Chanel Douceur D'Equinoxe Blush Duos - Fall 2023

 Chanel's new blushes for Fall are that pretty. They know how to pull us in . Douceur D' Equinoxe are blush duos with a separate  shade in the double C. There are 2 colorways -  Beige Rose et Mauve and Beige et Corail.  Both are very wearable and spot on for the season. The pigment is medium and buildable., These don't go on with bold color payoff but aren't light either. They are a satin finish with the tiniest bit of shimmer that doesn't show too much on skin. 

The leaves are embossed in and not an overspray. They are really nicely done . 

There are two new nail shades as well and this one is a perfect pumpkin orange called  Ete Indien. 

*gifted

Chanel La Pausa Spring/ Summer 2022

 

A little sunshine for your day -Chanel style  from the so pretty La Pausa S/S22 color collection. This line brings the gold and bronzes for eyes with a pop of color for lips in their new balms. It's your trip to the Cote d'Azur without leaving home. 

The eye quad Mediterraneen is all gold kissed shimmer shades. These are creamy , blend well and  have good pigment. They are not dark but also not sheer except for the top left shade which goes on with a lighter look on than the others. I've been wearing this so much. It's pretty  perfect for an easy but not so basic eye. 

The Blush Lumiere comes in two shades, I have Peche Rose, a warming terracotta peach with a tiny bit of shimmer.  It's a gorgeous color with medium pigment.  It looks like it will go on deeply colored but it doesn't making it easily buildable. There is a deeper brown bronzy shade as well . 

The Rouge Coco Baumes come in an extra chic Summer ready white case.  There are several shades of pink , nude and more. The red shown is In Love. The balms are nice , I love a tinted balm, but don't get them to wear against cold temps.  They have light moisture and an almost matte pigment rich finish. Not for the cold weather unless you layer a heavier balm over them.  They are def a Spring lippie but for then, they're perfect.  You'll look good popping one out of your season ready straw bag . 

Lockdown / Mask Makeup Musings

During the lockdown I learned to love my face more. I've gotten far more comfortable with my naked , makeup less face the past months. I wore almost no makeup while home  ( I rarely did on days I wasn't going anywhere pre -lockdown really ) and when I did venture out it was minimal and above the mask. That's the area now- abm.

Do I still love makeup, do you have to ask ? Yes. And yes I think I look better with makeup on than not but I also  think I don't look as bad without it as I used to think.   I don't wear and never have worn it so much to impress others as I do for me. I want to look good to people who see me, but I want to look good for ME first.  I feel better when I think look better and I'm pretty sure that's all of us. And I also just love playing with makeup.  It's nothing but fun when i start digging into those pans and pots . I wouldn't have been doing this blog for 12 years if not. But the makeup less or minimal makeup me doesn't look so bad at all.

I went back to work  to a busy office almost 3 weeks ago and boy was that a tough transition . I was perfectly fine at home and  not bored for one minute. Now makeup is back on but in a different way . What is my routine now ?

I focus on the eyes more than ever because that's what's most visible . Before even though I would do a full eye look,  the focus would have been lips because my eye makeup tends to melt off fast.  Now I pay more attention there with fun colored liners ( I've been reminded how much fun they are and why I have a gazillion colors that  want to be used instead of the usual brown or taupe) ,  and of course concealer. I'm wearing green and purple eyeshadow more.

Bronzer plays a big role . Shimmery or matte.  Highlight and/or blush too but sometimes just bronzing gets it done.  A cream bronzer like Chanel's Baume Essential or a NARS Multiple is perfect for quick swipe  on the cheek area above the mask.

Lime Crime's Sunkissed palette adds so much glowy color, has all the shades you could want . Chanel's Bronze et Lumiere duo in medium is another I reach for often and Guerlain's Terracotta Touch.  I'm loving a sunkissed look right now. It's easy , fast but looks nice. Grab a big fluffy brush ( I love IT Cosmetics Heavenly Wand Ball Powder), swirl it on the usual places- bridge of nose, upper cheek , browbone and forehead and you're done in seconds flat.  Sometimes, I even skip the eyes . I know, I know. Maybe just a bit of mascara . But really,  go back to my first line- I've learned to love my face more. And really that's not  bad thing at all .

So what's your new routine , or is it the same ?  Pop in or leave me an Insta comment. We all need to do us, be ourselves with what makes us feel good day in and out. More makeup, less, it doesn't matter .

Lime Crime Sunkissed Face Palette

Looking for a perfect Summer glow palette ?  Lime Crime has got you.

This is my first time trying the brand although I've admired it from afar for awhile.  And let me tell you, this palette is a beauty.  There are six shades in shimmer and matte to give you the best Summer glow. It's also wake up makeup. Or perk up after a loong day.

Don't be scared by the brights either. I admit I was at first. I loved the orange shade in the lower left but thought can I wear it ?  Yes. It is bright but the powder is fine and easily blended. Just use  a light hand and quick dusting across it if you're pale like me. On darker skins it should look amazing. The Yellow Gold is a little much for me but again it's not as bold on as it looks in the palette.

The Shimmers  are silky feeling and that makes them wear nicely and settle into lines etc too much. A  dusting of one of the lighter shades all over my face is such an instant brightener.  Sun Daze, upper right, is just enough of a non bronze  warmed up color boost , while Bask is the perfect not too deep all over bronzer.  Then I use Sizzle and Malibu as  blush.  In all of the shades  pigments are rich so you don't need a  lot on your brush and they all blend together nicely, so I often dip my brush in one then into another to mix.

This is sized well for packing. Not small but not huge. 6 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches.

Lime Crime Sunkissed Palette is $44 at Lime Crime,  Ulta  , Nordstrom.

Guerlain Terracotta Contour & Glow Palette

Guerlain's Summer launches are ones I look forward to . Their Terracotta line is always stunning  and this year is no exception.

The Terracotta Contour and Glow Palette has three, well actually, four colors to get your Summer look on lock.

There is a deeper contouring shade , a medium bronzing tan shade ( both matte) and a blush/highlighter duo in a coral pink and pearl ( both iridescent) .

All are finely milled , lightweight feeling and offer light bronzing.  When you dust your brush across these and onto skin you won't get a dark brown streak  , but a wash of color that can be built up. They have warmth to them especially the middle bronzer shade.

The blush /highlighter is sheer and the coral shade just makes it as blush on my pale skin . Anyone darker would probably use it as a highlighter shade as well. It's beautiful though and gives a sunny boost of color.


I need to talk the packaging here too, the case is vintage metal chic looking with an art deco inspired sunburst design . Very treat yourself worthy .

I'm having trouble sourcing availability for this , Nordstrom and Bergdorf's has the other Terracotta launches but not this, it listed on Guerlain International page so best to look there to see if  it's near you.

L'Oreal Paradise Enchanted Powder Blush

L'Oreal has LOTS of new Summer releases and if you're after a nice pop of color they've got you covered. I talked about the new Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Blushes last week , now it's time for a peek at the Paradise Enchanted Powder Blush.

These  creamy both on skin and to the touch and apply/blend easily. Ingredients include coconut oil,  mango and cocoa seed butter, peach kernal oil. So these add some moisture to the cheek area too.   They have good medium to full bright pigments with both matte and shimmer formulas. The ones  I have are shimmers. Bashful (  a nude peach) and Fantastical ( a deep coral). The compact is a nice size too, you get a lot of blush in the pan and there is a mirror underneath.

One of the interesting parts of the new blushes is that they are fragranced. It's a new trend in beauty , one that I'm not sure if I like or not.  These have fruit punch fragrance that is pretty strong. Is the scented part  cute /fun or gimmicky ? But I'm leaning towards fun and unless you have fragrance sensitive issues it doesn't hurt anything.

L'Oreal Paradise Enchanted Powder Blush are $ 12.99 at drugstores, Amazon and more

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Long Wear Shaping Sticks- Blush

For Summer L'Oreal has a whole selection of new stick makeup in the Infallible line. There is foundation which I can't wait to try, highlighters and these two new blushes.

The  Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Blush is very creamy, blendable , has light shimmer and glides over skin with a silky, light as air feel  which is partly down to the shea butter in the ingredients.

The pigment is medium and it can be built up for a nice pop of easy Summer color.  Shades are Cheeky Dimension  and Sexy Flush . Sexy Flush gives cheeks a wash of light to medium glowing peachy pink color while  Cheeky Dimension is a deeper  reddish bronze shade that  could be used as bronzer or contour as well as blush. Both add some light and bright to your face .

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Long Wear Shaping Sticks are $ 12.99 and available now at Amazon, Ulta ,  drugstores and wherever the brand is sold.

NARS Highlighting Powders

Leave it to NARS to make the perfect highlighter. After all that's where The Multiple and Orgasm blush came from.  I've had quite a fun time this weekend playing with them .

The new highlighting powders are very finely milled for a wash of color and shimmer. No large glitter pieces or metallic look. In other words, a highlighter for everyone including those of us who aren't 25 anymore. Or even 35.

These glide on skin adding just a sheen of  color, brightening and shimmer and can be built up some. My swatches  are three layers to get them to show up well in the pictures.  You'll still need well hydrated skin , these settle into lines slightly but far less than most I try. My skin also tends to absorb highlight products ( weird, I know) . I can apply a powder  or cream highlight and within an hour you can barely see it, even over foundation, so I appreciate the  lightness here. I can reapply at will without looking overdone or like a disco ball.

I use a  fluffy , dome shaped medium powder brush to dust all over as well as across cheekbones and brow. I've taken to putting some on under my foundation too, to look lit from within. Mornings really need that , right ? Who looks glowy at 7AM ?

The deeper shades could also be used as blush on fair skin. The darkest  I have is Maldives and it adds a nice bit of color but not quite enough on me for blush. There, I  use it and then layer a  satin/matte blush over it.

Shades shown are Ibiza, Maldives and Fort de France.

NARS Highlighting Powders are $ 38 and come in six shades at NARS , Ulta and department stores.

NARS Wanted Cheek Palettes

I sometimes think  I like blushes the best of all makeup products. Why, no idea since I love lipsticks too but I seem to really want to stockpile blushes. These new palettes from NARS are  calling to me.  Each one is packed with  six pretty LE shades.  What do you think ? Are they a must for you ?  

NARS Wanted Cheek Palette Vol. 1

• Unlimited (shimmering pale pink) (LE)
• Buzzed (matte coral) (LE)
• Notorious (matte lavender) (LE)
• Kingpin (matte rose) (LE)
• Bumpy Ride (shimmering candy pink)
• Crave (matte bright coral) (LE)

NARS Wanted Cheek Palette Vol 2

• PYT (metallic rose) (LE)
• Ambition (satin tangerine) (LE)
• Taos (soft red with golden sheen) (LE)
• Exposed (matte dusty rose) (LE)
• Penthouse (matte raspberry) (LE)
• Queen (matte ruby) (LE)

$ 59 each at Ulta on Mar. 8. 

Chanel So Close Blush

So Close is  Chanel's Winter/ Holiday blush from Collection Libre.

It's an unusual choice for a cold weather collection, it looks very Summer and I'll admit I had my doubts  even though I can wear oranges.

But it pays to try and test , because I've ended up really liking it . It gives a brightening, warm pop of color that is welcome  right now when the little tan I had is fading.  I am light , not super pale, but fair and  I use a light hand but it's also not as pigmented on first pass as it looks it would be. It has very light golden shimmer but has semi matte /satin finish that blends and sheers out easily. My swatch is a couple layers without much blending.

I can't say I'll wear this all the time, but it's a fun shade to have around and works nicely against a light/medium eye and nude lip. If you have darker skin , it will probably look even  better.  If you love the look of So Close, don't be afraid to give it a try, you may surprised as well.

Chanel So Close Blush is $ 45 and LE.

NARS Man Ray Blushes - Holiday 2017

NARS blushes are among the best out there, we all know that.   So here's a look at the two new shades coming for holiday as part of the Man Ray collection.

Intensely is a bright tangerine and Fetishized is  described as Pink Grapefruit.   I love them both.

NARS Man Ray Blushes are $ 30 and are available Oct. 6th at narscosmetics.com , sephora and more.

NARS Blissful Blush - Fall 2017

I can't have enough blushes and new ones from NARS are often at the top of the list. We all know they make one of the best out there.

New in the Fall collection is this beauty,  described a shimmering raspberry . It leans a little plum to my eye and  I call it a must have .


NARS Blissful Blush is $ 30

Milk Makeup x The Center Glitter Stick

All That Glitters is... this new stick from Milk Makeup.

Milk has partnered with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center for Pride 2017  in launching this LE Glitter stick to benefit the center with half of all proceeds donated directly to them . 

The stick has rainbow glitter particles ( cue Unicorn vibes) that can be built up for a light sparkle or all out glow  and  has mango and coconut butters , avocado oil for moisture and slip. 


$ 30 at www.milkmakeup.com 

MAC Extra Dimension Blush

New MAC Extra Dimension Blushes are finally here. I've always used the Extra Dimension Skinfinish as blush as well as highlighter. I love them. These new blushes? Easy to love too. They seem better than the last version , at least in my opinion. 

What's unique here is the seamless finish . These It don't sit on skin nor accentuate lines or dryness like some high,semi metallic shimmers can.  They blend right into skin with a good flush of color and shimmer but in a lit from within , more subtle way. 

Blending them out is easy and you don't need to worry about overdoing it as the pigment is medium/full and doesn't go on heavily meaning they are also buildable . 

Shown are Into the Pink and Telling Glow.

MAC Extra Dimension Blush is $ 28 and available now. 

It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow Blushing Bronzer

Getting your glow on just got easier thanks to It Cosmetics new Confidence In Your Glow Skin Transforming Flush  Blushing Bronzer .

Instant Nude Glow(top), Instant Warm Glow

There are three shades available that go from light to deeper .  So there should be a color for everyone here.

The lightest Instant Nude Glow is pale nudes and a light bronzed brown. This works best for us paler ladies. Instant Warm Glow is peachy and  I can pull this one off too, although when I have a little more color it will be better. Instant Natural Glow leans  pink with it's middle shade and has a deeper bronzer.

Instant Natural Glow

All begin with a shimmery highlighter as the first color. It's not mega shimmer but you will notice it.  The next two shades are more satin/matte and don't have shimmer. Once blended they ( and you) simply look great.

Nude,Warm , Natural

It Cosmetics call these "Skin Transforming" and it's hard to think that of  with a blush/bronzer. I wasn't going for it until I used one. With just a CC base on I gave my face a good going over with Instant Nude Glow and it was a wow. I really didn't need much more makeup ( and that's rarer than a unicorn for me to say). Bright lip balm and mascara seemed good enough. It somehow smoothes and perfects skin while adding color ( it has Vitamin C and peptides ).   Of course having a warm pop of color on didn't hurt either.

It can be hard to use bronzers , I'll be the first to say it. You need a light hand, to blend well and the right shade, often the hardest part. With more than one shade to pick from, you can personalize it more. Also these blend really well , if you use the new Heavenly Skin One Sweep Wonder Brush or similar you'll only need one pass and a quick blend . Dust on cheeks, forehead , nose .

The new brush, by the way, is awesome. I love  It's brushes and this picks up the right amount of color and sweeps it on easily in one pass.

It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow Blushing Bronzer is $ 32

Heavenly Skin™ One-Sweep Wonder Brush is $ 48

Availble at Ulta, QVC and ItCosmetics