Chanel Avant-Première, Le Vernis...

I don't know what's happening to me these days! I've been going nuts over nail polishes, Chanel nail polishes mainly. I thought I had my Summer look all figured out. My plan was to get Lilis for my finger nails and wear my beloved Taboo on my toes. Now, Chanel has stopped me in my tracks!

Chanel Collection Avant-Première...

I mean can you blame me? On this picture, from Chanel.com, these colors do look kind of tame but seeing swatches of them is a totally different thing. Now I don't know if I'll still go for Lilis or if I'll go for Starlet, a nice light peach with satiny shimmer. Paparazzi, a bronze rose with hints of mauve is right up my alley and I do believe I will eventually fall for it. Cinema, well, lets just say it's a stunningly beautiful red, a little on the cool side if one compares it to Dragon, also from Chanel and from what I've read, it has a more gel like finish. Finally, Provocation a dark vampy color that at first look seems quite similar to Essie Recessionista, the color I wore most last Winter.

There are always new temptations out there... I believe I will have to make a special budget just for nail polishes...

After all, I haven't even started with Dior yet!  :)

NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss / Review

I received a small size of NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Gold Digger when I purchased Tolède Satin Lipstick (which I'm still loving by the way, reviewed here). All excited, when I got home and opened it, looked at the little tiny brush, well what can I say, I was disappointed.

Now that didn't last long! For this gloss, this brush is quite appropriate. It's precise and prevents applying too much especially  since a little goes a long way. Still, I did have to dip the brush a few times to get an even finish. To put it to the test, I wore it alone. A transparent gloss loaded with gold glitter, it would not have been my first choice but since it was a gift I was more than happy to try it. A little sticky at first, I think it's actually the thickest gloss formula I've tried so far but I must say that after about an hour it becomes quite comfortable and just like NARS Satin Lipstick, it has no taste.

The shimmer, which was truly spread evenly on my lips, lasted a good 5 hours and it was still visible after eating. Oh and I didn't end up with gold specs all over the lower part of my face like it happened recently with another gloss for which I'll bring you a review soon.

It is of course a smaller size gloss but the brush is the same. 

Sorry about the big thumb, I wanted to give you a better idea. 

As you can see it's quite small.

If you like glitters, NARS Gold Digger won't disappoint. Me I think I'll keep it to use once in a while, lightly in the middle of my lower lip for it's that shiny. Still, having said that, I would think that the other colors wouldn't need to be applied over a lipstick. They appear so pigmented that it would be pointless. Now I'm curious about this little brush and how it performs for the other versions of NARS Larger Than Life glosses. It's perfect to deposit a small amount but for the entire lips it may become annoying after a while. We'll see, hopefully I'll get to try one soon.

Guess what's on my nails? Chanel Taboo of course! :)

Rimmel London's New Line of Nail Polishes...

Oh I do hope these are coming our way! In case you didn't know, the quality of Rimmel's nail polishes is way up there and the big flat brush, like O.P.I, makes the application a breeze.

Today I popped over Makeup4All, a beauty blog written by Marina and what do you know? She was mentioning her excitement over the launch of this new line of nail polishes created by Kate Moss. I know, this is probably old news but again, I was out of the blogging world for close to a month and a half. Surprise to me, I'm very happy about this new collection.

From Cosmopolitan UK On this page you can also read an interview with Kate Moss.

Here the supermodel talks about the new collection...

Rimmel London Salon Pro Nail Polish TV commercial...

By now you must know that Rimmel London is one if not my favorite drugstore brands because so far, everything I've tried has been pretty good. What's super nice is their wallet friendly prices, anyone can get "The London Look". The nail polishes are usually around $5.00 so let's keep our fingers crossed and hope we get them soon. They where launched in the UK in April.

My 2 favorites, Burgundy Flirt & Stiletto Red

These are the ones currently available. 

Click on the image to visit Rimmel London's 

Canadian website.

If I get more information about availability I will update this post.

Nuxe Sun for Total Glamour?

I just received this in my in-box, an offer for a chance to try new Nuxe Tanning Oil SPF 10...

...Yes you read right, SPF 10!

A dry tanning oil with an "anti-aging cell protection" for a glamorous tan!!! A natural and non blotchy tan!!! Oh and it's for face and body.

Ok so last time I checked, any tan is a bad tan! Of course the sun is there for a reason and hiding completely from it would be totally unrealistic. Still, dermatologists keep warning us about the risks of skin cancer and sun exposure. Here is a product that if you only read the first part, the promotional part, encourages you to go out there and bake!

After seeing this I went on Nuxe's website to get more information. No complete list, only the "star" ingredients are mentioned so there's not way of verifying how protective it really is.

When you scroll down that you can read the following prescriptions...

To wear sunglasses, put on some clothes if your skin is sensitive to the sun on top of sun protection, wear a hat, drink lots of water, etc.

Now of course you'll need to do all this with a SPF 10! Even my daughter wouldn't consider this oil.

Nuxe Sun also offers a creamy body spray of SPF 20 and a face protective cream of SPF 30.

I love Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse, I have Crème Fraîche in both regular and light versions but I'm sorry, these are just not for me and I'm not sure anyone should consider them since I don't believe they offer enough protection, especially come vacation time if you plan any outdoor activities.

Avène, La Roche Posay, Ombrelle, Shiseido to name only these, should be looked at way before in my book.

Do note that I am not an anti-sun maniac! I do wear an SPF day moisturizer but only wear SPF protection on the rest of my body when I know I'll be outside more than my usual "getting to the gazebo and back". My daughter does wear an SPF 60 every day and she will, more than likely, have a buttery glow by the end of Summer but the way I see it, she needs her high dose of vitamin D.

I totally respect the fact that the Sun is viewed differently in North America as it is in Europe but I think it would have been good of Beauté-test, the website that sent me this offer, to promote the face cream instead. With it's SPF of 30, it would have been not only more suitable for a larger number of people but it would have sent the message that a good protection is important not only to avoid wrinkles but skin cancer.

Lancôme Gloss In Love Now Available Online!

While on the subject of Lancôme, this just in, the new Gloss In Love, available online.

12 beautiful shades with a comfortable vinyl finish. As a bonus, 6 hours of moisture. The 5th from the right, which I think is Lily en Lamé would likely be a good one to keep in my purse! :)

On the picture below, it may not be easy to see clearly but the applicator is curved for a more precise application.

Emma Watson for Lancôme In Love, click on the picture to go to Lancôme.ca

Available through Lancôme website, $28.00 each if they're not yet in stores it shouldn't be long.

Lancôme Alber Elbaz Collection Is Almost Here!

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this new collaboration between the grand beauty brand and this brilliant designer. Needless to say that for many, excitement has been building ever since it was first announced back in January, I wrote about it, here. At the time there where no hints of what the  procucts would look like but as you may know, as with most "secret" ventures, there are always leaks and so pictures have been circulating for a while now and some bloggers have had the chance of not only seeing the products but play with them as well. 

Here is part of the Alber Elbaz collection. The pictures are from Glamour Paris...

May I say I personnaly love these! Each item is covered with Elbaz drawings and although they may appear like doodles to some, I find them fresh and fun. I brought you my current Beauty Envies a few days ago and I completely forgot to include a Lancôme mascara! Although I love my Benefit They're Real! I will get one of these Hypnôse Show mascaras not only to bring you a review but for the presentation, as a keepsake. Why? Because it's too darn cute! :)

The Lancôme Alber Elbaz Collection should be available starting June 15th.

Want to feel like a kid again? Doodle on your fingers...

These days more and more schools are getting interactive boards to replace the old blackboards, many of which had already been replaced by green boards because they where supposedly easier on the eyes. As a child I can still remember how I loved it when the teacher would use colors to grab our attention. Math and French could be soooo boring! Oh and how important we felt when we where asked to either clean the blackboard or go to the "special machine" to vacuum the chalk dust of the board brushes. That thing was loud and vibrated like crazy. For a kid, sooo much fun!

Want to feel like a kid again?

Could this be the reason why I love this kit! All the possibilities it offers, for a big kid it could be such a kick!

Ciaté Chalkboard Manicure...

Love the look!

Ciaté Chalkboard Manicure, Sephora, $25.00

The kit includes a Matte Top Coat, Chalkboard Paint Pot and four Chalk Pens in Teachers Pet (blue), Satchel (white), Jump Rope (pink) and Recess (yellow). It even includes a chart of fun doodles you can replicate. Of course you don't need a "kit" to create the look but this is quite convenient and I do find the price  reasonable.

As much as I love the idea I would not wear it myself, it would look a little childish on me. Well ok maybe on one nail but what would be fun is if my daughter plays with this look. I can still see her when she was little, with her bucket of colored chalks, drawing on the sidewalk next to our yard. To have her busy for a full hour was quite a feat and she was proud to show us her artwork once done. More often than not whe drew horses since her favorite character was Spirit! Those are great memories! Really, who needs video games?

Great creative summer fun! These are Crayola's Sidewalk Chalks 

but you can get some nice ones even at the dollar store. 

Is the Ciaté Chalkboard Manicure a look you would go for?

Vous pouvez lire cette entrée en français en cliquant, ici.

Beauty Envies of the Moment...

Recently I was able to satisfy some cravings I had, beauty cravings that is. Now of course, if you're like me, once I get what I want, I'm happy for a week or two, until the next beauty crush.

*Le Sigh*

I have quite a few beauty envies but here are the ones at the top of my list. Contrary to some other dreamy lists I've brought you in the past, these are items that I'm really hoping to get my hands on. I'm in dire need of eye shadows and the two palettes shown would, I think, complement each other nicely.


Bobbi Brown, the Navy & Nude Eye Palette. As much as I thought that the Lilac Rose Eye Palette was pretty, there where a few colors in it I would not have used. This one I can't wait to see since I do believe I would have much more mileage out of it. Dark navy blue somehow makes my eyes pop more than deep purple, even if I have green eyes and when done right, I find it goes with everything. As a bonus, the selection of neutrals can easily be mixed and matched with any It color of the moment. For me this would be a great basic.

Navy & Nude Eye Palette

Not available yet, Spotted on Barney's New York website for pre-order,

 it should be available in June. I believe it will be around $70.00

NARS, part of the NARS Loves New York kit. Combined with the Bobbi Brown palette, I'd be all set! The only item from that brand that I own is Tolède Satin Lipstick which I love but I really want to try their eye shadows. Here with the Amour blush and Laguna bronzer I find this one to be quite a catch!

NARS Loves New York

The kit also includes a nail polish in China Town & lip gloss in Dolce Vita. This limited Edition is 

now available through NARS website. Hopefully either The Bay or Sephora will have it in stores. 

As of last week it still wasn't in stock, $85.00.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. Every time I go downtown, I spray some on myself. I don't think I can get enough of this. I do believe that soon I will at least get the small roller ball available at Sephora for $30.00

Chanel Le Vernis in Lilis. This color is so pretty, the perfect coral! I know I should make my mind soon about this one since it's part of L'Été Papillon Summer 2013 Chanel collection. Oh and the picture below, from the Chanel website, does not illustrate the beauty of the color, it's way more vibrant than it appears here.

Chanel Le Vernis in Lilis

$27.00

What are your beauty envies of the moment? Any specific cravings?

Vous pouvez lire cette entrée en français en cliquant, ici.

Quick Post: Revlon File'n Peel 6-in-1 / Review

In my opinion Revlon makes the best nail files out there. I don't like metal or glass and most emery board files don't last very long. I have strong nails and shortening them sometimes can take forever. I hate doing it!

For well over three months now I've been out of my favorite Revlon files. These are gritty enough to work fast but not so much so as to break you nails.

I can still find the small ones but for some reason the long ones are nowhere to be seen!

I do hope they will still be available.

Yesterday I stumbled upon this...

Just as gritty as the standard Revlon files, this is quite a smart idea. With a plastic core, you get three files on each side that you peel off once they no longer do the job. The downside is that you don't get a finer grit side like with the standard emery boards so it's a little harder to smooth out the edges. I can still do that with one of my other boards. Slightly flexible, it's more solid than a standard board. The lenght, between the small and long traditional ones is quite convenient.

Smart, quite smart except for the fact that like lip balms, I have nail files all over the place. I'm not sure I could replace them with this which goes for about $4.50 for six.

I like it, it's quite pretty (it also comes in mint and black) and I think it would be a good one to keep in either a makeup bag or drawer at the office.

Biotherm Eau de Paradis / Review

Did you know Biotherm has five different fragrances? Yes, they do and they are all fabulously delicious!

Eau d'Énergie (orange)
Energizing body spray. The fragrance, notes of orange pulp, mandarin, physalis, lemon, apricot pulp and fresh jasmine.

Eau Vitaminée (yellow)
Uplifting body spray. The fragrance, a blend of citrus fruits, with sweet orange, pink grapefruit, citrus leaf and orange flower.

Eau Pure (aqua)
Invigorating body spray. The fragrance, green fruits, green tea, lime and kiwi.

Eau Océane (blue)
Vivifying body spray. The fragrance, as per Biotherm: Top notes, a zesty splash of bergamot, citrus and water-based fruits. Heart notes: a second wave of feminine and floral blends of jasmine and cascalone. Base notes, deep aquatic notes of freshly-crushed algae, musk and cedarwood.

Eau de Paradis (pink)
Sensual body spray. Red fruits of paradise, pomegranate, raspberry, blueberry and blackcurrant.

To visit Biotherm's website, click on the image.

They are all lovely and I truly would have taken more than one but the local drugstore I went to recently only had Eau du Paradis left in this nice promotional/purse size.

I just love these smaller sizes and think they should always be available. So convenient, they can be kept in our purses if we want a boost of freshness during the day. They also give us the opportunity to really try a fragrance without having to invest too much.

Biotherm Eau de Paradis body spray... 

Created by Bernard Ellena in 2010, it starts with lemon, red berries, blueberry, black current and pomegranate. This is followed by rose and freesia. Definitely rose which I've been liking a lot these days. It ends with Lebanese cedar and sandalwood with a bit of musk. It had me at lemon and kept me happy with it's rose aroma. Fruity and sweet, I never thought I'd be going for this category of fragrance but for some reason I've been drawn to them more and more recently..

The small size I purchased had a regular price of $17.99 but had been reduced to $13.99. The full sizes of Biotherm body fragrances are $54.00 for 100 ml which remains quite affordable.

On my skin's chemistry Eau de Paradis lasted a good six hours without having to layer it over a moisturizer. I find this pretty good. Flowery and sweet, quite nice for summer.

These are body sprays but a word of caution, given the fact that the fragrance lasts so long, I'd be careful about using too much, it could end up being unpleasant for people around you. I sprayed it on my arms mainly and a little on my legs since I was wearing capris that day and it was enough for a light sillage.

If you want a light fruity, sweet and "rosy" fragrance for Summer, do sample Biotherm's Eau de Paradis, it just might be your go to for the hot season and if ever it turns out to be a horrible one, weather wise, well at least you'll smell "summery".

If you live in Europe, you can get the shower gel as well as the body lotion. You can view them, here.

Just sayin' since today is pretty bad outside. Like I said already this week, May started with a bang but turned on us. :(

*fingers crossed* it changes soon...