Lipstick Bandits: Summer Sheers Make Me Feel Fine...

The Lipstick Bandits are back and this time, we're talking about sheer lippies!

Now, I've said it before on this blog - so much so that I probably sound like a broken record :p - but sheers aren't really my thing. That said, there are some sheer lipsticks that have caught my eye in the past year; but for this post, I thought I would resurrect a product that I reviewed at the beginning of June. The product in question? Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in En Vogue.

One of the things I love about this lipstick is that despite its sheerness, it's still pigmented enough that the colour shows up on my lips. And what a lovely colour it is! En Vogue is described as a "bright coral," but since it's a sheer formula, it won't frighten anyone who's scared of bright, vivid shades. There's also some slight shimmer shot through, which gives my lips such a pretty, glossy finish. 

(my face was not cooperating with me so you get this lame, cop-out of a full face shot)

(also went overboard with the blush... if there was an MUA card, mine would be revoked)

(Rae-Rae, I know you're gonna want to photoshop the shiz out of this :p)

Anyhoo... Although I love me some En Vogue, I can't say I'm fully on board the Sheer Train. Here's why: My lips are fairly pigmented, but there are some days where they're more pink and others where they're more neutral. When I took the full face shot yesterday, my lips were more pink, so the coral-y goodness wasn't as evident as it was on the day I took the lip swatch photo. 

Still, En Vogue is one of those lipsticks that is easy to wear ; you don't have to think too much about it, just slap it on and BOOM -- prettified. Such is the nature of sheer lipsticks, I suppose! :)

So now we come to my favourite part: checking out the other Lipstick Bandits' Summer Sheer picks! We're missing the beautiful Jenny of My Funny Valentine, but show her some love anyway and be sure to go check out each Bandit's post. I'm sure you will love what they're going to feature -- I know I always do!

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What's your favourite sheer lipstick?

How Perfect Is Chanel's Perfection Lumière?

ZOMG, is this a new post??? Why yes, yes it is.

Life caught up with me in the weeks since my last post (so far, I've done 3 makeup gigs - one of which was for a photoshoot. That means an extra photo for my website/online portfolio! *victory lunge*

On top of that, I've been battling illness since the beginning of June. It was one thing after another, which I trudged through daily, but it finally levelled my behind this past week... So those are my excuses; I apologize for taking such a long break, but I think my body needed it.

Anyhoo, let's get to business! Chanel Perfection Lumière Foundation -- How perfect is it, really? Let's find out...

I would say this foundation provides medium, build able coverage that evens out my skin nicely without making it look overdone or cakey. My skin always looks wonderful, but natural, when using this foundation. It's also quite lightweight - I don't feel like I'm wearing anything at all and I can pretend that my skin is just naturally that beautiful :p. That said, concealing really is a must when using this foundation. It does a wonderful job of evening out my skintone, but it's no match for my dark circles and blemishes.

I was colour-matched to the shade 30 Beige, which is nearly spot-on. The reason I say nearly is because the more I apply, the more orange it looks on me; kind of frustrating when I want more coverage. However, when I use a single pump of this foundation, it matches my skin very nicely.

(wearing Chanel Perfection Lumière with no concealer)

The texture is lovely, as well; it feels really silky on the skin and there's an almost mousse-like quality to the foundation. I find that using a stippling brush helps to apply Perfection Lumière more evenly, as traditional foundation brushes don't do a good enough job of blending the foundation.

Unfortunately, this foundation does not do a good job of lasting through my long days. Especially when there's sweating involved. My schedule can get pretty packed sometimes, which means I often find myself running from one location to another. I wish I could say I'm one of those girls that can exert a lot of energy and still look fabulous; alas, I cannot. My face can get super shiny in a short amount of time when I wear this foundation, though it does last longer if I'm spending my day indoors and sitting at a desk.

That's really my biggest disappointment with this foundation. I was hoping for something that would work along the same lines as the Estèe Lauder Double Wear foundation, and while I wasn't expecting it to last as long or provide as much coverage, I was expecting Perfection Lumière to do a better job of holding up to my combination skin.

It's a good foundation (I definitely recommend it for those of you with dry skin), but would I repurchase? Probably not... At this price point - I paid around $45/$50 CAD - I expected it to last longer and to do a better job of controlling oil. Especially since Chanel claims "perfect foundation hold for 15 hours" and a "matte finish."

What's your favourite long-wearing foundation?

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in En Vogue - The Lipstick I Bought Twice

When I stopped by a Chanel counter a few weeks ago, it was for the express purpose of getting a sample of their new Perfection Lumière foundation. While I was there, I asked if they had the Summer 2012 products available for purchase yet, and the sales associate proceeded to show me the nail polishes, the Glossimers, and the Rouge Coco Shines. I'd had my eye on En Vogue (described as a "bright coral") already, so I made my purchase.

Then I went home and checked for swatches online (the counter hadn't received their samples yet) and was disappointed. With my pigmented lips, that was not going to do anything but add some shine. So I made my way back and returned En Vogue.

(apologies for the grossness - I had to retake the photo after I'd already tried it)

Fast forward to the end of May, and it's once again in my possession. Why? Well... Last week, when I was having a really crap day, I decided to participate in some retail therapy and ended up at the Chanel counter once again. This time, there was a tester. I swatched it and was pleased with what I saw, so I made the purchase (again); and this time, I definitely won't be returning it. 

See, I was mistaken - it's actually pigmented enough for my lips! Provided, that is, that I give it a few good swipes. Because of the formula and the sheen of the Rouge Coco Shines, you have to apply a little bit more than you would a regular lipstick in order to see the colour. 

And what a lovely colour it is! 

It's a soft coral (not really bright, as described), which looks very natural and not at all bright. It's the type of shade you can wear without really having to think about what to wear with it. The texture is nice and light, as well; it doesn't feel like anything more than a lip balm! They're not long-wearing, though, and they practically disappear after a meal. But that doesn't bother me because the texture makes re-application simple and easy. Also, unless a lip product disappears before the 3 hour mark (when I usually have a snack or a meal), it won't bother me in the slightest. 

This Rouge Coco Shine is exactly the kind or product I would wear every day: non-drying and feels comfortable, but still makes your lips look pretty and polished. 

I'm so glad to have En Vogue back in my life!

What's your favourite everyday lip product?

Monthly Favourites - February 2011

February was a pretty hectic month for me what with moving house and auditions, so there are no new products for this month's favourites.

I'm currently using WiFi at a public library so I still won't be able to post as regularly (or comment back for that matter) so my sincerest apologies.

So, here goes... My favourites for the month of February:

1. L'Occitane - Shea Butter Hand Cream

2. Burt's Bees - Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

3. Josie Maran - Argan Oil

Moving & cleaning house was pretty brutal on my skin and the dust, plus the below 0 temperatures did nothing or my skin. I had numerous cuts on my hands, my cuticles were ripped, I had dry patches all over my skin, I developed rash-like bumps on my arms... Not pretty to say the least.

Once we were in the new house, though, I started using these 3 products again RELIGIOUSLY! My skin's not completely healed yet, but it's definitely feeling a lot better now that I'm moisturizing again.

4. Chanel - Vitalumiere Foundation

I've had Chanel Vitalumiere for a while now but I didn't use it often because I didn't want to waste the product. At $55 (without tax) CAD, it's definitely pricey. But because of how dry my skin has been lately, I've been wanting to use creamier, more moisturizing products on my face. 

It smells divine, it gives enough coverage (but not too much for daytime), it gives your skin a really nice glow, and the best part is: it's so easy to use. I literally just smear it on with my fingertips and it still looks as nice as when I've applied with a brush. I have zero furniture in my room at the moment, so the fact that I can apply this with absolute ease is a major plus! 

5. Sonia Kashuk - Creme Blush

Another super easy product. I just dab my fingers in the product, then apply it to the apples of my cheeks. It gives a pretty flush that looks quite natural. 

I always thought cream products would wear off more quickly but I haven't found that to be the case with this, which is currently my only cream cheek product. Any recommendations on other good cream blushes?

6. MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish

How pretty is that glow? I really love this MSF (By Candlelight from the In The Groove collection) and lately, I've been lightly applying this on top of the Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush to add a bit more illumination to the face.

The combination of the two, plus Chanel Vitalumiere as a base has been my go-to look this last month when I haven't had much time to fix myself up but still want to look a bit more polished.

What are your February favourites, lovelies?

Collection Spotlight: Chanel - Resort 2011

(photos from style.com)

Dani loves: the bohemian vibe, the white dresses, the nod to the 70s, the sparkles & metallics, the tweed, and the fact that Crystal Renn, a plus size model, is working the runway. 

Now I want to go to Saint-Tropez... 

Happy Wednesday :)

Monthly Favourites - December 2010

January 2011... How time flies!

I was contemplating not posting a December faves after posting my Best of 2010, but I decided, why not? So without further ado, here goes the list!

1. Lush - Sympathy For The Skin Body Lotion

I think I've talked about this product enough that I don't need to get into it anymore; after all, I've already posted about it 3 times, this being the fourth (sheesh! Enough already, woman!). I can't help it though, I love it that much!

2. Revlon - ColorStay Foundation 

I've heard so many people rave about this product and it wasn't until recently that I finally tried it. Well, I have to say that I now understand why. It gives great coverage (I'd say medium/buildable, but definitely not full), it blends easily, has a gorgeous, slightly dewy finish, and has great staying power (especially for a product that hasn't made such claims). I don't normally wear liquid foundation unless it's a special occasion or a performance, but since it's a drugstore product and therefore, fairly inexpensive, I have no qualms about using it on a daily basis... Which I did, pretty much...

3. Chanel - Rouge Coco Lipstick 

I've been trying to use my lip products more, which means I rediscover products that I own but haven't been using. It's a fairly long list, and Mademoiselle is on it. Not sure why though, since it's such a gorgeous colour! It's one of those "shape-shifter" colours, as I like to call it; it will look different on different women (depending on their skin tone). 

Par example, here you see the beautiful Vanessa Paradis wearing Mademoiselle:

Now here's a photo of my (rather large) lips, wearing the exact same shade:

You will notice that Ms. Paradis' lips look more berry-like (which is the colour I would rather have, to be honest) and my lips have a bit more coral/orange tones in them. That said, I do notice around 15 minutes after application, that the lipstick becomes pinker.

I've taken to wearing this with a simple eye (naked lunch all over the lid, maybe some contouring on the crease, and multiple coats of mascara) and MAC's Pinch O' Peach blush for a pretty, every day look.

4. Estée Lauder - Daywear Plus Creme

I've already talked about this, too, so I won't extol its virtues for much longer. Let me just say that the cold weather combined with using my heater (in the house & the car) so much this past month, this moisturizer was truly a Godsend!

5. Revlon Colorburst & MAC Lipsticks

I've grouped these two lipsticks together because I've been using them together this past month. True Red was too "fire engine red" and Media was too "vampy red;" both are gorgeous in their own right, but neither suited my needs. So, I experimented and came up with the most flattering red for me:

So in December, I would apply Media like a stain, then layer True Red on top. The result? A gorgeous red that suits my skin tone. It's a chore and it didn't last very long (I suppose the formulas weren't sitting well with each other, the poor things), but I would still diligently do my applications... It was worth it, I think :).

Now I just need to find a lipstick that's exactly this shade. Any rec's, lovelies?

6. MAC - Quarry Eyeshadow

I was quite happy with MAC's Harmony blush or Physician's Formula's Bamboo Silk Powder for contouring purposes but both were too bronzey for me in the colder, winter months. A lovely MAC SA suggested using an eyeshadow; Quarry to be exact. It worked and I fell in love. 

I use it for all my contouring purposes: on the cheekbones, jaw bone & also on the eye. Here it is at work on a look I learned from the lovely Sam of Pixiwoo:

Holy Yellow, Batman! I definitely need better lighting. Having to rush all my photographing so I can use sunlight is a real drag. Any recommendations for which kind of bulbs I should use? 

7. Tarte - Lights, Camera, Splashes! Mascara

I really love how my lashes look when using this mascara. I'm definitely not blessed with length or volume; but when I use Lights, Camera, Splashes!, I can actually get away with not wearing eyeliner (which was something I did quite often in December). And how cute is the packaging? I love it!

8. Lush - Bûche De Noel Cleanser

At first this cleanser was a tad drying for me, but I discovered that using a cleansing milk to turn it into a paste (as opposed to using water) really kept it from drying my skin out. It's much like Lush's Angels on Bare Skin cleanser, which I also love; Buche de Noel is just not as moisturizing.

After using this cleanser, my face feels fresh & clean and looks smooth and even-toned. If you missed out on this product, definitely try Angels on Bare Skin. Both are truly lovely!

What are your December Faves?

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Call It Beauty's Best Of 2010

I can't believe I'm making this post right now. Is it really the end of 2010 already?! I hope you all had a great year and I hope for even bigger and better things for you in 2011.

Before I get started, I'd just like to give a big THANK YOU to all 160 of you who have followed Call It Beauty, especially those who take the time to comment. Call It Beauty is a hobby of mine that has become an important outlet and knowing that there are people who read and appreciate my humble blog means a lot to me!

Now that we've got that out of the way, here are my favourite products of 2010:

1. SKIN
Moisturizer - Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer: This product really saved my skin. It smells gorgeous, keeps my skin moisturized well, calmed my sensitivity & irritations, and it contains natural ingredients.

Liquid Foundation - Chanel Vitalumiere: Light/buildable coverage, matches my skin perfectly, keeps my skin looking dewy & fresh, smells lovely, easily blendable, and lasts a fair amount of time despite the fact its moisturizing.

Powder Foundation - Laura Mercier Mineral Powder: Gives amazing coverage, has a dewy finish, doesn't accentuate any dry patches, blends into skin so easily... All in all, it's an absolute joy to use!

2. EYES
High End Mascara - Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes!: This mascara really makes my lashes look like how I want it to: longer and thicker. I reached for this mascara LOADS this year!

Drugstore Mascara - L'oréal Voluminous Mascara: Again, it makes my lashes look longer and thicker, though not quite as much as Tarte's mascara; so it's perfect for every day use.

3. LIPS
Lip Balm - MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner (Fuchsia Fix): I've been repurchasing this lip conditioner for years now! It moisturizes my lips like nothing else and the wash of colour keeps them looking more put together than if I'd just used a regular lip balm.

Lipstick - Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick (Mauvy Night): This colour is so gorgeous! Perfect for fall/winter with its plum tones, but it's still light enough for use in other months. It's been my most reached for lipstick this year.

4. BODY
Lotion - Lush Sympathy For The Skin: A gorgeous scent and the perfect amount of moisture. Did I mention the gorgeous scent? Seriously, it smells so good, I can't even...

5. HAIR
Mousse - Garnier Fructis Curls & Shine: Defines my curls wonderfully and keeps the shape for hours even without hairspray. Plus, it has the lovely scent all Garnier products have.

6. FRAGRANCE
Eau De Parfum - Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb: I've got a few fragrances I kind of rotate around but there was none I used as much as Flowerbomb. It's floral, but not cloying; sexy and feminine at the same time. It will probably continue to be my favourite fragrance of 2011.

7. TOOLS
Brushes - EcoTools: I cannot get over how soft these brushes are. Not only that, but they're eco-friendly and inexpensive! I'm desperately hoping they'll release more brush styles in the next year.

BEST PURCHASES OF 2010

Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Palettes: Fantastic quality eyeshadows for a drugstore price, can these palettes get any better? They're amazingly pigmented and the texture is absolutely lovely. Aside from that, these palettes really got me started with creating my All About Eyes makeup looks. I discovered that I could actually be quite creative and I'm really grateful for that!

I've talked enough about these eyeshadows so I'm not going to get into it now. I recommend them to anyone and everyone, especially to those who are just starting out with makeup.


Brushes - Sigma: I purchased the Complete Kit this year and I have to say, it's been an absolute Godsend! I've really started to get into creating makeup looks and to be able to use fantastic quality tools for a good price has been incredibly helpful. I highly recommend their brushes, especially the eye brushes. With every single look I create, I use mostly Sigma brushes. The only reason I use other brands is because I don't have enough Sigma eye brushes :p.

So if you're looking for fantastic brushes for a fantastic price, definitely check Sigma out!

What are your Best of 2010 picks?

FOTD + Annabelle Contest Entry

Greetings, lovelies!

So if you're not aware, Annabelle Cosmetics is holding a contest called "Ultimate Makeup Junkie" and I've decided to enter it. I thought I'd share my entry with you guys and also to kindly ask you to take the time to vote for me. You can vote once per day starting today, September 13 at 9:00 am EDT to September 20 at 8:59:59 am EDT.

To vote, you can click here for a direct link to my "confession." I'd really appreciate it if you guys took the time to do this from now til September 20 at 8:59 am.

If you're 16 years old or older as of August 16, 2010 (you must have permission from a legal guardian/parent if you're under the age of majority in your Province/Territory) and are at least a legal resident of Canada, then you're eligible to enter this contest and I encourage you to do so!

Anyway, enough babble, here's my look:

Products Used:

Chanel Vitalumiere - 10 Limpide/Nude

MAC Studio Finish Concealer - NW20

MAC Powder Blush - Harmony & Pinch O'Peach

Urban Decay Primer Potion - Original

Sleek Makeup Palettes - Storm (dark green, black) & Circus (electric blue)

Sephora ColorPlay 5-in-1 Palette - frosty white

L'oréal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara - Black

MAC Lipstick - Jubilee 

The eyes are definitely my favourite part of this look. In fact, I've worn it on two separate occasions already. I started off with some UDPP then I slapped on the dark green eyeshadow with a rounded shading brush (Sigma E55) from the lash line to the brow bone. Then I applied the electric blue colour on the lower lash line with a Sigma E30 pencil brush and applied some matte black eyeshadow on the outer corner to join the green and blue together (I used a Sigma E70 angled shading brush). Next step: blend, blend, blend! For this, I used a fluffy brush from hana k that I've had for ages. I blended the edges of the green shadow and smoked it upwards and winged it out as well. Then I applied a shimmery white eyeshadow from Sephora to the brow bone to highlight (Sigma E25 blending brush). I cleaned up the bottom edge with an F70 concealer brush from Sigma, curled my lashes, applied L'oréal Voluminous and the eyes are done!

As for the face, I applied Chanel Vitalumiere with a Sigma F60 foundation brush and concealed with Studio Finish concealer under my eyes and around my lips with my fingers. I used Harmony to contour with a Sigma F40 (suck in cheeks and apply to the hollows) and Pinch O'Peach was applied with a Sigma F50 duo fibre brush to the apples of my cheeks. A few swipes of Jubilee lipstick and the look is complete (complete review of Chanel Vitalumiere and MAC Jubilee coming soon).

I really hope you guys enjoyed this and I'm wishing you all a fab week ahead!

Please don't forget to vote for me!