Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Lippmann Collection Acros The Universe

I bought last bottle even it was day one of Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. That polish was one of the first beauty exclusives sold out in my nearest store. So I was pretty lucky to catch it. I really love it because it's so unique. It's smooth and easy to apply. This is 3 coats with base and top. I applied coats with no waiting time between coats. Drying time was very fast so I could go as soon as I put top coat. I waited 3 days before to remove it and removing was bit easier then other glitters. Everything else you can see from pictures.


Gel blackened base with blue shimmer and large hexagon green and blue glitter. It looks like Lippmann even from distance so I think it can work well not only for teens. At least I will wear it and feel very comfortable.


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Chanel Fall single eyeshadow Vert Khaki comparison

I bought Taupe Gris (limited edition) last week as soon as I got call about arriving Fall collection. But Vert Khaki (another LE) looked like something I can have already. I was very curious how it will look in a line of all khakis I already own. So I went to Nordstrom to look at Fall Dior and I stopped at Chanel counter to swatch Vert Khaki. I planned to bring it at home and to compare to other single eyeshadows. Unfortunately Vert Khaki didn't survive well. But it's not it fault but mine. I smudged it when I placed my daughter in carseat. Anyway I decided it's better to show you something than nothing. Vert Khaki is very well pigmented and looked much darker when I applied it in the store. It's more bronzy brown than other 3 eyeshadows I applied on the left. Other comment I want to do that all Chanels and Dior eyeshadows have multicolored tiny shimmer which add deepness and richness. Mac is more flat and has only unicolored pigment. Taupe Gris is more gray with little purple undertone in the other light. Dior Khakis was discontinued.

Pictures were taken in direct sunlight around 4 pm and it looks warmer then sunlight at noon. I hope it helps. Pictures are clickable as always.




Chanel Holidays 2010 collection

OK, guys, I don't have pictures yet but at least some info about products. Collection supposed to be in stores at the end of September. Promo brochure said - shipped on September 20th. It means stores can get it week or two later.

So we will get:
Quadra eyeshadows in Tentation Cuivre (copper brown, light beige, shimmering pink, plum copper) - Limited Edition
Duo eyshadows in Misty-Soft
Blush in Tweed Fuchsia - LE
Ombre D'eau Fluid iridescent eyeshadow in Splash (smoky pewter) - LE
Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Cassis and Espresso
Rouge Coco in Magnolia (soft pink) and Patchouli (copper) - both LEs
Glossimers in Futile (repromoted), Charming, Pink Pulsion and Pleasing - all 3 LEs
Nail Polishes in Mica Rose (repromoted) and Pulsion (fucsia) - LE

I can only show you pictures of repromoted products. I will add new pictures as soon as I get it.



Saturday, July 3, 2010

Chanel Paradoxal

Chanel Fall Collection just arrived at most stores this week. I was so exited about Paradoxal since I saw first pictures of new collection. I couldn't wait. I called myself to my local Nordstrom every day even SA from Chanel counter promised to call me as soon as it arrives. So I didn't miss it and I'm ready to show you what it all about. How can Chanel to discover something new every time? But I can say that Paradoxal is really unique. We already had some dusty grayish purple like Metro Chic before and we already had purple shimmer like in Nars Purle Rain before but for some mystic reason no one get idea to incorporate shimmer in dusty grayish cream base before Chanel got. Hey, other nail polish brands, I'm predicting new trend called "dusty colors with shimmer". Any colors are welcome.
OK, now we are back to Paradoxal. Don't forget to click at this picture otherwise you can miss point.


I would call this color dusty plum. This is between purle, brown and gray. Dirty putty color! Reddish purple shimmer is pretty visible in direct sun light. It's not really visible without bright light. Color is dark but never looks black. It's more brown in warm yellow electric light. Application is flawless. Here is 2 coats and no top coat. Big respect to Chanel for improving formula that much over last year. As I expected this definitely is A MUST HAVE. And Paradoxal along with Illusion d'Or and Particuliere hits my 3 favorites Chanel nail polishes list. LOOOOOVE it!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Chanel Illusion D'Or over Zoya Robyn

I bought Illusion D'Or from Chanel web site the same minute as I got email about this collection. This polish was sold out very fast. I got it in the end of April and used many time over darker polishes when they became boring. Zoya Robyn didn't chip or showed tip wear and after 3 days I decided to try Illusion D'Or over it and I really love result. Illusion D'Or transfers everything in peace of art. This is gold shimmer in clear base but additional round glitter made it really unique.


Glitter is blue, gold, teal and purple. It's more visible in shade than in full sun. So it's not only sunny days entertainment as most holographic polishes. I used 2 coats and no top coat.



Illusion D'Or is my HG. Love it.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Dior Makeover with Extase Pinks palette

Today I had wonderful experience in my local Macy's. Dior artist Maritza Allen came to do makeovers and to share her vision of Dior aesthetics and skincare inventions.



Rosemarie DeRose, manager of Dior in my Macy's prepared my skin and Maritza Allen applied colors. I forgot to take the list of used products but that's what I remember for sure:
Last one used as blush and I really like how it looked. I absolutely don't remember what colors were used on my lips except Dior Addict Lip Polish, then Serum de Rouge and Gloss but I don't have numbers.

I also specially asked to use 5-colours eyeshadow palette in Extase Pinks which I already own because I wanted to see how to use it differently. I usually use bright pink and both greys from this palette. Maritza used more purple. Thanks for good idea.
You can see pictures of finished look below. I brought my face at home and tried to catch details. Sun was too bright and so it was not easy.

Link





My face expression means - hey clouds come to create soft light for me. But clouds didn't hear me. LOL

P.S. I forgot to mention that products which I bought is Dior Capture Total One Essential. Maritza said it will work wonderfully with my Revive Moisturizing Renewal Cream at night and under my makeup at day. And also I bought Brow Styler because I don't have anything for brows except gel. It does job beautifully and invisibly.

NOTD - Zoya Robyn

My summer uniform is jeans skirt and white tee and blue scarf and blue bag. So blue nail polish is in favor this summer. Zoya Robyn is very right one. Unfortunately aplication is not A+ but B-, not bad although and I can live with it. It's well pigmented but leaves strokes after 2 coats. But we can fix it with Seche Vite top coat.


First picture is taken at full sun and polish looks much lighter than it looks in most light conditions. It's darker, deeper and it's not that milky at all.



Second picture has too much reflections but shows color better.

Anyway I'm not disappointed and will use it more for my pedi.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

NOTD - H&M Cha Cha

This is another jewell from wonderful Lily. It's so sad that H&M doesn't sell their polishes in US. Very nice formula and smooth application. It's slight holographic so it's not boring at all but it's very subtle and I can wear it everywhere. I LOVE it.


Monday, June 28, 2010

More Nordstrom Exclusives: Laura Mercier Portable Beauty Collection and M.A.C. "Dazzle" Lipsticks

Laura Mercier Portable Beauty Collection includes Eye Color Duo in sparkling Guava and Kir Royal, professional double-ended brush, cheek Color Duo in Rose Petal and Mauve Second Skin, double-ended Lip Glace in Glisten and Violet and Long Lash Mascara Price $65 ($164 Value). Not much to say, you get what you see. I think it's very useful travel set if you need one.


M.A.C. "Dazzle" Lipstick in 13 exclusive high-shine lip colors. Price is $14.

Click to see close up picture to see how those lipsticks loaded with shimmer. Triple-drama sparkle is good description for that.



Thursday, June 24, 2010

Dior Ready-to-Wear Palette and Addict Ultra-Gloss Nordstrom Exclusives

Here it is! Dior presents travel palette Ready-to-Wear and Addict Ultra-Gloss in Intimate Bronze for Nordstrom Anniversary Beauty Sale. I went to look and to do swatches for you.


Artificial light inside store.


Swatches pictures were taken just outside Nordstrom with full sun. It's dry application.



Last picture was taken when I went at home with no sun and different camera.


Below swatches of new ultra-gloss in intimate bronze.


Blurry picture to show sparkling shimmer (or even glitter)



This is close up picture of blush. It has tiny shimmer and looks nice.



Conclusion: palette can be very useful for travel. Quality is nice as usual but colors are nothing special. Bronzer is really dark for pale skin and blush is little too sparkly for me. Eyeshadows are very nice but not original. I have tons like that. I didn't swatch glosses included in palette but they look nice. Addict Ultra-Gloss is not my cup of tea because I don't like sparkles in it. So I will pass. Do you?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Chanel Quatuor Boutons De Chanel Yeux Eyes

I hoped that my local Nordstrom has a least some testers for Anniversary Beauty Exclusives so I couldn't wait to check it out. I hope my swatches will be helpful for you decision to buy or not to buy.


Les Naturels Dores De Chanel includes the quad eyeshadow palette and two nail polishes (one exclusive is #440 Gold Lame) and 2 mascaras (one exclusive is Inimitable Intense Rouge Noir which is burgundy/plum). Also Coco Mademoiselle set is available for Nordstrom sale.

Pictures of the quad was taken inside of store so it's artificial light but colors look true enough.


The quad is really nice. Very nice colors and textures. Shadows are very sheer so I did wet swatches to show up colors better. Even it's not first reincarnation of this palette (it was duty free exclusive for some Asian Airlines last year) it's cool anyway.


Those first 3 swatches were taken just outside with full sun. You can see it has some shimmer and looks really nice. I would describe colors as off white, peach, taupe and warm bronze.



Last swatch was taken when I came back at home. Camera is different (that's Canon EOS20D) and sun was hidden behind clouds. So you can see colors under different light condition to get more accurate idea.


I pre-ordered one palette for my friend and I didn't decide yet if I need it myself because I have a lot nude eyeshadows already. But if I didn't have I would definitely buy it now. Chanel rep said that it's almost sold out already so don't wait if you want it. What do you think?

Monday, June 21, 2010

Nordstrom Anniversary Beauty Exclusives are available for pre-order

Nordstrom has Anniversary Sale every year in middle of July. Most interesting part is Beauty Exclusives which usually sold out before they became available in stores. But you can pre-order it now from Nordstrom web site. It says that pre-ordered items will arrive on July 12th. Here is what attracts my eye most.

2 new Lippmann Collection Nail Colors

in Bad Romance ($18)

and in Across The Universe ($18)

Lippmann Collection "All That Jazz" Color Trio ($40)

Essie Fall Mini 4-Pack ($17)
Dior "Ready-to-Wear" Palette ($54)
Chanel Quatuor Boutons De Chanel Yeux Eyes ($65)


Guerlain "Must Have" Beauty Kit ($83)
Shu Uemura Eye & Cheek Palette ($65)
Shu Uemura Revitalizing Discovery Kit ($35)


M.A.C. "Dazzle" Lipstick in 13 exclusive high-shine lip colors ($14)

(I need to look at Glaringly Hip if it is right coral for me)


I probably will visit Nordstrom tomorrow to look at it in person. I hope they have testers already. I will let you know what I find. Stay tuned.