Sabrina, Author at The Beauty Look Book

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation and Magic Complexion Brush Review

February 24, 2016

There are a number of new foundation launches this year and I’ve been working my way through testing several different formulas and brands. One of the formulas that I’ve been most excited about is the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation ($44 for 30 ml/1.0 fl oz, made in Italy). This is described as a long-lasting foundation with flawless poreless coverage. It does indeed minimize the look of pores, covers dark circles and gives the skin a more brightened look. There is a new brush that launched called the Magic Complexion Foundation Brush ($55) which I’ve also been playing with. Thoughts on this one in this post as well.

The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation comes in 15 shades and has an SPF 15. It’s packaged in a glass bottle with a plastic pump dispenser. I find two pumps sufficient to cover the entire face. There are a number of glowy foundation formulas on the market this season – I’m all about the glow, but for foundations I prefer a finish that isn’t too dewy because I have normal combination skin. What I like the best about the new foundation from Charlotte Tilbury is the formula brightens my skin, has enough coverage to covers imperfections and dark spots, and has a natural luminous look without being too dewy. I still need to set with powder, I’ve been using either the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder or the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Powder #2. With either one I get long-lasting wear, it lasts all day long well into the afternoon with minimal touch ups needed (just a tiny blot on the nose for me).

It’s recommended that you use the new foundation in conjunction with the other
Charlotte Tilbury face products such as the Magic Cream, Mini Miracle Eye Wand and Magic Complexion Foundation Brush for the best looking
skin, but I find you can use it over a wide range of moisturizers or
combine it with other concealers. It’s a pretty versatile formula that
offers medium to full coverage. It evens out the skin and offers smooth
flawless coverage.

In terms of color and formula, many know that I had a hard time finding a good match in the Light Wonder Foundation Formula. My closest match winter match was either 4 or 5, but I found I had to mix colors. During the summer I got a lot darker and found 7 to be my best match. Right now for the Magic Foundation formula, I can get away with either 5 or 6. The color adjusts and warms up slightly on the skin after it sets. It doesn’t oxidize too much which is good, but it will warm up a tiny bit.

Some swatch comparisons below. The corresponding shades for the Light Wonder vs Magic are pretty similar. I find the Magic Foundation 5 to be slightly less pink than the Light Wonder 5.

Next up are some thoughts on the new Magic Complexion Foundation Brush.

I had high expectations for the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Complexion Foundation Brush as it seemed very similar to the Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush but priced at a much more affordable price. When I opened the box I was disappointed to see loose hairs flying everywhere. It shed like crazy however after I washed it, the shedding stopped. The ends of the brush look like they have been machine cut. Comparing this to the Tom Ford, the Tom Ford Brush is significantly softer, better made, and seems to be of better quality overall. That being said, the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Complexion brush does perform just as well as the Tom Ford. It buffs the foundation into the skin for a streak-free flawless finish. If you’re looking for a foundation brush that’s soft and will buff in product to a smooth finish, I think it’s something worth looking into. The one from Charlotte Tilbury has a looser fluffier feel that isn’t quite as dense which I find makes it easier to smooth over the larger areas of the face in a circular motion. Here’s a look at both after they’ve both been washed and dried.

In terms of how to apply the Magic Foundation, I think you can use fingers, a beautyblender sponge, or any foundation brush. In the week I’ve been testing this formula, I’ve been using the new Magic Complexion Brush and it’s been working well (that is once I washed it).

Overall I give the new Magic Foundation formula a huge thumbs up. For me I don’t detect any noticeable scent which is a plus. It has sunscreen but doesn’t irritate my super sensitive skin. It has enough coverage to even out the skin and cover my under eye area so I don’t need concealer (but I still use it). Lasting power is good. Finish is more on the natural matte side and looks like your skin but better. I really love the formula of the Magic Foundation – even more so than the Light Wonder and as someone who likes decent coverage but want something that still looks like skin, I’m thrilled with this one. The Magic Complexion Foundation Brush is nice to have, but for me it’s not a must. I do really like the way it performs and I was relieved that the shedding stopped once I washed it. You can use the tools in your current beauty kit to get similar results.

You can find both the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation ($44) and Magic Complexion Brush ($55) online at Charlotte Tilbury now (expected to launch at other retailers soon). Right now Charlotte Tilbury’s website has an exclusive set called the Magic Foundation Kit ($110) which has the brush, foundation of your choice and a mini magic cream.

Have you tried either of these new launches yet? If yes, what did you think? I’d be curious to know what color you’re matched to if you have!

Both the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundations and Magic Complexion Brush were sent courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury for review consideration.

20 Comments

Eye Makeup

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 28 Green-Brown

February 23, 2016

I discovered Natasha Denona’s beauty line earlier this year thanks to Beautylish. I’ve been incorporating parts of her Glowing Skin System into my weekly beauty routine and am a huge fan of her All Over Face and Body Shimmers (full review + swatches in this post here). Her full line was available for preview at IMATS Los Angeles earlier this year with select items available for purchase before the official launch online at Beautylish. Ever since seeing the sneak peek many of you have been asking for a review and swatches of her eyeshadows. You’ve also been wondering when these will launch online at Beautylish. I have a preview of the Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 28 Green-Brown to share today. This palette launches online at Beautylish Thursday February 25th if you sign up for early access here, and on Friday February 26th for everyone else. The rest of her collection (blushes, eyeshadows, lipsticks, glosses etc.) is slated to be available for purchase from Beautylish in early March.

I was kindly gifted the Eyeshadow Palette 28 Green-Brown and it’s the most glorious palette I have ever seen. It’s an impressive size and comes in a glossy leather compact with a large mirror. There is a mix of greens, browns, champagnes, golds, teals. Several of the colors are brighter greens that are outside of my comfort zone – but they layer amazingly well with the neutrals for a more wearable look. The pigment is very rich in color – some of the best I’ve ever tried. Some shades are very sparkly and prone to fallout when you apply them on the eyes. You will most likely have to clean up under the eye after you apply but once they are on the eyes they stay put and don’t budge.

The actual colors in the palette are not labeled, but they do have labels on the back of the box packaging. Here’s what the palette looks like:

Color labels from the box:

Ingredients:

The shimmers are heavenly and the matte shades have a satiny finish:

A closer look, swatches plus two eye looks, below is the left half:

Right half:

_____________

Swatches done by row, from top to bottom. First Set is Row 1 with:

20M true gold

14M antique olive

10M aluminum

15M bottle green

16M emerald green

58V suede

28P satin tan

_____________

Below is Row 2 with:

43P smoky quartz

18M glam greem

45M industrial

21S cream

57V flamingo

64V shell

78M umber

_____________

Row 3 shown below with:

44M indian gold

08V tropic

17M cloudy blue

86P golden aquamarine

85P pininja

59M moonstone

75S skin

_____________

Row 4 shown below:

61P ochre

50M sienna

68M golden flesh

31M cool bronze

62S terracotta

88V arizona

90V sandstorm

_____________

Two quick eye looks for a more conservative/neutral look, you can brighten the look or add more drama by adding the more colorful shades. I like to blend a lot so everything has a more natural washed look.

Look 1 has a mix of Moonstone, Skin, Umber, Shell and Flamingo

Look 2 has a mix of Arizona, Indian Gold, Bottle Green and Glam Green

I believe the Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 28 retails for $239 and the total weight of each shadow is 2.5g/0.08 oz. (I will double check tomorrow when it officially launches to confirm pricing.) It comes at a very steep price tag, but if you were to buy 28 eye shadows individually, it would cost you a lot more in total (her shadows individually are priced at around $25-$29 each).

When it comes to palettes my personal rule of thumb for deciding whether or not to splurge is to assess if I can see myself using the vast majority of the colors (as in 75% or more) otherwise the palette often ends up sitting in a drawer unused until I rediscover it and gift it away. For this Green-Brown Palette, there are 3 shades I know that are definitely not me (those three green colors in the third row). That factor combined with the steep price would be enough to prevent me from splurging. I don’t mind spending a lot on skincare or perfumes these days, but for makeup it’s still hard for me to justify spending a lot on a single item. That being said, the texture and pigment of the colors in this palette are very good. Every single color performs well in terms of texture, color payoff and lasting power. Overall performance is excellent as long as you don’t mind cleaning up a bit of fallout after application (but I find that’s the case with all powder shadows in general for me). I think this is a solid palette that will allow you to create a wide range of looks. If you have the budget to splurge on this, the overall value is very good and if you break down the price of the total per shade, it’s actually very reasonable (about $8.50ish per shade).

Bottom line solid.

You can now find the the Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 28 in Green-Brown online at Beautylish. If you snagged one during IMATS or the early access preview, let me know if you have checked this one out yet. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts!

The Natasha Denona Palette was generously gifted free of charge. As always, all opinions my own.

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L'Occitane

Youthful Glowing Skin with L’Occitane

February 22, 2016

When it comes to daily skincare, my main focus is on finding items that are anti-aging and that will help maintain the skin’s natural glow. Keeping the skin smooth and healthy looking are my primary concerns and I’ve been loving the Divine Collection and Immortelle Skincare lines from L’Occitane to keep my skin glowing. My current skincare routine has included a mix of their beauty oils, creams and balms that I find perfect to add just the right amount of hydration while smoothing the skin and improving the complexion. The Divine Cream and Divine Youth Oil are really good at helping transform the overall texture of the skin. With regular use these both have been instrumental at restoring my skin’s natural radiance. The Immortelle items such as the Immortelle Precious Mist and Immortelle Precious Eye Balm are more preventative in treatment for emerging wrinkles. Both also are really good for revitalizing and refreshing the skin.

Items I’ve been loving and incorporating daily:

Divine Cream is a lightweight cream moisturizer and has been my daily go-to for months now. It has a smooth texture and very natural light scent to it (it smells like very soft flowers). Each jar contains nearly a hundred Immortelle flowers and the oils give my skin a natural radiant youthful glow. The cream is an anti-aging formula and designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, leaving skin smooth and luminous. I have normal combination skin that needs just a little bit of moisture for day to day. This one is just perfect in terms of texture and it’s non-irritating. It absorbs quickly but has enough moisture to make the skin feel well hydrated. Regular use of this has helped balance the skin and smooth texture. I like that it works well with a wide range of foundations – it won’t break down your makeup but still keeps the skin feeling moisturized and healthy throughout the day.

The Divine Youth Oil is something I’ve been using for over a year and it’s one of my top three favorite facial oils of all time. A little goes a very long way and as someone who usually finds beauty oils too rich, this one is perfect in texture. It’s not too light and not too rich. I like to use this anytime I’m feeling tightness in the skin or I start to feel the
slightest bit of irritation. It works wonders to calm the skin and restore moisture. When I use it at night, the next morning my skin glows with a noticeably brighter look and firmer feel. It helps reduce the look of fine lines that creep in when my skin gets dry. It definitely feels like youth in a bottle to me, I love that it hydrates the skin and has an almost velvety finish. Lasts all day without getting too dewy.

Immortelle Precious Eye Balm is probably the most impressive skincare item I’ve tried from L’Occitane. I’m in my mid-30’s and don’t have under eye wrinkles yet, but I know using preventive skincare is key. The Immortelle Precious Eye Balm is hands down the most impressive eye treatment I’ve used. It gives the skin an instant brightened look and provides an immediate refreshing awakened feel. It has that same effect that eye masks have in terms of giving your eyes a little spa treatment, but in a balm form. The texture is creamy and almost gel-like. It absorbs quickly and feels incredible – for me it had an instant wow factor from the very first time I tested it out. If you try one thing new from L’Occitane, definitely check out this Eye Balm. It gives life to the skin.

Another favorite that has been featured on the before is the Immortelle Precious Mist. I love a good face mist and this one is one of my favorites because it’s refreshing and hydrating. I like that the mister dispenses an ultra fine mist evenly across the face. This one has the same soothing soft floral scent as other Immortelle products. I love how gentle it is and it’s one of the best facial pick-me-up for mid-day that I’ve tried.

Last but not least, if you’re into the double cleansing routine and are looking for a cleansing oil that is gentle and hydrating, the Immortelle Oil-Makeup Remover is one I think you should try. I find one pump is enough for the entire face. It has a smooth velvety texture that emulsifies really well with warm water. It will remove waterproof eyeliner and cream shadows, although I still prefer to remove eye makeup separately (it’s just easier for me). After rinsing I find it removes all traces of foundation, powder, concealer and blush without stripping the skin.

If you’re looking for something to add some radiance and glow to your skincare routine, I highly recommend you check out some of the items from the L’Occitane Immortelle range. If you’re like me and use a wide range of brands for skincare, I found the L’Occitane items easy to incorporate and mix into my daily routine. The items are gentle but effective at reducing emerging signs of wrinkles and in particular helping restore and maintain a youthful glow. My top two favorites right now are the Divine Cream and Immortelle Precious Eye Balm.

You can find all the items right now at L’Occitane stores and online at usa.loccitane.com.

What’s your skincare routine like right now? As always I’d love to hear about what you’re loving or testing out right now. Do you have any go-to’s to maintain a natural youthful glow?

This post was sponsored by L’Occitane, but as always, all opinions my own.

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Uncategorized

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick Sorbet

February 19, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! Today I’m excited to share a first look at one of the new Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks ($26 for .15 oz/4.35g, made in Canada) in Sorbet. Right now these are online exclusives to Sephora VIB Rouge and VIB Members. They are expected to launch in stores by early March which is just around the corner. The Amuse Bouche Lipstick line replaces the previous Luminous Crème Lipstick with a new and improved formula. There are 34 handcrafted shades with a super creamy texture in pigmented bold colors. All the colors are made with 12 edible oils and come softly scented with a delicious citrus flavor (they are made with fresh pressed fruits). I have one shade to share today in Sorbet which is a medium watermelon pink cream. I’m working my way through swatching the remaining shades (34 shades in total). These lipsticks are one-swipe wonders, super creamy, long lasting, moisturizing and really just incredible.

Sorbet is the perfect bright medium summery pink. It’s bold and bright but not too bright. I teamed up with Bite Beauty to share my favorite color via Instagram and am sharing swatches here on the blog. I swatched a few other colors from my collection and there’s nothing I own that’s quite like Sorbet. It has a brightness to it with the perfect mix of warm and cool and bright.

First a quick look at the packaging, these come in the same design and packaging as the Luminous Crème Lipsticks. By comparison, the new Amuse Bouche formula is significantly more creamy in texture with richer bolder pigment. I found the original formula to be really good, but somehow Bite has managed to make an even better lipstick formula.

Lipstick next to an iPhone and sunglasses for scale:

A look at Bite Beauty Sorbet with a side of sorbet 🙂 It’s always time for dessert right? In direct sunlight Sorbet looks like a warm watermelon pink shade:

Swatched it sometimes looks like a cooler pink, other times it’s warmer, with flash + sun it’s warmer:

Without flash, it looks a bit cooler:

Applied straight from the tube:

Swatched on the lips without flash:

Ingredients:

The lipsticks last an impressive amount of time without feathering or fading. Here’s what the lipstick looked like after 5 hours of wear (it lasted through a few cups of tea and a couple of snacks):

Some comparison swatches:

Tom Ford Lip Color in Pink Dusk (swatched on lips here)
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita (on lips here)
Charlotte Tilbury Between the Sheets (swatches here)

Tom Ford Lips and Boys Jake (review here)

Tom Ford Lip Color in Forbidden Pink (on the lips here)
Charlotte Tilbury Kiss Chase (review here)

When brands reformulate something I love, my first reaction is to panic because I often think why change something that’s already so good? The formula of the Amuse Bouche Lipsticks is a lot better than the original Luminous Creme formula (even though I really liked it). Amuse Bouche has better pigment, richer coverage, more of a shine, better lasting power and better colors. These are a luminous full coverage creamy formula that doesn’t look flat. Even though they are creamy with a naturally glossy shine they adhere well to the lips and don’t feel like they are sliding off (and they stay put really well). I give these a huge thumbs up.

If you’re a VIB Rouge or VIB member you can order Bite Beauty’s Amuse Bouche Lipsticks online now at Sephora at $26 each. They launch for everyone else online and in stores starting early March. Have you checked these out yet? If so which colors and what did you think?

Amuse Bouche lipsticks provided courtesy of Bite Beauty for review.

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Chanel

Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshine

February 18, 2016

There’s a new lipstick formula from Chanel called the Rouge Coco Stylo ($37 each for 2 g/0.07 oz) which comes in a slim twist-up tube that’s described as having “the intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lipgloss and comfort of a lip balm.” It truly is a three-in-one kind of lipstick. These have medium to full pigment – coverage is a lot better than the Rouge Coco Shines and just as much pigment as the Rouge Coco Lipsticks. Out of all the Chanel lipstick formulas I’ve tried the new Rouge Coco Stylos are definitely the most creamy in texture and most hydrating in feel. There is a soft floral scent to these similar to the Rouge Coco lipsticks. The formula is quite amazing and all the colors are knock out beautiful. There’s a tiny bit of shimmer in the tubes, but on the lips it’s very subtle. You mostly see color and shine.

There are neutral and bright colors in the mix, there are eight shades total:

Conte 202 is a baby pink with golden shimmer
Article 204 is a bright warm tangerine with a vibrant finish
Histoire 206 is a bright coral shade, on me it pulls red
Roman 208 is bright fuchsia pink
Recit 212 is a plum shade with gold flecks
Message 214 is a warm watermelon pink
Lettre 216 is a medium soft rose pink
Script 218 is a beige nude pink-brown

Lip swatches with the Rouge Coco Stylos alone on bare lips (no liner or other added colors, I have naturally pigmented lips so sometimes the lip shows through around the edges):

In terms of lasting power I found they lasted a lot longer than the Rouge Coco Shines, about the same amount of time as Rouge Allures or Rouge Cocos. They stay put on the lips and adhere well for a glossy finish lip product. Colors will fade or transfer with snacks or drinks, but as long as you don’t touch the lips to any food, straws or cups they stay on long. I give the formula an overwhelmingly positive thumbs up. The only downside I see is the price seems high given the amount of product in each tube, but the formula performs well, looks good, makes the lips look and feel well hydrated and healthy. Bottom line is you need at least one.

You can find the Rouge Coco Stylos for $37 each now at Chanel.com. I also spotted them in store and online at Nordstrom but they should be arriving at all Chanel counters now.

Three shades provided courtesy of Chanel, the remaining five purchased by me.

40 Comments

Uncategorized

Wednesday Beauty Chat

February 17, 2016

Today I thought I’d do something a little different and have a little beauty chat with you. Kinda like one of my On My Radar or Loving Right Now posts, but I want to know what to hear about what you have on your radar these days! One of the best things about having this blog is being able to interact with so many different people, even if it’s sometimes only through e-mails, tweets or comments here. I discover so many new items from your recommendations, I can’t thank you ladies enough for recommending the Kate Somerville Dilo Oil it’s one of the most amazing facial oils I’ve ever tried in terms of adding hydration, smoothing the skin, and calming down flare ups. I’m in search for a new toner as I’ve used up my Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner and the SK-II Facial Treatment Lotion – if you can help recommend one for me, I’d really love to hear what works for you.

In yesterday’s post I reviewed three of the new Chanel Le Vernis colors in the new formula. Some of you have requested that I review some more shades so I’ll investigate this weekend and let you know if I end up picking up anymore. In case you had your heart set on the older shades, you might be in a panic that all the colors have been pulled from most sites and counters. At the time I’ve hit publish on this post, you can still find most of the older colors online at Saks Fifth Avenue. If you have your eye on any, I’d recommend ordering sooner than later.

There are soooooo many new product launches for lips. I’m working on editing swatches for the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos, and each color is incredible. They are super creamy, very pigmented and feel ultra hydrating on the lips. It’s like if you took the Rouge Coco Shines and added a lot more pigment and creaminess. More thoughts on this in an upcoming post – each article takes hours of testing, photographing and editing but I promise I’ll get the article up as soon as I can (hoping to have everything finished and posted later this afternoon).

Bite Beauty just reformulated their lipsticks in a new product called Amuse Bouche. The colors just launched today online at Sephora as a VIB Rouge/VIB Exclusive. There are 34 shades, most of them are new, some are repromoted such as Fig and Pepper. Bite sent the colors for me to play with – I’ve played with a few so far and they are super opaque, creamy and last a long time. It’s going to take me a while to get through swatching and photographing all the colors. It’s times like these when I wish I had a clone, lol. The Amuse Bouche lipsticks will launch in stores in early March.

Yet another lipstick formula to lust over is the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in Oil-In-Stick, currently exclusive to Nordstrom and YSL Beauty. I ordered some shades and they literally just arrived in the mail so I haven’t had a chance to swatch or play with them. Based on a quick google search the pigment and color payoff looks really good – not as opaque as the regular Rouge Voluptés but more pigmented than the Rouge Volupté Shines.

Last but not least, many of you have asked about the Natasha Denona Eyeshadows – they are going to launch online at Beautylish soon, I’d recommend signing up for Early Access so you will receive a notification as soon as it launches online (a few quick peeks in this post here).

I feel like my list of review items keeps growing – so many of you e-mail me and ask me on social media on a daily basis “when are you going to review (product x)????” Know that I’m working as fast as I can, but I’m a one-woman team (if you can call that a team haha) and there are only so many hours in each day. The only response I can give is “hopefully soon!” I’ve also picked up several photography projects which is keeping me busy but I’m excited about each new project I get 🙂

What’s on your beauty radar these days? With all the lip products launching, what are you most excited about? Anything you think for sure you’re skipping? Let me know what you’re loving these days!

P.S. The Glossier Coconut Balmdotcom is finally back in stock!!!

56 Comments

Chanel

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color and Le Gel Coat Longwear Top Coat – New Formulas

February 16, 2016

Chanel has reformulated all of their nail colors into a newer longer lasting formula called Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour ($28 each for 13 ml/0.4 fl oz, made in France). There are 15 shades in this new launch, there are a few from the original line that have been re-launched in Particuliere, Ballerina, Pirate, Vamp, and Rouge Noir. I haven’t yet had the chance to check out the new ones in person yet to compare the original to new shades, so I’m not sure if the new vs old colors are identical (if you have let me know!). The Chanel team sent 3 colors for me to try out along with the new Le Gel Coat Longwear Top Coat ($28 for 13 ml/0.4 fl oz), I’ve been putting these to the test for almost two weeks now. The formula is definitely a huge improvement in terms of lasting power.

The three shades I have to share are Camélia 506, Gitane 510 and Roubachka 514. These are all creams with insanely rich pigment. Camélia and Gitane are one-coat wonders, one coat offers full coverage, although I still prefer two for an ultra rich, ultra glossy, slightly cushiony look. These seem to be similar in texture compared to the more pigmented Chanel creams like Dragon. They glide on smoothly and easily. Camélia is a rich deep peony pink kind of color, it’s got a cool-toned base but has a bright undertone which adds warmth. Gitane is an electric warm red. Roubachka is definitely a two-coater, the formula in this one is almost like a pigmented jelly. It’s a deep purple color but looks almost black on the nails. It’s what I wanted Tom Ford Viper to be (which I’ve tested in store many times but found the formula just too sheer and streaky).

Above left to right is Gitane, Camelia, Roubachka and the Le Gel Coat. They’ve changed the packaging a bit this launch. The names are no longer printed on the front of the bottles. Names are now on the back for the colors. The formula remains 5-free.

Another change they’ve made is to the brush. I was a huge huge fan of the original brush. It was thin and dense which allowed for precise application. The newer brush is a bit thicker and fans out the slightest bit at the edges. Length of brush is about the same. Initially the fanning out worried me because I thought it would be harder to control and paint the nails evenly along the cuticles. I found no issue with application. At this time I still prefer the original brush – but when you have something that you fall in love with, getting used to something different can just take time. Here’s a look at the brushes for the new formula.

For comparison, here’s a look at Gitane vs Coquelicot, packaging size is identical in product amount and bottle size. Brushes are the same length, there’s just a slight difference in the shape:

Onto the swatches, all of these have 2 coats of the Le Vernis applied with one coat of the Le Gel Coat on top:

A few quick thoughts on the Le Gel Coat is that it’s amazing. When Chanel discontinued the Laque Brilliance Extreme I was heartbroken. I found the new Le Top Coat Quick Dry top coat to be decent, but nowhere near as good as the original top coat. The Le Top Coat was very thin and runny and I found I had to load up the brush to get enough product on it to apply to the nail, but often loaded up either too little or too much.

The new Le Gel Coat is a thicker glossy kind of top coat. It has a wider brush compared to the other top coats. I tested this over Essie Barefoot and Topless because no matter what kind of top coat I use on Essie, I get tipwear the very same day I apply it. I know many others like the formula, I think it’s one of the worst that I’ve tried in terms of lasting power. I figured if the new Chanel Top Coat could make Essie polish last, then it gets my approval. The Chanel Le Gel Coat made the manicure last until Day 5 with no signs of tip wear or chipping. I only took it off so I could test other colors.

The Le Gel Coat is described as, “Specially created to enhance the new nail colour, LE GEL COAT Longwear Top Coat extends the wear for up to seven days. Activated by natural light, the innovative, clear top coat bonds to LE VERNIS for flexibility, strength and unprecedented wear. The result: an ultra-glossy, gel-like look without the UV lamp.”

It did indeed make one of the manicures last very long. In addition to the Essie, I tested Chanel Camelia with the new Le Gel Coat Top Coat and saw no signs of chipping or tip wear by Day 8. It has a cushiony glossy look. The formula is on the thicker side, but still fluid enough compared to other gel top coats so it feels like it won’t dry out or thicken like other brands. I give this a thumbs up.

A look at the original, vs Le Top vs Le Gel:

First impressions are very good from my end. The new reformulation has definitely improved the lasting power of the polish although I’ve always had good experiences with the formula in general since I’ve started collecting Chanel nail polishes. The reformulation reminds me somewhat of when Dior reformulated and relaunched their polish – they changed the packaging, changed the brush, improved the formula and pigment and also launched colors primarily in the classic/safe zone to start with a couple of more edgy shades.

I haven’t had a chance to pull comparisons or look at the other shades in the new formula, with the exception of the one above with Gitane vs Coquelicot – they look identical to me with Gitane being the slightest bit warmer. Camélia is a classic deep but bright cool pink shade, it’s deeper than colors like Fracas, Rose Exhuberant or Pulsion. It has a similar vibe to April, but Camelia is a lot brighter and not muted like April. It’s bright but deep. If I were to compare the effect of Roubachka to another shade I would say it’s similar to Tom Ford Black Cherry. I am sad to see the other shades go, but to date I’ve only used up a couple polish colors and the shades I do have last a very long time (some I have are 5+ years old and the formula is still good).

You can find the new Chanel Le Vernis formula online at Chanel.com. I’ve spotted the colors online and in store at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus although neither of them have Rouge Noir (at least not yet).

Have you checked out the new formula yet? What do you think?

Le Vernis polishes featured above provided courtesy of Chanel for review.

35 Comments