Paul & Joe Cosmetic Pouch for the Spring 2011 Collection Sparkles

This should be a relatively short post, since the pictures speak for themselves. The newest Paul & Joe pouch for Spring 2011 has the most beautiful and charming print, and I had to share it. The larger kiss lock pouch comes with a mini bag tucked away in the internal pocket. There have been plenty of P&J prints that haven't taken my fancy, but the moment I saw the promotional pictures for the spring collection, I knew I had to have this one. 

I noticed right away that the pouch's colors are a bit more vibrant in person than in the promotion. The fabric is a satiny synthetic, a polyester of some type, and the kiss lock clasp makes for a secure closure. The mini pouch that comes inside is also super convenient, because I can put my jewelry in it. I wear a lot of jewelry day to day, so I always have to travel with a receptacle for my rings and bracelets, particular when there are metal detectors involved. The overall size of the kiss lock pouch is good also; it's the perfect size to hold all of the makeup that I like to carry around for the day.

Definitely steeply priced at $40 dollars, I'm sure this isn't a must have item for everyone, but I'm glad that I made the purchase. 

Paul & Joe Face Color for the Spring 2011 Collection Sparkles, Swatches and Review

Sorry I've been absent from the blog so long. I'm literally drowning in my studies. I'm taking the MCAT in about five and a half weeks, so I've basically turned into a nervous wreck. Plus I'm starting a new and huge project at work, where I'll be looking at my samples using a brand new Scanning Electron Microscope. Very exciting.

Anyway, let me continue with the rest of the Paul & Joe Spring 2011 collection review that I promised two weeks ago. Today I bring you the Facecolor in 072 Taffeta. Since all three of the face colors released for this collection have the same packaging, I decided to settle on one to buy out of the lot. I didn't see these in person, even though I could have easily gone to Bergdorf's to check them out, but as I mentioned above, the MCAT has kept me indoors during the weekends for the past several months. So I ordered the "safe" choice: the bronze and pink combination. I've never been able to say no a bronze. The mauve and blue looked very nice too, but those aren't as a guaranteed to be a success for me. 

Of course, 072 Taffeta did not disappoint. The packaging is lovely, and the quality of the facecolor is high as always. The finish is definitely on the frosty end of the spectrum, but I would say that this is sparkly, while still remaining very tasteful. I had a hard time photographing the swatches, since the lighter of the two shades essentially disappeared into my skin. In person it gives a very flattering natural sheen to the lid, but the sparkliness just didn't translate to the picture. As for the bronze shade, it's pretty much to die for. Definitely not an original color, but neutrals aren't there to blow our minds with originality. Bronze is one of the colors that I collect, and for all those collectors out there, I highly recommend this color. 

From Left to Right: Beige Pink alone, Bronze alone, Combined

I also like that this is a multitasking product. You get three colors for the price of one, since you can apply each separately, or combine the two. The pan is a little on the small side, so a large brush wouldn't be able to pick up one color over the other, but when using a precision brush, or a finger, it's easy. Unfortunately the little applicator that comes with Taffeta is pretty useless. Although I did use it to make the swatches, so at least they served that purpose!

Paul & Joe Lipsticks for the Spring 2011 Parasol Collection Sparkles, Swatches and Review

So Paul & Joe has hit another out of the park. The new Collection Sparkles, entitled Parasol, could not be more spring appropriate. The three new lipsticks in the always adorable printed tagboard packaging are a gradation of pinks. Of course the formula is consistently the best. Plushy, glossy, and moisturizing. And at that magical medium on the sheer to opaque spectrum that flatters so well. The colors probably aren't the most original, but I honestly don't know how anyone could pass on them. At $22 each, the price is right, and the packaging is totally charming and unique. So I guess I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves in this post. There's really not much to say other than that Paul & Joe has once again knocked my socks off. 

From bottom to top: 070 Chantilly, 071 Afternoon Delight, 069 Alfresco

The lightest out of the trio is 069 Alfresco, which is a sort of "baby" pink. Excuse my language, I hate that descriptor. But that's probably the best way of describing such a delicate blue toned color.

The mid range color is 070 Chantilly. This is my favorite out of the three, and as you can see, I couldn't wait for last weekend's photo shoot to start wearing it. This is a slightly coral toned color that's a similar albeit pinker version of Chanel 77 Jersey Rose. Suffice it to say that both this color and the chanel have been in heavy rotation lately.

The darkest color is 071 Afternoon Delight. This is really a beautiful sheer fuschia pink that gives nice definition to the lips. I've been going eyeshadow free a lot lately, since I've been so enamored with the "fresh face" of spring, and this is a good product for that look because it adds a bit of healthy color.

 From left to right: 070 Chantilly, 071 Afternoon Delight, 069 Alfresco

Same order as above

So in summary, these lipsticks are not to be missed. Go forth and purchase, you won't be disappointed. Clearly Paul & Joe have produced yet another spring collection to be reckoned with. I bought a couple other items from Parasol as well, so look for more posts to come.

Chanel Spring 2011 Rouge Cocos Peregrina and Jersey Rose, Swatches and Review

 

 Algea and Diatoms

So I went back for seconds. Don't judge me. I bought the two Rouge Cocos from the Chanel Spring 2011 collection, 77 Jersey Rose and 78 Peregrina, after the holiday extravaganza. These were somewhat unimpressive when swatched on the back of my hand during the first go at the 57th St Boutique, which is why I was spared the expense initially. But after reading reviews, and looking at other swatches, I realized I should probably look more closely. So I dutifully went back to saks with my gift card and tried them on. When applied to the lips, these lipsticks go from being ho-hum to super awesome flattering seduction!!! 

 

Jersey Rose is a rose pink with a peach undertone that goes beautifully with my winter palour. It actually almost matches the natural flush on my cheeks, and not surprisingly, goes with most of the blushes in my repertoire. I've been wearing it non-stop since I bought it earlier this month. It actually hurts my heart to think I almost missed out on Jersey Rose. It's become my newest and most favorite my-lips-but-better shade. I should have known that a lipstick corresponding with a number like 77 would be heavenly.

Peregrina is a very similar color, since the hue value is almost identical. The swatch picture really speaks volumes to this effect. But instead of being rosey, Peregrina is just straight peachy. The sales associate said that this color would turn orange with my skintone, but I think I disagree. It stays pretty true peach, despite the amount of pink in my face. 

As for the formula, I'm actually not crazy about the Rouge Cocos generally speaking. I find them unfortunately drying, although the fragrance has grown on me. Thankfully, where these lack in moisture, they make up in lasting. In comparison to other lipsticks that I frequently wear, these rarely have to be reapplied throughout the day. I find these non-feathering, and precise enough that you don't have to use a lip liner. Granted I don't own any dramatic colors, which is obviously the true test.

 

Overall, I'm really glad that I looked at the Chanel Spring 2011 lipsticks in greater detail. Jersey Rose will always have a place in my british-in-heritage heart.

photo credit: Dr. Arlene Wechezak, submitted to the Nikon Small World Microscopy Competition

Chanel Spring 2011 Black Pearl and Pearl Drop, Swatches and Review

For some reason I can't stop buying Chanel nail polish. They're like crack. I actually don't find anything that remarkable about them as a whole. The formula very rarely impresses me particularly, and I find that Chanel is far from being the trend setter, despite the accepted dogma. And yet, I lay down 23 green each and every time, Spring 2011 being no exception. 


All that being said, Black Pearl is so completely worth the money it crosses over to the ridiculous. This is one of the most singularly beautiful nail polish colors I've ever used. Difficult to put into words, Black Pearl is truly unique. I've been disappointed by Chanel nail polishes in the past, especially those with this particular shimmer formula, but Black Pearl delivers both in beauty and in quality. (although it still started chipping within 24 hours. but I'm unusually hard on my hands.)

So, I got this very suggestive email from Chanel. I was already  expecting to succumb to Black Pearl, but I realized I must have Pearl Drop as well!!! And make this a reality!! Black Pearl manicure, and Pearl Drop pedicure!!

Close up to show the sparkle. I used two coats to reach opacity with Black Pearl.

Pearl Drop is the sort of color that I rarely go for. I definitely didn't need this color, and there's nothing particularly unique about it, but at least the formula is also the same high quality as Black Pearl. I think a white frost manicure is typically considered a faux pas, so I wasn't sure how I should use this pearly gold white until I got that email. And I'm really loving it on my toes. Since the usual mani/pedi combination is a light/dark, not a dark/light, I think this combination is more visually interesting.

It took three coats to reach opacity with Pearl Drop

One of my recent disappointments with Chanel was the release of Riva, which looks so exquisite in the bottle, but translates terribly to the nail (thankfully I was able to resist that nail polish purchase). But as you can see below, the bottle color of both Black Pearl and Pearl Drop translates very well to the nail. 

All in all, I'm very happy with these nail polishes. Black Pearl is definitely a must have, whereas Pearl Drop completely isn't. I would advise anyone to run right out and buy Black Pearl as soon as possible, before it sells out forever. 

Chanel Spring 2011 Ombres Perlées de Chanel Swatches

Can we please talk about how much I hate Chanel for doing this to me? Please, release Spring '11 in January after Christmas, for crying out loud. But of course since this is the most elegant and cohesive collection I've ever seen from Chanel, I ran right out and gouged a huge hole in my wallet, which I might add has already taken an epic beating in preparation for the holidays. Because god forbid I miss out on anything. Jeez. 

Anyway, the products are really what you're here for, so I'll stop complaining. Today I bring you the star product, the Ombres Perlées de Chanel. Obviously I haven't had much time to really play with this palette, but it just about knocked my socks off when I first spotted it in person, and I wanted to quick share some pictures and swatches. I love love love cream products, and the moment I heard Chanel was slated to release a pearl themed cream eyeshadow palette for Spring, I was all kinds of excited. And Ombres Perlées de Chanel does not disappoint. 


The moment I got this home, I put on the golden cream and light pink shades on my lids. I must say the formula far surpasses similar cream products in quality. After having these on my lid, I may never look twice at my MUFE cream shadows ever again. I didn't even hesitate to apply primer in my mad dash, and so far the formula is lasting well also. It's not the most rigorous of tests to wear eyeshadow around the house for a couple of hours, but it's nonetheless encouraging that there isn't even a hint of creasing yet. 

The two lightest shades are the least exciting, but will probably get the most wear because they create a sophisticated sheen on the lid that looks very natural and flattering. They can also double as highlighters. 

The rest of the colors are a series of complex shades that really do reflect the luminosity and variation of fresh water pearls. Unfortunately they didn't photograph that well, because the sparkle is too complex for my dinky camera to capture. The middle shade is a beautiful near duo-chrome plum, the fourth shade is a murky gasoline-on-water green, and the last shade is a pearly dark grey with a distinct green note. All of the colors look beautiful together, and also compliment the rest of the collection very well. 

My favorite color is the last one, the black pearl. It's definitely a very unique shade. It doesn't compare to anything in my current collection, and I can't think of any similar colors available on the market. The impact of dramatic or dark shades is softened when they come as a cream, so I think it'll be very wearable, especially for the holidays. I'm looking forward to combining this palette with the Ellis Faas eye lights I got back in September for a festive look. 

With Flash

In Natural Light

Overall I think this palette is very much worth the $65 price. I might not have been able to pull the trigger if I hadn't looked at it in person, but seeing the high quality texture and uniqueness of the colors was very convincing.


I bought a few more items from the collection so more reviews are coming soon. I'm doing a manicure and pedicure using two of the new nail polish colors tonight!