Chanel Taboo... Taboo To Even Mention It?

This is nuts!!!

I mean it's a nail polish for crying out loud and yet you would think that it will be the answer to having a great Summer!

I still remember the craze around Rouge Noir! Getting your hands on one was nothing short of an exploit!

I would appear that it's even worst with Taboo especially since the number of polishes distributed will be quite limited. Here in Montreal, The Bay's Chanel counter, considered as the "Canadian flagship boutique" will receive only 48!!!

Are you kidding me???

In the blogosphere, there are so many pictures and so many swatches of this polish that it makes one wonder what the craze is about since it would seem everyone has one already! Who started the hype?

If you are one of those who absolutely must own one, it is available on Chanel's website for $27.00 USD, here.

As I've mentioned before, I never order online so I've left my name at the Chanel counter. Let's see if I get a call...

To be continued...

Benefit's Real Birthday Turn-Ons!

I received this as a gift at Sephora a few weeks ago, in fact one week before my birthday on April 13th. These are my first Benefits products, ever! I have been eying their blushes and bronzers for a while now but haven't purchased any yet. Their cute but bulky presentation are the main reason I haven't taken the plunge yet but eventually I will try, I know I will.

In the box, They're Real! mascara and Watt's Up! highlighter.

Watt's Up! highlighter

This I was disappointed and happy at the same time to get. I can be weird like that sometimes... Disappointed because I stay away from shimmer and have been doing so for years. Even when I was a makeup artist, there where highlighters on the market, although they didn't go by that name. Estée Lauder released several liquid formulas way back when. Every Spring there would be some gold shimmer, pink, or bronze available. These did not sell well because women didn't want to try them. Even with the most perfect application it was, most of the time, a no go.

Fast forward several years and I must admit, I'm starting to reconcile myself with them. The formulas are different, more refined and easier to use.

The name, Watt's Up! is fun and the formula quite nice. It's a light champagne beige cream that's a little on the dry side so it can be applied over powder. I've used it on the brow bones and lightly on cheek bones. The results, as it turned out, more natural than I imagined it would be. I didn't look like the wattage of my face had been turned on to the point that I had become a beacon for ships in the night!

Few, what a relief. Now would I use this product everyday, would the purchase of the full size, $36.00 be a good investment for me? No.

The presentation of the regular size is quite nice 

with it's two sides for precise application.

What I've been enjoying recently are satiny finishes. Using them eliminates the need for such a product for me and this little sample will likely last me a long time. The regular size would probably last me years so I don't see the point but for someone who likes to use this type of product, it's a very good quality highlighter, good lasting power and the shimmer is quite fine so very natural depending on how much you apply but again, I find the price a bit on the high side.

They're Real! mascara

This mascara was such a revelation that the week after receiving it I went back to Sephora and got the full size! Worth every penny of the $29.00 price! I've been using it on and off (testing other mascaras at the same time) for about 3 weeks and will bring you a full review of it shortly.

Do I like it? So far it's "da bomb"!!!

Here the regular size along with the sample size that 

made me discover this fab mascara!

Again, full review coming up shortly, I swear! :D

It could have been perfect! Iron Man 3, a little Clarins...

So my daughter and I went downtown to see Iron Man 3. Since we got there a little early I took the opportunity to stop by The Bay. I wanted to swatch a Clarins product to go with something I recently purchased. No I will not tell you what just now!

I went, I swatched, I purchased...

The Clarins SA was super sweet and helpful, nothing to say about that. She even graciously gave a sample of a product I've been wanting to try for a while now. We went to see the movie and on our way back, while waiting for the Metro I wanted to put on my new goody.

She sold me the WRONG color!!!

By then it was too late to go exchange it, the store was closed. Why oh why is this happening again? For some mysterious reason every time I forget to double check at the store this always happens to me. If only it was a different color, something I don't already have but noooo!

At least the movie was good!

We looooved it!!! I'm such an overgrown kid and superhero nerd now I can't wait for these...

If you don't know who Henry Cavill is yet, well, lets just say that he is dreamy! As the Man of Steel... Yikes!

Two words: Chris Hemsworth

Of course this I just can't miss... I am a Mega Trekkie

Hmm you really want to know why I want to see this one???

Can I be more of a nerd??? But hey come on, the guys starring is all of these...  Eye Candy!

Oh well, I'm a big girl and I'm fine with my "nerdiness". Until I get to see all these, back to the store I will have to go to return my Clarins item.

Did I tell ya we loved the movie.... and yes, we ate everything and I even splurged on a $7.00 popcorn on top of what we already had. A real little movie pig out! :D

I'm not preparing any food tonight! Grapes and a little cheese to get my stomach back to normal and I should be my old self by morning.

Movie Going Essentials!

I'm taking my daughter to see Iron Man 3 today! She's been after me ever since it was announced that there would be a third!!! On her Pinterest she even has a board dedicated entirely to... Robert Downey Jr. I must say I can't blame her, he is dreamy!

I thought it would be fun to show you what will be in my purse this afternoon. Basic, pretty basic...

Pringles Salt & Vinegar, thank you very much! Maynards Swedish Berries, a water bottle as well as my beloved Canada Dry! A folded bag (one never knows when shopping will occur), iPhone (got to keep an eye on the blogosphere), 2 lipsticks (Rimmel & MUFE) a Kiehl's gloss, Givenchy compact (notice I found a pouch for it, an old Estée Lauder), a small Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (got to make sure I have no frizzies) and of course my old Gucci sunglasses.

Of course my wallet as well as home keys. Got to pay and got to be able to get back in the house!!!

Off to the movies...

M.A.C Ruby Woo Lipstick Remixed!

M.A.C is kind of going nuts with these star collaborations. I'm starting to think too much is too much but it does seem to be working for them. The latest, Riri, short for Rihanna.

If you click on the image you will see that it's already sold out! I just got this in my in-box!!!

If it weren't for the fact that M.A.C does indeed have an outstanding color selection I think at this point I would be giving up on them. Not because I'm not a fan of the signer but because they have way to many launches and these celebrity associations are feeding a kind of adulation I just don't agree with.

Another annoying fact, available online only!!!

Still I must admit, the color does look beautiful.

Update: if you want to see what the color looks like, Chic Profile has swatches of it.

Mother's Day Wish List / Makeup

Mother's Day is coming up fast! In case you didn't know, it's on May 12th and this means if you want to give her something special you better start looking, like, now!!!

Breakfast in bed, flowers, chocolate are all quite nice but if she's a beauty junkie (like me) she may enjoy something a little less fattening that will last a little longer. New makeup, renewal of some skincare items she likes or maybe even a new set of makeup brushes. I know I personally need some.

As most of you know, I am a mom and so this year I'll be treating myself. To what I still don't know but here is a list of some beauty envy items I have on my wish list.

Let's do a bit of dreaming shall we?

NARS And God Created The Woman ($70.00). From the Pierre Hardy Collection, Boys Don't Cry Blush ($48.00) & Sharplines Nail Polish Duo ($32.00). NARS Travel Brush Set ($85.00).

Givenchy Écrin Privé ($78.00), Le Prisme Blush Powder in 23 Aficionado Peach ($48.00), 

Le Rouge 202 Rose Dressing ($38.00), Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara ($35.00).

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo in 002 Coral Glow ($57.00), Dior Addict Gloss in 732 Paradise ($31.00), Manicure Essentials Set ($77.00), Birds of Paradise Nail Lacquer Duo ($30.00).

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer ($40.00), Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche 

Skinscent ($72.00), Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer ($32.50), 

Pure Color Sheer Roller Gloss in Squeeze ($20.00).

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ($52.00), Ambient Powder Brush ($45.00), Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Canvas ($33.00), Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss in Heroine ($31.00).

Bobbi Brown Lilac Rose Eye Palette ($70.00), Creamy Matte Lip Color in Calypso ($28.00), Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes ($58.00), The Basic Brush Collection ($215.00).

Guerlain Écrin 6 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette - Rue de Passy ($92.00), Terracotta 4 Seasons Tailor Made Bronzing Powder in Moyen - Brunettes ($94.00), Les Météorites Powder For The Face in Teint Beige 02 ($67.00), Météorites Brush ($45.00).

What do I want most from this dreamy list? Coming out on top there's Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo which I've been eying for weeks now. All of the NARS and Givenchy shown, The Estée Lauder gloss, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (this too has been a beauty envy for a while now), Bobbi Brown Creamy Matt Lip Color as well as the brushes and Guerlain Écrin Rue de Passy.

Actually, I want it all!  

bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lip Color / Review

This is a sample I recieved at Sephora recently and since I don't remember having tried any of that company's products I was happy to get this.

bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor is described as an innovative hydrating glaze which cocoons your lips with opaque high impact lipcolor. Do I agree with this statement? Yes.

Moisturizing with good color payoff I would have been a happy girl if not for the taste! For me, chemical and unpleasant and so I can't comment about the durability of the finish since like L'Oréal's Rich Balm, I had to whipe it off after about 30 minutes.

The color I received, Panache, doesn't seem to be part of their regular line up. Surprising since it's a nice deep raspberry color. Still, it enabled me to try it and now I know that I will not consider a full size.

If like me you are sensitive to lip product taste, you may want to pass on that one or like me, try to get a sample. We are all different and you may not be bothered by it like I was.

L'Oréal Colour Caresse By Colour Riche / Review

After my recent fiasco with a L'Oréal lip product I must admit I was quite hesitant in trying another of their offerings. Today at the drugstore I stumbled upon these, the Colour Caresse by Colour Riche. On special at $7.99 I figured I would take the risk. I chose Rose Taffeta 174, a nice light soft pink.

L'Oréal Colour Caresse By Colour Riche in Rose Taffeta 174. The swatch on the left is one swipe, 
on the right you can see a nice build up of color. Shiny, it feels almost like a gloss on the lips. 

This is a light formula that reminds me a little of Rimmel London Kate Lipstick Collection but more sheer. Some have compared it to Clinique's almost lipstick but I don't see it. L'Oréal is more pigmented and feels lighter on my lips.

It has a light flavor but I'm glad to report, it's got nothing to do with chemical taste of the Color Riche Balm which I had to remove because it was getting to me. To me Colour Caresse tastes like berries. The presentation is quite nice, although not has "heavy" as a high end lipstick it comes in a shiny gold case with the top that fits firmly into place with a gentle click. Unfortunately, like all drugstore brands, the protective film is a pain to remove.

The finish, at first is quite shiny but disappears after about 30 minutes. After that time I didn't really feel it but I still had a hint of color. About two hours later, I barely had any color left, only on the outer edges. The only thing I did during that time was drink a small Ginger Ale.

Would I recommend L'Oréal Colour Caress By Colour Riche? Unless it's on special, no!

It does have a nice shine when first applied but it has little staying power. If you're the type to reapply lipstick every hour or so then yes you may consider this lipstick but otherwise you'd better pass. I almost forgot to mention that I also found it a little drying.

If you want a light formula with good colour payoff and staying power, have a look at Rimmel. They are even less expensive.

If you want a good sheer lipstick, go for Clinique Almost Lipstick which I find worth the extra money.

Givenchy Le Prisme Visage - Mat / Review

Sweet indulgence, pure and simple!

I was looking for an elegant compact, one to keep in my purse for discreet touch ups but mainly for quick last minute check ups. Just to make sure I don't have lipstick on my nose or a piece of food, spinach or parsley for example, stuck in my teeth!

These, along with sweaty hands can be quite embarrassing when meeting people for the first time.

I know this will sound a little silly, but for me, a nice compact is a bit of a security blanket and except for the past few years I've always carried one in my purse. The last one to date was from Clinique which I kept in my daughter's... Diaper bag! Since she'll be 14 in June, I guess a new compact wasn't a luxury... I could have gone back to the same old same old but hey, I needed a change!

I went to Sephora. Dior, they didn't have the color I wanted. YSL's was way too shiny and I figured I would always be wiping the surface, making sure no finger prints where showing. Guerlain, they didn't have the Météorites compact. Laura Mercier, Make Up Forever, Bobbi Brown, none looked "elegant", at least not the way I wanted and Sephora doesn't sell Chanel.

I kept coming back to Givenchy!

How could I have missed this one in my Beautiful Compacts post back in November? I have no idea!


A bit of history...

The House of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy, a young aristocrat who had previously worked alongside Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior before they became famous, as well as for Elsa Schiaparelli from 1947 to 1951. In 1953 the couturier met Audrey Hepburn who would become a close friend as well as an ambassador for the brand. Givenchy's first fragrance, L'Interdit was in fact, created in 1957 for the young actress.

Audrey Hepburn wearing one of cinema's iconic dresses, created by Hubert de Givenchy. 

Behind, La Victoire Samothrace which I've introduced here, inspiration for Icaria.

Since fashion and makeup walk hand in hand to complete a look, it's surprising to know that Givenchy Beauté, was created only in 1989 by Olivier Echaudemaison then artistic director of Parfums Givenchy.

The innovation of this new cosmetics line, the prisms, those 4 little compact pyramidal squares with which one can create different effects on the skin, depending on if you go with one or mix all. The idea is quite similar to Guerlain's Les Météorites which had been launched with great success two years earlier, in 1987. The difference here is that Givenchy has extended the idea of prisms to eye shadows and blushes.


Givenchy Le Prisme Visage, the compact...

Adorned with the Givenchy logo, the four G's, it reminds me of a little jewelery lacquered box. The ingenious "Clap & Slide" magnetic opening device definitely contribute to it's elegance. Refined and classic, I must admit I feel special every time I use it.

The quality of the powder is outstanding. So delicate, it barely has any fall out, that is if you use it with a good quality powder brush with soft bristles. Some say the one that comes with the compact is too small but personally I find it perfect for touch ups.

I've never been a fan of compacts that hide the applicator under the powder. It's always a struggle to get to it and the few I've had I've kept home for that reason. Givenchy has figured out a way give quick and easy access to the brush. The sliding mechanism is just brilliant!

The finish is matte but natural and since the powder is so fine, it doesn't create any white cast. It's invisible but yet it makes a difference on the skin. I chose 83 Peach Plumetis which is the lightest shade and so needless to say that swatches are practically impossible, well,with my camera they are. I'm glad to see that at least it was able to pick up on the subtlety of the four colors. A light pink, beige, coral and a lighter beige. All mixed together they give my skin a nice natural finish. It is matte but natural. On each square you can see the lightest hint of shimmer and this is what makes the difference. In fact I shouldn't use the word shimmer, satiny is much more appropriate. A satin finish, that's what I get with this powder.

This fabulous compact isn't cheap, it's $52.00 but given the fact that the powder is so delicate with hardly any fall out I say it's a good investment since I know it will last a long while. The only negative thing I have to say is I wish it came with a protective pouch. I'll be using one from another compact but still, it would have been nice to have one with the Givenchy name on it.

Here we go, a bit of my "snobism" just came out! :)


Some of the information gathered for this entry where taken from Wikipedia and the Musée de Grasse.

Spring Cleaning, Take a Peek...

Finally, I'm happy to say, we are done with April!!!

It started with the funerals of the man of my life, went on with my first birthday without him and then the  anniversary of our first date without him....

To top it all off, the weather was just plain horrible!

The last few days have been nice and so I do believe that even if Spring has let us down this year, Summer should make up for it. Let's hope it does. Actually it should since Jeff the Weather Man did confirm this morning that there will be a Summer! Being a weather man, he must be right! Right?

Some are done with their "Spring cleaning", an almost traditional yearly ritual. After months spent indoors due to the cold mainly, as soon as the weather warms up a bit we go nuts with cleaning, getting rid of that thick "wintery" dust, opening all windows and washing everything we can get our hands on. It sure is a nice change to shoveling.

This Winter there wasn't a lot of cleaning in my house due to what we where going through and so the result of this is a lot of stuff lying around and a lot of dust. A little overwhelmed, I had to start somewhere and so I  decided to start the process with my bathroom. I guess it makes it easy since it's the smallest room in the house.

The top shelf is not shown and the bottom one is in view when the door is shut.

Our new girls only pharmacy:

 I just realised that I should have changed the tube of toothpaste but hey, this is real life! 

Looks nice and clean doesn't it? I give this 2 days tops!

Catherine's corner. Avène Cleanance K moisturizer, La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 60, Ombrelle Face SPF 45, Biotherm Purefect Skin Cleanser, Avène Cleanance Soapless Gel, The Body Shop face brush. On the lower shelf she also has some of her Eos lip balms, Powser brush, Clarins bronzer and Laura Mercier loose powder as seen on the top picture.

Avène Eluage Cream, Avène Eluage Firming Gel, Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum, Caudalie Vinoperfect night, Avène Redness Relief day cream, Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Nivea Cream, The Body Shop 3 in 1 mask, Nuxe Crème Fraîche, Unrefined Shea Butter, Witch hazel, a tube of Estée Lauder Vérité Eye Gel and my little jar of Keihl's Creamy Eye Treatment.

Biotherm Biosource Micellar Water, Avène Thermal Water, Avène Anti-redness Dermo-cleanser, Keihl's deodorant, Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm, Nivea Lip Butter, Caudalie Lip Conditioner and two samples of Clarins firming line.

Bottom shelf: Little covered basket of hair ties, Liérac oil, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. In the little basket, Some samples, The Body Shop's Oceanus and Pink Grapefruit Eau de Toilette, Clinique Tenderheart lipstick as well as some Mark glosses, Avène Cold Cream, Caudalie and Clinique Deep Comfort hand creams, a small Marchesa eau de toilette. In the barbotine container, more samples, cotton rounds, baby washcloths and my old Dior face brush. In the front, lipsticks/glosses of the moment, Chanel, Clinique and L'Oréal.

One thing to know about me, I am domestically challenged! This year there's just so much to take care of, to clean, I can hardly keep up with my in-box so imagine the rest... I probably won't be done until... next Spring!

At least my bathroom is done!

If you've enjoyed peeking into mine, you may enjoy the ones of famous people even more... Have a look at these:

In Vogue: Dans la salle de bain de...

http://www.vogue.fr/beaute/dans-la-salle-de-bain-de

In Harper's Bazaar: Karl Lagerfeld's

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/24-hours-with-karl-lagerfeld-0412?src=rss#slide-3