NOTD: Chanel Peridot

Today's NOTD is the stunning Chanel duochrome that launched 10,001 knock-offs (none of which hold a candle to the original).

Chanel Peridot was originally released with Quartz and Graphite for Fall 2011 (looking back, what a collection!).

Swatches are two coats, no topcoat.

NOTD: Dior Apparat

Today's NOTD is Dior Apparat, the darkest color in the Diorific Golden Coffret, a trio released for Holiday 2013. This is a dark red with gold flecks.

Nails were painted with two coats, no top coat.

Photo was also taken with flash.

NOTD: Dior Almee

Today's NOTD is Dior Almee, one of three shades from the 2013 Diorific Golden Coffret. Almee is the lightest and sheerest shade of the trio.

Nails were painted with three thin coats, no top coat. My apologies for the rectangle, but the bottle was acting as a mirror.

NOTD: Dior Aladin

Today's NOTD is Dior Diorific Aladin, one of three shades released with the Holiday 2013 Diorific Golden Coffret.

Aladin is the mid-tone shade in the coffret.

This is three thin coats and no top coat.  It's a beautiful, festive shade.  Sorry to obscure part of the bottle, but it acted as a mirror!

NOTD: Chanel Cosmic

It's not often that the mere sight of a nail polish bottle makes me gasp.  Well, dear readers, that's exactly what happened to your Quirky Beauty at the mall on Monday night. I stopped in to pick up a new pink-based neutral shade for my nails and came home with a polish I've been stalking for four months instead. The neutral can wait until Friday (payday).

Chanel Cosmic is one of two limited edition polishes released exclusively to Chanel.com and Macys on Cyber Monday.  Early rumors placed the release on Black Friday; they turned out to be just a bit off.  I was under the impression that this was a web exclusive, but my local store received 3 of each (Cosmic and Magic).  For international readers, these are the Fashion's Night Out shades you all had access to back in September.  Since the US FNO was cancelled, we had to wait nearly three months to get these!

These swatches are with 2 coats, 1 coat of Formula X top coat.  I struggled to photograph the shimmer, but it's there in real life. It's unique from Chanel (if I ever get a light box, I'll do a blacks comparison post), but doesn't read glitter the way that say, Dior Diva does.

Cosmic is a black base with silver glitter suspended in it.  The glitter is finely milled and shows up well in the bottle.  On the nail, it reads as a black creme unless you're looking very closely at your fingers. I have to remove this polish because of an important work function, so I'll have time to play with the mani again soon.

This picture is a bit out of focus, but it gives you a sense of the glitter in the base:

Pricing/Availability: $27, limited-edition via Chanel.com or Macys

FOTD: Lazy Weekend

Today, I bring you something different- a FOTD (face of the day).  Although this particular look was actually worn last Saturday, this is perfect for a casual weekend doing some holiday shopping with loved ones and a cozy dinner for two.

Here's what I used to create the look:

Skincare/Primers (outside of the shower):

• Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream
• Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion
• Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer
• Diorshow Lash Maximizer
• NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Brushes:

• Sephora Professional Complexion Brush
• MAC #188
• Tarte Blush Brush
• Sephora I.T. Collection Fan Brush
• Anastasia Beverly Hills #7 Angle/Spooley
• Tarte Concealer Blush
• Ulta Eye Shadow Brush #2

Makeup:

• Chanel Les Beiges No. 10
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Foundation- 10 Ivory Light
• Benefit Boi-ing Concealer- Light
• Chanel Le Vernis- Magic
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Magic Marc'er Liquid Eyeliner
• Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
• Dior Addict Eau Delice
• Diorshow Shimmer Star- 002 Amber Diamond
• Diorshow Shimmer Star- 001 Rose Diamond
• Chanel Illusion D'Ombre- 827 Initiation
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder- Caramel
• Le Metier de Beaute Hydra Creme Lipstick- Rose Garnet
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes- 25L
• Diorshow Liner Waterproof- 738 Rosy Gold
• NARS Creamy Concealer- Chantilly
• Anastasia Beverly Hills- Brow Gel

It seems like so many products, but my routine only runs 10-15 minutes, including time for products to set in and to clean the brushes.

NOTD: Chanel Magic

Today's NOTD is one of two limited edition Chanel polishes currently available in the US from Macys.com, select Macys counters (that's where I scored mine), and Chanel.com.  The rest of the world got these back in September as part of Fashion's Night Out.

Chanel Magic is a blue creme that's lighter than my only other Chanel blue- Blue Satin. Many bloggers have compared it to Blue Boy or Blue Rebel, but I don't own either.

These swatches are with 2 coats, and Formula X top coat for shine.  Bottom line: I wore this to work, and during the weekend- so it's totally wearable.

Dior Diorshow Waterproof Stylo Eyeliner #738 Rosy Gold

This is my second "naughty" post for the day.  Naughty in that I'm breaking my rule of only blogging about items that are accessible.  Nice in that this eyeliner is "ohmigod" good.

Dior released the Diorshow Waterproof Stylo Eyeliner #738- Rosy Gold outside of North America as a part of the Holiday 2013 Golden Winter Collection.  I'm despondent that it's not readily available to us in the US, because it's just that great.

The tip:

This eyeliner leans more rosy than rose gold, but it's lovely.  I've been wearing it every day on the lower eye.

Some swatches:

Inside, no flash:

Inside, with flash:

Outside:

It's just a lovely, light shade.  It's perfect for holiday, but is also understated for daily use.

I pulled a few of my other rose gold eyeliners to show the difference.

 L-R: Dior, Sephora + Pantone Universe Rose Dawn, Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof 89 Or Rose


Inside, no flash:

Inside, with flash:

Outside:

When comparing the Dior and Chanel Rose Gold eyeliners from this year, it's clear that the Dior is rose, whereas the Chanel leans heavily golden. 

The formula is excellent- creamy and blendable yet waterproof.

And, as a bonus, I did a truth test on the waterproof aspect of this eyeliner.  Turns out, it really is!  This is what a decently heavy swatch (I went over it 3 times) looks like the next morning, and after a shower. Wow.

Left: fresh swatch.  Right: day-old, after a shower. (No flash)

Left: fresh, Right: day-old (flash)

Not bad!


Bottom Line: If this ever comes across your radar, buy it. This is a great formula, and a neutral that works on many skintones.

Pricing/Availability: Not released in the US; ask your international friends to buy

NOTD: Dior Diorific Royale (#775)

Today's blog posts share a theme: breaking all of my rules!  I've mentioned that I don't like showing you items that aren't readily available, but I can't resist with these beauties.  US-based readers, my apologies. Hopefully you have friends in Europe or Asia like I do who can grab these at their local counters.

Today's NOTD is a polish that I fell in love with at first promo pic.  This was the color that I looked forward to hitting local counters. Unfortunately, Dior decided to keep it from North America. Much love to my makeup angel friend for getting a bottle of Dior Diorific Royale (#775).

Royale is packaged in the jewel-like Diorific bottles that just look amazing on your vanity. These don't have the typical wide Dior brush, but are lovely to work with.

Royale is a saturated, warm pink creme.  This is a true creme, with no shimmer either in the bottle or visible on the nail. My mani is with 3 thin coats.

Royale feels like a fun, festive alternative to red nails, and is perfect for holiday.  It's of similar intensity to Chanel Tentation, but with a creme finish.  I wore this to work and it felt festive but work-appropriate.  I actually put this back on several times.

Buxom Stay-There Shadow in Collie

Today I bring you one of my favorite cream eyeshadows that lasts all day and then some.  I'm a big fan of this formula, and it's an alternative to MUFE's Aqua Creams. I was introduced to this shade this past spring by a cast member at my local SiJCP during an event- and I bought it on the spot. It was part of one of the prettiest makeovers I've had done in my multiple decades of getting makeovers.

Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow is described as "A vibrant, waterproof, shimmering cream eye shadow" and Collie as "sparkling champagne."  Cute alert: the shades are all dog breeds. (Get it? Stay there? Dogs? Awww...)

If you're thinking this looks similar to MUFE Aqua Cream #15, it's in the same family, but Collie is a much more shimmering shade and more of a sparkling nude.

Stay-There shadows come in a small glass container with .12oz of eyeshadow for $18. One of my complaints about this packaging (and most others, for that matters) is that you have to flip it over to see the shade.

This shot illustrates that this is far from a new item I'm posting about.  It's well loved.

I call Collie my easy nude cream shadow I can fall back on when I can't make a decision and want to put forth a beautiful, office-appropriate look with a bit of a kick.

Some swatches:


Inside, no flash:

Inside, with flash:

Outside:

Put simply, this is a nude cream shadow that's one of those foundational pieces for any stash.  It's like your favorite pair of jeans- always looks just right.

These wear like iron on me- it takes scrubbing after 18 hours.

Bottom Line: I like the formula, and this is one of my favorite cream shadows, regardless of color.  This is the perfect nude shadow for me, so I get a lot of use out of it.

Pricing/Availability: $18, at Sephora.

NOTD: Sephora by OPI I'm with Brad

Today's NOTD is a beautiful but discontinued shade.  I've reached for this quite a few times.

This is Sephora by OPI I'm with Brad.  It's a vampy red-brown shimmer that's chic and perfect for winter.

Swatches are 2 coats, with a top coat.  Photo was taken with flash, both because of the weather and to pull out the color.

This is one of my favorite Sephora by OPI shades- I picked up a couple of backup bottles when they were on clearance.

Julep Posh Lip Gloss

I'm a bit behind in this review since this came with my November 2013 Julep box. Julep re-launched their lip glosses with November's collection, and I upgraded just to get this gloss.

Today I'll be looking at "Posh," described by Julep as "sheer black honey gloss."  Readers of this blog will know exactly why I was drawn to it with that description.

Julep's gloss has a typical wand:

Now, is it really black honey as I know it?  Only the swatches will tell. The color in the tube is promising.

Inside, no flash

Inside, with flash

Outside

Outside, on my lips

It's a beautiful but sheer gloss. But how does it compare to Clinique's black honey?

Left: Clinique Supergloss in Black Honey
Middle: Julep Posh Gloss
Right: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

The colors aren't even close- Posh looks very berry compared to the original.

I can't speak to the longevity of Julep's new glosses, but I found Posh to be non-sticky, and could see it wearing for a few hours on me.

Pricing/Availability: $22, via Julep.

NOTD: Dior Exquis

Today's NOTD is one of the first Dior polishes I picked up.  I believe it's from the Holiday 2011 collection of various golds.

Dior Exquis is a bronzey-brown with serious old gold undertones.

Swatches are 2 coats (although this only really needs one), no top coat.  I used the flash so you could get a more accurate picture of what this color looks like in person.

Drybar Full Pint Medium Round Brush

I previously mentioned wanting to try this in a Sunday Dreaming post; a recent Sephora discount code made me make the leap.  Other than my other recent Drybar acquisition, it's been at least six years since I bought a full-sized brush so I was due.

This is the larger of the two round brushes that Sephora stocks from Drybar. I figured it was the size I was seeking for my actual blowout, so I took a deep breath and ordered it (despite it being more expensive).

According to Drybar, it's the ceramic in the brush that heats up and makes for the perfect blowout.  I've been using this brush about a month, and when I have time to do it right, I really enjoy it.  Admittedly, at 5AM I usually don't take the time.

I find that this brush works well and I can eliminate any further styling of my hair when I take the time to blow it out in sections.  This creates a lovely, natural look that I'd love to have the ability to recreate on a daily basis. In the name of time management, it's not so practical with my hair that resists drying like nobody's business.

Bottom Line: There are probably cheaper alternatives that create a similar final look. However, as infrequently as I buy brushes, this works for me. if you're looking for high-quality tools and don't mind the pricepoint, I recommend looking into Drybar's brushes.  I'm quite happy with the two that I have.

Pricing/Availability: $40, via Sephora, Drybar, or QVC.

NOTD: Burberry Nail Polish No. 303- Oxblood

Today's NOTD is one of the first releases from Burberry Beauty's first foray into nail polish.  I figured that Number 303, Oxblood, was both perfectly on-trend and also unique to my collection enough to justify the purchase.

I got about a day and a half wear before my first chip- about average for me and nail polish, it seems. Tom Fords are spoiling me.

I have to admit that this color is an attention-grabber. I had multiple women stop me and ask me what was on my nails.  I do like this color, and wish I'd been able to get better photos of it. But with the short days, there's little I can do!

NARS Lip Gloss in Bad Education

My many hours lurking on various beauty forums paid off in the form of today's item, NARS Bad Education Lip Gloss.  It's no longer on Sephora's site, but I was able to nab it for $10 when it was briefly in stock.  Keep your eyes out since they did the Albatross lip gloss last holiday at that price- I suspect this might be 2013's shade.

Bad Education is described as "sheer crimson red," but I find it to be a totally wearable, almost brick red on my heavily pigmented lips.  This is the only other color I've been wearing lately other than my trusty LMdB Hydra-Creme lipstick, so that says something about the color. It's a perfect fall red, and totally office appropriate.

Here are some swatches:

Inside, no flash:

Inside, with flash:

Outside:

I struggled to get a true shot of this on my lips. Hence the multiple shots, from different rooms/angles.

Inside, no flash:

Inside, with flash:

Outside:

Out of all of those, the shots with flash come the closest to what I see when I look in the mirror when I'm wearing this shade.



I get several hours wear out of NARS lip glosses, but I tend to eat and drink more frequently than my lip gloss would like.

Bottom Line: Keep your eyes out for this one if it pops up again on sale. It's worth it for sure!

Pricing/Availability: Currently OOS at Sephora (especially at the sale price), but available from NARS' website for $25.