Chanel Les Harmonies de Printemps de Chanel FOTD - Spring 2012

I'm so excited to bring you this FOTD using products from the Chanel Spring 2012 Les Harmonies de Printemps de Chanel Collection.

I chose to do a more wearable look since more people will probably opt for that, but it would be REALLY easy to smoke this out and glam it up by adding a few other products, such as adding Ebloui Illusion D'Ombre to your eyes for a base and Jasmin Poudre Universelle Compacte (also from Spring 2012) to your cheeks.

For this look I used:
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation in BR42
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ Le Metier de Beaute Anamorphic Lash Mascara in Aubergine
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ Chanel Eclosion Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow - Top Left (Peachy Shade) was used in and above the crease, Top Right (glittery white gold) was used as a highlight and in the inner corners, Bottom Left (shimmery light tan) on the lid, Bottom Right (deep plum) in the outer V and a bit in the crease.
~ Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eye Liner in Grenat
~ Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel Glowing Blush Harmony Soft Glow Blush (all shades blended together)
~ Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Bagatelle
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

MAC Fabulously Festive Face Kit - WARM Swatches, Review and FOTD - Ice Parade Holiday 2011

This holiday season, MAC has presented us with three face kits.  One is exclusive to Nordstrom, while two (a Warm and a Cool) are online and MAC Store only.  Today I'll be sharing the Fabulously Festive Face Kit in Warm.

From the MAC website:

The festivities start! Gold and fleshtones mingle in soft, warm shades. Eyes, cheeks and lips await the shimmer. Three special edition glitter-handled brushes and our stunning snowglobe bag bring everything together. How fabulous! Limited edition.

Set includes:

- Four eyeshadows in Carbon  (Matte), Golden Sparkle (Lustre), Omega (Matte) and Soft Brown (Matte).
- Lipglass in Join The Party.
- Lipstick in Mellowarm (Frost).
- Blush in Seasonal Appeal (Matte).
- Three brushes 129 SE, 275 SE and 266 SE.

 (Mellowarm Lipstick)

 (Join The Party Lipglass)

 (Join The Party Lipglass over  Mellowarm Lipstick)

The MAC Fabulously Festive Face Kit in Warm is obviously perfect for travel, all fitting into the handy little bag.  I'm not a fan of the clear bag with the circle (though it has grown on me more since my review of the other kit).  I get what they're trying to do, but it's just not my style.  I DO love the face kit compact.  The little outer snow globe is totally cute, and the compact is surprisingly sturdy.

The shadows were decent.  Omega and Soft Brown are a dream.  Golden Flurry is a Lustre, so as a highlight it's ok, but as a shadow on it's own I'm not impressed.  I've truly never been a fan of Carbon.  I think it's good to have a matte black shade in your stash, but this one always feels rough to me and doesn't have a nice pigment unless it's used wet.   The shadows had NO fall out.  Even when I did Carbon as a liner, no clean up. 

Seasonal Appeal Blush is a great shade and wore fabulously.  The matte finish is one of my favorite finishes for MAC blushes.

I love the combo of the lipstick and lipglass.  Together and separate they look demure and fabulous.  Mellowarm is a deep peach with a frost finish (that didn't really look frosty!) and Join The Party, while slightly sticky (as with all MAC Lipglass) was the perfect fleshy, creamy peach that can be paired with just about any warm shade.

The brushes fit nicely into the pouch.  I am in love with the glittery handles of these brushes.  Obviously the quality isn't going to be as great as the full size brushes, but the festiveness allows me to overlook that.  And truly, for travel, I don't need anything super duper amazing.  These brushes get the job done and still do it well.

This was a great purchase for the quality, convenience and the cost.  You get four eye shadows, a blush, a lipstick, a lipglass, 3 brushes and a makeup bag for less than $60.  You can't beat it.


The only downside to this kit, is that three of the shadows are permanent to the MAC line.  I don't personally own any of those 3 in my stash, so this kit was a good deal for me.

The MAC Fabulously Festive Face Kit in Warm retails for $59.50.  This kit is exclusive to MAC Stores and the website.  It's currently sold out online, but I was able to call a store and order mine very easily!  This item is Limited Edition for MAC Holiday 2011.

I also swatched and reviewed the Nordstrom Exclusive 'Festive Frost' Face Kit.

**********

Now, for the FOTD!  I loved this as a simple and elegant FOTD, but it would be really easy to smoke out.  I chose to do the more demure look because I  think it would appeal to more people as an every day kit, which would be perfect for any type of travel.  When I did this look, I used only the three brushes that came with the kit, even though for a blush I'd normally reach for a 168.

For this look I used:
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation in BR42
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ MAC Eye Shadows (from the Face Kit) - Carbon was used as the top liner, Soft Brown in the crease, Omega on the lid, Golden Flurry dabbed a bit in the inner corner and to highlight.
~ Chanel Le Crayon Kohl - Noir (bottom waterline)
~ MAC Seasonal Appeal Blush (from the Face Kit)
~ MAC Mellowarm Lipstick (from the Face Kit)
~ MAC Join The Party Lipglass (from the Face Kit)
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

Thanksgiving 2011 FOTD

Gobble, Gobble!  I hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving had an awesome holiday, and of course, if you don't celebrate, that you just had an awesome Thursday ;)

Here is a quick FOTD from today.  I ended up switching the lippie for another (Dior Versailles), once I saw the pics I thought it was a bit too bold for daytime and chilling out with family.  I wasn't happy with the liner either.  If I could do it over, I would have went for something more bordeaux. 

For this look I used:
~ MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW25
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation in BR42
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ Benefit They're Real! Mascara
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ MAC Morning Frost Paint Pot
~ Chanel Stupendous Quad - bottom right color in crease and outer V, top right on lid, bottom right patted in the center of the lid, top left in inner corners and to highlight
~ Chanel Le Crayon Kohl - Noir
~ NARS Douceur Blush
~ MAC Subculture Lip Pencil
~ Dior Nocturne Rouge Dior Lipstick
~ Le Metier de Beaute Bali Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.


I hope you enjoyed!  In an hour I'm headed to Wal-Mart.  I LOVE to go and see people freak over stuff.  I pick up a few things, but I generally don't go to shop.  I'm a people watcher ;)  And if I find toys for the kids or DVD's for me and the hubby, then it's a bonus!!

Are you a Black Friday shopper?  Or do you prefer Cyber Monday?  What are the BEST deals this year and what is your best Black Friday/Cyber Monday score??

Halloween 2011 FOTD

We're not really doing anything costumey this year for Halloween.  Our friends are having a party tonight at their house and it's not dress up, but I still thought it would be fun to do something with my makeup.... Because, let's be honest, when can you ever vamp up your face, go out in public, and it's okay.

For this look I basically just went dark and vampy.  Witchy yet sultry.  Enjoy!

For this look I used:
~ MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW25
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation in BR42
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ MAC False Lashes Mascara - Extreme Black
~ Tarte Eye Primer
~ Tarte for True Blood Palette - V, Telepath, Legend, The True Death
~ Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner
~ Dior Eye Liner in Trinidad Black (bottom)
~ MAC Prim and Proper Blush
~ MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil
~ MAC Dark As Night Pro Longwear Lipglass
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

For this EOTD I used the Tarte Eye Primer that came with the True Blood Palette.  Then (also from the Tarte for True Blood Palette) applied Telepath from lid to brow. Second, I applied Legend in the crease. Then I took V and applied it all over the lid. I took a bit more of Telepath and applied it to the inner corners.  Using The True Death I added a line of the silver under the eye to brighten the look.  For an eyeliner I used Dior Trinidad Black Eye Liner on the bottom waterline and Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liquid Eye Liner on the top.  I used the MAC False Lashes Mascara in Extreme Black on the lashes to complete the eye look.

I'm taking the kids Trick or Treating tonight just quickly up and down our street (since they went last night too lol) then going to a party.  I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday.  Don't eat any opened candy or talk to strangers ;)

FOTD Featuring Products from the L'OREAL PROJECT RUNWAY Collection

For me, personally, this has been the most highly anticipated drugstore collection this year. L'Oreal and Project Runway have been paired for years, and this launch is a long time coming!

I purchased several products, most of which are linked up below, and you can see individual swatches and reviews by clicking the links.

I hope you enjoy the FOTD look using some of the items from this collection. I've had a lot of fun with the products!!

For this look I used:
~ MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW25
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20 - 1 Cream
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ Le Metier de Beaute Anamorphic Lash Mascara in Midnight Blue
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ L'Oreal Charming Cockatoo's Gaze Quad - I started off with the top right color (glittery baby pink) and used it from lid to brow. Then I took the bottom right shade (navy) and applied it to the crease. The bottom left color was used on the lid and I left a little room open in the inner corner for the top left shade (satin pink).
~ Le Metier de Beaute Artemis Liquid Eyeliner
~ L'Oreal Charming Cockatoo's Blush
~ L'Oreal Sultry Raven's Pout Lipstick
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

I've also swatched and reviewed Watchful Owl's Gaze Pressed Eye Shadow Quad (including an eye look) and the Nail Polishes in Amazon's Flash, and Owl's Night.

Have you spotted this collection yet? What did you pick up?
What are you planning to pick up? Or are you passing altogether?

FOTD Featuring Guerlain Parure de Nuit Powder & Blush

This was my FOTD for the wedding I attended last night. I wanted to be sure to do something where I could feature Guerlain's new Powder and Blush, Parure de Nuit, so you could see what it looks like on the cheeks.

PS - No, that grey t-shirt I'm wearing was now part of my event ensemble ;) But I did wear these Coach shoes finally!!!

For this look I used:
~ MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW25
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20 - 1 Cream
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ Le Metier de Beaute Anamorphic Lash Mascara in Jade
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ Le Metier de Beaute Eye Kaleidoscope in Penelope
~ Chanel Le Crayon Kohl in Black Jade (bottom waterline)
~ Chanel Bronze Corail Bronzing Powder (in hollows of cheeks)
~ Guerlain Parure de Nuit Powder & Blush (on the apples of the cheeks and brushed upward toward the hair line)
~ MAC Red Enriched Cremestick Liner
~ Le Metier de Beaute Papaye Kissable Koral Moisture Stain Lipstick
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

Pictures can be enlarged by clicking them, you can really see how fine the shimmer is if you click the last pic of just my cheek (warning - this pic will get huge lol). Parure de Nuit is beautiful!

Lancome HYPNOSE DOLL LASHES Mascara in SO BLACK! Swatches, Review, Photos and FOTD

I've been anxious to share Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara with you ever since I ordered it well over a week ago. The pics and FOTD are actually from Saturday evening. I didn't have time to post then because I did a Creative Memories party and then yesterday was an entire day of travel and food! I hope you'll enjoy what I'm about to share with you now ;)

From the Nordstrom Website:

The secret behind doll lashes, finally revealed! Lancôme's most flirtatious lash look. A volumized, extended and full lash fringe for a wide-eyed look.

The secret behind this amazing result? A new, unique, cone-shaped brush with nylon bristles provides an extremely smooth and clean application, precisely defining even your hard-to-reach corner and lower lashes. Combined with the exclusively developed FiberShine™ formula, it sculpts, curls and loads each lash for the ultimate shiny lash fringe. Lift and thicken every single lash without weighing it down. Push up your lashes for your most flirty, wide-open eye look with a clump-free finish. 0.22 oz.

I really liked Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara. The brush is amazing and does everything it says it will do. It didn't clump, lengthened, curled and separated nicely. It's up there with some of my fave mascaras from MAC, Plushlash and False Lashes, though it is a bit more expensive.

I am insane for the design on the packaging. I've said before how much of a sucker I am for pretty packaging. The girlier the BETTER. This has a beautiful floral design swirled on the outer tube. All of the packaging from the products in the Doll Lashes launch does. It makes me want to buy a palette even tho I don't REALLY need one lol

I did a FOTD with this mascara, so you can check out the pics below. I only used TWO coats of mascara to get this effect. Imagine how huge and nice your lashes would look if you used an eye lash curler and a few more coats! (Note to self, try that).

For this look I used:
~ MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW25
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20 - 1 Cream
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara in SO BLACK!
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ Lancome Emerald Boudoir Color Design Shadow & Liner Palette
~ MAC Orpheus Eye Kohl
~ MAC Stunner Powder Blush
~ Le Metier de Beaute Papaye Lip Creme
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

Happy Labor Day to those celebrating! I hope your plans weren't ruined by rain. We did all of our partying yesterday (which is why I was completely absent) and had the off and on rain...ugly humidity... we did hours of traveling and hit 3 parties. Both kids were actually pretty good. I was VERY impressed!

Any big plans today? Or did you have any this past weekend?

Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara retails for $25.00 and is available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus.

***This post contains an affiliate link... for more information please read my disclosure policy.

FOTD Featuring MAC Lady Grey Eye Shadow Quad and MAC Me Over

OMG, so we woke up this morning, turned the comp on... business as usual... and NOTHING WAS THERE! Upon further inspection a new user was somehow created, so all of our stuff is under the old, original user (currently I'm backing up with a pile of discs), but how WEIRD is that! Anyone know anything about computers? Does that normally randomly happen? Must I have hit a key or something that did that? Or is there a virus or something on here? Regardless, we're wiping the whole thing out and cleaning tonight. But I'd LOVE to be enlightened by the techies. I hate not knowing why things happen!

Okay, on to today's post! This will be my third and final look of items from the MAC Me Over Collection. This features the Lady Grey quad, which doesn't look so wow on swatches, but POPS on the eyes. For the two other looks, you can click the links here (I suggest a right click, open new window, so that you aren't navigated away from this page): Fun & Classy, Neutral.

For this look I used:
~ MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NW25
~ Lancome Dual Finish Powder Matte Bisque II
~ Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20 - 1 Cream
~ Dior DiorShow Brow Styler
~ MAC Brow Set - Clear
~ MAC Opulash Optimum Black Mascara
~ Urban Decay Primer Potion
~ MAC Lady Grey Quad (Hazy Day in the crease and to smudge Raven Eye Kohl, Lady Grey on the lid, Tendersmoke to blend above the crease, All Races to highlight).
~ MAC Raven Eye Kohl
~ MAC Stunner Powder Blush
~ MAC Curvaceous Lipglass
***please note, clicking any of the above links will navigate you away from this particular page. You can right click your mouse and select "open in a new page" to remain on this one while you view other posts.

I love this look because if you saw me in person, unless the sun is shining directly in my eyeballs, they are completely brown. This quad brings out the green hints like you wouldn't believe. I've always wanted green or blue eyes, so this quad is about as close as I'll come to that.

I didn't buy the other quad in this collection. I heard too many bad things about it... did anyone here buy it? I am interested to see if anyone has anything positive to say!