Haul in the past couple of months :D +

Videos!

Skincare:


Makeup! :D

Let me know if you prefer more videos or primarily sticking to just writing. I know for sure I want to do a video once I have my organization set up. 

Items in my current rotation +

Since I've been on a hiatus, I need to make up for lost time (oops). 

Okay, so items I have been using often are as follows -- FYI I got the RBR compact as a gift from Sethakins. It's not a sponsored post, nor am I getting paid to post it. 

Armani Precision Retouch Concealer: Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's time to lay off on the heavier texture face items...at least my skin prefers thinner formulas come the warmer months. This stuff is seriously high coverage, with an amazing thin brush to get in the under eye areas, as well as point conceal targeted areas. I'm shade 3.

Kilian Extreme Oud: you can read my a couple of posts down. It's so sensual...and delicious. :)

Addiction Damask Rose: It's time for me to break out the brighter pinks, and the easiest way for me to break into those shades is always with a nice bright blush. Not to mention the balmy texture and ease of application. :) 

Hourglass Vintage Lipstick: This one was hiding in my stash for a while. I had purchased it at a Sephora where Josh Collier (MUA) was working at. He showed me the newest lipstick shades, and picked out this color. Totally forgot I had it, until I was settling into the new place and saw it. It's such a gorgeous warm pink brown. 

Chantecaille Just Skin Foundation: Chantecaille is one of those lines that doesn't have an exact match for me in their foundations. I made Future Skin work as best as I could, but over time I found better matches and eventually stopped using it. It made me sad that I couldn't use their Future Skin, but I was determined to have a foundation from their line. Luckily their Just Skin shade in Glow is a semi close match, and it's forcing me to use lighter coverage foundations. I like it so far, but we'll see if it's an item I'll repurchase.

You know Guerlain is another line that I don't have a match in? And they too make nice foundations. 

By Terry Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge in #9 Dare to Bare: It's a lipcolor that makes a statement in of itself, a pink with some mauve in it. It darkens my lipcolor, while providing a soft sheen. It's my favorite shade from the new Sheer Rouge line. 

By Terry Laque de Rose in #8: I'm running out of this shade, and I think I have backup somewhere. It pains my little soul that this shade is forever gone. It's that gloss that I use after a lipstick fades because it's just so easy to apply, not to mention just beautiful.

Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45: With the sun being out more, and yours truly being sensitive to the sun, I have to use a higher SPF sunscreen. I've bought several of these, and have yet to find something better that works for my skintype. It's a thick cream that blends quickly, doesn't leave a white cast and it wears like iron. You can see in the photo how much I love this sunscreen.

Rouge Bunny Rouge mirror compact: I got this as a present from Sethakins himself, and little did he know I had a worn down mirror that I used since middle school. LOL I refuse to post a picture of the old mirror. I'm glad I have something more polished and functional. Thank you for the awesome present. 

:)

Haul Video :)

Please be aware that I made a mistake with comparing By Terry Beach Bomb to Florita. I meant to compare it to Orpheline blush. Thank you for understanding. LOL

Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Guava +

Am I the last person to know about this specific line of glosses? Well anyway, Chantecaille is not a brand I write too much about, in part because there's maybe a couple of things I really like. The line isn't really one that calls my attention when it comes to collections, plus it seems that they've been slightly changing the formulas of their items. 

One day I stopped by the counter inquiring about their fall collection (just out of curiosity) and I saw their luminous glosses. Guava called my attention. Swatched it on my arm and thought about the purchase because I'm not keen on the poor lasting power of their normal glosses. I bought it anyway. 

and here she is...

Packaging: The standard clear round tube with silver detailing. The first thing I noticed is that it's smaller in size compared to their normal glosses. As a matter of fact it looks a bit smaller than the standard size lipgloss. What stood out to me was their applicator. It's flat (completely flat), but it has a rounded tip.  Let me stop myself before I start giving you bad ideas (hahaha). There will be pictures below. I like the applicator, but after I apply it, I have to use my fingers to spread it a bit. A little annoying, but it's the best method of application I've found personally. 

Formula: It's definitely a thicker formula like the By Terry Gloss Delectation, slightly thinner than Burberrys glosses. Imagine a non-gel like version of Armanis Gloss d'Armanis. It's definitely not a thin/runny formula. Rubbing your lips together is not as easy in comparison to a normal gloss. It's not sticky in the sense that hair catches to the gloss either. There's no apparent scent to the gloss (that I can detect) and hey, no scent is better than a migraine-inducing scent.

Pigmentation is medium to slightly opaque. Chantecaille advertises it's a long lasting gloss (up to 6 hours), and in my personal opinion, it's a bit longer lasting than the normal gloss, but I don't consider it long lasting. It won't last through a meal (not a big deal), but if you're talking the entire time, it will last me a good 3 hours. I do think it's a definite step up from their standard glosses which fade so quickly on my lips. A nice little bonus is that it's forgiving on flaky parts of my lips. (The weather is changing, so my skin is slightly dry).

Color: in the tube it looks like a warm nude, but when applied on the lips it's a lot lighter than how it looks in the tube. It's definitely a soft slightly warm nude in color. I can wear it without a full face, which is a plus. You'll see in the photos below.

Price and Size: $34 for 0.26 oz or 7.5 grams.

Photos below:

GA GdA, Chante Luminous Gloss, By Terry Laque de Rose

Chante Lychee (sample i got with purchase), Guava

Lychee, Guava, and By Terry Laque de Rose #8 (normal lighting)

Lychee, Guava, and By Terry Laque de Rose #8 (flash)

applicator -- side view

applicator -- to see the shape

ingredients

Do I think this formula is for everyone? No. I know there are people who aren't fond of a thicker gloss formula. I do think they're worth seeing at a counter though.

random things i'm loving at the moment ++

I've been a bit of a youtube stalker viewer/subscriber as of late, and watching all of the beautiful ladies and their "Favorites of March, April 2012" videos has made me wonder what I've been wearing often and what I've been enjoying. Who knows? Maybe someone is interested in what I like/use often.

Thank you to my twitter followers for recommending me some awesome people to watch. 

So here are some of my favorites of the moment: 

top row:

Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel: I just started my 2nd bottle of this a couple of weeks ago or so, and it pains my wallet to shell out the cash for this product, but it seriously has made my skin texture more even, exfoliates my skin so well, and in conjunction with sunscreen, it prevents my hyperpigmentation spots from getting darker. My skin is smoother, moisturizers apply better, and I look so much better. It's $245 + tax, but if you think of the price of professional glycolic peels (one session being about the same price as the bottle), I think the price isn't THAT scary (ok, maybe that's just my justification for buying it). The benefit of the Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel, you do get the same professional results, but at the comfort of your own home. I would write a review, but I never took pictures of my skins progress with this item, sad to say. If you'd like to read about my experience with glycolic products, let me know. 

Trilogy Rosehip Oil and CoQ10 booster serum: I always apply these products immediately after doing the glyco extreme peel (once a week), and the rosehip oil every night before I go to bed. With my combo skin, it doesn't break me out and gives me extra hydration. This allergy season has been drying my skin out, and it's been a life saver.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Milk Aquarelle in Chestnut Milk Parfait: I like this product a lot and bought it on a whim. By itself it's a light-almost medium coverage foundation and it covers my natural redness pretty well by itself. It reminds me of a lighter/sheerer version of Ellis Faas Skin Veil. As much as I love Skin Veil, I only wear it when I'm out at night since it's a bit heavier than what I'd like for daytime wear. Chestnut is a bit too light for me now, but mixed with Chantecaille Future Skin in Nude (a bit off in undertone) it gives an almost perfect match. When I run out of Chestnut, I'll purchase the next shade up (darker).

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon: A true watermelon shade for the cheeks, and it's so easy to take in my bag. No need to really explain the product since it speaks for itself. To get more information about Becca's Beach Tints, check out this review.

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Bourbon Rose: It's a lovely light pink lipstick, glossy in finish and super hydrating given allergy season. I'm thinking about doing a review of this in the near future, but check out my review of Tea Rose (oddly enough I just realized this morning Tea Rose is missing -- I need to buy another one TODAY). I'm that attached to my lip chics that knowing it's missing, I feel incomplete. 

Rouge Bunny Rouge Word of Mouth 

By Terry Rose Contour lipliner: This lipliner was limited edition for this past spring. This lipliner formula is nothing short of magical. I can wear it alone and it's not drying at all. It glides out without tugging the lips, and it's a soft rose shade. I'm not too fond of Terry's current line of lipliners, because the formula isn't really unique. Terry, PLEASE make these new lipliners current! As of late I've been lightly lining/defining my lips with this shade. It's really a gorgeous shade.  

By Terry lipgloss in Gold Digger

Giorgio Armani Gloss d'Armani in 509

Suqqu F, M, and L brushes: my newest brushes which I still haven't really played around with yet. I need to play with them some more before I can give a comprehensive review. I've been too busy working and catching up on sleep, but I just had to show them since I get really excited when I buy new brushes (which isn't often at all).

What are some of the things that you're loving lately? Any thoughts on stuff I should review soon? Or do you have any questions for me in general?

What's In My Makeup Bag +

I was on the phone earlier with a fellow blogger and for a brief moment I had told her that I wish I could have shown her some of my (makeup) goodies. So that inspired me to do a "What's in Panties' Makeup Bag" post: 

Top row:

Paul and Joe lip brush

Sephora lipbrush

By Terry Baume de Rose

Bottom row -- left to right:

Le Metier de Beaute Sweet Creme Lip Creme

Le Metier de Beaute Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss

Le Metier de Beaute Fraise Lip Creme

By Terry Lacque de Rose #8

By Terry Bronze Moon Ombre Blackstar

By Terry Blonde Opal Ombre Blackstar

By Terry Touch Expert Advanced Concealer

By Terry Touchee Veloutee

Chantecaille Tea Rose Lip Chic

Becca Fig Beach Tint

--

What's in your makeup bag? I feel mine is pretty predictable...mostly lip stuff

any feedback on what I should add or not have in my makeup bag? I'm always open to suggestions. 

Chantecaille Hydra Chic in Aster +

So today I'll be discussing more fun lip stuff...don't worry I'll get to eyeshadows in the near future...

So I bought this little gem called Aster and according to the Chantecaille website, here are its claims:

*Modern full-impact formula delivers 6 hours of great color.

*Releases a sophisticated saturated color with a natural satin finish.

*Natural extracts of papaya and orchid help to soften lips and provide anti-oxidant, anti-aging protection.

*Raist, a natural sugar derivative, provides superior hydration.

*Packed in a slim stylo for precise application.

Packaging: It's a very slender, silver lipstick. I like slender because it just looks sleek, but at the same time I tend to lose things easily. The cap doesn't come off easily, which is the main thing I'm looking for when it comes to packaging. It's a bit hard to mess up a lipsticks packaging. (at least for me)

Texture and formula: This stuff is definitely creamy in texture, although not as creamy as YSL Rouge Voluptes, but they are creamier than Armani Rouge d'Armani. Although it's creamy, it's not a thick formula at all. I like the formula because it doesn't slide off my lips, even though it has some slip, which I like. I will say it's the creamiest formula I can personally handle. Too creamy just looks like a hot mess on me. period. As for the opaqueness, this stuff is so full on opaque and it's definitely a satin finish. I wouldn't necessarily consider it a hydrating formula, but it's not drying at all. No feathering or uneven distribution of color *score*. I'm also a bit surprised that there's minimal transfer on a straw or a fork. I was like "hmmm interesting". The downside to the formula is that I can see this easily melting in a hot car, or something of that nature.

Color: It's a nice deep, vibrant cool rose. I can see it pulling a bit pink on some people, but I like the color. It's a less plummy version of GA 513.

Lasting power: Ok so it claims it's six hours of great color. I see some fading after 4 hours. Not bad at all, considering I had a couple of beverages and a snack during this time. Not as lasting as my Rouge d'Armanis, but this lasts longer than most other lipsticks. I'm actually pretty impressed considering how creamy the formula is, yet it doesn't slide off that easily.

Learning curve: This is something to be noted, only because it's important when it comes to application. Not a lot is required for application. Like i swipe my bottom lip 3/4th of the way, and then i blot and move my lips a bit and that's all that's needed. I've seen other people like apply the lipstick straight from the tube on both top and bottom lip and it looks a bit too cakey/goopy and it may slide off. Yes, the tube is small, but seriously, I don't use as much product with Aster than most lipsticks.

Size and Price: .06 oz, or 1.7 grams, $30.

Is it worth the purchase?: For a full on opaque color, yep ! I love this shade. It's so full on. It makes my Armanis look semi opaque in comparison. The downside is that there are few colors to choose from.

Photo time :)

Left to right: 

GA Rouge d'Armani in 513

Chantecaille Hydra Chic in Aster

The color in the tube.

Left to right: 

GA 513

Chante Hydra Chic in Aster 

*look at that shine and opaqueness* *gasp*

(no flash)

Left to right: 

GA 513

Chante Hydra Chic in Aster 

(with flash)

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Tea Rose +

So yesterday I met with a lovely lady who reads my blog...and we did some shopping and she got to meet some of my Makeup Artists. Anyway, so we went on over to a Chantecaille counter so she could get some goodies and the ladies there were quite nice (the girls from 59th & Lex Bloomingdales). It was odd to see someone who I normally don't see (I've been seeing Phil at Space NK on 71st and Lex for Chantecaille as of recent).
 

Ok so I have Camellia lip chic which I really like, but Tracy when she used to work at the SpaceNK in SoHo (which has a Chantecaille display) always recommended me Tea Rose. I never got it for one reason or another..."Oh it can wait, I gotta buy (insert LE makeup item)". Finally after trying it at the Chantecaille counter at Bloomingdales and the reaction from the MA, it sealed the deal to get it. Why didn't I pay attention to Tracy before? *kicks self*

 Moving along...

Packaging: It comes in a sleek dark silver color. I like it because it's like a pewter shade of silver. My fear was that the lid will come off in my purse, but that hasn't been the case with this one, nor with my other lip chic. The height of a the tube is a bit short, but I really don't care, it's just something to be noted.

Texture and Lasting Power: It's a very hydrating, balmy lipstick. For those with super dry lips will LOVE lip chics. They're sheer with 1 thin layer, but not too sheer. They're soft and slightly thicker in texture than Cle de Peau extra silky lipsticks, but they're less balmy than Rouge Bunny Rouge's Color Burst Lipsticks. Definitely a lovely texture. I love these more than Dior new Addicts, and Dior Serum de Rouge. When the color fades, it leaves your lips more hydrated than before. The lasting power is like 3 hours if I eat a snack and talk a bit. 

Color: It's a mid-tone rose color, slightly cool (with no sparkles). This particular shade is straight up beautiful. It's my lips but better shade. For those who have lighter lips, it will definitely give them this light flush of color. I know this is a color that I'll be wearing quite often when I'm at work, aside from my Le Metier de Beaute lip cremes. The reason why this gets it's own section is because I finally found a my lips but better shade that the formula is wonderful (my other lipstick for my lips but better is GA #99, which was limited edition). 

Size and Price: .07 oz 2 grams, $30

Is it worth it?: Yes, I honestly think these are a must have. if Tea Rose isn't for you, there are definitely a great shade selection to choose from. Another personal favorite is Camellia.

Onto the photos!!

Left to Right:

GA #99

Tea Rose Lip Chic

Rouge Bunny Rouge Word of Mouth

Chantecaille Charm Brilliant Gloss

I've been searching high and low for this lip item...it's sold out at many places (I didn't check online, yours truly is all about the instant gratification). I finally managed to snag the last one at a SpaceNK I normally don't go to. I'm a loyal customer to my sales associates, but I really was hunting this one down and my normal counter didn't have it. 

Yes, it's the gloss that Angelina Jolie wore for the movie Salt. So maybe I am a sucker for pretty lip things, and I do love AJs makeup, so I wanted to see if this item is really worth having since she wore it. 

Color and Packaging: a neutral pale pink with micro silver shimmer.  For someone with pigmented lips like myself, it's almost borderline chalk-like if I apply a lot of it on. This is literally the palest I can do, anything more pale would be chalk. It's nice to know how light I can go. The packaging is clear tube with a silver lid and brush applicator.

Size and price: It's a really TALL lipgloss in terms of height. Slightly taller than an Armani lip shimmer. The amount you get is 3 mL. Armani you get 6 mL. Le Metier de Beaute you get 6.5 mL. I don't understand how that's possible seeing how tall it is and the tube isn't narrow, either. So let's get more specific: Chantecaille's brilliant glosses are 1 oz (it's physical weight), versus Armani 0.2 fluid ounces (volume) and Le Metier de Beaute is 0.22 fluid ounces. The price is $28.

Formula and longevity: Formula is very soft and moisturizing. I like the formula in the sense that it doesn't cling onto your hair, or it doesn't leave a funny residue on the lip. I will state that the color does turn much lighter pretty quickly.  This is the case for a lot of glosses due to the nature of the formula, but Chantecailles brilliant glosses really turn clear on your lips really fast. I was a bit surprised for the price you pay for this item, that the color doesn't stay true to form for very long. It could be just my lips, but I'm just putting it out there. Longevity, it doesn't last as long as my other glosses. I am a bit surprised in that sense as well.

Onto the comparison pictures :D (don't laugh at me because I don't own many lighter colors)

From left to right:

Le Metier de Beaute Sweet creme lip creme

Chantecaille Charm

Le Metier de Beaute Vanilla Rose

From left to right:

Le Metier de Beaute Sweet creme lip creme

Chantecaille Charm

Le Metier de Beaute Vanilla Rose

Is it worth buying: I think it's a pretty color overall and a nice texture, but I don't deem this item being a wow standout from the line because it does turn clear pretty fast. I think it's nice to have one shade you really like, but that's about it.