All experience is an arch, to build upon- Henry B. Adams


15.11.11

THE most amazing foundation EVER

I've been on the look out for a great light foundation. I've found my holy grail in medium to full coverage foundation but I was debating on whether to get a light foundation or a tinted moisturizer. For a long while now I wanted to get this foundation but I had to wait until I went to the US so I could get matched properly and not just guess since this foundation is a bit pricey. The foundation colour matched me perfectly, it's light and OMG it's amazing.

CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE AQUA is AMAZING.



Description:
A new-generation texture. An unprecedented sensory experience. A unique makeup result. Rapid and easy application. VITALUMIÈRE AQUA. Apply your makeup without thinking about it.

Its soft and evanescent ultra-fine fluid texture is a real surprise. Although it is exceptionally delicate and light, an incomparable “second-skin” perfecting result is achieved. The complexion appears amazingly even, fresh and energized. The skin glows with seemingly nude beauty. As if glowing from within. Bathed in light…

Its formula, endowed with a UVB sun filter and mineral sunscreen, protects the skin from damaging sun rays (SPF 15). Its crystalline fragrance accentuates the sensation of freshness and pleasure on application.

My Take:

Feel:
It's not as watery as you would expect. You have to shake the bottle vigourously for a few seconds as the water separates from the foundation pigment. It's smooth, creamy and very light. Super blendable (I'm talking about fully blended in in about 2 seconds). It's not as thick as the ELDW light but it's honestly NOT watery. It's a bit cooling on your skin, probably because of the lotus water it contains which tones your skin.
I apply it with my fingers (which is recommended) and it melts right into my skin!
It really is very light on the skin like a SECOND SKIN (perfect description from Chanel). You honestly would not know you have on makeup because you'll forget about it being there which is wonderful! You literally don't even feel like you have on makeup.

Smell:
It has a sort of floral scent. Almost like a cream i've smelled before but I can't put my finger on the name. It's very light, not overpowering, not stinky and it disappears after a few minutes. I quite like it but I've heard that some people don't like the scent very much...good thing is that if you're not a fan of the scent, it will disappear shortly after putting on the foundation :)

Effect:
As soon as I put this stuff on (a little goes a long way) and blended it in with my fingers it immediately covered my redness on my cheeks and made my skintone look even and soft. It almost gives you a bit of a soft focus effect and a glow. The mineral pigment in the formula is what gives off that sort of glow. It's a natural finish so you're not going to look matte and you're not going to look shiny either. It's perfect!
Now, because this IS a light foundation it's not meant for full coverage so you may want to use a bit of concealer to cover up any darker spots you may have. In terms of uneven skin tone and redness, this covers it amazingly! My mother and cousins and aunt didn't think I had on makeup and I got compliments on how great my skin looked! Natural and flawless! It hasn't made me break out at all!!
It's not the kind of foundation that will hide who you are. If you have freckles it's not going to make them disappear totally...that's who you are. I have a few freckles and it covers them a bit but it doesn't mask them. My skin really looked so even and healthy.
Before
After (with concealer over the tiny little bump only)

After

Before 2

After 2

After 3 (see how you can still see my freckles but my skin tone evened out?)
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The best thing about this foundation is that you don't even feel like you have on any makeup, your skin looks even and glowing, it's SPF15, won't clog your pores, tones your skin and it's staying power is pretty good even after 10 hours. I am in love.

While I love the ELDW light, it's not an everyday foundation for me because of the fact it's something even though you hardly feel it on your face you still KNOW it's there and it's med-full coverage with a natural/matte finish. These days I'm trying to go for a lighter feel and finish so it's a bit easier on my skin and the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is perfect!

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It retails for about $45usd in Macys, Nordstrom and other Chanel counters.
I would advise for you to get matched at a counter rather than guess your shade.
I am a B40-Beige Desert.

xoxo

14.11.11

UPDATE!

Hey everyone,

I've been away for a while but I'm back and settling in again.
I have so many posts for you all, I need to find the time to do them all quickly and post them!

I've got some lipstains, lipsticks, a fabulous AMAZING foundation, concealer, nail polish, lipbutter, face wash and blush to give you all reviews on!

My posts may be a bit staggered for the next few weeks because of school work BUT I'm trying my hardest to get my posts up faster because I have so much to share!!!!

xoxo

29.10.11

Diamonds on My Nails!!

I know I just put up a NOTD post but 5 minutes later I went to the pharmacy to pick up a polish I've been swooning over non-stop. Let me just say BEST.PURCHASE.EVER.
I remember doing a short post here on OPI's Miss Universe 2011 Collection...FINALLY I got my hands on "Crown Me Already" (it's hard to get polishes from new collections here).
I swiped it over my ring fingernail, right over Essie's "Carry On"....Not only does this polish look fabulous over it but I'm 100% certain it looks equally as fabulous on a bar nail with 2 coats!
The mix of chunky and fine glitter is PERFECT and because it's silver it gives the effect of a million little diamonds on your nail. Just beautiful!


xoxo

NOTD: Essie Carry On ;)

The first time I saw this shade was in a magazine and the picture look sooo....delicious? That's the only way I could describe it. The colour carry on was being poured over a beautiful white bag. The contrast was amazing!


The polish smooth, non-goopy, and best of all it dried so quickly! My other Essie polishes take a litle while to dry but this one was quick and easy! It's VERY similar to "Evening Seduction" by China Glaze even though the two look different in the bottle. Carry On looks lighter and milky in the bottle while Evening Seduction looks very dark. However, if I put my nails up to the bottle of Evening Seduction it's the exact colour of how it looks in the bottle (but still lighter than how it looks on the nail).


I love it! A great fall/winter shade!

xoxo

28.10.11

MAC Glitter & Ice!! [Holiday Collection 2011]

Last year around this time MAC launched their Holiday collection A Tartan Tale....One of my personal favourite collections, the plaid, the colours and the collection itself were nothing short of amazing.

This year MAC has come out with the collection "Glitter & Ice" for the holidays!



Winterized Mineralize Eye Shadows, Smooth Manoeuvre-ing Technakohl Liners, Paint Pots full of Morning Frost, Opulash Mascara in Bad, Bad Black, Dazzleglass with Glitt er and Ice and Unconditionally Fabulous Nail Lacquers. Shake up the season with breathtaking Beauty Powders in glossy white Snowglobe-inspired comp acts filled with glittery, glossy and gorgeous silver sparkles.


Doesn't it sound soooo pretty! All I can think about are snow flakes and icicles!!
I have my eyes on "what joy!" the lipstick, "Morning Frost" paintpot, and "Spanking Rich" dazzleglass!
Many girls may be saying "oh no! This collection seems to only suit fair skin tones", well let me tell you! Those beautiful frosty/metallic eyeshadows, the gorgeous Technakohl Liners and some of the Dazzleglasses can definitely work on warmer skin tones! You just need to know how to apply it and what particular shade would look best on you :)

Paint Pot (Limited Edition) $18.50usd

Let’s Skate Pale pink with pearl
Morning Frost Shimmering champagne taupe
For Effect Black with pearl
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Mineralize Eyeshadow (Limited Edition) $21usd

Fresh Ice White silver melange
Snow Season Soft taupe melange
Hold That Pose! Pale mauve melange
Frozen Blue Blue silver melange
Shimmermint Pale green melange
Winterized Dirty purple with silver, indigo, and pink melange
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Beauty Powder (Limited Edition) $24usd

Snowglobe Frosty pinky beige
How Beautiful Pale shimmering beige
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Nail Lacquer (Limited Edition) $16usd

Unconditionally Fabulous Super sparkle white (Frost)
Get Noticed True bright red (Cream)
Festive Finery Dirty mid-tone greyed violet (Cream)
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Lashes (Limited Edition) $15usd

#7
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Lipstick (Limited Edition) $15.50usd

Whirls & Twirls Sheer pink with gold pearl (Glaze)
Double Spin Pale mauve pink (Cremesheen)
Soft SableCool frosted taupe (Frost)
Eloquent Air Sheer white silver(Glaze)
Such Flare True red (Matte)
What Joy! Deep berry (Satin)
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Dazzleglass (Limited Edition) $19.50usd

Pleasure Principle Clear white violet, teal, and white pearl (Repromote)
Dressed to Dazzle Pale dirty pink red and gold pearl
Glitter & Ice Light nude with white and gold pearl
She-zam Sheer silver with silver and red pearl (Repromote)
Love Alert Raspberry red with red pearl (Permanent)
Spanking Rich Raspberry pink with red and gold pearl (Repromote)
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Technakohl Liner (Limited Edition) $16usd

Silver Skates Silver with pearl
Going for Gold Gold with pearl
Seasonally Spicy Brown with pearl
Fancy Moves Purple with pearl
Practice Makes Perfect Blue with pearl
Smooth Manoeuvre Black with pearl

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Icy and beautiful!! This collection was scheduled to come out in the
US: 27th October 2011
Internationally: October/November 2011.


This is only ONE PART of MAC's Holiday collection!
They're also coming out with a collection called "Ice Parade",a series of kits!
Bags, brushes, eyeshadow pallettes, viva glam gaga combo, viva glam teddy bear ornaments and little cards! :)
That'll be another post, another day :)

xoxo

19.10.11

"Linking" up with FEED!!




Links of London and FEED have decided to join forces to produce a friendship bracelet collection that's not only gorgeous but goes toward a great cause in helping to fight hunger amongst children around the world.




FEED’s Co-founder and CEO; Lauren Bush expressed:

“FEED is excited to partner with Links of London to showcase a collection of new bracelets. The partnership was the result of both brands wishing to create a desirable high end fashion product with a conscience. Each bracelet supports a different program that is effectively fighting hunger and malnutrition around the world through a donation to the FEED foundation. The FEED for Links of London bracelets will help make a meaningful and tangible difference in the world!”


Links of London commented on the partnership:

"Working with Feed was a natural progression for us because of our history of supporting children’s charities. We see this as a long term partnership; launching the initiative in the UK and US with plans to take this worldwide."

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The collection, launching in November, consists of 6 beautifully coloured cord bracelets each with a silver bead in the shape of a motif which represents a different intervention in the fight against hunger with each bracelet engraved with the number of meals it will provide serving as a visual reminder of your donation to such an important issue/cause.
The Leaf provides 50 meals in areas that have been affected by natural disaster

The Heart provides 50 meals in areas with high HIV/AIDS rates

The Water Drop provides 500 days of clean drinking water for one child

The Dove motif contributes 50 meals in areas of war and conflict

FEED Logo Bracelet contributes 50 school meals

There is a special bracelet with a 18ct gold heart design exclusive to Harrods for those of you living in the UK. It's my favourite one!!! Too bad I'm not up there to purchase one :(
Up to me I would definitely purchase all of them, not only to have the beautiful bracelets but to know that with each purchase I'm giving 50 meals or 500 days worth of clean water to children in need.
Somehow I'm going to get m hands on one.


It will be sold for $125USD at all Links of London boutiques worldwide and £75 in the UK :)
The Harrods Exclusive 18ct Gold bracelet is £395.

FEED Co-Founder & CEO: Lauren Bush

Images for the Launch created by Margot Bowman



Keep your eye out for these beauties!

Make sure to click on the following link to check out FEED !!
I'm also eyeballing a tote on FEED's site...why not contribute more!

xoxo


8.10.11

October! Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Breast cancer awareness month is in October for those of you who forgot (as throughout the year I continuously see fb posts about it being breast cancer awareness month in APRIL, JUNE, JULY etc). I think we should constantly be aware of cancer in general. Not only does it affect the people who suffer from it but their friends, family and even children. It is advised that we all go for regular check ups, mamograms (women), full medicals, prostate examinations, colonoscopy, eat well and exercise regularly.

Every year, around this time, we go PINK :) I always look forward to brandishing my pink ribbon!
Companies world wide, not only cosmetic, launch their annual breats cancer awareness products from which part or all of the proceeds go towards finding the cure.
I'll just be making you aware of a few. Cosmetics of course ;)



CLINIQUE:

This year Clinique has brought out 2 special limited edition items.

A little history on the company:
The Estee Lauder Companies founded the Pink Ribbon and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. They have distributed the pink ribbon in over 70 countries.
Evelyn Lauder founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993 as an independent not for profit organisation dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and genetic research worldwide.
The BCRF has so far raised more than $285 million for breast cancer research.
For more information about the BCRF go to www.bcrfcure.org.


The first item is the Longlast Glosswear Pink Ribbon Keychain.
I've talked about this product (the long last gloss) in a previous post and these lipglosses are AMAZING! It's Clinique's best selling lipgloss for a reason.
However, they are exclusively available at Boots in the UK at the price of £15 and at Macys and Bloomingdales in the US, so international readers, you may want to order it or have someone buy it should you want it. $4 USD from every purchase goes toward the cause.
Not only do you get ONE of the amazing lipgloss but THREE! In three beautiful shades of pink! Ace!
It's not available where I am but I would definitely love to get it. The keychain itself is beautiful and it will always remind me not to sweat the small stuff especially when others have to go through the rigours of this horrible disease.


The second product is the Special Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. This is exclusively available to Selfridges & Thomas Ireland (UK) and Macy & Bloomingdales (US).
Sorry girls :( You'll have to order it or get someone to buy it for you. It comes with the cutest keyring around the neck. £35 for 200ml or $25USD. $10USD from each purachase goes toward the cause. I've used the dramatically different moisturiser for years now and it is truly an amazing product and another best seller. This moisturizer feels almost like water on your skin and it absorbs in a flash leaving your skin supple. I ran out a while ago and I'm definitely looking to purchase it again. I've tried so many other moisturisers which I do like, but this one is definitely the winner.EL will be donating £2 from each product sold going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's study at the UK Institute of Cancer Research (www.bcrfcure.org).



JO MALONE:

Jo Malone presents the New Red Roses Hand and Body Wash.
It's a bit pricey at £30 but £5 from every sale goes towards the cause!
Jo Malone is known for their very gorgeous but very expensive colognes/perfumes and candles.
I urge you all who have access to Jo Malone stores/retailers to smell the Dark Amber and Ginger Lily Cologne or the Wild Bluebell Cologne. Yum!



OPI:

OPI came out with their limited edition Pink Shatter: "Pink of Hearts" to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  This will be the 5th year they've taken the initiative to raise breast cancer awareness through their LE nail polishes :)

Each bottle of Pink Shatter has a special pink-ribbon tag & pink cap wrap to call attention to breast cancer awareness.
OPI will also be making its annual donation of $25,000 to Komen for the Cure.
The polish will retail for $8.50 and will be available at outlets like
ULTA during the month of October.



ELIZABETH ARDEN:

This one is not so much a beauty product. Elizabeth Arden comes out with a ribbon pin every year. This year it's especially gorgeous, with one tiny blue stone on the ribbon representing the 1% of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

It's about £10 and all of the proceeds go to the cause. Available at Estee Lauder counters.



COACH:

Not only do the makeup and cosmetic brands contribute but take a look at one of my favourite brand's creations. Their watches are never too much for a lady's hand and always well crafted.


This new watch is crafted in brilliant stainless steel with the Coach signature embossed in smooth pink enamel around the face, this limited edition of the Phoebe bangle watch is more than just an elegant way to keep time: its purchase helps support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation! :D
At $298 USD available at Macys or your nearest Coach retailer it's a bit pricey but hey! It's a coach watch! 20% of the purchase price will be going towards breast cancer research.
I would definitely purchase this as it's not only cute as hell but helps the cause :D win!! A constant reminder of your support.



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There are so many other companies that have products out from which proceeds go towards finding the cure. Among them are Aveda, Estee Lauder (pink lipstick and bag set), Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Elemis, Tropicana, I can't believe it's not butter, chapstick etc...

Click the link and check out the other different products at BCA Campaign.
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You don't really need to buy a product to donate to the cure unless of course you fancy something I've posted. You can get together with your friends or family and make pins to show your support, sell the pins or even bracelets and donate all the funds to the cause. Donate to the many funds dedicated to finding the cure. We can all do it together. One day, we'll achieve that goal and many will no longer suffer.

xoxo