Guerlain for Emilio Pucci Meteorites

 Guerlain, Powder  10 Responses »
May 282012
 

Emilio Pucci for Summer 2012

Guerlain for Emilio Pucci is a gorgeously successful collaboration for Summer 2012. It includes a version of Guerlain’s Meteorites Illuminating Powder ($59).  The packaging on this is so Pucci, please indulge me as I post several pictures of this amazing creation. The box, which includes a metal box housing the Meteorites:

The metal container has a Pucci-patterned top and a deep blue-violet ridged side.

Close up, Emilio’s signature is reproduced on the top:

Guerlain’s signature embossed on the side:

Inside, the violet-scented Meteorites provide a neutral-to-cool matte yet luminous veil that looks like a beautiful cool background for summer’s warm bronzers:

I almost didn’t buy these, because I’m so delighted with the Guerlain Meteorites that I already own. They differences between them is subtle. Yet I find myself reaching for these Pucci for Guerlain Meteorites like a kid into a candy jar. Sometimes warm summer makeup can look a little too warm and one-note. Using these as a finishing powder under my other warm summer color provides a perfect neutral canvas that balances and modernizes the warmer bronzes and golds.

I did not pick up the Pucci for Guerlain brush–it’s adorable and I’m still on the fence. I use a very soft powder brush, usually my Shu Uemura 18R just because it’s handy, but a Bobbi Brown Blending Brush or any other large, soft brush should work as well.

If you are on the edge, I’ll just say that I’m glad that I made the leap. The powder is very long lasting, and really adds an expensive finishing touch that’s absolutely gorgeous. I find the effect too subtle to swatch for the blog, but I do provide my enthusiastic support.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Guerlain’s Marcus Monson will be at the San Francisco Center Nordstrom this Saturday. There’s a nice gift with purchase for the event (please call the store for details and an appointment).

Chanel Loose Powder in Féérie Review

 Chanel, Powder  17 Responses »
Nov 062011
 

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre / Natural Finish Loose Powder in Féérie ($52/ #47 1.0 oz.) is a finely milled loose powder released for Holiday 2011.  The powder has a soft pink cast and is interspersed with very subtle sparkle that are not obvious on the face once applied.

I’ve long loved Chanel’s Universelle Libre powders.  I’ve used up two in in their standard line, and Liz has finished some as well.  Although these days I’ve been working on a tub of Caron’s legendary Translucent loose powder (reviewed here) for a few years, I find them to be quite comparable.  When (if?) I ever run out of the Caron tub, I’ll go back to Chanel’s Clair because it’s much more accessible in the U.S. to purchase.

Chanel Loose Powder is Féérie is a absolutely beautiful glowing powder with a slight shell pink cast.  It adds a slight glow that is absolutely beautiful.  The sparkle which is noticeable in the container does not seem to be apparent when applied.  I believe that Féérie is the most beautiful item in the Chanel Holiday 2011 Collection.  Get one while you can.

Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel Review

 Chanel, Highlighter, Powder  6 Responses »
Nov 012011
 

The Holiday 2011 Holiday Sculptee de Chanel Highlighting Powder ($72/ .46 oz.) has a gorgeously textured, glazed finished.  The compact is the large Chanel version that matches the size of Chanel’s powder foundations and bronzers and comes with a well-designed, usable brush.  The compact and velveteen sleeve:

Designed as an elegant gift, the glazing on the highlighter looks beautiful and brushes off easily with a few brush swipes:

 The powder is soft and the pattern wears down quite easily.  Here is the same compact with the glazing removed and after the highlighter was used once on Liz:

This highlighter did not live up to my expectations.  I found that the texture was not as finely milled as Chanel’s Pearl Glow, and the highlighting was so subtle that the product acts more as a very slightly glowy finishing powder.  Here is the powder applied heavily on Liz’s cheek over Chanel’s Tweed Brun Rose blush (reviewed here) in sun:

Typically, this type of lighting maximizes the highlighting properties of any powder product (compare Guerlain’s Parure de Nuit here).  Neither Liz or I found that Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel had reflectivity.  Here is a comparison between Chanel’s Lumiere Sculptee, MAC Lightscapade, Chanel Pearl Glow (reviewed here) and Guerlain Parure de Nuit (which picked up some color from the peacock color shapes):

To be honest, I was disappointed (and a bit surprised) with Chanel Lumiere Sculptee. As beautiful as the product looked in the promotional pictures (really, it absolutely glowed with the pretty glazing), I found the product delivers a finishing powder-type look. Worse, I didn’t find the powder very finely milled.  I’d give this a “pass,” even for collectors.  Particularly at this price point, this did not work for me.

Chanel Holiday: Let the Reviews Begin!

 Blush, Chanel, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Highlighter, Lipgloss, Lipstick, Nail Polish, Powder  5 Responses »
Oct 262011
 

Chanel Holiday 2011 is released and ready to review.  I’ll be reviewing all of the new items released with this collection except for the Glossimers (which I did not purchase).  If an item is merely a re-promote of the existing Chanel line, I will not be reviewing it (although if you run the product name through the search engine on this page, you may find a review for the item already has been done).

Chanel Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel highlighting powder

Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick- Famous

Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick- Eniveree

Ligne Extreme Eyeliner in Or

Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Carat

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Empire

Chanel Universelle Libre in Feerie

Chanel Ombre Contraste Duo in Noir-Ivoire

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Triomphal

Chanel Les Tissages de Chanel in Tweed Brun Rose

Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Blazing Gold

Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Beige Lame

Liz and I are still sorting through the pile, and we’ll get our reviews up as soon as we can.  So far, we’ve got a few rants and raves, so stay tuned!

Guerlain Meteorites in Perles de Nuit for Holiday 2011

 Guerlain, Powder  18 Responses »
Sep 272011
 

Guerlain’s Holiday 2011 collection includes a new Meteorites Perles de Nuit ($56 / 1.05 oz.).  As with the other recent Meteorites releases, these are packaged in a beautifully designed metal container in shades of deep midnight blue.  It’s safe to say that these are limited edition.

Here’s the bottom label:

 Inside, the powder pearls are shades of pink, gold, orange and silver pearls to illuminate without whitening.

All the pearls:

I’ve worn these for two days, and absolutely love them.  They seem to mattify and give a pearl glow at the same time.  Unlike last year’s holiday meteorites Perles D’Or (reviewed here) which have a warm rosy gold glow, Perles de Nuit is a more neutral pearl effect which works well on both warm and cool skin tones.  These meteorites are gorgeous.  By the way, these are currently for sale on AHALife.com.

Guerlain sent this product to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration and review.

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