Chanel's Lotus Rouge Photos and Swatches

Sometime's you just want to paint the town red.....

'Lotus Rogue' 

I decided to pull a 180 from Chanel's 'Morning Rose' and go with a moodier, sultrier color also known as 'Lotus Rogue' (455). Lotus Rogue may not be the most summer appropriate color there is, but the weather here in Southern California is not acting very summery either so I think we're even.

I realize now after falling twice for lighter warmer colors and hating the results, that my skin color looks best in darker warm colors. A deep burgundy color is set off nicely against my pale skin. I wonder how 'Lotus Rogue' flew under my radar for so long? I'm happy to have this nail polish be part of my stash and I think it will be my go-to color for when I want an in-you-face sexy red! Even my hubby said "Oh, wow!" when he saw my fingernails (it was pretty cute).

'Lotus Rogue' is part of Chanel's permanent collection and retails for $25.00. Neiman Marcus is offering free shipping with code FSMAYthat is good until 5.23.11 a perfect time to pick up a Chanel polish!

A real strawberry to show the similarity in color

Up close view of the nails

I love the contrast between kitties white/gray fur and my dark vampy nails

I think in the bottle this red seems a bit burgundy, while on my fingers it comes off as a true red (especially with two coats for better coverage). Either way, I'm happy with the color and the results. A classic red + classic Chanel = beauty perfection!

Chanel's 'Lotus Rogue' kid tested, hubby approved. ;)

What is your favorite red nail polish?

Chanel's Morning Rose Photos and Swatches

'Morning Rose (#557)' 

 I initially passed on, Morning Rose dubbing it as a "boring pink" polish instead opting for the much-hyped "it" color of the season, Mimosa was a bit prejudiced on my part. I am just happy to have been able to right a beauty wrong and exchange the polish for a more compatible color for my skin tone (thanks to the generous return policy of Nordstrom's) or so I thought.

The more I thought about Mimosa sitting in my nail polish holder going unused (with the exception of the one time I wore and posted pics) really unsettled me. I knew I would probably never wear that color again and yet I will admit there was some pleasure in knowing I had the "it" color for the Summer of 2011. I think it was that satisfaction that blinded me to the fact that a) I was not a fan of the formula, and b) the color was unsuited for my ruddy undertones, and c) at $25.00, it was an expensive lesson to learn. The more I read blogs singing the praises of Morning Rose, the more gutted I began to feel. I decided to try and see if Nordstrom even had any Morning Rose left in stock - they did, only two left! I asked about exchanging my Mimosa and they were very gracious and understanding. I hate to normally exchange things, but I really did not find much to like in Mimosa, and I knew it would go unused for here on out. I was jubilated to exchange it for a polish that more matched me and my personality.

Morning Rose is a pink polish with flecks of gold that add a sparkle taking it from "boring" to "intriguing". That extra "something" is what sets it apart and making it hard to dupe.   

When Chanel is on point they are unstoppable, and Morning Rose was no exception. The formula was right on. It was a relief after suffering disappointment with how thick Mimosa applied and my faith with Chanel had been renewed. I easily got a thin, even coat with Morning Rose but went for two coats to have more color deposit. I encountered no bubbles or thickness with application, yay!

The only drawback I can see is that the pinkness of Morning Rose brings out the ruddiness in my hands (here we go again), something I am not crazy about. I personally, think I look best in darker nail polishes, duly noted. This isn't a knock against Morning Rose, as far as delivery I was pleasantly surprised. I just feel I may have hit two strikes with Chanel's Summer nail polishes due to my skin tone and I'm not eager for a third strike with Beige Petale.

I hope you can see the gold flecks that lie in 'Morning Rose' - it really is pretty.

'Morning Rose' on my fingers

I'm afraid 'Morning Rose' is not compatible with my coloring

What is your go-to polish for summer?

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.*      

Le Metier De Beaute's Kaleidoscope Penelope

'Penelope'

I unwittingly have been on a Le Metier De Beaute bandwagon lately, mainly due to the fact that it makes up the largest bulk of my makeup collection. I just received Le Metier's 'Penelope' yesterday after being fortunate to win her in a contest. I was so excited to show her off to you guys that I've yet to do much beyond take pictures and do swatches. I was having a bit of an off day today and didn't apply any makeup at all. I will be going into Beverly Hills tomorrow and I look forward to seeing the effect that 'Penelope' gives once applied to the eyes. I need to take her out for a proper spin on the town. 

'Penelope' is part of le Metier De Beaute's Spring/Summer 2011 collection. The whole collection was inspired by the Mediterranean. Colors from top-to-bottom are: Blonde Amber (a warm gold), Pale Satin Amethyst (a cool iced-lavender), Bronze Topaz (a warm tinged gold), and the stellar Black Emerald (a cool forest green). The end results is indescribably depending on if you layer from top-to-bottom (like in the picture) or bottom-to-top or any combo in-between.

I feel as if 'Penelope' was designed for me. I have hazel eyes and like to bring out the "green-ness" of my eyes, so I naturally gravitate towards colors that will facilitate this like golds and purples.

Le Metier takes great pride in the finely-quartered milled eye shadows that are greatly pigmented and blendable. The beauty lies in how you can build the colors up for dramatic effect or layer a single color for a more natural, simple eye. When you layer the colors, ala, "couches de couleur" the color does not get lost amongst the mix, but instead creates a stunningly beautiful effect. I like that this concept is for even the most makeup-challenged. I also appreciate that you can use one brush dipped into all four colors and not have to worry about which brush is good for a specific area on the eye. This is not only a time saver but a money saver as well (Le Metier's crease brush retails for $45.00).   

'Penelope' is beginning to trickle into stores and retails for $95.00.

Blonde Amber - inspired by the sandy beaches

Pale Satin Amethyst - reflective of the sun during dusk

Bronze Topaz - the sun at sunset

Black Emerald - inspired by the jewel tone of the ocean

Finger Swatches - All swatches done with one swipe of the finger except for Black Emerald, which was done with two (because the first time a) it was a bad swipe and b) the color was more sheer when compare to the other colors

'Penelope' on fingertips used to demonstrate how pigmented these colors really are! 

All Le Metier De Beaute's kaleidoscope have a flip top mirror

Penelope Label

*None of the photos were enhanced to show the true nature of these colors*

Will you be purchasing 'Penelope'? 

The Versatile Blogger Award

I've been meaning to write up this post for awhile now, but between having other posts coming down the shoot and all the technical difficulties Blogger has been having (anyone with a Blogger account or just reads one knows what I'm talking about) I'm finally able to post this. I never wanted to come off as ungrateful for receiving not 1 but 2 "versatile" blogging awards by the lovely Jeanie from Makeup Merrimemt and the hilarious duo that is Beauty Info Zone or Lisa and Marcia. The truth is that as a "newbie" to the blogging community these awards make me 1) feel very welcomed by more seasoned phenomenal bloggers and 2) makes me feel acknowledged among the growing crowd of terrific bloggers. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

So now I have some "strict rules" I need to follow. They are as followed :

• Thank the person(s) that awarded you the award(s) - check!
• Tell us 7 things about yourself - continue reading
• Also award 15 30 bloggers (because I was so graciously nominated twice) the award, also linking back to the blog(s) that nominated you in the first place.

So here it goes, 7 random facts about moi:

1. I read all my magazines from back-to-front.

2. The celebrity I am told I most resemble is Liv Tyler (the second would be Molly Ringwald).

3. My Starbucks order is a tall 5 pump Decaf Vanilla Latte *delicious* - and now I'm craving one.

4. I have an inexplicable fear of popsicle sticks (I blame my pediatrician for shoving it down my throat as a kid while simultaneously making me say "ahh" every single visit.) As a result, you will never catch me eating a popsicle...ever. Just the thought of a Popsicle stick gives me a visceral reaction!!! Ok, enough with the Popsicle sticks.

5. My dream job is to be a set decorator for movies or tv shows. I'm a huge fan of interior design, and I love paying attention to the small details on sets. It fascinates me how the interior design of shows or movies help to tell a story. To be a scout locator for movies would be pretty awesome, too! Some of my favorite homes featured in movies have been Father of the Bride, Something's Got to Give, and It's Complicated.

6. I have a crush on Alex Trebek - something about brains and good looks that gets to me! Oh, and I would love to be on Jeopardy some day; that would be the coolest thing ever!

7. Finally, I want a star tattoo (well, three starts really to signify me, my hubby, and our daughter) on my foot really badly. I've been thinking about it for years, but ultimately I am far too chicken, and far too uncool to ever get one!

So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed the peek into my life.

Now it is my turn to pay it back and forward by tagging other outstanding blogs that I think are worthy of this accolade. In no particular order, here it goes.

1. Makeup Merriment
2. Beauty Info Zone
3. Belle Belle Beauty Blog
4. Lovesong for my Lipgloss
5. Everyday Beauty
6. Modesty Brown
7. Best Things in Beauty
8. Delicate Hummingbird
9. Visionary Beauty
10. Perilously Pale
11. Mookieonthebench
12. Lipstick Luvvies
13. Makeup Never Sleeps
14. Makeup Academia
15. Cafe Makeup
16. Blushing Noir
17. Raspberry Rouge
18. Vintage Makeup
19. The Non-Blonde

I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop right there. I don't read 30 beauty blogs, at least not yet. So there you have it, folks, the best of the best. Thank you again to Jeanie and Marica and Lisa. I really appreciate it!