There was much confusion about the Chanel Soho Collection that was released in select Chanel Boutiques for Fashion’s Night Out. Was it exclusive to the Soho Boutique? Was it all Limited Edition? Would anything be released online?
The collection was released online in a few select boutiques. Today there are only 3 items left on Chanel.com (Soho de Chanel Powder, Steel Le Vernis, Star Glossimer). Those who waited too long or prefer to see/test things in person before buying, the GOOD NEWS is that the collection is now available at Chanel counters. I’ve seen this at Nordstrom and confirmed this with my a few other Nordstrom Locations in Southern California and Bloomingdale’s (none of which are the Chanel Studios).
The items from the collection, reviews, swatches & comparisons:
Soho De Chanel Highlighter $65 & Stupendous Quad $56- both reviewed here
I was on the phone calling up Nikki from Saks Houston as soon as Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog gave us a sneak peek at the Dolce & Gabbana Holiday Collection. Nikki put me on the wait list and called me as soon as it came in. (Read about why I love Nikki here.) I was thrilled that it came in time for Saks’ Friends and Family event and also in time for the Saks GWP from Dolce & Gabbana. I saw the holiday campaign ad in Elle and it made me go “oooh pretty.” What arrived in the mail was not exactly reflective of the ad campaign or the holiday spirit but still gorgeous, nevertheless.
My first thoughts: This looks like something for resort. My second thoughts: The promotional ad looks like it’s simply been photoshopped from season to season rather than a true application of the holiday colors. Of course these are just my own thoughts. These days resort seems to be the new holiday when it comes to designer fashion and beauty collections.
Desert Eyeshadow Quad – matte bone, shimmery sandy gold, matte warm tan brown, matte dark warm chocolate
Update here – the swatches and comparisons below:
Bronzer & Blush thoughts: Cashmere Bronzer is very similar to their Desert Bronzer. The difference is that Cashmere appears to be warmer in undertone. Both have a subtle finely milled shimmer that doesn’t really show up on the skin, however both just make the skin glow with that healthy tan look. Rosebud Blush seems more Apricot/Petal to me versus Rosebud-y. I envisioned a pink color but instead a brightened peach came. I love it even if it’s not very holiday. It’s brighter than the Dolce & Gabbana Peach and Nude blushes as you can see below. The difference in the compact is subtle. I’m afraid the swatches make them look the same but the difference can be seen when you apply them on the face.
Lipstick & Lipgloss thoughts: I really liked the Shimmer, Rosebud & Desert lipsticks from the holiday collection. The formula of the shine lipsticks aren’t the best because of the glossy texture but I love them anyways and don’t mind reapplying. I couldn’t find a dupe or comparable shade to Desert. Here are some similar shades to Shimmer & Rosebud.
The Dolce & Gabbana Lipglosses are beautiful in my opinion. They do have that Dolce & Gabbana flowery scent but it’s not overpowering. Those who wonder how Shimmer & Honey compare to other shades, here’s the lineup:
Thoughts on the eye items: Dolce & Gabbana Shimmer Eyeliner is very similar to Stila’s Kitten Smudge Pot (which I have barely used). I like the texture of the Dolce & Gabbana much better. The Stila was a bit hard to work with (it has a slightly different texture than the other smudgepots in my opinion).
The Desert quad – I’m sorry to say seems rather boring. They could have spiced up the matte shades and made it more special. Still I really love the pigment and texture of Dolce & Gabbana eyeshadows. They’re really easy to blend and have a lovely velvety texture. Here it is compared to Chanel Beiges de Chanel (long d/c) and the new Bobbi Brown Day To Night Warm Eye Palette from this holiday.
Overall thoughts: Love the Rosebud Blush and all the lip items. Bronzer & Eye Quad – ok, but not must haves. I think there are better options from the Dolce & Gabbana line.
If you’re in need of a good Dolce & Gabbana rep I highly recommend Nikki from Saks Houston. She is incredible and described everything spot on. You can check out my post on the fall collection for her contact info or e-mail me directly.
A few of you have asked what nail color I was wearing last Sunday. It’s Rescue Beauty Lounge in Bruised ($18), a beautiful cream mauve plum. Unfortunately it’s currently sold out online, most likely due to the recent holiday 5-hour sale. I don’t believe it’s a limited edition color so it should be available for purchase. I’ve been in love with this color ever since I first got it back a few months ago. Rich color, opaque finish, smooth texture. You do need 2 coats to get full coverage but I find most of the Rescue Beauty Lounge polishes to be similar in quality as Chanel’s recent colors (Rouge Fatale, Riviera, Khakis etc.) which I love.
I thought I would have more creamy non-shimmer plums but it appears that most of my plums are more on the vampy side (versus mauve-plum). Here it is compared to a few other shades. I’m sure there’s a dupe from OPI or Zoya, I just haven’t found one with quite the same undertone.
L to R: OPI Yankee Pankee Plum, OPI Queen of West Web-erly, RBL Bruised, RBL Moulin Rouge
The NARS Holiday collection this year is described as “brazenly mesmerizing” on narscosmetics.com and the description is spot on. NARS has never failed to capture my attention even when his collections are clearly not me. No matter what he releases, his collections still manage to turn my head and I’m always drawn to the counter to play. I don’t always leave the counter with something but his collections are always so cutting edge I can’t help but be curious. I loved the little black card I received recently – it brought a smile to my face.
I fell in love with his Mélusine Eyeshadow Duo ($32) because it is truly unique and took my breath away. Just read Josie’s review on Pink Sith and you’ll be in love too. This duo is SO MUCH better than the promotional photos. One side has a complex opalescent grey-purple shimmer. It’s almost duochrome but not quite. The shimmer is so finely mixed together it’s hard to describe. The other side is a matte cool purple. It did not apply well on my arm but goes on much smoother and richer on the eyes. This purple is an enigma to me – you can see that it looks slightly red in some photos while others look more blueish purple. It’s a matte shade so there’s no reflecting particles yet it still looks different depending on what angle you hold the duo at.
I could not resist Petit Monstre Lipstick ($24) because of the name. I have featured my kitty a few times on my blog and many of you have asked his name. I have to confess that we call our kitty Monster. He’s the meanest little furry thing I’ve ever seen yet I love him to death. He was the best birthday present I’ve ever received. I had to have this lipstick for my kitty’s sake. It’s described as a “rich, luscious berry” and that is exactly how I would describe it but with a gold shimmer infused throughout. It’s not quite red in the tube or on the hand but it applies red on my lips.
One last view of Mélusine Eyeshadow Duo and Petit Monstre Lipstick:
Swatched on bare skin:
My thoughts on the other items: Passed on the nail polishes and glosses. Was slightly interested in the new Sex Appeal Blush but it was simply too pale. Fell in love with the gold Étrusque eyeshadow but thought it would be too warm for my olive-toned skin. The other items were ok but not really my cup of tea. I found these at Nordstrom.
Right now I’m loving minis . . . usable minis that is! I have a weakness for cute miniature things like mini lint rollers, mini toothpaste tubes, mini brushes, puppies, kittens, bunnies etc. There’s something about cute that gets me all the time. Makeup is no exception – but for me it has to be something that is functional, usable and not-to-mini. I know I should be grateful for any kind of mini sample, especially these days when good ones are SO hard to come by. However, if something isn’t functional I’ll just end up tossing it.
Makeup mini fails for me:
mini pigment vials in those holiday sets (can’t get a brush into the product)
mini NARS lipglosses (can you even get 1 application on the lips with these?)
mini perfume vials without a pump spritzer or roller ball (my fingers are small, but not THAT small and I end up with the cologne all over my hands and the floor)
Functionality is even more important if I’m going to spend money on something less than full size. I’ll rarely purchase something “mini” unless it’s usable or if it’s in a cute set (even those mini pigment sets still get to me even though they’re not super easy to use). I have small hands but some things are too small even for me.
A few makeup mini successes that I’m loving right now:
OPI mini nail polishes
Laura Mercier mini eyeshadows
Anastasia Mini Tweezers *
Diptyque Eau Duelle (yummy vanilla)
Urban Decay Little Sins Primer Potions Set *
Chanel mini foundation brush
MAC ss7 SH *
Laura Mercier double-ended mini brush
Chanel mini glossimer
Chanel mini makeup removers
Diorshow mini
Chanel mini perfumes with the rollerballs
La Mer new eye balm sample
items with the * were purchased, the rest were from GWPs and samples
So you may be wondering: where does one find good samples? I’ve come across good ones over the years but it’s hit or miss. I find that if you develop a good relationship with a sales associate they will often times call you when there are decent promotions or put something aside for you when they know there is something you like.
How does one develop a “good relationship”? It’s like any relationship – it takes time and a bit of work. Be polite and patient. Don’t lecture the sales associate if they suggest something you hate (I’ve seen this so many times). Be understanding and patient. Take some interest in your makeup artist’s personal life. Customer loyalty helps. Keep your returns to a minimum.
That being said – being a good customer doesn’t ensure that you’ll get good samples either. I find it ridiculous these days when high end department stores think that an ugly cheap makeup bag will 4 tiny samples will be considered a great incentive for a customer to spend the minimum of $300. Even a full-sized product valued at $25 isn’t always the best incentive for a $350 minimum purchase.
Anyhow, there are the occasional good finds that keep me happy. I know that if certain retailers offered better samples and incentives they’d have more of my business. Many times I don’t need an incentive to make me buy but it’s always nice to have. How often do we have something specific on our wishlist (like the Chanel Holiday Blush) that we know we just have to have? The question for women who know what they want is where to buy it. I think retailers miss out when they don’t look at the competition and think about what they can do better or differently to stand out.
But I digress . . . what are you loving right now? It doesn’t have to be minis. I’d love to hear what you like right now 🙂
This holiday season seems to be all about palettes and sets. Laura Mercier has quite a few options this holiday but the only one that stood out to me was the Color Wardrobe Palette. I purchased this from the last Neimans Incircle Event to take advantage of their gift with purchases but was under the impression the retail value was less than the $98 listed price. I will say my jaw dropped when I saw the price on the receipt. I do think it’s a relatively good value for 6 eyeshadows, 3 blushes (these have more product than a full sized blush), 8 lip colors, and 2 double ended brushes, however if I knew the retail price beforehand I probably would have passed on this.
Top Layer, Top Row: Chocolate, Sable, Twinkling Star, Stellar, Tiger’s Eye and Baroque Eye Colours
Top Layer, Bottom Row: Spice, Apricot Blossom and Lotus Cheek Colours
Bottom Layer, Bottom Row: English Rose Stain, Brick Red Stain, Mocha Stain, Naked Lip Glaze
If you’re more into the individual products the good news is that most of the lip stains are available individually. I’ve been told that the 2 exclusive eyeshadows Twinkling Star & Tiger’s Eye are going to be released next year (these are a new sparkling formula). The three blushes are gorgeous but are similar to existing colors. I compared them at the counter and they are clearly different but still close to some shades.
Don’t get me wrong – this is a beautiful palette and very versatile to take you from day to night. The lip colors are neutrals with a kick. My favorite items are the brushes (Laura always does great brushes with her palettes unlike many other brands) and the blushes. I just would have rather purchased items individually.
The colors, descriptions, close ups + swatches of the top layer:
Eyeshadows:
Chocolate – shimmering deep cocoa chocolate brown
Sable – cool silver-taupe
Twinkling Star – glittering champagne with a hint of pink
Stellar – neutral champagne nude
Tiger’s Eye – sparkling warm bronze
Baroque – warm tawny brownish neutral
Blushes:
Spice – the name says it all, a warm brown spice with slight shimmer
Apricot Blossom – reminds me of Orange Blossom
Lotus – bright pink with shimmer, brighter/cooler than Lotus Pink
The colors, descriptions, close ups + swatches of the top layer:
Lip Stains:
Mulberry – warm red brown
Hibiscus – bright healthy pink
Shy Pink – nude pink
English Rose – medium warm pink rose
Brick Red – not sure what to make of this color, it’s not really a brick red
Mocha – cinnamon mocha brown
Lip Glazes:
Plum Lip Glaze – sheer glossy plum
Naked Lip Glaze – light peachy-beige, almost clear
Overall a nice neutral polished and classic looking palette that isn’t too neutral. If you’re new to Laura Mercier or are looking for a versatile palette to go with virtually everything in your wardrobe this is a great pick for you. Great for travel and the product sizes are decent. I don’t know that I would be comfortable toting this around in my purse but the compact is fairly sturdy and comes with high quality brushes. It is on the pricey side but if you consider all the items you get, it’s a relatively good value.
My initial thoughts about the blushes from Burberry Beauty were that most of the colors would be too dark for my medium skintone. Diane and I had visited the counter the week after the line launched at South Coast Plaza back in July. After swiping and brushing several shades on my hand and testing a couple on the face I thought they swatched pretty dark except for Peony (reviewed here). I tested out Cameo on the face and it turned really dark on the skin so I thought the other shades would be just as dark. Diane from Orange To L.A. did a lovely review of Blossom and it has been on my lemming list ever since.
Left: Russet, Right: Blossom
I checked out the Burberry line again in San Francisco back in August and tried Russet and Blossom once again. I was pleasantly surprised to find that these two shades applied much better on the face compared to what swatched on my hand and also were much better than what I saw in the compact. The blushes have a similar texture to the eyeshadows: soft finish, finely milled, slightly more powdery feeling than most pressed powder blushes. There is a lot of pigment in these but the soft texture allows you to blend and layer softly for a natural look.
In natural outdoor lighting, no flash:
Russet is the perfect shade of tawny – beautiful for fall. This was the shade I had my eye on from the beginning but when swatched on my fingers appeared way too brown and orangey. Don’t let that fool you – if you can get to a counter try it on the face. It’s beautiful. Amy from Café Makeup just did a beautiful review – you can see how pretty it is on her and she has fairer skin than me. I didn’t have time to do a comparison but it reminds me of Chanel Tweed Sienna and Ambre.
Blossom is a beautiful complex-but-not-too-frosty coral that brightens the skin. I thought this would turn orangey on my skin as well but it brightens the face with a lovely glow. It’s like NARS Torrid but with a bit more pink and doesn’t have that overly-frosty finish that NARS shimmer blushes can sometimes have.
All three of my Burberry Blushes swatched on bare skin: Russet, Blossom & Peony
One last view:
Overall thought: Love but I wish the line had a bigger color selection. The Burberry Beauty Line has beautiful packaging and design with high quality products. For those not familiar with Burberry Beauty, it is currently exclusive to Nordstrom.com and a few select Nordstrom locations in the US.
