Lipstick -Chantecaille - Tea Rose Lip Chic
Katie75007 11/1/2011 8:14:00 PM
I find myself reaching for Tea Rose all the time -- it's a pure rose on me, and it seems to pull everything else together really well (particularly when paired with Winter Bloom or Wind Cheek Shade). While Lip Chics are not long-wearing, they're so smooth and moisturizing that I don't mind having to reapply. Having this one has already made me want to invest in more shades! (One word of caution: I would not keep this in a pocket or close to any heat source. The formula is so soft that it tends to move / melt, and my stick is slightly twisted around.) For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chantecaille - Wind
Katie75007 11/1/2011 4:28:00 AM
I am in love with Wind -- it's so subtle, and I love how sheer it is. (Nearly impossible to overdo!) At first glance, it looks similar to Winter Bloom -- it seems to be a neutral, pure peach shade, but it becomes pinky peach on the skin (it's a bit more pigmented than Winter Bloom, in my opinion). Wind instantly brightens my complexion when I wear it -- it makes my skin appear naturally glowy and bright, and even though the blush itself is imperceptible, I look a billion times better than when I'm not actually wearing any. I love -- and highly recommend -- this shade! For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chantecaille - Winter Bloom
Katie75007 10/31/2011 6:05:00 PM
Winter Bloom is my new HG blush; I love how sheer it is, because it is very difficult to overdo. Similarly, if you're any darker than NC/NW20, I can't imagine that this would show up. For me, Winter Bloom leaves the perfect, *subtle* peachy pink glow -- as if I'm not wearing anything, yet I look much better than when I am actually not wearing blush. As the previous reviewer stated, it gives the barest touch of color, as if you briefly stepped out in the cold. It looks rather unassuming in the pan -- a neutral peach shade with no trace of pink -- but on the skin, it transfers as a pinky peach. I love this! For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Burberry - Natural Sheer in "Lip Mist"
Katie75007 10/4/2011 2:24:00 AM
Lip Mists are quickly becoming a dangerous habit -- they are lightweight, glossy and incredibly smooth (...and pricey). My favorite is definitely Copper, a gorgeous nude (and not at all metallic, as its name suggests). Blueberry is a cool, sheer berry shade (which is definitely buildable for more dramatic color) -- the color settles into lip lines a bit more than the other shades, since it is deeper, but this is resolved by using balm beforehand. Like the rest of the line, the packaging is luxurious -- the case is substantial and has a magnetic lid. NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Rock & Republic - Contrived Pressed Blush - Bedroom
Katie75007 10/4/2011 2:00:00 AM
Bedroom is accurately described as guava pink; it's a lovely warmer peach-pink shade. The finish is matte -- there is no iridescence or shimmer, but it's very easy to work with and blend -- I love the finely-milled texture of the R&R blushes. These are such an excellent value -- while the price is (was) on par with other high end blushes like Chanel or Dior, the product size is comparatively massive, making them a much better value per unit. For reference: NW5-10, NARS Siberia.
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Eye Shadow -Burberry - No. 2 Trench
Katie75007 9/27/2011 2:46:00 PM
I should never have stopped at the Burberry counter a few weeks ago, because now I am obsessed -- I *love* these shadows! They are densely pigmented, but still buttery smooth and blendable -- making them very easy to work with. Trench is such a pretty, bare highlight or base color -- I love pairing it with Taupe Brown or Midnight Brown (and Rosewood). A must-have!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Burberry - Eyeshadow
Katie75007 9/24/2011 4:31:00 AM
I am so impressed with this shadow collection -- the colors are all solid, wearable shades; the texture is incredibly silky, smooth and blendable, and they have excellent color payoff. I used Pearl White as a highlighter, Rosewood, Taupe Brown and Midnight Brown. I have also used Slate Blue with Rosewood. I find the quality to be consistent across all the shades I have tried, and I have never been disappointed. While these are expensive, the price per ounce / gram should be taken into account; the product size is generous, and compared to similarly priced single shadows from other high end brands, like Chanel and Dior, the Burberry singles are a much better value.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Burberry - Taupe Brown
Katie75007 9/24/2011 3:25:00 AM
I am so impressed with Burberry shadows; they are so incredibly silky, smooth and blendable. Taupe Brown is a gorgeous cooler-toned brown with grey undertones -- perfect for cooler complexions. It pairs really well with a richer brown or even a blue (I used Slate Blue). It has a slight hint of shimmer, but more of a matte finish than some of its counterparts. All in all, this is a must-have shade if you love neutrals -- and while it's pricey, it should be noted that the product size makes it an excellent value; you actually receive much more product than you would with similarly-priced high end shadows. For reference NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
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Blush -Burberry - Light Glow (blush) in n. 2 (Cameo)
Katie75007 9/24/2011 3:19:00 AM
Even though my floorboards are groaning under the pressure caused solely by my pink blush stash (no, really), I found Cameo beautiful and unique enough to add to the collection. I visited my Burberry counter in search of a lipstick, which I found, but the SA (why are they so smart?!) asked if she could apply Cameo just to add a touch of color to my (transparent) complexion. Of course I agreed, and when I caught sight of myself, I fell in love with it. It's a pigmented, very natural looking medium-toned pink (not a baby pink, not too deep) with no shimmer. Brushed lightly across my cheeks, it brightened my complexion and gave it a healthy glow. It's also very smooth, finely-milled and easy to blend. Sold! (Unrelated: I should never have let her touch my eyes, either. I'm so weak!) While these blushes are pricey -- on par with high end brands like Chanel -- it should be noted that there is quite a bit more product, making them a much better value per gram/ounce. If you can get to a Burberry counter, check them out! For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Burberry - #19 Brick Red
Katie75007 9/24/2011 3:15:00 AM
Brick Red is the most wearable red I have ever come across -- a true neutral brick red, it lacks the orangey base of many classic brick reds. Most reds (warm and cool) usually look garish against my very fair complexion, but the Burberry SA layered Heather gloss over it, which toned it down to a sheerer, browned red -- which was incredible! I bought both of them, without hesitation, and I am excited to wear the combo (the Heather gloss really made the Brick Red more wearable -- I could even get away with it every day -- and it's not a combo I ever would have thought of on my own). Even by itself, Brick Red still manages not to look garish, even on me. The formula is smooth and does not settle into lines or dry out your lips. I can't even do justice to this color in my review -- it's that good! For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Burberry - Sheer Foundation
Katie75007 9/24/2011 3:06:00 AM
This is a gorgeous foundation that made my skin look flawless; the only issue I had was with color matching. Since I am cooler complected, I was matched to Trench No. 2, which seems to be NW10 equivalent -- but very, very pink. However -- even though my skin IS pink, I prefer a neutral or even slightly yellow foundation, as I find it to be more balancing than a pink-based one. While No. 2 is a lovely match at first, it darkens over time -- so it looks off hours later. I exchanged it for Trench No. 1, which is more neutral-toned, and it works better. It also darkens, though -- while it doesn't turn orange or oxidize as badly as some foundations, it does get darker. I would say that No. 1 is on the dark side of NC/N10 -- lighter than NC15, but not as pale as NARS Siberia. Matching issue aside, this foundation leaves a flawless, luminous finish; my skin looked like porcelain. It's lightweight and smooth, but it still offers decent coverage. I was afraid the coverage would be very sheer, like a tinted moisturizer, but it is not. Applied with a brush, it looks amazing; I also use my fingers. I definitely prefer this finish to most foundations I have used -- I just wish it did not darken. If you are sensitive to fragrance, I will say that this has a soapy / baby powdery scent to it when first applied -- but it does not linger on the skin. (For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.) UPDATE: I am sad to report that I had to return this -- it just darkens too much! It's a much better shade match when first applied, but over time, it *really* oxidizes, and my skin isn't even that oily. A shame, because I really do love it!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Burberry - Rosewood
Katie75007 9/22/2011 8:01:00 PM
Rosewood is such a gorgeous brown with grey (and very subtle rose) undertones. I completely agree with the previous reviewers; Rosewood is an excellent shade for fairer, cooler toned complexions. I stopped by my local Burberry counter for lipstick, and naturally, I couldn't resist having my eyes done. The SA used Rosewood, Taupe Brown and black eyeliner -- and I looked very similar to how I usually do -- but a better, more polished version! The shadow itself is incredibly silky -- buttery smooth and very blendable. I love that the shades all have appropriately descriptive names, too -- like "Slate Blue" and "Taupe Brown" -- I find that oddly refreshing. That, and the colors are so wearable! I will definitely be investing in others... These shadows are pricey -- but as is the case with the blush, the amount of product you receive for the price actually makes them a better value than most other similarly priced, high-end luxury brands. For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Burberry - #04 Rosewood
Katie75007 9/21/2011 6:06:00 PM
I received a mini Rosewood when I made a purchase at my Burberry counter -- it's not a shade I had been tempted to try, but when I did, I had to have the full size. I looks slightly darker in the tube than it swatches, but it's a really kicked-up neutral -- "Rosewood" is a spot-on descriptive name for it. It's a rose brown that is darker than a classic nude or neutral shade, yet still work appropriate. It's not too strongly brown (circa 1990s) -- the rose and mauve tones are balancing. It feels impossibly lightweight, but it has staying power, and it doesn't dry out your lips. I'm very fair complected, and it's not too dark for me to wear everyday -- and I don't know what it is, but it also makes my blue eyes really stand out. All in all, I think it's a very flattering shade that would work on a variety of skin tones. For reference: NW5-10; NARS Siberia.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Maybelline - Baby Lips lip balm
Katie75007 9/19/2011 2:18:00 AM
I bought this on a whim in Walgreens for about $4; for once, I didn't happen to have any lip balm on me -- and I am very pleasantly surprised! I bought Peach Kiss, which looks nude and goes on basically colorless -- maybe with a hint of nude, but not orangey or peach. The formula glides on velvety smooth and seems to hydrate thoroughly, and it looks great on its own. Love! I might have to try the other flavors, now!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -La Roche Posay - Biomedic Purifying Cleanser
Katie75007 9/18/2011 2:42:00 AM
I *love* this cleanser -- it's my new staple. After the first few times I used it (with my Clarisonic), I noticed an immediate difference in my skin -- it seemed much more refined and smooth in texture and my pores seemed smaller (I know pores cannot really shrink, but they seemed cleaner and tighter overall). I was concerned that it might dry out my skin, but it hasn't -- its pH is close to that of skin, and it leaves it perfectly balanced. It works so well that I started to look for a backup, only to discover that La Roche Posay no longer makes it :(. However, I believe they sold the formula to SkinCeuticals -- so it is still available under that brand name. I highly recommend trying this!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No