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Sabrina

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Clarisonic Aria Update and Further Testing with Sensitive, Cashmere, Delicate and Normal Brush Heads

September 18, 2014

I purchased my Clarisonic Aria back in June of this year. I had my initial review posted in in July followed by a 6-week update. Many of you have asked for additional reports so I have another update for you today. As of today I’ve been using the Clarisonic Aria for about 14 weeks and have tested a few additional brushes.

Shown below is the Clarisonic Aria with the Cashmere Cleanse Brush, Sensitive Brush, Delicate Brush and Normal Brush options

For those new to Clarisonic tools, there are several different options (comparison chart in this post). The main differences come to size, speed options and charging/storage options. I chose the Aria because it came with a stand and USB option for charging. It also has three speeds. Most of the Clarisonics come with the standard Sensitive Brush head as their default starting point. I found it effective but gentle enough for my sensitive skin, however when I started getting break outs I stopped using it for a few days because of increased sensitivity.

I stopped by my local Nordstrom and Sephora to see the different brush options on several different occasions. When I asked the associates for help, everyone was super friendly and helpful, but I received different advice each time. Picking out the right brush really depends on your skin type and sensitivity. I was first recommended that I try the Delicate Brush, two reps said the Cashmere Cleanse was too soft for them and while it felt nice it didn’t do anything for their skin.

I tested the Delicate Brush at home and found it to be slightly rougher on my face compared to the Sensitive Brush. I’ve researched reviews online and thoughts seem to be mixed. Some feel the Delicate Brush is softer (just like it was designed to be) while others feel it’s rougher (like I did). It’s about the same size and density as the Sensitive Brush, but for some reason it feels slightly harsh on my face.

On my next try, I decided to go for the Cashmere Brush Head. This one also had mixed reviews as well but many of you have e-mailed me asking to report back if I decided to try it. The Cashmere Brush head has longer bristles compared to all the other brushes. It also is the least dense. I found it very good for my sensitive skin, but my skin didn’t feel quite as clean compared to the times when I used the Sensitive Brush. If you use the Cashmere Brush Head, I absolutely think you do need to do the double cleanse where you remove your makeup first with a Cleansing Oil (full report on which ones I like best here), then follow with the Clarisonic + regular cleanser. It’s still a very good brush, I just found I needed to clean my skin a bit longer with a few more rounds with this one to have it feel truly clean.

I purchased the Normal Brush head for my husband and he’s found that this one is his preference, although he says he can’t tell the difference between the Delicate and Normal versions. To me, they both feel the same on my hand, but given the roughness I felt with the Delicate version I have not been willing to try the Normal one on my face.

Here’s a quick comparison set to show the differences in size and shape:

For the past several weeks I’ve been alternating between the Cashmere and Sensitive brushes. During break outs I stopped using the brush for a few days because it’s not recommended to use this on open wounds plus when I have break outs my skin becomes extra sensitive. The Cashmere brush is definitely the softest and most gentle on the skin. My face doesn’t feel quite as clean compared to when I use the Sensitive Brush, but the Cashmere option is still very effective especially when your skin has extra sensitive spots. In my initial testing I haven’t been able to use the Sensitive Brush everyday. I still can’t use it everyday because I find it to be too much with that much use. With the Cashmere option, I am able to use it daily, twice a day sometimes because it is so gentle.

To those who have been asking for an update, I hope you find this post helpful. Have you tried different Clarisonic brushes? Which ones are your favorites?

Base Makeup

Foundation Testing with Clé de Peau Beauté, NARS and YSL

September 16, 2014

I’ve been testing out a few foundations over the past few months. I normally look for foundations with medium natural coverage (like Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet or Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation), but lately I’ve been reaching for ones with more coverage to cover imperfections and even out the skin. Four foundations I’ve been putting to the test include:
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Clé de Peau Beauté Cream and Silky Cream Foundations
I’ve heard so many good things about Clé de Peau Beauté foundations but have avoided them for years because I did not want to fall in love with a $100+ foundation. Several friends along with a couple bloggers I’ve met use foundations from the line and their skin always looks phenomenal. I decided to give both the Cream and Silky Cream versions a try. I was matched to O30 which is a neutral medium shade. Both are really good, but I have a slight preference for the Cream. For reference, Joey’space has a good comparison chart to show the difference. Both foundations have a medium cream texture that is very concentrated so you only need a little to cover the entire face. They are packaged in a convenient squeeze tube which is very easy to use. I like that there is no detectable fragrance once you apply it on the face.

The Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Foundation comes with a higher SPF of 29 and has a medium to full coverage for me. It has a semi-matte and velvety finish but looks very natural on the skin. I found it blends perfectly when used with a damp Beauty Blender sponge or Chanel Foundation Brush and both make the skin look flawless. It covers quite well without looking heavy or cakey. I prefer the Cream because it has a bit more yellow in it which matches my skin better and also has a more matte finish. Lasting power is very good for my normal skin, but with the hot humid weather we’ve been having in Southern California, I’ve found nothing really holds up the entire day without touch ups. This one does get a bit shiny on the nose area with the humid weather, but on the days I’ve tested it where it was cooler, I found it held up very well without any touch ups required. Beauty Professor has all the shades in the Cream formula swatched for reference.

The Silky Cream Foundation comes with SPF 23 and also has medium coverage but has a slightly dewy finish. This one is better suited for dry skin, but I’ve found it is still suitable for my normal skin. The finish is really lovely on this but it has a slight hint of pink in it but I still find it to be a decent match for my skin tone. The Clé de Peau Beauté rep who helped me at Neiman Marcus said most people prefer this formula because it looks more natural on the skin and those with normal to dry skin find it blends easier, but her personal preference was for the Cream. The coverage on this one is also phenomenal with a natural dewy look. It’s a bit too rich for my skin right now with the super warm weather but I suspect this will be really good for fall/winter. I could have skipped this one entirely since I prefer the Cream version.

Ingredients (Silky Cream on top, Cream at bottom):

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NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation

I’ve also been testing the NARS Radiant Cream Compact foundation. This one has been out for quite some time but I never tested it. A makeup artist applied this on me at a recent makeover event I attended. I told her I was looking for something with more coverage than the Tinted Moisturizer but not as heavy as their Sheer Glow Foundation. She suggested I use the Radiant Cream Compact and was matched to Punjab. I am typically not a fan of compact foundations because they are usually extremely heavy on my skin, but the NARS is surprisingly lightweight with a finish that has a natural glow. It’s not overly dewy and I don’t know that I would call it radiant, but it does have a soft luminous finish without looking shiny or greasy. I really like the way this applies with a damp Beauty Blender or fingers for smooth even coverage. The entire set is refillable and the mirrored compact with sponge is sold separately for $10. After testing this for almost a month now, I think I could have definitely skipped buying the compact. The sponge that comes with the foundation is a good one, but not the best for this cream foundation. I found it applied too much product and also found it to look a bit streaky. I loved how this covered smoothly and didn’t settle into fine lines or pores for me.

I’ve found lasting power to be quite good, but those with oily skin will probably need to touch up mid-day. It didn’t leave me an oil slick (like Armani Luminous Silk does) but it did look a bit too dewy by 1:30 pm in the afternoon after applying it in the morning. I really really love this one. For reference, Café Makeup has all the shades swatched.

Ingredients: Dimethicone, Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipropylene Glycol,
Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Paraffin,
Nylon-12, Peg-400, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Cera Microcristallina
(Microcrystalline Wax), Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate,
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide,
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysilicone-2, Distearyldimonium
Chloride, Ceramide 3, Palmitic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Tin Oxide,
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Maris
Aqua (Sea Water), Spilanthes Acmella (Spilanthes Acmella Flower
Extract), Ethylhexylglycerin, Barium Sulfate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Algae
(Algae Extract), Alumina, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzyl
Alcohol, [+/- (May Contain): Mica, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491
(Iron Oxides), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides)].

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YSL Fusion Ink Foundation

The last foundation I’ve tested that I wanted to share is the YSL Fusion Ink Foundation. There has been a lot of hype and excitement over this new release from YSL. I bought this at Nordstrom and my experience was slightly frustrating since the rep didn’t know how to properly match me (she wanted to give me ones with pink tones) so I ended up matching myself to B40 which turned out to be a really good match. I really wanted to love this but it did not work for my skin.

Reports and reviews have been mixed on this. Some adore it while others do not. I tested this on several occasions and fell head over heels in love with the color, texture and blendability. What I did not like was the thin runny liquid texture which made it drip all over the place when moving the tip from the bottle to the back of my hand, face or sponge. Even though it had a thin texture, I loved the way it covered my skin. It looked velvety with flawless coverage and lasted all day even in hot humid weather. The Fusion Ink foundation blended quite well and I found it easy to layer for more coverage while still looking natural like skin, but just slightly matte.
After a few weeks of testing I found it did not work well with my sensitive skin. When I applied it, the foundation stung my skin upon first application but the stinging sensation went away after it was blended. Even though it seemed to last well all day, by the time I took it off in the evening, I found my face covered with red spots and bumps. I tried this on six different occasions just to make sure it wasn’t anything else that caused the reaction. Each time I had the same redness by the end of the day. It also clogged pores and caused breakouts in my chin area which took a couple weeks to clear up. Your mileage may vary on this one. If you can get a sample to try first, I recommend it.

Ingregients: Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isododecane, Alcohol Denat, Vinyl
Dimenthicone/Methicone, Silsequioxane, Crosspolymer, Phenyl,
Trimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Synthetic
Fluorphlogopite, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Disodium Stearoyl
Glutamate, Silica Silyate, Fragrance, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil,
Aluminum Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol. 

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Swatches comparisons to a few others that I’ve had in rotation:

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Overall thoughts:

I’m still a huge fan of Chanel foundations as my go-to for the best color match and formula options for my skin tone and skin type. I give the NARS Radiant Cream Compact foundation and Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Foundation a huge thumbs up. I was particularly impressed with the lightweight feel of the NARS and also really pleased with the natural dewy coverage it provided. It gives the face a natural but slightly glowy look while evening out the skin. The color Punjab is a perfect match for me.

The Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Foundation is really the best foundation I have ever tried. I really wish it wasn’t so expensive but the coverage, look and feel is truly phenomenal and there is nothing that comes close from my testing experience. I have a lot of foundation loves, but this one beats them all.

I do like the look and feel of the Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream but it is better suited for normal-dry skin and cooler weather. I could have skipped the Silky Cream and gone just with the Cream formula but I really didn’t know what to expect before I tested them extensively. Given the high price of the Clé de Peau foundation, I do think it’s a try before you buy kind of thing. The shade selection is on the lighter end so if you’re medium to dark you might have a hard time finding a match in the cream formulas.

The YSL Fusion Ink unfortunately was a complete fail for me. I don’t know if I’m going to return it or not, I bought mine at Nordstrom and the associate assured me I could return it without any issues if it didn’t work, but I still hate returning things. The coverage, color match, overall look and lasting power were all so good, but the formula didn’t work well with my skin type (which is super sensitive) and caused red bumps to surface everywhere.

Have you tested any of these? What were your thoughts? If you haven’t, what are your favorite foundations in rotation right now?

Uncategorized

L’Occitane Divine Youth Oil

September 15, 2014

L’Occitane’s latest skincare addition to the Divine Collection in skincare is their new Divine Youth Oil ($96 for 30 ml/1 fl oz, made in France). It’s an extension of their Anti-Aging line all of which contains a unique blend of natural ingredients that help the skin’s regeneration process and give it a radiant glow. I was lucky to get an early preview of L’Occitane’s fall releases back in August and received a sample of the Divine Youth Oil to try. I’ve been testing this oil for almost one full month and have been really happy with the results.

L’Occitane fall preview (more on the Bonne Mere soon)

The new Divine Youth Oil is a lightweight face oil that I’ve found to be really lovely for sensitive skin. It’s a moisturizing oil that absorbs quickly into the skin that doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. The Divine Youth Oil is made with 100% natural oils. According to L’Occitane, it contains the “anti-ageing properties of immortelle essential oil from Corsica, soothing and regenerating properties of the borage, evening primrose, camelina, echium, sea buckthorn, apricot and rose hip oils.” All of these ingredients combined have been formulated to give the skin a smoother and more radiant look. The oil comes in one size right now, packaged in a glass bottle with a push pump at the top to dispense product through a dropper. The oil is a very light weight fluid where a little goes a long way. I only need one small drop to cover the entire face.

When it comes to testing beauty oils on my face I usually proceed with extreme caution. I’ve found several that have a luxuriously moisturizing feel that does wonders for the skin, but many have an extremely strong herbal scent which I have not been able to tolerate. L’Occitane’s body products have been a go-to for me since many of their items are extremely gentle for sensitive skin (and noses) so I had high hopes for the oil and was relieved to find that the Divine Youth Oil has a very pleasant and gentle scent. The oil has a light soothing floral smell that did not irritate my sensitive nose. For those sensitive to florals, this one is not a super strong floral, it has warm notes that smell like honey to me.

The Divine Youth Oil can be used for both day or night, but it’s recommended mainly to be used at night when the skin is least exposed to environmental toxins and stresses so the skin can absorb it better. My skin had recently gone through another break-out episode for the past few months (from foundation testing) so I stopped all of my night time treatments to let the skin breathe and take a break from everything. The breakouts increased sensitivity to everything and I stopped using moisturizers at night because they would sting my skin. There were several days (and weekends) where I skipped makeup and moisturizer entirely during the day. I started to get dry patches but didn’t want to use anything that might irritate my skin further or clog pores. I was very nervous about trying this oil even after some of the spots had healed, but given my luck with the other items from their line combined with the reviews on the oil from the UK website about the regenerative properties, I decided to try this in spots before applying to the entire face and I’ve found it to be perfect for my sensitive skin.

For the past month I’ve been using this at night 2 to 3 times per week and my skin has improved tremendously. A little drop goes a long way and I like the way it absorbs quickly into the skin. It hydrates the skin without feeling heavy or greasy but you do need to make sure you use only a tiny bit. It leaves the skin glowing and healthy looking. If you’re a fan of beauty oils and use them regularly you can definitely use this during the day. I prefer to use a cream or a gel moisturizer for day since I find oils to be a bit too heavy and rich for my normal-combination skin. I really liked how it helped restore my skin.

Some close ups of the bottle and packaging, the cap has a push pump to draw and dispense the oil:

Ingredients:

The oil is bottom line another winner from L’Occitane. A little goes a very long way and absorbs into the skin quickly so the bottle will last a long time. The Divine Youth Oil launched in the US last week  online and in stores and retails at $96 for 1 fl oz.

Right now, L’Occitane has a special offer where you can register to receive a deluxe sample mini of the Divine Oil by registering here (valid through October 1st or while supplies last). I highly recommend you make a visit to your nearest L’Occitane store soon to test this in person.


Have you tried the new Divine Youth Oil? If not, do you have any L’Occitane favorites? Their Shea Butter Extra Gentle Body Lotion and Hand Creams are at the top of my list for go-to hand and body products. When my friends have baby showers, I usually bring something extra for the mom-to-be and the items are usually from L’Occitane (the Mom & Baby line is usually a big hit). The hand creams are always great add-ons during holidays and special occasions too.

For more on L’Occitane, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter @Loccitane and Instagram @Loccitane (for more reviews and features search using #DivineYouthOil). 

Many thanks to L’Occitane for sponsoring this post. More information on my Disclosures page.
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Weekend Reads / Link Love

September 14, 2014

Above: Prada Marfa photo by Gray Malin, tray by West Elm, candles by Diptyque in Vanille and Le Redouté, leather catchall by Pottery Barn, book Yves Saint Laurent

I hope everyone has been having a nice weekend. We’re experiencing a heat wave in Southern California so I’m trying to stay indoors to keep cool. This upcoming week I’ll have some posts on a few foundations I’ve been testing along with some skincare loves. (After several weeks of another skin flare up episode, my skin has finally started to clear up again and return back to its normal state.) I spent Saturday morning with Beauty Professor at the Neiman Marcus Project Beauty event and will be sharing what I purchased at the event soon. I’m also still working my way through my Charlotte Tilbury reviews so stay tuned. I wasn’t happy with my initial photographs on the eyes/cheeks so I’ve had to reshoot the product photos which is why it’s been taking forever to publish.

I wanted to share a new addition to our home (non-beauty related). I just received my first Gray Malin print which I ordered from the Labor Day sale event (they had free shipping and free framing). I picked one of his Prada Marfa prints and couldn’t be happier. I have so many of his prints on my wish list. (You can also find some of his work on sale at One King’s Lane.) Be sure to visit his Lifestyle Blog for inspiration.

Some weekend reads and videos I’m loving right now:

  • I’m living vicariously through others to see what on backstage during NYFW, I’m dying over this neutral NARS palette featured on the @narsissist instagram 
  • @marcbeauty posted this sneak peek of a nail polished used on the models at their SS15 show, I’m wish I knew what the color was called, anyone have any ideas? 
  • Garance Doré x NARS has a really cute video on the new Audacious Lipsticks
  • Love this video on The Man Repeller with Jenna Lyons (NARS also included)
  • Paris on Four Months has some exquisite work she has done for Dior (love love love!!)
  • Temptalia gives us a first look at YSL’s new Blush Volupte in Singuliere
  • Front Row Beauty has swatches of Chanel’s VFNO Sweet Star Le Vernis (I’m hoping this color of nail polish will eventually make its way to the US)
  • Messy Wands has some helpful skincare tips on how to deal with a sunburn
  • The Non-Blonde shares her top perfume picks for fall (I’ve made notes)
Anything you’re loving this weekend? Favorite reads?
Diptyque Fragrance

Diptyque Essences Insensées Solid Perfume

September 12, 2014

Box by West Elm

Diptyque has a beautiful selection of new items for fall. I stopped by the boutique earlier this week and left with several items. The first I want to share with you is a new fragrance addition to their Collection 34 line inspired by the address of Diptyque’s first boutique. This fall they’ve introduced a beautiful soft mimosa scent called Essences Insensées which comes in a Solid Perfume ($60 for 3.6 g/0.13 oz) and a new special-edition bottle in the Eau de Parfum ($175 for 100 ml).

Both versions at the beautiful Diptyque store at South Coast Plaza:

I purchased the Solid Perfume option. I have a couple other of the Solid Perfumes in Eau Duelle and L’Ombre dans l’Eau. Both have lasted me quite a long time and I love the design of the compacts. They are easy to carry with you in a small clutch or makeup bag and perfect for touch ups. Also you don’t have to worry about any glass breaking.

Clutch by Whistles

The Essences Insensées is a lovely light weight floral. It has mimosa mixed with May rose and heliotrope. I’ve always been a huge fan of mimosa-scented candles but when it comes to fragrance you wear, I’ve had a difficult time finding one I could wear. Most mimosa scents are very lightweight and lovely but have a powdery touch making them smell like play do once spritzed on the skin (at least to me). What I love about the Essences Insensées is that it’s clearly mimosa but it has other scents mixed in so it doesn’t smell powdery. The solid version smells almost exactly like the spray.  The spray is stronger with a slightly more complex feel. As it dries down the fragrance reveals different layers of scent which I find both soothing and uplifting at the same time. 

The new 34 Essences Insensées has the same size and design of the other solid perfumes but comes in a lovely drawstring pouch and gold metallic case.

Fits into the palm of your hand:

And slips easily into a clutch, shown below:

Clutch by Whistles, Edward Bess Black Sea Cream Wave Lip Tints, L’Occitane Mini Hand Cream, NARS Belize Lipgloss, Chanel card case, Celine cuff and Louis Vuitton Key Ring

When I first smelled a sample of Jo Malone’s new Wood Sage and Sea Salt, I was convinced that would be my next fragrance purchase. I’m glad I waited to see the Diptyque releases in person because I prefer the Essences Insensées by far.

I compared the Essences Insensées to the Diptyque Mimosa candle. The fragrance is less powdery and more wearable. If you want a wearable version of the candle, the Essences Insensées is it.

Bottom line feminine and gorgeous. I’ve been wearing this almost all week long. It wears nicely by itself, but as with most Diptyque fragrances, it’s on the softer side and lasting power is medium. I find it layers nicely with the L’Ombre dans l’Eau.

I purchased mine from the Diptyque store. You can also find it now at Space NK, Neiman Marcus (has a gift with purchase while the beauty event is going on), Beautyhabit (also has a special gift offer with purchase, check their Gift With Purchase page) and Diptyqueparis.com.

Christian Louboutin

Louboutin Rouge Nail Colour

September 11, 2014

I’ve been putting the Louboutin Rouge Nail Colour ($50 for 0.4 fl oz/13 ml) to the test for the past month on multiple occasions (tips and toes). The bottle is a remarkable work of art made with an extremely sturdy glass bottle and spike handle. My inbox was flooded months ago with e-mails about this polish from readers who had seen it in Europe before we received this in the US. I wasn’t going to purchase one due to the price, but there was so much excitement from some of my readers and after seeing swatches I caved and ordered one. The Louboutin Rouge has sold out multiple times in stores and online. Some of the sites have restocked while others have this on back order. My local stores did not receive any of the polishes so if you’re like me you might have to do a bit of research to track one down.

Louboutin Rouge is a deep rich red that matches the soles of the covetable Louboutin shoes exactly. I’ve found quite a few reds that come close or look pretty similar from arm’s length, but nothing I’ve tried matches it exactly. The formula is very fluid with super opaque coverage. You do need two coats though. With my first few tries I found the brush to be a bit challenging to work with. It’s a longer skinny brush which I found needed a bit of wiggling and angling to control. It is a softer brush which allows you to control it more. I’m used to the dense thick chiseled brushes that are goof-proof, so this one took a few tries but it does apply flawlessly on the nails. (I tend to be challenged when it comes to getting even application around the cuticles).

The bottles are very study and the design is amazing. The bottles have a unique multi-faceted shape. They stand up quite tall (approximately 8 inches tall). Each polish comes with the base encased in a box with a removable cap. There is a circular cut out on the top for the spike.

In terms of lasting power I’ve had phenomenal results. As mentioned in my hand and nail care essentials post, lasting power of a nail lacquer will depend on your nail care, length, daily or weekly activities. Shorter nails will have less contact with hard surfaces (such as keyboards if you type a lot). Also the angle in which you hold your fingers will also determine how much contact the tips have with any given surface.

(the second bottle is a gift I purchased for a friend)

In testing the Louboutin Rouge nail polish, I found without any base or top coat, the nail polish had significant tip wear and chipping on the third day. By itself I found the polish looked amazing but lasting power wasn’t so great by itself, however I do believe this is the case with most polishes I’ve tried. Louboutin does have a Manicure Care Kit with a base and top coat available but I haven’t tested it (not sure if I want to splurge on this). I tested the polish with a few other brands of base/top coat. I really liked it with the Creative Nail Design Sticky Base Coat and Formula X Top Coat. With this combination I was able to get 7 Days of polish wear, no chipping and tip wear didn’t start to appear very slightly until Day 6 on a few fingers.

Swatches with two coats of Louboutin Rouge and the Formula X Top Coat:

Christian Louboutin
book (one of my coffee table must-haves)

I tried to photograph some comparisons but I found the reds very difficult to capture accurately on camera. I have two very close dupes which have a slight difference in real life. I’ll add descriptions as a substitute to help you gauge the difference. I recommend googling reviews to see what others have compared as well.

  • Guerlain Rouge D’Enfer 121 is almost identical in undertone, intensity and pigment, the Guerlain has a more of an orange undertone though
  • Dior Captain is brighter with a jelly finish, it’s almost orange-looking next to all the other reds
  • Chanel Enthusiast (d/c) is 2-3 shades lighter and clearly more orange (although it looks close in the photo)
  • Rescue Beauty Lounge Gondoliere is brighter, more orange, more transparent
  • Chanel Pirate is deeper and has a lot more blue/cool tones
  • Chanel Rouge Rubis is pretty close but slightly lighter in color, the Chanel also has a sheerer finish
  • Chanel Dragon is darker and has more brown

One last photo:

Updated 9/14/2014: Ingredients from bottom of the box label

I’m really pleased with the quality, color and lasting power. I’ve accumulated several Louboutin nail polishes so far (Lady Twist swatched here, some nudes and pops coming soon) and the colors I’ve tested so far are really lovely. The pigment is excellent and smooth. Before I tried the Louboutin Rouge I was worried I wouldn’t like it, but so many of my readers put me at complete ease – I’ve received so many emails and comments from others who have splurged and absolutely adore theirs.

I didn’t want to spend $50 per bottle and I didn’t want to fall in love but I have. I don’t know that I can say these were worth every penny, these are more of a splurge than a necessity, even for the die-hard nail polish collector. The price is extremely high for a nail polish but it is something specially created by a luxury designer. These are a luxurious splurge, but I’m very pleased.

Due to the popularity of this color, you might need to wait a bit to find one since it has been selling very quickly. My local stores did not have this so I ordered online. It’s available at Christian Louboutin, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Sephora.

Did you purchase any of the Louboutin nail colors? Which ones?
Uncategorized

Bobbi Brown Limited-Edition Mixed Metals Collection

September 10, 2014

Bobbi Brown has a new limited-edition eye set called the Mixed Metals Collection ($130). It’s currently exclusive to Neiman Marcus, Harrods and Bobbi Brown online. This is a five-piece set which includes:

  • Small black cosmetic zip case with rose-gold colored detailing
  • Mixed Metals Shimmer Brick Eye Palette, .14 oz/ 14g
  • Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, 0.1 oz/ 3g
  • Smokey Eye Mascara, .17 fl oz/ 5 ml
  • A Mini Dual Ended Eye Shadow/Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush with cap

I’m not typically drawn to such cool-toned eyeshadows but the colors in this palette are really striking. The Shimmer Brick Eye Palette has 10 different colors, all with high shimmer. It is an extremely tiny palette and if you want to apply individual shades you will need an extra small detail brush to pick up individual colors. (See sizing info on the previously released Sequins and Raw Sugar versions.)

I bought mine at Neiman Marcus a few weeks ago in store. I purchased it without asking about the price expecting it to be in the $80ish range (not sure why, but it’s what I anticipated). Bobbi Brown’s website says this set is a $150 value, but if you break down the price of the full-sized items, to total is $100. The gel liner is $24, mascara is $28, palettes have been released around $48ish. I’m not sure that I would value the small brush and bag at $50 to get to the $150 value.
Onto the review. The Mixed Metals palette itself has really striking colors I find beautiful for just about any occasion. It is on the shimmery side but not too frosty (at least for me). They blend very nicely together and layer together for a number of different looks. I rarely use more than 5 shades of shadow all at once. The same applies for this palette, but I like that there are different variations of shades to create different looks depending on your mood.
I really like any of the deeper shades layered over the Black Ink Gel liner (which is a classic goof-proof eyeliner I think everyone needs in their beauty kit, or the brown one if you don’t like black eyeliners).
I’ve never really been a fan of Bobbi Brown’s mascaras but the Smokey Eye Mascara is a really nice clump-free defining and lengthening one. The first use proved to do absolutely nothing but after reading reviews, I gave the wand a few pumps and product finally adhered to the brush wand. It’s a super rich black color that doesn’t smudge, flake or fade on me. Since I have thin straight lashes, I typically need something that adds a lot more volume. But on low-key days, the Smokey Eye Mascara has proved to be very good. I like that it’s a really lush black color.
Swatches below, all the shades are really pigmented:

I really like this set but can’t help but feel it is overpriced for $130. (Although it is completely my own fault for not checking on the price at the store before buying it.) The brush is usable and decent quality so it’s something I will definitely use even if it is tiny. The pouch is small and compact but sleek looking so I know it is something I know I will get regular use out of too. I wish Bobbi Brown released the palette individually and also that the palettes would start coming in larger sizes. Ideally I would love this to be the same size as the Urban Decay Naked Palettes or Naked Basics simply because it would be easier to dip a brush into and pick up individual colors. You can definitely take a brush and swirl together multiple colors like you can for her face Shimmer Bricks, but I find the colors so beautiful on their own I wish I didn’t have to be so careful in trying to pick up one specific shade.
Neiman Marcus does have their Beauty Event going on right now through the 21st (or while gifts last) and Bobbi Brown does have an individual gift with purchase for their line. So if you’re looking to splurge, now might be a good time to get extra samples with your purchase.
The Bobbi Brown Mixed Metals Collection is limited-edition.
Available at Neiman Marcus, Harrods and Bobbi Brown online.