April Favorites! Chanel, Burberry, Tom Ford, Chantecaille and Le Metier de Beaute

April was definitely a month of rediscovery for me! Firstly, I rekindled my love affair with Chanel.  Secondly I once again realized how gorgeous cream blush looks.  Finally, I rediscovered that it is in fact possible to use up a makeup item (as in when I only had 1 blush, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter, etc.).  As I suspected a few of my recent favorites from March were continued favorites in April.  Check out the pan porn you can get from daily use...

Burberry Pale Barley Eye Shadow, Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer,
Edward Bess Sunlight Highlighter

Here is a peak at what else I have been loving all month:


Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tints in Poppy and Coral Nymph: After the serious dent I made in Poppy, I decided it was time to add a new shade to my collection.  Coral Nymph is perfect for a peachy glow.  Both shades are so soft and natural, and really add a glowy flush to your skin that you just can't get from a powder.


Chanel Eye Shadow Quad in Kaska Beige: As much as I adore Le Metier's shadows, I still love the convenience of a slim, compact quad with 4 shades that coordinate perfectly together.  I find the kaleidoscopes to be a bit bulky in my everyday makeup bag! Kaska Beige is a gorgeous collection of warm neutrals, perfect for the upcoming months!


Burberry Eye Shadow in Midnight Brown: The perfect crease color.  The formula of Burberry's shadows is divine.  I want them all.


Chanel Glossimer in Bon Bon: A sheer pink with tiny shimmers.  Adds very little color to the lips, but does manage to mute down the natural tone of my lips.  This gloss is perfect for natural, kissable lips.  It isn't sticky and has no taste.  Guy approved.


Tom Ford Lipstick in Blush Nude: At last I have found my holy grail nude lipstick.  I just love this shade. I've gushed about the Tom Ford lipsticks once or twice before, so I'll leave it at that.


Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer: This is hands down my favorite base product.  The coverage and finish are perfect.  I think I like this better than the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation. This is definitely something I will repurchase again and again! Every time I wear this, I get compliments on my skin!

What have you been loving for the month of April? Any new discoveries?

Le Metier de Beaute Summer Kaleidoscope: Chauvet Pont d'Arc

I had a chance to preview the new Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for release by Le Metier de Beaute this summer! Inspired by the Chauvet cave paintings in France, the summer collection hues are rich in pigment, beauty and intensity.  The Chauvet Pont d'Arc Kaleidoscope will suit all skin tones and is sure to be a hot success!


The colors are:


A peachy champagne with a satin sheen finish
A dark olive green with golden shimmer and satin sheen
A warm rusty brown with golden shimmer and a satin sheen finish
A matte dark royal blue


The first 3 shades are absolutely stunning.  I can see myself using the first or second shade all over the lid and the third in the crease.  Or all can be layered using Le Metier's signature Couches de Couleur technique for a unique effect.  I was a bit skeptical about the matte blue shade, but layered in the lash line adds depth and dimension to the look.  

All shadows layered using Couches de Couleur

Dustin applied the shadows to my eye and created a look for me! The pictures do not do it justice! The overall effect is a golden, multidimensional taupe green.  He used Tamarack Eye Pencil as a base and then each of the shadows in the Couches de Couleur technique.  For the perfect pairing to the eyes he used the blush in Echo (going back for that) and the lipstick and lip creme in Ibiza (thankfully I have that!). 


The launch also includes the Copper Leaf and Ginger Snap Creme Lip Gloss Kit ($65) and Wild Ginger Nail Lacquer ($18).  The Kaleidoscope retails for $95. Call Dustin at Bergdorf Goodman to reserve yours today, 212-872-8612.  Tell him Productdoctor sent you! 


UPDATE: An astute reader informed me how similar this Kaleidoscope is to On The Coast (released on Saks.com).  Check out Best Things in Beauty for swatches.  I think the second shade is a bit more olive in this one, and less taupe.  The blue shade in this one is a matte royal blue, whereas in On The Coast it appear more shimmery.  If you were lucky enough to get On The Coast, you can probably skip this one!

Chanel Summer 2012 Glossimer in 337 Calypso

For the warmer months, this bright, punchy orange Glossimer from Chanel's Summer collection was too pretty to pass up! The perfect bright color for days on the beach or lounging in the meadow at Central Park.  I love the refined golden shimmer, and how white it makes my teeth look! I think the more pink you have in your lips, the more coral this gloss will appear.  Bright glosses are less intimidating than a bright opaque lipstick, and perfect for those afraid of color!

The Chanel Glossimer in Calypso is limited edition for the summer collection, and retails for $29.50.  If your stash already includes an orange gloss, then you probably don't need this.  

Chanel Summer 2012: Eyeshadow Duo in 37 Sable-Emouvant

Yes I went back to Bloomingdale's and purchased a few more items from the Chanel Summer 2012 collection. I just couldn't get this gorgeous eyeshadow duo in Sable- Emouvant out of my mind! What a surprising love this was! I think this may actually be the breakout star of this collection! 


Sable- Emouvant doesn't look like much from afar.  Typical pairing of a light sand color and a dark rusty brown. Been there, done that.  But on closer view, and in person this pairing is gorgeous! The lighter shade is a peachy, sandy beige with a warm undertone and satin finish.  The darker shade is more neutral, and a true, deep brown with the faintest gold shimmer.  The shimmer is barely detectable on the skin, and the shadow is not quite matte but more matte than the light shade, if that makes any sense.  I don't need to tell you all the wonderful things you can do with this couple. 


The shadows are both richly pigmented, and wear beautifully as you can expect from Chanel.  This is a perfect pair for summer to create a softer smokey eye.  It is definitely something for everyday, a night out, lighter makeup days and full on face days!  The swatches below are the best I could get, but don't even do the lighter shade justice.  

Definitely check out the Chanel Eyeshadow Duo in Sable-Emouvant when you browse the Summer collection! This is not one to gloss over, and in my opinion not one to miss! 

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder in Sable Beige

For Summer 2012, Chanel released two Luminous Bronzing Powders in Sable Rose and Sable Beige.  I initially intended to purchase the darker of the two, Sable Rose, but found it looked more of a rosy blush on me.  My Chanel SA and I looked at the two side by side on my skin and both agreed that the lighter shade had a surprising but beautiful effect on my skin.  Sable Beige is a much lighter, pale peach color which on my dark skin tone can be worn as a highlighter or all over setting powder.  The different colors in the pan work harmoniously together to create the most beautiful glow to the skin.  The darker bronze stripes add depth while the lighter peach shades add glow.  The gold strip adds luminosity to the skin.  The shimmer is so fine that you can barely see it on the skin.  The result is pure radiance.  


I absolutely adore this powder.  It is much finer and softer than similar powders by Chanel in the past.  I also love the effect it leaves on my skin.  It is very subtle (so difficult for me to swatch and photograph) but I promise you I can see the difference in person.  I think the best way to decide for yourself about these bronzers is to see how they translate on to your skin in person.  I did not find either of the shades to be "bronzers" on me.  


I also purchased two of the newly redesigned brushes to go with this powder.  I chose the Powder brush for when I use this as an all over powder, and the Blush brush for when I use this as a highlighter.  Both are luxuriously soft, well crafted and feel heavenly on the skin.

The Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder retails for $60.00 and is trickling in to counters now.  It is limited edition.  For better swatches, of both shades, check out Best Things in Beauty. 

Coming Soon!

The new Chanel Summer 2012 Collection is trickling to counters now, and I spotted the collection at Bloomingdale's in NYC! I ventured out on this gray, rainy New York City day to have a look at the new shades. I was really looking forward to the new bronzing powders, as I passed on them last year and was intrigued by the 2 new shades.  I chose the Soleil Tan De Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder in Sable Beige.  For the nail colors I chose Delight.  There was a beautiful tangerine Glossimer which was quite pigmented which I also contemplated, but in the end I thought I would never wear it so I passed.  Ugh.  I may go back.


Do you have your sights set on anything from Chanel's new collection?

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/ PA+++

Having developed a deep love for my Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer, I was a bit hesitant to try the new NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/ PA+++ because I didn't think anything else could come close.  Still I was curious mainly because I was attracted to the high SPF in the product.  I love the idea of a single product providing moisturizer, coverage and sun protection especially in the hot summer months!  So here we are:


Color: The NARS Tinted moisturizer is available in 9 shades, with a wide range for darker skins.  The closest match for me was St. Moritz (Medium 1) which is a hair light when first applied.  St. Moritz has a neutral yellow undertone which is the perfect undertone for my skin.  Cuba (Medium 3) was too dark, but may work when I am tan.  Annapurna (Medium 2) is way too peachy toned.  I usually am in the late Medium to early Medium/Dark range of NARS foundation so I was quite surprised that Medium 1 worked for me.  This is the third lightest shade in the range, so you get an idea of how dark the shades lean.


Formula: Fairly lightweight, and blends easily in to the skin.  I find the coverage to be quite sheer to light at best.  This is much lighter in coverage compared to my Chantecaille Just Skin.  It does even skin tone but my scars do show through.  The color does darken on my skin slightly with wear, which I actually like because the shade is perfect.  If I wear this alone or on top of a moisturizer without a setting powder then the finish is very dewy and radiant.  It does last all day on me (about 10 hours).  If I use a setting powder then the staying power is quite impressive on my skin (about 14 hours).  I have applied this with various brushes and fingers, and I think it looks best applied with a brush but that is probably a matter of personal preference.

My overall verdict: I do like this product, and will enjoy using it.  I can see myself wearing this all summer and even to the beach! It definitely delivers on its claims for providing a sheer, glowing finish! I'm not sure about the skin improvement claims as I have not been using it long enough to attest to that.  Also if you have oily skin, do not take my word on if this product will work for you.  I can see normal to dry skins enjoying this product.  If I am honest nothing can take the place of my beloved Chantecaille Just Skin, but the SPF 30/ PA+++ in the NARS Tinted Moisturizer makes this a useful addition to my base collection.  Plus it is oil-free, dermatologist-tested,non-comedogenic and it retails for $42.00 for a whopping 1.9 oz/ 50 ml! What more could you ask for? 

Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Coral Nymph

There is something so young and fresh about dewy, glowing skin! Lately, I have been obsessed with my Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Poppy.  I have to admit that this sat in my makeup collection for quite some time before I actually started using it because I have had a fear of creamy blushes causing my skin to become irritated.  When the warm weather hit though, I decided to take the plunge and now I have been wearing Poppy everyday!  Naturally I decided it was time to add another shade to my collection and I chose Coral Nymph, a beautiful coral pink.  This shade is perfect for summer!


The formula of the Creme Fresh Tints is wonderful! They aren't too thick or sticky, and blend seamlessly. Also, I find that it really has great lasting power on my skin for a cream product.  Plus my skin does not get irritated or break out from this product.  The tint is highly pigmented and I need just one small dab of product to get plenty of color on my cheeks.  It is true what they say, cream blushes really make you look like you are blushing from within! The swatch below is heavily applied to show the color. I also have Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge in Cabo Coral which leans much more orange on my skin.

The Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tints retail for $28.00 which is quite reasonably priced for an amazing product from a luxury brand! Coral Nymph is such a natural peachy shade. I would highly recommend you try one of these! 

Dior Vernis in Saint Tropez

Dior Vernis in Saint Tropez is the only item I grabbed from the summer collection because just look at it! It is the most perfect beachy aqua blue! All day I have been staring at my nails and dreaming of the ocean and pina coladas!


This is my third Dior polish, and all have been absolutely outstanding! The formula is the right consistency for a nice even coat which is opaque in 1 to 2 coats! The brush is wider and rounded at the tip which makes it perfect for the nail bed, and I can usually paint my whole nail in 2 swipes! On my fingers, the color is definitely an aqua blue, I don't see any teal or green tones.  It is vibrant and creamy and so fun for the summer!

Dior Vernis in Saint Tropez is available now at counters, and retails for $23.00.  This one is definitely a must for anyone who likes a bit of fun on their fingers and toes!

Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

When Spring time hits I prefer a more natural daytime makeup look (and by natural I mean using at least 10 products to achieve said natural look).  That means swapping out my heavier foundations for a light weight tinted moisturizer.  My favorite of the ones I have tried so far is Chantecaille's Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15.  Let me start by saying that I absolutely adore Chantecaille's skincare and Future Skin Foundation, and have been using it solely for about 6 months now! That is probably the longest I have ever been devoted to a single skincare regimen! It seemed natural then that the Tinted Moisturizer would be a perfect fit!


For reference, I have combination, acne prone skin.  It can get very slightly oily in the T zone area, but very dry on the cheeks.  I still have the occasional spot, but for the most part my skin is good with some uneven pigmentation.  The Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer is the ideal lightweight formula filled with botanical extracts that protect against free radicals, smog and sun.  The anti-irritant formula contains honeysuckle, edelweiss and green tea.  Sodium hyaluronate seals in moisture.  Titanium Dioxide provides non-toxic, mineral sunscreen.


The packaging is a slim tube and perfect for travel. The texture is incredibly lightweight and smooth.  It blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving behind a fresh and dewy look.  I typically use this over an SPF 50 product. The coverage is light to medium (more towards the light side), and while it won't cover acne scars or major skin issues, it is enough to even out my skin tone.  I find the formula sits well on my skin throughout the day, lasting 8-10 hours, without primer or setting powder.  As the weather warms up however, I will probably set this with a powder as I would any other foundation.  I use this in the shade Wheat, which compares to MAC NC 35-40.  

As with all of Chantecaille's products, you are paying for the ingredients.  The Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 retails for $64.00 for 1.7oz/ 50g.  This product is amazing for anyone with combination, normal or dry skin, and looking for a base with light coverage.  It leaves your skin looking glowy and fresh! I would highly recommend this, and for me it is an item that I will forever have in my makeup bag! It is available in 6 shades, with Wheat being the second to darkest available.  

Nude of the Moment: Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Blush Nude

Would you take a look at that?  Is there anything more glorious than a brand spanking new Lipstick?  Like a kid in a candy store, or boys with their toys, a makeup lover understands how much darn fun it is to play with a brand new lippie! I know I've spoken at nauseum about how much I adore Tom Ford's Lipsticks, but today I have another gem to share with you.  Blush Nude is the most beautiful pinky brown nude, and the latest addition to my TF collection.  The color is the perfect shade for taking down the natural color of my lips a bit, and one that I will reach for as an everyday shade.  I definitely feel most comfortable and work appropriate in a light, nude lip.  


The added bonus of splurging on a great, everyday lipstick is that you get to adore the sleek packaging all day long, and feel like a supermodel every time you pull it out of your bag to reapply! One word of caution though, beware of leaving this lipstick unattended in extremely hot climates.  One of my Tom Ford lipsticks melted!

No, I am not dead.  

If you are a nude lipstick lover then I highly recommend you check out this shade! It is a nude lover classic! The lipsticks are the one item in Tom Ford's line that are most definitely worth every single penny!

Spring Trend: Shocking Pink Lips with Tom Ford Lip Color in Flamingo!

One of my favorite trends for Spring is the shocking pink, fuschia lip that has been spotted on countless celebrities on the red carpet.  I never thought I could pull this shade off, but having gotten over my fear of red lipstick I thought it was time to search for the perfect fuschia pink for Spring! I wanted something bright, but not neon, or Barbie pink.  I also wanted something that had a natural finish, not too glossy or matte.


Initially my search took me to Mac and Nars because I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a lipstick I would only wear a few times (depending on my bravery).  Mac Girl About Town was a bit too purple and Barbie colored for me.  Nars Schiap was quite frankly, scary.  Nars Carthage is beautiful but a matte shade, which I just find too drying.  Finally, I caved and went to the Tom Ford counter because secretly, I had my eye on Flamingo.


Flamingo is a vibrant, fuschia pink and neutral toned, with a slight cool lean.  I have seen it described as both having blue undertones and as a warm pink.  I think this color will suit me best once I have a slight tan to my skin. On the other hand, I think it looks gorgeous on fairer skins as well! The Tom Ford Lip Color formula is phenomenal.  It is incredibly moisturizing, yet lasts well on the lips and has a natural satin finish.  The smell is vanilla based and delicious! (I have been known to randomly sniff my Tom Ford lipsticks).  

Certainly for a trend shade there are cheaper options, but I love this gorgeous bright pink! You all know how much I love my nude lips but I'm excited to try this out!  What are your favorite bright pinks for Spring?

March Favorites! Tom Ford, Edward Bess, Le Metier de Beaute and Chanel

The warmer weather in March definitely ignited my love for Spring and Spring makeup! For me, that means coral and peach tones! I love the effect of these shades against glowing skin.


Tom Ford Cheek Color in Love Lust: The perfect peachy Spring blush! The Tom Ford blushes are beautiful! Very soft, pigmented and good lasting power on the skin.  


Edward Bess Ultraluminous Bronzer in Daydream: Perfection.  The color is perfect and works for most skin tones.  I use this as a contour on my cheeks or for an all over bronzed glow!


Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Peche Cream:  The Le Metier Lip Cremes are my absolute favorite lip color formula. They have the pigmentation of a lipstick, but the finish of a gloss.  They are incredibly smooth and silky, and never sticky! I really believe that everyone needs at least one.  


Chanel Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer in Shade 40, Beige Santal:  This is a lovely, lightweight gel based concealer with a wand applicator and light to medium finish.  It never gets cakey, and has great lasting power on it's own without powder.  The color is perfect for brightening my under eye area without looking ashy like many lighter concealers can.  


Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Sunlight: This highlighter adds radiance and luminosity without shimmer or glitter. It is a beautiful champagne color and like most of Edward Bess products, works with most skin tones.


Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emervielle:  This peachy shade is perfect for everyday, and so easy for a quick eye look in one step.  I've been using this most mornings, with my fingers and it lasts all day long with no creasing or touch ups required! 

I suspect most of these products will be favorites for April as well! What have you been loving in March?