Search Results for: chanel

Chanel Summer 2015 Lumière d’été Bronzing Powder Promises to Be Your New BBFF (Best Bronzing Friend Forever)

May 6th, 2015 by Karen 8 Comments

Well, it looks like all that chanting I did to the makeup gods finally paid off! Chanel released a powder bronzer similar to their famous cream bronzer, Soleil Tan de Chanel.

I bought Soleil Tan de Chanel many moons ago (at least two years) and loved the natural toasty golden bronze glow it gave my cheeks. We were BBFFs (Best Bronzing Friends Forever) for about a week… Then I broke out like crazy along my chin!

I stopped using it immediately. Shortly thereafter, it got swallowed up by my office, never to be seen again… (I think it’s in a drawer.)

Chanel’s new limited edition Summer 2015 Lumière d’été Bronzing Powder ($65), looks almost exactly like Soleil Tan de Chanel on my NC 42 skin.

A few sweeps of my bronzer blush, et voila! — I see that same sunlit, toasty golden bronze glow I loved so much from Soleil Tan de Chanel, except this time without the pimples. 🙂

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Chanel Summer 2015: Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Orchidée

May 5th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

Rise and shine, fellow lover of colorful lower water lines (maybe?)! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I’ve been on a colorful lower water liner kick lately, and Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Orchidée ($32), available now as part of the Chanel Summer 2015 Collection, is currently satisfying that urge to kick.

Here’s a brief breakdown of this flower’s important points (Orchidée means orchid en français)…

Chanel Summer 2015: Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Orchidée ($32)

Vivid violet cream Orchidée is the only liner in the Chanel Summer 2015 Collection.
It’s limited edition, $32 and available now.
Typical of Chanel’s Stylo Yeux liners, the formula is a little on the hard side, but the texture still feels very smooth.
Wear time is about 6-8 hours on my lash lines and 5-6 on my water lines.
To get really high-intensity purple color from it, I use 3-4 layers on my water lines and 1-2 on my lash lines.
If you have trouble getting the formula to stick to your water lines, make sure your water lines are thoroughly dry before applying it. I’ll run a Q-tip carefully along my water line (and by “carefully,” I mean, “DON’T POKE YER EYE OUT, KID!”) beforehand. Then after applying I’ll let the formula set for a minute before going in for another layer. Repeat until you get the level of intensity you want.
I love Orchidée paired with warm browns and rose golds on the lids like I’m wearing in the pic above. 🙂

P.S. I hope your Cinco de Mayo has gotten off to a good start. Mine’s been pretty good so far. The missing screws for that gigantic pink shelving unit I told you about are supposed to arrive today, yay!

And I’m looking forward to perhaps a lunch of yummy fish tacos. 🙂

P.P.S. In other news, what are your favorite apps on your phone? I haven’t updated mine in a while, and I’d like some new apps. Thank you in advance.

Chanel Summer 2015: Le Vernis Nail Colour in Méditerranée and Another Fun Color Combination to Try

May 1st, 2015 by Karen 18 Comments

Teal and yellow, babe. Teal and yellow.

I originally envisioned only taking pics of this teal Chanel Summer 2015 Le Vernis Nail Colour in Méditerranée with this beige bag (from the pamelabarskyshop on Etsy), because for some reason, in my mind, I thought that the teal in the dress plus the teal on my nails would be more than enough color.

But then I looked a little closer at the colors in my dress, and I kept noticing the yellow there in the flowers winking at me, like, “Hello! Look at me, Karen! Don’t I look cute with teal?” and that was that. The beige was no longer doing it for me, LOL!

One bright yellow Kate Spade wallet later…

I love this combo! I think it works here because both the teal and yellow are similarly intense, like having two divas do a well-balanced duet on stage.

Or something like that. Honestly, I just saw the two together and got that tingly feeling that happens when I know something’s probably gonna work. 🙂

I’m wearing two coats of the polish — a creamy, intense bright teal that reminds me of large bodies of deep water. It’s a limited edition shade in Chanel’s new Collection Méditerranée, available now at Chanel counters and online.

I found it really easy to work with, too. Seriously, I painted my nails practically in the dark before going to bed the other night, and they turned out quite well, considering that I could barely see anything.

No streaks, no drama, just smooth sailing all the way.

I bet you could even get away with one coat.

P.S. To paraphrase R. Kelly…it’s the freakin’ weekend, baby. I’m about to have me some fun. 🙂 Except without the Cristal. But I think will have a glass of TJ’s Santa Barbara Landing Riesling.

I hope you’re having a great night, whatever you’re up to. Talk to you soon.

Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée: Red Lips Via Rose Paradis, Allegria and Arthur

April 29th, 2015 by Karen 19 Comments

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Red.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing but love for sheer lips, but sometimes red really hits the spot. Especially on a Wednesday, ya know? I can’t think of a better day to wear red lips. 🙂

These reds are from the new Chanel Summer 2015 Collection and are available now at Chanel counters and online.

A quick break-break-down…

Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Lip Colour in Arthur ($36) — A re-promote in the permanent line, Arthur is a warm, full-coverage, slightly orangey red with a creamy finish that feels a little thick on my lips, but it’s still very comfortable, smooove, non-streaky and pretty moisturizing. It also has Chanel’s lovely light rose flavor and scent.

Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Rose Paradis ($30) — Also a re-promote from the permanent line, Rose Paradis is a rosy pink with subtle shimmer and a medium-weight, non-sticky formula with coverage just shy of full. And yup, that signature light rose flavor and scent.

Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Allegria ($30) — Limited edition Allegria is a warm, intense full-coverage creamy red with the same Glossimer texture/flavor/scent as Rose Paradis.

Chanel. Summer. Ah… 🙂

Speaking of summer and good things, your nephew and I just had a wonderful dinner outside on the deck. I nibbled on a zucchini noodle dish with lemon pepper shrimp (SO easy to make! Let me know if you want the recipe.) and sipped a yummy white wine (TJ’s Santa Barbara Landing 2013 Riesling. $4.99! So good!) while his tabby royal highness tried to jump up on the table.

Now I’m back inside, but he’s still out on patrol in the Tabby Command Center.

Whatever you’re up to, I hope you’re having a nice night.

A Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée Face of the Day With Smokey Brown Eyes and Purple Liner, and Red Lips and Tips

April 29th, 2015 by Karen 41 Comments

Bonjour, Chanel!

Honestly, I have no idea why I look so serious in all of these pictures, because while I took them I was thinking about…

KITTENS! 🙂

One of the many perks of decluttering your office is finding gems like this copy of a Japanese magazine devoted entirely to cats.

Can I read Japanese? No. But since cats are the international language of love, things like this find their way into my life (I actually got it from this amazing bookstore in Japantown). I’m keeping it forever, obviously. It’s staying far, far away from the purge pile.

My makeup here was inspired by the visuals for Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée Collection, which is available now at Chanel counters and online.

Gah! — I love this look. Now, if I could only figure out how to pose with my hands by face in a way that doesn’t make me look like I have E.T. fingers.

How do models do it? I have no idea.

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Chanel Summer 2015: Le Vernis Nail Colour in Coquelicot and a Fun Color Combination to Try

April 29th, 2015 by Karen 36 Comments

I know, there’s a LOT of color up in this mix, AND I LURVES IT!

That’s two coats of the new $27 limited edition Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Coquelicot (which I think means “poppy”) on my paws. It’s a warm, creamy bright red from Chanel’s Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée, available right meow.

I’m wearing it with reddish coral shorts and a pinkish coral top, and why it has taken me so long to figure out that red goes with coral, I have no idea.

Maybe it’s because I usually think to wear just one bold statement color instead of two? I dunno… At any rate, apparently, red and coral together are the business, and they totally work. Try it sometime!

I’m also wearing…

Shorts — Loft

Top — I know you can’t really see it in these pics…but I got it from Loft, also known as my new favorite store that isn’t HomeGoods

Purse — Charming Charlie

Nails — Chanel

P.S. Happy hump day, by the way. How’s it going today?

Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée: The Climate Calls for Elegantly Understated Lips With This Summer’s Rouge Coco Shines

April 28th, 2015 by Karen 12 Comments

chanel summer 2015 rouge coco — Three of the four Chanel Summer 2015 Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshines ($36 each)

According to my well-worn copy of the Makeup Handbook for Fancy and Expensive Yacht Vacations, the Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Rouge Coco Shines are all 100% approved for traipsing around the Mediterranean.

It’s mentioned right there on page 212 in the chapter on Chanel. These sheer, shiny lipsticks are in the “Do” column.

Um…you know that’s not actually a real book, right? — although I wish it was, because where else am I going to find out what to wear when Bey finally asks me to babysit? 🙂

In the Chanel Summer 2015 Collection, otherwise known as Collection Méditerranée, lips are slick, shiny and sheer thanks to four Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshines ($36).

The three shown here are re-promotes from the permanent line — golden pink Réveuse, shimmering violet Intrépide and pinkish coral Insoumise — while the fourth shade, coppery brown Amorosa, is limited edition.

If you’re new to the Rouge Coco Shines, they sure live up to their name, being hydrating, sheer and shiny at the same time. For me they last from 3-4 hours on my lips, depending on the particular shade, and have a barely-there rosy flavor and scent.

These three start out glossy (just shy of a mirror-like lipgloss shine), but fade to a soft satin over the course of about a half an hour.

How sheer each one is depends on the intensity of the color, with the mellower shades — Réveuse and Intrépide — being closer to traditional sheer lipsticks, where I can still see plenty of my natural lip color peeking through, while the deeper pinkish coral Insoumise is closer to medium coverage.

chanel summer 2015 insoumise — Rouge Coco Shine in Insoumise, a pinkish coral

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Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée: The Stylo Eyeshadows

April 28th, 2015 by Karen 30 Comments

chanel summer 2015 stylo eyeshadow — Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée Stylo Eyeshadows, $34 each

Oh, Chanel…

The things you do to me.

Your new Stylo Eyeshadows from the Summer 2015 Collection have left me panting here at my desk, with my tongue hanging out and everything.

This coming from probably the last woman on earth who “needs” (air quotes) another cream stick eyeshadow to love.

As I’ve been cleaning and rearranging my office over the past few days, it has become increasingly clear to me that I apparently adore cream stick eyeshadows, because I keep finding them in the strangest places.

I found one in the back of the hallway closet (?), two in one of my makeup bags (which was, oddly, filled with tiny tubes of half-used hand cream), and one of them in my office supply drawer between the paperclips and Post-Its.

I have no idea how they end up in any of these places, but it needs to stop, because these beauties deserve their own special space.

There’s a very brief, very gentle cooling sensation on my skin when I apply one of these five limited edition twist-up, long-wearing cream shadows, and it’s kind of refreshing.

These are used just like other cream stick shadows. Just apply directly to bare skin or atop primer, and then blend out the edges. You can sheer ’em out for a wash, or build them up in layers for more intense color.

Several makeup lines have something similar (Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier come to mind), but as far as I can recall right now, these are the only ones with a cooling effect.

Chanel has worked with this formula before. Do you remember the limited edition Stylo Eyeshadows from their Summer 2013 Collection? These are just a new crop. Same formula as those 2013 versions, with the same lightweight, easy-to-blend formula and cooling sensation. Like those, these also last for me from 6-8 hours with primer.

I’m really excited about this new batch and the way Chanel plays with shimmer. The finishes range from quiet sheens and sultry satins to full-on foiled metallic, and when you start buffing them? — that’s when the Chanel magic happens.

Which Summer 2015 Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow might be right for you?

If you love classic summer colors…
Try Azulejo, an intense teal/turquoise blue with a satiny finish.

Oh, teal… I’m such a ho for ya. 🙂

Azulejo is bright like a South Pacific lagoon. Of the five colors in the release, I think it’s the one that’s most ready to party.

Looks amazing on lids coupled with a shimmery gold in the inner corners.
If you love complex colors…
Check out shimmering violet Campanule.

Two words: secret shimmer. Don’t be fooled by Campanule’s satiny purple finish when you apply it to your lids. As you buff out the edges, tiny flecks of purple glitter appear.

Don’t fret, though, because it’s classy glitter. In other words, the flecks are small. I can’t really see ’em from afar, but get up in someone’s grill when they’re wearing this, and the little sparkles will say haaaaay!
If you have brown or hazel eyes…
Give Olivine a try. It’s an unexpectedly complex and unusual satiny olive green, and like the other shades, buffing it out reveals tiny flecks of glitter, which in this case are green and teal.

For me, of the five Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows in Summer 2015, Olivine takes the cake. It reminds me of a cream stick version of the epic Chanel Khaki Vert Eyeshadow.

Oh! And hello, inspiration! — I think I need to try layering Olivine under Khaki Vert sometime soon (ideally before sunset today).
If you love being bold…
Try metallic rose gold Laurier Rose. The shiniest of them all, its finish looks like chrome!

Very sexy robot. 🙂

I like to wear the brown shade (Caroube) all over my lids and barely in the crease, and then plant Laurier Rose right in the center of the lid for an unmistakeable focal point.
And for everyone…
There’s Caroube, a luminous warm brown.

Oh, man, this has 10-minute makeup written all over it. I put it on today and started to vibrate out of my chair with excitement.

Yes, I’m the girl who gets stoked over brown eyeshadow.

Warm golden brown Caroube has one of those forgiving soft sheens, and of the five summer shades, I think it’s the most wearable. If you’re looking for something to wear daily, Caroube is the one you want.

Oh, and if you happen to have Chanel New Moon from last summer, it looks incredible with Caroube.

Try it: apply a layer of Caroube on your lids, and pat New Moon on top. Then prepare to faint out of sheer joy.

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