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Spring 2014

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Chanel Impulsion #93 Illusion D’Ombre | Spring 2014

December 29, 2013

The Chanel Spring collection has two new Illusion D’Ombres in Diapason #92 (purple) and Impusion #93 (pink). I picked up Impulsion #93 ($36 for 4g/0.14 oz, made in France) a pale silvery pink with intense sparkles. The silver sparkles resemble prisms in the sense that once applied, the sparkles reflect different colors as it catches the light. It makes the eyes sparkle as if it has extremely-fine micro glitters. It’s definitely one of the most sparkly shadows I own. I found the color to be long wearing without any fall out when applied with fingers. Using a brush can result in some sparkles falling on the cheeks.

Coverage is easy to control with layering. A light hand will give a nice sheer wash of sparkle with a hint of pale pink shimmer.

Close up of the silver sparkles:

Comparisons to a few other pinks and neutrals: MAC Vintage Selection Paint Pot, Armani Eyes to Kill #29 (review here), Bobbi Brown Cool Lilac, Armani Eyes to Kill #8 (review here), Dior Chimere (review here), Chanel Emerville (swatched here), Chanel Abstraction

I’ve been testing Impulsion #93 for a few days now and I love the color and the shimmer effect. I find the color to be quite unique with the texture and finish although you can get a similar effect with other shades. I’m not sure that I could wear this to work all over the lids since it’s quite shimmery. I think I could wear this with a light hand for everyday. It does make a lovely color to dab on top of your regular eyeshadow to add a bit of sparkle (think Tom Ford glitters but taken down 2-3 notches with the bling-factor). I give it a thumbs up. I passed on the purple shade since purples can make my eyes look tired. I may go back to the counter to revisit and test though.

Chanel Impulsion #93 is currently listed as a limited-edition shade, you can find it along with the rest of the Chanel Spring collection at counters now, online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Saks and Chanel.com.
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MAC Magnetic Nude – The Beauty Look Book Picks

December 27, 2013
MAC’s Magnetic Nude Collection was just released a couple days ago (in stores today). Thanks to other bloggers with early access and amazing swatches, I was able to pick out a few items the day before Christmas and order online to avoid the crowds. I’ve been a huge fan of the Extra Dimension products (unique shimmery items that are not quite creams yet not quite powders). Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish (from 2012) has been at the top of my list even though the frost is quite intense. Those who missed out before will be happy to learn it’s made another appearance in the Magnetic Nude collection this year. The items are selling out online fast, you may have to order from multiple sources if you opt for online ordering. I hope these swatches and reviews will help if you can’t get to a store or counter. My picks:
The Extra Dimension Skinfinishes in Magnetic Appeal and Fairly Precious are both stunning shimmery colors. I do think both are must-haves. They are more glowy versions of Tom Ford’s Illuminating Highlighter Sticks (limited release from May, now discontinued). What I like about these is that there is more pigment than frost (even though they are very shimmery). They give the skin a glow with color rather than just a pale frost. Magnetic Appeal is a soft tan gold while Fairly Precious is a lovely warm light pink. Superb has been re-released. It’s paler and significantly more frosted. Right now all are available online at Nordstrom and Maccosmetics.com.

The Extra Dimension Eye Shadows have quite a few repromoted shades. I didn’t double check my stash to see that I already had Sweet Heat (in the larger size from 2012) so I have a duplicate now. Sweet Heat is a frosted champagne. Silver Dawn is every taupe-lover’s dream. It’s a metallic taupe silver. Both shades are layerable and the pigment is easy to control. A light swipe will give a sheer wash. Use a denser brush or your fingers for more coverage. For these I actually prefer using my fingers to apply by smudging on the lids. Sweet Heat is online Nordstrom. Right now Silver Dawn is still at Maccosmetics.com.

For the lips, I narrowed down my pick to just one lipglass in Oh My Darling, a light shimmery pink pearl, and Morning Rose Cremesheen Lipstick, a soft cool pink. Both are fairly safe feminine neutrals. I like the cremesheens for their high pigment and full coverage with a non-matte finish. Oh My Darling Lipglass is semi-sheer. You can definitely see a light pink pearl on the lips but it doesn’t wash out the face. Morning Rose is available at Nordstrom. Oh My Darling is available at Maccosmetics.com.

All the items I picked out swatched on one arm:

I’m really happy with all my picks. Even happier I managed to pick out a few things before the entire collection sold out. If I had to limit myself to three items, I would pick the Skinfinish Highlighters in Magnetic Appeal and Fairly Precious along with the Morning Rose Lipstick. I haven’t had a chance to compare the other items, but they are pretty basic colors – knowing the volume MAC releases, there’s a good chance there are similar items (which is a good thing if you miss out on their fast-selling limited items).

Did you check out the Magnetic Nude collection? What did you think? Any highlights or loves?
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Chanel Sonate #178 and Murmure #179 Glossimers | Spring 2014

December 25, 2013
The Chanel spring collection has two new glossimers in Sonate #178, a bright sheer red pink and Murmure #179, a lighter soft pink ($29.50 each). The two new spring shades seem like familiar colors with similarities to other previously released glossimers, but I really like both shades. They have a slightly richer pigment compared to other shades giving a healthy fresh glow.

Sonate #178 is a sheer muted red pink. It gives the lips a healthy tint of red mixed with pink and brightens the whole face. The color is layerable for more coverage but is still semi-transparent.

Murmure #179 is a light milky pink. It has a slight hint of warmth to prevent it from looking too bubblegum-like. I thought this would be a repeat of Sirop (discontinued), however Murmure is pinker and slightly darker.

Comparisons to Dior Diablotine (review here), Tom Ford Peach Absolut (swatched here), Burberry Mallow Pink (swatched here), Chanel Sirop (discontinued), Chanel Volupte, Chanel Calypso (discontinued) and Chanel Nakkar (discontinued, reviewed here).

I give both a huge thumbs up. Chanel spring is out on counters now. I purchased the spring collection items from Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

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Chanel Charivari #603 and Tapage #605 Le Vernis | Spring 2014

December 24, 2013

Chanel spring brings us two new Le Vernis shades in Charivari #603 and Tapage #605 ($27 each). Both are rich vibrant creams without any shimmer. If you didn’t like the dusty/muted effect of Paradoxal (swatched here) or Elixir (review here), you may find the colors from the spring collection will suit your taste better. They are sharp and rich in color.

Charivari #603 is a dark purple cream. It applied smoothly with two coats. I found it to be an exact dupe for Rescue Beauty Lounge Recherché (sold out). If you already own that shade you do not need both.

Comparisons to Rescue Beauty Lounge Recherche, JinSoon Debonair (swatched here), Chanel Paradoxal (here) and Dior Purple Mix (discontinued):

Tapage #605 is a rich bright red pink. This one was a bit difficult to photograph. It has an incredibly bright base. In all my photos it looks like a straight red. It’s actually a pink-red in real life. In the bottle I assumed it was a straight pink, but after comparing it to other pinks, I found this one to be more red. I like this color because it has the holiday new-year’s feel without being the traditional red or pink, it’s somewhere in between.

Comparisons to Chanel Rose Exhuberant, Lilis (swatch here), Fracas (swatch here), Elixir (swatch here) and Pulsion (swatch here).

The quality, coverage and pigment of both shades are excellent. The colors are safe classics and similar to many other rich pink-reds or purples, but I’m particularly smitten with Tapage. If you’re looking for something new and unique you may want to wait for other collections to arrive in the next month.

Chanel Charivari #603 and Tapage #605 Le Vernis both retail for $27 each. You should be able to find the collection at your counters now. I found mine at Nordstrom.

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Chanel Spring 2014 Collection and Picks (Preview)

December 24, 2013

Chanel is the first this year to release a spring collection. I spotted in stores at counters last week at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. I was in a rush so I left with what I knew I wanted: Tapage Le Vernis, Charivari Le Vernis, Sonate Glossimer, Murmure Glossimer and Impulsion Illusion D’Ombre. I skipped the quad, duo, blushes and lipsticks. I might revisit the blushes but honestly I’m overloaded with cream blushes, I can probably skip the ones from spring.

There are snippets of reviews around other blogs, a few I’ve resources I’ve read lately:

Everything is online now at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Chanel.com. For your reference I put together a chart of all the new items.  

 I’ll have a review of the items I picked out soon. Have you checked out the Chanel spring collection yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts of the collection and our first look at spring beauty. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday with loved ones.

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Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Cosmetics Polly Osmond for Christian Siriano’s Spring 2014 Collection

September 9, 2013

Fall has just arrived but we’re already seeing spring 2014 collections and looks on the runways. Makeup artist Polly Osmond for Hourglass created the look for Christian Siriano’s spring 2014 collection. The Inspiration: Siriano was inspired by a recent trip to Isla Mujeres on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and the destination’s exuberant color palette. The look created focused on luminous skin, pale lids and orange coral lips. “It’s beachy, breezy and with a pop of color on the lips,” says Osmond. “I wanted to create a diffusion of texture, color and light. It’s how your skin would look at a tropical sunset. There’s a new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette coming out for spring which I’m dying to get a sneak peek at. For more looks and beauty inspiration, follow Hourglass Cosmetics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

GET THE LOOK

SKIN: Prep skin with Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, infused with botanical oils, and follow with Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer for a luminous complexion. Conceal any dark circles or imperfections with Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer.

CHEEKS: To create a multi-dimensional glow, apply all three shades from Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (NEW, coming out soon) to the cheeks using a circular motion. Dab Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum onto the apples of the cheeks for a hint of tropical sheen.

EYES: Apply the Incandescent shade from Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (NEW, coming out soon) all over the lids. Follow with the shimmering Shell shade from Hourglass Vol. 6 Eye Shadow Palette, applied to the inner corner of eyes. Use the same shade to create a diffused liner along the top and bottom of the lash lines. Finish with a coat of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara.

BROWS: Brush a small amount of Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum onto brows to create definition and a little shine.

LIPS: Prep lips earlier with Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil for superior hydration. Apply Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Muse, an orange coral shade, to the lips. Create a diffused pout by softening the outline of the lips with a lip brush.


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