and have fun with.
Up first are the two Eyeshadow Palette 5 options in Joya and Aeris. Both are just so so pretty. I rarely wear red or wine colored shades on my eyes unless it’s in a palette and there for blending or adding depth the the shadows. I’ve been incorporating a lot of warmer coppery shades into my beauty routine here and there. I still can’t pull off a lot of the reds or oranges but with some blending I’m always surprised how pretty the effect is if you layer shadows. For those not familiar with her shadows the names have numbers and letters in them. The letters indicate the finish. This season she has a new Cream Powder formula CP which is intense and a hybrid of her signature shadow with a new creamy like finish. They’re ultra pigmented, super smooth and are very easy to blend, layer and mix. Natasha Denona shadows are among the very few powder formulas I find adhere and glide onto bare unprimed lids with 100% perfection.
Joya has:
135 DC peach-gold is a sparking peach rose gold shimmer
136 CP fuchsia is a sheer matte creamy pink
137 CP gold is a sparking metallic cream powder gold
138 M red grape is a metallic red
139 CP star bronze is a pigmented metallic bronze shimmer
Aeris has the following shades below, if you mix the blue with a matte red you get a pretty brown shimmer:
140 CP nude is a pigmented nude champagne with silver sparkles
141 K red bronze is a shimmering red bronze with gold shimmers
142 CM burnt terracotta is a sheer matte terracotta
143 CP ice blue is a sparkling cool blue with tons of sparkle
144 CP peach bronze is a sheer peachy bronze glitter
Up next are my favorites which are the Chroma Crystal Top Coats. I’m not a fan of glitter in general because of the chunky texture and fall out. Plus as a conservative makeup wearer I find it can be over the top for many occasions. There have been a couple exceptions. I’ve been a die-hard fan of the Tom Ford Cream Powder Eye Duos and these Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coats have joined the beauty look book glitter approved club. They have a unique creamy finish that has an almost wet feel. I like using the fingers to apply. They’re super soft to the touch and even though there’s visible sparkle chunks there is no chunky feel, very minimal fall out and they’re super easy to apply. I like dabbing them on the lids. You can wear them alone or over other powder shadows. They have impressive lasting power and as the day progressed with these I didn’t experience glitter falling on my cheeks. I cannot pick a favorite as I think they’re all phenomenal, but I do really love Peach.
Colors are:
Nude is a shimmering champagne with cool-silvery sparkles
Bronze is a medium soft peachy bronze
Grey-Brown is a neutral cool grey brown sparkle
Peach is a soft peachy shimmer
Swatches sometimes don’t show the glitter well so I have two sets:
Swatches next to Tom Ford Cream + Powder Eye Duos Golden Peach and Young Adonis. If you simply can’t bring yourself to wear glitter or feel that it’s not suitable for your makeup style or work environment, I’d recommend you check out the Chantecaille Mermaid Eye Colors. I held out on these for a long time because in general I find Chantecaille to be overpriced for what you get, and I’ve been underwhelmed by most of her makeup items. These however are really really good. I’m obsessed with Copper.
A quick eye look with Nude and Bronze, it’s actually a lot more sparkly in real life but this was the best I could do to photograph it on the eyes:
Bottom line lots to love, especially for the upcoming holiday season. I am completely in love with the Chroma Crystal Top Coats and highly recommend you check them out or put them on your wishlist. They’re supposed to be multi-use so you can also add them on top of lipstick as well, I have not tried that, but for now I really love these on the eyes.
You can find the Natasha Denona Holiday 2017 Collection available now at Sephora and Beautylish. Do you have any Natasha Denona favorites?
Holiday collection provided courtesy of Natasha Denona.
Sometimes there are beauty collections that are simply too cute to handle and the Shu Uemura x Super Mario Brothers Collection for holiday is one of them. Many years ago I used to use and buy a lot from Shu Uemura. It was hard to find in the US so I first discovered the items in Asia and UK during my college days. They eventually launched in a few stores like Sephora and Neiman Marcus. When I lived in California I’d sometimes make a long drive from San Diego to their boutique at South Coast Plaza. Unfortunately they decided to pull the brand from all retail stores and they kept it online only. I hope they will bring it back to more places someday! The holiday collection is super cute and speaks to the young at heart.
Color items and makeup come in limited-edition packaging:
Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte in M PK375 ($30) is the first matte lipstick I’ve tried from Shu Uemura and wow is the formula impressive. I’m not a fan of matte lips in general but this formula is smooth and manages to look velvety without that dried up look. Pigment is opaque and smooth, there’s no tugging and lasting power is really phenomenal. It stays put adhering well to the lips. It also leaves a slight stain on the lips so if as it fades or transfers the color pretty much stays put. PK375 is a pinkish berry color.
Rouge Unlimited Sheer Shine in Saved Peach ($30) is one of those sheer glossy peachy colors in the tube but on my lips it turns more pinkish. This has a soft glossy finish with a cushiony feel. Lasting power isn’t as good as the matte but it does feel nice and hydrating on the lips. It has quite a bit of slip and while it looks pretty I’m not the biggest fan of the formula.
Tint in Balm in Fire of Flower ($30) is a lush pigmented balm. The formula is so good with this one and even though the color is a lot brighter than what I normally wear, I think it’s worth checking out if you are in the market for a brighter red. Lasting power with this is also very good, especially for a balm. I definitely plan on checking out the other colors in the regular line.
Drawing Pencil in Matte Black ($24) is a classic rich opaque smooth black eyeliner. It has a soft matte finish and on my eyes it lasted all day without smudging (even in humidity).
The hair care line Shu Uemura Art of Hair is carried on it’s own website, separate from the makeup and skincare items. Each holiday season they usually repromote classics with the holiday packaging so in the event you don’t like the designs you can always buy them with the standard bottles.
Cleansing Oil Shampoo ($57) is a classic shampoo I’ve used up entirely multiple times. With my hair type it’s best as a clarifying one to two times a week kind of formula. I always combine it with the corresponding conditioner and the two together are really good for soft clean hair.
Cleansing Oil Conditioner ($58) is the coordinating conditioner for the Cleansing Oil Shampoo. I actually like this formula a lot better than the shampoo and use this one with other brands of shampoo. I’m one who washes my hair daily. Back in California I didn’t condition it every day because I didn’t need to. In Florida the water is different and while the weather is hot and makes me prone to sweat more, the water dries out my skin and hair (even with filters). I’ve found I need some kind of conditioner daily and this one is definitely a favorite because it’s light enough to add moisture but not so heavy and rich that it makes my scalp oily.
Essence Absolue ($69) is one of their best-sellers and for good reason. It’s a lightweight oil that can be used in a number of ways. I apply it to freshly washed and towel dried hair and it works as a detangler. I also use it pre-heat styling and as a finisher on the ends. It’s consistently in my top picks for hair oils because of the lightweight texture, beautiful scent and great shine it gives my hair without weighing it down. I absolutely love that it comes with a pump dispenser.
Master Wax ($39) is another classic from Shu Uemura but this was the first time I’ve ever used a wax. I had to do some research on how to use and apply it because I usually associate a hair wax with a men’s grooming kind of product. It has a nice lightweight scent but feels thick like a gooey pomade. Instructions say you can use on damp or dry hair – I tried both. A little goes a very long way. With my hair styling I usually do the same thing every day. I just like it down and free flowing unless I’m working out and then tie it up. I rarely use hair spray as it gives my hair that crunchy feel. This wax seems like it would be the perfect styling product if you style your hair and need it to stay in place or get that piecey look all day without stiffness. For the most part I’ve had longer hair, at least slightly past the shoulders. There have been times I cut my hair shorter and found it extremely difficult to maintain and style. Shorter hair means there’s less weight and I found my hair kinda flew around in ways I couldn’t manage. Had I known about hair wax back then I think it would have been a styling savior. For now since I’m very minimal with my hair styling I prefer the Essence Absolue or softer creams.
Beauty, skincare and makeup items are available online at Shu Uemura and Shu Uemura Canada. The team has offered Beauty Look Book readers a special offer for orders. With code BLBXSHU online you will receive 5 free deluxe samples and free shipping on orders $50+. Samples include: a mini laque supreme sample rd01, maxi:hydrability essence-in cream 13 ml, sakura-rose-petal-mask 13 ml, ultime8 sublime cleansing oil 15 ml and nutri:nectar sample 15 ml.
That wraps up my look at some of the holiday pieces from the Shu Uemura x Super Mario Collection! Have you tried anything from Shu Uemura recently? What are your favorites? I’m still working on my skincare routine but I’ll say for now that their Sakura Rose Petal Mask is one of my latest obsessions for hydration and soothing.
Holiday collection items and promo code provided courtesy of the Shu Uemura team.
Happy Thursday everyone! Today I have a roundup of some newer favorites from Chanel. I’ve been a fan of the line for many years. Recent makeup launches to be hit or miss for me but I’ve found some new launches that I’ve truly fallen in love with. A lot of you have asked for a review on the new Gabrielle Chanel Perfume and La Creme Main hand cream – I have those to feature along with some other newer-ish Chanel discoveries today. Up first are two of the newest launches along with a long-time favorite.
Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum is Chanel’s latest for perfume. It’s a bright but warm feminine sweet floral. It has notes of jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, tuberose. To me it’s a delicate and elegant kind of fragrance. Lasting power is quite good and I can detect it on my skin throughout the day by late afternoon. It has a bright feel to it that will lift the mood, but as perfume is so personal, I think this is one you’ll either really love or feel lukewarm about. I love this for fall and for daytime.
La Creme Main is one of the most uniquely packaged hand creams I’ve ever seen. It comes in a squeeze tube shaped like an oval. It has a removable cap that snaps onto the top. It’s described as a moisturizing, brightening and protective hand treatment formulated to absorb quickly. It has a light fresh clean almost linen-like scent and hydrating feel without any greasy residue. The drydown is very soft with a velvety feel.
Les Exclusifs de Chanel Fresh Body Cream is one of my favorite body creams. It comes in a large glass jar and while it’s pretty spendy it does last a very long time. It’s described as having a delicate floral musky whisper and I’d say that about sums it up. It’s a soft lightweight cream that adds a veil of moisture to the body without interfering with your perfume. For me it’s perfect to apply at night before bed because it gives me enough moisture without being sticky so I don’t feel like I’m sticking to the sheets or blankets. I’ve gone through one tub so far and this is my second one. It’s 100% worth the splurge but if you need something super hydrating you may want to opt for something like L’Occitane’s Shea Ultra Rich Body Creams or Kopari’s Coconut Melt instead.
Up next for the eyes:
Ombre Premiere in Ray is a limited-edition shade that is part of the Neon Wave collection, as far as I know it is an online-exclusive, it’s not quite as pale as the stock photo but it does have a pale pearly champagne sheen. To me it’s similar in undertone to Flesh which I already own and love, Ray is a little bit lighter and a lot more shimmery in color. I live for these kinds of champagne shimmer colors!
Les 4 Ombres in City Lights is a color from the fall collection (reviewed + beauty look worn here) and while it’s a pretty basic quad, I’ve found myself reaching for it frequently. A lot of you asked for a comparison to Poesie which has long been discontinued. I was able to dig up a backup and swatched them side by side. As you can see I don’t use the applicators these come with but try to keep them in the compacts just in case. I really prefer to use full-size brushes instead as they are easier to hold and use.
For holiday, there is a new Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Character which is a reddish plum wine color. I really love the Le Volume de Chanel mascara but some of the seasonal colors have been smudgy. This one performed true to the classic formula. It volumizes, holds the curl, doesn’t clump and this one didn’t smudge. The color once on the lashes is pretty dark but I really love playing with the tinted mascaras from Chanel so this was worth the splurge for me. Below is a swatch of the new Character plum wine colored mascara next to the classic Noir:
Last but not least, I’ve really been enjoying the new design of Chanel brushes. I did a review on these when they launched a few months ago. I’ve found they still have held up really well and perform perfectly. Four that I’ve been loving include:
Flat Eyeshadow Brush is a softer version of the original, it’s perfect for all over the lid application
Precision Powder Brush is super soft and plush which is perfect for soft bronzer or contouring
That wraps it up for my 10 things I’m loving right now! There’s actually eleven as I’ve fallen in love with the Sublimage Le Teint (I’m Shade 40) but I’m saving that for my luxury base roundup coming soon. You can find all of these at Chanel.com and at all Chanel counters. Ray, I believe is a limited-edition Chanel.com exclusive (correct me if you’ve spotted it at your local counter).
Do you have any Chanel favorites right now?
Press samples featured include Gabrielle, La Creme Main, Eye Contour Brush, Blending Eyeshadow Brush, and Precision Powder Brush. All other items purchased by me.
