Cover Look Week 02.13.2012

Laura Mercier's Lingerie Collection immediately caught my attention among all spring collections this year. The promo picture of this year wonders quite far from the soft feminine that dominated Laura Mercier seasonal makeup in a few years past. It's just different from Laura Mercier I got so used to with, in a good way. Sultry dreamy eye coupled with glossy peach lips screams summer rather than spring to me. Still, the peach and pink bring the springy feelings to the look.

Focus. Violet tinted chocolate brown eye shadow. Glossy peach lips.

My take

Base. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 5.75 and Giorgio Armani Micro-Fil Setting Powder No. 2 (both are not pictured here).

Eye.

Option 1
Plum and peal white in Dior Stylish Move and the rich chocolate brown in Dior Rosy Tan.

Option 2
Edward Bess Berry Chic.

Option 3
A more shimmery/chrome version of the look can be achieved using Chanel Vanites.

Comparing the three options

Cheek. Paul and Joe Cheek color 12

Lips.

Option 1
Bobbi Brown Rich Lipcolor Sweet Nectar SPF 12
Guerlain Rouge G Orange Euphorique (LE)

Option 2
Paul and Joe Moon Shadow Lipstick topped by Paul and Joe Sailor's Delight.

Did you get Laura Mercier Lingerie Collection? What will be your take on the promo look?

Cover Look Week 02.06.2012

My most recent moving from California to Texas alarmed me (again) about two things: one, I need to keep my makeup stash under control; and two, I do have almost every type of makeup of my every favorite color. Although I've never accidentally purchased anything twice, I only finished one lipstick in my entire life. Mascaras don't count since we need to replace them regularly no matter what.

So, to get myself disciplined, I decided (unsurprisingly) to use more and buy less. Particularly challenging is the latter *sign*. And I really got many inspirational pictures as a result of endless hours collecting celeb pictures. So, starting this week, I will challenge myself to recreate one favorite look weekly, focusing on my personal take of the look to suit my personality and facial features. I hope to improve my makeup techniques and knowledge of the products used through this series. So here you go. 

My first week's inspiration is Chanel Spring 2012 promo picture. 

Focus. Soft peachy pink cheeks and lips. Soft eye makeup. 

My take

Base.

We are still in the transition between the winter and spring, I love a natural foundation. Sheer application of Dior Skin Nude foundation then set with Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. 

Eye. 

It seems to me that the model had a pink/peachy eyeshadows on. However, I feel the peachy pink on eyes, cheeks and lips is a bit overwhelming. So I toned it down by neutral eyeshadows using the eyeshadows of Edward Bess Back to Basics palette. Then I lined my eyes with Chanel Espresso and finished off with Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill mascara. 

Cheeks. 

I'm obsessed with the lovely peachy pink cheeks in the ad. Blush de Horizon is a soft peachy pink that is quite easy to replicate. While browsing through Chanel Spring 2012 collection, I got many compliments about my blush color. The sale associates actually thought that I was wearing the star item of the collection, Blush de Horizon.  The actual products I used were 

Make Up Forever HD Blush No 6, an apricot pink that dries matte. 

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strip in Miami to add a touch of golden shimmer and pink base. 

If you have Guerlain Serie Noir Blush G, I think you can safely skip Chanel Blush de Hoizon. Use every shade except the orange strip. 

 

Lips.

Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle was mixed with Chanel Rouge Coco Chintz. To achieve that glossy look, I added a touch of Paul and Joe Lip Lacquer 05

Have you played with this look? What did you use? 

Paul and Joe Beaute Spring 2012 - Sneak peak

Pictures of Paul and Joe Spring Collection 2012 started to float around beauty blogs from Asia (www.biteki.com) to Europe (British Beauty Blogger) to the US (makeup4all). As expected, this collection is so so eye candy!! The video of the collection makes me absolutely long for the spring to come.

The video is sort of long but very informative. Enjoy!

TAG I love eyeshadow palettes

My love for user-friendly eyeshadow palettes is one of the main motivations behind this blog. So when Delicate Hummingbird has a tag post on eyeshadow palettes I naturally tag along :D.

1. How must a palette be like to convince you?
My favorite palettes are those that are versatile. The color coordination of the palette always catches my eyes first. I love monochromic color scheme but unexpected color combination would do too. It also needs to possess different color depths for highlighting, contouring, and eyelining. The texture must be soft and smooth. It's important for me that the palette offers great pigmentation. I love palettes that have various finishes - matte, satin, frosty, or shimmery. But a palette of solely satin finish will be just fine for me. If cream eyeshadows are included, they need to be separated from the rest to avoid cross-pollination. I don't like eye-face-lip kind of palettes like those travel compacts sold at international airports.

2. Is the packaging important?
Not really. As long as the palette is sturdy, I can deal with lack of artistic design or a mirror.

3. Do you use applicators or brushes that come with it?
I used to and still do occasionally. I keep them in the palettes and only use them if I don't have a brush in hands, which is quite rare.

4. What's your favorite brand of eyeshadow palettes?
Dior. Hands down. Especially their 5-color quints. Beautiful color combination. Colors are true to the pan, soft and smooth texture without being overly soft. Some quints are much better than others but they are generally great. Chanel comes close.

5. High end or high street?
High end.

6. Now show me your palettes!
Sure. Tah dah!

Dior 5-color quints
1. Dior Jazz Club (Fall 2009); 2. Dior Stylish Move; 3. Dior Smokey Design; 4. Dior Pearl Glow (Spring 2010); 5. Dior Sunset Cafe ; 6. Dior Rosy Tan; 7. Dior Rosy Nude

Chanel 4-color quints (Vanites, Prelude and Murano)

Inglot customized palette (reviewed here)

Paul and Joe limited edition (Left to Right) Silver Moon; Lady's Slipper; Purple Clover; Empire State

Urban Decay Naked Palette

 Miscellaneous 1. Bobbi Brown Peony and Python Palette (LE 2011); 2. Stila Talking Palette Saphire; 3. NARS Cordura; 4. Guerlain Place Vendome

And my favorite shot ....

Thank you to Trang of Delicate Humming Bird for this wonderful tag idea! Hope you enjoy this post. 

Beauty First Aid - Chanel Rouge Coco Chintz and Paul & Joe Sailor's Delight

Nude lips and I seem to have rough relationship. It's hard for me to find good nude that doesn't make me look dead. Chanel Rouge Coco Chintz ($32 for 0.12 oz) held my hope high for it swatched so beautifully on my arm. It's a peachy nude that compliments warm tone well.

Ah, the color turns out not that lovely on my lips. My lips look chalky and my teeth lean yellow. Chintz dries my lips  more than any "regular" lipstick like Maybeline Color Sensation. Totally disappointed for a hydrating formula it claims!

Oh and I can't return it to the duty free shop of an Asian international airport. So when I discovered that Paul and Joe Sailor's Delight (reviewed here) would cancel the chalkiness and moisturizing my lips, my feet didn't touch the ground (well not literally). Sailor's Delight also adds a touch of subtle golden shimmer to Chintz, which I think would pair perfectly with smokey eyes.

Chanel Rouge Coco Chintz swatched alone and layered underneath P&J Sailor's Delight.

Paul and Joe Beaute – Final thoughts

The most recognized feature of the line is arguably the exquisite design on the products themselves and the case. The limited edition items, aka the Collection Sparkles, match with runway fashion of that season (here). The cardboard case of these limited edition items is definitely more “going green” than plastic and a mirror. It might look fragile but the cardboard lids remain closed the whole time in my purse. It also reduce weight, a plus for traveling. I have to admit I will need to treat my P&J treasures carefully as I do makeup in the bathroom. So no water in the vicinity of my vanity! P&J permanent line is plastically cased and will mirrors as well as applicators though.

All P&J colors that I’ve known of are on the sheerer arena and buildable. They suit natural beauty better but they can surely handle more dramatic looks. Deeper shades still require some layering for opaqueness, which might or might not be up your alley. I think P&J colors generally work best for lighter skintone. I would pay more attention to deeper shades (Cruising lipstick C anyone?) for I’m medium-skintoned (MAC NC 35). What I value more is the interesting, sometimes unexpected color combination rather than the uniqueness of individual shades.

The products I’ve tried are smooth and soft. They’re comfortable to wear and fragrance-free. The shimmers are delicate.

P&J got both beautiful design and quality with better at packaging than quality, in my opinion. Regarding the style, I feel their products are a tad too girly or maybe a better word is too sweet. I have natural inclination toward chic and classic products that tend to be less girly and more lady-like. Although nothing has wowed me so far, P&J is generally a good brand, quality- and packaging-wise. I highly recommend you check it out.

How do you like P&J? Anything I should definitely try? For reviews on the products I've tried, please click on Paul and Joe Beaute label in this post or at the side bar. 

Review: Paul and Joe Beaute Face Color 07 Love

It seems I can't get tired of bright pink blushes since Guerlain Rouge G Blush. It's inspired me to come back to Smashbox Radiant and now Love. Paul and Joe Beaute 07 Love ($24 for 0.15 oz) has a peach and a bright hot pink with golden shimmer. When swirled together, it reminds me of Nars Orgasms but the golden shimmer is finer and more subtle. You can use them individually or mix them for more wearable effect. I like them mixed better for Love becomes more unique in my opinion. It's soft, smooth and stays put for around 4 hours. I think Love looks good all on skin tone, cool or warm, light or medium or dark. I highly recommend it.

Review: Paul and Joe Beaute Face Color 12 Chic

Chic ($24 for 0.15 oz) can easily be an everyday blush slash highlighter thanks to its neutral undertone. It contains a light peachy beige and pink peach with satin finish. I don't wear shimmery blush daily so Chic is perfect. The texture glides on smoothly. It stays put for 3-5 hours depending on whether you run errands or not, which I think it's good. You can wear them as highlighter and blush or swirl them together. When mixed, it warms up my cheeks slightly, giving me a very natural flush. I love to wear Chic with cool smokey eyes and beige lip. It saves me from looking washed out but doesn't compete with my eyemakeup. Chic is housed in a cute case. I think Chic looks best on light to medium skintone, but can also be a great highlighter on tan beauties.

Review: Paul and Joe Beaute Lip Lacquer in Riviera 05

Paul and Joe 05 Riviera ($20 for 0.42 oz) is a very sheer peachy pink lip lacquer. I swatched it heavily for the pictures but when blended out, it stains a very light pink. It has fine golden shimmer giving my lips a strong shine. The color looks lovely in the tube but too sheer to make an effect on my red pink-tinted natural lips. The texture is rather sticky, similar to MAC lip glass. I don't think I'll glance at P&J lip lacquer again.

Paul and Joe Beaute @ Dermstore

After two back orders, I finally got my hands on Paul and Joe purchase at dermstore.com. They always offer 10% for items in your favorite list, plus a cute Horizon Blue pouch for $50 purchase this month. So I grabbed two face color in Love and Chic, and one lip lacquer in Riviera. I wasn't as happy with Dermstore as Beautyhabit and Primping Parleur. Their costimer service didn't stay in touch clearly on which item is available. They didn't sent me shipping confirmation. All items came in good shape without a dent.

Besides the customer service, their P&J collection is not as extensive as Beautyhabit and Primping Parleur for both permanent line as well as limited edition items. The discount 10% is nice, but if I'm not able to find what I need, I won't make purchase at Dermstore in the future.