Chanel update

I went to John Lewis for a Clarins massage early this afternoon, but in typical 'me' fashion I was 40 minutes early so I could have a thorough look through the Chanel L'Eté de Papillon collection. I only wanted to have a quick play with Lime Light but was enticed into having a quick makeover (thanks Ben at JL Reading! You da best.)

I didn't want my whole face doing, just my eyes, and I explained to him that I never really wore much eye makeup and I wanted to see whether this collection - specifically Lime Light and Jade Shore - could be used to create a more subtle look. He began by applying Jade Shore onto the centre and outer side of my eye using a small brush, then adding Moon River in the crease. He finished with a little True Blue liner on the outer third of my lashline and Lime Light just on the tips of my lashes. 

I was sold! I ended up buying Jade Shore and Lime Light, which were £20.70 and £21.60 as John Lewis were having a 10% off Price Match event (as if I needed any more of an excuse to make the purchase!) I was also most surprised by how much I liked Pink Lagoon Stylo, and if I were to go back and buy another piece, that would be the next one I'd choose. I also got a free sample of Hydra Beauty Gel Yeux Hydration Protection Radiance Eye Gel which I can't wait to try - goodness knows the bags under my eyes need hydration and radiance, as the photos below show quite clearly. Oh dear, and my eyebrows...

I took some pretty poor photos as lying face-down during the massage messed up the look and I didn't have enough time to take photos in good light, but I will be reapplying and attempting to take more photos. I will be using a primer and I hope it increases the wear time of the shadow! See my previous post for links to swatches and reviews I enjoyed.

Chanel L'Été de Papillon

SO today Chanel's L'Eté de Papillon was finally released in the UK. My love of eye make up is more theoretical than practical, but the highlights of the collection for me are the Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Lime Light and the Stylo in Jade Shore. They have me craving jade eye makeup but unfortunately as someone without an actual income (a student) I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a mascara or eye shadow that I would probably only wear on my trip to Berlin next week while out at night.

Here are some of my favourite swatches. I think that the most popular mascara will be Blue Note, which is shown brilliantly here along with the corresponding Stylo, Blue Bay.

Blush Collection

I currently own 3 blushes: MAC Mineralize Blush in Gleeful, Rouge Bunny Rouge Cheeks in Bloom Blush Wand in Titian and MAC Cremeblend Blush in Ladyblush.

L-R: Ladyblush swatched heavily, blended out, Gleeful swatched heavily, blended out, Titian swatched heavily, blended out.
The first two were swatched and blended with my fingers, Titian was swatched straight from the stick and blended with my fingers.

Gleeful is described on MAC's website as a "deep dirty blue pink with gold pearl". On my skin it appear much more orange than in the pan. I bought it because I was in World Duty Free and I thought the colour was nice. I have yet to work out whether it actually suits me, but I do find it difficult to apply as it is so pigmented and dark. It has a fairly long lasting formula, I can still see it on my cheeks after 6 or 7 hours, blends easily.

Titian was a move in the opposite direction. I wanted something dewier and a much more natural colour. It is described in their typically whimsical style on Rouge Bunny Rouge's website as "semi-transparent beige-rose with the barest hint of peach". It is pretty sheer but it just prevents me from looking totally washed-out. (Maybe covering up the bags under my eyes would help, but somehow I prioritise cream blushes over YSL Touch Eclat.)  I'll probably go for this one a lot more in the winter. I love the formula as it's slightly dewy, but not in any way oily looking. I do wish it would last a little longer.

Last weekend I purchased Ladyblush. It is described as a "warm neutral coral". It looks much more orange in the pan than it does on my cheeks. It is a middle ground between Gleeful and Titian in terms of both colour and pigmentation. I adore the formula, I didn't take off my make up last night (cardinal sin #1) and when I woke up my blush was still in tact.

You would have thought it would be slightly easier to get good, sunlit swatches at the end of May, but no. I'll post cheek swatches when the sun comes out.

If anyone has any recommendations for blushes they love, especially creme blushes, I'm all ears! I'm a recent blush convert and am looking to expand my collection.

Glycolic Acid

Further to my mention of Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner in my skincare routine post, here are some of my favourite informative pieces on glycolic acid and AHAs

What Is Glycolic Acid & Why Do You Need It? [Refinery29]

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask [Into The Gloss]

12 Anti-Aging Skin Care Ingredients [totalbeauty]

Glycolic Acid: Is Buffered Better? [Dermadoctor]

How To Treat Wrinkles Around The Eyes [totalbeauty]

Malin + Goetz 10% Glycolic Acid Pads Review [Lipssofacto]

Liquid Gold And The Leap Of Faith [A Model Recommends]

And the dangers of over use:

Too Much Too Soon? [Into The Gloss]

The facials that ruin your skin [Daily Mail Online] (I know, I know)

Anti-Aging Retinoids: Pros And Cons [Marie Claire]

Is Your Skin-Care Regimen Changing Your Skin For The Worse? [Allure]

Skin creams face acid test [Telegraph]

Skincare Routine

I must credit Into The Gloss with getting me interested in skincare. Only after reading all the interviews with various French models and tastemakers did I actually research what toners are actually for, or how many steps I should have in my skincare regime, or the important of using SPF every day (very important.)

This is the "correct" order of product application:

1) Cleanse
2) Tone
3) Eye Cream
4) Serum
5) Moisturise

I wash my face once a day, usually in the evening, but sometimes if I'm too cold to get to the bathroom or if the girl who shares my bathroom is having a shower, I'll do it in the morning instead. Currently my skincare routine begins with Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser, which replaced their Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser on recommendation of the lovely lady at the Kiehl's counter at Jenners in Edinburgh. I thought the blue cleanser did a marvellous job but I have since discovered that my skin is combination/dry not combination/oily so I need something a little gentler.

Then I proceed on to Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner, but only on my T zone - I used it on my cheeks for about a week and became almost immediately drier and frecklier, so I stopped. I love my freckles but it was a little alarming.

The final step is Clinique Superdefense moisturiser with SPF 25, which I apply twice a day. I probably don't need SPF 25 while I'm asleep but the cream has anti-aging benefits too.

I am on the look out for a good scrub - despite the positive reviews, Mario Badescu's Kiwi Scrub did nothing for me, and I don't want to spend any more money on one until I can be sure we will get along. I also have a shortlist of eye creams that I'd like to try. I also worked through a sample of Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum, which was wonderfully moisturising and did make my skin a little brighter, but I just can't justify spending that much on a serum at my age. 

The rest of my red lip collection

L-R: Benefit Benetint (does that count?) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic, Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple, Illamasqua Liable, NARS Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl, MAC Viva Glam I.

If I had to rate them, they would go like this:

1) YSL Glossy Stain #9

2) MAC Viva Glam I

3) Joint: Lip Maestro 400 + Illamasqua Liable

4) NARS Dragon Girl

5) Revlon Candy Apple

6) Revlon Romantic

7) Benetint

I'll be swatching and reviewing MAC Viva Glam I, Lip Maestro 400 and Liable soon! I'll swatch Dragon Girl if I can find my pencil sharpener.

Babyliss Pro Argan Oil Restorative Mask

I must admit, I have to force myself to take an interest in my hair. It's quite thin and naturally straight, but after a couple of years of intensive blow-drying and neglecting conditioner, it has also become a little bit coarse. Fantastic.

Up until now, if the ends of my hair have ever just gotten out of hand, I either applied a touch of hand cream or some Bumble & bumble Brilliantine lotion, but that was just a plaster to cover up the problem. I decided I wanted to find a cure*.

When I last placed an order on Beauty Bay, on a whim I added Babyliss Pro Argan Oil Restorative Mask to my shopping basket, since it was both cheaper and larger than the Argan Oil itself, and personally I much prefer the idea of a product that washes out as opposed to a leave-in one. Both the mask and the oil have 5 star reviews on the site though so it's really just a matter of which method you prefer.

photo credit beautybay

I've since used the mask twice and I think it's great. It leaves the ends of my hair noticeably softer than when I don't use it and, like all argan oil products, smells absolutely divine. I'm hoping that with continued use my hair will stay softer for longer. I'll write another post on it when I finish the pot, but I suspect that won't be for a while as there's plenty of product in there.

£6.95 for 250ml from beautybay.com

*aside from a hair cut, which I desperately need.

Nail Varnish

When it comes to nail varnish, I definitely have a "type"

Can't get enough of that dusty-rose-taupe!

L-R: Essie Eternal Optimist, Models Own Nude Beige, China Glaze Dress Me Up, OPI Gouda Gouda Two Shoes, Chanel Paparazzi.

Unfortunately Dress Me Up (Hunger Games 2012) and Gouda Gouda Two Shoes (Holland 2012) are limited edition but you can probably find them on eBay. Paparazzi is from the Chanel Avant Premiere Collection and is sold out on House Of Fraser's website, but apparently it is going to become part of the permanent range. Starlet is the only shade from that collection that is limited edition.

Gouda Gouda Two shoes has, in my opinion, the nicest colour and the best formula. I have read it's practically a dupe for Chanel Rose Confidentiel so I may need to check that out.

Plenty of swatches of these shades can be found on the Internet, but when searching for Paparazzi, make sure it's Paparazzi 579 you're looking for, not Paparazzi 208 as that is a totally different colour.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in #9 Rouge Laque

I thought it would be sensible to start off with my long-term favourite lip colour, YSL Glossy Stain in Rouge Laque. I get compliments virtually every time I wear this. It's bright, warm toned and impossibly glossy. The shine lasts for a couple of hours on me and holds up relatively well through drinking and snacking, less so through a meal. The stain it leaves behind is opaque, though my lips are fairly pigmented so it may well vary from person to person.

First I must say that I'm using my webcam for photos and my University bedroom, which is about 6' by 9', has appalling lighting. Hopefully I'll remember to send off my phone insurance form to get a replacement iPhone 4 as my temporary iPhone 3G simply cannot take a colour-accurate or focused photograph. I am going home on Wednesday so may update with improved photos.

This is me with only Vaseline on my lips.

This is one coat of the Glossy Stain. Lots of previous bloggers and reviewers have said that one coat can be used for a more subtle and less opaque colour. I find that one coat is definitely not subtle, and slightly patchy.  I have only tested this colour and suspect that for less vibrant shades such as #15 Rose Vinyl, which I love but do not suit, one coat would have a better effect.

This is two generous coats. Boom! Even with these poor-quality shots it is clear how glossy and enormous my lips look.

Though I'm sure you're aware of what the tube looks like, here is a photo. I am a sucker for YSL packaging and I love that there is a window on it for easy reference (if you're lucky enough to have more than one shade this is a great feature.)

And the applicator. A huge flat doe foot. This is one of my favourite applicator styles as it makes application so quick. Definitely stick to this applicator instead of using a lip brush.

This baby cost me £22.50 but some shades will cost £23.50. Not sure what the idea is behind the price discrepancy. You can buy them at all the usual places, and on YSL's UK website you can purchase Vintage shades. I have my eye on a couple but am hesitant about purchasing blind, especially when I know that none can beat this shade for me.

On my face: YSL Glossy Stain #9, Rouge Bunny Rouge Blush Wand in Titian, Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara.

*Just in case you're wondering, those aren't affiliate links!

The Inaugural First Post

So I'm a little late to the blogging party!

For a long time I've fantasised about working for a magazine or being a fashion writer, but over the last few years my love has transferred from fashion to beauty. For a long time I've been keen to share my opinion on various products, but have always thought that it would be futile starting a blog. However, I recently applied to Elle's October Issue internship competition to be the Beauty Editor, and noticed that a lot of other applicants had blogs, and now that my exams are nearly over I figured I might as well give it a go.

My name is Georgie and I am about to finish my first year at the University of Bristol where I study German and Russian (isn't that what all aspiring beauty editors study..?) I named my blog Red Lips Pink Cheeks because those are two of my favourite things in makeup, and I felt that Red Lips Pink Cheeks Navy Eyes Glowy Highlights American Skincare didn't flow particularly well. Expect to see reviews of my various red lip products on here very soon.