Chanel, In Love Joues Contraste Blush $49.00 is the perfect summer blush. Gorgeous pinky coral with a hint of gold shimmer.  It imparts the most delicate flush on the face that really does wonder for anyone’s complexion.

Texture

In Love is buildable. With several swipes it can be as vibrant and bold as it looks in the pan, or be applied more sheerly for a softer color. The shimmer is simply exquisite nor too chunky nor frosty it gives the illusion of very fresh, healthy, glowing cheeks. It reminds me a little of Nars orgasm, but tone down.

I should mention that I do have very oily skin and find shimmery blushes overall to only accentuate my pores and shine. This one contains just the right amount of shimmer.

Packaging

As always Chanel packaging is so chic. The little compact is extremely well crafted and sturdy which I totally apprecaste with my makeup kit constantly on the go. Can’t say anything about the brush that comes with it, as I only use my own makeup brushes. But I’m pretty sure you better off using something else. Generally speaking these type of brushes are limited.

If this shade doesn’t suit you I’m pretty sure you’ll bound to find the right one on their webiste.  Chanel Joue contraste comes in 11 shades total all part of their poermanent collection.

Studio Marie-Pierre Rating: A

Moroccanoil hair care products have been rocking not only my world but my client’s world since 2008. The Moroccanoil shampoo and conditioner are incredible and so is the oil, I use all 3 every day. The rest of the argan oil infused hair care line is equally fantastic go check it out for yourself.

I should also mention that I am completely enamoured (addicted) to the scent of the Moroccanoil haircare, daydreaming with every shower of a Moroccanoil goodies made for body. Well lovelies, that finally happened Moroccanoil Body is finally available. I purchased Body Soufflé ($52/6.4oz) a couple of weeks ago. Wow.

The entire line of Moroccanoil body and bath collection can be viewed here.

The packaging

in Moroccanoil fashion it’s very luxe! The blue translucent jar with a gold lid looks so pretty on my bathroom counter. I do however wish for something a little more practical and less wasteful. I don’t really care for the fact that I have to stick my finger in the jar. Not hygienique. Then it would be so much better if the container had a pump dispenser. I’m waiting for the day I knock off my open container on the floor. I. Will. Scream.

The formula

“A rich formula of anti-oxidant argan oil and creamy shea butter transforms skin the moment it touches it. Delicately fragranced with the signature scent of Moroccanoil, our soufflé will leave your skin smooth, resilient and drenched with moisture.

Extremely rich argan oil combined with shea butter to hydrate and strengthen. Intense moisture rejuvenates skin for a truly invigorating experience.”

It is all that and some. Body Soufflé is plain fab. The texture is a cross between of a body lotion and  body butter, with a blend of argan oil, shea butter and aloe vera. It sinks in, leaving skin supple hydrated. And that scent…  I’m in awe after each application.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating: A

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara ($20) promises a bit of everything — length, definition, volume, lightweight formula that will make a curl hold and super jet-black color. I received a deluxe size sample from Sephora and got hooked on first application.

The brush

The original Big Fatty over-sized a La Diorshow bristle brush has been replaced by a rubber brush. Not too big nor too small, it sleeked shape make it so easy to catch the smallest lashes and give some serious thickenss to the base of my lash line.

The formula

The formula is creamy without being too thick. Smudge-proof, flake-proof, it provides ultra-long wear flawlessly. Unlike some other thickening formula Big fatty didn’t clump at all and with a couple of coat my fringe looked very glam. I should mention this is not for someone looking for a natural look.

Studio Marie-Pierre: A

I am a big fan of texturizing powder when creating updo. They help with body and texture especially on finer heads. What I do not like is the powdery residual they leave behind. Who wants grayish looking hair!?!  Recently one of my bride’s sister introduced me to Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. She couldn’t stop singing its merits. She loved the body the spray gave her hair, enabling her to keep a romantic pouf for most of the day. Not an easy task to accomplish on heavy, straight Asian hair.  I went ahead and got my own can. I can tell you I’l be ordering a few more! That stuff is great.

Part dry shampoo, part texturizer, it controls oils in dirty hair and gives clean but limp tresses instant lift. It makes most styles hold better from blowouts to messy updos. I spray it on root to help with lift and body . I spray it on freshly curled hair to relax and define in a fun sexy way. It’s fab. AND THERE IS NO WHITE POWDERY RESIDUAL.

Got get yours :inlove:

I always carry four or fives lipgloss in my purse, I love to try new colors and brands. I picked up two out of the twelve shade of Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effects ($27.50) and I like them a lot.

Plumping

I didn’t notice any plumping effect. Maybe it’s just me. I should mention that unlike any other plumping lip product, this one doesn’t cause any tingling nor burning.

Wear

These glosses are very moisturizing and feel great on my lips. I wore them for about four with minimal fading. They are light weight and non sticky. The color pay off is better than the average gloss.

The brush

The brush is a major complaint of mine. It’s really stiff and short.  I first applied the gloss by sweeping the brush back and forth on my lips. Bad idea if you expect a smooth application. I found,  it’s best to dot your lips with the product  in several places, then rub your lips together to spread. The good news is, the product spreads very nicely.

Scent

Okay, so I don’t do well with fragranced lip product overall. That has prevented  me in the past from using certain brands. So the scent is a little too chemical for my taste and rather strong at the beginning, but dissipates quickly. Very quickly.

Color swatches

Left: 01 CAPRICIOUS PINK is my my fave. The color is really vibrant at first and after a few minutes becomes just the perfect shade of peachy/pink with just the right  amount of sparkle.

Right: 02 IMPERTINENT NUDE is a gorgeous neutral pinky beige. It’s the perfect shade if you just need a little something to add a little glam to your lips.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating: B+

It’s pretty much inevitable, eyeshadow fall outs when creating a smokey eye or strong runway look, leaving nothing but a huge mess behind. What do you do to avoid the raccoon eyes?  Personally I reverse my makeup application steps by doing the eyes first. Doing so, enables me to clean up the fall outs before proceeding to foundation, concealer.. etc I have also used the powder-under-the-eye trick but that is not foolproof, and all that powder may settles in fine lines on the more mature skin. Who needs THAT?

Then I discover Shadow Shields (30 shields/$9.99 ) These light weight, self adhesive, disposable shields are perfect at catching eyeshadow/pigment/glitters that may collect under the eye, and upper cheeks. Place under your eyes before starting your makeup, remove when you’re done and Say Au revoir to raccoon eyes and messes! They have a permanent spot in my kit and have saved me a ton of time and frustration in clean up.

 

Studio Marie-Pierre rating A+

The rumors were everywhere… Some Birchbox subscribers may be scoring Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara. OMG let it be meeeeee! 

Looking rather chic, a tavel size Faux Cils arrved in my October Birchbox. Happy dance! The full size retails $42. Pricey but hey, if it does all it says it does, then why not right?

What it does according to Chantecaille

• Super-volumizing formula
• Full bristle amplifying brush
• Red seaweed extract lengthens and defines the lashes
• Special combination of natural waxes thicken and curl the lashes
• Water-resistant

A special combination of natural waxes offers a creamy, buildable texture. The result is a thickening and volumizing effect. A unique technology of a filming agent defines the lashes and perfectly adheres the rosewater-based formula to the lashes, making it extremely resistant to high humidity conditions

What it did for me:

• Didn’t really notice any super volumizing power. The volume I ended up with was average at best, despite several coats.
• I really like the brush. Not too thick, with just the right amount of bristles, it made for an easy application.
• The lengthening was so so. Nothing really all that. The mascara did a great job a defining my lashes though. No clumps even after several coats.
• Maybe it just me, but there was definitely not enough thickening. I like my lashes, define yes, but FULL for sure. And the curling part? Well, I still wish I had used my eyelash curler prior to applying it.
• I didn’t test the water resistant claims. But Faux Cils whitstand like a charm the Key West humidity. No raccoon eyes by the end of the day.

Overall I’m a not about to ditch anytime soon my current YSL Faux Cils mascara that I love so much. And I don’t know about you, for at $42 a tube I expect much, much more!

Studio Marie-Pierre rating C+

One of the best beauty helper a bride can have on her big day is blotting paper. That also applies to anyone with oily skin on a daily basis. I’m first in line.

These marvelous little sheets will control shine without disturbing makeup. Off goes the greasy glow! Until now I have always used and recommended Neutrogena blotting sheets. That is until my September Birchbox showed up. Boscia 100 percent natural, Green Tea Blotting Linens totally stole the show. The name alone sounds so luxe and full of goodness I could hardly wait to try. Turns out Boscia green Tea blotting linens are as effective as great sounding.  Not only do the linens keep my pesky shiny areas matte, they do it cleanly. With no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals and phthalatest they have found a permanent spot in my purse. Boscia Blotting linens also come infused with vanilla, lavender and essence free.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating A+

Nothing makes me happier than doing hair and makeup…  Other than finding fabulous products that will make my heart to flutter with excitement and my creativity  burst. This is precisely what happened with Chanel Illusion D’ombre ($36) Eyeshadows part of the Fall 2011 makeup collection. These gorgeous Eyeshadows are making me swoon in more ways than one.

Packaging

In classic Chanel fashion the packaging feels very luxe. Heavy glass, black lacquer cap, pure French chic. Included with every shade, a specially designed nifty little brush with a twist off cap.

The brush is thin and angled, and although I am partial to a more professional traditional brush, these work marvel when applying eyeliner. And I love how sanitary they are.

Formula

The texture is truly what make these shadows superstar. Nothing like I have felt before. Creamy, powdery, moussy like with a slight bounce.  They last all day (about 8 hours) without any smudging, migrating nor creasing. I noticed a slight fading where I had used “Emerveillé” as a highlighter at the inner corner of my eyes. Slightly being the key word here.

Another aspect I love, is their lack of fall out, greatly appreciated when doing a smokey eye. And although they are considered long wear, they blend effortlessly and offer lots of play time before drying.

Illusion D’ Ombre are fabulous alone, or layered, or used as a liner.  I have applied mine with and without primer and didn’t notice any difference in the wear. My favorite brush to apply Illusion D’ Ombre as an eyeshadow is with is Mac 242 brush.

When using as an eyeliner, I found the best way to do so, is to wet my brush with water, dip in product, smooth out the brush on the back of my hand then apply. You just can’t go wrong. Use either the brush that comes with is or any other slanted brush will do.

I should also mention their intense shimmer finish, which interestingly enough is simultaneously delicate, due to the multidimensional very fine glitter. This may finish may not work for everyone. But I would recommend to try by stopping at a Chanel counter. You never know.

Chanel Illusion D’ Ombre in Emerveillé

Emerveille is a soft peach with a golden shimmer. Looks amazing alone when doing a quick makeup. I love to wear on the inner corner of my eyes.

Chanel Illusion D’ Ombre in Illusoire

Illusoire is a smoky, mauvy purple with a hint a grayish taupe. It has a silvery sheen. Looks incredible when doing a smokey eye. A staple in my kit.

I absolutely Love Illusion D’ombre. Needless to say I will be purchasing all 6 shades.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating: A+

Generally speaking, when it comes to foundation I believe less is more. Yes, I want my problem areas to be covered, but I despise the mask-like feeling that some foundations leave. For several months, I have been faithful to Makeup Forever HD Foundation. Read my review here. After listening to Lisa Eldridge’s praises and hearing the many raves of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Liquid, I decided to give it a whirl. I ended up purchasing one container at a Duty Free shop in the airport on my way to France for vacation.

The container

At first, I was really surprised by the rather unglamorous plastic container.  Turns out, after thinking about it, it’s probably a blessing. Raise your hand if you’ve ever dropped a makeup container made out of glass. Two words: HUGE MESS.  I can raise both hands on that one!

The container is 30 ml for $55, which if you ask me, is reasonable, all things considered. You’re talking CHANEL here.

The black top twists open revealing a small nozzle for application. Not only is this perfect for the consistency of the product, but it allows full control on how much product you squeeze out of the bottle. I just love that!

The Formula

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is creamy, but on the liquidy side and spreads very nicely. I used both fingers and a foundation brush for application, and either way it works. This  foundation will give you an illuminated finish, and as Chanel promises, “a second skin.” As a bonus, it has a very lovely scent.  It really feels like I am not wearing any makeup, yet I know my skin looks great!

Some key points:

• Vitalumiere is oil-free and ideal for oily or blemish-prone skin.
• It is water-based and the bottle should be shaken to prevent from separating.
• It has SPF 15
• Pink undertone

Thrilled with CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE AQUA

Studio Marie-Pierre review: A