Chanel Topkapi EOTD, Swatches and Review

So I'm about to commit a beauty blogger cardnial sin...I bought Chanel's Regard Signe De Chanel Topkapi Eye Quad and my reaction? Meh. That's it, I've got nothing else for you, I paid $65.00 + tax and then in my angst to get my Chanel fix as quickly as possible paid an additional $15 for expedited shipping on top of that. Now,  I don't know about you but for $80.00 USD I expect love and I just am not feeling the love.

This is how Chanel describes this quad:

"Beloved by Mademoiselle Chanel, the opulence of Byzantine art served as muse for this quartet of creamy powder eyeshadows. Copper, taupe, gold and bronze, touched with shimmer and light, create mesmerizing effects. Limited Edition."

Pretty tempting, huh?

I think if you have a well stocked makeup drawer full of taupes, browns, and golds this quad is easily forgettable. I also was not pleased with the fall out factor from the gold shadow. As a tip, always start with your eye makeup first, then apply the rest of your "face" so if you do experience fall out, it will not disrupt the rest of your makeup.

The shadows are extremely soft and blendable (this is Chanel after all) and the taupe is really pretty. I'm a taupe lover and I get it. I just am still bitter at the paying $80.00+ for a taupe shadow Chanel, or no Chanel.

This item is listed as back ordered on chanel.com and I really don't know if they will be getting more quads in or not at this point. Hopefully,  I can feel a resurgence of love for this quad in the coming weeks. 

What's in my purse?

Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 35

I am a huge Louis Vuitton fan, infact, all my purses are from the French Luxury so it comes as no surprise that my current purse is a Speedy 35. I love Speedies and I own three of them.

My Purse To Go Organizer Stuffed

I like to keep my purse well organized at all times and most evenings I go through my purse to throw away receipts, old gum wrappers, and anything else that doesn't really belong in there. One way I stay so organized is with the help of my purse organizer by Purse To Go. The size is not quite right for the Speedy 35. I purchased this while I was still using my old Speedy 30. I need to reorder a new larger one I just keep forgetting to do so (makes a mental note to look into this).

Inside my purse you will find more Louis Vuitton goodies such as my Louis Vuitton cosmetic case, my  Vuitton key pouch, my Vuitton coin purse, my zippy coin purse, and denim pouch. I also have my trusty iPhone, my Ray Bans, Advil bottle, Mason Pearson hair brush, and a cute little frog that is suppose to bring me good luck with money! As you can tell, I have a "thang" for luxury goods and Hello Kitty!  

My Multicolor Insolite wallet

Inside my Insolite wallet - I fell in love with the hot pink! 

I got my intials heat stamped inside my wallet.

My Hello Kitty goodies - a pad and pen, along with my iPhone and cell phone charm.

I guess I'm a little paranoid about bad breath - LOL! 

My Louis Vuitton Leather Goods (Starting clockwise : My monogram cosmetic case, my vernis key pouch in Bleu Nuit, my monogram coin purse, my denim pouch, my Insolite Multicolored wallet, and my vernis zippy coin purse in amarante. 

My Denim Pouch holds my key, my car is a push button so I can keep the key in my purse and never have to dig it out. 

Inside my cosmetic case - lots of Chanel Glossimers, blotting papers, mini mascara, Giorgio Armani lip stick (that I never use), disposable mascara wands good for grooming eye brows, Chanel powder, Bobbi Brown gloss, Nars lip gloss, Kevyn Aucoin lip gloss, and MAC lip liner.

My Aviator Ray Ban's - the epitome of California cool.

I hope you enjoyed taking a peak into my purse! I know I love seeing these types of posts and videos when perusing YouTube.

What purse are you currently using?

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Eyeshadow in Illusoire #83 Swatches, Review, and Comparison to Giorgio Armani's Purpura

Giorgio Armani Purpura on the left and Chanel Illusoire on the right

Illusoire #83

Sorry I've been absent for the past couple of days. I have a sick little one in the house and it's been difficult to sit down at the computer and concentrate enough to put a post together. When my daughter is not feeling well, she is especially clingy to me, not that I'm complaining (I'm a mommy first, a blogger second, after all).

Chanel's Fall collection has me bewitched. Even though these Illusion D'Ombre eye shadows debuted during their Fall lineup, these are part of their permanent line. I wanted to wait a couple of days to wear and really test out this shadow before I properly reviewed it. Given the staggering heat and high humidity ravaging Los Angeles, I've put this shadow through the ringer and it's performed beautifully. Heck, I even went swimming with the eye shadow on (I didn't dunk under the water but I was still swimming laps) and it didn't budge that much - truly impressive! I really have fallen for this shadow and its texture. I like that I can easily apply this shadow with my finger by patting it on for some sparkle over my other shadows (I particularly like it paired with Chanel's Prelude Eye Quad reviewed here). I haven't even used the brush that comes with the shadow because I find using my finger works really well.

Giorgio Armani's Purpura is on the left and Chanel's Illusoire on the right

Close up of Illusoire and its sparkles

Illusoire on the left and Purpura on the right 

Chanel's Illusoire on the left and Giorgio Armani's Purpura on the right - pretty similar, right? 

Illusoire in the jar and the brush that is included with it

Wearing Illusoire 

As you can tell from the pictures, Illusoire is very close in resemblance to Giorgio Armani's Eyes To Kill Purpura. Their coloring may be very similar but that is were I would stop the comparisons. Armani's shadows are more dry and "crumbly" in texture where Chanel's is more like a spongey mousse. Purpura is more bold and Illusoire is more sheer. You can layer the Chanel to give it more "punch" but you don't have to. I like that Chanel shadows can be more sheered out for a daytime look. Chanel's long wear luminous eye shadows sell for $36.00 compared to Armani's Eyes To Kill $32.00 price tag for the same amount of product (0.14oz.). Because I have a sensitive nose I think it is worth mentioning that Illusoire has a scent to it. I don't notice it when I wear it, but when you unscrew the cap the smell wafts up to you. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly, but I like it. I just always like to point these things out in case someone reading is bothered by fragrant cosmetics.

If I had to choose one, and really having already owned Purpura, I recognize that Illusoire is a duplicate product in terms of coloring (what can I say, I like purple!) I would go with the Chanel. I really like the consistency and the fact that there is less glitter and more refined sparkle with Illusoire. I feel more comfortable wearing Illusoire in the daytime while Purpura is great for evening in my eyes (pun intended).

I'm trying to think if there is anything else I should say while reviewing this? I pretty much like everything about this shadow from the color, to the texture, to the smell, to the size, my only gripe is that $36.00 for an eye shadow is steep. I wish luxury cosmetics didn't always have a luxury price tag attached to them, but I'll gladly pay it for my Chanel!

Retails for $36.00USD found at http://www.chanel.com or department stores that carry Chanel cosmetics. I purchased mine from Nordstrom's.

What is your favorite purple eye shadow? 

p.s. Speaking of purple eye shadows, I have the most amazingly delicious Rouge Bunny Rouge Delicate Hummingbird eye shadow being reviewed soon! Stay tuned! 

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Epatant #84 EOTD

Image credited to chanel.com

Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre are part of Chanel's fall collection but thankfully are permanent. This way you can take your time to decide if these shadows are to your liking or not without the rush. They are touted as long lasting and I really wanted to demonstrate the shimmer in these shadows. I've heard that they are shimmery from some and not very from others. Here pictured is me wearing Epatant a lovely khaki silver color. I think we can all agree that these shadows are shimmery!

To buy or not to buy Epatant? 

Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Khaki Platine - Swatches and EOTD

Despite the triple digits and sizzling heat in Southern California my mind is focused on fall. Ahh, fall with its brightly colored leaves, crisp air and alluring fall makeup palettes. My mind is on Chanel's fall collection, more specifically their Khaki Platine Eye Definer. 

Khaki Platine #70 Eye Definer 

After reading one glowing review after another on Chanel's Limited Edition eye liner, Khaki Platine, I knew the sensible thing would be to order it and not kick myself later for missing out of it once it sold out (given that it is Limited Edition). I was fortunate enough to pick up Chanel's Rose Platine reviewed here from their summer collection and felt like that was the star of their summer line. I was anxious to see if Khaki Platine would be a stud or dud. 

Notice the golden hue

I was hoping my sentiments about Khaki Platine would be the same as Rose Platine. Happily, they are and more. I find the color to be perfect for summer going into fall with it's greenish golden tones. I really love the way it sets off my hazel eyes when applied to my lower lash line. This is just the added touch needed to bring a little spark to your eye without overdoing it on eye liner. 

Comes with the smudger at one end 

The point is already dull from my application

It comes with its own sharpener 

I can attest to its true staying ability because even when trying to rub it off my arm with soap and water the liner barely budged! I don't have particularly oily lids so I don't see migration of this liner being an issue at all. I love it paired with the Prelude Quad and look forward to wearing this in the coming months. Happy to report that Khaki Platine is a stud!  

Retails for $29.00 USD and can be found at www.chanel.com or high-end department stores.

Will you be buying Chanel's Khaki Platine? 

Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Giggle - Swatches & Review

Giggle

Chanel is currently repromoting the Glossimer Giggle (#46) as part of their Fall line up. From pictures,  the other two Glossimers - Braise (#158) and Pampille (#156) come off as being very sheer, and I can see why Chanel felt the need to add a more full-bodied gloss - enter Giggle. Giggle is a beautiful plum pink with brown undertones that is well pigmented and has no traces of shimmer. I, personally, have owned Giggle for some time and it is one of my most favored Glossimers perfect for the crisp fall air.

In direct light through my skylight using a flash

I think this swatch is a little deceptive and you can see it looks more plummy and less orangey on my lips vs. arm

I'm running low on Giggle and am happy that it is part of their permanent line so I don't have to worry about living without it. I think Giggle is warranted of the repromotion and given a second look to those that may not be aware of its beauty already.

Retails for $28.50 USD, can be found online at http://www.chanel.com and because this is part of their permanent collection can be found in high-end department stores (Neiman's, Nordstroms, Bloomie's, etc.) already.

Chanel Glossimers are hand down my favorite glosses, what is yours?

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Quartz #525 & Graphite #529 Swatches and Review - Pic Heavy!

You can see how Graphite applies thick, especially on my third finger

I do think these photos are deceivingly beautiful and I apologize. I know that I was quick to jump on the Fall Chanel bandwagon with the debut of their three new fall nail colors - Graphite #529, Quartz #525 and Peridot #531(not pictured) - because a) it's Chanel, b) the pictures were stunningly beautiful, and c) I've really fallen in love with polishes now and at most times my nails are covered in some fabulous color.

Some observations on my part: 1) Quartz looks prettier in photos than in real life. 2) Graphite is amazingly difficult to apply and was quick to smudge and smear (double GRR) and 3) for $25.00 the quality in these polishes seems to be lacking.

Quartz is pretty but after removing my Orly Rage polish highlighted here I was disappointed that Quartz wasn't "more", especially when comparing it to a $4.50 bottle of drugstore polish. I think it falls a little flat and is underwhelming it's an okay shade of smoky quartz. It did apply pretty well with two coats so I'll add extra points for that. Also, this color looks much more impressive out in the direct sun (not my office where I'm typing up my critique).

Graphite is appropriately named after the mineral and has iridescent flecks in it which makes it unique. In the sun, I definitely see some gold in it which is gorgeous. Graphite is a beaute no matter what angle you see it in, it especially glistens in the sunlight, however, what it has going for it in the looks department could not make up for its poor formula and a stubborn application. Frankly, after paying $25.00 for a high-end polish I expect more. I expect the color to last longer, the application to be smoother, and for the colors to really wow me. I think sometimes pictures can be deceiving. I would have to chalk that up to these polishes in this instance. I was romanticized with the Chanel hype and that was why I acquired  these polishes.

Can be purchased for $25.00USD from http://www.chanel.com or I believe the collection is hitting stores (Neiman's, Nordstroms, Saks, Bloomingdales) this week if it hasn't already.

Bottom line: These polishes are just a "like" for me, no love found here.

*Edit* I wanted to give an update on the Graphite polish. After discussing the polish with others on Twitter and hearing their experiences with the polish I was urged to remove the polish and try it once again. I removed the polish and started all over again, and I am so happy that I did! Using the polish a second time was like applying a new polish! It wasn't clumpy and applied evenly. I don't know why it was so different but I am so pleased that this is more than just a pretty polish. So I hope I didn't turn off people from trying this polish because perhaps I was too haste in my review.

Chanel Prelude Swatches, Review, and EOTD

With flash but more accurate of the color depiction 

With no flash 

Starting from the top of the quad working clockwise

This quad is so stunningly beautiful with such simplistic colors that are classic and always in vogue (just like a Chanel handbag). I personally love beige, gray, and mauve-ish taupes, that this quad is right up my alley. I had read that this quad had been described by some as "blah", "boring", and "nothing special", I began having second thoughts about ordering this sight unseen. Personally, I think those descriptions are really off base. Yes, these are not the most original colors by any stretch of the imagination, but in its simplicity lies the beauty.

I don't have the heart to swatch this yet but rest assured when I have time, I'll swatch it and post an EOTD with Prelude as the main attraction. I then can give a further review on pigmentation, blendability, and staying power. For now if you were debating over whether you need this Chanel quad in your life - my take on it? An unequivocal YES!!!

*edit*

 I added a picture of the swatch which is taken in direct light to best capture the shimmer. I also added an EOTD picture to show how different the swatch on my arm looks vs. my eyes. I hope these pictures come in handy to someone who is debating over whether to make Prelude theirs! I wore Prelude over my MAC paint pot in Bare Study and had no problems with color fading. Like most Chanel eye shadows they blended really well and the pigmentation was excellent, no fallout with these shades!