CHANEL Rouge Allure Ink ($37 @ chanel.com) is the brand’s answer to the liquid lipstick craze and I was able to get my hands on 4 of them to review and swatch. Like most lippies, some shades performed better than others.

What it is: A long-lasting liquid lipstick with a smooth texture that glides on like a gloss and sets with a luminous, velvet-like finish. Polymers, waxes and plant oils smooth and nourish lips, while Jojoba Oil and a unique anti-oxidant complex offer hydration and protective benefits. The applicator tip allows for comfortable and easy application. In a provocative range of red-tint shades, from tart pink to deep brown-noir.

Click here to read more

I think I’ve been around the liquid lipstick block a few times now and with the latest ones I’ve tried being on the indie side, I have some more observations. It seems that just about every brand is coming out with their own version these days, which is great, but not so great when you kinda know what formula works for you, and you don’t get it when you open the tube. If you’re on the liquid lipstick (will abbreviate to LL) bandwagon, do you know which form you like best? I think I do, now that I’ve tried quite a few different brands:

Chanel, Wet N Wild, Tarte, Buxom (part of BareMinerals), ColourPop, Motives, Cailyn Cosmetics, L’Oreal, Make Up For Ever, Stila, Laura Mercier, Merle Norman, NARS, Lime Crime, Ofra Cosmetics, Fyinnae, Maybelline, Ciate London, L'Oreal, Napoleon Perdis, Houglass Cosmetics, CoverGirl, LipSense by SeneGence, Giorgio Armani, Sephora, Kat Von D, MAC, Makeup Monster, LA Splash Cosmetics, Caked, Beauty Bakerie.

Brands on my list to try: The new ones from Smashbox, Anastasia Beverly Hills (I know, I know, I'm like the only one on the planet but I've read mixed reviews), Jeffree Star, Milani (drugstores are always out of the Amore Mattes!), Lonely Planet.

Click here to read more

Yes, we just passed the most gift-giving time of year but you will have more times come up throughout the year where you need a great gift. One of my favorites to give? A fragrances complementing lotion or cream. I find it's usually something someone doesn't buy themselves and finding out their favorite or signature fragrance is rather easy.

Here are a few from the more popular fragrances out there!

• VIKTOR & ROLF Flowerbomb Cream - $90/6.7oz @ nordstrom.
• CHLOE Chloé Perfumed Body Cream - $85/5oz @ sephora.com.
• NARCISO RODRIGUEZ for her Cream - $86/5.2oz @ sephora.com.
• CHANEL Nº5 The Body Cream - $82/5oz @ chanel.com.

This blush should for sure be filed under this category of too pretty to touch! The limited-edition Jardin de Chanel Blush Camélia Rose is part of the CHANEL Spring 2015 collection and is a duo of pinks to dust your cheeks with. So perrrty!

Click here to read more

Ok, ramp up the parties and get gorgeous with any of these that were put out just for the holiday! Well, almost all of them (one I couldn't resist putting it in here). Which would you choose?

TARTE ‘Brushed with Destiny’ Set of 5 Bamboo Brushes & Makeup Bag - $44 @ tartecosmetics.com

PIXI BEAUTY Nail Colour in God Jul! $8 @ dermstore.com

CHANEL Reve D’Orient Quadra Eye Shadow - $70 @ chanel.com

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights - $25/3-5g tubes @ ulta.com, amazon.com 

FERRO COSMETICS Mojo Glow Mineral Bronzer - $25 @ ferrocosmetics.com

DOLCE & GABBANA The Bronzer Collector’s Edition in Desert $51 only @ Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Macy's locations. 

ARDENCY INN MODSTER Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner Trio - $29 @ ardencyinn.com and birchbox.com

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

How much can you really say about an eye shadow? Not a whole lot besides the overall quality of it and maybe some swatches. So here are some that are tickling my … lids right now.

1. ESSENCE Metal Glam Eyeshadow in 02 Coffee to Glow ($2.99 @ ulta.com) – warm summer nights deserve a little glam and gold sparkle and this one does just that to lids without the steep price.

2. CHANEL Soft Touch Eyeshadow in 106 Hesitation ($29.50 @ chanel.com) – this medium plum burgundy can like the below, can be applied wet or dry. Seemed to perform best for me when it was dry.

3. NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Desdemona ($29 @ sephora.com, narscosmetics.com) – this is a brand new formula from the brand, can be worn wet (for more intense opaque color) or dry and it just so darn smooth going on and blending in! And isn’t this color pink tha bomb?   

4. And to keep these shadows from moving around in the hot temps, I recommend the new Photo Finish 24 Hour Shadow Primer ($20/12ml @ sephora.com and smashbox.com) from SMASHBOX. 

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

In continuing to look at CHANEL’s most recent makeup collection, Collection Notes de Printemps, we come to the lips and the glosses and lipsticks in it. I seem to have a lot of posts about lippies these days! Not sure why I am heavy in that category but I guess that’s my thing these days. So onward … 

Click here to read more

I’m sure more than half the country is ready to talk spring but I can only deliver a spring collection, sorry! But it’s from CHANEL so you know it will be some nice springy colors to give you something to look forward to.

The Collection Notes de Printemps was inspired by the sunny duality of lightness and brightness that creates a harmony of pastels, electric pinks and vivid purples. Let’s look at one of the eye products, shall we?

Click here to read more

I’m not too big on lip gloss but I do turn to if for its effects of wet-looking lips, especially if I’m going focusing my look on the eyes. But I must say this CHANEL Brillant Extreme Glossimer in #171 Ocean Shimmer ($29.50 @ chanel.com) is becoming a staple for a subtle kick. It’s a clear gloss with bits of high shimmer pink glitter that you can see but can’t feel. Now that’s a huge plus! I mean, who wants to rub their lips together and feel bits of … well, stuff against them.

I took these photos out in the sunlight so you could see the effect of the product in the tube. I tried to take pics of swatches on my arm and on lips and couldn’t get a good one, so you’ll have to take my word for it as I’m filing this one under, seeing is believing. 

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

CHANEL’s new Les Beiges Collection is hitting the streets next week and I couldn’t be more excited!

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 ($57.50 <---odd pricing @ chanel.com)), comes in 7 shades and is your answer for a lightweight powder with a sheer finish. It’s hot everywhere so who wants to spackle a liquid foundation on right now? 

Click here to read more