Chanel Collection Libre Synthetic de Chanel

The latest Chanel collection hit counters almost a month ago now. It is quite different from what I have come to expect from Holiday collections. They are usually deeper shades, reds and designed for the northern hemisphere and their winter. The Collection Libre Synthetic de Chanel is more pink based with brighter shades. Chanel describes it as 'a vibrant, modern Holiday 2016 collection with a hypnotic edge'. Very true, well played Chanel.

Besides the items I purchased the collection also includes an eye palette and various lip products. The eye palette is beautiful but blue and silver shades just don't work for me (and I am kind of scared of blue eyeshadow...). None of the lip products called to me plus I am still obsessed with the Rouge Allure Inks. 

Joues Contraste - 360 Hyperfresh

As a self confessed 'blush fiend' as soon as I saw the blush, I had to have it. Hyperfresh is a bright pink with cool undertones, the finish is almost matte. The formula is lovely, as all Joues Contrastes are, wear time is also good. 

Calligraphie de Chanel - 65 Hyperblack

Chanel haven't made a potted eyeliner before this. It is described as a 'longwear intense cream eyeliner'. I have only had a quick play around with it since purchasing and I can say it is an intense, matte black. The formula seems easy to use and seems to be pretty long wearing - I had to pull out the big guns to get it off (oil based eye makeup remover). 

Le Vernis - 540 Liquid Mirror, 542 Pink Rubber & 544 Hyperrose Glass

Chanel nail polishes are something I seem powerless to resist. The colours are almost always unique and ahead of the rest of the pack. Liquid Mirror is a metallic silver. Pink Rubber is a matte pale pink (which actually looks stunning on the nails). Hyperrose Glass is in the nail gloss formula, it is a sheer hot pink with shimmers. I don't wear nail polish nearly enough to justify purchasing all three nail polishes in the collection but I had to have them. 

See how pretty the blush is and how black the eyeliner is? The blush can of course be blended out into a softer flush of colour. The eyeliner is not fully dry in this photo it is more matte once fully dry.

Overall I am very happy with my picks from this collection. Everything is wearable and useable. Very happy to have each item in my stash.

Have you picked up anything from this collection?

Chanel - Ombres Lamées de Chanel

I am not someone who believes in buying makeup to collect or keep. I buy products to enjoy them - at least a few times before I move onto other products. When I saw the text from my Chanel Lady with a photo of this product, I knew that was about to change.  

You know something is special when it comes boxed like this. It is boxed up like jewellery or something much more expensive than makeup...

The Ombres Lamées de Chanel is a limited edition eyeshadow palette, only available in Chanel beauty boutiques. To say it is beautiful is an understatement, it is simply exquisite. It looks good in photographs but in person? It is a whole other world. The detail on this stunner is like nothing else I own. 

No swatches from me, I cannot bring myself to destroy this beautiful pattern. I mean, look at it! Could you be so cruel and ruin something so beautiful? Okay, now I'm being dramatic... I'll just post a close up shot instead. 

Ombres Lamées de Chanel is available at Chanel beauty boutiques now, the price is a quite painful AU$115, especially for something I don't plan to use. But hey, never say never. 

What items do you have in stash that you can't bring yourself to use?

Sephora, Mecca Maxima & 3INA Haul

This post is a long time coming! This haul took place back at the start of September. I spent a week in Melbourne in September due to my Nanna having surgery. Being a stressful time towards the end of the week, I needed some retail therapy. 

I really wanted to visit Sephora but I don't know the city well at all, especially using public transport. I called on my friend Steph (yup, I am Steph & my friend is Steph) to join me for a shopping trip. She kindly picked me, took me into the city and guided me around Melbourne. Thank you Steph! 

SEPHORA

First stop was of course Sephora. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It is not quite beauty heaven but it is pretty damn close. I loved seeing and playing with different brands that I have never had access to before. I didn't really have a shopping list but I still managed to pick up quite a few things. 

The first thing that went in my basket was the Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Clay Palette. It is so pretty and something I have been wanting for ages. Another item I was really glad to finally get is the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer. I have horrible dark circles and am finding this effective at hiding them. 

I purchased another Beauty Blender. I have had one before but never really used it and everyone seems to love it, so I needed to try it again. The texture of the Sephora Sleeping Mask intrigued me and as I have dry skin it seemed perfect for me. The Sephora Eye Mask was a spur of the moment purchase - I still haven't tried it. 

The queueing up area of Sephora is a dangerous place. All these cute little mini and sample sizes! I picked up the Formula X The System To Go as I thought it was the perfect introduction to the brand and I have heard good things about it. The Foreo Luna Play was too cute to not buy. Yup, I'm that person - I get caught up in cute mini products. 

That's it for my first (but definitely not my last) Sephora haul. 

MECCA MAXIMA

No beauty shopping trip is complete without a trip to Mecca. That is just a rule, a rule every beauty lover should live by. The first item I picked up was the Mario Badescu Facial Spray, I have heard good reviews and coming into the warmer months I thought it would be perfect. I repurchased the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, the shade Vanilla is a perfect match for my skin and I do really like this concealer. 

I got caught up in the mini things being cute again and that is how the Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder came home with me. As the sales assistant said - how many times do you actually finish a highlighter? Yup, I can justify any makeup purchase. 

I haven't tried much (if anything) from Smashbox before. I grabbed the Smashbox Try It Kit - Primer Authority as it has products I have actually been wanting to try. The Primer Water and the Undereye Primer have been on my Mecca wish list for a long time. 

3INA 

This a newer brand that recently opened a store at Melbourne Central. The way the makeup is displayed is a visual feast - the products are displayed along the walls in blocks of colour. The prices of all the products were also very affordable. 

I picked up The Micellar Gel as I love cleansing water and thought this would be good to try out. Makeup wise I purchased The Eyeshadow in 111 and The Intense Lipstick in 312. Both products I have tried out and enjoyed so far. 

This shopping trip was a very enjoyable way to relax after a very stressful few days. Thanks Steph for helping me find my way around and I am glad I could enable you to make some purchases. Haha!

I am already planning my next Sephora haul, I am heading to Chadstone next weekend and Sephora opened there a couple of weeks ago. Plus the massive new Mecca Maxima and all the Christmas collections are out (hello, Chanel). 

What have you hauled lately? What is on your wish list currently? 

Olive Natural Skincare

Olive Natural Skincare is a New Zealand based natural (obviously) skincare brand. Olive Natural Skincare is made using extra virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract grown at the Simunovich Estate. 

Both extra virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The Olive Natural Skincare range is free from nasties like silicones, parabens, preservatives and mineral oils. The range is also cruelty free (yay!). 

Rich Cleansing Milk

On first use of this cleanser I didn't think I would like it but I have actually really enjoyed it. I found this cleanser to be gentle yet effective. It is creamy, does not dry out my skin but still removes my makeup. My skin is left feeling soft and nourished after use. Thumbs up for the pump bottle. 

Illuminating Face Polish

This facial exfoliator contains kaolin clay and Manuka honey as well as olive leaf extract (of course). I found this scrub to be quite gentle on my skin - the exfoliating particles are small whilst still being on the gritty side. I felt my skin looked brighter and smoother after using this face polish. The only thing I didn't like was the texture is quite thin on this product which meant I seemed to use quite a bit. 

100% Natural All-Purpose Balm

This balm is my favourite of the Olive Natural Skincare products that I tried. This balm really is all-purpose. It is perfect on all dry spots - elbows, knees and around my nose when I had a cold. I have even used it to soothe small burns from cooking (I am far too clumsy). This balm has a permanent place on my bedside table so I can reach for it as I head to bed. It also has a really nice fresh, natural scent. 

If you are looking for some new natural skincare, I highly suggest you have a look at Olive Natural Skincare. The products are affordable and work well. You can check out their website HERE if you want to find out anymore about the brand and their products. 

What natural skincare products do you enjoy using? 

PS: I know I have been absent again for ages... but I have had A LOT going on. I will explain more in my next post - my first Sephora haul!

*This post contains products that were provided for consideration for review in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. This has not affected my opinion in any way, honesty as always.*

Beautylish Haul feat. Wayne Goss & Becca

This small haul is from a couple of weeks ago but I wanted to share because I want to tell you about how awesome Beautylish is. I have purchased from Beautylish a few times now and I am always impressed with the service. 

My parcels are shipped out within approx. 24 hours, this order was shipped out in less than 8 hours. I always receive my orders within a week (and that is to rural Victoria). My parcels always come well packaged and the items wrapped up safely. Their customer service is always quick to respond and very helpful. I highly recommend Beautylish to get your next beauty fill. If you spend over US$50 you get free shipping to Australia (WOO!). 

Now onto the haul!

The main reason for my purchase from Beautylish was the release of the new limited edition makeup brush from Wayne Goss (a YouTuber if you haven't heard of him before). I purchased The Anniversary Set at Christmas time and I have the last two years Holiday Brushes. I love them all so I couldn't resist. I also picked up some items from Becca that I have been eyeing off so I could take advantage of free shipping. 

The first item added to my cart was of course The Air-Brush from Wayne Goss. This is an insanely soft brush designed for powder products. When I say soft, I mean soft. It is softer than brush I own, including other Wayne Goss brushes and my Suqqu Cheek Brush. It is perfect for highlighter, contour, blush or targeted application of powder. 

Becca is a brand I am really just starting to discover so I had to pick up one of the raved about Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Pearl. A gorgeous luminous white highlighting powder. I also purchased one of the new Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blushes in Foxglove. This is a a very pretty shimmery pink shade. 

A close-up of The Air-Brush (I probably should have washed it before taking this photo!) See the nice tapered but soft brush head. I have no regrets about adding this brush to my growing collection.

If you are looking for your next beauty splurge, I highly recommend you check out Beautylish. I am already planning my next haul (hello Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips!). 

Have you purchased from Beautylish before? 

PS: This is not a sponsored/gifted post, I just really love Beautylish. Also apologies for my less than spectacular photographs. Winter sucks. 

Disappointing Products #2

It has been a long time since I have done a 'Disappointing Products' post, my last and only one is way back in 2012 (post HERE if you are interested). 

I try to be positive so I rarely post reviews on products I don't like. Especially since if I don't like a product, I stop using it pretty quickly. I don't have a lot of products in this post either, mostly because I throw them out/pass them on pretty quickly. My stash doesn't have room for crappy products!

Australis - AC on Tour Contouring & Highlighting Kit

I think this a good entry level product but it just doesn't work for me (I know a lot of people love it). The contour colours look muddy on cool, fair skin. The yellow (banana) shade is too yellow for me. I also found the powders to be quite chalky and hard to blend. 

Bobbi Brown - Old Hollywood Eye Palette

I fell in love with this palette as soon as I saw it and I paid a massive $125 for it. I hate it. The shadows are powdery and patchy with poor pigmentation. They have really bad fallout too - I had glitter all over my face by the end of the day. An expensive, disappointing product. 

Maybelline - SuperStay Better Skin Concealer

This is the lightest shade and it is still so dark! I picked it up in a rush as I had a giant pimple on my chin that needed covering ASAP. It worked in a pinch that day but I haven't used it again. 

Tom Ford - Concealing Pen

Another pricey disappointment. This is the concealer with the little sponge on the top. Firstly the applicator sucks - the product just seems to get stuck in the sponge. Secondly, it did nothing to conceal my dark circle. The formula is thin and didn't actually have any coverage. I am determined to finish it somehow though as it was so pricey. 

Tom Ford - Correcting Pen

This concealer seems like such a great idea, two different shades of concealer in one nifty little pen. Pity the concealers aren't any good. Both are cakey, difficult to blend and do not wear well. Again I am determined to finish it as it cost so damn much!

Giorgio Armani - Rouge Ecstasy 

Pricey disappointments seem to be a theme to this post. These lipsticks were quite hyped when they were first released and I had to have them. I picked up two shades 500 (the pink shade) and 302 (the coral shade). These lipsticks have quite chalky appearance to them when applied to the lips and they are very patchy. The formula just sits on top of the lips. So disappointing (look how pretty the red cases are!). 

Benefit - They're Real Push-Up Liner

I have no idea why I bought this. I guess I get swept up in the hype thanks to all the beauty bloggers raving about it. The actual gel liner is quite good, the applicator is difficult and fiddly. I also found I wasted a lot of product as it dried out in the applicator between uses. 

What products have disappointed you lately? 

Makeup Empties #4

I keep a bag on the back of my door for my makeup empties and since the bag was getting pretty full, I thought it is time for another empties post. 

The last empties I posted was in August 2015 so a new one is definitely due. This is all the products I have finished up since then. I did however throw out a few mascaras without including them, mainly because I can't remember what I think of them. That probably indicates that they weren't that amazing. 

CHANEL - Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

Holy grail foundation. Already repurchased. 

DIOR - Airflash Spray Foundation

I really enjoyed this foundation, it left my skin looking flawless. There is a bit of a knack to applying this but well worth the effort. Coverage is good and wears well. I reserved this as a 'going out' foundation. Originally I purchased this from Harrods as it was unavailable in Australia, it is now here though. May repurchase - it felt like it didn't have as many applications as a conventional bottle of foundation so that puts me off a little. 

GIORGIO ARMANI - Maestro Fusion Makeup

I purchased this soon after its release, at the peak of the hype around it. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It is light coverage but enough to even out my skin and make me look put together. A favourite for when I was in rush. I have recently purchased the new Maestro Glow so I won't be repurchasing anytime soon, I need to give the new a good try first. 

COLLECTION - Lasting Perfection Concealer

I have had this concealer for way too long. I purchased it off eBay when all the YouTubers were obsessed with it. I liked it, the shade Fair was a great match for my skin. I will probably repurchase - it is a good product at a reasonable price. 

LANCOME - Miracle Cushion Liquid Cushion Compact

I LOVE this foundation. I used this almost everyday for about 2 months after I initially purchased it. It is so easy to use and it makes my skin look flawless and glowing. I purchased the duo pack with a refill so I am currently using that one. Will repurchase after using up the refill. 

MAC - Strobe Cream

I use this as both a primer and moisturisers in rushed mornings as a kind of two products in one. I really like this product and will continue to repurchase (I already have one almost empty and backup). TIP: the travel size actually works out cheaper than the full size! $15 for 30ml vs. $55 for 50ml. 

MAC - Fix+ Spray

I purchased this because it seems to be a product every makeup lover uses. I didn't have an issue with the product - it did as I wanted. I however hated the spray on this, it was like pointing a hose at my face. I am now using an Urban Decay one that has a much finer mist. 

BY TERRY - Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder

This was a sample included in a Mecca Beauty Loop box ages ago. It is only 1.3g but lasted quite some time. I liked this powder - it set my makeup without leaving my skin looking really matte. The texture was a little odd though. I won't purchase the full size. 

MAYBELLINE - Lash Sensational Mascara

I didn't like this mascara. The formula was too wet and just left my lashes looking clumped. It did nothing Sensational for my lashes. 

DIOR - Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

I enjoyed this mascara. It made my lashes dark and long, it was good for volume. I didn't really find it to hold a good curl though. Wouldn't repurchase. 

CHANEL - Inimitable Mascara Waterproof

I should have thrown this mascara out years ago but I paid over $50 for it so I couldn't bring myself to part with it. Especially since I have barely used it. Why? Because it is bright blue and I got talked into at the Chanel counter. It is a lovely mascara just not one I needed to pay what I did for it. 

BOBBI BROWN - Smokey Eye Mascara

A nice mascara that made my lashes long and dark. I have another sample of this to use before I consider purchasing it. 

CHANEL - Le Volume Ultra-Noir De Chanel Mascara

I didn't particularly like the original formula of the Le Volume De Chanel mascara but I really liked this one. It is a very intense black and made my lashes look full and dark. Would possibly purchase. 

LAURA MERCIER - Eye Basics 

This is a tinted eye primer. I quite liked this product. It was good to neutralise the colour on my eyelids even without using shadows on top. I won't repurchase at this stage as I have other products that will do the same job (MAC Painterly Paint Pot & NARS Primer). 

STILA - Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner

I wish I could give an opinion on this product but I only got to use it once before it dried up and fell out the next time I opened it. Fail. 

BENEFIT - Gimme Brow 

I love this for quick and easy brow grooming. It makes my brows look neat and tidy with very little effort. Already repurchased. 

A pretty long list of empties there. Pretty happy with what I have used up. No lip products though. I'll have to get working on them (HAHA!). Anyway I don't use products to finish them, I use them because I like them and enjoy using them.

What are your latest empties?

Burberry - London with Love Blush Highlighter

It was love at first sight with this beauty. I am absolutely powerless to resist blush anyway but add in a pretty pattern and slap on 'limited edition' and you have me whipping out my credit card. I know, I am a marketers dream.

The Burberry London with Love Blush Highlighter appeared on the Burberry website back in April. I have had it in my stash for two months now but it was only in the last couple of weeks that I could actually bring myself to dip my brush in it. I really didn't want to upset that pretty pattern. 

The London with Love Blush Highlighter features a raspberry pink in the centre, in the shape of a heart to form the blush. The heart is surrounded by a soft beige highlighter. You can either use each shade individually or mix together. I personally prefer to mix them for a glowing, pink blush. The blush on its own has a satin finish whereas the highlighter is quite shimmery. They mix together perfectly. 

The formula is lovely - soft and blendable but not powdery. Pigmentation is strong, almost too strong so a light hand is needed for application. I found wear time with this blush to be good. It lasts all day with only minimal fading around the edges. I can look in the mirror when I get home and I still have pretty pink cheeks. 

The product itself comes in the standard Burberry compact with the check print, it comes housed in a velvet pouch and a brush is included. Honestly, I haven't even tried the brush - I much prefer to use my own blush brush. This product is also quite heavily scented (as I have found most Burberry powders to be), I don't notice it once applied but something for those sensitive to scented products to be mindful of. 

The swatches above a little out of order (apologies). The first swatch is both the blush and highlighter heavily swatched. The second is just the blush and the third is just the highlighter. The final swatch is a lighter swatch of both the highlighter and blush. As you can see both the highlighter and blush are quite pigmented. When mixed together they make such a pretty rosy pink. 

Overall I am very happy to have the London with Love Blush Highlighter in my collection. The formula is spot on and the palette is gorgeous. It's LOVE!

The Burberry London with Love Blush Highlighter is available in Australia now and retails for $94.00 (luxury and limited edition don't come cheap). It will sell out fast, so if you want it, buy quickly - you have been warned!

Are you feeling the love with the London with Love Blush Highlighter?

Birthday Haul

Almost a month ago I headed to Chadstone for some post birthday retail therapy. Since I turned 25, I needed some therapy. Turning 25 is a little scary - I am now a quarter of a century old! I got money for my birthday and it was burning a hole in my wallet - I had to spend it. 

I had a pretty big wish list of items I wanted to purchase. I don't do a lot of online shopping now, I prefer to pick up items in store when I can. When I shop in person I get carried away and buy more than I planned to though. Maybe I should go back to online shopping? 

I purchased three foundations in one day. Looking back now, that seems pretty excessive. However they have been ones I have been lusting after for ages. The YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint is a reformulation of the original Touche Eclat Foundation. I also wanted the new foundation brush that was released at the same time but it wasn't in stock. 

I have been lusting after the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation since its release in the states some time ago. Thankfully the Laura Mercier counter at DJ's was actually staffed that day so I could get colour matched, plus I got the last one in my shade (#winning). The Giorgio Armani Maestro Glow Foundation is another one I just had to have. I couldn't resist picking up The Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops in Lightening as they were 40% off and something I definitely need. 

Even though Mecca Maxima has been stocking Urban Decay for ages now, this is my first Urban Decay from them. I have heard great things about the Naked Skin Concealer and the lightest shade is super light (perfect for a translucent person like me). The All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray is another one that has rave reviews and I needed to try it. 

There is absolutely no way I can go to Chadstone with visiting Chanel. I restocked some skincare (which is kind of boring) and picked up some new makeup items. The Hydra Beauty Flash Hydrating Balm is new and modelled on the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (which I used to use and love). So far I am enjoying the Chanel version, it makes a great primer. 

When I orignally purchased from the Eyes Speak Volumes collection one of the Stylo Eyeshadows I was wanting was sold out. Luckily Bronze Platine was back in stock because it is a gorgeous shade. 

The boutique also still had some items from the Les Sautoirs de Coco Collection. I fell hard for the Perles et Fantaisies Illuminating Powder. It is so pretty and the design is so Chanel. The Rouge Allure in Indemodable was too pretty to resist. 

I haven't tried a lot of products from Bobbi Brown but I like what I have. Last year I purchased a Blush Trio, this year they released Blush Duos. I chose the shade Plum/French Pink. I also purchased another Art Stick this time in Bright Raspberry, I love the formula of these. 

I admit the last two items were actually purchased online, only because I couldn't get them in store. I haven't tried the Shanghai Suzy range of lipsticks before but I knew I had to have this one when the shade is Miss Steph. I've only used it once but first impressions are good.

Finally the last item of my birthday haul and a bit of a spur of the moment purchase. When I saw the latest Tom Ford collection up on the DJ's website, I had my credit card out faster than you can say 'Tom Ford'. The Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal is gorgeous and I am so glad I didn't hesitate to purchase it (it sold out pretty quickly). 

What have you hauled lately?

365 Days of Lips - 2015 Results

This post is a long time in the making (almost 18 months). It should have been written a long time ago but what can I say? I get lazy and unmotivated. 

At the start of 2015 I decided to keep a record of what lip product I wore each day, for the whole year. If you have been a Luxury on the Lips reader for a while (if not, hello!) you will know that lip products are my biggest weakness. Hell, even this blog is named after my lip addiction. My lip product stash has been getting a bit out of control, I decided to keep a record so I can see what products I actually wear in the hopes of having a bit of cull. That hasn't happened yet...

I have over 170 lip products in my collection (yes, I know this is ridiculous). During the 365 day period, I only wore 87 different products. Of the 365 days, I wore something on my lips 259 of those days. That means I didn't wear anything on my lips for 109 days which is a lot more than I expected, though I rarely wear makeup on the weekends. 

One thing I found interesting when looking at my Excel spreadsheet was that I could track certain things or events that happened during the year. For example I knew when my Nan was in hospital in Melbourne because I wore lipstick everyday for about 6 weeks. I also knew when I had been feeling down or ill because I didn't wear any, even during the week to work. 

Without further ado here is my 10 most worn lip products for 2015:

1. CHANEL Les Beiges Lip Balm - No. 10

This lip balm is just so easy to wear and that is why it was my most worn lip product for the year. It imparts a perfect nudey-pink tint that looks polished. It is also great for when my lips are feeling dry but I don't want bare lips. 

2. YSL Tint-in-Oil - No. 5

This line would almost be my favourite release from 2015. It applies as an sheer oil and then sort of develops on the lips into a darker shade. No. 5 is reddish pink. I love how comfortable this is to wear. 

3. BOBBI BROWN Art Stick - Hot Berry

This is one of my favourite lipsticks - ever. The formula is spot on - matte, long wearing but comfortable. Hot Berry is a gorgeous shade, a bright berry pink. I also really like the pencil shape - you can use it to line then lips and then fill them in. 

4. CHANEL Rouge Coco - 454 Jean

Chanel revamped the Rouge Coco formula in 2015. I fell in love with Jean on first sight. It is more plum/berry than I would normally have gone for but I love it. The formula is beautiful but sadly not very long wearing (it's too creamy). 

5. MAC Lustre Lipstick - Lovelorn

One of my all time favourite lipsticks as you can see from the tiny little nub that is left. It is an effortless pink-nude that feels creamy on the lips.

6. YSL Tint-in-Oil - No. 8

As above but No. 8 is a purple-pink. 

7. CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet - 50 La Romanesque

This formula would have to be my favourite from Chanel. It is another matte but comfortable formula. La Romanesque is a little darker than what I would normally wear but it is perfect for when I am looking for something a little vampy-er. 

8. TOM FORD Lip Color - 29 Jack

This shade is part of the original 'Lips & Boys' collection from Tom Ford. This berry pink shade is not as matte as the others but still wears well. 

9. CLINIQUE Soft Matte Lipstick - 49 Matte Magenta

A beautiful bright pink. A favourite of mine when I need a pick me up. Another comfortable matte formula. 

10. CHANEL Rouge Coco - 448 Elise

This is a classic 'me' shade - a pretty pink. A cool toned pink that isn't too bright but definitely not a dull shade. 

Swatches of all the shades on paper because I knew I would fail at swatching 10 lipsticks on my arm. So, I didn't even try. Shades 1 to 5 are on the left side and the 6 to 10 are on the right side. 

What else did I learn from this little experiment? I like bright matte lipsticks. Especially if they are pink or berry toned pink. I like my lipsticks to be comfortable and long wearing. I also like a lighter product like oil or balm for when my lips are dry. I also learned I don't use even half my stash and I really should cull some of it... maybe. 

I am keeping a record for 2016 so I will see if it changes between years.

What is your favourite or most worn lip product?

Inside My Makeup Bag - A Weekend Away

Where does the time go? I swear it feels like I last blogged only a couple of weeks ago but it has actually been well over two months! I love to blog but lately I just cannot find the time. I have had a LOT going on with my family which means I struggle to find some 'me time' to be able to write and photograph. I also got a puppy in March and he is keeping me extra busy!

Last weekend the family and I went to Melbourne for a couple of nights. My Nanna had some tests at St Vincent's and it had just been my 25th birthday so I wanted to do some shopping at Chadstone (duh!). I thought I would give you a peek into the makeup I packed. I pack products that are current favourites - ones I know won't let me down. 

To start with I packed my recently acquired primer - Becca Backlight Priming Filter. This had been on my wishlist for ages and I finally picked it up when the Becca website had 20% off at Easter. For foundation I have been absolutely loving one I picked up in my last haul, the Lancome Miracle Cushion Foundation. I love the finish of this and it is so nice on my drier skin. For concealer, I just grabbed the Dior Diorskin Star Concealer. It's not the best concealer but it does an okay job. Powder wise I packed my favourite pressed powder the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. I love how this sets my makeup but isn't too matte or drying on my skin. I packed a simple pink blush, the Too Faced Love Flush in Justify My Love. 

For eyes, I didn't pack much (and in hindsight, I should have packed even less). The Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in 187 Brun Chatain is the only eyeshadow I packed. I also threw in the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 916 Perle De Lune which is a favourite for a soft smokey eye. The Max Factor Velvet Volume False Lash Effect Mascara is my current open one, so that is what I packed. It's a fine mascara, not my fave nor do I hate it.

I had a brow wax at Benefit whilst at Chadstone so I didn't need much for my brows - they were pretty out of control. The Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Gel in clear came with me to try and tame my then caterpillars. I also packed my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, incase my brow wax didn't go well (it went fantastic). 

I only packed two lip products which is about six less than I normally do. With the change in seasons, my lips have been really dry again so I have been keeping the lipstick to the minimal. The Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Hot Berry is an absolute fave of mine, the colour is gorgeous, it is long lasting but doesn't dry out my lips too much. The Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in 202 Conte was the most worn of my trip. The colour is quite subtle and really comfortable to wear. 

For brushes I packed a couple of eye brushes and a set from Chanel that they release for the holiday season. All this was safely housed in my favourite makeup bag from Charlotte Tilbury. 

Woo! Finally a new post from me. I won't make promises to write more often, but I will try (I've missed it). I have another haul post if anyone is interested?

How much makeup do you pack when you travel?

Haul - Chanel, YSL, Lancome, Dior & Lush

Last week I made a quick trip to Chadstone after my Nanna's three monthly check up appointment in the city. Her appointments are always early in the morning so it is a great chance to catch up with family for lunch. It also gives me time to get my brows done at Benefit, check out my favourite beauty counters and pick up a few things. 

I had a bit of a list of things I wanted to check out but sadly most of the things on my list weren't out in Australia yet (like all the new foundations I am lusting after). However, I still managed to spend most of my quarterly bonus (before it has even been paid... oops). 

From Lancôme I purchased the Miracle Cushion Compact. This is something I have been wanting since its initial release but I just kept forgetting to check it out at a counter. I have tried this over the last couple of days and I can already tell you I am in love. My skin looks so lovely and glowy using this product. 

The Spring 2016 Collection from Dior has been on my radar since I saw the promo photos what seems like ages ago. I ummed and ahhed over purchasing anything from the collection as the reviews had been mixed. I couldn't resist once I saw the Glowing Gardens DiorBlush in 844 Floral Pink in person. The embossed pattern was just too pretty and I was lucky to get the last one the counter had.

The lady that works the YSL counter at Myer is so lovely, whenever I am at Chadstone I stop by for a chat and to pick up something new. The Rouge Volupte Shine formula has released some new shades in a Oil-in-Stick formula inspired by the Oil-in-Tint lip glosses/oils. I purchased shade 50 Fuchsia Stiletto which is a gorgeous bright pink. I was a bit shocked to see the price has increased to $57! If you are near the YSL counter stop and chat to Laila if she is there, she is lovely and will always try to find you a sample (or two) to take home. 

Ah Chanel, my first (and possibly true) love. The ladies at the Chanel Beauty Boutique are so lovely, I highly recommend you head there for your next Chanel fix (Vickie is my go to lady, she always looks after me). I spent about 45 minutes there, sitting and chatting whilst checking out the latest releases. 

From the new Le Vernis line I purchased the shade 512 Mythique, a deep burgundy red which I think will look amazing in Autumn. This polish is meant to be a long wearing, gel like formula. There was a new shade in the Rouge Coco lipstick line that I had to have - 462 Romy, a lovely bright pink (my favourite type of pink). 

Chanel has also released a new lip line - Rouge Coco Stylo. The formula is said to be as intense as a lipstick, as shiny as a gloss and as comfortable as a balm. On my initial swatching I would say this is true. I purchased the shades 202 Conte, 208 Roman and 212 Recit.

Chanel has also released a new moisturiser designed for sensitive skin with only 10 ingredients. La Solution 10 de Chanel is becoming a fast favourite for me. It is hydrating but does not feel heavy on my skin. 

Le Weekend de Chanel is a bit of a hero product from Chanel skincare, for me anyway. It is a skin renewing treatment that exfoliates and provides hydration. My skin feels as soft as rose petals when using this. The Edition Douce is the version designed for more sensitive skin. 

I made a rushed trip into Lush to check out their new body products. I didn't have much time so I made a beeline for my favourite type of products from Lush - the body washes. I walked away with Yuzu and Cocoa Shower Cream and The Comforter Shower Cream. My shower is going to smell so good!

That's it for my haul. No more shopping for me for a while. Haha, like that will happen...

What have you hauled lately? 

PS: I recently joined SnapChat, come join me - my username is luxuryonthelips 

Nailed It - Chanel Nail Gloss in 683 Sunrise Trip

Sunrise Trip is the limited edition nail polish from Chanel's Spring 2016 collection. It is a new formula for Chanel - a Nail Gloss. Though it is a gloss with a jelly like finish I found I had no issues with the formula. It was easy to apply, almost opaque in two coats and wore extremely well. I wore this on my nails for 6 days with only VERY minimal tip wear. Normally Chanel polishes last a maximum of 3 days on my nails before I get major chipping. 

Sunrise Trip is a difficult shade to describe - what shade it looks all depends on the lighting, distance from the nails and the angle. It can look like a dark blue or even black. However the true shade is a deep purple as captured in the below photo but with more gloss. 

Overall, I was really impressed with the Nail Gloss formula. I was excited to learn from my sales consultant that a new line of nail polishes will be released by Chanel in the next couple of months and it will the same formula. She described it as a gel like polish inspired by Shellac. No wonder it wore so well!

Sunrise Trip is a limited edition shade and I know it has already sold out in some places but you can still purchase it online from David Jones HERE for $41.00. 

Chanel LA Sunrise Collection - Spring 2016

The Chanel Spring Collection should be hitting counters across Australia this week but it has been out for about two weeks at some stockists. Since I knew I wasn't going to be near a counter, I ordered my picks over the phone with the lovely ladies at the Chanel Beauty Boutique at Chadstone and had them sent out to me. I received them almost two weeks ago so I have had a little time to play with them. 

The LA Sunrise Collection is described by Chanel as "...a colour collection that reveals the vibrant mood of an endless Los Angeles summer. Flashes of purple, teal and green capture the city’s carefree spirit, while a dreamy spectrum of pink, coral and raspberry shades evoke the California morning skies." The collection features eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipsticks, a nail gloss and of course a gorgeous blush. 

SUNKISS RIBBON BLUSH HARMONY 

This would have to be considered the standout item in the collection. Chanel really know how to do an eye-catching, must-have product. The blush is embossed with a pattern of Chanel ribbon and is so very beautiful to look at. 

The blush features shades of pink, coral and beige, it depends where you swirl your brush as to what shade blush you get. I find if you swirl your brush around the whole pan you get a brighter coral-pink but if you swirl it just in the middle you get a softer beige/bronze pink. The blush is very pigmented so a light hand is best (the first time I used it, I ended up with far too much on my cheeks). It is quite heavily scented - something to keep in mind if you are sensitive to fragrances. 

The Sunkiss Ribbon Blush is limited edition and when I ordered my items, the Chadstone boutique only had two left in stock. The Sunkiss Ribbon Blush Harmony retails for $90.00. Pricey - but if you are a Chanel lover like me, it is so worth it. 

ILLUSION D'OMBRE - 118 MOONLIGHT PINK

The LA Sunrise collection sees the release of three new shades of my favourite cream eyeshadows. I only purchased the shade Moonlight Pink but now that I have seen swatches online, I am really tempted by the Griffith Green shade. There is also a blue shade called Ocean Light but as I rarely (read: never) wear blues I wasn't interested. 

Moonlight Pink is a soft, beige pink shade with a pearl finish. Comparing it to other Illusion D'Ombre shades it is less metallic/sparkly. Moonlight Pink has a softer finish, perfect as an everyday, all over lid colour or as a base under other shadows. 

I am unsure which shades are limited edition, some sites are saying all three shades are, others say that only Moonlight  Pink is. Chanel seems to have had another slight price increase as I paid $50.00 for this Illusion D'Ombre (old/normal price is $48.00). 

ROUGE COCO SHINE - 116 MIGHTY

I ummed and ahhed over which shade of Rouge Coco Shine from this collection to buy. I eventually decided on the fuchsia shade 118 Energy but there seems to have been a misunderstanding over the phone and I ended up with the shade Mighty in my parcel. That just means next time I go shopping I will pick up Energy too! 

The Rouge Coco Shine line is one of my favourites for everyday wear. I find them comfortable to wear and a fuss free type of lipstick. When they wear off, they don't leave an obvious lip line and they are easy to reapply. 

Mighty is a sheer cool pink shade. It is a sheer shade with a glossy finish. I believe all the new shades of Rouge Coco Shine are permanent and they retail for $52.00.

LE VERNIS NAIL GLOSS - 683 SUNRISE TRIP 

The Nail Gloss is a new formula in the Le Vernis range from Chanel. It is a nail polish with a glossy, jelly like finish. Sunrise Trip is a beautiful purple shade that depending on the light and how close you are to the nails, it can look like a dark blue or a royal purple shade. 

Even though it is a jelly shade, I had almost opaque coverage in two coats. It applied very evenly and I had great wear time - 6 days before I actually got a chip (that is amazing for me!).  Sunrise Trip is limited edition and retails for $41.00. A Nailed It post is coming up with this shade featured, if you can't wait I have a photo on my Instagram HERE.

L-R: Sunkiss Ribbon Blush, Illusion D'Ombre in 118 Moonlight Pink and Rouge Coco Shine in 116 Mighty

Apologies for the less than spectacular swatch photo. I missed the natural light so it had to be taken with flash, the colours are still pretty accurate though. Do note however that these are quite heavy swatches. 

The LA Sunrise Collection got me really excited, the shades in this collection are beautiful and so suitable for Spring. Still being Summer, the shades are very wearable right now. Overall I am really happy with my picks, though I might pick up the green Illusion D'Ombre and the other pink Rouge Coco Shine at a later date. The Sunkiss Ribbon Blush is beautiful and I know I will get a lot of wear out of it. Like I have and still do with the blush from the Spring 2012 Collection (original post HERE).

Will you or have you picked up anything from the LA Sunrise Collection?