Reaching Beyond the Realm of Spring with Blush Horizon de Chanel

Spring releases are my biggest weakness. With all the enchanting, water-colour inspired shades arising in the form of makeup, I find it difficult to resist their prettiness. One of the most anticipated pieces this season is the Blush Horizon de Chanel, and it is the star product of the Harmonie de Printemps 2012 collection.

"The luminous hues of sunset are now captured in one elegant highlighting face powder. Subtle gradations of rose, coral and peach can be applied on their own or blended together, to highlight and sculpt the face or achieve an overall warmth and radiance." ~ Chanel's description

* photo taken with flash to illuminate the golden shimmer *

The Blush Horizon consists of assorted strips in luminous pinks, peaches to berries and plums. The top half of the blush has a sheer and shimmery white strip, which is meant to highlight and impart a soft glow. The lower part is peachier with a mix of berries and is the more pigmented half of the blush. Ultrafine golden shimmer is strewn across the blush and I believe it goes all the way down through the pan. It comes with an angled brush in its own velvet cover but I didn't find the brush usable as it is rather small.

Ushering In Chinese New Year with the Chanel Dragon

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon and I thought it is probably apt that I bust out two wonderful reds Chanel has created, to welcome the New Year. Dragons are the mightiest of the zodiac signs and they are fiercely independent and dominant creatures.

Both the Dragon Rouge Allure Laque and Le Vernis were released in 2009. The nail polish is limited edition but may be available although difficult to come by. I have been to a few Chanel counters and it was already sold out. The Rouge Allure Laque is getting discontinued, which is a right shame and the moment I read the news, I went out to hunt for Dragon as it is one of their best-selling and most elusive shades.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in Peche Perlee

Some time ago, I visited the Chanel counter with the intention of getting the Bronze Universelle (was on a bronzer kick) but I tested out the Poudre Universelle Libre in #27 Peche Perlee and immediately fell in love. As I already have another Chanel loose powder in #20 Clair for a while now, I knew the quality of Peche Perlee will be similar and will not disappoint.

The powder comes within a box that is typical of Chanel's black and gold packaging. The jar itself has the iconic Chanel logo printed at the top. Chanel's packaging is very elegant and the jar will look beautiful on anyone's vanity.

Each jar comes with a white, pillowy Chanel puff, which is better than those dinky little unusable brushes that sometimes come with loose powders.

It has a perforated plastic sifter top which helps reduce spillage and wastage. I plan to transfer some product into a mini-sized loose powder jar because it's easier to travel with. It is possible to take the whole full-sized jar out but it would be rather bulky and cumbersome.

The Chanel loose powders are all extremely finely milled and have a gorgeous silky texture. They each have light reflecting properties, which will help minimise the appearance of skin imperfections. Peche Perlee has golden micro-shimmer distributed throughout and has a sparklier finish than Clair but the shimmer is not noticeable unless you are under bright lighting. It is lightly scented but dissipates quickly so it isn't intrusive.

Peche Perlee has a warmer undertone than Clair but it still matches my skin tone well and should be suitable for those ranging from NC20 to NC30. This may be an Asia-release or limited edition shade as I can't seem to find much information on it. I forgot to ask the Chanel sales assistant at the time of purchase.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre is sold at Chanel counters nationwide for RM152. Each jar consists of 30g worth of product and it will last a good long while as you'd only need to use very little each time. The price may seem expensive at first but when compared to MAC's Prep and Prime Translucent Finishing Powder, the Chanel powder works out to be cheaper at RM5.07 per gram, whereas the MAC powder is RM11.25 per gram. That's right, beauty geeks, after doing the math, the Chanel powder doesn't seem like such an expensive purchase after all.

PS:
I have something very exciting planned tomorrow, so do stay tuned and see you soon!

Chanel Vitalumiere Hydra Moist Radiance Emulsion Compact SPF15

I love new foundation discoveries and am usually on a lookout for anything interesting. In my review on Chanel's Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Foundation, I mentioned that I usually have trouble finding a good colour match at our local Chanel counters as the shades are rather limited compared to what's available overseas. So it was a pleasant surprise that I recently found yet another gem from Chanel's Vitalumiere range.

The Chanel Vitalumiere Hydra Compact is an Asia-specific release and launched some time in October 2011. I believe other parts of the world got their hands on the new Perfection Lumiere (I want this too!) but I don't think it will be available locally yet. Anyway, I am still really happy with the Vitalumiere Hydra Compact and let me tell you why.

Chanel Foundation Brush #6

Chanel has recently revamped their makeup brush range and I was immediately drawn to the foundation brush and knew it had to come home with me. I got the Chanel brush two months' ago and have been using it regularly, rotating between my other favourite foundation brush from Bloom Cosmetics.

The Chanel Foundation Brush #6 is a paddle-shaped brush, with a solid black handle and I believe it consists of three toned fibers made of goat hair. It picks up liquid and cream foundations well but I do find that the brush absorbs a little more product than my Bloom brush probably due to its denser head. Application is smooth and comfortable although I do find the fibers to be a wee bit more rough than Bloom's.

Like most foundation brushes, it is best to use on well moisturised or prepped skin to avoid streaks or drag marks. When my skin used to be very dry and dehydrated, no brush would work and they all leave streaky lines or ugly patches especially on the flaky bits of skin. Thankfully, my skin has improved in the last few months and the streakiness is no longer an issue.

The BeautyCabby Tip "When using a paddle-head foundation brush, start with small, short strokes and then use patting motions to blend in the foundation better."

Overall, if you are in the market for a foundation brush, the Chanel #6 is a good option. It is available at most Chanel counters for RM126. This is not a bad price considering MAC brushes are often more expensive with lesser quality brushes.

I am so glad it's finally Friday! Are you up to anything fun this weekend? I'll be at home mostly because I'm really quite boring and like to spend my weekends catching up on sleep :-)

Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup

Being the foundation junkie I am, Chanel foundations have always been on my to-buy list but I have never been able to find something I really liked or a good match from the shades available locally. Nearly two months ago, I was casually browsing through the Chanel counter and came across their Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup, which I have never noticed before. I'm not sure if it's new in Malaysia but after doing some online research, this foundation seemed to have been around for a number of years. It's strange that I've never seen it before.

Anyway, one of the reasons why I got it is because I finally found a Chanel liquid foundation shade that I can wear! The colour Limpide #10 suits my skin tone well and does not appear to be too yellow or pink, which can sometimes be dominant undertones in many Chanel foundations.

Wearing Minerals on My Nails with Chanel Le Vernis in Graphite and Quartz

It has been quite a year for Chanel collections and the Fall release for 2011, Illusions d'Ombres de Chanel  has been exceptionally beautiful. I hope it's not too late to feature two of the nail polishes I recently got from this collection since Chanel has already moved on to Holiday 2011.

Chanel launched three nail polishes for Fall and they were inspired by the Earth's rocks and minerals. I picked up Graphite and Quartz but decided not to get Peridot because that particular shade was not very flattering against my skin tone.

* Graphite under indirect sunlight *

The Le Vernis in Graphite #529 is a gorgeous gunmetal foil polish with flecks of silver and gold glitter. It looks rather gritty, just like the actual mineral itself, but dry-down feels very smooth. This has to be my absolute, most favourite nail polish purchase this year. It takes two coats to achieve opacity although you can probably get away with just one coat. The formula is smooth and application was a breeze, even for a newbie like myself.

* Graphite under indoor natural daylight *

The way Graphite shines so brilliantly under different lighting is absolutely amazing! I especially like how it looks in indoor lighting. It's such genius how Chanel has managed to capture the actual qualities of the mineral itself into a nail polish!

* Quartz under indirect sunlight *

On the other hand, Le Vernis in Quartz #525 is much more subtle and is what I would consider a "work safe" colour. The shade is a mushroomy, golden-silver khaki that is quite special too. Again, application is really fool-proof as the formula is smooth and doesn't take too much effort to apply.

* Quartz under indoor natural daylight *

I had two coats on in the photo and it will take three coats to achieve full opacity. Quartz is the sheerest shade of the three-colour line up and I believe is the only permanent nail polish in the collection. It has a multi-toned "hidden shimmer" that Chanel polishes are known for, but sadly I didn't manage to capture the complexity in my photos.

These swatches were done in a hurry (sorry!) and without a top coat, which I should have added to bring out more shine. If the quality is anything like Chanel's Rouge Carat, the polish should last a week before it starts showing signs of wear. Between the two, I'd highly recommend Graphite because it is so gorgeous, unique and the multiple raves received in the beauty blogosphere are truly well deserved.

The Chanel Le Vernis in Graphite and Quartz can be purchased at most nationwide Chanel counters for RM70 each. I believe Graphite is a limited edition shade although a few local Chanel SAs have been telling me it's permanent because they are still receiving stocks. In any case, these two polishes should still be available at the time of writing.

Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Carat 587 ~ Getting Ready for the Holidays

I have been looking forward to the release of Les Scintillances de Chanel for the Holiday 2011 because it is such a gorgeous collection composed of beautiful golds, reds and light. I thought I would be coming home with their star product, the Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel (highlighting powder), but I didn't like the texture when I tested it out. It felt quite gritty and powdery and was overall a little disappointing albeit extremely beautiful to look at.

I picked up the Rouge Carat Le Vernis instead.

This is one sexy colour and is the sole nail polish in the collection. Chanel describes it as a "luminous red" and well, it is certainly that and more. In the bottle, it appears as an exquisite ruby-red with flecks of fuschia shimmer that seems almost metallic. It is also the perfect holiday colour and especially suitable for the year end since it is such a festive shade and reminds me of bright Christmassy ornaments.

* under natural indoor daylight - colour appears more true *

Application is smooth and relatively easy. I used two coats to get a more even coverage but it was opaque with just one coat. I added an Essie fast-drying top coat because I'm impatient and cannot be bothered waiting too long for nail polish to dry.

* under bright sunlight - colour is lighter *

The Rouge Carat wears for about 3 to 4 days before it starts showing signs of chipping around the nail tips. It has a creme-satin finish with the lovely Chanel "hidden shimmer" that comes to life when light hits the nail.

* pair Rouge Carat with sumptuous red lips and you're good to go! *

The Chanel Rouge Carat Le Vernis is currently available at most Chanel counters for RM70. It is a limited edition colour and may run out. If you're interested, I'd recommend heading over to your nearest Chanel counter to check out the Holiday 2011 collection soon.

P.S.: To those who met me at the MWS Reader's Choice Awards 2011 party on Saturday, I was wearing Rouge Carat on my nails that day :-)

Chanel UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50

Sun protection is a skincare product that I do not usually skimp on. Even if I am just popping out for a short while, I would still slap on some sunscreen before leaving the house. I have been using the Clinique Derma White Super City Block and Clarins UV Plus, both with SPF 40, and very recently added the Chanel UV Essentiel with SPF 50 to my rotation.

I use sunscreens mainly to prevent the effects of sun damage. I am not particularly worried about turning darker but I am concerned about getting wrinkles and hyperpigmentation marks. I have a few pigmentation spots on my left cheek because that side of my face is usually more exposed to the sun due to my daily work commute.

I have also discovered that I am probably allergic to chemical sunscreens. For the longest time, I thought my skin couldn't tolerate anything with SPF 50 and above as I tend to run into all sorts of problems when I wear such sunscreens. But I now think it's certain chemical content and not so much the SPF value that  have been causing the reactions. As the Chanel UV Essentiel is a physical sunblock, it is less likely to cause any issues.

Description:

Skin’s guardian angel provides invisible daily protection against environmental aggressors. A free-radical and anti-pollution shield with a Vitamin E derivative and plant extracts empowers this oil-free, lightweight formula to safeguard skin against environmental pollutants. Licorice Root Extract and a highly effective combination of UVA and UVB filters help diminish and prevent the appearance of dark spots and signs of premature aging.

The Chanel UV Essentiel comes in a simple, minimalist white bottle and from what I have read online, a few seem to have been astounded by its diminutive size. Most of my sunscreens come in similarly sized bottles so I'm quite used to it. In fact, the small bottle makes it easier to travel with.

There is a mini ball bearing within and like most Asian sunscreens, the bottle needs a good shake before use. The product dispenses from the spout well and is easy to control. The sunscreen comes out white but fades to nothing once blended in. It has a light, lotiony consistency but is not too slippery that it will slide off immediately.

The consistency is really smooth and I find it to be more moisturising than either the Clinique or Clarins sunscreens. I can skip a moisturiser because my skin is combination to oily and the Chanel UV Essentiel seems hydrating enough. For those with drier skin types, you may still want to apply a moisturiser beforehand. It has a light, floral scent that dissipates after a while but for those who are sensitive to smells, you may prefer an unscented product. Personally, I don't find the scent intrusive and actually think it smells quite nice.

Overall, I am really happy with the Chanel UV Essential. Not only does it help fight the damaging elements from stress, pollution and the sun, it provides a broad-spectrum SPF protection to help prevent the signs of skin damage. It also acts as a makeup base and I don't need a separate face primer when using this. It has silicones, alcohol and fragrance but I have been using it for more than two weeks and have not had any issues so far.

The Chanel UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50 is sold at Chanel counters nationwide and costs RM154 for a 30ml bottle. Make no mistake, it is an expensive sunscreen. However if you are sensitive to chemical sunscreens like I am, the Chanel sunscreen, which contains physical blockers, may be something to look into.

On a Side Note:

I would highly recommend reading an article by Beautiful with Brains on the differences between chemical and physical sunscreens as she explained them very well. The article helped me identify why I was having adverse reactions to certain sunscreens and I am definitely a lot wiser now.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in Clair

After applying a foundation or BB cream, I would use powders whether loose or compact to set my base makeup. I honestly believe it is an essential step in my makeup routine to help my makeup last longer and also to create a good base for other powder cosmetics I may use, such as blushes, bronzers or highlighters.

The Chanel loose powder comes within a box that is typical of Chanel's black and gold packaging. The jar itself has the iconic Chanel logo printed at the top. Chanel's packaging is very elegant and the jar will look beautiful on anyone's vanity.

Each jar comes with a white, pillowy Chanel puff, which is better than those dinky little unusable brushes that sometimes come with loose powders. Of late, I have been using cotton puffs with setting powders, so the Chanel puff is a welcomed addition.

It has a perforated plastic sifter top which helps reduce spillage and wastage. I plan to transfer some product into a mini-sized loose powder jar because it's easier to travel with. I can't imagine taking the whole full-sized jar out anywhere.

From the above photo, you can tell that Clair matches my skin tone very well. It is a light beige shade with neutral undertones and should be suitable for those ranging from NC15 to NC25. The Chanel loose powders are all extremely finely milled and have an absolutely gorgeous silky texture. They each have some light reflecting properties, which will help minimise the appearance of skin imperfections. It has a matte-satin finish that never looks dull but instead, creates a certain luminosity that makes my skin look a little more radiant.

I have used the powder to set high-end to drugstore range foundations and it works with each of them. I love that it doesn't cake nor appear dry and it does not enhance some flaky bits on my skin. If you have good skin, you can probably get away with using this on its own.

My t-zone gets oily but I find that the powder helps control the greasiness for at least 4 to 6 hours in our tropical weather, which is pretty good in my books. Even when my natural facial oils start to come through, the powder doesn't pool, separate or oxidise. The powder is lightly scented but it's undetectable once applied.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre is sold at Chanel counters nationwide for RM152. Each jar consists of 30g worth of product and it will last a good long while as you'd only need to use very little each time. The price may seem expensive at first but when compared to MAC's Prep and Prime Translucent Finishing Powder, the Chanel powder works out to be cheaper at RM5.07 per gram, whereas the MAC powder is RM11.25 per gram. That's right, beauty geeks, after doing the math, the Chanel powder doesn't seem like such an expensive purchase after all.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

When I heard Chanel was coming out with a glossier and more moisturising version of the fabulous Rouge Coco lipsticks, I really couldn't wait to try them out. Well, they are here on our local shores now!

The colours are really pretty in this collection and there's nothing outrageous or fancy about them. Trust Chanel to stick to safe and classic shades.

lovin' chanel rouge coco

The last time I purchased a Chanel lipstick was fifteen years ago. I had just turn eighteen (yes, my age is showing) and wanted to treat myself to luxury. Since I could not afford a Chanel bag at that time, I thought the next best thing would be a Chanel cosmetic item. And so I splurged on an Aqualumiere lipstick, in a shade that is probably discontinued. It was my most beautiful lipstick and whenever I had it on, it would make me feel pretty. I treasured it to bits and used up most of it but it took a few years to wear it down.
After that, I got into a gloss stage and all I would get were lip glosses. For many years, lipstick was not part of my vocabulary and I used to stay away from most because I thought they made my lips dry. However, new formulas have been developed over the course of time and lipsticks were getting more moisturising, soft, supple, rich and creamy. I find myself being drawn to lipsticks more and more these days. When I read Chanel was launching a new lipstick as a homage to "Coco" Chanel, I knew I had to have one (or maybe two).

Rouge Coco 05 Mademoiselle is the shade worn by Vanessa Paradis in the Chanel ads. Truth be told, I did not know of the pretty French lady before this lipstick was launched and that she is Johnny Depp's partner. Sadly, I don't really keep up with celebrity news.
Mademoiselle is a very feminine, neutral shade that can be worn by most. It is a rosy pink shade with slight peachy undertones. It is pigmented without being too strong. It goes on with a slight sheen, that is neither frosty nor shiny.

My favourite shade from the collection is Rouge Coco 17 Orchidee. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous rosy pink-red with  a hint of coral. It is pretty pigmented and contains some fine golden shimmer. It feels creamier than Mademoiselle but the texture of Rouge Coco in general is not exactly hydrating, although I can't say it is drying either. I guess it is somewhere in between. I am pleased that they go on feeling rather lightweight on my lips.

I read that a lot of thought went into the packaging of these lipsticks. The R&D folks over at Chanel tested hundreds of packaging to get the right "click" when you put the lid back on. I have been testing it out myself and yes, it does close with a solid and reassuring click each time.

Rouge Coco is available at Chanel counters nationwide and retails at RM95 each.

main website : Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour

new arrival : chanel rouge coco

It has arrived on our local shores and to the Chanel counters near you. Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour comes in thirty gorgeous shades. You'd want them all!

related links : temptalia's swatches