September 2017 Favorites

I love doing my monthly favorites... I hope that they're fun for you to read as well. I've been testing so many new products that I've tried to keep my favorites streamlined. Any links are to previous reviews that I've done on the blog for your reference.

Eyes:

Eyeshadow: I really kept reaching for three palettes this month- Natasha Denona Lila Palette, PUR Trolls Palette, and LORAC Mega Pro 1. I'd expect these three to keep popping up from time to time. I'm also still a huge fan of all of the MAC Girls Palettes.

Eyeliner and Mascara: Other than my favorite trio of ABH liners, I also reached for the long-discontinued Chanel Perle de Lune and was thrilled to bring the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Eyeliner back into my life via the Ulta sale. Nothing like keeping it simple.


Cheeks and Face:

Blush: Dose of Colors Blush in StateMint brought me back down the rabbit hole into old habits. Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Bliss found its way back into my drawer, and I purchased a full-sized version of Tarte Paarty. When I wasn't wearing a light pink nudey blush, I was also wearing Natasha Denona Blush Duo #15.

Bronzer: I've been reaching for two bronzers- both from the drugstore- this month. I'm so close to finishing my Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze and L'Oreal Glam Bronze 01 is my cool-toned go-to.

Contour: I feel sort of like I'm cheating since I only bought this halfway through the month, but Catrice Prime & Fine Professional Contouring Palette has been my go-to since I purchased it when I want an effortless contour. I've been testing other products, but I love this little guy. Look for a full review soon.

Highlighter: I wasn't very committed to highlighters this month. Fenty Beauty Metal Moon and Becca Prismatic Amethyst probably found their way onto my cheeks the most frequently.


Lips: 

Basics: I continue to worship Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer, as it now allows me to comfortably wear matte liquid lips. I've also been using up my Fiona Stiles Ultra Luxe Nourishing Lip Balm.

Lipstick: I'm still fairly boring when I'm reaching for lipsticks. Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Peacemaker and Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Uber Beige are still my go-tos.

Liquid Lipstick: I discovered how much I like two formulas this month. Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Lipstick in Freshly Baked ruled my daytime looks, whereas I've been playing with Dose of Colors Matte Liquid Lipstick in Berry Me at night. I can't wait for it to cool enough to wear it out during the day.

Lip Gloss: It was all about Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow this month. Period. End stop.


Base Products:

Primers: I've been trying to finish primers this month, so the only constants are my Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 spray- which is a must, the L'Oreal Magic Base to fill in some fine lines, and the Milk Makeup Blur Stick.

Concealers: Tarte Shape Tape. Any questions?

Foundations: I rediscovered how much I love the Chanel Perfection Luminere Velvet foundation this month. I continue to enjoy La Mer The Foundation (tell me if you'd like my thoughts), It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Gel Cream.

Powders: I forget why I stopped using Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light under my eyes. It's one of two powders (the other being the NYX one I talked about yesterday) that set my eyes this month). In terms of all-over powder, it's been either the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder or MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural.


Nails:

Color: I'm going back to my roots here. I had one of a few shades on my nails most of the month. Thanks to Glossybox for bringing Morgan Taylor Magician's Assistant into my life. I've also been loving some CVS finds- Pop-Arazzi Pewter Perfect & Staying Up Slate. I also pulled Chanel Alchimie out for the few days it was cool (Side note: whoa, that's digging in the archives to find that post!). I also put China Glaze Pearl Jammin' on my nails as soon as I purchased it (there's something fresh about muted pastels in fall).


Skincare and Bodycare:

Skincare:  I ran out of Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and my skin showed it almost immediately. I now have a $80 staple in my routine. I also continue to enjoy First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer.

Bodycare: I rediscovered my love for L'Occitane's almond line this month. In particular, I've been loving the L'Occitane Almond Milk Lotion. In the shower, I fell in love with Le Petit Marseillais Shower Gel in Mandarin and Lime.


That's it for my beauty favorites- but I'd love to share a few non-beauty items with you as well.


Non-Beauty:

Style-wise, I've been loving the combination of my Sam Edelman Felicia Flats, and will be picking up other colors. These come in wide, which is wonderful. I've also been wearing my Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote on a daily basis.  This might be TMI, but I've discovered how lovely the Delimira Womens' Plus Size Maternity Bras are. I'm not pregnant, nor have I had a baby recently. However, I am a thirty-something who is naturally "blessed". Those bras give me nighttime support and actually help ease some of my back pain.

What have you been loving this month?

September 2014 Favorites

I'm running a bit late for my monthly favorites, but here goes:

Reviews are linked where appropriate; others will be coming very soon.


Eyes:
Giorgio Armani Organica Eye Palette- By far and away my favorite purchase in awhile, possibly of the year. It's perfect, and creates a foolproof look for me.
Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro #3- My new brow obsession.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Liquid Eyeliner- My new go-to eyeliner pen.


Lips:
NARS Audacious Lipsticks- My new obsession. I can't wait to share these with you. I'm putting my group through their paces.
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. in B*tch Perfect- My new favorite nude.
Lancome Lip Lover 314 Casse Noisette- I'm in love with this formula, and I've been picking up more of the neutral shades lately.


Cheeks:
Chantecaille Cheek Fabric in Bliss- My go-to and perfect cheeks in a palette.
Benefit Rockateur Blush- Perfect for fall, and I don't pull it out often

Nails:

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Black Cherry- My favorite new vampy shade.
Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Bordeaux Lust- I keep going back to this over and over again. It's perfect for my moody nails.
Sephora by OPI Go My Own Way- An old nail polish but one of my favorites. This shade just seems right with my current wardrobe during this month of transition.
Chanel Le Vernis Secret- A lovely, clean nude for fall.
Lancome French Idole Vernis in Love Amethyste Brune- A wonderfully complex, moody purple.
Fragrance:
Si by Giorgio Armani- My transition scent. If I had a better nose for scent, I'd rave about it.


What all did you love last month?

Look out for new posts starting tomorrow!

Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Bliss

Today, I bring you another review that I've taken my sweet time with. Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Bliss ($38, LE) is the brand's special release in celebration of their 15th anniversary collection. I didn't pick up the gorgeous eyeshadow trio, but I did fall head over stilettos for this stunning blush.  Let's just take a moment to enjoy the beauty eye candy.

Bliss, like other Chantecaille blushes, is rather small, weighing in at just 2.5g. If you're anything like me, I've only ever hit pan on one blush before. So, I don't mind the small pebble-like blush.

Although it's not meant to be ergonomically pleasing, this beauty nestles into the palm of your hand just right.

Not that it has anything to do with the blush, but I just wanted to share this cheerful little box:

Now, let's get back to Bliss. It's an incredible shade, and the packaging truly reflects that.

It appears to be a light pink, innocent rosy shade. That rose on the pan is apropos.

In the sun, you can't help but stop and stare. Bliss glimmers without any noticeable shimmer or glitter. It also looks peachy in this full sun shot. It's breathtaking.

Using flash brings out more of the cool pink undertones- and gives you an idea of the super secret shimmer.

But take it inside with the same camera and same flash and it appears a bit warmer. Bliss is quite the chameleon, no?

In case you couldn't tell, I am in love with this stunner and couldn't stop photographing.

Now, let's talk pigmentation and wear. Bliss is the perfect light blush for me. If you're looking for a dark shade, take one last longing look at the stunning rose and keep on walking. This is probably too light for anyone darker than medium complexion. Although it's not even in the same galaxy, I'd throw it in the same universe as Benefit Dandelion. If Dandelion is flattering on your skin tone, you'll love Bliss.

I find that Bliss merely enhances my skin. I wish I could find the site, but another blogger called it  "good genes". I don't claim that phrase, but I agree with her (and wish I could remember who it was; I searched for a good 15 minutes!). Bliss makes my cheeks look luminous from within and healthy. It's my new go-to, and never too much.

In order to make Bliss show up, I had to swatch way too heavy. These swatches were done with a dense eyeshadow brush to pack on pigmentation. For reference, my skin is in the neighborhood of NW10-NW15, Bobbi Brown Alabaster, Burberry 02/202, NARS Mont Blanc.

Direct sun swatch:

Outside swatch, no direct sun:

Bottom line, this is love. It lasts all day, makes my cheeks look perfect, and is never too much. Why can't all blushes be like this?

I purchased mine at my local Chantecaille counter. Although it's hard to find online, (pst, check the brand's website) they're still at counters.

Chantecaille Lip Chic- Wild Rose

First of all, Happy Mothers Day to all of my US readers who are mothers.  I had a shock at the grocery store on Friday when a group of children wished me Happy Mothers Day. I nearly asked "are you talking to me ?!?"  but realized they were attempting to be sweet. Just another reminder that I'm older than I feel.

All of this has a connection with today's post, the incredible Chantecaille Lip Chic in Wild Rose.  My own mother has a soft spot for roses, and I was raised at a home with an enormous rose garden that was my mother's pride and joy.  All summer, every summer our home was constantly filled with bouquets from our back yard.  It's not a leap that any time I hear the word rose, I immediately think of my mother.  To this day, I tend to buy her rose-scented gifts.

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Wild Rose came onto my radar when I attended an event last month at Neiman Marcus named Project Beauty. I finally had the opportunity to see this shade in action and added it to the mental wish list.  I've been testing this for close to a month, and my only regret is that I haven't tried other Chantecaille products earlier.  And that I may have "started something new" since I'm probably going to pick up future releases!

Since this is my first Chantecaille Lip Chic review, I'll take a moment to talk stats and packaging.  Chantecaille Lip Chics contain 2g/0.07oz of product and retail for $35.  I have local Chantecaille counters at Nieman Marcus and Bloomingdales, but products are also available online at Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, Barney's New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Space NK, and the brand's website.  The sleek tube is far smaller than I was expecting, and smaller than the comparable Chanel Rouge Coco Shine.

Chantecaille's website describes the Lip Chic formula as "the perfect combination of gloss and lipstick."  The product description reads as follows:

"This exceptionally comfortable formula is easy to apply in an even finish that is shiny but never sticky. Lip Chic leaves lips fuller and decidedly more youthful in appearance, but never irritated.

• Combines the high shine and plumping effects of a gloss with the rich, even coverage of a lipstick
• Goes on with an incredibly soft, lightweight texture as it helps to smooth and firm the lips"

I'll be honest- I didn't notice any plumping- which is just fine by me since I detest tingling products.

Wild Rose is a LE shade from the Spring 2014 collection, but luckily it's still readily available.  It's described as "sheer and sophisticated fuchsia" by Barneys.  In the tube, it appears to be a bold strawberry red/pink hybrid. However, these are sheer products, so it's not as vibrant on the lips.

I'm going to break with my normal pattern and show this in action before I show swatches. I think it'll be clear why this is probably my favorite new release for Spring 2014:

It's a stunning, wearable shade that looks lovely on my pigmented lips.

Let me show a few swatches, as well as the comparison that I thought might be a dupe. Sadly, it's not.

In the sun (!):

Outside, not in direct sun:

Outside, with flash:

I think it's clear why my mind immediately went to Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine as a comparison.  This is the second year in a row that I've fallen for a sheer, pigmented pink- so I thought they might be dupes.  The shade that came to mind is one of my favorite lipsticks of all time- the LE Pygmalion from Summer 2013, which was my main shade last summer.

I happen to own a backup of Pygmalion- that's how much of a perfect shade it is for me.  It's of the same general genre (sheer, shiny, pigmented pink lipsticks) but Pygmalion is far redder than Wild Rose. I love this photo because it's also in the sun, which has been rare the past few months. There's something about swatches plus white puffy clouds that makes a photo look better, right?

Since I purchased Wild Rose, it's been either in my purse or on my lips every single day. I highly recommend it- it lasts 3-4 hours and fades gracefully.

I love Wild Rose so much that I'm debating whether I should pick up a backup or not.  I tend not to pick up backups simply because of the size of my lipstick stash.  That's how much I love this shade.