Rise and Shine!

Why hello, old friends! Sorry I’ve been so absent lately. I moved, which made me realize I have way more makeup than I should (but really, it’s only one IKEA Helmer full….). And I’ve been spending lots of time just enjoying the heck out of summer and spending time with my boyfriend. I haven’t been in the blogging mood so I figured I’d just take a break until the mood struck to get writing again.

Now that the school year is back in full swing, my time is more structured and I think I’ll be able to get back to semi-regular posting. I can’t promise 7 posts a week, but I’ll see if I can swing one or two!

I’ve been MIA for so long I honestly couldn’t figure out what I should write about first. I decided to show you a good ol’ fashioned What I’ve Been Slapping Onto My Face Lately post to get back into the swing of things.

Simple has been the name of my game as of late. I do mix this up with the addition of an occasional blush or eyeshadow, but my longer commute has had me reaching for these basics. I may not always wake up bright AND early, but with these favorites I can fake it!

First, I apply Avène Thermal Spring Water Soothing Serum. My skin has been in pretty good shape lately so this is the only moisturizer I’ve needed. It absorbs quickly and keeps my skin from drying out during the day. During the winter I like to apply this under a creamier moisturizer. I find it makes everything else sit more nicely on my skin.

Next up is my tiny little sample of Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. This is my first time trying one of Laura Mercier’s primers and I really am impressed. This tiny tube has lasted me nearly a month and it’s still going strong. It adds lasting power to my foundation of choice.

Foundation time! I’ve been using Chanel Perfection Lumière (I have 22 Beige Rosé). I originally bought this during the winter but my skin was too dry and I couldn’t find a good base to make this work on me. I shelved it for use in the summer months when my skin is oilier. Unfortunately I had a slight obsession with sunless tanning lotions and spent so much time outside that this shade was far too light for me. My tan has finally faded enough that I can get some use out of this! I love the finish, but the staying power could use some work as it tends to fade after about 6 hours. With the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer underneath I can make it through the day pretty well though. I buff this in with my Sigma F80 brush and it really does give the most beautiful flawless look. I’m not sure if I’ll repurchase though; I’ve had my eye on that new Giorgio Armani foundation…

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (shown in shade Light) has been a staple of mine since I first began my love affair with makeup. It’s a must-have for setting foundation. It has just enough coverage to make it perfect for touch-ups on long days when my foundation is beginning to fade. I buff it into my foundation with a kabuki.

The flawless finish of the Chanel foundation and MAC MSFN means contouring is a must! I can’t be walking around with mannequin face! To contour I’ve been using MAC Harmony blush. This is a matte blush from the permanent line. I can’t remember where I read about it but somebody said it’s a great contour shade for lighter skin tones. I agree! I apply it with a tapered brush and blend with a kabuki to avoid the tiger stripe look.

I’ve spoken about this next product endlessly, so I’ll make this quick. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade is my go-to highlighter. I can honestly say I haven’t highlighted with anything else for the past 4 months. It gives such a pretty subtle glow! I have a backup because I don’t think I could live without this. I also like to slap a little on my lids to brighten up my eyes.

I also like to brighten my eyes with MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating. It’s a white pencil with a bit of sheen to it. I like to pop a bit in the inner corners and the outer bottom third of my eye and then blend it out with a small eyeshadow brush. This makes my eyes pop so I can pretend to be alert in the early morning hours!

Maybelline Full ’N Soft Mascara is another item that I’ve gabbed on about in the past, but it really is fantastic. I try other mascaras at various price points from time to time but I always come back to this one. It gives me volume, length, and curl for under $10!

Not pictured: MAC Eyeshadow in Espresso for my brows. Seriously, that’s all I EVER use. I do have my eye on those MUFE Waterproof Brow Correctors though…have to pick one up soon!

And that’s it! It’s not terribly exciting, but natural can be just as pretty as being all dolled up! And it sure is quicker!

What have you been reaching for lately?

Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Prélude & A Bit of Geekery

Sometimes I order things without really knowing why. When I was wandering around the Chanel website to order my Knightsbridge lipsticks [reviewed here] I decided on a whim to order my first Chanel eyeshadow quad. I had no idea which one to get, so I turned to my trusty Google search. I pretty much just picked the first one that showed up. Luckily it turned out to be the perfect everyday quad for me.

The quad comes in the standard shiny black Chanel packaging, which I adore but wish it wasn't so prone to collecting fingerprints. It comes with a little velvet pouch, which is a nice touch.

Chanel Prélude [natural light]

The quad comes with a mirror and two sponge applicators; one is slightly pointed for lining and the other is the standard rounded shape. Like most included applicators they're pretty useless, but I try to hang onto them for travel purposes. The mirror is a decent enough size that it's actually usable. I don't understand the point of mirrors in small single or duo eyeshadows (does anyone use those, like ever?), but in a larger palette like this, it's nice to have. 

Chanel Prélude [flash]

The top left shade is a taupe with a hint of purple that looks beautiful on its own or combined with any of the other shades in the quad. The top right shade is a golden white, which is a nice highlighter. The bottom left is a beige with a hint of warm pink, it looks great with the top left shade. The bottom right is a combination of black, brown, and eggplant, it makes a great liner and brings some much-needed drama to make this palette great for day or night. These shadows all lean a bit cool, but I think they could work across skin tones. 

As you can see, the shadows all have a very fine microshimmer. I usually prefer matte shadows for everyday use so I don't end up looking like a disco ball at the office, but this shimmer translates beautifully onto the skin and only really shows up when the light hits the shadow. You can see the difference in how the shimmer looks in the swatches below. 

Chanel Prélude, swatched clockwise from top left [natural light]

Chanel Prélude, swatched clockwise from top left [flash]

All of the shades are fantastically pigmented and smooth. They blend well and I haven't had any issues with wear time. You really need just the tiniest bit of shadow, so I expect this will last me a very long time [especially as I've only hit pan on a few eyeshadows in my lifetime].

Below is the makeup I wore today for a shopping trip with my mom, featuring Chanel Prélude. It's been unseasonably warm this week for March in Wisconsin, reaching 80 degrees today. I wanted to look glowy and beachy, so I wore a good deal of bronzer and highlighter.

FACE:

Avene Cold Cream

Skin 79 BB Cream

Covergirl Aquasmooth Foundation in Natural Ivory

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel [contour cheekbones and around face]

MAC Wonder Woman MSF in Pink Power [pink shade as blush, highlight on cheekbones]

MAC MSFN in Light

EYES:

Chanel Prélude

Top left shade on outer half of mobile lid and lower lash line

Top right shade to highlight brow bone and inner corner

Bottom left shade on inner half of mobile lid

Bottom right shade in crease and outer V

NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte on waterline

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara in Noir

LIPS:

Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

I also thought I'd throw in a little non-makeup photo. This is my newest necklace, and I absolutely love it. It says "Do or do not, there is no try" which is a quote from Star Wars. I was over the moon to find such a pretty version of something geeky that I love. It's the Alisa Michelle Do or Do Not gold pendant necklace and I purchased it on HauteLook a few weeks ago. 

And those are two of my new favorite things! 

Have you bought anything lovely lately?

These Chanel Knightsbridge lipsticks are giving me a a serious case of wanderlust.

Three things in life that I absolutely adore are Chanel, traveling, and bright pink lipsticks. Enter the Chanel Knightsbridge Collection, a bright pink lover's dream. The collection includes a Poudre Tissée blush in Brompton Road, three Rouge Allure lipsticks in Hyde Park, Kensington, and Belgravia, and a Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer in Chelsea. The collection was inspired by London, and is available exclusively on Chanel's website.

As much as I would have loved to buy the entire collection, I've been attempting to exercise some restraint with my purchases. I chose the two items that I knew I had to have: the Rouge Allures in Hyde Park and Kensington.

The packaging is gorgeous, and looks a lot like my beloved Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss, with a sleek black tube topped with the iconic Chanel logo in gold.

Aside from being gorgeous, the packaging is also quite clever. To remove the lipstick from the tube you press down on the gold Chanel logo on top and it springs up so you can pull out the lipstick.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Kensington

Kensington is a bright blue-based pink. It's mostly opaque, but it's definitely not the most pigmented. It has a lovely sheen to it and applies smoothly. It also feels quite moisturizing for such an opaque lipstick. It makes my lips look so soft and lush. Definitely a winner in my book! 

Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure in Kensington

Guerlain Champs-Elysées, NARS Schiap, Chanel Kensington, Covergirl Temptress, NARS Mexican Rose

As you can see, I don't really have anything like Kensington. Schiap is probably closest in color, but is darker. Temptress leans more coral. Mexican Rose is redder. Champs-Elysées is darker and a touch redder.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a bright coral pink with the same opaque glossy finish as Kensington. Like Kensington, it also glides on beautifully. I was most excited about this shade, as I love pinky corals for spring and summer. I can already tell I'll be wearing this a lot in the warmer months.

Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure in Hyde Park

MAC Party Parrot, Chanel Hyde Park, MAC Viva Glam Nicki, Beauté Flouron

 When I applied Hyde Park for the first time I immediately noticed it looked very similar to a couple of my other favorite bright coral-pinks. Party Parrot is far too dark, but Viva Glam Nicki and Flouron are incredibly similar to Hyde Park. However, I'm not willing to call either a dupe. The finishes of all three are so different that they really don't look like dupes when applied to lips. Viva Glam Nicki is much more pigmented and less glossy. Flouron is a stain, so it dries down to a matte finish and becomes a bit brighter on the lips.

Have you purchased anything from Chanel's Knightsbridge collection? I've never been to London, so I can't say for sure if these are reminiscent of it, but they're definitely gorgeous colors for spring and summer. If London is half as wonderful as these lipsticks, I definitely need to plan a trip there!

Happy Valentine's Day from NARS Spring! (A month late because I have lost control of my life.)

WHEW! Oh my goodness you guys, I've been so busy! Work has been nuts. School has been…well…let's be honest, school always sucks. Anyway, thanks to those of you who have kept me sane via Twitter. It's been nice to gab about makeup even though I haven't had time to blog. 

Anyways, I've had these photos just going to waste on my computer so I figured it was finally time to post about my latest (from a month ago…this was supposed to be a VALENTINE'S post...) NARS purchases. I can't truly call this a "spring collection" post, as I did buy one permanent item, but I will show you the two things from NARS Spring that I couldn't live without.

 

NARS Single Eyeshadow in Lhasa

First up is NARS Single Eyeshadow in Lhasa. It's a silvery lavender taupe, and I can honestly say it's unique in my collection. I was expecting it to be a bit more purple, but it turns out it's a very wearable everyday shade. Even though this is quite silvery, it does have a slight edge of brown, which makes it wearable across skin tones. It's a bit sheer, but in a good way. This is a gorgeous color to swipe across your lids when you want a fool-proof look, but also pairs beautifully with other shadows. 

NARS Single Eyeshadow in Lhasa

NARS Larger than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte

 Next is the NARS Larger than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte. I purchased this as an answer to those darn MAC Chromagraphic pencils people rave about. With a full-time job and being a full-time student, there's never enough time for sleep. This little pencil has become my go-to trick for faking that bright-eyed look I covet.

NARS Larger than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte

The pencil is a twist-up with a sharpener in the bottom. I don't particularly like twist-up pencils, but this makes it much more friendly for on-the-go touch-ups. I've been tossing it in my bag to refresh my eyes mid-afternoon. As for the wear time? I have no complaints, but my standards are very realistic. I usually have a bit left on my waterline after 6-7 hours, which is excellent for me. I have a really difficult time getting products to stay put on my allergy-prone eyes. To further endorse this, I will tell you that I fell asleep with a swatch on my hand and it was still perfectly intact the next morning. I'd love to try out more shades of these in the future. 

NARS Velvet Gloss Pencil in Mexican Rose

The last little ditty I purchased is the NARS Velvet Gloss Pencil in Mexican Rose. This is my first Velvet Gloss pencil. I was leery about purchasing this because it's not a twist-up pencil. I was afraid that having to sharpen such a soft product could be a messy affair, but the gorgeous color and the assurances of many that it could easily be sharpened after chilling in the freezer for awhile, convinced me to purchase this. I've used it a few times and I don't regret this at all. It's a beautiful bright raspberry pink with a glossy finish. 

NARS Velvet Gloss Pencil in Mexican Rose

I've found that on my lips this behaves as a stain, as the color sticks around long after the glossiness has worn off.  I don't find it terribly drying if I make sure to properly prep my lips (exfoliation and balm) and it sticks around through a meal with just a little touch-up necessary. On my lips, it starts off rather sheer but then transforms into a deeper pink. The more touch-ups I do, the deeper the color gets. In the swatch below it looks a tad sheer. I believe you can sheer this out enough to get a bit of color, but those of you who have known me for awhile won't be surprised to hear that I like my lip products as bright as possible.

Left to Right: NARS Lhasa, Rue Bonaparte, Mexican Rose

 I wore all three of these products for the first time on Valentine's Day (See! I told you. I'm so behind on posting!). If I had had a hot date planned I probably would have gone for a more dramatic look with my eyes, but I had work and school, so I couldn't be too over-the-top. A bright pink lip was a fun nod to Valentine's Day without looking crazy. The photos below were taken in bright natural light (it was overcast but I was able to catch a good reflection off of the snow…Ohhhh Wisconsin…), so I'm not sure why Mexican Rose looks so red. This was after about 3 applications throughout the day though, so the color had deepened considerably from the first application. Unfortunately I was a bad blogger and can't remember which face products I used…sorry!

Here you can see Rue Bonaparte on my waterline. Be gone, red and irritated waterlines!

I used Lhasa on my eyes, on top of MAC Painterly Paint Pot. I applied Lhasa sheerly over the mobile lid and then darker in the crease. I used Guerlain Noir G mascara as well. (Sorry about my messy brows. Thank goodness they only looked that terrible close up!) 

Overall I'm really pleased with these products. Lhasa is quickly becoming a favorite everyday shadow, Mexican Rose is a gorgeous option for a bolder lip, and I've used Rue Bonaparte every single day since I purchased it. 

Did you pick anything up from NARS Spring? Did you wear anything special for Valentine's Day? (a month ago…xD) 

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Minaj

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When I first heard that Nicki Minaj would be doing another MAC lipstick, I was thrilled. I missed out on Pink Friday, but honestly wasn't all that disappointed because the color seemed very dupeable and the packaging wasn't anything special. But THIS? This I haaad to have. 

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

 Viva Glam Nicki is a bright yellow pink with a satin finish, and is packed with pigment. I did have a bit of an issue with it highlighting the dryness of my lips, but I honestly don't have many lipsticks that don't highlight that particular problem. Winter is a bitch, eh? Anyway, the color is bright, but definitely not the most terrifying in my collection. I did a few comparison swatches and I don't own anything like this. The closest is maybe Beauté lip stain in Flouron, which is darker and more neon in my opinion. I don't have any full FOTD photos yet, but look for a post featuring this pretty in the future! So far it's love at first swatch, so I can't wait to wear it out! 

 One thing I find interesting is that this lipstick looks COMPLETELY different on Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog. Her lips are darker than mine, but I didn't expect such a huge difference. I think it looks much yellower on me. Just goes to show that you really don't know how a product will look unless you test it out first!

Will you be picking up Viva Glam Nicki? I'm also interested to hear how you feel about Viva Glam Ricky. Personally, I wish they would have made the lip conditioner in stick form and put it in the same packaging as the rest of the Viva Glam lippies.

Counting My Lucky Stars: Lancôme Erika F.

When the lovely Xiao at Messy Wands posted a giveaway featuring the extremely coveted Lancôme Ombre Absolue in Erika F. I entered but honestly didn't get my hopes up. I fell in love with Erika F. when I first saw it on Messy Wands in a post aptly titled, "Makeup You Want But Cannot Have" and immediately began looking for dupes. Luckily, the stars aligned and I won this gorgeous shadow!

Lancôme Ombre Absolue, Erika F. 

Erika F. is one of those amazing shadows that looks completely different from every angle. In the photo above it looks like a gorgeous champagne shimmer, but as you'll see below, that's simply one angle. It's a gorgeous combination of green, gray, and champagne with the most amazing shimmer. The way it sparkles reminds me of the Chanel Illusion d'Ombre shadows, and if you're looking for a dupe for this shade, Café Makeup has a swatch that compares Erika F. to Epatant. They're pretty darn close, so I suggest checking out Epatant to satisfy your Erika F. lemmings.

Lancôme Ombre Absolue, Erika F.

Lancôme Ombre Absolue, Erika F.

Not only is Erika F. incredible in the pan, it wears like a dream. It blends beautifully and even though there's quite a lot of sparkle in this one I didn't experience any fallout with or without a primer. In the photos above I applied a base of MAC Paint Pot in Painterly and then swept Erika F. across the lid and applied it darker in the crease. I love shadows that allow you to deepen the color like this. Makes mornings much easier!

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Essence de Gloss, Violine

As if winning this jaw-droppingly beautiful and rare eyeshadow wasn't enough, Xiao also sent me a cute little Guerlain Kiss Kiss Essence de Gloss. This shade is 462 Violine. It's a gorgeous semi-opaque raspberry color with very subtle microglitter and OH MY GOSH I am obsesssssssed with the formula. This is the first Guerlain gloss I've tried and I don't think I can ever put another sticky MAC lipgloss near my lips again. It glides on and seems to smooth out and moisturize my lips, which has been a lifesaver as they've been dry and chapped lately. It wears pretty darn well too and I had a little color left after a cup of coffee. It's really versatile too and can be built up for more opaque color or sheered out. It pulls a little redder in photos, but there's a definite touch of berry in real life.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Essence de Gloss, Violine

Did I mention it looks totally gorgeous when worn with Erika F? I could not be more in love with my winnings! I wish I had been able to take a full FOTD photo, but I've developed a blemish overnight and my vanity won't allow photographic evidence. You'll have to take my word for it that when I wear Erika F. and Violine together I feel like a Disney Princess. They're both such natural and beautiful shades that I felt as if I could go prance through the woods and sing with woodland creatures. Hopefully once my face is once again up to my standards I will post a FOTD of these together.

Lancôme Ombre Absolue, Erika F. and Guerlain Kiss Kiss Essence de Gloss, Violine

I highly recommend you check out Xiao's blog, Messy Wands, and follow her on Twitter (@xiaoo) and I'm not just saying that because of this awesome giveaway I won. She has gorgeous photos, honest and well-written reviews, and she's absolutely stunning! She's inspired many of my experiments with color and always has me lemming something new. Messy Wands is the kind of blog that I hope Beauty Charade can one day be. 

<3

A Quick EOTD and Review: L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow

I've been taking my new L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadows for a test drive this week, and I have to say I'm pretty darn impressed. They have a strange consistency that feels like a powdery cream, and they blend like nobody's business. I picked up three shades, Bronzed Taupe, Iced Latte, and Endless Pearl. 

Top to Bottom: Bronzed Taupe, Iced Latte, Endless Pearl, taken with flash

I really had no idea what to expect with these shadows given their strange texture, but they're extremely smooth and apply beautifully with fingers or brushes. The pigmentation of Bronzed Taupe and Iced Latte is incredible. The swatches above are one swipe of product. 

But, (isn't there always a but?) I have to say that I'm not entirely thrilled with the performance of Endless Pearl. When I purchased this shade I thought it would be right up my alley. Unlike Bronzed Taupe and Ice Latte, Endless Pearl appears much more matte. There is a slight hint of shimmer, but it's nothing like the other two shadows. Unfortunately, Endless Pearl also lacks the vibrant pigmentation found in Bronzed Taupe and Iced Latte. The swatch above required 3 passes and I had to practically scrape the product out of the pot to achieve even this minimal level of opacity. It does apply slightly better on the lid. I've been using it as a subtle highlight on my eyes and cheeks, but I will not repurchase this shade. Given that it barely shows up on my skin, I've had a hard time being able to tell if it wears as well as the other two shadows. 

Oh well! Enough of the bad, let's take a look at some good! 

I wanted to post full FOTD shots, but between the bitter cold (single digit temps today!) and my dry office environment, my skin was flaky and dry by lunchtime. Luckily my eyeshadow held up remarkably well so I can at least show you the main event! 

To create this look, I applied Bronzed Taupe all over the lid in into the crease with my finger and blended the edges out with a MAC 217. Then I used the 217 to apply Iced Latte from the crease up to the brow. I used the same brush to darken the crease with a bit more of Bronzed Taupe. Then I applied a bit of MAC All That Glitters to the inner third of the lid. I lined the lower lash line with MAC Eye Kohl in Tarnish and finished it all off with generous lashings of Guerlain Noir G mascara.  

The eyeshadow was applied at 7:00 this morning and this photo was taken at 8:00 this evening. I didn't use a base, other than the normal amount of foundation I put on my lids. I will probably never test out my makeup for 24 hours, but I'd say that 13 hours with no creasing without the use of a base is pretty darn impressive. My lids aren't particularly oily though, so if yours are you might want to use a base just to be on the safe side. 

I'm really impressed with these shadows, although in the future I plan on steering clear of any shades with a similar texture to Endless Pearl. Have you tried any of the L'Oreal Infallibles?