Current Favorites & Product Obsessions

IGK has quickly become one of my fastest hair brand obsessions. Everything I’ve tried styling wise has been great. I use dry shampoo quite a bit. I tend to shower every other day. The IGK Jet Lag Invisible Dry Shampoo is my newest acquisition by the line. It’s a little pricey for what it is, but it works. Well. No white residue and I like that as a dry shampoo it’s not intense and really drying or over powdery like some dry shampoos. More to come.

Zelens Z Matrix is this lovely pink gel that hydrates immensely well. I buy a jar in the winter to use in place of hydrating serums. It would work as a moisturizer for oily or combo skins during the summer if you live in a hot or humid climate. Otherwise I like to layer it. Review HERE.

I used to use Omorovicza Nourishing Hand Treatment all the day. It replaced La Mer for me. I was testing a bunch of hand creams for a while and stopped using it. I pulled a tube out again and it was love at first reuse again. Light enough and hydrating. Review HERE. This is easily one of my favorite hand creams and though pricey a tube does last a while.

January Labs Revitalizing Day Cream is this new discovery for me. It’s got an almost oil meets liquid lotion texture. Very fluid and light yet really really hydrating. More to come.  The Wayne Goss Air Brush should be in every one of these posts because it’s phenomenal. Now it comes in Rose Gold. Review HERE.

Miller Harris is a niche UK perfumery that I just adore. I haven’t used some of my heavier scents in a while and I’ve been pulling out L’air De Rien for a while. I’ve forgotten how much I loved it. It used to be available in the US as a brand but then they pulled out so you have to search around for it. This scent is musty and feminine without being overtly so. It’s completely unique and hard to describe. Musty, like an old book, warm with vanilla and amber, not overpowering. It’s really really good.

Iconic singer and actress Jane Birkin’s perfume, L’Air de Rien is a uniquely intimate and nostalgic fragrance. Seeking to capture all of Jane’s favourite scents and chic sensuality, L’Air de Rien captures the comfort of a lovers embrace, watching dust dance in the light as you lay entwined. An intimate blend of musk and amber, softened by the suggestion of old books through earthy moss and dry vanilla. Alluring and profound, with an unspoken intimacy and closeness.

Top: Neroli Tunisia. Heart: Neroli. Tunisia Base: Oak moss, Patchouli Indonesia, Vanilla Reunion, Amber, White musk.

Herbovore Botanicals released a new Coconut Ultra Hydration Body Oil an exclusive to Nordstrom. This smells like a light coconut nothing too sweet or overpowering. It’s the perfect natural coconut scent. The oil is not too heavy but hydrating. Love the glass pump package. It’s formulated with coconut oil and Co2 extract to deeply hydrate the skin. Its scent whisks you away to a tropical vacation with each application.

With it being colder I’ve been pulling out SUQQU’s Frame Fix Foundation Lightness. This is the newest liquid foundation out last year I believe. Still very hard to find as only Harrod’s & Ichibankao has it. Selfridges doesn’t carry it online. I love the coverage and hydrating nature. Yet it’s lightweight. I’ve been playing with shades 003 and 203. More to come soon.

Original Human was a chance discovery for me. I grabbed the Kalahari Melon Facial Serum which is perfect for my combo skin. I’m obsessed with all watermelon skincare products for one, two this is lightweight and perfect for day use. I also love raspberry oil so this was a win win for me.

Calms inflammation, restructures and brings balance, for acne-prone or combination skin. Grounded in a base of Kalahari Melon oil, this serum works to balance the skin and sebum production with essential fatty acids and lipids to restore and maintain the skin’s barrier function. High concentrations of Vitamin C and other antioxidants like carotenoids work to protect and calm the skin and promote healing. 

Ingredients Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Petroselinum Sativum (Parsley) Seed Oil, Helichrysum Splendidum Oil

I love the Chanel Ombre Premiere Cream Eyeshadow in general. Silver Pink & Memory are staples for a fast look. Silver Screen is the newest edition to the family. Limited edition this sparkling pewter shade is perfect for holidays. This is a bit more sparkling than the permanent shades. Same great formula. Review HERE.

NARS Christopher Kane Holographic Lipstick in Chroma Chrome caught my eye when I saw it on Instagram. A holographic nude pink, yes please. It was a UK exclusive as far as & I know I got mine of Selfridges. It’s a sheer shimmering very light nude with a pink shift.

Shock the runway with an electrifying collection of holographic sheens and metallic glitter tones inspired by Christopher Kane’s signature aesthetic. This imited-edition soft nude Lipstick in Chroma Chrome from NARS creates a subtle, holographic sheen for a universally flattering highlight effect. The long-wearing formula provides ultra-comfortable wear and silky colour that lasts.

Top Chanel Silver Screen, Bottom NARS Chroma Chrome:

Top to Bottom–Omorovica Nourishing Hand Treatment, Zelens Z Matrix, January Labs Revitalizing Day Cream, SUQQU Frame Fix Foundation Lightness 003, Chanel Silver Screen, NARS Chroma Chrome:

Current Product Favorites & Obsessions

It’s been warmer this week than the previous two so I went back to using some lighter foundations and cream products. I’ve been reaching for the Chanel Ombre Premiere cream shadows again. A lot. I’m loving Silver Pink as a base with Memory as the center lid. Memory really warms it up overall and it’s the perfect day combo I can apply in less than two minutes. See review and swatches HERE. Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizers are a cream highlighter I reach for constantly. The shades are so unique and multi-dimensional. They are creamy but not too creamy. They have enough weight to last. Phosphene is one of my favorites. Review & swatches HERE, HERE & HERE.

Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Stick Foundation in Ocher has been a favorite all spring and summer. While it’s a very lightweight coverage foundation, the ease of swiping it on with the water cooling sensation during application is sublime. What I love the most about this one is that it doesn’t budge once you’ve applied it. Review HERE. I also love Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation. It’s lightweight and pleasant to wear. This is one of the only cushion style foundations I’ve ever enjoyed as it’s not as oily or greasy as some of the others. I wear shade no 30. Review HERE.

I didn’t expect to like the limited edition La Mer The Illuminating Powder. Maybe I just didn’t want to because its pricey. The heavy weight case is amazing. It has a artsy floral design on the compact. The powder itself is finely milled and produces a lovely glow, no shimmer or intense shine here. It’s a perfectly light highlighter with an amazing smooth texture and really pretty case. More to come soon.

Dr Jart+ UV Sun Fluid is going to be one of my winter sunscreens. It’s not drying, clear and a lightweight milky serum gel fluid texture. I love that it’s SPF 30 and not 50. There’s no reason to wear SPF 50 on a daily basis. This feels like a lightweight serum lotion more than an SPF. Love it. Talked about it HERE.

Byredo has become a favorite fragrance brand of mine over the last two years. Byredo Rodeo is a new scent only found on their website. It’s limited edition. Top: Leather Accord; Middle: Midnight Violet, Suede; Base: Black Amber, Vetiver. Very simple and clean. It has a leather scent but the floral balances it out to make it light. It has a very addictive quality to it. It’s what I wanted Hermes Cuir d’Ange to be. No powdery notes at all. Just light leather with a slightly sweet hint that makes it just plain good.

Now that it’s getting colder I can start wearing facial oils in the daytime again. Mostly on the cheeks but I will use all over once the artificial heat kicks on for the winter. I have the air conditioner on tonight, so not quite yet. But in the next month or so. KYPRIS Beauty Elixir II is a lovely dry lightweight facial oil perfect for my combination skin. Review HERE.

OSKIA’s new Citylife collection is superb. A full post is coming shortly. As I get older my eyes get drier. Combined with the ever so slightly cooler weather I’ve been using heavier eye creams. The OSKIA Citylife I-Zone Balm is a lightweight oil based balm that melts into an oil with the heat of your fingers. Pat it right into the eye area before bed for a not too greasy extra boost of eye hydration. I quite like it.

Jane Scrivner is a new UK brand for me to delve into. I tend to really like UK skincare and perfume brands. I grabbed two items from them.This ‘OO’ Over oil Cream is very unique (And it’ a Beauty Short List Winner). Not only is it bright yellow, it has a whipped light texture that’s amazingly hydrating. It’s even suitable for night use. More to come.

Top to Bottom–Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation, Cle de Peau Radiant Stick Foundation, Rituel de Fille Phosphene, La Mer The Illuminating Powder, Chanel Silver Pink, Chanel Memory:

Top to Bottom–Dr Jart+ UV Sun Fluid, Jane Scrivner ‘OO’ Over Oil, OSKIA Citylife I-Zone Balm:

Chanel Ombre Premiere 820 Memory: Swatches

I recently fell in love with Chanel’s new Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadows. They have been in high rotation for me. These were limited edition but now I’m reading that they are permanent. They should be permanent because it’s an amazing formula. This highly pigmented cream to powder formula sets to a satin finish that lasts all day. No smudging, budging or fading. Read my review of the formula and original colors I grabbed HERE.

I grabbed the new Ombre Premiere in Memory from Chanel’s Travel Diary Fall 2017 Collection. It’s a shimmering medium neutral bronze brown. Nothing too red or yellow toned. I love that it’s not a really warm bronze it’s closer to neutral in tone. I’m not into the deeper red toned bronzes nor the lighter yellow toned ones.

I’ve been using it all over the lid and under the lash line than adding a hint of Silver Pink for some crease and ‘outer v’ definition. Works beautifully together. This is lighter and less brown red than Tom Ford Spice. Spice is a bit too deep and red toned for my everyday preference. This is essentially my perfect bronzed brown. Not too deep, light, red or yellow. It’s my Goldilocks because it’s just right. If you like nudes and browns this should be in your makeup arsenal as the cream formula is amazing.

Compared with Top to Bottom–Chanel Ombre Premiere in Undertone, Memory, Silver Pink; Tom Ford Platinum, Spice:

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette: Review & Swatches

I got excited when I saw this new Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette as I love Chanel and neutrals. Win win all around. This is part of the summer Chanel Les Beiges collection. I believe it’s limited edition as Nordstrom is sold out. However Chanel still has it in stock. Details per Chanel:

A versatile eyeshadow palette for easy, neutral-toned looks. Five smudge-proof, long-lasting colours — from soft to intense, with matte to shimmery finishes — offer base, highlighter and liner effects.

The case cover has the Les Beiges beige instead of the traditional black for most Chanel. Inside is five shades of neutral toned shadow ranging from almost matte to shimmer. Chanel suggests usage beyond just eyes. Using some of the shades on brows or one as a face highlighter.

Tip: Try applying the deeper shade to build intensity on dark-hair brows and the lighter shade as a highlighter on cheekbones, the brow bone, the tip of the nose and the Cupid’s bow.

The top shade that spans the width of the palette is a matte soft cream shade that’s perfect for a base shade. The middle left shade is a matte cool driftwood brown. The middle right shade is a matte warm cinnamon brown. When I say matte for these three shades I mean almost matte. They have an ever so slight bit of micro shimmer which is perceptible more in the sunlight than anywhere else. It’s a cross between matte and satin leaning towards matte. They look mostly matte on the lids. It does give the shades a touch of dimension.

On the bottom left is an almost matte soft black. I’m usually not into more matte blacks but this one is excellent. Matte blacks are usually either way too pigmented and hard to blend or too soft and light, they hardly show up. This one is perfectly in between. It’s pigmented, yet soft. It shows up but not too much. It’s the Goldilocks of blacks. Just right. The four almost matte shades are soft and thin in texture. They’re not overtly pigmented yet not sheer. They have a bit of a powdery texture.

They look very much like Surratt shadows. That’s what I first thought of when I opened this palette. Surratt matte shadows also have a hint of faint shimmer in them. The shimmer in this Chanel palette more prominent than Surratt, it’s a touch larger. I do find the Surratt to be a bit more pigmented than these. The Chanel feels a touch softer, drier and more powdery. The bottom right shade is a shimmery beige. It’s shimmery in base plus has some micro glitter in it. It feels less dry and soft than the other shades in the palette. It’s not powdery at all. The shades are all long lasting and stay put pretty well so bonus in that area.

I like the palette overall. It’s a good basic palette for neutrals. It’s very soft in the look it gives. Very day appropriate. You won’t be overdoing it with these shades. You can smoke it up for sure with the black to go into night. The nudes take a heavier hand to get a deeper application. I’m not a fan of how powdery they feel.

As some of the shades are very similar to my beloved Surratt shades I really don’t reach for this palette. I prefer the Surratt which is more pigmented and less powdery. I also find the shimmery shade doesn’t really work all that well with the rest of the shades. It’s too shimmery and the textures clash a little. It would be better on the face as a highlight versus just the eyes. The shimmery shade is also very pigmented and it can overpower the softer matte shades. I prefer the Chanel Entrelacs Palette to this one for soft nudes. That palette had a more cohesive feel. It was better matched in textures.

Top to Bottom–Base top shade, Clockwise starting top left:

Compared with Top to Bottom–Surratt Brunatre, Surratt Ombre, Surratt Greige, Chanel(same as listed above), Surratt Brun Noir:

Current Product Obsessions

Time for a product obsession post which is a bit overdue. It rained for over a week here and my days off just never had good timing with a sunny day. I finally caved and grabbed Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser. I don’t know why I waited forever to grab this it’s fabulous. It smells like strawberries. The texture is a light gel that lightly foams. It’s non-drying and won’t strip your skin. It’s perfect for a morning cleanse or second cleanse. More to come.

I loved the first Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 I reviewed here. I hated the vinegar smell so I recently grabbed a new version the Lotion P50 PIGM 400. I love this new version even more. It’s a bit less harsh on my skin and smells much less vinegar. The scent is so much more pleasing and minimal. This version just went to the top of the list and more to come.

During this hot summer I have really been rotating three foundations. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation is water light and cooling on the skin. It holds up well in the heat and humidity. Making it perfect for summer. Review here. Cle De Peau Beaute Radiance Stick Foundation is also water light and cooling on application. It holds up extremely well in the summer heat and humidity. Review here. When I want more coverage I use By Terry Or de Rose Teint Supreme. One if my favorite By Terry foundations powered with real rose gold. It’s a medium coverage matte foundation. The best part is the lighter than heavy coverage in a matte formula. It’s not very common, most matte’s are too heavy for my tastes. This one is perfect, sadly it’s discontinued.

I’ve been mostly using cream blushes this summer. They’re easy, quick and if you pick the right formula can last almost as long as powder. Cle De Peau Beaute Cream Blush in Perfect Peach #4 has been a staple of mine since I obtained it. The pigmented peachy pink nude is perfect for me and it lasts quite well. Review here. Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Abundance has become a quick favorite. I was afraid of it’s pigmented cooler purple looking tone, but it turns into the best neutral nude mauve on my cheeks. It lasts all day long. The case is luxe and heavy weight. Only negative is the cost and it’s hard to get fingerprints off of it. More to come.

It took me forever to buy the Sisley-Paris Phyto 4 Ombres Dream. I have been using it non stop since I got it. I’m so glad I finally grabbed it. Review here. It has this lovely mother of pearl pink nude color palette. Very illuminating. I also waited forever to grab the Cle De Peau Beaute Eye Color Quad in 303 Baby Universe. I felt it was too mauve when I first checked it out. I caved and grabbed it. The silky buttery quad is amazing in texture. It is a mauve nude brown color toned palette. I used to love mauves then I gravitated away from it. Now I’m liking going back into that mauve brown color palette for eyeshadows.

Top to Bottom–Cle de Peau Cream Blush 4, Kjaer Weis Abundance, Cle de Peau Ochre Radiant Stick Foundation, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation 30, By Terry Or De Rose Teint Supreme 1 Romantic Blonde:

Top to Bottom–Cle de Peau Baby Universe 303, Sisley Phyto Ombres 4 Dream:

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation N30: Review & Swatches

I love Chanel makeup. It’s classic, tasteful and well done. I normally am not into cushion foundations for a multitude of reasons. I was very intrigued by the idea of Chanel making a cushion style foundation. I was sold once Pixiwoos loved Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation on Instagram. Details per Chanel:

This cushion compact features a lightweight aqua-gel texture to leave skin with a subtle tint and sheer, dewy finish. An exclusive fabric mesh delivery system offers the most optimal, even application. In 10 shades, from light to deep. Enriched with Kalanchoe Extract and Hyaluronic Acid, the refreshing formula helps to provide up to eight hours of hydration, along with optimal protection and soothing comfort.

This comes in a Les Beiges style case with a beige top with Chanel logo. The puff is very thin yet sturdy, and has the perfect foam density. You’re going to be able to wash it without fearing it’s going to fall apart. The sponge sits on top of a lid that flips out. This lid locks the gel foundation inside, no leaking at all. I’ve stood mine upright to store, still no leaking. The inside delivery system is not a sponge like normal cushion foundations. Instead the product is delivered through a unique mesh system.

This foundation has a liquid gel texture. It has a very faint Magnolia scent. Some of the Chanel fragranced items are too powerful for me, this one is OK. It’s not too strong. I grabbed shade 30 which is an OK match. It looks a little cool pink beige and too light at first, it sets a bit darker and warmer. It’s still more in the neutral category versus warm. I would like to look into grabbing shade 40 one day as it looks warmer.

The texture is so light and refreshing. It has an immediate cooling effect when applied to the skin. It’s so perfect for summer. This is a sheer to light coverage foundation. You’re not going to get more out of it than that. It has no oily texture at all, just very light and water like in it’s feel on the skin. It’s dewy and hydrating without being oily or greasy. I experienced no breakouts or any adverse effects from using. It didn’t clog my pores or anything like that. It lasts 8 hours before fading some. I love that this does not get oily in my t-zone later in the day. It truly is a perfect summer or hot and humid environment foundation. This didn’t transfer very much either. When I rubbed my face it pretty much stays intact. It rubs off a small amount, but nothing like a normal oil based or regular fluid foundation.

This sets down and the best way to apply is to pat a thin layer on the skin. Let it set. Then work in another layer on the skin. I usually do two full layers all over my face. Then a third layer around my nose and cheeks. I can pat a tiny bit extra onto the cheeks for mostly covering my redness, but you’re still going to see a lot of skin with this light foundation. I normally don’t like traditional cushion style foundations because they’re too oily feeling for me and are so light in coverage I might as well just use a tinted moisturizer. This Chanel foundation is different. It’s a truly water light gel foundation, that actually stays put.

This is most comparable to the new Cle de Peau Radiant Stick Foundation. Both have a very light coverage, water like cooling feel on application. I like both. Different styles of application. Cle de Peau lasts longer, absolutely won’t budge and is more my shade. Chanel is a touch light as far as shades go, doesn’t last quite as long as the Cle de Peau. However, the Chanel is almost half the cost and is a better deal. Both are excellent choices for a cooling, water feel foundation that’s perfect for summer. Or hot and humid climates year round.

Chanel’s Directions to Apply

Using puff applicator, gently press down onto pre-soaked fabric mesh and pat evenly over entire face. Can also be applied with Retractable Foundation Brush for a more buildable result. Reapply throughout the day, as desired.

Top to Bottom–Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder 6, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Touch 30, Cle de Peau Radiant Stick Ocher, Sisley Sisleya Le Teint Linen 2B, Zelens Youth Glow Beige:

Current Product Obsessions

Time to talk bout some current product obsessions. Some of these are new products I have just acquired (yet are still going through the testing phase) so expect more soon about them. Others I’ve had for a while and I’m still just obsessed with them.

I’ve actually had the Omorovicza Blue Diamond Eye Cream for a while. I stopped using it for a while to test a few new eye creams. That was a big mistake. As a result my eyes were drier and felt like a hollow shell of their normal self. I started using this again and they’ve been feeling better. This is such a lightweight eye cream, I always find it hard to believe it’s so moisturizing. It’s incredibly hydrating, sinks in quickly and is lightweight. It’s perfect for day use or even night if you don’t have really dry eyes. It’s a Hero Product of mine and review here.

Jordan Samuel Skin is a new discovery of mine. I’ve seen it all over Instagram but never taken the plunge for it. I just grabbed the Plie Treatment Cleanser. It’s quite good. It smells like citrus and has a clear oil balm like texture. You rub it onto dry skin and it washes off clean. I’m obsessed with trying pretty much any oil balm cleanser and prefer them to pure oil cleansers. More to come on this one.

I also recently grabbed Skin Owl’s new Beauty Whip Mask. It’s a light cream hydrating mask. I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about it, but it’s actually very nice. It’s not too heavy and cream based, it feels like a heavy lotion that’s intensely hydrating without being greasy. It’s just enough moisture. More to come on this one as well.

Philip Kingsley I came across on Instagram as well, then grabbed a few items from Selfridges. The Instant Beach spray is so good. It’s a salt free beach spray so it’s not drying. This manages to give texture, beach waves, and keep the texture. Most salt sprays fall flat a few hours later. Instant Beach stays true. I found a new winner. More to come on Philip Kingsley as his other stuff is quite good as well.

I remember when African Botanics came out. I have to admit I wasn’t interested at first as it was mostly oils that they produced at that time. They’re been releasing more skincare items and I finally caved and grabbed a few items. The first one I’ve been testing is the Infinite Resurfacing Mask. This is a AHA and BHA mask for exfoliation. I love the light green gel. No stinging and it’s quick, easy and effective. I like it so far. More to come on this brand and the items I’ve grabbed.

Because it’s summer here (and I pretty much melt in Texas heat and humidity) I’m sticking to minimal makeup that can stand up in the heat. Paul & Joe Beaute Gel Blush in 003 has been featured on here before. I’m still obsessed with it. Perfect light nude peach pink flush in a cooling gel texture. Best part is that it lasts all day, even here in the heat and humidity. Amazing for a gel blush.

On that same note I was skeptical of the pricey little Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Stick Foundation. It has proved me wrong. It’s a cooling water based formula that so perfect for summer. It’s very light coverage but it will not budge off of your face all day. Even if you’re running around melting in the heat. Adore this for summer. Ocher is the shade I use, review is here.

Chanel Les Beiges range just got a new foundation–Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation. It’s a cushion foundation but a bit different than the ones I’ve tried in the past. Perfect for summer as it has a light, cooling water based texture. It also holds up pretty well like the Cle de Peau in the heat and humidity. I’m going to get more into why I like this one shortly in a longer review. Stay tuned. I have shade 30.

I still reach for the Chanel Ombre Premiere Eyeshadows in Undertone and Silver Pink weekly. When you own as many eyeshadows as I do, that says something if you still use it weekly. They hold up amazingly well in the summer heat and humidity (notice a theme with this post yet?). So quick, easy and perfect. Shame they’re limited edition. Review and swatches here.

Rituel de File Rare Light Luminizers are one of my favorite cream highlighters. Solaris is a new limited edition shade that just launched. It’s a fiery red opal shade. Love it. It just doesn’t swatch right no matter what light I use. You have to see it in person. Review and swatches here.

I snagged the Sisley Paris Phyto 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quartet in Dream off of Selfridges when they had a sale a few weeks ago. I probably wouldn’t have bought it otherwise. I’m so glad I did as it’s really pretty. It has that thin shimmery wet and dry use texture like some of the new formulas of eyeshadows. It’s a really nice nude quad with a very fun pink shade. More to come.

Swatches of Sisley Dream:

Top to Bottom: Rituel de Fille Solaris, Chanel Undertone ad Silver Pink, Paul & Joe Gel Blush 003, Cle de Peau Radiant Stick Foundation Ochre, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation n30:

Chanel Ombre Premiere Eyeshadow: Review & Swatches

Chanel is one of my favorite of all time makeup brands. It’s always classic, modern and has excellent quality. Chanel just released a new line of eyeshadow singles called Ombre Premiere. Yes please. Details per Chanel:

Presenting OMBRE PREMIÈRE, a new eyeshadow in smooth cream and powder textures with matte, satin or metallic finishes — made to apply with Chanel Global Creative Makeup and Colour Designer Lucia Pica’s favorite artistry technique: layering.

CHANEL OMBRE PREMIÈRE Longwear Cream Eyeshadow A smooth-texture cream shadow that glides on effortlessly to leave an elegant satin finish. In eight versatile, longwearing shades, from delicate nudes and pinks to steely blacks. Includes a rounded brush for optimal application.
This easy-to-wear formula can be applied with fingertips. For the most ideal application, use accompanying brush applicator or Retractable Dual-Tip Eyeshadow Brush. Wear alone or mix and match to create your own shades. For a custom colour look and a lasting, more intense result, apply before OMBRE PREMIÈRE Longwear Powder Eyeshadow.

I grabbed three shades(above starting top then clockwise): 806 Terre Brulee, 814 Silver Pink, 802 Undertone. The Ombre Premiere is a harder, denser, drier more pigmented formula than Illusion d’Ombre. It has a satin finish that lasts all day. The longevity is amazing on these. I’ve been testing these for a while and it’s been so hot and humid here in Texas, but these are holding up like a champ in the summer weather. No fading or creasing for 12-16 hour day.

The drier formula increases the longevity and there’s no creasing. I found the Illusion d’Ombre creased after 6 hours which is why I wasn’t a huge fan. However, the drier formula means it sets quickly. One it sets it’s good to go for the day. 

You can use your finger to apply these or a brush. Your finger gives a sheerer wash of color. A brush delivers more intensity. You’re going to need a very stiff brush to be able to pick up this dense, dry formula. The shadows come with a small to medium sized stiff synthetic brush. It works well to apply around the lash line and crease area for more intensity. This is the first included brush with an item that I’ve liked in a while. It works well for this product.

I was able to blend together and wear two shades of the cream shadow. I used Undertone as the all over wash then used Silver Pink in the crease, outer 1/3 of the lid and lash line. They can be blended together, it just requires some effort. These don’t effortlessly blend together. You can add layers with these to get more intensity, just work quickly.

Undertone is a shimmery light nude. It’s darker than my lid by a touch and adds a bit of shimmer and color. It’s very subtle on it’s own. Terre Brulee is a pigmented warm medium bronze. It has quite a bit of shimmer as some gold micro glitter. Silver Pink was a last minute add on. I was thinking by the name it would be too pink, however I threw it in last minute before I checked out and I’m so happy I did. Silver Pink is for the taupe lovers. It’s a shimmery warmer taupe. It has more shimmer than Undertone but no glitter like Terre Brulee. Silver Pink is actually my favorite purchase of all six shades. I’ve been reaching for it quite a bit.

CHANEL OMBRE PREMIÈRE Longwear Powder Eyeshadow A soft-textured powder shadow that offers even, longwearing colour. In 16 richly-pigmented shades with matte, satin or metallic finishes. Includes a sponge applicator for shading and a brush applicator for blending. Wear alone or mix and match to create your own shades. For a custom colour look and a lasting, more intense result, layer over OMBRE PREMIÈRE Longwear Cream Eyeshadow.

I grabbed three shades(above top to bottom): 10 Flesh, 14 Talpa, 32 Bronze Antique. The powder formula is thin and finely milled. It’s a little on the drier end, but it’s not powdery. It’s moderately pigmented and applies smoothly. I found these applied alone do crease a bit. They did fade some after a 12 hour day as well as had some creasing-even over an eye primer.

Flesh is a shimmery light warm pink. Talpa is a shimmery taupe. It’s a touch cooler than Silver Pink. Bronze Antique is a light shimmery cooler bronze. It looks more like a dirty gold than bronze. Bronze Antique is a bit thinner and more shimmery than the other two shades. It was also a touch drier and sheerer. It was slightly different in texture.

The powder shades were easy to layer over the cream shadows. Layering them over the creams did increase their longevity and prevent creasing. I used the powders on the brow bone, or in the crease outer 1/3 of the lid. I also tried Bronze Antique on the inner lid to add a lightness and extra shimmer to the creams.

Overall I could do without the powder shades. They were OK, but nothing stood out on them. They felt average. It’s also because the powder shades felt limited in the shades available. None of the shades were really my type-shimmery medium nudes. The stand out of the collection is the cream shadows with Silver Pink in particular being my top pick.

Top to Bottom: Flesh, Bronze Antique, Talpa, Undertone, Silver Pink, Terre Brulee:

Compared with Top to Bottom: Silver Pink, Tom Ford Platinum, Undertone, Terre Brulee, Tom Ford Spice(Chanel is much drier, denser and harder than Tom Ford which is moist and mousse like in texture):

Compared with Top to Bottom: Talpa, Natasha Denona Satin Tan & Smoky Quartz, SUQQU Designing Eyes Taupe from 01, Surratt Zibeline:

Chanel Coco Code Joues Contraste Blush 370 Elegance: Review & Swatches

So I’m very late to getting this review out. Mostly because I was late to the Elegance party. I was so focused on the Chanel Spring Coco Code Blush Harmony that I skipped over Joues Contraste Powder Blush Elegance. It wasn’t until I went to the Houston Galleria a few weeks ago that I noticed how gorgeous it was. Details per Chanel:

A soft, silky powder blush that enhances the complexion with a touch of colour and radiance. In a wide range of shades.

JOUES CONTRASTE features “baked powder” technology: a manufacturing process exclusive to Chanel that results in a particularly soft, fine texture. For easy application and touch-ups, the compact includes a deluxe brush.

The blush is a silky powder with a soft finely milled texture. This shade is the US version, the European versions can be a baked harder texture. It’s smooth and pigmented. You can use a soft to medium density brush to apply for good color pay off. It does have that very strong perfume scent, always to my disapproval. I would own more Chanel blushes if they weren’t so strongly scented.

The color Elegance is a shimmery medium peach with a hint of nude and in the sunlight a hint of peach pink shimmer. The shimmer is very refined in this one, no glitter. The shimmer adds a multi-textural feel to the blush and gives it a glow and life versus being flat. Elegance comes across more of a satin finish versus a shimmer finish. This shade adds a very natural healthy flush to the cheeks. I couldn’t be happier with it.

Top to Bottom: Chanel JC Bronze Rose, Chanel JC Elegance, Addiction Noah, THREE #7 Magical Thinking, Estee Lauder Edit First Lover:

Chanel Plisse de Lumiere de Chanel: Review & Swatches

I waited for this Chanel beauty to come out in the US for what felt like forever. Plisse de Lumiere Chanel is finally out and exclusive to Chanel.com. A complexion illuminator exclusive to CHANEL.
Its texture, designed like folded paper, evokes Japanese craftsmanship always in a balance between tradition and modernity. A pure and delicate golden light is reflected upon the skin, resulting in a pure and healthy radiance. 

The design is amazing as always. Chanel highlighters have some of the best designs out there. I love that the Chanel highlighters are not scented as heavy perfume like their blushes. The highlighters always come at a hefty price tag of $70. However, they are always quite stunning. Plisse Lumiere de Chanel is a light shimmery neutral peachy pink champagne shade. It’s heavily pigmented and more shimmery and almost sparkly, not glittery though, compared to some of their previous more subtle highlighters. 

For me it’s almost like Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham Modern Mercury and Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer in 002 had a baby. It’s warmer and darker then the Dior and lighter and more neutral than Modern Mercury. It’s similar to Becca’s Opal powder highlight in color but lighter. Because this one is so pigmented, use a light hand and a fluffy brush to build up intensity. This can look borderline too frosty with a heavy hand. I prefer the Wayne Goss Air-Brush for application. Imagine that. I love this one, it’s better than the Dior for my light-medium warmer skin tone. It feels less bright than the Dior but more noticeable than Modern Mercury which blends into my skin tone. I quite like this one and it was worth the wait.

Top to Bottom: Chanel Plisse de Lumiere Sheered out then Heavy, Chanel Dentelle Precieuse, EL x VB Modern Mercury, Dior Nude Air Luminizer 002, Natasha Denona All Over Glow Powder Light:

Top to Bottom: Chanel Plisse Lumiere de Chanel, Becca Opal Powder: