Shu Uemura Holiday 2011 Collection - Holiday by Wong Kar Wai

Christmas is in less than a week and a half and therefore that means that this is the last of holiday collections.  I was reading magazines last night and I am completely ready for the spring season to begin.  I saved one of the best holiday collections for last, I have heard raves about the holiday collection from Shu Uemura and now we are going to check it out.  Looking back on it, I should have put this collection first since it takes this company forever to ship the products over from Japan and they won't arrive in time to give for gifts if that is your intention.  So next year, I will learn from this and put this collection first in the season...

The holiday collection from Shu Uemura was made in conjunction with film maker Wong Kar Wei.  "For the holiday 2011 season, Shu Uemura comes together with internationally renowned film director Wong Kar Wei.  Shu Uemura introduces a holiday rich in emotions and atmosphere, with beautiful package decoration inspired by Wong Kar Wei's special short film for Shu Uemura 'Mask'.  Indulge in sensuous emotions, experience the essence of beauty, and boldly express your own passion this 2011 holiday season."  This collection contains mostly single products with two sets of nail polish shades and I am looking forward to seeing if this collection is as great as I read that it would be.

The last of the holiday collections for 2011...

Rouge Unlimited Holiday Collection by Wong Kar Wai - Drown in the sensuality of glimmering lips.  Three classy yet playful colors for alluring feminity.  A brightly glittering shade to add a fun, festive shine to lips.
- Rouge Luster - express the heat of passion with this deep, tender red shade and a delicate gold shimmer.
- Pink Flush - caress your lips with this bright, warm pink with a fresh, glossy finish.
- Glitter Fuse - an innocent beige shade with a heavenly splash of golden dust full of hope.

Mini Nail Duo - A set of 2 mini bottles to enjoy rich, glamorous colors alone or to create original nail art to accessorize your fingertips with sparkling drama.
- Bleu Splendor - a set of cool and classy yet playful colors.  S Starry Shine in a midnight blue Christmas sky.
- Festive Rouge - a pair just right for the festive season.  Pearly warm and deep rouge meets golden charm.

Flashing Gold Mini Brush Set - This brush set includes the following brushes.  Cream Color Brush: designed for the application of cream or liquid eye shadows.  It is also an ideal brush for covering/blending blemishes and discolorations.  Powder Brush: ideal for face powder and cheek color application.  Eye Shadow Brush: a basic eye shadow brush for bringing out various effects and provides easy control of eye makeup.  Precision Brush: depending on preference this may be used as a lip or eye liner brush and is ideal for powder or emollient textures.

Limited Edition Wrex+ Brightening Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula - Like watching a scene from "Mask", an exquisite image decorates this edition of Brightening Cleansing Oil.  The perfect way to end a festive day - gently remove your makeup with this cleansing oil for beautiful luminous skin.

Lustrous Glow Powder - This warm, rosy powder with shimmering gold pearls enhances a lustrous glow.  Use to create a natural, transparent complexion or to add a little brush to cheeks.

Pressed Eye Shadow Refill - Experience the infinite color choice for your ever-evolving style.  Truest color payoff and a non-fading finish.  Blends effortlessly for ideal coverage control.  The powders capture light, absorbing and reflecting it for multi-dimensional effect.  Full color spectrum.  Five different textures.  Matte (m): A velvety, even finish gives vivid color with a smooth finish.  Pearl (p): A silky shimmer of light for luminous radiance.  Iridescent (ir): Captivating shades offer glimmering reflections of changing colors.  Metallic (me): Smooth like liquid with a metallic glow.  Glitters (g): Abudant sparkles for glistening glamour.
- g Gold - sparkling gold
- m Light Beige 813 - matte light beige
- me Soft Purple 735 - metallic lavender
- p Dark Purple 781 - sparkling purple aubergine
- g Silver - sparkling silver
- me Medium Blue 686 - metallic denim blue
- ir Medium Blue 675 - iridescent denim blue
- p Dark Blue 696 - pearl midnight blue

Quad Custom Case Black - For 4 Eye Shadow refills or 2 Glow On blush refills or 2 Eye Shadow refills and 1 Glow On Blush refill.  Shu Uemura's pursuit of perfection takes form in this innovative palette case.  The jet black palette has a rich, lacquered finish, but the lid and base of both have slightly different tones, this color scheme is inspired by the harmony of the "wa", or traditional Japanese style art.  An eco-concept, seeking a design without glue, plastic frames or other elements that may end up in a landfill.  Shu Uemura's refill palette is like a game, with one small movement you can change your eye shadow selection to match your every desire.

Glittery Mascara - Sparkling glitter creates a mysterious golden veil and a hologram reflection on your eye lashes.  Use as a topcoat over mascara for maximum glamour, or use alone for subtle, sparkling finish to make your heart dance.
- Glorious Masquerade - golden glitter

Jeweled Love Accent False Eye Lashes - Enhance your feminity with these partial eye lashes to cast a tender and alluring gaze.  Lashes blended with fluttery, classical bordeaux feathers to create a soft, gorgeous look.  Decorated with gold crystals, it is perfect for a holiday celebration.

Dance in Glitter Premium Edition False Eye Lashes - Raceful and luscious eye for special nights.  Dancing in a shower of shining glitter, entice all those around you with these delicate, ravishing lashes.

This is the most unique collection that I have seen this season and since this is the last one, I know that it won't be topped at all.  Actually the look created by this collection seemed to inspire what Cosmopolitan stated was the "perfect" look for getting dressed up on New Year's Eve.  The glittering false lashes and glitter polish are perfect for getting very dressed up and celebrating.  The eye lashes are too out there for me to pull off but I do like the glittering blue nail polish set that it is used on the model.  That set would be my favorite piece of the collection and I am very tempted to order it from Japan. 

My other favorite pieces are the Rouge Luster lip shade, I have heard great remarks about Shu Uemura's lipstick shades and I really want to try one out.  I also love the eye shadows from this company so I want to order a few shades from this collection: I want the silver, gold, and lavender shades. 

I love this collection and I am glad that many of the products are still in stock so that I can order a few.  Holiday is always fun but I must say that I can't wait for the spring collections to begin!

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Giorgio Armani Holiday 2011 Collection - Madreperla

I feel like the last few collections that we have looked at have been very small and I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.  Let me explain.  I am happy that companies are focusing on quality over quantity and aren't just creating giant collections of products and shades in the hopes that people who love the brand buy everything.  However, all these small collections makes it seem like holiday isn't as big a deal as the other seasons and considering that I give lots of beauty gifts this time of the year, I love to see variety.  Though I might just be hitting the time in the holiday season where I am just sick of everything that has to do with the holidays and the season in general.  The last statement is most likely the most accurate. 

This collection is named Madreperla and Megan Fox is the muse for the collection again.  At this point, I believe that she is the model for the whole line at this point.  This collection consists of twopalettes; one for the face, one for the eyes, and three new shades for the lips.  I think that I might be most interested in the face palette since I have seen a lot of great picks for the eyes and lips this season but nothing great for the face so far.
The newest collection from Armani...

Face Palette Holiday Color 2011 Madreperla - Armani's new limited edition holiday color collection features a signature black lacquered compact.  For a satin eye effect, dress up your eyes with two harmonies of three shades in one shot.
- pale beige/golden beige/gray

Eye Palette Holiday Color 2011 Madreperla - Armani's new limited edition holiday color collection features a signature black lacquered compact.  For a satin eye effect, dress up your eyes with two harmonies of three shades in one shot.  Harmony #1 includes beige pearl, metallic gold, light green pearl.  Harmony #2 includes white pearl, metallic taupe, and lavender pearl.

Gloss d'Armani Holiday Color 2011 Madreperla - Concentrated high definition color, fusing shine, comfort, and lasting hold.  When one take is enough: Gloss d'Armani's flexible velvet applicator adds volume and defines contours instantly and effortlessly, with expert touch.  Technology: Color-Fil Shine Technology, with a translucent base that traps pigments and pearlescent particles for a hydrated, silky smooth feeling without any stickiness.  Comfortable, stay-fast color is like a second skin that remains true for eight hours.  Treat yourself to lacquered lips.  Armani's new limited edition holiday color collection features must-have Gloss d'Armani, now available in three new shades.
- 404 - deep ruby red
- 603 - deep brown
- 606 - deep cool purple

I think that this is one of the first collections that I can honestly say that I dislike pretty much every product in this whole collection.  I hate all the lip shades, I don't find any of them very wearable.  the eye palettes are nice but I don't need any of those shades so there is no point in me buying them.  I also don't find the face palette to be all that wearable either since it contains the gray hue in it...

photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Make Up For Ever Holiday 2011 Collection - Wild and Chic Collection

The holidays are getting closer and closer and that means that we are coming to the end of the holiday collections, I believe that we have less than five of them left to look at.  Today's choice is a collection from Make Up For Ever that is a small collection of sets and palettes.  This collection is named Wild and Chic and the shades from it could work equally well for a fall or holiday collection.  This collection is based on the python prints that we have been seeing all over the runways and print magazines since the beginning of the fall season.  This collection is not a traditional holiday looking collection however it is still a great looking group of sets.  The one drawback about this collection is that it mostly contains eye makeup products, I wish that there was some more variety in this collection...
"Take a walk on the wild side.  You have seen it on the catwalks, in the shops, and worn by fashionistas around the globe, the Python print is back!  And Make Up For Ever is making the most of it!  For this holiday collection, Make Up For Ever takes up the trend and creates arty python prints, showcased in objects of desire.  Clutch style palettes, Minaudiere cases, holding selections of Eye Shadows, Aqua Creams, mini Aqua Eyes or mini Lab Shines.  A new limited edition Wild and Chic collection with an offbeat tone directly inspired by the fashion trends.  May the safari begin..."

Here is the collection...

Wild and Chic Must Have Palette - The Wild and Chic Palette is our must have product for this collection.  This compact clutch-style cardboard palette decorated in an anthracite gray snake print holds six existing eye shadow shades and a mini Black Aqua Eyes, fabulous to create multiple harmonies.  Saturated with matte or pearly pigments, this eye shadow selection will give you that perfect intense and radiant color result for the urban jungle out there.
- pale champagne gold pearl/pale gold shimmer/matte olive/reddish copper shimmer/deep matte chocolate/deep matte forest green

Purple Minaudiere - The Wild and Chic Aqua Cream and Aqua Eyes Minaudiere is a selection of your 4 beauty faves: 2 Aqua Creams and 2 mini Aqua Eyes, presented in a glam collector purple snake print metallic box.  Aqua Eyes are great no fade, no smudge, long-lasting eye pencils.  Their creamy, subtly iridescent texture lights up the eyelids with extra fine pearly particles.  Aqua Cream are fabulous waterproof eye shadows with an impeccable hold that does not crease or run.  Highly concentrated in mother-of-pearl and pigments in each of its shade, its pearly texture offers an intense payoff making the colors look luminous and instantly radiant on the skin.
- Aqua Eyes - Matte Black and Pearly Brown
- Aqua Cream - Anthracite and Taupe

Khaki Minaudiere - The Wild and Chic Aqua Eyes Minaudiere is a selection of 5 mini Aqua Eyes presented in a trendy khaki snake print metallic case.  These long lasting, highly pigmented eye pencils are great no fade, no smudge eye liners.  Their creamy, sublty iridescent texture lights up the eyelids with extra fine pearly particles.
- Matte Black/Black with Purple Highlights/Pearly Brown/Copper/Forest Green

Turquoise Minaudiere - The Wild and Chic Shine Minaudiere is a selection of 4 Lab Shine Glosses presented in a trendy turquoise snake print metallic case.  The Lab Shine lip gloss mirror formula is light catching and provides a spectacular and intense shiny result.  Specially designed to achieve an ultra-bright effect, its silky brush ensures an optimal and dazzling coverage.
- Light Beige/Fresh Pink/Electric Rose/Ruby Red

Premium Aqua Cream Palette - Wild and Chic Aqua Cream Premium is a set of 10 best selling Aqua Cream products and one 5N brush, presented in a glam collector metallic clutch style box decorated in black snake print.  Aqua Cream are fabulous waterproof eye shadows with an impeccable hold that does not crease or run.  Highly concentrated in mother-of-pearl and pigments in each of its shade, its pearly texture offers intense payoff making the colors look luminous and instantly radiant on the skin.
- charcoal/taupe/white/gold/copper/pale pink/mauve/deep brown/warm pink/violet

My favorite pieces of the collection are the minaudieres, these are some of the best gifts that I have seen so far this season - I would love to give on of these or get one for myself.  The one that I would love to have for myself is the Turquoise with the lip glosses in it, I have never tried any of the lip products from this company and this looks like an awesome way to try them out.  The Wild and Chic palette is awesome too and I must buy this for myself.

These might be the best gifts of the season!!

photo courtesy of Make Up For Ever

Bobbi Brown Holiday 2011 Collection - Party Collection

Bobbi Brown's holiday collection is all about the fun and parties of the holiday season - which is exactly what we should be celebrating this time of the year!  I am all about having fun and as I stated earlier this season, lots of people tend to forget about that this time of the year and more stressed out than anything else.  Bobbi is so inspired by the parties and the fun of this season that she even released a new fragrance named Party to complement all the lovely makeup that is in this collection.  This collection is all shimmer and great shades for both lips and eyes.  I am so excited to look at these products!

The Party Collection from Bobbi Brown!

Onyx and Silver Eye Paint Palette - Accent eyes with the cool silvers and icy blues in this palette.  these long-wearing, densely pigmented shadows can be applied wet or dry for a variety of effects.  A unique combination of metallic powders, translucent oils, and polymers deliver a lustrous, highly-reflective finish.
- Tinsel - light silver
- Silver - blue silver
- Blue Onyx - deep indigo blue
- Lava - black with silver pearl

Chocolate and Gold Eye Paint Palette - Warm up your eyes for the holidays with this palette of golds and bronzes.  These long-wearing, densely pigmented shadows can be applied wet or dry for a varoety of effects.  A unique combination of metallic powers, transulcent oils, and polymers deliver a lustrous, highly-reflective finish.
- Gold - pale gold
- Bronze - beige gold
- Black Gold - black with gold pearl
- Chocolate - rich born with gold pearl

Party Eye Palette - Pop the bubbly!  Champagne, gold, and copper shades will accentuate and complement any party attire for the holidays.  Includes a Mini Dual Ended Shadow/Eyeliner Brush.
- Bone Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - off white
- Champagne Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow - champagne pink
- Pebble Metallic Eye Shadow - pinky grey brown
- Pink Blaze Sparkle Eye Shadow - golden rose
- Copper Sand Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - golden brown
- Black Chocolate Eye Shadow - blackest plum

Cool Party Eye Palette - With this versatile palette, you can choose to keep it cool and icy or choose to go for a more dramatic smoldering eye.  These are the perfect shade options to go from day to night, with just the right amount of shimmer and sparkle.  Includes a Mini Dual Ended Shadow/Eyeliner Brush.
- White Eye Shadow - pure white
- Iced Blue Metallic Eye Shadow - pale icy blue
- Rockstar Metallic Eye Shadow - medium metallic gray
- Sterling Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - medium silver blue
- Gunmetal Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - dark charcoal blue
- Onyx Sparkle Eye Shadow - black sparkle

Ultimate Party Collection - This collection features everything a girl about town needs to look party ready.  With eight matte, Metallic, Shimmer, and Sparkle Eye Shadows plus four Glitter Lip Glosses, this palette will add a special touch of holiday fun to any look.  Includes a Mini Lip Brush and Mini Eye Shadow Brush.
- Navajo Metallic Eye Shadow - creamy pinkish white
- Chrome Patina Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - silver khaki
- Pewter Chrome Eye Shadow - cool bronze metallic
- Plum Steel Metallic Eye Shadow - gray plum with silver pearl
- Crushed Granite Sparkle Eye Shadow - pale silver lilac
- Antique Gold Metallic Eye Shadow - deep gold sparkle
- Black Topaz Metallic Eye Shadow - deep green with gold pearl
- Rave Glitter Lip Gloss - deep chocolate plum
- Soiree Pink Glitter Lip Gloss - baby pink with silver flecks
- Iced Lilac Glitter Lip Gloss - light lilac with silver flecks
- Tinsel Glitter Lip Gloss - bright pink with gold pearl

Party Shimmer Brick - For the holiday season, Bobbi adds Party Shimmer Brick to her iconic collection.  This high luster combo of gold and silver will brighten your face for a glowing effect.

Dual Ended Eye Liner - Bobbi'e Dual Ended Eye Liner, one side brightens, while the other side defines for long-wearing that doesn't fade.  A unique combination of soft waxes and oils, plus a high concentration of pigments provides silky-smooth application and dense, even color.
- Jet and Chrome - black and silver
- Caviar and Gold - blackest brown and yellow gold
- Chocolate and Bronze - dark brown and golden chocolate

Lip Color - Bobbi's original formula treats lips to rich color with a soft-matte finish.  Infused with Vitamins E and C as well as Beeswax, it also moisturizes and comforts lips.
- Party Alice - pink rose
- Party Rose - deep berry

High Shimmer Lip Gloss - Bobbi's new lip gloss combines gorgeous, light catching shimmer with lasting, non-sticky shine.  Made with fine pearls and clear pigments, High Shimmer Lip Gloss stays color-true and gives lips beautiful, brilliant dimension.  Plus it's enriched with emollients and Vitamins C and E to moisturize, condition, and protect lips, so they feel as good as they look.  Whether you wear it on your own or on top of your favorite Lip Color, the new tapered applicator lets you apply it like a pro.
- Silver Pearl - silver with pink pearl
- Gold Pearl - yellow gold with pearl
Shimmer Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine.  Shimmer Lip Gloss offers beautiful, non-sticky shine with a touch of iridescence and is perfect on its own or over your favorite lipstick.  Formulated with Aloe Extract to soothe and soften lips; Vitamins C and E for anti-oxidant protection; and Jojoba and Avocado Oils to moisturize lips.
- Black Pearl - dusty mauve

Bobbi's Party Eau de Parfum - Bobbi's new fragrance for the holiday season will put you in a festive mood.  Featuring a rich bouquet of violet leaves, rose petals, and sandalwood, it's both classic and feminine, making in a perfect match for a cocktail dress or cozy sweater.

Lip Gloss Trio - Shimmer, sparkle, and shine.  Bobbi's Lip Trio is the perfect gift and back for a limited time in three beautiful shades and textures.  Now available in our original 4.2 ml lip gloss size.  Wear each shade alone for a quick pop of color or layer over lipstick for extra shine.  Includes Bare Sparkle High Shimmer Lip Gloss, Aubergine Lip Gloss, and Pastel Pink High Shimmer Lip Gloss.

Love, love, love this collection!  The eye palettes in this collection are among two of the best that I have seen all season.  I think that the brown and gold is my favorite of the two since all of those shades will work very well with my blue eyes.  The Ultimate Party palette might also be the best palette that I have seen this whole season and I am hoping that this will be sitting under my Christmas tree on Christmas morning, I will be sending out some strong hints to family over the next few days.  I will be sending the same hints out about the newest Shimmer Brick, I haven't even tried a Shimmer Brick yet but this one is so lovely that I want it just for the design in the powder.

Last but not least, I see another new rose fragrance!  Adding fragrances to the holiday collections is a great idea and one that I hope that we continue to see over the next few seasons, I need to seek this one out too!

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Trish McEvoy Holiday 2011 Collection - Winter Romance

The new collection from Trish McEvoy is aimed at both the holiday seasons and the winter months afterward, it is much less holiday than many of the other collections that have come out so far.  This collection creates a much softer, more neutral look than all the metallics and smoky eyes that we have been seeing for the past few weeks.  This collection contains a range of products, from eye and lip shades to a new fragrance.  I think that my favorite part of this collection will be the new fragrance, it is dark rose with a base of spices and woods.  I am always looking for new rose fragrances and this one sounds very unique. 

"Be a hopeful romantic this holiday season with these dreamy beauty enhancers.", states the Trish McEvoy website.  The model for this collection has a more dramatic neutral eye look with natural shades for the lips.  I just ordered the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette so I don't know that I need any more neutral shadows but this look is really pretty and I want to see if I already own anything like these shades.

Here is the holiday/winter collection from Trish McEvoy...

Eye Base Essentials - Trish McEvoy's Eye Base Essentials is a shadow primer and upper-eye brightener designed to correct darkness and discoloration of the eyelid, instantly creating a more vibrant, bright-eyed look while locking shadow in place for crease-proof, all-day wear.  Wear alone or as primer for shadow longevity.  Available in a range of shades to suit all skintones.

Deluxe Eye Shadow - This creamy, pigment-rich shadow delivers added brightness over your shadow primer, Eye Base Essentials.  Long wearing, crease resistant, color true.  Can be used dry and wet with Finish Line.  Can be applied sheer or layered for more coverage.
- Shell - creamy pale beige

Eye Shadow - This creamy, pigment-rich shadow delivers perfect depth and intensity for shading, contouring, and lining.  Long wearing, crease-resistant, color true.  Can be used dry and wet with Finish Line.  Can be applied sheer or layered for more definition.
- Antique Rose - medium warm rose shimmer

Glaze Eye Shadow - This creamy, shimmering, pigment-rich shadow delivers perfect depth and intensity for highlighting, contouring, and lining with a sophisticated finish.  Long wearing, crease-resistant, color true.  Can be used dry and wet with Finish Line.  Can be applied sheer or layered for more definition.
- Romance - pale shimmering blue pink

Intense Gel Eye Liner - Trish's intensely pigmented, longest wearing gel eye liner in pencil form glides effortlessly along the lash line for high-powered definition and the built-in sponge tip allows for effortless creation of a sultry smokey eye.  For use on inside or outside the lash line.
- Arabian Nights - deep navy blue

High Volume Mascara - This revolutionary tubular volumizing mascara forms water-resistant tubes 360 degrees around lashes, dries instantly, and cannot smudge or smear.  Better than waterproof, the 24 hour formula stays just-applied looking yet slides off with only warm water without leaving a trace.  The precision brush grabs lashes at the roots to lengthen even the shortest hairs for the look of a naturally lush lash line.
- Jet Black - deep black

Lash Curling Mascara - This revolutionary tubular curling mascara forms water-resistant tubes 360 degrees around lashes, dries instantly, and cannot smudge or smear.  Better than waterproof, the 24 hour formula stays just-applied looking yet slides off with only warm water without leaving a trace.  The innovative curling brush lifts and curves each lash for instant eye-opening curl.
- Jet Black - deep black

Bronzer - This innovative bronzer for all skin tones delivers a soft golden glow for a lit-from-within look.  The ultra-fine powder glides evenly onto skin to create all-over warmth and definition while adhering for long wear.  Trish prescribes this illuminating bronzer year-round for a healthy, natural glow.  Universally flattering for all skin tones.  Translucent pigments provide a mistake-proof application.
- Golden - medium matte bronzer for all skin tones

Lip Liner - This perfect lip-defining formula glides on smoothly for precise, natural definition.
- Barely Rose - neutral medium rose

Classic Cream Lip Color - Trish McEvoy's Classic Cream Lip Color Collection combines mistake-proof pigments with a lip-conditioning formula for a rich, creamy, long-wear finish.
- Vibrant Pink - medium cool pink

Black Rose Oud - Glamorous.  Discover Black Rose Oud, a mesmerizing, opulent, modern scent that combines rare black baccara rose and coveted agarwood with vibrant florals, exotic spices, and sensual woods.

Very excited for this new perfume fragrance, this spicy rose sounds very unique and I must try it out very soon.  I want all of the eye shadow shades from this collection, I see both of the pinks working very well with the original Urban Decay Naked Palette and I will be able to create many versions of this eye look by adding that palette to this look.  I can live without the lip products from this collection but I am very curious about that bronzer, I am wondering how a bronzer will make my skin look this time of the year when it is super pale.

photo courtesy of Trish McEvoy

YSL Holiday 2011 Collection

The YSL collection for this holiday is all about smoky eyes and red lips, this makeup collection is very dramatic and is very appropriate for all the holiday parties that will be occuring this season.  I love both red lipstick shades and smoky eyes and therefore I am really excited for this collection and I am really looking forward to some great new red lip shades.  I have been buying red lip shades almost solely from MAC and Lipstick Queen so I am really looking forward to trying a new one from YSL (I haven't used any lipsticks from this collection yet).  I don't know if I will replicate the whole look on the model, doing both the smoky eyes and the red lipstick at once but I would be willing to try each look individually.
Here is the holiday collection from YSL...

Palette Terriblement Noir Eye Shadow Palette - Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized women's fashion in 1966 when he created "Le Smoking", the tuxedo suit for women.  Taking inspiration from the iconic design, this limited edition eye palette uses one of the most emblematic symbols, the satin cumberbund while playing with the most sophisticated of black and white.  Each shade expressed a different texture, representing the beautiful fabrics used by Yves Saint Laurent Couture House; Shiny Silk, Matte Velvet, Sparkling Moire, Glittering Lame, and Creamy Satin.  Dress yourself in the textures of Yves Saint Laurent and create the most sophisticated couture smoky eye.

Manucure Couture - An elegant new Manucure Couture is inspired by the "Le Smoking" tuxedo jacket.  Two deep black shades, one matte and one shiny for a sophisticated tone-on-tone manicure.  Accessorize your nails with a couture look for the season: velvet and satin never looked so gorgeous together.

Rouge Pur Couture - A new generation lipstick inspired by Monsieur Saint Laurent's iconic color palette - red, fuchsia, and orange - in a collection of captivating couture shades that offer each complexion a customized look.  Enveloped in a luxurious gold case designed by Creative Director Stefano Pilati, Rouge Pur Couture speaks elegance.  Lips are saturated with intense, stay-true color, thanks to the Coloreveal Technology while natural extracts provide comforting moisture that lasts all day.  Provides medium to full coverage with a radiant, satin finish.  SPF 15.
- 38 Rose Aphrodite - light blue pink cream
- 40 Rouge Eros - medium berry red cream

Golden Gloss - Worth its weight in gold, this gorgeous gloss dresses lips in a sophisticated, high-shine shimmer that's truly precious.  Sparkling 24 carat gold flecks (0.2%) create a mirror-like effect for guarenteed glamour, while a complex of nourishing oils protect and hydrate for optimal comfort.  Scented with a subtle hint of mango that's utterly irresistible.
- 46 White Gold Quartz - warm white shimmer
- 47 White Gold Topaz - medium grape purple shimmer
- 48 White Gold Amethyst - deep black plum shimmer
Ombres Duolumieres - As homage to the spirit of Monsieur Saint Laurent, these vivacious, couture-inspired color pairs combine beautifully to dress eyes in a seamlessly sophisticated look that's luminous and lasting.  The light shade may be worn alone, or as a base to extend the wear of the accompanying deep-toned shadow, while the dark shade creates depth, contour, and intensity.  The silky, long-wear formula is infused with an optical smoothing effect that reveals breathtakingly radiant color that won't fade.
- 41 Silver Moire/Black Flannel - shimmering pale silver/black with shimmering silver flecks

The eye shadow palette that was inspired by "Le Smoking" is one of the best that I have seen all season, if not all year.  I love this palette and can't even begin to list all of the looks that I could create with it for going out at night.  That is my first choice from this collection, there is no point in getting the eye shadow duo since both shades in it are taken care of in the full palette.  I can safely pass over all three of the lip gloss shades, I'm not that into any of them but I do like both of the lipstick shades.  The pale pink that is included with this collection looks very close to the original Viva Glam Gaga, making it worthy of being checked out very soon.

This collection is right up there in my five favorite of the season...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Dior Holiday 2011 Collection - Les Rouges Or

December is finally here and that means that we only have about three and a half weeks left to finish up all of our holiday shopping.  This also means that the holiday collections are beginning to dwindle down, we have just a handful left.  But the ones that we have left are still some great collections; we have yet to look at Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, and Lancome.  But first we will look at a traditional favorite company of mine at the holidays, the Les Rouges Or collection from Dior.  This collection might be small but it promises some great gold shades to usher in the holiday party season.
The latest from Dior...

5 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - Dior's bestselling eye palette offers endless possibilities in a seductive range of rich, versatile colors designed for easy application and wear.  Use the oval wand to apply the lightest shade to the upper part of inner eyelid, then blend the darkest shade along the lash line.  Shade the outer brow with one of the remaining colors.  For more intensity, use a fourth color under the lashes.
- Incognito - pale champage gold/pale cool beige/shimmering cool taupe/deep shimmering bronze/medium bronze

Vernis - Gold to the end of your fingertips.  Glowing in a haze of new light, nails are transformed into precious accessories.  Injected with a golden powder as delicate as that of a goldsmith, Dior Vernis cult shades dress up in a radiant blaze.
- Or Divin - pale shimmering gold

Rouge Dior - Rouge Dior is a wardrobe of 32 sublime shades directly inspired by the deep, luxurious colors of Dior Haute Couture gowns to reveal all the beauty of triumphant and radiant feminity!  Instantly and day after day, this exceptional lipstick offers the lips the extreme splendor of full, smooth, and perfectly defined youthfulness.  The secret?  A new generation of plumping hyaluronic acid microspheres.  Generously coated with pigments on the lip surface, they help boost the radiance and depth of color.
- Pisanelle Pink 428 - neutral medium pink cream

The eye shadow palette is the star of this collection, it is perfect to help create a shimmering gold eye to wear this holiday season.  I would use this one all the time, from this season and then all the way into the spring and summer.  Tbis palette is going to be a great choice for me.  The lipstick shade that was picked for this collection will for well for a professional atmosphere or against any type of strong eye makeup look.  I'm not a fan of gold nail polish as it tends to be too warm for my skintone so I will skip over that shade but the rest of the collection is going to be great for me!

photo courtesy of Dior

Guerlain Holiday 2011 Collection

The Guerlain holiday 2011 collection is completely to die for, I have been seeing hints of it in all the fashion and beauty magazines over the past few weeks and it has been getting some major blog raves from many of the top bloggers.  This collection proves that it is quality that counts, it only contains four products however these are among the best of the whole season.  This concept is so much better than some companies who make huge collections but over half of the products and shades are ones that we have already seen this season or are completely unworkable in many situtations.  This collection contains many shades of blues for eyes, which isn't my favorite look but I am very excited for the rest of the pieces in this collection.

The Guerlain holiday collection...

Vol de Nuit Limited Edition - A perfumed shimmer powder for face, body, and hair.  Pressing on the bulb releases a silky, airy powder.  Inspired by the fragrance Vol de Nuit, makeup and fragrance merge in an ultimate beauty step.  A powder with chypre, vanilla notes true to those of the fragrance Vol de Nuit, whole dominant green and woody energy is softened with vanilla and iris.

Meteorities Perles de Nuit Limited Edition - The uber-cult pearls highlight for Christmas.  For unforgettable celebrations, these uber-cult pearls are being reinvented in a holiday season limited edition with new pink, white, gold, orange, and silver shades.  Five perfectly smooth beads to correct, illuminate, and even out the skin and give radiance with unprecedented sparkle.

Parure de Nuit Limited Edition - A pressed, 2-in-1 powder for face and blush.  A powder with pale pink, white, deep pink, and blue green harmonies.  Four shades decorated with an iridescent and translucent shower of stars, to form a universal harmony that gives the face a fascinating aura.  Nestled in a black velvet suede-finish pouch lined in blue-green satin, the black lacquer case conceals an extremely soft brush made of blue-green goat hair.

Ecrin 4 Couleurs Limited Edition - The colors of the night.  A new harmony offering couleurs for night owls, from twilight to the deepest night.  Iridescent - minute green, blue, and gray pearlescent particles play under the light and released luminous colour with an extremely metallic finish.  Matte - a black shadow with an extra-matte, ultra-gentle, and incredibly comfortable finish for a precise, intense liner effect.  For blazing, smoky, strong, and spellbinding eyes.
The most amazing piece of this collection is the Vol de Nuit shimmer powder, I am very interested in this woody fragrance and this bottle will look beautful displayed in my bedroom.  I wish the shades in the Ecrin 4 Couleurs would be better suited to me, the palette is beautiful however I don't do blue eye makeup shades and therefore there is no point in me purchasing this product.  I am very intrigued by the blush and face powder in this collection, I wonder how the blue-green acents in the powder actually appear on the skin.

It kills me to not have any type of Guerlain counter anywhere near me...

photo courtesy of Guerlain

Tarina Tarantino Holiday 2011 Collection - Aurora Collection

I see that Tarina Tarantino has released their holiday collection in a timely fashion, their fall collection came out so late that I was already in the middle of the holiday collections by the time that it hit the counters at Sephora and wasn't really able to go back and check it out.  I wish that they would have released that collection in the summer months when I have more time to blog and don't have to worry about classes.  Oh well...  The holiday collection looks gorgeous so I am willing to forgive the fact that I wasn't able to get my hands on anything from the fall collection.  This collection contains some great shades of purples and pinks and will work all the way from the holidays into the beginning of the spring months.

The holiday collection is named Aurora and reminds me of the main character of Sleeping Beauty.  I love the icy shades in this collection and they remind me of a Disney Princess waking up from a long sleep.  "Tarina Tarantino took her inspiration for this mesmerizing new collection from the luminous, colorful glow of the Arctic Northern Lights, magically icy landscapes, and wintery dreams.  The result?  A range of stunning products - from shadows to cheek color to eyeliner - that sparkles with opulence and whimsy."  I love the pink shades from this collection that are used on the model and I think that I can make this collection work for me since I have the same hair color and skintone.

Here is the collection...

Aurora Jewel Shadow Palette - A compact with five coordinating eye shadows to make your eyes sparkle like jewels.  These palettes feature five shimmery eye shadows in colors that call to mind the hypnotic nightime glow of the aurora borealis.  Each shadow includes crushed pearls, diamond dust, and silky porcelain for a glimmering effect.  These longwearing formulations feature ultra high intensity pigments and can be applied wet or dry.  The compact's oval shape makes it easier to see the whole surface of your face when applying makeup. 
- Diamond Dusk - pale champange/icy pale silver/medium rose/shimmering medium charcoal/deep shimmering black
- Violet Storm - pale champange/medium forest green/pale shimmering lilac/bright blue/deep shimmering plum

Sparklicity Gloss - A hydrating gloss that adds color and sparkle to your lips.  One of the most innovative lip products on the market, this gloss contains gemstone powders to create dazzling glimmer effects on the lips.  Lip staining pigments add color that increases with each additional coat.  Natural oils and butters provide hours of non-sticky hydration.  Wear alone or over other lip products.
- Paiette - sheer light pink with iridescent shimmer

Fleur de Lash - A superior mascara formulation that thickens and lengthens lashes.  With Fleur de Lash, Tarina Tarantino has combined the best long-lasting formula and a luscious, thick brush to give you traffic-stopping lashes.  Fleur de Lash is like false lashes in a tube, for lashes so beautiful you want to bat them all day long.
- Black Opal - black

Sparklicity Pure - A microcrystal sparkle product to add luxurious shimmer to the eyes, cheeks, and lips.  Made almost entirely of a shimmery reflex material, Sparklicity Pure creates an incredible sparkling effect without binder materials getting in the way of its reflective properties.
- Pure Opal - white iridescent shimmer

Eyelicity Glitter Liner - A collection of sparkly liners.  These three vibrant shades provide smooth color payoff and excellent coverage.  Shades in pink and white highlight and brighten the eye.  Each color is easy to blend after application and is highly smudge-proof.
- Black Diamond - black liner with iridescent glitter

Pearl Glow Primer - A two-in-one primer that adds a luminous glow and primer in one step.  Tarina Tarantino's Pearl Glow Primer is like capturing beautiful light in a bottle and is the perfect shade of "glow".  It also gently moisturizes the skin and creates a perfectly prepped surface for makeup application.
- Pearl - opalescent glow
- Pearl Nude - nude tinted opalescent glow

Dollskin Cheek - A collection of smooth-texture high-definition blushes.  This micronized, high-definition powder features a silky, blendable, and buildable texture that imparts the collection with a natural glow.  It's true color payoff that wears all day long.  For every skintone.
- Carved Rose - cool vivid pink
- Charm - medium rose
- Feather - shimmering peach
- Neapolitan Lane - muted beige pink
- Parasol - shimmering bright pink coral

For the first time in quite a few collections, the cheek shades have caught my eye first instead of lipstick shades or eye shadow palettes.  I must try the Dollskin Cheek product, especially the Carved Rose and Charm shades.  I am forever on the hunt for new blushes and I love the look of very vivid pink cheeks against pale skin, I am so excited to try this product out!  The Diamond Dusk eye shadow palette is lovely however the shades are not very unique and I would only really be likely to purchase this is the pigmentation and formulation of the shadows is very special and unique so I will need to try this one out at the counter before I make a decision on it.  The lip gloss shade is pretty but since it is light pink with shimmer, I know that I already own a ton like it and can safely ignore it for the time being, maybe it will look amazing when I try it at the counter.  Last but not least, I am very intrigued by the primer from this company, this one will be going on my shopping list right along with the blushes.

I haven't used as much fromthis company as I would have liked to before checking this collection out.  The shades that are featured in it are lovely however somewhat generic but I have heard many raves about the pigmentation and textures from this company's products.  If the raves are correct then it would make all of these products worth a purchase since they would be unique in the beauty market.  This is a line of products that I will need to try at the store and can't just order online.  With the hustle and bustle of my Sephora at this time of the year, I may have to postpone this shopping trip until the new year...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Smashbox Holiday 2011 Collection - Holiday Flash

Smashbox is mostly known for their palettes and sets when it comes to their holiday collection.  I did see many nice sets on their website that would make great gifts this time of the year however I was most interested in focusing on their color collection for the season.  I might be wrong but I seem to remember that the past few years, this company hasn't done any type of color collection and instead did a focus on the gifting collections for the holidays.  But this year looks very different and I am more excited to see what type of shades that they have come out with this time of the year instead of how they decided to update the types of sets that they offer almost every single year.

Holiday Flash is the name of the color collection for this holiday season and even though it is not very large, it looks like it will hit the big trends of the season and contain some shades that are perfect for dressing up for holiday parties.  In this collection, I see lots of metallics and reds, this looks like a very traditional holiday makeup collection.  "Turn on the studio sparkle with our megawatt favorites for the season.", states the Smashbox website in a description of the overall collection.  I am getting a glimpse of metallic liquid eye liners and I am thinking that they are ones that I have been seeing recommended in a bunch of this month's beauty and fashion magazines.  We all know that pen-style liquid eye liners are a favorite product of mine so I very well might need to take advantage of the new shades offered in this collection...

Holiday Flash from Smashbox!

Holiday Flash Longwear Liquid Liner - Amp up your eyes this season with a pop of gorgeous metallic color.  The long-wearing formula will take you from morning to holiday party!  For a dramatic, high-fash look, try applying black liquid liner to your upper lash line first, then layering the Chrome or 14K shade right above it.
- Chrome - metallic silver
- 14K - metallic gold

Holiday Flash Eye Lights Quad - Eyes will glimmer like a string of holiday lights with this quad of exquisite metallics!  All four shades can be worn wet or dry for ultimate versatility.  To create more intense color, simply dip your brush (preferably one with stiffer bristles) into water, squeeze out any excess, and press into the shadow.
- Gold/Pearl/Silver/Pewter

Holiday Flash Double-Ended Lip Gloss - This sparkling duo of glitter-infused glosses will get you ready for any mistletoe action!  Bring an old lipstick back to life by applying a coat of this glittery gloss over it.  Mix and match old and new to create glimmering custom colors!
- Star - sheer red with multi-color glitter
- Siren - clear with iridescent glitter

I love this little collection, it is very traditional holiday but there are some great choices in it!  My favorite item is the liquid liner in the gold shade, I will buy this the next time that I head up to Sephora.  The eye palette is very pretty too but the sahdes aren't unique enough for it to warrant a purchase.  I can skip over the lip gloss duo, sparkling red glosses aren't my favorite and I would rather wear red lipstick than red gloss anyday.  I hope that Smashbox continues to release more than just gift collections at the holidays!

photo courtesy of Smashbox

Bath and Body Works 3 Cheers Collection

December is almost here and it is really time for the holiday party invites to start coming fast and furious at us.  In addition to all the holiday parties that are coming up, New Year's Eve is on the way too and I will start looking for a party dress to wear for this year's celebration.  With all that in mind, Bath and Body Works has released a new line just for the holiday party season that is designed to get us all in the party mood and ready for the fun part of the holidays.  With all the extra work that goes into this season, it is often very easy to forget about all the fun that can happen this month and all the reasons to be excited about the season.  Bath and Body Works newest holiday product line helps us all to remember to have some fun this time of the year and to make sure that we do some celebrating in between all the shopping and gift wrapping!

This collection contains three new fragrances and I am willing to bet that it is limited edition since it is holiday-themed and contains very few products in it.  The collection is named 3 Cheers and it contains the following fragrances: Strawberry Sparkler, Jingle Bellini, and Vanillatini.  Small sizes of the lotion in these fragrances was available at the beginning of the month but sold out before I was able to do anything more than smell them in the stores.  From the beginning, Vanillatini was my favorite of the collection, it had a warn vanilla and coconut scent that I could wear from now all the way through next summer.  Since I hate winter and cold weather, I am perfectly happy to use summer fragranced body products all year round in hopes of bringing thoughts of the beach into my shower.  I liked the other two fragrances but since they weren't as strong in the bottle, I did pass them over until I was able to really try them when the full sizes of the products came out.  The two light fragrances are the Jingle Bellini and the Strawberry Sparkler and I was able to retest all the fragrances last week when the full sizes of the products became available in the stores. 

Strawberry Sparkler is one that I had expected to like the least of the three, I don't normally like many berry scents in general and I find that a lot of the strawberry scents on the market tend to be very fake and cloying instead of light and fresh.  This is on the sweeter side, it reminds me more of a strawberry ice cream type of fragrance than the traditional berry fragrance.  "Our exclusive Strawberry Sparkler is a flirty cocktail of wild strawberries, sparkling mandarin, and pink jasmine."  The top notes of the fragrance are: Sparkling Mandarin, Fiji Apple, Wild Strawberry.  The heart notes: Pink Jasmine, Mirabelle Plum, Vanilla Orchid.  The base notes are: Sugared Musk, Blonde Woods, Tonka Bean, Vanilla Extract.  This fragrance really reminds me of strawberry ice cream and I fell in love with it when I gave it a second chance.  It is light and sweet and can be worn all year round.  This scent is much better than I originally thought that it would be!

The second fragrance is Jingle Bellini, a peach-inspired scent.  Many peach fragrances are either really good or really bad so I usually skip over most peach scents.  This scent is more complex than a simple peach, it combines the peach notes with a bellini-inspired group of notes, making the scent more complex and better than a simple, sweet peach.  "Our exclusive Jingle Bellini is a festive cocktail of peach champagne, apricot nectar, and powdered sugar."  The top notes are: Apricot Puree, White Peach, Sparkling Prosecco.  The heart notes are: Juicy Nectarine, Honeysuckle Blossom, Passionfruit Nectar.  The bottom notes of the fragrance are: Sugarcane, Golden Vanilla, Creamy Sandalwood, White Musks.  This fragrance smelled the lightest in the bottle and didn't really have a very distinctive scent until I tried it on.  Even applied, it is the lightest of the three fragrances and will be best for those who like very little fragrance.  This one reminded me of the scent of an actual bellini, I love how different this is from the sweet peach fragrances, I predit that this scent will have lots of appeal. 

The last fragrance is the Vanillatini and it was my initial favorite and still remains my favorite of the collection.  This one reminds of both the Coconut Vanilla and the Hawaii Coconut from this company (both of which I loved last spring) and therefore I knew that it was just a matter of the store getting the full sizes in before I would end up buying the products in this fragrance.  "Our exclusive Vanillatini is an addictive cocktail of fresh vanilla, creamy coconut, and lemon zest."  The top notes are: Juicy Bergamot, Lemon Zest, Watery Green Apple, Pineapple Sorbet.  The middle notes of the fragrance are: Blackcurrant, Sheer Musk, Jasmine, Creamy Coconut.  The base notes of the fragrance are: Exotic Vanilla, White Musk, Sandalwood.  I love this fragrance and I am so excited to find a new vanilla and coconut fragrance to wear all the way until next summer.  This one is a light mix of the two notes however it is more crisp than simply sweet since it contains a melange of the crisp fruit notes in it.  I love this fragrance so much!

All three of the fragrances came in the Shimmer Mist, the Body Lotion, the Shower Gel, and a Lip Gloss.  I was a bit disappointed that only the Shimmer Mist is offered since I don't normally wear any type of spray shimmer and that killed me buying the fragrance mist in any of the scents.  However, I did indulge in the body lotion and the shower gel in all three of the fragrances.  I was a bit surprised that I ended up liking the Strawberry as much as I did but I was very happy that I found three new fragrances to buy and ones that will last me well into next summer yet too.  I love this little collection and I wish that it was around longer than just the holidays!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Harajuku Lovers Jingle G

I think that the Harajuku fragrances just keep getting worse and worse...  The Super G fragrance that came out this fall was one of the worst fragrances that I have smelled in the past few months and I must say that the newest fragrance from this company suffers from the same tragic fate.  Jingle G is the newest fragrance and of course it is themed toward the holidays even though I believe it came out in mid fall (right after the other fragrance from Harajuku).  This fragrance is more of an oriental fragrance than the others so I was hoping that it would be nicer than the past few.  I find that oriental fragrances are harder to craft than the simple fruity florals that this company has been churning out for the past years so this fragrance actually has the potential to be even worse than the rest of the collection.

Jingle G is the cutest little bottle and would be a great stocking stuffer for anyone who loves Harajuku fragrances or Gwen Stefani herself.  "Jingle all the way with Jingle G!  A warm, cozy fragrance, this fruity-oriental scent is perfect for nuzzling underneath the mistletoe.  Decked out in a festive red and white suit, Jingle G has a built-in hook in her cap that enables her to become a holiday tree ornament.  With a bright red hair bow and gold belt buckle to hold up her three-button suit, Jingle G is ready to celebrate the holiday dressed in festive style."

The description of this fragrance is very correct in that it is much warmer than the other fragrances.  This one reminds me of a version of Pink Sugar with a bit more of a floral note, I believe that this is close to one of the discontinued Victoria's Secret Pink fragrances.  The notes are: White Star Fruit, Gardenia, Tangerine, Honeysuckle, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Lace Benzoin Tears.  What are Lace Benzoin Tears?  I have never heard of this note or anything even remotely related to it. 

If I was a teenager or in the beginning of my college years, I might really like this fragrance but I can't make this fragrance work now.  This fragrance is a glorified version of a body spary that would appeal to a younger girl but I don't like this one at all on me.  The gardenia and vanilla notes are the strongest ones in this fragrance and this is combination that just doesn't work on me.

The Harajuku fragrances have been killing me lately and this is no expection.  I do wonder if this line is coming to an end since I feel like the fragrances are getting worse and worse.  I liked the originals but I feel like the new versions are beginning to get cheaper and cheaper.  This is really cute packaging and I love that it can be used as an ornament but I can't get past the fragrance inside the bottle.

photo courtesy of Sephora

OPI for Sephora Holiday 2011 Collection - Glimmer Wonderland

Everyone who has been reading this blog for the past few months knows that I have been obsessed with nail polish since the middle of the summer, nail polish was one o the few beauty items that I was never all that interested in until I discovered China Glaze from a friend's manicurist.  Ever since that happened, it is rare that I go two weeks without ordering or buying a few new shades of polish.  So far, we have looked at a bunch of holiday polish collections, all of which are focusing on glitter polishes in fun holiday shades.  The new OPI for Sephora collection, named Glimmer Wonderland, promises more of the same polish shades that we have been seeing all season. 

In the spirit of the holiday season, this collection is currently available in both single polishes and sets that are perfect for those on your gift list.  Personally, I am looking at the sets for myself if I find that I love a bunch of the shades in this collection.  "Inspired by all things bright and sparkly, Sephora by OPI's Glimmer Wonderland Collection captures the energy of the holiday season.  These shimmering, color-rich shades are like 'the instant glam you get from a sequin party dress or sparkly accessory you throw on to glam yourself up!' says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI VP and Artistic Director.  Add glimmer to your tips and toes with Be-Claus I Said So, a red glitter, or Naughty is the New Nice, a light blue metallic.  Even better, these festive shades are long-wearing, chip-resistant, and free of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde."  The last thing that I could possibly need is more nail polish but I can't wait to check these shades out!
The collection...

Glimmer Wonderland Eighteen Piece Mini Nail Colour Set - An eighteen piece set of mini nail polishes.  Get your nails ready for any occasion with a collection of nail colours that that brings together best-sellers, trend shades, and basics.  A perfect treat for yourself, it makes a great gift too.  Sephora by OPI brings together Sephora's authority in beauty trends with the colour expertise and renowned quality of OPI.  Each long-lasting, chip-resistant polish ensures flawless results and its ingredient list excludes DBP, toluene, formaldehyde. 
- Dear Diary - sheer warm light pink
- How Cute is That? - opaque vintage pink coral
- Natural Environ-mint - opaque celadon blue
- It's Hippo To Be Square - opaque lilac
- Access 24/7 - opaque magenta
- Ms. Can't Be Wrong - opaque metallic deep mulberry
- Don't Feed the Hand Models - opaque pink beige
- Metro Chic - opaque dark smoke with a hint of purple
- Already Famous - sheer pewter with medium champagne and silver glitter
- I'm With Brad - opaque metallic wine over dark coffee
- Sample Sale - opaque deep red metallic
- Fiercely Fabulous - opaque poppy red
- Break a Leg-Warmer - opaque charcoal gray
- Bring On the Snowflakes - opaque silver foil
- Mermaid To Order - opaque metallic turquoise green
- I Don't Bite - opaque soft purple with fine holographic glitter
- Eve-y On the Eyes - opaque metallic red violet
- Just a Little Dangerous - opaque metallic amethyst

Glimmer Wonderland Six Piece Mini Nail Colour - A six piece set of mini nail polishes.  Get your nails ready for any occasion with a collection of nail colours that brings together best-sellers, trend shades, and basics.  A perfect treat for yourself, it makes a great gift too.  Sephora by OPI brings together Sephora's authority in beauty trends with the color expertise and the renowned quality of OPI.  Each long-lasting, chip-resistant polish ensures flawless results and its ingredient list excludes DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde.
- Bare To Be Different - sheer warm ecru
- Looks Like Rain Deer - opaque gold with fine and chunky iridescent glitter
- Sample Sale - opaque deep red metallic
- Never Enough Shoes - opaque black with multi-colour medium glitter
- No-el If I Know - opaque silver foil
- Already Famous - sheer pewter with medium champagne and silver glitter

Glimmer Wonderland Four Piece Mini Nail Colour - A four piece set of mini nail polishes.  Get your nails ready for any occasion with a collection of nail colours that brings together best-sellers, trend shades, and basics.  A perfect treat for yourself, it makes a great gift too.  Sephora by OPI brings together Sephora's authority in beauty trends with the colour expertise and the renowned quality of OPI.  Each long-lasting, chip-resistant polish ensures flawless results and its ingredient list excludes DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde.
- Just a Little Dangerous - opaque metallic amethyst
- It's Bouquet With Me - sheer violet with silver and holographic chunky glitter
- Let Them Eat Fruitcake - opaque metallic dirty lilac
- Dear Diary - sheer pale pink

Nail Colour - Fashion forward, wearable nails colours for the modern woman who is looking for an effective, safe, environmentally conscious brand.  Sephora by OPI Nail Colour, a line of 54+ trend-setting shades, puts the final touch on fingertips and toes with a top quality formula you have come to expect from OPI.  The long-lasting, chip-resistant polish ensures flawless results with each application, and its green ingredient list excludes DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde.  Sephora by OPI coombines the quality and color expertise of OPI, the world leader in professional nail color, with Sephora's reputation for the latest in beauty and sophistication.
- Be-Claus I Said So - clear with medium and chunky red glitter
- Chest-Nuts About You - opaque pink champagne with fine glitter
- Don't Be Eggnogious - clear with medium and chunky copper glitter
- Stop Stocking Me - opaque metallic gold plum
- Sugar Plum Fairies Gone Wild - clear with medium and chunky purple glitter
- Naughty Is The New Nice - opaque ice blue with fine silver glitter
- Countdown to the Kiss - opaque royal blue with medium glitter
- Keep Me On My Mistletoe - opaque champagne gold with fine glitter
- New Year's Red-Solution - opaque metallic golden red
- Good Tidings We Bling - clear with fine and chunky red and green glitter

I thought that the sets were going to be the Christmas shades since they are all part of the Glimmer Wonderland collection, not sure why they would be labeled as part of this collection and not contain any holiday themed shades at all...  Anyway, I still love both the six and four piece sets and will be adding both of them to my nail polish wardrobe soon.  The single shades are very traditional holiday with what we have been seeing so far this season, lots and lots of glitter!  The shades that are clear with the color glitter will be skipped over, I already dismissed many of them with the traditional OPI holiday collection and I don't like them any better this time around.  Chest-Nuts About You is my favorite shades of the collection, it is great neutral basic with a bit of gold shimmer in to make it something special.  Stop Stocking Me and Countdown to the Kiss are my other choices from this collections, both are great deep shimmer hues that will work this whole holiday season and the rest of the winter months.

photo courtesy of Sephora

MAC Gareth Pugh for MAC

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I am currently biding time before football comes on so I have some time to update and perhaps do a bit of reading for class.  I think that a look at the newest MAC collection is in order before I try to do any type of school work today.  The newest collection is another one in the series of collaborations that MAC has done over the past few months.  I have been really liking many of the collaboration collections lately, I feel like this is really when we are seeing different looks and shades instead of the same ten shades that we see all the time in collections.  This collection was made with Gareth Pugh, a British fashion designer with a taste for the subversive and avant-garde.  His work is often compared to that of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, many of the items that go down his runway are a combination of both art and fashion.  This makeup collection looks very much like what I would expect to see from a company like Illamasqua, a refreshing change from all the holiday collections that we have been seeing over the past month.

"London-based style subversive Gareth Pugh infuses his shadowy, esoteric vision into an exclusive collection for MAC.  Shades, accessories, and design - as stylistically daring as his reputation!"  I see lots of deep shades in this collection with a large emphasis plum hues.  All the shades in the collection are very dramatic and I hope that they have the high quality pigmentation to back up how amazing they look in the pan!

Gareth Pugh for MAC...

Gareth Pugh for MAC Pigment - Limited edition Pigments exclusively shaded for Gareth Pugh for MAC.  The square jar and black outer packaging features the collection's marque.
- Guise - frosty gray
- Deceit - blackened plum with pink pearl

Gareth Pugh for MAC Metal X Cream Eye Shadow - Gareth's Pugh's futuristic vision takes on a striking metallic shine.  On the skin, this creamy powder formula melts into a vibrant liquid metal finish.  The designer's signature style is articulated in the black compact.  Limited edition.
- Ardent - frosted blackened burgundy
- Obscura - frosty gunmetal gray

Flight Lash - A limited-edition lash designed to amplify the geometric intensity of Gareth Pugh for MAC.  Highly sculptured, this dense, dark, triangle-shaped lash is designed for stylish drama.

Studio Fix Boldblack Lash - Fashionflower girl's confidence stems from petal-light lashes that sprout dramatically with a new Mascara that's intensely carbon.  A high-coverage, long-lasting formula matched with a molded brush.  Get lashes that are blacker than black!

Gareth Pugh for MAC Technakohl Liner - Gareth Pugh knows the power of bold.  Soft enough to smoke the eye, firm enough to define a line, Technakohl Liner is the perfect fit for his vision.  Stylishly presented in the glossy black of the collection.  Limited edition.
- Grayprint - rich pewter gray with frost
- Graphblack - rich graphic black

Gareth Pugh for MAC Lipstick - Limited edition Lipstick in shades reflecting Pugh's trademark drama.  His impeccable high style is evoked by the lipstick's glossy black square casing and signature marque.
- Restrict - creamy grayed nude
- Fervent - glossy blackened berry

Gareth Pugh for MAC Lipglass - Unconventionally shaded, pearl infused; shades as deliciously cultish and fancinating as any Gareth Pugh design.  A square vial with sculpted glossy/matte black cap and the collection's signature detail adds to the impact.
- Vacant - sheer light lavender gray with violet pearl
- Outrage - sheer berry with gold pearl

Gareth Pugh for MAC Powder Blush - Keying into the look of Gareth Pugh for MAC, this midtone nude offers a paler yet profound approach to cheek definition.  The defining touch makes this so stylishly Pugh - a dramatically chic square black compact.
- Strada - midtone nude

Gareth Pugh for MAC Beauty Powder - A shade as soft and enigmatic as its name - Etude.  The black compact, a juxtaposition of matte and shine with the collection's signature marque on the lid.  On the powder's surface, an intricate mix of patterns.  This is form, content, and beauty, Pugh-style.  Your entire order ships for free with this item!
- Etude - translucent neutral beige

Gareth Pugh for MAC Nail Lacquer - Shade and finish, this limited edition Nail Lacquer sums up the entire sub-culture mood of Gareth Pugh for MAC.  The square glass bottle features the collector's signature marque.  Limited edition.
- Inert - creamy midtone grayed nude
- Ascension - gray with blue violet reflective pearl
- Hyper - deep blue with violet purple

Gareth Pugh for MAC Square Handled Buffer Brush - Dense, extra-soft; this ultra-full, dome shaped Powder Brush adds polish to all Powder and Pigment applications.  The glossy black short handle with the collection's signature matte marque is distinctly and stylishly Gareth Pugh!  Limited edition.  your entire order ships for free with this item!

Gareth Pugh for MAC Makeup Bag - Dramatic, dark, edgy.  Everyone will know it's a Gareth Pugh for MAC!  Organized with loops on the inside.  Glossy black with matte on the outside.  The key accessory of the collection.  6" x 6" x 2".  Limited edition.  Your entire order ships for free with this item!

Off the bat I can already state that my favorite part of this collection is the Nail Lacquers!  This a great series of shades for those of us who are beginning to get sick of glitter finishes and red shades, I love deep jewel tone polishes in unusual shades so I will be putting Ascension on the top of my shopping list.  My second favorite part of this collection is the eye makeup products, I love both the liners and the eye shadows.  The Grayprint shade of Technakohl Liner looks as those it will be great to create a gray smoky eye, alook that I am looking forward to wearing this holiday season.  I want both shades of the Metal X cream shadow, I want to use them as both shadows and liners, the grays in this collection are simply stellar.  To end out my list on this collection, I want the berry shades in both the Lipglass and the Lipstick, both of these will work very well with my pale skin. 

MAC, thank you for creating a collection that looks like nothing else on the market today and that contains a large range of beautiful shades.  This is the best collection from MAC in the past few months and this type of collection is what I love about MAC!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

MAC Miss Piggy for MAC

Earlier this week we looked at the O.P.I. collaboration with The Muppets to celebrate the new movie that is being released this holiday season.  I stated then that I was really excited for the collaboration that MAC was doing with the movie too.   I was envisioning bright pinks for lipsticks and glosses and lots of fun eye shadow shades.  I have been stalking the MAC website for the past few days and finally I found the collection up when I got home from work Wednesday night.  And it turned out that there was NO reason for me to get excited about this collection.  It is a total of three products, an eye shadow, a set of false lashes, and a Penultimate Liquid Eye Liner.  Three products?!  One of the three is a permanent product that I can get all the time, what is the point of this collection?!  ARGH!
From the MAC website, "To celebrate the supremely talented Miss Piggy's return to the silver screen, she and MAC have created a limited edition, online exclusive collection for Eyes featuring Miss Piggy Pink Eye Shadow, Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack, and 36 Lash."  This collection is online only so it will never hit any of the counters and I won't even be able to play with the eye shadow unless I order it now.  So disappointing...

Miss Piggy for MAC collection...

Eye Shadow - Known for her bedazzling blue eyes, silky blond hair, and sensationally shapely measurements, Miss Piggy was kind enough to collaborate with MAC on the universe's most perfectly pink eye shadow.
- Miss Piggy Pink - midtone blue pink

36 Lash - Originally launched as Sultress Lashes, Full Lash, creates a naturally dramatic look: MAC Lashes are handmade to exact specifications.  Each pattern and design is perfectly shaped and arranged to give a striking effect, whether the look is natural or dramatic.  Available in a variety of shapes and densities.  If properly cared for, lashes can be reshaped or adornedc if desired.

Penultimate Eye Liner - A liquid pen-style liner that provides the ultimate precise, bold line in a rich, deep carbon black shade.  Goes on fluidly, in one steady stroke, to style any fashion of eye line.

What is the point of this collection?!  The eye shadow shade that was released for this collection is lovely and I would like to buy it but I don't see the point of the rest of the products.  I was at leat hoping that they would be in a special packaging, since I already love Penultimate I would buy another tube of it in a special Miss Piggy packaging.  However the permanent products in this collection are nothing different that the normal products that MAC sells all the time.

This could have been such a great color collection but what was released is just such a disappointment to me...

photo courtesy of MAC

Laura Mercier Holiday 2011 Gift Collection - Colour Palettes and Sets

Earlier today we looked at the Laura Mercier holiday color collection and now we are going to look at the gift set and palette collection that they are offering in conjunction with the color collection this holiday season.  I dont know what I am more excited about, the pretty plums that I saw earlier in the color collection or these wonderful palettes that I am seeing.  Personally, I would love to unwrap a Laura Mercier palette this holiday season and I bet that lots of other ladies would love to do exactly the same.  Most of these palettes are focused around eye shadows, with a few lip shades mixed in and a set of just Laura Mercier's top rated brushes.

Here is the gift collection from Laura Mercier...

Petite Eye Colour Trio - New limited edition Petite Eye Colour Trio is available in three shade specific sets.
- Smoky Neutrals - Coffee Ground (matte), Bamboo (Luster), Stellar (Sateen)
- Smoky Mauves - Kir Royal (Sateen), Wisteria (Luster), Sparkling Dew (Sateen)
- Smoky Taupes - Twilight Gray (Matte), Sable (Sateen), Mica (Luster)

Baked Eye Colour Palette - Enhance eyes this holiday season with Laura's stunning new Baked Eye Colour Palette.  In shades of warm bronze, cool pink, and smoky lilac, this beautiful palette features a range of five Baked Eye Colours, plus a mini Double-Ended Eye Colour/Creme Eye Detail Brush for flawless application.  The 5 mini Baked Eye Colours can be used wet or dry.
- Sienna (deep chocolate brown), Terracotta (bronze shimmer), Ballet Pink (pale cool pink), Pink Petal (light cool pink), Lilac (pale cool lavender)

Luxe Colour Portfolio - Perfect for home and travel, this beautifully packaged faux snakeskin organizer includes six Eye Colours, three Tightline Cake Eye Liners and two Cheek Colours, along with three mini expert Brushes to create infinite colour combinations.
- 6 Eye Colours including Primrose, African Violet, Merlot, Truffle, Topaz, and Stellar
- 3 Tightline Cake Eye Liners including Ground Expresso, Black Ebony, and Burgundy Wine
- 2 Second Skin Cheek Colours including Rose Petal and City Pink
- 3 Mini Brushes including Ponytail, Crease, and Flat Eye Liner

Luxe Eye Portfolio - Perfect for home or travel, this beautifully packaged faux snakeskin organizer includes a collection of twelve new, exclusive and top selling Eye Colour shades, plus three mini professional Brushes that allow you to mix and match shades to customize your look.
- 12 Eye Colours including Rich Sienna, Morning Dew, Black Coffee, Rosewood, Pink Crystal, Sable, Royal Gold, African Violet, Mica, Golden Cream, Fig, and Sparkling Night
- 3 Mini Brushes including Ponytail, Crease, and Smudge

Mini Lip Glace Set - Laura Mercier Lip Glace is a high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss with rich, long-lasting colour and brilliant shine that creates the appearance of fuller lips.  With the unique blend of moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and plumping ingredients provided by the Laura Mercier Lip Complex, the non-sticky gloss formula applies smoothly without feathering or bleeding.  Available in a variety of coverages and finishes.
- 5 Lip Glaces including Rose, Blush, After Hours, Sparkling, and Quartz

Kohl Eye Pencil Set - Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil is formulated specifically for lining the inside of the eyelid and the base of the lashes.  The soft, creamy formula glides easily along the eyelid, creating a smooth and well-balanced line.  The luxurious texture allows anyone to achieve the perfect "smoky eye" with maximum wearability.  Each pencil contains a thicker diameter than the Eye Pencil to create a more pigmented, dramatic effect.
- 5 shades include Stormy Gray, Black Violet, Brown Copper, Black Gold, and Black Navy

Travel Brush Set - These Laura Mercier travel-friendly set of tools for face, cheek, eye, and brow may it easy to perfect your look wherever you may be.  The sleek, snakeskin case includes a removable mesh pouch and collection of four mini Double-Ended Brushes and one full size Brush.
The Lip Glace set will be the perfect gift for many of the ladies on my gift list and I will be grabbing one for myself also, the shades that have been included in this set are so pretty and I really want to try this formula out.  I want to pick up the Luxe Colour Portfolio for myself, it contains great shades and a range of products from me to play with.  This is a wonderful gift collection and you have lots of great choices to give and receive.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Holiday 2011 Collection - Moonlight Collection

I haven't been very interested in the past few Laura Mercier collections, a bit surprising since before that I was a huge collection of Laura Mercier and I was always finding new products and shades that I wanted to buy from the company.  I have always loved the face makeup and the body products from this company the most, with a few hits and misses from many of the eye and lip products.  The holiday collection haas just been released, a color collection along with a palette gift collection and a collection of body product gifts.  Today we will look at the single product color collection, a new collection called the Moonlight Collection. 

This collection looks as though it is based around lovely highlighting shimmers, deep plum and pinks shades.  This collection doesn't look like your traditional holiday collection, I see no reds or golds and the shades seem to be a bit more subtle than we often see this time of the year.  I am very interested in this collection and I can't wait to see the purples in it and I am interested in adding a few of these shades to my eye shadow collection.

The Moonlight Collection from Laura Mercier...

Face Illuminator - Limited edition.  A beauriful face illuminator with a soft rose gold shimmer perfect for highlighting.

Luster Eye Color - Laura Mercier Luster Eye Color is a luxuriously smooth eye shadow that imparts pure dynamic iridescence with a sophisticated frost finish providing amazing adherence for a freshly applied look throughout the day.
- Pink Pearl - medium cool pink shimmer
- Crystal Beige - light champagne shimmer
- Deep Garnet - deep cool plum with plum shimmer

Tightline Cake Eyeliner - Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eyeliner is an easy-to-use, cake eye liner that delivers long-lasting colour payoff that doesn't fade throughout the day for flawlessly defined eyes.  Now available in 6 smudge and transfer-resistant, colour true shades, the formula glides on the lash line smoothly and stays all day long.
- Orchid Shimmer - deep plum with plum shimmer

Lip Glace - Laura Mercier Lip Glace is a high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss with rich, long-lasting colour and brilliant shine that creates the appearance of fuller lips.  Any skin tone is virtually enhanced by creating a subtle contrast in texture.
- Bare Beam - nude with pink shimmer
- Nude Lilac - lavender with gold sparkle

Creme Lip Colour - Laura Mercier Creme Lip Colour delivers ultra-rich colour in an irresistibly lightweight formula.  Its unique blend of moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and plumping ingredients enchance the lips leaving a smoother, healthier appearance.  One swipe of colour provides hydration and prevents moisture loss ensuring fresh and flawless lips.
- Rose - warm nude pink

Shimmer Lip Colour - Laura Mercier Lip Colour - Shimmer now changes the way you feel about lipstick in one swipe in the newest, revolutionary lip colour formula.  The wide range of shades and finishes enchances your lips' appearance, protects them from the elements, provides hydration and cares for your lips like skincare.
- Raspberry Sorbet - berry rose shimmer
- Evening Pink - bright fuchsia pink

Nail Lacquer - A deep violet nail lacquer with long-lasting, high-shine finish.  The ultra-smooth formula provides chip-resistant color and intense shine for lasting results.
- Twilight - deep violet with shimmer

My favorite pieces of this collection are the deep plum shades, I must have the new Nail Lacquer shade even though I am way over the Twilight craze.  I wasn't aware that Laura Mercier even really made polishes, I have never used any shades from this line but I would love to try them out.  I have been on a major nail polish kick lately and now I have yet another brand to add to my obsession.  The other product that I love is the Cake Eye Liner which is also in the deep plum shade.  Both of these products will be added to my shopping list when I next head over to Sephora.

The rest of the collection is very pretty but most of the products can be skipped over.  I really like the face highlighter however I wonder how warm the shade is since it is laced with gold shimmer.  It is also is totally out of stock on the website so I will make a decision when/if the product comes back into stock.  The lipstick shades are great pinks and I am more interested in the Creme formula than the shimmer but I would be more likely to purchase a bright pink shade with a cream finish.  The last pieces that I am interested in are both of the lip gloss shades, I am hoping that the lavender shade is not too warm with the gold shimmer in it.

Laura Mercier has finally broken their record of collection misses for me, this is a great collection and I love how different it is from the rest of the traditional looking holiday collections.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier