Filed In: Swatches

CHANEL Les Beiges 2021 Summer Light

I have been a fan of the Les Beiges range since its launch back in 2013 (seriously: plug in “CHANEL Les Beiges” in my search bar to see what I mean) and that love affair continues with the recently released Summer Light 2021 Collection. Something about the entirely effortless vibe of the pieces — coupled with how beautifully everything performs — and I’m 100% here for it. ALL of it.

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OPI · Mexico City Collection

June 25, 2020

I feel like it’s been ages since I last did an OPI review and from the moment I received the Mexico City Collection, I just knew it needed to be shown in all its glory. After the long & hard winter we just experienced followed by the pandemic + subsequent travel lockdown, I figure this is one trip we can all enjoy … plus how uplifting is all this colour? ❤️

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Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder · Autumn/Winter 2017 Collection

October 16, 2017

After the incredible success of Victoria Beckham’s first makeup collaboration with Estée Lauder that launched last year, the formidable Posh Spice heard our pleas and has come out with even more to love. The Autumn/Winter 2017 Collection re-introduces ten hero products (Morning Aura Illuminating Cream, Java Sun Bronzer, and Modern Mercury Highlighter to name but 3 of the most highly in demand items), along with eighteen new products, as well as two limited edition sets. And all just in time for the holiday season, to help you channel your own inner VB ∗runs to the mirror to practice pouting∗.

Previously reviewed Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder products:

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a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection

October 7, 2015

There are lacquers, and then there are lacquers; what makes a-england polishes stand out, is an ephemeral quality that is hard to pin down, but is strongly felt nevertheless. With her love of art, beauty, and literature – in particular the Pre-Raphaelite period, Adina Bodana (the creative genius behind this brand) continues to draw inspiration from one of her favourite artists of that period, Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The latest addition to her Heavenly Quotes Collection, is The Blessed Damozel – a lush purple hue with what appears to be plume-like swirls of colour running throughout the base, all of which only add to its hypnotic appeal.

Originally published in 1850 (and subsequently revised twice after that), Rossetti’s poem, The Blessed Damozel, was partially inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Raven’, a story of love, grief, unrequited yearning, and celestial bodies. Interestingly, Rossetti’s poem preceded his painting of the same name, with a maiden (the ‘Damozel’) in heaven gazing down in eternal mourning at her earth-bound lover.

Purple, a hue long associated with both royalty and that of death, also happens to have been a favourite with artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement such as Rossetti; the undulating pattern seen in the bottle of a-england’s The Blessed Damozel combined with the intensity of colour, perfectly captures the essence of a deep abiding passion clouded by loss. In other words, Adina has done it again and has managed to bring a piece of literature to life in nail lacquer form.

The Blessed Damozel (1875-78), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (credit)

The Blessed Damozel (poem originally published in 1850), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (credit)

The Blessed Damozel | A deeply regal violet with ultra fine inner shimmer in a formula that leans slightly towards the thick side, but which levels out easily and beautifully, with no pooling towards the cuticles. The high saturation of colour means you can basically get away with one coat for full coverage, although I personally prefer the look of two. As the finish is shiny but not glossy, adding a top coat really enhances all the inner fire of this shade and truly makes it stand out. Bonus: non-staining upon removal.

Coats: 2, plus top coat

a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection

a-england | The Blessed Damozel, Heavenly Quotes Collection (detail)

It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for this brand, and my love for a-england (and its founder) have been well documented over the years in many posts (click on the a-england tab in the sidebar to see swatches of the entire range), but something about The Blessed Damozel has resonated with me on an almost visceral level; it satisfies my need for broodingly moody shades but stays clear of looking too blackened, provides a multi-dimensional depth of tone thanks to the inner shimmer, and just looks so incredibly velvety and luxurious on the nails. Doesn’t get better than that, I tell you.

The Blessed Damozel is part of a-england’s permanent collection. Find more information on the entire range via a-england.co.uk – Find your nearest retailer here.

Press sample kindly provided by a-england for my unbiased consideration

Urban Decay | Perversion Mascara

September 5, 2014

The newly released mascara from Urban Decay, Perversion, has “Bigger. Blacker. Badder” as a tagline, and I can tell you right here and now how correct that is. From the brand that started the cruelty-free cosmetics trend and continues to titillate its loyal fan base with not only provocative names, but outstanding and cult-fave products (hands up if you own any one of their Naked palettes), comes a mascara that will make others cry uncle – it really is that badass.

Urban Decay | Perversion Mascara

Perversion Mascara (CAN $26.00) | Mascara is my Kryptonite & the only beauty product I would want to be with if stranded on a deserted island, but finding one that meets all my strict criteria can be a challenge. Perversion comes in a pewter outer casing with violet lettering and bears a densely bristled thick brush and promises to provide length, volume and a rich deep coating of colour to your lashes. One thing I immediately noticed, is how easily the wand/brush slides out of the tube – a good sign, as I hate those super tight seals which can result in excess product collecting there and gunking up the opening. There’s no nasty scent to this formula, perfect for those with sensitivities, and application is relatively straightforward. As this is a wetter type of mascara, I recommend doing the upper lashes first – wait a couple of minutes – then go in for the bottom lashes. Some people may find that this type of larger brush head can be a bit cumbersome to manoeuver, but holding it at a slight angle to your lashes can solve that.

From the very first swipe across my lashes, I could see that major length, volume, & a lustrous black colour were reached, and while I actually could have stopped there, I went ahead with a second coat (my usual). The impact is immediate: this is what they refer to, when they say “sooty lashes”. I can honestly say that Perversion has got to be one of the blackest (if not THE blackest) mascaras I have come across to date – and I’ve tried billions (give or take a few). Wear time is excellent as well, staying true until removed 12 hours later, with zero smudging, flaking, smearing, or fading. Using a dual-phase remover (my personal fave has been the one from Neutrogena for many years now & I totally swear by it) works best, otherwise you may find yourself scrubbing to get it all off – something you should never, ever do. Ever.

The following swatches show Perversion at both 1 coat and 2 coats respectively, without any lash combing. A mascara this intense will clump at some point – in this case at the 2-coat level, but then again, I don’t know of any mascara that won’t clump to any degree.

Urban Decay | Perversion Mascara

Urban Decay | pre-Perversion Mascara

Urban Decay | Perversion Mascara, 1 coat

Urban Decay | Perversion Mascara, 2 coats

Urban Decay | Perversion Mascara

As a self-proclaimed ‘Mascara Mistress’, Perversion pushes all my buttons (see what I did there? Perversion/buttons … a little beauty S&M) and for those who love a lush lash look (triple ‘L’ factor or beauty alliteration this time. I’m on a roll), then this product can definitely provide all that. There’s really not much more to say, other than the proof is definitely there and that I absolutely love it.

Available through Sephora, find more information via: