Chanel launched new shades of the Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color ($36 each). I ordered these from a local Chanel beauty boutique and I believe they are currently exclusive to Chanel.com and individual boutiques.
There are six different shades of radiant shimmers and I am 100% in love with every single one. I think they are all incredibly beautiful and fun for summer. I also appreciate that the ones that pull a little more metallic are smooth and free of any visible brush strokes.
Some of these have a jelly finish so there is a slightly transparent quality to them. I am wearing each one with 2 coats except for the bright pink one which I have with 3 coats.
401 Beach Icon is an iridescent pearly sparkle, this can also be used as a top coat on top of other nail polishes
The Afterglow Lip Shine Lip Gloss* is one of the smoothest glosses I’ve tried and they added new shades which I think are beautiful. The shades run on the sheer side for a barely there kind of tint but they still show up on the lips. I prefer a little more pigment in my gloss but these wear very nicely and feel so smooth and hydrating I really don’t mind them being so sheer. (Other shades reviewed + swatched here.)
Wear time is pretty good if your lips don’t touch anything else. They aren’t the longest lasting though so you will have to reapply after a few hours. New colors are all 10/10 pretty. They are on the deeper side so if you prefer lighter shades these might be too dark for you.
NARS also recently launched a new addition to their Light Reflecting line with a Light Reflecting Luminizing Powder. These are high shine shimmers with a highly reflective finish. The pigment is easy to control but they do pull very metallic on the skin. The shimmer is a little chunky, but if you apply with a finger or dense brush it will smooth out. If you have texture or large pores you might want to pass as these will emphasize them.
I received Heavenly* at a NARS event in Miami (quick peek here in case you’re curious!) and I purchased the others from Ulta. I still think Heavenly is the best one, it’s a really stunning pink.
Eros is a soft cool toned ivory
Electra is a light champagne
Ophelia is a golden champagne
Heavenly is a metallic pink
Total Eclipse is a warm copper shimmer
Since the shimmer and glistening effect is on the intense side I don’t know that I can wear these everyday. They do make for a really beautiful special glow, but I prefer the subtle glow of the newer Prada Highlighters. Also I know the Chanel spring highlighter quad is sold out, but I am still reaching for that one on a regular basis.
Looks wearing each highlighter with a different lip. For skintone reference I wear the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in either Vanuatu or Barcelona right now and the Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger. (My lighter spring time foundation shade is Sahel).
Overall love the lip shines, I am really loving the Heavenly Highlighter. The other shades are stunning but I have some skin texture issues on my cheeks right now so I have to go easy on the highlighter.
Dior revamped their Backstage Rosy Glow Powder Blush again and added some new additions with a Backstage Rosy Glow Blush Stick and Addict Lip Butter. I hauled nearly all the shades to review and try and after testing these extensively I finally have my review. I think there are some hits with the new launch but I also think there are some definite passes. You can find these launches out now at Dior, Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty and all other Dior Beauty retailers (the blush stick is exclusive to Dior and Sephora right now).
Backstage Rosy Glow Powder Blush
The Backstage Rosy Glow Powder Blushes ($40 each) have been reformulated a few times already but I have to say I’m really impressed with the latest version. I didn’t have any issues with the previous variations but the newest one has a much better texture that’s easier to blend with better color payoff.
001 Pink is still one of the best baby pink blushes I’ve tried. It’s supposed to be ph-reactive but it really doesn’t shift in color on my skin. It’s a cool toned pink I think works well layered on top of other creams.
103 Toffee is a new shade in the lineup and it’s another winner. The powder has some gold shimmer which I kinda wish they didn’t add, but I do really love the neutral beige tone on the skin. The shimmer isn’t frosty but it is noticeable on the skin.
012 Rosewood is a dusty rose color. I think of this more along the lines of a fall/winter shade but I think it’s a great rose neutral that will work with a wide range of skintones. This one has a tiny bit of glow but isn’t very shimmery.
077 Candy is a coral pink with gold shimmer. It almost reminds me of the NARS Orgasm blush with the pink/gold shift. I love this one. Out of all the shades I think this is my favorite.
063 Pink Lilac is a soft lilac pastel. I really wanted it to work but with my tan skin it pulls a little chalky. I think I can make it work with some layering on top of other cream blush colors but for now, I prefer the older formula over this new one in this particular color
015 Cherry is well outside of my comfort zone for a blush, but I decided to be adventurous and try it anyways. I think it can work with a light hand. I prefer this color on the lips versus the cheeks but it’s still a very pretty one and fun for summer.
Backstage Rosy Glow Stick
I have mixed feelings about the Backstage Rosy Glow Sticks ($44 each). I think the concept is a nice one but they are too dewy for my skin to wear in hot humid weather alone without setting with some kind of powder. All of these match the coordinating powder versions but once blended they are very sheer on the skin. There is enough pigment that you can see them (except for Toffee which matches my skintone).
They are also heavily scented like root beer. It’s a fun kind of scent and doesn’t irritate my skin or nose, but if you’re sensitive to fragranced products this is a definite no. I would have loved these if the formula wasn’t dewy or more long wearing.
If you have dry skin or love a balmy glow for the cheeks I think you will love these. For me, I can only wear them if I layer a powder on top. I usually wear some kind of powder blush on top of creams anyways but I don’t see myself reaching for these often.
Out of all the shades I think Rosewood and Candy are the best ones.
Addict Lip Butter
Last we have a look at the Addict Lip Butters ($40 each). I think I could have easily given these an A rating if they gave us more product or something more special. A number of you had some serious rants about these being 1/2 filled. I do think there needs to be some kind of gap in the squeeze tube to accommodate the product from causing the tube to explode but I also think Dior could have done better and given us more product. I rarely look at ounces or grams etc. for makeup products but I agree with the rants on this one. With these tiny tubes I can easily see it being used up in a matter of a few weeks.
Size issues aside, I do think the gloss formula is a really nice one. It feels smooth and comfortable on the lips. Pigment is on the sheer side but the colors are pretty, however the only shade I think really stands out to me is the Glazed Lavender. The others I think can be easily duped by e.l.f., Maybelline, Summer Fridays, Fenty and so many other brands at a much better price point with quality and performance that is just as good if not better.
Here are the colors on with each color family. Some of them I swatched both the blush stick and powder separately, some I layered together. I am still a match to the Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick in 3N.
Overall I think the Backstage Rosy Glow Powder Blush is a winner for formula, but if you already own the colors in the older formulas I don’t think you need to get the new ones. I think Candy and Toffee are the best shades.
For me the blush sticks are more novel than practical. I will most likely wear one for date nights or special occasions but I don’t see them as being everyday blushes for me.
The Lip Butters will be used up entirely but I get way more excited about lip launches from other brands like Summer Fridays or Laneige.
The Chanel Les Beiges Summer 2025 launch is here with the Golden Hour Collection. I ordered all the new makeup items to review. Quick mention that they’ve also expanded the Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch shades which I think is one of the best foundation formulas! I hope they continue to expand the shades of all their bases, in particular I hope they eventually add BD41 to the lineup which is usually the best match and undertone for me. (I can still make B40 or B50 work, review here from the original launch.)
The Chanel Les Beiges Golden Hour collection is a beautiful one. I love the color scheme and textures. Not all of the shades work for me, but here are my thoughts on each item in case you haven’t been able to check it out in person yet.
Les Beiges Healthy Golden Glow Powder
There are two cheek duos called the Les Beiges Healthy Golden Glow Powder ($75 each). I’m such a huge fan of the limited-edition launches this time for cheeks but these are different from anything I’ve seen from Chanel. The blush side is glowy without being too frosty while the highlighter has some of the most intense frost I think I’ve seen from Chanel. I think the shimmer is beautiful but if you’re wary of frost apply with a very light hand or save the shimmer for the eyes.
Eclat Du Soir has a soft light pink and sparkling champagne. I love this one. Pigment is easy to build and blend.
Soleil Couchant pulls very warm and orangey on my complexion, it actually pulls a lot warmer on the skin than what I see in the pan. I can make it work for a more trendy summer look if I apply lightly and blend but for a peachy tone that Jeux de Lumieres quad works much better for my medium skin tone.
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick
There are two new cream blush sticks called the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick ($52 each). They look very bold and bright in the tube but they have a sheer color payoff making them give you that sheer flush of color. I really love these for summer as they have a semi-matte finish/texture. There is a bit of shimmer in them but they are more like tiny flecks of sparkle mixed into a satiny base.
Reset is a peachy orange while Refresh is a sheer hot pink. I really love these!
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette
Based on the feedback from my sneak peek on Instagram, it seems like the item most of you are interested in is the new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Golden. I love all the shades except for the yellow gold shimmer (this pulls VERY orange on me) but I can still make it work. The trend for eyeshadow color this season seems to be a very warm bronze across the board.
I really love the variety of textures and the shimmers in this palette are SO beautiful. It mimics a sunset and if you love warm tones I think you will love this one. By comparison the new Tom Ford Bronze Isle is also very warm but not quite as warm as the Chanel Golden Palette.
Rouge Coco Flash
There are four new Rouge Coco Flash shades ($50 each) in the collection and I love every single one. These are sheer glossy lipsticks with high shine. The lasting power isn’t going to be long with these since they feel more like a balm but the formula is so pretty and smooth I don’t mind reapplying.
Sun Bliss is a sheer beige shimmer, Sunset is a warm but soft brick peach, Sun Kiss looks red in the tube but applies pink on my lips, Late Sun is a soft burnt bronze.
Le Vernis
Last is a look at the two new Le Vernis ($33 each) shades in the collection. Solaire is a yellow gold shimmer (not my favorite tone for a gold) and Incandescente is a perfect jelly red. Both require two coats for full coverage. I’m 10/10 loving the red one even though I own so many reds, I think it has a really good brightness to it making it really perfect for summer.
That wraps up my Chanel haul! I purchased everything from a Chanel beauty boutique and also a few things online at Chanel.com. The stand outs to me are the Rouge Coco Flash and the Les Beiges Blush Sticks.
If you tried this collection, let me know what you thought!
I love the unique powder formula. It has an interesting almost creamy powder texture with a very blurred matte finish. It makes the skin look very blurred. I’ve been a huge fan of the tones in her Cream Blush Baby Cheeks and had high hopes for these powder versions. While I really love the formula, I don’t love all the colors – but I think that is to be expected since they have different variations and undertones.
Colors are all mattes.
For skintone reference I wear her Vital Skin Foundation Stick in Shade VI which I still really love. I also wear Shade V in the winter and Shade VII in the summer months when I am very tan.
Here are the swatches, these are applied with a heavy hand:
Here are the swatches next to the cream blushes with the same names:
Lip + Cheek looks with each duo layered on the face:
This is the only duo I really did not like. The colors are very dark and almost look muddy on the skin when it sets. The cool undertone of biscuit isn’t flattering on my skin with the grey color and for some reason is hard to blend.
Another cheek duo that pulls dark but since it has warmer undertones works with a light hand for me.
I splurged on the Powder II Brush and don’t think it was worth the splurge. I’ve tried a few of her brushes which I think are beautifully made, but I think they are very overpriced and I’m just not a fan of the design/density. For the pigment and texture of the Powder Duos I prefer something a little more fluffy like the rephr brush 04 and brush 05 (both more affortable) or the Hakuhodo J110 (splurge).
Overall really pleased the quality, formula and packaging. Colors aren’t all for me but I found a couple I really love. Wear time is really good and has minimal fading by late afternoon. If you need a bit of glow/depth then be prepared to add highlighter on top because these are VERY matte.
Armani Beauty recently launched a shine version of the Luminous Silk Cheek Tint ($39 each). I’ve been such a huge fan of the original satiny/matte formula because they have the best wear time for a liquid blush. The shine versions have a soft luminous glow in a very subtle way. They are noticeably more glowy than the originals but aren’t too shimmery or too dewy.
I shared a demo earlier in the week here to show how they blend and look on the skin in action. I find the shine versions for the two lighter shades to be on the sheer side while the darker colors have more pigment.
Overall pigment is on the softer side. Lasting power on me is still very good. Not quite as long-wearing as the natural finish, but still very very good. For skintone reference I am still a Luminous Silk Foundation Shade 6.5. It’s one of the best color matches for me in terms of undertone and color. Did a few different lip combos to coordinate with each cheek color.
Some of the shine formula colors pull very similar to the natural finish variations so if you already own some of these, I think you can skip some of the shine formulas. I think the pigment is more easy to build with the natural finish but both are very good. Swatch comparisons below to: 53 Bold Pink, 50.5 Rosy Peach, 31 Vivid Coral and 62 Delicate Mauve.
Victoria Beckham Beauty launched a few new products recently and I have a mini review. The set I was most excited about was her new Lip Definer Trio ($86, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Bluemercury, Violet Grey) and as a fan of her neutrals I ordered it immediately. I love her lip pencils because they’re very much like a traditional lip pencil – no fuss formula and great pigment. Two of the shades are exclusive to the set. She also recently revamped her eyeshadow palettes in the refillable Eye Wardrobe ($75) so I ordered one to try.
Lip Definer Trio
The Lip Definer Trio has three similar neutrals with a variation in undertone. If you’re like me finding a good neutral can be tricky especially with the undertone. I really love these – the colors are really good and formula is great.
Shade 01.5 is a neutral brown nude
Shade 02 is permanent neutral pink brown
Shade 02.5 is a neutral nude with cool tones
I swatched a few of her other pencils below to show the difference and variations. On my lips they look very similar and I do think out of all three I like Shade 02 (the permanent one) the best (available individually here).
Application is just like what you’d expect from a traditional pencil. They’re not going to glide on the lips like the Merit Lip Pencils so you’ll have to apply in smaller strokes and blend. The benefit of this texture though is they adhere well to the lips and stay put without looking too dry.
She also revamped her eyeshadows into a new formula and style and I think these are a significant improvement compared to her original. The Eye Wardrobe runs for $75 (compact is $25 while the refills are $50). The pans now have dividers so you are less likely to mix shadows with the brush. The pigment is so beautiful with both the mattes and shimmers. I do think they are exceptionally pricey for what you get, even if they are refillable. I picked the shade Victoria to try which has some pretty smokey neutrals. This is sold out on the VBB site but you can still find it now at Nordstrom and Violet Grey.
I’m still more into warm neutrals but for a neutral smokey eye palette I think this has one of the best color combos I’ve ever seen. The mattes are SUPER smooth and easy to blend. I love the level of pigment and lasting power.
I really love the purchases. I think I might try her Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator again. I used the original one and the golden shade in the past which were both really nice. I have my eye on the Rose one which looks super pretty. If you’ve tried it let me know!
