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! 

NOTD Orly Rage

*All pictures were taken showing one coat of Rage and one coat of Seche Vite over one coat of Butter London's Nail Foundation (base coat). *

Orly's Rage

One coat of 'Rage' (rose gold) polish with flash

Rose gold in direct light (I think this pic is more accurate of the coloring)

'Rage' captured during the golden hour 

Rose gold with flash - notice the shine?!?

Retails for $4.50 for .18fl oz. Can be found at Target, Planet Beauty and Ulta.

What polish color, if any, are you wearing now?

Makeup Mavens Round Three!!!

Image credited to MarieClaire.com

The Makeup Mavens stop by every week to show you makeup and beauty you might have missed.  This week, they found some holy grail items, discovered secrets to flawless skin and introduced some bright summer colors.  Kick back, enjoy some lemonade (or whatever your beverage of choice) and enjoy some fabulous reads.

Summer is the time for new nail polish and Christina of Lovesong for my Lipgloss shares some of her picks for the season.

Jenn of Hopelessly Devoted to Makeup happened to stumble upon her holy grail base makeup routine.  Check out her products, tools and tips for a flawless complexion.

For those with sensitive, redness prone skin, The Black Panties has the secret to perfect skin, Nia24 skincare!

Searching for the perfect neutral eye wardrobe?  Lipstick Luvvies has found the only eyeshadows she would replace, Edward Bess Private Eyes.

Klara of Mookie on the Bench shares one of her all time favorites for the perfect cheeks, Stila Convertible Colors in Lilium and Gerbera.

Its often good to switch up cleansers for summer and Nat of Raspberry Rouge has the perfect solution for combination and oily skins, Ren Mayblossom Balancing Cleansing Gel.

Have trouble applying your concealer flawlessly?  Product Doctor has found a new staple in Le Metier de Beaute's large concealer brush.

p.s. Don't forget you have until 6/30/11 to become a follower of mine via Google Friend Connect to be entered to win one of Chanel's fall nail polishes (the winner gets to choose the color!).  

Burberry's Kabuki Brush

I've had this kabuki brush in my possession for a little under two weeks now and I must say that I haven't gotten much use out of it. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just that I already own two other kabuki brushes and tend to reach for those more often. I own MAC's #182 Buffer Brush ($47.00) along with Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush ($56.00).

Again high praise from Burberry in terms of presentation and quality. I love the cute, little velvet pouch with the long string attached to carry it around in. I also like that the bristles feel smooth and soft against my skin. The hairs are composed of pony and goat hair and are not at all scratchy. You can tell the hair is of high quality, something you expect with a name that bears 'Burberry'.

My one complaint is I just don't like the way it feels once in my hand. I would prefer something with more weight to it, more substance in the base.

One thing I am puzzled by is why they would not pack enough hairs into the base to leave it from having a gap when you pull the hairs tight. I suppose with the design having a square versus round base is partly to blame. In the end, I think having the gaps leaves it feeling cheaper than it really is, something I find to be unfortunate.

I don't regret this purchase because honestly, between bronzer, loose powder, and setting powder, I'll get mileage out of all three of my kabuki's no problem.

So the search continues for my holy grail kabuki brush.......I think I'll *have* to cave at some point and splurge on Le Metier's $85.00 kabuki brush - in the name of research of course!

The box and velveteen pouch with drawstring

Here you can see the "gap"

How To Achieve A Flawless Face

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #05

I have found my holy grail foundation and the ironic thing is I wasn't even looking for one. I think the same can be said for dating when you least expect it, BAM! you fall in love. Boy, have I fallen hard for this foundation.

Let me just start off by saying that I have nice skin. I don't mean that in a bragging sense of the word, but more like let me lay my cards out here and be honest with you. I don't need a full-coverage foundation (thanks Mom and Dad!). In fact, prior to wearing this foundation, it had been years since I wore liquid foundation (I used one from MAC and cannot even recall the name of it) at all. I was more of a dab of concealer here and there person. For days I craved more coverage I turned to my trusty tinted moisturizers by La Mer and Le Metier (hello Peau Vierge). I was so happy with them that I didn't need or even want more coverage.

Here is how I achieve the perfect complexion:

I use Le Metier De Beaute's Classic Flawless Finish Concealer SPF 18 ($55.00) under my eyes and around my nose, then I use my Le Metier De Beaute Large Concealer Brush ($50.00) to blend in any concealer. Next, I use my Armani Silk Foundation ($59.00) and pump two pumps onto my Angled Foundation Brush by LMDB ($50.00) and blend until I see no more streaks. I finish off with light dusting of Le Metier's Classic Finish Loose Powder ($50.00) using my Burberry kabuki brush ($52.00). Then, I finish up with curling my lashes and applying mascara (at this point my eye shadow is already applied) and work on bronzer if I'm in the mood for it or blush using you could probably already guess it my LMDB Blush Brush (not pictured for $55.00). My finishing step is always, always, a spritz of Evian water to "set" my makeup!

Bonuses:

• oil-free
• feels weightless
• provides light-medium coverage
• great staying-power 
• comes in a wide range of colors

Negatives:

• it's pricey
• you need a separate brush to apply it (this isn't really a negative as much as par for the course with liquid foundation). 

My Burberry kabuki, My LMDB angled foundation brush, concealer brush, concealer and loose powder and Giorgio Armani foundation. 

 Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade #05

The foundation rubbed into my arm - it really is the perfect match!
*Just for reference I'm considered MAC NW20*

While using my handy tools and the above mentioned products I really have been achieving air-brushed finishes and I could not be more pleased!

This is serious holy grail territory here! Please share your holy grails with me!