Chanel Fall 2009 Collection

I must admit that I am little bit disappointed at Chanel's 2009 Fall collection. (I know, I know: Words that should never be spoken.)
But the truth is that if it wasn't for this blog, I wouldn't have even clicked on the link for details: Even the ad campaign seemed kind of meh...

This reminds me more of an ad I would have spotted on one of my mother's beauty magazines from the 80's than of an exciting new collection. Yes, I know Chanel is not MAC. Chanel is classic and not a trendsetter. But still I expected more than this. One thing that did catch my eye was the Luminous Cream Quadra Eye Shadow. At first, I loved the intensity of the colors: then I remembered how much I hate these kind of cream eye shadows. For the average user they are tricky to apply at best, and for the average mature lid this a disaster waiting to happen. Although the counter make up artist will argue the opposite ~ then again that's what they are paid to do.

Priced at $65 it better paint its weight in gold. I can't help but say that these particular colors remind of a Halloween face paint kit that I bought in highschool when I dressed up as Elvira for drama class. Next!

Benefit: FREE Lip Gloss with $50 Order

Independent Beauty! Add extra sparkle with a FREE double-ended lip gloss with $50 order. Enter JULYFOUR at checkout. Don't forget to add product to shopping bag before checkout. Offer valid 6.30.09 to 7.7.09.

Bobbi Brown Blah

Bobbi Brown latest release fails to impress me. Yes, the make up artist is known for her neutral, wearable colors. But after releasing a surprisingly bright color palette last season, she overcompensates by releasing the palest collection around. As if inspired by MAC's foundation shades, these products fail to peek my interest.
Not all the items seem boring, 2 lipstick shades stand out from the almost monochromatic collection and seem they might even have potential to infuse a healthy glow. Other than that? ***yawn***

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La colección que acaba de lanzar Bobbi Brown no me parece nada del otro mundo. Yo se que esta marca es concocida por sus colores neutros. Pero esto ya es demasiado. La mayoría de los colores parecen ser tonos de base de MAC, en vez de maquillaje para realzar las facciones.
Por lo menos hay dos pintalabios con un poco de color. ¡El resto de los productos me han dejado con tremendo aburrimiento!

Beauty Trend: Matte Makeup

Apparently the days of dewy skin and glossy lips are gone-at least for the season.

The trend is velvety skin and matte everything. I think this is a good look for evening: when a more dramatic face is welcomed and when warm candlelight can hide mistakes.

You see, matte make up is unforgiving: chapped lips looked calloused, dehydrated eye lids seem like they've aged 15 years, and nails have to go the protection of a top coat to keep them fresh. Yes, the matte look is high maintenance. How will you keep your look flawlessly matte this humid Summer? It is a high maintenance trend, but it is also glamorous. Is it worth the upkeep?

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Al parecer la piel nacarada y los labios brillosos salieron de moda. El maquillaje del momento es mate. Piel mate, labios mate, ojos mate.
Este "look" requiere sumo quidado de la piel. Para evitar que la cara se vea reseca, los parpados arrugados y los labios pelados.
No es que no me guste, porque me parece un look muy lindo para la noche. Un poco mas dramatico y sensual. Pero se me da que sería un poco dificil mantener la cara mate con la humedad de este verano. ¿Tu crees que vale la pena?

MAC Euristocrats 2

MAC presents the Euristrocrats 2 Collection. What caught my eyes was the collection of pigment rich, vibrant, unapologetic lipsticks.
So refreshing to have a great burst of color in time for summer.
To be honest, I have been a little tired of the über-nude lip of lately: you know, the one that looks like someone smeared concealer on their lips and applied thick gloss on top? Wel, look is OK some times, but it left me hungry for color!

MAC's newest collection satisfies that craving.
$14

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MAC nos brinda su colección Euristocrats 2. Lo que me llamo la atención fue la cantidad de pigmento y colores tan llamativos que tienen estos pintalabios (labiales).
Me parece muy refrescante el tener estos colores en la colección de verano. Ya que estaba harta de los colores "piel" de estos últimos meses. ¿sabes a lo que me refiero? A esos colores que parecen que la chicas se hubieran embarrado los labios con base y se hubieran aplicado una cantidad de brillo transparente encima...
Aunque el "loook" me caé de vez en cuando, ya estaba empalagada de ese tipo de labios.

Ya era hora!

Best Gel Bronzers

(Left: Bonne Bell Gel Bronze. Right: Clinique Gel Bronzer for Men)

This is why Gel Bronzers a must have for the Season:

• Summer Shade Foundation ~ If like most, you tend to get a little bit darker in Summer, you can customize your foundation and have it match your darker Summer shade by adding a few drops of bronzer to you usual shade. Perfect match! Without having to shell out the big bucks for a brand new bottle.
• Tinted Moisturizer ~ If you are a minimalist that prefers just a veil of coverage in Summer, you can make your own tinted moisturizer. Simply add a drop or two of gel bronzer to your regular moisturizer. Blend in the palm of your hand and Voila! Another great skin must-have!
• Sheer -no-streak- Color ~ Summer's heat and humidity can melt even the longest wearing foundation and powders. Tinted gel offer a lightweight alternative that stays put. You can even use the gel bronzer as a fixative base, then apply a bright shade of blush in the apples of the cheek for a pop!

My all time favorites are: Bonne Bell Gel Bronzer: a drugstore beauty with a huge cult following. This bronzer is extremely easy to apply and works best on bare skin.

My other favorite is Clinique's. This bronzer was originally part of their mainstream line and in recent years, the same product was re-packaged and marketed in their Men's line. Clinique's Gel Bronzer is densely pigmented and works wonders mixed with moisturizer or foundation. Because it's so pigmented, it works best on well moisturized, exfoliated skin.

Enjoy!

Best Drugstore Bronzers

My top 2 picks for drugstore bronzers are Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer and Milani Sunset Duos.
Both of these bronzers offer a natural, healthy glow at a unbeatable price.

• Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer is perfect for those with allergies and sensitivities. People that previously thought they could only wear high end cosmetics because of the need for purer ingredients. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzers are: 100% Free of Harsh Chemicals. 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives. 100% Free of Parabens. 100% Free of GMO's. 100% Free of Synthetic Colors. 100% Free of Synthetic Fragrances. 100% Cruelty Free. *And* are available in 6 delightful shades! This is a bronzer you can feel good about wearing!
• Milani Sunset Duos: These little jewels are packed are highly pigmented and inexpensive! They are a combination of a traditional bronzer shade, with a dash of a "pick me up" color that can be worn on the apples of the cheek for that "just-off-the-beach" glow.

These two beauties are top notch and can compete with the snobbiest of the High End bronzers any time. At these prices you can stock up in all shades!

Available at most drug and discount stores.

Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stains

Cover Girl Outlast Lips stains are a fabulous find for those than have been longing for a stain with precise application and great pigmentation.
I know that there are tons of mixed feeling about these (they don't last, streaky, too intense etc...)
Personally, I LOVE these! Ever since I worked for Yves Saint Laurent (circa 2004) and the company came up with a limited edition set of these I have been longing for a similar product.
But I just *knew* that many were going to hate this product.
I love these because to me, lip stains are a true representation of what natural, "from within" lip color should be: pigmented, translucent, indelible and vibrant.
I love these because they are long lasting and best of all VERY inexpensive!

Haters of this product will complain of:

Uneven pigmentation ~ lips must be in prime condition, or else the concentrated pigment will accentuate every flake that needs exfoliation
Lasting power ~ These must be applied on bare lips (no balm) AND do not press lips together immediately following application. You must wait until they dry, then blot lightly.
Also, if you'd like to pair this with liner, apply it after the lip stain. Never before.
The waxes in liner will inhibit color bonding and eventually clog the applicator tip.
Too much pigment ~ In this case, apply as you normally would, wait a couple of seconds, then wipe the excess with your finger
Too Drying ~ Well, must lip stains are. However, if you layer a moisture rich gloss or sheer lipstick after the product has had time to set; you will not create a moisture lock for your lips, you will also ensure that after your gloss wears off, you're still sporting a vibrant shade of color

So: Voila! Perfect, beautiful, youthful color!

These beauties retail for $7.99

In search of my MAC Shade

I tried on my new concealer this morning before I went to work. In a never before attempt at "skin bravery", I decided to skip foundation today and go to work with strategically placed concealer and powder. The concealer looked OK in my room, but when I went to a mirror with natural light I noticed that the spots I trying to conceal looked as if I had smudged a little bit of apricot preserves on my face: tiny, slightly orange spots. hmmmmmmmm.
So: NC 30 is definitely NOT my shade.
I wish the SA had been a tad more approachable and helpful this weekend. This would have saved me a trip back to the store this week.

MAC Selct Cover Up Concealer

I recently decided, in an attempt to improve my skin once and for all, to stop wearing foundation daily.
What?!?
I know. I am in disbelief myself.
I have always been a fan of FULL make up: full coverage fdn., concealer, powder, bronzer, blush etc...
Then I decided that since the condition of my skin has improved dramatically this past couple of months, I should try to see if I could get away with wearing simply concealer and powder for a while.

I have a million concealers. None of which match my current skin tone.

Yesterday I went to a MAC stand alone store and bought this concealer.

The SA was a little less than useless. She was obviously annoyed I dared ask her about the product. But I bought this anyway. I got it in NC30, which is a little dark (now I notice!)

This would be perfect in NC25. But alas! This particular product doesn't come in that shade.

The coverage is natural. Application easy. Durability is not bad.

The only thing I'm not crazy about is the shade (the reason I went to MAC to begin with)

I'm hoping to test this color and that applying it sparingly with a brush. And setting with powder, the minute color discrepancy will not be obvious.

I really like this formula. I think NC20 is still a bit too light for me, but I might just have to mix the two...