Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Spellbound - Fall 2013

Laura Mercier released her Dark Spell Fall 2013 collection ahead of many brands. I love the collection image- it really conjures up deep, dense looks with within a haze of molten rose gold that is Spellbound.
I was able to get this, my first LM illuminator, and would like more from the collection, but they were not yet available at the counter. A have quite a few of her products even thought I have not reviewed them, but Spellbound is a real stand out.

This metallic rose gold powder is housed in a lightweight, but sizeable black compact. The powder has a swirling look as you would get when peering into a cauldron with a spell being stirred. It is really pretty. While this illuminator has quite a metallic finish, it is only more apparent when light hits it at different angles. I have swatched it quite heavily, on the cheeks it has less pigment but still with a definite rose gold gilded effect.

Swatched Heavy

Applied to cheek

Have you been enticed by any of the Laura Mercier Dark Spell Collection?

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 

Tom Ford Eye Colour quad in Sahara Haze

Tom Ford in Sahara Haze is a modern mix of texture and shades, in the green family.This palette is a sultry mix of olive shades. The highlight shade is a yellowed cream, which works with the other 3 shades. The next shade in the top is a satin gray green - quite unusual. The next shade is the usual Tom Ford glitter stunner. It is a lively crisp green that brightens the palette - this shade requires fingers to apply in a patting motion. The last shade is a deep olive with pewter undertones .
This palette will work with most skin tones and hair colours. My recents 'oops' at the hairdresser has left me with decidedly auburn locks with blonde ends (ombre attempt gone bad) so these greens look really nice with my red tones-make lemonade out of lemons so they say.......This quad has a chameleon quality as it sometimes has a silver look to it once applied to my eyes - almost like the colour of wet stone. I found that pairing it with different shades of eyeliner also changes the quality of the shades. A blue liner brought out the same in the shadows.

Tom Ford has done greens really well. This quad can give a subdued look or amped up for an edgy performance. These shades stay on all day and remain vivid and fresh. Love , Love, Love!!

Sahara Haze is a quad worth investing in. Of course, I am a Tom Ford fan, but seriously this one did not disappoint me at all.

Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor - a salute to blues

I've heard about Lipstick Queen. A brand built around just lipstick (okay I know many big hitters like Bobbi Brown and Edward Bess started as such), but they seemed to have remained true to their focus, and remain to be just a lipstick brand.
Well, call me reformed and racked over the knuckles! Lipstick Queen in Hello Sailor has made me into a believer! This cute blue bullet has immediately won a place in my heart and made me want more Lipstick Queen.

Firstly, what a fantastic formula. Lightweight and creamy, with no stickiness. My lips feels moisturised and comfortable. Lipstick Queen comes in two textures, Saints and Sinners. This would belong to the Saints family I presume as it has a sheer wash of colour. The Sinners being highly pigmented. The blueberry colour makes your teeth appear that bit whiter and gives such a nuanced sexiness. It's as if you are wearing bare lips, but they are enveloped in a subtle wash of BLUE. This blue I have tried to capture in the swatch. It is a midnight blue that will read differently on everyone's lips as it deepens your natural colouring, and is darker where your lips are more pigmented. I have quite pigmented lips and this adds a veil of berry colour with a sheen to it. Blue Lipstick. Not a gimmick at all, quite genius in fact!

The packaging is modern and fun. Hello Sailor is in a unfussy, simple metallic blue casing. I adore the monochromatic blue on blue of this product . It has a futuristic feel to me. This can be worn alone or it is suggest that it is layered over the berry shades in the Lipstick queen line up or in your lipstick lineup.

This formula is full of Vitamin E- no wonder my lips feel so good.

Lipstick Queen in Hello Sailor is so wearable. Lipstick Queen is now on my radar and I am determined to build up my collection! I would love to hear your recommendations!

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer in Pink Lust

The final product I got from Tom Ford summer 2013 collection is the Tom Ford Lip Lacquer in Pink Lust .This a an easy to wear comfortable lip product that feels more like a lip treatment. It is not sticky like the Tom Ford lip glosses, and it is like your favourite sweater you throw on day in and day out.

It is a 'frosted' baby peach .It ties in with the whole look of the collection, where u look as if you are basking in the sun and the light is reflecting off  you at every angle. It is very pretty. It also layers over you favourite lipstick.This is a no-brainer! If you can find it get it!

Perricone MD Vitamin Ester Serum - To Brighten and enhance your skin

Perricone Md launched the Vitamin C Ester Serum earlier this year. During there fabulous Spring Event I bought it as well as the new Acyl Glutathione serum. I have use it for about 6 weeks now and am loving the results.

It come in a bottle with a dropper top. I only need 4-5 drop to cover my entire face including the  eye  area. This has just given my skin the boost it needed. Since I already use the Vitamin Ester 15 at night and Blue Plasma, my skin's condition is pretty good. This just nudged it into excellent territory. The serum has a light citrus scent and is light and absorbs quickly. The texture of my skin is fine and clear. I use this in the morning. As far as I understand this Vitamin C serum can withstand use in the day, as it is combined with Palm oil to stop degradation from sunlight (hope I got that right). Besides it's powerful  radiance boosting element it also offers antioxidant protection throughout the day- Don't forget your sunscreen. I love that this is a multi - tasker and can work to help my fine lines around the eye and lip area. I then do top with my eye cream. I recently went for a mini-facial at a spa and the aesthitician was trying to diagnose my skin and used a fancy machine to measure my moisture levels. The measurements were good ( I have surface dehydration- we live so high above sea level and this can affect this). After the treatment she remeasured in the hope they has improved to show off how good their products were. No change. Good is Good. She could not fault my home care- Thank you Dr Perricone...... and I went home empty handed. While this product specifically does not deal with hydration it has definitely helped in nourishing my skin. This I was told differs from the Vitamin C Ester 15 as it has a more brightening result as is used all over the face and eye area and the Ester 15 while brightening it also has a tightening effect. I love them both and use them in tandem. This is another must have product from Perricone MD.



Have you tried any of Dr Perricones products?

Tom Ford Illuminating cheek color for Summer 2013- Blush Guilt

This is a new limited product never done before by Tom Ford. A turn up cheek stick that is meant to illuminate your cheeks, mmmmmm......

Most cheeks stick, give the impression that they are quick and easy to use. Blush Guilt is far trickier and needs a little more love and attention.  The colour is very similar to the Tom Ford Fire Lust skin illuminator, sans the slightly heavier micro - shimmer. This cheek stick NEVER dries down, so here starts the love. It has been suggested to use this on bare skin. I wear a tinted moisturiser/foundation for a reason?! So, I have used this from the stick/or fingers onto my 'foundationed' face. This worked to give a gleaming golden peach effect to my cheeks. It did give more colour than Fire Lust, but still very soft. My cheeks remained 'sticky' until I took it off. The emollient texture makes it difficult to powder over. I though it might look great with bronzer or blush underneath, but the powder product is effectively wiped off while applying Blush Guilt. This gives a very editorial look, very much like the glossy eye trend. It does give a pretty flush to the cheeks, but I think you could choose between Blush Guilt and Fire Lust or maybe choose the other shade Bronzed Amber. Since I just love the idea of creating such looks I am still enjoying the cheek stick. I prefer this product at night, since I have oily skin. If I wore it through the day I might end up looking shiny all over.

I would love to know if you have any tips or tricks when using Tom Ford Illuminating cheek color?