September 2018 - Reviews and Other Stuff

Month: September 2018

Chanel Beauty New Arrivals Fall 2018

September 28, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hi All! The latest releases in Chanel Beauty this Fall are definitely swoon-worthy. There are lots of beautiful bold and deep colors that will make your hearts skip gazillion beats at once. LOL. This Fall, Chanel is going all “matte” with their products, like matte eyeshadows, matte lipsticks, velvety matte lip powders, and they even added some new shades to one of my favorite matte lipsticks ever – the Rouge Allure Velvet, and don’t get me started on the newest Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme. Oh my, it’s hard to handle all these beautiful Chanel newness. But yeah, I will be reviewing some new shades of the Rouge Allure Velvet and Velvet Extreme pretty soon. So watch out for it here on the blog.

For today’s post, let’s talk about some Chanel Beauty Fall releases in the lips, nails, and eye category. As I’ve said before, they’re mostly mattes, and even their packagings are mattes! Because of that, they feel really cozy to the touch once you get your hands on them. Kudos to Chanel for being so stylistic in their products. You know me, I love mattes, even more so than glitters, and that’s because, for some reason, I just feel like I look better in mattes. My features are a bit exaggerated, so I don’t need a bunch of shimmers to emphasize my look. Mattes give me that sort of “lived in” look that I like.

Chanel had released a new matte quad eyeshadow compact (Les 4 Ombres), three new matte shades of their stylo cream eyeshadows, new shades of Rouge Allure Ink, the newest Jumbo Mat Lip Crayon, and two new Le Vernis shades in a velvety texture, among other things.

Since I planned to go dark this Fall and all throughout Winter, (LOL, don’t ask me why, I just kinda feel like it) I basically picked up all the dark colors from this latest Chanel Beauty release. I’ve never been able to completely pull off or rock deep and dark colors before, so now is my chance. Ha! Black boots, black denims, black sweaters, black coats, and dark vampy lips! Gurl, I’m just waiting for the weather to turn gloom, and I’ll be all Goth (or Emo) LOL.

Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in 308 Clair Obscur ($61) – I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this quad at first. My first impression of this seems to be that it could look like any other average mix of dupable matte eyeshadow shades. But boy I was wrong. Once applied and swatched on my skin, I noticed that the colors are well-pigmented and in a way sort of unique. Also, all four matte shades complement each other. They aren’t so creamy but they’re very easy to blend, and they last the whole day on me without smudging. The closest dupe for this quad would probably be the Urban Decay Naked (swatched HERE) in terms of texture and color range, however, this Chanel Clair Obscur has one shade that’s kinda greige, which makes it look unique and timely. For me, this particular quad is a perfect everyday eyeshadow that can truly emphasize dark brown eyes.

Le Rouge Crayon De Couleur Mat Jumbo Longwear Mat Lip Crayon in 267 Impulsion ($37) – I’m super impressed with the pigment and lasting power of this twist-up crayon-style retractable matte lipstick. Apart from being easy and accurate to apply (though no sharpener, but not that necessary), this goes on smoothly on the lips. Its color saturation and lasting power are way better than most lipsticks since this is so staining and can last the whole day. The shade impulsion is a gorgeous true deep red that you can’t help but stare at. I definitely recommend this to all of you, and now I feel like I need more of this lip crayon in several different colors.

Stylo Ombre et Contour Shadow Liner Khol in Contour Clair and Contour Graphique ($34) – These are pen/crayon-style creamy matte eyeshadow/liner with an easy retractable twist-up application. These don’t have any sharpener attached to the other end, but it’s not really an issue. The formula is really smooth and easy to apply for a contoured eye makeup look. They last all day for me without creasing or smudging and they set quite well. The three matte colors are easy to layer, but I decided to skip on the black shade (Contour Sombre) because that one seems too harsh for me. Instead, I opted for the grayish brown and the deep dark indigo blue for that dramatic eye look. I highly recommend these if you’re feeling the matte smoky eye glam this Fall.

Rouge Allure Ink in 174 Melancholia ($37) – I’ve always loved the shades of Chanel Rouge Allure Ink (more shades HERE) even though some of the shades can be a bit patchy when applied. However, once they’re set on the lips, they can be long lasting and not as drying. I find the pigments of this particular matte liquid lip color to be really bold and vivid, and so with the newest additional colors this Fall. I fell in love with the limited-edition shade called Melancholia. This shade’s formulation seems to be even better than the previous ones, although I’m not quite sure because it may be that the darker shades of the Rouge Allure Ink are just not as patchy as the lighter ones. But, it does feel like this season’s formula has improved a bit. This color is deep berry and it feels like a lip stain. Although I don’t coat my lips fully with this, I usually apply a single stroke of color at the center of my lips and smudge it all the way to the corners, to create an ombre lip effect. I love this commanding and dramatic color so much, it’s the perfect shade for light to medium and deep skin tones this Fall.

Le Vernis Velvet Nail Colour in 638 Profondeur ($28) – I was never really into matte-effect nail polishes, even though I think I may have tried some suede-textured nail colors in the past. I usually like my nails super glossy, but ever since trying this velvet nail colours from Chanel, I felt like I don’t really mind rocking a velvety matte nail color, especially this season. This new Le Vernis (more colors HERE) in velvet texture is just beyond me. You just have to use a base coat then apply two coats of this nail polish (forget about the top coat) and voila! You got beautiful vampy velvety matte nail color that sets immediately when applied. Nails look uniquely polished with shades that are perfect for Fall. The color Profondeur is a velvet wine-red that may look like coagulated blood at first, LOL, but in all honesty, it’s just so different and so gorgeous.

Have you tried these already? What are your Chanel Beauty faves this Fall? Stay tuned for more Chanel new releases here on the blog.

These Chanel Beauty new releases for Fall are currently available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Harrods, and Macy’s

Favorite Face Wash & Cleansers

September 26, 2018 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

One of my favorite part in my skincare regimen is washing my face. There’s just something exciting and relieving of finally cleaning my face and getting rid of the day’s makeup, dirt, and excess oil. A clean face makes the skin breathe and be ready for nourishment. When it comes to cleansing my face, I tend to be very picky about the products I choose. I mostly do double-cleansing to get rid of my makeup, and that means using a cleansing oil or sometimes a cleansing wipe at first, then I would proceed to use either cream or gel facial cleansers, depending on my skin condition at that time or sometimes depending on my mood. LOL. Facial cleansers are so important for me because they’re basically one of the first steps to start the skin care routine and I like my facial cleansers to either jumpstart my day or calm me down at night. With that being said, I like some good well-scented facial washes that can awaken the senses or calm the nerves, the type that won’t make me get so bored after using them several times. I usually gravitate towards the citrusy or orange-scented ones, since they’re invigorating, or the ones with mild lavender or rose scents for the calming effect. I use the facial cleansers reviewed on this blog on a case to case basis. There are days when I reach out for mild cleansers, and there are also those days when I reach out for stronger more therapeutic ones. These are my favorite facial cleansers of all time.

Murad Essential-C Cleanser (6.5 oz: $39) – One of the first cleansers I fell in love with. This has antioxidants with vitamins A, C, and E. It has a nice fresh citrus-orange scent that will capture the senses and it also has little exfoliating beads. This cleanser is great for all skin types, and also does well with acne-prone skin or stressed skin and it doesn’t leave it dry. This cleanses thoroughly, takes out excess oil, and it leaves the skin soft.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser (Mini 2.54 oz: $14, Standard 5.07 oz: $26) – This cleanser smells milky and has a creamy and luxurious feel. The scent is divine and it’s kinda relaxing. The texture is soft yet it lathers very well, so no need to use a lot. This is a great facial wash for any skin type and it’s mild enough for those with very sensitive skin. I love how this cleanser truly cleanses my face and it has a nice softening effect. Thumbs up to Korres for creating this.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser (5 oz: $20.50) – LOVE this so much. This is one of the most invigorating facial washes I’ve ever tried. The true orange scent of this will definitely wake you up and this has nice soft scrubbing beads that are gentle enough for daily exfoliation. This cleanser is perfect for anyone with oily skin since it has a gel-like consistency and it doesn’t dry the skin. This could also work for those with sensitive skin to use a few times a week. This is one of my holy grail face cleansers and this leaves my skin squeaky clean. If you haven’t tried this particular cleanser yet, oh well, I think that you really should.

SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser (3.6 oz: $75) – This gotta be the priciest face cleanser I’ve ever tried and I like its soothing rose scent that calms me down at night. Like with most SK-II products, this particular cleanser has Pitera – a signature SK-II ingredient that is rich in amino acids and other minerals. This cleanser feels really mild and it has a very soft creamy texture which foams well and I usually use this on good skin days.

Olehenriksen The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser (1.7 oz: $10, 7 oz: $30) – One of the easiest face washes to use, thanks to its really practical packaging. This cleanser is probably the one I tend to reach out for when I’m in a hurry since this dispenses a nice foam that’s ready to use for the face. I love the refreshing citrusy scent of this, and the ingredients are brightening yet mild, also, this really cleanses the face thoroughly, and it removes excess oil and dirt like a charm. A little foam goes a long way and that means this cleanser can last a long time. Love this a lot.

Dermadoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser (7.1 oz: $30) – This is my fave cleanser for bad skin days. That is, whenever I have any breakouts that need care. This has Glycolic and Salicylic acids which are beneficial for acne-prone skin, and this cleanser can also be added for any acne skin care regimen. With that being said, this cleanser can reduce excess oil, and it helps to control zits. I like that this feels creamy and it’s one of those acne cleansers that my skin can tolerate since this isn’t so drying and this is soap-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free.

Face Reality Ultra Gentle Cleanser (6 oz: $21) – This cleanser was recommended by my Aesthetician. This has a nice soothing lavender scent and has a gel formulation that’s meant for oily-prone or oily skin type. This is a great very mild cleanser to use when you’re on an acne treatment regimen, or when going through an extreme breakout that requires a super gentle cleanser that won’t harm or hurt the skin.

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed (4.4 oz: $26) – This cleanser is just really good. It smells like clean cotton and it’s really invigorating. The texture is so creamy and it foams so well with only a little bit of product. It cleanses so thoroughly, taking off excess oil while softening and calming the skin. This is a really great cleanser for all skin types and the one I also highly recommend. Another amazing cleanser from Clarins and also a personal fave of mine is the One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract, which has a nice exfoliating capability. Reviewed HERE. I believe Clarins makes some of the best facial cleansers that are worth looking into.

Tatcha The Deep Cleanse (5 oz: $38) – Another Tatcha holy grail. I love the scent and overall texture of this cleanser. It has a gentle refreshing scent with a lightweight gel form. It’s mild on the skin yet it cleanses well, which makes it ideal for any skin type, be it for sensitive skin. It’s also lightly exfoliating with loofah fruit fibers, which takes off excess oil and dirt. This cleanser has the clean seal of Sephora, so it’s perfect for daily use without worries. The packaging needs improvement though since it’s kind of hard to control the amount of product that comes out of its squeezable bottle.

Bottom line, cleansing the face is a necessary step in every skincare regimen. Regardless of what type of facial cleansers to use, the important thing is to let the skin breathe and be free of excess oil and germs.

Stay tuned for more skincare favorites

L.O.V.E

You by Caroline Kepnes. Book & Lifetime Series Review.

September 24, 2018 / OTHER STUFF / 0 comments

“Every day I close up without finding anyone like you. Look at you, born into my world today“. Excerpt from the novel “You” by Caroline Kepnes.

Hey You, ever wonder what’s inside the mind of a stalker? oh well, let’s just say, a very romantic stalker that doesn’t really seem to realize that he’s actually a stalker or he doesn’t want to admit that he’s one. This book by Caroline Kepnes called “You” is all about the story of Joe Goldberg. A smart bookstore manager in New York City who seems harmless, seemingly kind, and likes to keep to himself with a serious passion for books. Joe seems like any other guy, romantic and cool, but Joe has a secret, in fact, he harbors a lot of secrets, and when he’s in love, he’s the type that goes all the way.

Joe met Beck at the bookstore and he was so captivated that began googling everything about her. She became the subject of his obsession, passionately knowing and trying to find things about her through the instant access of the internet and today’s incessant display of social media. Meanwhile, Beck seems like the ideal, pretty and likable girl that every guy would want to have. She’s everything that Joe desires and he has fallen madly in love with her, to the point of obsessively imagining and following her. He’s determined to do whatever it takes to make her fall in love with him, and nobody can stand in his way.

This book is giving me the whole Dexter meets Pretty Little Liars with a Gone Girl vibe. It’s giving me all the “feels” (LOL, whatever that means) and it’s beautifully written in the sense that it would make you really get into the mind of a stalker and sort of realize what it must be like to fall head over heels crazy in love with someone so bad that you’d actually do anything to make that relationship happen. There is something likable and strangely relatable about Joe. He’s just like most of us when we fall in love with someone, we do get obsessed with that person and we do feel the pain if that person does not reciprocate how and what we feel, even more so if that person doesn’t even realize that we exist, right? But loving and crushing are not the same as stalking. Stalking is wrong and it’s creepy. We don’t act out on our emotions and do crazy evil things when we have feelings for someone who doesn’t seem to be interested in us. We move on and find someone who can truly love us back the way we want to. That’s life, that’s what’s normal and that’s healthy. But then again, this book will take you inside a hopeless romantic psychopath’s mind and see what it’s like to fall in love with someone so obsessively to the point of being mad.

The series adaptation of this book is currently being aired on Lifetime every Sunday night. The latest episodes are uploaded online for the viewers to watch. It’s kinda weird that Lifetime made an adaptation of this. I’ve always thought of Lifetime as the channel that contains Golden Girls, Romance films, and all the feel-good movie type, but anyway, I think the series itself is just as well-done as the book. It has all the vibes and atmosphere of the novel’s story. Penn Badgley is great as Joe Goldberg and so are most of the actors. It’s as haunting and intriguing as ever.

I listened to the Audible version of this book, and I couldn’t stop. The narration is captivating and superb. It made me feel claustrophobic, strangely in love and was always on the edge. A real page-turner and true to what they say, this book is not your usual boy-meets-girl story.

To purchase this book online, click HERE

To listen to the Audible version of this book, click HERE

To watch the LIfetime series adaptation of this book, see it HERE