Las Vegas de Chanel: Brilliance & Vegas Gold

I got two items from the Las Vegas de Chanel Collection: Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliance and the Lip Pencil in Vegas Gold:

Both are a bright yellow gold... shot through with a multi shimmer. The finishes of both items are pretty sheer as well. I think they work better with other colors and formulas. The RCS works if you just want a sheer  pop of gold on your lips... but it is not opaque like a lipstick (which is probably a good thing). The pencil is surprisingly warm... and wearable.

 

Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliance

Lip Pencil in Vegas Gold

 

See? Sheer. It's actually a lot more opaque in person, but the flash pushed right through the color. Also, this combination (pencil and RCS) is good for a concept look, but a bit garish for real life. It's very yellow and high on the sparkle. So unless you want disco-ball lips, I suggest you tone these products down in practical application with other neutral colors and formulas.

For the moment, I am passing on the Lucky Stripes Bronzer/Highlighter. Damned near $100 bucks is a LOT to ask, even if it's from Chanel. I'm thinking about it. We'll see.

That's it for my Las Vegas de Chanel haul. Ciao for now!

FOTN: Quick Peach

I had to rush to meet a friend for dinner, and it seemed like as good a time as any to try out the Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer...

FACE

Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer

Laura Mercier Blush in Fresh Peach

EYES

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Rich Cocoa (brows)

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Buff Pearl (browbone)

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Tawny Apricot (lids)

Dior Mascara in Mitzah

LIPS

Shiseido Automatic Lip Crayon in LC5

Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer

I've been on the hunt for a new tinted moisturizer with a little more coverage... and no gross smell (Laura Mercier, I'm looking at you). I'm waiting for the NARS versions to hit a store so I can try them in person. Meanwhile, I found this little gem while poking around Target:

Since there are no testers, I guessed that this might be my color, and plunked down $13 for it.

I was a little worried about the color... see how it swatches sort of light? But when I  blended it out, it completely merged in with my skin:

This is a really good tinted moisturizer. It has a sheer to medium coverage, and the smell is almost non-existent. The tube does dispense a LOT of product, so be aware of that. I squeezed out too much the first time I used it. But other than that... it's excellent. It wears very well, and doesn't break down or separate on my oily skin. Definite keeper in my book.

You can get Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer from Target.

NARS Spring 2012: Gaiety & Valparaiso

So... my NARS stuff finally came. I just ended up with the blush in Gaiety, and the Pure Matte Lipstick in Valparaiso:

Now the blush had me a bit stressed because it's BRIGHT. I thought it might look like Desire, but it doesn't. It's matte and a bright candy pink that looks surprisingly flattering on my warm skin tone. I rolled the dice with this blush, and I'm happy to report that I came out a winner.

I like it. I like it a lot.

My favorite piece of this collection has to be the Pure Matte Lipstick in Valparaiso. It's rich, and bright and saturated... much like the Chanel Eclosion Palette. You might remember that I was cool toward the lip selection for Chanel's Spring 2012 offering... but a lipstick like this would have totally changed my mind. It's absolutely gorgeous.

I am head over heels in love with this lipstick! It's not a warm burgundy color,  like some pictures of the tube suggests. It's actually a saturated berry, with hints of plum and red. Just absolutely stunning.

I'm happy with my NARS Spring 2012 picks... really happy.

FOTD: Burnished Color

This FOTD is a little of this... a little of that...

FACE

Chanel Perfection Lumiere (Beige-Ambre 64)

Chanel Loose Powder (Dore)

IMAN Blush in Allure

EYES

Nvey Eco Color Palette in #3:

Khaki Brown/Green on the lids

Warm Brown through the crease and under waterline

Louise Young Eyeshadow in Blackbear (lashline)

Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch Mascara

LIPS

Chanel Lip Pencil in Nude

IMAN Lip Gloss in Shimmering Velvet

Giveaway Winner: NARS 413 Bleecker Street...

nadhita96!!

 Congratulations!

You won NARS Larger than Life Lipgloss in 413 Bleecker Street.

I've already sent you an email. You have 48  hours to respond with your mailing address, and I'll ship your prize to you. Congratulations again!

Product Review: Laura Mercier 'Lingerie' Eye & Cheek Palette

This thing came right on time. I've booked about half a dozen bridal consultations for Spring and Summer weddings. And with the exception of one bride, everyone seems to want the same thing: neutral and glowing with just a hint of color.

So I was poking around Naimies (on the worst possible day. There was some class going on and the store was PACKED with eager students who wanted to snap up every bit of makeup they could get their hands on...) and came across this little gem:

It's not marketed as a 'bridal' palette, but it will certainly work as one. It contains the right combination of mattes and shimmers, to give any bride an overall 'glow.' It'll work on a wide range of skin tones and make a bride look 'effortless' on her big day.

I tested it before plunking down $$ for this baby, and all of the eyeshadows are SO soft! They're all really pigmented, and the blushes are warm and buildable. I noticed that the peach blush has a hint of shimmer, but it's very subtle.

Swatches...

Eyeshadows

Fresh Peach Blush

Rose Desire Blush

I think it's very nice to have all of these 'wearable' colors in one palette. I'm also really impressed with the quality... every pan is silky and highly blendable. Not too shabby for $60. I'd say it's worth every penny.

You can get the Laura Mercier Eyes and Cheek Palette from Nordstrom.

FOTD: Thin Blue Line

My skin is getting better.. which means more attention to graphic makeup and sheerer bases. For this look I used Armani's Face Fabric... which is so underrated in my opinion. YSL tried to do this formula (Mat Touch) and didn't even come close. Face Fabric grabs the skin and smooths and brightens without making you look too 'done.'

FACE

Armani Face Fabric (5)

Armani Blushing Fabric (1)

EYES

Chanel Single Eyeshadow in Beige Lame

YSL Shocking Gel Liner in Sea Black (lashline)

By Terry Crayon Kohl Terrybly in Blue Vision (waterline)

Guerlain Noir G Mascara

LIPS 

Haughty Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Inspire

ULTA Mini Haul

Nothing like a 20% off coupon to get me into ULTA to see what's what. I didn't do much damage. Just a little mini haul...

Butter London Nail Polish in The Old Bill

IMAN Cosmetics Blush in Allure

IMAN Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Shimmering Velvet

I was worried that the nail polish was going to have a 'flat' shine... but was happy to find out that it's actually a 3-dimensional shimmer. Love it... definitely doing the whole hand (well, both hands) this weekend.

I love this blush! Thank GOODNESS for testers because I would have never gotten it without testing it first. It's like a peachy bronze on me. Gorgeous. Totally works as a 'warm' blush that gives my face an overall glow.

I originally got this gloss because I thought it would be a nice companion to the Tom Ford Black Orchid Lipstick. But it's so opaque, it wears very nicely on its own. It's a lot darker in person. I feel like the flash ate the color. I thought it would be more of a berry color... but it's shot through with a LOT of gold and a bit of brown. Lovely.

That's my little mini  haul! See... not too ridiculous. 25 bucks (cashed in my ULTA points as well)... not too shabby.