Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Mirifique

Cooled lava emanating smoke upon being swallowed by the ocean - that, right there, is the look and feel of Chanel's Mirifique.  Smoky, luxurious and a tad dangerous with that mysterious gaze.

Chanel Mirifique

Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre range (eight colours in total) is versatile and fairly easy to use.  I prefer to use my fingers when applying this creamy eyeshadow, because the heat given off by my fingertip helps to diffuse and blend out its richness. With that said (admittedly), I have yet to find a brush which is able to grab ahold of and evenly apply this bouncy formula. Any suggestions?

The presence of micro glitter has always been a huge draw for me - the fact it sticks around no matter how it's applied is a huge bonus!  I also dig the charcoal black colour, but smoky eyes typically scare me (I think I look like a racoon).  However, I think I managed to avoid looking like one on this occasion.

Somehow I managed to put together a Chanel face.  Above, I'm also wearing Amour, on my lips and Blush Horizon de Chanel on my cheeks.

Total amount for Chanel's Mirifique:

• $48.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags – I think I found another HG product!

Likelihood to purchase again:

• Have you tried Coco Mademoiselle?  I'm addicted to this perfume!

MAC's Dear Diary & Embrace Me - swatches and review

From the desk of 14-year-old Nicole:

Dear Diary,

If you could create a super-awesome MAC collection which brought together polka dots, bright colours, a bit of attitude and harmony that'd be cool with me.  I can do my own makeup, like, pretty okay, but I'm really looking for a fun colour that's easy to wear and lasts all day long at school.  And, it can't come off.  I don't really have time to hit the bathroom for touch-ups every hour - teachers don't hand out hall passes like candy.  I mean, come on!

So, get on it and keep me posted.

Yours,

Nicky

xoxo

Dear Diary and Embrace Me

Lip Pencil and Pro Longwear

Earlier this month MAC released a limited edition collection ranging between brights and pastels - punk rock goddess, Beth Ditto just so happened to be their muse.  Plus, it helps she loves to pack a punch with her makeup and her curves.  Fearless and confident - those are two things you need to be or hope to achieve when applying a bit of Dear Diary and Embrace Me.  These bright watermelon pink hues were released with companionship in mind, but you can certainly take each colour on a solo journey too.

Friends to the end

Embrace Me

Dear Diary

Embrace Me and Dear Diary

When I first swatched these two colours, I got twinges of joy because they both reminded me of NARS' Mexican Rose.  Mexican Rose is deceptively pink and lasts all day.  Looking to make a statement? Then hop to it and add Embrace Me to your makeup bag; Dear Diary is sold out online and in stores (sorry ladies).

Side by side comparison

Mexican Rose certainly isn't a dupe for either of these colours - it leans more red, whereas the other two have blueish undertones.  Embrace Me and Dear Diary both dry matte and require minimal maintenance; first, reach for your favourite lip balm, add a dash of Embrace Me, Dear Diary or both.

A few weeks ago I took both colours out for a spin, all told this duo hung around for eight hours.

MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary

Total amount for MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary:

• $30.00 AUS and $40.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags – I’m a sucker for bright pink lips

Likelihood to purchase again:

• Hi MAC, what else do you have in store for us this year?

L'Occitane Angelica - an initial look

For the sake of science and beauty I don't mind playing the part of a guinea pig from time to time. A few weeks ago Beauty Directory presented local bloggers with an opportunity to try out L'Occitane's Angelica range and I gladly took them up on the offer. It's been a few weeks since I've added Angelica to my rotation while trying to be mindful of my rosacea.  Thankfully, my skin hasn't freaked out, but I haven't witnessed any noticeable changes either.  L'Occitane claims the primary purpose for Angelica water and essential oil is it aids to "reinforce natural skin hydration."  With continued use, I remain hopeful something positive will happen.

Right now, let's wait and see.

Angelica Hydration Cream

Angelica Gel Cleanser

Angelica Exfoliating Gel

As for my initial thoughts, here are a few of my likes and dislikes...

Likes:

• The exfoliating gel beads are soft, not gritty.  I've found this to be extremely gentle and doesn't exacerbate my rosacea.
• The gel cleanser foams up easily and manages not to leave behind any film from the suds.

Dislikes:

• The scent - it's an acquired taste.  It's reminiscent of balsam fir and strikes me as very earthy.  Not really my cup of tea.
• I loathe the glass jar which houses the contents of the hydration cream.  I wish it came in pump form; it would help to ensure how much product comes out.  Plus, you don't have to worry about contaminating the lotion with potential germs, etc.

In two weeks time I'll be sure to round out my final thoughts and give you a closer look at my skin's appearance.

*Beauty Directory and L'Occitaneprovided me with free full size samples in exchange for this review.  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Lush Emotional Brilliance - photos, swatches and review

Salesperson: "First, take a seat and then close your eyes." Me: "Ok."

Salesperson: "Now I want you to think of white fluffy clouds or even white sheets."

Me (thinking to self): What did I sign up for?

Salesperson: "Ok, so, open your eyes and pick three colours that have jumped into your mind."

The wheel continued to spin until I finished choosing all three.

Spin and Win!

The Selection

Hiding underneath each coloured dot was a glass bottle with dropper-type applicator waiting to be discovered.  I just so happened to pick one lip colour, Glamourous, and two liners, In Charge and Fantasy.  The salesperson was sweet enough to explain what each colour represented, the first being my subconscious, the second conveys what's rumbling within (or something like that) and third, what I want, essentially my desire(s).  If you're into a hippie-dippy experience and don't mind selecting colours on a whim, then have a play online or even visit your local Lush boutique.

As for the colours I walked away with, none of them were the three I chose.  Tho, I may go back and pick up fantasy and a cream shadow.  When you visit your local Australian Lush location, keep in mind they didn't receive the full lip range due to the fact they were held up by customs, pfft! Once the collection is complete, you'll be able to select from 13 lip colours, 11 eye liners and 6 cream shadows - and, they all retail for $24.95 per glass jar.  If you're ecologically-thoughtful, you can even recycle the rubber dropper with your favourite Lush location whenever you've used up all of the product; the applicator and jar is yours to keep, if you wish.

Before I show you my wares, let's take a look at what my psyche chose.

Glamorous (L), In Charge (C), Fantasy (R)

If you love Glamorous, a cool, matte pink lippie, then you're also a lover of MAC's St. Germain. In Charge is a creamy cerulean blue liner which could also be worn as a shadow; act fast or it'll dry quicker than it takes to blink your eye.  Fantasy is a fun metallic gold liner which can also be smoothed out on your lids.  Two-in-one products are a far better bang for your buck too.  The applicators are alright, but you might want to use your own tools in order to get better results.

Don't feel tethered down by what you chose (I didn't) and don't even feel pressured to buy anything; the sales girls were prepped for the day and super excited about what they have to sell. For them, it was all about spreading the word.

In the end, I walked away with Success, a silver liner and Feeling Younger, a creamy skin tint, a.k.a. highlighter.  For me it's all about deflection - wrinkles be creepin' in.

Feeling Younger

Feeling Younger

Success

Success Swatches

And how did these perform?  Both are relatively easy to apply, I used a liquid foundation brush to dab a bit of Feeling Younger along my brow bone and cheek bone areas.  With Success, I actually used the applicator it came with and refined the lines with the aid of MAC's 209.  Much to my  chagrin, I neglected to put on eye primer; let's just say my final look creased.  However, Success stayed in place all evening long.

Above I'm also wearing Chanel's Mirifique and Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Too Cool on my eyes. For my lips, I'm sporting Chanel's Amour.

Total amount for Lush Feeling Younger and Success:

• $19.95 and $24.95

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags – relatively cheaper price points for the Aussie gals and guys

Likelihood to purchase again:

• Like I said before, Fantasy might just become a part of my reality