Dior Rouge Brilliant, Swatches of all the Shades

Already last month Dior released their new lip gloss line Dior Rouge Brilliant in the States. These have just landed to Germany and last week I had some opportunity to play with them at the counter. I picked up three of the new nail polishes, which I reviewed and compared here. I also tried some of the glosses there but managed to stay away. I am not a gloss girl and all the glosses I have purchased because they looked so "delicious" (almost like a candy!) in the tube, are all forgotten in the depths of my stash.

Here are my first impressions as well as swathes of 12 shades which are released in Germany. I see that in the States 14 shades are available. #028 and #888 Soho are not available here, hence no swatches of those.

Dior Rouge Brilliant Display

Burberry Eye Colour Wet & Dry Glow Shadow #002 Nude, Silk Shadow #203 Dusky Mauve, Review, Swatch, Comparison & FOTD

Burberry Glow #002 Nude, one of the most wanted eye shadow singles at the moment, is sold out everywhere. I missed it when I was waiting for the press information. To correct this deadly mistake, I started searching for each country's online shops where my arms can reach but I had no luck. I was just about to loose my hope when Burberry Europe restocked it *fast clicked and ordered*. Remember about Pale Barley madness a few years ago? This time around Nude came back much quicker. In the States though, it is still sold out but for all the make-up addicts out there, I am here to tell you, there is hope! There is light after darkness... Well... Sort of...

Doesn't matter if you are in Europe and a click away from ordering it or somewhere else stalking the website, here is my review to help you decide. And yes I kind of like it, it is usually the other way around, States get everything while we are watch *evil laughter*

Together with Burberry Eye Colour Wet & Dry Glow Shadow #002 Nude, I also ordered #203 Dusky Mauve from their Silk line. I have already reviewed a few of the other shades. Check out Silk #201 Rose Pink here, Silk #309 Aqua Green and Glow #001 Gold Pearl here. 

Burberry Eye Colour Wet & Dry Glow Shadow #002 Nude, Silk Shadow #203 Dusky Mauve

Dior Vernis #499 Rose, #599 Pink, #899 Corail from Rouge Brilliant Collection, Review, Swatches & Comparison

Another weekend passed by so quickly. Before my travel there are things I have to get done and today it was one hour less due to adjusting the clocks to summer time. Just when I needed a full day, they took an hour away from me! *cries*

I picked up new Dior nail polishes from their Rouge Brilliant Collection on Friday. I wasn't particularly moved by the shade selection, since they occurred a little generic and the names were also very straightforward. Nevertheless I like Dior formula and I didn't want to miss those. Today I would like to present you Dior Vernis #499 Rose, #599 Pink and #899 Corail. 

Dior Vernis #499 Rose, #599 Pink, #899 Corail from Rouge Brilliant Collection

Giorgio Armani Maharajah Collection My Picks, Rouge Ecstasy #604 Garçonne Fatale, Rouge d'Armani #513 Maharajah, Nail Lacquer #604 Garçonne Fatale and Base, Swatch, Review & FOTD

I hope you all having a great weekend. Today the shops are open until midnight in Stuttgart so we are taking our time at home, running some errands and eating Sushi. Afterwards we will go to the city center and see what is going on in there. I know at some parts of the world, this is nothing special but here it happens only two times a year. That means there are lots of special offers, party, free drinks to enjoy. 

When I was ordering By Terry Palettes from Sephora France, I noticed that some items from Giorgio Armani Maharajah Collection were also available. The collection is also available at their US website and they have more products available. I picked up one of the nail polishes called Nail Lacquer #604 Garçonne Fatale and the base coat. I also purchased two of the lipsticks, Rouge Ecstasy #604 Garçonne Fatale, Rouge d'Armani #513 Maharajah.

Giorgio Armani Maharajah Collection Rouge Ecstasy #604 Garçonne Fatale, Rouge d'Armani #513 Maharajah

By Terry Eye Designer Palette #2 Color Design, Review, Swatch & FOTD

I would like to shout out loud TGIF but when I think about everything needed to be done and postponed to the weekend or next week, I am like, let's not shout out too loud. How is with you, are you happy that it is finally weekend?

I mentioned about how I ended up with both of the By Terry Eye Designer Palettes, here, when I reviewed Smoky Nude Palette a few days ago. Smoky Nude gives me that cool but not too grey mauve smoky eye which I am loving with a few of my favorite strong lippies at the moment so I ended up reaching for it quiet often. I noticed though after 6-7 hours my eye lids looked more bare than anything else but I couldn't quiet put my finger on it since the shades are nude and the colors are close to my skin tone. I was feeling the shades don't crease and stay strong but they fade a bit. 

For three consecutive days I am putting By Terry Eye Designer Palette #2 Color Design into test and here are my thoughts.

By Terry Eye Designer Palette #2 Color Design

Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour #416 Coco & #454 Jean, Review, Swatch, Comparison & FOTD

Just a little more than one more week to our trip and believe me we haven't booked any hotels yet. I hope it won't end up being unaffordable. There are so many things to get done before flying away, I am hyperventilating just by the thought of it. 

But still I have many pretties to share with you in the upcoming days. I have gone to the counter to swatch and play with the relaunched Chanel Rouge Coco lipsticks (you can see swatches of all shades here). I then picked up some favorites and I knew I had to get #416 Coco because it looked like it might be special to my collection. Then I was contemplaiting to get Erik because I can't resist anything purple but ended up finding it a little wintery. So instead I opted for #454 Jean. They also gave me a mini Arthur, so here are my thoughts and comparisons of these two shades as well as a more detailed look in the formula.

Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour #416 Coco & #454 Jean (and #440 Arthur as mini)

Origins Mega-Bright Dark Spot Collecting Night Mask & Original Skin Renewal Serum, Review

It is one of these week when I look at what needed to be done and how much of it I ended up finishing until now, I go into a mid-week crisis! Good news is that my back is not killing me any more but I definitely have to be more efficient, stress less, sleep more.

I have been testing two Origins products lately and today I would like to share my thoughts with you.

I am new to Origins skin care but I have noticed they have many lines with different focus on each. One of the products I tested over a month now is from a collaboration with Dr. Andrew Weil, it is a night mask from their Mega-Bright line and it is supposed to correct pigmentation and dark spots. The second product is one of their new serums which Origins released recently to be applied under the moisturiser, called Original Skin Renewal Serum.

Origins Mega-Bright Dark Spot Collecting Night Mask & Original Skin Renewal Serum

By Terry Eye Designer Palette #1 Smoky Nude, Review, Swatch & FOTD

Thanks to everyone who asked how my back is doing after yesterday I had to write the whole post while standing in the middle of the living room, my computer placed on top of the cupboard on the wall. Today it is much better so I can sit while writing these lines, yay! 

I was pondering about ordering the new By Terry palettes after a lovely reader Jane teased me here in the comments section with her swatches and told me I have to get the one called Colored Design. I was about to pull the trigger and order it from SpaceNK but each time the price point stopped me. Until recently, when I have seen that Sephora France have these palettes at the same time with their 25% off promotion code, I couldn't resist anymore and ended up getting both of the shades to compensate for the shipping, well, at least that was my excuse. So today I would like to show you By Terry Eye Designer Palette #1 Smoky Nude and the review for Color Design will be coming in a few days when I got to test it properly.

By Terry Eye Designer Palette #1 Smoky Nude

Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Healthy Glow Powder #03 Natural Brunettes, Review, Swatch, Comparison & FOTD

I hope you all had a great start in the week. I am having some back ache since Saturday and although it got significantly better, it is definitely still no fun. It gets worse when I sit down so writing a blog post became a bit of a challenge. I usually get a few posts ready for the week but this week I might have to go a bit slower, please bare with me. Oh and yes I am writing this post while standing.

Guerlain's Terracotta line is being extended by Bonne Mine (Healthy Glow) Powders to be combined with Joli Teint Beautifying Foundation which was released last year. Guardian describes it as two steps to get an healthy glow. I personally don't go for deeper foundation shades all over my face and find it rather unnatural, so I tried new Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Healthy Glow Powder on its own to share my thoughts with you today. 

Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Healthy Glow Powder #03 Natural Brunettes

Beauty Influencer’s Sunday Column Vol.4: Makeup Brand Ambassador

I hope you are all having a wonderful week. I am planning my trips for April and it looks like it will be an overseas month. I would like to write about it soon but the time being, here is Beauty Influencer's Sunday Column (BISC) for the fourth time. I have to admit this week's question was tough. Firstly I don't think I would be a brand ambassador, just because the concept is not all that attractive but also because I am not famous enough, hah! Anyway if I would like it and if I were famous, then which brand would I select. I take the question as "which brands do you like most" and answer it that way. My fellow bloggers also gave interesting answers so here they are for you, hope you enjoy them.

Juicy Berries for Spring: Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist #5 Berry & Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color #22 Berry, Review, Swatch, Comparison & FOTD

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. The spring have officially started but the water started cooling down here. On Monday, they say it might snow. *insert a terrified face here*. How is this ever possible? Come on weather, you can do better!

To lift our spirit, today I have two juicy berries for you. Although berry is not a shade which is associated with Spring, I have been enjoying these lately. I would like to show different tones of berry colors and also give tips about how to wear them. 

Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist #5 Berry, Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color #22 Berry

Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette in Exposure, Review, Swatch & FOTD

It is a sunny day which happens to be the first day of Spring. Today we had equinox and eclipse at the same time, and... It is Friday! Yay! Moreover just booked a trip I am so excited about. I will write more about it later.

Today I have the third Hourglass Modernist Palette to share with you. You can read my reviews of Infinity here and Obscura here. Infinity was just a like for me and Obscura was love at first sight. Exposure took me some time to write about to be able to sort out my feeling. I will try to express them for you.

Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette in Exposure

Sisley Paris Black Rose Precious Face Oil, Anti-Aging Nutrition, Review

I have been tweaking and changing my skincare for years and never seem to settle on a routine for a long time. The main reason behind this is to be able to test more products and share my thoughts with you. After the testing phase is over, most of them are rather forgotten and I have to move onto the new ones. Despite all the product madness around my bathroom cupboards, there are some products which shine through and continue to stick around. Today it is about one of these products which I nowadays reach for every night, Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil.

Sisley Paris Black Rose Precious Face Oil, Anti-Aging Nutrition

Gucci Magnetic Color Eyeshadow Mono #170 Iconic Gold and #190 Iconic Bronze, Swatch, Review & FOTD

I hope you are all having a wonderful day. Here the weather signals that spring is coming with temperatures over 17°C. I have the most sunny seat at the office, which is a little annoying most of the time when I am trying to finish something on the computer but the truth is, it certainly lifts my spirit up. Just to avoid the wrinkles, I might need sun glasses. Imagine me sitting at the office with sunnies on!

Today I have two warm sparkly eye shadow singles for you. I told you earlier this year that I was in Berlin to play with Gucci's make-up line and selected three products to purchase. Two of these are Gucci Magnetic Color Eyeshadow Monos in #170 Iconic Gold and #190 Iconic Bronze. These are not only gorgeous shades but they also have unique textures.

Gucci Magnetic Color Eyeshadow Mono #170 Iconic Gold and #190 Iconic Bronze

Christian Dior Gris Montaigne Eau de Perfum for Collection Privée, Review

 “The color of truth is grey.” 

- André Gide

For Christian Dior grey was "the most practical and most elegant of neutral colors". One of his favorite combinations, pink and grey is not only soft and romantic but it embodies elegance and femininity at once.

In 2013, Director Of Olfactory Development François Demachy worked his magic and created  Gris Montaigne Eau de Perfum for Collection Privée to put the color grey in a bottle. I have been enjoying Gris Montaigne during the last months and it quickly became one of the fragrances I reach for very often. Today I would like to share my thoughts with you on this beautiful modern chypre.

Christian Dior Gris Montaigne

Burberry Eye Color Wet & Dry Silk #309 Aqua Green, Glow #001 Gold Pearl, Review, Swatch & FOTD

Although Burberry's Sheer Eye Shadows were very much loved and well-received, some of us couldn't help but wonder why wouldn't they have a little more pigment in there. After all they were called "sheer" and some of the shades were more pigmented than others, such as Midnight Brown and Mulberry. I have to admit, I have never understood the hype with Pale Barley, which looked on my "rather pigmented" lids as if I was wearing nothing. Although this might be a desirable effect for some, I belong to the group of make-up enthusiasts who would like to have a little more than my lids but better. 

It is interesting to see that many companies reformulating their eye shadows to get that sheered shimmery look (YSL I am looking at you), Burberry boldly went to the other direction and released almost matte and much more pigmented version of their singles. There are two formulas in the new line-up, Burberry Eye Color Wet & Dry Silk, which are satin to matte with very good color pay-off and Eye Color Wet & Dry Glow, which are metallic with less colour pay-off. Today I have #309 Aqua Green from Silk line and #001 Gold Pearl from Glow line for you.

Burberry Eye Color Wet & Dry Silk #309 Aqua Green, Glow #001 Gold Pearl

Estée Lauder Lipsticks Envy Shine in Inspiring, Pure Color Envy in Insolent Plum, Review, Swatch, Comparison & FOTD

I don't know where the weekend go? Yesterday I was still feeling a little under the weather, with a bad headache, today I thought I am better but slowly I am feeling a little throat tickling? Let's see... Does anyone else have everyone sick at work and home?

Maybe you won't believe it but I haven't tried the highly praised Estée Lauder Envy Lipsticks until lately. Recently when they released the Envy Shine version of the formula, I got to test both of them. Today I would like to share my thoughts with you. I have Estée Lauder Lipsticks Envy Shine in Inspiring, and Pure Color Envy in Insolent Plum for you.

Estée Lauder Lipsticks Envy Shine in Inspiring, Pure Color Envy in Insolent Plum

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick Relaunch, Swatches of All The Shades, Spring 2015

I hope you all had a good start in the weekend. Yesterday after work I dropped by my local (read favorite!) Chanel counter at Breuninger, Stuttgart to check out the reformulated Rouge Coco Lipsticks. Rouge Coco line has always been about casual, wearable colors and muted tones. I love them and own many since they go great with eye focused make-up. Although I know some found it a little drying, I really liked the old formulation. I found especially the trade-off between longevity and moisturizing effect quiet well for most of the shades.  When this year a relaunch with new formula was announced, I was really curious to find out how these would be like.

Yesterday I picked up some shades and I will be reviewing them soon with a more in depth review of how I find the new formula. For today, I would like to share a first impressions and color range swatches, which I hope will be good for those who are ordering sight unseen or for those of us who are overwhelmed with the color selection and would like to pick a few favorites by seeing all the swatches before trying them on at the counter.

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick Relaunch

Burberry Spring/Summer 2015 Runway Blush Palette, Wet & Dry Silk Eye Shadow #201 Rose Pink, Nail Polishes #414 Bright Coral Red & #402 Hydrangea Pink, Review, Swatch & FOTD

The last Spring 2015 collection I would like to review reminds us of what exactly Spring is all about, fluttery feelings and "The Birds and the Bees"! Burberry comes up with lovely blue and green hues as well as fresh pinks. Today I have some of the pink items from the collection to share with you. I am planning prepare another post for two more eye shadows later on. 

Let's talk about Burberry Spring/Summer 2015 Runway Blush Palette, Wet & Dry Silk Eye Shadow #201 Rose Pink, Nail Polishes #414 Bright Coral Red and #402 Hydrangea Pink.

Burberry Spring/Summer 2015 Runway Blush Palette, Wet & Dry Silk Eye Shadow #201 Rose Pink, Nail Polishes #414 Bright Coral Red & Hydrangea Pink for the Birds and the Bees Colllection.

Clarins Teint Multi-Régénérant Extra-Firming Foundation 108 Sand, Instant Concealer #02, Review, Comparison & FOTD

Can I optimistically state that most of this week is over and we are so close to weekend? Right now on my end there are some travel plans going on but they can't be concluded. I am so trying to convince hubby to visit one of my favorite places on earth, beautiful country, lovely people, great food and lots of brushes, you know where I am talking about. We couldn't finalize the plans yet though, *sigh*.

Going on with my mission of reviewing as many base products as possible, today I would like to share my thoughts about Clarins Teint Multi-Régénérant Extra-Firming Foundation and Instant Concealer which I was testing for the last month.

Clarins Teint Multi-Régénérant Extra-Firming Foundation 108 Sand, Instant Concealer #02

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Ether, Revolution Lipstick in Naked, Review, Swatch & FOTD

Today I would like to share two products I am loving at the moment. They are not brand new but I got to try them recently with the arrival of Urban Decay to Germany at the end of last year. 

If you are following me, you might already know that Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencils are my all time favorite eye liners and I use them daily on my looks. I also own all their Naked Palettes. Although I find Naked Palettes to be very good value for money, I don't reach for them very often. Since now I can go to the counter and play with the testers, it was time to get introduced to the brand with two other products from the range. Today I would like to write about Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Ether and Revolution Lipstick in Naked.

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Ether, Revolution Lipstick in Naked

Laura Mercier Silk Créme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation in Ivory, Review, Swatch & FOTD

I hope you had a great start in the week. After last weeks not all that bright news about the appointment I had a week before, I started feeling a little better about the situation. I am following if you fall down, just stand up and adjust the tiara kind of approach. 

Back to make-up, I have been testing a few base products during the last weeks, again in conjunction with my more base-products and skincare resolution for 2015. Laura Mercier is about to release two new base products, one is for combination to oily skin, called Silk Créme Oil-Free and normal to dry skin under the name Silk Créme Moisturizing. Both of them are targeted for a casual wear which photographs nicely. Since I have normal to dry skin, I have tested Laura Mercier Silk Créme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation in Ivory for you...

Laura Mercier Silk Créme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation in Ivory

Beauty Influencer’s Sunday Column Vol.3: If you could start your blog over

Happy Woman's Day! I hope you are all having a great Sunday. It is again one of those BISC Sundays and today's question is something I have been asked very frequently, what would I do differently if I could start with my blog all over again. I have answers from 6 of our members, including myself below. Admittedly I have learned from the answers of the others myself. I see blogs and in general social media as an environment where one needs constant development and learning. I hope it is useful for you as well.

Chanel Joues Contraste #250 Crescendo & Le Blush Créme #80 Invitation from La Perle Collection, Review, Swatch, Comparisons & FOTD

I hope you are all having a great weekend. It was a very sunny day today with almost spring temperatures. I am afraid to say but I haven't been out because I was feeling a little under the weather. Also my husband is sneezing so I believe we are about to catch the trend here in the south of Germany. Half of the colleagues in my office are sick...

Today I would like to share my thoughts about two of the cheek products I have picked up from Asia/North America exclusive La Perle Collection. Chanel Joues Contraste #250 Crescendo and Le Blush Créme #80 Invitation. They both appeared to me as universally flattering shades of pink, this is how I feel about them after testing for a few weeks by now...

Chanel Joues Contraste #250 Crescendo & Le Blush Créme #80 Invitation

Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey City Blossom Eau de Toilette, Review & Photos

"There is no glory in star or blossom 
till looked upon by a loving eye; 

There is no fragrance in April breezes 
till breathed with joy as they wander by"

- William Cullen Bryant

This spring brings us a new limited edition version of Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey, called City Blossom. Right before the nature awakes and trees start blooming, I would like to share my thoughts about this cute cone flacon and the fragrance. 

Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey City Blossom Eau de Toilette

Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water, Revitalizing Oil & Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum Review

One of the new year's resolutions I have written myself for blogging in 2015 was to cover more base and skin care products. It is more fun to review eye shadows and lipsticks for me but I believe we can all benefit from exchanging thoughts and ideas about skin care. I usually don't stock lot of skin care but try to buy one, use it up and invest in another. I like trying new things unless something is working a magic on my face.

I have acquired some Darphin products over the last months and today I would like to share my thoughts on Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water, Revitalizing Oil and Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum.

Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water, Revitalizing Oil & Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Skinny Dip, Review, Swatch & FOTD with Spring Colors

Today I was at USA Consulate in Frankfurt and gosh it was complicated. I had to leave my cell phone at home because you can't take it with you. I spent like 8-9 hours without cell phone, internet and Instagram. In the end it turned out to be a nice day which I spent reading a very inspirational book, which I once started and got distracted over and over again. I wonder, can you read book nowadays? Is it only me who is under constant social media distraction?

Back to topic...

I can't stop posting about Tom Ford, especially now that I have seen one of the lipsticks of the Summer 2015 Collection at a reasonable price at evil.B. I had to get it. The idea is that I create a look which takes Spring to Summer in Tom Ford terms. Let's see how it will turn out.

Meet Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Skinny Dip...

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Skinny Dip

Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette in Obscura, Review, Swatch & FOTD

In the beginning of this year Hourglass discontinued their very much loved duos and palette and released something which looks... interesting and out of this world. Everybody wondered how these would perform. Taking advantage of an early release I have reviewed one of the neutral palettes of the line called Infinity. Although I liked it, I was not quiet convinced with its soft powdery qualities. It was so soft that one of the shade broke during the transportation.

Months later, I decided to give Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palettes one more try thanks to a swap I had with lovely Husa from Instagram. Today I would like to start with the warm neutrals, Obscura. I will also review the plummy Exposure soon.

Hourglass Modernist Eye Shadow Palette in Obscura

Tom Ford Nail Polish #33 Black Jade, #34 Indigo Night, Swatches & Comparison

And... another week starts, so happy about it, yay!

I was so bored during the weekend and couldn't wait to wake up early and to go work again, if you know what I mean *sticks tongue out*

With his rock'n roll eye shadow duos, Tom Ford's Spring Collection made my heart skip a beat. Love the simple but creative duo chrome light shades and the effect once they are layered over the deeper shades. If you haven't seen my reviews yet, check out all three swatched,  Raw Jade, Ripe Plum and Crushed Indigo. The eyes section of the collection blew me away so I decided to pick up the matching nail polishes too. Two of the shades are new, #33 Black Jade and #34 Indigo Night. The third nail polish, Bitter Bitch, is a repromote which I have previously swatched here.

Tom Ford Nail Polish #33 Black Jade, #34 Indigo Night

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer in Ivory, Review, Swatch & FOTD

What an unproductive weekend I had. It went on mostly doing nothing. When it is like this I feel terrible but there is something nice about doing nothing too, doesn't it? At least cleaning is done, although *clears throat* not by me.

I have been testing the new foundation of Clinique for a few weeks now and I would like to share my thoughts about it. It is an interesting concept, which brings concealer and foundation together so that you don't need both. Here my review about Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer.

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer in Ivory

Chanel Les 4 Ombres #248 Tissé Rhapsodie, Illusion d'Ombre #102 Mysterio and Stylo Yeux #916 Perle de Luna, Review & Swatch for La Perle Collection

I hope you are all having a great weekend. I have just came home from our favorite restaurant, which has Japanese and our favorite dish is Ebu-Tempura-Maki. I hope I write it correct, it is an inside-out roll with warm prawns and a delicious sauce. I just can't get enough of it!

Each year around lunar new year, companies like Dior, Guerlain and Chanel release Asia Exclusive collections. These collections then make it partly to the States. What is left for rest of the world is to read blogs and get angry. I am hear to tell you, this year there is not too much to get upset about *wink*. Here are my thoughts about the eye department of the collection. I have also two of the cheek products which I will try to cover in a separate post. 

Chanel Les 4 Ombres #248 Tissé Rhapsodie, Illusion d'Ombre #102 Mysterio and Stylo Yeux #916 Perle de Luna