Summer 2014 Favourites

Tags

Annick Goutal, Burberry, Caudalie, dior, favourites, guerlain, Hourglass, L'Occitane, Melvita, Omorovicza, summer 2014, Uriage

For us here, in Europe, the end of August sadly marks the end of Summer. But it also means that it is time for me to talk you through all my favourite summer products – both old and new amazing discoveries.

This is how you will see my favourites – in seasonal posts. I do not like forcing a favourites post every month, just for the sake of writing something! I have lots of ideas! And the Beauty World has so much to offer!…

This being said, here you have my most loved beauty products of Summer 2014!

My first ones are the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks which along with the Burberry Fresh Glow B.B. Cream were this year’s new releases. It was a real pleasure to be able to test them and discover them, because they are amazing! I already reviewed them ( Dior , Burberry ) so this is as much as I will tell you here!

As you may ( or may not ) know, for me the Summer of 2014 was all about bronzed, healthy and glowing skin. In fact, the whole month of July is a mini-series of related posts. So among my favourites I had to include my well-loved bronzers and highlighters: a new buy the Guerlain Terracotta Sun Celebration Bronzing Powder and Blush 30th Anniversary Edition the Star Sun Powder ( longest name ever! ) and another favourite the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Palette, both reviewed here and here.

My skin never felt more pampered than when I used an old favourite of mine – the Caudalie Divine Scrub. The name describes it perfectly: divine natural oils blend, divine scent, divine results after usage. Read full review here.

During summer, my go-to fragrances change from mysterious, grown-up scents to more fresh and floral ones. Last year I was loving Chanel No 5 Eau Prèmiere, but this year was a truly amazing rediscovery: the Annick Goutal L’Eau d’Hadrien. I reviewed this one at the beginning of this month, in a oh! such a poetic post.

My last favourites were face mists. Omorovicza, L’Occitane, Melvita, Caudalie, Uriage thermal… They are so easy to use and versatile: you can use them to moisturize your face, as a setting spray, on your beauty blender to apply your makeup, while traveling on the plane, or to refresh yourself in your car when you wait in the heat for the green light. Face mists/floral infused waters, especially Rosa Damacena infused ones, became a very important step in my skincare routine, replacing my toners – which I always find a bit drying and harsh on my sensitive complexion. More on my most used face mists, here.

These were my favourite products this summer. Which were yours?

See you in Autumn, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

Sunscreen. Summer 2014 Round Up

Tags

chemical sunscreen, clinique, Kielh's, La Roche-Posay, physical sunscreen, Shiseido, SPF, sun protection, Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a subject I have been doing research all summer long. That is why it took me so long to write this post and I ended up uploading it so close to the fall season!

The first thing I discovered while doing my research was that it is highly recommended to wear sunscreen no matter the season!

But is it really important to use sunscreen? Is is a sunscreen better than another one? Is a sunscreen my friend using good for my skin too?

I should start by saying that my skin is rather sensitive at the moment, which makes it so easy to burn without the use of a sunscreen, highly irritable if I am not using the right one. So, for me it is really important to have on my face anything that can act like a barrier against any damaging factors!

So after a few hits and misses and a lot of research I found out that the best protection for my skin is the one which comes from sunscreen containing minerals, with a minimum of SPF 30. I also felt good with a SPF 50 sunscreen on, but I have to admit that I was not too keen on how thicker that was and the white, ghostly cast it gave me!

The ones I have been using on rotation this summer were: the Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Plus SPF 50, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Nutritive Oil SPF 30 UVA+UVB, ( these two were previously featured in a post, link here ), the Clinique Derma White City-Block Anti-Pollution SPF/40 PA+++ and through the last weeks of summer the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA+++ UVA. 

Mineral sunscreens are physical sunscreens which act like a barrier against sun rays. They bounce off from your skin the rays, whereas the other type of sunscreens – chemical sunscreens – absorb the sun rays into your skin, transforming them at that level. Both offer protection, what makes them different are: the ingredients and the process that takes place inside your skin! 

This chemical process is difficult to comprehend and a bit boring, if I may say so myself, but I discovered that the mineral sunscreen is a bit more gentle and less irritating for my skin.

I have red many “opinions” where people stated that layering certain makeup on top of your sunscreen can cause such a reaction to the point where your sunscreen will not be effective anymore! That is absolutely not true! Also not true is the fact that if you apply multiple layers of sunscreens with different protective factors, those layers will sum up to give you a higher protection!

No, it depends on the chemical structure of your face; that will determine the type of sunscreen you have to use and the protection factor you need, so that you stay free of any damage! That is why a sunscreen my friend uses and is very pleased with, may or may not work for me at all!

I have also discovered that there are researches to figure out a a way of combining chemical with physical sunscreen, which I think is extremely beneficial for the health of our skin! But until then, feel free to layer a chemical sunscreen in top of a physical sunscreen, in order to achieve a better protection from sun burning!

Bottom line: USE SUNSCREEN! Any sunscreen is good! Better than nothing anyway!

And as a general advice: get to know your skin, then the ingredients that work better for you!

See you soon, beautiful! Stay healthy no matter the season!

xx, Annie

BREAKING NEWS! DIOR to launch the new DIOR ROUGE LIP BALM TREATMENT Collection this Fall!

Tags

dior, Dior Contour Lip Liner Pencils, Dior Couture Lip Balm Collection, Dior Vernis Nail Laquers, news, Rouge Dior Couture Lip Balm

Starting next month, you will be able to find at the Dior counters a new Dior signed product – the Dior Baume Lip treatment Collection!

The star of this new collection will be, of course, the new Rouge Dior Baume Lip Treatment, a hybrid beteween the cult product Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm and the iconic Dior Rouge. Apparently the lip balm has been discontinued to make room for this new lipstick.

It has the hydrating, soothing, plumping and protective properties of the Crème de Rose Balm and the pigmentation of the amazing Dior Rouges. It is said that the new Rouge Dior Baume Lip Treatment is meant to give your lips a radiant, luminous tint with a formula that adds shine and plumps your lips, for a jucy-fresh look!

Coincidentally, my latest post was about the sheer lipsticks I am loving at the moment, my Tom Ford Lip Sheer in #02 Smitten and the Chanel Coco Shine in #57 Aventure. Today I found out that Dior will launch their own sheer lipsticks! Imagine my reaction!…

This lipstick will be available as a preview exclusively on the Dior website and for my lucky American readers, at the Sacks counters, in 15 beautiful shades from the classic neutrals to more sassy, glossy colours.

Here you have some beautiful pictures to please your eyes! For details regarding the shades, please visit the Dior website.

Within the collection, Dior will launch the new Dior Contour Lip Liner Pencils to match the lipsticks, with the same creamy formula. Another treat for your lips!

And to complete the collection some nail polishes were mandatory: 4 limited edition shades of the Dior Vernis Nail Laquers.

Can not wait for these to be available on the Dior counters in my country, to finally get my hands on… quite a few sades I already have my eyes on!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photographic material was seen first on MusingsofaMuse.com

TOM FORD Lip Shine #02 Smitten vs CHANEL Coco Shine #57 Aventure

Tags

#02 Smitten, #48 Evasion, chanel, Chanel Coco Shine, comparison, review, swatches, Tom Ford

Can you tell I do not want to let go Summer?! Another review on my favourites for the Summer that is about to end!

The Tom Ford Lip Colour Shine lipsticks hug your lips in a “semitransparent, high-shine color veil. Each sensuous and delicate shade glides on with a luminous sheen, instantly moisturizing and conditioning the lips.

Tom Ford’s signature blend of rare ingredients, including Soja Seed extract, Brazilian Murumuru butter and Chamomilla flower oil delivers decadent comfort”, and never fail to amaze.

The only ones I have in my collection that are comparable to the Tom Ford Lip Shines are the other favourites of mine, the Chanel Coco Shine Lipsticks, especially Aventure ( previously reviewed here ), with slight differences between them.

The Tom Ford #02 in Smitten is a very natural looking colour on me. It is a my-lips-but-better kind of shade with a twist: the shiny golden particles, which add a lot of light to my lips, making them look fuller and plumped at the same time.

By comparison, the shiny particles in my #57 Aventure Chanel Coco Shine lipstick are smaller and do not transfer on my lips as obvious as the ones in Smitten.

Being a sheer formula, the coverage is barely there. But I like it like that because it is an item easy to throw in my purse and to reapply without a mirror, when I am on the go.

Like my Aventure, due to its natural colouring I guess Smitten is suitable for a lot of different  complexions.

– left Chanel Aventure, right Tom Ford Smitten

I find that the Tom Ford‘s Smitten has a denser, stickier formula than my Chanel Coco Shines and I think this is the one thing that makes it resist longer on my lips. I was able to wear it for over three hours, before reapplying it and it felt really moisturizing.

The scent of Smitten is delicious too – as expected, right!? – vanillary and sweet, but not overpowering. Better than the Chanel signature rose scent, the sweet tooth inside of me dares to say!

What about the packaging?! As much as I love the simplicity of the black and white Chanel Coco Shine packaging, I am mesmerized by the luxury of Tom Ford’s mahogany and gold practical packaging.

There are mixed reviews on both these products! Some say they are too pricey for what they are, but I simply love them! Both of them! The Chanel Coco Shines are the most worn lipstick in my collection! I use them in various occasions, no matter the season!

What are your opinions on these? You have one that you love more? Please share!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

GREAT NEWS! 15% discount for any Daniel Wellington Watch for annie’s beauty… amazing readers! Keep Reading!

Tags

15% off discount code, classic elegant timeless watch, Daniel Wellington, discount code

Daniel Wellington was kind enough to allow me to surprise you, my beautiful, supportive and always encouraging readers with a little present! 

A 15% discount code to buy your favourite watch!!!!! How amazing is that?!

So, hurry up! Go on www.danielwellington.com, order your favourite classic, timeless Daniel Wellington piece and at check out enter the code anniesbeauty for the discount!

You can use anniesbeauty discount code starting today 22nd of August until the 30th of September!

This is my present for you, my amazing readers and friends, who always have been so supportive and encouraging! Thank you for your friendship, for your kind comments ( that I feel I do not always deserve ), for all the likes and views you give me everyday! 

Six months ago, when my first post went up, I never thought I would find such lovely friends here, on the WordPress platform, such inspirational and supportive people! I know I keep repeating myself but I can not help it!

I hope you will enjoy it!

THANK YOU, BEAUTIFUL!

See you soon!

xx, Annie

 

Dior Inspired Bronzed Summer Look From Day To Night

Tags

bronzed look, clarins, dior, guerlain, Hakuhodo, Hourglass, summer 2014, Tom Ford, YSL

Because it is still summer ( not for long though! ), I decided to recreate this look for you, beautiful. It is a Dior Nude inspired look, created by the amazing Peter Phillips – Creative and Image Director of Dior Makeup, for the launch of the new Dior Nude Tan Natural Radiance Bronzing Powder, re-launched a while ago.

It is also the look I went for most of the time during these past months, because it is so effortless and so summer appropriate, being fresh, bronzed with an amazing healthy glow to it!

Makeup used to create this look:

1) Dior Nude Glow Skin-Perfecting BB Cream, in #001

2) Dior Skinflash Corrector, in #002 Ivory Glow

3) Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Tailor-Made Bronzing Powder, in #03 Natural Brunettes

4) Dior Fusion Mono Long-Wear Eyeshadow, in #001 Lune and #661 Météore ( review here )

5) YSL Eye Pencil Waterproof, in #1 Black

6) Dior Diorliner Precision Eyeliner, in #798 Brun

7) Dior Diorshow New Look Mascara, in #090 Black

8) Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush, #001 Petal ( review here )

9) Dior Universal Lipliner Pencil ( review here ) 

10) Dior Addict Lipstick, in #535 Tailleur Bar

11) Dior Vernis, in #219 Safari Beige ( my first ever blog post, hehe! )

Brushes:

1) Tom Ford #02 Cream Foundation Brush

2) Tom Ford #03 Concealer and Eyeshadow Brush

3) Tom Ford #05 Bronzer Brush

4) Tom Ford #15 Eyeliner and Definer Brush

5) Hakuhodo J210 Blush Brush Round

6) Hakuhodo J5533 Eyeshadow Brush Tapered

7) Shu Uemura S Curler Eyelash Curler

– daytime look

And to make it suitable for a night walk on the beach, or a dinner with friends on a beautiful terrace I added a bit of brown liquid liner creating a small wing – because I wanted everything to look soft yet chic, then I added my favourite Dior Addict Fluid Stick in #239 Frisson ( read the full review here ) for a bold, glossy colour on my lips and changed the classic nude of the Safari Beige for a more daring, vampy Nuit 1947 on my nails.

– night look

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Thank you for reading and see you soon, Beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

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My sheer yet sparkly lips for Summer 2014: GUERLAIN Rouge G #86 Rose Glacé and CHANEL Lèvres Scintillates Glossimer #131 Mica

Tags

chanel, Chanel Glossimer #131 Mica, guerlain, Guerlain Rouge G #86 Rose Glacé, limited edition, review, swatches

– this is a photo I posted on my Instagram account a while ago

I never leave the house without wearing lipstick! And that is a fact! But as much as I struggle, few hours later it is gone! And I never seem to bother applying it again during the day! So, I end up carrying around with me 12 different lip products, only to find myself reaching the most for my Dior Lip Maximizer or the Dior Lip Glow Balm. ( I had to exaggerate a bit, but only to emphasize on the amount of lip stuff that makes my bag a lot heavier! At my last count there were only 6?! )

But this summer I decided to step out of my comfort zone, to give my purse a good clean up and to go for a glossy, healthy looking lip. And my two choices were my Guerlain Rouge G in #86 Rose Glacé and and oldie but goodie – my Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer in #131 Mica.

 

The Guerlain Rouge G, in #86 Rose Glacé is, unfortunately a limited edition, lip product Guerlain threw on the market with their summer collection, along with 5 more permanent shades of their iconic Rouge G’s. 

It is a “nude, barely-there pink”, with a milky consistency, which is not sticky or tacky at all. It does not offer much coverage and it is very similar to the Lip Glow balm from Dior, but with an extra touch: the white and pale-pink fine shimmers, which lighten your natural lip colour.

The scent of the Guerlain Rouge G Rose Glacé is light and delicate. When you first apply it you will sense the fresh top notes of lemon, orange and bergamot. After the application it leaves on your lips a sweet vanilla and tonka bean taste, mixed with irises and roses. But if you are sensitive to scents and you find it overpowering, do not worry because it will fade in a matter of minutes. 

It is a feminine scent, same as the packaging, the classic mirrored, heavy bullet has now been coloured in a feminine, pale pink… It is a delight to pick it up from your purse and apply it at any time of the day. 

I apply it straight from the bullet and I wear it by itself or on top of another lipstick, or a pink-toned lip liner for a more sophisticated look!

The Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer in #131 Mica is an old favourite of mine, which I dug out from the depths of my makeup drawers.

The Glossimers are Chanel’s best selling glosses. They come in a wide range of colours and  finishes, from sheer and natural to sparkling and rich.

#131 Mica is a beautiful reflecting shimmer, with white, pink, fuchsia and blue-based particles. It is more pigmented than the Gurelain Rose Glacé, which means that is offers a higher coverage and it is also long-lasting, in fact it is my most long lasting lip gloss I have in my collection!

The only downside to it is that it is a bit stickier, so you might want to keep that in mind if you want to buy one soon 

– on the left the Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer #131 Mica and on the right the Guerlain Rouge G #86 Rose Glacé

I absolutely love these two lip products! So easy to apply, so comfortable on the lips, and so low-maintenance!

What do you think? Are you a gloss wearer or you remain faithful to your old lipstick formula?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Red Issue – Summer 2014 Edition: Nails, courtesy of Dior and Givenchy

Tags

dior, Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer, Givenchy, red nail polish, review, summer 2014

When is the right time to wear red nail polish? Anytime! But when is the right time to wear gorgeous bright reds, with beautiful orange undertones? Yes! In the summer is the right answer!

I am a red nail polish wearer all-year round. The red I put on my nail varies from bright, watermelon colours during summers to dark, vampy reds with purple undertones for the cold season.

Today I have two nail polishes to show you. Both of them equally loved and worn!

My first choice is from Givenchy! It is called Givenchy Le Vernis Intense Colour Nail Laquer in #06 Carmin Escarpin. It is a warm poppy red, a nail polish with a high-coverage formula and beautiful glossy finish.

In just one application, your nails are done and reveal a mirror-like shine. The color-intense formula spreads evenly and comes in a transparent glass bottle engraved with the 4G’s logo, topped off with a metallic silver and leather-like cap. So classy and chic!

My second proposal is the new revamped Dior Vernis Gel formula. They are called Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer and my favourites are #537 Riviera and #754 Pandore. These two were on my nails all-summer long. 

These are the couture, gel-effect nail lacquers, Dior relaunched this year in April, with an advanced, improved formula that provides glossy, long-wearing shine. The brush applies the ideal amount of polish in a single sweep, allowing for a smooth application, vibrant color intensity, and a perfect finish.

The brush is also perfect for keeping it off your cuticles and minimal swiping. No streaks or bubbles. Looks like a professional done mani. Two coats for perfect coverage, dries quickly. Hides ridges if you have any.

Easy to remove even with gentle nail polish removers this product was not made with harmful ingredients! So it contains NO phthalates, toluene, formaldehyde and synthetic camphor. But it is enriched with organic Silicium, to reinforce the nails and allow a satin-like application.

Hands down my favourite nail polish formula ever!

#537 Riviera is more of a hot, crazy orange coral. Like a chameleon it can look red, it can look orange, it can look pink, it can look coral in different lights. So hard to describe!

#754 Pandore is a bright creamy red, with delicious orange undertones that are not that overpowering! You can see it on my nails here.

Here you have all the swatches!

What are your favourite summer reds?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

BREAKING NEWS! HOURGLAS to launch the new AMBIENT LIGHTING BLUSH PALETTE

Tags

Hourglass, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Palette, Incandescent Electra, Luminous Flush, Mood Exposure, news

This year my favourite brands overcame themselves bringing on the market amazing new products!

I have been expecting and anticipating this moment ever since Hourglass made the Ambient Lighting Powder Palette permanent,  this early spring!

The new Palette will contain three blush shades: two already on the market and available to purchase as single compacts. I am talking about Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure ( both on my wish list for quite a while, so great timing Hourglass!!! ) and a new and exclusive shade, available in this palette only, called Incandescent Electra ( the one that is in the middle, in the picture above ).

The mixture of Incandescent Electra intrigues me the most, as it is a melange of the limited edition powder from the Ambient Lighting Palette, Incandescent with a new blush called Electra?! ( for proper photos and swatches of the Ambient Lighting Palette click here ) 

I do not know this blush since it is not in the permanent line and I was not able to find many details on it on the Hourglass website either.

But the wait will not be long as the Palette will be released next October, for the retail price of 56£.

So I will stalk like a creeper my favourite SpaceNK website and preorder it! Hopefully this will happen soon!

What do you think, beautiful? Will you add this one on your wish list too?
See you soon!
xx, Annie

 

 

 

Dior Addict IT-Line #099 IT-Black and #879 IT-Pink

Tags

dior, Dior Addict IT-Liner, Dior Addict IT-Liner Black Look, IT-Black, IT-Pink, review

As Dior themselves say on their website, the new Dior Addict IT-Line Eyeliner is the “the new signature for fashion addicts”! I am I a fashion addict? Yes! I am I a beauty addict? Even more! So I could not have passed on this new and oh! so fashionable “accessory”!

It is an intense, glossy and pigmented liner, that dries opaque. This time Dior brings you an exclusive gel formula that has it all: pure colour, intense shine, and an amazing flawless hold that will last on your eyelids for hours and hours. I had mine tested for an everyday look and for a night out event with lots of dancing in a hot and humid atmosphere. It did not smudged, not even after 8 hours from the application. I did not retouched it or re-applied it not even once.

It is available in four explosive shades for you to discover and play creating unique and original eye looks. So you have: It-Black, It-Blue, It-Pink and It-Purple for daring combinations and layering effects to create bold makeup contrast.

Since it is summer, I wanted to be able to realize creative eye looks to bright up an otherwise dull makeup, so I bought the Dior Addict IT-Line Eyeliner in #099 It-Black and stepping out of my comfort zone I bought the Dior Addict IT-Line Eyeliner in #879 It-Pink.

I have to admit though, that the one that I was wearing on a daily basis was the IT-Black, when the IT-Pink one I wore it all by itself but also layered with the black one for a more sophisticated, daring look – more for a nighttime, going out type of  look.

The packaging is simply beautiful! Sleek and compact, it is slim but heavy enough to offer an easy application. The brush is small, but precise. This means that would be a bit more work to do if you want to wear a thicker liner, but I promise you the extra effort is totally worthy!

Also my main concern was that with my extremely hooded eyes the eyeliner would transfer or smudge, but none of that happened. The liner dried almost instantly no matter how many times I have passed the brush over it. Definitely another plus from me! 

Stay tuned for a whole tutorial dedicated to the looks I do using these two amazing eyeliners!

How about you? Are you bold enough to wear a pink, or a blue, or a purple eyeliner? What would you pair it with?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie