Browsing Tag

Spring 2016

Base Makeup

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer

January 10, 2016

Make Up For Ever just launched a new product to their Ultra HD range called the Ultra HD Concealer ($27 each for 7 ml/0.23 oz). These are designed to conceal the under eye area described as “invisible, luminous and comfortable” and are made to correct and conceal dark circles while blurring fine lines and wrinkles. Make Up For Ever kindly sent over the shades for me to test out. They do not disappoint. According to Make Up For Ever these contain:
  • Lamellar structure pigments that reflect and diffuse light, erasing under eye shadows and blurring imperfections
  • An anti-dark circle complex comprised of green algae and amino acids to help conceal and correct cobined with a radiance booster comprised of an Asian berry extract that helps stimulate collagen production to brighten and smooth skin
  • A 3D elastomer gel to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

There are 10 colors in total that are split into two color families R (peach) and Y (yellow):

Color Correct: neutralize dark circles with a peach shade:
R20: Light Skintones
R22: Light to Medium Skintones
R30: Medium Skintones
R32: Medium to Tan Skintones
R40: Tan Skintones 

Conceal: brighten and awaken undereye area:
Y21: Light Skintones
Y23: Light to Medium Skintones
Y31: Medium Skintones
Y33: Medium to Tan Skintones
Y41: Tan Skintones 

Onto my testing and thoughts. These come in a thin squeeze tube without any sponge tip applicator. They are really easy to apply on the face, you can use a brush or sponge to blend, but I like to dab two tiny dots of product under each eye straight from the tube and then blend with the fingers.

On the nails, Louboutin Miss Loubi

On colors, I’m yellow and olive in undertone and in general often have a hard time finding a good match for under eye concealers. Most are either too pink, too light, or too dark. I know many like to go one shade lighter for under the eye to brighten and counter dark circles, but often times that “1 shade lighter” is just too light. An exact match is ideal, but many tend to warm up and oxidize slightly making colors too dark for me. I’m not one who likes to mix colors. Last year I was lucky to discover quite a few new formulas and color matches. Concealer roundup from last fall in this post here (with lots of swatches from Surratt, Urban Decay, YSL, Charlotte Tilbury and more).

For the under eye area I have been using the Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher #3, Bare Minerals Bareskin Concealer in Medium Golden and Urban Decay Naked Skin in Medium Neutral. My other favorite NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger is still too light for me at the moment but I adore the formula.

The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer has made the cut to join my top picks. It’s an incredible concealer for under eyes. It’s described as invisible because once you blend it into the skin it doesn’t look like you have makeup on, but at the same time it really does conceal and cover up dark circles. My initial thoughts were that I would find a match in the Y family. Y33 is a pretty good match, but I actually like the ones with peach tones because it brightens the face and neutralizes dark circles better. I can get away with either R30 or R32. These add just the right amount of brightness under the eye without too much contrast. They do warm up but don’t oxidize as much as the ones from Urban Decay.

I don’t have under eye wrinkles yet but some full coverage foundations or cream concealers can emphasize fine lines. The Ultra HD concealer blends in with the skin for a smooth looking blurred skin look. Lasting power is quite good – it lasts all day without budging, creasing, or fading. I do set with a powder though (some favorites in this post here).

I’ve been a fan of the Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealers as well, alternating between colors 7 and 8. These are a lot thicker in texture – many find it too thick for under the eye (I found it was ok, but yes it can feel a little thick). The Ultra HD Concealer is thinner in texture but still very creamy and very concentrated. You get less than half the product with the new Ultra HD formula but a tiny bit goes a long long way.

Swatches plus two sets of comparisons:

My best matches in the Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer range are Y33, R30 and R32. Swatch comparisons to some other concealer shades I use (or have used when I have been lighter) and a few foundation swatches to help. As you can see below there is a lot less product with the Ultra HD Line (7 ml/0.23 fl oz) compared to the Full Cover Concealer (15 ml/0.5 fl oz). The Ultra HD is more concentrated though so a little bit goes a longer way compared to the Full Cover formula.

Two sets of swatches comparison below with prices and product sizing included for reference to save you time from having to look it all up (prices as of 1/10/2016):
The entire Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer ($27 each for 7 ml/0.23 oz) lineup compared to:

Bottom line, definitely worth checking out if you’re searching for an under eye concealer. The colors do seem to be limited but what impressed me was the fact that they included several that I think will work for super fair skintones. I know a few of my fellow beauty lovers have fair skin and find it challenging to find something light enough for their skintones. For tan to deep skin tones, you might be able to try either of the two darkest colors, but for now I suspect Charlotte Tilbury, MAC and NARS will still be the best bet for having a wider color selection available for those with deeper skintones. I feel lucky to have found 3 that work for my under eye area. I give this a huge thumbs up.

The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealers ($27 each) are available now at Sephora and Make Up For Ever. Have you checked these out yet? If yes, please share what color(s) you picked out and your foundation or concealer shades in other lines to help others who can’t swatch in person to find their match 🙂

The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealers and Foundation were provided as courtesy press samples for review. All opinions my own.

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Uncategorized

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Lip Balms in Pink, Coral and Lilac

January 8, 2016

This spring Dior has launched a new shade of their Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Lip Balm in Lilac ($33, limited-edition). These are balms that have a transparent quality and a slight tint but once applied on the lips, the formula reacts to your lip chemistry to create a glow that is unique to you. Many of these transforming lip glow products tend to turn fuchsia on my lips. The original Pink 001 color is one of those – it turns into a lovely flushed pink within a few minutes but as time goes on it turns into a bright pink that stains my lips with an un-natural pink. I personally love the formula, texture and feel, but Coral 002 reacts better with my body chemistry (or face chemistry) to give a better natural glow. Lilac 005 is the latest addition for spring and it’s absolutely perfect. It applies like a flushed soft pink that has slight cool undertones.

These will look different on everyone, but I thought I’d share swatches anyways since many of you have been curious about the new Lilac shade. Below is a look at the three lip glows, Pink 001, Coral 004 and Lilac 005. All three have the same smooth balmy feel. They are unscented and glide on the lips with a moisturizing glossy feel. The finish is semi-thick, not as thick or balmy as the Creme de Rose Lip Balm (reviewed here), but just as moisturizing in my experience.

A quick note on the pink one – I don’t recommend you expose it to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. The direct sun will fade the color and remove any color transforming properties. I had to cut off the tip that was exposed because after a few minutes of being in the sun it turned clear. The other two colors seem unaffected by direct sunlight.

Below, a look at the labels/colors. I’m sure there were Lip Glows in 002 and 003 released in previous seasons, but they were never on my radar, so I’m not sure what colors they were:

Another look at the balm colors:

Swatched on my lips, along with a shot of my bare lips. All the Lip Glows were photographed after having been applied for at least 5 minutes to make sure the color transformed. Do note these will look different on everyone because they are designed to react to your own body chemistry. On one of my friends who has the same skintone as me (just slightly more pink) the Coral turns more of a bright pinky peachy on her, while on me it’s distinctly coral. I didn’t swatch on the arms because they pretty much look clear on the arm.

On the nails, Louboutin Miss Loubi

Dior Addict Lip Glow Coral had been my favorite one for the color until Lilac arrived. In terms of pink transforming lip tints, the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector in Pink 3 and IPKN Twinkle Lips in Pink Glow far surpass the Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink in my experience – both transform my lips into a really pretty natural pink glow without making them look fuschia or stained. Also both have a thinner finish that is more weightless while the Dior is more hydrating/thicker.
I highly recommend you check out the new Lilac Lip Glow – it’s limited-edition and so pretty. It’s such a lovely way to add a natural tint of color to the lips.
You can find the Dior Addict Lip Glow in Pink and Coral at all Dior counters. The Lilac is listed as limited-edition for now, but in past seasons the Coral shade was a limited-edition color that sold out almost instantly and after a while they brought it back. With the whole limited-edition factor, sometimes you just never really know how long something will be around. Some items have received such a positive response brands have brought items back. In this situation I’d recommend you buy sooner than later just in case. It’s that good I think it’s a must-have.
The Dior Addict Lip Glow in Lilac should be available at most counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Dior.com.
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Uncategorized

Too Faced Melted Chocolate Liquified Lipsticks

January 6, 2016

For spring Too Faced launched six new Liquified Lipsticks called Melted Chocolate ($21 each for 12 ml/0.40 fl oz). The colors are all chocolate-inspired and best of all have the most amazing chocolate scent. There are two different formulas/finishes: there are full coverage creams with no shimmer called “long wear” and then there are the shimmery ones called “metallic.” The creams are pretty consistent to the regular Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks in terms of pigment, coverage and finish – they are super rich and smooth and cover the lips entirely like lipstick but with a liquid texture. The metallics in the collection have a different finish compared to the Melted Metal formula. I prefer the ones in the chocolate range because they have a sheerer glossier smoother finish while the Melted Metal ones are very metallic and frosty.

I ordered mine sight unseen, after falling in love with Melted Nude, I decided to give these a chance based on the names and packaging. The colors in the Melted Chocolate range include:

  • Chocolate Honey is a warm neutral beige honey tan cream
  • Metallic Chocolate Diamonds is a sheer glossy beige nude taupe base that’s loaded with chunks of silver micro sparkles
  • Chocolate Milkshake is a creamy peachy nude with full coverage
  • Metallic Candy Bar is a smooth neutral brown shimmer that is sheer-to medium in coverage
  • Metallic Frozen Hot Chocolate is an interesting mauve shimmer, texture is smooth with sheer to medium glossy coverage
  • Chocolate Cherries is a super dark vampy black cherry cream
The creams all performed really well. They offer full creamy coverage with a nice feel. They stay creamy on the lips with a slight sheen and didn’t dry out my lips. The darkest color Chocolate Cherries is too dark for my comfort although if you like a good vamp this is a nice one that is super saturated and smooth in coverage. I asked my husband what he thought and the words that flew out of his mouth were, “wow that looks absolutely horrible, you look like Halloween.” The metallics are hit or miss as well. I wish Metallic Chocolate Diamonds looked just like the color on the packaging because I think it would have made an amazing nude taupe shimmer. The color in this one is loaded with micro sparkles, although it did feel smooth and wasn’t gritty – it just looked like I dipped my mouth into sugar with the chunks of sparkle. It was hard to capture on camera (I think it looks better in photographs than in real life).

For those new to this formula, these come in a squeeze tube with sponge tip applicators. Simply squeeze the tube to dispense product through the sponge and swipe on the lips. Once you apply them, the color will saturate the whole tip.

Lip swatches below, all done on bare lips. For reference I’m wearing a mix of NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Groenland and St. Moritz mixed together with the Powder Foundation in Punjab layered on top.
Two comparison swatch sets:

NARS Lip Gloss in Supervixen (swatch here and here)
Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II and Lolita (review here)
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect (swatched here and here)
NARS Lip Gloss in Chelsea Girls (swatched here)

Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Cremes in Mahogany and J’Adore (lip swatch here)
Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Distinction (swatched here)
Buxom Bold Gel Lipstick in Voodoo Spice (swatched here)

One last shot:

Overall for me, 4 out of 6 are hits. I’m really smitten with the Metallic Candy Bar and Metallic Frozen Hot Chocolate as wearable browns for me. Often times I can’t pull of brownish colors in lips because then end up looking like death. These have enough color that the aren’t too brown. They are sheerer than the others so if you want something full coverage you will have to layer. Overall lasting power is average for a lipstick. They stay put pretty well although if you take sips from a cup or eat a snack, it will disrupt the color.

I think these are definitely worth a look. I’m a sucker for a good nude and both the Chocolate Honey and Milkshake ones are fun for the name and color.

You can find these now at Sephora and Too Faced. These retail for $21 each.
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What's In My Bag

What’s Inside My Makeup Bag

January 5, 2016
Inside my makeup bag truffle clarity pouch

It’s only the first week of the year and even though I’ve tried to clean out some of my purses and reorganize, I’ve already accumulated way too much in my makeup bag. I just emptied it this morning and counted 12 lip items … wait no, 13 eek! Everytime I go out with my husband, he’s always asking what it is that I’m lugging around and if I really need to carry all this stuff. Of course I don’t, but I still do. Here’s a peek at what’s inside my makeup bag which is the Truffle Clarity Clutch Small in Nude. Some will be reviewed on the blog very soon.
______________

Lips

Featured from left to right:
______________

All the other stuff

From left to right:
______________

I’ll say now that the Dior Lip Glow in Lilac is way better than the Pink one (which turns fuchsia on my lips sometimes). I ordered all the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks from the chocolate launch because how can one resist anything chocolate? There are hits and misses with the colors – I’ll be editing swatches to upload later this week (my husband said one of the colors looked absolutely hideous on me). I pulled out my Tisse Rivoli eyeshadow quad recently – it is one of my favorite neutrals in quad form but I misplaced it and couldn’t find it for months (I had put the compact in my blush drawer which is why I couldn’t find it with all the other eyeshadow compacts). My goal for the new year is to find some more makeup organization solutions. I’ve been using Muji Acrylic organizers and drawers, but I need something bigger with taller drawers – any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. There are a number of options out there I’ve been researching – I’ve been making notes on dimensions and picing, it’s kinda overwhelming to sort out! 

What’s in your makeup bag this week? If you keep your makeup contents to a minimum, how do you edit/organize what you carry? 

Press samples featured above indicated by a *. 

46 Comments
Highlighters NARS Nordstrom

NARS Hot Sand Collection (Nordstrom Exclusive)

January 4, 2016
NARS Hot Sand x Nordstrom Collection

For the new year NARS x Nordstrom have launched an exclusive collection called Hot Sand which is all about glow. There are six pieces in the collection all with a champagne color focus which give the most natural incandescent luminous finish. I’ve teamed up with Nordstrom to share a review on the collection along with lots of comparison swatches to other champagne shimmers.

The six items in the Hot Sand Collection are all exclusive to Nordstrom, items include:

  • Hot Sand Lip Gloss ($26 for 0.18 oz/6 ml) is a pale sandy gold, it has a bit of shimmer in it which comes off as a shimmering frost, finish is sheer to medium but smooth and makes the lips look light and glossy
  • Hot Sand Illuminator ($30 for 1.1 oz/30 ml, repromoted) is a sheer pearlized champagne peachy glow, this is one of my favorite liquid illuminators to add the most natural sheen, it’s perfect for my medium-olive skin because the peach gives it color while most champagne highlighters look light and pearly on my skin, it gives the skin that glow from within candlelit look without looking frosted
  • Hot Sand Multiple ($39 for .5 oz/14g) is a new color, it’s almost identical to the Illuminator, it gives a more visible glow to the skin, I find it slightly lighter in color because of the pearl particles and more pigmented, two swipes on each cheek are just slightly lighter than my natural skintone and once blended the skin simply glows
  • Blush and Bronzer Duo in Hot Sand + Laguna ($42 for .35 oz/10g) is called a blush / bronzer duo, it has a powder blush which on me acts more like a soft highlighter, it’s a champagne pearl similar to the Illuminator and Multiple, the powder has a more shimmery glowy finish while the others are more natural looking, Laguna is a cult-classic bronzer, in this compact I found the color to be just slightly different from the regular full-size, the compact one is slightly cooler-toned and sheerer
  • Blush Duo in Hot Sand + Orgasm ($42 for .35 oz/10g) is a blush duo with Hot Sand Blush a peachy champagne shimmer combined with Orgasm a peachy pink shimmer
  • Hanamachi Kabuki Brush
    ($42)

NARS Hot Sand x Nordstrom Collection

Wearing above: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Groenland mixed with St. Tropez, Powder Foundation in Punjab, Blush Duo in Hot Sand + Orgasm, Bronzer in Laguna, Lip Gloss in Hot Sand, Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Himalia, Eyeshadow Duo in All About Eve

First up is the new Kabuki Brush. This is a small domed brush that is very dense but soft. Size-wise it fits nicely in the hand – it’s small enough to be compact, but not so small I feel like I can’t grip it easily. The bristles are evenly distributed and it’s very soft and smooth around the edges. There are no hairs poking out and it blends powders seamlessly around the cheeks. I own a number of other kabuki brushes and this one is extremely good. I can see myself using it for setting powders as well. I’ve shown it below next to the #21 Contour Brush for scale.
NARS Kabuki Brush and Contour Brush

Next up are the Hot Sand + Orgasm Blush Duo and Hot Sand + Laguna Bronzer Blush Duo. Both contain Hot Sand which is listed as a powder blush. The texture of both duos is very good. It’s smooth, finely milled, easy to apply and blend. There is a luminous quality to Hot Sand which is very pretty and glowy. I like that they have a slight peachy tone to them which makes for a more natural glow rather than a pearl shimmer which contrasts with my olive skin. I can’t pick one over the other, but I do think the Hot Sand + Laguna Duo is my new favorite contouring duo. It’s super easy to use for the contouring-challenged (like me). It’s great for a no-makeup makeup look to add depth and dimension without looking over the top.
NARS Hot Sand Nordstrom Blush Bronzer Duos

There are three individual items in the collection with the name Hot Sand. Below is the Illuminator, Multiple Stick and Lip Gloss. I’m a huge fan of pale pearly glosses but since I have pigmented lips, many often end up looking like concealer on me. Hot Sand thankfully has enough color to show up with some shine. It’s pale but not too pale and the application/color goes on smoothly without streaks. It makes for a good layering gloss too.
NARS Hot Sand Illuminator Multiple Lip Gloss

Close up of the Hot Sand Multiple:
NARS Hot Sand Multiple Nordstrom

Close up of the Hot Sand Lip Gloss:  

NARS Nordstrom Hot Sand Lip Gloss

Hot Sand Lip Gloss on bare lips:

_________________________

Some comparison swatch sets in case you’re wondering how these compare to other champagne shimmered items from NARS:

Illuminator in Hot Sand
Illuminator in Orgasm
Multiple in Hot Sand
Blush in Hot Sand (part of the duos)
Eyeshadow Duo in All About Eve
Eyeshadow Duo in Alhambra
_________________________

Multiple in Hot Sand
Blush and Bronzer Duo in Hot Sand/Laguna
Bronzer in Laguna (individual one is more luminous and warmer)
Dual Intensity Blush in Jubilation
 _________________________

Lip Glosses in Supervixen, Chelsea Girls, Striptease, Greek Holiday, Sweet Revenge and Orgasm
_________________________

NARS Hot Sand Collection

Overall lots to love in this collection – especially those looking for a natural luminous glow. I am addicted to glowy highlighters so I found it necessary to buy all the Hot Sand face items even though the colors are similar among the different formulas. I’ve owned the Illuminator for a long time and I find the peachy undertone unique in a beauty world filled with pale white champagne highlighters which I love, but often want something that doesn’t look white on my skin. The peach in the Multiple, Powder Blush and Illuminator meld more with my olive skintone which makes for a more natural looking glow.

For those who are glow-conscious – I do think these are suitable for those who are ultra conservative in the glow department. Many with oily skin often are wary of anything that glows since oil + shimmer tends to = shiny by afternoon. If you have oily skin the Illuminator is the most natural of the face items. The Multiple Stick has a nice semi-matte finish compared to other multiples and I found it stayed put. The most glowy of the face items is the Powder Blush which I really like – it’s not too shimmery but shimmery enough that you can see it.

If I had to pick just one of the face products, I would say I can’t because I really like all of them, but I think the Multiple adds the most natural luminous quality in a highlighter I’ve seen that makes the face glow – your mileage may vary depending on your skintone.

Bottom line thumbs up. I’m really liking the way Hot Sand Lip Gloss looks – it’s what I wanted Striptease to look like on the lips which is too pale for me to wear alone while Hot Sand just works. Alone or layered.

Have you checked out the NARS Hot Sand Collection yet? Or do you already own the Illuminator? For this time of year what’s your go-to for a glow?

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions my own.

46 Comments
Chanel

Chanel Collection L.A. Sunrise for Spring 2016 – The Beauty Look Book Picks

January 3, 2016
Chanel Collection L.A. Sunrise

Spring beauty collections are usually my favorite of all the seasonal releases and the first one I’m reviewing this year is the Chanel Collection L.A. Sunrise launch for Spring 2016. I saw the collection a couple weeks ago in stores and picked up a few items. This one seems very different from the typical spring collection for Chanel – everything is very bright, vibrant and has a more summery vibe. I would say that at first glance most of it was not my cup of tea, but I think there are a couple stand outs that are not to be missed. The items I picked out:

Rouge Coco Shines in Shipshape, Mighty and Energy ($37)
Le Vernis Nail Gloss in Sunrise Trip ($28)
Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Purple Croc ($33)

Quick swatches of my picks and then more closeups and thoughts on each item:

Sunkiss Ribbon Blush is the star of the collection. It’s a stunning blush with a mix of five different shades. The surface is embossed in the most beautiful print, like a ribbon. I swatched the colors individually with a detail brush, but for the face, I just swirl a blush brush and apply to the cheeks. It’s a warm pink with coral on me – almost has a bronzed effect but in blush form if that makes sense. It adds life and warmth to the complexion with a subtle luminous glow. The powders do have shimmer but it’s not frosted and it’s finely milled. Texture is smooth and easy to blend. It’s pure love.

Many have asked how it compares to the Horizon Blush de Chanel from Spring 2012 – I miraculously still own it and swatch compared it below along with some other shades. The Spring 2012 is more pink while this year’s is more coral.

Blush Horizon de Chanel (discontinued)
Le Blush Creme de Chanel Affinite (discontinued, review here)
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta (review here)
Tom Ford Blush in Wicked (review)
Chanel Blush in Tumulte (discontinued)
NARS Dual Intensity Blush in Panic

Rouge Coco Shines in Shipshape, Mighty and Energy ($37) are three bright but medium-sheer glossy lipsticks. I was immediately drawn to Mighty a cool pink. I decided to pick up the other two as well even though they are outside my comfort zone. They are bright but can be sheered out for a more wearable look. I like to apply these straight from the tube, but you can get more coverage and pigment if you apply with a lip brush. These are scent-free and taste-free. Lasting power is average – it has a glossy finish so it’s not super long lasting. At the same time it’s not one that will disappear within the hour (as long as you don’t drink or eat) but I don’t mind reapplying. They have a smooth luxurious feel and I find them moisturizing on the lips.

Swatches straight from the tube and then with a lip brush next to it:

On these lip swatches the colors are applied straight from the tube:

Le Vernis Nail Gloss in Sunrise Trip ($28) is a new formula of nail polish for Chanel. It’s called a Nail Gloss and it is indeed different from the regular Chanel polish. It looks almost navy black in the bottle but it has a jelly finish which applies as a bright gel-like color. It’s a bright but deep blue purple color. In some light it looks more purple, in others it appears more blue. It has a flawless smooth jelly finish that is streak free. I do get even coverage with two coats and the coverage is impressive for a jelly gel. You can still see a tiny bit of the nail underneath but there are no streaks.

Here it is with two coats and one coat of the Chanel Le Top Coat, but even without the top coat it has a very high-gloss finish that is very reflective, it’s so shiny it twinkles in direct sun as captured by the shot below:

Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Purple Croc ($33) it’s been a while since I’ve given anything a blatant thumbs down review. I am really picky with what I feature on this blog, and I am particular about what I purchase. If I’m going to share something with my readers I want it to be worth their while to read about. Even with items I am iffy about I try to review it with the thought that something that doesn’t appeal to me, might still appeal to someone else and try my best to be objective. I swatched this on my hand at the counter and it looked so pretty. It’s a unique metallic pencil with the prettiest bright violet shimmers. It’s possible mine could just be a dud, but I am really sad that this one is a complete fail.

Swatched with a very heavy hand:

The upside is that it’s smooth and glides onto the skin without any tugging. The downside is that it’s super sheer with one swipe, with several swipes back and forth I can build more color, but it’s very blotchy as a liner. Another downside is that it’s so creamy it never really set on my eyes which is strange because I’ve had such good experiences with other colors in this formula. I thought since the pencil acted more like a cream shadow I could smudge it on my eyes along the lash line as a cream shadow but once smudged the color just disappeared and it looks like a smokey mess. If you’ve tried any of the eyeliners in the spring collection please let me know your thoughts. I’ve tried several attempts to make this one work and so far it’s not going well.

There are some other items in the collection that I passed on. There are three Illusion D’Ombres and I thought I would fall in love with the Moonlight Pink shade – it’s a lovely nude pink, but when I swiped it on my hand it matched my skintone so I suspected it wouldn’t show up on the lids. It’s still calling my name so there’s a chance I might go back and try it again. The other two Griffith Green and Ocean Light were clearly outside of my comfort zone so I passed. There is also supposed to be a quad but I haven’t seen it anywhere yet – I’ve heard that it’s a bright one and that my local counters didn’t receive it but are expecting it to arrive any day. There are two other Stylo Yeux Pencils in a Blue and Green Shade, they looked super bright at the counter so I didn’t swatch them. The last item I passed on was the Rouge Double in Tender Beige. I’m not sure if this is a new color or a repromote – but I passed as well.

Overall, I think the winner is the Sunkiss Ribbon Blush. It’s so pretty and the pigment and texture are really good. It’s easy to blend and adds a nice glow to the skin. There’s enough color that it shows up but it’s not over the top bright. Sunrise Trip is a lovely color with a unique gel formula. I really like it but for right now it seems to have more of a summer vibe rather than spring. Still I do recommend it – I don’t own anything like it and do think it’s unique.

You can find Chanel spring at counters now. Online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Chanel.com.

Did you pick up anything from the Collection LA Sunrise launch? If yes, what did you think?

48 Comments
On My Radar

On My Radar / New in Beauty

December 23, 2015

Is it too early for spring beauty yet? For those looking forward, there is a lot on the horizon for spring that focuses on fresh and glowing beauty. I’ve already spotted sneak peeks of new foundation releases from Chanel, Laura Mercier, YSL, Armani, NARS to name a few – all to be launching soon. For now, here’s a roundup of new beauty launches on my radar that you can purchase right now if you need instant gratification. I placed a large order a couple days ago for some Dior spring items and also picked up a few pieces from Chanel spring. I’ll be testing them in the next week and have swatches as soon as I can.
  1. Chanel Collection L.A. Sunrise for spring 2016 has started to trickle in stores and is now live on Chanel.com, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. It has a brighter feel than what I normally go for, but I love that everything is lively and colorful. What I picked up (reviews + swatches soon):
  2. Charlotte Tilbury Magic just launched the Magic Skin Trilogy with two new additions to her Magic Line. I’m a huge fan of her Magic Cream ($100) and couldn’t be more thrilled to see it available now in the Magic Night Cream ($145) and Magic Eye Rescue Cream ($60). I’ve been testing both of the new items for 3 days now, will have a report back after a few more days but I can say now that the Magic Night Cream is phenomenal – I wake up with glowing skin. (Also available in a Magic Skin Trilogy Set for $285.)
  3. YSL Spring Look just launched with a collection of pastels. I have my eye on the Glossy Stains ($36) in Tangerine Boho and Rose Folk along with the La Laque Couture Nail Polish ($27) in Love Pink.
  4. Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint ($33) launched a few weeks ago. I went to two counters to see if they had it in stock and both had sold out so I ordered it online. I’m excited to see how it compares to the ones from Clarins and Dior.
  5. Dior has a couple spring launches, one is a Lip Glow collection which features the Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Lip Balm ($33) in Lilac. As a fan of the pink and coral, I’m really excited to see how this one wears.
  6. Dior Glowing Gardens for Spring has light and airy colors with powders ebossed with gorgeous floral designs. The Diorskin Nude Air Illuminating Powders ($58) in Glowing Pink and Glowing Nude look so pretty. There are two Eyeshadow Palettes in Blue Garden and Rose Garden ($63 each) but as one who rarely wears aqua or green eyeshadow, I will need to test before splurging.
  7. Tarte just launched their Chiseling Charmers Deluxe Contour Set ($24, online only). This looks promising.
  8. Glamglow’s latest is a peel-off mask called Gravitymud Firming Treatment ($69). I need this like yesterday.
  9. Henri Bendel Champagne Candle ($30), need I say more? My local store was sold out but had one burning in-store. It smells amazingly fresh.
My wishlist is already a mile long. I will need to do some sorting, thinking and prioritizing before splurging. What’s on your radar for the upcoming spring beauty season?
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