Topshop Makeup debuts May 5th!

Cannot.wait!

Sounds like there will be some great demos across the pond and hopefully they will have the same stateside.

photo: courtesy of Topshop

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm Review

While checking out the summer collections at Sephora on Broadway, I tested Givenchy's new Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm.

This sleek new balm claims to hydrate your lips and cheeks with sheer color, a la Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer .

The formula is sheer and glossy thanks to Luffa Oil, which replenishes the lipids. the consistency is light compared to the Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer, which was more of a gel formula.

As for the color changing conundrum that left me discouraged from Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer the rose hue really comes through on the Hydra Sparkling Balm.

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek balm is a Sephora Exclusive

Photo: Sephora.com

Chanel Les Pop-up Summer 2010 Collection, Swatches

Last weekend I checked out full the Chanel Les Pop-up Summer 2010 collection at Bloomingdales on 59th street. This summer surprise from Chanel has three Allure formula lipsticks in Darling- pink, Super- hot pink and Genial- Coral; the collection also introduces a new Aqualumiere Gloss, Bondi- a sandy copper , a new Bronzer, Terre Hallee and two new Gloss Fluos, a sheer lipgloss in 2 punchy colors, Pop- Coral and Lazer- Pink.

In a previous post, I touched lightly on the 3 nailpolishes ( Nouvelle Vague, Riviera and Mistral) that are with the collection, don't worry, you will be seeing these again, especially Nouvelle Vague!

Overall this collection is very exciting and refreshing for Chanel as the line just launched the buzzworthy Coco Rouge lipstick range to re-introduce lipstick to the "gloss generation". Les Pop-up collection added more to the lipstick range with 3 creamy bold colors that break the Chanel mold. I swatched all three Allures but ultimately fell for Genial, the coral I've been coveting since its debut at the Chanel Spring Couture show and the Gloss Fluo in Pop. What really amazed me was the combination of Genial and Pop Gloss Fluo, they both made my lips look surreal. I loved the way they looked! very perfect with minimal effort. This is definitely my beachy summer look.

Chanel Les Pop-up Swatches,from the Left: Darling, Super and Genial Allure Lipsticks, Far Right: Bondi Beach Aqualumiere Gloss

Bottom: Lazer Gloss Fluo

Here I am wearing Genial with Pop gloss on top

Genial Spent the day at Central park...

along with Pop Gloss Fluo

Top 5 Spring Beauty Must haves: #1 Multi-tasking concealer

Aw yes, the concealer. Many a morning is possible because of concealer: hiding puffy, sleep deprived eyes, covering white-heads that greet you in the morning and using it to outline your lips.

Now are a new crop of concealers that do the job and then some:

- Tarte's The Eraser concealer. Soothes skin, hides blemishes and adds skin loving ingredients: vitamin's C &E.

- Smashbox's HD concealer. Weightless, natural buildable coverage.

- Laura Mercier's Secret Coverage. Complete with a concealer and a highlighter.

photos: Sephora.com

Top 5 Spring Beauty Must haves: #2 Rosey cheeks

A perfect flush is key for spring but where to begin? Inspiration? Flora.

Take a cue from the blossoms and nature around, no nature? grab a book.

When thinking of a rosey flush, I think of a pinch of color at the apples that lasts all day- and one of the first things that came to my mind was Tarte's Cheek Stain. The cheek stain is a gel-based, cosme-cuetical wonder that keeps your cheeks looking fresh. A plus, it comes in an array of shades. Another great, rosey cheek provider is LORAC's sheer wash. Back in the day I had a great plummy color that lasted forever plus I used it as a lipstain.

These both are easy to apply and quick to use if you are running out of the house on your way to work.

photos: Sephora.com

Top 5 Spring Beauty Must haves: #3 Luminous Skin

Now that winter has phased out so far, I'm ready for a great glow! Especially highlighters, they really enhance without maximum effort and blending is a breeze. The newer formulas help to minimize the chunky "glitter" effect on the skin and give it a good sheen. In the past, the challenge has been - Can oily skin " glow" without looking oily-slick?. The answer: Yes

Powder form is be the best for my skin but now with liquid formulas like Nars' Orgasm Illuminator. The glow looks and feels perfect.

My other favorite highlighting products are:

MAC Mineral Skin Finishes- velvet smooth texture with shimmer finish casts a great finish and illuminates naturally.

Benefit Moon Beam- gold toned illuminator with a brush for quick and easy touch ups.

Chanel Summer 2010 Les Pop-up Collection: Nouvelle Vague 527 & Riviera 537 Nail Varnish Reviews and Swatches

Today I checked out the nail colors for Chanel's upcoming Les Pops Summer beauty collection. For those of you who love bold nail colors, you are in for a real treat! I can't wait to see the lipcolors come next week. Peter Philips has a very strong summer collection that packs punchier pinks, corals and serenades us with a playful blue as compared to this past spring's collection.

The 3 nail colors in this collection are:

Mistral- a soft sheer pink with gold shimmer. Pinker than Jade Rose and Ming.

Riviera- a strong creamy hot pink.

Nouvelle Vague- a creamy minty turquoise.

Photos: from Middle finger to Pinky Finger: Mistral, Riviera & Nouvelle Vague

Review:

Initially, I thought Nouvelle Vague would be a bit more colorful, I was expecting an electric blue but the borderline pastel-like nature of the polish is surprisingly flattering. This is definitely a fun color that I can't wait to wear. My standout would have to be Riviera. It just popped against my skin.! I got 2 complements within the hour of having it on, I also plan on wearing this one regularly. Compared to Boa, Riviera is a much brighter pink, though it can be a close dupe.

Mistral is a beautiful color as well, and the tamest of the three. If you are looking for a perfect pink with flecks of gold, let Mistral be the one.

Photos: by me

Disclosure: all nailpolishes purchased by me