ommorphia beauty bar

*Don’t forget to check out my Mother’s Day Giveaway here!*

 

 

A while back, I had blithely declared this to be the year of “the bronzer”, and when I saw my first glimpses of CHANEL’s upcoming summer 2012 collection with its 2 multi-hued sunny compacts, I was mesmerized — there may or may not have been some fainting involved! Last year’s versions, ‘Bronze Corail’ & ‘Bronze Rosé’ totally wowed me, but this year’s ‘Sable Beige’ & ‘Sable Rose’, literally took my breath away … witness the proof of why below!

Sable Beige (left), Sable Rose (right)

 

CHANEL has become justifiably reknown for producing not only exceptionally finely-milled face powders, but aesthetically beautiful and yet totally wearable bronzers as well. ‘Sable Beige’ and ‘Sable Rose’, the two limited edition bronzers which form part of this year’s summer 2012 collection, not only perfectly embody this well-deserved reputation, but also happen to be two of the best bronzers I’ve tried thus far. The finish is actually quite unique as well; I experienced absolutely no powder kick-back, but instead noticed a gorgeous luminous glow that was imparted once the bronzers were applied, similar to the finish of CHANEL’s ‘Blush Horizon’ from the spring 2012 collection (previously reviewed here).

The brush that comes with each compact is of excellent quality, with a large enough size that it can be used quite effectively, and while I was able to achieve good results with it alone, I prefer using several of my other brushes instead, depending on the look I wish to achieve. For the lightest application, a natural-bristle fan brush works well, as that will not only pick up just the barest amount of colour, but will give the most delicate dispersal across the face. A larger domed brush deposits stronger amounts of product, effective for a more contoured look, while a large fluffy brush can cover a wider area for a more even-looking, natural “tanned” finish.

NOTE: all of the following swatches are on un-primed, bare skin.

in sunlight: Sable Beige (left), Sable Rose (right)

with flash: Sable Beige (left), Sable Rose (right)

Sable Beige (macro)

Sable Beige (back label)

 

#907 Sable Beige, the lighter of the two bronzers, bears 7 stripes of colour, varying from camel, tan, and apricot, along with a pale golden hue that is embossed with the CHANEL name. While the stripes are each of a decent enough size, you would be hard pressed to apply them individually, nor are they meant to be worn that way – although I imagine you could always use a narrow brush to apply the gold strategically as a highlighter, if so desired.  I prefer to swirl them all together; what you get by this method, is a bronzer hue that has many levels of colour for a truly believable effect, never flat or one-dimensional.

From the two, I would say that ‘Sable Beige’ is THE perfect option for anyone with quite fair to medium-light skin tones, as well as anyone wishing to have just the merest whisper of colour swept along the planes of the face.  For darker skin tones, this shade may come off more as a “luminizer” than a bronzer, which may take away from its intended use, but can still work well in that capacity.

TIP: I’ve found that, without exception, all bronzers take a few minutes to “develop”; I suggest that you alway begin with a few light swipes of product, then wait about 5 minutes to judge the effect.  The bronzer needs some time to interact with your skin’s natural heat & oils, and it’s only after this that you can tell how much you really applied, or if you need/wish to add more. This way, you won’t over-do it and wind up looking “leathered”!

Sable Beige, in sunlight

Sable Beige, with flash

Bronze Corail (left, Sable Beige (right)

Bronze Rosé (left), Sable Beige (right)

fig. 1 – in sunlight: Bronze Corail (left, Sable Beige (centre), Bronze Rosé (right)

fig. 2 – with flash: Bronze Corail (left), Sable Beige (centre), Bronze Rosé (right)

 

How ‘Bronze Corail’ and ‘Bronze Rosé’ (figs. 1 & 2), compared to ‘Sable Beige’:

• less variation in colour among the bronzer stripes
• both appear more rose hued, likely due to the larger blush strip in the palette
• a touch more powdery, but still finely milled
• no “glowy” finish

 

Sable Rose (macro)

Sable Rose (back label)

 

#917 Sable Rose, the darker of the two bronzers, also bears 7 stripes of colour, but this time in shades of russet, bronze, and deep rose, along with the same golden hue embossed with the CHANEL name. Better suited for medium to darker skin tones, this bronzer can also serve double duty as a blush, especially if you have a light tan going on. Giving a slightly ruddier appearance, you need to apply ‘Sable Rose’ with a touch more care to ensure a more uniform look, but I love how the paler stripes of colour not only keep this from coming across as too muddy, but actually serves to add a nice warmth to your look.

 

Sable Rose, in sunlight

Sable Rose, with flash

Bronze Corail (left, Sable Rose (right)

Bronze Rosé (left), Sable Rose (right)

fig. 3 – in sunlight: Bronze Corail (left), Sable Rose (centre), Bronze Rosé (right)

fig. 4 – with flash: Bronze Corail (left), Sable Rose (centre), Bronze Rosé (right)

While both ‘Bronze Corail’ and ‘Bronze Rosé’ have the qualities I listed above, in comparison to ‘Sable Rose’, they now appear to lose some of their rosiness and take on a more tanned look (figs. 3 & 4).

 

Final thoughts: When I first tried ‘Sable Beige’ to complete my look, an interesting thing happened; I couldn’t really see what I had applied. Taking my own advice, I waited – and was rewarded! Once the powder had reacted with my own skin’s body heat & oils, what I was left with, was a gentle café au lait kind of glow. This bronzer works beautifully, especially for during the day, as it’s subtle enough to not stand out, but adds a nice golden touch. ‘Sable Rose’, on the other hand was a lot more visible, and yet did not overpower or come off as “sunburnt” – it managed to give the look of a slightly deeper tan. Both bronzers are easy to wear and without any orange tones, making them suitable for even the fairest of skin tones, although darker skin will probably have a harder time making these work. Overall, I don’t regret picking up either of these beauties, as I find that even among my ever-expanding bronzer collection, they offer something new, and impart a completely unique yet totally believable glow.  The two masterpieces in CHANEL’s summer 2012 collection, ‘Sable Beige’ and ‘Sable Rose’ are each a gorgeous tan held in the palm of your hand … and limited edition, so you know what that means: act fast!

Posted in Bronzers, Chanel, Comparisons
Tags: Chanel bronzer comparisons, Chanel Sable Beige swatch, Chanel Sable Beige vs Bronze Corail, Chanel Sable Beige vs Bronze Rosé, Chanel Sable Rose swatch, Chanel Sable Rose vs Bronze Corail, Chanel Sable Rose vs Bronze Rosé, Chanel Soleil de Tan Bronzers Summer 2012

*Don’t forget to check out my Mother’s Day Giveaway here!*

 

 

Continuing with the reveal of my Wedding Anniversary Bounty (begun here), I realized that I also needed to include something for the lips, and as I have a soft spot for CHANEL Glossimers, this stunning shade was definitely calling my name! ‘Calypso’, might mean “to hide from/hidden” in Greek, but I much prefer revealing every brilliant aspect of this tropical beauty!

 

#337 Calypso is an absolutely gorgeous orange/coral hued gloss, filled with the tiniest glistening shimmer in shades of gold, orange and pink – with perhaps even a speck or two of blue deep within. Considering that this is a gloss, I found the pigment to be rather well saturated throughout, as it leaves a nice veil of colour when applied. With a formula that’s neither thick, overly slippery or too tacky, I believe that this hue will work well with all skin tones, and it won’t settle into any lines like many glosses have a tendency of doing. I generally get at least 2 hours of solid wear with CHANEL Glossimers, and ‘Calypso’ seemed to last a little longer than that; when it finally faded, it left the faintest touch of a delicate sparkle behind, while my lips continued to feel quite nourished and moisturized.

NOTE: I’ve learned over the years, that when using a new CHANEL Glossimer for the first time, you may find that only a small amount of product is released at the onset; the more you continue to use your gloss, the more saturated the spongy tip will become, and deposit more than enough product for a perfect application.

I still get a little thrill looking at those interlocked “C’s”!

the spongy doe-foot wand grabs the perfect amount of product

in sunlight

indoors, natural lighting

with flash

 

Final thoughts: I usually prefer lip glosses over lipstick primarily for their ease of use; one swipe and you’re done, no mirror needed (for the most part – highly pigmented glosses being the exception). CHANEL Glossimers also have the unique advantage of being rather long-lasting, for a gloss, and while applying the term “non-sticky” to a gloss may sound like an oxymoron, I love how ‘Calypso’ stays on the lips until it eventually fades, and doesn’t develop that filmy line along the inner lip that so many other glosses can. Even when it faded away, I was left with the faintest glimmer behind and my lips felt quite moisturized – another plus. The perfect hue for when you want your lips to be the focus, this ‘Calypso’ should definitely never remain hidden!

Posted in Chanel, Lip Gloss
Tags: Chanel Calypso swatch, Chanel Summer 2012 Glossimer, Chanel Summer 2012 lip gloss, Chanel summer 2012 lip gloss swatch

*Don’t forget to check out my Mother’s Day Giveaway – details here*

 

 

Sometime this past January, I began dreaming of summer … specifically a CHANEL summer. I lay the blame for this fixation directly at the feet of the early promotional photos I was privileged to see; one can’t help but fall head over heels for this fabulous and so totally wearable, limited edition collection.  I couldn’t resist last year’s CHANEL summer offering, and this year was no exception either; if anything, it proved how weak my will is in the face of all this beauty!

 

Capturing the vibe of a glorious summer spent at some luxury locale (I’m picturing Cap Ferrat …), the three varnishes that make up this collection perfectly embody the key elements of the season, both in name & in colour: ‘Island’ – representing the ethereal bounty of the seas with its shell-like hue, ‘Delight’ – bringing to mind the soft beach sand under your feet, and ‘Holiday’ – a burst of colour the exact shade of a tropical sunset. The following swatches are all with both base and top coats.

‘Island’ tucked into a shell – a perfect mimicry of hues!

 

#597 Island, is an elegant seashell pink shade with slight flashes of blue and violet for added depth, and beige-y undertones which impart a nice warmth – all in a pearlized gleaming formula. A very wearable and “clean” hue, its delicate duo chrome makes it modern and fresh, although it must be noted that your base coat needs to be completely dry before you apply any colour, or it could cause some dragging issues.  The pearly finish also means you need to take care with your application in order to avoid any visible brush strokes. The least glossy of the three, a layer of top coat really brings out all its delicate nuances. Coats applied: 3.

in sunlight

backlit

indoors

with flash

 

I was surprised to find that I really didn’t have anything closer to ‘Island ‘ than ‘Rose Baby’, an older CHANEL lacquer. While both shades bear a similar pearl finish, ‘Rose Baby’ is a straight up baby pink shade without the hidden flashes and beige undertones that make ‘Island’ so much more complex, and the formula was definitely streakier with the first coat.  The following swatches are: index & ring fingers – ‘Rose Baby’, middle & pinkie fingers – ‘Island’.

in sunlight

backlit

indoors

with flash

 

#607 Delight, is pure molten perfection; a gleaming light bronze hue with a rose-gold cast and filled with silver & coppery metallic flakes, this medium-thick formula flowed exceptionally well, with hardly any visible brush strokes and leaving behind a beautiful foil-like look. A very goof-proof application, I was impressed by how quickly it dried, its incredibly reflective shine at the end, and how easy removal was. Coats applied: 2.

in sunlight

backlit

indoors

with flash

 

Naturally, I went hunting for a duplicate, but the closest I could come, both in colour and in finish, was ‘Designer…de Better’ (previously reviewed here) from OPI’s Holiday 2011 collection. What I found instead, was that these two shades appeared to be mirror images of each other, with the OPI appearing more silver and with larger golden/copper flecks throughout, next to ‘Delight’s’ richly smooth shimmer. The following swatches are: index & pinkie fingers – ‘Designer…de Better’, middle & ring fingers – ‘Delight’.

in sunlight

backlit

indoors

with flash

 

#617 Holiday, a colour-saturated, crème-jelly hybrid in a richly vivid tangerine shade, bears the type of formula that CHANEL has justifiably become known for. Almost a 1-coater due to its intense pigmentation, this über-glossy and completely self-levelling shade almost applies itself – the formula is THAT amazing.  While practically every brand has their own version of this year’s “it” hue, what sets ‘Holiday’ apart is that is appears more as a true orange, without any visible red, pink, or even yellow undertones that I’ve seen with other similar shades.  Coats applied: 2 (and that’s pushing it, really!)

in sunlight

backlit

indoors

with flash

 

Interestingly enough and while I have quite a few orange-hued lacquers, the only one that almost perfectly matched ‘Holiday’ was none other than another now-legendary shade, Dior’s ‘Aloha’ (previously reviewed here) from last year’s Electric Tropics Catwalk Duo. Bearing almost identical formulas (applies like a crème, shines like a jelly) and incredibly close colour-wise, the only notable differences I found were that ‘Aloha’ appears to have a hint more yellow in its base and just barely more sheer. My photos didn’t really capture any differences between the two, although seen with the naked eye you can definitely tell them apart. All swatches are: pinkie & index fingers – ‘Aloha’, middle & ring fingers – ‘Holiday’.

in sunlight

backlit

indoors

with flash

 

Final thoughts: No doubt about it, CHANEL has once more brought summer to gleaming life with these three limited edition varnishes. I love how different each shade is from the other, both in finish and in colour, and yet how beautifully they compliment each other, offering numerous mani/pedi options. With ‘Island’ and ‘Delight’, I was surprised that even in a collection as large as mine, I really didn’t have anything close, while if you were lucky enough to snag Dior’s ‘Aloha’ last year, you could probably pass on ‘Holiday’ (all these lacquer names are urging me to book a flight to Hawaii….!), although with a formula as sublime as this, I wouldn’t let this beauty get away – especially if you collect CHANEL varnishes like a certain beauty blogger *ahem, cough*!

So ends my first “chapter” of what I like to call my Wedding Anniversary Bounty … more to follow, naturally!

Posted in Chanel, Comparisons, Nail Polish Comparisons
Tags: Chanel Delight swatch, Chanel Holiday swatch, Chanel Island swatch, Chanel Summer 2012 nail lacquers, Chanel Summer 2012 nail polish and comparisons

*Don’t forget to enter my Mother’s Day Giveaway here!*

 

 

This past April 28th when my husband & I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary, he knew better than to ask me what I wanted as a gift; if it’s not diamonds, then it must be cosmetics. And if it’s cosmetics, then it must be CHANEL. Or Dior. Or NARS. Or all of the above … preferably ALL of the above.

And that’s exactly what he did.  All of the above … I think he got off easy; diamonds would have cost him WAY more!!

Cultivating a good relationship with your local cosmetics sales agents, definitely has benefits – and perks. First of all, you get the thrill of being greeted by name (yes, I know that sounds incredibly shallow, but little things like that make me happy!), secondly, you get the opportunity to perhaps be in on the ground floor of upcoming collections and possibly even some sneak peeks at what’s ahead. Products are held for you, WITH PLEASURE, until you’re ready to make up your mind (because they know you will eventually cave in and buy them anyway). Then, there’s the perks.

While selecting the items that I wanted (from CHANEL’s new Summer 2012 Collection no less!), I happened to mention that it was my anniversary, and upon completing the transaction, my always helpful sales agent handed me a lovely little surprise gift: CHANEL’s vinyl Mini Pochette, along with 2 super-cute embossed denim-covered promotional buttons! So naturally, I melted … !

this Mini Pochette may be small, but so perfect for carrying just the bare essentials you may need!

there’s a removable mesh insert that can be used to store some smaller CHANEL items, say … new lipsticks?

I may never actually wear these, but I can see a new hobby forming: CHANEL Button collecting!

 

Final thoughts: My addiction love of all things CHANEL is no secret, and I anticipate each and every one of their cosmetics launches with unadulterated glee! Receiving little gifts like this makes me feel appreciated and even though it cost them nothing to do this, the gesture shows that my continued loyalty and patronage does not go unnoticed. Plus,this Mini Pochette is really, really cute! Stay tuned as I will be showing you each & every one of my fabulous anniversary gifts in my upcoming posts!

A HUGE thank you goes out to Christiane and Inès! If ever you find yourself at The Bay’s CHANEL counter at Carrefour Laval, I encourage you to seek out either of these 2 lovely ladies … and tell them I sent you!

Posted in Chanel, Personal
Tags: Chanel extras, Chanel Mini Pochette, Chanel promotional buttons

*Don’t forget to enter my Mother’s Day Giveaway here!*

 

I have stated often enough how particular I am about what I put in my hair, and how high my standards are in that regard (yes … I’m a little “overly protective” in this department!), so after the fabulous results I achieved when I tried Bain de Terre’s ‘Keratin Phyto-Protein Shampoo & Conditioner’ (previously reviewed here), I was really excited to try this brand’s 2 other lines that launched as of May 1st, both part of their new ‘Purité’ range of products; ‘Healthy Moisture Repair’ – being reviewed here today, and ‘Healthy Color Protect’ – review forthcoming. As the name of the range implies, this new ‘Purité’ line is aimed towards everyone who desires only the purest for their tresses … a welcome addition to my hair care routine!

 

Bain de Terre’s new ‘Healthy Moisture Repair’ Shampoo & Conditioner has successfully managed to not only create products that improve the strength and overall beauty of your hair, but they’ve achieved this feat by removing at least 10 harmful chemicals from their products. What you get: clean, shining, healthy hair. What you DON’T get: parabens, sulfates, colorants, gluten, formaldehyde, mineral oil, pthalates, DEA, MEA and PPG (trust me – they’re not good for you!)

clear directions & information

complete ingredients list

With a range as beneficial and natural as this, you have to expect some changes in what you’ve become used to with a more commercial grade of product.  Making sure your hair is thoroughly saturated with water before applying the shampoo will ensure a good lather, but even then, don’t expect an excess of froth. The shampoo itself is clear and has the faintest whisper of a pleasing “white” scent, but that becomes almost imperceptible when applied. Upon rinsing the shampoo out, I was pleased to note that while my hair felt clean, it didn’t have that annoying squeaky feeling.

clear directions & information

complete ingredients list

The matching creamy white conditioner is not only meant to work in perfect harmony with the shampoo, but takes things a step further by adding beneficial moisture back into your hair, ensuring an optimum healthy feel is left behind when you’re done, all without that silicone-y slippery touch that other conditioners leave behind. My preference is to apply a nice & thick layer of conditioner to my hair after my last shampoo (I like to shampoo twice), and leave it in while I finish the rest of my showering routine – soaping, shaving, etc. – rinsing it out only right before I’m completely done.

the flip-top cap (on both the shampoo AND conditioner) is not only convenient, but dispenses just the right amount of product

clear directions & information

complete ingredients list

Meant to work synergistically with the shampoo & conditioner, but wholly optional, is the the ‘Healthy Leave-In Elixir’, a light spray/mist that adds an intense burst of the beneficial concentrated ingredients which helps to gently detangle your hair and protect from split-ends. I prefer to use this more on the ends of my hair and sparingly further up, and absolutely loved how almost odour-less it was, yet so thoroughly did the job.

the spray nozzle makes it so easy to disperse this delicate mist over the hair

 

Final thoughts: After having used this trio for a few weeks now, I cannot state enough how thrilled I am with the results I’ve seen; even without applying the ‘Elixir’, I still found it relatively easy to comb through my long hair, but I won’t be skipping that last step just the same, as I prefer to stress my hair as little as possible. Knowing that so many harmful and potentially toxic ingredients (hello — formaldehyde? *shudder*) have been removed and yet I still managed to have clean, super-shining and fly-away free hair, totally works for me and I refuse to give my hair AND the environment, any less than this. Available at fine salons and at very generous price points (Shampoo – CDN $13.35/400 ml, Conditioner – CDN $14.99/400 ml, Elixir – CDN $16.65/125 ml) feel free to visit the company’s website for more information. Pure is good … ‘Purité’ is even better! (at least in my beauty world it is!)

 

 

 

*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Posted in Bain de Terre, Hair Care
Tags: Bain de Terre hair care, Bain de Terre Purité Healthy Repair Conditioner review, Bain de Terre Purité Healthy Repair Elixir review, Bain de Terre Purité Healthy Repair Shampoo review, Bain de Terre Purité review

Nothing says “Mother’s Day” quite like a lady mouse. Ok, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but you have to admit that Minnie Mouse significantly influenced the makeup of the strong female character depicted in animation – - much the same way a mother influences the choices her own children make. In honour of Mother’s Day, I will be giving away one complete set of OPI’s Vintage Minnie Mouse Collection (previously reviewed here) – before it hits stores!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY

To enter: You need to send an email to ommorphiagiveaway@gmail.com with “Minnie Mouse” written in the subject line, and in the body of the email you need to list your address – must be Canadian! The contest will run until Saturday May 12, 11:59 pm (EST), following which one (1) winner will be chosen & announced on Sunday, May 13th – Mother’s Day! One entry per person please! Also, I will be choosing the winner manually – I’m old school that way!

The chosen winner will have 24 hours to respond via email, failing which a new name will be drawn.  Even though I will take every precaution to ensure the package is secure, I cannot be held responsible for any damages that may be incurred during the shipping process.

That’s all you need to do … pretty simple, no?!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND REMEMBER: CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY (SORRY ABOUT THAT!)

*Disclaimer: Giveaway prize graciously contributed by the company/PR

Posted in Giveaway, Ommorphia Giveaway, OPI
Tags: Giveaway, Mother's Day giveaway, ommorphia giveaway, Vintage Minnie Mouse collection giveaway

 

As a beauty blogger and generally all-round cosmetics fiend, my face, nails & even body have become testing grounds for the various products I apply, but the face is the area with the highest degree of sensitivity, so it stands to reason that we need to give this particular “canvas” extra-special attention, most notably in how we prepare it. I may have not always been diligent about proper facial cleansing in the past, but that’s definitely not the case anymore; however, I still have my lazy moments. THAT’S where L’Occitane en Provence’s new ‘Ultra-Gentle Cleansing Milk’ really comes in handy!

L’Occitane en Provence Ultra-Gentle Cleansing Milk, made with the brand’s star ingredient, shea butter, also includes many other skin-nourishing properties, such as soothing liquorice extract, along with rosemary leaf extract and sunflower seed oil, to name but a few.  What it does NOT include are any harmful parabens (see fig. 1), making this cleanser safe for anyone with extra sensitivities.

For maximum effectiveness, I found that one pump or round, wasn’t enough – but by the second pump/round, easily more than 95% of makeup had been completely eliminated. I began by dispensing an amount as shown by fig. 2, then proceeded to gently massage this into my skin, using circular motions to help promote better circulation. You can see in fig. 3 that even though the product is thick & creamy when initially dispensed, how quickly my skin’s heat began melting the cleansing milk when it was applied. Once I had covered my entire face, except for the eyes, I then used a tissue to wipe it quickly off.

After repeating this process for a second time, what was left, as seen in fig. 4, was minimal at best, with my skin left feeling quite cleansed, but never tight or parched. It must be clearly stated here, that I have NOT tried this product on removing any eye makeup.

The bottle is a comfortable-to-hold rectangular shape, and being semi-opaque, I like how you can see how much of the product remains inside – taking the guesswork out of the equation. The pump nozzle easily dispenses as much or as little as you need, without any waste. The simple packaging also includes another feature that I found unique: apart from french & english, the front label is also clearly marked in braille! How cool is that?

fig. 1 – application instructions & full ingredients list clearly shown on the back label

fig. 2 – 2 pumps this size are all I need to cover my entire face, twice

fig. 3 – once applied, it quickly begins melting somewhat from the skin’s heat

fig. 4 – what was left on the tissue after my second & final pass

 

Final thoughts: For those times when I’m too tired to go through my usual facial cleansing process, having the convenience of a product like this ‘Ultra-Gentle Cleansing Milk’ cannot be emphasized enough – I can probably even use this if I’m already in bed: apply, then tissue off. Simple enough, right? And it is! Does this cleanser remove every last vestige of makeup? Not 100%, although if I applied a 3rd round it probably would have, but the fact that it removes almost all traces AND leaves my skin feeling so hydrated after, is a huge plus for me. Retailing for CAD $25.00 for 200 ml/US $22.00 for 6.7 fl. oz at all L’Occitane boutiques as well as on the company’s website, now you have NO excuse for not cleansing!

 

 

 

*Disclaimer: Product sample provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Posted in L'Occitane, Skin Cleansers, Skincare
Tags: facial cleansers, L'Occitane en Provence Ultra-Gentle Cleansing Milk, L'Occitane skincare, L'Occitane Ultra Gentle Cleansing Milk review