Chanel Summer 2015 - My picks: Stylo Eyeshadow in Olivine and Laurier Rose

Hi everyone!

These were part of Chanel's summer collection and hopefully if you like them some counters should still have the in stock....... while Fall and Holiday collection start to fall!
 The Chanel Mediterranee collection landed on our shores a few weeks back and today I bring you my picks. The Ombre A' Paupie'res Effet Frais made their first appearance in the Chanel Lineup if I'm not mistaken last year spring. I enjoyed using them last year, so when I saw these two gorgeous and unusual shades I grabbed these two limited edition's. These shades are both perfect for the upcoming "pumpkin' season and I think lend themselves more to Fall than summer.

Olivine, Laurier Rose

Laurier Rose, Olivine

The formula has that oddly cool effect when applied to the eye. This obviously does not last long and I'm not convinced that the product needs this gimmick. My peepers however, do feel momentarily refreshed!
The shade Laurier Rose is a stunning shade of rose gold- essentially a glistening peach. This reached fully opacity in a single swipe.

Olivine is a shade that I have no match to in my stash. Its an almost matte moss green.
Both these shades are unusual enough to warrant a purchase! They are not my favourite shadow stick but are still high quality and last pretty well on my oily lids.
What was your favourite summer collection for 2015?
xx

Holiday 2013 Roundup - Guerlain, Chanel and Shiseido

The end of year is rapidly approaching, with most holiday collections being released awhile back. Here is a roundup of the other Holiday items I purchased, while there is still a whiff of cinnamon and spice in the air . I have previously reviewed the gorgeous Shu Uemura holiday here and here. I have also featured the Three Holiday Winter Stardust Set here.

The SA's at the Chanel boutique went all out with their beautiful packaging. So elegant!

The Joues Contaste Powder blush for holiday 2013 is my first Chanel blush. Wow, what an introduction. It is a hybrid between a bronzer and rosy glow on my skin tone. It swatches with a sparkle, but this does not show on the the cheeks. My cheek bones are like KAPOW, once I apply this.

The now famous sponge like Illusion D' Ombre came in two shades of which I chose Fatal. This sultry berry shade really works for one of my favourite grunge lived in looks.

I missed out on last years Guerlain's Wulong spectacular, mainly as I did not want to part with the ridiculous amount they asked for it (blocked from my mind), but the Crazy Paris collection came with two pressed beauties. Above is Crazy Meteorites. A Radiance powder that is so silky smooth to the touch, applies sheer and leaves a veil of skin perfecting powder that blurs and enhances in all the right places.

This Crazy Terracotta compact was actually a second choice to the crazy meteorites. I am so glad I did not miss out. The same sublime texture as above. This 'healthy glow powder' really gives the cheeks a pretty flush.

Lastly, the Shiseido Eye Colour Bar - I nearly camped out for it, as only recently made it's appearance here. I am going to reserve judgment as I have had limited time to play with it. First impression: powder is silky in texture just like my Cle De Peau quads. The colour payoff on the few I have worn are more ethereal than saturated. Time will tell if I like this.

The look above shows the Chanel Illusion D' Ombre and Accent Joues Contraste Blush in action. A simple but effective look. 

Happy Holidays! I do have one or two posts planned before we go on our family holiday. If I do run out of time to finish, I apologise in advance, tis the Silly season as they say!

xxx MR

Chanel Les Beiges in No 20

Chanel Les Beiges is a wonderful new product from Chanel.I  have had mine for about 2 mnths, but it is soon to be released in the US. Touted as a powder foundation, skin enhancer or bronzer/contour depending on the shade you choose. It has a SPF of 15 - so a veil of sunscreen. I would not just rely on this for sun protection. Enriched with cotton flowers and white rose plant cells, it is meant to be good for sensitive skins.

It is housed in a cream with black accent portable compact as it includes a usable brush that applies the powder beautifully. I love the cream with black -I think they should incorporate it into the permanent Chanel aesthetic.

The powder itself is beyond finely milled. So much so that when I apply it as a setting powder I am not sure I have even applied it - I just look more 'naturally' polished . This really gives a natural finish with a subtle sheen. No white cast or robotic like matteness. The shade 20 is perfect for me (my foundation matches  are Giorgio Armani 5,5 and Nars Sheer Matte in Sante Fe). I have used as the last step to finish my look as well as as a powder foundation. As a rule I do not like powder foundations, but this is the best I have tried. It has to be slowly built up, and it gives a sheer to light finish. This is good for a easy weekend no-makeup look.  The different shades offered should be enough for most skin tones. I say this because when you select a shade close to your skin tone, the powder does not alter your own skin tone or the foundation you have since it the texture is so fine. It is not the best for oil control but continual touch ups will not result in a build up of product since the powder is so light. I also managed by some miracle to secure myself the retractable Kabuki brush that was released with Les Beiges. I am becoming a brush snob, after using Hakuhodo and Suqqu Brushes. However, this brush is silky soft and extremely dense. It is the perfect pair to to compact. I received a mini Les Beiges in 40 - this works as a lovely matte bronzer . I far prefer this to their famous Soleil Tan De Chanel which I have not had much success with.

On the Go compact with natural hair brush

This collection which I have been told is permanent ? has basically been out of stock since it's launch. Makeup lovers will adore it as well as those girls new to makeup-it really is foolproof.

Chanel Kabuki 

Chanel Holiday 2012 - Regard Signé De Chanel

Chanel Holiday 2012 is a real winter collection - all spicy berries and gold. While the colours are classic Chanel this collection is right on trend with the inclusion of a deep, dangerous vampy lip. This launches this collection into "gimme" territory. I honestly tried to refrain, as I had just indulged in Tom Ford. but this proved to be an impossible task, as the quad is one of the best formula's, I feel Chanel has offered. I have chosen (so far) only the eyeshadow quad Harmonie Du soir and the Rouge Allure Velvet in L'Impatiente.

What I love about Chanel quads is that they are universally flattering. This could be seen as boring, but Chanel really makes products that can be used from your twenties to more mature woman, a wide range of skintones and hair colours. This quad is great as it has a dash of seasonal colour. The texture of these shadows are buttery and can be blended as easy as 1-2-3. They have pearl like quality which adds a sexy ,bohemian sheen to your eyelids, bringing out your inner Serena van der Woodsen.

The quad has a beautiful gold, a taupe, festive berry, ballet pink. The berry  could be used as an softer alternative to the edgy red eyeshadow look that is popular at the moment.

The shadow wears for the whole day with some fading, but still looks good. I wore it with Urban Decay Primer Potion. This is the palette Suqqu should make with berry shades as the textures are comparable with each other. This is a must for Chanel lover's and for those looking for a Chanel quad with a twist

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L Ímpatiente is a blackened berry. It has a drier texture than the Rouge Allure as it is more matte. It can be worn full on or tissued off for a stain effect.

Chanel L Ímpatiente

Tom Ford Black Orchid

Tom Ford Black Orchid (reviewed here) has a more pigmented, glossy finish. Chanel L Ímpatiente is more berry, while the TF leans more brown. Both are gorgeous examples of the vamp lip trend.

The Chanel Regard Signé De Chanel collection also has lovely mix of nail polishes, glosses, blush and some nude lipsticksand some other bits and bobs. It is a cohesive holiday collection which will help u achieve a polished, sultry look.

My Chanel products will be well loved as I feel this palette lends itself to everyday casual looks, as well as paint-the-town-red nights out!

What was your favourite product from the Chanel holiday collection?

Chanel Ombre Contraste in Notorious - contour of the future

When think about this post, I was not sure if this new limited product by Chanel was a case of "the emperor and his clothes". There has been such a 'halabaloo' about this hard to get contouring product, that I was unsure whether we were all nodding our head in unison, while all looking like some deathly monsters from the bog! Well, after hunting and securing this baby when it launched in Hong Kong about 2 weeks ago (many thanks to Kai from kaiobsessions for going out of her way and making a few phone calls and reserving one for my travelling husband to pick up), I can without a doubt say that this is a collector's item as so far as their is no other product like this on the market , albeit a high-end one. Chanel has touted this as a 'sculpting veils for eyes and cheek'- it really delivers a  'haute' look with exquisitely hollowed out cheeks ( -enter the mummy left) and hauntingly beautifully shaped eyes.

This really is a breathe of fresh air. All of my contouring products contour add warmth to my skin. The Chanel Ombre Contraste plays more with light and shadow in the true sense adding depth and darkness to your face. Less is more with this powder as a strong hand will render you a ghoul in the making with a strange lavender gray cast. I worked it gently, more to the back of the hollow of my cheek (with the enclosed brush) and like a whisper pulled it forward along my hollow, then buff with a bigger powder brush. When I felt it was still a bit too strong I blended over with my foundation buffing (or stippling) brush with my left overs from my foundation application. Try this a few times as it does take practice. The powder has a delicate luminosity to stop this being a very flat mistake.

This dual purpose product can also be used on the crease or depending on your eye shape, just above your crease to  give dimension and shape to your eye for a chic bare makeup look. I am loving my Chanel Ombre Contraste in Notorious! So Happy Halloween- let the only monster be those knocking on your door for a trick or treat!

Applause for homemade pumpkin........

What is your best trick for contouring?

Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Éclaire

Chanel launched their soft touch eyeshadow collection with the Autumn 2012 collection ( I think there have been one or two in previous collections like the shade Tigerlily). This new formula is soft, velvety, and oh-so blendable. They describe it as "sensuous in feel, foolproof in application". This limited edition formula (permanent please Chanel!-it seems to be limited in my country), is really beautiful and can be used wer or dry. They have a wide range of colours from smokey greys to bright ivory. I tried to choose a shade (only one .... really) that was different to what I have in my collection. So I chose Éclaire (#94). This is a iridescent ethereal buttery gold. It is house in the classic black Chanel packaging with the Chanel "C's" on the pan. Nice packaging if you have never possessed a Burberry eyeshadow, which is just more substantial for a high end brand.

The texture is reminiscent of Suqqu eyeshadows. It also contains Vitamin C and E which helps care and protect your lids. Many brands are adding skincare benefits to there eyeshadows, which is only adds to the luxury of these products.  I like to wear all my shadows with a lid primer as I have oily lids. With primer this product lasts me most of the day- by late afternoon the colur has lost a bit of it's iridescence  This colour can be worn as a sheer wash of colour, with a black tightline and lots of mascara or can be added to so many colour looks. A great highlight to an aubergine autumn look and for adding dimension to a warm and sultry smokey brown eye- Nars Cordura duo would be great to combine with Éclaire. This did not work too well wet.

I a really happy with the Chanel Soft Touch Shadows and plan to add one or two more shades to my collection in the future, in fact I would not be unhappy if their quads were replaced with this formula.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in En Vogue - a sheer coral delight

Chanel brought out two new Coco shines's for Summer 2012- En Vogue and Empreinte. Since coral was a huge trend I went for the colour En Vogue. What is really great about Chanel's take on the trend, is that it is a wearable coral that has a good colour payoff without it being a bright coral that most people would shy away from. The Coco shine formula is described as "hydrating sheer lipshine". This really does drench your lips in a soft "lipbalm-but-better" feel and a luscious glossy finish.

If you love to wear the colours of the seasons, but prefer a less bold lip, this product for you. This is also a great alternative to a gloss as it has the look of a gloss but the wear of a lipstick- no stickiness here.

L-R Mac Sheen Supreme in Blossom Culture, Chanel En Vogue, Bobbi Brown  Gloss in Citrus

As you can see on the lips the Coco shine gives of a lovely luminosity and is extremely hydrating. Since it is so sheer, it is not long lasting, but with such a comfortable feel I am only to happy to re-apply. This colour is great for summer and it would be great if this colour was made part of their permanent line-up.

I would love to know which are your favourite coral lip products?

Chanel Routes Des Indes De Chanel- Illuminating powder

The new limited edition Bombay Express De Chanel has just launched in our local stores. Of course, I rushed over to see this little nugget of a collection. A lipstick in a soft sheer nude (Empreinte), a soft gold nail polish (Diwali), a re-promote of Mirifique from the Illusion d 'Ombre range, a blush Brume d'Or Joues Contraste and the star of the collection, the gold illuminating powder Chanel Routes Des Indes De Chanel. I have to say a little sigh escaped me as I saw it for the first time. This is Chanel embossing at it's finest- this brocade pattern is almost to pretty to touch.

This powder is a beautiful true gold. Admittedly, there are large pieces of glitter which are only on the surface. Underneath is the finely-milled gold which buffs beautifully into the skin. I think warm-toned girls with love this product as it will accentuate the tone of their skin. It will look great as traditionally placed as a highlighter on the high points on the face (above cheekbones and brow bones). It can also be used over a bronzer over the whole cheek buffed in really well, and as a eyeshadow on it's own.

I would have to say that gold illuminators are not readily available, so this is quite nice to add to your collection. I'm not sure however if it is essential to your collection........
The Chanel Routes Des Indes De Chanel was the only product that called out to me. The other products in the collection were not as special or different from the usual Chanel line-up.

Which one of the products from the Bombay Express Collection do you just have to have?

Valentine's Look

Pretty 'n Smokey

Face
Primer             Nars Multi protect primer
Foundation      Nars Sheer Glow in Fiji
Concealer        Clinique airbrush concealer #04
Cheek             Chanel Blush Horizon De Chanel
Illuminator       Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over
                       Radiance Creme in Iced Gold

Eyes
Base                 Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer
Lid                    MAC eyeshadow in Peek-At-You
Outer Corner     Nars Duo in Paris- Dark Grey
Crease              Nars Duo in Paris-Dark Grey
Eye Liner          MAC Technakohl Liner in
                        Graphblack
Lashes               Mac Half Lashes in 20
Mascara             Borjois Volumnizer

Lip
Lip Colour         Chanel  Rouge Coco shine#54



Tips
Apply Dewy glow to top of cheeks, just below brow bone
and on cupid's bow (portion just below nose where lip curve's)


This Look is about a soft focus romantic look that emphasizes the eyes.  The Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow adds a soft luminosity to the skin, elongates our cheekbones, arches our brows and makes our lips appear fuller and definitely kissable. Half Lashes add a hint of drama, so we can demurely look through them while gazing into our beau's eyes. Boy from Chanel is a petal pink which contrast's  well with the strong charcoal of the eye. When applying the charcoal to the outer corner, work your bush inwards in the crease. Remember to blend well. Liner both the upper and lower lash line and smudge with a suitable brush. I have a picture below of suitable dupes for the Nars Eyeshadow

L-R MAC Print, NARS Paris, BOBBI BROWN Black Topaz