MAC: Daphne Guinness

I was totally interested in this collection:

So when it came out, I got all of the colors that I thought were the most lovely:

Ombre Blushes in Vintage Grape and Azalea Blossom, Pigments in Circa Plum, Nebula, and Aurora... Cremesheen Glass in Narcissus, and Pro Longwear Lip Cremes in Approaching Storm and Red Dwarf. In the center is the new Chromagraphic Lip Pencil in More To Love (not part of the Daphne Guinness Collection).

 Blush Ombre in Vintage Grape

Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom

Pigment in Aurora

Pigment in Nebula

Pigment in Circa Plum

Pro Longwear Lip Creme in Approaching Storm

Pro Longwear Lip Creme in Red Dwarf

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in More To Love

Cremesheen Glass in Narcissus

I didn't get a chance to do lip swatches... but they're coming. I love my selections... I'm really glad I took a closer look at this collection.

Chanel Holiday 2011 Highlighter: The Winner Is...

Collifornia!

Congratulations!

Collifornia, I've already sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond with your mailing address. Congrats again!

Ultimate Sampler Giveaway: The Winner Is...

Shaimaa!

Congratulations!

You won a whole slew of samples (and full sized makeup products) ... enough to fill a Guerlain Tote Bag!

I've already sent you an email. You have 48 hours to reply with your mailing address. Congratulations again!

Favorite Things 2011: Lips

Here are my favorite Lip Products for 2011:

Pencil: Chanel Precision Lip Definer (Nude)

I use this pencil so much... it's extremely versatile. This pencil is perfect for deepening any given lip color (especially the cool tones that have the potential to go ashy on my warm skin tone), or just cleaning things up. This is a staple for me. I've gone through two of these pencils this year... it's that good.


Moisturizing Lip Stick: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

I absolutely LOVE this lipstick! Nearly every color is flattering. I'm really impressed by the moisture level, color deposit and staying power of these lipsticks. The formula is so easy to use, you don't really need a mirror to get the job done. I call them my 'put on in the dark' lipsticks. They are simply wonderful.

Matte Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet

These were such a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to like these, as I'm not really a fan of matte lipsticks (I've found them pretty drying). But this silky formula is such a joy to wear.

Lipstick Pencil (Gloss): NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

I fell in love with these when they were first released, and continue to love them today. They are simple to use, and really work well under presser. Keeper!


Lipstick Pencil (Matte): NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Like its glossy counterpart, the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil from NARS is also easy to use. The color saturation on these pencils is unmatched. They have stellar coverage, and can be  used as both lip pencils, or a full on lipstick.

Those are  my lip favorites for 2011. Ciao for now!

FOTD: Amber Shine

I used my new IMAN goodies for this FOTD:

FACE

By Terry Bronze Opulent

Kevyn Aucoin Radiant Diaphanous Powder

IMAN Blush in Sunlit Copper

EYES

IMAN Eyeshadow in Tiger Eye (lids/under waterline)

NARS Eyeshadow in Mekong (outer corner)

Gold Chanel Eyeshadow (Ecolsion)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero

Guerlain Noir G Mascara

LIPS

IMAN Lip Gloss in Brownie Shimmer

Favorite Things 2011: Eyes

Here are my favorite Eye products for 2011:

Brow Color: Louise Young Eyeshadow in Pom Pom

As much as I initially whined about the price of this palette, I get a LOT of use out of the middle color. Pom Pom is a cool enough brown that it works on brunettes, and doesn't go 'red' like a lot of brown colors do. I use that color (along with Black Bear) more than any other in this palette. I still think it's too expensive. I wish the shadows were sold as singles...

Eye Liner: Urban Decay, Chanel, Guerlain

I listed more than one brand because I use each pencil for different things. But these are my go to pencils for any given look, with out failure.

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero

I use this again and again, use one down to a stump and buy another.  I keep three of these pencils in rotation at any given time. The formula glides on, is non irritating, and lasts all day without transfer. I love it.

Chanel Eye Kohl in Clair

This is really a must-have for me. The flesh color looks good on the waterline of just about every skin tone, and it looks a lot less harsh (and more natural) than a white pencil. The pencil is medium to firm, and glides on the waterline easily.

Guerlain Retractable Pencil in Gold (01)

I need to get another one of these pencils. I absolutely love this thing. I have a backup... but I may seriously need another. I use this pencil a LOT. It's perfect for adding 'light' to my eyes, or serving as the perfect gold shimmer 'base' for any given makeup look.

Powder Palettes: Chanel Eyeshadow Quad

Pick a color... any color... and you'll likely find some of the silkiest versions of that color in a Chanel Eyeshadow Quad. I've had incredible luck with these. The formula is always silky, and the colors blend out beautifully.

Cream Shadow: Armani Eyes To Kill Silk Eyeshadow

These CONSISTENTLY blow the competition out of the water! The formula goes on 'dry' (with fingers or a brush) - blends out like a cream - and holds all day without help until you take it off. I love these shadows. A little goes a long way... they are totally worth it. Totally.

Mascara: Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch

It figures that the mascara to finally beat out my former favorite (Armani Eyes to Kill), would be an amped version from the same company! Despite my recent acquisition of the new Guerlain mascara, this formula still came out on top. The formula lenghtens and volumizes. I love the way it smells (like roses) and I LOVE the way it performs!

Those are my favorites for Eyes for 2011. Ciao for now!

Mini Iman Haul

I was digging around in ULTA yesterday and came across two items that should have been in my kit a LONG time ago...

IMAN Cosmetics Brownie Lip Shimmer and Sunlit Copper Blush

What I like about both products is the ease of use... and the color transfer. Neither product swatches true to its name, but that's also the reason I got them (the colors, not the names). Brownie Lip Shimmer is a distinct Amber color, and Sunlit Copper translates into more of a Sunlit Peach.

Brownie Lip Shimmer:

Sunlit Copper Blush

Awesome, right?

FOTD: Matte Mauve & Pink Shimmer

This just seemed like a good idea at the time:

FACE

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation

Kevyn Aucoin Radiant Diaphanous Powder

Chanel Horizon Blush

EYES

Kjaer Weis Eyeshadow in Wisdom (lids)

Chanel Single Eyeshadow in Twilight (crease)

YSL Shocking Gel Liner in Ashy Black (lashline and waterline)

Guerlain Noir G Mascara

LIPS

Shiseido Shimmer Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden

Blushed: Blush Terrybly Ultimate Radiance (Sexy Plum)

This is proof positive that more expensive is not better. By Terry's new Shimmer Blush for Holiday 2011 looks absolutely divine, but leaves much to be desired in the performance department.

Absolutely and completely stunning, right? Well, I can't show you swatches because the transfer is nearly nonexistent. There's little to no product pickup... just a sheer ghost of a shimmer. This might work on the palest of skin tones, but that's about it. It's extremely sheer. I feel like it'll work best layered over a heavier blush, or to modify the color of another blush. But by itself, on my skin, it's practically invisible.

And for $70, I need it to do more than just transfer a faint shimmer. Seriously.