Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Chanel Summer 2011: Lilium Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Lilium Eyeshadow Quad ($57) is the new quad released in the Chanel Fluers d’Ete summer collection. When I first saw this quad it didn’t really strike me as very summery at all.  When I saw the greens in the quad I immediately go to spring, with all the green outside. But after the MA applied this on my eyes I was sold.  Each shadow has some shimmer or sheen to it, no matte finishes here.  All four shades apply very nicely on their own but even better over a base.  Each color blends well with each other and is super smooth to the touch.  Now on to the shades…
The lightest shade is a soft pinky beige with a subtle iridescence. The second lightest shade is a light chartreuse green with a frost finish. Then there is a deep bluish green with a metallic finish (definitely a great crease color and/or a liner color). The last shade is a gray taupe with shimmer. Overall this is a beautiful quad to start off the summer.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Chanel Summer 2011: Bronze Rose Soliel Tan De Chanel

Chanel Bronze Rose Soliel Tan De Chanel ($50) is my absolute favorite product from the summer 2011 collection from Chanel. This is a limited edition product that also comes in a deeper coral shade. Me being the fair one that I am, I opted for the lighter of the two.
Both shades come with 4 different stripes of colors that are super soft in texture. There is a slight shimmer/sheen to all the shades, which blended together gives a beautiful glow. The top color is a soft medium tan color with soft shimmer, the second a peach with pink iridescence, the third is a deep coopery bronze and the fourth is a bright pink rose color with a soft sheen. When blended all together the bright pink shade gets mixed well with the bronze shades to great a great natural tan glow, not orangey at all. Almost no need for a blush on top. When I got my makeup done this past Saturday at the Chanel event, the MA blended the first three shades together to contour and bronze and then used the pink rose color has a pop of color on the apple of the cheeks. The result was beautiful. Overall LOVE this new addition to my makeup collection and plan on using it all the time!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Chanel Summer 2011: Pink Peony Glossimer

For summer, Chanel released three new Glossimer shades ($28.50) that are limited edition. Glossimers are a sheer gloss formula often designed for layering over lip color. I love Glossimers for their soft shimmer and easy to wear texture and the color selection is great. The texture is not sticky at all and applies very smoothly. I only picked up one color from the summer collection, Pink Peony.
Pink Peony is a rosy pink with soft shimmer. It delivers high shine when worn on its own and over a lip color. At my Chanel makeover, the MA used this color over Gardenia Rouge Coco and the shimmer really stood out. It’s a great color for summer and I have been wearing it non-stop since Saturday.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Lipgloss of the Moment: Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Hotness

I decided that instead of doing a favorites post at the end of every month, I am going to start doing an “Of the Moment” series.  Basically it will be posts about what I am loving at the moment in makeup, skincare & fragrance. I find that when it comes to monthly favorites, it’s hard for me to narrow down what I love for that month. I love and use too many products.  So for my first “Of the Moment” post I am going to feature a lipgloss that I currently have been using a lot. 
Lancôme Color Fever gloss ($26) in Hotness is a pale peach shimmer with lots of shine.  I love the way Lancôme’s glosses smell, it’s like a delicious floral fruity scent.  The texture of this gloss is not sticky at all and applies so smoothly. It’s a great neutral shade on its own or adds shimmer and shine over a lipstick.  The overall shade selection of the Color Fever glosses is great and I have several but Hotness is what I am loving at the moment.  What is your favorite gloss of the moment??

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Lancôme L’Absolu Nu Lipstick in Pale Petal

Lancôme recently released a new lipstick to their line, L’Absolu Nu ($29). L'Absolu Nu is a replenishing and enhancing lip color with a bare lip sensation.  This formula contains Pro-Xylane (as does the regular L’Absolu Rouge), the hydrating ingredient found in Lancôme’s Absolu skincare line. This ingredient is supposed to restore moisture for up to 8 hours.  L’Absolu Nu comes in 16 shades that claim to “enhance you natural lip color in a veil of shiny translucent color.”  I picked up the shade Pale Petal that fell in the pink/berry family.
Pale Petal is a sheer pale pink with lots of shine.  This formula is very creamy on the lips and applies very smoothly, and not heavy.  There is a slight rose scent that both Absolu formulas have which I don’t mind.  I do feel like this color enhances my natural lip color and then some. Overall I really have enjoyed this new lipstick formula.  I own a few of the L’Absolu Rouge colors but I have to say I prefer this new formula.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

OPI Shapely Shapers Set

With the weather getting weather, it was time to start up the pedicures. I normally only do pedicures during the spring/summer/early fall months when the weather is warm and my toes see the light of day. I love getting pedicures not only for the perfect polishing but the scrubbing and massaging as well. I could sit there forever and have my feet rubbed, its wonderful. Anyway, my friend had gotten a pedicure earlier in the week and I just loved the color that she used, Strawberry Margarita. So I went to Ulta to pick it up before my pedicure. They didn’t have it individually but they did have it in a set called Shapely Shapers for $14.95. The set comes with two polishes (Strawberry Margarita & Bubble Bath), a cute nail file and tweezers.
Strawberry Margarita is my absolute new favorite shade for the spring/summer. It is a deep hot pink with a cream finish, no shimmer. This color is very opaque, two coats and you are good to go. This color was first released with the Mexico collection in 2006, and then re-released with the Dell collection.
Bubble Bath is a perfect light pink shade for your fingers. It’s a sheer light pink with a cream finish. It was released with the Sheer Romance collection. Since it is very sheer, if you want near opaque coverage your will need at least three coats. It’s a beautifully simple color.
The kit also comes with a cute nail file and tweezers. They are in the shape of women and are perfect size for travel, so they have made a nice addition to my travel bag.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Coming Soon to Never Enough Gloss....Chanel Summer 2011

My Chanel counter is having their summer event Friday and Saturday this week.  My appointment is Saturday and I can't wait!

Edward Bess Blush Allure Ultra Slick Lipstick

Blush Allure Ultra Slick Lipstick ($32) is one of the newer shades released by Edward Bess. I think these new colors launched in December but I am just now getting around to purchasing this color that I have been lusting for. Both the new lipsticks and glosses that were launched have new packaging, a square shaped tube for the lipsticks and a longer tube for the glosses. I have to say that I prefer the older packaging because it was less bulky and sleeker, but oh well.
Blush Allure is a beautiful medium nude pink with a cream finish. To me this color is much more opaque than any other Edward Bess colors I have. Also the consistency is creamier and applies with more color. The formula still feels hydrating and doesn’t cake at all. The lovely fig scent still remains and the actually lipstick is embossed with EB for Edward Bess, which I think is a classy touch. Overall, loving Blush Allure and can’t wait to see what Edward has in store for the rest of the year.


Friday, April 15, 2011

Lancôme Color Design Palette in Taupe Craze

Lancôme recently released ten new Color Design eyeshadow palettes ($48). These palettes claim to brighten eyes and have an eight-hour formula to last and not crease. Each palette includes five shades labeled so you know where to apply each shade. The palettes include an All-over Base, Lid, Crease, Highlighter and Liner shades. I really love all of the palettes but I decided to try just one out at first.
Taupe Craze is a cool taupey neutral palette that includes a mix of satin and shimmer finishes. All the shadows are super smooth and buttery and blend perfectly. They all have excellent pigmentation as well. Here is a breakdown of the shades in the palette:
The All-over base color is a light peachy beige with a satin finish. The lid shade is a cool medium taupe shimmer. The crease shade is a dark taupe brown with satin finish. The highlighter is a light shimmery taupe. The liner shade is a deep taupe brown with silver shimmer. The liner can be used wet or dry, but I found works best wet.
L to R: All Over, Lid, Crease, Highlighter, Liner
The palette also comes with an Artistry Tips booklet. In it they show you how to do a day look and a night look. They also recommend addition eye products to use with the looks. Overall, love the palette. The color payoff is great and I can wear these colors all year long. I think Bronze Amour and Coral Crush are on my list to get as well.


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra Light Skin perfecting Makeup

Chanel recently released a new foundation formula called Vitalumiere Aqua ($45) to replace their Teint Innocence Liquid formula. Since I have grown to love most of Chanel foundations I decided to give it a try.
I went to my local Chanel counter and got some samples from my favorite Chanel artist Jessica. Jessica explained to me that this foundation is super lightweight, oil-free, has SPF 15, and will give a second skin effect to your face. This new formula comes in 10 shades, 5 shades for pink undertones (BR) and the other 5 being for beige undertones (B). Since I have more of a beige undertone, I decided to sample to shades B10 & B20. At the time when I picked up the samples I was still pretty pale, that is why I want to try the B10. But since then, I have been self- tanning, so the B20 came in handy to try. After trying out this formula, I decided that I really enjoyed the light coverage and how it feels on my skin. I hardly feel like I am wearing anything. It has a slight fresh floral scent which is a little different for me, but I like it. I went back and purchased the shade B20 and got a sample of the B30 just in case I get a little more color in the coming weeks. So far I am quite pleased with this foundation. It’s only been a few weeks using, so we will see if I change my mind. (Probably won’t!)

Monday, April 11, 2011

Rouge Bunny Rouge Lip Products

Along with my Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadows I picked up two of the Russian brands lip products, Color Burst Lipstick and Gleaming Temptations lipgloss. Both lip products contain moisturizing ingredients such as Vitamin E but the lipstick contains such ingredients as Orchid Flower extract, Meadow foam, Manoi Butter to hydrate and the lipgloss contains Sesame, Neem and Boswellia Oils; Lotus Flower Extract, Gingko Biloba, Green Tea to hydrate, nourish and regenerate. After trying both products I definitely agree that they moisturize and hydrate very well. Let’s talk about the colors that I choose.
The color I decided to purchase in the Color Burst lipstick is The Plot Thickens. This shade is a beautiful rosy nude beige with a satin finish. It has a slight figgy scent which I really like. When applied it has decent pigmentation, not too sheer, not too opaque, very middle of the road. This product applies easy and smooth and feels soft on the lips. It’s definitely hydrating yet lightweight. Overall a great lipstick that is easy to throw on at anytime.
I picked up the shade Birthday Suit in the RBR Gleaming Temptations lipgloss. Birthday Suit is a honey, peachy beige with a soft shimmer. This is a gorgeous color! On its own Birthday Suit is very sheer but when applied over a lipstick, especially The Plot Thickens, it adds a beautiful nude sheen. This product also has a fig scent to it and is non-sticky and moisturizing.
Overall I am super happy with all the RBR products that I purchased and can’t wait to get some more. But what they really need to do is bring this brand to the US, and fast!
L to R: The Plot Thickens, Birthday Suit

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshine

Chanel finally released their much anticipated new lip color, Rouge Coco Shine ($32), on April 6th  in the US.  All of the Chanel counters in my town (and I am sure everywhere else) were doing pre-sale for this launch. Of course, I wasn’t going to chance them selling out so pre-ordered a few shades that I had to have.  I have already done a review on the shade Boy that was limited release in February; you can check that out here. 
Top: Evasion     Bottom: Aventure
If you don’t know anything about the Rouge Coco Shine product it is a hydrating sheer lipshine that provides lightweight coverage and texture while moisturizing your lips.  They are available in a full range of shades from light beige to deep berry.  I picked up two of the lighter shades: Evasion and Aventure.  Both shades have fairly good pigmentation and a touch of shimmer and a whole lot of shine.  They also have a slight rose scent to them and a balm-like consistency.
Evasion
Evasion is a fresh, delicate peachy pink that really brightens up my natural lip color.  Definitely a perfect color for Spring/Summer and would suit all skin colors.
Aventure
Aventure is a medium bright pink with soft gold shimmer.  In the tube it doesn’t look super bright but when applied you get a real pop of bright pink on your lips, which I wasn’t expecting but really liked.  This will be an awesome color paired with bronze and gold shadows in the summer. 
L to R: Evasion, Aventure
Overall, love this product, love the formula, love the colors and will probably pick up more in the coming weeks.  I will definitely share my thoughts on other shades when I purchase them.

P.S - Compared to Boy, Aventure is a much brighter pink.  I just compared the two and was amazing how much brighter Aventure is, especially on the lips.


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Rouge Bunny Rouge Long Lasting Eyeshadows

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a whimsical Russian beauty brand that has been buzzing around the beauty blog world for the past year or so. I have read so many amazing reviews of their products I finally broke down and purchased some of their products. First off, RBR is only sold on zuneta.com, which is a British based beauty web store. That means that the products sold there are in British pounds, so when converted to US dollars the products can be a little pricey. But I found that they are totally worth it!
The first product I will be talking about is RBR’s Long lasting eyeshadows. I picked up two of the most talked about shades, Abyssinian Catbird and Bejewelled Skylark. Both shadows are highly pigmented, super smooth and really long lasting. Also both colors are extremely unique; I don’t have or have seen any colors like them. Both shades are on the warm/deep side but translate beautifully on the eyes.
Abyssinian Catbird
Abyssinian Catbird is a very warm deep gold metallic. It’s an absolutely stunning color! I have never seen anything like it. This is the perfect color for a warm bronzy summer smoky eye. I can’t wait to be tan so I can really rock this color.
Bejewelled Skylark
Bejewelled Skylark is a rich coppery brown with shimmer. Also very highly pigmented, don’t need to pick much up on your brush. This will also be a great color for the summer. I have been using as a liner currently and love the way it looks.
L to R: Abyssinian Catbird, Bejewelled Skylark
Overall I am super excited about my first Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadow purchase and see myself purchasing some of the lighter shimmery colors in the future. You can check out the whole RBR line at http://www.rougebunnyrouge.com/ and purchase here at Zuneta.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Laura Geller Baked Beginnings Kit

I picked up the Baked Beginnings Kit from Laura Geller because I wanted to try out two other products of hers, Bronze-N-Brighten and Blush-N-Brighten. This kit comes with three mini sized products and a mini kabuki brush. The products include:

• Balance-N-Brighten in Regular
• Bronze-N-Brighten in Regular
• Blush-N-Brighten in Berry


All together this is a nice to kit if you want to try out all of the popular baked face products. It was nice to get the Balance-N-Brighten in Regular to use in the warmer months instead of the fair I already have. It’s not too much deeper than the fair and will be perfect when I get a little color from the sun. I love this powder because it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin.
Bronze-N-Brighten is a matte baked bronzer with bronze, cream and pink rosy colors swirled throughout. I do have to say that this product in this color applies a little heavy and dark for me right now. With a light hand I am able to apply lightly to add some color. This product will be great when I am tan and I can easily pop it into my purse to take anywhere with me.
The only product I was a little leery about was the Blush-N-Brighten in the color berry. In the product photos it looked deeper berry and I thought it might not be a good color for me. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the color I received had more pink in it than berry. Swirls of shimmery pink, berry and gold mix together to give a healthy glow to the cheeks. Really love the color and is easy to apply with the mini kabuki brush in the kit.
Overall, I am happy with the Laura Geller products I have purchased and can’t wait to see if she introduces some new things for summer.
L to R: Balance-N-Brighten in Regular, Bronze-N-Brighten in Regular, Blush-N-Brighten in Berry