Le Metier de Beaute Eye Crease brush #1

So I guess today is brush day in the life and times of my blog :p

As you all know I love Le Metier de Beaute, but one area that I haven't really discussed are their makeup brushes. One interesting feature about them is that they're short. I personally like short brushes since they're easier to carry with you when you travel. My eye crease brush comes with a velvet pouch which makes it really nice to carry with you whether it's in your purse or luggage and it helps prevent it from fraying or it gets squashed if it sits in your bag. 

Ok so onto the shape: it's tapered, dome like shape. The bristles are soft, but it maintains its shape really well. I tend to use this brush more often just because of its size. I do love my Shu #10, but it's a long brush and not the most travel friendly. It reminds me of a nice size in between the MAC 217 and the MAC 219.  I've used the 217 for quite some time and it's a great brush, but it's slightly too floppy for my personal taste. I love the 219 for smudging and a defined crease, but it can be too defined of a crease at times. I feel like Goldilocks when it comes to this, it's too fluffy (217), it's not fluffy enough (219). I need that brush that's a nice in between.

Bristles and price: Pony and Goat hair. It's $45. 

Onto the pretty photos:

Left to right:

MAC 224

MAC 219

Le Metier de Beaute Eye Crease Brush

MAC 217

Left to right:

MAC 224

MAC 219

Le Metier de Beaute Eye Crease Brush

MAC 217

Left to right:

Le Metier  de Beaute Eye Crease Brush

MAC 217

To be fair, I've had this 217 for quite some time and I need to clean it. I do like the brush, but it's so much easier for me to blend with the Le Metier de Beaute one. See how it's shape is a nice in between the 219 and 217? I love the tapering of this brush. I own a lot of crease brushes (From MAC to Laura Mercier and Shu Uemura), but this one is my favorite one out of the bunch.

Is it worth buying: I think so, even if it's just for portable purposes, but I do think this one is great for blending, especially if you're like me and suck at it and tried many brushes and still suck. This brush makes it easier to blend and finally, a brush I can do a few quick strokes and I'm out the door.

Shu Uemura natural brush #10

There have been questions in relation to this post (the last long paragraph) since not many people know too much about certain Shu Uemura brushes. To the makeup aficionado, Shu Uemura is definitely without a doubt makes amazing brushes. I know all of us either dream of having some of the kolinsky brushes (I am a part of this group). Anyway, this brush does deserve its own post. 

Size and price: The height is taller than most makeup brushes. Sadly for me, I don't own a ruler, but I did take photos so you can see how it compares to other brushes that others may own. The handle is quite slender and the price is $68. 

Bristles: It's half kolinsky, half sable brush.

Why this is such a great brush:

My makeup artist who works for Giorgio Armani used this brush for my makeover because I asked him what makes this brush so great. He used a very little amount of eyeshadow. He used the side (not the tip) of the brush to apply the eyeshadow. He blended the eyeshadows in small circular (almost small oval like) motions with the tip of the brush. He then wiped off the brush and used a very small amount of highlighter on the browbone. He applied a lot less eyeshadow product than what I normally do, which was surprising. When he was finished using one color and wanted to go onto the next color, he wiped off the eyeshadow on a tissue and all the color came off with a quick stroke. 

During the makeover I didn't think he was blending the eyeshadow because he barely moved his wrist/arm. Trust me, the results you get with this brush is phenomenal. 

Here's some pictures for comparison: 

From left to right: 

MAC 252

Shu natural brush #10

MAC 242

From left to right:

MAC 252

Shu natural brush #10
MAC 242

the big thing to take away from this photo is see how tapered the #10 is? slight taper which makes it nice for blending.

I hardly use the 252 because its too big for my eyelids. I've used it less than 10 times. This is a lovely brush for those who have a lot of lid space. 

Since the Shu 10 & MAC 252 seem somewhat similar: 

Top to bottom: 

Shu natural brush #10

MAC 252.

I know we all love our MAC brushes, but you can see where the 252 is already splaying. I've washed the 252 once (I really only have used this less than 10 times). I've washed the Shu #10 once as well. See the difference in how the Shu #10 keeps its shape?

Need I say more? People ask as to why you shell out more for a makeup brush...well here's a good indication.

Is it worth buying?: Do you even need to ask? :)

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.

Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner +

I try to keep this blog about makeup, but of course I will write about a few skincare products that I use very often. I've been really liking Trilogy's Hydrating Mist Toner :) 

Trilogy is known for their rosehip oil (which is a staple in my skincare actually). This stuff smells amazing and it's the best stuff that has come across my face. Ok, but this review is about their Hydrating Mist Toner (sorry for digressing). They're all about simple, organic and natural ingredients. I know it sounds so cliche, but as I've stated before: my skin does not react well to fruit ingredients in skincare. The few items that my skin won't react to, it generally doesn't sit well on my face either. Until I found Trilogy skincare.

Their products are made in New Zeland and for those of you who are wondering: the ingredients are GMO free, they are against animal testing and are recyclable bottles. 

Package: All of their products come in a dark glass bottle. The spray nozzle is awesome because it shoots a very fine spray. It doesn't feel like I've been rained on and when it lands on your skin, you don't see large drops on your face. It's 3.3 oz. 

Smell: it smells like roses and lavender. Big surprise eh? 

Ingredients:  Rosa Centrifolia (Rose Flower) Water, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium Flower) Wate, Lavendula Officinalis (Lavender) Water, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, *Components of Natural Essential Oils

Why I think it's great: I've tried a few face mists, and most of them leave a funny feeling on my face. This once settled into my skin, it feels so soft. When my skin starts to feel hot, I spritz some of this on, and the feeling goes away. Generally when my face feels hot, it's usually from the weather and I start to break out in random red spots. This stuff totally calms my face. I use this even when after I apply my makeup and it just feels so great against your skin. 

Price and where it's sold: $28 and it's sold primarily online. I'm lucky that I live near one of the four stockists in the USA, so I get mine from a local spa.

I use their Replenishing Night Cream for daytime during the winter. Whoever made this cream should receive an award because it's one of the very few creams that actually absorbs into my skin. As I stated before, I use their Rosehip oil (year round).

Beaute Cosmetics Harlot liqui-gel stain +

Today I get to present to you Harlot liqui-gel stain. Some of you may (or not) know about Beaute Cosmetics, but it's known for their lipcremes and liqui-gel stains. Here's some info about the line itself, and I think it really does represent what it's all about:

We think of make-up and first we think colour: Beauté is using the most forward thinking technologies available to create the most sumptuous shades, textures and finishes ever seen, touched or coveted. Beautiful make-up may be one of life’s great gratifications however so much is in the application. 

I've met Mr. Nelson himself and from our brief discussion, he really does spend a lot of time and thought into his products (ingredients, application, ease of use, and how it looks on people). It's definitely refreshing to see someone who really is this passionate about their products. 

I personally do not like lip stains because they're so drying. I think of what's out there in terms of lipstains and I shiver because they're really not appealing to me at all. They cling to my lips and make them more dry to the point where my lips start to flake. Of course that changed with Beaute's stains. I purchased Harlot because of the name actually. (I know, I am a bit of a perv). What makes this really great is that it's not drying at all on your lips. Just keep reading +

 
Packaging: It comes in a clear tube, black lid and it's a doe foot applicator.

Smell and formula: It has a very minimal floral like scent that quickly disappears, texture is definitely a liquid-gel. It's a beautiful texture and formula if you ask me. The pigmentation of these are AWESOME. It's the only stain that I'll ever buy going forward, and the lasting power is amazing. I did a test run with this on my cheeks and it was over 10 hours. I'm sure it would have lasted more time, but I had to sleep. What's even better about this stain is that it's really easy to apply. One dot on your cheeks and just spread with your fingers. I haven't experienced any streaky or uneven distribution of color. :D 

Price: $29, you do get a lot of product, as you'll see below. The downside is that it's only sold online. I wish it was sold in a store. *shakes fist*

Color: A gorgeous berry shade. I really need to use this more often.

top to bottom: 

MAC Secret Crush stain

Beaute Harlot

Harlot on the left, you can definitely sheer this out more with your fingers or a brush, but I wanted to show you what a small amount can do. It's really a vibrant shade. I did a quick rub, as you can see on top/left side I didn't really sheer it. whoops. :\

MACs Secret Crush on the right. I personally do not like this stain because it's so drying. I had no idea how sheer it was until doing this comparison.

Is it worth buying? Yes. It's phenomenal!!  I like this more than Tarte, Benetint, and MACs. I need to get Flouron and Fever next.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Word of Mouth Lipstick +

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a relatively new makeup line based from Russia. I've heard of this line through the grapevine of the makeup community. What makes me sad is that it's not sold in the United States, but it is sold on Zuneta. Anyway, a little bit about the brand:

What makes the website in of itself stand out is the very visual and beautiful layout. Another aspect are their intense descriptions of the products, as seen on their lipstick page seen here:

The fiercely beautiful royal dragonflies from the Enchanted Garden inspired us to concoct this glorious beam of a lipstick for you.

Their buzzing intensity has been poured into the most vividly delectable hues imaginable, to make your lips appear instantly fuller, and bewitchingly luminous.

Ok, sounds a little over the top (to me), but at least the theme is original, unlike most products that are based off of something sexual, like say NARS blushes. It sounds pretty and glamourous, but does it really live up to their descriptions? For Word of Mouth lipstick, yes, it does. 

Packaging: It comes in a sleek black tube, with a flowery/garden like design on the bottom of the tube. I do wish that it had a magnetic enclosure, but it's a small con. My main concern is the cap falling off in my bag, but the lid doesn't easily slide off either. The tube is sturdy, which I like.

Texture: Can I just take a few moments to discuss this? It's what I've dreamed in terms of what my dream lipbalm and lipstick in one would feel like on my lips. It's definitely a full coverage lipstick, but the balm feeling is amazing. It's really a unique formula in of itself. It has been a long time since I've been really blown away with such a texture.

Longevity: It's not as long-lasting as my Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani lipstick, but you do get a few hours with it. The best part is due to the brilliant texture, it wears off to a beautiful balmy stain. When it does wear off, the balm feeling remains and your lips feel so moisturized and hydrated. 

The color itself, well let's see some photos:

 

The box that it comes in.

 From left to right:

Rouge Bunny Rouge Word of Mouth 

Rouge Bunny Rouge Raw Silence

The closest color that I have in my makeup vault is probably Shu Uemura.

from left to right:

Word of Mouth

Shu Uemura RD 175.

Is it worth getting: Yes !! Word of Mouth is such a soft shade that even fair ladies would feel comfortable wearing it. I know this color will be a staple in my makeup bag with my pretty Rouge d'Armani lipsticks. I'll be buying more Rouge Bunny Rouge when I return from vacation. :)

Ellis Faas 302 blush

After playing with this a few times, I'm finally reviewing Ellis Faas blush in 302. It's in the signature silver bullet shape. The color is a warm dusty rose, I can't quite describe the shade because I currently don't have a similar shade personally. It has very pretty multi-dimensional glitter.

Packaging: I like the packaging in terms of the silver bullet, but the actual applicator? I personally hate it. It does nothing for me in terms of ease of application on my face. In order for me to apply the blush,  you have to rotate the bottom and have it click several times in order for product to come out. Ok and my personal gripe with click type items, if you click too much, then you have too much product out there and it's not like you can put it back in the bullet. Once it's out, I have to apply it on the back of my hand and then put it on.

Formula and lasting power: Formula is a bit hard to work with in the sense that I have to keep working with it with my fingers. Why you ask? Because a sheer layer can go on a bit uneven, but then when you layer it on a bit, it goes on evenly. The finish is really pretty and the lasting power on the other hand, is awesome. What makes this really great overall, is the lasting power. This color is unique enough to have in my personal collection, but still.

Ok onto the pictures:

From top to bottom:

Ellis Faas 302

GA Blushing Fabric in #3

MAC Springsheen

Is this worth having? The color is gorgeous and the lasting power is it's only saving grace for me personally. The lack of ease of use for me personally does not make me want to buy another blush from the line.  If I run out of this color, will I buy it again? Probably, but if there's a similar shade in powder form, I'd rather get that instead.

Le Metier de Beaute Chameleon Eyeshadow +

FINALLY!! I get to finally review this color. This is one of those colors that stood at the counter, stared right back at me each time I went to visit. For one reason or another, I didn't get it until last week. I used to sigh and tell myself, "next time I'll get it". That was the story for about 5 months. I love neutral colors, but this one is definitely has a green undertone. I love wearing it with neutrals because it stands out. Definitely a shade that can change depending on what colors you use with it.

Texture and finish: It's definitely the signature Le Metier's buttery-velvety soft goodness that makes me swoon each time I touch it. It has a pearl sheen, but no sparkle. The closest in texture is Shu Uemura's Pearl, but these bad boys are more refined in texture and sheen. Le Metier makes my favorite eyeshadows because of the finish, texture, and they're amazing for layering colors. If it's one thing you must try from this line, it has to be their eyeshadows.

Price and size: $30 for 3.8 grams. They are nicely packaged with a mirror, and they are larger than your standard MAC or Shu eyeshadows. MACs eyeshadows are 1.3 grams for $14.50. So let's think about this: Le Metier's are approximately 3x as large as MACs, yet they're only $30. For the quality and texture of these, trust me, they're worth every penny.

Ok, well you know what happens now :) ++

from left to right:

Le Metier de Beaute Jojo eyeshadow

Le Metier de Beaute Chameleon

MAC Lucky Green eyeshadow

The reason that I used these shades is so you can see how neutral, yet how green this shade is. Plus you can visualize the size difference between Le Metier's and MACs.

a pretty closeup of Chameleon (I'm sorry for the dirty mess I make with my e/s), shame on me! 

from left to right:

Jojo

Chameleon

Lucky Green

I'm so glad I finally got this color, because it's such a pretty shade. :) Yay!

Le Metier de Beaute Smoldering Embarkment +

Today I had the pleasure of seeing Dustin Lujan at the Le Metier de Beaute counter today and guess who got to see the new Smoldering Embarkment kaleidoscope!!?!? 


I apologize for the bad photo, I was in a rush to just take a picture.  Either way, Isn't the silver packaging pretty? 

Dustin's inspiration for this palette were colors aren't like any of the existing colors, but also keeping in mind colors that complement the permanent line. He wanted this palette to be colors that you can wear on a daily basis, or even using the shades for a subtle smokey eye. 

I've been asked if any of these shades are duplicates from the permanent line, and the answer is no.

Let's just say, it was very well thought out, because I very pleased with what he had in mind.

Onto the colors:

Dustin offered me his hand in marriage for swatching purposes. For reference he's around a NC20 in MAC foundation:

The colors themselves:

The first shade (First Love) is a nice matte ivory/bone shade. The color is nothing like canvas. If anything, it's like if Jojo and Sugar had a baby (kind of, but not really),  it's a satin-matte finish, but you get the idea.

The next shade (Love Struck): all of you taupe lovers will fawn over this one just as much as I did. It's a taupe with a slight green undertone. If Chameleon and Sequoia had a baby, it would look similar to this.

The aubergine shade (In Love). It's not a true plum, nor is it quite red. I personally hate how I look in purple-burgundy eyeshadow, but I can definitely wear this color, because there's some warmth to it. This one is the lovechild between Fire Lily and Alexandrite.

The last shade (Lovelorn): It's a mid tone silver with insane gold, blue, red and other color sparkles in it. It's not as dark or as cool as Thunder. Dustin describes this one as if Platinum and Thunder had a baby. This color is a dream to apply on. LOVE !!

It's released this Valentine's Day and only sold at Bergdorf Goodman. This palette will be mine.

Please feel free to call the counter and pre-order by phone: 212-872-8612


A common question in terms of how to wear the colors together, here's a video seen here. Courtesy of finding it via google and The Non-Blonde blog providing the link.  

By Terry Rouge Terrybly lipstick in Torrid Rose (303)

So I purchased some By Terry Terrbly lipsticks :) She has new shades for spring, and they're all gorgeous to say the least. Lots of fun pinks !


I purchased a couple, but for the sake of the spring season, let's discuss Torrid Rose:


it's a slightly warm pink-rose color. It's not a full on fuchsia (how it looks in the tube). At first glance it looks cool (by appearance in the tube and on my arm) but once applied it's definitely a slightly warm pink. The formula of these are wonderful.


Packaging: They're in a silver tube with a magnetic enclosure. There's no heft (in terms of weight), but the packaging is sturdy to me. The lipstick itself has "Terrybly" along the side of the tube and when you open the tube, there's By Terry written diagonally (lasered on)  below the base of the lipstick. Simple, sleek. I'm a fan of simple, sans-decoration packaging.


Texture and Formula: They're weightless, moisturizing and the color selection, although it's small, they're well thought out colors. I do adore the texture, soooo moisturizing without being creamy. The one thing about these is that they're not as opaque as I had imagined them to be. They are lipsticks, but they're slightly shy of being full on OPAQUE. They're also not as long lasting as a Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani, but they don't wear off quickly either.  They do fade into a beautiful stain too, which is great. With these lipsticks, I feel like I need to wear a lipliner to get the effect I want, but that's just me personally.


Finish and appearance: There's no sparkle in these (yay), and on my lips, it's very shy of being full on opaque.


Onto the pictures !!

from left to right:

By Terry in Torrid Rose

MAC Isabella Blow lipstick. 

Note that Blow is more blue in real life. MAC Girl About Town is fuschia, whereas Torrid Rose is a bit warmer and rosy on the lips, than on my arm. 

I love how it's so bright, but not OTT that Blow can be at times. I'd wear this by itself during the day. It's a color that you can blot and it won't look as bright or intense.







Is it worth getting: I LOVE this color. finally, a bright pink I can get away with that doesn't look overdone during the day.  If you have a lot of pinks, you can pass on it, I think. For $48, this is a nice lipstick you can splurge on.