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NARS Eyeshadow Singles and Duos Relaunch Review

October 3, 2018

NARS just redesigned their Eyeshadow Singles and Duos in a new formula and packaging. Some shades have been repromoted and new colors have been introduced. The formula is softer and smoother with a more buttery feel and now comes with magnetic removable pans. I still have yet to find a palette to put them into so I’m keeping them in the original compacts for now. Today I have a review of the following items:

Single Eyeshadows $19 each for 1.1 g/0.04 oz
Single Eyeshadow Mattes $19 each for 1.1 g/0.04 oz
Hardwired Single Eyeshadow $22 each for 1.1 g/0.04 oz
Duo Eyeshadows $35 each for 1.1 g/0.04 oz per pan
Tinted Smudge Proof Eye Base $26 each for 8 g/0.28 oz
Climax Mascara $24 for 6 g/0.21 oz

The new shadows are improved over the original but I really liked the original formula. Differences are in packaging design and texture. The revamped version is softer and velvety with a texture that seems to glide on the skin better. Pigment and color payoff is similar to me, I do think with the shimmers the softer velvety texture makes for a richer finish. All the colors layer and blend with each other beautifully.

First a look at the new vs old packaging. I like the concept of removable pans to make my own palette. I think all brands should have this option with singles! I’m still trying to find a good palette solution for these – they do have one they launched a while ago but it hasn’t held up the best for me.

The Single Eyeshadow comes in 42 shade options. There are a different finishes of matte, shimmer, satin. Some retailers split these into Soft Essentials for Mattes, Precious Metals for shimmers and Pops for bright colors. The ones I tested were all excellent in color payoff, texture and smoothness. I’m partial to the shimmers for their buttery soft texture that glides onto the lids perfectly. Color I have include a mix of press samples and ones I purchased on my own.

Top Row:

Cabo San Lucas* is a sheer mauve with a soft satin sheen
Noumea* is a warm matte red brown
Bengali* is a matte cool deep brown

Middle Row:

Virgin Gorda is a shimmering rose nude
Ashes to Ashes* is a soft satiny shimmer taupe grey
Fez is a warm bronze shimmer

Bottom Row:

Verona* is a cool purple silvery shimmer
Isla Bonita* is an ultra pale minty silver
Lahore* is a shimmering taupe grey

Swatches below, to me Ashes to Ashes and Lahore almost look identical on my skin. Lahore has more pigment and shimmer, but the colors look really close. If you have a pink undertone you will probably see the difference more. I’m tan olive.

The Hardwired Eyeshadow Singles are ultra shimmery and metallic. I had my eye on a few so I stopped by the store to see them. The ones I wanted looked ultra glittery while the ones I had were more of a refined metallic. I may go check them out again as my experience with the four I have blew me away. They’re so pigmented and non-gritty like you’d expect. The shimmer is ultra fine and adheres to the skin really well. Photos can’t capture how beautiful these are.

Earthshine is a pale lavender with green, blue and violet flecks
Stud is the perfect silver taupe shimmer
Lunar* is a high shine lavender
Eclipse* is a duo-chrome purple that flashes pink

The Duo Eyeshadow has been relaunched in a lot of repromoted shades. Based on a comparison of old vs new, the colors with the same names are very similar but I see slight differences. Pigment wise the newer ones adhere better to the skin and have a softer smooth texture. Color payoff is similar though, my experience is that the color is really good and lasts a long time.

Colors I bought include the following below. I did receive some press samples but they weren’t colors I felt like I’d use so I gifted them away and bought ones I knew I would:

Kalahari* is the perfect neutral medium tone plum and bronze
Alhambra has a shimmering pink and shimmering gold
Cordura has a shimmering bronze and deep chocolate with gold flecks
St Paul de Vence has a perfect soft pink and warm pink matte (I feel like since I missed out on the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk quad this could be a good alternative)

The Tinted Smudge Proof Eye Base now comes in tinted form. I ordered both Light and Medium as I wasn’t sure what color I’d be. Medium is my match and I’ve swatched it next to a few Radiant Creamy Concealers in Custard, Macadamia and Ginger for reference. I wasn’t a fan of the original clear base simply because it’s not meant for my skin type. I know many love matte bases for eyeshadows but I don’t have oily lids so most tend to dry out my skin. I prefer something creamy and emollient. These new Tinted Bases are ultra pigmented and a little goes a long way. They have a velvety matte dry down so while it will help the shadow stay put all day long I found them too dry for my skin type. It is an excellent product to even out the lids and help create a nice canvas for powder eye shadow and once it sets it is indeed smudge-proof.

Last but not least a quick mention of the Climax Mascara*. I’m going to do a roundup soon of mascaras I’ve been trying and this one is excellent. It volumizes, doesn’t clump, holds the curl and is almost smudge-proof. Indoors in air conditioning it does not smudge on me. But outdoors for extended periods of time here in Florida we are still having humid weather with temperatures in the high 90s sometimes exceeding 100. In those cases minor smudging occurs. But overall this is an excellent formula.

A quick look at some of the originals I still have versus new version. I think the colors are really close but there are slight differences. The original Alhambra is a tiny bit peachier. Original Kalahari is cooler-toned. Original Ashes to Ashes is the slightest bit warmer in undertone.

Overall thoughts are positive. I think there has been an improvement in the new formula although I never had issues with the original ones. I really like that the pans are removeable and hope they come out with a large empty palette like MAC does that I can use to put the shadows in for travel or to make my own palette. I’m going to give the Hardwired shades another look, especially Pattaya because the formula is really good. I personally don’t love the Eyeshadow Bases but they aren’t bad – they’re just not what I like to use because of the matte finish.

You can find the NARS Eyeshadow Singles and Duos out now. Some shades seem to have been selling out quickly so you may have to shop around to find the colors you want. Available at NARS Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora and all other NARS retailers.

Some items featured are press samples, others purchased by me. Press sample shades have a * next to them.

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Highlighters Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette Unlocked Edition

October 1, 2018

Hourglass launched a new palette called the Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette ($80 for 0.04 oz/1.4 g x6, made in Italy) for holiday 2018. I ordered this from Sephora and as with most of their 6-pan palettes it’s limited-edition but this year’s version has all new shades! This is the first of a few items the brand is launching for holiday. More teasers on their Instagram @hourglasscosmetics for another palette launching in a couple of days.

The Unlocked Ambient Lighting Palette has two finishing powders, one bronzer, two blushes and a metallic strobe powder. Quality is excellent with a medium coverage finish that’s very natural. The overall look and feel of the colors ended up being darker than I anticipated. On my skin they apply a little deeper than what I see in the palette but it worked well. The colors also applied with a more diffused glow rather than the high shimmer sheen. Since these are luminous with light reflective particles, the palette is going to look different depending on how the natural light catches it. Lasting power is excellent as well. They stay put on the skin without emphasizing pores or fine lines.

A closer look at the palette in a few different lighting options, swatches and all the shades applied on the face below.

First color descriptions of the shades you get in this year’s holiday palette:

Soft Light is a sheer light ivory beige finishing powder with a subtle sheen
Filtered Light is a tan beige finishing powder, almost a soft contour for me
Golden Bronze Light is a warm golden bronze shimmer
Nude Glow is a shimmery nude peach
Mood Flush is a satiny rose pink, looks cooler-toned in the pan, but on my skin applied more neutral-warm
Champagne Strobe Light is a high shimmer champagne

Close up of the palette indoors natural light:

Versus with a flash:

On the face it gives a very natural glow. There’s no harsh frost or glare even with a flash, also wearing:

Foundation – Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 (just decided to re-try this and it works really well)
Powder to set – Hourglass Ambient Unlocked in Soft Light + Filtered Light mixed
Eyeshadow – Hourglass Scattered Light Shadow in Aura
Eyeliner – Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Ebene
Brows – Chanel La Palette Sourcils de Chanel in Brun 50
Mascara – Chanel Le Volume de Revolution (review soon)
Blush – Hourglass Ambient Unlocked in Mood Flush + Nude Glow mixed
Highlight – Hourglass Ambient Unlocked Champagne Strobe Light
Lipgloss – Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Flesh Astral *

Size comparison of the different Hourglass compacts.

A lot of you have asked what brushes I recommend using with this palette. The pans are on the small side so there’s a high chance you’re going to be mixing colors with your brush. A few smaller ones I use and recommend shown below.

Top to bottom:

MAC 168 SH (mine is an older short discontinued version, full size here brush head is the same size)
Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt brush
Laura Mercier Cheek Color Brush *
Wayne Goss Brush 10 *
Wayne Goss Air Brush * (one shown is limited-edition color, but he carries it in the regular shade)
Wayne Goss Brush 14 * (brush set reviewed here)

Overall well made with beautiful colors. I think the quality is excellent. It has a very natural look to it but the colors are buildable if you layer. Given all the highlighters that are out there on the market at this point many launches are looking the same to me. These colors are new to Hourglass and I think a couple are unique while others are not. I would love to see them expand their Ambient Lighting finishing powder range to include full sizes of Soft Light and Filtered Light and perhaps shades in between and darker. I love the satiny almost matte powders and right now there’s not a color that works to match my skin although I used to use Dim Light as a setting powder when I was lighter in skin tone.

I do love the look and vibe of Nude Glow Blush because I love a good peachy shimmer. Mood Flush is nice but for some reason doesn’t quite apply the same in the pan on my face (it goes on warmer). I’m the equivalent of MAC NC35 and I think if I were up to 3 shades darker in skintone this would still show up on me, but the overall look is still very medium-natural.

I think it’s a good buy. I’m really happy with it and love that it has new colors. I’m also ok with having similar options because these palettes are so convenient for travel or to create a look with a single compact. I don’t know that I’d call it entirely unique and I’m also ok with that. At this point given all the highlighters I own and have tested I don’t know that I’d call it a must-have, but I do really like it. It’s pricey but well made.

You can find the Hourglass Unlocked Ambient Lighting Edit Palette out now at Sephora and Hourglass. It’s limited-edition for Holiday 2018.

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Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath Labs Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Lip Balm

September 29, 2018

Pat McGrath Labs has launched one of the best tinted lip balms I’ve ever tried with her Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balms ($38 each for 3.5 g/0.12 oz, made in USA). She previously released a clear version (reviewed here which I bought and love) and her sparkly Astrals (I bought the Nude one, but the others looked a bit too sparkly for me). This month she launched 9 new non-shimmers in tinted colors which I think are absolute perfection. I really liked the formula of her clear version even though the price point was pretty high. Having color added feels like I can justify the price point a little more for a lip balm, but seriously ALL her lip products are phenomenal.

There are 9 perfect colors ranging from nude, pink, beige, to bright pink, plum and red. I think the color selection is very good, there’s not a single bad color in the launch. I also really appreciate that she offers sets on her website that give us a price break versus buying individually. You can find the Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm Everything Kit for $275 with 9 colors or three variations of Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm Trios for $95 each.

For tinted balms my favorites have been the Dior Addict Lip Glows followed by any of the YSL Volupte line (Tint-in-Balms and Volupte Shine Oil in Stick). The Pat McGrath Balms aren’t as soft in density which makes them have a less slippery feel on the lips. As much as I love super emollient balms that have an almost buttery feel, the Florida heat can make those feel like they are sliding off the lips sometimes. The Pat McGrath ones have a balmy feel but without the sliding feeling. You can feel and notice lips are moisturized but it’s not heavy. There’s no detectable scent or taste to me.

Color swatches very sheer on the arms/hands. Once on the lips the color shows up in a sheer to medium coverage. Even with the light ones I see my entire lip covered with pigment. They’re sheer compared to her lipsticks but have enough color that you can see them on your lips. Application is smooth and perfect with every single color. Color descriptions:

521 Blow Up is a warm beige
522 Love Supreme is a cool rose cream
523 Succexy medium coral peach
524 Passion Flower is a light pink peach (turns pink on my lips)
525 Full Fantasy bright pink
526 Wild Cherry is a deep cherry red
527 Dark Devotion is a mulberry wine
528 Ultra Vixen is a deep wine plum
529 Flesh 3 perfect red brown rose

Also shown in direct sunlight below:

Swatches, first straight from the tube:

Swatches applied with a lip brush:

Lip swatches, done on bare lips, for reference my skintone is MAC Studio Fix NC35. Note Passion Flower turns pink on my lips, I triple checked and triple lip-swatched to make sure I didn’t have any remnants on my lips from other colors mixing in. Also quick note, I take my photos with a flash – depending on your screen the lip swatches may look a tiny bit more glossy below. I’d describe these as having a soft sheen finish.

Individual close ups, I’m having a bad skin week so please excuse the patchy skin, I packed on tons of extra powder and foundation to cover up some scars and skin breakage. All lip swatches are taken indoors but with a flash:

Bottom line perfect. EVERY single one is perfect. Lasting power is better than your average balm, it still won’t last as long as her LuxeTrance or MatteTrance lipsticks, but for a balm I get several hours of wear without fading. Formula is hydrating and really does moisturize the lips nicely. I love the natural sheen these have and also the fact that once you apply they don’t feel like they’ll slide off. I still have some more lip product reviews from other brands that I’m working on including some of the new Tom Ford Boys and Girls, Sisley Le Phyto-Rouge and more, but being the gloss girl that I am, I love these balms. They’re easy to wear, effortless, apply flawlessly and the colors are perfect. I think it’s a little odd Passion Flower turns straight pink on my lips when it looks peach in the tube but I love it regardless.

You can find the Pat McGrath Labs Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balms online at Pat McGrath for $38 each. Also available in her Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm Everything Kit for $275 with 9 colors or three variations of Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm Trios for $95 each.

Many thanks to the Pat McGrath team for sending these for review.

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Diptyque Fragrance Home / Interiors

Diptyque City Candles

September 27, 2018

I’m thrilled to share that the Diptyque City Candles will be available online at Diptyque and in Diptyque boutiques for a limited time starting today 9/27 through Sunday 9/30. There are currently 9 city candles that have been created for Beverly Hills, London, Miami, Tokyo, New York City, Shanghai, Berlin, Paris and Hong Kong. Each candle comes in a beautifully designed jar. Since they are only available to the stores in each corresponding city they’re harder to find and track down, but Diptyque is launching them all online for a limited time. Two new launches this round for online include Hong Kong and Paris. There is also a new Boxed Set of Six City Candles that comes packaged together in a white box.

While these are typically only available in city boutiques (similar to the Le Labo city perfumes), there have been a few times where Diptyque has launched the collection online so I was able to buy the ones I didn’t own from boutique trips, but they sell out very fast! Earlier this year I found a wonderful Paris shopper who travels from the US to Paris frequently for work to purchase a couple of the Paris ones for me. Every single one is amazing and beautiful. The boxes these come in are just as beautiful if not prettier than the actual candle jars themselves.

I have a review for each one today except Berlin. I have the older version which is packaged in a clear glass jar and based on the description I think the tinted design jar is same as the clear one but I haven’t smelled it to confirm.

Quick note for the US city candles and if you’re based in the US. While the candles are only available at each city boutique (Beverly Hills, Miami, NYC) – you can call the store to order and they will ship to you! Every store I’ve ordered from and called is very friendly, patient and helpful.

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills was the first city candle I discovered. I reviewed it several years ago when we were still living in San Diego. I am a little embarrassed to admit how many I stocked up on but this was my go-to for a long time. It has lemon, mint, orchid and freesia. It smells like a fresh citrus and the mint is a sweet mint but it’s really subtle.

The description, “With its palm trees and lush gardens, the Beverly Hills candle embodies the aroma of an iconic city. A unique citrus scent blending mint and lemon with a hint of Freesia, the candle exudes a bright and zesty scent. The candle’s colorful design has a psychedelic touch that is native to the west coast and pays homage to the famous Martinique wallpaper, the iconic pattern used in the Beverly Hills Hotel.”

Miami

Miami is another one I bought online the first time city candles were offered. I also bought a couple in person at the Diptyque store at Bal Harbour. This is another floral citrus with magnolia, lemon, lime, vanilla. To me it’s similar to Beverly Hills, but Miami is creamier and a little more green while Beverly Hills smells sweeter and more vibrant.

The description, “The scent of the Miami candle offers an exotic aroma of delicate magnolia blossoms enhanced by delicious citrus notes. Reminiscent of the tangy lemon and lime native to the city, the candle suggests hints of vanilla and an homage to its signature tropical atmosphere. Its design pays homage to the city’s iconic Art Deco architecture, lively atmosphere and unique culture.”

New York

New York is inspired by New York City nights. I don’t know that I can attribute a smell to the city, but this candle has a warm patchouli, cedar and vetiver. It smells like fall in a warm cozy leather chair to me. It has a strong masculine vibe with the cedar. The candle doesn’t smell like New York to me but regardless I think it’s a beautiful one.

Description, “New York City candle evokes the spirit of speakeasies and the atmosphere of New York City by night… Like an echo: cedar, vetiver, and patchouli together are heightened by incense, reviving the scent of New York City at its golden age.”

London

London candle has beautiful floral notes like a garden. The lilac and juniper are what I smell and it has a very soft airy feel to it. I haven’t been to London in over 15 years, I have fond memories and am dying to go back to visit. When I was in college I did a summer study abroad trip to Oxford and went to London frequently. This was a life-changing experience for me not only to see England for the first time, but also because I met a boy who I married nearly 10 years later. I also roomed with a girl who became my long-time bestie even to this day we still keep in touch.

Description, “The scent of the London candle takes you to the heart of the Columbia Road flower market. Its unique notes of heliotrope, lilac, juniper and hyacinth are warmed with a touch of spice. With its floral detailing, the vessel celebrates a traditional bright and refined English wallpaper—paying homage to the pattern of the historic Westbourne Grove diptyque boutique.”

Paris

The Paris candle is something I can’t quite describe. It’s described has having chypre accord with aromatic twist of lavender. It smells fresh, light, floral, deep all at the same time. It feels like a little bit of citrus, lavender and cedar all mixed in one. This is in my top picks because of the name Paris. It’s a dream of mine to live there (always dreaming of the croissants and beautiful gardens!).

Description, “The newest addition to the City Candle Collection, the long-awaited Paris candle. Dressed in an ornate vessel that reveals the capital as seen from the sky, the pattern pays homage to the iconic city of light. The scent is marked by a chypre accord that permeates the enigmatic Parisian chic atmosphere.”

Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai

Hong Kong is one of the newest online launches. I haven’t had a chance to burn this one as this is my first time seeing it in person. I love the bold red reflective jar with the design inspired by the high rise buildings in the city. The scent has floral notes that are built around the Bauhinia Blakeana one of their orchid trees. There are also also supposed to be notes of steam rice which usually doesn’t have a scent to me. It’s a creamy floral with a musk feel to me.

Description, “The Hong Kong vessel presents a setting inspired by the citys colorful, graphic, urban density. Ever present is the persistence of nature as it attempts to reassert its power throughout the city. The olfactory tribute to this city is expressed through a floral accord, built around the famous Bauhinia Blakeana, Hong-Kong’s emblem, complemented by comforting steam of rice. Come, discover the newest addition to the city candle collection online or at our Hong Kong boutique.”

Tokyo is one of my favorites because it has a fresh light scent of pine and cedar but doesn’t feel as green as those notes typically are. There’s a hint of hinoki and incense in it with subtle floral feels. This was one I was really excited to be able to buy online.

Description, “The aroma of the Tokyo candle takes you on a stroll amongst the majestic Japanese cypress trees. Notes of pine oil and cedar leaves celebrate majestic branches shading a hidden temple path and diffuses notes of soothing incense. Inspired by the art of the Japanese garden, its design evokes the harmony and serenity of two of Tokyo’s most famous parks, Yoyogi Koen and Shinjuku Gyoen.”

Shanghai smells like a sweet flower mixed with green tea. It almost smells sweet like a dessert I’d want to eat.

Description, “The scent of the Shanghai candle is closely linked to a Chinese tradition. Deliciously perfumed osmanthus flowers complemented with notes of green tea and maté to reveal the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of tea. The candle’s design is an ode to the beauty of Huxinting, Shanghai’s oldest tea house. The vessel’s deep red shade, blue porcelain and gold are an ancient symbol of good luck.”

City Candles Box Set 2018 Edition

The amazing 6-piece box set with Beverly Hills, London, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Shanghai. It retails at $432 and while you don’t get a price break compared to buying individually but I can’t think of a more amazing gift that this would make having them in a beautiful white box.

The only one I’m missing is Berlin but as mentioned at the top of the post I have the original glass jar version and while I’m almost 100% sure the colored green and yellow jar they have right now is the same, I haven’t smelled it to confirm.

Going through all the descriptions again has me itching to travel overseas. I have such good memories of travels to Europe and I have only been to one country in Asia before but have so much on my travel wishlist. I love these city-inspired candles and as a Diptyque lover it’s fun to have something a little rarer and harder to find.

The Diptyque City Candles retail for $72 each and the Boxed Set of Six retails at $432. Available online at Diptyque for a limited time through 9/30, in limited quantities. Also available in the free-standing Diptyque boutiques.

Have you tried any of these before or visited any of the Diptyque stores in these cities? If I’m traveling to a place with a Diptyque boutique it’s always a MUST that I stop inside one. They’re beautifully designed and the staff is always so knowledgeable and friendly.

Huge thanks to Diptyque for sending me all the candles for this feature. Being the Diptyque fan that I am I had already purchased all the scents on previous occasions except for Hong Kong. I’m the happiest person on earth to be stocked up on these scents from a brand that I’ve adored for many years.

22 Comments

Chanel Lips

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme + Rouge Allure Liquid Powder Review

September 21, 2018

Chanel has brought us quite a few new mini-launches this season. They’ve continued their Le Mat de Chanel launches with a whole collection of lips with new formulas called Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme ($37 each for 3.5 g/0.12 oz, made in France) and Rouge Allure Liquid Powder ($30 each for 9 ml/0.30 fl oz, made in France). I previously reviewed the eyes and cheek products in the Le Mat de Chanel Collection here (I think the Clair Obscur Eyeshadow Quad is a must). Today I’m thrilled to share swatches of all the new lip formulas.

Up first is the Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme which a new intense matte lipstick formula. It comes in 6 shade options and is also encased in a soft matte black finish. These have that click-up magnetic packaging like the Rouge Allures and Rouge Allure Velvets. I tried the Rouge Allure Velvet formula in a number of shades years ago and thought the formula was just ok. The Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme formula completely blew me away though! It’s different in the sense that it has more opaque coverage. They’re creamy and non-drying. The finish is soft and velvety and long-lasting. I wish more colors were available in this formula. They’re completely comfortable on the lips with a very slight scent.

The six colors include:

102 Modern is a nude pink
110 Impressive is a vibrant coral orange
112 Ideal is a deep red
114 Epitome is a blue-based bright bold pink
116 Extreme is a deeper red
118 Eternel is a nude rose

Every single color is perfect. Lasting power is really good. Even though I wear neutrals most of the time I think these bold reds, orange and plums are classics that you can wear for any occasion. I do think Modern and Eternel are really close in color. Eternel has a bit more pink/rose to it, but they’re very similar.

Ingredients, some have slight variations which I’m assuming is the color:

Next are the Rouge Allure Liquid Powders. These are so unique to me! They are a matte cream to powder lip product with a sponge tip applicator. The package base is a squeeze tube. These give the lips a diffused matte blurred tint of color. Almost like a watercolor finish but with a matte feel. The Rouge Allure Liquid Powders have a weightless feel. The color vibe to me is similar to the shades from the Rouge Coco Lip Blush launch, but formula is different.

The lighter shades are sheer on me, but the deeper shades have buildable pigment. Simply squeeze and apply straight from the tube. They layer easily without feeling heavy. Dry down is a soft blurred matte. Once on the lips it feels like you have nothing on. Lasting power is quite good. The deeper shades leave a slight stain on the lips but they wear like a regular lipstick in terms of lasting power and how they fade.

950 Plaisir is a sheer soft coral peach
952 Evocation is a soft rose
954 Radical is a coral orange
956 Invincible is a deep red
958 Volupte is a bright bold cool-pink
960 Avant-Gardiste is a deeper plum

Ingredients:

Overall I think the formulas are excellent and Chanel has launched well-edited color selection for fall. To me these are classic kinds of colors. I would have liked to see a few more neutral options or true plums, but Chanel does have excellent reds and bold pinks. I think they are wearable and suitable for a wide range of skin tones.

I really love the Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme formula. Long-time readers know I’m super picky about matte lips and I think these wear very well. No dry patches or raisin-looking lips with these! Also deeper shades in general can run patchy with the contrast of my natural lip, but every single color in this formula applies smoothly without any issue. Pigment is very very good.

The Rouge Allure Liquid Powder is unique and I think they’re really good. I didn’t know what to expect from it as I haven’t tried a cream to powder product for lips. I think the packaging is well designed. I love it when you can see the color in the outside so you don’t have to guess or take those extra few seconds to look at the bottom label to see what color you are picking up. I’m not sure these will be everyone’s cup of tea – they’re just so different!

Many of you have been e-mailing me about the Les Eaux de Chanel fragrances and the Le Volume Revolution de Chanel Mascara. I just received my order of the mascara and I’m going to test it this weekend. I also did try the perfumes when I saw testers in store as a preview, every single one is amazing. My two favorites are Venise and Biarritz and I will be reviewing all three soon. If you can’t smell in store right now Chanel.com has them available in their complimentary sample selection. I’ve ordered from their website a number of times and they always have samples that they rotate (you can pick two with each order).

Quick update: Here’s a look at two of the mini samples that came with one of my recent orders:

You can find the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme + Rouge Allure Liquid Powder available out now at Chanel.com.

Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme and Liquid Powder provided for review.

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Bobbi Brown Eye Makeup

Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eyeshadow Palettes

September 19, 2018

Bobbi Brown has two new limited-edition Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eyeshadow Palettes ($59 each, made in USA) and they’re exclusive to Nordstrom. I’ve been eyeing these for months as they launched first in Asia and I was almost convinced we would not receive them in the US but we did! There is a pink version called Rosy Nudes and a medium bronzey version called Bronzed Nudes. Both are beautiful for a neutral with a twist eye look. If you’re one who doesn’t wear a lot of eyeshadow, are just getting into makeup, or want something easy to wear every day both are great options. I particularly appreciate neutrals these days because the warm red copper orange trend for eyes is still going very strong. As pretty as they are on many complexions, I often find them difficult to pull off.

Pigment is good on these palettes. It’s soft and sheer to medium. Color is truly natural but buildable. If you want intense pigment these palettes are going to be too natural looking for you. I find using an emollient cream shadow as a base helps the color show up better. I really love the Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes as my base. I don’t have oily lids so I can use a creamy base as my shadow base all over the lids without it getting greasy looking by afternoon.

How cute are the compacts?

A look at both in direct sunlight so you can see the shimmers better:

Rosy Nudes has pink nude options. There are mattes, shimmers and sparkles in the palette. There are variations of soft pink nudes and shimmers mixed in with a set of deeper tones for crease and definition. Each palette has a small pamphlet inside with combination ideas with step by step application instructions – so if you’re confused on how to apply shadow, it’s a good starting point. I don’t have a go-to technique, sometimes I start light to dark, other times I start with a medium color and then build and blend from there.

Colors include:

White Smoke – pale matte powder pink
Watercolor Pink – shimmery soft peachy pink
Nudest – light matte pink
Sunrise Glow – shimmery champagne pink peach
Nude – nude pink matte
Dusk – shimmery rosy shimmer
Milk Chocolate – sheer matte cool brown
Tan – matte tan
Chocolate Smoke – sparkling light brown
Rich Caviar – deep plum brown

Bronzed Nudes is my favorite of the two. It has the perfect neutral bronze tan shades to create a natural everyday eye. I’ve been reaching for this one more frequently. It’s one I can see myself wearing year round.

Colors include:

Bone – matte sheer beige
Golden Glow – soft shimmering gold beige
Frappe – matte tan
Pink Copper – sparkling light copper
Burnt Amber – shimmering tan
Buff – warm beige matte
Copper Chocolate – shimmering warm bronze brown taupe
Chocolate Truffle – shimmering taupe
Milk Chocolate – sheer cool matte brown
Black Chocolate – matte blackened brown

Pigment is good on these palettes but it’s soft with natural-medium coverage. Color is truly natural but buildable. If you want intense pigment these palettes are going to be too natural looking for you. I find using an emollient cream shadow as a base helps the color show up better. They layer well together but if you have dry lids I recommend using something to moisten the skin a tiny bit.

Below wearing Bronzed Nudes along with the following:

Primer – Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Mattifier
Foundation – Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation in 4.5* (swatches + review here)
Powder – Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder *
Eyes – Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Platinum as a base, Bronzed Nudes Palette * with Golden Glow, Frappe, Pink Copper, Copper Chocolate and Black Chocolate
Mascara – NARS Climax Mascara *
Lips – Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Bare with Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss* in 712 Melted Honey on top

Closer look:

Overall nice easy to wear colors. I still think the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette is probably one of the best everyday neutral palettes I’ve found, but using it everyday can get boring real fast for me. These Bobbi Brown ones offer a nice variety and I think they’re a great way to start if you’re just getting into shadows.

Given that there are so many options out there a few thoughts on some other palettes I’ve tried recently:

Natasha Denona’s Camel Palette is a lot more pigmented and runs more camel/tan. These Bobbi Brown palettes are softer in color with pink or bronzey options.
NARS Mojave Eyeshadow Quad is easier to use with only 4 shades, it pulls more neutral with more pigment. I’ll be reviewing the new NARS singles and duo formula in the next week!
If you need all mattes, Chanel Clair Obscur is the way to go.
If you want something more neutral-cool, Pat McGrath’s MTHRSHP in Subliminal Platinum Bronze is the best one I’ve tried.

Bottom line I really love the Bronzed Nudes. All the shades are colors I gravitate towards. I have a soft spot for Pink Copper which I wish was made in full size. Both palettes are nice basic staples that you can wear without having to think about how to wear them. All this said she has launched quite a few nude palettes in the past. I haven’t kept track of them in quite some time so you might want to shop your stash if you own any of her eyeshadows. I keep swatching the Nude Drama Palette every time I go into Sephora but haven’t caved on it yet.

You can find the Nude on Nude Eyeshadow Palettes in Bronzed Nudes and Rosy Nudes Palettes available now at Nordstrom. They just started Triple Points today for card members and refreshed their Gift With Purchase page. I have a whole cart full of things I’ve been wanting to try and have to narrow down/edit my picks.

Bobbi Brown Nude Palettes provided for review. Other Press Samples featured indicated with a *.

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Base Makeup Chanel

Chanel CC Cream SPF 50 Review + Swatches

September 13, 2018

Chanel relaunched their CC Cream Super Active Complete Correction with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($55 for 30 ml/1 fl oz, made in France) this month. There have been several launches of this product in the past and each time they release more shades. This round there are five shade options from 10 Beige to 50 Beige. They have revamped the formula and although I don’t have the original ingredients list or bottle to compare, this round has a similar natural semi-dewy looking finish but with a slightly less thick feel. It also seems to have a smoother finish on the skin this round.

For those not familiar with this product, the CC Cream is skincare and tint in one. It has SPF 50 which is what I’m most excited about. There’s no flashback with flash photography. It has a truly natural looking finish with some hydration without being greasy. I can blend easily with the fingers or a sponge and coverage is smooth and very easy to move around on the face. I haven’t had it long enough to notice the skincare benefits, but Chanel says that after 1 month use it is supposed to help reduce look of fine lines and wrinkles.

I’ve been testing it for around a week now. Even though there is a radiant quality to it and there is some noticeable moisture properties it held up remarkably well in Florida humid September weather. It lasted through lunch outdoors (in shade of course) without melting off the face. Andrew even commented that it looked natural like skin. With the Florida heat he’s taken more of an interest in seeing how my makeup lasts through the heat, sweat and sunshine so I have my own personal beauty critic commenting on my makeup each time we are outdoors for an extended period of time.

On the nails is Le Vernis in Organdi (reviewed here), Rouge Coco Gloss is 119 (newer formula replaced the Glossimer, swatches + review here)

Compared to the Chanel Les Beiges Tint formula that launched earlier in the summer, the CC Cream has more coverage and a thicker feel. I’d say the Chanel CC Cream is very similar that of a traditional CC Cream in the sense that you can feel it on the face, it’s scented, it has a dewy finish, but it’s not greasy looking. I definitely need to set with a powder. My favorite setting powders in this post here. I tested the CC Cream with the Hourglass Loose Powder and Chanel Les Beiges Pressed Powder and it seemed to work with a variety of formulas.

Throughout the wear tests it held up nicely. It didn’t separate, ball up or streak. Color-wise the shade range is still very limited and I hope they will expand it. Once applied it does not oxidize. My shade is 40 Beige. Swatches below:

Swatch comparisons to some of the Les Beiges shades that I still have. I gifted away the lighter options to a friend:

My match is 40 Beige in the CC Cream, bare skin vs one layer of the CC Cream below. It evens out the skin, covers most of my freckles, even did a decent job at covering a healing pimple on my forehead. Also wearing some of the Brow Powder Duo and Rouge Coco Gloss in 119 on the right with the CC Cream (no powder added in the photo, although I highly recommend adding it).

Bare skin (left) vs. CC Cream 40 Beige (right)

Ingredients of this year’s version:

Makeup bag below is by The Daily Edited, Large Black Cosmetic Case (size/scale compared to some of their other makeup cases in this post here too)

Even though it’s categorized as skincare I still consider it a makeup base that I can use in place of foundation. It’s not quite like a tinted moisturizer because I feel like it’s more corrective to smooth and even out the skintone. Overall performs really well. Even though I can feel it on the skin (like I can with virtually every CC cream I’ve tested), it’s not heavy. I can build coverage without it feeling cakey or thick. If you can find a shade match I think it’s worth a try.

Have you tried previous versions of the CC Cream? What did you think? More Chanel newness coming on the blog. I have some of the Rouge Allure Velvet Extremes I’m testing now and will be reviewing. They just launched a new Hand Cream in Texture Riche which I’m dying to try but am waiting for the new Le Volume Mascara to launch on the 15th so I can order both at the same time.

You can find the Chanel CC Cream out now. The new version has the words “super active” on the packaging. Available at Chanel.com.

Chanel CC Cream provided courtesy of Chanel for review.

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