Thanks again to those who filled out my survey, I really enjoyed reading your comments and found it very helpful! I do want you to know I have taken your input into account and will do my best to accommodate requests.
Due to requests for “more Armani” I will be doing several posts featuring my entire Armani collection including the shades that have been discontinued. First up is Giorgio Armani’s Sheer Blush which currently sell for $42 at select Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom locations.
Here are the shades I have numbered 1 through 12. The colors that are no longer available include 1, 8, 9 and 11.
* Formula – The blush is appropriately named as “sheer” because it is a sheer lightweight powder blush that gives a super natural glow. Doesn’t look cakey or feel heavy, but at the sametime it’s not too powder or soft.
* Pigment – Most of the colors are on the sheer side. They aren’t quite as sheer as Dior’s DiorBlush (which are practically invisible on my cheeks). I would say they are similar in pigment to Shu Uemura and definitely sheerer than Nars.
* Finish – Most of the shades have at least some slight hint of shimmer. The only three I find to be true mattes are 5 and 11. The one with the highest level of shimmer is #10 (my personal favorite for uniqueness) – but the result is not overly frosty or shimmery.
* Lasting power is on par with most other blushes. I have normal skin but am still on the search for a primer that truly makes my makeup last throughout the day without touch ups. Most blushes and lip colors fade on me within 4 hours. I usually touch up with powder once or twice per day, but rarely re-apply blush even if it is gone mid-day.
Here are a couple more close ups grouped by color family:
Check back tomorrow for more close ups and comparisons to colors in other brands!
(Note on swatches: I know many of you really like swatches. I will swatch products when I can, but blush is one product I feel doesn’t look the same in a swatch as it does on the face – that is unless you are the AMAZING Karlasugar and can swatch anything. Chances are you will probably have at least one of the comparison products and hopefully the comparisons that are coming up tomorrow will be helpful in helping you figure out what the shades really look like.)
You’ve seen the hype about these two new nail polishes from Chanel and some wonderful pictures and swatches on those fabulous nail blogs such as All Lacquered Up and Steph’s Closet. I have to admit that I have been stunned by the gorgeousness of that aqua green shade, but did not order it as I feel that 28 is too old to be sporting a color that trendy.
Jade Rose is a creamy light natural-looking pink. There is a slight iridescence in the bottle but it barely shows up on the nails. Those who have followed my blog since I started it know I am a huge Chanel-junkie (see my Chanel Nail Polish collection here + a few other additions since then here) and collect almost every single polish they release.
As much as I love Chanel, I can’t say I am totally in love with this shade mainly because I wish it either had more shimmer or some depth to it. It comes out a flat ordinary pink shade on my nails. I definitely see myself getting a lot of use from this color and will be wearing it on more than one occasions. I was just hoping for something more unique or dazzling. That being said, if I had been able to see or test it out in person first, I would have still bought a few bottles.
Those who have received your Jade or Jade Rose Nail Polishes – what are your thoughts? I have a swatch and several comparison pictures to other light pinky-neutral shades.
Swatch with 2 thick coats:
Photographed compared to Chanel Jasmine, Chanel Lily Beige, Chanel Pink Satin, Dior Porcelain and Chanel Ballerina:
I just received the Laura Mercier Gemstone Eye Collection kit today from Saks.com and have to say it’s gorgeous! The kit itself is slightly larger than the Neimans set and the double ended brushes have different brush-heads. It also comes with a mirror. More details a few posts down. I don’t have swatches, but here are pictures and close ups:
I just purchased a new lipstick from MAC called High Def which I find to be a nice my-lips-but-better pinky brown shade. I normally don’t post much about MAC since there are so many other great resources out there, but had to rave about this one because even though MAC has a wide variety of natural pinky-brown lipsticks, I find a lot look odd on me because they turn too brown or look really dark on my lips even though swatched on my hand or in the tube it’s gorgeous. For example MAC Twig pulls an ugly brown on my lips while in the tube and swatched on my hand it looks so sophisticated and gorgeous!
I’ve pulled a few of my “non-shimmer your lips but better” lipsticks ranging from a nude-pink to pinky-browns and here they are:
1. Bobbi Brown Brownie Pink 2. MAC Velvet Teddy (matte) 3. MAC Half ‘n Half (amplified cream) 4. MAC High Def (amplified cream) 5. MAC Fanfare (cremesheen) 6. MAC Cosmo (amplified cream) 7. Laura Mercier Nude Lips 8. Laura Mercier Bare Lips
(Same order, different view):
Swatches in natural light:
1. Bobbi Brown Brownie 2. Bobbi Brown Brownie Pink 3. MAC Velvet Teddy (matte) 4. MAC Half ‘n Half (amplified cream) 5. MAC High Def (amplified cream) 6. MAC Fanfare (cremesheen) 7. MAC Cosmo (amplified cream) 8. Laura Mercier Nude Lips 9. Laura Mercier Bare Lips
Swatches with flash (same order as above):
What are some of your favorite your-lips-but better non-shimmer lipsticks?
I think we’ve all experienced the “oh no!” panicked feeling from having discovered that a beloved product or shade was discontinued or limited edition. How do you feel about limited edition items or back-ups?
I have to admit I’ve been sucked in a number of times to products because of the limited edition factor, yet there are certain lines (which will remain un-named) that I now refuse to buy from because of so many product revamps, constant product discontinuations or because of overzealous sales associates pressure me to buy because “it’s limited edition, you have to buy it now.”
We all like new things, so I have to ask myself, why do I a back-up or duplicate of something I already have? My back-up obsession has gotten out of control as has it has exceeded capacity of my MAC Train Case and now filled up a drawer in my Ikea unit. I think I need an intervention to help get rid of my pack-rat tendencies.
(For example, I have a number of MAC Mineral Skin Finishes duplicates such as the So Ceylon released back from 2004, yet I have never come close to finishing a MSF! Why do I continue to buy backups of such items? I have no idea.)
I’m interested to know in how you all feel about “limited edition” collections. Especially when certain lines have been known to release monthly limited edition items. The pros are that they release a number of products with innovative colors or textures that are inline with seasonal trends. I value creativity and innovation. The downside is sometimes you will see a re-hash of similar colors when it seems that they have run out of ideas of what to release next.
Since I hate falling in love with something only to worry that it might be discontinued someday, I have come to appreciate lines like Nars which doesn’t release “limited edition” items unless it’s in the form of a palette or a set.
So, all that being said, what do you have back-ups of? What are your thoughts on limited edition items? What do you do when you are desperate to find something that is no longer available?
Perhaps your insight will help me avoid getting sucked into buying so many back ups. Especially when some cream-like products have a certain shelf life.
I’ve posted about some tidbits about a few exclusive sets from Bobbi Brown & Laura Mercier in the past month and they are now all available online with full details. I also wanted to let you know about upcoming events that you might be interested in as well.
Current or upcoming events I know about:
* September 16th to 19th? – Bergdorf Goodman $25 off $100 purchase event. * Now until September 20th – Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, receive a leopard-print tote with 5 samples inside, each line has their own individual gift with purchase. You can find the list online or POSTED HERE. (Note that some of the gifts have already been removed from the website, which I assume they have sold out.) * September 24 to ? – Saks Beauty Event, at this time I don’t know what the gifts are. * Mid October – Neiman Marcus Incircle Event, which is a double points event for Neiman Marcus Card Holders, but open to anyone they have gift with purchases at this time as well
First – I want to let you know that each store I’ve been to have told me they only received 6 sets of each item. I’m not really sure if this is actually true, but just be aware that stock is limited. They can always try and locate the item at another store and have it shipped to you. But those who prefer instant gratification might want to keep this in mind.
* Bobbi Brown Black Plum Set $245 – Exclusive Navajo Eye Shadow, Ash Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Exclusive Deep Plum Shadow, Natural Bronzing Powder, Washed Rose Shimmer Blush, Plum Blush, Brown Lip Color, Rose Petal Lip Color, and Pink Chandelier Glitter Lip Gloss + 5 Brushes.
Scan from Bergdorf’s Magazine which I feel is more accurate in showing the product colors, while the image from online shows a better picture of the brushes:
* Laura Mercier Essential Organizer $125 – 12 Eyeshadow Celestial, African Violet and Bamboo Luster Eye Colours, Black Plum, Buttercream, Cashmere and Coffee Ground Matte Eye Colours, and Sandstone, Baroque, Haze, Stellar and Sable Sateen Eye Colours + 3 double ended brushes, details a few posts below + more real pictures.
* Bobbi Brown Black Fawn Set $100 – “ Chrome 4 Pan palette filled with two neutral shades of Eye Shadow, exclusive Shimmer Lip Gloss (with protective cover), and for the first time ever, Bobbi’s Pot Rouge in customizable form (with protective cover). Also includes three mini brushes-Eye Shadow, Lip, and Eye Shader – and a Chrome faux-leather organizer.”
Not disclosed online, but it contains: * 4 pan palette with full sized Ivory Eyeshadow, Fawn Shimmerwash, Powder Pink Pot Rouge, and exclusive Paisley Rose Lipgloss * 3 mini brushes: eyeshader, eyeshadow, and lip
* Laura Mercier Gemstone Eye Collection $125– “A first for Laura, five perfectly paired jewel tone baked eye colours that can be used wet or dry create endless looks. Contour and define eyes with three expertly chosen double-ended brushes. The Gemstone Eye Collection contains the following mini Baked Eye Colours: Pearl, Tiger’s Eye, Deep Amethyst, Tourmaline and Malachite. A Black Thickening and Building Mascara and Black Violet Kohl Eye Pencil provide a final touch of drama. Various looks can be achieved using the double-ended All Over Eye Colour Brush and Eye Crease Brush, double-ended Smudge and Corner Eye Colour Brush or the double-ended Crème Eye Colour Brush and Crème Eye Detail Brush.”
* Eyes & Cheeks To Go Set $60 – Warm Eye Quad includes Bone Shimmer Wash, Copper Sand Shimmer Wash, and Gold Dust Metallic and Espresso eyeshadows. Pot Rouge in shade Blushed Rose. Cool Eye Quad includes Navajo Metallic, Gunmetal Shimmer Wash, Rockstar Metallic and Navy eyeshadows.
I’ve heard that for the holidays Nordstrom will have some exclusive items for Laura Mercier, but don’t have details at the moment.
Also if you shop at Bloomingdales, they will have their Beauty Benefits Event mid-october, but at this time I don’t think they will have any Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier Exclusives – but they will have gifts with purchases. Perhaps for the holiday collections they will though.
I first saw the new Cle de Peau Eyeshadows in the Saks Beverly Hills back a couple months ago and immediately fell in love with a cool medium dark taupey shimmer #106. I have been eyeing it since then and finally caved in and bought it from my local Neimans. I did not realize until after I got home that the eyeshadow cost $45 for 2.0g/.07 oz. The Extra Silky Lipstick #124 retails for $50 – which is a cool natural pink with slight shimmer.
Here is one of the magazine scans of the other shades:
Overall thoughts: I had tested these out at the counter and the eyeshadow was on the sheer-medium side for pigmentation. It can be layered for more color. I am actually a fan of the Extra Silky Lipsticks for their great nude your lips but better shades which give me pretty shiny lips and flattering colors that make you look refreshed. After coming home with my goodies, I did question my sanity for spending $95 + tax on only two cosmetic items – I don’t usually splurge on Cle de Peau and from now on, I will seriously need to resist temptation and weigh in the costs/benefits more carefully.
For comparison purposes: * Chanel’s single eyeshadows are also 2.0 g/.07 oz and retail for $28.50 * Giorgio Armani Maestro singles are 1.3 g/.04 oz and retail for $28 * Dior’s New Smoothing Singles are .07 oz and retail for $27.50
