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.
- Clé de Peau Beauté Cream Foundation $120 for 25 ml / 1.1 oz (O30)
- Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream Foundation $120 for 25 ml / 0.91 oz (O30)
- NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation $38 for 0.42 oz / 12 g refill, $10 for compact (Punjab)
- YSL Fusion Ink Foundation $60 for 25 ml / 0.84 fl oz (B40)
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)].
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.
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.




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.

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)

- 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
- 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
Available at Neiman Marcus, Harrods and Bobbi Brown online.