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Collections

I’d Trek Across a Burning Desert for the Chanel Dans La Lumiere De L’Ete Summer 2016 Makeup Collection

April 28th, 2016 by Karen 26 Comments

chanel dans la lumiere de lete k1
Wearing the new Chanel Dans La Lumiere De L’Ete Summer 2016 collection on my eyes, cheeks and lips

If you were stranded in the desert…

Would you rather have a machete so that you could whack off some cactus to get some water, or would you rather have the Aqua Glosses from the Chanel Summer 2016 collection?

Would you rather experience a mirage of Ryan Gosling slowly walking shirtless toward you across the glittering hot sand, or would you rather experience a mirage of the Empreinte Du Desert eyeshadow quad from the Chanel Summer 2016 collection glittering in front of you with its four shimmery shades?

I think you know what I’d choose. 🙂

Chanel, baby girl. Chanel. ALL. THE. WAY.

chanel summer 2016
10 of 17 pieces from the Chanel Dans La Lumiere De L’Ete Summer 2016 makeup collection

By the way, drinking water from a cactus? — not such a good idea. Thank goodness for the internet, because if I’d actually been stranded in the desert, I just may have tried that. I mean, it always worked in my old Saturday morning cartoons…

Oh, well! Knowledge is power, yo.

Anywho, summer. Chanel. 2016. We’ve got 17 pieces (one quad, two cheek duos, two liners, a mascara, six lip glosses and five nail polishes) with lots o’ warm colors — cheerful corals (YUM), awesome oranges, burnished bronzes and browns, gilded golds and tantalizing tans, sprinkled with a handful of lush, lovely greens.

I look forward to Chanel summer all year long and go absolutely goo-goo-ga-ga (to quote my daughter, who is now an expert baby babbler) for it. Thus, I LIVE for these colors.

Gimme warm bronze, tan, gold and green any day of the week, babe. If you have a tan, these shades should look amaze-balls on ya.

But it’s not just their warmth that draws me to the pieces in this collection. The finishes are also totally on point.

I think Chanel is really good at getting all the way up to the edge with certain finishes, and then pulling back just a little.

Does that sound weird?

I think it might…but it’s the best way I can describe their brilliance.

chanel summer 2016 empreinte du desert
Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Empreinte Du Desert

Take the quad, for example. The four shades in it — a bronze, tan, brown and green — all have a good amount of shimmer in them, but Chanel dialed it back just a little so the finish doesn’t go full-on frosty. Even though these are powder eyeshadows, they almost look glossy on the lids.

It’s neat, and kind of a dream come true, now that I think about it! It’s not always easy to wear high-shine shadows like these because they tend to emphasize the fine lines on my lids.

Oh, and side note, the wear time on these shadows is totally boss lady. I can pop them on early in the morning, and they’re good until late at night.

Now, getting back to the interesting finishes…

The two Les Beiges Duos are also beautifully nuanced. They’re not quite matte, not quite satin; they’re somewhere in between. I only need the faintest kitten kiss for lots of rich cheek color.

chanel summer 2016 les beiges duo no 2
Les Beiges Duo No. 02

I wear the two duos a little differently. When I want warm peachy bronze cheeks (which go well with bronzy gold eyes like I’m wearing in these pics), I mix the two shades in Les Beiges Duo No. 02 together to wear as a blush, but you can also wear the two shades separately, and use one as a blush and one as a bronzer.

chanel summer 2016 les beiges duo no 1
Les Beiges Duo No. 01

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There are 26 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Collections, Makeup, Product Reviews

You Need at Least One Thing From the MAC Brooke Candy Collection Lip Products for Summer 2016

April 28th, 2016 by Jen Clark 24 Comments

MAC Brooke Candy Collection lip products
The Summer 2016 MAC Brooke Candy Collection lip products

MAC Brooke Candy Collection Summer 2016

Brooke Candy has come out with her second MAC collection in less than a year (available now online and coming to stores May 5th). I think that speaks to how well her first collection did! This one’s about half lip products, and there’s something for everyone in there. 

Among the lip products are a lip pencil and lipstick in MAC’s iconic Whirl shade and its twin called Pamela as a Vamplify lipgloss. There’s a trio of deep vamp-y shades in the lip pencil, lipstick, and gloss, and a couple of staple bright lipsticks that everyone needs.

Let’s start by taking a look at the lippies in the collection…

MAC Brooke Candy Lip Pencils, $17.50 each

All hail MAC lip pencils, am-I-right? I love these. They are so creamy and give you such a sharp, crisp line. TBH, I love just wearing liners on their own, and they act like a matte, long wearing lipstick! And these colors? So on trend! Whirl is one of those must-have colors that belongs in every makeup lover’s kit. It was made uber famous when Kylie Jenner mentioned that it was one of her most loved lip colors.

Night Crawler, one of the shades in the collection, is just so stunning. The pigment is dark and opaque and looks amazing on the lips.

MAC Brooke Candy Whirl Lip Liner (dirty rose)
MAC Brooke Candy Whirl Lip Liner (dirty rose)
MAC Brooke Candy Night Crawler Lip Liner (deep plum)
MAC Brooke Candy Night Crawler Lip Liner (deep plum)

MAC Brooke Candy Lipsticks, $18 each

There is not a single dud in among the lipsticks in this collection. Like I said in the title, you need AT LEAST one of these in your life. The matte shades (Whirl, Doo-Wop, and Witching Hour) are some of my favorite mattes. They feel creamy but have what I would call a satin/matte finish. They aren’t the kind of mattes that suck the life out of your lips, which is oh, so nice, and the amplified shade (Mind Control) packs a punch with amazing pigmentation and a pretty shiny finish.

MAC Brooke Candy Whirl Lipstick (matte dirty rose)
MAC Brooke Candy Whirl Lipstick (matte dirty rose)
MAC Brooke Candy Doo-Wop (matte blue toned pink)
MAC Brooke Candy Doo-Wop (matte blue-toned pink)

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There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Guest Post, Lips, MAC Makeup, Makeup

From One Artist to Another: An Overview of the Kiko SS16 “The Artist” Collection

April 27th, 2016 by Anna Oh 15 Comments

kiko face chart
Kiko “The Artist” Collection Face. (I made a download available of a full face chart below.)

kiko artist collection

Kiko Milano is one of my favorite beauty brands because they create such superb products at nominal prices. I first heard about them through a friend who had traveled to Italy, and I’m excited to see their stores popping up stateside! Now I don’t see a Kiko store coming to my neck of the woods in Atlanta anytime soon, but ordering online makes it just as easy.

For spring 2016, Kiko presents “The Artist” — a limited edition collection to inspire you to become a canvas of your own. The packaging is minimal and clean and was inspired by an artists’s tools. I’m pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail.

kiko artist collection

kiko artist foundation brush
The Artist Foundation Brush ($15)
kiko artist glacial light soft sifter foundation
Kiko Artist Glacial Light Soft Sifter Foundation ($15)

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There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Guest Post, KIKO Milano, Makeup Keywords: kiko milano

MAC Chris Chang of Poesia Collection: Look at it! JUST LOOK AT IT!!

April 27th, 2016 by Jen Clark 30 Comments

The Chris Chang x MAC collection
The MAC x Chris Chang collection

If you’re a color lover, you NEED to indulge in the MAC x Chris Chang collection! Everything about this collection is perfect, stunning, amazing, and any other similarly descriptive word you can think of. While you may glance at the collection and think, “WOAH, NELLY!! No way, Jose!” there really are quite a few things that are extremely wearable. But, it’s also a goldmine for those who like to get creative with their makeup.

Chris Chang x MAC collection
#FOTD using the Chris Chang x MAC collection

The collection arrives online May 5th (in stores May 12th) and sells through June 9th, so act fast if you want to get your hands on anything!

Chris Chang, the fashion designer for Poesia, says that his inspiration “…comes from the traditional aesthetics of ethnic tribes and costumes from various countries, as well as the transformative world of art. My designs are for women who are eccentric and confident. Color is the integral fuel of my imagination and the spirit MAC and I share. This collaboration is a dream come true for the maximalists of the world.”

Chris Chang x MAC collection
Vermillion Vee Lipstick may be my new go-to red! (Rich Coral Cream Colour Base as blush)

I need to get a little bit OTT for just a second about this packaging. Excuse me while I get emotional… Everybody, this is the most delicious, make-my-heart-skip-a-beat, give-me-an-eyegasm packaging I have ever seen in my entire existence. I literally *gasped* when I opened these for the first time, and my jaw sat on the floor for a good 5 minutes. The colors and patterns are just so aesthetically pleasing, as are the actual products.

Here’s a quick look and swatches, and I’ll have more thoughts and pics of the products in action over the coming days (here’s a closer look at the lipsticks)…

The Chris Chang x Mac collection
Look at it! JUST LOOK AT IT!!

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There are 30 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Guest Post, MAC Makeup, Makeup Keywords: MAC Chris Chang

The Incredible NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows!

April 25th, 2016 by Adia Goss 25 Comments

nars under cover dual intensity eyeshadows
I’m still in love with the packaging…

Have you seen the four new Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows in the NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection yet? They are incredible! I REALLY love the finish, because the shimmer is so soft, and they’re so crazy pigmented, that the fact that they’re also versatile and can be worn wet or dry is icing on the cake. You can use a fluffy brush to get just a wash of color, or you can dampen your brush and layer the colors to get more intensity.

Starting with Topless, a light seashell pink — I’m glad NARS included it, because it balances nicely with the bolder colors in the collection.

As for rich neutral brown Tan Lines, it’s neither too warm nor bronzey, but it doesn’t turn gray either, so I think it’s a great eyeshadow color, especially if you’re looking for a rich brown. The shimmer keeps it from being too plain.

And then there’s shimmering teal green Deep End — gorgeous! It reminds me of the waters off a tropical island! I mean, it’s not a color that I tend to wear…but it’s so beautiful.

Lastly, Pool Shark. It’s an iridescent blue with lots of purple shimmer, and it looks mostly blue in the pan, but as you can see in the pictures below, there’s also a lot of purple in it. It’s a really unique color, and I think you can get it to look more blue or purple, depending on how you wear it. I love colors like this because they always look a little different when you wear them!

Here’s a closer look at these stunning eyeshadows:

nars under cover dual intensity eyeshadows
Almost too pretty to use!
NARS under cover collection dual-intensity eyeshadows
Swatches of the Summer 2016 Under Cover NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows (L to R): Topless, Tan Lines, Deep End and Pool Shark (taken with flash)

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There are 25 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Eyes, Guest Post, Makeup, NARS Keywords: NARS Summer 2016

The NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection Dual-Intensity Blushes

April 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 26 Comments

NARS Under Cover Summer 2016 Collection Blushes
This packaging makes me so happy!

As part of the NARS Summer 2016 Under Cover collection, NARS released two Dual-Intensity Blushes — Sexual Content and Liberation ($45 each) — and they are, in a word, gorgeous! I love how NARS collections are always wearable but never boring.

The NARS Dual-Intensity Blushes have a very pigmented, soft formula that can be used wet or dry. When used dry, they’re softly luminous, but if you use them with a dampened brush, the shine is more intense.

These two blush duos are incredibly versatile and would work for a wide range of skin tones, and I love that both of the colors in each duo can work layered or alone.

NARS under cover blushes
NARS Dual Intensity Blushes in Liberation (L) and Sexual Content (R)

Sexual Content has a soft peach on the left and a medium pink on the right, and both shades are so pretty! I think the left color would be a great everyday blush for lighter skin tones and a nice sheen/highlighter for darker skin tones. The color on the right is even more universal. The swatches below are with a heavy hand so that you can really see the color, but these can just as easily be applied lightly for a wash of shimmery color.

NARS under cover blushes
Swatches of NARS Sexual Content Dual-Intensity Blush

Liberation has a cool-toned baby pink on the left and a warm rosy/terracota shade on the right. I think the shade on the right is very unique and gives a lovely natural flush. On lighter skin tones, it may also work as a bronzer. Either way, both shades are super pretty and wearable.

nars under cover blushes
Swatches of NARS Liberation Dual-Intensity Blush
nars under cover blush
NARS Liberation Dual-Intensity Blush

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There are 26 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Face, Guest Post, Makeup, NARS Keywords: NARS Summer 2016

OCC Spring/Summer 2016 Magnetic Fields Collection Lip Tars: Florals With a Psychedelic Twist

April 21st, 2016 by Anna Oh 12 Comments

lip tar magnetic fields ss16

This is not news to anyone, but Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is crazy.

To be specific: crazy cool, crazy passionate, and crazy aspirational.

OCC is one of the most notable brands pushing the limits of color and expression all while being 100% vegan and cruelty-free. And you’ve probably heard of or seen the Lip Tars. Now repackaged in a standard lipgloss tube, they’ve been made even more convenient for…whenever you want green lips!

For Spring/Summer 2016, OCC has taken the idea of the ubiquitous bright lip and mixed it with a psychedelic palette. This is the Magnetic Fields Colour Collection ($16 each), and there are 3 new solid colors plus 3 new iridescent metallics that can be mixed or used individually.

lip-tar-magnetic-fields-artifact
Wearing Artifact OCC Lip Tar
lip tar magnetic fields ss16
OCC Lip Tar Magnetic Fields: Magnolia, Lily, Wasabi, Artifact, Rime, Indrid
lip tar magnetic fields ss16
The repackaged OCC Lip Tar, now with a lipgloss wand

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There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Guest Post, Lips, Makeup, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Nail Understated Poolside Elegance With the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection for Summer 2016

April 13th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 17 Comments

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Summer 2016
Wearing Estée Lauder Gelée Bronzer under my foundation, Summer Glow Multi-Palette on eyes and cheeks, and Lip and Cheek Summer Glow in Peach Glow on lips and cheeks.

For a makeup lover like myself, there is no more exciting sign of ☀ summer’s impending arrival than the annual appearance of Estée Lauder’s glowing, beachy Bronze Goddess collection and its effortlessly radiant sunlit nudes and bold brights.

This year’s release, which ranges from bonzing gels and powder bronzers to shadow palettes, fragrances and highlighters, has some seriously vintage poolside vibes, and I am loving it! ☺

Throw on your shimmering body oil, floppy hat and vintage sunglasses, and let’s take a look at some of the collection’s sumptuous summer treasures.

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess 2016
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess 2016 Gelée Bronzer, Summer Glow Multi-Palette, and Lip and Cheek Summer Glow in Fuchsia Lights, Peach Glow

For me and many of the makeup lovers I know, it’s the highlight and bronzing palettes launched with the Bronze Goddess collections that set our hearts aflutter.

The classicly chic Summer Glow Multi-Palette ($50) comes in a tortoise-shell box and houses a soft pink illuminator, a rosy hued blush and an approachable bronzer. Although it was surely designed with faces in mind, it’s worth noting that the shades also work wonders on eyes as well (particularly the highlighter and bronzer). What a way to tie your look together when you’re in a hurry. ☺

The Gelée Bronzer ($32) has an interesting formula that reminds me of Hard Candy Cheeky Tint in Surfer Babe, except that Surfer Babe applies a transparent wash of iced tea color, while Gelée Bronzer deposits a highly pigmented shade a bit more like a liquified form of a powder bronzer.

Emollient and easy to blend, this bronzer gives you a long “working time” before it sets, but BEWARE! A little goes a long way, which you can see in these swatches.

I prefer to use products like Gelée Bronzer under my foundation to allow the slightest glow to show through; this in turn neutralizes some of the orangey-ness that often accompanies pigmented liquid bronzers.

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess 2016
Bronze Goddess Gelée Bronzer and Summer Glow Multi-Palette

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There are 17 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Estee Lauder, Face, Face of the Day (FOTD), Guest Post, Makeup

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