Weekend Nails: Topshop's Delusion Nail Varnish

This dusty lilac has been my fave all week! For those who love creamy pastel colors, this one's for you! Though on my bottle, the name of this nail polish ( varnish) is Parma Violet, Topshop's website has its name as Delusion.

What is your weekend nail color?

Dupe it: Chanel Mimosa 577

So somewhere in the cosmetic universe there is a dupe for Chanel's Mimosa? Yes there is!
But be advised, just as Mimosa is limited edition, so is its $4 dupe buddy, Maybelline's Banana Bamba.
I stumbled upon the latter at Rite Aid while perusing the isles looking for a dupe for the beloved but way since discontinued, MAC's YumYam. Though YumYam was creamier and lacked shimmer, I put Banana Bamba away n my nail drawer. Now , two nights ago while looking for a nail color change up, I grabbed Banana Bamba and placed it next to Mimosa, and the colors from the bottle looked identical. They are both shimmery yellow and it took three coats per nail for proper coverage.
Next step, I took the flash picture above since I was lacking proper sunlight and have been with our wacky sunny for 2 seconds and hovering rain cloud NYC weather.

If want to experiment with a Mimosa like color but at a cheaper price, you will be in luck with Maybelline's Banana Bamba.

Burt's Bees Tiger Lily Tinted Balm

Could Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm be the most coveted lip product this season? Since seeing Hibiscus in a mag in Feb, I've been on a leisure hunt for this to try for myself. WARNING: A hunt you will get as a few Target's I've gone to in San Diego, LA and NYC were all sold out , as were Rite Aid . Then I strolled into Whole Foods while seeking cupcakes and came across 3 of the 6 shades available.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lipbalm can be described at best, surprisingly smooth and melts like butter. The texture is not "waxy" or "filmy" in a way that I feel with other lipbalm products. The color payoff is excellent for a tint. Its not chalky and it builds so that the color blends. I chose Tigerlily, an Apricot-Peachesque color that certainly lives up to the flora namesake.

The lipbalm itself is described as 100% natural , with coconut oil as the first ingredient. The colors that are available are: Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Pink Blossom, Red Dahlia, Rose and Tigerlily.

This was a lot more than what I expected for $6.99 and I will definitely going back to explore the other colors.

Moin Cher: Chloe Spring/Summer 2011

Moin cher please!

As an avid lover of french designer labels, I find myself wondering how I can I afford a high fashion label and afford to eat each month ( though PB& J for a month isn't entirely a bad option..) and how can I re-create runway looks from the stores around in my area.
Well the latter can be applied if you are looking for the Spring/Summer ready-to-wear full-length skirt look from Chloe.
My guestimation is that Chloe's full length skirt will run you somewhere between an arm and a leg. But while in American Apparel, shopping for my Dr. Bronner's Lavender soap I checked out a rack of chiffon full length Skirts, they look almost identical to the Chloe look and are a fraction less ($50).
So if you are looking to experiment with full-length skirts but don't want to dish out the funds for something you may wear once and bundle at the bottom of your closet, go moin cher and pick up the AmAp version.

Review:NARS Laguna Illuminator

So Illuminating!

Now that spring is finally upon us, the weather is 70 degrees on Monday and 50 degrees with 85% precipitation on Wednesday means that the base on your face should be able to withstand the yo-yo unpredictability of the season.
In comes NARS Illuminator, a multi-functioning tinted shimmer, perfect for pairing with your daily face moisturizer for a great base with a bit of shimmer to play up your favorite features.
I chose Laguna, a "sun-kissed bronze" to use with my daily Clinique Turnaround Creme. The color reminded me of the gold flecks that are in the damp sand at the beach.
For the evening, blend a nickel size amount with your foundation for a beautiful sheen while out on the town. Another plus, a little goes along way. A dime size or less for day is just enough.
There is a bit of similarity between NARS' Illuminator and YSL's Teint Parfait, the latter is more glittery (especially #8) so using less than a dime is the best way to go unless you are glamming your gams or your decolletee. Plus the price is significant- NARS Illuminator is $28 whereas YSL's Teint Parfait is $42.

Chanel Summer 2011: Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronze Corail 537 Swatches

Bronze Corail is a universal way to ring in Summer 2011!

Chanel Soleil De Tan Bronze Corail 537

Chanel's bronzer from this summer's Les Fleurs d'Ete de Chanel collection has been on my mind since I saw a sneak peak of the collection on Karlasugar. I was surprised when my store didn't yet have the Rouge Coco Shine's but had the Summer collection!

Bronze Corail features 4"horizon's" of color from the top:

Horizon 1: Taupy Shimmer

Horizon 2: Champagne Shimmer

Horizon 3: Chocolate brown Shimmer

Horizon 4: Coral Shimmer

I was so excited to see the shades that I enlisted the help of my friend V to show how flattering the blush is on a range of skintones. For reference, V is NW20ish and uses Vichy 20. We used an eyeshadow brush to apply the bronzer starting from left to right. The photos were taken with no-flash under a bright light.

Chanel's Summer 2011 Les Fleurs d'Ete debuts late April/early May.

Spring 2011 Hair: The Nouveau Bob

Wake up, you're not dreaming!

Roughly a month ago, I started to notice that my hair needed a change. My strands were limp and frankly, I was tired of cutting my hair myself!
I started to do some research, as a transplant from San Diego, I'd been going to Anthony Randall every leap year since I was 18. But now, I'm devoid of his trusted hands and am in a sea of new salons. I had no clue where to start! Should I go for the $400 cut with a celeb stylist? Ok, no maybe I just need a trim? Do they accept walk-in's? I can't wait until Sept?!
Then I remembered this place I always passed in the East Village on my way to Tokyo Joe's and Buffalo Exchange, Soon Beauty Lab. It looked pretty chill on the outside so I decided to stop by on a rainy Monday Evening.
Having relaxed hair, I'm precautious of places that 1. are scissor happy and 2. don't understand that I need moisture like no one's business. Nicole at Soon Beauty Lab removed all doubt and gave me a much needed hair reminder ( i.e. REMINDER: No Serums!) and a fabulous new hair cut, evening my hair leaving it thick and long enough to put in a ballet bun (my daily) or pony tail. The cut was well worth the price $70! Plus trims are $15 so I can up keep every other month.

Now, a month later, I slept the evening before with 2 ballet buns on my head and combed my hair out into this slightly wavy do that lasted all day! I was so excited about my 'do , I took a flash-blink photo ( plus I was make-up free and on my way out the door to work).

If you are in the city and looking for a great new spring look, check out Soon!
318 E.11th St
(btw 1st/2nd av)
212-260-4423
or
Chelsea location
54 W. 22nd St
(btw 5th/6th av)
212-243-0245

Chanel Summer 2011: Mimosa 577 and Morning Rose 557

Just got my Chanel Summer Nail Colours from the store today. I'll have swatches up later this week as I need to test them out and I lost sunlight on my way home.
I also picked up Soleil Tan De Chanel in Bronze Corail (537)..let's just say that this bronzer has it all and is nothing short of amazing.
Behold Mimosa ( 577) and Morning Rose ( 557) Nail Vernis!
Are you ready for Summer?

Review: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 355

While in LA, I managed to find Maybelline's Fit Me foundation in 355 at a Target. Judging from the ads, my tone is deeper than Jessica White's who sports 355 but the foundation blended pretty well with my Chanel Chestnut, NARS Benares/New Orleans tone. I do have to say that since I have a case of oily skin, I should have mattified before using as I put this on in the evening without washing my face since the morn. Yeah, I was rushing but hey, the color was close to my complexion and it wore for about 4 hours. I cut the time short as I had to wash my face before crash landing and falling asleep. I haven't seen this tone at my local Target or Duane Reade for that matter but I'm sure that it can be found either on-line. Enjoy!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Bonheur #61

Rouge Coco Shine Bonheur #61 with No flash

Bonheur #61 Rouge Coco Shine with Flash

Finally! I've had time to wear and enjoy Bonheur since I purchased it in Toronto a few weeks ago. I would describe Bonheur as very close in color, about a shade or two deeper than the Imaginare Glossimer but in a stick form. Yes, that describes it!

I love this color and the wear is smooth and moisturizing. I would only advise that if you prep your lips with a balm before hand, the color will be faint. My suggestion would be to either skip prepping your lips as the Rouge Coco Shine formula is very moisturizing or prep at least 30 minutes ahead of time.

I also like the fact that Rouge Coco Shine makes it possible for you to grab and go in your makeup routine. I can say I can confidently put it on without a mirror and know that the color looks well.

Which shade from the range are you looking forward to from Rouge Coco Shine?