Chanel 2011 Fall Makeup Collection Preview From Paris

Left to Right:  529 Graphite, 525 Quartz, and 531 Peridot

source:  www.style-laboratory.net

What we know now will be included in the Fall 201 Makeup collection: 

• 24 Karat Liquid Gold Eyeliner
• Rouge Allure Velvet Collection Lipstick
• Les 4 ombres in Topkapi
• Jouses contraste Blush in OR (gold), Rouge (red) and Mocha 
• Soin Tendre Levres - Clear Lip Balm
• Le Vernis in Shade #437 Coromandel (repromote)
• Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstikcs

El dorado Joues Contraste blush which was previously released in teh US as a limited edition blush was used int eh Paris' fashion week, but that doesn't necesarrily mean they will re-release it for the fall.  

It looks as thought the chrome nail trend isn't going away any time soon and will roll right into the fall shades.  All three nail polishes, Graphite, Quartz and Peridot are all very pearly and very shinny.

I'm really loving all three of the nail polishes and I can't wait to try the gold eyeliner and blush....it's just something new!!!9

Make Up For Ever Uplight (Face Luminizer Gel) Review

Make Up For Ever UpLight Dewy Golden Beige, #12

Make Up For Ever UpLight #12

Blended Out on Left - Amount that comes out on Right

Overall I thought the uplight was pretty good...it provides such a nice sheen to the face and I thought it looked great, but I just can not seem to get past the bad packaging.  We all work way too hard for our money to feel like we are wasting product!  :)  I've pretty much covered everything I need to say about this product in the beauty report card.

Product Details:

• Available in 8 different shades and 3 effects:  silky, pearly or sparkling - $29
• Product claims to contain reflecting pigments which capture and diffuse light.  It can be applied to skin on it's own or mixed with foundation. 
• Contains 70% water.

Nail of the Day - OPI Rally Pink and OPI Red Shatter: Serena Williams Set

OPI Rally Pink is a vibrant purple-pink base with gold glitter shot through it. It reminds me a ton of Zoya Faye. However, OPI's Rally Pink is a bit more pink of a base with gold glitter than Zoya's Faye, which is more of a purple base with gold glitter. However, the two nail lacquers are very similar. I've attached a photo of Zoya Faye for you all to view at the bottom of this post (when my nails were less ravaged and longer!)

As for OPI's Red Shatter. I applied a rather sheer coat on the left hand and a thicker coat on my right. As you can see, the sheerer the coat, the less "shatter" you get. I like the OPI Red Shatter more opaque than sheer, like it it is on my right hand, versus on my left. However, I don't really understand OPI Rally Pink and OPI Red Shatter together. They two colors, in  my opinion, don't really go together, so I am a little baffled why they are sold together. In the future, I will do a post with all the OPI Shatter Polishes alone for you to view how they look on the nails in comparison to the China Glaze Crackle polishes. (OPI's Black Shatter, Silver Shatter, Red Shatter, White Shatters (Coming Soon) VERSUS China Glaze Black Mesh, Fault Line, Lightening Bolt, Broken Hearted, Concrete, Crushed Candy.)

To apply these two lacquers, I applied two coats of OPI Nail Envy Matte as a base coat, two coats of OPI Rally Pink, and one coat of OPI Red Shatter. Finally, I added Seche Vite as a top coat on all the nails, including the Shatter Nail. I hope you all enjoy!

OPI Rally Pink (Two Coats) and OPI Red Shatter (One Coat) with Flash

OPI Rally Pink (Two Coats) and OPI Red Shatter (One Coat) with Flash

OPI Rally Pink (Two Coats) and OPI Red Shatter (One Coat) with Flash

OPI Rally Pink (Two Coats) and OPI Red Shatter (One Coat) with Flash

OPI Rally Pink (Two Coats) and OPI Red Shatter (One Coat) with Flash (Right Hand where OPI Red Shatter Worked Better)

OPI Rally Pink (Two Coats) and OPI Red Shatter (One Coat) NO Flash

Zoya Faye - Two Coats with Flash

MAC'S STUDIO FINISH CONCEALER...Sorry MAC, but I think you can do better!!!

NW25

NW25

NW25

Top Left to Right:  NC15, NW15, NC20, NW20, N225, NC30, NW30
Bottom Left to Right:  NC35,NC42,NW40,NC45,NW45,NC50,NW50

Most of you know by now that, in general, I really like MAC products, especially their eye shadows.  I am always on a hunt for that under eye, dark circle concealer.  There are some that I definitely think are better than others, but none that I have been completely, 100% sold on, so I continue to search....:)

I purchased the MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW25 which, like many of MAC products, have a fairly good skin tone match.  It also has SPF35 protection which is always a plus.  I never understand why anyone would purchase concealer/foundation without SPF protection, especially when so many products out there have it now.  

Anyways, I think the color match is excellent, and the coverage works quite well on blemishes, and skin discoloration, however, I have to tell you...I don't like the way the concealer wears...it likes to settle in my fine lines when applied under the eye to cover dark circles.  Now, you tell me, why would I want to use a product that is suppose to conceal my dark circles if its going to settle in my fine lines and draw even more attention to the very area I am trying to conceal???

I think I will pass on this concealer as there are way too many on the market to settle for one that settles in the fine lines.

Sorry, MAC, but I think you can do better!

Product Details:

Price:  $17 for 7g/.24 oz

"Emollient-based designed to cover skin's imperfections and discolorations, dark circles, blemishes, moles, tattoos and birthmarks.  It is enriched with antioxidants (derivatives of vitamin A and vitamin E) and contains silica to help absorbs the skin's oils.  Water resistant, fragrance free and non-acnegenic." - Mac Website

Drugstore Makeup Tutorial for Summer 2011!

LiveLoveLaughs1209 requested a drugstore makeup tutorial. At first I was like...drugstore? But I own very few drugstore products! However, I took the opportunity to get an education in affordable makeup. My naivete was short lived when the first product I purchased was a total DUD! So buyer's beware - Revlon Cream Shadow Quads are bad news bears! However, I found some really nice drugstore products that I am really starting to love! Enjoy!

 

Products Used:
Face:

• Cover Girl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation #325 Sandstone
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in Light #10
• Milani Minerals Baked Bronzer in Soleil #5
• Milani Minerals Powder Blush with Brush #201 Luminous

Eyes:

• Revlon #20 Naturally Glamorous Eye Palette
• Light Champagne
• Cool Brown
• Deep Black-Brown
• Revlon Color Stay Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Black
• Avon Super Shock Eyeliner in Khaki Shimmer
• Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black
• L'Oreal Pencil Perfect Self Advancing Eyeliner in Black
• Mac Impeccable Brow Pencil in Taupe (I forgot to buy a drugstore eyebrow pencil, sorry!)

Lips:

• L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick #421 Charismatic Coral
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Lip Gloss #110 Fruity Pink

Nail of the Day - OPI Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter

This is OPI's Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter from the OPI's Pirate's of the Caribbean Collection. For details on the collection, please go here. As you can see, OPI Mermaid's Tears is a muted sea foam green. It's actually an extremely pretty color on the nails and the only lacquer from the entire collection, other than the Silver Shatter, that I purchased in a full size bottle. I also purchased the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean mini set which includes, Skull and Cross Bones, Planks a Lot, Sparrow Me the Drama and Stranger Tides. The only lacquer from the collection I didn't purchase was Steady as She Rose (which I think is going to be the most popular, but my least favorite of all the lacquers.) To be honest, I feel like Steady as She Rose (a light muted pink) is so much like a ton of the other colors being released right now. I found the other colors in the collect a lot more interesting, especially OPI Mermaid's Tears.

To apply OPI Mermaid's Tears, I applied OPI Nail Envy in Matte as a basecoat (I went back to OPI Nail Envy because my nails are in such disarray after battling law school finals), two coats of OPI Mermaid's Tears, and Seche Vite as a top coat. For the OPI Silver Shatter Polish, I applied the polish on top of the Mermaid's Tears with Seche Vite as a top coat for this result. I had no problem getting the polish to shatter even though I had painted a top coat on OPI Mermaid's Tears (the sales lady told me she had trouble making the polish shatter when she painted a top coat, I didn't experience this.) I didn't paint a top coat over the OPI Silver Shatter so you all could see the finish. It's not matte, because the Silver Shatter polish is obviously sparkley, but I would highly recommend painting a top coat. The Silver Shatter feels a bit rough and gritty, a top coat makes the polish smooth.

OPI Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter - Two Coats with Flash

OPI Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter - Two Coats with Flash

OPI Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter - Two Coats with Flash

OPI Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter - Two Coats NO Flash

OPI Mermaid's Tears and OPI Silver Shatter - Two Coats NO Flash

Summer 2011 Makeup Suggestions with Swatches

I wanted to make a list of my favorite products for summer that are both limited edition and permanent products. If the product is limited edition, I tried to include a permanent alternative for you all to check out. I hope you all find this helpful. I know this video is pretty long, but I wanted to show you guys a variety of products without being restricted by time. Enjoy!



Products Mentioned:

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
• Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 (Pressed or Loose)
• Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar
• Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Blissful
• Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Sea Star Bronzing Blush
• Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel - Bronze Corail
• Mac Bronzer in Refined Golden
• Mac Eyeshadow in Woodwinked
• Mac Paint Pot in Rubenesque
• Estee Lauder Dual Ended Pencil in Pink and Teal
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream #12
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash
• Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Pink Passion
• Jack Black Lip Balm
• Carmex Lip Balm
• Estee Lauder Coral Sun Lipstick
• Mac Vegas Volt Lipstick
• Mac Exxxhibitionist Kissable Lip Color
• Mac Made to Order Lipstick
• Mac Fresh Salmon Lipstick
• Mac So Vain Kissable Lip Color
• Mac Ravshing Lipstick
• Buxom Plumping Lip Crayon in Athens
• Dior Addict Model Lipstick
• Mac Petals and Peackcocks Lipstick
• Laura Mercier Hibiscus Bloom Gel Lipstick
• Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Mary Kay Eye Primer, Too Faced Shadow Insurance

MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow (Duo) - Launches Summer 2011 - May 19 US/June Intl

This & That

Mix & Switch

Pretty & Plum

Thunder & Rain

Sage & Wisdom

Thunder & Rain

Mix & Switch
(Frosty dirty copper/Satin beige)

Thunder and Rain
(Frost blue purple/satin grey)

This and That
(Frost beige rose/Satin light beige)

Heaven & Earth
(Frost deep teal/Satin black)

Sage & Wisdom
Frost light green/Satin deep green

Pretty & Plum
(Frosty rose burgundy/Satin yellow pink)

Product Details:

6 Shades 

2.5 g/.08 US oz

$19.50

"Mineralize Duo Shadows have two coordinating shades baked together in one pan.  The finish is a super fine pearl leaving soft dimensional shimmer on the skin"  maccosmetics.com.


I may buy a couple of these as you all know, I love MAC products so I can hardly ever stay away from any of their launches altogether :)  I think the shades are pretty common, so nothing is really jumping out at me screaming "buy me," but when I actually swatch the product, I'll probably change my mind :)