Chantecaille Hydra Chic Lipstick, My Favorite Long Wearing Lipstick

It's no secret that I'm a fan of all things Chantecaille.  Therefore, for all of you not privileged to live near a counter, I swatched the gorgeous line of Hydra Chic lipsticks for you.  These are a line of long wearing, full-coverage lipsticks.  They do not dry out my lips at all and feel quite comfortable.  For a more in depth review, reference this one of the color Tiger Lily. 

L-R: Aster, Tiger Lily, Anemone, Canna, Willow, Trillium

This is one swipe of each.  As you can see, they are all quite pigmented.  However, the range is still rather small at this point.  This is the newest formula of Chantecaille's lipsticks, so I am hoping for more additions soon.  Note that my swatches are missing Water Lily, which is a pink shade.  I will try to grab a swatch of that one soon.  These little babies retail for $32 and can be purchased from retailers such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Space NK. 

Truth Art Beauty Face Nourish- Birchbox Blend

image from birchbox.com

As I have recently moved back to the Bay Area which happens to be a drier climate than San Diego, my face is parched.  My previous face routine was not sufficient to keep it moisturized.  Consequently, I experienced a face freak out where it broke out.  Yes, you can experience breakouts from not enough moisture.

Thankfully, I had just received my Birchbox which contained a sample of Truth Art Beauty Face Nourish- Birchbox Blend.  Truth Art Beauty is a company that allows you to make your own blends of things such as face oils and body scrubs.  Birchbox made their own face oil Argan oil, Red raspberry seed oil, Pumpkin seed oil, and Rosehip seed oil.  This blend is supposed to be lightweight, non-comedogenic, and healing.  I apply one dropper full (about 0.5ml) to my face every night before my usual Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing cream.  It has helped to moisturize my skin, stop the "freak out" and heal my breakouts.

Overall, I am highly impressed.  I would definitely consider purchasing this when my little sample runs out (which has lasted over 2 weeks of nightly use already).  This can be purchased from Birchbox.com for $54.  If this blend doesn't sound right for you, you can create your own blend on Truth Art Beauty's own website.


*Disclaimer:  Signing up for Birchbox via the link above will give me 50 Birchbox points.  

SOPA And Some Blog News

First of all, as today is the SOPA/PIPA internet blackout (I can't do an internet blackout...I'm weak), I thought I would tell you to go visit sopastrike.com to tell Congress that you are not for this internet censorship act.  If you want more information, you can find it from the above site.  Trust me, it's worth your time.  At least sign it if you like me and want my blog to stay up (since I will be most likely removing it if it passes). 

And on to some happier blog news.  I am going through a major cleanout.  I have moved back home (to a smaller room...ugh) so I need to clear out.  Therefore, expect a giveaway and a blog sale or two in the near future.  I am currently busy starting classes and trying to find a job.  Hopefully, the job search will be ending soon, and I can get the giveaway and blog sale underway.  I do have an interview in cosmetics coming up so wish me luck!! 

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Blonde Opal

I bought the By Terry Ombre Blackstar ($42.50) on the recommendation of The Black Panties.  When I was in Seattle during the summer, I happened upon a Barneys and decided to pick one of these up.  I chose shade 3, Blonde Opal.  This is a cream eyeshadow stick with a twist up mechanism.  You can apply straight from the tube and blend with fingers or a brush. 

The packaging is pure luxury, a shiny gold tube.  The cap opens to reveal a gorgeous shimmery cream colored cream shadow (ha).

It definitely has gold undertones.  I'm not sure if this would work for people who are extremely cool toned.  It is extremely creamy and easy to blend.  And now we get to the not so good part.  Unfortunately, this did not stand up to my oily lids.  I did experience some creasing.  However, the Panties says she does not experience any creasing so YMMV.  I still love it as a brow and inner corner highlight as well as a base.

Overall, if you have dry lids, I would definitely check this out.  Also, if you are a cream lover, as I am, you might want to check it out.

Perfume Lust

Here is It's a Small World, dressed up for the holidays.  It was literally an event when the lights came on at night.  If you haven't been to Disneyland for the holidays, I would recommend it.

And on to the post.  I have been sniffing various perfumes lately.  I am not a fragonerd by any means.  In fact, I'm just now struggling to pick out different notes in perfumes.  However, I have found some gorgeous perfumes in my journey.  I thought I would do a little post for you on what I have been liking.

1. Serge Lutens Bois Oriental-  Sadly, this is a Paris exclusive meaning you can only purchase at the Lutens boutique there.  However, I have been able to purchase decants from the Perfumed Court.  This is the only scent my boyfriend has ever genuinely liked (so far).  I smell it and I smile.  Its gourmand and a bit spicy.  It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  I wish I could go to Paris.

2. Frederic Malle Une Rose-  It smells like walking through an actual rose garden, outside, in the dirt.  Unfortunately, a bottle of this is crazy expensive (sad face).

3. By Killian Love and Tears- I realized a loved jasmine with Oscar Blandi Jasmine Hair serum.  This is a gorgeous Jasmine soliflore.  Another crazy expensive one.  However, they offer a solid perfume, which is cheaper, and I may cave on.

4. Annick Goutal Rose Splendide- This is a kind of tart rose fragrance.  I like this alot for spring and summer.

5. L'Artisan La Haie Fleurie-  Another white floral.  Gorgeous blend.  My sample spilled in my makeup bag, which consequently smelled amazing.  My only qualm is that L'artisan scents don't last very long on me.

6. DSH Cimabue- Yummy spicy gourmand. Saffran and vanilla is what I smell.  This is a lovely fall scent.  It makes me want to try others from DSH. 

Well, I hope you liked my post.  What are some of your favorite scents?  Anything I should try?

Becca Brow Shaping Gel

The Becca Brow Shaping Gel ($20) was a new product in 2011.  It is a clear gel that sets the brows in place.  It contains a wand with a spoolie brush to brush the product through and smooth the brows into place.

It is clear in color and holds my brows in place without making them feel hard and crunchy.

Overall, for $20, this is certainly not a bad product.  If you have thick brows that don't need any shading or want to set your powder/ pencil brow color, this is a really nice option.  Would I purchase this again?  Maybe.  However, I would really like to try something with a little color. 

Top Products of 2011

Happy New Year!  I am officially graduated from college and hope to resume a more regular blogging schedule with the new year (resolution 1).  The above photo was taken with the Instagram app in San Francisco on New Years Eve.  You can follow me on Instagram if you would like under the name Luvsong4mygloss.

Because I love best of lists, I present to you my top products of 2011.  My list will not have only products acquired in 2011 or released in 2011.  I will just let you know what I have been using the most this year.  I'm posing off of Dempeaux and doing 11 for 2011 (hope you don't mind). 

1. Chantecaille Future Skin
 I love this foundation.  I have loved it ever since I tried it.  I think I have gone through 4 pots of it.  It creates a really natural finish and really blurs imperfections.  It isn't the longest lasting but it doesn't break me out or irritate my sensitive skin. 

2. Chantecaille Lip Chic
These are ultramoisturizing, sheer, balm like lipsticks.  I aspire to own every color.  My favorite at the moment is still tea rose.  Its the best my lips but better shade.  This year I upped my drama ante with violetta.  

3. Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Shadows
These were a fairly recent discovery.  The powder/ cream hybrid shadows are easy to apply and high impact.  I added two from the holiday collection to my collection and haven't looked back.  If you don't have one yet, get thy self to Neimans, Saks, or select Nordstroms and pick one up now.  

4. CND Sticky Basecoat
I used this a while ago and then strayed.  I don't know why I did.  This stuff is amazing.  It really holds my polish on.  I apply it over my treatment product, currently Essie.

5. The Body Shop Shea Butter Body Butter
This is a recent discovery.  As you may or may not know, I have sensitive skin and psoriasis.  I have a tendency to break out in hives at certain products (oh hi korres).  I tried this and haven't looked back.  It is scented but not offensively so.

6. Chantecaille skincare 
I have finally (mostly) cleared my skin.  I use the rice and geranium cleanser, vital essence, flower harmonizing cream, detox mask and fruit and flower acids mask.  Its really gentle and smells great.

7. Kim's Beauty Detox
I tried this out thanks to Christa of Perilously Pale.  The glowing green smoothie has been integral in clearing my skin.  If you haven't heard of Kimberly Snyder, you should definitely check out her site.  

8. Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric
This was a new acquisition for 2011.  Its a silicone texture, super easy to blend out and beautiful colors.  Give me more!! 

9. L'Occitane Hand Cream 
I have tried the original and lavender and loved both.  These are super moisturizing and don't leave my hands greasy.  I also love that it comes in a purse friendly size.

10. Wen Cleansing Conditioner 
I have to thank Jeanie from Makeup Merriment for this one (owe you one!).  Its a one step shampoo, conditioner AND leave in conditioner.  I found it helps my hair dry faster, lessens frizz and leaves it volumized and shiny.  

11. Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme
Its like a liquid lipstick.  The colors are gorgeous.  It lasts longer than a regular gloss.  I need more!

And now, to change it up, here are the products I would like to try in 2012.

1. Guerlain Rouge Automatique- I've heard many good things about these, and I do love me some lipstick.

2. Something from Cle de Peau- Panties of The Black Panties has me dying to try an extra silky lipstick.

3. Kiehls Creme de Corps- Since I have moved back to a drier climate, I need to moisturize more often.  This sounds nice.

4. Fragrance- Near the end of 2011, I started to really get into fragrance.  I would love to explore more.  I have already added Diptyque Eau Duelle to my collection and hope to add more.

What were your favorites of 2011?  What do you hope to try in 2012?