Chanel Entrelacs Palette (Autumn 2015)

 

The Chanel Entrelacs palette ($80USD) topped my list of most highly anticipated products for Autumn 2015. My Saks store had the entire collection available early July, and upon first swatch, I knew the palette would be coming home with me. For once, it wasn't the pretty embossing that got me but rather the unbelievably smooth and buttery textures of the shadows themselves. I have always said that the formula of Chanel quints differ greatly from the quads, and this proved me right once again.

Nude Skincare Progenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil

Face oils are, undoubtedly, one skincare category I struggle with. Finding the right balance of a light-weight formula for my oily skin and one that absorbs quickly has not been easy with a majority of the oils I've previously tried. Most times, I get frustrated by how they perform and they end up in the neglected pile of skincare after a couple of uses. I can only name a couple of face oils I use consistently.

Recent YSL acquisitions

 

Yves Saint Laurent. YSL. Three simple letters that just scream luxury both in the fashion front and in the beauty department. Personally, YSL hasn't released too many products in the last couple of years that have impressed me. However, give me sleek and posh packaging and promises of looking like a walking filter, and that can easily be changed.

My Latest Addiction (pun intended)

I go through phases with makeup. One day, I feel the need to own every nude lipsticks ever made, and the next day,  I'm tracking down every limited edition peach pink blushers (with cute embossing) ever released. The same lack of commitment holds true when it comes to powder and cream products. Hence, my owning seven cream/liquid cheek products in one order. In my defense, I was going through a dry skin phase from being too adventurous with trying out different chemical peels -- in the colder months.

Addiction is a Japanese brand founded by Ayako, who many know is the former NARS creative director. Apart from a few bold blush color similarities between both brands, there really isn't a whole lot of overlap. Addiction focuses mainly on more sheer and shimmery delivery, whereas NARS really hones in on the bold and pigmented.

Estée Lauder Courrèges Illuminations Face Powder

After receiving three Asia exclusive highlighters in the mail from a dear friend of mine last week, the last thing I really needed to purchase was -- yet another -- illuminating powder. To be honest, I didn't even know Estee Lauder was collaborating with Courreges for a limited edition collection. This collection seems to be exclusive to Sephora at the moment, and only for VIB and VIB Rouge customers.

Memebox Superbox #76 While You Were Sleeping Review

As many of you probably know by now, I've been a recent Asian beauty and skincare convert. Korean beauty (K-beauty) really jumpstarted my obsession, and I have Memebox to thank for opening me to new worlds I never knew existed.

Memebox is a Korean beauty "subscription" box service. I say that with quotation marks, because unlike the box services we are so used to in the beauty industry that automatically renews itself every month, we actually have the options of purchasing only the boxes that pique our interest with Memebox. Each box contains 4 - 8 full sized and deluxe sized products, and the box covers the entire spectrum -- skincare, makeup, haircare, bodycare, etc.This box is considered a Superbox, hence, the 8 full-sized items.

Guerlain Meteorites Perles de Blush in Angelic Radiance

Guerlain has collaborated with Dippin' Dots to bring you the Perles de Blush in Angelic Radiance! That was my initial impression when I received the box o' pearls in the mail, since I had ordered sight unseen.

Day 30: Cle De Peau La Beaute Celeste Makeup Coffret

Saving the best for last! Cle De Peau's holiday collection sold out like hotcakes (the powder within three days), so I couldn't be happier when my dear mom surprised me with this set for Christmas! Absolutely stunning in every way possible. Till the next holiday collection, CDP!

Thank you for sticking with me throughout this #30dayuntouchables journey! Normal posting and reviews will resume shortly! Since one of my goals is to be more conscious of having better skin this year and since I have basically converted to Asian skincare-ism, there may be a smattering of skincare posts here and there.

Day 29: Holika Holika Fly Holika in 01 Blooming Butterfly

There's the untouchable. And then there's the forever untouchable. This falls under the latter category for understandable reasons :)

Day 28: Laura Mercier Into the Wild Lookbook Collection

I find Laura Mercier holiday sets to be very overpriced. Hence, my holding off till after New Year to snatch them when they go on sale -- like this one -- for 50% off! Sale and a pretty to add to my collection? #winning

Day 27: Marc Jacobs Sky Liner 7 Piece Petite Highliner Collection

I have a thing for minis. I have a thing for limited edition minis. Seeing how some of the colors are exclusive to this set makes it that much harder to start using!

Day 26: Lavshuca Dress Glow Cheek in OR-1

Orange blusher and lace... two of my biggest weaknesses!

Day 25: Lise Watier Eden Tropical Bronzing Powder

Lise Watier once again delivers another stunner of a product! I plan on using this as a blusher by mixing the two shades, since the bronzer is a tad to red for my liking. I have a feeling 2015 is the year I explore the line a bit more...

Day 24: Art Deco bronzing glow blusher in Queen of the Jungle

Does it not just scream summer in a compact to you? How do companies expect us to use products like this when they are so beautifully-designed?!

Day 23: Sonia Rykiel Glowing Powder Blusher

This is part of the pile of forgotten purchases, moreso than a too pretty to use stash. With spring around the corner, you best bet I'll be getting my money's worth out of this blusher!

Day 22: Chic Choc Flower Dance Cheek Color OR

Say 'hello' to Guerlain Cruel Gardenia's blush counterpart! Straight from Taiwan, this line boasts not only blushers in this form, but eyeshadows as well!

Day 21: Urban Decay Vice LTD

Looking at the palette itself gives me anxiety. Maybe it's how the colors are spread out and there's no cohesiveness to the palette whatsoever. It sure is pretty though!

Day 20: Chanel Jardin de Chanel blush Camelia Rose

Truly one of the most beautiful pieces Chanel has ever released! Not only does it look stunning in the pan, it looks even more beautiful on the cheeks. Backup-worthy, one to use, one to forever stay as an untouchable for sure!

Day 19: RMK 15th Anniversary Cheek Palette

Can we just say cute overload?! This was my pre-RMK days, but I'm so glad I was still able to track it down. I usually throw away the plastic cover, but this one, I'll keep!

Day 18: Guerlain Coque d'Or Shimmery Powder

I can't say I wear shimmery loose powder on a day-to-day basis (or ever really), but it sure does look great sitting on my vanity!

Day 17: Hakuhohodo Vermillion handled S100, S103, S105

Let's talk about how I blew through my monthly beauty budget with one order. On three brushes. Don't mind if I do!

Day 16: Les Merveilleuses Laduree Pressed Cheek Color #105

Another Laduree product I don't plan on using anytime soon. (Do you see a trend with Laduree beauties?) I do appreciate it's limited edition case though!

Day 15: Dior My Lady 003 Coral

It's safe to say that the My Lady blushers are all collector's pieces. Like its pink counterpart, this gives a natural gorgeous glow to the cheeks. I do believe that this formula is much different from the other [older] Dior blushes, since the staying power of this is much, much longer!

Day 14: Guerlain Blush G Sakura Cherry Blossom

I managed to recently track down this Asia exclusive Guerlain blush, but I will certainly be using the heck out of this baby! The color is actually much sheer than it looks in the pan, so I do need a few swipes in order for it to show up on my cheeks. If you're a fan of Guerlain, you need this!

Day 13: Lunasol 15th Anniversary EX01 Cool Beige

Like the 15th Anniversary Warm Coral palette, the reason I haven't even touched this is because I don't want to ruin the 15th imprint. Practicality is not my forte!

Day 12: Lise Watier Glamour Rose Illuminating Face and Body Powder

Why am I now just discovering Lise Watier? Not only does she release amazing highlighters but pretty ones at that! If Milani were to release highlighters, I think it would be along the lines of this one.

Day 11: Dolce and Gabbana Glow Bronzing Powder Collector's Edition

A collector's item at its finest! This bronzer in the color Desert is actually part of the permanent line (and had never appealed to me.) Slap on a pretty design like that and consider me sold!

Day 10: Kose Visee Blend Color Cheeks Blush OR-6

Once again, Japanese cosmetics knock it out of the park with packaging! My first Visee cheek product kindly gifted from a dear friend -- which I'm embarrassed to say will be untouched for a bit longer.

Day 9: Lunasol 15th Anniversary EX02 Warm Coral

Silly me wanting to preserve the 15th stamped on the center shade, hence, not using the ENTIRE palette. You see where my logic stands? Yes.

Day 8: Dior My Lady 005

Why must LE face powders always be so darn pretty?! Dior My Lady 005 was exclusive to Japan (and I believe Europe -- but don't quote me on it.) As a setting powder, it really does nothing. However, as a finishing powder, it just gives an airbrushed, flawless finish. Why this was continent exclusive is beyond me! Let's hope Saks will sell this later this year! Not that I'll be getting a back-up. Or will I?

Day 7: Etude House xoxo Minnie Touch Blusher

Having seen swatches online of this particular product, I know for a fact that this will serve more of a highlighter for me, albeit a tad chalky. Since I have more than enough highlighters I'm using at the moment, I'll keep this one in its pristine state.

For those who are curious, this is still available at W2beauty, Amazon, and eBay.

Day 6: Laneige x pushBUTTON eyeshadow

Laneige calls this an eyeshadow palette. I think it will act more of a highlighter. Not that I would know since I can't bear to use this preciousness ;)

Day 5: Chikuhodo Neige Brush Set

How silly of me! Considering a brush set as "untouchable." Truth is, white bristle brushes are a pain to thoroughly clean. Nothing turns me off more than seeing stained brushes after they've been washed too. However, I have given these a bath and will be putting them to good use soon enough!

This set also sold out in record time. Let's hope Chikuhodo releases more of these next year!

Day 4: Shiseido Maquillage Snow Beauty Powder

Leave it to the creative folks of Japan to come up with a concept that is entire foreign to me: a face powder that can be worn as a setting powder during the day AND after all of your nighttime skincare routine, since it is chockfull of skincare properties (namely tranexamic acid.) If y'all were like me and am thinking that it's quite the recipe for pimples, you'd be surprised at just how well this has made my skin feel the next morning. Truly a game changer for me, and I'll be on the lookout for the next nighttime powder once I run out of this -- and at the rate I've been using this, it won't be long before I see the pan.

Shiseido Maquillage Snow Beauty was part of the Holiday 2014 collection, Asia exclusive, and a hot commodity. Do snatch one if you happen to chance upon it though! Just be sure to snatch one for me too :)

Day 3: Chantecaille 15th Anniversary Palette

Yes, I am aware that this palette launched in August. No, I don't intend on using it anytime soon.

That is all.

Day 2: Dior My Lady 002 Pink

Today's "untouchable" is Dior My Lady 002 Pink. I didn't get this when it first launched stateside at Saks. It was only recently that I went hunting for both this and its coral counterpart 003 Coral.

Seeing how the design is actually preserved well into the pan, I did end up using this blusher. Only from the sides and gently, for now. I wish all Dior blushers performed as nicely as this! Not only did it give a soft focus glow, it was also long lasting! I'm usually not one for cool-toned, Barbie pink cheek products, but I'll make this one an exception!

Day 1: Les Merveilleuses Laduree Face Color Duo

Happy New Year, lovelies!

The last couple of months have been an extremely busy time for me. Coupled with the very little amount of sunlight I saw, I didn't want to post a review with less than mediocre swatches.That said, I will be attempting to post more regularly come the New Year, so please bear with me.

To make up for my absence, I thought this blog would serve as an extension for an Instagram challenge I am doing with a few other beauty addicts called the #30dayuntouchables (or #30dayofpretties, however you want to call it). For the entire month of January or however long it takes to complete the challenge, we basically showcase a product that we had previously purchased or received that we have never used prior to the start of 2015, whether it be intentional or unintentional -- it's usually the latter.

Note: product may or may not be used once featured. (Hey, I never denied the fact that I'm a makeup collector turned hoarder.)

Wanting to start the New Year on a red note, it's only appropriate I show you Les Merveilleuses Laduree Face Color Duo, which was limited edition for Autumn 2014. However, it is still available on various sites like Ichibankao and Imomoko. It is indeed a blush and highlighter in one, and if it's like any of the other Laduree cheek products, the color should translate more sheerly onto the cheeks. It might take me a while before I finally use this, because the beautiful design does disappear upon first use. I think I'll continue admiring its beauty for the time being :)

***If you're not already following me on Instagram, please do: @Fenztastic