New: Chantecaille Les Macarons Face Palette

From left to right: Cassis (e/s), Caramel (e/s), Raspberry (blush), Rose (highlight), Strawberry (l/g)

This isn't really new new as I have seen it being sold on the Chantecaille website at least a week before this post but I know it's a limited edition palette for the 2010 holidays so let's just call it new so I can post this picture of it and look longingly at the beautiful colors :)

photo from chantecaille.com

Haul: Sephora: Shiseido, theBalm, DiorShow Maximizer

Nothing terribly fun I have to admit, but all basic things I couldn't do without!

Here's what I got (including samples)
-- Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream spf 55
-- theBalm Time Balm concealer in Lighter than Light
-- DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum
-- Clarisonic Sensitive Brushhead x2
-- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare extra strength alpha-beta peel x10 packets (my skin feels so clean after using this)
-- boscia green tea blotting linens (25sheets) (I prefer shine control films but I got this with Beauty Insider points so not complaining! plus I like the subtle green tea scent)
-- Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea w/Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask (this looks disgusting on your face but I lurve it!)
-- Clinique Instant Solutions Redness Relief Mineral Powder (works wonders on my mild redness)
-- Dior HydraLife pro-youth sorbet eye creme (my current eye creme)
-- Kate Somerville Protect Sunscreen (I've been hearing good things about Kate Somerville so here goes)
-- Korres Yogurt Cooling Gel (I used this today and it really cools the skin- awesome!)

First of all, sunscreen is very very very important for me mainly because I don't wear any foundation. My sunscreen needs to not only protect me from the sun but it should even out and brighten up my skintone, work as a makeup primer, and last throughout the day without becoming oily (this is where most sunscreens fail). The Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream spf 55 is such a sunscreen. It works wonderfully with my Chanel loose powder to create just enough coverage without making me look like I painted my face.

I also needed to get some new brushes for my Clarisonic mia. I've been using the brush for normal skin (and it's fine) but decided to pick up the "delicate" brushheads this time just to see if it's softer. It feels softer on my hand but on the skin I can't say I feel much difference between the "delicate" one or the normal one (or the "sensitive" one for that matter) 

I guess this is somewhat fun? The DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum. It's supposed to be a lash primer and a nourishing lash serum at the same time. The bristles are nice and soft and I definitely feel a difference! I'm falling in love ... (However, be warned that it may necessitate a re-curling of your lashes after application.) It also requires mascara because it goes on white.

I've been hearing good things about this concealer. This is my first theBalm purchase and so far it's pretty good. The consistency is a bit thicker than what I'm used to (Lancome concealer) but that makes the coverage all the more reliable. I do have to be careful when I apply it under my eyes because it can look unnatural if not blended properly. But once blended it will stay there throughout the day!

So that's pretty much it! 

I hope you enjoyed... reading all that :) 

New: Fresh Holiday 2010 Sets

I am loving these Fresh sets out for the holidays!! I remember they had something similar to the set with the Sugar Rose lip treatment (Sugar Rose Get Away Set $28) last year but they were sold out rather quickly. I later ended up getting just Sugar Rose all by its lonely self and kicking myself for missing out on the set.

This year they've added a set with the Sugar Plum lip treatment (Sugar Plum Let it Glow Set $28) that comes with a deluxe sample of the Twilight Freshface Glow. Loving it already.

Or you could go with the more basic (but comes with a metallic plum colored pouch!) Sugar Rush Set $28 that comes with the lip treatment that started it all: the Sugar lip treatment. This comes with the Brown Sugar Body Cream (which I love to death) and a sample of the Brown Sugar eau de parfum.

Last but not least, the Soy Skincare Set $38 is out for those of you who want to take better care of your skin for the new year (and you know it'll be here sooner than you can say "I will lose 10lbs this year.") The Soy Face Cleanser is the best cleanser hands down. The Soy Face Cream is a bit rich for me but my skin definitely feels nicer the day after I've applied it. I am currently using the Soy Face Serum in my skincare routine and love it. The Soy Face Exfoliant is the only thing I haven't tried yet but I have a little sample packet ready to go so I'll be trying it out soon :)

Click on the links for more details. Hm... I think I have effectively used the word "love" in every single paragraph!


(Links current as of Sep. 24, 2010)

New: Sephora Favorites

The Sephora Favorites are back with 6 new stashes of glamour! The Glitz & Glam set has a nice array of items but I have to be honest nothing really stands out to me this year. (I especially think it's not cool how they snuck in two generic sephora lipglosses in Give Me Some Lip.) See the links below to get your hands on these boxed goodies.

-- Best of Basics

-- Glitz & Glam

-- Lash Stash

-- Give Me Some Lip

-- The Little Black Liner Kit (not shown)

-- Lock Stars (not shown)

(Links current as of Sep. 23, 2010)

L'occitane Peony Lip Colour in Marie Riviere

A closer look at the L'occitane lipgloss (actual name: Liquid Shine Lip Colour) in Marie Riviere.

There are so many things to love about concept behind the Peony lipgloss and the L'occitane Peony Collection in general and yet I can't say I'm in love with the product itself. (At least for now.) Here's why I love it and don't love it at the same time.

First, I love the meticulous details that give homage to the Peony Collection's inspiration, such as the seed packet packaging (although slightly flimsy), shades named after different types of peonies (Marie Riviere for instance was inspired by the Mme Benoit Riviere, a peony with a delicate salmon pink color) and the inclusion of peony extract in the products. I also love the flower printed on the top of the packaging and the fact that the material is paper.

But its this odd feeling of overall flimsy-ness that I can't get over. The doe foot applicator is strangely scraggly (I want to believe its biodegradable or something like that), the plastic tube is not shiny enough, it has a funky floral scent (it's very subtle but I'm just not a floral scent type of gal) and the color is neither here nor there. To be honest I don't really know how to feel about it. L'occitane asserts it "coats the lips with a tender pink with subtle gold shimmering sheen, like a fresh petal covered with morning dew." Not completely inaccurate but I don't feel the 'fresh petal covered with morning dew' part...  Am I being crazy? Don't answer that.

It definitely has a natural look thing going on so that's good (and that's probably what L'occitane was shooting for anyways). Have you tried anything from the Peony Collection? What did you think?

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss: Swatches & Genie

Just a quiet Saturday afternoon here, in the Friendship Heights front :) Stopped by Bloomingdales and was excited to find the Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss collection out and about. I think they just put this out because all the testers were brand new. yay for me!

I swatched away to my heart's content (or as much as my arm could hold). The top ones are the Extrait de Glosses, which according to KarlaSugar are going to replace the Aqualumieres. I also swatched the fall collection Glossimers that were released weeks ago simply because I just can't get enough of  'em ;)

Under Bloomingdale's light
(For more comprehensive swatches, check out KarlaSugar)

And you know I didn't walk away empty-handed. 

Say hello to Genie, the perfect coral. I mean it, it is the perfect coral. It's soft without being peach, it's bold without being red or orange. It's a more opaque version of the YSL Pur Gloss in Pure Coral (my favorite coral up until this point) The pigmentation is perfect too; it colors the lips with a natural flush of non-shimmery coral without looking like you've literally painted your lips. The formula is amazing; it's thin yet glossy at the same time, the lasting power is great without drying out your lips. 

I am in love.

* photos taken with iPhone4

*Update 10/26/10: See Genie with other coral swatches

Haul: L'Occitane

Ahh.. nothing like a box of L'Occitane goodness to make a day feel whole (and wholesome!)

I'm excited to try out the Foaming Rice Cleanser (made with organic red rice) and happy to re-order the Exfoliating Rice Powder (also made with organic red rice) which I for some reason thought was discontinued.

I've already tried the Rice Cleanser and I like it. I usually avoid foaming cleansers because they dry out my skin- but I do like to use a light one for everyday use in the morning and this is light and nice. I highly recommend the Exfoliating Rice Powder if you haven't tried it out already- It polishes the skin nicely without being too abrasive. I love products with rice in it.

Other things I got: the limited edition Marie Riviere Peony lip gloss, a couple of things from the Almond collection, and a small hand lotion in Honey. (L'Occitane has some of the best hand lotions :)

I may or may not get to reviewing these separately so let me know if there is something you would like more details on :)


And It's almost Friday!

New: Tiffany & Co. Leather Goods

Have you seen the new Tiffany & Co. leather goods? I'm contemplating checking everything out this weekend (or tomorrow! Haha). Hello there Tiffany & Co. @ Chevy Chase!

The Hadley shoulder bag is actually something I would consider getting even though it's not something I would typically go for and I seriously want the Continental wallet in Tiffany Blue (what else?!) but the pricetag is killing me! The Flat pouch is a cute little something but apparently K thinks it looks very blah... I think the crocodile Card case may be a good compromise.

And even if I don't end up getting anything? I'm sure my eyes will still thank me for all the eye candy! :D

Nitpick: The clasps look a bit too Chanel-esque.

Update: While my eyes did thank me for the eye candy, my Tiffany & Co. did not have any of the crocodile bags or wallets. 

MAC Cremesheen in Richer, Lusher and On the Scene

In my humble opinion, the Cremesheen was the best thing to happen to MAC. First introduced in early 2009 in the Cremeteam Collection (I am still waiting for Melt in Your Mouth to come back) and made permanent by the Too Fabulous Collection early 2010, the Cremesheens eradicated the stickiness of the regular MAC lipglasses and went with a creamy sheer formula that adds just the perfect hint of color on your lips.

One thing though, because these aren't sticky the lasting power is not so hot. I personally don't mind.
Additionally, there is deceptively little product in the tube. I usually do not notice these types of things but I noticed it here because I actually finished one of these and I never finish lip gloss! (except for those smaller Stila lip glazes) The sleek plastic is incredibly thick so it creates a magnifying effect making it look like there's more than there really is. I don't find that detrimental in my affection for the product in the least because I actually like finishing beauty products quickly :)

Richer, Lusher (from the Too Fabulous collection) is a nice vibrant coral. I lurve it so much! It's nice and smooth and just really pretty on the lips.

On the Scene (from the In the Groove collection) is a light peach that borderlines nude. I cannot for the life of me get nude to work on my lips but I have to say this came pretty close. Wearing this alone just doesn't do it for me (although I can see how it would look fab on more cool skin tones). I have however found it can create a beautiful toned-down glossiness over hot pinks or more vibrant colors.        

In comparison with other corals: YSL Pure Coral is actually much more prettier in real life

On another note, I am oddly excited about the Venomous Villains being almost here, odd because I'm wasn't excited about it initially. But I've picked out some things (see ShopList on right) based on Temptalia photos and I have to be honest- I can't wait!

NOTD: Revlon Gray Suede

Nails of the Day: Revlon Gray Suede

I've been wearing a lot of dark colors on my nails lately so I wanted to do with something super neutral this week. Gray Suede is a nice nude with microshimmer (which is visible only in the direct light). It takes 3 coats for a smooth opaque finish. I have Seche Vite on top.

I am loving the nude, brown, grey type color scheme for polishes lately. Apparently the term is "greige" (gray+beige) ...

really? Greige? 

Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer in Riviera, Eye Gloss in Murmur

This one should be called: The Beauty Look Book made me do it. Not that I'm complaining! Her praise of Paul & Joe got me thinking why I hadn't attempted to get a hold of the products in this line sooner when I had always wanted to try them out. I assume its because I have to order Paul & Joe online and I wasn't sure where exactly.

I finally decided to take the plunge and ordered a Lip Lacquer in 05 Riviera and the Eye Gloss in 05 Murmur. If any of you are interested I purchased these @ Dermstore.com. It was my first time ordering from them but their free shipping policy rocks.

                       

And while it's premature for a review- I'm just gonna go ahead and say it- I love these already!

The Eye Gloss in particular reminds me of a beloved discontinued product from Fresh. See, once upon a time Fresh had something called the Eye Lusters. They were basically liquid-type eyeshadows that smoothed out and dried on your lids. They lasted all day and they did not smudge. In fact, the Eye Lusters were some of my very first eyeshadows and so I never understood the concept of 'creasing' or 'smudging' at all until I started trying powder eyeshadows. Much to my dismay (and horror!), the Eye Lusters were discontinued. Thereafter I tried to find something comparable to replace them but nothing was to compare to the smooth light yet lasting-all-day glory that were those Eye Lusters.

Hence, I was super-excited to find the Eye Gloss. 05 Murmur is basically a brown with a frosty sheen to it plus a tiny bit of purple (when seen in light). The frosty sheen is not obnoxious, in fact the frost becomes more of a shimmer on the lids. It just looks smooth and nice, but adds a bit of natural depth to your eyes. 

On the eyes- subtle but noticeable still

I am liking the Lip Lacquer too. It has a pleasant subtle fruity scent. The formula is on the sticky side but because it is so, it lasts a long time on the lips. I looked at THIS photo array before choosing which one to get. Riviera has sparse bits of glitter in it but for the most part is a creamy coral pink. I absolutely love this type of pink (like Stila Lip Glaze in Gumdrop, Candy, MAC Cremesheen Melt in Your Mouth, Benefit's PosieTint etc.) It's a bit more sheer than the swatch makes it look but that's the way I like it :)

I'm definitely glad I gave these a go- I see more Paul & Joe in my future!

Le swatches: The gloss has a bit more coral in real life. The eyeshadow looks less frosty in real life.

Pretty and detailed .. chrysanthemums- I think.