EYESHADOW

Regard Signe De Chanel in Topkapi – Collection Byzance

June 23, 2011

In the word of Rachel Zoe I went ‘BANANAS’ today’!! Because the Collection Byzance De Chanel just arrived in Australia. I actually planned to take a rest at home for the whole day today as I was feeling quite sick, as soon as I got a call from my beloved Chanel SA, I rushed down to my closest Chanel counter and got myself a few goodies. First thing I wanted to show you is the Regard Signe De Chanel Quadra Eye shadow Palette in Topkapi. It may look like another boring neutral eyeshadow palette from the promo picture to some people, but you HAVE to see it in real life if you have any faith in Chanel. It is simply breathtaking!

It is a limited edition palette and as far as I know the quantity is very limited – there are only 100 of this available in Australia! Different to the regular Chanel eyeshadow quad, this palette comes with a black insert and has a Chanel Logo embossed on each shadow, which is a bonus for the die hard fans like me 🙂

How does this one compare to the regular quads? I declare with my hand on my heart – the quality and texture of these shadows are by far the best Chanel has ever done! They are so silky smooth and soft, not powdery and extremely pigmented. What you see in the pan is what you get on the skin. I hope this quality will be carried over to all the future releases from Chanel…

CLOCKWISE:

Cool toned silvery taupe

A shimmery yellow gold

A dark burgundy brown with fine red shimmers, on the skin it shows up as matte

Shimmery bronze

SWATCH

On my eyes:

The taupe shade all over my eyelid

The dark brown shade smudged all along my upper lash line

The bronze at the outer v and along the outer corner of my lower lash line

The gold at the inner corner of lower lash line

The gold and the taupe are the stand out for me. This gold shade looks good as a highlighter for the inner corner of the eyes, or can be worn all over the eyelid which is also stunning.

The taupe shade reminded me of the recently released stylo yeux eyeliner in Rose Platine but in the form of powder.

Overall Look

Thought would give it a go as I am not feeling well , glad the pictures didn’t show much sign of it..haha the art of makeup 😛

without flash

with flash

Last but not least, along with Regard Signe De Chanel Quad I have also picked up two limited edition blushes which are also absolutely stunning. Will review them in my next post 🙂 Hopefully I will get better soon as I have so many blogs to catch up on!

FYI Regard Signe De Chanel Quad retails for $100 in Australia.

{ 21 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • EYESHADOW • FOTD

Kanebo and Etude House Haul, Shoutout to Elaine, and Ramblings

June 20, 2011

I am so excited to show you this haul today! It’s very special to me because I wouldn’t be able to get hold of these makeups if I didn’t have this blog. One of the greatest things I have enjoyed from blogging to date is getting to know people all around the world who share the same passion with makeup as I do. I am not a pro blogger nor do I do this for living, it is really just my hobby to express my love for makeup. The experience has been really awesome so far, reading comments from all of you completes my day 🙂

Okay back to the topic, I want to do a big SHOUTOUT to Elaine. She is one of the kindest and sweetest girls I have met on the blogging community, do check out her awesome blog! I cannot thank her enough for helping me buy some of the Kanebo eyeshadow palettes and Etude House blushes which I have wanted for so long. I did give her quite a long shopping list but unfortunately some of the Kanebo palettes have been discontinuted and are no longer available over the counter – I have to buy them over the evil bay..

My Kanebo Haul

My measly Kanebo Eyeshadow Palettes Collection

still in progress and hopefully I will be able to get hold of more

ETUDE House Haul

they make the best and most affordable cute blushes!

Elaine’s gift to me! So kind of her 🙂

A makeup pouch, lots of facial masks and a Fasio Eyeshadow Palette

Fasio Eyeshadow Palette

Love Fasio..it’s just as good as Kanebo at a fraction of its price

Reviews and swatches will be coming up in the next few weeks 🙂

{ 4 comments }

Labels: BLUSH • Etude House • EYESHADOW • KANEBO • LUNASOL • SHOP

Giorgio Armani Intense Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow in 8 Nola Swatch

June 17, 2011

There is no way I can leave the Giorgio Armani counter empty handed. Along with my recent lipstick purchase, I also bought a few GA Intense Eyes To Kill Silk Eyeshadows. Today I want to talk about the shade 08 NOLA which is a beautiful champagne color that really wowed me when I swatched it in real life.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with these shadows, basically they have a hybrid texture of powder and cream. They are extremely pigmented and have a high voltage shimmer. I have previously reviewed the shade 15 NOIGA and 13 NOIFA – they were released as Limited Editions from the Holiday 2010 collection and now they have been re-promoted to the permanent line.

My overall thoughts about the new ones remain the same as these previous two. The only difference I want to mention is that I feel the new shadows are more loosely packed compared to the LE ones – the texture is more of a hybrid between cream and pigment as opposed to powder. Some of the testers at the counter all shattered into pigments..the SA recommended to use the included insert to press firmly onto the shadow to make it stay intact after use each use.

The shade 08 NOLA is a peachy bronzy champagne color in the pan, but shows up as a true champagne color on the skin.

Judging by the picture below, you will know that I am quite obsessed with champagne colors. It is just the most flattering color to highlight the inner corner, and I always prefer to use cream based products because they last longer on the tear duct area than the pencil eyeliners.

CLOCKWISE:

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow in Beach Honey

Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten

Stila Shadow Pot in Honey

Just to compare these products:

1. Mac Paint Pot is so dry and chalky after a few months of use (as you can see in the picture) so I won’t buy anymore paint pots…

2. Bobbi Brown Beach Honey is a nice base for the eyelids, but not shimmery enough as a highlighter.

3. Stila in Kitten and Honey appears to be the closest dupes, but I prefer GA Nola which has a purple tinge to it.

4. Giorgio Armani is the most pigmented and long lasting shadow out of all these – a little goes a long way and both the color and the sheen stays on for an entire day. So this one is definitely the keeper!

FYI Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow retails for $49 in Australia.

{ 12 comments }

Labels: EYESHADOW • Giorgio Armani

Becca Lost Weekend Collection – Eyeshadow Palette Review

May 24, 2011

While many of the makeup lovers are enjoying the newly released Halcyon Days Summer Collection by Becca in the States and UK, Becca has “quietly” launched the Lost Weekend Fall Collection in Australia about a week ago. All products are available online as well as at Beccca stores. The collection is absolutely beautiful – I am once again smitten by how gorgeous the models look in the promo picture of Lost Weekend Collection on Becca’s website.

The collection is focused on neutral, dusty and earthy shades – right up my alley. Unfortunately the blushes are way too dark for my pale complexion, so I only picked up the limited edition Lost Weekend eyeshadow palette ($65 AUD).

Comparing my picture to the official promo picture, I think my picture is a more accurate swatch of the product. Except for the eyeshadow in the middle, the two eyeshadows on the sides are more of a mauvey brown rather than chocolately brown as shown in the promo pic.

A closer look at the eye shadows

From left to right:

Moleskin (Matt): a light beige with a mauve undertone

Chino (Matt): a chocolatey tan

Moire (shimmery): a mauvey light brown with fine silver shimmers

Swatched on my arm:

The powders are velvety soft and glides on effortlessly to the skin without the need of any eyeshadow primer. For some reason the swatch of Moleskin (left) and Moire (right) appear quite pink on my arm, this is not the case on my eyes. They definitely show up more brown with just a hint of mauve.

It is also worth noting that the palette comes with a little blending brush as opposed to the usual shading brush. The hairs feel just as soft as the regular sized becca brushes. Both the shape and the size of the bristles reminds me of one of my all time favorite blending brush #12 from Nars.

Look how identical they are.

Bottom Line: I really love this eyeshadow palette – a nice addition to have for the neutral makeup lovers. The swatches on my arm don’t do its justice, I will do a FOTD with this palette sometime in the near future.

FYI: The Halcyon Days Summer Collection is to be launched in Australia in July, and vice versa, the Lost Weekend Fall Collection will be launched in UK and USA around the same time.

{ 1 comment }

Labels: BECCA • EYESHADOW

Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Fauve

May 17, 2011

Chanel Ombre Essentielle in 90 Fauve is another limited edition eyeshadow that is only available at some countries. It was released as part of the Sublime de Chanel Collection and the collection arrived in Australia last week! Being a taupe eyeshadow lover and a Chanel fan I knew I had to have it.

Fauve is a mauvy taupe with mainly silver shimmers in it. My first thought when I saw this eyeshadow in real life was the size of the shimmers is larger than usual Chanel . If you own any of the Chanel Ombre Essentielle, I am sure you will agree with me the texture of their mono eyeshadow is much better than that of the Chanel eyeshadow quad. In the case Fauve, it is not as buttery soft (slightly more grainy because of the shimmers) as the other mono eyeshadows such as Taupe Grise – which is the best eyeshadow texture Chanel has ever done!

Comparing to Taupe Grise and Safari, Fauve is a lighter taupe and has the highest amount of shimmer.

Swatches:

Swatched on my eye:

My final thought: I love it! Fauve blended out beautifully, the sparkle appears to be more subdued on the eyes and it sets nicely against my skintone without looking too frosty. There wasn’t any fall out . I like the fact that Fauve can be used as a subtle wash on the lid, it creates such a nice depth to my eyes, whereas Taupe Grise can look too heavy for a day time look when applied the same way.

{ 6 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • EYESHADOW

FOTD – Nars Eyeshadow Palette and OOTD

May 16, 2011

The FOTD and OOTD were from yesterday. I had a wonderful time celebrating a special occasion with my family at an amazing Restaurant – the Quay. I basically wear the same makeup to work everyday, so special occasions like this allow me to have more fun with my makeups. I decided to use my new Nars eyeshadow palette (reviewed here), the rest were chosen to complement the eye look.

Finished Look

I was bored with my fringe, so I pinned my fringe back for the night.

Face Products Used:

Face: Guerlain Radiance concentrate with Pure Gold Makeup Base was applied before the Becca Luminous Skin Colour foundation.

Cheeks: Nars the Multiple Tint in Turks & Caicos layered with Nars Blush in Luster.

Highlight: Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer to highlight my under eye areas, then set it with Benefit powerflage . Shu Uemura Glow as highlighter on my cheekbones and nose bridge.

Note* to my dear reader who has requested for a review of Guerlain Radiance makeup base, I promise it is coming up soon!

Eyes and Lips:

Eyes: Primed my eyes with Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. Nars Silk Road was applied all over my eyelids, then Nars Brumes was applied along my upper and lower lash lines. Koji Ultrafine was used to do the winged out eyeliner look, then finish it with falsies and Fairy Drop volumising mascara on my lower lashes.

Lips: Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Hopi

False Eyelashes Used: my favorite style now!

Closer look at the lashes:

The weather has been so cold lately, I just wanted to cocoon myself inside my soft quilt. I rely on my Jill Stuart coat that has brought warmth to me in the winters.

Coat by Jill Stuart

Dress by Alice + Olivia

Chanel 2.55

{ 12 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • EYESHADOW • FALSE LASHES • Fashion • FOTD • Jill Stuart • NARS • OOTD

NARS Makeup Your Mind Express Yourself Eye Kit

May 9, 2011

NARS has recently released a new book “Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself”. Before the arrival of this book I have already got my hands on this exciting new makeup kit by NARS – “Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself Eye Kit” that goes with this book. All items are designed for you to re-create the looks featured in the book. It contains:

– A new eyeshadow Palette!!

– Larger Than Life Volumising Mascara in Full Size

– Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base in Medium Size

– Eye makeup remover in Medium Size

This is what the box looks like:

It also contains a little booklet that shows you how to use the enclosed eyeshadow palette.

Nars eyeshadow palettes to me are irresistible – they are just divine, compact and easy to use. Having this new addition to my existing Nars collection is a joy – even though I have already owned most of these shades in other packages.

A closer look at the eyeshadow:

As usual all eyeshadows in the palette have the same texture and amazing pigmentation as the individual or duo Nars eyeshadows. This palette contains some of my all time favorite Nars neutral shades – Abyssinia (a matte beige) ; Galapagos (an intense brown with gold flecks) and Brumes II (a shimmery blue grey). Strada and Fuji are outside of my comfort zone, but they look gorgeous pairing with the neutral shades . Silk Road has always been a let down for me, I was hoping this one would have a better texture than the original one. Unfortunately it is still chalky and contains chunky golden flecks…love the color though.

On me: I felt a little more daring today so I wore

– Abyssinia as a base and brow highlight,

– Strada all over my eye lids

– Brumes II on the outer v corner

– Galapagos along my lower lash line

I will report back the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base soon. I have heard so many good things about it!

{ 6 comments }

Labels: EYESHADOW • FOTD • NARS

NARS Nouveau Monde Swatch

March 24, 2011

NARS Nouveau Monde is another must have eyeshadow duo from Nars – it is part of the NARS Spring 2011 collection. When it comes to eye shadows, I know Nars will never let me down. The beauty of Nars duo eyeshadow is when you look at the color combination in the pan, sometimes they do seem odd to me. When you have them on your eyes, this is the moment you realise Francois Nars is a genius for makeup creation.

The combination of Nouveau Monde was beyond my expectation the moment I applied them on my eyes. The lilac shade is just perfection. It is not frosty, neither too silvery nor too bluey, just a perfect lavender shade with a taupe undertone. I was a bit wary about the moss shade at first – it can look too warm on me. Surprisingly it complements the cool toned lavender shade.

NARS Nouveau Monde on my eyes. I applied the lavender shade all over my eye lids,then apply the moss shade in the outer corner.

The thought of wearing lavender and moss shades to the office has never crossed my mind until I found this one. I would totally wear this color combination to work tomorrow – glad tomorrow is Friday!

{ 9 comments }

Labels: EYESHADOW • FOTD • NARS

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