Beauty product reviews, makeup tips and news from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict.
Mon, 10/5/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Daily-Beauty
Keeps the doctor away.
Or so they say …
(Chanel Bird of Paradise Quad from the holiday 2009 collection)
Wed, 10/1/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Face of the Day (FOTD)
Heya, ladies! I had a couple extra minutes to get ready for work this morning (meaning I didn’t wait until the last minute) and tried this look with the Chanel Smoky Eye Quad.
The more I use this quad, the more I fall in love. It’s probably one of the most user-friendly (user-friendliest?) smokey eye sets I’ve seen in ages.
Tue, 05/13/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Life is like a tube of lipgloss… You never know what you’re gonna get. Take Chanel’s Equinoxe Glossimer, for example, which looks totally lunch lady scary in the tube, but on my kisser it looks like a completely different product (with a lovely nude, golden pink glow).
Two coats of Equinoxe Glossimer layered on top of MAC’s Syrup lipstick give me what I like to call “fight the power” glow. A product with purple and gold flecks may not sound appropriate for the workplace, but Equinoxe is subtle enough for most office environments.
Viva la lipgloss revolution!
Continue Reading…
Tue, 10/6/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
There’s nothing like lipstick to lift a girl’s spirit and help her climb out of a mental funk.
Today the four Chanel Aqualumieres ($29 each) from the Holiday 2009 collection were my little rescue workers.
I’m a little surprised that Chanel chose to release these for fall/winter on account of how sheer and shiny they are; seems like pinks and nudes are more typical spring/summer fare, but Coco and Co. always like to shake things up.
I think my favorite’s Maldives… It’s hard to go wrong with a name like that (I hear there’s good surfing in Maldives), and I dig the rosy pink.
I like all four of the names, but it doesn’t look like there’s a huge degree of difference among the shades…
Loading ...It’s time for this tired girl to hit the haaaaaay…
Sorry about not keeping up with your comments. I have been reading them all, even during the move, but I haven’t had time to reply. I’ll get back on track soon.
Hope you had a nice day. 
Zzzzzzz…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Thu, 06/18/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Face of the Day (FOTD)
Happy Thursday, ladies! How’s your day coming along? This morning I wanted to play with the Chanel Les Naturels de Chanel Eyeshadows and Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss in Nonstop (hot pink in the hizz!), so I grabbed both and put them to use in this face of the day.
That’s Lotus, Lily, Mahogany and Slate on my eyes, layered beneath Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit.
To balance out the blinged-out lips, I went with a neutral cheek and applied Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Orchid Rose ($42, also from the Les Naturels de Chanel collection), a pinkish brown blush with a touch of shimmer, onto the apples of both cheeks.
And for added glow, I swept Clarins Instant Sun Light Summer Glow Palette on the upper cheek bones.
It’s easy to turn a look like this into something more wearable for work by switching the hot pink lip for a beige, brown or light pink one.
Swapping Nonstop for Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Curious (a creamy toasted almond) and Chanel Glossimer in Unity (a shimmery pinkish brown) takes the look from “I’m ready for a mojito” to “I’m ready to fill out those TPS reports.”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tue, 12/2/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Hey, ladies. WOW, I’m having a rough day today. Sorry I haven’t posted a review yet, but I’m hoping that some quality time at the mall drooling over the two new limited edition Multi-Use Makeup Palettes ($85) from Chanel will get my creative juices flowing again. Each one comes with four eyeshadows, four lip colors and a blush in some of Chanel’s bestselling shades.
Chanel Multi-Use Makeup Palette in Romantique
Chanel Multi-Use Makeup Palette in Tendresse
I want to see the Romantique palette’s warm shades in person, but I bet I’ll like the cooler Tendresse shades, too.
Of course, both palettes cost an arm and a leg, but that’s Chanel for ya. Sure would be nice if they held a SALE from time to time (hint hint!).
I’ll BRB in a few… Please tell me you’re having a better day than I am!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Wed, 11/21/2007 by Karen | Posted in: MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews
Oh, boy. I’m in trouble now, because Chanel Glossimer lipgloss has got me feining.
Save me, holy ghost.
Myriade is my fave of the three. I paired it with MAC lipstick in Dubonnet.
Mad Crazy Big Hearts for:
Color. The sparkle factor is high on these glosses. It’s very grown-up glitter though! I love looking at the color and seeing the different flecks of gold, silver, pink and green.
Texture. Glossimers are thick but aren’t as sticky as MAC Lipglass. You can still feel them on your lip, unlike other thin lipglosses.
Packaging. I love looking at the cap and seeing those gold interlocking C’s. It feels very luxurious.
Little Itty-Bitty Hearts for:
Price. Yeah, it’s an arm and a leg: $25.00 for each. I know, I know.
Limited edition-ness. I really wanted to get the shade that Paris raved about, Astral #104, but unfortunately it’s a limited edition and the counter was out! I almost cried. My wallet sighed in relief.
Are you a Chanel addict? Can you remember your first hit? What should I get next?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tue, 09/22/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
It’s sure been an exciting couple o’ days in Coco-ville…
As if the new Jade Collection nail polishes weren’t hot enough, Chanel junkies can also drool over the new Rouge Allure Laque Lipsticks ($32).
The eight new liquid lipstick colors offer medium color coverage and high shine, with shades including Santal (a nude), Ming (a nude rose), Phoenix (a candy pink), Mandarin (a coral), Dynastie (a rosy pink), Coromandel (a red), Dragon (a true red) and Imperial (a deep rose).
What do you think about Dynastie and Imperial? Good colors for fall?
Swatches from left to right: Dynastie, Imperial
I haven’t felt my prettiest lately due to the packing I’ve been doing, but these two cuties have certainly helped.
Chanel Allure Laque in Dynastie
Chanel Allure Laque in Imperial
Both shades are taste-free but have a light rose scent. Texture wise, they feel smooth, thin and non-sticky on my lips — reminiscent of Dior’s Creme de Gloss.
I haven’t had enough time with them to offer a full review yet (I’m unsure about wear time and hydration), but I’ll followup with more details soon.
All this Chanel-ness invigorates me! It’s like the makeup equivalent of push-ups.
My sisters in the Church of the Double C’s, can I get an AMEN?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Mon, 06/15/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Chanel Evergreen Palette without flash
Every summer a few of the big makeup lines release limited edition makeup kits and palettes exclusively for Nordstrom stores. They’re called Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives, and I just got wind of some new ones from Chanel.
Chanel Evergreen Palette with flash
Here’s the Evergreen eye and lip palette ($45). It’s a six-pan palette with two eyeshadows (shimmery sea foam green and shimmery mint green) and four lip glosses (shimmery pink, shimmery bronze, shimmery rose and shimmery peach).
Buying the six items together like this means a huge savings, too, as most Chanel palettes cost at least $85.
Three cheers for Chanel!
Chanel Muscat Glossimer
Also on the horizon: shimmery, peachy beige Muscat Glossimer ($27).
Swatch of Muscat Glossimer
It was previously released overseas but wasn’t readily available in the US until now. You may be able to track down international products by contacting Nordstrom’s Chanel Makeup Studio on Oahu, which carries select products meant for sale overseas (click here to see a lip swatch of the shade).
I love the way Muscat Glossimer looks paired with smokey eyes…
And we may also see two new nail polishes.
I’m told that Rouge Noir ($23), a creamy blood red, resembles Chanel’s iconic Vamp shade but without the shimmer, and Rose Des Vents ($23) is a soft, rosy pearl.
Chanel’s Beauty Exclusives land July 17, but they’re available for pre-order right now.
Note: I heard a rumor that the Evergreen palette may not be around for long (*extremely* limited edition), so if you’re lusting after it, you should probably call or visit your Nordie’s Chanel counter soon.
Do any of these strike your fancy?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Thu, 04/16/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Product Reviews
The Internets are back, yea! I’d just about given up on getting online again today, but the broadband ferry must have stopped by while I was at the mall peeping Chanel’s newish Lift Lumiere foundation (sorry about the stalkery camera pic). Have you tried it yet?
Chanel refers to Lift Lumiere ($65) as a moisturizing anti-aging foundation that tightens skin and diminishes the look of fine lines. I need some tightening and diminishing, LOL!
It’s a liquid foundation, and I like that it comes with a pump, which means you don’t have to dip your fingers in it. I’m not crazy about the $65 price — actually I hate the price, and I wasn’t ready to throw down for an entire bottle, so I snagged samples in three of the nine colors: Natural Beige 4.5, Naturel 5.5 and Tawny Beige 6.0.
I hope one of the three shades I picked does, in fact, turn back the hands of time to those kinder, gentler years when everybody carried pagers, and I was still referred to by strangers as “Miss.”
Well, I’m getting ready for a quick run. I haven’t been jogging in the mornings this week like I’d intended to, but it happens. Better now than never.
What have you been up to today? Holla back at your girl!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Sat, 10/3/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
I should totally be vacuuming right now, but I couldn’t wait to snap a few pics of Chanel’s upcoming Holiday 2009 makeup collection (available in November).
What do you think of the colors? They’re kinda summery, yah?
Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Bird of Paradise
Les Tissages Lames De Chanel
From left to right: Aqualumiere Gloss in Colibri, Hirondelle and Canari
From left to right: Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine SPF 15 in Maldives, Galapagos, Grenada and Tasmania
It’s always been my master fragrance plan to wear Chanel’s classic No. 5 perfume — a floral aldehyde with notes of neroli, jasmine and vanilla — when I turned 55.
By then, I hope to own a small army of Chanel tweed suits, quilted pocketbooks and “sensible” flats. Of course in this fantasy I’d also live in mansion on Lake Como (complete with a hot pool boy), but I digress.
Right now I’m tempted to abandon the master plan because the No. 5 Essential Bath Oils ($75), one of the Chanel exclusives available at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale next month, look too frickin’ cute.
Forget being all up in the club; I want to be all up in my tub! Scented with Chanel No. 5, the three layers of pink-hued bath oils contain Ylang-Ylang (a small flower native to the Philippines and Indonesia) and almond extract to moisturize and scent the skin. Heavenly!
Bottles of No. 5 Essential Bath Oils are currently available now for pre-order at Nordstrom fragrance counters. If you buy it now you can pick it up when the Nordie’s Anniversary Sale kicks off on July 17.
I love the pink oils and the minimalist packaging, but the $75 price tag hurts. It might be a nice treat if you’ve got some gift cards laying around, though.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Sat, 04/4/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Skip down down memory lane with me for a sec…
Remember how Chanel dropped the fabulous coral dream that was Gazelle Glossimer on us for summer last year?
Girrrrrl, that was some good shizz! To this day I foam at the mouth Kujo-style when I think of Gazelle. It was THAT good.
This summer, I had myself braced and ready for another orgasmic Glossimer moment from Chanel, but they decided to throw me a curve ball. For their Cote D’Azur summer collection they skipped the Glossimer entirely and released four Aqualumiere Glosses ($27 each) instead.
Continue Reading…
Thu, 01/1/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup, Product Reviews
Chanel Fandago blush ($42) temporarily helped me forget that it’s cold enough outside to freeze my butt bones.
After two layers I felt like winter had ended. There was a flush to my cheeks that I hadn’t seen in months, and I felt like I’d spent the afternoon twirling through sun dappled fields o’ flowers.
As the only blush released with Chanel’s Spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy Collection, Fandango, a shimmery pink and brown, applies with intense color that really brings out the brown in my skin. To avoid dark, muddy cheeks, I layered it slowly with a MAC 187 skunk brush, trying to use a light touch.
Continue Reading…
Tue, 03/31/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
It’s raining coral blush, hallelujah! I dunno about you, but I love coral blushes like drag queens love sequins.
A couple weeks ago, Chanel busted out the summer Cote D’Azur collection with their new coral blush, In Love ($45).
It’s one of several coral blushes to arrive on department store makeup counters over the past couple months.
Are you a coral blush kinda girl (or boy!) wondering which new blush to try?
Here’s a comparison swatch of In Love alongside two of my favorite coral blushes to come out recently, Benefit Coralista ($28) and Dior Coral Riviera ($42).
Swatches from left to right: Dior Coral Riviera, Benefit Coralista, Chanel In Love
Of the three blushes shown here, I think it has the finest shimmer. If you like the way bronzers look on you, you might really love Dior Coral Riviera blush.
Thu, 04/2/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Hey, cuties. I urgently need your help!
I’m going to a fashion event tonight at Saks Fifth Avenue called Worn to Be Wild (I’ll take and post pictures), and I’m trying to figure out what to wear on my lips.
I’m still mentally beat from yesterday’s paper deadline. That coupled with the waking-up-with-the-chickens thing this morning has rendered me useless. I haven’t been able to get my sh*t together all day long — this entry has been a struggle.
Will you please help me pick a lipstick to wear tonight? I can’t make a decision, but I’d like it to be one of the Aqualumeire Lipsticks ($28) from Chanel’s Cote D’Azur collection.
It’s made up of six luscious coral, brown and rose shades…
Please let me know your fave in the poll or the comments. My mushy brain would be most grateful.
Loading ...I better remember to bring my camera tonight… I have to show you pictures of some pumps and sandals I saw in the Sak’s shoe department (aka HEAVEN ON EARTH).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Mon, 03/31/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup, Product Reviews
It’s lipgloss crack! That’s how I felt when I first peeped Chanel’s limited edition Glossimer in Gazelle ($26), a bronzy orange lipgloss with shimmery golden sparkles. I was instantly hooked.
Chanel describes Gazelle as a praline pink (huh?), but on my lips the color looks like coral with touches of bronze and gold. The shade is unlike the other coral colors in my lipgloss stash, like MAC’s Lychee Luxe and Sock Hop, which are mostly brighter orange tones. Gazelle feels more subdued and sophisticated, like the older, more worldly coral cousin (the one with the haughty accent) who went to finishing school.
Sun, 09/20/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Nails, Product Reviews
What’s up, Jade-a-kisses?
Ever since I saw pictures of the Chanel runway models rocking jade green nails earlier this year, I’ve been dying, DYING to get my hands on the Chanel Jade Collection polishes.
This month the two limited edition shades, Jade and Jade Rose ($25 each), finally hit Chanel Makeup Studio and boutiques shelves. I ordered mine online last week from Chanel.com, and both pastel cuties finally arrived on my doorstep last Friday.
Beauty junkies first got a glimpse of the colors in Paris last March during the Chanel Ready-to-Wear Fall 2009-2010 show, when Monsieur Karl sent a collection of black clothes punctuated with pale pink and jade green accents down the runway.
Sat, 10/3/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Back in high school, one of my BFFs was a total goth girl. Dressed in black from head to toe, she would have squealed with delight over next month’s Noirs Obscurs collection from Chanel.
I bet the nine-piece release of dark shades for eyes, lips and nails is something The Cure (circa 1990) would have liked, too, LOL!
Here’s a quick look at some of release. Let me know what you think!
Quator Boutons De Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow
Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Obscur
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Diabolic
First row: Rouge Allure in Obscure, Les Vernis Nail Colour in Diabolic. Second row: Quator Boutons De Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow. Third row: Exceptionnel De Chanel Noir Obscur Mascara.
Inimitable Noir Obscur Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel, $30
Exceptionnel De Chanel Noir Obscur Intense Volume and Curl Mascara, $30
Thu, 05/1/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup, Product Reviews
Chanel’s Aqualumiere Glosses ($25) debut this month, and boy are these bad boys built to shine. All nine of the shades deliver loads of sheer, super shiny color.
They don’t feel sticky at all on my lips. Unlike Chanel Glossimer lipglosses, Aqualumiere Gloss wands are tipped with a brush. I appreciate that. For me the brush makes Aqualumiere easier to apply than other products with doe-foot applicators.
Top row (from left to right)
Bottom row (left to right)
I got these swatches a few hours ago at my local Nordies, and Candy Glow (sheer, peachy pink with tiny golden flecks) came home with me.
What I like about Candy Glow…
What I don’t like about Candy Glow…
Tue, 07/28/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Nails, Product Reviews
Swatch of Gondola
Don’t make me bust out my Cabbage Patch, Chanel. Because I will!
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Gondola, one of two new Chanel shades for fall, puts my inner vamp on red alert. I haven’t felt this excited about a Chanel nail polish since last spring’s Vendetta (swoon!).
I’m gonna have to say Miss Coco got her groove back…
Gondola, along with her sister Intermezzo (more on her in a few), arrive as part of the Chanel Venice collection for fall.
A dark, plummy magenta with golden sparkles, Gondola applies smoothly, dries quickly and doesn’t leave streaks. LOVE! Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Swatch of Intermezzo
Intermezzo may be the less flashy shade of the two for fall (she’s a quiet, shimmery white shade in the bottle), but she absolutely shines once you get her on your tips.
The color flashes from white to gray, pink and purple — kinda like a liquid version of MAC’s duochrome eyeshadow, Vex.
Intermezzo tended to streak a little on my nails, but it was nothing a good base coat (or third layer) couldn’t fix. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
After what I thought were a couple of ho-hum nail polish releases, it’s nice to see Chanel bust some serious moves for fall.
I really like these colors, but what do you think? Are they worth a $23 splurge?
This afternoon I have to find El Hub’s birthday present. Wish me luck, and thanks for all the ideas. I saved the list and tucked it away for future reference.
How’s your Tuesday been? I stayed up late last night reading (almost done with the second Sookie Stackhouse book!) but sure paid the price for it today.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Thu, 06/4/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Flashy it ain’t, but if you love neutrals like Lady Gaga loves cards, Chanel’s latest collection deserves a closer peek.
The 10-piece Les Naturels De Chanel contains goodies for eyes, lips and cheeks ($27-40) and features cream, brown, gray, pink and peach shades in finishes ranging from soft shimmer to matte.
I popped by the Chanel counter this afternoon to do my due diligence.
Like most neutrals, these didn’t scream “LOOK HERE!” from across the room, and they may be too quiet for some, but their elegance still captured my attention. They remind me of something Bobbi Brown (aka Queen of the Neutral Look) would create.
Orchid Rose Joues Contraste Powder Blush, $42
Lily and Slate Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows, $29 each
Lotus and Mahogany Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows, $29 each
From top to bottom: Bel Air, Unity and Waterlily Lesvres Scintillantes Glossimers, $27 each
The release also includes two lipsticks, both of which are repromotes from the summer 2008 collection, but I spaced out at the counter and forgot to take pictures, oops! The two shades are called Naive (a creamy pink) and Curious (a creamy brown) and will go for $30 each.
From left to right: Lily, Lotus, Mahogany and Slate Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadows
Continue Reading…
Wed, 07/15/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
Rouge Allure in Amusing
Hiya, ladies. I must have stayed up too late last night watching more episodes of True Blood because now I’m paying the price.
sleepy…
But these Rouge Allure Lipsticks are kinda waking me up!
Rouge Allure in Instinctive
I think I’ve overdosed on late nights and vampire fiction, and it’s affecting screwing with my judgment. I came *this* close to drawing fangs on these Rouge Allure lipstick ($30) swatches from the Chanel Venice collection.
Rouge Allure in Captive
What would vamps think of these six lipsticks? None of the colors look particularly dark or vampiric to me.
It feels like Chanel took a conservative approach with the line, opting for brown, berry and rose shades balanced nicely between light and dark.
They don’t have the same summery feel that the fall Glossimers have (hawness!), but I dig them nonetheless.
Rouge Allure in Clandestine
Continue Reading…
Wed, 06/10/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup, Product Reviews
The new Les Naturels De Chanel collection repurposes two previously released Rouge Allure lipstick colors ($30 each), and I’m tickled pink!
Curious (a creamy brown) and Naive (a shimmery pink) first appeared last year as part of Chanel Summer 2008.
I can see why they brought these two babies back. Both shades may be basic neutrals, but they’re good staples to have around for conservative lip looks to offset more dramatic eyes.
The two colors are consistent with the neutral vibe of Les Naturels De Chanel.
Like other Rouge Allure lipsticks, I think both of these shades have a consistency like MAC’s Lustre lipsticks — lighter than a matte or cream and slick on the lips.
Two coats of Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Curious
Curious is the warmer of the two, a toasted almond brown with a hint of golden shimmer, and I think it would look great beneath Unity Glossimer or any other shimmery golden brown lipgloss. If you like your lips to look natural and wear warm colors well, you might give Curious a try. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Naive
Naive reminds me of something Angelina Jolie would wear down the red carpet with killer cat eyeliner. It’s a cool pink with subtle golden shimmer, and methinks it’ll look fantabulous with something sheer like Waterlily Glossimer. If you’re into natural-ish pink lips or wear lots of looks with smokey eyes, take a gander at Naive. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Curious, Naive
Yeah, I don’t think either of these colors revolutionizes the lipstick world as we know it, but they are what they are — basic, elegant, neutral shades that most women could wear every day.
Yesterday afternoon I quit work early and headed to the mall to do some damage with my birthday gift certificate from El Hub.
Continue Reading…
Tue, 10/7/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Makeup
One of my secret goals in life is to go grocery shopping wearing a seriously fabulous Chanel Tweed suit. I want to be that crazy Chanel lady standing in the 15-items-or-less express checkout line with her box of chocolate Powerbars. Sadly, I don’t expect to be getting the suit any time soon (damn!), but at least I can still get my Chanel tweed fix courtesy of Les Tissages de Chanel, the company’s latest collection of blushes ($45 each).
Slivers of silver and gold thread through these mixes of matte and shimmer. Inspired by classic Coco tweed, each of the four Les Tissages blushes (also referred to as the Chanel Tweed blushes) look like little works of art set in classic black Chanel compacts.
I tested two of the four new shades, Tweed Corail and Tweed Rose, and only have two words: ME LIKEY!
