It's the Return: Noemie Lenoir at Louis Vuitton FW 2010

photo: Style.com

Chanel Coco Rouge Review+ Swatches

This past Thursday night I attended Chanel's Coco Rouge unveiling at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in NYC.

Chanel's Coco Rouge line is quite impressive, with 30 shades of lipstick plus a Saks Fifth Ave Exclusive Byzantine- a deep berry color.

Upon entering the launch, I had two goals in mind. One was to find a Giggle Glossimer equivalent and the other was to find a red-orange lipstick for the spring/summer. I began swatching as soon as I was directed to the display which hit a snag when I remembered some of the inital colors I put on my hands and forgot the other colors I added. The standouts ( and also the ones I swatched) were the reds- Rouge Noir ( the darkest swatch on the right), Russian Ballet ( the burgandy swatch to the far left) and Paris ( the red to the left of Rouge Noir).

The results of my two goals fell way too short. For the Giggle dupe, it didn't exist!

All of the lighter, nude- rose, browns, etc had a frosty finish. After trying one on and then reverting back to the advertising campaing, it looked like Vanessa Paradis was wearing a frosty color too - Mademoiselle. Next, for the orange-red lippie, I was told that since the line was new there would be more colors later on, so no orange-red.

My standout for this collection was Paris, a blue-based red which was very light and creamy. When you wear it, it felt like you weren't wearing anything at all and as an added plus, the staying power could rival a long-wear lipstick.

Overall, the smell of Coco Rouge lipsticks is much lighter than the Hydrabase lipsticks, and very faint. Unfortunately the lighter colors of Coco Rouge are subject to the frosty finish much like the Hydrabase. Though the bolder colors are definitely worth you $30. The case and enclosure of Coco Rouge, I would describe as "space aged" on the slide down to close your cap ( just the sound) with the right amount of "click" to let you know that the cap won't disappear in your makeup bag or purse.

disclaimer: Coco Rouge was purchased at Saks Fifth Ave.

Spring Scent-iments

Spring is my season to pick up a new fragrance. I think I'm the only one who does this as it seems like fragrances are marketed to be gifted for either the Holidays or Valentine's day or its whatever celeb endorsed/collab that comes out every other week. Neither of these are my style as fragrance shopping is a process. When I broke the mold and bought YSL's Parisienne last fall, I adored it but when the roller-vial broke in my luggage over Thanksgiving break- the thought of my luggage still lingers the scent of Parisienne and I ended up giving my perfume away. Le Sigh.

Last year I bought Chloe, which I love. It's soft, warm, floral and woodsy- I'm not good with notes but I tell you its a fave till this day.

Prior to Chloe, I bought Marc Jacobs' Pear Splash which I use in the summer because its so light and fruity and occasionally spritz my closet with it.

Alas its almost Spring and I'm itching for a new citrusy scent to match my make-up lemmings ( I'll be getting to that soon!). I've been sampling some that are good D&G's La Lune but I wish I could seriously get ahold of Marc Jacob' Lemon or Grapefruit Splashes.

Why is it such a challenge to go shopping for this stuff! Sometimes the descriptions at Sephora just don't do justice and I also take into account how many other people wear the exact same fragrance, ( i.e. if you don't want to smell like an ex-girlfriend, don't buy a best seller- ahem Stella McCartney). body chemistry, etc. Next project, new non-celeb fragrances. No, you will not catch me wearing something by Kim Khardashian I prefer to wear something I can envoke. Thank you.

With that, another project in the making- Scents and Scentsability!

17 Again-Skin repair with La Mer

This winter has been really harsh on my skin, not only the daily weather elements but also stress ( work, studying, etc) has really reared its head on my otherwise relatively clear face.

I do have daily oil resurgance and have to blot the shinies away throughout the day but now I have to look at blemishes too!

It also doesn't help that I have been in-between cleansers because of the weather adjustment- bouncing between Mary Kay and Shiseido and still nothing, bumps still on cheek.

After consulting with my mom, she suggested that I go back to what I used back in the day- La Mer. Say What? Yes, when I was 17 my mother's friend worked at the La Mer counter at Neiman Marcus. She gave me a skin consultation and loaded me with enough Clensing Gel samples for a year. This stuff was amazing on my skin as it was about 5x as oily as it is now plus I also had the nick-name of "Shiny" in school- oh highschool.

Clearly, this stuff was out of my Highschool gas money budget but my Mother bought me a bottle and it put my face back on track to no shine, no blemishes, low hyperpigmentation.

Remenicing about this prompted a Saturday run to Bloomies in Soho where I picked up another bottle at the same price it was 10 years ago ($65) and am anxious to see how my skin will look/ feel at the end of using it for one month. Another item I need to take into account is a moisturizer, for which I am still researching.. any ideas for oily/sensative skin?

Troop Beverly Hills The Experience- NYC

Hello Troopers!

Next Tuesday, February 16th at the Bell House in BK will be dedicated to Wilderness Girls and Cookies!

Troop Beverly Hills the Experience is celebrating the film's 20th year with a sing-a-long, dance-a-long!

Info on tickets are here http://beverlyhillswhatathrill.tumblr.com/

Come out and have some post-Valentine's day fun and do the "Freddy".

I might just have to pull out my "Gardening with Glamour" patch!