Haute lips: Mini Chanel haul and review

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately I've been having some serious mental block for the past couple of weeks, but now I'm back and I've got a heap of new products (what spending ban, right?). There will be updated blog posts on my recent hauls soon, but first, I would like to introduce you my most recent purchases - Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in '21 Distinction' and Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in '99 Pirate'.

I got these both on a whim, because I'm a sucker for beautiful packaging. I never owned anything From Chanel so why not? When I swatched it, it was truly love at first sight. I knew I had to snatch them up or end up painfully regretting it.

Now, I believe the Chanel rouge allure glosses are still fairly new on the market and packaging is so sleek. To release the product from it's case you simply click the top (or bottom, however you look at it) and it pops right out. Pretty fancy, hey?

This gloss has a beautiful high-shine lacquer effect with a decently long-lasting power. 21 Distinction is a deep magenta, contains no shimmer and is semi-opaque on the lips. They're slightly thick and sticky, but also moisturising on the lips and the colour does not bleed out or streak so there is no need to line or prep (great for when you have no time to get ready). There are 11 colour options in total and pigmentation is impressive. I don't find it to be uncomfortable to wear and the scent of it is quite faint and pleasant, almost like candy floss. I also love the doe foot applicator it's allows precise and easy application and holds just the right amount of product.

Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss '21 Distinction (top) Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick '99 Pirate' (bottom) swatches taken under natural lighting NC15 skin tone 

Here are the swatches side by side, and as you can see here, Pirate is an intense true red colour and Distinction is a deep magenta. These colours are really trending now since the autumn/fall season has rolled in (on the other side of the world). It's spring here in Australia but I couldn't care less, I'd wear regardless!

What do you girls think? Yay or nay?

This or that? Laura Mercier VS NARS

Hi everyone! It's time for the battle of the tinted moisturisers - Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser spf 20 and NARS pure radiant tinted moisturiser. Recently I uploaded a photo of my favourite foundations tinted moisturiser and since then I've had a few people ask me which of the two I favoured the most. So I'll try to answer most of the questions here in this post!

LAURA MERCIER TINTED MOISTURISER SPF 20

Taken from the Laura Mercier website, this product claims -

A perfect blend of skincare and makeup that hydrates skin and softens fine lines with a sheer hint of colour for a healthy, dewy glow


Laura Mercier created this product to give skin a healthy 'no-makeup' look with a soft hint of colour that evens and enhances without hiding the skin. This lightweight formula provides ideal protection from the sun's harmful, damaging rays with broad spectrum SPF 20 sunscreen. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive.

- Moisturizing formula contains sodium hyaluronate to hydrate skin, soften and ease fine, dry lines

- Features an antioxidant vitamin complex of Vitamins C & E that acts as a feee radical scavenger to protect the skin from even the most aggressive effects of the environment.

- Extremely long-wearing; colour stays true and wears evenly

- Non-comedogenic; Dermatologically tested; Allergy tested to minimize the risk of allergy and irritation

- 17 fl. Oz/ 50ml

Now, I've been using this tinted moisturiser for the past week and so far, I have nothing but great things to say about this. It really does live up to my standards and ticks all my boxes. This product looks natural on the skin, it's lightweight and has a sheer to light coverage that truly blurs creases, minor imperfections, pigmentation and reduces the look of pores and redness. Dry patches or lines are undetectable especially around my chin, nose and that gap between my brows. It is super hydrating and has a lovely dewy glow that does not oxidise and has a lasting power of at least 6 to 8 hours which is pretty impressive for a tinted moisturiser. I love how smooth and easy it is to blend into the skin with fingers and it applies evenly without looking blotchy or thick. I purchased this in Porcelain, which is the lightest shade in the range and it has more of a yellow-undertone which is very beautiful and natural on pale Asian skin like mine.

NARS PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURISER

Before I continue with my review, the product description from the NARS website claims -

Your skin - almost bare, but better. This advanced, oil-free formula provides a translucent veil of colour and sun protection while helping to reduce the appearance of hyper pigmentation and dark spots in just four weeks. Infused with lush, naturally derived botanicals and ingredients to immediately help thirsty skin feel hydrated. Kopara from French Polynesia and mineral rich seawater revive and re-mineralize skin for a softer, smoother, and brighter natural glow. Skin is transported.

- Advanced sun protection

- Hydrates and helps reduce the appearance of hyper pigmentation and dark spots for a brighter natural glow

- Oil-free. Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Synthetic fragrance free.

I'm going to refrain from para-phrasing this and simply agree to everything this product claims to do. This also does not oxidise and stays true to it's colour. It's very hydrating and leaves the skin with a healthy glow thats long-lasting and does not irritate my skin whatsoever. I love how smoothly this product blends and does not feel oily, greasy or heavy and viscous. It has a lovely light coverage that really lay down hairs, dry flakes and looks absolutely natural but flawless. It does brighten the skin and reduces redness and lines. I got this TM in the shade 'Finland' which is the lightest shade with a yellow undertone.

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser (left) NARS pure radiant tinted moisturiser (right) 

Side by side, there are slight difference in quality, texture and shade. NARS T.M is definitely a lot more yellow and brightening but Laura Mercier is a little dewier and true to colour (your skin, but better!) They are both outstanding products  however NARS tinted moisturiser is slightly more thicker and has a little bit more coverage but Laura Mercier's tinted moisturiser is a lot more easier to blend because it's thinner in consistency. I'm happy with both my purchases and I would gladly repurchase these both since I'm actually on the fence when it comes to choosing between the two. I really can't decide which is better but price-wise, the NARS TM is a few dollars cheaper since it's priced at $56 at Mecca stores and the Laura Mercier TM is priced at $59 at David Jones plus the NARS tinted moisturiser has an spf30 and Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is only spf20. It's your call, girls.

Which of the two would you choose. This, that or both? 

Chi Chi Cosmetics Glamorous eye palette - Natural

Hey girls,

If you're a fellow Aussie beauty bargain hunter, you would already know about Chi Chi Cosmetics. Their entire range is a hit after hit. You all know I fell in love with their super bb cream, lipsticks (creamy, mattes and liquified) and now their glamorous eye palettes!

These palettes are such a treat! It actually caught my attention a while ago but I passed it up when I swatched one of their testers that was badly abused and dried out at a local target, but then I decided to give it another chance when I swatched it at Myers and it looked and felt much better. I didn't get it then of course because I knew a sale would come around sooner or later, Chi Chi often have sales and clearances so I waited it out and it was definitely worth it I grabbed this and repurchased another bb cream although now I wish I'd gotten the fabulous and flawless foundation too. Ah well.

 

I picked up their glamorous eye palette during their 30% off sale which will run until Wednesday 8th of October at Australian target stores. They have about 11 or 12 different palettes but I only picked up the Natural palette. This palette consists of 12 beautiful predominantly cool-toned neutral shades (matte and pearl finishes) that are both buttery and pigmented. The quality of these eyeshadows are amazing - they're very blendable, and can be applied both wet and dry. A couple of the shades can be a little bit powdery but if you tap off the excess you shouldn't worry too much about fall out or crumbling. This palette is great for beginners and is comparable to the Urban Decay Naked palettes with regards to the shades, pigmentation and texture however, chi chi is an obvious winner when it comes to affordable prices.

Here are the eyeshadow swatches under natural lighting without a primer, unfortunately they do not have names for these shades individually which can be a bit of a downside for some of you but totally forgivable since the colour payoff and shades are all gorgeous (as you can see). In terms of packaging it's pretty basic and it comes with 2 sponge tip applicators which I don't really care for since I find it's best applied with brushes or fingertips.

Chi Chi Cosmetics is an Australian brand that ships worldwide, so you can buy this online on their website or can be found in both Target and Myers. They retail for $22.95 AUD each, and came down to $16.06 AUD with the 30% off discount. I believe they will be coming out with a palette duo this year for the holidays so there will be a 2 pack for $30 which is a massive bargain considering how neutral palettes can cost an upward of $50 here in Australia (my aussie and NZ girls know the struggle).

What are your thoughts on these palettes? Which of the glamorous eye palettes are you eyeing or already own? I'd ove to hear feedbacks from you x