Tuesday 26 June 2012

Thakoon for Nars in Ratin Jot

This summer Nars and famed designer Thakoon collaborated and created 6 limited edition nail polish shades. The collection was inspired by an Indian spice market. The result is a vivid and seductive range of colours that invoke the heady fragrances and bold shades of an indian market place.
I was quite hesitant to procure one of the Nars polishes as they seem to have received, on the whole, negative reviews for texture and wear. However,since I am a lover of all things Nars, I took the plunge and bought Ratin Jot from this collection.


The colour was even more beautiful on my nails than in the bottle. Ratin Jot is described as an "orchid purple." The colour is a a red-based purple that is bold and pretty. I painted two coats which was more than enough to reach colour saturation. The texture was creamy and streak free. The finish had a lovely gloss to it. The formula is pretty chip-resistant and wore for about a week. My manicure was not professionally done, so was not finished on all the edges with top coat which prolonges wear and since I am forever busy with my hands I though it wore very well. I am definitely eyeing the Koliary (cyan blue) and Anardana (Fuschia pink). All the colours in this collection will add a pop of colour to any summer outfit. 
They are toluene, formaldehyde, DBP free and retail at $18.

Any colour that you just have to have?

Sunday 24 June 2012

Press Release: Le Metier de Beaute Pallid Incandescents- a Dustin Lujan creation.


Just after my first foray into the world of LMdB, I saw that LMdB and Dustin Lujan are about to release a limited (as they all seem to be) eye kit beautifully named Pallid Incandescents. He kindly sent me the press release below. The interesting mix of colour and texture has really piqued my interest. The palette is a playful mix of a matte pink and fresh coral, an iridescent turquoise and lilac. I have reserved mine and I'm sure they will be gone as soon as they arrive!

Pallid Incandescents, 
   A collection of fun summer hues inspired by the complexity of light. Noting soft resplendent hues of natural lighting such as crepuscular rays to something as whimsical as a sunset. Then moving into the night with vivid electric shock of neon bulbs and glowing street lights. This is truly a look for pastel days and neon nights. Whether it be out and about as a gleaming goddess or out at night as an ethereal vixen. The hues and tones are perfect to bring light into the eyes as the pastel hues intermix and light up the entire face. Set your summer aglow and come into the light with Pallid Incandescents Eye Kaleidoscope.

Use of Pallid Incandescents,
  This Kaleidoscope can be used with our classic use of couches de couleur to give a soft lavender hue or used reverse to give a bit more vidid look. But I really want to encourage color placement and give four great shades that can be used together or alone. For day use with refresh or revive eye base and noir liquid liner or vamp it up for night with noir dualistic eye pencil base with aqua or bleu liquid liner. For day face use blush kaleidoscope with palm springs lipstick and carmel cream lip cream. For night use fresh blush and vamp up the lip with Uma Paro lip stick and top it off with Hibiskiss lip gloss. Model is wearing night look.

Available the first week of July exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. 212-872-8612 

Thank you, Dustin Lujan



Thursday 21 June 2012

Makeup Remastered- reinvent yourself daily: Dr Perricone Vitamin C Ester 15 - the power of Vit...

Makeup Remastered- reinvent yourself daily: Dr Perricone Vitamin C Ester 15 - the power of Vit...: I have been a huge fan of Dr Perricone products for many years now. I really do feel his great products are backed by scientific research th...

Dr Perricone Vitamin C Ester 15 - the power of Vitamin C harnessed

I have been a huge fan of Dr Perricone products for many years now. I really do feel his great products are backed by scientific research that makes sense even to a layman like me. The product I am reviewing today is the New Dr Perricone Vitamin C Ester 15. 



 Vitamin C is not a new ingredient on the skincare scene and many experts agree it is a tried and tested anti-aging ingredient. What makes Dr Perricone's formula unique is his delivery system. Vitamin C is notoriously unstable, but Dr Perricone has managed to encapsulate the Vitamin C in a fatty acid, which keeps it stable and ensures delivery to the skin. The product also comes is 4 tubes to keep the product "fresh". The product has a light dry-touch feel, which is even great for my oily skin.I also had no reaction or break-out when using my Vitamin C Ester 15. I use it slotted before my Dr Perricone Cold Plasma at night only.  I have used it for about 2mnths now and I find my skin has an overall brighter appearance. I do have a stubborn patch of pigmentation on my right cheek (my driving side) , where I have found a difference. My pores have also been refined and my skin appears a bit firmer ! This is because it boosts collagen production which naturally slows down as we age. Vitamin C is a great also an allround anti-oxidant. This product is paraben free, which is a plus considering all the bad press parabens have been getting.
Here is my photo's to show my progress.



At the start
Recent Photo


I think you can see my skin tone has become more even and my pores look tighter. Quite impressed I think! This product is $120, but well worth the price.
I would love to hear if you have used this product.
I received this product for consideration, but the review given here is 100% my opinion.
And I think the results speak for themselves!



Tuesday 19 June 2012

Makeup Remastered- reinvent yourself daily: First Le Metier De Beaute Kaleidescope Eye Kit- Ch...

Makeup Remastered- reinvent yourself daily: First Le Metier De Beaute Kaleidescope Eye Kit- Ch...: Hey everyone!. I have been out of action for awhile, but I still have being getting the most beautiful collections from the spring/ summe...

First Le Metier De Beaute Kaleidoscope Eye Kit- Chauvet Pont d 'Arc



Hey everyone!. I have been out of action for awhile, but I still have being getting the most beautiful collections from the spring/ summer ranges. I have been stalking Zuneta.com, as I was aware that they were getting in new Le Metier De Beaute kaleidoscope kits. Last week I was lucky enough to pick up two of these gorgeous kits. My excitement was two-fold. Firstly, these kits are scarce enough states side, but as I have to rely on sites with (reasonable) international shipping, I was really excited to get my LMdB goodies. Secondly, as I said in point one, these babies are scarce as they are mean't to be a must in any make-up mad person's collection. So I was single minded in my pursuit of the LMdB Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Chauvet Pont d'Arc and the Blush Kit (reviewed soon). I would just like to say that the service from Zuneta.com was sterling. I ordered the beginning of last week and both kits were in my grubby litte paws in time for the weekend. I also received a free travel-size mask from Nude. Just a note - do not forget to add free samples to your bag (like me) as they do offer a nice selection to try out.



The packaging is sleek and elegant. There is a small mirror at the top of the compact which opens up for easy on-the-go application. The colours in this kit are inspired by the  cave art found in the Chauvet Pont D Árc Cave in France. The shadows do not disappoint. They are highly pigmented and buttery. They are to be applied from top to bottom in the signature LMdB application technique known as "couches de couleur". This is a layering technique that I am unfamiliar with, but having fun trying out. You could also apply in more traditional ways. I unfortunately do not have a LMdB counter with a skilled MAU near me (sad face). 
The first colour is a soft satiny taupe (Umber) which reads with a pink undertone on me. This is great as a base colour or on it's own. The next two colours are described as "a rusty sandstone"(Ocher) and a "terracotta"(Madder). Both are warm and beautiful with a iridescent lustre to them. I can definitely imagine these two on the walls on the Chauvet Pont D' Arc.  The last colour (Crystalline) in the kit is the matte teal shade that could also be described as a peacock blue. I have not come across such a well pigmented, vibrant matte shade that is as buttery as the shimmering one's, in a long while. This will be great for lining the eye as well. I have swatched above - please note the light has been bad ( it's winter here). I will try retake them as soon as I can. The shimmer in shades 2 and 3 do not read well, but are pretty true to their real colours.

So far I am really happy with my purchase and first foray into LMdB territory.This gorgeous LMdB kit can be found at Zuneta which has international shipping.