Currently Loving : February 2015

I was hellbent on doing a favourites 2014 post and had even gone as far as writing and photographing them .  But 2015 seems to be on a strong thrust forward and we are suddenly in March. So I decided to present you will my February favourites . These products I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser - I have been dancing around the Tata Harper range since my visit to New York last year July. The Boosted Contouring  serum is on my wishlist, but I'm undecided. I would not use Tata Harper products for an undying need to use 100% natural products on my face. However, I like the idea that TH is not outsourced to labs that make up a number of other brands formula's, but are manufactured on her farm in Vermont. I actually love the strong floral scents of her products. This is a pure botanical range that is meant to deliver results. I decided to purchase the Purifying cleanser when Net-a-porter had free shipping!. If I could order this in vats I would! It has a gel type formula with a slight oily texture, which does not foam. I massage it onto dry skin and sometimes throw in a little facial massage. It has an invigorating and refreshing sensation. I rinse with water and my skin is left soft an clean. It does suggest to apply on damp skin ,but I find I use too much and it does not feel as clean.

Koh Gen Do - Cleansing Spa Water - This is a really effective but 'gentle on the eyes' cleansing water. This is meant to have more skincare benefits than Bioderma. I love them both and they work equally well in removing makeup. So use whichever is stocked in your area. Unfortunately I bought 4 of these minis when traveling, so I am trying to use them up slowly - I'm on bottle # 3.

Perricone MD Formula 15 -a long time love of mine! -I recently started using this again in an effort to use up my open products. I had not used it for some time as I do try lots of new products. But, am once again seriously impressed with the results I get when I use this amazing serum . I have reviewed this previously here. Perricone does have two new concentrated serums being launched on QVC and hopefully everywhere else soon. I have my eye on these as my skin just seems to love Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser - My skin has finally settled after the upheaval my illness caused. Nars tinted moisturiser (in Groenland) just looks amazing on my skin. My skin is hydrated and looks fresh. I cannot wait for my order of the new Luminous weightless All-Day foundation arrives!

By Terry Terrybly Densiless Concealer - I got this in the beginning of the year sight unseen. I had a tiny sample of shade 4 which matched my skin perfectly. But, I wanted it to be slightly brightening so I chose shade 1. When it arrived I thought I would have to wait to buy shade 4 and mix it as it looked ghostly pale. With a sigh of relief it actually works perfectly. It brightens the under eye without looking like and owl. This is a creamy formula that never creases on me. I also has enough coverage to hide my lack of sleep. It's also packed with skincare ingredients. I reach for this concealer most days. I can highly recommend this to all those 35+ as the skincare benefits can only add to whatever eye cream you are using.

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Lash Stretching Mascara- I got this Armani formula by default as my makeup mule in Hong Kong said the mascara I asked for was out of stock (obsidian -love) and my second choice ETK Extreme was also out of stock. Said mule also said Sales Associate looked so bored and was yawning. I screamed down the phone " take whatever mascara she has in stock and in black." I can safely say I have never met an Armani mascara I did not enjoy. Even thought this is meant to be lengthening I find it a good all rounder!

Lipstick Queen - this was my second LQ acquisition. Lipstick Queen hit out shores the end of last year and I am working on building my collection. Medieval is the red meant to suit everyone. While I cannot attest to that selling point I can say it's a wearable everyday natural juicy red. My lips are hydrated and feel comfortable wearing this. I will do a post soon on the LQ shades and formula's I have. Definitely worth a look for lipstick lovers.

Nars Pro Prime - everyones favourite primers. Great to keep my shadow fresh on my oily lids. Only gripe is that I never know when it going to finish!

That ends my list of products that I have been in heavy rotation . What have your's been, we must compare notes!

Till next time.

MR

xx

Presenting: Giorgio Armani New Cheek Fabric Sheer Blush - Flesh (507), Daybeak (503) Blush (506) and Dolci (305)

So.... I went on a short unexpected hiatus, in the form of a quick holiday and a recurring flu that sadly kept me from regular blogging duties. This did not mean I did not get some amazing products in the past few weeks. I first bought two Giorgio Armani new Cheek Fabrics when they first came out and added two more shades as I absolutely loved them and had to get some more. I have to say I have never used the now discontinued original formula, but these new powder blushes are absolutely amazing and satisfy both my love for polished looks and clown face fantasies. So, today I am happy to be presenting to you the new Cheek Fabrics!

Housed in sleek round black packaging, the blush compact comes with a mirror. The blush is finely milled and never kicks up any excess powder when applying. The blush is a sheer, buildable formula and starts out soft. This is not to say they are not pigmented but allows for you to control the amount you apply to suit the look you want to achieve. The exception is Flesh which has obviously brighter pigment, which needs more finesse when applying it, due to the nature of the shade itself. I think what also appeals to me is the universally flattering shade selection which is meant to really enhance the natural beauty of every woman. The blush does not cover your skin but due to its sheer nature (think see-thru Armani fabric), it allows it to sit like a veil of colour on your skin without ever looking powdery or over done.

Blush, Flesh, Daybreak, Dolci

Dolci, Daybreak, Blush, Flesh

Dare I say, these are more-ish! Daybreak has a slight sparkle on swatching, but on the cheek it give no hint of sparkle, but only the most refined, polished effect. A nude cheek that makes my cheek bones uber- model worthy. Dolci is an unfussy fresh melon shade that is perfect for spring. Flesh is a cool pink pop shade that is hard to over do. Lastly, Blush is a soft rose shade, also with the barest hint of a sparkle - but come on it's Armani sparkle, so expect subtle and 'uptown'.

There is no more to say on these delightful new blushes. Are you enamoured as much as I am?:)

Giorgio Armani in Venomous Green- Fall 2013

Giorgio Armani's second palette for Fall 2013 is Venomous Green. This palette is a winner for me as the green look you get from this trio is bold an unusual. As with Mystic Blue (reviewed here) it is a double tiered palette, with a cheek powder on the top and a trio of shadows on the bottom. The cheek colour is more pink toned than the one in Mystic Blue. It is very light on my somewhat NC25 complexion and acts more as a natural accent than proper cheek colour. I prefer the colour in Mystic blue over this one, but with such a bold eye this works to temper the entire look, so cheeks and eyes do not compete for centre stage. The powder is soft and finely milled, as one would expect from high-end Armani. The star of the palette is of course the three exquisite shadows. They are highly pigmented and swatch in one swipe. They require a little more attention when applying on the eye. Primer, patting, blending and patting some more will be needed to make the middle shade pop as it should.

Cheek colour still with shimmer overlay

The first shade is a sooty dense bark brown (almost matte) with warm toned reflects. It is not a true duo chrome but does have hints of bronze interlaced with the bark shade.This shade is more complex than the dark shade in Mystic Blue. Perfect for lining the eye. Of course you can add it to you outer v or use as a crease shade. The middle shade is a vibrant  forest green with a blue undertone and a satin finish. This colour sold the palette for me. This can be used in the outer v, a liner for the more shy green lover or all over the lid for dramatic effect.The last shade is an icy (not frosty) arctic green that leans blue in different lights. This shade is more shimmery than the other two. Good for the inner eye area or in the crease to help soften the forest green and to blend out. The bark shade and the arctic green could be used as a duo for a more monochromatic look. All three are a contrast in colour and finish. One might find a green palette to be restricting but I do think it is actually quite versatile.

Angled to show difference in texture in all three shades

Perfect for Fall. This palette could have done without the cheek colour, but I love it all the same.
What are your favourite colours to wear on your eyes for fall - do you love or hate a coloured eye and always reach for neutrals?

Giorgio Armani Fall 2013- Mystic Blue

Giorgio Armani released their fall 2013 right at the beginning of the season even before leaves were turning. Before we have moved onto later fall releases lets revel in this beautiful eye and face palette - Mystic Blue. I would like to thank the lovely lady who runs Kaisobssesions for organising my Armani pieces. I have previously reviewed my picks from the Eyes To Kill Intense shadows here. Armani reformulated their shadows towards the end of last year. The shadows themselves are highly pigmented and long wearing. They blend well but have a drier texture than Tom Ford or Rouge Bunny Rouge. Mystic blue is a double tiered palette. The bottom tier has a trio of blues. As you might be aware of now the middle shade has an overspray that reveals a pop turquoise colour. I have show it in all its virginal glory- unsullied by my fingers. In the watches below you can clearly see the middle shade is a darling turquoise blue, a surprise for a fall palette. The left shade is a granite dark brown for lining or smoking up the look. The right shade is a periwinkle blue. The top tier houses a golden peach cheek colour that is finely milled and is similar in tones the the Tom Ford Fire Lust illuminator (reviewed here) for summer 2013, but with more pigment as it is a powder not a cream. It gives a lovely flush to the cheeks.

Cheek, Eyes shades

I do not reach for blue palettes too often, but this has such a good mix that I am enjoying using it. I will review Venomous Green, also from the fall 2013 collection soon. Has Fall 2013 been a hit or miss for you so far?

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense eyeshadow in Rose Popilla 30, Scarab Violetta 33 and Blue Beetle 34

The Giorgio Armani collection called to me like I was some damned sailor being beckoned by a wailing banshee. With one look, I was ensnared and captured by this devilish collection.
There were 5 new limited ETK shadows and these three were my picks - Rose Popilla 30, Scarab Violetta 33 and Blue Beetle 34. All three are beautiful duochrome's.
My Rose Popilla as you can tell from the pics, came a little dishevelled, and was contracted away from the pot edges. I am assuming that it is still A-okay, even though none of my other ETK intense shadows have ever come this way. It also then cracked on top when I gently put my brush to the surface. Yet, it still applied well, though a bit drier than usual. Also these can be used wet.

Rose Popilla

Rose Popilla is a good base shade as it is quite neutral. Just when you think you have pinned down the colour of this shade it morphs into something completely different. Cream,Taupe, Pink, Peach and Grey - a nuance at every angle. For me a must have.

Scarab Violetta

 Scarab Violetta is the most pastel of the collection- but still not a 'princess' pastel, still has edge to it. A soft purple/silver concoction.

Blue Beetle

Blue Beetle is the deepest shade. The swatch below shows its shy side. Full on it is quite a striking duck blue. This colour is shot through with a deeper dusky blue, which gives it a dirty look in certain light (punk dirty not 'I have not washed dirty').

Blue Beetle, Scarab Violetta, Rose Popilla

Even if you go away with just one of these from the collection, you can be happy that it is unique.


What has been your favourite Fall 2013 collection so far?

Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer crystal shine lipgloss in 608 and 522 - Review and Swatches

Armani Flash Laquer's are what a girl needs! Pouty lips saturated with radiant pigment. I had to choose only shades. Thanks to Kai at Kaisobsessions and her swatches, I chose one with no glitter (522) and one with micro-shimmer (608). The colour spectrum the Flash Lacquers offer is like a wardrobe for your lips.

608 is a dusty rose shot through with micro shimmer. I can feel a slight grittiness when I press my lips together. It has a creamy texture as does 522. Both are scent free. They are barely tacky and feel comfortable and hydrating on the lips. Wear time is usual for a gloss.
522 is a punchy pink which could be described as guava. Perfect for fresh spring/summer looks.

These are like candy- one is not enough!

Giorgio Armani Bronze All Over Palette for Summer 2013

Giorgio Armani has released a well edited collection for Summer 2013. The Bronze All Over Palette is a gorgeous 2-tiered compact, housing a bronzer above and complimentary shadows below. As I said before my initial photo's absconded off my apple, so please note the picture shown below is without the gold overlay and my applicators are sullied. What a thing of beauty. Great for travel and well, just darn great! The bronze reads quite 'orange' on the swatch, but is more golden on the cheeks. This for me is not a contour, bit definitely a bronzer shade (which it was intended for). There is a sheen to it with no chunky glitters. Very sophisticated. The three shadows are a good mix for your usual 'outer v formation' - Darkest shade into your outer corner, blended into the crease towards the inner corner  The medium shade for  eyelid area and the lightest for highlighting the tear duct and eyebrow area. Yet, a simmering sexy look ala the promo pic and this turns you into one hot mama, with smouldering bronze lids and sun baked cheeks. Just build the Deep Bronze shade over your whole lid. Take the peachy brown medium shade and blend from the crease upwards. Use the lightest cool cream to highlight as before. I've worn it this way and love it! The shadows are silky and have a lovely velvet texture. These seem more pigmented than my first Armani eyes to kill palette Maestro 01 (reviewed here), which had a more sheer quality to them.

L-R Bronzer, Cream, Peach, Bronze

This Palette is a one stop shop for a summer look! Have you made a list from Armani's summer collection?

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in # 6 - Out of this world

Giorgio Armani fluid sheers snuck up on me. I only knew of their existance with the launch of their new colours for Summer 2013. Why a banner is not blinking over them at every Armani counter surprises me, as they are my number one find for summer. First off please excuse the condition of my products for all my Summer Armani items. My initial photo's of pristine and shiny packaging and swatches were the work of Gremlins on my computer and just vanished! Moving on....The packaging has also been revamped and now the colour is visible. A pump dispenses this 'liquid gold'. The portion is generous and this fluid sheer should last me into the next millenium or so.......

I bought this blind and basically of swatches from Best Things in Beauty who has swatches of all the new shades. I could not choose but eventually bought # 6. Both number # 4 (yellow) and #9 (raspberry pink) are on my 'list'. But, back to heavenly # 6, a bright juicy coral. As you can see from the swatches below, it is highly pigmented and a little is all you need. In the swatch, I have sheered it out, and you can tell it has a pretty shimmer. What I love, is that once applied to the cheek, there is no disco-ball effect at all. Just a healthy glow to my cheeks. The fluid sheer stays on all day on my oily cheeks and looks fresh and pretty. This shade does not accentuate any redness in my skin. The fluid sheers are meant to be complexion correctors, illuminators and cheek colours. This is of course a  blush. My experimenting still continues and I am trying it mixed with various foundations. The fun will come in when I can accumulate more than one of these fluid sheers to create new and unique shades.

Fluid Sheer 6 over Armani Luminous Silk 5,5

I cannot rave about this new love of mine any more. Have you made any exciting discoveries this year?

Giorgio Armani Maestro Concealer - shade 4 swatches and review :Concealer Series # I

Giorgio Armani brought out a matching under eye concealer, with the launch of their Maestro Fusion makeup last year. Since I love my maestro so much, I had to get the concealer. This review will be the start of my concealer series, as like any good beauty lover *hoarder*, I have a few that I use.

The product comes in a small black tube, while its foundation counterpart (reviewed here) comes in a heavy glass jar with a dropper. I got shade 4 which is a match to the foundation in 5,5 - if you are looking for a match. 3,5 would be a more peach toned choice and I could have gone with either.

The product is a runny liquid and basically comes out quickly, without squeezing, once opened. I think a smaller matching jar would have been preferable, as a dropper would dispense this concealer better.

Packaging aside, this is a lightweight liquid which has less of a dry oil feel the the foundation. This is for good days when puffiness and blue circles are at their best as it gives sheer coverage (the foundation seems to cover more). The Armani sites says with continual use blue circles will fade. I should use it everyday to see if this works! However, this does give a totally natural finish. The site also mentions 'moisturises' eyelids , so it excels as a primer as it even out eyelids perfectly. It applies best with fingers.

It does not settle in my fine lines at all and my under eye area looks hydrated. Wear time could be improved. I saw no patchiness over time, which is a pet peeve with bad concealers. A corrector would be hard to put under this to counteract blue, but having said that I have never used the Armani Master corrector, which is meant to be magical.

I do like this concealer. I do suffer from puffiness and dark circles, so this is in my 2nd tier of concealers. Love the formula, but the packaging lets it down and I'd think I should wear the peachier 3.5 more as it would banish my dark circles. I do like to pair it with my Maestro fusion makeup.

This gets an overall rating of A-

This is how evaluated the concealer and how I will continue to rate the others in my Concealer series.

• Packaging - Does the product dispense easily. Do I like the aesthetics (is it pretty!). Is it of good quality and hold up over time.
• Texture - Is the product sticky and does it feel good on the skin - heavy, weightless etc
• Coverage - Does it hide what it needs to? Does it hide it while still looking like skin.
• Benefits - What good ingredients does the formula have?
• Finish - Is it natural, flawless, does it enhance
• Longevity - how long does it last throughout the day

I would love to hear what you look for a in a holy grail concealer and have you found it yet??

Hi Friends. I would appreciate it if you could refrain fron including self- promoting links in your comments, as I then have to mark them as spam. I love to hear from you, but can only publish comments that adhere to the above. I am really forward to hearing from you all!

Giorgio Armani Face Fabric

Giorgio Armani has just launched their spring 2013 POP collection. With their fresh and flirty compacts they have introduced new shades into their already iconic foundation Face Fabric. This makes it a good opportunity to review this foundation that I have been using for over a year. Giorgio Armani just does foundations well - they are effortless and luxurious just like his clothing line.

Face Fabric in Shade 3

The texture of this foundation is mousse-like and you can feel the silicones ( I cannot find the ingredients listing but it has a silicone feel). It has micro-fil technology, one of Giorgio Armani's trademark of their foundation ranges. The foundation glides on over your skin like a fabric and fills and corrects as it is applied. This almost slick texture settles down into a natural satin finish, with a light SPF. My skin looks like skin. I would almost describe this as the precursor to the Armani Maestro Fusion. This might even suit those who have complained that maestro accentuates their dry patches.

My oily skin gets a subtle sheen after about 5 hrs but the face fabric still remains, but I deliberatly did not powder to see the oil control. This does give a 'no makeup' makeup look and I say sits between the Maestro Foundation (reviewed here) and their ultra popular Luminous silk foundation. Maestro Fusion is a runny liquid for a natural finish which evens out skin tones and hides minimal perfections. Face Fabric is spongy, with a "second skin" effect that builds slightly. It hides a few more imperfections then Maestro and does not accentuate my pores. Maestro controls oil breakthrough slightly better. Luminous Silk is more of a medium coverage that builds seamlessly to full for a satin finish which is similar to Nars Sheer Matte foundation. They have introduced one very light shade and two darker shades, but I think Maestro has maybe a better shade selection overall. This has a texture that is best applied with fingers in my opinion, just like Maestro Fusion. Luminous silk will depend on what coverage you want - brush for fuller application .

Shade 3 L - R out the tube, blended

Natural Satin finish in daylight without cheek colour

 This Face Fabric truly drapes and hugs the contour of your face and creates a good canvas for cheek colour and contouring. I think all foundation lovers should check this 'oldie but goody' out at their local counters, as it just might be your daily holy grail. For reference I am 5.5 in Maestro Fusion and Luminous Silk and 3 in Face Fabric, which is slightly warmer than the other two.

I would love to know which is your best Armani Foundation.



Hi Friends. I would appreciate it if you could refrain fron including self- promoting links in your comments, as I then have to mark them as spam. I love to hear from you, but can only publish comments that adhere to the above. I am really forward to hearing from you all!

Giorgio Armani Maestro Palette in Maestro 01

Giorgio Armani is the epitome of understated, chic elegance. The newly engineered quads, mirror this philosophy. They come in 8 understated neutrals that are great basics for any beauty lovers collection. They are based on the colours of nature found on the Italian coast, and have a transparent and layered effect. They have light Micro-fil silk powders which make the shades sheer but buildable and as tactile as Armani fabrics themselves.

I had a gap in my shadows that are grey and smokey, so I chose 01 Maestro. They come in a black, shiny, round compact, which also houses two double-sided sponge applicators. These are ok for initially patting the product onto the eye.

I found the shades to have a good mix of transparency, as seen in the two lightest shades, and good pigmentation , as in the darkest two. This makes the quad more interesting and as you can see from the

photograph, a sophisticated smokey eye is achieved by layering these shades. I winged the med-dark shade to create a more complex look. 

This palette would be good paired with Mac Ruby Woo or your favourite red lipstick.

Lashes compliments of Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Excess  Mascara

I am extremely happy with my purchase. Armani has really created some beautiful combinations - my other choice would have been 03 Pantelleria- a delicate combination of seafoam green, deep moss and iridescent tonal beiges.

What is your favourite Giorgio Armani product?

Hi Friends. I would appreciate it if you could refrain fron including self- promoting links in your comments, as I then have to mark them as spam. I love to hear from you, but can only publish comments that adhere to the above. I am really forward to hearing from you all!

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup

I was happily browsing the internet when I read about the launch of Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup. Suddenly the 'blogosphere' was alight with reviews of the new breakthrough "foundation".
Now started my mission to procure said "foundation". Nothing would stop me until I had this wunder product in my grubby little paws. This was no mean feat, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, a phone call to the Giorgio Armani counter at Selfridges (who did a telephonic colour match), a swatch session with The Beauty Professor (who has swatched all the colours), a speedy courier service, two weeks later I had Maestro Fusion makeup ready for application ( the lengths I go to....).

The effort was totally worthwhile!

The product is housed in a glass bottle with a dropper top. The product itself is a light, slick liquid almost like water. I drop a few drops into the palm of my hand and then smooth the product onto my face from the centre outwards with my fingers (I have used my Real techniques buffing brush but prefer fingers). This really is a unique product and feels like no other foundation or tinted moisturizer I have ever used. This product goes on like skin. What I mean by this, is that the product is almost imperceptible on your skin. It is your skin but better. I love my other foundation favourites, but this really seems like a new category of foundation - 'a complexion perfection' as described by Linda Cantello, International Make-up Artist for Giorgio Armani.

From L-R GA Maestro 5, 5 , Nars Sheer Matte in Sante Fe, Chantecaille Just Skin in Tan

I have tried a number of primers as I typically use a primer as I have oily skin. The best suited primer was actually the Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer which has a silicone texture and a lot of slip, and is usually my least favourite. Next in line was Nars Pro-Prime which worked quite well, by the end of a long day there was a glow. I have also tried Smashbox Photo finish hydrating primer, which is a good primer but did not work well under Maestro. I still am going to try my other favourite primers - Hyaluronic Face Glow by By Terry and Chantecaille Anti-glycation primer. It also wears well with no primer. Since I am oily I have powdered after finishing my makeup, but do not need to touch up as usual later in the morning. I am still trying various combinations and I think it will be personal preference for everyone on primers and powders.

Maestro Fusion makeup give a soft matte finish. It is hard to describe as you look natural, but all imperfections seem airbrushed away. I have managed to build this product for more coverage, yet the look is still invisible. Due to the volatile oils that evaporate throughout the day, my makeup remained fresh. I have had no reaction to the oils or alcohol listed in the ingredients. My skin is oily and can break out if a product is too rich.This is described as an ultra-fine pigment oil suited to all skin types. I can vouch for those with oily skins. It has a SPF of 15 which is a must in any foundation these days.

I love to wear this with my Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric in 1 for a lovely flushed look. Giorgio Armani have always looked ahead and created new formula's and technologies to keep us ladies looking our best. Another one of my favourites is their Face Fabric (I am #3). Maestro Fusion comes in 12 colours in the US and 9 worldwide. I am 5.5 which is a perfect match. This has both yellow and pink undertones. I am looking to get their new Maestro Concealer and am looking forward to their new Lip Maestro Color Zero and Lip Maestro Intense Velvet out in November.

Have you tried the new Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion makeup?