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Dior 5 Couleurs Collection Fall 2014 | Pied-de-Poule trio

For Fall 2014, the house of Dior has reinvented its iconic eyeshadow palettes; first launched in 1987, the reissued 5 Couleurs palettes are now graced with unique new textures for even more options in creating eye looks, as well as being housed in a new slimmer midnight blue case. The concept behind the 5 Couleurs, is built around the central “key” hue; by using the top 2 shades along with the middle hue, a daytime look can easily be achieved, while the bottom 2 shades – along with the middle hue – are perfect for an evening look. Released alongside each new 5 Couleurs palette is a complementary lipstick and nail lacquer, meant to harmonize beautifully together and how I’ve decided to show you these lovelies – although one is certainly free to mix and match.

The five new trios of Dior’s 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 Collection revolve around M. Dior’s 5 favourite shades: red, grey, pink, black and blue and today’s post features the Pied-de-Poule trio, or the “black” collection.

Rouge Dior #977 Pied-de-Poule (CAN $36.00) | A deep wine hue in a buttery smooth and colour saturated formula bearing Dior’s signature rose scent, although once applied it becomes barely noticeable. By applying #977 Pied-de-Poule straight from the tube, then blotting most of the colour to leave a stain behind, you achieve a totally wearable & casual look – perfect for daytime or the strong colour-phobic. To rock a more dramatic lip, add a matching lipliner shade for precision and then amp up the colour with multiple layers; the result, is a lush & decadent vampy tone. Staying power is quite impressive, going easily past the 7 hour mark, although you will need to reapply after eating/drinking. To avoid feathering and/or bleeding into lip lines, I strongly suggest investing in a lip liner such as No Bleeding Lips (previously reviewed here) – this has saved me countless times from those dreaded effects. The Rouge Dior formula is something truly amazing; the feel upon the lips is feather-light and yet very velvety as well – if you haven’t tried it yet, I cannot urge you enough to give it a shot.

Dior 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 | Rouge Dior #977 Pied-de-Poule

5 Couleurs #096 Pied-de-Poule (CAN $61.00) | With matte, velvet, iridescent and even metallic finishes, the #096 Pied-de-Poule palette has variety to spare. The five shades are as follows, starting clockwise from the upper left:

denim blue – satin finish with some iridescence (revealed more when applied damp), very pigmented, extremely smooth application & no fallout
ivory with a golden undertone – frosted finish with light colour payoff applied dry, much more intense worn damp, ideal for brow bone and inner corner highlight
charcoal – matte finish with a softly diffused look when applied dry, serious impact applied damp, no noticeable fallout
blackened khaki – satin iridescent finish with ultra fine golden shimmer – both the colour and the shimmer show up better when applied damp
blackened plum – metallic finish with excellent colour payoff whether applied dry or damp, shimmer particles larger but do not leave any fallout

The blendability factor is quite good with all 5 shades, with staying power dependant on the particular colour selected as well as application (wet/dry). With a primer, I was able to extend the life of all 5 hues for the entire time of wearing +/- 10 hours, although the ivory did seem to fade a little quicker. Applied damp, not only are the colours significantly more vibrant, but looked perfect until removed. Overall, the denim blue and blackened plum are the most pigmented (and easiest to use) of this palette, but I actually love the centre black hue for the softer tone it gives to a smokey eye look. I really did not experience either fallout or powder kickback with any of these shades – another huge plus.

Dior 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 | #096 Pied-de-Poule

Dior 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 | #096 Pied-de-Poule, swatched with a dry brush

Dior 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 | #096 Pied-de-Poule, swatched with a damp brush

Dior Vernis #206 Pied-de-Poule (CAN $26.00) | Dior nail lacquers have quickly become one of my favourites, and the new formula – Couture Colour Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer (what a mouthful), is beyond compare. The brush is wide with a chiselled head of bristles that seem to splay just enough for an easy application with very little pressure, and the resulting finish is not only chip-resistant, but über-glossy as well.

#206 Pied-de-Poule is a creamy blend of putty/taupe/beige is a jelly-esque formula (looks like a crème but has the cushy feel and springiness of a jelly), with slight mauve undertones for warmth. The formula is sublime: self-levelling with an amazing density & flow (no pooling at either the cuticles or nail edges) and highly glossy at the finish – the perfect “nude” tone and highly flattering for all skin tones. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Dior 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 | #206 Pied-de-Poule

Dior 5 Couleurs Fall 2014 | #206 Pied-de-Poule, in sunlight

I am personally a huge fan of Dior cosmetics and have been for many long years now, but what continues to impress me and keep my loyalty, is how the brand is constantly looking to better its products. This particular 5 Couleurs palette is perfect for achieving a sultry smokey eye, and yet the shades can also be toned down for daily use by using just one of the darker colours along with the highlight. The lipstick shade is out of my comfort zone of nudes that I tend to stick with, but paired with a simple winged eye, becomes a gorgeous focal point (it doesn’t hurt that the formula is so lush). What’s perfect about this particular nude nail polish shade, is that it has enough colour and warmth to keep it from blending into the skin tone, and yet still stays neutral – giving that gorgeous clean & perfectly manicured look to one’s nails. My verdict: love all 3 items of this trio.

Available now at all Dior counters, find more information via:

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

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin (Limited Edition)

August 8, 2014

The latest designer to enter the field of luxury nail lacquer, is none other than shoe guru Christian Louboutin – the man behind those signature red soles. As the story goes, after having designed his first pair of shoes and feeling a little disappointed with the prototype, he noticed one of his assistants painting her nails and so inspiration struck; grabbing her bottle of red nail polish, M. Louboutin proceeded to then paint the soles of the shoes, and the rest is now shoe legend.

It seems only fitting, that M. Louboutin’s first foray into the world of beauty begins with nail polish, and what could be more appropriate than Rouge Louboutin? A red shade in a limited edition bottle & packaging, that is an exact match to those cult-fave soles. Housed in a crystal-cut bottle which displays an ombré effect – as though the red hue is floating above it – the tall spire of the bottle was inspired by the stiletto heel of the Ballerina Ultima, created in 2007 for a photography shoot with David Lynch.

With more colours to follow starting September (31 announced for now), but with wands in a slightly smaller format than Rouge Louboutin‘s impressive size, Christian Louboutin is set on creating a little city (“Loubieville”) of lacquers – and one can only assume that it won’t be long before more beauty products join the ranks.

The inspiration behind the bottle: the Ballerina Ultima created in 2007 for a photo shoot with David Lynch

Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Display of Rouge Louboutin at Holt Renfrew, Montréal

Shopping for Rouge Louboutin can be thirsty (& tiring) work!

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin

Rouge Louboutin, Limited Edition (US $50.00/CAN $58) | A fierce red hue with blueish undertones that should still manage to suit both cool and warm complexions, in a formula bearing a medium-thick flow. With a stiletto wand that measures 8″ in height, the base of the bottle is reminiscent of old-world crystal-cut flacons and comes housed in a black cardboard base with a glossy red interior, as well as a removable perforated lid. Highly pigmented and colour saturated, Rouge Louboutin can easily pass for a 1-coater, although 2 coats give a much more uniform and luxe appearance. Rounding things off, is a great self-levelling flow and a ridiculously high gloss at the finish – like that which you see on the finest of lacquered furniture. One warning, however, is the stain factor which could run fairly high; with that in mind, I strongly suggest doubling up on a thickish type base coat before application – taking this little precaution makes removal much easier and eliminates the stain risk significantly. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat buy strattera online salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/strattera.html strattera no prescription

A few tips on application: Don’t let the length of the wand scare you; it’s actually quite easy to hold, as well as manipulate. Grasping the ridged section of the wand – just about at its thickest point – will give the best grip and offers excellent control in application. The brush itself is of the old-school variety, with a good density and flexibility to the non-splaying type bristles that fall more towards the thin side – a plus in this case, as the formula leans slightly thick (which also works in this shade’s favour, as you don’t need to worry about excessive drips, pooling, or running issues). buy remeron online salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/remeron.html remeron no prescription

Inspired by the ombré effect of the bottle, I attempted to recreate the look upon my nails – rather simple to do, in fact, and perfect for someone of my limited nail art skills. After applying 2 coats of Rouge Louboutin and letting that dry thoroughly, I then sponged a black shade on top (Camelot from a-england, previously reviewed here), keeping most of the colour towards the cuticle line and fading it out, leaving a good section of the red still visible. The entire mani was then finished with a glossy top coat to seal everything in and to smooth out the gradient effect. buy imuran online salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/imuran.html imuran no prescription

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin bottle size in comparison to CHANEL #475 Dragon

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin brush/wand comparison with CHANEL #475 Dragon

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin gradient mani featuring Camelot by a-england

For a collector such as myself, it was a no-brainer that I would be snagging Rouge Louboutin the instant it became available and while the price tag is definitely steep, that still didn’t put me off. Is the colour that unique? No … and Yes; not all red shades are created equal, as there are limitless tones, levels & nuances to factor in – but yes, you can probably find something close at a much more wallet-friendly price. Even without having gone through my entire collection of lacquers to compare, I can still see that this is a degree of red that I may not already have, but that’s splitting hairs. The truth of the matter is that one buys an item such as this for other reasons than to own a red nail polish – although that being said, the formula is rather spectacular. Then there’s the matter of just how GORGEOUS this bottle looks on one’s vanity.

Available now in Canada exclusively through Holt Renfrew (I believe it is also available through Nordstrom’s and Sak’s in the US), this particular version is limited edition, although I suspect that this specific shade will also be released in the regular sized bottles once the entire range launches (don’t quote me on that, though).

Find more information via:

Christian Louboutin Beauté | Rouge Louboutin

Benefit | Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

August 1, 2014

Benefit Cosmetics has recently released their Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm in four shades that feel ultra nourishing and that I’ve quickly become quite obsessed with. Housed in lipstick-shaped metallic packaging, the exterior colour on each tube not only lets you know which shade is which, but the name is clearly marked on each as well – perfect for those of us who struggle to read the often-tiny print on bottom labels (yes, I probably need glasses – still resisting, though. I can be vain that way).

Mango Butter and Sodium Hyaluronate are the ingredients that play a key role in keeping lips well hydrated with these balms, while the hints of colour make them a convenient swipe-and-go type of product: no mirror required plus lips get to look ‘done’. Delicately rose-scented, the application has a rich buttery-smooth feel as the product literally glides effortlessly along, with no tugging or pulling. As to staying power and if I go by the colour factor, I’d have to say that I generally get about 3 hours wear time, but if I judge by the way my lips are made to feel, then the moisturizing effects go much longer than that – easily topping the 5 hour mark. Long after all traces are gone, my lips still feel soft and I noticed no flaking or peeling issues that can sometimes be associated with tinted balms.

My lips have more than their share of vertical lines, and while it appears that these balms settle into said lines, bear in mind that my photos are high resolution and magnify this effect; the reality is that coverage is generally quite smooth.

Benefit | Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

Posie Balm (CAN $22.00) | A soft and muted pink tint colours this balm, with surprisingly good coverage for such a light shade.

Benefit | Posie Balm

Lolli Balm (CAN $22.00) | The lightest shade when worn, this balm is tinted a delicate lilac/lavender hue – universally flattering on all skin tones.

Benefit | Lolli Balm

Cha Cha Balm (CAN $22.00) | A warm peachy tint colours this balm – very juicy looking. This is the shade I’ve had in high rotation all season – easy to wear and gives a plump sexiness to lips.

Benefit | Cha Cha Balm

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Bene Balm (CAN $22.00) | A red-rose tint colour this balm – gives that “bitten lips” effect. Leaves a hint of stain behind long after most of it has worn off.

Benefit | Bene Balm

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Benefit | Bene Balm

In the past, many of the coloured lip balms I tried not only failed in the hydration department, but seemed to offer a patchy-looking tint at best, leaving my lips more parched than moisturized. These Benefit Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms have combined the best of both worlds and truly deliver on what their name stated: scoring high marks in both the hydration and the tint departments. At CAN $22.00, they fall in the mid-price range – definitely higher than drugstore brands, while still less than some of their higher end counterparts, but seeing as how effective they are, I find them well worth investing in. Plus, they feel AH-MA-ZING. buy aceon online salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/aceon.html aceon no prescription

Available now through Sephora and select Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores across Canada. Find more information via:

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

Dr Roebuck’s | Pure Body

July 30, 2014

Over 30 years ago, Australian brand Dr Roebuck’s first introduced to the world a skincare product line for all things precious; building upon that original cream is the new Pure Body (CAN $24.95/250 ml), a super nourishing and hydrating body moisturizer. Evolved from the Dr Roebuck’s original ‘Pure’ formula and specifically made to provide the most intense nourished feel to the skin, some of the ingredients include:

Neroli Petigrain from France
Lavender Oil
White Tea
Macadamia Oil
Vitamin E
Shea Butter

Made for all skin types, in particular those with sensitivities, this uniquely Autralian-made product contains everything your body needs to feel totally hydrated, but without any of the usual (and potentially nasty) chemicals, such as Petrochemicals, Sulphates, TEA/DEA, Glycols, Silicas, PEGS, Parabens or synthetic fragrances and colours. buy lisinopril online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/lisinopril.html no prescription

Dr Roebuck’s | Pure Body

Pure Body (CAN $24.95/250 ml) – Protected by an inner foil seal and housed in a convenient squeeze tube (which is also BPA-free) with an attached flip-top cap, the product within is a white cream with a relatively thick, butter-like texture and bears a lightly fragrant herb-ally kind of scent – I definitely get hints of Lavender Oil upon first application. Meant to provide über-moisturization, Pure Body is also loaded with anti-oxidant properties to effectively neutralize free-radicals and thus has the added benefit of anti-ageing properties as well – all pluses, in my book.

The formula, while easy to dispense from the tube, is quite thick – more of a body butter than a cream, actually, and while it could be a little difficult to spread along the body especially when compared to a lotion, I’ve figured out some tips to make it glide along that much easier. The easiest way to apply Pure Body, is immediately after showering and towelling off, where your skin is at its most supple and porous, thus better able to absorb all the nutrients offered by this product. The brand recommends applying a thick layer and letting it sit on the skin to be naturally absorbed (which does in fact work, although it takes longer), I still prefer to massage it gently into the skin. The scent is quite light and very pleasant – which also seems to dissipate quickly as the cream warms up and becomes totally absorbed into the skin. Lasting power, is exceptionally impressive: 24 hours later, my skin still feels nourished, hydrated, and incredibly soft – I actually can skip a day of body moisturizer easily after applying Pure Body, without experiencing any dryness whatsoever. As a little goes an incredibly long way, this one 250 ml tube should last quite a while – yet another plus. buy nexium online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/nexium.html no prescription

Dr Roebuck’s | Pure Body

Dr Roebuck’s | Pure Body, inner seal

Dr Roebuck’s | Pure Body

I am a total fiend when it comes to moisturizing – be it my face, hands, body or even hair, but not all products are created equal; what I absolutely love about Dr Roebuck’s Pure Body, is not only how beneficial the formula is, but how good it makes my skin feel. As to the anti-ageing claim, I can’t attest to that (yet), but that’s just another perk which I’ll gladly accept. Perfect for parched skin (serial beachgoers, you NEED this) and the dryness that we all experience once Winter hits, I believe I may have found my perfect match – as far as body creams go, that is. buy premarin online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/premarin.html no prescription

Available exclusively through Murale store in North America. Find more information via:

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

Yves Saint Laurent | Couture Palette Bleus Lumière (LE), Summer 2014

July 29, 2014

The recently released Bleus Lumière Collection for Summer 2014 from Yves Saint Laurent, is a beautifully curated makeup grouping (the nail polishes of this collection have been reviewed here), inspired by the myriad shades of blue and the way light plays off this sensual hue. The undoubted star of this collection, is the exquisite Couture Palette in Blues Lumière, with its vivid and yet complimentary 5 colour blocked Mondrian-esque shades. Seriously, this palette is a little like holding a bit of the Mediterranean in the palm of your hand, wouldn’t you agree?

Yves Saint Laurent | Couture Bleus Collection, Summer 2014

Yves Saint Laurent | Couture Palette Bleus Lumière (LE), Summer 2014

Couture Palette Bleus Lumière (limited edition) CAN $64.00 | This palette has all the makings of a collector’s piece; starting from the exterior – a luxurious laminated vinyl case cover that bears the YSL logo on a field of turquoise and gold – shades evocative of sea & sand. Once opened, your eyes are greeted by five intensely coloured shades: clockwise starting from the top left, there is a warm peachy golden/pink followed by a hot salmon/coral – the ‘sand’ hues, then we have the ‘aquatics’: celadon (bottom right), Agean (bottom left), and Majorelle (middle). All the shades of this palette can be applied either dry/straight from the palette or with a dampened brush for more intensity, although colour payoff is excellent no matter which method you opt for, while the finishes vary slightly in texture and shimmer with blendability ridiculously easy. I experienced no powdery kickback upon swirling any of my brushes across these shades and staying power was good as well, going easily past the 8 hour mark without primer and significantly longer with (when I removed my makeup at the 12 hour mark, the shades still looked fresh & vibrant at that point). buy propranolol online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/propranolol.html no prescription

I’ve been playing with this palette for several weeks now, and each time I start with a look in mind, I always wind up doing something else as these colours just seem to all mesh so well together. My preferred daytime eye look with this palette is literally a sweep of the coral hue across the lid and a light splash of one of the 2 lighter of the blue shades on the bottom lash line, along with a couple of mascara coats – this combination makes eyes the focal point without seeming ‘done’ and just draws so much light to that area. For a more evening look, I’ve tried numerous combinations and they all literally seem to work: the key element to tying them all together is in using the middle Majorelle shade applied as liner (upper lash line) with a dampened brush – intense, smouldering and totally sexy. Also makes the whites of the eyes so crisp and clear – another bonus. buy zithromax online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/zithromax.html no prescription

Yves Saint Laurent | Couture Palette Bleus Lumière (LE), Summer 2014

Yves Saint Laurent | Couture Palette Bleus Lumière (swatched with a dry brush)

Yves Saint Laurent | Couture Palette Bleus Lumière (swatched with a dampened brush)

This palette was certainly one huge surprise for me; to begin with, I never would have imagined all the endless possibilities offered by these 5 shades, let alone how easily they all seem to compliment each other. With a perfect mix of cold and hot colours, these contrasting hues are a great way to shake up your look without extending far out of your comfort zone, while the quality and superior pigmentation of these shades makes it a worthwhile investment to your makeup wardrobe. buy flagyl online padstyle.com/wp-content/languages/new/flagyl.html no prescription

Available now but limited edition, at YSL counters across Canada such as Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Murale, and Sephora. Find more information via: