Yes, I’m still alive! Pardon the hiatus and long overdue haul. Blame it on laziness and the Carpe Diem mentality; but I’m really happy with what’s going on in life for the past few weeks. :)

That said, part of happiness always stems from the simple pleasures we get in life—

Like finally getting my hands on the much coveted Holiday 2010 NARS Rajasthan palette 

The warm, bronzed almond gold works beautifully with the soft yet deep turquoise shadows on the contour. This is my first NARS palette, and what a good choice it was as it received numerous raves from beauty mavens who have long doubted the brand’s capacity to produce quality shadows. 

Creating the perfect smoky ‘day’ look couldn’t have been easier. A major plus as it can easily be layered on more heavily at night for that added drama.

On another spectrum of the makeup world, this most natural looking blush in Haute by Fusion Beauty has surpassed the short-lived summer heat. According to one of my makeup goddesses Lisa Eldridge,creating that long-lasting beach worthy makeup is more so about texture than anything else. This silicone-based product provides that natural flush like you had it all along. Even as summer has passed, I find myself reaching for this little pot of happiness as a ‘blush base’, if there’s such a thing.

There’s always a first time for everything—

Finally got the guts and took the plunge to properly groom my brows! No more open and close parentheses, hopefully. Ever since I saw Messy Wands’ post I’ve been awe inspired (to say the least), flummoxed and perpetually obsessed with finding the perfect tool to aid my quest in getting that perfect arch. 

I’ve tried YSL brow pencils, (the old) Chanel brow pencils, and just for kicks—MAC; but nothing really worked. They were all too hard, unrelenting and unnatural. I was only too thrilled to find out that Chanel recently launched these new pencils with white lettering (the old one was in gold). Soft, build-able color, natural looking. Caution: highly addicting.

Some exciting developments in Dior…

The all-new 3 couleurs smoky palette is mind blowing. 

Picking up the Smoky Khaki, color payoff was just insane. The base is the most beautiful softened greenish gold. The ‘soft smoky’ shade was a muted khaki whilst ‘couture smoky’ gave that ooomph with full on sparkle that neither budged nor fell out.

Next on the list: Smoky Pink. 

Still riding the Dior wave with the elusive Mitzah quint

Considered as the ‘affordable’ (everything is but relative) sibling to the Mitzah Panther Palette, everything was just spot on—pun intended. A rich, deep burgundy brown, cream shade, camel tan, soft bronze, and taupe-gray. Its highly versatile and indispensable for that daily polished look. Don’t miss out on this.

Apologies for the poor photo quality (shall try to upload ones with better quality) and shabby condition as I was only too excited to use these as soon as I got them. ;)

ohsojill:

My Dior compact is almost used up and I’m excited to finally try Chanel’s pressed powder. My mom bought it in Korea during a flight lay-over last March and I still haven’t gotten around to using it. My Chanel-loving cousin has been telling me how much she loves the compact and how finely…

In the midst of all the celebration (Read: pig out sessions) with three birthdays in the family this month, let me share you some favorites for this month. I’m excited to try these out and will publish a separate post once I use it, particularly for this one: 

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser and Toner

The original Ultra Facial line has been my go-to skin care staple for the longest time. I find that it leaves the skin really fresh and clean without stripping it off moisture (no stiff-face syndrome aftermath!). I appreciate the fact that the products didn’t leave my skin oilier than it already is, considering its made for Normal skin types. So I was naturally thrilled when I learned that they came out with an Oil-Free line specially formulated for combination-oily skin. One can only hope that this new line will preserve the integrity of the original, but remain effective to successfully reach a wider clientele. 

Another lovely surprise for the month of July is this special goodie bag from Make Up For Ever x Sephora Beauty Insider. Don’t you hate how GWPs and the like always contain lipstick (samples) that don’t sell? So I just had to share how awesome this shade is. Not to mention the cute bag. 

The shade is one I would pick in a heartbeat if I were to achieve that simple made up look with a single sweep. Soft nuded pink with gold micro shimmer—doesn’t that just spell girl next door? The kit also includes a Microfinish powder, Black Aqualiner, and Smoky lash mascara. Props to Sephora and MUFE! 

On another lipstick note, I finally found a cheap alternative to a “lipstick organizer”; I’ve been needing one since forever. Found this at the local Japanese store for $2 (long live cheap finds, really); the only drawback is the cheesy color. Please go easy on it. If you must know, its an underwear organizer. *giggle*

I didn’t even notice how perfect it was until I got home and put my babies in their new home. It properly segregates my collection into nudes, corals, gloss, pinks, and shockingly bright (AKA hooker) colors. As Paris Hilton would say, loves it. 

And since the collection’s all out, might as well post this one last ultimate love.

Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel, Dior Rosy Nude, Chanel Topkapi, Chanel Stupendous. 

This must be true love.

What a good year to fall in love with Chanel. Peter Philips has outdone himself this year, with three epic release in makeup history—at least according to me. Spring 2011 gave us a taste of the beauty that is to come through the Ombres Perlees de Chanel and the fantastic Black Pearl nail lacquer. Fall 2011 boasts of a full collection of the beautiful and much talked about Illusion d’Ombre and Prelude quad (not to mention three gorgeous nail lacquers in Peridot, Quartz and Graphite). And to cap it all off, the Byzance makeup collection is in full swing. Why target us, die-hard Chanel fans who would be most willing to skip a meal or two, forget that new dress and splurge on Topkapi instead? Oops, maybe I was just referring to my pauper self.

Amazing colors, really. I just can’t stop staring at it. 

A beautiful milk chocolate brown, beiged silver (which is essentially Khaki Platine in eyeshadow form, IMO), beautifully soft true gold, and rich dark brown. 

More photos

Wow. And as if that wasn’t enough, the texture is even better than what is usually expected of the quads. I’m honestly blown away. Off to put it on! 

My good friend D was very sweet to give me this beautiful blush from Chanel (she knows me too well!). 

Let me start by saying how simply gorgeous Joues Contraste blushes are. You can only expect stellar quality, really. The powder is very finely milled that you feel like you’re not wearing anything—and that my friends, is the whole point of my love affair with Chanel cosmetics. Isn’t that what makeup should really be about? Not to cover your features but to enhance and embrace them while remaining light and natural. 

How can I even go on as to describe this beautiful color? As the name suggests, it reminds me of a beautiful pale, old rose with a nice sheen to it. With all the recent Duchess of Cambridge hype, I would associate this blush to create that cliché  English Rose look. 

The color up close:

Gorgeous! 

Otherwise known as Automatic Liquid Eyeliner. Sauce! That’s what happens when you start feeling ambitious and buy something like this. I’ve been looking for an eyeliner since my Maybelline Line Stiletto dried up. Nothing really fit the bill, and I didn’t want to shell out too much since I had some reward points stashed away at Murale and the Bay. 

After going through counter after counter at Murale, I succumbed to Chanel yet again and found myself purchasing not one, but two eyeliners. Call me crazy. Yes, I probably am. 

I usually use brown eyeliner as I find black to be a statement I can’t quite pull off. It makes my features look harsh and just appears as “too much”. Brown is a lot softer and I just apply as close to the lash line as possible, minus the winged tip for a natural full-fringed lash look.

This is the first twist type eyeliner I’ve encountered; it is very much similar to how YSL’s cult Touche Eclat works. My thoughts on the product:

• Too expensive for an eyeliner. 
• The number of twists can be quite difficult to estimate at first, but once you get the hang of it + proper control of brush it should be fine. For me, its 1.5 clicks/eye (considering I just line my upper lash line)
• The brush is awesome. Its soft, yet doesn’t easily bend. 
• Color is opaque yet could possibly need a few passes to achieve a bolder look.
• Dries easily.
• Its a good ‘its great cause its technically free, so its worth using’ liner; but next time, I’ll try using Hourglass or MUFE. 

Swatches of both eyeliners. I noticed that the Brown is definitely more opaque than Anthracite (which required several more passes). However, the latter is such a multi-dimensional shade which is more evident in the picture below.

Its a lighter shade of gray with a hint of silver, giving it that shimmery finish. I just love this color. Of course, as much popularized by the infamous color which graces each and every season of Balenciaga. 

I’ve been lusting after this baby for the longest time now, but couldn’t find the courage to purchase one as it seems like a very “finishing” makeup piece, if you know what I mean. Its not like foundation, blush, concealer, LIPSTICK, etc. So a big shout out to my awesome cousin and BFF for life, Jill (she just started her own tumblr, BTW! So you have to follow her!) who was very sweet to give this for my birthday. 

The packaging looks quite special and ornate, as what Guerlain is known for. Its not heavy because its just a thin metal case. At least its not plastic trying to be metal… It contains a hefty 1.05oz of product so you can only imagine how long this is going to last! This is definitely value for money.

Meteorites come in three different shades to match one’s skin tone and at the same time, provide correction. 01 Teint Rose is to eliminate redness, this particular shade is designed to brighten and illuminate while 03 Teint Dore improves sallow-looking skin by promoting that beautiful bronzed effect. 

I love how this doesn’t come across as garish; rather, it has that perfect mix of glitter and shimmer that is noticeable yet remains subtle. It has a really sweet, soft powdery smell (ok, I’m not really good at this) that isn’t too overpowering but just makes you feel light and airy all over.

Its a beautiful melange of orange, peached pink, lilac, white, gold, and beige shimmer. I use it on my brow bone, top of cheeks, and the the remainder just all over the face for that innocent glow. Like I was born with it. I laugh… 

How do you use your highlighter? 

If you remember my last haul, I had purchased two 50ml bottles of the Shu Uemura brightening cleansing oil to try out. It didn’t hurt that it came out cheaper compared to buying a full sized bottle, be it retail or over eBay at that time. Well thanks and praises be to the shopping gods, I’ve found a great deal on the amazing cleansing oil once again!

This time, its the full sized 150ml bottle with the pump. Yay!

I can’t love this product enough; a few pumps of the product is all you need to bid the day’s grime and make up adieu. I like how it retains moisture and maintains that bouncy feeling in my skin. Plus, there’s really no need to follow it up with a cleanser.

My only beef with this product is that it:

1. Does NOT take away the glitters from the Chanel Gris Scintillant; though I’m not too sure if the cleanser is really to blame for that.

2. Blurs vision for a good 3-5 minutes when the oil comes into contact with my eyes. Not that it stings or anything, its just annoying. My friend K confirmed the same thing happens with her Bobbi Brown cleansing oil, so I guess its just a fact of life? 

3. I don’t really see any whitening benefits. Although for cleansers and toners, I’m dubious as to how such a small amount of contact time with the skin can leave any lasting benefits (i.e. brightening, anti-aging…seriously?); so this is rather forgivable. 

Overall, I still highly recommend any Shu Uemura cleansing oil for effectiveness, good after-feel and affordable price (a little definitely goes a long way!). Just be sure to try it out first, and don’t go too crazy on going for targeted treatments—IMVHO.