On Tuesday, May 15, 2012, Chanel held its Cruise 2012/13 show at the gardens at Versailles. Tents were added to the already manicured, rich setting:
The clothing played with the Marie Antoinette theme, the last queen to occupy this opulent palace:
Le Metier de Beaute’s On the Coast Palette ($95) was a “don’t blink or you’ll miss it” release on Saks.com about two weeks ago. Because so many more wanted to purchase it, they company has promised to replenish the stock of the palette. Here is the former onsite link, although I don’t know for certain whether Saks will use the same page when the re-stocking occurs.
I’ve been reaching for this palette more days than not since it arrived. It’s extraordinarily easy to use. Typically, I use the lightest color as a lid wash (up to the crease), then choose either the second or third level to put into the cease. If I have a few more seconds, I’ll add the blue as a liner. Done. Polished. Shimmery. Pretty. Although you could easily layer these shades, I think they work quite well on their own, blended together.
The first layer is a shimmery beach sand color, a cool-toned beige that is quite close to my natural skin color:
The second layer is a shimmery taupe:
The third is a shimmery rich bronze:
The fourth layer is a medium shimmery blue:
First set of swatches:
Additional swatches:
Final set, very similar but just because:
Overall, this is a highly usable, high quality neutral palette. As you may recall, this palette was originally produced to commemorate the line’s addition to Saks.com, and I believe it serves that purpose well. The colors are true crowd-pleasers, versatile, and will look good on a variety of skin-tones.
I almost didn’t post this review, because I know that some are unhappy that the palette was produced in a boutique quantity for national release. I have found the palette extremely useful, so I thought I’d go ahead (actually, I’m sort of in love with it). It’s a great everyday palette, true to its coastal theme (a vibrant purple-blue instead of the blue would have added an edge, but I’m not complaining. The blue is a gorgeous blue). Indeed, the colors are so friendly that some might check their Le Metier stash to see whether they might own some of these colors already. Having said that, I’m happy to pack my On the Coast with me on future trips. The versatility of this palette makes it well worth the tiny amount of space it’s going to occupy. Well done, Le Metier!!
Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum ($65) is a best-in-class primer for dry skin. According to Hourglass, the “28″ in the name refers to the key ingredients in the primer, which includes 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-rich plant oils, and 4 vitamins. I’m no stranger to using rich and essential oils on my skin, having used Rodin’s legendary Olio Lusso for the past year whenever my skin feels dry and in need of nourishment. I’ve finally learned that even my combo-oily skin can benefit from the caring properties that well-chosen oils can bring.
Unlike Olio Lusso, Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum is a true primer intended to act as a hydrating base for foundation. In my opinion, the ideal user for this product has dry (or combo-to-dry) skin, and is concerned about anti-aging because the treatment properties are an important part of this treatment. The scent is light and pleasant, to my mind it seems like a slight floral with a touch of sandalwood. I find the scent far more pleasant and unobtrusive compared to Olio Lusso. I didn’t notice the scent after about 1/2 hour after application (and that’s being generous).
The product applies as a sheer liquid. With this product, you do not need very much to get a velvety base–I used at most three little droplets. It absorbs quickly. My liquid foundation applies like a dream over it, giving me a very smoothly textured base. I used Nars Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30++, as well as Burberry’s liquid and Chanel’s Perfection Lumiere. These foundations lasted all day. I was surprised to find that my skin did not feel “oily” in any way–rather, the finish was more velvety. Truly a “best in class” primer.
Using so little, I can see that this bottle is going to last a very long time. Note that, according to Hourglass, the Nº 28 Primer Serum can be used as a night treatment and even to put on the ends of your hair as a conditioning treatment.
Some of you may be wondering how this compares to another of my favorite primer, Burberry Fresh Glow Luminious Fluid Base. These really do serve two different purposes. The Burberry is intended to add a glowy highlighter to the skin, but not to add any skincare properties. On the other hand, the Hourglass is completely sheer (no added glowy bits), but is intended to treat and moisturize. I really love both for different reasons, and I think you can see that those with dryer skin types (or those who live in dryer climates) are really going to love the moisturizing benefits of Hourglass Nº 28. And (because I know your wondering)–no breakouts from the Hourglass primer. Trust me, it’s always a concern.
Bottom line: Loved this best in class primer.
Ingredient list (from Sephora.com): Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ceramide 3, Sphingolipids, Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Oil, Rose Hips Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Sweet Almond (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) Oil, Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Oil, Olive (Olea Europaea) Oil, Hazelnut (Corylus Americana) Oil, Borage (Borago Officinalis) Seed Oil, Kukui (Aleurites Moluccana) Nut Oil, Cherry (Prunus Avium) Pit Oil, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Panthenyl Triacetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Dioctyl Succinate, Peg-8, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Lithospermum Officinale Root Extract, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Citric Acid, Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Oil, Geranium (Geranium Maculatum) Oil, Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Roseum) Oil, Vanilla (Vanilla Planifolia) Oil, Clove (Eugenia Caryophyllus) Oil, Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Peel Oil, Petitgrain (Citrus Reticulata) Oil, Amyris (Amyris Balsamifera) Oil, Benzoin Siam Absolute, Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonum) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Leaf Oil, Bois De Rose (Aniba Rosaeodora) Oil, Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis) Leaf Oil, Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata) Oil.
Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum was sent to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review.
Lately I’ve been using very emollient eye creams (ah, the joys of beauty blogging!) Guess what’s in emollient eye creams? You guessed it–oil! Guess the best way to remove mascara (even waterproof mascara)? You guessed it again–oil! The combination of an oily moisturizer and mascara is a recipe for disaster because you are wearing the mascara and a removing agent at the same time. Some eye creams gave me raccoon eyes as early as 10 a.m. Not a good situation, trust me. I decided to skip right over waterproof formulations and go the distance. I checked out a fiber mascara.
Because I wasn’t sure that I’d like this type, I made a minimal investment of $8-9 at a drugstore to try out L’Oreal’s Voluminous False Lashes. I thought that if this worked well, I could go for some of the fiber mascara’s sold at Sephora (see here and here) and perhaps on some of the Asian makeup sites.
So, what’s the deal with fiber mascaras?
For the L’Oreal, I found that the claim of super-waterproofness was solid. I was able to put drops into my eyes without any problem whatsoever. Even the most emollient eye cream did not create any smudging. These are truly all-day lashes.
As mascaras go, I found that the L’Oreal fiber was respectable but not the most dramatic or volumizing that I’ve ever used. It has a dry texture. The first coat is devastatingly natural looking (if you want a natural look, you won’t be quite as crushed). I usually built up using three coats toward a pretty good everyday eye. It’s no Armani or Guerlain. But it is absolutely smudge-free.
As is common with this type of mascara, removal is a challenge. I used the Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover from Target ($10). I soaked a cotton pad with the remover, held it over my closed eye for about 20 seconds, and then the mascara came off easily by gently sweeping the cotton pad over the mascara. I found that this remover worked better for me than my traditional Shu cleansing oil.
The Sonia Kashuk smells has a vague rubbery smell. You know the smell that Barbie heads have, when they’re new? It’s unavoidable, think back. Yeah, pretty much that same smell. I may switch to the Lancome Bi Facil Eye Makeup Remover when the Sonia Kashuk runs out.
Thanks for reading about my little fiber mascara adventure. I’m going to use up a few more of my standard mascaras, then likely try another fiber brand from Sephora later this year. And invest in the Lancome remover.
Summer 2012 promises to be the summer of bright nails. Pictured here (top to bottom):
They all look so good–it’s going to be so hard to choose! Will you get into the bright citrus trend?