Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #5 (Beige Violet) +

There's always that search for the perfect nude blush...not too warm, not too cool, not too brown, or muddy. As most people know I love a red lipstick, but I usually tend to pair a red lip with a super pale pink or pale peach cheek. 

I usually wear NARS douceur for a brown-pink and as much as I like the blush itself, it's not a true nude blush. So then my search began...I didn't want a shimmery blush, or anything matte. Yours truly searched high and low for quite sometime. Anyway, so I went to the Armani counter and I asked my MA (Joey) for a nice nude blush...and he basically understood my search and told me to check out #5. He swatched it, I grabbed it and ran out the door :D 

I took it with me earlier this year when I traveled out of the country. I know I'm so lame for reviewing this so late in the game. I'll be wearing it later today and now that I have the time to blog for a bit, here is my review:

Texture: The consistency of Armani blushes are so awesome. They're silky, soft, and creamy to the touch. The finish is a soft sheen, with no microsparkle...it's just a soft delicious finish.  It adds the perfect flush, without being overpowering. They're definitely very finely milled. They're probably the most underrated products from Giorgio Armani. 

Color: It's definitely a soft neutral, beige sheen. For some reason it looks neutral-cool in photos, but on my face it's definitely neutral. Maybe for some people it may pull neutral-cool, so just be aware of that. :) The color is perfect for the times that you don't want to look like you're wearing any blush (obvious), but you definitely want a boost to the cheeks. I don't own Lancome's Miel Glace (for those who were wondering), so I couldn't tell you how it compares. 

Lasting power: It lasts me at least 8 hours...I never quite took a count after the 8, since I'm usually asleep or too busy getting drunk (bad panties). What I can say is that it definitely withstands serious heat. :) #5 is one of my most used powder blushes, just because it goes with anything.

Price and Size: $43, 6 grams or 0.21 oz

and here we go with the photos :D

L to R: GA #5, NARS Douceur, Rouge Bunny Rouge Habanera

L to R: GA #5, NARS Douceur, Rouge Bunny Rouge Habanera (with Flash)

L to R: GA #5, NARS Douceur, Rouge Bunny Rouge Habanera (no flash)

Shu Uemura Tokyo Charm palette (eye quad palette #1) +

So as we all know that Shu has new eyeshadows, but over in the far land in Asia, there are premade palettes that consist of the new eyeshadow colors (no LE shades). The theme being different makeup looks from different cities in the world. I saw the different palettes and I was so smitten with the Tokyo Charm one. So I asked a lovely lady in Asia to buy one for me....

courtesy of http://www.makeupstash.com

Colors: 

G bronze: This shade is the hardest one to work with, just for the simple reason is that it's pure glitter. You may have to wet it a bit for it to apply properly. Granted the color is beautiful, but you definitely need the right brush and a good eyeshadow primer. How I've been using it is with the NARS primer, then patting it on, brushing off the excess glitter, and reapply. If you apply it heavily and brushing off the excess it's a pretty shimmery shade. Definitely a bit annoying to use, but whatever. The major downside is that this shade isn't sold in the USA.

M895: I love this one because it's a dark matte. It's a dark slightly warm brown. I know the color sounds boring, but it's such a versatile shade. If you use a tiny bit and blend...it's a glorious crease color...add a bit more and it's an outer "v" (corner) eyeshadow shade. With all Shu mattes, easy to apply and relatively easy to blend.

P140: This pink shade is an interesting addition...it's a soft, cool, opalescent pink. I've used the eyeshadow as a cheek shade moreso than an eyeshadow. For the eyes, I'd use it in the inner corner of the eye...it's so soft and the pearl sheen is what makes it so special. I'm not one for pinks in general on my eyes, but I've worn this one a couple of times on my eyes. 

ME825: This is my favorite one out of the batch. My personal favorite finish of all the Shu eyeshadows are the ME (metallic) finish. They're what MAC veluxe pearl eyeshadows wish they were. They're soft, buttery, and just full of awesome. This is a nice golden beige that just makes for a soft eye look. aaaaahhh I just can't stop touching this color.

Onto the photos :D

left to right:

G bronze

M895

P140

ME825

G bronze was applied with 2 quick layers with no primer, so you can see what I mean.

with flash

  

without flash

Overall thoughts: I like all of the colors, but the annoying one out of the batch is G bronze. Overall a win, but yea...I wish Shu would change the formulation of G colors (assuming all of them are similar to G bronze). You can't go wrong with neutrals.

P.S. to all of my east coast people: stay safe and please stay indoors. It's raining pretty hard already and hurricane Irene isn't really here yet. 

Makeup Mavens +

Lipstick Luvvies shows us the Chanel Fall Nail Colors along with some great dupes.

Interested in Armani's new Fall Collection? Lovesong for my Lipgloss has swatches of the entire lineup!

Mookie on the Bench has expanded her brush collection with some new eyeliner brushes from Rouge Bunny Rouge.

Product Doctor is loving her lips dressed in Le Metier de Beaute's Lip Kaleidoscope in Empress.

Raspberry Rouge looks gorgeous in the strawberry red that is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Monte Carlo.

The Black Panties' review of the By Terry Seve de Rose Ultra Glow Double Serum was so tempting you'll be running out for your own liquid crack with gelato on top!

By Terry Seve de Rose Ultra-Glow Double Serum +

July has been a seriously hot and humid. Like disgustingly hot during the night too. Generally when it comes to the summer heat, I opt not wearing any makeup. I mean what's the point? Foundation will slide off within minutes...right?

Until now...

So over a month ago, I had David do my makeup and he usually uses By Terry Seve de Rose as my foundation primer/moisturizer. I always wanted to buy it, but of course...I told myself "I'll eventually get it". I didn't see a need since I generally use Shu Uemura Stage Performer as my primer. Granted it's an awesome primer, it's too heavy for the summer heat and humidity. 

So he used Seve de Rose underneath Ellis Faas foundation (will review later). Ellis Faas foundation is a medium coverage, satin finish. It was a night where it was over 100 degrees at 11 pm. I realized that it would be my primer for the heat...why do you ask? 

Texture: It's definitely a serum in terms of formula, gel like in consistency. It's very light weight and it absorbs pretty quickly. It has the signature By Terry fragrance, sooo delish ! The smell does linger on your face, which I don't mind because it's so lush. I like to use like 2-3 pumps for my face. You can probably use 2, but i like a bit more because it's addicting. 

Effect: As the title states, it is a glow serum, and it definitely does that. I can use this alone, or under foundation for an awesome glow. None of that ugly microsparkle that makes it seem like you're luminous. Just awesome "hi, I had 12 hours of sleep and I'm well rested" glow. What makes me excited about this serum is that my medium coverage foundation stayed on my face (first applied at 7pm). It stayed on my face when it was 103 degrees at 11 pm, and it stayed on when it was 85 degrees at like 3 am with like 90% humidity. How awesome is that? Yea...I thought so too.

When I worked during the day, I reached for this stuff because I looked like crap. Tired, sallow skin...yet coworkers were like "wow how did you adjust to working during the day and not be tired"? I actually was tired, but they didn't need to know that. The wonders of By Terry. *sigh*. Long story short, Seve de Rose is what like MAC strobe cream wishes it was...except Seve de Rose is liquid crack, laced with some gelato on top.

Now on the box it's supposed to detoxify your skin...I can't speak for that because as of late my face is going through some detox. Reason being I've been using Natura Bisse, so the detoxifying isn't really from the By Terry serum (in my opinion).

Price and size: $90, 30 mL or 1.02 oz.

Worth the purchase?: If you're someone who is always looking tired, I think it's something to look into. If you're combo-oily skin and need a good primer and (or) light moisturizer, this is great stuff. mmm.I just consider this my liquid crack.

Onto the photos :D

see i've been using it often ;D 

ingredient list (back of the box)

right side of my hand has Seve de Rose applied.

bottom part of my hand has Seve de Rose

What I've purchased +

I've never been one to post what I buy for two main reasons...

1. I eventually blog about what's really awesome

2. it seems like gloating if I post what I buy. I mean all of us as bloggers buy a lot of stuff. We want to write about what we all like...but showing what we buy...can be seen as gloating...at least that's how my sister sees it. My sister used to see what I bought and she used to get mad or just be passive aggressive about it. For what reason(s) I don't know, but you get the idea...

As of the past few weeks, I've been working like crazy, especially with my schedule working during the day, and now I'm back on nights...needless to say it's not fun because my body is not adjusting well AT ALL. I've gotten stuff in the mail/bought stuff in store...and with all that has happened in my life...I haven't really played with any of it, which explains the less frequency of my posts. 

but! 

I've decided to show you my most recent makeup stuff. I hope you guys don't see it as gloating, because it isn't. I just want you all to see what I will eventually blog about and to see what I get excited about. This is stuff I've acquired during the past few weeks, so don't think i just got it all in one shot. I hope you enjoy looking at some of my pretties.

I added Becca makeup back into my life. yay ! 

So what did I get?:

By Terry loose powder in ivory peach

Suqqu #4 quad -- Keshizumi

Suqqu LE quad (in the white casing) -- EX-02 -- Sukashizumi

Becca Guava tint

Becca #58 foundation brush

RMK powder brush (to go with my By Terry loose powder -- it's that special).

Becca Halcyon Days Palette

Le Labo Gaiac 10 refill. (my signature fragrance since 2009).

a closeup of Gaiac 10. Yes, it's panties perfume. :)

Shu Uemura 7.5 EXB fan brush (only sold in a certain part of Japan)

Shu Uemura eyeshadows in: ME825, P140, G bronze, M895

Shu Uemura custom palette in: P781, P812, M335

(most of these are only sold in Asia, so don't be surprised if you don't see it on the US site).


am i the only one who really loves seeing haul posts ? let me know how you feel about haul posts ... ? like/dislike and why?

Le Metier de Beaute & Oscar de la Renta -- Fashion's Night Out (NYC)

courtesy of Fashion Night Out website.

Is anyone else excited as I am about this new Limited Edition Kaleidoscope made in collaboration with Oscar de La Renta ?!?!?!?!? ooooh la la :) September 8th please hurry :) <3

Makeup Mavens +

Makeup Mavens show you makeup you might have missed.  This week, the mavens were almost all about the lipstick, with several of us showing you our favorites.

Christina of Lovesong for My Lipgloss brings you her favorite lipstick formula, Chantecaille Lip Chic, in two of her favorite colors. 

Klara of Mookie on the Bench has found a favorite in Chanel Rouge Coco in Cambon, her perfect red.

Natalie of Rasperry Rouge has also found a love in the Chanel Rouge Coco line.  This week she brings us the summery La Pausa.

Jennifer of Lipstick Luvvies shows us the next best thing in lipstick formulas, the By Terry Rouge Terry-bly lipstick.  

Product Doctor Beauty Blog has found a hole in your staple makeup bag, Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Midnight Brown.

Le Metier de Beaute Empress Lip Kaleidoscope +

So as I am finally on one of my few days off...I get to present to you the Le Metier de Beaute Fall 2011 lip kaleidoscope. There wasn't much info out there, but as I got to see it, I took pictures :)

Colors: The top shade is Imperial Silk which a super soft pale warm pink. Then we have my favorite shade (surprise, surprise) is  Silk Road, which is an opaque vibrant red (finally, a pretty red for fall). Then we have Empress, which is a soft a delicate mauve mixed with some champagne. It's a soft delicate color on it's own and I actually like it by itself...oddly enough. Then we have Plum Satin, which is a deep cool plum. The shades mixed together is this beautiful rosy plum. It's sooooooooooo pretty. PRETTY. Even 3 random people on the street complimented on my lip color.

Texture/formula: So this is definitely more in line with the standard Lip Kaleidoscope, very full on pigmented shades of color. I'm sure there are people that are wondering how it compares to Écumes D'or: Écumes D'or shades were a lot softer in color, and the texture is definitely more jelly like in formula. This kaleidoscope is more like their previous ones such as Red Rapture. I like the formula because you can smack your lips together and it's not a dry formula that accentuates lip lines or makes your lips dry. The best I can compare this to are NARS lip lacquers, but even then they're not that similar.

Longevity: They adhere to the lips so well that I managed to get about 5 hours of wear, but uhm...let's just say it was removed from someone else (hee hee hee), so I couldn't get to find out if it lasted longer.

This item is definitely my winner from the fall collection :) <3 it's so delicious. 

ONTO THE PHOTOS !!

The shades mixed together, assuming all equal parts of the 4 shades. :) The color is a teeeeeny more rosy in real ife. The color is dead on accurate on my lips (of course a touch more rosy).

Makeup Mavens for this week and FYI +

Makeup Mavens present beauty posts you might have missed. We may be a couple down (holidays beckon) but there is sure to be something to tempt you in our roundup. This week we have a look at some free products for a change, what Chantecaille has in store for Fall, a Chanel nail polish perfect for summer and most importantly, one of our mavens tries Rouge Bunny Rouge for the first time.

Lovesong For My Lipgloss gives us a peek at the latest offerings from Chantecaille, two brand new shades of lip chic perfect for the transition from summer to fall.

In a change to form, Lipstick Luvvies shows us some of the best freebies on offer with the monthly glossies and some TK Maxx bargains.

Barely a week goes by without some mention of blogger favourite Rouge Bunny Rouge, and now it is the turn of Product Doctor. See whether she thinks their loose glitter pigment is enough to start a love affair with the brand.

Raspberry Rouge shows us that some of Chanel's older polishes are just as fabulous as their latest releases with a closer look at Miami Peach.


As for my FYI: I'm on a bit of a break from blogging, since my life outside of the beauty world, has me everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I can't disclose much else. I will do my best to blog, but I know I won't be posting as often. I'll let you know once that changes. :)