Chanel

A Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée Face of the Day With Smokey Brown Eyes and Purple Liner, and Red Lips and Tips

April 29th, 2015 by Karen 41 Comments

Bonjour, Chanel!

Honestly, I have no idea why I look so serious in all of these pictures, because while I took them I was thinking about…

KITTENS! 🙂

One of the many perks of decluttering your office is finding gems like this copy of a Japanese magazine devoted entirely to cats.

Can I read Japanese? No. But since cats are the international language of love, things like this find their way into my life (I actually got it from this amazing bookstore in Japantown). I’m keeping it forever, obviously. It’s staying far, far away from the purge pile.

My makeup here was inspired by the visuals for Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée Collection, which is available now at Chanel counters and online.

Gah! — I love this look. Now, if I could only figure out how to pose with my hands by face in a way that doesn’t make me look like I have E.T. fingers.

How do models do it? I have no idea.

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Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée: The Climate Calls for Elegantly Understated Lips With This Summer’s Rouge Coco Shines

April 28th, 2015 by Karen 12 Comments

chanel summer 2015 rouge coco — Three of the four Chanel Summer 2015 Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshines ($36 each)

According to my well-worn copy of the Makeup Handbook for Fancy and Expensive Yacht Vacations, the Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Rouge Coco Shines are all 100% approved for traipsing around the Mediterranean.

It’s mentioned right there on page 212 in the chapter on Chanel. These sheer, shiny lipsticks are in the “Do” column.

Um…you know that’s not actually a real book, right? — although I wish it was, because where else am I going to find out what to wear when Bey finally asks me to babysit? 🙂

In the Chanel Summer 2015 Collection, otherwise known as Collection Méditerranée, lips are slick, shiny and sheer thanks to four Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshines ($36).

The three shown here are re-promotes from the permanent line — golden pink Réveuse, shimmering violet Intrépide and pinkish coral Insoumise — while the fourth shade, coppery brown Amorosa, is limited edition.

If you’re new to the Rouge Coco Shines, they sure live up to their name, being hydrating, sheer and shiny at the same time. For me they last from 3-4 hours on my lips, depending on the particular shade, and have a barely-there rosy flavor and scent.

These three start out glossy (just shy of a mirror-like lipgloss shine), but fade to a soft satin over the course of about a half an hour.

How sheer each one is depends on the intensity of the color, with the mellower shades — Réveuse and Intrépide — being closer to traditional sheer lipsticks, where I can still see plenty of my natural lip color peeking through, while the deeper pinkish coral Insoumise is closer to medium coverage.

chanel summer 2015 insoumise — Rouge Coco Shine in Insoumise, a pinkish coral

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Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée: The Stylo Eyeshadows

April 28th, 2015 by Karen 30 Comments

chanel summer 2015 stylo eyeshadow — Chanel Summer 2015 Collection Méditerranée Stylo Eyeshadows, $34 each

Oh, Chanel…

The things you do to me.

Your new Stylo Eyeshadows from the Summer 2015 Collection have left me panting here at my desk, with my tongue hanging out and everything.

This coming from probably the last woman on earth who “needs” (air quotes) another cream stick eyeshadow to love.

As I’ve been cleaning and rearranging my office over the past few days, it has become increasingly clear to me that I apparently adore cream stick eyeshadows, because I keep finding them in the strangest places.

I found one in the back of the hallway closet (?), two in one of my makeup bags (which was, oddly, filled with tiny tubes of half-used hand cream), and one of them in my office supply drawer between the paperclips and Post-Its.

I have no idea how they end up in any of these places, but it needs to stop, because these beauties deserve their own special space.

There’s a very brief, very gentle cooling sensation on my skin when I apply one of these five limited edition twist-up, long-wearing cream shadows, and it’s kind of refreshing.

These are used just like other cream stick shadows. Just apply directly to bare skin or atop primer, and then blend out the edges. You can sheer ’em out for a wash, or build them up in layers for more intense color.

Several makeup lines have something similar (Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier come to mind), but as far as I can recall right now, these are the only ones with a cooling effect.

Chanel has worked with this formula before. Do you remember the limited edition Stylo Eyeshadows from their Summer 2013 Collection? These are just a new crop. Same formula as those 2013 versions, with the same lightweight, easy-to-blend formula and cooling sensation. Like those, these also last for me from 6-8 hours with primer.

I’m really excited about this new batch and the way Chanel plays with shimmer. The finishes range from quiet sheens and sultry satins to full-on foiled metallic, and when you start buffing them? — that’s when the Chanel magic happens.

Which Summer 2015 Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow might be right for you?

If you love classic summer colors…
Try Azulejo, an intense teal/turquoise blue with a satiny finish.

Oh, teal… I’m such a ho for ya. 🙂

Azulejo is bright like a South Pacific lagoon. Of the five colors in the release, I think it’s the one that’s most ready to party.

Looks amazing on lids coupled with a shimmery gold in the inner corners.
If you love complex colors…
Check out shimmering violet Campanule.

Two words: secret shimmer. Don’t be fooled by Campanule’s satiny purple finish when you apply it to your lids. As you buff out the edges, tiny flecks of purple glitter appear.

Don’t fret, though, because it’s classy glitter. In other words, the flecks are small. I can’t really see ’em from afar, but get up in someone’s grill when they’re wearing this, and the little sparkles will say haaaaay!
If you have brown or hazel eyes…
Give Olivine a try. It’s an unexpectedly complex and unusual satiny olive green, and like the other shades, buffing it out reveals tiny flecks of glitter, which in this case are green and teal.

For me, of the five Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows in Summer 2015, Olivine takes the cake. It reminds me of a cream stick version of the epic Chanel Khaki Vert Eyeshadow.

Oh! And hello, inspiration! — I think I need to try layering Olivine under Khaki Vert sometime soon (ideally before sunset today).
If you love being bold…
Try metallic rose gold Laurier Rose. The shiniest of them all, its finish looks like chrome!

Very sexy robot. 🙂

I like to wear the brown shade (Caroube) all over my lids and barely in the crease, and then plant Laurier Rose right in the center of the lid for an unmistakeable focal point.
And for everyone…
There’s Caroube, a luminous warm brown.

Oh, man, this has 10-minute makeup written all over it. I put it on today and started to vibrate out of my chair with excitement.

Yes, I’m the girl who gets stoked over brown eyeshadow.

Warm golden brown Caroube has one of those forgiving soft sheens, and of the five summer shades, I think it’s the most wearable. If you’re looking for something to wear daily, Caroube is the one you want.

Oh, and if you happen to have Chanel New Moon from last summer, it looks incredible with Caroube.

Try it: apply a layer of Caroube on your lids, and pat New Moon on top. Then prepare to faint out of sheer joy.

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Springy and Smokey! Smokey Brown and Purple Cat Eyes and a Bright Coral Lip With New Makeup From Benefit, Dior and Smashbox

March 3rd, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

The sun’s out, I’m not wearing socks (FOOT FREEDOM!), I am wearing coral lipstick, and the eye look I tried this morning did not result in a complete disaster…

Yeah, it’s been a terrific Tuesday so far. 🙂

Today I felt springy and, I dunno, kinda smokey, so this purply brown smokey eye with soft cat eye liner happened.

Note to self: do this liner more often! It’s fairly easy — just black eye pencil with a dark shimmery purple shadow blended on top with a pencil brush — and it takes about half the time as a super crisp black cat liner, otherwise known as “the time-suck of my makeup existence.”

As a side, am I the only person who regularly attempts black cat liner when there’s, like, absolutely no time to get ready, and then inevitably ends up with their two tiny kitten flicks morphing into huge, unsymmetrical bat wings that don’t match?

Yargh.

Siri, remind me to wear soft cat eyeliner like this the next time I need to be saved from myself.

Oh! — this look was also an excuse to try a few new products from Benefit, Dior and Smashbox.

Some quick notes…

Benefit’s new Roller Lash curling mascara — This stuff is black, and glossy, and it lifts and curls lashes, but you absolutely, positively must comb out your lashes while they’re wet; otherwise, they’ll stick together like mean girls in the cafeteria.
Dior’s Nude Air Serum Foundation — This lightweight, medium-coverage hybrid skin care serum/foundation looks amazing on the skin. My homegirl at Sephora hooked me up (‘sup Nini!) with a fatty-bo-batty sample in shade 040, and when I finish it…I’m probably gonna throw down 53 large ($53) for a full-size replacement.
Yeah, that good.
Smashbox Double Exposure Palette — Yep, these gorgeous, mostly cool-toned shades are a dream to blend.

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10 Things I Love About Chanel

February 16th, 2015 by Karen 19 Comments

1. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Parfum

With notes of bergamot, orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, white musks and vanilla), Coco is classified as a fresh oriental fragrance, but I just think of it as a perfect date night outfit in fragrance form — elegant, yet playful, with one of those sexy winks.

Here’s a fun fact: in coming up with this famous fragrance, Coco Mademoiselle creator Jacques Polge tried to envision a scent that Coco herself might have worn had she celebrated her 21st birthday bash right at the dawn of the 21st century.

2. Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice ($45)

Scary name. Awesome blush.

If you’ve always liked the idea of NARS Orgasm but were kept away by its sparkly golden shimmer, then try the following: 1) pick up a pan of Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Malice, and 2) write yourself a note to remember to send me an invitation to the wedding, because you + this blush = lifetime of peachy pink happiness. 🙂

Chanel Malice Blush — That’s Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Malice on mah cheeks

3. Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Pink Explosion

Malice all day errrday…except when I’m wearing Chanel Pink Explosion.

Boom.

This one’s a fireworks display of straight-up pink. Great for going all-out pink with pink lipsticks and glosses, and it looks killer with bright hot pinks or fuchsias.

4. The Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow

Chanel New Moon — Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in New Moon ($36)

It’s safe to assume that I have one of these jars of creamy goodness somewhere on my person or in my hotel room whenever I’m anywhere on a trip.

Most of the time it’s shimmery, bronzy golden Mirage or coppery reddish bronze New Moon.

All of them are easy to apply (just pat ’em on your lids with a finger). Plus they last all day.

Gosh, I love these… So many of them fall into my everyday makeup category. You can even wear the super glittery ones like Fantasme on top of other eye products as a glittery eyeshadow top coat.

5. Chanel Poudres Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder

chanel natural finish loose powder — Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in 040 Dore ($52)

Dore is my champion in the ongoing battle of Karen Versus Her Pores.

Seriously, this loose powder’s skin-smoothing powers are surreal. The grains are imbued with pore-blurring powder-puffing magic that creates a hazy soft focus effect.
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An Elegant, Everyday Makeup Look With Coral Lips, Golden Brown Eyes and Lots of Chanel

January 29th, 2015 by Karen 29 Comments

Chanel Rouge Allure in 152 Insaisissable — That’s Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in 152 Insaisissable on my lips…

Gotta buy cat food? Need to get some French fries? Always take advantage of any opportunity to wear Chanel.

Even if it involves tracking down (at your employer’s request) a can of special cat food that just so happens to be the most impossible wet food to find in the U.S. because it’s imported all the way from New Zealand.

I’m sorry, what was I saying…? Oh, yeah! — any opportunity to wear Chanel. 🙂

I derive great joy from wearing Chanel to run everyday errands. It makes otherwise uninspiring activities immensely more bearable.

Here’s one of my everyday makeup looks, this time featuring Chanel spring 2015 goodness. Soft coral lips with warm golden tones on the eyes, and lots of liner and lashes. No false lashes, though, or sparkling glitter, so it’s not too cra-zay-zy or outlandish, and there aren’t a ton of eyeshadows up in my sauce. It’s pretty simple, and I feel elegant when I wear it.

You could also skip the lashes and liner to make it even more casual, and I do that sometimes.

That’s Chanel Tisse Vendome (so my jam these days) on my lids and the Jardin de Chanel Blush Camelia Rose from the spring collection on my cheeks.

Other products I’m wearing from the Chanel spring collection…

Vibrant creamy reddish coral Rouge Allure Lipstick in 152 Insaisissable, a permanent collection shade currently being re-promoted with the spring launch.

I actually started snapping the pics in this post wearing Insaisissable but eventually swapped it for Rouge Coco Shine in 97 Desinvolte (another permanent shade currently being re-promoted in the spring launch) because my lips were feeling a little dry.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 97 Desinvolte — Rouge Coco Shine in 97 Desinvolte

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5 Fine Ways to Introduce a Little Chanel Spring Into Your Step

January 23rd, 2015 by Karen 38 Comments

Clockwise from the upper left: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise, Jardin de Chanel Blush Camerlia Rose, Chanel No. 19 Poudre and Les 4 Ombres Mluti-Effect Quara Eyeshadow in in Tisse Rivoli — Clockwise from the upper left: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise, Jardin de Chanel Blush Camerlia Rose, Chanel No. 19 Poudre and Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quara Eyeshadow in Tisse Rivoli

At any given second of any given day you’re likely to find at least one or two pieces of Chanel in my makeup bag.

What can I say? I worship at the altar of the double CCs.

Chanel is always (always) a good idea, and to that end, here are five fine ways to introduce a little Chanel into your life this spring.

1. Chanel Jardin de Chanel Blush Camelia Rose ($55)

Let’s be real. The last thing on this earth I needed was to fall in love with another pricey Chanel blush, but I have. The flower pattern on the pan always brings a smile to my face (and it isn’t just brushed away after the first few swipes).

Technically, it’s a pinkish peachy mauve with a dash of plum and a finish somewhere in the heavenly ether between matte and satin. Un-technically, it’s like blasting Taylor Swift and dancing around your room first thing in the morning. 🙂

This is one of those Chanel blushes that I’m sure I’ll remember years from now and think of fondly with a sparkle in my eye…

Wearing Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tisse Rivoli on my eyes, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Longn-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise on my lash lines, Chanel Jardin de Chanel BLush Camelia Rose on my cheeks and Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque on my lips — Wearing Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tisse Rivoli on my eyes, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise on my lash lines, Chanel Jardin de Chanel BLush Camelia Rose on my cheeks and Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque on my lips

Availability: Limited edition, and available now at Chanel counters and online at chanel.com.

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque ($35)

In The World According to K-Dawg (publication date: soon), hot pink lips are always a good idea, and La Romanesque is a fresh take on the concept.

While in tune with the current matte lipstick revival, it has a velvety matte finish, so it isn’t as flat as most mattes. It has the faintest whisper of shine, which makes it kinder and more approachable.

Whenever I wear it, I like to blur the edges. First, I’ll apply it directly from the tube, smack my lips a few times to disperse the color, then I’ll push it out to the edges of my lips with a lip brush, and pat a few times with a finger for a casual, barely-there edge, effortless and ladylike.

Availability: Permanent, and currently being re-promoted as part of the Chanel Spring 2015 Reverie Parisienne collection. Available now at Chanel counters and online.

3. Chanel Quadra Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Tissé Rivoli ($61)

A satin finish and a dash of plum spice up Tissé Rivoli’s shimmery golden taupes.

Whenever I wear this quad, which is one of the permanent collection quads in the recently revamped baked eyeshadow fam, on my lids, I’m sure I have a little extra spring in my step.

I think it’s one of the most universally flattering Chanel quads, and its mix of shimmery golden taupes and plums suit a wide range of skin tones because they aren’t excessively cool-toned or warm, so I have free rein over the cheek and lip colors I wear them with.

I like to do a soft wash of color with one of the lighter shades and mix one the darker or mid-toned shades for a hazy, smokey eye.

If you’re tired of the pastels that typically dominate shelves for spring, try Tissé Rivoli.

No rush though. It’s in the permanent collection, so it isn’t going anywhere.

Availability: Permanent, and available now at Chanel counters and online.

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What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

January 14th, 2015 by Karen 56 Comments

Chanel Nail Colour in Tenderly and Deborah Lippmann Polish in Dream Weaver — I’m wearing Chanel Nail Colour in Tenderly with Deborah Lippmann Polish in Dream Weaver as an accent nail… I’m also holding one of my favorite scents du jour, Aerin Beauty Iris Meadow Eau de Parfum (available now at Neiman Marcus stores and online).

Ya all about that accent nail life, babe? You know I am. 🙂 Right now I can’t even fathom the idea of wearing the same color on all 10 claws. It would just seem…wrong.

There are too many cute colors to choose from!

So my mani mantra these days has been, “So many polishes, so little time.”

Today’s mani mixes two different finishes and plays with lovely lavender.

The main star of the show is Chanel Tenderly ($27), from the spring 2015 collection. It’s a creamy limited edition lavender with an undercurrent of tenacious tough girl grayish taupe and a faint whisper of traditional springy pastel.

Yeah, like something a tough-but-tender biker gal might wear on Easter Sunday.

FYI, if you’re going to take on Tenderly, treat her with kid gloves/paws. I sandwiched two coats between my standard issue base and top coats by Givenchy, thinking that altogether they’d last at least five days, but bah! — two significant chips appeared the very next day.

Don’t even think about doing a full sink of dishes without wearing a pair of gloves.

Heck, just leave the gloves in there, and then maybe your husband will take care of them. 🙂 (hint-hint) Or, perhaps that magical housecleaning fairy that you’ve been wishing for and dreaming about for the past 30 years will materialize… You never know.

To tango with the violet tones in Tenderly, I used Deborah Lippmann’s Dream Weaver ($18) as an accent nail. It’s a moody, iridescent peacock polish that leaves me weak in the knees. The fine, complex shimmer complements Tenderly’s creamy sweetness nicely, methinks.

Ooh! I love this shade… The first time I saw it flash from forest green to deep teal to dark purple, my heart fluttered, and even though it’s “officially” (air quotes) a winter color from the Deborah’s holiday 2014 collection, it has killer summertime pedi polish painted all over it. 🙂

Next time I wear this mani, I’m going to use Dream Weaver as the main shade. I also seem to have better luck with Lippmann polishes lasting longer. With a base and top coat, this shade should stay chip-free at least six or seven days.

So, friend, tell me about your mani situation right meow. What are you wearing on your claws?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day.