The Beauty Look Book

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet La Distinguée 33 and La Furtive 31

2012-05-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

Chanel's Rouge Allure Velvet formula was released last fall (see swatches on Karla Sugar, Messy Wands and Rouge Deluxe). Being a huge fan of the luxurious feel of the regular Rouge Allures, I was excited to try the new Velvet formula, however the two shades that caught my eye were not available to the US. Since the initial release, Chanel has released La Distinguée 33 and La Furtive 31

Chanel Beige 565 Swatched

2012-05-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some finger swatches of Chanel Beige #565. Two coats achieve a semi-transparent finish. The results from application (myself and professionally) were both a bit uneven. I personally think the coverage could be more even with three coats instead. It's clearly a beige tinged with yellow undertones. The pearly pink flashes prevent this from looking sallow on my hands. Depending on the

Chanel Beige 565 Le Vernis - First Look

2012-05-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Chanel.com's exclusive Le Vernis shade in Beige 565 just arrived yesterday ($26 each). Here's a quick look at the color plus comparisons. I couldn't get good nail swatch photos before the sun went down. Hopefully I'll be able to post better photos this week. Chanel Beige 565 is a true beige. I was hoping it would be a pearly beige with pinkish/pearl tones like the promotional photos online.

Loving Right Now

2012-05-20T15:32:00.002-07:00

Right now I'm loving soft baby blue nail polishes. In particular these colors shown below: Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air, NARS Kutki, Dior Glacier, Dolce & Gabbana Anise and OPI My Pointe Exactly. All photos by me. Loving this week: Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Rivière, a soft seafoam green shimmer as seen on Cafe Makeup and The Non-Blonde (I heard rumors that the latest Asia Le Blanc

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadows

2012-05-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

I've been a long-time fan of Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Shadows (her regular version). Staples in my collection include easy-to-wear classics such as Ballet Pink, Sandy Gold, Sand Dollar and Sand Castle (now discontinued). They're compact and have a soft velvety smooth texture that makes them easy to apply with fingers or her cream shadow brush. Recently, she released a number of new

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense in 21 Obsidian Grey and 20 Obsidian Black

2012-05-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

This summer Giorgio Armani has released four Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows in #20, 21, 22 and 23. There have been numerous amazing reviews from bloggers of all different skintones on all four shades. Some of my favorites include features from Rouge Deluxe, Temptalia, Messy Wands, Perilously Pale, Beauty Ops (just to name a few). The colors that stood out to me were 21 Obsidian Grey and 20

Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base

2012-05-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

I've been eagerly waiting for the official release of Edward Bess's Illuminating Eyeshadow Base for over a year now. I was able to test a prototype at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills and was particularly impressed how it helped my eyeshadow last. As reviewed and mentioned by The Non-Blonde, the formula has probably changed, as well as the packaging, but the final product is just as amazing. Cafe

Loving Right Now

2012-05-12T16:37:00.002-07:00

Right now I'm loving all sorts of new cream shadows and bases from Bobbi Brown, Edward Bess and Giorgio Armani (reviews to come soon). Currently loving these reads: Paris in Four Months - new blog discovery (thanks to the interview featured on Feather Factor) The Non-Blonde - Tom Ford Love Lust Cheek Color (his blushes truly are amazing, they're at the top of my favorites list from his

Burberry Iconic Nudes Summer 2012: Sheer Summer Glow & New Lip Mists

2012-05-08T06:51:00.003-07:00

This summer Burberry Beauty has released a small collection featuring a new highlighter quad Sheer Summer Glow ($50) and four new shades of their sheer lipstick in the lip mist formula, 210 Pink Heather, 211 Nude Honey, 212 Nude Peach, and 213 Field Rose ($30 each). The theme for the entire look is subtle nudes. Everything is extremely natural. Based on preview promotional photos, I

Le Métier de Beauté Haute House Hues (Neimans Exclusive)

2012-05-05T12:57:00.005-07:00

Thanks to Best Things in Beauty for keeping us up-to-date on the latest releases from Le Métier de Beauté. Among all the store exclusives, my favorite collection includes the latest design by Ken Downing: the Haute House Hues Collection which includes a Lip Crème Lip Gloss Duo ($65) in Mum's the Word and Two Lips and the new Snappy Dragon Nail Lacquer ($18). The Lip Crème Lip Glosses are

Le Métier de Beauté Blush Kaleidoscope

2012-05-02T23:27:00.001-07:00

Those who missed out on Le Métier de Beauté's Blush Kaleidoscope ($95) last year will be thrilled to learn that the kit has been released to all Le Métier counters and is now a permanent item in their line (yes, it's the same one as the first issue from Troy, Michigan). I was one of those who waited and missed, but as soon as I heard it was arriving to all stores, I immediately put myself on

Latest from Le Métier de Beauté: Blush Kaleidoscope & Haute House Hues Collection by Ken Downing

2012-05-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

A quick look at the latest from Le Métier de Beauté: re-release of their limited Blush Kaleidoscope (swoon!) and Limited-Edition Haute House Hues Lip Crème Lip Gloss Duo in Mum's the Word and Two Lips and the new Snappy Dragon Nail Lacquer. More detailed thoughts, photos and swatches to come this evening, but I can tell you - call your Neimans counter ASAP if you're interested. The Blush Kit

Soleil Tan de Chanel: 2011 Bronzes vs. 2012 Sables

2012-04-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

Top: Bronze Rose (summer 2011) and Sable Rose (summer 2012) Bottom: Bronze Corail (summer 2011) and Sable Beige (summer 2012) Here is a comparison post of the stripe bronzers from Chanel. Overall thoughts on each release: Summer 2011: Bronze Corail 537 and Bronze Rose 547 (reviewed here and here) Retailed for $50 each Four stripes of varying color Overall darker and more brown-based

Chanel Sable Beige and Sable Rose Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzers for Summer 2012

2012-04-29T10:46:00.001-07:00

This summer Chanel has continued in the striped-bronzer theme and released two new variations of their Soleil Tan de Chanel bronzers in a luminous powder compact. The two colors this year are Sable Beige 907 and Sable Rose 917 ($60 for 15g/0.53 oz, both limited edition). Both shades contain 7 stripes of color each although to my eye, it appears that there are some repeats of colors within each

Loving Right Now

2012-04-28T10:39:00.003-07:00

Personally, pastels, fresh cut flowers, Lucky Magazine inspiration, Jo Malone candles, Guerlain Pucci items (swoon), Chanel summer bronzers and nail polishes, Le Metier's blush kaleidoscope & new Haute House Hues from Neiman Marcus Makeup Magpie swatches a few pics from Laura Mercier's Belle Nouveau Collection (Lavendar Cloud nail polish is one of the shades photographed above and below)

Chanel Delight 607 vs. Quartz 525

2012-04-22T17:44:00.001-07:00

Several have asked how the newly released Delight nail polish compares to Quartz from last fall stating they appear to look very similar. When I first saw Delight at the counters, I thought the exact same thing even though this shade was described as "bronzey". I thought perhaps the department store lighting is playing tricks on my eyes. Once I got home, I put them together side-by-side and I

Chanel Island, Delight and Holiday for Summer 2012

2012-04-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

Chanel Summer 2012 has started to trickle in at counters. I've found the summer items at Macy's in Southern California (I hear Nordstrom Seattle has it as well and Bloomingdales in NYC) I think you can expect to see these at all Chanel counters in the upcoming week. Late Friday evening I came home with the three new nail polishes in Island 597, Delight 607 and Holiday 617 ($26 each). They are

Loving Right Now

2012-04-20T23:29:00.001-07:00

I've missed everyone! A quick post, hopefully I'll have time to do some quick swatches this weekend. Right now I'm loving: Late Friday night finds: Chanel Summer 2012 Nails at Macy's in Island, Delight and Holiday and a package from FedEx at my door containing my NARS Trouville order Deborah Lippmann's Sarah Smile looks perfectly polished on Lilly Chantilly NARS Ramatuelle Eyeshadow Trio is

Currently

2012-04-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Currently loving ... Empty/used Diptyque candles as brush and pen holders (inspired by home decor ideas on Cupcakes and Cashmere and as seen on Jen Brill's Top Shelf via Into The Gloss) Small but beautiful gifts, such as the Chanel Camelia bookmark sent as a gift by the Nordstrom Seattle Chanel counter (thank you!) Dior Bikini Nail Lacquer as the perfect spring-to-summer coral (swatched a few

Weekend Pampering - The Extras

2012-04-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

I've been to spas on a few occasions in the past and each occasion was beyond amazing (four visits to be exact, La Costa Resort and a few Four Seasons locations). However they can be extremely pricey and take up an entire day, so they are a luxury I cannot justify splurging for on a regular basis ($ or time wise). While nothing at home can replicate a resort spa, there are a few simple things

Coral Nail Polishes for Spring and Summer

2012-04-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

Coral seems to be all the craze this year for spring and summer nail polishes. My peachy-coral obsession for blushes has now transitioned into nails. I've already reviewed a number of new peachy corals this year: Chanel June, Laura Mercier Cabana, Dior Riviera and Chanel Distraction. Many have asked about the newest from Dior Bikini. From promo photos it can be difficult to identify

Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Platinum and Spice

2012-04-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Tom Ford's new Cream Color for Eyes come in four different warm metallic shades, $40 each. These come encased in a small round potted container similar to that of many other cream shadows. I purchased Platinum and Spice sight-unseen based on a few photos online, to me these seemed the most neutral-toned, the others appeared to be very warm in color. Platinum is a warm taupe-nude-silver. It

Tom Ford Gold Dust Lip Lacquer

2012-03-29T09:50:00.004-07:00

Tom Ford's Gold Dust Lip Lacquer ($30) is a warm sheer smooth glossy gold with slight coppery tones. Gold Dust is one of two shades available in the lip lacquer squeeze tube format. I haven't tried the other version (which is a clear sparkle) but have heard many good things about it. Gold Dust has a soft vanilla scent (more subtle than the lipsticks) and a very smooth finish/texture. It's fairly

Tom Ford Burnt Topaz, Gold Haze & Silver Smoke Nail Lacquers

2012-03-27T18:44:00.002-07:00

Tom Ford's Spring 2012 Collection includes four new metallic nail polishes and I purchased three from Saks.com in Burnt Topaz, Gold Haze and Silver Smoke ($30 each). Tom Ford initially launched sixteen non-shimmer cream shades of nail polish when the complete beauty line was rolled out to select Neiman Marcus and Saks stores. I purchased two shades sight unseen online (African Violet and Pink

Coming Soon ... Tom Ford Metallics for Spring 2012

2012-03-26T11:30:00.004-07:00

Just arrived from Saks.com: Tom Ford Metallics. My picks, sight unseen include Burnt Topaz, Gold Haze, Silver Smoke Nail Polishes ($30 each), Gold Dust Lip Lacquer ($30), and Cream Color for Eyes in Platinum and Spice ($40 each). I'm going to test these in the upcoming week. In the meantime check out these for more photos, swatches and thoughts: Beaut.ie - First Look: Tom Ford Metallic Beauty