French Week Day 7 - Guerlain Champs Elysees

It is now the last day of this year's French Week and I hope that you have found at least one or two new products and fragrances that you want to try.  Today we are going to look at a fragrance from the House of Guerlain, one of the most iconic French beauty and fragrance houses.  The House of Guerlain introduced the first iconic perfume, Jicky, back in the end of the 19 Century and has come out with a series of best selling, cult fragrances for over 100 years.  The fragrance that I am the most enthralled with from this line is the iconic L'Heure Bleu, created in the beginning of the last century for the French actress Yvonne Printemps.  However, this line has created so many wonderful fragrances that I find it impossible to pick only one of two fragrance to wear.

The Champs Elysee is the major boulevard in Paris, the one that has many of the most famed monuments and shop on.  This is the major area of the city that tourists want to see that most and I consider it one of the most beautiful parts of the City of Lights.  This area is one of the highest rent areas of the city and contains some of the most famous spots in the city.  When walking down this avenue, you will start at the Place de la Concord and continue on past the Arc de Triomphe and then the Grand Palais.  On this street, you will pass the flagship Louis Vuitton and the Guerlain store itself.  Every year on Bastile Day, the city hosts one of the largest militay parades on this avenue. 

This fragrance is getting harder to find in the United States, I pulled all of my information on it from the Guerlain website.  I believe that I have found it only in New York City so far.  Many of the Guerlain fragrances can be found on the Sephora website but only a select few are in the stores.

The Sephora website provides a description of the brand's history.  "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 lead 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), the Guerlain name has become internationally recognized as a symbol of artistry, superlative quality, impeccable style, and ultimate grace."

From the Guerlain website itself, "The symbol of prestige and the influence of a city in perpetual motion, Paris' famed avenue is where the world meets - the Champs Elysees is the center of this perfume, and the center of everything.  A thrilling breath of life and the promise of infinite love.  For a chic and avant-garde Parisienne, Champs Elysees is a fragrance of intense seduction.  Life takes on an exciting, improvisational air and becomes a game for this joyful floral fragrance that celebrates the rose and mimosa.  An homage to the female form, the Champs Elysees bottle takes the shape of a strong silhouette.  Crowned with a broad cap, its polished glass extends and embellishes its evocative curves.  Its beautiful and complete fullness is solidly anchored on the triangle of life: It can be evocative of the perspective of the world's most beautiful avenue that stretches from I.M. Pei's pyramid to the Arc de Triomphe."

Instead of simply providing the notes of the fragrance, the Guerlain website provides a full description from the perfumers.  "Fruity floral.  Transparent, luminous, sparkling.  The perfume bursts forth with a crystalline laugh: The transparency of rose with frosted petals softens the rise of tender, crushed mimosa leaves.  In parallel, the light, acidic tempo of cassis berries harmonizes with the subtly of almond tree flowers.  The supremely refined and delicately sensitive heart palpitates with the silky shudder of mimosa flowers.  The minuscule sums catch fire and lend the skin unexpected sensuality, a buoyant dancing light that illuminates Buddleia, that enchanted tree known as the butterfly bush, which each spring welcomes clouds of butterflies that flock toward its spellbinding, lilac-accented scent.  This long caress becomes pure voluptuousness when the dry-down blends carnal accents of hibiscus seed with the softness of almond tree wood."

This fragrance is one of the softer Guerlains, it is one of the easier ones to wear and I have read that it is often a young lady's first fragrance from this company and then they graduate to the stronger fragrances.  The heart of rose in this fragrance makes it one of the ones that I must travel to New York City to purchase.

Anothe French Week has come to a close and I hope that you all have enjoyed learning a bit more about some of the best French beauty lines and that you are deciding to try something new from several of them!

photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

French Week Day 6 - Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Luminous Eye Shadow

The latest Chanel fall collection has me teeming with anticipation for the cooler weather and I have already began to collect pieces from it.  In addition to picking up items from the current fall collection, I purchased one of the major products from last fall's makeup collection, the Illusion d'Ombre Luminous Eye Shadow.  This product was the big hit of last fall and quickly became a sell-out cult favorite, when I went to the counter last year, all the shades that I wanted to try were sold out so I had to wait quite a long time to purchase them.  Illusion d'Ombre is one of the most unique eye shadow formulas on the beauty product market and is a product that French women have worked right into their style and culture.  French women love long wearing, high quality makeup formulas that will take them from day to night with minimal touch ups.  When I have both work and then school in the same day, I am very interested in long wearing products since I will have going for over 12 hours.
Chanel has had so many cult products over the years that it nearly impossible for me to list all of them here.  We have looked at many of them over the years and this product has quickly reached the same status as Le Vernis and Le 4 Ombres.  This might be one of the products that has reached cult status fastest for this company, it is very unique and extremely high quality.  I originally thought that this would be very much like a traditional cream eye shadow, however the texture is much spongier and the application method and wear is more like a high quality powder eye shadow.  After using and wearing this product all day long, I can honestly say that I have never tried anything quite like this eye shadow before!
"This intensely shimmering long-wear eye shadow offers true versatility.  An innovative gel texture that is both soft and cushiony allows it to be worn as eye shadow or eyeliner.  Includes a specially designed shadow/liner brush, developed specifically for this unique formula.", states the Chanel website when describing this product. 

I have tried this product as both an eye shadow and a liner.  I prefer it as an eye shadow, it is a nice eyeliner but is nothing amazing and I really reaped the benefits from using as a shadow.  When using this on my eye lids, I have used it with the included brush and with a finger mode of application.  Either way will work, but I found that the fingertip method allowed me to build the color quicker and the application control was very much the same as with the brush.  I used both of the shades that I tried with Urban Decay Primer Potion underneath (as I would any eye shadow formula), the shadow applied smoothly and blended with next to no effort on my part.  I have only used these shadow shades blended with each other, I have not yet tried to mix and blend them with any other formula shadow and I have not found any reviews on other blogs were people tried to blend multiple formulas.  Based on all the reviews that I read, I made sure that the two shades that I bought could be worn together or stand alone.

This formula eye shadow is currently available in six shades.  All of the shades are very shimmery and have full pigmentation with one application.  If you don't feel comfortable with full shimmer on your eyes, then this might not be the best formula for you.  These are the original shades from the release, I was hoping that more shades would have come out over the year but nothing else has been released. 

- Fantasme - bright white with white and silver shimmer
- Emerveille - soft peach with champange shimmer
- Illusoire - deep gray-purple with silver shimmer
- Epatant - deep olive green taupe with gold shimmer
- Mirifique - deep black with multi-colored shimmer
- Ebloui - deep burgundy with red shimmer

I was originally taken with the Illusoire shade, this deep gray-purple shade was like nothing that I have ever seen before.  I believe that this was the best selling shade of last year since I saw it in every magazine and beauty blog last year.  I planned to purchase that shade and the Emerveille when I went to the counter and I held fast to this thought for about two weeks before I went.  After looking at the products, I thought about not seeing any posts about mxing this formula with others so I decided to buy Emervielle and Epatant instead, these two shades could be worn alone or blended together. 

Emerveille is a very easy shade to wear during the day, it applies a soft peach shade with champagne and gold shimmer.  I mostly use this shade alone when I don't want a full eye makeup look and I have used it to blend with Epatant.  This shade is best used for blending, if you only want one shade from this product line, this is not a must have product but it is good solid shade that I will get a lot of use from.  Epatant is simply beautiful, the shadow applies a deep olive khaki and the gold shimmer pops out.  This is one of the most amazing and unique shades that I own and I don't think that I have every seen a shade like it before.  If you are only going to buy one shade, this one is worth the purchase.  I do plan to buy Illusoire at some point but I do want to see if there is a shade in this collection that I can blended with it.  I am hoping that a silver or gray shade will come out within the next few months...

This is one of my favorite eye shadow formulas that I have ever used and I can count on a company like Chanel to consistently release great new formulas and shades to keep me coming back.  One of my dreams is to visit the massive Chanel store in Paris.

We have one more day left in French Week and we will be wrapping it up with a classic French perfume from Guerlain!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

French Week Day 5 - L'Occitane en Provence Fleur Cherie EDT

Provence is the farming region in the South of France, the South of France is divided into the farming region of Provence and the beach region of Nice.  I have heard fronm many who visited this area that it is their favorite region in this country.  Provence was one of the "free" areas in of France during the Second World War and therefore this area is very different than the rest of the country.  The pace is much slower and the economy is completely different from the Northern, metropolitan areas of France.  One of the best known product lines from this area is L'Occitane, a natural-based body and skincare line that uses the natural ingredients from this region in order to create a high quality line product line.

"Inspired by his childhood in Provence, the 23 year old Oliver Baussan decided to recreate the traditions of his region.  After purchasing a steam distiller, a relic from the past, Oliver harvest wild rosemary and produced Rosemary essential oil.  He sold this essential oil at local markets, this all-natural product was quickly embraced by villagers and L'Occitane was born.  L'Occitane products represent the traditions and valus of the Mediterranean region.  Every year, Oliver seeks out traditional techniques and ingredients once used in the region to ensure the well-bring of the body, mind, and spirit.  The results of these efforts are embodied in L'Occitane's annual Harvest collections, Shea Butter range, Aromachologie range and Immortelle skincare.  L'Occitane is true to itself and its founding principles.  Authenticity and effective natural products designed to procure true well-being."

One of the traditional ingredients from the Provencal region of France is the orange blossom.  This ingredient is used in a line of fragrance and matching body products.  "Light yet sophisticated, fresh yet sensual.  Fleur Cherie brings you a warm and elegant fragrant touch in the heart of Winter.  The fresh aromas of Orange Blossom and sweet black currant notes envelop the sensuous woody scents of cedar and musk.  Fleur Cherie is an ode to the most cherished flower in the Mediterranean, the exquisitely delicate Orange Blossom.  The Orange Blossom aroma has also been known to relieve tension, improve circulation, and fight stress!"
"Orange Blossom is am emblem of the Mediterranean region and truly cherished by perfumers, in the same way as rose and jasmine.  An important perfume ingredient, it still grows in Grasse and is a legendary flower that has inspired beauty rituals throughout the Mediterranean, which still exist today.  Fleur Cherie introduces a new interpretation of orange blossom in our fragrance and body care that emphasizes the magical, delicate, and soft facets of this ingredient.  It is an exquisite, airy, luminous scent with a woody trail.  This flower of feminity is the Cherished Flower - the Fleur Cherie - of the Mediterranean people."

The star product of this Orange Blossom range is the Fleur Cherie Eau de Toilette.  This is one of the products that is only available at the L'Occitane stores or on their website, it is not one of the best selling products but it is one of the prettiest fragrances in their line up.  "All the fragrant magic of an orange blossom captured in a rich, sparkling, floral scent and enhanced by a soft woody trail.  A vibrant carefree fragrance that leaves your skin nicely perfumed all day long."

The top notes of this fragrance are: Neroli, Cassis, and Fresh Notes.  The heart notes are: Jasmine, Orange Blossom Absolute, and Orange Blossom Water Absolute.  The base notes are: Soft Woods, Patchouli, and Cedar Musk. 

This fragrance is a light floral that is best in the spring and summer months.  The Provencal region is a warm farming climate, among the warmest in Western Europe.  Light, natural fragrances are best in this region due to the climate and pace of the region.  This line is available in a full fragrance of fragrance and body products, including a fragranced lip balm.  The bar soap would be lovely in a guest bathroom along with the rest of the lotions.

L'Occitane is one of the only product lines that remains true to the ingredients and culture of this region.  All of their product blends are from the natural ingredients grown in the region and all are wonderful fragrances and products.  The Lavender is my favorite of the blends however the Orange Blossom is very pretty too. 

photo courtesy of L'Occitane

French Week Day 4 - Caudalie Beauty Elixir

No French Week would be complete without mention of a product from one of my favorite companies in the world, Caudalie.  I have tried and loved many of the products from this company for years now and I still get excited everytime that a new product launches from this company, I am currently waiting for my Sephora to get the brand new hydrating serum in stock.  While I am waiting for that product, we are going to look at one of the cult products from this company.  I have bought more bottles of the Beauty Elixir then I can remember and have used it for multiple purposes.

The Beauty Elixir is a product that is steeped in history and grounded in the anti-oxidant benefits of the Caudalie skincare line.  Caudalie was founded two decades ago in the wine making region of France, this line is based on grape seed polyphenols and the anti-oxidant benefits that they bring to skin.  Founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas work very closely with some of the top researchers in France to harness the power of the grape seeds to help protect and heal skin.  Beauty Elixir is one of the first products that was released from this company, a multi-purpose beauty product that can be used on the face or body.

"Part tone, part serum mist of essential oils and plant active ingredients.  Smoothes the skin, tightens the pores, and provides an instant burst of radiance, as it stimulates microcirculation."  This Elixir contains a cocktail of Rosemary, Peppermint, Balm Mint, Grape Seed Extract, and skin-conditioning ingredients.  This product is housed in a spray bottle that can be used on the face or body.

Beauty Elixir can be used in a variety of ways.  It's skincare benefits come out most when it is sprayed directly onto bare skin, this method of application with brighten the complexion and tighten the pores.  It can also be used over foundation and powder to help set makeup, it is recommmended for use over mineral powders to even out the finish.  I use this product on my face during the summer months, it is too drying for use in the winter months.  For stress relief during studying, I spray this product on my neck to help relieve tension.  This is a needed product for me during finals week.  Lastly, during the hot weather, spraying this product on my face or neck is soothing and refreshing.  This is one of the very few truly multi-purpose products on the skincare market, it is a staple in many French ladies bathroom closets. 

We have just discussed the benefits of the product and how Caudalie uses it to tone the skin.  However this product has a rich history that instantly captured my attention the first time that the Caudalie representative told me about it.  In the late 14th Century, the term "Hungary Water" was invented to assign a name to the first alcohol-based perfume that was invented.  This perfume was invented for the then Queen of Hungary, according to the vendor she used this product on her face and body for her entire life and was considered one of the most beautiful women of her time.  Queen Elisabeth of Poland was said to attract men considerably her junior well into her eighties.  When it works...

It has been said that a monk (acting as a Court Alchemist) first created this for the Queen, however there is very little documentation on the first invention of the Hungary Water.  The first recipes call for distilling brandy with fresh rosemary as the base of the fragrance.  Numerous herbs can be added to the recipe, including Lavender, Mint, Sage, Orange Blossom, and Lemon.  All but the Lavender are found in the Caudalie Elixir, keeping the recipe very close to the original that was created hundreds of years ago.

This is one of iconic products from Caudalie and there is nothing on the beauty product market that it is even close to it.  I love how this company took a recipe from history and made only slight modifications (brandy isn't really used in fragrance anymore) to bring it up to the modern beauty standards.  Some of the best beauty formulas are the simplest and this one proves that to the hilt.  I have used this product for years and often give the small version as a small gift, it never fails to delight all who receive it.

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week Day 3 - Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

One of the most iconic French body products comes right from the Riviera and it used by all the of the glamorous women vacationing in the Mediterranean.  I have used Clarins facial skincare products on and off over the past year now and have expanded my collection of this company's products to include their best-selling and top rated Self Tanning Instant Gel.  I bought the last tube on the shelf at Sephora last week so I know that I am not in the minority in using this product.  After a week of using this self tanner every other day, I am hoping to say that I look like I could be spending a long weekend in Monaco.  A lady can dream can't she?!

The Self Tanning Instant Gel is one of the best known and most talked about products from Clarins.  For many poeple in the beauty industry, this is one of the first products that comes to mind when this company is mentioned.  I know that fact holds for myself, I tend to think of tanners and skincare products before I think about the color collection from this company.  In addition, there are certain counters that only carry the body and skin products and very little of the color collection.  Based on how much I love the skincare products from this company, I really need to keep adding more of the color selections to my traincase.

The Sephora website provides a histroy of the beauty company and full descriptions of all the products.  "In 1954, Jacques Courtin-Clarins opened the first Clarins Institute de Beaute in Paris, France, where he developed treatments and products using natural botanical ingredients for the face and body.  The first beauty company to employ 100 percent pure plant extracts.  Clarins used only the best botanicals to complement the appealing textures and scents that made his luxurious products a please to apply.  Still a family-run business, Jacques' sons Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins and Christian Courtin-Clarins, continue on in the Clarins tradition today."
This self tanner is formulated to create a great color without the sun and conditioning and improving skin health at the same time.  I am usually happy enough when I can get a great color without harming my skin but knowing that I can help improve my skin with tanning it is an added bonus of this product.

"A self-tanning gel to bring out healthy color in skin.  This lightweight and non-oily gel promotes a natural, golden tan for face and body without sun exposure.  It's instantly absorbed, so there's no need to wait before dressing, with results in two hours.  Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is ideal for those who wish to maintain a year-round tanned experience."

This self tanner is famous for many reasons, all of which became very evident with less than a week's use of this product.  I applied the product at night and then left it to develop while I slept.  I have never had good experiences with applying self tanner during the morning and then trying to let it fully develop before heading out.  I prefer to let it really develop overnight and not worry about ruining any of my favorite outfits.  The color is fully developed by the morning and I wake up to a even golden tan. 

I have to apply this product every other day just like every other self tanner.  The color stays even for about two days then it begins to flake and fade like most other tanners on the market.  Reapplying this product every other day wards off fading and spotting issues so I recommend using it in this manner.  This product isn't the best tanner for beginners, this is one of the few products that I have tried that doesn't have some kind of bronze tint.  I was nervous about applying it the first few times since I tend to rely on the bronze shade to guide my application and make sure that i have it even and haven't missed any areas, the clear gel took some getting used to.  The first time that I used it, I had a few issues with streaking but I quickly figured out the best application method.  The gel formula dries quickly and completely soaks in with little residue on my sheets. 

One of my favorite aspects of this product is that it has a very faint floral fragrance, Clarins didn't try to cover up the chemical scents of the tanning ingredients with strong tropical scents.  The tanner scent does come out after the full development of the product so it is evident when I wake up in the morning.  The fake coconut scent of other products can realy get on my nerves so this product was a breath of fresh air in that regard. 

Applying this product every other day will get you beach ready, whatever beach you are lucky enough to run away to.  This tanner is one of the easiest and most effective ways to create and maintain a golden tan without the harmful rays of the sun.  This formula is top rated because it works so very well and helps to maintain the hydration levels in my skin.  The only drawback of this product is that the tube is very small so I will need to buy these two or three at a time to make sure that I always have it to use.
How I wish that I was spending a long weekend on the beach in the South of France!

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week 2012 Day 2 - YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Yesterday we looked at how well French women wear an effortless red lip and today we are looking at one of the best mascaras on the market today.  When French women aren't wearing their red lip for day, they often turn up the smolder factor with a great smoky eye and lashes that look as though they could be fake.  Fake eye lashes are more prevelent in the United States than in many other countries so the women in those countries often turn to a top quality mascara that can mimic the effects of the fake lashes.  With much less effort...  I can't ever see Bridget Bardot waking up in the morning with her perfectly smudged black eye makeup and a fake eye lash falling off...

YSL has been one of the top French beauty companies and was originally created over 30 years ago to celebrate the unique beauty of every woman that wears it.  I found the background on the creation of the beauty line on the Sephora website. 

"In 1978, Yves Saint Laurent launched a woman's makeup line.  Quite simply, his goal was to create a 'face' for the woman he dressed.  Just for her, he created a luxurious universe of colors and textures with makeup designed to look like accessories or genuine pieces of designer jewelry.  Today, YSL's celebrated makeup line contains treasures of innovation, textures that delight and perfect, along with an exquisite wardrobe of shades to match the richness of YSL's chosen materials of the season.  For Yves Saint Laurent, the beauty of each woman is unique, and her makeup reveals her personal style.  It adorns the face with a tailor-made radiance that lets beautiful confidence shine through.  Yves Saint Laurent Beaute is an interpretation of a woman, without stereotype: free, daring, always seductive, elegant, sensual, and contemporary."

One of the iconic pieces of the makeup line is the Faux Cils Mascara, one of the best selling mascaras.  This product is the gold standard for mascara and is very appropriate that it contained in a golden tube.  "For a false lash effect with buildable volume, discover the beauty of glamourous lashes with our bestselling Luxurious mascara.  The secret of this mascara?  A brush that has been specially designed to amplify the performance of the formula.  Your eyes look intense and glamourous.  With even one sweep of the wand and its unique formula, this mascara adds intense volume and definition to the appearance of lashes.  Available in a wardrobe of couture colours", states the YSL website.
I bought this mascara in the 9 Noir Radical shade, the deepest, most intense black shade.  This mascara is also available in a more basic black, a purple hue, and a burgundy.  I bought the deepest of the black shades because I haven't been as happy as I could be with the past few mascaras that I have used, mostly for the lack of drama that the formulas have been providing me.  This shade is often sold out my Sephora so I was happy to see that it was back in stock, I have been waiting to buy this product until this shade was available since I want only the most dramatic effects from this formula.
This product builds more volume in one coat then most mascaras build in two of three coats.  One coat is enough for daytime, nighttime drama can push me to put a second coat of this formula on.  One coat provides high volume effects and really thickened my lashes.  I love that my lashes are super-thick with the use of this product but they still remain defined and the formula doesn't clump.  One coat is enough for daytime and two coats creates the perfect nighttime intensity.

My only issue with this mascara is the removal of it.  Eye makeup remover was able to remove about half of the mascara with the first application and I have to use the cotton ball soaked in the product at least twice to get the majority of it off.  Even though it took longer to clean off than many other formulas, I still emerged from the shower with black stremaing down my cheeks, I got more of the product off my face with regular face wash however there was still some product directly under my eyes.  This mascara is a pain to get off since it gets everywhere when I try to remove it.  This is a small price to pay since I finally have found a mascara that gives me the volume and drama that I have been craving for the past few months.

To sum it all up, I simply feel elegant and French applying the mascara from the gold tube and it is an added bonus that the formula is exactly what I have been looking for!

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week 2012 Day 1 - NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

One of the first aspects that I think of when I imagine French women's style is a red lip with minimal face makeup, I have loved this look for years and have accumulated quite a collection of reds in order to wear this look.  Have I achieved exactly the look that many French woman can pull off?  No, I still do not feel comfortable with a totally bare face and bright red lips and I need to use minimal eye makeup to pull off red lips.  Perhaps one day, I will have that perfectly even complexion that it seems that so many French women have.

In pursuit of more shades to add to my red lipstick collection, I purchased the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the most perfect blue red hue.  I have been raving over NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick formula and now want to buy as many NARS lip products as possible.  Full pigmentation is one of the best aspects of the matte formulas and had me sold on the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil before I even played with it at the counter.  After deliberating over all the red shades, I bought the Dragon Girl hue (yes the name really attracted me to it too!).
"The application of a lipstick combined with the convenience of a pencil in a jumbo crayon design.  Lips are instantly saturated with rich pigments and a velvety matte finish.  The long lasting, non-drying formula is enriched with emollients for a creamy texture, while a combination of unique silicones ensures long-lasting seamless color for hours.  Use for lining, all-over lip color, or pairing with another lip product.  Rich, vivid shades.  Enriched with Vitamin E.  Convenient, easy application."

This lip pencil has a much creamier texture than I thought that it would, I haven't used lip pencils in years since I have always hated the texture during application.  This pencil was easier to use than I thought that it would be, the addition of the emollients in this product really help the application.  I applied this product like I was using a crayon to color with.  The texture of this lip pencil is very creamy with a matte finish.  Only one application of this lip color is needed for full pigmentation, this is another NARS product that is not for the faint of heart or for those who love sheer lip color.  This lip pencil lasts for six hours without fading and left very little trace on my coffee cup.  I am considering using this lip pencil under NARS Lipstick to see how long I could get from a combination of the two products, this might be the long lasting combination that I can find for red lips.

The shades are:

- Never Say Never - lilac rose cream
- Bahama - pink brown cream
- Belle de Jour - light nude beige
- Roman Holiday - vibrant pink sheen
- Dolce Vita - dusty rose
- Bolero - pink cantaloupe
- Train Bleu - deep aubergine
- Sex Machine - pink mauve
- Cruella - scarlet red
- Damned - magenta
- Dragon Girl - siren red
- Bettina - natural rose beige sheen
- Walkyrie - warm coral red cream

Dragon Girl is a blue red matte shade, it is closest to MAC Russian Red.  This shade is the best for cool toned skin, I can't see it being flattering on anyone with warm skin tone.  I debated between this shade and Cruella at the counter, Cruella is a deeper shade and is closer in shade to the Red Lizard Semi-Matte Lipstick shade that I already own.  I decided on Dragon Girl because it applied more vibrant when I swatched the two shades on my hands. 

I was initially interested in the Belle de Jour shade when I looked at the product on the website, this shade is also available in a Sheer Lipstick.  I skipped over this shade in the Velvet Matte product because the nude shade wasn't quite as easy to wear in this formula, I will be picking up the Sheer Lipstick instead as it will work better for me.  Bahama and Bolero were much too warm for me to pull off so I had to skip over these shades.  I didn't see Never Say Never, I would like to buy this shade because it is very pretty and quite unique.  Roman Holiday will be on my shopping list also, this bright pink hue is awesome.

French women always look flawless under any circumstance and condition, it is much easier to look effortlessly flawless when your lipstick stays in place and doesn't fade away.  This formula is one of the few that you can apply in the morning and then forget about for the next few hours.  After initial application, this is one of the lowest maintence formulas that I have used on my lips.

photo courtesy of NARS

French Week 2012 - Introduction

It this middle of July and you all know what that means...French Week is here!  This is my annual tribute to the best of the French beauty products leading up to Bastile Day.  My visit to Paris was one of the best times of my life and I have studied French and the culture for years, I will return the country over the next few years.  French Week celebrates the iconic products that have come from this country and iconic style of the French.  I have long be in awe of the French women, their style and how they carry themselves. 

My current French style icon is the timeless Carine Roitfeld, the former editor in chief of French Vogue.  She personifies French style and fashion, looking fantastic in any situtation and allowing her personality to shine through.  One of the collections that I am most excited for this fall is her collaboration with MAC, I am already putting money aside for the release of it even though I have not yet seen any of the promo pictures or shades contained in it.

This year will feature some of my traditional favorite French brands; Chanel, Caudalie, and NARS.  The products will range from the perfect matte red lipstick to a self tanner that is worthy of the French Riviera to a fragrance that celebrates the history and culture of Paris. 
We will start with one of my current favorite brands - NARS!

photo courtesy of styleite.com