CHANEL | Rouge Noir: Illusion d’Ombre, Le Crayon Khôl & Le Volume de CHANEL, Holiday 2015

November 4, 2015

The Holiday 2015, CHANEL Rouge Noir Absolument Collection (see previous post here), pays tribute to the blackened red lacquer shade that started a world-wide trend/frenzy: Rouge Noir. Three other pieces have joined this venerable family, all limited edition and each playing upon the same blood-red theme — and they have quickly become products I reach for in my makeup routine. Note that the mascara is a repromote, which makes me so happy to see its comeback, as I never got a chance to pick up a backup the first time around (but will definitely be stocking up now).

CHANEL | Rouge Noir Absolument Holiday 2015 (credit)

CHANEL | Rouge Noir Absolument Holiday 2015

CHANEL | Illusion d’Ombre 857 Rouge Noir

Illusion d’Ombre 857 Rouge Noir (CAN $41.00) | With the exception of one hue that was never released here in Canada (and which I was too late to purchase upon travelling to the US), I have every other shade in the Illusion d’Ombre series, and while not all get the same amount of love from me, 857 Rouge Noir is the one I’ve been reaching for over and over again since its arrival.

A gel-cream texture that dries down to a smooth quasi-powdery finish, CHANEL’s iconic black-red shade finally meets the Illusion d’Ombre formula. Filled with garnet and iridescent shimmer, this hue can be sheered out for a light veil of colour swept along the lids, or packed on for instant vamp intensity – although you do need to work fairly quickly (and one eye at a time), as it dries within a minute of application. Even though CHANEL claims this formula to be long-wearing, I find that if you have oily lids like I do, it’s best to prime first or risk the product creasing, however those with drier lids shouldn’t have any issues.

CHANEL | Illusion d’Ombre 857 Rouge Noir

CHANEL | Illusion d’Ombre 857 Rouge Noir swatches (in direct sunlight & alternate light)

Le Crayon Khôl 17 Rouge Noir (CAN $33.00) | A soft textured blackened red eyeliner pencil with a typical khôl texture: the softer feel means it can be applied along the lash line without any tugging along the sensitive skin of your eyes, is able to be built up for major intensity, but can also be easily blended out, if desired. A unique twist on a traditional black liner, there’s just enough hint of burgundy in the base to keep things interesting (never theatrical). Note: perfect for layering under the matching Illusion d’Ombre to act as an anchoring base, as well as to provide a multi-tonal depth of colour.

CHANEL | Le Crayon Khôl 17 Rouge Noir

Le Volume de CHANEL 27 Rouge Noir (CAN $38.00) | A deep burgundy hue in CHANEL’s ultra-volumizing mascara formula. I am a huge fan of Le Volume (I can’t even begin to count how many tubes I’ve gone through since its inception), although I do find that in the past, the formula tended to thicken up within a month of opening; that being said, I’ve yet to notice anything negative about this version, so I’m guessing it’s been tweaked somewhat to provide better longevity. A highly complimentary colour for anyone with green eyes, this shade is also dark enough to provide a rich depth of tone, giving your lashes a lush & full look. Long wearing, minimal clumping (which is great for providing thickness to lashes, but can also be weeded out with a lash comb for anyone clump-phobic), flake and smudge proof, and easily removed with a dual-phase eye make remover.

CHANEL | Le Volume de CHANEL 27 Rouge Noir

CHANEL | Le Volume de CHANEL 27 Rouge Noir (swatches)

To summarize: all three items shown in this post are must-haves in my opinion. The quality, textures and pigmentation on all three is superb and apart from the fact that they all engage in the Rouge Noir history, this colour also makes an excellent alternative to traditional black. One final word: Illusion d’Ombre Rouge Noir is NOT to be missed (CHANEL’s website has it as permanent, although my press info lists this as limited). The downside? Yes, the dreaded limited edition – I’m thinking a petition to CHANEL about making these permanent might be in order here. Let me know who else wants in.

The CHANEL Rouge Noir Absolument Collection is available through Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom and The Bay stores across Canada. Find more information via www.chanel.com

Press samples kindly provided by CHANEL for my unbiased consideration

Guerlain | Terracotta Bayadère Face & Eyes Palette

November 2, 2015

From the luxury beauty house whose bronzing & face powders have launched countless imitations, Guerlain has recently introduced Terracotta Bayadère, a 4-in-1 palette for both face & eyes, exclusive to Sephora (online only). Bearing two shades of the brand’s cult fave bronzing powders, the palette also includes a soft gold highlighter and warm coral blush – all in one oversized and quite travel-friendly compact.

‘Bayadère (noun, French, textiles) – a fabric with contrasting horizontal stripes’

Guerlain | Terracotta Bayadère Face & Eyes Palette

Terracotta Bayadère Face & Eyes Palette (CAN $87.00) | The first thing capturing your attention upon opening the Terracotta Bayadère box, is the plush pink-coral hue of the velveteen sleeve. Housed within: an oversized black-lacquered compact, one narrow face brush with coordinating pink-tinged bristles, and one narrow-tipped sponge applicator. The shades include (from left to right):

Terracotta 03 Natural Bronzing Powder – natural camel tone, warm leaning
Gold highlighter/eyeshadow – pale gold with ultra fine gold shimmer
Terracotta 05 Medium Bronzing Powder – ash bronze, slightly cooler leaning
Coral blush/eyeshadow – pink tinted coral, ultra fine sheen

As with all Guerlain powdered products, all four shades of Terracotta Bayadère are scented with the brand’s signature violet fragrance (the bronzing powders bear a tropical monoï scent), and while quite apparent even when first opening the compact, this dissipates quickly after application (at least it does to my nose, but worth mentioning for those with sensitivities). The powders are also all infused with hydrating and moisturizing active ingredients for a finish that is long-lasting and comfortable to wear, fusing with the heat and oils of your skin to provide a natural looking glow. Known for their ultra finely-milled powders, only the highlighter shade deviates slightly from the Guerlain format with its addition of tiny glitter specs – although no fallout is experienced upon application.

There are many ways to use this palette; the two bronzing shades can be used the traditional way, although the 03 shade is best suited for actual bronzer application due to its larger size, while the narrower 05 shade is perfect for contour use. The golden highlighter works beautifully when applied to key facial features (tops of cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow) although this shade can also double as an eyeshadow, providing a bright gleam to lids & inner eye corner. The blush is another hue that can perform double-duty as an eyeshadow – although I feel it would be best used in this capacity only when swept in the crease (to avoid looking red-rimmed, do not apply along the lower lash line). As far as using this last shade as an actual blush, the narrowness of its size might prove challenging (tip: pinch the bristles of your blush brush together before dipping into the product), but its creamy blending factor makes it so worth the extra effort. Staying power for all four is quite excellent, seeming to get even better as the textures meld with your skin throughout the wearing. *Feel free to mix & match all shades and by layering them to create different combos for wearing either along the eyes or on the face.

Guerlain | Terracotta Bayadère Face & Eyes Palette

Guerlain | Terracotta Bayadère Face & Eyes Palette swatches (in sunlight)

Guerlain | Terracotta Bayadère Face & Eyes Palette swatches (alternate light)

If you’ve yet to try one of Guerlain’s cult-fave Terracotta Bronzing Powders, here’s your chance to indulge in two of their most popular shades in one compact — and at a price that makes it very tempting as well (compared to 1 Terracotta shade that retails for CAN $60.00). The perfect palette to take with you on holiday as well (with my tanning days pretty much behind me, I love perfecting a sunkissed look with these bronzers), the only thing you’ll need to add is a few coats of mascara, a swipe of lipgloss and … done. Bonus: this makes the perfect gift to give out, although you may just want one for yourself too. Just saying.

Guerlain Terracotta Bayadère (limited edition) is available now exclusively through www.sephora.com

Press sample kindly provided by Guerlain for my unbiased consideration/post may contain affiliate links

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir & Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir, Holiday 2015

October 29, 2015

The year was 1995, when CHANEL created a shade that would not only become an instant cult classic, but would go on to spawn an entire new colour spectrum in the world of nail lacquers. That shade, was 18 Rouge Noir first spotted adorning the nails of models during the AW/1994 runway show, and then immortalized on screen when Uma Thurman’s character, Mrs. Mia Wallace, wore it in the movie Pulp Fiction.

But the history of this legendary colour goes back even further; in the May 1926 issue of American Vogue magazine, there was an article emphasizing ‘Mademoiselle’s visionary preference for this intense and unconventional shade. “Black and white are joined by red, a garnet shade, like the heart of a black cherry, which CHANEL uses frequently and which is often called red-black“‘. And now, 20 years later, Rouge Noir has not only become synonymous with a timeless image of edgy sophistication but is joined by an entire collection of products, all in the spirit of this lushly decadent hue.

I have a personal attachment to this shade; back when it was originally released in 1995, I was fortunate enough to obtain a first-run bottle which I’ve treasured to this day – and still use, in fact! That bottle’s formulation is basically identical to this latest iteration, although subsequent releases in the US of this shade wound up changing not only the name to ‘Vamp‘, but added shimmer to the formula as well – I’ve never been able to figure out why. I’m just happy that the Canadian version comes from France, and in the original format. There were also two sister shades released (all three reviewed in an earlier post here), and while each is gorgeous in its own right, my heart will always belong to Rouge Noir.

For Holiday 2015, CHANEL is taking things in a unique new direction with the launch of the Rouge Noir Absolument Collection (more reviews coming soon) and apart from re-releasing their iconic shade, there are 2 more additions: Rose Fusion (not shown) and Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir, a ‘Gold Sparkle Nail Coat’ to compliment and add a little bit of je ne sais quoi to your nail looks.

CHANEL Collection Rouge Noir Absolument, Holiday 2015 (credit)

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir & Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (Limited Edition)

18 Rouge Noir, Limited Edition (CAN $31.00) | The original. The one and only. The vampy shade to rule them all (please excuse my little obsession), this is a true blackened red hue in a luscious crème formula that also has some jelly-like tendencies (via the plush tone). With an incredible saturation of colour, the base leans a touch cooler (seen on the first coat) and achieves 100% opacity by a second coat. Along with a patent-glossy shine at the finish, there’s the extra bonus of no staining upon removal. Coats: 2, no top coat

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir (Limited Edition)

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir swatch

Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge, Limited Edition (CAN $31.00) | An effect top coat that is best displayed when layered over a deep shade (as seen over 18 Rouge Noir in the swatches below). Due to the density of the irregularly shaped deep gold glitter, it will have a tendency to gather at the bottom so start by holding the bottle upside down and giving it a few quick shakes, then rolling it between your palms to create an even distribution of the glitter. There’s no ‘fishing’ or ‘placement’ needed for the glitter; you get enough per brushstroke to fully cover the nail, although your personal preference will dictate whether you want more or less of this top coat. The finished look is similar to that of glass-flecked glitter — the type that seems suspended just under the surface layer, as though trapped under a pane of glass. Spectacular, I tell you. One caveat, however; even though it says Top Coat on the bottle, I suggest adding a layer of usual top coat just the same since it will lose most of its glossiness as it sets. Coats: 1, no extra top coat

CHANEL | Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (Limited Edition)

CHANEL | Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (swatched over 18 Rouge Noir)

Do I even need to say it? Regardless of whether you’re a CHANEL fan or were even alive when the original Rouge Noir was launched, I’m betting you won’t want to miss out on these two lovelies. There is something magical about this top coat and I’m absolutely dying to see it layered over other shades as well. As to the shade that began it all, if you missed out the first time around, here’s your chance to own a little piece of CHANEL history. And get a backup, while you’re at it (I definitely will).

The CHANEL Rouge Noir Absolument Collection will be available early November (some counters have already received their stock – call ahead) through The Bay & www.thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, and Norstrom stores across Canada. Find more information via www.chanel.com

Press samples kindly provided by CHANEL for my unbiased consideration

Lierac | Liftissime 3D Lifting

October 28, 2015

French skincare brand Lierac has just launched Liftissime 3D, a range of products that merges the best of science along with nature, in a patented and groundbreaking anti-ageing solution: Cell-Junction complex. Together with active fractions of the crocus plant, sphingoceramide BT and a plant peptide, this ‘unique complex increases the effectiveness and reinforces the power of these three ingredients in oder to target PERLECAN, the face’s true centre of gravity‘.

In short, the lineup of 7 products that make up the Liftissime range (not shown/tested: Rich Reshaping Cream, Re-Plumping Balm Lips & Contours) have been created to offer a non-invasive 3D lifting effect to the skin by encouraging cellular cohesion. As I’m not a scientist, the following information puts it into perspective:

‘The more cells bind together, the more they interact, providing the different layers of skin with shape and substance so that they remain structured and closely joined. PERLECAN, a proteoglycan consisting of a protein and glycosaminoglycan (GAG), is an essential component of the Dermo-Epidermal Junction (DEJ), playing a crucial dual balancing role in the skin, this ensures cohesion between the different layers of skin‘

In a nutshell, you can think of PERLECAN as velcro, working to bind the dermis and epidermis to the Dermo-Epidermal Junction, so that the layers of skin are kept anchored together and thus stay supported in a ‘state of tension’ – the “lifting” effect, in other words.

Hybridizing nature with cutting-edge technology is something that many brands have been turning to more & more, and as skincare is something I’m quite passionate about, the research behind this range had me quite curious to give it a try.

Key Ingredients:

ACTIVE FRACTIONS OF CROCUS – native to the mountainous regions of Southern Europe, the crocus blossoms in the Spring and symbolizes new beginnings and rediscovered youth. Active fractions of crocus chrysanthus are widely recognized for their action on cellular communication
PLANT PEPTIDE – a plant peptide derived from the pea (pisum sativum) has antioxidant properties and is obtained through fully controlled extraction and purification methods. It protects and repairs the skin and helps to give it increased firmness and elasticity
SPHINGOCERAMIDE-BT (BIO-TECH) – Lierac Laboratories have selected a biomimetic sphingoceramide identical to cutaneous ceramides that play a structural role in biological membranes and promotes cellular stimulation
HYALURONIC ACID – pharmaceutical grade, able to absorb up to 1,000 times its own weight in water which helps restore density to the skin. It forms an emollient, smoothing and protective film that has a surface-filling effect

Another point to mention, is that with the exception of the eye serum, all the other products in this range are scented; according to the brand:

‘top notes with a delicate hint of wild berries leads into a blossoming of the fresh and feminine notes of a generous bouquet of white Jasminum Sambac and freesia flowers, which finally gives way to a warm and enveloping sandalwood base. It is at once subtle and feminine’

In general I’m not hyper-sensitive to scent so fragrance in products is not something I notice all that much (although I do make it a point to smell EVERYTHING), but I must say that there is nothing ‘subtle’ about the scent here. As someone who’s not into florals, I actually find the fragrance combination quite unique and pleasant; that being said, I must confess that on the days where I was suffering from a migraine headache, I was unable to wear anything of the Liftissime range other than the eye serum – and that’s never happened to me before. Those with sensitivities, take note.

Note: the following products were all tested on my skin (morning & night) over a period of 4 weeks.

Crocus Chrysanthus (credit)

Lierac | Liftissime 3D Lifting chart

Lierac | Liftissime 3D Lifting

Liftissime Sérum Intensive Re-Lifter (CAN $105.00) | A scented white/pink coloured serum fluid that is instantly absorbed into the skin, leaving zero residue behind. Meant to be used first (after cleansing and before applying moisturizer) to boost the efficacy of subsequent products. Ingredients specific to the Sérum include:

Biotechnological Restructuring Agent (comprised of an energy source Methyl-Gluside-6-Phsophate, 2 essential amino acids to help promote collagen and elastin, and copper)

Lierac | Liftissime Sérum Intensive Re-Lifter (ingredients)

Liftissime Yeux Re-Lifting Serum (CAN $80.00) | An unscented pinky-white gel-serum that feels cold to the touch upon initial application (a sensation that quickly dissipates), and can be applied equally above and below the eye using the soft-touch applicator. Ingredients specific to the Yeux Re-Lifting Serum include:

Albizia and Holy Grass – used synergistically to treat the sensitive eye contour and eyelid area
Ruscus Extract – anti-inflammatory and vasoconstricting properties to help activate microcirculation in order to drain tissue

Lierac | Liftissime Yeux Re-Lifting Serum (ingredients)

Liftissime Silky Reshaping Cream (CAN $110.00) | A scented pale apricot-tinted cream in a lightweight texture and that is easily absorbed into the skin, leaving a velvety feel behind. Available in 2 versions – Silky (for normal to dry skin) and Rich (for dry to very dry skin), this cream is meant to provide deep nourishment and hydration upon application, creating a ‘lifting’ effect (when used synergistically with the other products in this range) with continued use.

Lierac | Liftissime Silky Reshaping Cream

Lierac | Liftissime Silky Reshaping Cream (ingredients)

Liftissime Comforting Resculpting Cream (CAN $110.00) | A scented pale pink night cream with a dense buttery texture that is quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving a silky feel to the touch that also has a prolonged soft-skin effect felt even upon waking. Ingredients specific to the Comforting Resculpting Cream include:

Encapsulated Volumizing Botanical Resin – Commipheroline (extracted from Commiphora Mukul, a shrub native to India and used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine) controls the activity of two enzymes involved in lipolysis and lipogenesis, to help slow down the wasting of the hypodermis and promote its reconstruction by plumping it up

Lierac | Liftissime Comforting Resculpting Cream

Lierac | Liftissime Comforting Resculpting Cream (ingredients)

Liftissime Cou Redensifying Gel-Cream Neck & Décolleté (CAN $90.00) | A pale pink gel-cream with a silky/slippery texture, mean to be used on the neck and décolleté areas. Ingredients specific to Liftissime Cou include:

Biomimetic Restructuring Lipids – Using a concentrated and purified wheat extract (mature wheat has a lipidic profile similar to that of skin) for its wheat soromides, to help rebuild the lipidic barrier and to provide an immediate and lasting effect upon skin hydration

Lierac | Liftissime Redensifying Gel-Cream Neck & Décolleté

Lierac | Liftissime Redensifying Gel-Cream Neck & Décolleté (ingredients)

After a little over 4 weeks of religious application (and I’m stressing religious, because in order for any true results to be seen & felt with any skincare, it must be applied continuously and as directed), I have several things to report. After the first week, I didn’t notice any visible changes to my face & neck, although by the end of the first week I did find that the texture of my skin felt smoother and much softer to the touch. By the third week, I started to see a slight firmness along the jawline and the little crows feet around my eyes definitely appeared less pronounced; even the lines on my neck were less noticeable. By the end of the testing period, my skin looked even, refreshed, a touch more plump, while feeling totally nourished and velvety soft to the touch. The only criticism I have of the Liftissime range has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the products, but with the scent; in my opinion, skincare should stay away from including fragrances in their products, especially when considering the large number of people with sensitivities (during the worst of my migraines, I couldn’t tolerate this scent at all). Lierac, take note please. Another thing to factor in is the cost, which runs a little steep for a brand sold in drugstores, but I found that a little goes a long way (you can probably get between 2-3 months use out of each product) so you might want to factor that in when making your decision. Overall, the results are quite good and what impressed me the most, was that my skin felt not just smoother, but a little denser too. Not bad for non-invasive, am I right?

The Liftissime range from Lierac is available now at select drugstores across Canada. Find more info via www.lierac.ca

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

Spotlight: The Loop Duty Free, Montréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

October 25, 2015

There’s something about airports that sets my adrenaline to racing; probably because it usually means I’m about to embark on a journey somewhere, and God knows how much I adore travelling (true fact: I love airplane food). So it was with major excitement when I was recently contacted by Aer Rianta North America (ARI-NA), that I took them up on their offer of visiting the The Loop Duty Free shop at Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, in particular, their newly opened MAC boutique where I would also be getting my makeup done by one of the specialists. The only downside? No real travel would be involved … le sigh …

As one of the world’s longest established and successful travel retail companies, Aer Rianta created the first duty-free shop at Shannon Airport (Ireland) in 1947, and today has branches all over the world including Canada (Montréal, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg), Barbados, Cyprus (Larnaca, Paphos), Middle East (Beirut, Muscat, Bahrain), India (Delhi), and the latest in New Zealand (Auckland). The Montréal location store was renovated in 2014 (with more expansions already in the works) and encompasses 11,000 sq ft of retail space; all categories are covered, from cosmetics & fragrances (at least 20% lower than city prices, with MAC the exception at -15%), alcohol at 15% lower (than Montréal’s SAQ), fashion brands ranging between 15% – 30% lower (Longchamps, for example is at 30%), and many other travel exclusive products not available elsewhere for purchase. Oh, and did I mention that there’s NO sales tax? (yes, that’s part of the duty free experience, but I felt it needed to be emphasized!).

Upon arrival, we (my husband/photographer & I) were met by an associate of ARI-NA who outfitted us with ID badges and walked us through the security procedure; I went through fine, but my husband ‘beeped’ and was almost strip-searched, lol! Gotta love those random security screenings! We then entered the inner sanctum via an employee-only entrance and I swear, I heard angels singing; THAT’s the effect airports have on me, I tell you.

To sweeten the deal even further, my first glimpse of the behemoth that is The Loop Duty Free store made my jaw drop: beauty galore, as far as the eye could see. Yup….I had officially died and gone to beauty heaven, no other explanation. All the major brands are represented, both high end and mass-market (spotted: a tower of OPI lacquers), there’s The Great Wall of fragrance (seriously) that boasts all the popular scents (as well as exclusives and/or hard-to-find-elsewhere items), the Canadiana section features maple syrup products in countless variations, while tons of maple-leaf themed goodies abound (naturally, I couldn’t resist taking a selfie with the giant Moose-Mountie. Not very talkative, but a rather photogenic fellow). The liquor section is fully equipped with a broad selection of alcohol and even features a wall of hard-to-find and limited edition bottles of scotch/whiskey (they even had a whiskey tasting table set up and yes, I definitely tried a few out. You know, for the review). Next to the cosmetics and fragrances, I would have to say that my favourite section had to be the sweets, with enough chocolate varieties displayed, to make even Willy Wonka cry.

I finished the tour with a final stop at MAC and interestingly enough, it’s located right on the concourse itself rather than inside the actual shop – making it super convenient for passengers to peruse the products or even get a quick makeup touch-up before boarding a flight. Staying true to the brand’s aesthetic, this shop sports the ubiquitous MAC black, but is ramped up by way of an undulating shelving system as well as the graffiti-esque look of the brand’s logo. Once all my store & product photos were taken, I then had my makeup applied by the lovely Bianca (who happens to look eerily similar to Christina Aguilera) and leaving with a MAC gift bag in hand, this particular airport adventure was done.

Enjoy (or drool) over the following photos – a huge thank you to ARI-NA for arranging such a unique experience

As far as events go, this visit has to rank up there as one of the most unique for me, even if I didn’t get to travel or was allowed to actually shop {this time}. I’ve always been under the impression that duty free stores were somewhat behind re: beauty & fragrance collections, but I was pleasantly surprised to find quite an updated selection on many of the brands I explored during my visit to The Loop. Naturally, don’t expect to find the latest launches that just hit your usual beauty counters (primarily makeup), but that too can work in your favour if travelling; for starters, you’re getting a discount (always a GOOD thing) and if you happen to have missed out on a particular limited edition item from a past launch, there’s a high probability you’ll be able to score it at The Loop. While at MAC, I also discovered gift sets that were created specifically for duty free and that you won’t find anywhere else. Final bonus: the store hours, which are way longer than any mall store you’ll ever visit.

If travelling from Montréal, do make it a point to visit The Loop (international departures) … just make sure you don’t get carried away shopping and wind up missing your flight.