Rivoli

I finally got round to buying Chanel Rouge Allure in Rivoli at the end of August. I've wanted it ever since my MAC What Joy! was stolen at a party (!) but it seems as if putting items on my (imaginary) wishlist means it takes me far longer to buy them than if I were to just get them on a whim... Anyway, Rivoli is a dark, reddish berry shade, almost totally opaque with a shiny satin finish.

The following photo shows the difference between the bullet colour and the colour on the lips:

The following is an outdoor, sunlit shot (skin looks surprisingly good but I have practically no top lip...)

Lip primer almost definitely required. Not the colour/formula to wear if you are planning on doing a lot of eating or drinking. I don't mind touch-ups, but this berry shade obviously carries quite a high risk of high-impact smearing.

Rivoli has, like most berry lipsticks I imagine, some down sides, but it's such a gorgeous colour that I would recommend it to anyone who likes high-end lipsticks. Maybelline Red Garnet is very similar, and Revlon Red Velvet is similar but sheerer. MAC's Hang Up, Dare You and Dubonnet are all nice deep shades.

Finally managed to log back in to the blog + new lippies

So for a month or so I've not been able to log in to my blog (Google issues) but I'm back on and I've bought lots of new makeup!

Here are my new lip products:

Top to bottom: Chanel Rouge Allure in Rivoli, YSL Glossy Stain Rebel Nude in 105 Corail Hold Up, Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Garnet, MAC Lipstick in Impassioned.

Skincare changes have also been made (more on that later) and I bought a load of Korean sheet masks!! More on those as I try them out.

Blush Lust + Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel A/W13

I totally forgot I had read this, but oh my goodness Chanel is coming out with a creme blush this winter.

This is 63 Révélation, which is my favourite shade.

In the mean time, here are more creme blushes I'm lusting after.

Clockwise from top left: Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude, Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Tansoleil (Liv Tyler likes Pravella) NARS Penny Lane, Becca Beach Tint in Fig

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.

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.