Dior Fall 2010 has arrived in Nordstroms although the full tester unit wasn’t up yet, the counter did have the testers scattered in the regular tester unit. I picked up the Misty Mauve Quint $58 and Tailored Mauve Lipgloss $26.50 – both stunning colors for fall. I probably won’t be wearing this for a few months until fall arrives, they seem a bit too cool-toned for summer wear.
In direct sunlight:
The Misty Mauve quint has a good mix of mauve shades which will allow you to achieve a diverse range of looks from neutral to smokey. It does appear more mauve and a bit more subdued compared to the promotional photos released by Dior, but is still pretty in my opinion. While the colors in this palette might not be the most original, I love the texture and finish of these particular shades and they are well coordinated. As a lover of neutral shades, I think this is a good palette for those who want something smokey but not too dramatic. I call it a natural-smokey eye palette with a bit of attitude.
I’ve had a little debate with a fellow makeup fan of mine about this new quint. She thought it unoriginal and something Dior has done a million times before. It’s possibly similar to the purple palette Nordstrom released last year for their anniversary sale (which I do not have), but in terms of the quints I own, it seems quite different. I will say the lighter shades definitely seem familiar. Looking back on past quints, it appears that I have neglected them. I need to use these more often. In the past year I find myself using Chanel, Edward Bess, D&G and Paul & Joe more frequently.
Per reader request from the comments, you can see it’s very different from Chanel Kaska Beige. Here it is also compared to Chanel Enigma.
Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Tailored Mauve 692:
Tailored Mauve is a pretty purple-pink gloss. I was worried it would be too purple on the lips and I normally don’t try out tester glosses on my lips, but my SA pulled out a brand new tester so I felt safe trying it out. It was surprisingly wearable and I normally can’t pull off purpley shades. I need a smidge of pink or red in my purple-tones. This will look good with a classic smokey bronze eye (like NARS Cordura) or even a classic smokey eye (like Chanel Enigma or Mystic Eyes). I find that it goes extremely well with the Misty Mauve quint and isn’t overly purple when worn together. It’s semi-sheer to medium with a lovely glossy finish. No detectable scent. Lasting power isn’t the greatest, but I don’t mind reapplying lipgloss regularly throughout the day.
L to R: Chanel Imaginaire, MAC Cultured, Dior Tailored Mauve,
Laura Mercier Violet, Chanel Delight
I checked out the other items. There are a number of new gorgeous Serum de Rouge shades in bright pinks, plums and mauves. Nordstrom is doing a GWP for their Anniversary Sale, so I had my sales associate put aside a couple to qualify for the gift later in the month. I’m also testing out samples of their new Hydra Life skincare line. So far, so good and it’s surprisingly well priced. Will be writing a review once I feel I’ve tested it long enough to get a good feel for how it works on my skin.
Swatches of my Dior Fall Picks (Serum de Rouges not included b/c they are being held for the Anniversary Sale):
Lemming inspired by Fab Over Forty, British Beauty Blogger and Cafe Makeup. I typically don’t purchase much from Estée Lauder but when I heard the line was being revamped I was intrigued. I have a few Estée Lauder products including some skincare products, the Michael Kors collection items, some items from last fall and Cinnamon Eyeshadow – I like them, but don’t find myself reaching for them very much. Still, I was intrigued by the press release and reviews of the Pure Color Night Collection by Tom Pecheux. Some other blogs that have done excellent reviews are linked below.
Read Amy’s detailed background report, photos and swatches here
The Tom Pecheux Pure Color Night Collection is exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman in the U.S. and includes a Highlight Powder, Kiss Me Lip Gloss and Naughty Black Eyeshadow Trio.
The Highlight Powder feels like it has a slight cream texture. Amy’s description is perfect – it really does give a sheer wash of highlight. Not too shimmery or sparkly. It melts into the skin unlike any powder highlighter I’ve tried. It gives a soft candlelit glow. I would definitely be interested in seeing this released in more shades – preferably darker ones in a golden tan sparkle.
I was excited to learn that the line was being revamped so I was hoping the lipglosses would no longer have that Estée Lauder scent. Unfortunately it still does however, the scent isn’t quite as strong. Kiss Me is pretty in the tube but goes on very sheer. It feels smooth like MAC Lipgelees but seems to have a better moisturizing quality rather than the slippery feel that MAC’s had.
Naughty Black is my favorite item from the new release. It goes on more of a blackened brown, but this is perfect for me. I find it difficult to get straight black eyeshadows to work on my skin (they either look too harsh or greyish) so the brownish undertones make this perfect. I was surprised how pigmented it is. It’s swatched below without a base.
Overall a great collection. However, typical of Estée Lauder ads, I find that the items don’t look anything like they do on the model. They are usually way off from what the featured look is each season. However, I am excited about the new eyeshadow reformulations coming out next month and definitely plan on checking them out. For now, I will think I will pass on checking out the new lipglosses. I’m just not a fan of the scent, although I do have to say I find the packaging sleek and very attractive.
Face: Chanel Sunkissed Illuminator MAC Refined Golden Bronzer MAC Dollymix Blush
Eyes: Paul & Joe Eye Gloss 05 Bobbi Brown Seashell Shimmerwash MAC Naked Dark Pigment (swatches here) Bobbi Brown Java Metallic Eyeshadow (Java comparisons)
Lips: MAC Dervish Paul & Joe Liplacquer 06
Brushes Used:
Eye look was a smokey taupe, here’s how:
Step 1: Apply Paul & Joe Eye Gloss in Murmur 05 on lids (for asian eyes, 1/2 way up eye from lash to middle of eye, heavier near lash line)
Step 2: Apply Bobbi Brown Java Metallic from lash to 1/2 way up lid for a smokey eye, also heavier near lash line
Step 3: Apply MAC Naked Dark Pigment over center of eye to blend out any harsh lines from the darker shades
Step 4: Apply Bobbi Brown Seashell Shimmerwash from brow downwards softly to create a subtle highlight
Step 5: Curl lashes and apply mascara
Nails of the Day: Chanel Django & Nouvelle Vague
The mani/pedi combo:
I’m surprised that I’m liking the blue nail polish! FYI – the Jcrew top seems to run a bit small. I’m normally an XS in their shirts but found it to be a bit too snug. Or perhaps I just have been having too many sugary drinks and gained weight.
Feedback appreciated! Too much info in one post? Is the look too casual to write about? Would you style the top differently? I like that it can be dressed up a little with a nice skirt or dress pants. But it’s nice as a loungy-carefree-top too. Being in Southern California – my daily style is pretty casual.
I already did a lip swatch and EOTD attempt – neither turned out decent this morning. I’ll try and feature the Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer by itself in another post in the near future.
Happy Friday everyone! Here are some recent Dolce & Gabbana additions from the past few months. A bit from spring, summer and the regular line. I really love Dolce & Gabbana for their high quality products. The pigment is great and textures/finishes are superb. Blushes have a soft flawless finish. Nail polishes are richly pigmented, creamy and apply extremely smooth. Lipsticks have a subtle rose scent that fades and have great coverage (lasting power varies per shade). If you remember my first article on Dolce & Gabbana (back last May when the line first launched) I wasn’t sure that the price justified the purchase. In playing around with my purchases more, I have come to really appreciate the quality of the products. Granted the prices are still hard to swallow sometimes – I have been happy with most of the things I’ve purchased, even with a couple things I didn’t think were really me (such as Apricot Blush and Caramel Lipgloss). The customer service of the Dolce & Gabbana sales reps I’ve worked with is excellent as well. There’s nothing that can compare to having a great experience with knowledgeable sales associates who are helpful, professional and know what they are talking about.
In the U.S. these are exclusively at Saks stores and saks.com. I prefer to order through the stores because they occasionally have great gift-with-purchase events. Various GWPs include full sized mascaras and lipglosses – although the minimum purchase requirements are typically higher (ranging from $100 to $250 depending on the event). I definitely recommend calling your local store to check out their upcoming events. Check DolceGabbanaMakeup.com for locations and more product info.
Left to right: Tan Blush, Glossy Lipgloss, Delicate Lipstick, Emotion Lipstick, Petal Nail Polish, Nude Nail Polish, Drama Nail Polish
Glossy Lipgloss – I exchanged my Caramel Lipstick for this at Beverly Hills. I was a bit nervous about exchanging it because I hate returns, but the sales associate was very kind, especially since it was unused and still brand new. Even he agreed that Caramel was an unflattering color. Glossy is a really pretty gold shade – but on the lips it’s a bit too glossy for my taste but I guess that’s the point of lipgloss. I have to use this one sparingly.
Delicate Lipstick – A lovely fresh and light golden apricot, really pretty for both spring and summer.
Emotion Lipstick – Another winner, lovely cool pink with gold shimmer. Reminds me of MAC Fabby but better.
Petal Nail Polish – A cream nude pink shade. It’s like Chanel’s Jade Rose but a notch up in color and without any iridescence.
Nude Nail Polish – I love this nude shade. My application was sloppy but I think if applied the right way, it would give a perfect nude manicure.
Drama Nail Polish – A neutral lavendar cream. I’m not sure how I feel about this one. Purple creams like Paul & Joe 06 and this one look pretty in the container but on my fingers the just seem a bit muddy looking.
Tan Blush – I ordered this sight unseen and have to admit I was shocked at how flat and greyish looking it was when I received it. However, on the cheeks it makes a really nice contouring shade. There are some comparisons to other brands (MAC & NARS) below, but due to their nude-ness, I couldn’t get swatches to show up.
L to R: Delicate, Emotion & Glossy
L to R: Petal, Nude & Drama
Tan Blush:
Dolce & Gabbana Tan compared to MAC Emote, MAC Strada and NARS Zen
Have you seen the Dolce & Gabbana Spring or Summer collections yet? Any winners for you? In case you missed it, you can find my report on the Dolce & Gabbana Spring Collection here.
I decided to do a different twist on my regular monthly Ten Things I’m Loving Right Now and combine this with my color focus feature. I like soft pinks because they always look so pretty in the compact and tubes. But finding a good soft pink can be a bit tricky sometimes. I can’t tell you how many soft pinks have made me oooohh and aaaahhh only to find it looks way to light or washed out on my skin (ala MAC Hue/Angel Lipstick or Trish McEvoy Gorgeous Demure Lipstick). It still doesn’t stop me from trying to make them work though, lol. That being said, the products listed below are my no-fail and no-tweaking required soft pinks.
There are so many favorites, but these are the ones I’ve been using a lot in the past month. I am actually just starting my 3rd tube of MAC Fabby (see below)! Laura Mercier Babydoll Lip Glace is a favorite that looks good on practically all my friends whether they are fair skinned or tanned.
Blush & Highlighters:
Dior Rose Diamond MAC Well Dressed MAC Summer Rose Beauty Powder (this was repromoted with the Liberty of London Collection in a different compact)
Chanel Rouge Coco in Rose Comete (swatched here) MAC Frost Lipstick in Fabby D&G Shine Lipstick in Soiree (swatched here)
Lip Swatches:
Nail Polishes:
Paul & Joe Poodle #10 Zoya Jessika Chanel Mica Rose
I have many more favorites but if I featured all my loves, this would just be a never-ending article if I pulled every single soft pink from my stash. What are some of your favorites and what is your skintone?
FYI, in case you’re new to my blog, I’m a Chanel Shell 1.5 Teint Innocence right now. This is the equivalent to what’s right in between MAC NC30 and NC35. I’m at that point again where I’m in between shades for most foundation lines. You can see My Foundation Shades HERE. I recently tried Bobbi Brown’s newest foundation and found a perfect match in Natural Finish formula shade 4.25 Natural Tan, however the formula didn’t work so well with my skin. So far, Chanel Teint Innocence and Lift Lumieres and DPFs are my holy grails.
Paul & Joe has released a new collection of lipglosses and double sided lipliners this summer. I was lucky enough to preview the demo products before the official launch back in March and was smitten with the colors and formulas. I was able to get a few sneak peek photos as well (featured here) – which just added to my excitement even more. Unfortunately, I believe I may have swatched the lipliner shades in the wrong order since the colors I wrote down don’t match the descriptions/products on the official Paul & Joe Website.
I ordered a few of the new lipliners and glosses (both retail for $22 each) for the BG summer event and got a cute GWP bag, I’ll feature more pics of it when I write about their summer collection (check back in a few days) but Haru from Rouge Deluxe also got a similar gift from her recent event, although I have to say the contents of her GWP was a much better deal. See her review/haul here.
What I picked up, left to right, with descriptions:
Check out the Paul & Joe Website for more pics/swatches here. The wand lipglosses come with a brush tip which I really like and find easy to apply. The texture is smooth and shiny (non-sticky) and have a slight melon scent that fades within a few minutes. The lighter shades seem sheerer, the brighter shades have more color.
The lipliners are to die for in my opinion. They have one glossy side and one more matte side. They are really creamy and glide on like a dream. I definitely need to check out the other shades again soon.
The new lipglosses are similar to the old, except the floral pattern is now embossed. I don’t have a lot of the older wand lipglosses, so I’m not sure if other colors are repromotes, but I did find their Old 04 similar to the new 02. You can see the other shades I have linked here.
Close Up with High Flash:
Close Up in Natural Sunlight:
Overall I like these a lot. A bit high in price IMHO, but I like the packaging and texture of the lipliners and glosses. The lighter shades seem like they’ll be too sheer to wear on their own, but they are still really pretty. If you like Chanel Aqualumiere Glosses, then you’ll like these new ones from Paul & Joe. They have a really nice smooth texture with a pretty finish. Even though they seem on the sparkley side, there is no grittiness which is always a plus.
Some of you have requested info, photos and swatches on a few items in the past few weeks. I apologize for the delay, I have not forgotten – here are the swatches and info you have requested. For reference, I am a Chanel Shell 1.5 in Teint Innocence (the liquid version). To see what other foundation shades I am, check out the sidebar – there’s a link to my foundation shades.
1) Can you swatch Edward Bess Bare Rose on your lips alone? Here it is by itself, please excuse the skin I don’t have any foundation or powder on:
2) Please swatch Paul & Joe 06 Nail Polish! I like this better in the bottle. On my fingers, I feel it’s a bit muddy looking. I’ve seen it on my tan friends (who are the equivalent to NC40 and a bit darker) and it looks gorgeous on them though. Here it is (2 coats):
3) How does NARS Love Devotion compare to last year’s Outsider? Love Devotion is brighter and sheerer. Here they are also compared to Beautiful Liar:
4) Can you swatch Shu IR Brown 850 compared to Shu ME 850? Sure, I’ll do one better. Here it is next to the other Shu Uemura taupes that I have. I find it fascinating how the base pulls out different undertones in each taupey color. These are swatched over a moisturized arm:
5) Can you write a post on how you pick out your makeup-of-the-day/look-of-the-day? There’s not much to write about this one. I pick out my clothes first and this is based on my mood. Makeup looks are picked out depending how much time I have and the colors I’m wearing for clothes. Sometimes, I’ll pick one product and create a look around that color. I’d like to say it’s more planned out through a more creative process, but it’s really just based on whatever works.
6) Will you show stash/closet pics? Most likely not. It might seem like I’m organized, but I am far from it. Just ask my husband. Granted, I do keep an organized mess – everything has their own section/pile – but it’s still very chaotic. I will share an old photo of my purse organization (this is an older photo from long before I started blogging, before I started my MBA, back when I was much more organized):
7) Did you purchase the new Chanel Shanghai-Paris Nail Polishes? What are your thoughts? But of course! How could I resist? I wasn’t going to write about these because so many other bloggers did, but since I’ve received several requests, I will. This one will be a bit more comprehensive, so I will do a separate post on this topic in a few days or so.
8) Will you be swatching NARS Versailles? Here’s a swatch, but I plan on this being my next manicure, so stay tuned for more pics! (FYI, I’ve seen this swatched on other blogs and it looked very streaky, I had to apply with a really steady hand to get an unstreaky result on my finger.)
9) Is there a dupe for Rescue Beauty Lounge Pink Shimmer? Yes – I’ve found 2 dupes, Chanel Le Perle (long discontinued) and China Glaze Heaven. They look really different in the bottles, but on the nails, the result is strikingly similar. If you look close you can see the difference in finish and opacity, but’s not really noticable from afar.
