French Week 2011 Day 7 - YSL Paris

It is now the last day of our French Week for this year, hopefully you have found a new reason or two to love the French beauty industry.  Personally, the biggest eye opener that I had this year was the information about Guerlain's history in the beauty industry, I always knew that the company created wonderful products but I had no idea that they were pioneers of the lipstick and bronzer industry at the same time.  For the last day of the theme week, we are going to end it on a very high note.  YSL's iconic scent Paris embodies both the spirit of the city and the image that the brand has built up for themselves over the years. 

Yves Saint Laurent became Christian Dior's assistant in the late 1950s and the influence of Mr. Dior can often be seen in the clothing and beauty lines coming from this brand.  Within four year, Laurent took the Dior empire over and became the head designer for the next few years.  In the year 1961, Laurent moved on from the House of Dior and started his own fashion house.  He then quickly emerged as one fo the top designers in the France and within years, gained that same status all over the world.  In the springtime, little rose gardens pop up all over the city.  The streets and gardens take on a lovely smell of roses and the color pink becomes a dominant shade throughout the city.  And since I love both Paris and roses...  I am seeing a trip in my very near future...

This fragrance is getting harder and harder to find even though it is considered to be an iconic fragrance.  It wasn't on the Sephora website or at Macy*s so I had to turn to the YSL website itself to find the needed information.  "Romantic, ultra-feminine, exquisitely refined, the scent of a rose in full bloom: YSL Paris, the perfume Yves Saint Laurent designed to give to the world the glamour and allure of the city he loved above all.  A rose opening at dawn to reveal its secrets...the first notes flower in solitude, then are joined by hints of violet with hints of bergamot.  The middle breathes with light powdery accents of may rose and iris.  Completing the rose accord: the awakening of sandalwood, vetiver, and vanilla.  In a tempered glass flacon."

This fragrance is one the top rated ones in "Perfumes.  The Guide" from Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, a book that is quickly becoming my personal guide to choosing fragrance and learning about all the notes that are involved in making them. 

"Fragrance, along with fashion and music, reached an unprecedented level of bombast in the eighties: the shoulder pads were wide, the hair was big, the music was mindless, and the perfume was far, far too strong - which was why everyone in the nineties took to wearing CK one and L'Eau D'Issey, as sort of an olfactory fast to atone for years of overdoing it.  To this day many people believe they hate perfume because they only remember the Poisons, the Opiums, the Giorgios, and Paris, the zenith (or nadir, depending on how you look at it) of the perfumer's rose.  The word on this fragrance is that it is rose composed of ionones, those wonderful materials that smell fruity, powdery, and woody all at once.  Spray Paris on paper and it exhales an intense, rich, wine-like breath.  It comes off as more of a vast bouquet than a soliflore, and reminds me of those bridal bunches some florists construct by reassembling the petals of a dozen blooms around a single center, creating a Frankenstein rose the size of a cabbage.  An hour in, you have room to breathe at last, and find, in the cloud of sweet and woody notes, long streaming sections running through it like alternating pink and green silk ribbons: a tender, powdery mimosa and a piercing fruit green.  The great Sophia Grojsman (Yvresse, Tresor, Eternity, Calyx) put this one together, and it marks the absolute end of the particular road, the point beyond which it is not possible to make a louder, bigger, more complicated rose.  From here on, it is only possible to innovate by taking away, not adding.  A brilliant, beautiful monstar.  I sprayed it on thoughtlessly the first time that I saw it in a department store and knew I had made a social misstep when I saw people cringing away from me in the street and on the company elevator.  Buy it, but put in on at your own peril."

I love strong florals and this seems to be the strongest floral that is on the beauty market.  The description from the "Perfumes" book might be off-putting to some but it just draws me in.  It reminds me what some people in the United States think of the French citizens though I do not agree (as a generalization).  This fragrance is strong and reminds me of being surrounded by roses just as I would be in the streets of Paris.  This fragrance is an icon of the French ladies and provides the type of sophistication that I aim for when selecting a nighttime fragrance to use in the fall and winter.

So this is the end of our French Week for this year and I must say that this one has been my favorite so far!  I have learned so much about the history of the French beauty industry and my skin has never looked better after working with all the Caudalie body products.  I have found two new fragrances that I can look forward to buying this fall and hopefully will continue to refine my personal style in order to become more French...

photo courtesy of YSL

French Week 2011 Day 6 - Caudalie Body Product Line

I have often raved about the facial skincare products from the French beauty product line Caudalie.  They began as a facial skincar eline but over the years began to release matching body care products that also have the patented Vinotherapie ingredient blend that makes the facial products so effective.  Caudalie has fantastic spas in major cities all over the world that provide both an amazing pampering experience and major skincare benefits.  A visit to a Caudalie spa would be one of my dreams come true, especially if it the one in Bordeaux...

Bordeaux is a region that it located in the south west of France, a region that has another climate that is suited for farming and agriculture.  The research and theories behind this company actually began back in 1993, when Mathilde and Bertrande Thomas met a scientist who introduced them to his theories around grape seed polyphenols and his predictions on how they would change the face of anti-aging is harnessed and used correctly.  "Over the past decade, Caudalie has continued to wow us with their amazing scientific breakthroughs, revolutionizing the world of natural skincare in the process.  From the groundbreaking discovery of grape seed polyphenols as exceptional anti-oxidants, which was patented in 1994, to the identification of Resveratrol, a polyphenol that activates cell renewal (patented in 1999), to their most recent innovation, Viniferine, a polyphenol isolated from the vine stalk that inhibits melanin synthesis (patented in 2004), each new Caudalie innovation proves to be even more impressive than the last.", states the Sephora website in their Behind the Brand area for Caudalie.

The stabilized Grape Seed Polyphenols help to fight the signs of aging.  "Grape Seed Polyphenols are the most powerful anti-oxidants in the vegetable world.  Extracted from grape seeds, they protect against free radicals that age the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles."  Resveratrol maintains the firmness and youthfulness of the skin.  "In 1999, Caudalie patented Resveratrol,  a remarkable molecule found in grapevine stalks responsible for its life span and longevity (Some vines live for a hundred years.).  Caudalie researchers discovered this unique polyphenol also aids in cell renewal and restores skin firmness."

Mathilde herself actually lists the body lotion as one of her top picks from the entire product line.  "For the body, Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion is not only a great moisturizer, it also contains powerful anti-oxidants that protects your skin from free radicals, which slow down the aging process.  It is also an iconic Caudalie product that can be used daily."  The body product line contains two moisturizers for the body and one for the hand and nails.  It also contains two body washes, one of which has the fragrance of my favorite Fleur de Vigne scent from this company.

The Nourishing Body Lotion is a favorite product of mine, I first bought it several years ago and have been continuning to use it ever since.  "A rich, hydrating body treatment.  Add and retain essential moisture as it promotes microcirculation and helps prevent premature skin aging.  It leaves skin soft and firm."  The Vine Body Butter is a new product that contains the same anti-oxidant treatment but is better for very dry skin.  "A rich, deeply hydrating body moisturizer.  Rich in moisturizing Vinolevure ultra-nourishing body butters, grape-seeds, and shea butter, this balm repairs dry skin with a protective hydrolipic film.  It smoothes rough spots and soothes tightness.  With the delicious scent of sweet orange zest, peach pulp, carrot, and iris, this cream wraps skin in a veil of satiny softness.  In a four-week trial with volunteers, subjects had 65% hydration after 6 hours and a + 95% softer, more comfortable and intensely nourished skin."

The Hand and Nail Cream is one of the best products in the line.  Hands show age faster than the face and therefore a strong anti-oxidant is needed to protect this area.  "A cream for those who want a nourishing anti-aging treatment for hands and nails.  Protects the skin against aging as it hydrates, soothes, and nourishes.  Nails are strengthened and invigorated without a greasy film.  Infused with a sweet orange fragrance, this cream is highly concentrated in patented anti-oxidant grapevine polyphenols and Vinolevure."

I bought both of the shower gels that come from the company, my favorite is the Fleur de Vigne but both scents are lovely.  The Vine Peach shower gel is the one that I match with the body lotion, both have a light fruity scent to them.  "A skin-softening, intoxicatingly-scented body cleanser.  Gently cleanses, leaving the skin soft and subtly perfumed, while transforming your shower experience into a moment of total relaxation.  Vine Peach fragrance: the sweetness of vine peach nectar and almond milk joined with the invigorating freshness of mint leaves.  The "peche de vigne" (vine peach) has grown amidst the grapevines in the vineyards of France for generations.  Because of its delicate fruit and irresistable aroma, the vine peach is used to lure insects away from the precious vines, protecting the vinter's crops.  Paraben-, phenoxyethanol-, and soap-free.  Not tested on animals."

I love the Caudalie body products just as much I love the face care line.  The Caudalie products bring a bit of the French Vinotherapie experience to my bathroom.  I really love the Nourishing Body Lotion in this line  and am looking forward to buying the Body Butter for this fall and winter.  If you use nothing else from this collection, I recommend the Hand and Nail Cream as you will reap the anti-oxidant benefits for your hands.

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week 2011 Day 5 - Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick

It was recently pointed out in an issue of In Style magazine that French women are known for wearing very little makeup but always having perfect skin and a great lipstick.  We already covered the Clarins primer that I believe is part of this equation and now we are going to look at the lipstick part of the look.  In Style also pointed out that most French women tend to prefer red lipstick so we will on the look-out for a great red shade in this post.  For the lipstick part of this theme week, I pondered several different companies but decided that Guerlain has always been considered a consistent winner in the lip product category with the additional bonus of a very strong French heritage. 

The Sephora website provided the needed information on the company history and impact on the beauty industry.  "In the world of fragrance and beauty, The House of Guerlain has one great reputation - one of unparalleled devotion to luxury, sophistication, and elegance complemented by unprecedented excellence that has been handed down from generation to generation."

"Guerlain was founded in 1828, when Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain opened his first boutique in Paris.  Trained as a doctor and chemist, he enjoyed immediate success thanks to his revolutionary work, which led to many innovative 'firsts'.  Guerlain was the first to create scientifically based skincare and to sell kohl eyeliner and mascara.  Then in 1840, he introduced the very first lipsticks.  Even years later, The House of Guerlain continued this tradition of 'firsts' by introducing Terracotta, the benchmark for all bronzers, and Meteorites, the first product to incorporate colored pearl to create luminosity and even out skin tone.  Add to its oeuvre more than 700 fragrances (several of which are considered to be among the masterpieces of perfumery), and the Guerlain name has become internationally recognized as a symbol of artistry, superlative quality, impeccable style, and ultimate grace."

The description from Sephora convinces me that this is the perfect brand when looking at French women and their love of lipstick.  I had no idea that Guerlain was so revolutionary in the beauty industry, especially around the inventions in the color products.  This is the first company that introduced lipsticks and now creates many of the most famous lipsticks in the world. 

Guerlain has several lipstick formulas available right now.  Today, we will look at the KissKiss formula, one of their traditional best-sellers.  "Lipstick is like a girl's best friend, her accomplice in seduction.  Both luxurious and beautifying, it's also an essential everyday accessory.  An ultra modern, jewel-like talisman that provides radiant color for lips.  With a name so evocative of all that is fun-loving, sexy, and provactive, KissKiss Lipstick is the perfect choice for every look imaginable.  Housed in a polished gold lightweight metal case, it's the ultimate in modern luxury."

This lipstick is available in six beautiful shades, from the most daring red to a muted neutral beige.  I would go right for the famous reds in this collection but all of the shades look amazing.

- Exces de Rouge 523 - intense berry red
- Cuivre Fusion 529 - golden berry red
- Forever Beige 558 - dark warm beige
- Rose Strass 567 - rose pearl
- Rose Malicieux 568 - shimmering plum
- Rose Miami 579 - vibrant pink rose

Exces de Rouge would be my first choice from this lipstick line and since it is vibrant red, I am betting it is the best-selling shade in the product line.  I find it fitting that the most beautiful lipsticks come from the company that first created the concept of lipsticks.  And how chic are the containers that house this jewel of a lipstick?!  I would love to pull this one out for touch-ups!

Perhaps my look this fall can be learned from the French; red lipstick and little to no face makeup piled on to cover a few flaws...

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week 2011 Day 4 - L'Occitane Verbena

The South of France doesn't just contain the sophisticated crowd at Monaco and the lovely regions of Nice.  One of the somewhat lesser know areas of this region is Provence, the major farming and agricultural area of France.  Provence is a region in the South of France adjacent to Italy, making it a perfect region for year-round farming.  The climate is the typical Meditterranean climate, hot and dry in the summertime with a mild winter and little to no rain or snow.  Verbena is a herb that is grown in this region.  It is used in beauty and medical compounds.  This plant oil has a citrus scent with slight floral accents and L'Occitane creates the line of body products that it is most associated with.  L'Occitane is a South of France-based company that uses essential oils and plants from this region of France.  Their products contain the natural essential oils and the company limits the amount of chemicals in their formulations. 

Verbena is one of the best-selling lines from L'Occitance and has been covered in many magazines over the years.  "L'Occitane Verbena is formulated from a premium quality Verbena extract from Corsica, which is particularly fine and pure.  The lemon fragrance energizes and revives the senses, thereby helping to banish tiredness and stress.  Products include fragrances, shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, and soaps.", states the L'Occitane website when describing the usage of the ingredient and the line of products that it inspired. 

L'Occitane goes further in their description of verbena to examine all the benefits that come from use of this plant.  "Harvested twice a year, the certified organic Verbena extract used in our L'Occitane bath, body, and home products offers refreshing scents of lemon and citrus found in the Verbena plant to help revitalize the body and the mind.  Verbena leaf extract is used for its toning, refreshing attributes, and its invigorating citrus fragrance.  Our L'Occitane Verbena bath and body care products can also be very soothing, helping to evoke an atmosphere of calm and peacefulness.  Originally indigenous to Chile, verbena (Verbena Officinalis) has been cultivated for centuries in Provence and throughout the Mediterranean.  The fresh scent of Verbena actually comes from its leaves, and crushing a few leaves in the hand is all it takes to release a wonderful, clean fragrance.  Verbena is cherished for its naturally soothing properties as well as it's zesty citrus scent.  It is a paradox of the senses: while cool and refreshing, it is also found to be warm, soothing, and inviting.  Its paradoxical nature makes it wonderful as a fragrance, and well-suited to skincare and haircare uses."
The shower gel in this fragrance is one of the best-sellers and is the best known product from this line.  This is known in the beauty industry as one of the freshest products to use in the warm weather.  "Fresh, clean body shampoo loved equally by men and women.  Each squeeze of the non-breakable plastic bottle releases the crisp, citrus scent of L'Occitance Verbena.  Essential oils of verbena, orange, geranium, and lemon tree smooth and nuture even the most sensitive skin, and permeate the room with a winning aroma."  To match this shower gel, the company released a lightweight body lotion that can be used in even the most humid conditions.  "Prized for its fresh, citrus aroma by women and men.  A lightweight lotion that easily absorbs to comfort skin.  Will eliminate the "tight" or itchy feeling skin often has after showering.  Organic extract of verbena helps to calm skin; orange, geranium, and lemon tree oils contribute to uplifting aroma."

To match the wash and lotion, this fragrance is also available in a salt scrub, an excellent product to help skin that has been exposed to the sun and the ocean waters.  "Salts from the Mediterranean Sea combine with the refreshing fragrance of pure extracts of verbena, orange, geranium, and lemon tree in a luxurious exfoliating body scrub.  Essential oils of grapeseed, aprict, and sweet almond nourish and moisturize.  Anti-oxidizing Vitamin A helps to tone and maintain healthy appearance.  Skin turns sliky smooth as dead skin cells are massaged away.  Body and mood feel revived."  This fragrance is also available in a hand and body soap and a hand cream to finish out the rest of the Verbean experience. 

For those of you that would want to take this fragrance to the highest degree, an Eau de Toilette is offered.  This fragrance is very strong on the citrus so this is confined only to those who really love citrus, sadly I am not included in this category.  "A perennial favorite.  Extroverted notes of Mediterranean verbena mingle with a rosy base of geraniumand lemon tree.  Elegantly presented in a small glass spray bottle engraved with a verbena leaf."  This fragrance is much too citrusy for me to pull off but would smell lovely on someone else in the heat of the summer.

It is easy to see why these products are among the top-sellers from L'Occitance; they can be used by either gender, make you feel great, and are light enough to use all summer long.  Sometimes a light fragrance just hits the perfect note in the summertime and this is a great choice from the Provence region...

photo courtesy of L'Occitane

French Week 2011 Day 3 - Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

French women are known for their flawless skin and the lack of face makeup that they wear on a daily basis.  In America, I feel like we pile on the foundation, concealer, and powder to cover flaws or try to hid behind a tan (real or fake).  There is a lot that I feel that we can learn from French women and using the correct face products is a big one.  One of the best-selling French beauty lines is Clarins, a line of fantastic skincare, makeup, and tanning products.  Clarins creates many of the top rated skincare products that are on the market today and the best-selling and top rated sunless tanning formulas. 

Clarins was first founded over 50 years ago in a small store in Paris and has since evolved in a worldwide beauty brand.  "Clarins is born!  Mr. Jacques Courtin-Clarins decided to 'take beauty seriously' and opened his first beauty institute on the rue Tronchet offering women personalized treatments and advice.", states the Clarins website in the About Clarins part of their website.  Mr. Clarins the unique Institut face and body treatment methods and created luxury products made exclusively from plant extracts.  The brand was a skincare leader in France by 1980 and within the next ten years, spread out all over Europe as a leading brand of skincare.  In the early 1990s, Clarins expanded the line with the color collection and then went into fragrance over throughout the rest of the decade.  Today, they are a worldwide beauty brand and will only continue to grow larger and better.

My first Clarins purchase occured with the writing of this blog post, I had often looked at their counter before but I had never really stopped and bought anything there.  So what did I buy and why did I decide to purchase the product from Clarins and not another brand?  I purchased their top-selling primer since French women have such lovely skin and I was hoping that I should steal some of their glow for myself.  The product that I purchased fromthe counter that day was Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, a makeup primer that is made to cure a range of skin issues, from pore size to fine lines and wrinkles.

"The modern, magic makeup base that smoothes skin's surface and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pores for a flawless complexion."  This product is housed in a jar instead of the traditional pump bottle or squeeze tube.  It has a thicker texture than most primers and actually melts onto the skin for blending.  When on the skin, it really helps to minimize the appearance of pores and allows me to use much less foundation and concealer.  I can't comment on how it works for fine lines since I don't have any of those to conceal at the moment.

The Sephora website reports on two more aspects of the product than the Clarins website does, the active ingredients and the findings of the clinical trials.  This product contains three main active ingredients: Acacia Micro-Pearls, Pink Pearl Pigments, and Vitamin E.  Acacia Micro-Pearls help to temporarily refine skin texture, filling in fine lines and wrinkles.  Pink Pearl Pigments optically minimize fine lines and wrinkles while softening facial features.  Vitamin E is used in this product to protect the skin while keeping it comfortable. 

The clinical trial results are quite impressive for this primer.  95% of users reported noticing smoother skin, 77% of users reported fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and 73% of users reported more refined skin textures and pores. 

This product worked best for me in the pore refinining and smoothing aspects.  It really cuts down on the amount of other products that I need to make my face look clear and bright.  The texture of this product is much thicker and I found it more hydrating than most other primers.  That being said, much as I love the improvement that this product gives my skin, I will be putting it away for the fall.  It is just too much on my skin with the very high heat and humidity of July.  On the same note, I also don't recommend this for someone with very oily skin, it will be too thick and hydrating.  However, normal and dry skin types will love this product and will reap all kinds of benefits from it.  Just as the French intended...

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week 2011 Day 2 - Dior Miss Dior Cherie

Throughout history, France has been known as one of the major perfume captials of the world.  I am confident in stating that I own more fragrances from French companies than any other country in the world; Chanel, Creed, Annick Goutal, Dior all sit on the top of my dresser.  The House of Dior hasn't been designing fragrances for as long as many of the other large French companies, however most of their fragrances have been hits with beauty industry insiders and the general public alike. Miss Dior was the first fragrance that was created by this house and then about fifty years later, a new version, Miss Dior Cherie, was released to bring the brand to new heights.   The original version is the rarer of the two fragrances and I have only smelled it once.  The new version is available at Sephora and all major department stores so anyone can find it and embrace the spirit of Dior. 

It wouldn't be possible to discuss the new version of this fragrance without touching on the original and the inspiration behind the creation of the first fragrance for Dior.  The Dior website provided all of the information that I needed for the both fragrances.

"Inspiration.  When Mr. Dior was designing his first collection in 1947, he dreamed of a completely original fragrance to go with his Haute Couture line.  He saw fragrance not just as a mere accessory, but as the 'finishing touch' to his creations: it would be Miss Dior.  "I created this fragrance to surround every woman with exquisite feminity, as if each of my dresses were coming forth, one by one, from a bottle", Christian Dior." 

"Fragrance.  All of Dior's charm and elegance featured in a line of bold, chypre fragrances.  Miss Dior is an audacious chypre with a citrusy freshness and a jasmine heart sprinkled with fruity notes, underscored by an elegance of patchouli.  A tribute to the mother fragrance Miss Dior, with the green chypre signature.  A chic and impertinent new classic."

"Design.  Miss Dior, Christian Dior's first fragrance, has, since its beginnings in 1947, featured all of the Dior House's codes of elegance: sculpted lines of Dior's suit, the graphic background of the houndstooth-etched glass, English calligraphy which turned the fragrance name into a signature...  And, of course, the couture ribbon tops it off, metallic on the Eau de Parfum, frosted on the Eau de Toilette and a transparent version tied into a bow on the neck of the Miss Dior Eau de Toilette bottle.  The charm of the New Look infinitely evolving into an ever-irresistible object of desire."

Miss Dior is one of the strongest fragrances that I have ever smelled, I smelled on someone several years ago and it was just so unique that I had to ask her what she was wearing.  The jasmine and the green mossy notes are very noticeable and it smelled like nothing else has been made in the past few years.  I find this fragrance to be on the harder side to wear.  It is not appropriate for casual wear, I can envision it being worn at night, when getting dressed up and going out.  It is very ladylike and it was a perfect scent for the sophistication and beauty of the French women in the end of the 1940s. 

Miss Dior Cherie is a much lighter version of the fragrance and is one that can be worn in a less formal scenerio.  "Miss Dior Cherie is an audacious chypre with a citrusy freshness and a jasmine heart sprinkled with fruity notes, underscored by the elegance of patchouli.  A chic and daring new classic."  Sephora lists only three notes for this fragrance: Italian Mandarin, Egyptian Jasmine, Patchouli.  The fragrance must contain many more notes than these since I smell more than this in the fragrance. 

I needed another opinion on the description and notes of this fragrance since I smell both strawberry and caramel in this fragrance before the jasmine and the patchouli notes begin to come out with wear.  I turned to "Perfumes - The Guide", written by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez.  "Some fragrances, like some people, give a deceptive, facile first impression, which they then contradict with subtle twists and refinements that anyone who tuned out after the first few minutes would miss.  Dior's sweet flanker to their (now much diminished) classic Miss Dior is far better than you usually get in the fruity-floral category.  Although its main accord of strawberry-rose-patchouli isn't as arrestingly pretty as that of contemporary rival Badgley Mischka, it feels more carefully put together, seamless and balanced, done with one lump of sugar, not two.  Still, this fragrance never feels like the woman of the house, more like the nanny, even if she's getting her Ph.D."  There is strawberry and it is a sweet fragrance!!

This is definitely the younger version of the Miss Dior series, this one could easily be worn for a day out shopping, work, or out on a more casual date.  I don't not find this one quite as appropriate for getting very dressed up as the more formal Miss Dior.  This fragrance is light and feminine is one of the perfect scents to usher in the spring.  France in spring is lovely, with all the flowers blooming and the cafes opening up for the warmer weather and this fragrance brings that feeling alive.

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week 2011 Day 1 - Chanel Le Vernis

Le Vernis from Chanel was my first major beauty product purchase back when I was in middle school.  This was when I was first getting into both beauty and the French language, both of which hold my interest right up to this day.  Le Vernis is one of the most iconic products from the Chanel beauty line and a top seller for them year after year.  Starting with all the hype around the Vamp shade after it appeared on the runways in the mid 90s and then continuing with the Black Satin and Blue Satin shades that were impossible to find several years ago, Chanel Le Vernis is a most sought after product and often causes one to try everything from visiting multiple counters in one day to trying to buy the half-used testers of the sold-out shades.  In fall of 2009, Jade became an instant sell-out and inspired many nail polish companies to try and quickly create as many similar shades as possible.  The trend continued into fall of 2010 with Paradoxal quickly becoming the top shade of the season to own and wear.  This fall, Chanel is ahead of the pack with the lovely metallic silvers and golds that will be hitting the counters within days.  It is rare that a beauty product has this much impact over such a long period of time...

"Classic and trend defining shades from the runways of Paris.  State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails as it delivers long-wearing, high-shine, chip-resistant colour.  Applies evenly without streaking." 

This nail polish is available in wide range of unique and trend-setting shades.  They are...

- Peridot - pure shimmering gold
- Graphite - pure shimmering silver
- Mimosa - bright yellow cream
- Black Pearl - shimmering black with silver pearl
- Pearl Drop - shimmering pearl
- Black Satin - pure black cream
- Blue Satin - navy blue cream with a hint of silver shimmer
- Intermezzo - off white cream
- Quartz - deep shimmering beige with cool undertones
- Beige Petale - sheer light cream beige
- Orange Fizz - orange coral cream
- Peche Nacree - sheer warm peach cream
- Particuliere - medium cool taupe cream
- Inattendu - warm peach cream
- Django - sheer warm white cream
- Morning Rose - cool bubblegum pink cream
- Rose Paradise - medium warm rose cream
- Mica Rose - sheer light pink cream
- Rose Insolent - medium cool magenta cream
- Rose Confidentiel - neutral rose cream
- Jade Rose - sheer light pink with a hint of silver shimmer
- Tenderesse - light lavender with a hint of cold shimmer
- Ballerina - sheer light pink cream
- Allegoria - shimmer light neutral pink shimmer
- Vamp - deep black plum cream
- Paradoxal - iridescent deep taupe plum shimmer
- Rouge Fatal - deep cool blue red cream
- Lotus Rouge - deep neutral red cream
- Dragon - deep warm red cream
- Vendetta - deep black plum cream
- Gondola - deep magenta cream
- Imperial - deep warm mahogany cream

My favorite shade of this polish is Blue Satin, of course!  Navy polishes are my love and this is one of the best (if not the best that I have ever tried).  I use this polish by itself or layer it with their discontinued Azure shade for extra sparkle.  This first released in their Spring 2008 collection and I was able to buy the last bottle that my local Macy*s counter had several weeks after the initial release.  All Chanel polishes are very shiny without the use of separate topcoat and remind me of the finish of a Mercedes sportscar.  Every shade that I has used is very long-wearing and wears for a week or more (with minimal touch-ups). 

In addition to the Blue Satin; Vamp, Paradoxal, and Dragon are my favorite shades of the line.  Vamp is the original classic and is the shade that both launched this product's cult following and began to make non-mainstream nail shades popular.  Paradoxal is a work of art and can only be seen to fully understand the shade and the many variations of it that are seen just by waving your hand.  Dragon is another one of those perfect deep red shades that haven't been ruined with the addition of a ton of shimmer.  Deep reds are second to navys in the shades that I go nuts for and I love that Chanel makes top quality picks for both shades. 

French fashion would not be the same without Chanel and any shade of Le Vernis is the perfect complement to any runway look.  An iconic cult product indeed...

photo courtesy of Chanel

French Week 2011 - Introduction

It's that time of the year again!  Bastille Day is coming fast upon us and I have decided to do another French Week this time around.  It constantly amazes me that the hardest part about choosing the brands the products for this week is having to narrow down from the myriad of French beauty brands.  I try to choose a variety of brands and products, all of which must embody France and the French culture.  Chanel and Caudalie are consistent favorites of mine and they are making appearances again this year.  This is the first time around for Clarins since I have just began to use their products over the past few months.

The photo for this theme week is of the iconic Coco Chanel herself, a lady that the world associates with iconic French style and beauty.  Over the next few days, we will look at the top names in French beauty; from makeup to body products to fragrance. 

Vive Le France...2011 version!

photo courtesy of Google