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. 

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? 

EOTD Le Metier De Beaute Penelope

I just happened to be walking through utopia the cosmetic section of Newport Beach's Neiman Marcus when who do I stumble upon, but none other than the fabulous Kayla from Le Metier. You know, the charismatic brunette who does all those fabulous Le Metier Youtube videos we are all fascinated by, and also widely known by Twitter followers.

I was greeted with a great and warm response. I'll admit I was a bit starstruck shy to meet her. I was immediately put at ease by her down-to-earth attitude. We conversed about makeup and Le Metier as if we were old friends.

The best part was sitting in her chair and having her do my makeup! I was so excited to see the look she created on me unfold in front of my eyes. First, she lined my lower lid with Le Metier's Dualistic Eye Pencil in 'Tamarack' and smudged it onto my eyes. Then she used their 'Penelope' kaleidoscope and applied 'Black Emerald' and put it over my lid focusing on the lower half. Then, she skipped to 'Satin Amethyst' and blended the dark, forest green in with the lavender (that alone was beautiful). She then applied my favorite shade, 'Bronze Topaz', and finished off blending in 'Blonde Amber'. She lined my waterline with 'Tamarack' and applied some of the color below the eyelid as well. She mentioned that you need the bottom of the eye to reflect the top of the eye for balance. I thought that was a really good makeup tip and something worth passing on to those with these wonderful kaleidoscopes. She then used their Precision Liquid Eyeliner in 'Noir' to make the smallest line along my lashes over the 'Tamarack' pencil. The finishing touch was Le Metier's Anamorphic Lash Mascara in 'Midnight Blue' (which is now on my wish list). That complimented the green and purple from the kaleidoscope so well. Afraid of color I am not and I really loved the dramatic effect she created for me. I think it really brought out my eye color!

Onto the rest of my face. She touched up my Peau Vierge in the lightest shade and used their Classic Flawless Finish Concealer in shade number 6 (they do not go in order from lightest to darkest), then used their Blushing Bronzed Duet in 'Travita' to bring out my cheekbones.

(Sorry, Kayla if I missed a step. I really hope I didn't. I was enjoying myself too much to pay full attention to the details of it all).

It was also a delight to see how much fun Kayla was having doing her "job" - she really came to life applying my makeup and it was a real pleasure sitting in her chair and "playing". I encourage anyone who is fortunate to live near her (she travels to throughout the West Coast frequently) to go pay her a visit. I'm so glad I worked up the courage to introduce myself -- she even recognized me (*blushes*). I seriously could not stop staring at my makeup. I just wish I could do half as good of a job as she did!

Here are the pics of the finished look:

Close-up shot

With my eyes open, doesn't the color pop?

I promise this looked so much better in person. This was also taken with a flash and I'm sure that washed the coloring out a bit.

Thanks again, Kayla! 

EOTD: Le Metier De Beaute's Penelope

Here are two quick pics of me wearing Penelope Kaleidoscope ($95.00), one with the eyes open and another with my eyes closed to show the gradient of the colors.

I had fun using this kaleidoscope and here is one way that I wore the eyeshadow today:

Black Emerald was used as a liner at the lash line, Blonde Amber was used over the entire lid, while Pale Satin Amythest was used on the lower lid, Bronze Topaz was blended into the crease. I did not use Le Metier De Beaute's "couches de couleur" layering concept for this look. I thought it was nice to show a different way to wear this beautiful kaleidoscope of colors that was more appropriate for day time.

Other products that I used to achieve this eye look include - Le Metier De Beaute's Brow Bound Eyebrow Pencil ($36.00) in 'Fawn', and Le Metier's Anamorphic Lash Mascara ($34.00) in 'Aubergine'.

*All products can be purchased online or in-store at Neiman Marcus, and online or in select Nordstroms.*