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NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints (New Shades) + Wanted Mini Eyeshadow Palette

July 2, 2019

NARS launched a few new products at Sephora with new shades of the Oil-Infused Lip Tints ($26 each 0.17 oz/5.7 ml) and a pocket-sized eyeshadow palette called the Wanted Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25 for 6 colors 0.02 oz/.7 g x 6). I have swatches plus thoughts on all the new launches. Per the NARS team everything is limited-edition.

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Oil-Infused Lip Tints

I’ve been a huge fan of the Orgasm Oil-Infused Lip Tint and Orgasm Afterglow Balm so I was excited to try the new lip oil shades. There are three colors and they have the same emollient feel and packaging as the Orgasm oil: hydrating, smooth, not sticky, comforting and offer just a slight hint of color. On me pigment is barely there and sheer. I don’t get a shift on the lips in color like I did with the Orgasm color (review here). They are formulated with raspberry seed oil and pomegranate extracts to hydrate and protect.

Primal Instinct is a sheer beige
High Security is a fuchsia
Disco Infernal is a purple berry

For me I think Orgasm is the best color as it transforms to a healthy soft pink on me. The new ones are nice if you can’t do the color-shifting lip products. I know some of you find they turn into a super unflattering bright pink – these look different on everyone. The new ones are so sheer and have a similar vibe on me, I’d recommend opting for just one if you want to try them. Even though they look practically the same on me, I’ve still been loving the formula for the beach or warm weather days. I wore the beige one out kayaking with my niece and nephew who were visiting in town last week. It stayed put for 5 hours straight without budging or sliding. Lips felt good the entire time.

Swatches are done on bare lips:

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Mini Wanted

NARS launched a pocket size version of one of their best selling palettes Wanted in a super mini version called the Wanted Eyeshadow Mini Palette (originally reviewed here). The mini has 6 shades while the full size has 12. I think the full-size is the better buy and you get more color options for a complete eye look. The mini is one of the smallest palettes I think I’ve ever seen. Quality of the mini is the same as the full large option you can still find at Ulta or Macy’s. Colors applied smoothly without any issue and layer beautifully. The customer reviews online are pretty bad but to me it seems it’s all based on the size and price. I think it’s all based on the packaging presentation – one look at this in person and it’s fairly unimpressive just based on the size. The Natasha Denona Mini Eye Palettes are the same price $25 and are also similar in weight per pan for the shadows but seems to have more positive reviews even though it’s tiny too. Also by comparison the NARS Voyageur Eyeshadow Palettes have 6 shades just like the Mini Wanted, is priced higher at $32 yet has less product (pans are .6 g each). The packaging and presentation looks so much better even though these are small pans as well.

I think the Mini Wanted might be nice if you want to gift something at that $25 or under price point and still have it be from a luxury brand. I do think there are better options out there, but a quick price filter just on Sephora alone shows that most of them will be over the $25 mark.

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Quality-wise everything performs well. The eyeshadows are smooth, nicely pigmented, layer beautifully for a soft rosy eye look. They stay put and don’t have a lot of fall out and blend well. The palette is too small for my taste even though I do love a good mini. I think the full size is a lot better for the price and more versatile.

The Oil-Infused Lip Tints are lovely for that smooth hydrating feel and soft wash of color to tint the lips. They do make the lips look lush and glossy in a really pretty way, but I’m still partial to the first one they launched in Orgasm.

You can find these new launches available now at Sephora.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

NARS items featured provided courtesy of NARS for review.

6 Comments

Highlighters Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duos: Moodlight, Flicker + Incandescent

June 27, 2019

Tom Ford launched two new Skin Illuminating Duos ($85 each for .42 oz/12 g) this year in Flicker and Incandescent. The original one Moodlight is probably one of the prettiest candlelight champagne glow highlighters I’ve ever tried and to this day remains a staple. Flicker is the deeper version and easier to find. Incandescent is a little harder to find right now (it sold out on a number of sites quickly) but you can still find it at Sephora and Bloomingdale’s. The two new colors have the same textured pattern, shimmery finish and powder formula to the original for a multi-dimensional glow.

From top clockwise: Moodlight, Flicker and Incandescent

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Moodlight

For my medium golden skin I find Moodlight is still the best as a skin illuminating duo. It’s the most flattering, isn’t too warm or cool, has the perfect amount of shimmer and glow. It’s smooth, lasts all day, doesn’t emphasize pores and looks good on a wide range of skin tones. I’ve hit pan on this before. I bought a fresh one to shoot for this post.

Swatch comparisons can be found in previous posts here and here.

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Flicker

Flicker has a yellow gold shimmer and deep dark bronze tone with olive undertones. For me this is better for the eyes. On my complexion the colors do not work well on the face, even with soft layering or mixing. The deeper color pulls a little green on my skin and is too deep to wear even as a soft contour. Because it contrasts so sharply with my skin I found the darker color didn’t really apply smoothly with regular highlighting strokes. It required a lot of extra blending to smooth out. On the eyes it applied just fine though.

Swatch comparisons to Maybelline Master Chrome in Molten Gold (one of the best gold highlighters I’ve tried this year), Chanel Duo Bronze Et Lumiere in Medium (review here), Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow in Medium-Dark.

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Incandescent

Incandescent did not disappoint and was worth the extra effort to track down. It looks darker in the pan than I anticipated from online stock photos but swatches light and glowy. There’s a champagne shimmer that’s almost identical to the top shade in Moodlight on my skin (they don’t look the same in the pan though). Incandescent’s top shade pulls a little warmer and more golden. If you’re lighter than me in skin tone the difference will be more noticeable. The bottom shade is a frosty rose, similar to NARS Maldives.

Swatch comparisons to Charlotte Tilbury Sex on Fire, NARS Highlighting Powder in Maldives (review here), Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Duo in Softcore (discontinued).

More swatches of the three Skin Illuminating Duos side by side:

Swatches on the face, also wearing:

Foundation – Tom Ford Soleil Glow Foundation in Shade 6
Concealer – Smashbox Studio Skin Concealer in Light Medium Warm
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder in Shade 2
Brows – Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown
Mascara – L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara
Eyeliner – L’Oreal Infallible Waterproof Eye Pencil in Brown
Lips – Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Rosy Glow
Tee – Reformation Alex Slim Tee

Overall I still like Moodlight the best but I think Incandescent is really lovely too. Flicker isn’t a win for me but it’s mainly because the colors don’t work so well for my complexion, it’s a little too deep for me to wear even with blending. The gold is a little too yellow for my liking. For a contour gold/bronze palette I prefer the Natasha Denona Tan Bronze and Glow Palette or the Chanel Duo Bronze Et Lumiere Compact I reviewed earlier – both are easier for me to wear and more flattering for my medium skin tone.

You can find the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duos out now at all Tom Ford counters. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York and Beautylish.

I’m hoping Incandescent will restock everywhere, I bought mine at Nordstrom but it keeps selling out online, for now it’s available at Sephora and Bloomingdale’s.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

16 Comments

MAC

MAC Electric Wonder Collection Review + Swatches

June 17, 2019

MAC launched the perfect color palette of neutrals with their Electric Wonder Collection for summer and it’s truly beautiful! I think everything is stunning from the pink marble electric packaging to the actual product colors. If you’re looking for an updated palette of neutrals with shimmer there are some great value options in this collection. I have most of everything swatched today including:

Lipsticks ($19.50 each) in Feelin’ Sedimental, Let’s Mesa Around, Life in Sepia and Natural Born Leader
Lipglass ($18.50 each) in Marble Faun, Nature Freak, Coral of the Wild and Rock Starz
Ignite Wonder Face Palette ($40.50) with 6 shades
Next to Nothing Bronzer ($30 each) in Canyon Dreamin’ and Sun-Soaked Strip
Iridescent Powder ($36 each) in Serenity Seeker and Into Eternity
Brush 126SE ($43)
Eyeshadow x 12 Desert Lightning ($48) with 12 neutral cool shades
Eyeshadow x 12 Natural Vice ($48) with 12 neutral warm shades

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Eyeshadow Palettes

There are two eyeshadow palettes in a warmer option Natural Vice and a cooler option called Desert Lightning. Both have 12 shades and are offered at a really great value price. 12 pans are hit and miss with some shades being patchy/sheer and others being more pigmented. Both of these seem to be a significant improvement across the board with every color applying with smooth easy to layer pigment. I cannot pick a favorite and I usually gravitate towards the warmer ones, but both are really beautiful. Color adheres well to the lids and pigment is very very good.

Desert Lightning has a mix of matte, satin, shimmers. There are a few repromoted shades but most of the colors are newer.

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Natural Vice is the one I think feels more like a neutral summer palette. It has mattes, shimmers and satiny colors. Everything applies beautifully.

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Lipstick and Lipglass

There are five Lipsticks and five Lipglasses in this launch and I have four of each swatched today. I really love Let’s Mesa Around and Natural Born Leader. The other shades are ok quality-wise but on me require mixing and layering for my skin tone.

Let’s Mesa Around Lustre Lipstick is a glossy mauve semi-sheer (looks deeper on my lips because I have naturally pigmented lips which show through)
Feelin’ Sedimental Satin Lipstick is a pale beige peach
Life in Sepia Matte Lipstick is a cool toned brown
Natural Born Leader Matte Lipstick is a plum
Marble Faun Lipglass is a sparkly white
Nature Freak Lipglass is a sparkly yellow gold
Coral of the Wild Lipglass is a milky pale peach
Rock Starz Lipglass is a shimmery silvery taupe

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Cheek Palette

The Ignite Wonder Cheek Palette has six almost creamy feeling powders. They apply with a natural sheen on the skin if you use a lighter/fluffy brush like the 126 SE brush but you can layer for more color and pigment. I love that these aren’t too frosty on my skin and because they’re almost cream like they adhere to the skin but don’t feel emollient. It’s very glowy and most of the palette is highlighter material, even the deeper shades, rather than blush.

They swatch frosty on the arm but on the face they apply with a more smooth soft and subtle finish. Colors include a pale champagne shimmer, pale ivory gold shimmer, medium peach tan, pale pink shimmer, medium peach and soft metallic rose.

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Bronzer + Highlighter

There are two Next to Nothing Bronzing Powders which feel like smooth skin but better. I’ve loved their regular Next to Nothing Face Powders and am not sure if this is the first time they launched the formula in bronzer form but the texture is lovely. Canyon Dreamin’ is a cooler toned bronze and Sun-Soaked Strip is a warmer matte option. I think these make for lovely contour powders. You only need a soft swipe with these.

There are also two new Iridescent Powders which have a swirled marble finish. Upon swatching these on the fingers and arms I thought both would be glittery messes on the face. They surprised me! They’re a lot more wearable than I anticipated and have this beautiful multi-dimensional sheen. Serenity Seeker is a soft champagne and Into Eternity is a warmer rose shimmer.

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Brush

There are two brushes in a split fiber form with this collection, I received 126 SE as a press sample and it’s so soft it feels like a soft cloud brushing against your skin. I think it’s a beautiful well made brush for soft powder application.

Look below wearing Natural Vice Eyeshadow Palette, Next to Nothing Bronzer in Sun-Soaked Strip, Ignite Wonder Face Palette highlighters in Any Wonder and Girl Wonder, Matte Lipstick in Natural Born Leader.

Overall thoughts: I think the collection is beautiful! Easy to wear pieces with just the right amount of shimmer and glow. Stand outs are the eyeshadow palettes, Next to Nothing Bronzers and the duo fiber brush for me. A number of you have been asking for recommendations on non-shimmer bronzers and I think these Next to Nothing options are beautiful, I love the deeper one. I do wish they came in a couple lighter shade options for light to fair skin tones though.

I’ve been a bit MIA recently because we just moved! I’m so exhausted as we’ve been up packing non-stop but am so excited we’ve moved to St. Pete. We were in the area nearly every weekend and lived in several beach houses when we did our moving around our first year here. We spent the last week packing and moving and did most of it ourselves (eeps!). We are nearly done but it’s been quite intense. I have lots of new beauty posts I’ve been working on in the meantime to share with you soon. Posting was put on hold for a little while as we have been moving furniture and boxes etc. The fur babies are settling in well 🙂

You can find the MAC Electric Wonder at all MAC counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Ulta Beauty, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and MAC Cosmetics.

Have you checked out the collection yet? What did you think?

MAC Electric Wonder provided courtesy of MAC for review.

27 Comments

Chanel Fragrance Tom Ford Beauty

Favorite Perfumes for Summer

June 12, 2019

Summer is almost here and today I’m rounding up my favorite perfumes perfect for the upcoming season. We are lucky to have warm weather most of the year but perfume is definitely seasonal with different months. I love this time of year when we’re transitioning from spring to full on summer. The heat is rising and there are so many scents that I love for warm weather. For me there are everyday summer perfumes and then there are summer perfumes that make you feel like you’re on vacation. I’m focusing more on the everyday ones for this round up but will list a few vacation vibe scents at the bottom of the post too. As always I’d love to hear about what you’re wearing right now!

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Tom Ford

Above: Daily Edited Large Cosmetic Case / Diptyque Large Outdoor Candle recycled

I would say that my most-worn perfumes recently are the ones from Tom Ford. I think he’s best known for the deeper rich and spicy ones, but my personal favorites are the lighter options. Soleil Blanc and Eau de Soleil Blanc have been must-haves for me for years now. Both are white florals that perfect fresh summery vibe. I also really love White Suede layered with either of the Soleil Blanc perfumes for a softer vibe. All the Tom Ford perfumes are available in multiple sizes, I’ve listed the ones I have below. I love that more of these are now coming in individual travel size sprays so I can carry them in my purse!

Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum ($148 for 50 ml, also available in a .33 oz travel spray) is the perfect white floral! I carry the travel spray with me almost everywhere I go.
- Notes include bergamot, cardamom oil Orpur, pistachio accord, ylang-ylang Comores Islands, benzoin extract Orpur, coco de mer accord
Eau de Soleil Blanc ($125 for 50 ml, 10 ml travel size here) is a brighter more citrus version that has a little more warmth with more noticeable amber and it’s not quite as strong on the floral notes as the original, both smell really similar
- Notes include Vert de bergamot, orange bitter Orpur, petitgrain bigrade Orpur, ylang-ylang, pistachio accord, coco de mer accord
White Suede* ($235 for 50 ml) is one of the few soft musk perfumes I can wear that don’t turn on my skin, I love the way this mixes with the white florals. It’s a soft clean and warm kind of scent. The clear bottle is exclusive to Neiman Marcus but you can find it in the traditional brown at all other counters.
- Notes include saffron, thyme, mate, suede, olibanum, musk
Runner ups from past: Sole di Positano, Fleur de Portofino, Neroli Portofino Acqua

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Byredo

Above: Tray West Elm /On the nails Essie Topless and Barefoot

Byredo has some of the longest lasting perfumes I’ve tried. Sometimes I notice my nose gets used the scent quickly and they seem to fade, but anytime I wear these, I get compliments and questions even hours after I’ve first applied. Andrew also notices them late in the day. I know purchasing a fragrance in person isn’t always possible (even if it’s the best way to buy them). In the event you don’t have a Byredo counter near you to smell, they have a La Selection Set with six minis which are a nice way to sample the scents. There are a number of trios available as well.

Blanche ($175 for 1.7 oz, shown is the .4 oz available in this trio) is a floral that has a mix of aldehyde and violet, it has floral notes with noticeable white rose and a hint of musk. It almost has a clean linen feel.
- Notes include aldehyde, pink pepper, white rose, neroli, peony, violet, blonde woods, musk and sandalwood
Mojave Ghost ($175 for 1.7 oz) is the most unique fragrance I’ve ever smelled. It’s a soft fruity floral with violet and magnolia. There is a mix of musk, sandalwood and amber to give it a little warmth.
- Notes include ambrette, Jamaican nesberry, violet, sandalwood, magnolia, chantilly musk, crisp amber, cedarwood
La Tulipe ($175 for 1.7 oz) is one of the scents I get the most compliments on! This is clean floral with noticeable freesia.
- Notes include:<rhubarb, cyclamen, freesia, tulip, blonde woods and vetiver/li>
Rose Rinse Free Hand Wash ($35 for 1 fl oz) makes for a super fancy hand sanitizer, it has a beautiful soft rose scent with pink pepper and raspberry notes mixed in
- Notes includepink pepper, raspberry, rose petals, magnolia, exotic patchouli, white musks

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Jo Malone

Above: Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Lychee Baby / bracelet Celine

Jo Malone was one of the first perfume lines I started using when I got into perfume. I think they make so many beautiful florals! Unfortunately most of my favorites have been discontinued or were limited-editions. I was so sad when they pulled French Lime Blossom and RIP Vanilla Anise. They used to have a pretty one called Sweet Milk which was such a unique one. I feel like perfume should never be limited-edition or discontinued, it’s so sad to find one you really love and then not be able to buy it when it’s used up! The same thing goes for foundation – all my HOLY grail foundations are now no longer made. The one I love right now for summer is Basil and Neroli, it doesn’t smell like basil at all!

Basil and Neroli ($68 for 1 oz) is the perfect neroli scent, it’s a fresh and fun lively kind of perfume. Andrew likes this one on me.
- Notes include basil grand vert, neroli and white musk

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Chanel

Above: Simplehuman Mirror / Tray / CC Cream swatches / Perle de Corail Le Vernis swatches

Chanel has so many classic perfumes but the Les Eaux de Chanel line stole my heart when they launched last year. These are Eau de Toilettes and are lightweight in feel. They give more of a splash of scent rather than a super long-lasting potent perfume. Living in humidity and heat makes the lightweight feel perfect for me. They launched three Eau de Toilettes last year first Paris-Biarritz, Paris-Venise and Paris-Deauville ($130 each for 4.2 fl oz). Shower gels and body lotions followed for each. I have not yet tried the body products, I’m worried I’ll fall in love and my wallet will hate me for it.

I’m thrilled to let you know that the three originals are now available in a 1.7 fl oz travel size individually for $80 each or as a trio in Le Voyage Set ($240 this one comes with a cute pouch). I ordered the mini of my favorite Paris-Biarritz the second it launched online. Right now the minis are available only at Chanel.com. The minis have a spritzer spray too! I feel like I had seen images of the minis for the European and Asian websites – I’m so happy they’re now available in the US.

Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz ($80 to $130) is my favorite of the three original ones. It’s perfect for the citrus scent lover. It has notes of Sicilian Mandarin and Lily of the Valley. It has a very soft almost garden like feel to it. It’s refreshing and bright!

This past week they just launched a fourth scent Paris-Riviera* which is lovely for those who love citrus scents. This one has vacation spa resort like vibes. It’s sweeter and a little more juicy the Paris-Biarritz.

Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Riviera* ($130 for 4.2 oz) comes in one size right now. I asked if there were plans to add more body products or a travel size and they don’t have any information right now. It takes me away to a place where I feel like I’m away at a spa.

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That wraps up my favorites right now. I rotate frequently! Top three favorites right now are the new Chanel Paris-Riviera, Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc and Byredo La Tulipe. Runner ups for perfumes that smell like a summer vacation include Replica Beach Walk, Creed Virgin Island Water and Bobbi Brown Beach. But for now I’ve had the ones in this roundup in my spring to summer rotation.

What are you favorite summertime perfumes? Do you change things by season or do you have something you wear year round?

Press samples include Tom Ford White Suede, Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel in Paris-Biarritz (full size) and Paris-Riviera (full size). Others purchased by me.

14 Comments

Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs BlitzTrance Lipstick New Shades for Summer

June 10, 2019

This summer Pat McGrath Labs brings us nine new shades of BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38 each for 3.9 g/0.13 oz, made in USA). These new summer colors have a different finish and formula compared to her original holiday BlitzTrance Lipsticks last year. The original ones had an intense sparkle finish with bold colors. This month’s release has the same name “BlitzTrance” but the finish is more of a smooth refined satiny shimmer creme. These new summer BlitzTrance colors are everyday kinds of colors and every single one is phenomenal. You can find them now at PatMcGrath.com.

The summer BlitzTrance has medium to full coverage. They have a soft creme feel and the shimmer has an almost velvety dry down look to them. There’s a shimmer and sheen to them but they’re not really glossy in finish like I expected. They adhere well to the lips, there’s no detectable scent, application is smooth without any tugging. With a few of the shades I could feel a tiny bit of texture from the shimmer applying to the lips, but once on the lips they feel 100% smooth. Lasting power is excellent – there is no sliding around and I did not need a lip liner to help the color stay in place.

There are nine colors in this launch. The range has 5 very similar neutral nude-pinks, 1 nineties brown-rose, 1 plum, 1 red and 1 coral rose. At first glance the neutrals look remarkably similar. Even on the arm they look close. After lip-swatching them though I can see the differences are in undertone which I can really appreciate because finding the perfect neutral nude pink can vary so much depending on skin and lip tone. For example a few of my red hair friends look amazing in MAC Twig and Spirit lipsticks. Both look like great neutrals on my hand but on my complexion make me look like I’m 100% dead. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk is one of my favorite neutral rose lipsticks but a number of you find it too cool/dusty looking on your lips and complexion. Finding a perfect “neutral” truly depends on so many things!

Close ups, descriptions and swatches:

Skin Flixx, Naked Kiss, Lady Stardust
Skinsane, Full Fantasy, Love Train
Flesh3, Blood Rush and Emmanuelle

Descriptions as I see them, quick note that the shimmer is more visible in the lip swatches:

Skin Flixx is a neutral warm rose pink neutral with a satiny shimmer
Naked Kiss is the lightest one but not pale, this is a light peach pink with gold pearl
Lady Stardust is a medium neutral-cool rose pink nude pearl, pulls more blue toned compared to the others
Skinsane is a neutral medium pink-beige with a slight hint of pink (looks almost identical to Naked Kiss on me, Skinsane is just a little deeper)
Full Fantasy is a warmer neutral nude peach pink shimmer
Love Train is a perfect plum shimmer
Flesh3 is a brown rose shimmer, almost like a brick shimmer
Blood Rush is a bold classic red with shimmer
Emmanuelle is a pretty coral rose with a metallic sheen

All swatched on bare lips, for skin tone reference I’m wearing Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff (equivalent of Tom Ford Soleil Glow Natural and MAC Studio Fix in NC35):

Details shots below, starting with Skin Flixx:

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Naked Kiss

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Lady Stardust

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Skinsane

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Full Fantasy

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Love Train

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Flesh 3

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Blood Rush

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Emmanuelle

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We are in the midst of packing for another move so I only pulled a couple to compare. Overall the BlitzTrance neutrals run lighter and almost brighter compared to her LuxeTrance and MatteTrance neutrals. I have one in LuxeTrance Realness swatched below. I also have Tom Ford Lip Color in Autoerotique and Spanish Pink side by side. I included both of the neutral-ish ones from the original BlitzTrance launch as well:

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Two full-face looks with Emmanuelle (left) and Blood Rush (right), also wearing:

Foundation is Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion in Buff
Powder is MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden
Brows are Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
Eyeshadow is Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Lueurs Ambrees
Eyeliner is Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Brun Agape
Top from Free People
Cheeks/lips:
- Left is Pat McGrath BlitzTrance in Emmanuelle and Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm Palette
- Right is Pat McGrath BlitzTrance in Blood Rush with CoverFX Monochromatic Blush Duo in Warm Honey

Overall the formula is excellent across the board. Colors wear well and apply perfectly. I can get full coverage with one swipe and even after doing 9 lip swatches in a row my lips have not peeled or dried out. They’re not hydrating but at the same time they don’t dry out my lips which is a huge plus. If there is one thing I think is a little confusing, it’s the name. I think the new summer formula is different enough from the holiday launch to justify a different product name, but BlitzTrance still suits it. The new summer formula is a lot more wearable compared to the holiday colors. Summer ones have a beautiful reflective quality that shines as the light hits your lips from different angles. Even though the neutrals look remarkably close I can appreciate that they launched variations with different undertones to suit different skin and lip colors.

I think they’re all really perfect but my favorites are Skinsane, Love Train and Emmanuelle.

You can find the new Summer BlitzTrance Lipsticks out now online at Pat McGrath Labs. As usual you can shop these in bundles and lip kits on her website which give a nice price break.

Have you tried these yet? Are any on your radar?

BlitzTrance provided courtesy of Pat McGrath Labs for review.

12 Comments

Chanel Eye Makeup

Chanel New Eye Collection Review + Swatches

June 3, 2019

Chanel recently launched The New Eye Collection with four color themes for eyeshadows, liners and tinted mascaras. The texture and pigment of the four Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadows are really quite phenomenal. For those who feel like they want a non-neutral eye color but don’t want something with high shimmer or super warm tones, this collection offers some nice alternatives. I also just saw they released a new Eyelash Curler so I picked that up to round out the collection review.

I have all four quads, five eyeliners, four mascaras plus the curler reviewed. There may be some additional liners in the collection (new and repromotes) as well. In today’s post:

Les 4 Ombres ($62 each for 2 g/0.07 oz) in Blurry Mauve, Blurry Green, Blurry Grey and Blurry Blue
Le Volume Revolution de Chanel ($35 each for 6 g/0.21 oz) in Deep Eros, Jungle Green, Volcan and Intense Teal
Stylo Yeux Waterproof ($33 each for 0.30 g/0.01 oz) in Brun Agape, Jungle Green, Black Wood, Noir Engimatique and Intense Teal
Le Recourbe Cils de Chanel Eyelash Curler ($30, made in Japan), comes with 2 refill pads

Some quick notes on the formulas before I go into the color themes. Formulas across the board are consistent in pigment, color payoff, lasting power and blendability. The Les 4 Ombres seem to be a significant improvement over previous years’ quads. The mattes are almost creamy to the touch, they’re super soft and easy to blend for a soft smokey look. The shimmers also have a very soft feel to them and adhere well to the skin. Lasting power is very good with better pigment compared to older quads. The Stylo Yeux Wateproof Eyeliners are all smooth in texture (these are twist up liners with a removeable sharpener at the base). In the past this formula has been hit or miss, some have had tugging issues for me. This launch every color is smooth, easy to blend and layer in a feathering motion and there was no tugging. The Le Volume Revolution de Chanel Mascaras offer nice volume without any clumping or smudging. The color is subtle on me once it dries down. Color darkens once it dries on my black lashes, but it is a nice change from the traditional black or brown.

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Blurry Mauve

I’m starting with my favorite color theme of the four with the Blurry Mauve theme. This color theme reminds me a little of the Rouge Noir liners they’ve launched in the past but the red is more muted and color theme has a blurred greyed kind of mix for a more neutral tone. The overall look is a beautiful smokey mauve plum which I think is the easiest for me to wear:

Les 4 Ombres in Blurry Mauve has a satiny matte mauve plum, a shimmering taupe plum, a matte deep wine and a soft mauve matte
Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Brun Agape is the perfect shimmery plum-red shimmer liner
Le Volume Revolution in Deep Eros is a deep wine colored mascara
Note the website lists 928 Eros as another liner for the color theme, I have not seen it or tried it yet though.

Below wearing Blurry Mauve (all 4 shades), Brun Agape and Deep Eros, also wearing:

Chanel Les Beiges Tint in Medium Plus
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium
Chanel Powder Blush in Golden Sun
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme in Modern* (swatches here)
Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in 119* (swatches here)
Chanel Duo Bronzer Et Lumiere in Clair* (both shades to blend/highlight the eye brow area, swatches here)
Tee by Reformation
Nail Polish is OPI Tiramisu for Two

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Blurry Green

My second favorite is the Blurry Green collection which is huge for me as I’m not a green fan. This palette has two olive/green tones with a mix of golden sandy brown shimmers to neutralize the color. I think I can wear this color palette year round but it seems like it’s going to be the perfect fall palette. Lasting power was excellent – it stayed put all day over the weekend from morning to evening, lasted through the heat!

Les 4 Ombres in Blurry Green has a metallic golden sand, a shimmery olive, a shimmery sage green and a shimmery deeper soft brown, this is the most shimmery of the four but isn’t overly frosted. Colors layer beautifully together for a soft smokey olive eye.
Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Jungle Green is the prettiest forest green shimmer eyeliner I’ve seen in a long time. It has a really pretty deep finish on the eyes (swatches better on the eye than my arm).
Le Volume Revolution de Chanel in in Jungle Green is a dark forest green mascara. It almost has a metallic sheen to it but once it dries down looks like a deep blackened green.

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Blurry Grey

The Blurry Grey theme has an interesting twist on the traditional black/white/grey smokey eye palette. The colors pull warmer on the skin compared to what you see in the palette. Overall look on my olive/medium/golden skin is still neutral cool which makes it easier to wear than most smokey eye palettes. Colors are soft and blurred for a nice date-night eye:

Les 4 Ombres in Blurry Grey has a soft blue-grey matte, a soft blurred deep charcoal, a neutral warm almost plum smokey, a shimmery soft silvery
Stylo Yeux Wateproof in in Noir Engimatique is a shimmery cool black and Black Wood is a more neutral soft washed black liner
Le Volume Revolution de Chanel in Volcan is described as a grey, but it’s pretty much a soft black on the lashes

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Blurry Blue

Last is the Blurry Blue themed collection which I think has a more wearable color palette for blues compared to the more trendy blue and teal colors out there. I cannot pull off teals or blue shades on my eyes, at best I can wear navy. Still the quality is excellent and I think the teal mascara is fun (still subtle but fun). This gives a really pretty blurred out grey-blue eye look, I just didn’t like the blue tones on my skin from the shadow, the liner and mascara are really fun though!

Les 4 Ombres in Blurry Blue has some blue grey tones with a matte grey, a cool gunmetal grey satin, a deep teal and a soft dove grey matte, colors are smooth and easy to blend.
Stylo Yeux in Intense Teal is a bold teal shimmer, once on the eyes it looks deeper/darker and not as bright.
Le Volume Revolution de Chanel in Intense Teal is a deep teal with a subtle effect on the lashes.

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Lash Curler

Last but not least is the new Chanel Lash Curler. They discontinued the black lacquered one many years ago. As soon as I found out it was being pulled I stocked up and have been relying on my backups. This new one is silver and made in Japan. It comes with two extra refill pads. A number of you asked how this compares to Shiseido and Shu Uemura. It’s been a long time since I’ve used either so I can’t compare, these days my top go-to’s have been the older Chanel curler, MAC’s Eyelash Curler and Charlotte Tilbury’s. This new one from Chanel performed well, it looks almost identical in shape and size to the older version, just silver. The curler does seem to be slightly more flattened. Overall performance is excellent and I’m really happy with it.

That wraps up the review + swatches of the New Eye Collection. I think it has excellent formulas for those who want an alternative to the black/silver/grey smokey eye. My favorite is Blurry Mauve, for fall I think I’ll be reaching for Blurry Green more. Quality and pigment is really nice and easy to wear. If you want something simple and easy to wear (versus the palettes that have 10+ colors) these quads are perfect.

You can find the Chanel New Eye Collection at Chanel.com now. Their website and boutique had the early exclusive for the launch, but they will also available at all Chanel counters and retailers.

Have you checked out these launches yet? If yes what did you think?

Chanel Eye Collection provided courtesy of Chanel Beauty for review. Eyelash curler purchased by me.

22 Comments

Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona Tan Bronze and Glow Palette Review

May 29, 2019

Natasha Denona recently launched her Tan Bronze and Glow Palette ($55) and it’s summer perfection! It was an easy decision to order sight unseen. She has the best tutorials and sneak peeks on her Instagram page. I think her product reveals are super fun to watch as well. This is a four pan compact with creams and powders. The texture is excellent for the different formulas, pigment is smooth and easy to apply. It has the prettiest finish with phenomenal lasting power. For those who don’t like glitter this one is a win as it has no glitter in it. I think it will suit a wide range of skin tones.

The Tan Bronze and Glow compact is the same size and design as her Bloom and Blush Palette (which I still adore). I really like this size because it’s easy to travel with and also easy to hold. The Tan Bronze and Glow Palette has a similar clear protector over the creams shades so the powder debris doesn’t cross over into the pans.

Colors and formulas in this palette include:

Glow Cream Base is the perfect neutral champagne tan shimmer, looks ultra natural on the skin, I wish she made this this in a full size option!
Super Glow is a shimmery gel powder which has a yellow peach gold metallic sheen
Blush and Bronze Powder is a warm bronze matte with pink tones
Glow Impact Powder is a metallic pale gold

Colors will differ depending on how light or deep your skin tone is. If you’re fair to light colors will show up more bronzey/golden and if you’re deep colors will contrast more with your skin to look paler. On my medium skin this adds a beautiful bronze and glow in the best way ever.

Swatch comparisons to a few other products including the Chanel Duo Bronze Et Lumiere in Medium and Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Duo in Flicker (new, review soon):

Also swatched next to the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow duos:

Makeup look wearing:

Rodin Luxury Face Cream* all over (review soon)
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation 235
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer 235
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder*
Chanel Les Beiges Les Indispensables Eye Palette* (review + swatches here)
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Brown
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Primer + Lash Paradise Mascara
L’Oreal Rouge Signature Matte High Pigment Lightweight Lip Ink in I Empower + Charlotte Tilbury Lip Collagen in Peachy Plump on top
Nail Polish is OPI Samoan Sand
Natasha Denona Tan Bronze and Glow Palette, all four shades
Tank from Re/Done (recommend going at least 2 sizes up from your normal size, I’m wearing a Medium)

You can use any brush from your collection to apply the powders. I used the Wayne Goss Air Brush, MAC 168S Angled Contour Brush and also the Laura Mercier Fan Brush when testing this.

Overall a really pretty option for summer and even with all the other bronzer and highlighter options for me it’s a must-have. You can wear on both eyes and cheeks. It gives the perfect soft bronze and glow in one. I love layering all the shades together but you can mix and match with your other blushes or just wear a couple of the colors. Lasting power was really good and it stayed put without budging all day. I love that it has a matte shade alongside shimmers.

I bought mine at Sephora. Also available at Beautylish. Have you tried this one yet? What did you think?

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Pat McGrath Labs BlitzTrance Lipstick New Shades for Summer

Chanel New Eye Collection Review + Swatches

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