Dior Diorshow Mono Wet and Dry Backstage eye shadows #826 Bikini and #623 Ruban/Ribbon

Tags

beige, Bikini, dior, eyes, eyeshadow, makeup, pink, review, Ruban/Ribbon, spring, swatches

The Dior Mono Wet and Dry eye shadows are a collection of eye shadows Dior has released around this time last year. With their irresistible embossed “logomania” motif, the single-shade eye shadows who came out of the imaginative spirit of Tyen, Creative Director of Dior Makeup, set the tone for “fashion-forward eyes”.

The colours were released in three groups according to your preferences: natural, playful or sophisticated. The Nude shades create discreet, flawless eyes for perfect no-makeup, natural makeup. Fun, refreshing and trendy Pop variations “play with pigments in vibrant, electric and intense colours”. Smoky shades provide “endless variations of the sublime and seductive eyes” keeping secret the mystery of the woman behind the makeup.

Dior is known for the really pigmented eye shadows and these ones are no exception. Compared to the old Dior singles ( now discontinued ), I think the quality of these new ones is slightly better. The amount of pigmentation is enough for a natural finish when applied dry, but if you want a more intense finish with some extra oomph, it is better to be applied with a damp applicator. They are single eye shadows which feature an unique wet and dry formula for a custom and professional finish. Made with silky, finely-milled and buttery soft powder they provide a delicate hint of shimmer.

This last month, I found myself often reaching for #826 Bikini and #623 Ruban/Ribbon. I think those two work so well together for a fresh Spring look ( click here and here for FOTDs using Bikini and Ruban/Ribbon ). Bikini is a soft pink with some finely mild shimmer. The finish of this one reminds me of MAC’s Veluxe Pearl eye shadow. #623 Rubban/Ribbon is perfect as a highlighter or a brightening wash of colour on your eye lids which according to your skin tone it will look more like a warm pale off-white. It is not as pigmented as Bikini and you don’t have to expect to get the same colour on your eye lids as it is the pan. It is perfect for anyone who is looking for a pearly glowing vanilla shade in a very pretty packaging.

Encased in the signature blue mirrored compact, with the Dior logo embossed, these eye shadows come with two brush applicators. One to use the eye shadow wet and one to use it dry. I, personally don’t use them. I prefer my brushes instead.

One Diorshow contains 2,2 g of product and it is available at Sephora or Douglas and online at feelunique.com.

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

FOTD – Sharing the secret. Shhh!… Don’t tell!

Tags

at work, beauty, bourgeois, By Terry, chanel, Chanel #44 La Diva, Chanel Joue Contraste #86 Discrétion, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, clarins, clinique, dior, fotd, guerlain, l'oreal, mac, makeup, selfie, spring

It is Monday today! A-gain! Yeah!… Another week has started as it usually does. Me went to work…

But who says that a crappy Monday at work can not be fun?! I’m in my office taking selfies while waiting for my meeting to start. Shhh!… Don’t tell my boss! He’s a Man, he wouldn’t understand!

I even have time to write a blog post about what I’m wearing on my face today… Yay Me!

As a base I’m wearing my usual one. I featured it in my other FOTD. Clinique Superprimer followed by Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation in #30 Beige ( can’t wait to get my hands on the new Chanel foundation release!! ). Then I applied a bit of a Bourgeois Healthy Mix Concealer 52 Medium Radiance and L’Oreal Accord Parfait Corrector in Rose Porcelain – I use it to highlight. Then I dusted a bit of my HG powder By Terry Hyaluronic-Hydra Powder ( review here ). For my cheeks I used Chanel Joue Contraste Blush in #86 Discrétion ( review ) and for contouring I used my Guerlain Teracotta Light bronzing powder in #04 Sun Blondes.

So, on the eyes I used as a base Dior Diorshow Mono Wet and Dry Eyeshadow in # 826 Bikini ( reviewed here ) and to add some definition to my eyes I used the Guerlain bronzer. For a bit of a highlight I used MAC Blanc Type. Then I lightly lined my eyes with a Clarins eye-liner…. . Then I curled my lashes and applied one coat of the Dior New Look Mascara 090 Black and one coat of the Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in #10 Noir.

On the lips I slightly dabbed some Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lipstick in #44 La Diva, then I blended it in with my finger. Previously I applied some Dior Lip Glow to moisturise my lips.

And this is the final result! Can you tell I like it…!?!!?!! Yeah! I’m even taking selfies instead of working! 😉

Hope you like it too!

xx, Annie

Dior Nail Polish #349 Rose Boa – Let there be Spring!

Tags

beauty, color, dior, nails, pink, review, Rose Boa, spring, swatches

I’ve been looking for the perfect pink nail polish for a little while now. Yeah! I’m in a “pink everything” phase, as you can see… Rosy coloured blushes ( hence my previous posts on: Dior Rosy Glow blush, Chanel Rose Initiale blush, my signature lip colour for this season ), pink macaroons, pink nails…

What I wanted to add to my nail polish collection was YSL’s La Laque Couture nail polish, in # 48 Rose Scabiosa released with the Spring 2014 collection ( *click on the link to see the review on this one, from an amazingly talented blogger that I love and always get inspiration from ). Just can’t describe how amazing this nail polish looks. Everyone on Instagram went crazy about it when the collection was released…

But I couldn’t find it anywhere! And believe me! I must have checked every YSL counter in my city…

 – Dior nail polish #349 Rose Boa two coats, daylight

What did I do? I decided to shop my stash instead. I went carefully through all the pink nail polishes I already own and I chose the one that I thought it was close to my ideal pink shade. This was how I rediscovered an old favourite: Dior Nail Polish # 349, Rose Boa or Rose Fanfreluche. 

It was a limited edition shade, released with the Dior Gris Montagne Spring 2011 Collection as a complementary shade for their top product which was the Dior nail polish #707 Gris Montaigne, from “Gris City” Collection.

  – Dior nail polish #349 Rose Boa, after 6 days

It dries fast and  I also love the milky matte finish it gives to the nails. On the pictures above you can see that applied in two coats it is slightly see-through, which I personally like. But you can add more layers if you want to. The lasting power on this one is as good as the other Dior nail varnishes I own. I took it down after almost a week, when it was still looking decent.

Even though it is slightly different from YLS’s Rose Scabiosa, which has a lot more purple, blue-ish undertones, Rose Boa is the prettiest milky pink colour that you would want to wear in Spring. At least I do…

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

FOTD – Smiling at the Spring Sun

Tags

By Terry, by terry hyaluronic-hydra powder, dior, Dior Trianon 2014 Spring Collection, fotd, high end, makeup, review, rose, Rosy Glow, spring

This time I wanted to do a different type of blog post… So I gathered all my courage and did a face of the day, centered on my favourite lipstick at the moment –  the Dior Trianon Spring 2014 Collection #744 Allégresse.

The photo was taken a few days ago, before I went to work. It was a cold, windy, gloomy day… I thought that if at least my makeup was a bit happier, the sun might see it and decided to show up… And it worked!!!!!…

I used NO foundation. Just a bit of that Bourgeois Healthy Mix Concealer, in #52 Medium Radiance for under my eyes and to cover the areas I have redness or discolouration on ( it is the lightest shade I think ). Then I dusted a bit of By Terry Hyaluronic-Hydra Powder ( review here ) on my t-zone.

On the cheeks I slightly applied a bit of the Dior Rosy Glow 001 Blush ( review here ), for a healthy flush of color.

On the eyes, I used as a base a Sephora brand eyeshadow in Strawberry Macaroon # 42. Then I added a bit of MAC‘s Wedge in the crease, darken it with a bit of Satin Taupe and blended everything really well. To finish up the look I put a bit of Diorshow Mono Wet & Dry Backstage Eyeshadow #826 Bikini in the center of the lid to brighten up the eye. Then I lined my mobile lid with a dark brown eyeliner from Clarins in #2 Brown, just at the base of the eyelashes to create definition to the eye and to make the lashes look fuller.

Final step for the eyes was mascara. I used Dior Diorshow 090 New Look Black and applied it generously.

Since it was a daytime look, I didn’t went for a bold brow. Just brushed and fixed them in place with a clear gel.

And now my favourite part: the lips. On the lips I used the Dior Trianon Spring 2014 Collection, #744 Allégresse – a beautiful bright pink lipstick, so soft and creamy ( see review here ). It made my lips look smooth and sensual. (  Yeah! I am bold like that, sometimes!… )

Here is the complete look! I hope you like it!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE AQUA

Tags

aqua, buildable, chanel, foundation, high end, makeup, review, rose, sheer, spring, vitalumière aqua

I sure was a Chanel fanatic! Still am!

Anything Chanel used to be like a little trap for me. Now things are worst… Next to the Chanel addiction, I developed other few brand obsessions: Burberry, Dior, Diptyque, Annik Goutal… I have used the words “fanatic’, “addiction” and “obsession” all in 4 lines… Is that bad?!…But that is another blog post! Now I want to tell you about my all time favourite face base.

I bought my first Chanel Vitalumière Aqua several years ago and repurchased it a few times already. And even if I’m always trying new foundations, I seem to go back to this one. It just is so easy to apply, easy to blend… A light feeling foundation that I find myself reaching for more and more.

Mine is in colour B30 and it matches my skin perfectly! It’s almost like a second skin!

It is light to medium in terms of coverage and the lasting power is not that of a heavy duty foundation. But, again, with a product that has kind of dewy, glowy finish to it you will never have hours of wear. A good thing is that the packaging is so small and compact, that you can put it in your purse and reapply, if you need to.

It has a fluid consistency and you have to shake it well before you put it on. I used to massage it into my skin with my fingers, but then I discovered that buffing it in with a flat kabuki-type brush helps with the dewy, awake effect I want on my skin.

If you have an oily skin, I am sorry, but I don’t think this will work for you.  You know, anything dewy on your skin will make it look greasier. Unless you use powder and blotting sheets. Also, I would not recommend it if you have acne issues. By itself, this base would never cover enough! You can make it work by using a good concealer!

I’m about to finish the 30 ml bottle I currently use, and I already have another one on stand by.

Right now, I am actually lusting over another base product – the Dior Nude BB Cream… What can I do?! I love me some healthy looking, glowing base! Especially for spring and summer…

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

Dior Trianon Spring 2014 – my signature colour for this season

Tags

dior, Dior Trianon 2014 Spring Collection, high end, limited edition, lipstick, makeup, pink, review, spring

I’ve never been this excited about the launch of a make up limited edition line since last year in spring, when Chanel launched “Printemps Precieux de Chanel” Collection.

So, when the Dior Trianon Spring 2014 Collection hit the counters at my Sephora, I went there and picked up the products that will feed my lip-anything obsession this spring.

I’m talking about the Rouge Dior Lipstick #744 Allégresse and the
Dior Addict Coral 004 Lip Glow.

The inspiration behind this season’s collection was queen Marie-Antoinette and her private domain, the Petit Trianon. Macaroon shades and Fontange bows, the atmosphere of Versailles and its gardens flourishes beautifully in blushes, eyeshadows and lipsticks. The pastel shades give the whole collection a very light and girly feel.

Dior believes that every woman has to have her signature colour, her own attitude. Mine was Rouge Dior Spring 2014 Limited Edition #744 Allégresse.

It is a timeless shade, perfectly balanced between the bright pink and the blue undertones. The Rouge Dior voluptuous care formula is enriched with criste marine*. It gives smoothness, reshapes the lips and maximizes the expression of each shade.

*criste marine = plant stem cells that delay premature aging

I had high hopes for this one as I wanted a bright happy colour to wear in spring. And again, Dior didn’t failed me! It is perfect for the spring season; it applies beautifully and stays true for hours.

On the website Dior wrote that: “The new Rouge Dior sets the tone as a beauty and style accessory.The couture lip colour that is all it takes to change everything, to make you look stunning. Like a Dior bag, it leaves the mark of ultimate, timeless elegance and tops off the silhouette.

 A good-luck charm, definitely Dior.”

Dior addicts will read between the lines…

Although I have one mention…

  …in this picture you can see the Dior Addict Coral 004 Lip Glow that I bought with the lipstick… I actually had to return it because I didn’t like it on me… At all! Blame it on the impulse buy…

*Note to self again: Stay away from orange toned lip products!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

L’OCCITANE FABULOUS SERUM – new amazing skincare discovery

Tags

cream, emamcipation, face, fair trade, France, hyaluronic acid, natural, review, serum, shea butter, skincare, spring

This transitional weather does such significant damage to my skin. Dry patches, red skin and sensitivity to most skincare products. My face feels itchy and at times I have a burning sensation even when I apply thermal water.

This year I found the product that literally saved my skin. It is the L’Occitane’s Serum Fabuleaux / Fabulous Serum, with 5% organic shea butter.

The shea butter that the Provençal company uses comes from fair trade with the women of Burkina Faso. This is the reason why The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has distinguished L’OCCITANE as an exemplary business for its activities in favour of the emacipation of the African producers, who in this case are exclusively women.

– Photographies : YamPhoto

More on this issue you can read on L’Occitane website.

So here is my personal experience…

The L’Occitane Fabulous Serum is a serum with protective proprieties, that regenerates the structure of your skin and it was designed to act as shield against daily aggressions. It also contains hyaluronic acid that “fills” fine lines and reduces them, giving smoothness and elasticity to your complexion.

The serum has a fluid texture that allows a fast absorption. It is suitable to all skin types and it will give you 24h protection and hydration.

I applied it twice a day – morning and night, on cleansed skin before my usual moisturizer ( that happens to be another L’Occitane product and/or pure, cold pressed coconut oil ).

My skin felt as if it received an instantly facelift. It felt hydrated, smooth, bright and the fine lines I had around my eyes and mouth weren’t as obvious… I was left speechless!… On the third day application I already started to notice that some of my  redness and dry patches were gone! No itchy face!… No difficulties in applying foundation!… Everything went almost smooth and easy!

And it was this little product’s “fault”!

The only objection I have is…

… this one.

The product came in a little glass container. And since I have two left hands, apparently, I broke it. But I continued to use it anyway! And considering the effects this serum has on my skin, I can easily get over the packaging!

I got mine in two small size gifts with purchase, but the actual product comes in a 30 ml glass bottle ( be careful with that! ), provided with a pump. The full size bottle is going to be my next L’Occitane purchase.

You can easily buy it on line here, here, here  or directly from the L’Occitane stores, where you will have to pay 45 euros. A good price for a nice, effective serum!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

DIOR ROSY GLOW HEALTHY GLOW blush 001 PETAL – the KING of all blushes

Tags

001, dior, make up, makeup, Petal, pink, review, Rosy Glow, spring, swatches

I’m sure you can detect a “small” addiction here… Yes, it is true! I have a major crush on blushes! And with Dior Rosy Glow in particular. This is my absolute favourite blush, THE ONE I will always go back to no matter how many other cheek products I will buy.

But let’s move on to the actual review.

This blush came out with the Garden Party Spring Collection, in 2012. It was out there for a little while now, but I just didn’t gave it too much of a thought simply because I believed that everyone was over-reacting. How good can a blush be, right?!

How wrong was I!!!

On the Dior official website they describe the DIORSKIN ROSY GLOW 001 PETAL as a healthy glow booster blush that “reacts with the moisture in each skin type, giving a delicious and subtle blush to the cheeks. When applied, the initially fresh, light colour develops into a rosy blush that suits each individual complexion, for an ultra-natural, tailor-made healthy glow that lasts all day.” Absolutely true!

It is quite pigmented once it adjusts to my skin tonality. So I tend to use it with a light hand. I use a duo fiber brush ( in the picture above you can see my brush of choice – Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman – Duo-fiber face brush ), just to make sure that it picks up just the right amount of product. Then I apply it on my cheeks in circular motions, making sure it is very well blended.

The final result on my skin is a gorgeous pink colour. I always wanted a blush that can give me the pinched cheeks effect, those healthy rosy cheeks.

I use it just as a flush of colour during the day, but if I go out at night I accentuate it a bit more.

What else to say… Each Rosy Glow Blush comes in a sleek silver case, with a brush applicator. The product has an ultra-fine powder texture and irresistible rose fragrance, and features a perfect embossed Dior logo that almost makes me feel guilty I want to use it.

This is one purchase I will never regret making!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

CHANEL JOUES CONTRASTE powder blush in no 86 DISCRÉTION

Tags

blush, chanel, cosmetic, Discrétion, Joues Contraste, makeup, review, rose, scent, soft pink, spring

Ah! Chanel… Every girl’s dream!

Who wouldn’t love a bit of Chanel blush on their cheeks?!

My favourite at the moment is the Chanel Joue Contraste powder blush in Discrétion, #86. I bought it last fall from my local Sephora, on an absolute whim, because I was actually looking for the perfect nude lipstick ( still looking for that one!… ). So, the beauty and the delicacy of the Joue Contrastes lured me in – once again – and made me bring this beauty home with me.

The colour is a soft, light pink with a neutral almost warm undertone. In some lights you can even see a hint of coral undertone in it. But what attracted me to this blush in the first place was the color it presents in the pan. I looks like a pale baby pink, with iridescent micro shimmers; that will not transfer a lot on the cheeks. The shade itself is soft, it has a decent pigmentation and it can be build up easily; as you can see in the swatches below.

         – for comparison you can see JC Blush  #86 – Discrétion ( bottom ) swatched heavily and then light, next to JC Blush #72 Rose – Initiale ( top ).

I find the texture of this blush more powdery than what Chanel blushes got me used to. It feels noticeably more buttery soft than the other JC of baked version in the permanent line, that’s why I recommend applying it with a softer or finer bristled brush – like Tom Ford’s blush brush. But I’m also applying it with the brush that comes with it. No complains there!

With Discrétion, I usually need one or two swipes for the colour to show on my face the way I like it. With the other JCs I own, that are in baked formula also, I have to insist a bit more to obtain the natural flush of colour I like.

It smells like roses, which is the signature scent for all the Chanel makeup products. When I use this blush my whole room smells like roses for a while.

The packaging is sleek, as Chanel used us with; black with the well known white CC logo. It comes with the usual external packaging, the black velvet pouch, a brush that I, personally, am ok with and when you open it for the first time you can see a plastic dome that protects the blush itself. ( That is if/when you recover yourself from that rose scent that will literally hit you in the face, with all it’s awesomenes… )

Bottom line: Chanel Joue Contraste Blush #86 Discrétion is a must have in your blush collection if you like pretty, pink, soft blushes.

See you soon, beautiful people!

xx, Annie