Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Confident (Fall 2014)

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Confident Fall 2014

          As much as I love lipsticks, I have really dry lips, so especially towards fall/winter I do need to use something very hydrating. This is the time when I pull out my Coco Shines and abuse them as much as possible. Even though I think the lipstick is overpriced for the color pay off and staying power, I do enjoy using it as a lip balm (pretty expensive lip balm if you ask me), or over lipstick, plus it is really easy to reapply without a mirror, though it also depends what color you choose to use. If it is a light to medium dark color, you can pull it off without a mirror, but once you have a very dark intense one, I find that it is hard to create a perfectly lined lips without the mirror, plus I think those kind of colors need a matching lip pencil to achieve clean defined lines, otherwise, it may look messy.

          Now, Chanel came up with a fall appropriate color range for their Fall 2014 makeup collection. The moment I saw Confident, 1990's Chanel ads came to my mind, very subtle warm plumy-brown nude color, classy. I've been looking for this color for a while, there is no visible shimmer in the lipstick, just color and lip gloss affect. I did not feel the need for the other Coco Shines in the collection, but sure thing I am glad I got the Confident. I thought the color would be more intense, but once it's on the lips, it creates a nude brown-pink lip. It's a perfect color for rainy days (a cloudy and stormy color if it makes any sense). Also I think it is a sophisticated color that will suit most skin tones, especially fair girls. It should be suitable for women with light eye color since there are bluish-plum undertones, and it will be great for brown eye girls due to brown undertones. 

           Overall Rouge Coco Shine in Confident is a great color but it is not something of a must have. If you want to achieve classy and sophisticated makeup look, definitely Confident is a great choice. It's more of a mature lip color, let's say work appropriate for sure. Application is not messy and it is possible to achieve a more intense color with couple of swipes. I also love the combination of Rouge Coco Mademoiselle and Rouge Coco Shine Confident with Dior Grege Lip Pencil. It creates a more intense brown color and lasts longer. Personally, I will be using it throughout the fall season with Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Lionfish and Aubergine; and Chanel Holiday Collection 2012 Eyeshadow Euad in Harmonie Du Soir (Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in Trafalgar #876 from Fall 2014 is a close match).

I also found two Chanel lipsticks from the same color range as Confident in case you want something with a better coverage.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L'adoree #45

Chanel Rouge Coco in Caractere #45

Be Happy. Stay Pretty.

Sincerely,

Lena

Chanel Holiday 2014 Makeup Collection

 CHANEL HOLIDAY 2014 MAKEUP COLLECTION
 Plumes Precieuses de Chanel

Fall is not over yet but my local Nordstrom offers the Holiday 2014 Collection already! How awesome is that! Every year I am looking forward towards Chanel's holiday collection and every year they do not fail me. The moment I saw it I squealed from excitement and disbelief that it is out! I started to swatch every piece, talking out loud completely forgetting where I was, which was quite a weird behavior to a guy who was watching me doing things a guy would never understand women do when they see something pretty! 

I will tell you like every other Chanel Holiday Collection, this one is a Christmas appropriate collection. It is everything what a Holiday Makeup should be; festive and glamorous, elegant and feminine, yet it has enough of sparkle to emphasize the occasion. Here some of the swatches I took. As tempting as it was to get some pieces I liked that same day, I thought it was way too early since I want to enjoy it during Christmas/New Year. So I hope I will be able to wait until December.

1. Illusion d'ombree Long Lasting Eyeshadow- Envol- limited edition (shimmering peach) $36

The moment I saw this color I was like AHHHH so pretty, but the moment I swatched it, I was literally blown away how darn pretty it was, so pigmented, rich and sparkly, so if you want just a wash of color with sparkles, it will be super cute, and if you want bombshell sparkly eyes, it will be so gorgeous. Definitely this is a must have for me this season.

2. Les 5 Ombres de Chanel Eyeshadow Palette – Limited Edition – $80.00 

 Oiseaux de Nuit – Luminous White, Soft Grey Lavender, Intense Grey, Intense Black, Antique Gold

Quite honestly I was not impressed with this particular color combination. I am still not sure whether I will be purchasing it, and I think $80 is way too expensive. First of all, I found this palette to be on a dry side, and while I was swatching it, it seemed a little dusty, not buttery smooth. I used the brush first, but the colors wouldn't stick to my skin, especially matte ones, so I took swatches with my finger, and still it looked powdery. I think during application there would be some fall out, which is not cool for $80 pallet. Though the colors would really compliment blue eyed girls :)

3. Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour – $35.00 

La Flamboyante – Bright Orange Red

This color is so gorgeous and just screams Christmas! I love Chanel's Velvet Lipsticks, not only the colors are to squeal for, but also the formula is moisturizing, long lasting, and just beautiful to work with (still do not forget to exfoliate and prep with lip balm for flawless application). A definite buy this winter.

 

 4. Le Vernis – $27.00 Phenix – Bright Orange Red (Limited Edition)

Talking about the nail polish, personally I was disappointed, it is a dupeable color (can I make up my own words?), anyways, it's red, shiny red, but no gold sparkles or anything that would make it stand out from regular reds. I wish it would have some gold in it, but I think it can be fixed with the new Dior 2014 Holiday Diorific Golden Shock 001 Nail Polish. Pairing them together on a ring finger nail will definitely be a stunning combination, or for more drama on all nails. Cannot wait to wear it together, otherwise this color is on a boring side for me.

5. Camélia de Plumes Highlighting Powder – Limited Edition – $72.00 

 Platine / Platinum

It is a beautiful highlighter indeed. Design wise, I do not like it. It does not look like a camellia or any flower to me at all, more like feathers. Am I the only one who sees feathers in this design? Anyhow, I do not have photographed swatches of it because they did not have the real highlighter on the stand, this one on the pic is a fake one, but let me tell you when I swatched the real one the other day, I really liked what I saw. Yes, it is a white highlighter, but it is not a shy one at all. It got some sparkle particles in it, and they are golden. Even after blending the highlighter on my hand, I still could see sparkles but they are not "right in your face". It is pretty and if it didnt have any gold in it, I would not love it as much. Am I excited about the price, heck no! It is expensive, if I said otherwise, I would be lying to you. Is it worth it? I am still trying to figure out myself. Since I am not getting the eyeshadow palette, maybe this Camelia Powder will be on my shopping list, but for right now I cannot part with $72.

 

6. Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour – Limited Edition – $35.00 

Volage – Peach Rose

This lip color is so amazing! It is a nude peachy rosy color! Doesn't it sound pretty? I wish I took better picture of the lipstick in the tube itself, but the swatches below are exactly how the lipstick looks. It is a must have for a fresh pretty pout! Get it, with the Illusion D'ombree it is a beautiful makeup marriage.

  

Joues Contraste Powder Blush – Limited Edition – $45.00 Caresse – Shimmering Peach

Personally, I am on a fence with this particular blush color, it seems so nude, and transparent, but once again, Chanel blushes are very pigmented and if you are fair to medium skin tone, it is possible to get a well defined blushing affect. And yes, it does have sparkles, and they are visible, but not overwhelmingly sparkly. The powder itself is matte, so sparkles are good. I will think whether I will buy it, but I think it has to be purchased if you choose to buy the peach lipstick and eyeshadows from this collection. Nordstrom's Beauty Consultant said that three of them pair so good together, after all they are made for each other.

 

Also on the swatch pictures you will see a  Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner – Limited Edition – $32.00Or Blanc – White Gold.
I really like this eyeliner, it is not white gold however, it looks yellowish to me so I am not sure why they called it white gold, but definitely it compliments the whole holiday vibe. Must have for me, for sure.

Here are the swatches of everything (from left to right)

1. eyeshadow palette, Illusion D'ombree in Envol (peach), Rouge Allure in Volage (peach one), Rouge Velvet in La Flamboyante (red), Blush in Caresse (peach), Eyeliner in Or Blanc (white gold).

I 

Be Happy. Stay Pretty.

Sincerely,

Lena

Staying Chic & Elegant

Staying Chic & Elegant This Fall Season Part3

I've always believed that when it comes to handbags, perfume, makeup, jewelry, shoes, and coats, quality should come first over quantity.  For me it's not about fashion, but more about elegance and timeless style. Here are some of my favorite picks for this season. 

1. Handbags

Susannah Quilted Leather Large Tote $398 

 Selma Large Saffiano Leather Satchel $250

 2. Fragrance

        Chanel Coco Noir Eau de Parfum $130                              Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum $120  

3. Lipstick

Chanel Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle and Rivoli $35

Rouge Dior in Pied de Poule and Massai Fall 2014 $35

4. Nails

Chanel Le Vernis $27

 5. Pearls  

are a must have in any woman's wardrobe, it's something that never gets out of style 

 Majorica 8mm Manmade Organic Pearl 3-Row 16" Strand Necklace with CZ-Accented Square Clasp $448

Macys.com offers some really good and affordable pearl necklaces, and now they are on sale.

I hope my list of Fall essentials was helpful and interesting at least for some of you. Whereever you shopping spree takes you, always Be Happy & Stay Pretty.

 Sincerely,

Lena