Guerlain Terracotta 2011

 Bronzers, Guerlain, Powder, Skin care  9 Responses »
Feb 282011
 

Here are few items set to launch from those lovely geniuses at Guerlain, from their Terracotta 2011 collection, due out March 15, 2011. As background, Guerlain annually launches several products to anticipate the bronzed looks of Spring and Summer, and several have been show-stopping excellent.

Guerlain Moisturizing and Long-Lasting Bronzing Powder ($49), available in eight shades.  Between us, Guerlain is one of the few companies that understands the relationship between powder, the skin, and a truly glamorous bronzed look.

This is not marked “limited edition,” and are the same as Guerlain’s standard Terracotta line with new packaging.

Terracotta Skin ($49) is a healthy glow foundation that have a matte and velvety finish.  This has a sheer bronzing color of the Terracotta powder, plus the perfecting action of a foundation.  This is intended to blur imperfections, and provide a matte, velvety finish.  This product includes:

  • Spherical powder mixed within, to reflect light;
  • Volatile oils that evaporate on application, leaving a “second skin” on the face
  • Elastomer gel, for a creamy and comfortable fee.

It looks like Terracotta Skin is this year’s version of the Teint D´Ailleurs Tinted Moisturizer (reviewed here).  The lighter version was probably a bit too dark on my NC15/Chanel Cameo-Ivoire skintone to wear alone particularly in winter, but turned into awesome magic mixed with foundation (the glow and skin care properties, plus a dose of natural color).  I’ve actually used up about half of mine, so I’ll be looking for this one.  By the way, the press release does not mark this as “limited edition,” so I am hopeful that this will become a standard in their line.

Terracotta Jambes de Gazelles ($59) (limited edition) is a spray mist for legs, for temporary color.  According to Guerlain, Jambes de Gazelle has a tan booster to prolong a natural tan, and is enriched with Sweet Orange Extract “for a relaxing and cooling effect.”  It sounds like heaven, actually.

Terracotta Serum ($59) (limited edition).  For those who tan, a few drops of this tan booster into your normal skincare product is said to extend your tan and moisturize your skin.  It’s recommended that you use two drops for face products, and four for body products.

  • Fragrance free
  • Clear honey color, that does not add any tint
  • Formulated to prepare, activate and prolong your natural tan.
  • Includes a soothing ingredient to soften skin

Also, I’m hopeful that Guerlain will release the Terracotta Inca collection, featured here at the British Beauty Blogger, that features intriguing-looking powders and glosses.

Inside Liz’s Makeup Bag

 Blush, Bobbi Brown, Bronzers, Brushes and Tools, Chanel, Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, Foundation, Guerlain, Highlighter, Lipgloss, Lipstick, MAC, Mascara, Powder  16 Responses »
Feb 132011
 

People have asked me about which makeup items I use most. Here’s a post showing the contents of my makeup bag, holding the things I use everyday and bring back and forth from school to home to friends’ houses. I also use Chanel’s Poudre Universelle ($50) (not pictured). Feel free to ask questions.

And yes, I really do carry around four bronzers at the same time.  And no, I’ve never been to the Jersey Shore.  -Liz

  1. Chanel Powder Brush # 6 ($52)
  2. Chanel Foundation Brush # 16 ($40)
  3. Urban Decay Naked Palette ($45)(reviewed here)
  4. Cross tweezers ($5)
  5. Zoya Astra nail polish ($7) – I keep this in my bag for emergency purposes.  I’m not really sure what kind of emergency would call for a glitter pink nail polish.  But if there is one, I’m ready.
  6. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer ($28) – Too dry for under eyes. I use it for spots but don’t use it very often because my foundation is so good.
  7. Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer ($29) – Almost as good as my Guerlain bronzer at #14.
  8. Guerlain Terracotta Orient Sun ($65) – Best bronzer ever. Guerlain please bring it back!!
  9. Guerlain Le 2 Volume Mascara 13 Or 2 Nuit ($36) (reviewed here)
  10. MAC Glimmershimmer in On the Town ($20ish)
  11. MAC Vanilla Pigment ($19.50) – Rarely use but nice to have just in case.
  12. MAC Royal Assets – Metallic Eyes ($36)
  13. Chanel Lift Lumiere (Intensity 1.0/Ivoire) ($65) – I love this foundation because as the day progresses, it looks better than when I first put it on.
  14. Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder ($50)
  15. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder- Bali Brown ($33)
  16. MAC Iridescent Pressed Powder / Belightful ($20ish)
  17. Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Pink Explosion ($42) (reviewed here and here)
  18. Clinique Happy to Be Body Cream (gift with purchase)
  19. Shiseido Hydro Powder Eyeshadow in Whitelights H2 ($22) – Great for inner corner of eyes. This is my second jar and I love to layer or keep it almost sheer for sparklieness.
  20. Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner in Deepest Black ($5) – I’ve gotten a lot of questions about this eyeliner. I wear this eyeliner in every picture of me posted on cafemakeup.com. I only apply it to my lower water line.
  21. Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Insolence ($32)(reviewed here)
  22. Benefit High Beam (gift with purchase)
  23. MAC Moth Brown eyeshadow ($14.50).  From the Barbie Collection, this is my go-to when I want to do a smokey eye.
  24. Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Magnolia ($32) (reviewed here)- I don’t normally wear lipstick but I’ve found that this formula is age appropriate.
  25. Chanel Glossimer in Nakkar ($28.50) (reviewed here)- A red that I can put on without a mirror.

Chanel Rose Merveille Powder Review

 Chanel, Powder  7 Responses »
Jan 202011
 

Chanel’s Spring 2011 collection includes Poudre Universelle Compact Natural Finish Pressed Powder in a limited edition shade called Rose Merveille (now $45).  From my own point of view, I was a little surprised to find this powder included, because the pearl theme of the collection seemed to lend itself well to the softly shimmery Chanel Poudre Douce line ($50), which gives a pretty, subtle glow.  However, I suppose that the glowy eyeshadows, lipsticks and glosses that are part of Chanel’s Spring line may require a matte skin to balance the textures in combination.

Unlike Chanel’s standard Poudre Universelle Compact powders, Rose Merveille has a textured patterned surface and is embedded with silver micro-sparkles.  It comes in the familiar luxurious Chanel compact with the full size mirror and with a small, thin embossed sponge.

Rose Merveille is a very, very slightly deeper and peachier tone than my warm, fair skin (Chanel Intensity 1.0/MAC NC15).  When applied, the adds the faintest touch of rose-peach color, but does not give enough coverage to substitute for a foundation.  Essentially, this mattes down my skin (or foundation, when applied), leaving the faintest hint of silver microsparkles throughout.

The matte texture of the powder does not lend itself to use as a highlighter, in my opinion.  The microsparkle effect is quite subtle, and therefore does not impart the luminous effect of traditional highlighters.  Rather, Rose Merveille is a true finishing powder although it adds a slight spark of light.  I can see this working over a sunscreen or light foundation for a formal Spring event, although this is not a must-have powder in my opinion.  My personal preference would be to choose the Poudre Douche in Peche Tendre, which a beautiful, luminous powder that is part of Chanel’s permanent line.

Generally, Rose Merveille will work best for those with fair to medium skintones, who seek a matte effect with a touch of light.  My sense is that this powder will turn a bit ashy on darker skintones, and add a peachy blush-tone to very, very fair skin.  If you fall into either of those skin tones, I highly recommend counter-testing before purchasing.

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