Browsing Category

Brand

Beauty Favorites Dior

Dior Makeup Favorites

October 30, 2021

Dior Makeup Favorites and Staples | The Beauty Lookbook

Dior has some great everyday makeup staples and I wanted to do a blog roundup for those of you who still prefer detailed blog posts versus video or social media posts. I’ve done a few tutorial videos on my Instagram which I will include below for reference. Many thanks to each of you who took the time to leave a nice comment on the video or messaged me! I truly appreciate the support!

I love Dior for their beautiful limited-edition collections but today’s roundup focuses on staples that are part of their more permanent collection. I usually shop for Dior at Sephora because they have the Backstage Line or Dior.com because they often have great deluxe samples available with your purchase. I love getting those little samples of their La Privee fragrance line to try! Also the Dior website usually stocks the entire collection for limited-edition launches while it seems like other retailers don’t always have everything.

Dior Makeup Favorites | The Beauty Lookbook

Base Favorites

There are two foundations I love from Dior. If you like medium to full coverage with a glow, the Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation ($52) is a nice one with SPF 35. I use either the Shade 2.5N or 3N. It has a natural radiant finish with good lasting power. I do find the color oxidizes and darkens slightly once it sets.

For a more fluid lightweight finish the BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation ($40) is a popular one you can use to blend out imperfections and uneven tones. It’s a sheer natural finish but has buildable coverage. It’s waterproof and sweat resistant. I love the BACKSTAGE Customizable Set that’s a Sephora.com exclusive. It’s the same price as the individual foundation but comes with a large mesh zip pouch and a mini primer.

Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation and Backstage Face and Body 3N

Another product I love is the Dreamskin Fresh Perfect Cushion, but this is more of a skincare SPF product with a tint in one versus a foundation. I love the formula and wear but the shade range is horrendous. I love cushions but they still haven’t seemed to taken off in the US.

Concealer

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer 2N, 2W, 2.5N, 3N

The Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer ($36) has been a cult classic for quite some time but I never tried it until recently. It 100% lives up to the hype and is now in my Top 3 formulas for multi-tasking. It’s creamy, opaque, easy to blend and makes me look more alive. I ordered quite a few shades since I wasn’t sure how it would perform color-wise. Shade 2.5N is my favorite for my skin tone but for brightening 2N or 2W work for me too.

If you try one thing from Dior I would recommend that you try the concealer.

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer swatches 2N, 2W, 2.5N, 3N

Powders

Two powders I like from Dior are the BACKSTAGE Face & Body Powder-No-Powder ($40) in 2N and the Forever Loose Cushion Powder ($58) in 20 Light.

Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Powder-No-Powder and Cushion Powder

The Backstage Powder is a pressed blurring powder with a sheer finish. It still has enough color that you need a good match. I picked one shade lighter than my usual tone because I found the colors run dark. (Also on the face in this Dior Lip Glow post here.)

The Forever Loose Cushion Powder is cased in a beautiful compact with a mesh cover and powder puff. This is a sheer matte finish powder that sets the makeup really nicely. I like that it’s matte but not overly matte. I would say the main downside is the price. It’s expensive for the amount of product you get.

I recently ordered a few beauty tools from Dior and really like the Dior Backstage Kabuki Brush 17 ($57). There are a lot of good retractable brushes out there so if you already have one I’d recommend sticking with what you have. I do like having a cover on some of my brushes as it makes it easier for touch ups on the go or for travel.

Cheeks

Dior Bronzer + Blush Favorites

Dior blushes and bronzers have also gone through multiple reformulations and revamps over the years. I really love the blushes and wish there were more colors! Rouge Blush ($44) in Charnelle 459 is a really nice brownish neutral with a satin glow. Formula is soft, blendable and melts into the skin beautifully!

The Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush ($37) in 001 Pink is like the Lip Glow but for cheeks. Your mileage may vary depending on your skin tone but I like this for a really natural light pink flush. It does adjust on my skin a few minutes after application. It’s almost always sold out at Sephora, but still available at Dior.com.

For bronzer the Dior Forever Natural Bronze ($48) is one of the best matte bronzers I’ve tried. Looking at the pan it’s not 100% matte. I would call this a radiant matte. I use Shade 05 Warm Bronze but can also wear 03 Soft Bronze. It warms up the complexion in a natural way and I like the color tones. This is another example of a product where Dior.com has more shade options available than other retailers. If you’re ultra fair 01 Fair Bronze looks like one that won’t be too dark for you.

Eye Makeup

Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palettes

The 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palettes ($62) are palettes I think I’ve tried in every re-formulation since the 2000s. This current formulation has the softest most finely milled texture out of all the Dior eyeshadows I’ve tried. They can be on the delicate side so I’d recommend being a little more careful with the palettes. Dior.com has the most color options available. To track down other shades you might have to do a bit of shopping around. Four I really like are New Look, Nude Dress, Mitzah and Poncho. They have a good mix of finishes with mattes, shimmers, satins and sparkles. Even the mattes have a luminous subtle glow.

Pigment is medium to full and buildable. The soft texture makes it easy to blend and layer.

Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow swatches Nude Dress and Poncho

Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow swatches Mitzah and New Look

Lashes

Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer and Iconic Overcurl mascara

Dior has so many formulas of mascara it’s hard to pick a favorite. I’ve tried so many over the years but most recently repurchased the Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer ($29.50, one of the best lash primers) and the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara ($29.50). I really love the overcurl formula for volume and holding the curl. I also BACKSTAGE Lash Curler ($26) which is pretty good!

Lips

For lips I love the Lip Maximizers ($35) for a nice plumping gloss that doesn’t have the sharp sting. Colors adjust on my lips with a subtle tint. I have quite a few shades but find I reach for 001 Pink, 012 Rosewood or 016 Shimmer Nude the most. I also really love Ultra Pink (limited-edition shade).

Dior Lip Maximizers

Dior Lip Maximizer swatches

I still love the Lip Glows but already did a full review. In case you missed it you can see the review and swatches of the New Lip Glow Formula here.

For lipstick and lipliners I have to admit I find the color options a little overwhelming, especially when counters like Nordstrom, Sephora or Neimans don’t always have the full color range. I picked Nude Look 100 in the Rouge Dior Lipstick ($38) and Lip Contour Lip Liner ($31) and LOVE the color. For a liquid lip the Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick ($38) in Forever Nude 100 is a close match with a lightweight finish.

Dior Nude Look 100 Lipstick, Lipliner, Forever Liquid in Forever Nude 100

Wearing the lipstick below:

Dior Nude Look Lipstick Matte look

That wraps up my Dior favorites roundup! If you’ve watched my videos and wanted a blog roundup with more detail I hope you found this helpful! Many of you have mentioned it’s more helpful to see application in a video format so I’m linking the videos below for reference.

 

 

Dior Makeup Favorites and Staples | The Beauty Lookbook

Shop The Post

 

 

Do you have any Dior Makeup favorites? What are your go-to’s?

Sisley-Paris

Sisley-Paris New Phyto Twists + Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation

October 27, 2021

Sisley-Paris New Phyto Twists and Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation

Always excited for Sisley-Paris newness and today I have swatches of the new Phyto Twists for fall along with a look at the new Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation.

Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation

Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation 3W1

The Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation ($95 for 1 oz) is the newest base launch from Sisley. So many of you have raved about their Phyto-Hydra Teint Tinted Moisturizer which I really wanted to love but found the shades too pink (so I never purchased it). I am thrilled the Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation is available in multiple undertones C for cool and W for warm. Some of the colors are available in N for neutral.

The Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation is a fluid skincare + foundation in one. It’s oil free, sheer to medium coverage, hydrating and plumping. On my skin it is sheer but still has noticeable coverage. A lot of you have already messaged me that you’re loving it for your dry skin. I have normal combination skin but it still works for my skin type. It has a lovely natural glow that isn’t too dewy but I do need to set with a powder. I set it with their Blur Expert which I always try to keep a backup of on hand. It’s one of my favorite blurring pressed powders.

Shade wise I am in between shades 3W1 and 4W1. However, because the formula is on the sheer side it is forgiving, and it does adjust slightly after it sets on the skin. It blends in beautifully and I had no irritation or issues even though alcohol seems to be high on the ingredient list. I picked 3W1 Warm Almond and I think it’s a really good match.

Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation 3W1 swatch

Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation 3W1

Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation 3W1

Phyto-Lip, Phyto-Eye and Phyto-Blush

There are new shades of the Phyto Twist color items for eyes, lips and cheeks. These are on the expensive side and I still remember the first ones I bought feeling a bit of an ouch to the wallet. I do think they’re worth the splurge though. They’re the effortless kind of makeup you can swipe and go for a classic kind of beauty look.

Sisley Phyto-Lip, Phyto-Eye and Phyto-Blush new shades

Sisley Phyto-Lip, Phyto-Eye and Phyto-Blush new shades swatches

Phyto-Lip Twist Tinted Lip Balms ($53) are some of my favorite twist up lip crayons. They have buildable pigment, have a glossy finish, add a nice glow and have a hydrating feel. My most-worn colors are 2 Baby and 11 Litchi. The new colors for fall are gorgeous! 24 Rosy Nude is a sheer nude rose, 25 Soft Berry is a pretty plum, 26 True Red is a bold bright red.

Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist Tinted Lip Balms 24 Rosy Nude, 25 Soft Berry and 26 True Red
Wearing:

Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist Tinted Lip Balms 24 Rosy Nude, 25 Soft Berry and 26 True Red

There are two new Phyto-Eye Twist ($53) in 16 Taupe (mouse grey) and 17 Rose Bronze (soft mauve pearl). These are cream shadows in a pencil form you can swipe and smudge. Colors blend out to a sheer finish with the first layer you apply. They are buildable. I really like Taupe for an effortless wash. Lasting power is pretty good on my eyes – once they set they have a budge-proof finish on me although I use them more as shadows vs liners.

Sisley Phyto-Eye Twist 16 Taupe and 17 Rose Bronze

Phyto-Blush Twist ($72) in 7 Berry is the best shade they’ve launched to date. The price is outrageous but I’ve never found anything quite like it. These are soft silky cream blushes in a twist up form. Colors are easy to blend out and layer for a natural look. Since they are creams they won’t last as long as a powder but I still find they have decent lasting power. Berry is a warm berry color. They’re great especially if you have dry skin since they have Shea Oil and Camellia Oil to add hydration.

Sisley Phyto-Blush Twist Berry

Swatches of all the Twist Blushes:

Sisley Phyto-Blush Twist swatches

Sisley-Paris New Phyto Twists and Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation

I really like everything. I particularly love the new Phyto-Teint Nude foundation!

You can find the new Sisley launches out now. Available online at Sisley-Paris, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and all other Sisley retailers.

Have you tried Sisley Makeup before? What are some of your favorites?

SHOP THE POST

 

 

Phyto Twist colors provided for review. Foundation purchased by me.

Natasha Denona Sephora

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

October 20, 2021

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette | The Beauty Lookbook

Always excited to see what Natasha Denona launches! From day one I’ve loved the unique and personal touch she’s added to all of her palettes. Today I have a look at her Retro Eyeshadow Palette ($65, available at Sephora). The color scheme has a mix of pinks, purples, silvers and sparkles for a burgundy mauve eye look.

The Retro Eyeshadow Palette has 15 shades. There is a mix of velvety mattes, duochrome sparkles, shimmers, and sparkle toppers. Color payoff and performance is true to her usual style – great pigment, smooth texture, easy to blend and layer colors. I think this one has a really nice range and variation of light, medium and deep shades.

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette | The Beauty Lookbook

I’ve always been a neutral eye person or one who likes golden bronze tones. Purple isn’t really me, I don’t think I can pull it off well like many of my other beauty friends. I think there are plenty of non-purple tones in this palette to create a more neutral look but I did create a purple mauve look just for fun.

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette | The Beauty Lookbook

Colors in this palette:

  • Glitz is a sparkling pink gold
  • Andy is a soft light mauve
  • Jude shimmery taupe silver
  • Mod pale off white pink matte
  • Vivenne pale medium dusty pink
  • Groove deep plum
  • Opart bark brown
  • Psychedelic sparkling glitter pink
  • Go-Go medium warm pink matte
  • Patty pretty warm shimmer copper pink
  • Swing shimmery plum
  • Nude Mauve greyed-mauve matte
  • Rebellion deep plum red
  • Helio sparkling taupe
  • Amara matte plum brown

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette | The Beauty Lookbook

My favorite shades in this palette are Glitz and Helio for ones I think are the most unique and prettiest!

Full look below wearing:

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette makeup look | The Beauty Lookbook

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette makeup look | The Beauty Lookbook

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette makeup look | The Beauty Lookbook

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette makeup look | The Beauty Lookbook

Natasha Denona Retro Eyeshadow Palette review | The Beauty Lookbook

Have you checked out her new palette? Do you like to wear plums, purples or mauves on the eyes? What are some of your favorites? Available at Sephora.

Shop the Post

 

 

Palette from Natasha Denona provided for review.

Base Makeup Chanel

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation + Le Correcteur de Chanel Review

October 18, 2021

Chanel Ultra Le Teint + Le Correcteur de Chanel review

Chanel recently reformulated two of their base products including the Ultra Le Teint Foundation ($60, available in 35 shades), Le Correcteur de Chanel ($43, available in 16 shades), and Le Correcteur de Chanel in a Color Corrector ($43, 4 shades).

I hauled the new foundation and concealer to put them to the test and have a closer look with swatches today.

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation + Le Correcteur de Chanel

Chanel Ultra Le Teint

The Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Foundation is a soft matte finish foundation with a lightweight texture and medium buildable coverage. It’s been a while since I tried the original Ultra Le Teint so I can’t exactly recall what the old one was like, but I think I remember it being on the thicker heavy side. The new reformulation has a more fluid lightweight feel compared to the original. Compared to current Chanel matte/velvet bases it’s not thin and doesn’t have quite as much slip as the Ultra Le Teint Velvet (reviewed here).

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD41

Formula blends well for a soft demi-matte finish. I swatched a few at the counter and the sales associate agreed that I looked like I was in between shades B40/B50 possibly a BD41. The undertone of BD41 matched better for my yellow/olive/golden skintone but is just a tad too light. The next shade up BD51 was too deep and olive for me. If I were to get my exact match I’d probably be a mix of BD41 with B50.

Once on the skin it doesn’t really oxidize but I was surprised that it adjusts and blends out perfectly. Most matte foundations tend to darken once they dry on my skin and I was really pleased that this one does not.

Lasting power is pretty impressive. Finish can be a little streaky if you have dry skin, but this can be fixed with a good moisturizer underneath and some good blending. Overall I like it but I still prefer the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation for formula and how it looks on the skin.

A few swatch comparisons for reference. I’ll link my previous reviews to other formulas below:

  • Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 and 7 (review here)
  • Chanel CC Cream in 40 Beige (review here)
  • Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet in B40 (review + swatches here)
  • Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in BD41 and B40 (more swatches here)
  • Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Matte in O40 (review here)
  • NARS Natural Radiant Foundation in Vanuatu (review + swatches here)
  • Comprehensive Foundation + Concealer Shade Guide for current formulas I’ve reviewed in my Foundation + Concealer Reference Guide for Medium Tan Skintones

Chanel Foundation Swatches B40 BD41

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD41

Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD41

Le Correcteur de Chanel Longwear Concealer

I’ve received a lot of questions over the years about the Chanel concealer and how it compares to other brands like Dior and NARS. To be frank, I’ve never been a super huge fan of the Chanel concealers. The formula isn’t bad, it’s just not what I prefer. Finish tends to be thin, not creamy enough and the colors have always been a little off for my skin. Either too pale, too dark or too pink in undertone. This round Chanel added more shades with their Le Correcteur de Chanel Longwear Concealer.

Chanel Le Correcteur de Chanel

Formula is lightweight with a gel-based formula. It does the job at brightening and concealing the under eye. It won’t crease, it’s easy to blend, it has soft-focus pigments to diffuse light with a brightening effect (but has no shimmer/glow).

Overall it’s decent. It performs as described. I prefer formulas that are more creamy and emollient. I don’t think it has enough coverage for spot concealing although I did not try the color correctors to see if those work better. I just don’t think it’s the best out there. For a similar coverage I prefer the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer by far for the emollient texture and creamy feel. I like the color range in NARS better too.

For a color match, the first counter I went to was sold out of B40 so I went to another store nearby and didn’t realize until I got home that they sold me the old formula which is 40 Beige. So I have both the old and new 40 colors to swatch for you side by side. A few videos I watched on YouTube also showed that the old and new in the B20 color are also different. I suspect this might be the case across the board that the colors are slightly different.

I ordered the new B40 along with the B30 and BD31 to compare. I know a lot of you like one 1-2 shades lighter than your skintone for brightening. For me after testing all three, the best one for me is B40 but I think it’s still a bit too light and the next shade deeper is too dark.

Chanel Le Correcteur de Chanel in B40

Chanel Le Correcteur de Chanel in B40

Swatch comparisons to a few other brands:

  • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Macadamia, Ginger and Praline (formula is more creamy and easier to blend)
  • Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion in 3N (more swatches here, formula is thicker and more emollient)
  • Tarte Shape Tape in 35N Medium (formula is full coverage, thicker, more creamy, better for spot concealing)

Concealer Swatches Chanel, NARS, Laura Mercier, Tarte

 

Full below look wearing:

Chanel Makeup Look

Overall I think the new foundation is a good basic semi-matte base that will offer medium natural coverage and last all day. The concealer is decent but compared to other brands I would say a pass.

Have you tried the new base products yet? What did you think?

Available at Chanel.com and all other Chanel counters.

Eye Makeup Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil 2021 Naked Pink Quad + Sunlit Rose Lip Balm

October 12, 2021

Tom Ford Soleil 2021 Naked Pink and Sunlit Rose

Tom Ford launched two new items in the Soleil lineup and I ordered the new Soleil Eye Color Quad in Naked Pink ($89) and Sunlit Rose Lip Balm ($58). I look forward to the Soleil eyeshadow palettes every year as I’m a huge fan of the pretty shimmers for this line. I ordered both from Nordstrom.

Soleil Eyeshadow Quad in Naked Pink

Tom Ford Soleil Naked Pink Eyeshadow Quad

The Soleil Eyeshadow Quad in Naked Pink has a mix of textures unlike the previous year’s First Frost which is all metallic (ie like Honeymoon, Nude Dip, Virgin Orchid etc.). This year’s Naked Pink has a soft shimmery cool pink champagne, a matte soft malted pink, a sparkle topper in a pale rose/mauve glitter and a medium shimmery rose. Pigment is medium soft in this one and on my medium tan skin tone colors look more subdued/natural. Texture is smooth and easy to blend and layer. If you’re looking for super strong pigment this might be too sheer for you. I really like the colors and quality but wish the pigment was a bit stronger/more visible. Still the semi-sheer pigment isn’t a deal breaker for me, I’d rate this a solid B+/A-. It’s one I will wear for the holiday season for a sparkle eye look and I really like it.

Tom Ford Soleil Naked Pink Eyeshadow Quad and Sunlit Rose swatches

A few swatch comparisons below to Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Sous Le Sable and Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk.

Tom Ford Sous Le Sable, Naked Pink and Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk

 

Look wearing:

Tom Ford Soleil Naked Pink Eyeshadow Quad and Sunlit Rose swatches

______

Closer detail eye look below wearing the Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Naked Pink and different lip combo to add more color with Lip Color in Spanish Pink layered with the Lip Balm in Sunlit Rose.

Tom Ford naked pink eyeshadow and spanish pink lipstick

Soleil Lip Balm in Sunlit Rose

Tom Ford Soleil Lip Balm in Sunlit Rose

This year’s Soleil Lip Balm in Sunlit Rose also has an overspray on the bullet. Underneath is a soft pink glow. I really love how pretty it is on my arm but on my pigmented lips it looks really pale. Based on what I see on my hand swatch I expected it to look like Spanish Pink but with a glow. I suspect on most of you Sunlit Rose will look more true to tube versus what it looks like on me. I like the texture – it’s smooth and semi-thick, almost like a Tom Ford lipstick but smoother. It works nicely as a layering product with liner or over a lipstick. Not a must-have for me although the packaging and presentation is really pretty.

Tom Ford Beauty Naked Pink and Sunlit Rose

Swatched next to Tom Ford Balm Frost from 2020 (also reviewed/swatched here).

Tom Ford Balm Frost vs Sunlit Rose

 

Tom Ford Soleil 2021 Naked Pink and Sunlit Rose

Have you checked out the Tom Ford Soleil 2021 Naked Pink Quad + Sunlit Rose Lip Balm items? What did you think?

Shop the Post:

 

 

Available at Nordstrom.

 

Highlighters Holiday Gift Guide Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Holiday Palettes 2021

October 5, 2021

Hourglass Holiday Palettes 2021

 

Hourglass launched three palettes for Holiday 2021 and today I have swatches of all three. There are two larger palettes with 5 shades each, and one palette in a trio format.

Hourglass Holiday Palettes 2021

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe

Two of the new palettes are 5-pans, one in a light/medium option, the other in a medium/deeper option. Each one contains 1 Ambient Lighting Powder (for setting/blurring), two blushes, one bronzer and one highlighter. The lighter variation is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe ($80). Colors in this palette:

  • Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder – color is a mix of Diffused Light, Dim Light, and Hypnotic Strobe Light, pale sheer ivory (repromote)
  • Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush in Vibrant Heat – raspberry and light pink swirl
  • Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Rose – described as a soft plum, but mine pulls more golden peach with the swirl pattern
  • Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Glistening Bronze Light – soft bronze shimmer
  • Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Supernatural Strobe Light – champagne shimmer

Colors performed well. The Ambient Lighting Infinity Powder looks really pale for a finishing powder but I find it sheer enough to use even on my medium-tan skin. It has a soft diffused finish I can use to set foundation or use as a very soft glow highlighter/diffuser.

Blushes perform well on my skin although the plum rose shade looks a lot warmer and almost bronzey on my skin compared to what I see in the pan. Overall really pretty, but not entirely unique. You may want to wait for a Friends and Family sale that happens during the holiday season.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe swatches

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe Palette look

Wearing:

 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe Unlocked

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe Unlocked Palette

The deeper variation is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe Unlocked. This looks like it has deeper tones for medium to tan skin tones. I was surprised to find this wearable for me since the colors looked a bit dark, but the plum and rose blushes make for a really pretty look. I do wish that they had all new colors instead of repromotes, but out of the two palettes I prefer this one.

  • Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light – soft golden beige bronze (repromote)
  • Ambient Lighting Blush in Rose Heat – deep berry satin
  • Ambient Lighting Blush in Coral Flush – bright peony
  • Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light – shimmery warm bronze (repromote)
  • Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Powder in Solar Strobe Light – metallic warm champagne with a peachy tone

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe Unlocked Palette Swatches Holiday 2021

Wearing the same makeup as above breakdown with the Universe Unlocked Palette and lip color wearing Hourglass Unreal Lip Gloss in Prose

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe makeup look

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Vol III

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Vol III

Last is a look Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Vol III which is a finishing and highlighting palette for deep skin tones. A deeper palette like this from Hourglass has been long overdue and I’m glad they’ve started to add darker variations. Since this is a deeper toned palette and I have medium-tan skin, the colors are too dark for me to try as a finishing or blurring product but the powders seem smooth and finely milled. I did try as a bronzer but found colors a bit on the warm side for me. I think I could probably use this on the eyes as a deeper brown/bronze palette for my skin tone.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Vol III swatches

Here is a side by side of the palettes Vol 1, Vol 2 and Vol 3:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Vol 1, 2 and 3

I ordered my 5-palettes Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Face Universe and Universe Unlocked from Nordstrom. Also available at other retailers like Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Space NK and Ulta. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Vol III seems to be available only at Hourglass Cosmetics right now.

 

Shop the Post:

 

 

Have you checked out the Hourglass Holiday palettes yet? What did you think? Are there any other palettes you have on your radar?

Chanel

Chanel Fall Winter 2021 Makeup Collection

September 22, 2021

Chanel Fall Winter 2021 Makeup Collection Review

I have a look at the Chanel Fall-Winter 2021 Makeup Collection today! There are a few items I’m missing but I have most of the colors swatched and tested.

The overall look and vibe is dramatic eyes and lips with a neutral muted blush. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking the fall Le Vernis Nail Colors since they run very deep in color. Swatch comparisons added for the blush + lips per request too!

Joues Contraste Blush

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush 608 Ombre

The Joues Contraste Blush ($45) in 608 Ombre is a neutral matte light tan brown. This kind of color seems hard to come by and I wish Chanel had kept this as a permanent item. On my medium tan skin (Chanel B40/BD41) this gives me a barely there neutral hint of color. If you’re light to fair it will show up better on your skin. Pigment is pretty good, it just matches my skin tone very closely so you might not be able to see it in photos.

If you’re my skin tone or deeper, Ombre will most likely not show up well on your skin. A few others I wear that show up better include Chanel Alezane or Jersey. Laura Mercier Ginger is similar but a bit warmer.

Neutral Blush Swatches Chanel Ombre, Hourglass Brillant Nude, Charlotte Tilbury First Love, Laura Mercier Fresco

Stylo Ombre Et Contour

There are four new Stylo Ombre Et Contour ($34 each). I have three of them in 19 Contour Beige, 15 Contour Marron, 13 Contour Kaki. You’ll either love or hate this format. It comes in a twist up pencil style. I love these creamy sticks to swipe and blend for pigmented color. Since it’s semi-chubby you won’t get a super precise line once the tip wears down. I like to swipe and blend. Or for the darker colors I’ll use a detail eyeshadow brush to apply color to the tip and then smudge on the eyes.

Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour 19 Contour Beige, 15 Contour Marron, 13 Contour Kaki

19 Contour Beige is a warm brown beige (if you blend it makes for a good contour color), 15 Contour Marron is a deep plum, 13 Contour Kaki is a blackened deep khaki green. Texture is smooth, pigmented but blendable to sheer out, lasting power is very good on my eyes.

Ombre Premiere Laque

I loved the Ombre Premiere Laque ($36 each) from a few years ago so I was excited to see new shades for fall. Three of the four new shades include 39 Lame Ivoire (pale gold), 35 Lame Pourpre (shimmery red), 37 Lame Acier (metallic grey olive khaki). Application is tricky with these. If I apply in a traditional swipe on the lid and blend with a finger, the color blends out so sheer it’s barely noticeable. For me the best way to get these to show up is to apply with a separate eyeshadow brush (like the MAC 242) and layer/dab on the lids. I have Lame Pourpre layered on top of Contour Beige + Contour Marron blended.

Chanel Ombre Premiere Laque 39 Lame Ivoire, 35 Lame Pourpre, 37 Lame Acier

Chanel Fall Winter 2021 Eye Makeup swatches

Chanel Fall-Winter 2021 Makeup

Le Vernis

The four new Le Vernis ($28 each) shades are perfect for fall. These are opaque creams, they apply nicely with 2 coats for full coverage. 909 Beige Cendre is a pale warm grey, 905 Brun Fume us a deep khaki, 907 Rouge Brun is a deep plum and 911 Terre Brulee is a deep red.

Chanel Fall 2021 Le Vernis

Chanel Fall 2021 Le Vernis swatches

Rouge Allure Velvet

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in Low Key and Mode

Last is a look at the two new Rouge Allure Velvets ($40 each). Shade 74 Low Key is a warm pink (similar warmer/deeper option to Charlotte Tilbury Super Cindy) and 75 Mode is a classic bold warm red. This is a “velvet” formula but it’s a luminous matte with smooth flawless coverage. A few swatch comparisons below.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Low Key and Mode swatch comparisons

 

Wearing:

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Low Key, Blush in Ombre

Same items above, wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in Mode

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Mode, Blush in Ombre

Overall everything performs well quality wise. I think the nail colors are the stand outs for me for fall. I love the Rouge Allure Velvet in Low Key but it does seem similar to other shades I own. I’m currently testing the new Ultra Le Teint Foundation and Concealer! Review coming soon.

You can find the Fall-Winter Makeup Collection at Chanel.com.

Have you tried anything yet? What did you think?

Chanel Fall-Winter collection provided for review.